The first rays of dawn painted the Eryndor estate in hues of gold and crimson. Leon stood at the edge of the training grounds, his arms crossed, observing the noble heirs practicing their forms with precision and grace.

  Yet to him, their movements were predictable—an elegant dance devoid of creativity or true lethality. He smirked. In my world, they'd be dead in seconds.

  "You're early," Celica's voice interrupted his thoughts. She approached, dressed in a sleek dueling uniform, her crimson hair tied back in a no-nonsense ponytail. "I half expected you to skip."

  Leon shrugged. "And miss the chance to learn? Not my style."

  Celica tossed him a wooden sword, and he caught it effortlessly. "Let's see if yesterday was just luck."

  Leon readied his stance, analyzing her positioning. The tournament wasn't just about winning—it was about survival. He needed to master the art of deception, make his enemies underestimate him, and strike when they least expected.

  Celica lunged, her strikes swift and fluid. Leon parried with calculated precision, his assassin instincts fine-tuning his reactions. He wasn't interested in a fair fight—he aimed for efficiency. A feint to the left, a sudden sidestep, and he tapped her side with the flat of his blade.

  "Point," he said, smirking.

  Celica scowled, breathing heavily. "You're annoying."

  "I prefer the term 'efficient.'"

  She huffed but nodded. "You're good, I'll give you that. But raw talent won’t win you the tournament. Your opponents will have magic, skills honed for years."

  Leon tapped the hilt of his practice sword, considering her words. Magic, huh? The nobles here wielded elemental spells, reinforcing their strikes with flames, ice, and lightning. He needed more than bullets to match them—he needed tactics.

  "Then let's see what their magic can do," he said.

  Celica arched an eyebrow. "You're serious?"

  "Deadly."

  Later that day, in the Eryndor Family Vault...

  This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.

  Leon moved through the dimly lit corridors of the underground vault, his steps silent as a shadow. The estate guards were predictable, their patrol routes too routine. In his past life, infiltrating high-security locations had been child's play—here, it was even easier.

  His goal was simple: find anything that could enhance his abilities.

  The vault doors were reinforced with layers of magic, but Leon's fingers traced the arcane glyphs with a knowing smirk. His system provided a minor interface that allowed him to decipher the complex enchantments.

  System Notification: Hidden Vault Recognized. Unlocking...

  The door creaked open, revealing rows of ancient artifacts, weapons, and relics bathed in a faint blue glow. Leon's gaze settled on a particular item—an obsidian bracer etched with golden runes.

  Item Identified: Aether Gauntlet (Prototype).

  He picked it up, sliding it onto his forearm. The gauntlet hummed with latent power, synchronizing with his system.

  New Equipment Equipped: Aether Gauntlet

  Effect: Enhances projectile speed and penetration. Partial mana absorption capability.

  Leon flexed his fingers, feeling the gauntlet respond with seamless fluidity. "Now we're talking," he muttered. This could give him the edge he needed against the magic-wielding nobles.

  His eyes scanned the vault for more. Among the treasures, an aged leather-bound book caught his attention. The title read: The Principles of Ether Combat.

  Flipping through the pages, Leon's interest piqued. It described techniques that combined martial prowess with mana manipulation—something he could adapt to his unique fighting style.

  Taking both the book and the gauntlet, he slipped out of the vault, undetected.

  The Next Morning—Eryndor Training Grounds

  Leon stood across from Celica, the Aether Gauntlet hidden beneath his sleeve. Today’s training session had drawn a small crowd—word had spread that the once-weak Leon Eryndor was showing surprising skill.

  Victor Varen was among them, sneering from the sidelines. “Looks like the coward grew a spine,” he jeered.

  Leon didn’t rise to the bait. Instead, he focused on Celica as she raised her sword, a flicker of flame dancing along the edge. “Ready?” she asked.

  Leon smirked. “Always.”

  Celica charged, her sword ablaze. This time, Leon didn't just react—he tested his new gear. The Aether Gauntlet pulsed with energy, enhancing his reflexes. He dodged her fiery strike with ease and countered with a quick-draw shot from a manifested gun.

  Bang!

  The magic bullet shot past Celica’s shoulder, forcing her to halt mid-strike. Her eyes widened in shock. “What—?!”

  Leon spun, dissipating the pistol into mist. "You're not the only one with surprises."

  The crowd murmured in confusion. Victor’s smirk faltered.

  Celica narrowed her eyes, then smiled. "Interesting. You're full of tricks, aren't you?"

  Leon’s grin was razor-sharp. “You have no idea.”

  System Notification: Training Progress Updated.

  New Skill Unlocked: Precision Burst (Allows rapid fire of up to three magic bullets with increased accuracy).

  Leon exhaled in satisfaction. Piece by piece, he was building an arsenal that no one in this world had ever seen.

  And the tournament?

  It would be his stage to show them all exactly what the Arcane Marksman could do.

  End of Chapter Four.