My second life as a swordsman

[Scene One - The Forest]

The leaves rustled softly with the cool night breeze, and Rial stood in the middle of the forest, sweating after hours of intense training.

Rial (speaking to himself): "Why can't I form my spiritual circle? Everyone else is progressing while I... I'm stuck here. I can't keep going like this."

He sat on a rock and took a deep breath, trying to clear his mind, when he heard a strange sound coming from between the trees.

Rial (whispering): "What is that?"

Before he could move, a creature with sharp fangs and glowing eyes leaped from between the trees, crawling towards him with terrifying speed.

Rial (surprised): "A mid-level monster?! No, it's stronger than that..."

He tried to retreat, but the creature was faster. He raised his sword with difficulty, but just as its claws were coming toward him...

[Scene Two - Awakening the Power]

Suddenly, Rial felt a surge of strange energy within him, as if time had slowed down. He saw everything moving in slow motion, the sound of the creature's breath, the movement of the air, even the drops of sweat falling from his forehead.

Rial (astonished): "This... is impossible! This is my old power!"

With swift instinct, he moved to the side, dodging the lethal claws, then seized the opportunity and delivered a precise strike to the creature's weak point, ending it with a single blow.

He took a deep breath, watching the creature's corpse.

Rial (in a low voice): "Magic... exists in this world, but no one knows about it? Why?"

He looked at his hands, remembering how this power was everything to him in his past life. But now, he was in a new world, where magic was unknown.

Rial (in a firm voice): "I must hide this power. It will be my secret weapon... and I will use it for the benefit of my family."

[Scene Three - The Castle]

When he returned to the castle, he felt something strange as he passed by his father, Siron Delfaro. A dark aura surrounded him, invisible to anyone else.

Rial (thinking): "What is this energy? It feels... like cursed magic?!"

He cautiously approached his father, trying to analyze the aura further.

Rial (speaking gently): "Father, have you ever felt like you were unable to progress in your combat level?"

Siron (chuckling lightly): "Hah, strange question. It's true that I haven't broken my limit in years, but that's normal."

Rial (in his mind): "This is not normal... this is a curse!"

He stared at his father intensely, then whispered to himself:

Rial: "So, this is the reason... the reason behind the decline of our family's power across generations. Someone cursed Father... and perhaps my ancestors too!"

He looked at his father again, determined to uncover the truth.

Rial (in a low but determined voice): "I must find out who did this... and break this curse, no matter the cost."