Yui returned to the Association entrance clutching the staff tightly. His heart raced with anticipation. Today, he would finally be accepted as an Explorer.
The staff member from yesterday looked up as he approached. "Back again?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Yes," Yui said. "I found a proper weapon. It's not much, but it's usable." He held up the wooden staff.
The woman examined it carefully. "It's low-grade, but it should work for a beginner Brawler. Stand over there. We'll process your registration."
For the first time, Yui felt a spark of relief. He filled out the forms, handed over the required fee, and answered the standard questions about name, age, and city of origin. When he was done, the tablet beeped.
"Congratulations. You are now registered as a Classless Explorer. Once you choose a class, you may train and level up your skills," the staff member said.
Yui's stomach tightened. Class… he already knew which one to choose: Brawler.
He walked toward the training yard under the guidance of another instructor. The yard was a wide open space filled with worn dummies, scattered weapons, and a few low-rank Explorers practicing their strikes.
"Today, you'll learn basic Brawler techniques," the instructor said. "Any Brawler weapon will work, including staves and Battle Gloves. Focus on proper stance and form first."
Yui gripped the staff with both hands. He tried a basic swing. The impact against the training dummy thudded solidly. He smiled.
"Good," the instructor said. "Now try a low sweep. Keep your balance and pivot on your foot."
Yui adjusted his stance. He spun the staff in a sweeping motion, hitting the lower part of the dummy. It wobbled but didn't fall. He tried again. The motion became smoother, more confident.
After an hour, the instructor handed him a pair of worn Battle Gloves. "These are yours to train with. Gloves let you strike harder and faster at close range. Use them to practice punches and combinations."
Yui slipped his hands into them. They were slightly tight, but manageable. He threw a few punches at the dummy. The impact felt satisfying, almost like the staff, but more direct and controlled.
"Good form. Keep practicing your combos. Brawlers rely on speed, power, and precision. Your attacks should flow naturally."
Yui nodded, sweat dripping down his face. Every punch, every swing, taught him more than he had imagined. The staff had given him reach, but the Battle Gloves allowed him to control force and rhythm.
As the sun began to set, he took a step back and examined his progress. The dummy bore marks from his staff swings, scratches from the gloves, and dents where his strikes landed. He felt exhausted, but alive.
Today, he had his weapon. Today, he had begun his training. And for the first time, Yui felt that maybe, just maybe, he could become a real Explorer.