Morning sunlight spilled over the Nerulian village. For the first time since my reincarnation, there was no immediate screaming, roaring, or teeth aimed at my fragile HP bar.
It felt… good.
Until I tried walking.
Thunk.
"OW!" I hopped on one leg, clutching my stubbed toe. "Who designed feet like this?!"
Children laughed from the fences. Elira pinched the bridge of her nose. "You've had a body for one day and you're already hopeless."
"Excuse me, I had a perfectly functional orb form before this."
"An orb doesn't stub its toe," she muttered, drawing her daggers. "Come. Let me train you how to fight better."
---
Training with Elira was… humiliating.
Her movements were sharp, precise. She flowed like water, cutting through invisible enemies.
Me? I swung a wooden practice sword the Nerulians had given me… and immediately lost balance, falling on my ass.
"GAH!"
The children clapped politely, like they were watching a comedy play.
Elira sighed. "Your strength stat means nothing if you move like a drunk cow."
"…Hey, my strength is decent now!" I opened my status screen proudly.
Status
Level: 6
HP: 180/180
MP: 320/320
Strength: 20
Agility: 22
Endurance: 18
Intelligence: 24
"See? Look at thedse numbers!"
Elira gave me a flat stare wondering what I was talking about . "Numbers don't swing a blade. You do."
"…Ouch. Advisor, back me up here?"
[Observation: She is correct. Current analysis suggests you have the grace of a collapsing barrel.]
"Et tu, Advisor?!"
---
But the real embarrassment came during sparring.
Elira struck fast, wooden blade aimed for my chest. I panicked, tripped, and instinctively grabbed
Her waist.
Her very slim, toned waist.
We froze.
"…Let go."
Her voice was flat, but her cheeks burned crimson.
"I-It was instinct!" I stammered.
[Observation: You have triggered Ecchi Flag #2.]
"THAT'S NOT A FLAG!"
Before I could defend myself further, her wooden blade smacked me upside the head.
"OWW okay, deserved."
---
Despite my clumsiness, I made progress. My strikes grew steadier, my stance firmer. And every time I stumbled, Elira adjusted me with sharp, precise corrections.
Sometimes too precise her hands gripping my shoulders, guiding my arms, or pushing my hips into place.
Each touch sent my brain into overdrive.
"This is just training," she muttered whenever she noticed my face heating up.
"R-Right, just training!"
[Observation: Inappropriate levels of tension detected.]
"I SAID SHUT UP!"
---
Later, the Nerulian chief approached as we rested. His beard swayed as he bowed.
"Protector, already our crops grow safer, our children laugh again. With you and the silver warrior here, we feel hope."
I rubbed the back of my neck. "Me? Protector? I just tripped into this body yesterday."
The chief's eyes softened. "Hope doesn't care if you stumble, only that you rise again."
His words settled in my chest, heavier than I expected.
Protector. Was that really me?
---
That night, I sat outside with Elira, the stars endless above us.
"…You fight for them," I said quietly. "The villagers. Even though you could just move on."
Elira's gaze was sharp, but her voice was soft. "Because if no one protects them, who will?"
Something stirred inside me. Maybe this was more than just surviving. Maybe this was… purpose.
[Observation: Probability of you forming your own settlement in the future has increased by 74%.]
"…Wait, what? Advisor, are you foreshadowing again?"
[Affirmative.]
"STOP SPOILING MY LIFE."
Elira glanced at me, puzzled. "You're strange."
"Thanks," I said with a grin.
---
But deep in the forest, far from the village, the shadows stirred again.
The cloaked figure knelt by a pool of black ichor, whispering to the void.
"The Alpha has fallen. The spirit has evolved. But no matter. Greater beasts stir. Soon, the corruption will spread beyond this forest."
The ichor rippled and from it, a monstrous silhouette began to rise.
---