As their tutorial started, Bruce and Amelia found themselves standing in a small staging area. They looked around, their surroundings brimming with the atmosphere of a medieval village. Timber-framed buildings lined the streets, their thatched roofs sloping steeply under a gray, overcast sky. The cobblestone roads were alive with the bustle of people, peasants hauling baskets of produce, knights in polished armor clanking by, and guards patrolling in pairs with alert expressions. The air was thick with the scents of straw, damp earth, and the less pleasant tangs of livestock and effluent.

Bruce wrinkled his nose. "If we're being honest, this place smells worse than I expected. But it feels… real." His broad shoulders, clad in a simple leather tunic, tensed as he scanned their surroundings. Standing nearly a head taller than most, Bruce's burly frame and square jaw gave him an imposing presence.

Amelia, petite by comparison, but no less commanding with vibrant auburn hair tied up into a practical braid, took in the scene with wide eyes. Her voice carried a mix of wonder and nervous energy. "Oh my, this is so different from what I imagined. What are we supposed to do here?"

Bruce rubbed his chin thoughtfully, his green eyes narrowing as he glanced at the passing villagers. "I'm not sure, dear, but I bet there are clues nearby. Let's look around."

They crossed the square toward a weathered notice board mounted on a building wall. Its surface was covered with layers of parchment, some flapping lightly in the breeze. As their eyes scanned the notices, a shimmering message appeared before them, faintly glowing against the background.

New Quest: Starting on the Right Path (Common)

Description: Every path begins differently. For your tutorial, you have been tasked with learning System basic functions and basic combat. Report to the training yard for further assistance.

Goal: Complete all goals provided by the training leader.

Reward:

Gold

Experience

1 Item

Note: Quality and amount of rewards vary based on the quality of tasks completed.

Bruce stepped back from the notice board, nodding at the glowing message. "Looks like we're heading to the training yard. Let's make sure we get top marks on these tasks. We could use decent rewards."

Amelia adjusted her satchel nervously, her fingers fidgeting with the straps. "I hope this 'basic combat' isn't too intense. I'm more of a learner than a fighter." She glanced around the bustling square, her brow furrowing. "Umm… where are we supposed to go? It doesn't say."

Bruce scanned the area and spotted two guards lounging by the entrance to a nearby stable. "Let's ask these guards over here." He trotted over, waving to catch their attention. Clearing his throat, he addressed them politely. "Excuse me. We just got here and have a quest to complete for our tutorial. It says to report to the training leader. Do you happen to know where that would be?"

One of the guards, a wiry man with a scruffy beard, chuckled darkly, his eyes glinting with mischief. "More tutorials, huh? I was wondering when we'd be getting a new batch of fresh meat in."

His companion, a broad-shouldered man with a stern expression, rolled his eyes and slapped the first guard on the shoulder. "Don't scare them like that. At least they were polite enough to ask and not demand like that last bunch did." Turning to Bruce, his tone softened. "Take this road for six blocks. Turn right at the red building—that's the Dragon Tail Tavern. Head straight to the next T intersection, and you'll find the training hall at that junction. Someone will guide you from there." He offered a faint smile and added, "Oh, and welcome to The System Worlds."

Amelia beamed at the guards. "Thank you for the information! You two have a great day!"

As they turned to leave, Bruce glanced at her with an amused smirk. "See? A little politeness goes a long way."

Amelia rolled her eyes, though a hint of a smile tugged at her lips. "Sure, but that first guard was definitely trying to mess with us. Fresh meat? Really?"

Bruce chuckled as they started down the road. "Maybe he was just trying to motivate us. Let's make sure we prove him wrong."

The road ahead was lively, brimming with the sights and sounds of village life. Farmers pushed carts loaded with fresh produce, a blacksmith pounded rhythmically on a glowing blade, and the scent of freshly baked bread wafted through the air. Amelia's eyes darted from one scene to the next, her awe evident.

"It's amazing how alive this place feels," she murmured. "It's like we've stepped into another world entirely."

Bruce nodded, his sharp gaze fixed ahead as they passed a group of children chasing each other through the streets. "It's the little details—everything feels so grounded. Even the smells are immersive."

The sixth block came into view, and the bright red building of the Dragon Tail Tavern stood out prominently. Its sign featured a dragon coiled around a frothy tankard, swaying slightly in the breeze. Raucous laughter and lively music spilled out from the open windows, adding to the tavern's inviting yet rowdy charm.

"There's our landmark," Bruce said, gesturing toward the tavern. "Now, straight ahead to the T intersection."

As they continued down the narrowing street, the hustle and bustle gave way to a quieter atmosphere. The training hall came into view at the intersection, a grand stone building with wide double doors and a crest above them—two crossed swords encircled by a ring of flames. Two armored figures stood at the entrance, their stances rigid and watchful.

Amelia tilted her head, taking in the imposing structure. "That has to be it. It looks… serious."

Bruce squared his shoulders and offered her a reassuring smile. "Nothing we can't handle. Let's go."

As they approached, one of the armored figures stepped forward and raised a gauntleted hand in greeting. "New arrivals? Welcome to the training hall. Head inside, and someone will be with you shortly to get you started."

The heavy doors creaked open, revealing an expansive interior filled with the clang of weapons, barked orders, and the occasional burst of magical energy. Amelia hesitated on the threshold, glancing at Bruce. "Well, here goes nothing."

Bruce gave her a confident nod. "Together, Amelia. Let's get this done."

They approached a desk where an attendant stood, his pen moving in quick, precise strokes across a parchment. For several seconds, the pair waited in silence until Bruce cleared his throat, drawing the clerk's attention.

"Hi, sorry for interrupting," Bruce began with a polite smile. "I'm Bruce, and this is my wife, Amelia. We were sent here with a quest for our tutorial. Can you help us?"

The clerk paused, visibly taking a moment to refocus his thoughts. His gaze shifted from the parchment to the pair before him. "I sure can," he replied warmly. "My name is Thaddeus Stillwater. And no," he added with a chuckle, "I'm not part of the Stillwaters from Brighton." He laughed softly, a private joke sparking his amusement before shaking his head. "Oh right, you wouldn't get that. Never mind. Let's see what we have here."

Thaddeus's eyes grew distant, and his expression turned thoughtful, as though he were accessing something unseen. A few moments passed before he raised an eyebrow. "Oh my, this is interesting."

Amelia crossed her arms, her brow furrowing. "What's interesting?" she asked, her tone edged with impatience.

Thaddeus refocused on them, his curiosity evident. "For every new arrival, we get information cards from your world that explain what our goals are for training you. You're marked as support-style people which, considering your backgrounds—and yes, that's included in these notes—makes sense. However, you're also being administered martial training. It's quite rare for administrative types to get both." He looked at them with genuine intrigue, as though they were a unique puzzle to solve.

Bruce tilted his head slightly. "Yes, we were warned about it. Can you tell us anything about what's coming?"

Thaddeus nodded thoughtfully. "Based on these notes, your martial training will include physical exercises designed to test your limits and assign tasks you'll need to complete on your own time. We don't hold hands here, but we will teach you what to do and how to do it—after that, the work's up to you. Then there are classes and more specialized programs to cover your more in-depth training." He paused, his tone growing brisk. "Any more questions, or can we get started? There's also a note here about you being under time constraints, so we need to get moving as soon as possible."

Bruce and Amelia exchanged a glance. Amelia offered a small smile and shook her head. "No questions. We're eager to get started."

Bruce nodded in agreement. "Let's do this."

Thaddeus gestured toward a door to their left. "Perfect. Head through that door, and you'll find your trainer. They'll answer any further questions you might have. Good luck!"

Bruce pushed the door open, its heavy wood groaning slightly on iron hinges. Beyond the threshold, the pair stepped into a sprawling training ground illuminated by shafts of sunlight streaming through high windows. The earthy scent of sand and wood filled the air, mingling with a faint metallic tang from racks of weapons lining the walls. The sound of their footsteps echoed faintly on the stone floor as they walked further in.

Near the center of the room, a large man was limbering up. His massive frame was clad in a simple sleeveless tunic and leather trousers, revealing arms thick with corded muscle. He moved with surprising fluidity, stretching and rolling his shoulders as if preparing for a battle. Nearby, a sturdy rack held an array of weapons—blunt swords, maces, axes, and even staves—all meticulously arranged.

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The man straightened and turned toward them, a friendly but focused expression on his weathered face. His dark hair was pulled back into a short ponytail, and his beard was neatly trimmed, framing a jawline that seemed hewn from stone. As he approached, his boots stirred small clouds of dust from the ground.

"Welcome," he said, his voice a deep, resonant baritone. "I'm Darron Blackthorn, your trainer."

Bruce and Amelia exchanged quick glances before letting their eyes wander across the vast space, clearly expecting to see other people. The room, however, was empty save for the three of them.

Darron caught their confusion and offered a knowing smile. "Your fee, which was sent with you, covered private training. This ensures we can speed up the process." He gestured broadly to the weapons rack and the expanse of the training ground behind him. "Everything here is at your disposal, and I'll tailor your instruction to your needs."

Amelia looked slightly relieved, though curiosity still lingered in her expression. "Private training? I wasn't expecting that," she murmured, casting another glance around the room.

Bruce grinned and gave a slight nod of approval. "Well, that's a pleasant surprise. I guess we're ready whenever you are."

Darron clapped his hands together, the sound echoing through the hall. "Good. Then let's not waste time. First, we'll test your baseline skills. Come over here, and we'll start with some basics."

With a commanding but approachable presence, Darron led them toward the weapon rack, his movements precise and confident. Bruce and Amelia followed, ready to embark on the first steps of their training.

"First let's see your stats. Won't take but a second." Darron focused on them using an analyze skill.

Name: Bruce Hagerson

Race: Human

Level: 0

Rank: F

Path: Not Available

Class: Not Available

Health: 100

Mana: 220

Stamina: 110

Strength: 10

Agility: 9

Constitution: 10

Intelligence: 22

Willpower: 18

Endurance: 11

Luck: 7

Available Points: 0

Name: Amelia Hagerson

Race: Human

Level: 0

Rank: F

Path: Not Available-

Class: Not Available

Health: 100

Mana: 240

Stamina: 100

Strength: 8

Agility: 11

Constitution: 10

Intelligence: 24

Willpower: 18

Endurance: 10

Luck: 6

Available Points: 0

Darron surveyed the pair thoughtfully. "Okay, with physical stat scores that low, most of these weapons aren't going to be suitable. Let me adjust the options for you." He turned to the walls and racks of weapons, making a series of fluid gestures with his hands. The weapons shimmered briefly, and when the light faded, the selection had drastically changed. The massive hammers and swords that could dwarf the trainer were gone, replaced by more modest options. The largest sword remaining was a sleek, narrow blade about three feet long. Smaller weapons like daggers, short swords, and maces now filled the racks alongside spears, bows, and javelins. At one end, there even appeared to be a simple letter-opener.

Satisfied with the new array, Darron nodded. "That's better. We're going to start with some hand-to-hand combat, just in case one of you excels in that. While I'm sparring with one of you, the other will be over here going through some exercises with my partner." He gestured to a previously unnoticed figure standing by a collection of weights, balance boards, and other unfamiliar equipment. The woman had appeared as if from thin air, her sharp gaze and athletic build hinting at a deep expertise.

Darron turned back to Bruce and Amelia with a grin. "Who wants to go first?"

Bruce stepped forward, rolling his shoulders. "I'll fight first."

Darron chuckled and clapped him on the back, the hearty slap nearly making Bruce stumble. "That's the spirit! Don't worry—I promise we're here to train you, not kill you. This will sting a little, sure, but you'll heal quickly. Who knows? You might find you love the thrill of it."

Turning to Amelia, Darron gestured toward his partner. "Amelia, this is Kaelyn Stormhart. She'll help you get started with assessing your physical baseline."

Kaelyn stepped forward, her presence commanding yet approachable. Her shoulder-length auburn hair was tied back in a practical braid, or plait, and her sharp gray eyes took in Amelia with a clinical precision. "Nice to meet you," she said with a small, confident smile. "Let's get started. Over here, please."

Amelia gave Bruce a quick look of encouragement before following Kaelyn to the equipment. Meanwhile, Darron led Bruce toward a cleared section of the training ground, clapping his hands together as he turned to face him. "All right, Bruce, let's see what you've got. Don't worry about getting it perfect—this is about figuring out where we're starting from."

Bruce took a deep breath, his stance steady. "Ready when you are."

Darron grinned, a glint of amusement in his eyes. "That's what I like to hear. Let's begin."

*****

Kaelyn led Amelia to a series of stations laid out neatly across the training ground. Each one featured different implements—weights of varying sizes, balance boards, and a strange contraption that looked like a hybrid of a treadmill and a rope-pulling station.

"First things first, we're going to establish a baseline," Kaelyn began, her tone brisk but friendly. "We'll test your strength, balance, flexibility, and endurance. This will give us a sense of where you are physically and where we'll need to focus your efforts."

Amelia nodded, brushing a strand of hair from her face. "Sounds straightforward enough. What do we start with?"

Kaelyn gestured to a rack of kettlebells. "We'll start with strength. Pick one of these up—whichever feels comfortable—and try to lift it straight overhead. If it's too easy, move to a heavier one."

Amelia grabbed a modestly sized kettlebell and lifted it cautiously. She managed to get it overhead, her arms trembling slightly. Kaelyn watched with a keen eye. "Good form, but let's try a heavier one. Don't be afraid to push yourself; I'll step in if it's too much."

They worked through a series of lifts, progressing from kettlebells to a barbell-like contraption with adjustable weights. Amelia's confidence grew as Kaelyn encouraged her with specific feedback, correcting her grip or posture when needed.

"Great effort," Kaelyn said, noting down her observations on a small slate. "Next, let's see how your balance is. Step onto this board." She indicated a wooden platform mounted on a curved base. "Try to keep it steady for as long as you can."

Amelia stepped on, her arms instinctively flailing for balance. Kaelyn smirked but didn't intervene, letting her struggle a bit before offering tips. "Bend your knees slightly. Center your weight. Focus on a fixed point in the distance—that helps."

After a few wobbly starts, Amelia managed to hold her balance for a solid twenty seconds. Kaelyn gave a small nod of approval. "Not bad. Now we'll test endurance."

The next station was the odd treadmill-like contraption. Kaelyn explained as Amelia stepped onto it. "Pull the rope as you walk—it'll add resistance. Try to keep a steady pace for three minutes."

Amelia's arms burned as she tugged the thick rope in rhythm with her steps, her breath coming harder as the minutes passed. Kaelyn encouraged her from the side, her tone calm but motivating. "Good tempo. Keep your core engaged. You're almost there."

When the timer buzzed, Amelia stumbled off the contraption, gasping. Kaelyn handed her a water flask and gave a satisfied smile. "That's enough for now. We'll spend the next hour rotating through these exercises to track your improvements. Take a short break, and we'll start again."

*****

Meanwhile, on the other side of the training ground, Bruce faced Darron, his fists raised awkwardly. Darron circled him, his movements light and fluid despite his size.

"Relax, Bruce," Darron said with a chuckle. "You look like you're bracing for an avalanche. Loosen up a bit."

Bruce forced a grin and shook out his arms. "Sorry, I'm not exactly a seasoned fighter."

"No worries," Darron replied. "That's what I'm here for. Let's start with some basic punches. Aim for my open hand."

Bruce threw a punch, his form stiff and his aim slightly off. Darron caught his wrist mid-swing, laughing heartily. "Okay, not bad for a first try, but you're putting all your power in your shoulder. Power comes from the hips—watch."

Darron demonstrated, his fist snapping forward in a blur. Bruce nodded, his brows furrowed in concentration as he tried to mimic the motion. His next punch was better but still lacked finesse.

"Getting there!" Darron said, clapping him on the shoulder. "Remember, this is about learning, not impressing anyone. Well, except maybe Amelia."

Bruce groaned, rolling his eyes. "Great, no pressure then."

They worked through basic punches and footwork, with Darron offering constant feedback and encouragement. "That's it—step into your punches. Don't be afraid to commit."

When Bruce finally managed a decent one-two combo, Darron let out a whoop. "There it is! You've got some fight in you after all."

Bruce, flushed and breathing hard, grinned despite himself. "Not bad, huh? I think I almost felt like I knew what I was doing."

Darron laughed, his deep voice booming. "Almost. Let's see how you hold up against some light sparring."

They moved into a mock bout, with Darron pulling his punches but keeping Bruce on his toes. Though Bruce's technique was rough, he threw himself into it with everything he had, earning several approving nods from his trainer.

"Good effort!" Darron said after Bruce landed a glancing hit. "You've got heart, and that's half the battle. The rest? That's what training is for."

By the end of the session, Bruce was drenched in sweat but smiling, his muscles aching in a way that felt oddly satisfying. "Thanks, Darron. I know I've got a long way to go, but this wasn't as bad as I thought."

Darron grinned, clapping him on the back. "You did great. With that kind of determination, you'll be a proper scrapper in no time."

*****

The next five hours passed in a blur of activity. Every time their energy started to falter, Darron and Kaelyn directed them to sit down with food and water, using the breaks to teach them tactics. The lessons ranged from basic formations to analyzing enemy movements, interspersed with lively anecdotes from Darron that kept the mood light. Despite the restorative meals, by the end of the morning, there wasn't a single spot on Bruce or Amelia that wasn't sore.

Amelia leaned back in her chair, stretching her arms with a groan. "If it wasn't for this amazing food, I don't think I'd have the energy to keep going."

Bruce, seated beside her and halfway through a massive sandwich, nodded vigorously. "I've never been so hungry in my entire life," he said around a mouthful of bread and meat, earning an amused glance from Amelia.

Darron chuckled, setting down his water flask. "That's stat growth for ya. What are your stat gains looking like? With how rigorous this training's been, you should've gained quite a few. I've got to say, I'm impressed with how you two are holding up."

Nearby, Kaelyn was preparing the next series of practice routines, her movements quick and methodical. She glanced over at them briefly before returning to her work. This next phase would involve selecting weapons and would require every bit of focus they had left. With only six hours left in the day, the challenge would be to fit it all in.

Bruce wiped his hands on his pants and pulled up his status screen. His eyes scanned the glowing interface, and he said "looks like my stats have changed quite a bit," before reading aloud.

Your base stats have changed!

+8 Strength

+5 Agility

+6 Constitution

+9 Endurance

He paused, noticing a flashing notification at the edge of the screen. Curious, he selected it and grinned as new information appeared. "Huh, looks like I got a skill too."

New Skill: Unarmed Combat (Common)

Description: This skill reflects basic proficiency in fighting without weapons, emphasizing efficiency and control in hand-to-hand combat.

Effects:

Decreased stamina drain when fighting without weapons

5% increased damage dealt when not using weapons

Amelia perked up, pulling up her own status screen. "Hey, I got that same skill too," she said excitedly. "My stat updates are a little different, though."

Your base stats have changed!

+6 Strength

+7 Agility

+5 Constitution

+11 Endurance

She smiled, her exhaustion briefly forgotten. "I guess the endurance boost explains why I've been able to keep up with everything."

Darron nodded approvingly, his broad smile making his rugged features light up. "Solid gains, both of you. That's the result of pushing yourselves to the limit. Keep that up, and you'll be carving through challenges in no time."

Kaelyn stepped forward, brushing her hands off on her tunic. "All right, you two, time to pick your weapons. This next phase is going to test your coordination and adaptability, so make sure you choose wisely."

Bruce turned and extended a hand to help his wife to her feet before they headed toward the weapons rack. "I wonder how Victoria's doing in her tutorials?"

Amelia slipped her arm around him in a comforting side hug as they walked. "She's tough. She'll be fine, and we'll see her again before long."

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