---
The crisp morning air bit at Kyle's skin as he stepped onto the training grounds. The sun had barely risen, casting long shadows across the field. A few early risers were already moving through their own routines—stretches, sparring drills, endurance exercises. Some glanced his way but quickly returned to their own tasks. He paid them little attention.
> [Quest Progress: 0/5km]
Kyle exhaled and took off at a steady pace.
The first kilometer was effortless. His body had adapted to the rigors of military training, his movements fluid and controlled. Each breath synced with his strides.
By the second kilometer, his mind slipped into a rhythm. The world blurred into the steady thud of his footsteps and the cold bite of air filling his lungs. A few trainees passed him going in the opposite direction, some giving brief nods of acknowledgment. He didn't respond—his focus was singular.
By the third, sweat slicked his back. His uniform clung uncomfortably to his skin, but he ignored it. His legs burned, but it was a familiar ache, one that whispered, keep going.
By the fourth, fatigue clawed at his muscles. His breaths came faster, harsher. His heartbeat pounded in his ears.
By the fifth, he pushed harder, sprinting the final stretch. His lungs screamed, fire coursing through his veins, but he refused to slow.
> [Run 5km – Complete!]
Kyle staggered to a halt, hands on his knees, chest rising and falling in rapid bursts. His heartbeat thundered, but beneath the exhaustion, satisfaction settled in his bones.
One part down. Two to go.
He rolled his shoulders and strode toward the weight training area, shaking the tension from his limbs. A few trainees were already there, grunting through their own routines. Some were lifting heavy, others practicing form. A group of second-years threw curious glances his way but didn't speak.
> [Strength Training – 0/3 Sets Completed]
He dropped down into push-ups, arms flexing with each controlled descent. Fifty in a single set. No pauses. He moved seamlessly to pull-ups, gripping the bar and hauling himself up until his chin cleared the metal. His muscles strained, trembling by the final few reps. His breath came in short bursts, but he welcomed the burn.
Then squats. He adjusted his stance, lowering himself with precision. His thighs ached, sweat dripping from his brow.
> [Strength Training – 3/3 Sets Completed]
Kyle exhaled sharply, standing up straight. His arms trembled slightly from exertion, but the pain only fueled him further.
The last task remained—combat practice.
He stepped into an empty sparring circle, cracking his knuckles.
> [Combat Practice – 0/10 Minutes Completed]
He moved. Fast. Shadowboxing against an invisible opponent. His footwork was deliberate, sharp. Every punch, every feint, had weight behind it. He dodged, weaved, countered. In his mind, he wasn't alone. He saw the second-years from last night's drills, the way they fought, the way they struck.
Faster.
Stronger.
He pushed himself harder, sweat flying with each movement. The world faded into instinct. His fists carved through the air with precision, every strike an echo of his determination.
Minutes passed. His muscles screamed. His lungs burned.
Then—
> [Combat Practice – 10/10 Minutes Completed]
Kyle stopped, exhaling slowly.
> [Daily Quest Completed!]
> Rewards Gained:
+10 EXP
+1 Strength
+1 Agility
He wiped the sweat from his brow, steadying his breath. A familiar pulse ran through his body—a subtle surge of energy. He flexed his fingers, feeling the faint but noticeable increase in strength and speed.
With a flick of his fingers, he pulled up his status screen.
---
> [Familiar System – Kyle Corvayn]
[User]: Kyle Corvayn
[Race]: Human
[Level]: 3
[EXP]: 35 → 45/150 (+10 EXP from quest completion)
[HP]: 35/35
[Strength]: 14 → 15 (+1 from training)
[Agility]: 15 → 17 (+2 from combat reflexes)
[Stamina]: 20
[Willpower]: 25 → 27 (+2 from battle endurance)
[Mana]: 25
[Familiar Status]: Boneclaw (Dormant)
Familiar Tier: Apex (Locked)
Evolution Stage: Inactive
Sync Rate: 3% → 5% (+2% from prolonged battle adaptation)
---
Kyle stared at the screen for a moment, taking in the numbers. The increases weren't massive—but they were there.
And the sync rate—
It was growing.
Slowly, subtly—but it was there.
His connection with Boneclaw was strengthening.
Even dormant, its presence loomed over him, waiting. Watching.
Kyle exhaled and closed the screen.
He still had a long way to go.
But progress was progress.
With that thought, he turned and left the training grounds, already planning the next step.
---