Peak Between Two: Mushoku Tensei

The Warrior's Resolve

-Ryu Dedoldia-

The moonlight filtered through the dense canopy of leaves, casting a silvery glow on my small figure as I stood with steady breaths and sharp eyes.
My hands were bruised from relentless training, but I was used to it. Pain was never an excuse to stop. A true warrior never allowed his body to become the reason for his weakness.
I took a deep breath, feeling every muscle in my body tense, then moved forward with a well-trained motion.
Despite my small stature, my movements were unnaturally fast for a child of my age. Every action was calculated, every step had a purpose. Not a single movement was wasted.
I kicked forward, then swiftly spun backward, dodging the imaginary enemies I conjured in my mind.
Shifting my weight onto one foot, I launched a rapid punch, followed by a relentless flurry of strikes—an unbroken chain of techniques I had modified from Muay Thai, Krav Maga, and Close Quarters Combat (CQC).
Then, I stopped.
Sweat dripped down my forehead, yet I did not feel tired.
I felt alive.
But before I could continue my training—
"You're practicing that strange style again, Ryu."
A deep, heavy voice rang from behind me.
I quickly turned around and saw a tall figure standing between the trees.
A towering beastman with long silver hair cascading freely down his back, wolf-like ears that twitched slightly in the night breeze, and piercing eyes that studied me with curiosity.
I knew this man well.
He was Gyes Dedoldia.
My uncle.
Gyes was one of the strongest warriors in the Dedoldia tribe, renowned for his immense physical strength and unwavering dedication to protecting the village.
I had often watched him train the young men of our tribe, teaching them the traditional Dedoldian combat style—one that relied more on instinct and raw power rather than the modern, structured fighting techniques I used.
I had been observing him for a long time.
And he had been observing me just as long.
He approached me with a relaxed stride, his arms crossed over his broad chest.
"I've seen many fighting styles," he mused, glancing at my stance, which was still in a defensive posture. "But your movements… they're completely different from our tribe's techniques."
I exhaled slowly, lowering my stance.
"Of course," I replied. "Because I don't use Dedoldian fighting techniques."
Gyes raised an eyebrow. "Oh? Then where did you learn that style?"
I didn't answer immediately.
What was I supposed to say?
"I'm actually an elite soldier from another world who has fought in countless battlefields?"
Obviously not.
In the end, I simply shrugged.
"I developed it myself."
Gyes fell silent for a moment, then let out a short laugh.
"Hah. A three-year-old claiming to have developed his own fighting style?"
I wasn't offended.
I understood his reaction.
From his perspective, I was just a child playing around with strange, impractical movements.
But I knew I was more than that.
Physically, I might be small. But mentally, I was still Ryusei Takeda, the Devil of Battlefield.
I locked eyes with my uncle, my gaze unwavering.
"If you don't believe me," I said in a calm, steady tone, "why don't you test it yourself?"
Gyes was silent for a moment before he grinned.
"Interesting."
Gyes loosened the scabbard at his waist and drew his blade with a smooth, practiced motion.
I analyzed its shape—a single-edged sword, somewhat similar to a katana, but with a rougher and heavier design.
"I know you're just a kid," he said, "so I won't go all out."
I scoffed. "Good. Because I won't hold back either."
His eyebrow twitched in amusement before a small smirk formed on his lips.
"Alright then, kid. Show me what you can do."
I didn't need a second invitation.
In an instant, I shot forward with a speed that caught him off guard.
His eyes widened slightly—he hadn't expected me to move this fast.
I aimed directly at his vital points, attempting to disable him using the close-combat techniques I had mastered in my previous life.
But—
"Fast, but still not strong enough."
With extraordinary reflexes, Gyes swung his sword to the side, slicing through the air just inches from my face.
I halted instantly, leaping backward just before the edge of Gyes's sword could graze me.
"Good reflexes," Gyes commented. "But speed alone isn't enough to avoid a blade."
I narrowed my eyes.
Time to change my strategy.
I started moving unpredictably—jumping right, darting left, then slipping low in an attempt to exploit any openings in his defense.
But—
SRAK!
Gyes pivoted his sword downward with a single hand, executing a diagonal slash that nearly cut through me.
I barely evaded, retreating just in time as I felt the sharp wind from his swing brush past my skin.
I was beginning to understand.
He wasn't just relying on the natural strength of a beastman.
He was an experienced fighter, one who could read his opponent's movements with terrifying precision.
Damn. This wasn't going to be easy.
I reassumed my defensive stance, carefully analyzing a way to strike without exposing myself to his sword.
But before I could move again—
"That's enough."
Gyes lowered his weapon.
I frowned, confused by his sudden change in demeanor.
"You're still just a child," he said as he sheathed his blade. "But your instincts… they are far more refined than those of any child your age."
I wasn't sure if that was a compliment or a warning.
Then, Gyes smirked.
"Starting tomorrow, I will teach you how to wield a sword."
I raised an eyebrow. "Why?"
Gyes crossed his arms, his expression unreadable.
"Because I saw it."
I tilted my head. "Saw what?"
His gaze bore into mine.
"The eyes of a warrior."
I fell silent.
I knew this wasn't just ordinary training.
This was the first step toward something greater.
And I was ready.
The first thing I did after accepting my uncle's offer was listen.
Before training began, Gyes explained something crucial—something that would determine how I would survive in this world.
I sat on a large rock in the middle of the forest while he stood before me, arms crossed, his expression as stern as a military instructor.
The cool night breeze rustled the surrounding trees, adding to the tense atmosphere.
I didn't speak.
I simply listened carefully.
As a former soldier, I knew the importance of understanding the rules of the battlefield before taking action.
And in this world, those rules were entirely different from what I knew.
"There are three primary sources of power in this world," Gyes began, his deep voice carrying weight and authority.
I focused intently, making sure not to miss a single word.
"First—Magic."
He raised one finger.
"Magic is the most commonly used energy in this world. Controlling the elements, launching long-range attacks, even healing wounds—it all depends on magic."
I nodded slightly. Magic, huh?
I had already seen glimpses of it. Some beastmen in the village used magic, though they weren't as adept as humans or elves.
But I couldn't use it myself.
"Mana is the primary fuel for magic," Gyes continued. "The greater one's mana capacity, the stronger their magic. But using it carelessly will drain your stamina—and overexertion can even kill you."
I narrowed my eyes.
"So mana isn't just an infinite resource. It has limits."
I burned that fact into my memory.
Then, Gyes lifted a second finger.
"Second—Aura, also known as Touki."
I raised an eyebrow.
Aura? Touki?
"Aura is the energy that flows within a warrior's body. Unlike magic, it is pure physical power, strengthened by one's will."
Gyes clenched his fist, and I saw a faint, transparent shimmer ripple around his body.
It wasn't glowing like magic. It felt more like an invisible pressure—an overwhelming force radiating from his very being.
I immediately understood.
"So this enhances reflexes and durability?" I asked.
Gyes smirked. "Exactly. Touki allows a person to reinforce their body, increasing speed, strength, and even resistance to magic."
I nodded slowly.
This was very similar to body enhancement techniques from my previous world.
If I could master it, I could compensate for my lack of magic and go toe-to-toe with spellcasters.
I had to learn this.
Then, Gyes raised a third finger.
"Third—Spirit Magic."
I stiffened slightly.
"This is the most mysterious and the hardest to master," he said, his tone growing more serious. "Spirit Magic comes from forging contracts with the spirits of nature. Those who can communicate with spirits gain access to power beyond conventional magic."
A memory surfaced in my mind.
I had seen some of the village elders whispering to thin air in the depths of the forest—only for the wind to blow or water to ripple as if responding to them.
That wasn't normal magic.
That was something else entirely.
I furrowed my brows.
"So… humans can't use Spirit Magic freely?"
Gyes nodded. "Not everyone can commune with spirits. It is a rare gift, either innate or acquired through years of training."
I felt a tinge of disappointment.
In other words, I couldn't rely on this power anytime soon.
But I still stored the knowledge for later.
"If I can't master it now, perhaps one day I will."
I took a deep breath, letting all the information sink in.
Magic, Aura, and Spirit Magic.
The three main sources of power in this world.
And among them…
I could only master Aura.
I had no mana.I couldn't speak to spirits.
But I had one massive advantage.
I had years of battlefield experience.
In my previous life, I was nothing without weapons and strategy.
But in this world—I could become something greater than anyone.
I only needed to master Aura completely.
I turned to Gyes, my eyes burning with newfound determination.
"I want to learn how to use Aura," I declared.
Gyes looked slightly surprised before breaking into a grin.
"Hah. I had a feeling you'd say that," he chuckled.
I held my gaze firm.
"I have no mana. I can't use magic," I continued. "But if I can master Aura, I can fight against both mages and warriors on equal ground."
Gyes crossed his arms, assessing me like a seasoned war veteran evaluating a new recruit.
"Interesting," he said. "But let me warn you first."
I didn't flinch.
"Aura isn't something you can learn overnight," he stated. "You will have to forge your body harder than you ever imagined. Your current training? It's nothing compared to what's coming."
I wasn't afraid.
I had endured far worse training in my past life.
"I'm ready," I answered without hesitation.
Gyes studied me for a moment before his grin widened.
"Very well," he said. "Starting tomorrow, you will begin your Aura training."
I nodded, feeling the rush of adrenaline surge through me.
'Finally.'
This was my first real step toward power.
And I wouldn't waste it.
Because in this world…
Only the strong survive.