Daily Rewards! Transmigrating into a novel as a side-character!

"Ready?" I smiled as I got into my stance once again, this time activating my Blood Control trait to enhance my overall strength, reflexes, and vitality. I could feel the familiar surge as my bloodline ability coursed through my system, strengthening every muscle fibber and sharpening my reaction time.

Kojiro nodded his head, settling back into his defensive posture with the same calm and composed expression as before.

Bam!

I charged at him without warning, closing the distance in a blur of motion that was significantly faster than my previous attempts. Our swords met with tremendous force, the impact reverberating through the training room.

CLANG!

I could see Kojiro's eyes widen in surprise as my enhanced strike pushed him back several meters. His feet slid across the floor as he absorbed the unexpected power behind my attack, clearly recalibrating his assessment of my capabilities.

Whoosh! Clash!

This time, I pressed the advantage immediately. My enhanced reflexes allowed me to flow seamlessly from the initial strike into a series of rapid combinations. Where before I had been reactive and defensive, now I was the aggressor.

Clang! Clang! Scriiing!

Kojiro parried with difficulty, his blade work still technically superior but now struggling to keep pace with my new speed and strength. Each of my strikes carried enough force to jar his arms, disrupting the perfect form he'd maintained so effortlessly before.

Thud! Clash!

I feinted high then swept low, my blade catching his leg guard and nearly taking him off balance. Kojiro stumbled slightly, the first time I'd seen him lose his perfect composure during our entire encounter.

Whoosh! Clang! Scrape!

My vitality meant I could maintain this aggressive pace without the fatigue that had plagued me earlier. Each breath came easily, each movement flowed into the next with fluidity.

CLASH!

A powerful overhead strike drove Kojiro's guard down, opening his defence for a split second. I immediately capitalized with a thrust toward his chest, forcing him to twist awkwardly to avoid the blow.

Clang! Thunk!

For the first time in our sparring, I managed to land a solid hit that hurt Kojiro. My pommel struck his shoulder as he overcommitted to a parry, the impact causing him to wince and step back.

Slash! Clang! Scriiing!

Kojiro attempted to regain control with a series of precise cuts, but my enhanced reflexes allowed me to not just parry but counter-attack in the same motion. The rhythm of combat had shifted decisively in my favour.

Thwack! Clash!

Another successful strike, this time the flat of my blade catching his ribs as he failed to fully evade my attack.

Whoosh! CLANG! Crack!

I pressed forward relentlessly, each strike faster and stronger than what my body should naturally be capable of. Kojiro was being overwhelmed by my raw enhanced ability.

Thud!

A shoulder check sent him stumbling backward as I closed distance. My strength made the impact far more devastating than it should have been, disrupting his balance and opening his guard.

Clang! Scrape! Thunk!

I capitalized immediately with a combination that drove him further back. Where before every exchange had favoured Kojiro's superior skill, now my enhanced physical capabilities were evening the playing field.

CLASH!

Our blades locked, and for the first time, I felt Kojiro struggling against my strength. His arms trembled slightly as he tried to push back against my force.

Scriiing! Thwack!

I broke the lock and immediately followed with a strike that caught his sword arm, causing him to grunt in pain and adjust his grip.

Clang! Clang! Whoosh!

Kojiro was now clearly on the defensive, his movements more reactive than proactive. His technique remained strong, but he was being forced to respond to my attacks rather than dictating the pace of combat.

Thud! Clash!

Another successful hit landed on his torso, the dulled blade still carrying enough force to make him stagger. I could see in his eyes that he was struggling now, his earlier confidence replaced by focused concentration as he adapted to this new dynamic.

The tables had turned completely. My Second Order trait had transformed me from an outmatched student into a formidable opponent who could challenge even his superior technique through sheer physical capability.

I ended the battle shortly after with a decisive combination that left Kojiro's guard completely broken. I smirked before looking at him, noticing that he no longer regarded me with the same assessment as before. There was a new respect in his dark eyes, a recognition that I was more than just a normal student.

"What do you think?" I asked with a triumphant smile spreading across my face. After being thoroughly beaten for minutes on end, it felt incredibly satisfying to repay him in kind.

Kojiro straightened slowly, rolling his shoulder where I'd landed several solid hits. "You are strong... really strong. But your swordsmanship still needs more refining, though I can see it improving even as we fought. You are genuinely talented. That enhancement technique you used must be really powerful."

I smiled at his honest assessment. It seemed like Kojiro wasn't simply a yes-man who would flatter me regardless of reality. Rather, he appeared to be both loyal and truthful, exactly the kind of subordinate I needed.

"Alright, how about this," I proposed, lowering my sword. "I won't use my enhancement technique, and I want you to use your strongest attack against me."

Kojiro looked at me with obvious concern before responding carefully. "I will hurt you."

"You won't. Try it," I replied confidently.

He looked conflicted, clearly torn between following my orders and his reluctance to potentially injure me. After a long moment, he nodded reluctantly. "Alright, but let me rest for a few minutes first."

I nodded in agreement before adding, "I will help you recover. Don't fight it."

I activated my Blood Control trait once again, but this time directed it toward Kojiro. I carefully enhanced his circulation, ensuring that oxygen and nutrients reached his muscles more efficiently while helping to clear metabolic waste that had built up during our intense sparring.

Kojiro's eyes widened slightly as he felt the effects, his breathing becoming deeper and more relaxed as his body recovered at an accelerated rate.

Ten minutes later, Kojiro stood refreshed and ready, his posture indicating he was prepared to demonstrate the full extent of his capabilities.