The training yard of the city guard barracks was a sprawling, dusty expanse enclosed by high stone walls. The sound of clashing swords and the grunts of soldiers echoed through the air, a symphony of discipline and strength. Dominic stood at the edge of the yard, feeling out of place and overwhelmed. The armor-clad warriors before him moved with a grace and power that made him painfully aware of his own inadequacies.

Selene, standing beside him with her arms crossed, gave him a reassuring smile. "Don't worry, Dominic. Everyone starts somewhere. We'll take it step by step."

Marcus, who had just finished overseeing a sparring match, approached them with a critical eye. "Before we get into anything advanced, we need to see what you're capable of. We need to establish a baseline."

Dominic nodded, though anxiety gnawed at his insides. He had never been in a real fight before, and the idea of testing his abilities in front of seasoned warriors made his stomach churn.

Marcus gestured to a rack of weapons lined up against the wall. "Choose a weapon that feels right to you. We'll start with the basics."

Dominic surveyed the selection. Swords, spears, axes, and more—each weapon looked formidable in its own way. He hesitated before picking up a simple longsword. The weight of it surprised him; it was heavier than he expected but balanced. He gave it a few tentative swings, trying to mimic the movements he had seen in movies and games, but it felt awkward in his hands.

Selene stepped forward, her eyes focused on his movements. "Don't think too much about it. Let your body guide you. Just feel the weapon."

Marcus nodded in agreement. "This isn't about brute strength. It's about control and precision."

Dominic took a deep breath, trying to calm his nerves. He raised the sword again, this time moving more deliberately. It still felt unnatural, but with each swing, he began to get a better sense of the weapon's weight and how it moved through the air.

"Good," Marcus said after a few minutes of watching. "You have potential, but you're raw. We'll need to work on your technique. Now, let's see how you handle a bit of combat."

Dominic's heart rate spiked at the mention of combat. "You want me to fight someone? Already?"

Selene chuckled softly. "Don't worry. We'll start slow. Just a light spar to get you used to the feel of it."

Marcus signaled to one of the guards, a young man not much older than Dominic. The guard approached, holding a wooden training sword. He nodded respectfully to Marcus before turning to face Dominic, taking up a defensive stance.

"Remember," Marcus said, his voice steady, "focus on your footing, keep your guard up, and don't overcommit to your attacks."

Dominic swallowed hard and nodded, gripping his sword tightly. The guard moved forward with a quick, fluid motion, swinging his training sword in a wide arc. Dominic barely had time to react, instinctively raising his sword to block. The impact jarred his arms, nearly knocking the weapon from his hands.

If you encounter this story on Amazon, note that it's taken without permission from the author. Report it.

The guard didn’t let up, pressing his advantage with a series of rapid strikes. Dominic found himself backpedaling, desperately trying to defend himself. He managed to block most of the blows, but his movements were clumsy, and the guard’s strikes grew more aggressive.

Dominic's mind raced, panic setting in. He knew he was outmatched, and his body struggled to keep up with the relentless assault. Just as he was about to be overwhelmed, something within him shifted. A strange sensation welled up from deep inside, a warmth that spread through his limbs and centered in his chest.

Without thinking, Dominic's grip on the sword tightened, and his movements became more fluid. He sidestepped the guard’s next strike with surprising ease, countering with a quick slash of his own. The guard stumbled back, momentarily caught off guard.

Marcus and Selene exchanged a glance, both noticing the sudden change in Dominic’s movements.

The guard recovered quickly, launching another attack, but this time Dominic was ready. He parried the blow, his sword moving with a speed and precision that surprised even him. The warmth inside him grew, pulsing with a rhythm that seemed to sync with the beat of his heart. He moved with a newfound confidence, his strikes becoming more calculated, more effective.

For a moment, the world around him faded, and all he could focus on was the fight. It was as if his body had tapped into something primal, something that had been dormant until now. He blocked another strike, then pivoted smoothly, delivering a light but decisive blow to the guard’s side.

The guard stumbled back, lowering his weapon and raising a hand in acknowledgment of his defeat. Dominic stood there, breathing heavily, the sword still raised, the warmth in his chest slowly fading.

Marcus approached, his expression unreadable. "Interesting," he said, his voice calm but laced with curiosity. "You have a natural affinity for this. It's not just raw talent—there's something else at play here."

Dominic lowered the sword, the reality of what just happened sinking in. He looked down at his hands, which were trembling slightly. "I don’t understand... I’ve never done anything like this before."

Selene stepped forward, placing a hand on his shoulder. "It seems you’ve got more going on inside you than we thought. That warmth you felt, that’s the spark of magic. It’s rare for someone to tap into it so instinctively, especially someone new to this world."

"Magic?" Dominic repeated, still trying to wrap his mind around it. "But I didn’t cast a spell or anything."

"Magic here isn't just about casting spells," Marcus explained. "It’s a part of you, of everything in this world. It can manifest in different ways—through strength, speed, endurance, even in how you fight. It seems you’ve got a natural connection to it."

Dominic nodded slowly, trying to absorb this new information. He had always dreamed of having magic, of being able to wield incredible powers, but now that it was real, it felt... overwhelming.

"So, what does this mean for me?" Dominic asked, his voice tinged with both excitement and fear.

"It means you have potential," Marcus said, his tone serious. "But potential is just the beginning. We’ll need to train you, help you understand and control this power. If you can harness it, you might just survive in this world—and maybe even find a way to thrive."

Selene grinned, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "And who knows, Dominic? You might even turn out to be one of the strongest people in Andaria. But first, we’ve got a lot of work to do."

Dominic felt a mix of emotions swirling inside him—fear, anticipation, and a growing sense of determination. He had been thrust into a world of magic and danger, but he wasn’t powerless. He had something inside him, something that could be the key to surviving and finding his way back home.

As he looked at Selene and Marcus, his newfound allies, he realized that he wasn’t alone in this. They were willing to help him, to guide him through the challenges ahead. And with their help, he might just have a chance.

"Alright," Dominic said, his voice steady with resolve. "Let’s get to work."

With that, his journey truly began.