Reincarnated With a Cheat System

Chapter 5: Training With Dad

The morning sun Blarred over the Nishiki estate's courtyard, its golden rays barely cutting through the crisp dawn air. Phyro stood alone in the training grounds, rolling his shoulders, feeling the familiar tension in his muscles. Yesterday's sparring had left him sore, but excitement coursed through him. Today, he planned to push himself beyond his limits.

Summoning the Editor, he called up his Stat Card. The familiar translucent window materialized before his eyes.

[STAT CARD]

Name: Phyro Nishiki

Age: 11

Race: Human

Title: None

Mana: 67/67

Strength: 16

Agility: 6

Speed: 5

Endurance: 9

Intelligence: 7

Skills: [Spawn Lv.1] [Editor Lv.2]

Passives: [Combat Instincts Lv.1]

His gaze locked onto Speed—5. Against his father and older brothers, this wasn't nearly enough. If he wanted to hold his own, he needed an edge.

He selected Speed and pushed it forward.

5 → 17

The moment he confirmed the change, a rush of energy surged through his veins. His heartbeat quickened, muscles tensed, and the world around him seemed to slow. His body felt impossibly light, like the air itself had bent to his will.

Then, pain.

A sharp wave of exhaustion crashed over him. His legs wobbled, and his breath hitched as his Stat Card flickered—

Mana: 42/67

Stamina: 76% → 45%

It drains mana and stamina it didn't do that the first time?

He clenched his fists. The boost was powerful, but it came at a cost. If he overused Editor, he could push himself to the point of collapse. He had to be careful.

Just then, footsteps approached from behind.

Raian Nishiki, his father, strode across the courtyard with his usual composed demeanor. The long sword at his hip barely shifted with his movements. Beside him, Klein stretched, his confident smirk ever-present.

"You're up early, Phyro," Klein remarked, cracking his neck. "Guess you're eager to lose again?"

Phyro only smiled, his red eyes glinting with mischief.

Warm-ups came first—laps around the courtyard, push-ups, and endurance exercises. It was routine.

Except this time, Phyro was different.

The moment he took off running, he practically vanished. In an instant, he was already halfway through the first lap.

Klein, still mid-stretch, did a double take. "What the—"

Raian's sharp eyes tracked Phyro as he blurred across the training field, his movements completely silent. A flicker of something unreadable crossed his face.

When the drills moved to sword practice, Phyro picked up a wooden sword, going through the forms. Each swing whistled through the air with unnatural speed, the air cracking with each precise strike.

Klein narrowed his eyes, his usual confidence faltering. "You're moving… differently today."

Their father remained silent. Watching.

"I'll go first," Klein said, stepping forward, rolling his shoulders. "You've improved, I'll give you that. But don't think I'll go easy just because you're my little brother."

Phyro tilted his head but remained silent, gripping his wooden sword lightly.

Raian raised a hand. "Begin."

Klein lunged forward with practiced speed—

But Phyro was already gone.

Klein's sword cut through empty space. His eyes widened. Where—

A chill ran down his spine.

Before he could react, Phyro's wooden sword lightly tapped his shoulder from behind.

"…What?" Klein's voice barely rose above a whisper.

He spun around, swinging his sword in a wide arc—only to hit nothing but air. Phyro had already disappeared again.

Again. And again.

Klein barely registered the flicker of movement before another tap landed on his wrist. Then his back. Then his leg.

A bead of sweat rolled down Klein's temple. His pulse pounded in his ears. His brother wasn't just fast—he was untouchable.

Then, in an instant, Phyro reappeared before him, stopping just before his wooden sword could land a final strike.

Silence hung in the air.

Klein took an unsteady step back, breathing heavily, staring at Phyro with wide eyes.

"…What the hell was that?"

Raian exhaled slowly, his voice calm but weighted.

"You were like a phantom."

Raian stepped forward, unsheathing his sword. "Your speed is unnatural. I'll test you myself."

Klein, still dazed, backed away. "Good luck," he muttered.

But before they could begin, Phyro decided to reveal something else.

Extending his hand, he focused his will.

Dark energy coalesced in his palm, swirling into form. Within seconds, a pristine black sword materialized from thin air, its edges gleaming with a faint glow.

Klein stiffened.

"…You can summon weapons now?" he muttered.

Raian's eyes darkened.

Phyro gripped the sword tightly. "Let's see how far I can go."

Raian wasted no time, closing the distance with blinding speed. But Phyro was faster. He sidestepped, his movements almost instantaneous, dodging the first strike by a hair's breadth.

But Raian wasn't Klein.

A sharp counterattack forced Phyro to parry, the impact vibrating through his arm. He gritted his teeth, pushing forward, but Raian met him with the full weight of his experience. Sparks flew as their swords clashed.

For a brief moment, Phyro nearly broke through. His speed was overwhelming. His father's stance wavered—but then—

Raian countered.

A precise strike swept Phyro's legs out from under him, sending him skidding back. He dug his heels in, catching himself before he hit the ground.

A sharp jolt of exhaustion shot through his body. His Stat Card flickered again.

Stamina: 45% → 19%

Damn… I'm burning through my stamina too fast.

Raian sheathed his sword. "That's enough."

Aftermath

Klein still looked at Phyro like he was seeing him for the first time. Their father, usually composed, had a trace of concern in his eyes.

"You've become something dangerous, Phyro." His tone was steady, but there was weight behind it. "Power like this… without control, it's a double-edged sword."

Klein ran a hand through his hair, shaking his head. "Phantom speed. A conjured sword. You're like some kind of—" He paused, smirking. "Actually, that's it. You're a Phantom."

The name lingered in the air.

Phyro tilted his head, considering it.

Then, he grinned.

"…I like it."

His father remained silent, watching. He knew this was only the beginning.

Soon, the world would know the Phantom.