I clenched my fists, feeling a mix of nerves and anticipation at Erwin’s proposal. A real combat match, right now? I had barely gotten used to this new body, let alone mastered controlling my magic. But despite my hesitation, a part of me was eager to take on this challenge.


    "If you want to get stronger, you have to start with real combat." Erwin shrugged, flashing a confident smile. "It’s just a sparring match. I won’t go all out on you."


    I took a deep breath. If I truly wanted to survive in this world, I could not afford to rely only on theory. I needed real battle experience.


    "Alright, I’ll do it," I said, clenching my fists tighter to steady myself.


    Erwin chuckled. "Good. Then get ready."


    We stepped off the main road and into a small clearing within the forest. The ground here was even, without too many rocks or obstacles that could interfere with movement. Not far away, birds chirped in the trees, their melody creating an almost peaceful atmosphere. But for me, this place was about to become my first battlefield.


    Erwin stretched his arms, loosening his muscles, then drew his massive sword from his back. "I’ll use the blunt edge so I don’t injure you, but don’t think I’ll go too easy on you."


    I nodded and took a deep breath, my body tensing as I got into position.


    "The rules are simple," Erwin continued. "You can use magic or any skills you have. Just try attacking me. I’ll counter, but I won’t use my full strength. The goal is to test your combat abilities, not to knock each other out."


    I nodded again. "Got it."


    "Alright then," Erwin raised his sword, his gaze sharpening into something far more serious. "Let’s begin!"


    I barely had time to think. The moment he spoke, I charged forward, determined to strike first and gain an advantage.


    I swung my hand forward, focusing on the small flame I had summoned earlier. I could do this, right? I felt the mana coursing through my body and tried to shape it to my will.


    A burst of fire erupted from my palm, shooting straight at Erwin. But...


    Whoosh!


    With a swift motion, Erwin tilted his body just slightly, letting my fireball whiz past him without even grazing him.


    I widened my eyes. Too fast!


    "Not bad," Erwin praised, but he did not give me a chance to recover. In an instant, he closed the distance between us with shocking speed.


    I reacted on instinct, stepping back to avoid his attack. But Erwin was already right in front of me. His sword swung diagonally, forcing me to leap to the side.


    I was not fast enough.


    Thud!


    The blunt edge of Erwin’s sword struck my side, making me stagger backward, nearly falling. The pain was not unbearable, but it was enough to send a clear message. The difference in strength between us was overwhelming.


    "Your reflexes are too slow," Erwin observed. "You can sense magic, but you’re not used to real combat. You need to be quicker, more precise."


    I gritted my teeth and pushed myself back up. "I’m not done yet!"


    I gathered my mana again, this time focusing on controlling it more carefully. I could feel the energy flowing inside me, responding to my intent.


    Another fireball flickered into my palm. But instead of throwing it directly at Erwin, I hurled it at the ground right in front of him.


    Boom!


    Flames burst on impact, kicking up a thin veil of smoke. I took advantage of the distraction, quickly shifting to the side to change my position.


    "Smart move!" Erwin laughed. But before I could react, I felt a sharp gust of wind brush past me.


    Whoosh!


    I barely managed to duck in time. As the smoke cleared, I realized Erwin had already moved. He was now standing directly behind me, his sword raised.


    How did he move that fast?!


    I had no time to dodge.


    Thud!


    His next attack landed hard on my shoulder, sending me crashing to the ground.


    I clenched my teeth, feeling the dull ache spread through my body.


    "Alright, I think we’ll stop here," Erwin said, reaching out to pull me back up.


    I gasped for breath, sweat trickling down my forehead. I had magic, but my combat abilities were nowhere near Erwin’s level.


    "I have to admit," Erwin said as I stood. "You’ve got potential. You picked up on your magic fast, and for your first real fight, you didn’t do too bad. But you have a lot of weaknesses."


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    I wiped the sweat from my forehead. "Go on."


    "First, you’re too slow. A mage can’t rely solely on magic and forget about defense. If you face someone faster than you, you won’t even have time to cast a spell."


    I nodded. That was true.


    "Second, your control over magic is still rough. Your fireball had power, but it was too slow and easy to avoid. You need to work on casting speed and precision."


    I clenched my fists. "What do I need to do to improve?"


    Erwin crossed his arms, thinking. "You need to train your body alongside your magic. No matter how powerful your magic is, if your body is weak, you won’t be able to use it effectively. Once we get to Raydell, I’ll teach you some basic training exercises."


    I smiled. "Thanks, Erwin."


    He laughed, patting my shoulder. "No problem. I like helping out weaklings with ambition."


    After the sparring session, we continued our journey toward Raydell.


    I could feel the soreness in my muscles, but inside, a fire burned stronger than ever.


    I wasn’t strong enough yet. But I would get stronger.


    A new world, a new identity, and a new path lay before me.


    And I would not waste this opportunity.


    After the battle with Erwin, my body was exhausted, but my mind was filled with determination. I was not strong enough yet, but at least I now knew where I stood.


    The sun had begun to set, casting a warm orange glow over the dirt road leading to Raydell. Erwin and I continued our journey, walking beneath the towering trees of Abias Forest. The air was crisp and fresh, carrying the faint scent of tree sap and damp earth.


    As we walked, I found myself growing curious about my companion. Erwin seemed like an experienced adventurer, yet he did not act arrogant or overconfident. What had led him down this path?


    "Erwin," I broke the silence. "Why did you become an adventurer?"


    He raised an eyebrow at me before letting out a chuckle. "That’s a good question. But why do you ask?"


    I shrugged. "Just curious. You don’t seem like someone who’s in this just to hunt monsters for money."


    Erwin was silent for a moment, as if debating whether or not to answer. Eventually, he sighed and began to speak.


    "Well… I don’t have some grand reason," he admitted. "I’m not some fallen noble’s son, nor do I have a tragic vow of revenge. I’m just… an ordinary person."


    I listened carefully, not interrupting.


    "I was born in a small village near the northern border. My family wasn’t rich, but we weren’t starving either. My father was a blacksmith, my mother a weaver. I used to think I’d live my whole life following in my father’s footsteps, inheriting the forge one day."


    I could hear a trace of nostalgia in his voice.


    "But everything changed when I was fifteen. A band of raiders attacked my village. They killed people, burned down homes… and I saw everything happen."


    I frowned. "Your family…?"


    Erwin shook his head. "My father fought until the very end, but he couldn’t stand against an entire gang of armed bandits. My mother… she didn’t survive either."


    I didn’t know what to say.


    "That was the first time I realized that strength is the only thing that can truly protect what’s important," Erwin said, his voice quieter than before. "After my village was destroyed, I wandered my way to Raydell, doing odd jobs just to survive. When I was old enough, I joined the Adventurers’ Guild and made a promise to myself. I would never let anyone suffer the same fate as my family again."


    I remained silent. Erwin’s reason for becoming an adventurer wasn’t about fame or fortune. He simply wanted to become strong enough to protect others.


    "What about you?" Erwin asked, glancing at me. "Why do you want to be an adventurer?"


    I couldn’t tell him the truth. I came from another world. The best I could do was rely on Cedric’s original memories.


    "I want to become a great mage," I said. "I don’t have a family or wealth, but I believe that if I become stronger, I can carve out my own fate."


    Erwin smirked. "Good answer. A simple dream, but not an easy one to achieve. You’ll face a lot of obstacles."


    I nodded. I already knew that.


    But I never expected my first challenge to come so soon.


    We had barely walked much farther when Erwin suddenly stopped and raised a hand, signaling me to halt.


    "What is it?" I whispered.


    Erwin didn’t answer right away. Instead, he placed a finger to his lips, signaling for silence, then slowly drew his sword.


    Something was wrong.


    I narrowed my eyes and focused on the path ahead. Then, I saw them.


    A group of goblins, small creatures with green skin, fierce yellow eyes, and jagged teeth. They were gathered on the road, blocking our way forward.


    "Goblins?" I thought. "Aren’t they supposed to be weak monsters?"


    I recalled what Erwin had told me earlier about them while explaining the power system. Goblins were low-tier creatures, usually hunting in groups but not particularly dangerous if encountered in small numbers.


    But this time, something felt off.


    "There’s something wrong," Erwin muttered. "Look closely."


    I studied them more carefully.


    Among the goblins holding crude wooden clubs and rusty knives, one stood out from the rest.


    A Goblin Mage.


    Unlike its kin, this one wore a tattered robe and held a wooden staff in its bony fingers. Its eyes glowed faintly with a reddish magical light.


    A chill ran down my spine.


    "Damn it," Erwin mumbled. "I wasn’t expecting a goblin mage in this group."


    I swallowed hard. "Is it that dangerous?"


    Erwin nodded. "Ordinary goblins aren’t much of a threat. But when there’s a mage among them, the entire situation changes. It can use magic to enhance its allies or attack from a distance. Taking on the whole group like this won’t be easy."


    I counted the goblins again. There were at least sixteen, including the mage.


    Erwin tightened his grip on the hilt of his sword, then turned to me.


    "Cedric, go ahead," he said. "Run to Raydell and don’t look back."


    I widened my eyes. "You’re going to fight them alone?"


    "If you stay here, you’ll die. You’re not strong enough to handle a goblin mage."


    I knew he was right. My skills were lacking, and my mana reserves were too low. I could not sustain a prolonged fight.


    But… leaving Erwin to fight alone?


    I clenched my fists, frustration boiling inside me. I wanted to help him, but deep down, I knew that if I stayed, I would only be a burden.


    Seeing my hesitation, Erwin patted my shoulder. "Don’t worry, I can handle this. I’m an adventurer. This is my job."


    I bit my lip.


    Run or stay?


    I did not want to abandon him, but I also did not want to be a liability.


    What should I do...?