My Quartet System

Chapter Five: The Call to Train

Vin woke early, the rays of dawn breaking through the tall, arched windows of his room. Today felt different. A weight of anticipation hung in the air, and as soon as he opened his eyes, a notification from the system blinked into existence.

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**Congratulations, Prince Vin. You have unlocked a new task.**

**Task Name: Meet your combat mentor.**

**Reward: +500 experience points.**

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He rubbed his eyes and focused on the words. Combat mentor? It made sense that someone would be assigned to train him, given the importance of the First Battle. But the mention of 500 experience points piqued his curiosity.

"What's the catch?" he muttered, but the system remained unresponsive.

After preparing for the day, Vin made his way to the central hall where palace messengers usually delivered news. Sure enough, a steward was waiting for him.

"Prince Vin," the steward said with a bow, "you are summoned to the training grounds to meet your instructor, Master Leo."

Vin raised an eyebrow. "Master Leo?"

The steward's expression shifted, a flicker of awe crossing his features. "Master Leo is a Combat Lord, one of the few S-rank warriors in the kingdom. He has trained the royal family for decades. You will be in the best hands."

Vin's heart quickened. S-rank? That was a tier of power he could hardly fathom. If someone like Master Leo was his mentor, it meant the palace was serious about his training. He nodded, signaling the steward to lead the way.

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The training grounds were massive, a sprawling complex with everything from sparring rings to enchanted obstacle courses. The hum of magic filled the air, mingling with the sound of clashing swords and shouted commands.

Vin stood at the entrance, taking it all in. It was overwhelming, but he couldn't afford to hesitate. He stepped forward, his boots crunching against the gravel.

A figure approached him, tall and broad-shouldered, with an air of authority that commanded attention. His silver hair was cropped short, and his piercing gray eyes seemed to see straight through Vin. He wore simple combat attire, but the aura around him was anything but ordinary.

"You must be Prince Vin," the man said, his voice deep and steady.

Vin nodded, feeling a mix of respect and intimidation. "And you're Master Leo?"

The man smirked. "That's right. I've trained your brothers, and now it's your turn. I've heard you're... new to all this."

Vin's cheeks flushed, but he squared his shoulders. "I am. But I'm ready to learn."

Master Leo's smirk widened. "We'll see about that. Follow me."

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Leo led Vin into a large, circular chamber with a high, domed ceiling. The walls were lined with weapons of every kind—swords, spears, axes, and more—and the floor was marked with runes that glowed faintly underfoot.

"This is where the real training happens," Leo said, gesturing around the room. "Magic alone won't save you in the First Battle. You need to master the basics of combat. Strength, strategy, and skill—that's what separates the winners from the losers."

Vin nodded, his gaze sweeping over the room. It was impressive, but also intimidating. His former host had missed a lot while locking himself up. He sighed and muttered.

Leo crossed his arms, studying Vin with a critical eye. "You're weak."

The bluntness of the statement hit Vin like a punch to the gut. He opened his mouth to protest, but Leo raised a hand to stop him.

"That's not an insult, boy. It's an observation. You're starting at the bottom, but that's not a bad thing. It just means we have a lot of work to do."

Vin swallowed hard. "Then let's get started."

Leo chuckled. "Eager. I like that. But before we begin, tell me: what do you know about combat?"

Vin hesitated. "Not much, to be honest. I've been focusing on understanding my magic . You know i just awakened my element some days ago."

"What's the element?"

"Earth. "Vin said with pride .

"You will have to learn more." Leo said

Vin nodded, though the comment stung. He couldn't deny the truth of it. He will need combat to blend with his Earthen ability.

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As Leo moved to retrieve a pair of practice swords, the familiar chime of the system echoed in Vin's mind.

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**New Task Available**

**Task Name: Level up to 2.**

**Reward: Wolf Fur (Rare Material).**

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Vin frowned, the cryptic reward catching his attention. Wolf fur? What was he supposed to do with that?

"Something wrong?" Leo asked, returning with the swords.

Vin shook his head. "No, just...kind of thinking."

Leo sighed. " Listen, Vin, if you're serious about training, you'll need to focus. Seems like you easily get distracted. "

Vin hesitated, then nodded. "You're right. Let's get started."

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Leo handed Vin one of the swords, its weight unfamiliar in his hands.

"First rule of combat," Leo said, "know your weapon. A sword isn't just a piece of metal. It's an extension of your body. Feel its weight, its balance. Get to know it."

Vin gripped the hilt tightly, adjusting his stance. The sword felt awkward, but he followed Leo's instructions, moving it slowly through the air.

"Not bad," Leo said. "Now, let's see how you handle an opponent."

Before Vin could react, Leo swung his own sword, the blade stopping just inches from Vin's shoulder.

"Too slow," Leo said, stepping back. "Your reflexes need work. But that's why we're here."

Damn , he will need to spend any ep he obtains again on his reflexes.

They spent the next hour drilling basic movements—blocks, parries, and strikes. Leo was relentless, pushing Vin to his limits. Sweat dripped down Vin's face, his muscles aching with the effort. But he refused to give up.

"Good," Leo said finally, stepping back. "You're learning. Slowly, but you're learning."

Vin managed a tired smile. "Thanks. I think."

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As they prepared to move on to the next drill, the system chimed again.

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**Reminder: Find a Combat Skills Book to progress your training.**

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Vin glanced at the notification, frustration bubbling up inside him. Why now? He didn't have time to chase after books or rare materials.

"Something wrong?" Leo asked, noticing Vin's distraction.

"Just nothing?"Vin muttered while he scratched his back head.

Leo frowned. " Right now, your focus should be on training. You must remember that the First Battle is a ground of different souls and classes of mages and your magic will not help you entirely, your skills will."

Vin nodded, pushing the notification to the back of his mind. He gripped his sword tighter, his determination reigniting.

"Let's keep going," he said.

Leo grinned. "That's the spirit."