The morning sun was just beginning to illuminate the intricate corridors of the Roswaal Mansion when Subaru, with a mixture of anticipation and nervousness, headed to the dojo. He was wearing more suitable training clothes than his usual sweatshirt, one Rem had provided.
As he entered, Roswaal was already waiting for him, his clownish smile as enigmatic as ever. Ram was sitting in a corner, watching with her usual disdain.
"Good morning, young Subaru," Roswaal greeted, his voice resonating with a theatrical cadence. "I see you're eager to learn. That's admirable."
Subaru gave a small bow. "Ready when you are, Lord Roswaal."
Roswaal approached, his uneven eyes fixed on Subaru. "Excellent. My teaching method is... unconventional, as some might say. I won't teach you simple punches or kicks, at least not at first. Rather, I will help you awaken your own potential."
[Main Quest: Awaken Latent Potential.]
[Objective: Train under Roswaal L. Mathers.]
[Reward: ??? EXP, Unique Skill unlocked.]
A system notification appeared, and the question mark on the reward made Subaru even more intrigued. Unique Skill? That was huge.
"To begin," Roswaal continued, "I want you to close your eyes. Relax. Feel the energy around you. The mana, the life, the very essence of the world."
Subaru, somewhat skeptical but willing to try, closed his eyes. He concentrated, trying to feel something beyond the residual pain of his wound and the faint trembling of his muscles from the previous training. At first, he felt only the air, the distant sound of the mansion.
""You're trying too hard, young Subaru," Roswaal's voice was soft, almost a whisper. "It's not about forcing it, but about accepting it. Let the world speak to you."
Subaru exhaled slowly. And then, a pang. It wasn't pain. It was a strange sensation, almost like a subtle vibration in the air. It was faint, barely perceptible, but it was there.
"Oh! You feel it?" Roswaal asked, his smile widening. "That is the very essence of mana. You don't possess a natural gateway to magic in the traditional sense, but you do have a... peculiar connection. Is it luck that guides you?" Or perhaps the Witch's stench?"
Roswaal's words made Subaru's stomach churn. The Witch's stench? How did he know? Fear gripped him, but he forced himself to remain composed.
"I don't know what it is," Subaru replied, opening his eyes. "I just feel... something."
"Fascinating. Fascinating indeed," Roswaal rubbed his chin. "So, for now, your training with me will focus on two things: sharpening that 'feeling' of yours and strengthening your body to accommodate it. I won't teach you formal magic; you don't have the innate ability for it. But I will teach you how to manipulate your own life force, how to empower your body beyond its natural limits. And, perhaps, to control what connects you to the world."
For the next few days, Subaru's training with Roswaal was unlike anything he'd ever experienced. There were no swords or mannequins. It consisted of meditation, breathing exercises, and strange postures that Roswaal called "energy alignment."
[Mental Toughness Training: +5 EXP]
[Pain Toughness Training: +5 EXP]
[Awakening Inner Connection: +10 EXP]
The notifications kept popping up, this time focused on the "awakening" of something. Roswaal was pushing him to the limit, not physically, but mentally. He had him focus on the pain, the fatigue, not to overcome it, but to accept and channel it.
"Your body is a vessel, young Subaru," Roswaal told him, in that hypnotic voice. "If your vessel is weak, it will break. If it is strong, it can hold great power. And you... you have a unique affinity with death." It's not magic, it's something more fundamental."
While training with Roswaal, Subaru noticed a subtle change in himself. His awareness of his surroundings sharpened. Small details that had previously gone unnoticed now leaped out at him. He could sense Puck's presence before he appeared, or Rem and Ram's proximity without seeing them.
And then, it happened. During a deep meditation session, where Roswaal pushed him to "accept" the residual pain of his past deaths, a new notification appeared.
[Unique Skill Unlocked: Vision of Return!]
[Vision of Return (Active): Allows you to sense the connection of your 'Return by Death' with certain save points and the associated imminent dangers. The greater the threat, the clearer the sensation. Variable mana/stamina consumption. (Level 1)]
Subaru's eyes flew open. A unique skill! And it was directly related to Return by Death. Roswaal He looked at him, a strange smile on his face.
"Ah. It seems you've found something interesting, young Subaru," Roswaal observed, his eyes flashing with a speculative light. "Tell me, what are you 'feeling' now?"
Subaru debated. Should he reveal the ability? No. Roswaal was too dangerous.
"I feel... a strange pang in my chest, Lord Roswaal," Subaru lied, trying to sound convincing. "As if something big were about to happen. Could it be... The village's curse?"
Roswaal's eyes narrowed. "Hmm... The curse, you say. A very... timely guess, young Subaru. Very timely."
Ram, who had been watching silently, stirred, a spark of suspicion in his eyes. It seemed his initial skepticism was turning into a deeper curiosity.
Training with Roswaal had unlocked a formidable ability, but it had also attracted unwanted attention. The game was becoming more complex.