It's been a month since I opened my eyes and found myself in this strange world.
At first, I thought I was dead.
Now… I just think I got lucky.
Rain was falling again. The Lian Family courtyard was already full. Wooden swords clashed, feet slid across wet stone, and voices rose one after another.
This was just basic training.
No one here had awakened yet.
I leaned against a pillar, watching.
Same people. Same movements. Same habits.
After a month, it was easy to follow.
"Your stance is off!"
The eldest stood in the center, correcting a cousin. His voice was calm, but no one dared ignore him. Every move he showed was clean. Fast. No wasted motion.
The second stood nearby, arms folded, eyes moving from one person to another. He didn't speak much, but nothing escaped him.
Both of them were monsters.
Everyone said so.
I stepped into the rain.
A few glanced my way. One of the cousins smirked.
"Third son, you're joining today?"
I picked up a wooden sword. "Why not?"
He came at me first.
No tricks. Just a straight swing.
I tilted my head. The blade passed by.
Second strike followed fast.
I stepped in instead of back. His swing shortened. My shoulder hit his chest. He lost balance.
The sword in my hand tapped his wrist.
He froze.
"Again," he said, frowning.
This time he was faster.
Better.
Still not enough.
Another joined in. Then another.
Three of them now.
Rain made the ground slick. Their steps slowed just enough.
One from the left. One from the right. One behind.
I moved forward.
Their wooden swords crossed where I had been.
I slipped between them.
A light hit to one. A push to another. The third stumbled trying to adjust.
They broke formation without realizing it.
"You've improved."
The eldest was looking at me.
I shrugged. "I've been practicing."
The second smiled slightly.
"Footwork's cleaner," he said. "But you're still wasting movement."
I nodded. "I'll fix it."
We sparred a few more rounds.
At this age, this was all they trained.
Movement. Balance. Control.
The rest would come after awakening.
"Enough."
The eldest raised a hand.
Everyone stopped.
His eyes stayed on me for a moment. Then he turned away.
"Continue your own practice."
I set the wooden sword down. My hands were steady.
The rain had slowed.
I climbed up to the balcony and looked out over the city.
Lights stretched into the distance. Movement everywhere.
I looked at the ring on my wrist.
One month to understand the basics.
One year until everything changes.
I turned and walked back inside.