My shirt and pants were drenched in sweat even though the training hall was well ventilated. A shift in the air above me was the only warning I got before a sword ripped through the air.

-You have taken 1 damage [-1 hp]-

I had long lost count of how many times I was knocked down to the floor. If not for the wooden aspect of the training sword, it was certain that I would have experienced my first death already. Ironically enough, the only thing that I took damage from anymore was from falling. Taking so many hits had allowed me to gain a new stat, endurance.

New Stat: Endurance

Reduces physical damage inflicted by the enemy. Increases the user's life by a small amount.

The fact that I was so weak came in quite handy, as the man who was matching my strength could only inflict minimal damage. Still, over four hours of continuous beatings had taken its toll. I only had seven hit points remaining, even with the extra health generated by endurance. At this rate, I might actually die.

"Into position! This is no time for you to be slacking"

I could only groan as I rose to my feet in response. The wooden sword was a block of lead in my arms. It was a wooden bastard sword, and as such, could be weld with either one or both hands. I had been using his right as the primary hand, but with the amount of fatigue it had accumulated, there was no chance in hell of continuing to use it. I had to continue. I wanted, no, needed to become stronger. My eyes were once more flooded by a blood-red hue as I switched the sword to my left and assumed the stance. It was better to use an unaccustomed hand than one that could not move at all.

"Left hand? Interesting, Trystero." There was no chance for me to reply; the man charged immediately after. Again, the movement was almost too fast to see. Too fast to see, but not to feel. With a fresher arm supporting the sword, I was able to parry the thrust aimed at my stomach with a clumsy but successful overhand slash. My left arm was too slow in following it up with a riposte. By the time I began the motion, the man's sword had already lashed out, bruising my wrist and disarming him. I desperately dove for my sword. Before I could grab it, or even try pulling it towards me, he kicked in midair back into standing position.

-Your Strength has increased by 1. [+1 STR] -

-Your Stamina has increased by 1. [+1 STA] -

-Your Agility has increased by 1. [+1 AGI] -

"Instead of going directly for your weapon, you should create an opportunity for you to retrieve it. Now pick it up and let us begin again."

It was approaching light.

'Just thirty... more minutes,' I thought, 'One more-' A thrust, followed by a slash at his wrist and an overhead slash. The man was only using the same three attacks, albeit not in the same order, over and over again. It was a thing of beauty with no excess movement or energy. Even with my special eyes, I could not tell when an attack was coming. Though we had been sparring for hours, I could still barely see it as it came.

'Bastard just keeps toying with me.' The man rapped my head five times before knocking me down.

"Umph!" I couldn't help but grunt as I fell.

'Shit, make that six.'

'I cant believe I actually chose this path myself.' I regretted it. I could not believe that I was following this through. I just didn't understand why.

'It must have been then,' I reminisced.

***************************************************************************

A rock shot through the air only to bounce off of a tree. It took me a while, but I finally managed to find a small clearing secluded enough that I was sure no one would bother me. The fact that new players were not allowed to leave the city for a period of four weeks in-game was bugging, but I supposed it was reasonable looking at how much damage I had taken several minutes into the game. My explorations earlier were quite successful. The city was full of maps, and even built in a rather logical fashion. It also came as a pleasant surprise that I was able to improve my stats, in this case stamina, by just getting tired over and over again. The tedious task of familiarizing myself with the main roads and buildings, which took, by the way, the better part of my first two days here, became slightly more bearable as a result. Something bothered me though.

'How is it fair that the players would ultimately decide the fate of this world, when the NPCs live here as well?' The idea of it broke my concentration and the new rock I had been levitating fell to the ground. It just seemed... wrong somehow. This was essentially a new, better world for me to live in, but NPCs were here first, and they were fully capable of thought, emotion, and reason; They were human in every aspect except the fact that they existed only in this game and were forced to follow certain core pre-directives. They were indistinguishable from players unless one took the time to talk and get to know them. The rock floated up a second time, following the trajectory of my outstretched hand.

'Well, theres no point in thinking about things I can't change,' I mused. Though I said this, the thought lingered. Royal Road was undeniably a world that emphasized the survival of the fittest. While NPCs currently held the highest levels and strongest positions of power, it was only due to the fact that the game had just recently come out; it would not be long until players took over. In the end, because Royal Road was ultimately a game for real life consumers, players had greater access to quests and equipment that made leveling infinitely easier than for NPCs. The sight of a rabbit in the clearing brought me out of these thoughts. It was the scene I was forced to behold while exploring the city.

Beyond the city gates, I saw countless players slaughtering cute, innocent rabbits. The sight stirred feelings of fear, despair, and inexplicably rage. For some reason, it felt that as if I would share the fate of the rabbits if I did not become stronger. I was a failure. After all, the rabbits were completely innocent animals. They, who had done nothing to incur the wrath of the players and posed no threat whatsoever, were hunted down just because they were easy pickings. In the real world, I could not control who and what I was or anyone around me, but in this one, it would be different. I vowed that it would change. I needed not only survive, but to excel. With no one else, this world was all i had left.

With that in mind, I returned to the project at hand. The rock spiraled upwards, accelerating about three feet before slowing down and finally dropping down once more.

'It seems that there are more intricate details and conditions to my powe- this skill, than are described in the skill pane.' If I remembered correctly, all the skill actually mentioned was the mana cost, and even that didn't seem consistent.

"View Character Skills."

New Skill: The Force [Beginner Level 3 - 42.08%]

A mysterious force shrouds your presence. As you become more in tune with it, you will be able to direct it to some degree. You can direct a limited amount of matter. Increases with level.

Mana consumption: 10 mp/sec

Increases Agility (+10% AGI)

Increases Strength (+10% STR)

Increases Attack (+5% ATK)

Increases Defence (+5% DEF)

I found, by trial and error, that the skill had been limited to roughly ten pounds at first, draining all of my mana in one second; the weight limit increased each time of course, as I leveled the skill. However, this only applied to any matter within a one yard radius of my position. Anything further and the rules changed. It seemed to mimic the way my powers worked in real life. The further something was, the more energy and concentration it took for Tristan to move it. As it was, my experimentation was not going well.

'To think that it would be so weak...' I shook his head in disappointment. I had been giddy with joy at first; it was the first time I was finally able to exercise my abilities without worry or restraint. However, it just wasn't effective enough for this world. Since it drained pretty much all of my mana within a few seconds, it did not really have any practical uses yet. It did not help that my mana regeneration was pathetic.

'If I want to survive in this world long enough for me to call it my own, I'll need to pick up a few life skills and learn to defend myself.' Like most teenagers my age, I had very little life skills; I could not mend my clothes, do any first aid beyond disinfecting wounds and using bandages, or construct my own tools. I could, however from a sick twist of life, cook relatively well since my parents never wanted anything to do with me. Given a few different kinds of vegetables, I could throw together some veggie stir-fry, and given some meat on top of that I could make a mean chop-suey. I was also well versed with the lesser known meats and vegetables like frog, venison, durian, and bittermelons due to a certain someone's fondness for exotic dishes.

'It'll definitely take too long for me to train up my force skill to a sustainable level, and even longer if I want to even think about using it in combat.' The image of the man flinging him into the air was still bloody fresh in his mind, and I did not want a repeat. Ever. I remembered the tutorial mentioning how each city came equipped with a training hall that had a basic training program, which upon completion made the player eligible for the beginner training program. The tutorial had also mentioned how it was not popular, but I dismissed this as rubbish. Why would anyone give up a free training program?

The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

"Well," I said aloud in a decided tone. "When in Rome, do as the Romans do."

*******************************************************************************

The training hall was enormous. It held close to a thousand scarecrows in grid formation. On the walls were countless wooden swords of varying models. I spotted a handful of claymores, rapiers, foils, bastard swords, and of course, short swords. I could not identify any others. It was also empty. Though it was past midnight, I still expected there to still be people since time for players in real life flowed differently. The instructor had presumably retired for the night, and the only noise in the room came from my footsteps. Oddly enough, there was no echo.

After examining the available swords on display, I settled on a bastard sword. It was not because the sword that offered superior flexibility by being able to be weld one or two-handedly; I chose it then because I thought it looked cool. While all of the swords in the training hall were wooden, they were painted with different designs, and this one was... cooler.

I assumed what I thought to be a proper two-handed stance and attempted a swing at the nearest scarecrow. My arms reverberated with the impact. I got ready to swing again but jumped when someone spoke up behind me.

"Are you trying to play baseball, or swing that sword?" I looked at my stance in embarrassment.

"You should put down the sword. Its an embarrassment." He was wearing a completely white outfit, even his shoes were white. I could only marvel at the fact that I had missed the man when I walked in. The stranger was several inches taller than Tristan and moved with a predatory grace. He was lean and his sleeveless shirt exposed his chiseled muscles. More than that though, were his eyes. They seemed bottomless, full of wisdom and experience, and seemed to look straight through me to hismy very core. He turned and began walking toward the exit.

"Wai- Wait! My name is Trystero. Would it be possible for you to teach me how to use this sword." At this, the man turned with a small chuckle.

"You thought that swords were swung like a club."

"Exactly, which is why I beg of you to teach me." He was embarrassed that what the man had said was true. it seemed impossible for him to learn how to wield a sword on his own.

"Come back at dawn. The instructor should be back by then. Other than that though, you should probably find another weapon that might suit you better." The man turned again to leave.

I was crushed. Even though I did not know the guy, the man was the first person I actually spoke to in Royal Road. And he was leaving. The man would give me a chance. He didn't understand. Maybe they forgave me. Nothing had changed. Everything had changed. I would never belong. This was a different world. I wanted to learn the sword, but didn't have the talent. I never did. Hard work makes up for talent. I wondered why I even bothered starting the game. I could get better. It would get better.

'No,' I thought. It would be different. I had thought it would be different. O would make it different, even if it cost me my very soul. I raised the sword in my odd baseball stance as my eyes shifted red. The sight of the man walking in front of me seemed to slow, and I charged.

New Skill: Death's Eye [Beginner Level 1 - 00.00%]

When a warrior is in the midst of a battle determining life and death, it is said that time slows for them. It is said that when one is about to die, their entire life will flash before their eyes. This skill activates automatically in combat. This skill cannot be activated outside of combat.

Time slow: 5%

Increases Luck (+10 LUK)

Increases Luck (+10% LUK)

Increases Black Magic Resistance (+10% BMR)

Note: This skill only increases the speed at which the player can process information by sight. It does not actually slow time in any way.

"NO!" I didn't bat an eyelid at the translucent screen and swung my sword at the back of the stranger's head with all of my might. He vanished. He reappeared an instant later with a wooden bastard sword in his hand, the same as mine.

"Interesting," said the man, noting Tristan's dark red eyes. "Let us play a game then. I will only use three types of attacks and the same amount of power you displayed. All you have to do is survive until dawn."

Stranger Danger

It is unknown why he has taken enough interest in you to offer you a chance. It is however, a shining ray of hope for you who wish to learn swordsmanship.

Difficulty Level: D

Quest Requirements: Failed if you are unable to get up or are killed.

Cannot be denied.

Quest Reward: Surviving until dawn will greatly improve relations with the stranger.

***************************************************************************************

And here we are.

'Just a one more minute and I make it.' My hp was down to one. It was a race against time. The sky outside had begun to brighten, but the rays of light had yet to breach the vicinity of the hall.

'If I could just ward off the attacks.' I stepped back and lifted my sword with both hands and braced for the impact overhead. I almost slipped on my own sweat I had left from falling so much, but regained my footing in time to parry another thrust.

'I can't do it.' My arms were too slow to react to the next thrust and could only twist his body in hopes of dodging. My shirt earned another nick.

'I'm gonna die.'

"Time to die, Trystero~" The stranger cheered in a singsong voice. The mocking grin on his face infuriated me and I lifted my sword for one last attempt. I would succeed, or I would die trying.

The final thrust was aimed for my neck. I could only stare in grim defeat as my leaden arms refused to budge for one, last, final parry. Though futile, I refused to run and closed my eyes, remaining still as a statue.

The sword was mere millimeters from my throat when the first rays of dawn arrived through the doors. They shone on Tristan's face, illuminating my serene expression. Of course, I only found out about all of this later.

Quest Complete!

Stranger Danger

Your desperation and persistence in the face of one-sidedly overwhelming odds has reached the heart of the stranger.

Reward: Relationship with the stranger changed from "Annoying" to "Neutral"

"Okay kid, you passed this time. If you're still interested, come back here again at midnight."

Midnight Boot Camp

The stranger has opted to give you a chance. Show up at midnight to begin your training.

Difficulty Level: D

Quest Requirements: Must complete 'Stranger Danger'.

Cannot be denied.

Failure upon not showing up, giving up or dying.

Quest Penalty: Access to the training hall will be denied at night.

All stats and skills will be reverted to the state it was before = training began.

Quest Reward: Unknown

I never moved. The sword stayed up in the air and my body stood frozen in time. The people who came into the training hall looked oddly at me, but said nothing, surmising I was doing some sort of training. Nothing could have been further from the truth.

"The fucker actually passed out!" The stranger gave a laugh and left into the rising sun.

-System Notice-

New Stat: Sustenance

You are less likely to use stamina in action. You are prohibited from distributing stat bonus points to this stat.

New Stat: Fighting Spirit

You can call on superhuman strength temporarily, or bring weaker monsters to their knees with a force in your eyes alone. You are prohibited from distributing stat bonus points to this stat, and it rises spontaneously, depending on the avatar’s action, especially if you fight monsters for a long time, or often confront monsters stronger than your current level.

====================================================================================

*Chop-suey means "(with) mixed vegetables" and is a suffix for a certain asian meat and veggie dish

Dialog is denoted by double quotes " "

Thoughts by a character are denoted by single quotes ' '

====================================================================================

Authors notes:

Again, I would really like to replace the bolded italics with strikethroughs but the formatting is iffy.