Trials of the Multiverse

After ticking off my basic needs checklist, the hour flew by, marked by a bell-like ring before...

[The Tutorial will now commence]

And just like that, the blue window popped up, transporting me to what looked like a training area.

[Please, select a weapon]

Weapons of all shapes and sizes were on display – axes, swords, lances. Honestly, I was stumped. I'm no martial arts enthusiast; how am I supposed to choose without knowing who or what I'm up against?

Relying on probability and common sense, I figured I'd grab something that doesn't need a PhD in swordplay to be effective. And since there were no ranged options except bows, I prayed my opponent wasn't some magic whiz.

I mean, who'd pit a magic user against a clumsy dude who can't even swing a sword right?

...

Damn.

No dilly-dallying, I opted for a light sword, something I could manage single-handedly even with my weak muscles.

Reasoning? Heavy swords and axes were out of my league – I couldn't lift those monsters. Try to hold a real one, it's fucking heavy.

As for lances, they seemed like rocket science for a newbie. The rest were more or less the same, so the light sword seemed like a decent defense option.

[You have selected the Light Sword. Please, select a class]

System's window appeared as soon as I came to a decision – this thing can read my mind or at least observe me closely enough to understand what I want.

...Pure speculation, though.

Checking out the updated window, I found myself faced with classes:

[Magic Swordsman]

[Swordsman]

[Knight]

Now, it might seem like a no-brainer, but hold on. Just because it's got magic in it doesn't make it the golden ticket.

After mulling over the classes, a rundown appeared in my vision for each class.

[Magic Swordsman]

[Description: Master the art of blending swordplay and magic.

Effect: Infuse your sword with magic, freezing you in place during the process.

Additional Description: Unlocks access to [Mana]]

[Swordsman]

[Description: Navigate the path of the sword, truly earning the title of Swordsman only when the sword acknowledges you.

Effect: Gain a rudimentary grasp of sword techniques. Your sword becomes a companion on your solitary journey.]

[Knight]

[Description: Embrace the vow of a Knight, where wielding a sword means to protect.

Effect: Boosts endurance and defense by 200% while wielding a sword. Requires increased nutrient intake to sustain. If you are actively protecting someone, the boost surges to 500%.]

Still sold on Magic Swordsman?

Honestly, I wasn't. The wording hinted that being a Swordsman is a prerequisite for the magic part. So, if I choose this class, chances are the magic-sword combo won't work out as intended.

My expression ran cold. 

This ain't a tutorial; it's a Trial in disguise, weeding out the gullible.

As for the Knight, it might be great for a team thing, but who says I'll meet anyone else in the trials I can form a party with? Picking a class to protect someone when I can't even defend myself is just dumb.

Swordsman it is.

The other options vanished, leaving only Swordsman.

[You have chosen [Swordsman] as your class]

And with the confirmation, no magic jolts or collapsing on the floor. I felt completely normal.

At least this novel skips the dumb clichés.

Alright, what's next?

[New Quest!]

[Some Sword Training]

[Description: Understand the weight of your class

Tasks to complete:

Hit the dummy(0/100)

Do a vertical slash(0/50)

Do a horizontal slash(0/50)

On Failure: Death

On Success: Level up]

Wait, do I even have a level?

As soon as I wondered about leveling up, another window popped up.

[

Status: Healthy

Level: 0

Combat Prowess: Weakest

Skills: Cooking(Lv .8), Slash(Lv. 0)

Talent: Sword(Lv. 1)

]

Alright then. I've got this leveling-up thing going on now. No clue what it means, but maybe it'll come in handy. Surveying the dummies, I'm ready to throw some slashes around and see what sticks.

Grabbing my sword, I take a swing. And no surprise, it's a train wreck. My hands absorb more recoil than I can handle, and I drop the sword, wincing in pain.

Lesson learned: swinging a sword required more physical endurance than I possessed.

But hey, at least I'm aware of the problem. That's a start. I take another swing, then another. It's not pretty, but it's progress.

Undeterred, I pressed on. The fourth slash was too feeble, the dummy showing no response. The fifth, a vertical slash, proved too challenging for a complete newbie like me, requiring a proper stance unlike the forgiving nature of a horizontal swing.

Slash after slash, I pushed myself, reaching a hundred horizontals but a mere five verticals. The quest mandated fifty of each, but I prioritized honing the horizontal technique, banking on the absence of a time limit.

Stamina replenished during brief rests, allowing me to continue the relentless practice.

Over 200 slashes later, my technique improved gradually. Center of gravity issues persisted, but repetition brought a modicum of control...

A few hours in, and I've lost count of how many slashes I've thrown. Each time, I find something I don't like about my technique. Falling all over the place at first, but gradually getting the hang of it.

After a solid session, I decided it was time to stop.

Mental exhaustion can never be underestimated.

Maybe it's the low-level talent, but I felt that even if I continued, I wouldn't have been able to gain much more.

---

After a proper rest, I cautiously tackled the vertical slashes and, after a while...voila!

[Some Sword Training - Quest Complete]

[You have leveled up]

[Status: Tired

Level: 1

Combat Prowess: Weakest

Skills: Cooking(Lv. 8), Slash(Lv. 0)

Talent: Sword(Lv. 1)

You have 1 skill point]

'So, what's the deal with skill points?'

A familiar response promptly appeared.

[Skill Points]

[Description: Can enhance one skill by one level or be utilized to acquire new skills]

Handy information, indeed.

Seems like leveling up grants me a skill point.

The notion of purchasing skills intrigued me.

Moreover, buying skills must involve:

[Skill Shop]

[Available Skills:

[Run] - Cost: 2 skill points

[Jump] - Cost: 1 skill point

[Karate] - Cost: 10 skill points]

I dismissed the idea of splurging my skill point on the Jump skill.

I'll stick to enhancing the only worthwhile skill I've got from the Swordsman class.

With a mental command, I observed the [Slash] skill ascend from 0 to 1, accompanied by an informative description.

[Slash]

[Effect: Adds 5% to Slashing Damage dealt to enemies]

Better than nothing, I guess.