ã€ŠEveryone has a System but Me!ã€‹


 Chapter 1: The Late Bloomer

    Welcome, dear readers, to Everyone Has a System but Me!

    If you''re anything like me, you''ve probably devoured countless webnovels¡ªthousands of chapters, hundreds of titles, and way too many late-night reading marathons. I''ve spent countless hours in the realms of Wuxia, Xianxia, LitRPGs, and every possible "System" variant you can imagine. And while I still adore the genre, I won''t lie¡ªI''m burnt out.

    But don''t get me wrong! I¡¯m not here to bash the System trope. Some of my all-time favorite stories revolve around those game-like mechanics and cultivation arcs. In fact, despite my fatigue, you''ll see familiar threads woven into this story, hopefully with a bit of a spin. Old habits die hard, after all.

    This book, though, is something different for me. It¡¯s lighter, a little more playful, and¡ªmost importantly¡ªan experiment. For the first time, I¡¯m stepping into first-person narration. It¡¯s a challenge I¡¯m both excited and terrified to tackle, but hey, growth doesn¡¯t happen in the comfort zone, right?

    Today is December 28, 2024. Let¡¯s see how far this journey takes us. Buckle up, grab some snacks, and let¡¯s dive into a world where everyone has a system¡­ except me.

    ¡ª Your Slightly Nervous but Enthusiastic Author

    __

    It all started on my third-to-last day of high school.

    I consider myself a normal kid¡ªliving my life, not studying much, playing video games, and hanging out with friends. My grades were never terrible or overly impressive. Just Mr. Normal.

    It was a normal day in our typical cafeteria for our typical high school. Am I sounding repetitive yet? Good, because that¡¯s exactly how it felt.

    I was halfway through one of those cafeteria burgers¡ªyou know, the ones with a suspiciously gray patty tucked between damp bread. The kind you can eat four or five of without ever actually tasting anything. The chatter of students buzzed around me, trays clattered, and someone in the corner was filming some sort of video for some online platform.

    Then the crack came.

    It started with a faint vibration under my feet, like someone had dropped a bowling ball in the room below. But it grew stronger. Trays rattled. Someone shouted, ¡°What the heck is that?!¡±

    In the middle of the cafeteria floor, tiles split. Like some invisible force had drawn a jagged line through reality itself. The fissure glowed faintly from within¡ªpulsing, shimmering, alive. It was too real, too there, to be a special effect.

    For one horrible moment, the world went silent. My half-eaten burger hovered inches from my mouth.

    Then everything exploded into blinding white light.

    Next thing I knew, I was here. Alone.

    The damp air clung to my skin, cold and heavy. A faint smell of mildew and smoke burned my nostrils, and somewhere in the distance, water dripped in slow, uneven intervals. Drip¡­ drip¡­ drip¡­

    I sat up, my palms scraping against rough stone. My head throbbed, and every muscle in my body felt like it had been wrung out like a damp towel. When I glanced down at myself, my stomach twisted.

    Scratchy brown rags clung to me¡ªrough cloth that smelled faintly of sweat and dirt.

    "Okay¡­ cool. Totally normal," I muttered, my voice sounding thin and fragile in the cavernous silence.

    The light here came from torches flickering in sconces along moss-covered stone walls. Shadows danced across uneven stone blocks, making the tunnel feel¡­ alive.

    Somewhere ahead, footsteps echoed¡ªheavy boots striking against stone in a slow, deliberate rhythm.

    I pushed myself to my feet, legs wobbling like overcooked spaghetti, and stumbled toward the light.

    As I turned a corner, I came face-to-face with someone who definitely didn¡¯t belong in my high school cafeteria.

    A soldier.

    He stood there, armored from head to toe, the metal plates scuffed and faintly reflecting the flickering torchlight. His helmet obscured most of his face, but I could see his narrowed eyes glaring at me from beneath the shadow of the visor. In his hands, he clutched a halberd¡ªits long blade smeared with dark, reddish stains I really hoped weren¡¯t what they looked like.

    "Who are you?!" he barked, his voice sharp enough to cut through the stillness.

    "Peter?" I blurted out instinctively, my voice cracking on the syllable. Classic¡ªalways answering questions like they¡¯re pop quizzes. If he¡¯d asked me what 2 + 2 was, I¡¯d probably stammer out, "Four?" like I was worried it might be a trick question. Honestly, if survival depends on confidence, I¡¯m already doomed.

    The soldier¡¯s scowl deepened. "Peter, what are you doing out of formation? Do you think it¡¯s funny to skip out on morning training?"

    His tone was pure drill sergeant¡ªsharp, loud, and intimidating.

    "I¡ªI¡¯m not in the army, sir. But thank you for your service!"

    The words spilled out before I could stop them.

    For a moment, the soldier just stared at me, his head tilting slightly to the side. Then, with an irritated grunt, he sighed.

    "Th¨Cthank you? Now fall back with the others in your status. I know it¡¯s your first day, but no more goofing off."

    He turned and marched away, boots clanking against stone as he disappeared into the shadows.

    I let out a long, shaky breath.

    "Okay¡­ I¡¯m probably going crazy."

    "Now, where do I actually go? Well¡­ this way seems like a good start," I muttered, turning on my heel and heading down the dim hallway, deliberately walking away from where the armored officer had disappeared.

    "Aw man, where the hell are my shoes?" I glanced down at my feet. The cold stone floor was paired with¡­ let¡¯s call them sandals. Beautifully meager sandals, woven together from what I could only assume was grass or straw¡ªor maybe some other plant.

    My sneakers weren¡¯t some overpriced, limited-edition designer shoes signed by, I don¡¯t know, some famous basketball player or soccer star. But still¡ªfor the love of all things sacred¡ªwhat is on my feet?!

    No trainers, no tennis shoes, no walkers¡­ Heck, I would¡¯ve settled for wooden clogs at this point. But this? This was almost criminal.

    I shook my head and kept walking, sandals scraping against the uneven stone floor with every step.

    "Don¡¯t panic. Don¡¯t panic," I chanted internally, like a mantra. I¡¯ve read light novels, I¡¯ve watched anime, and I¡¯m familiar with the concept I seem to have fallen into.

    But still¡­ wandering through a strange medieval stone compound, completely alone, no friends, no family, no clue where I¡¯m going? Yeah, that¡¯s a recipe for an anxiety attack.

    Suddenly¡ªBoom!

    An explosion echoed from somewhere above. My head snapped up, and before I could think, my feet carried me toward a narrow spiral staircase carved into the stone.

    Jogging upward, I emerged at an archway to my left, catching my breath as I peeked through.

    Inside was a large open hall filled with teenagers¡ªpeople my age. At the front stood a massive man, practically radiating authority, with one arm extended toward a charred, bristly straw target still smoldering from some kind of attack.

    ¡°This is what you can hope to accomplish in the future!¡± the man bellowed, his voice reverberating off the stone walls like a thunderclap. ¡°You have now all reached the age of conscription and will be taught how to wield the blessing of your System!¡±

    I froze, half-hidden behind the archway. The guy radiated authority, like a mountain made of muscle and barked orders. This was clearly someone in charge, and whatever was happening here¡­ I definitely didn¡¯t belong.

    My brain scrambled for a plan. Do I sneak away? Do I just¡­ stand here and hope no one notices?

    Then¡ªclank clank clank.

    Heavy footsteps echoed from behind me, drawing closer with the sound of metal scraping stone.

    Panic surged through me, and my brain made the executive decision to just¡­ wing it.

    "Screw it," I muttered under my breath and strolled casually past the room, eyes glued to the floor in what I hoped was a ¡°nothing-to-see-here¡± kind of way. Just act natural. Totally normal. Yep, just another random teen in grass sandals, nothing out of place at all.

    ¡°Recruit, you!¡± a deep voice barked.

    Nope. Definitely not talking to me. I kept walking, my feet shuffling across the uneven stone floor.

    But before I could make it three more steps, a rough, iron-grip hand clamped down on my shoulder.

    "I just called out to you. What are you doing out here? Get inside, now!"

    His voice practically rattled my spine, and a shiver surged from the top of my head to the soles of my sad little straw sandals.This story has been unlawfully obtained without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.

    Resistance felt¡­ unwise.

    I shuffled awkwardly into the hall, eyes darting around as I scanned the group of teens already assembled. Everyone seemed to have a purpose, a direction. Meanwhile, I was just trying not to hyperventilate.

    From my left came a sharp sigh.

    "I swear, these recruits get worse every year."

    The man addressing me wasn¡¯t wearing heavy armor like the soldier from earlier. Instead, he had on fitted training clothes¡ªclean, sharp, and professional, the kind of uniform that looked comfortable yet screamed "Don¡¯t mess with me." His expression was carved from equal parts irritation and exhaustion.

    "Your parents teach you nothing these days, do they? Stand over there."

    He jabbed a finger toward the back row, at the end of four uneven lines of teenagers.

    "Yes, sir." I nodded stiffly and shuffled over, sliding into place and trying very hard to look like I belonged.

    The sergeant turned back to the front and clapped his hands together sharply.

    "Alright! Now that everyone is here,"¡ªhis eyes flickered over me with a pointed stare¡ª"we can begin recording everyone¡¯s blessings and scores."

    He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small orb.

    The thing looked otherworldly¡ªa swirling sphere with a deep, unending black point at its center, like someone had bottled up a tiny black hole. Its edges shimmered faintly, pulling light inward like it was swallowing it whole.

    "This will confirm your status. Since most of you are all at least eighteen this year, all you need to do is pull up your status and touch the orb. I will then take it back and record the information."

    Before I could process what that meant, a resounding chorus of ¡°Status!¡± erupted around me. Voices overlapped, echoing off the stone walls as glowing screens of text popped up in front of every single recruit.

    All except¡­ me.

    My stomach plummeted. My skin felt cold.

    Okay, okay, no big deal. Just¡­ say it. Maybe I just need to say it too.

    Clearing my throat, I muttered under my breath, ¡°Status.¡±

    Nothing.

    Alright, louder. Confidence is key!

    I puffed out my chest slightly, cleared my throat again, and shouted, ¡°Status!¡±

    Still. Absolutely. Nothing.

    And now¡­ now everyone was staring at me. Their glowing screens floated in front of them, casting pale light on their confused, curious faces. A few whispered. Others just stared.

    My cheeks burned. I wanted to melt into the floor.

    The sergeant paused mid-step, glanced up at me, then shook his head with a sigh.

    "Another one," he muttered under his breath, rubbing his temples.

    Then, like nothing had happened, he kept walking and continued recording stats.

    I stood there, motionless, my heart hammering against my ribs. My mind raced. What happens when they realize I¡¯m different? What happens when they figure out I don¡¯t have a status at all?

    But then¡ªsalvation. A lifeline tossed from the heavens themselves.

    "Another late bloomer," the sergeant grumbled as he stopped in front of a girl a few spots ahead of me. "That¡¯s already two of you. Go stand over there to the side."

    The girl, clearly embarrassed, shuffled away from the group, her head hung low.

    An out.

    Without overthinking, I raised my hand. Like an actual student. Like I was back in algebra class and somehow knew the answer to x = y + z.

    The sergeant¡¯s eyes locked onto me, his brow furrowing deeply. ¡°What do you think you¡¯re doing?¡±

    I flinched. ¡°Uh¡­ I just wanted to ask a question?¡±

    "Then ask!"

    Okay, mental note: Raising your hand is not how you ask a question in medieval boot camp.

    "Well¡­ if I¡¯m a late bloomer, can I stand over there with them?" I gestured vaguely toward the other recruits who¡¯d been singled out.

    "You don¡¯t have your status yet?"

    "No, sir."

    "Wait until I get to you. You¡¯ll still need to confirm it with this." He held up the swirling black orb again.

    I swallowed hard, my throat suddenly bone dry.

    I watched, tense, as the sergeant made his way down the line. Time stretched out endlessly, like I was waiting for a bomb to detonate.

    Finally, after what felt like hours, he stood in front of me, orb in hand. His gruff face stared down at me, unimpressed.

    "Just touch it if you have no status."

    My hand trembled slightly as I extended my index finger and pressed it lightly against the orb¡¯s cold, smooth surface.

    And¡­

    Nothing.

    No glow. No hum. No flicker of light or magic.

    The sergeant sighed deeply, rubbing his temples as if fighting off a migraine.

    "This is¡­ not a great generation."

    "So¡­ can I go stand with the others now?" I asked hesitantly, my voice small.

    He gestured vaguely toward the side group with a dismissive flick of his wrist. ¡°Yeah, yeah. Go on.¡±

    I shuffled over, shoulders tense and heart still racing, joining the small group of so-called late bloomers. The girl beside me glanced up briefly before dropping her gaze back to her feet. The boy just scratched the back of his head awkwardly, his eyes darting around like he was trying to figure out how he ended up here.

    Before I could think too hard about what had just happened, the sergeant clapped his hands sharply, the sound slicing through the nervous silence.

    ¡°Alright, come in please. We¡¯re done.¡±

    From the hallway, four figures stepped into the room. They moved with a weight of authority that made the air feel heavier. Two of them leaned heavily on canes, their steps deliberate but steady. The others, though aged, stood tall, their presence commanding attention.

    ¡°These will be your class instructors,¡± the sergeant barked, pointing at each in turn.

    The first was an ancient woman, hunched over and wrapped in flowing red robes. Her eyes glimmered faintly with magic, and her gnarled cane seemed almost fused to her skeletal hand. ¡°This is the instructor for magic blessings. Leave with her if you are in the mage-class.¡±

    The next instructor was a sturdy older woman, her back straight and her sharp gaze scanning us like she could see into our souls. Her face carried a strange mix of motherly warmth and stern authority, like she could either bake you cookies or scold you into tears. ¡°This is the instructor for healer-class.¡±

    The third was an old man with sharp eyes and a crooked cane. His wiry frame seemed frail, but his gaze held an edge of steel¡ªa sharpness that made him feel unbreakable despite his aged appearance. ¡°This is the instructor for warrior-class.¡±

    And finally, a massive man stepped forward. His shoulders were so broad they seemed to block out the flickering torchlight behind him. Even under his loose robes, the outline of decades of rigorous training was evident. His voice rumbled like distant thunder. ¡°And this,¡± the sergeant said with a grunt, ¡°is the instructor for tank-class.¡±

    The four instructors stood in silence for a moment, their gazes sweeping across us recruits with the sharp efficiency of hawks assessing their prey.

    I shifted uncomfortably under their collective scrutiny, already dreading what came next.

    Late bloomer. Right. That was me now. But even as I stood there, staring at these intimidating figures, one thought gnawed at the back of my mind:

    What happens when they realize I¡¯m not just a late bloomer¡ªbut someone completely outside their System?

    ¡°Now, everyone, follow your instructors. And you three,¡± the sergeant said, pointing at our awkward trio, ¡°follow the Tanks. You¡¯ll train to harden your bodies until your status appears.¡±

    The crowd shuffled into roughly organized lines, each group trailing behind their respective instructor. The warriors marched off with sharp discipline, the mages followed in a haze of whispered excitement, and the healers walked with measured, careful steps.

    Our group¡ªthe Tanks¡ªlingered a little longer as we waited for our instructor¡¯s cue. I ended up at the back of the line, standing just behind the nervous-looking girl from earlier.

    For the first time since arriving here, my heart wasn¡¯t racing quite so hard. Maybe it was the dull repetition of following orders or the fact that nobody was actively yelling at me anymore, but I felt¡­ almost okay.

    Trying to distract myself from the swirling anxiety, I tapped the girl lightly on the shoulder.

    "Hey, I¡¯m Peter. Do you have any idea what we¡¯re supposed to be doing?"

    She turned her head slightly, her voice barely above a whisper. ¡°Following the instructors.¡± She shook her head with a faint sigh. ¡°Didn¡¯t you hear the knight?¡±

    Noted: Drill sergeant equals knight.

    "Obviously," I whispered back, trying to keep my voice steady despite the irritation creeping in. "But what are we following them to?"

    She turned slightly, giving me a sidelong glance that mixed confusion and mild disbelief. ¡°We¡¯re going to learn how to use our systems from them. How do you not know this?¡±

    Before I could defend myself from her very condescending question, a sharp bark from the instructor cut through the air.

    ¡°You two in the back¡ªquiet down!¡±

    Both of us flinched and clammed up immediately.

    We followed the instructor down a series of dimly lit corridors, the flickering torchlight casting long, wavering shadows across the cracked stone walls. At various points, smaller groups splintered off with their instructors¡ªmages disappeared behind a heavy wooden door, healers into a softly glowing chamber, warriors down a hallway lined with weapon racks.

    Eventually, our group¡ªthe Tanks¡ªarrived at what I could only describe as a medieval gym.

    There were no machines, obviously, but the place had a certain rugged charm. Wooden benches sat scattered throughout the space, weights forged from rough iron and stone were piled in corners, and heavy wooden shields lined racks against the walls. The air was thick with the scent of aged wood and faint sweat.

    The Tank instructor turned to face us, his deep voice reverberating through the chamber.

    ¡°Alright. You¡¯ll train here. Those of you with status should already have your first missions. Everything in this room is enough for you to progress through the beginning stages and increase your stats. Work hard and train. After some hours, I¡¯ll return to lead you to the dorms.¡±

    With that, he turned and strode out, his heavy steps echoing as he left us standing in awkward silence.

    The other recruits wasted no time splitting into small groups, pairing off with people they clearly already knew. Even the other late bloomer boy drifted away, leaving only me and the girl standing awkwardly in the middle of the room like two mismatched puzzle pieces.

    I shifted on my feet before trying again. ¡°So¡ªyou never said your name.¡±

    For once, she answered without snark or irritation, her voice soft but steady.

    ¡°Thea.¡±

    I smiled faintly. ¡°I¡¯m guessing you don¡¯t know anyone here either?¡±

    She shook her head lightly in response.

    "Well, we can stick together then. Uh, can you explain what the teacher meant by ¡®quests¡¯?"

    Her brows furrowed slightly, and she looked at me as if trying to decide whether I was joking. ¡°What do you mean? Quests are quests. Stop being so strange. Let¡¯s grab some materials first.¡±

    She turned and walked toward a large chest in the corner of the room. I followed behind her, feeling oddly like an oversized duckling trailing its mother.

    Inside the chest, to my surprise, were stacks of books. Actual books.

    "What are those?" I asked, leaning closer.

    She rolled her eyes but gave a faint chuckle. ¡°What do they look like? Books, obviously.¡±

    She plucked one up and skimmed the cover before pausing. After a moment, her voice softened.

    ¡°They¡¯ll tell us about the possible quests in each class, ways to use techniques more efficiently. Just normal books with information.¡±

    Then, with a faint glimmer of excitement, she held up one specific book.

    I squinted at the cover and Thea read the faded title aloud:

    "Fundamentals of Cultivation: Inner Strength and Breathing."

    __

    Thank you for reading the first chapter of Everyone Has a System but Me! ??

    If you¡¯ve made it this far, I hope you¡¯re enjoying Peter¡¯s chaotic introduction to a world where everyone seems to have it all figured out¡­ except him. Writing this has been a fun (and slightly nerve-wracking) experience, but I¡¯m thrilled to have you along for the ride.

    This story is my little experiment¡ªa blend of humor, heart, and good old-fashioned struggle-against-the-odds vibes. If you¡¯re curious about where Peter¡¯s journey will take him (spoiler: sandals and stone floors are just the beginning), stick around!

    ?? Comments: Tell me your thoughts! Who¡¯s your favorite character so far? What are your wild theories? I¡¯d love to hear it all.

    ?? Follow: Don¡¯t miss the next update! Hit that follow button to stay in the loop.

    ?? Like: If you enjoyed this chapter, show it some love! Every like helps keep the story going.

    Thank you again for giving Everyone Has a System but Me a chance. Until next time¡ªstay curious, stay awesome, and maybe¡­ double-check your shoes before you get teleported into another world.

    ¡ª Your Slightly Less Nervous but Still Enthusiastic Author ???

 Chapter 2: The First Step is the Hardest

    Welcome back to Everyone Has a System but Me!

    Peter¡¯s chaotic introduction to this strange world was one for the books¡ªliterally. Now, with Thea by his side, he¡¯s taking his first real steps into cultivation. But without a system, every lesson feels like trying to swim upstream with weights strapped to his ankles.

    This chapter dives deeper into Peter''s training, his growing dynamic with Thea, and the challenges of navigating a world built around systems he doesn¡¯t have access to.

    So buckle up, grab your metaphorical (or literal) training mats, and let¡¯s see if Peter can turn ¡°late bloomer¡± into something extraordinary.

    __

    I squinted at the strange characters on the page, a cold realization sinking into my stomach.

    ¡°I can¡¯t read this¡­¡±

    The letters¡ªor symbols, whatever they were¡ªlooked like a chaotic mess of swirls and sharp angles.

    A sigh came from Thea. She straightened her back, puffed out her chest, and pointed to herself with exaggerated pride.

    ¡°Lucky for you, I can!¡±

    Her smile was so bright I thought it might rival the torches on the wall.

    I grumbled softly. ¡°I can read, just¡­ not this.¡±

    Her eyebrow arched slightly. ¡°Oh? And what can you read then?¡±

    I froze for a second. Does English exist here? Or is this one of those ¡®everyone magically speaks the same language¡¯ situations? I decided to skip the mental rabbit hole.

    ¡°Well, cultivating sounds fun. Can you just¡­ read it to me?¡±

    Thea hesitated. ¡°I mean, sure, but it¡¯s just the basics. Most people know this already.¡±

    I gave her a sheepish smile. ¡°Well, I don¡¯t. So¡­ does that mean everyone cultivates?¡±

    She snorted softly, her face scrunching up in mild disbelief.

    ¡°What? Why would you cultivate when you could just use the system? Cultivating can be useful, especially at the beginning to strengthen the body, but it¡¯s boring, takes resources later on, and obviously, there are no quests associated with it. So increasing stats is much more difficult.¡±

    Her voice carried a certain passion, her explanation flowing without hesitation. Is she some kind of cultivation nerd? Not that I was complaining¡ªI needed information, and she was handing it out for free.

    ¡°On top of that¡ª¡±

    I raised a hand, cutting her off gently. ¡°Thea, really, thanks. I know I asked, but can we just start from the beginning?¡±

    I swear I heard her tongue click softly, but she flipped open the book anyway, holding it like it was some sacred artifact.

    ¡°Alright. The first steps are pretty simple¡­ deceptively simple, actually. But they¡¯re hard to get right in practice. First, you need to sense your inner strength.¡±

    She paused, giving me a quick once-over, her lips twitching slightly like she was holding back a comment.

    ¡°Usually, someone assists with this the first time. It¡¯s easier that way.¡±

    She continued, her voice calm and measured, not even glancing down at the book as she spoke. It was clear she already knew the basics by heart.

    ¡°After that comes meditation¡ªclearing your mind through rhythmic breathing. Honestly, this is the hardest part, especially¡­¡± She gestured to the chaotic mess of other recruits clanging weights and stomping around the gym. ¡°When you have zero privacy.¡±

    I nodded slowly, absorbing her words.

    ¡°Once you can sense and control your inner strength, you pick a location in your body to store it. The most common spot is right above your stomach¡ªit¡¯s where you¡¯d form something called a core eventually. But I don¡¯t know much about that part yet.¡±

    She paused, clutching the book slightly tighter. ¡°Right now, we¡¯re still in the refining stage. We use the energy we sense to make our bodies stronger temporarily¡ªpreparing for the system or¡­ whatever else might come next. That¡¯s what I¡¯ve been focusing on.¡±

    Her voice had softened slightly at the end, like she was revealing a little more than she intended.

    "Alright. I¡¯ll try it." I hesitated for a moment before adding, "Uh, you couldn¡¯t¡­ help me sense my inner strength, could you?"

    Thea blinked at me, then let out a small groan.

    ¡°Fine. Sit down. Close your eyes.¡±

    I plopped down cross-legged on the stone floor. Thea knelt behind me, her movements careful but deliberate.

    A warm, gentle hand pressed lightly against my upper back. It wasn¡¯t forceful, more like a guiding touch.

    ¡°Why are your clothes so dirty?¡± she asked flatly.

    "Rude," I muttered. Now realizing she wasn¡¯t being gentle out of care¡ªshe was avoiding touching my grimy rags any more than necessary. Honestly, I couldn¡¯t blame her.

    ¡°Alright, focus.¡±

    And then¡­ I felt it.

    It was like a faint ember sparking to life deep within me. A warm sensation, spreading slowly from where her hand rested on my back. It grew stronger, swelling into a steady current that raced through my limbs¡ªarms, legs, fingertips¡ªall the way to the top of my head.

    My breath hitched. It felt¡­ incredible. Like something had woken up inside me¡ªsomething that had been dormant for as long as I¡¯d been alive. Maybe existing inside me even back home.

    And then, just as quickly as it appeared, it vanished.

    "Wow. That was¡­ amazing! That power was incredible. I must have some kind of talent for this."

    Thea rolled her eyes so hard I thought she might sprain something.

    ¡°That was my power, genius.¡±

    My jaw dropped. ¡°Wait, seriously? All of that was you? That¡¯s¡­ insane. You¡¯re telling me everyone¡¯s like this? Everyone¡¯s carrying around that much energy?¡±

    She sighed, her face softening slightly.

    ¡°I told you, most people only do the basics. I¡¯ve been training even without my system, so I¡¯ve advanced further than most.¡±

    Her cheeks had the faintest pink hue, and it wasn¡¯t from exertion.

    "Well, thanks. I¡¯ll¡­ try it myself now."

    I closed my eyes again, focusing on the memory of that sensation¡ªlike tracing the outline of a shadow after the light had faded.

    Slowly, faintly, I felt it.

    It wasn¡¯t like Thea¡¯s torrent of power¡ªit was more like a faint trickle, a slow-moving stream barely noticeable against the hum of my pulse. But it was there.

    It started at my fingertips, flowed down my arms, into my chest, then spread out again¡ªlike blood carrying warmth throughout my body.

    My lips twitched into a faint smile.

    I can feel it. It¡¯s faint, but¡­ it¡¯s there.

    Without Thea¡¯s help, I realized, I never would¡¯ve noticed it.

    This¡­ is going to take a while, isn¡¯t it?

    ¡°Oh great master Thea, um, I feel it, so what now, how do I move it, do I get energy from the outside?¡±

    Hopefully, my flattery would yield answers only and not a mix of snark and vague advice.

    ¡°The next part is clearing your mind, then focusing on the flow and trying to guide it. Then yes, just like how you sensed your own inner power, you can sense the particles in the world. But be careful¡ªif you absorb too much, you¡¯ll pop.¡±

    I chuckled at her joke, but she didn¡¯t.

    Wait¡­ was she joking? Or worse¡ªwas she not joking?

    Maybe she¡¯s just someone who doesn¡¯t laugh at her own jokes. Oh god, what if I¡¯m not funny? I laugh at my jokes. A crushing thought hit me like a bag of bricks.

    No, no¡ªfocus! Of course, I¡¯m funny. I¡¯m hilarious.

    Alright, focus, Peter. No noise, no thoughts. Just¡­ energy flow.

    Easy.

    CLANG!

    I winced as someone across the room slammed a weight onto the floor. Seriously? That¡¯s just bad gym etiquette.

    Okay, deep breath. In. Out. No distractions.

    Wait¡­ was there supposed to be something special about breathing?

    ¡°Thea?¡±

    Her head snapped toward me, her brow creased, her voice carrying that distinct I¡¯m-trying-to-focus-so-don¡¯t-annoy-me tone.Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.

    ¡°What?¡±

    ¡°About breathing¡­¡± I hesitated, feeling incredibly stupid. ¡°Is there, like¡­ anything special I should be doing? Like a pattern or¡­ I don¡¯t know, special breathing magic?¡±

    Thea froze. She stared at me, unblinking, for a few excruciatingly long seconds.

    Then, her lips twitched. Her shoulders started shaking. And before I knew it, she was bent over, clutching her sides and laughing so hard tears welled up in her eyes.

    ¡°Did you just¡ª¡± she wheezed between gasps, ¡°Did you just ask me¡­ how to breathe?!¡±

    Her laughter echoed in the stone gym, cutting through the background noise of clanking weights and distant chatter.

    See? I knew it. I am funny.

    ¡°No!¡± I sputtered, my face practically glowing red. ¡°You said meditation with breathing patterns. Patterns! Is there anything special about it, or do I just¡­ do normal breathing?¡±

    She wiped at her eyes, still chuckling.

    ¡°Just¡­ just find something relaxing and keep it consistent. Slow breaths in, slow breaths out. Don¡¯t hold it too long, and don¡¯t gasp like you¡¯re trying to win an award in hyperventilation.¡±

    ¡°Oh. Okay. That makes sense.¡±

    Thea sighed, shaking her head with a faint smile still tugging at the corner of her lips.

    ¡°I swear, you¡¯re going to be the death of me, Peter.¡±

    ¡°Glad I could brighten your day.¡±

    With that, I closed my eyes again and focused.

    Inhale.

    Exhale.

    Slow and steady.

    The sound of Thea¡¯s lingering giggles gradually faded away, and for the first time since arriving in this bizarre world, I felt¡­ still.

    The warmth of that faint energy trickled through me again, like a thin stream flowing gently through my body.

    It wasn¡¯t strong. It wasn¡¯t dramatic. But it was there, it had always been there.

    And for now, that was enough.

    There were faint sensations tickling the surface of my skin¡ªlike soft pinpricks of warmth, buzzing and shifting just at the edge of my awareness.

    Is this the outside world''s energy?

    Its warmth felt eerily similar to the faint trickle of energy I¡¯d felt inside me earlier.

    But one thing at a time.

    I chose to focus on my inner energy first. Moving it felt¡­ unnatural, like trying to redirect a slow-moving stream with nothing but sheer willpower. It resisted at first, stubborn and unyielding, but eventually, it shifted¡ªjust slightly.

    A small victory.

    Time blurred as I focused, breathing steadily and imagining the faint trickle gathering in the spot just above my stomach, like Thea had explained. It pooled there briefly, but no matter how hard I concentrated, it wouldn¡¯t condense or solidify.

    When my focus wavered, it simply dispersed, trickling back into its usual sluggish flow, around the point I focused on.

    Well, that tracks.

    Even Thea¡¯s torrent of energy¡ªthe overwhelming force I¡¯d felt earlier¡ªwasn¡¯t enough to form a core yet. And she¡¯d been at this for a while.

    My attention drifted to the prickling sensation on my skin¡ªthe external energy.

    Could I¡­ pull it in? Like how I¡¯d gathered my own energy?

    I hesitated. Thea had warned me to be careful, but asking her now would mean breaking my concentration. Besides, it felt right.

    Tentatively, I focused on the warmth outside me, imagining it sinking into my skin, drawn inward like water soaking into a sponge.

    To my surprise¡ªand relief¡ªit worked. The external energy flowed inward, merging with my inner strength.

    But it wasn¡¯t seamless. The two energies mixed awkwardly, swirling together like oil and water.

    I kept at it, breathing steadily, drawing more energy in, trying to coax it to blend with my own.

    For a while, it felt like I was making progress.

    Then nausea hit me.

    A heavy, queasy sensation settled in my stomach, like I¡¯d eaten five cafeteria burgers dipped in cement. My head swam, and sweat beaded on my forehead.

    ¡°What¡¯s¡­ happening¡­?¡±

    ¡°Peter!¡±

    Thea¡¯s voice cut through the haze, sharp and panicked.

    ¡°What?¡± I croaked, my voice weak.

    She was kneeling beside me now, her face scrunched in alarm.

    ¡°I told you to be careful or you¡¯d pop! Look at you¡ªyou¡¯re turning red! Just how much energy did you absorb for your first time?!¡±

    I paused, glancing down at my arms.

    She was right. My skin wasn¡¯t flushed¡ªit was red. Like boiled-lobster red.

    My eyes darted back to Thea. ¡°You were serious about that popping thing?¡±

    She pinched the bridge of her nose.

    ¡°Why would I lie about that? You asked me to teach you!¡±

    ¡°Oh. Right. Yeah. Sorry.¡±

    I sat back, still feeling queasy but slowly starting to recover. Honestly, if Thea hadn¡¯t snapped me out of it, I might have ended up as a Peter-flavored energy smoothie.

    ¡°Thanks, Thea. Seriously. So¡­ now that I¡¯ve done all that¡­ am I, like, stronger now?¡±

    Thea let out an exasperated sigh, her eyes rolling so far I thought they would get stuck in the back of her head.

    ¡°The energy you gather isn¡¯t just magic power that sits in your belly and turns you into a legendary hero. You need to work it¡ªlike dough in a baker''s hands. First, you gather the ingredients. Then, you hammer it into your muscles, your bones, your everything. Think of it like trying to force molten metal into the shape of a sword. And trust me, it burns.¡±

    I scratched my head, trying to process her metaphor.

    ¡°Okay, so let me get this straight. Breathe. Feel energy. Do squats until my legs are jelly. Then¡­ breathe again. Got it.¡±

    She snorted softly, crossing her arms.

    ¡°When you put it that way, it sounds stupidly simple. But try holding a proper stance for two hours while energy feels like lava pooling in your gut.¡±

    ¡°That¡­ sounds awful.¡±

    ¡°And working out is fine, but the best way to refine energy is through techniques and real fights. Which hurt even more, by the way.¡±

    I groaned, letting my head fall back as I stared up at the stone ceiling.

    ¡°Great. So it¡¯s not just breathing and sitting cross-legged. It¡¯s breathing, fighting, and burning.¡±

    Thea smirked.

    ¡°Welcome to cultivation, Peter. You signed up for this.¡±

    ¡°Signed up? I don¡¯t remember signing anything¡­¡±

    She chuckled softly, and despite the lingering nausea and the weird sensation of energy still buzzing through my body, I felt¡­ okay.

    No, more than okay.

    I felt alive.

    This was going to be hard. Like, really hard. But for the first time since arriving here, I felt like I had a direction¡ªa path forward.

    And if that path involved lava gut and collapsing in stances until my legs turned to noodles¡­ well, I¡¯d figure it out.

    One step¡ªand one breath¡ªat a time.

    ¡°Well, since we¡¯re both up, how about we spar?¡± Thea asked with way too much joy on her face.

    ¡°No. How about some weight training?¡± I countered weakly.

    ¡°Nope. I haven¡¯t had a good practice partner in, well, ever. Let¡¯s go.¡±

    Thea grabbed a few thick cloth mats, dirtied with dust¡ªand what I hope was just dirt¡ªand laid them on the stone floor.

    Well, at least I won¡¯t slam into the ground. Last thing I need now is a concussion from this girl.

    ¡°Alright, try to focus on your energy again. It¡¯s more difficult than when you meditate, so you won¡¯t be able to use it as efficiently, but bend it to your will¡ªto your legs, your arms. It can increase your strength and agility stats.¡±

    I nodded, not telling her that I would never be able to see a physical increase in my stats.

    ¡°Alright,¡± I responded. ¡°I feel it.¡±

    And it began.

    Several grueling minutes of being thrown into¡ªnot nearly soft enough¡ªgrimy cushions.

    But on the bright side, although I felt much of the world¡¯s energy leaving me, some of that ¡®oil and water¡¯ mixture began to feel¡­ smoother.

    More like water.

    I could actually feel myself getting better at this too. But Thea was just so much faster than me¡ªhonestly, much stronger too.

    The world of numbers was truly unfair.

    Although she couldn¡¯t see her screen yet, so we were in the same boat. At least for now.

    ¡°I think that¡¯s enough,¡± I groaned out.

    ¡°Yeah,¡± she gasped, somehow still looking much more energetic than me as she sat down beside me.

    ¡°I was curious about another thing,¡± I began. She looked back at me. ¡°What kind of techniques can I train? How do I get them?¡±

    She kept looking at me.

    ¡°What do you mean? The techniques and skills we get come from completing quests from our system. I can¡¯t wait to get mine and fuse them with cultivation.¡±

    She kept explaining other details as my mind went blank with the realization that I would never receive techniques from a system.

    I looked at her, deciding to let her continue her excited rant about cultivation and system fusion¡ªinformation that, honestly, I did not need.

    It was the first time I actually really looked at Thea.

    She had an athletic yet lean build that hinted at a life spent in disciplined training. She wasn¡¯t overly muscular, but her posture carried an air of confidence and control that made her presence hard to ignore. Her skin was lightly tanned, the kind of tone earned from long hours spent outdoors.

    Her hair was a deep chestnut brown, cascading just past her shoulders in loose, slightly uneven waves¡ªas if she trimmed it herself with a small blade. A few rebellious strands always seemed to fall over her forehead, no matter how often she pushed them back.

    But it was her eyes that stood out the most. Sharp, almond-shaped, and an intense shade of stormy gray. They carried an observant stare that seemed to peer straight into people¡¯s intentions, as if she could strip away any fa?ade with just a glance.

    I was about to make some snarky comment¡ªprobably about her looking like she¡¯d walked straight out of a fantasy hero poster¡ªwhen heavy footsteps echoed behind us.

    ¡°Sparring, are we? How about we join?¡±

    The voice wasn¡¯t friendly, and the way the words were delivered¡ªhalf challenge, half sneer¡ªset off every internal alarm I had.

    I glanced over my shoulder at the approaching group: three recruits, all broader and taller than me, with smug looks plastered across their faces.

    Oh great, I thought. Here comes the medieval gym bro squad.

    But to my surprise, Thea didn¡¯t rise to meet the challenge. In fact, she seemed to shrink back slightly, her confident aura dimming.

    ¡°No,¡± she said curtly, her voice clipped. ¡°We¡¯re done. You can use the mats yourself.¡±

    One of the recruits scoffed, his lips curling into a smirk. ¡°Go away then. We¡¯ll be taking them.¡±

    Thea didn¡¯t say another word. She just turned, grabbed my arm, and led me toward another section of the room¡ªa quieter corner, more secluded from the bustling crowd.

    Once we were out of earshot, I broke the silence.

    ¡°Not that I mind avoiding a beating, but¡­ why didn¡¯t you fight them?¡±

    She sighed, her shoulders slumping slightly.

    ¡°I told you¡ªcultivation is slow. They¡¯ve probably already completed a few missions. Their stats are higher than mine. It wouldn¡¯t help either of us to get involved.¡±

    Her words hung in the air, heavy with an unspoken truth.

    If they were too strong for Thea, where did that leave me?

    Even if I cultivated relentlessly, if Thea¡ªwho was so much more skilled and disciplined than me¡ªcouldn¡¯t keep up with system users, how fast could they progress?

    And how slow would I be?

    A gnawing sense of dread settled in my stomach, but at the same time, a stubborn ember of determination flickered to life.

    I wasn¡¯t about to quit now.

    ¡°Alright,¡± I said finally. ¡°Then we train harder, not smarter, right?¡±

    Thea gave me a sideways glance, her lips twitching faintly into a smirk.

    ¡°Exactly.¡±

    We sat in that quiet corner for a few moments, letting the noise of the gym fade into the background.

    __

    Thank you for sticking with me through another chapter! ???

    Cultivation in this story isn¡¯t about sitting around and waiting for power to magically appear¡ªit¡¯s about earning every bit of progress through focus, sweat, and the occasional (very painful) sparring match.

    This chapter was all about growth¡ªboth physical and mental. Peter¡¯s learning that progress often comes wrapped in discomfort, while Thea is stepping into her role as a mentor, sharp tongue and all.

    So, what do you think so far? Are you rooting for Peter to keep up with Thea, or do you think our favorite tank-in-training is in over his head?

    ?? Drop a comment with your thoughts!

    ?? Hit that follow button so you don¡¯t miss the next step in their journey!

    ?? And tap like if you¡¯re enjoying the story so far!

    Until next time, stay determined and keep cultivating!

    ¡ª Your Steadily Leveling-Up Author ???

 Chapter 3: Running on Empty

    Welcome back to another chapter of Everyone Has a System but Me! ????

    Peter¡¯s journey continues, and let¡¯s just say¡­ progress isn¡¯t always a straight line. Between moments of focus, flashes of humor, and a few mild existential crises, our hero is slowly finding his footing.

    This chapter dives deeper into training, teamwork (or lack thereof), and maybe¡ªjust maybe¡ªa few important realizations about the world he¡¯s stumbled into.

    Strap in, grab your imaginary energy core, and enjoy the ride!

    ¡ª Your Ever-Encouraging Author ????

    __

    When we sat down together, I found myself staring at the stone floor, wondering what to do next.

    ¡°Should I absorb more world energy?¡±

    Thea glanced at me briefly, her stormy gray eyes sharp with thought.

    ¡°You could, but I think it¡¯s better to focus on consolidating your energy first. After fusing with external energy, it¡¯s important to get used to moving that new volume of energy around. You won¡¯t be able to immediately control it like your original amount.¡±

    I nodded. ¡°That makes sense.¡± I paused, smirking slightly. ¡°But I wasn¡¯t exactly used to my original energy either, you know, before you dragged me to the floor.¡±

    Thea chuckled lightly. ¡°Well, think how much better you¡¯ll be at it now.¡±

    She smiled at me, and for a brief moment, I forgot about the cold floor and the exhausting training.

    Alright, back to focusing. No more gym bullies. No more crazy girls itching to fight me. Just me and this cold stone floor.

    So cold¡­ no, no. Forget it.

    Breathe.

    I felt it again¡ªthat faint hum of energy, fuller than before. Some of the world¡¯s energy had escaped during the fight, but some of it had fused with my own.

    I focused on it, starting from my fingertips, guiding it toward my center. I circulated it throughout my entire body, letting it flow naturally. After a few minutes, I pushed harder, forcing it to flow in the opposite direction.

    It felt¡­ weird.

    Kind of like trying to force yourself to pee after being trained your whole life to hold it in until you get to a bathroom. Trust me, way harder than it sounds.

    When I finally opened my eyes, my energy felt restored. And when I stood up, I actually did feel stronger. Like I could take on the world¡ªor at least jog across the room without collapsing.

    ¡°Alright,¡± I muttered to myself. Now what?

    More cultivation? Weight training?

    I glanced over at Thea. She was completely absorbed in her own meditation, her brows slightly furrowed, her lips pressed into a firm line.

    Better not bother her.

    But before I could decide on my next move, heavy footsteps thundered from the doorway.

    Our instructor¡ªthe hulking old man¡ªwas back.

    The room fell silent as everyone froze in place, all eyes snapping to the towering figure in the doorway.

    He walked to the center of the room, his deep voice rumbling like distant thunder.

    ¡°I hope you trained hard. Tomorrow we will begin endurance training, so I hope your stamina stat has been raised enough to handle it.¡±

    A collective shiver ran through the room. Some recruits visibly flinched, while others broke out into nervous sweat.

    That¡­ concerned me.

    If the system kids¡ªwho presumably had been pumping stats into stamina¡ªwere nervous about what was coming, what chance did I have?

    The instructor¡¯s gravelly voice cut through my spiraling thoughts.

    ¡°Now, follow me. We¡¯re heading to the dorms.¡±

    Without another word, he turned and began walking away. Around a dozen recruits fell in line behind him, shuffling forward with quiet obedience.

    I glanced at Thea, still sitting cross-legged with her eyes firmly shut.

    Should I wake her up?

    Yeah, probably.

    I crouched down next to her and gave her shoulder a gentle shake.

    ¡°Thea. Grandmaster Thea. Wake up.¡±

    Nothing.

    ¡°Hey, Thea!¡± I shook her a little harder. ¡°Come on, we have to leave!¡±

    Her stormy gray eyes shot open, sharp and piercing. For a split second, she looked like she was about to unleash some vicious insult or possibly throttle me where I stood.

    Before she could say anything, I raised my hands in surrender.

    ¡°Relax! Look¡ª¡± I pointed toward the doorway, where the last few recruits were slipping out. ¡°We¡¯re heading to the dorms.¡±

    Thea blinked, her scowl softening into groggy confusion.

    ¡°Oh¡­ right.¡±

    She pushed herself to her feet, wobbling slightly before regaining her balance.

    Together, we shuffled toward the doorway, falling into step with the last of the recruits as we followed the instructor¡¯s broad back through the winding halls.

    My thoughts buzzed with fragments of what Thea had said earlier about consolidation, about energy, about tomorrow¡¯s endurance training.

    The path ahead felt impossibly steep, but¡­ at least I wasn¡¯t walking it alone.

    We all walked through the twisting corridors and up several flights of stairs. I was really glad I¡¯d started cultivating¡ªotherwise, this climb would have been exhausting.

    After a long stretch of silence, boredom started gnawing at me. I glanced over at Thea, who looked equally bored, and decided to break the silence.

    ¡°So¡ªwhy don¡¯t you have your system yet?¡± I asked casually.

    ¡°The same reason as you, Late Bloomer,¡± she said with a chuckle. ¡°Well, not exactly. I¡¯m still only seventeen. Next week, I should finally be able to see it. How about you? Any special reason?¡±

    My palms started sweating a little. ¡°Haha, no¡­ just an actual late bloomer, I guess. I scream out status every day just to check.¡±

    She smirked at that, but before the conversation could continue, we stepped outside.

    And I froze.

    ¡°Holy¡ªjust¡ªwow.¡±

    Under the moonlit sky, countless stars stretched across the heavens. Tiny specks of light glittered against a velvet-black canvas, more than I¡¯d ever seen in my entire life.

    Back home, light pollution choked the stars into near-oblivion. Sure, I¡¯d seen photos of galaxies and breathtaking nightscapes, but seeing it with my own eyes?

    It was¡­ something else entirely.

    ¡°You okay?¡± Thea asked, her voice pulling me back to the moment. She tilted her head slightly, clearly puzzled by my wide-eyed stare.

    ¡°Better. This is amazing!¡± I said, maybe a little too loudly, earning a few curious glances from the recruits ahead of us.

    ¡°What is?¡± she asked, genuinely confused.

    ¡°The stars! So many of them. I mean, really! There are just¡­ so many. I never knew¡ªI mean, I¡¯ve seen stars before, but not like this. Not like this.¡±

    Thea chuckled, her gray eyes softening slightly. ¡°What, are you crazy? They¡¯re just stars.¡±

    I paused, realizing something. If you saw a sky like this every night, it wouldn¡¯t be anything special. To her, this was just¡­ normal.

    But to me? It felt like a miracle.

    We kept walking, the night air cool against my face, until we reached two large tents set up near the edge of a forested area.

    I turned around, expecting to see some grand castle looming behind us. Instead, I was greeted by a squat, cubic stone-brick structure. It wasn¡¯t glamorous¡ªit was¡­ functional.

    Guess most of the structure is underground. Explains the maze of hallways and torches.

    Speaking of torches¡­ I remembered all the ones flickering in the gym earlier. That can¡¯t be good for anyone¡¯s lungs, right?

    ¡°Alright,¡± the instructor¡¯s deep voice boomed, pulling me back to the present. ¡°Girls, you get the tent closer to the building.¡± He pointed sharply to the two tents in a clearing a few dozen meters away. ¡°Boys, take the other. Go in, stay out here, but don¡¯t wander around. Anything else is fine.¡±

    With that, the hulking man turned and walked away, his massive silhouette fading into the shadows.

    The other recruits shuffled toward their assigned tents without hesitation, a few yawning, others muttering quietly to themselves.

    I turned to Thea. ¡°So, I guess¡­ I¡¯ll see you tomorrow?¡±

    ¡°Yep,¡± she said with a small stretch. ¡°I¡¯m getting pretty tired. Besides, tomorrow¡¯s training is going to be rough. We should get some sleep.¡±

    I nodded. ¡°Yeah¡­ sleep sounds good.¡±

    We exchanged a brief smile before heading toward our respective tents.If you encounter this narrative on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.

    As I ducked into the tent, I glanced back once, catching sight of Thea disappearing into hers.

    The tent was pretty simple¡ªbarebones, really. No furniture other than the ten or so bunk beds crammed inside. Honestly, it felt unnecessary considering there were only around eight boys and four girls in total.

    I expected trouble, maybe a repeat of the gym bullies or some awkward stares. But to my surprise, everyone just ignored me. They went about their business¡ªchatting quietly, yawning, or settling into the thin sheets and straw mats that passed for beds here.

    Maybe they really did just want to use the mats at the gym earlier.

    With a shrug, I chose the bottom bed near the back corner of the tent and lay down.

    The thin sheet felt rough against my skin, and the straw mat underneath wasn¡¯t doing my spine any favors. I stared up at the wooden slats above me and thought about what I¡¯d left behind.

    Honestly? Not much.

    Sure, I¡¯d miss my foster brothers and sisters. They were good people. But I was already on my way out because of my age. My life had been¡­ fine. No major complaints.

    But, man, I was really starting to miss a proper comforter and a mattress that didn¡¯t feel like someone had crammed hay into a sack and called it a day.

    Time passed slowly, and eventually, the tent filled with the sound of deep, resounding snores.

    Loud ones. Invasive ones. Ones that rattled in my skull like someone revving up a chainsaw next to my ear.

    ¡°I¡¯m going to lose my mind,¡± I muttered out loud.

    With a huff, I threw off the thin sheet, grabbed it in frustration, and slipped out from the bottom bunk. I shuffled past the rows of sleeping recruits, careful to step quietly.

    Freedom.

    The night greeted me with open arms. The stars above were still impossibly bright, and the crisp breeze brushed against my face.

    The world felt¡­ quieter out here.

    I walked a short distance away from the tent until the chorus of snores was finally drowned out by the stillness of the night.

    Once I was far enough, I sat down on the cold ground, pulling the sheet over my shoulders like a makeshift cloak.

    The stars twinkled above, countless and brilliant.

    They really are something else.

    For a moment, I silently thanked whatever forces were listening that it wasn¡¯t winter¡ªor if it was, that it wasn¡¯t a cold one.

    The ground was hard, the sheet was thin, and tomorrow promised exhaustion and endless training.

    But at least, for now, under this infinite blanket of stars, I felt¡­ at peace.

    The sharp blare of a horn yanked me out of sleep so violently that I nearly threw the thin sheet over my head in protest.

    ¡°Everyone, get up! Move it! You have two minutes!¡±

    The instructor¡¯s voice boomed across the clearing with all the subtlety of a wrecking ball through glass.

    I groggily blinked away the tiredness, feeling the weak warmth of the rising sun brushing against my face.

    Around me, boys and girls stumbled awkwardly out of their tents, forming into surprisingly neat lines despite looking like they¡¯d just been ejected from a malfunctioning toaster.

    Okay, I noticed this before, but this feels way too intense for a training camp about unlocking personal stats. This feels¡­ organized. Too organized.

    Pushing the thought aside, I stood up and fell in line, sliding in next to Thea.

    She glanced at me sideways, trying¡ªand failing¡ªnot to roll her eyes.

    ¡°Did you seriously sleep out here?¡±

    ¡°Quieter than the tent,¡± I replied, stretching my arms over my head. ¡°And not much less uncomfortable. No wonder they stuff hay into the beds¡ªit¡¯s like they expect a herd of cows to bunk down in there.¡±

    Thea snorted softly, a smirk tugging at the corner of her mouth. ¡°Fair point.¡±

    Before I could follow up with another quip, the big man in charge barked out again.

    ¡°Follow me. Do not fall behind!¡±

    With that, he turned and jogged into the nearby woods.

    The collective groan of every sleep-deprived recruit echoed behind him as we started moving.

    I glanced at Thea as twigs snapped under our boots and branches scratched at my arms. ¡°This feels a little¡­ over the top, doesn¡¯t it? The tents, the strict rules, the shouting. Are we training for something?¡±

    She gave me one of those looks¡ªthe kind that screamed, Are you being serious right now?

    ¡°You¡ª¡± she started, then hesitated. ¡°Where are you from?¡±

    The question caught me so off guard that I nearly tripped over a tree root.

    ¡°Where?¡± I repeated, blinking at her.

    ¡°Yeah. Where?¡±

    My brain scrambled for an answer. Something believable, something clever, something that wouldn¡¯t make me look like an absolute fool.

    But my mouth had other plans.

    ¡°No idea.¡±

    Thea stumbled slightly this time, her stormy gray eyes wide as she shot me a look. Honestly, it gave me a chance to slow down, which was a win in my book because running is the worst.

    ¡°What do you mean no idea?¡± she asked, her voice low but sharp.

    I shrugged, trying to look casual while also gasping for air. ¡°Did the language change just because I slept outside? I mean no idea. No idea where here is, no idea where I came from, no idea about¡­ well, anything before yesterday.¡±

    Thea¡¯s eyebrows knitted together, and for a moment, I thought she might press me further.

    But instead, she let out a sharp breath, muttering something under her breath that I was pretty sure wasn¡¯t a compliment.

    We kept jogging, the instructor¡¯s voice barking commands ahead of us, and the line of recruits slowly stretched and curved along the dirt path.

    I could feel Thea glancing at me occasionally, her curiosity practically radiating off her.

    Well, that could¡¯ve gone smoother.

    But hey, at least I¡¯d bought myself a few extra seconds of slow jogging.

    And for now, that was victory enough.

    Until it wasn¡¯t.

    How long have we been running? I¡¯m pretty sure I¡¯ve aged five years.

    Honestly, who would ever think this is a good idea?

    Thea glanced at me, her stormy gray eyes narrowing slightly. Was that¡­ worry? Or was it shame?

    ¡°Are you using your inner strength?¡±

    ¡°Oh! Oh right! Thanks, I forgot.¡±

    Now there was no mistaking it¡ªshe was definitely looking at me with worry. But not the kind of gentle, nurturing worry. No, this was the ¡°Oh no, he¡¯s hopeless¡± kind of worry.

    But seriously, could I be blamed? Cultivation was just a fantasy word in my vocabulary until yesterday. I barely remembered I wasn¡¯t at home when I woke up this morning. Honestly, if it weren¡¯t for the instructor¡¯s magnificently loud horn skills, I probably would have rushed off to pack my backpack and head to school.

    Thanks to Thea¡¯s gracious reminder¡ªof which I made a mental note to suck up more to her later¡ªI managed to focus and let my inner energy trickle into my legs, easing the burning sensation somewhat.

    Okay, okay. This is better. Slightly better.

    But first, I had a question.

    ¡°So¡ªconsidering my total absence of knowledge¡ª¡±

    Thea cut me off under her breath, her voice dripping with sarcasm. ¡°I believe that to be literally true.¡±

    I chose to ignore that, as the mature one in this dynamic.

    ¡°What exactly are we doing?¡±

    ¡°Training,¡± she said flatly.

    I blinked. ¡°Uh-huh¡­ and training for what, exactly?¡±

    ¡°After three years here, we¡¯re off to battle.¡±

    I froze mid-step. My foot caught on a root, and I nearly became one with the forest floor.

    Thea grabbed my arm, yanking me forward before I could become a Peter-shaped pancake on the trail.

    ¡°Battle? You can¡¯t be serious.¡±

    She didn¡¯t say anything, just kept jogging, her expression unreadable.

    ¡°For who? For what?¡± I pressed.

    Here¡¯s the thing: it¡¯s really hard to feel patriotic for a country¡ªor state, or empire, or whatever this place is¡ªwhen I know literally nothing about it.

    Thea sighed, finally giving me a sideways glance.

    ¡°It¡¯s¡­ complicated. Look, not everyone here gets drafted into fighting. Some people stay back, some take non-combat roles. But if you¡¯re here¡ªif you¡¯re training like this¡ªthen you¡¯re probably being prepared for the front lines.¡±

    The front lines.

    Oh, that¡¯s great. That¡¯s just fantastic.

    After another forever¡ªand by forever, I mean an eternity that probably rewrote the laws of time and space¡ªI stumbled forward, barely lifting my feet off the forest floor.

    ¡°Thea¡­ it¡¯s over. I can¡¯t go on,¡± I wheezed, clutching my chest dramatically. ¡°Go on without me. Tell my story. Make sure they know I was¡­ moderately brave.¡±

    Thea gave me a look that was somewhere between disbelief and pity.

    ¡°It¡¯s barely been over an hour, Peter. Relax, focus, and keep moving. We¡¯re probably almost done anyway.¡±

    Her confidence felt like an insult.

    But then, like the voice of an angel descending from above¡ªor rather, a very loud, very cranky angel¡ªthe instructor¡¯s shout cut through the trees:

    ¡°Halt!¡±

    Oh, sweet merciful relief.

    I immediately complied, bending over with my hands on my knees and gasping like a fish flopping on land.

    ¡°Peter?¡± Thea said, her voice cautious.

    I raised a shaky hand. ¡°One sec. Dying. Busy.¡±

    I sucked in a final gulp of air and glanced at her. ¡°Thea?¡±

    ¡°What now?¡± she sighed, already bracing herself.

    ¡°Food?¡±

    ¡°What?¡± she asked, blinking in confusion.

    ¡°When¡­ do we eat? I¡¯m starving.¡±

    ¡°How should I know? Everyone¡¯s first day was yesterday!¡±

    I muttered something about survival rates and my odds of becoming forest mulch when the instructor¡¯s voice rose again.

    ¡°You will now get your food!¡±

    For a brief, fleeting moment, I almost forgave him for the time of forced jogging. Almost.

    Until he kept talking.

    ¡°This forest has plenty of edible plants and animals. A tank¡¯s job is more than just protection on the battlefield. We protect the squad at all times. You will work alone, in groups, or together to hunt and forage. After today¡¯s results, I will group you based on ability and instruct those who need it. You will try again tomorrow. And the day after that. Until everyone can feed themselves daily.¡±

    I stared blankly at him.

    ¡°Monster,¡± I whispered under my breath.

    I turned to Thea for guidance, wisdom, or maybe even comfort. Instead, I found her frozen in place, staring at the trees like they were filled with ghosts.

    ¡°Thea?¡± I prompted.

    ¡°Yeah?¡± she replied, her voice a little shaky.

    ¡°You don¡¯t happen to know¡­ anything about hunting or edible plants, do you?¡±

    Her head turned toward me, her expression one of pure dread.

    ¡°Do you?¡± she asked weakly.

    ¡°No.¡±

    She let out a long, defeated sigh and dropped to her knees, as though she could absorb energy directly from the forest floor if she stayed there long enough.

    ¡°Maybe someone else will help us?¡± I suggested hopefully.

    We both turned to look at the other recruits.

    Everyone was already splitting into groups¡ªgroups that, judging by their smooth coordination, had clearly been formed yesterday.

    Each team moved purposefully into the forest, weapons and makeshift tools in hand, like they actually knew what they were doing.

    We were officially alone.

    I slowly turned back to Thea, dread creeping up my spine.

    ¡°We¡¯re gonna starve,¡± I said flatly.

    ¡°Yep,¡± she muttered.

    We sat there in silence for a moment, the sounds of distant chatter and crunching leaves filtering through the trees.

    ¡°So¡­ berries, maybe?¡± I ventured.

    She glared at me.

    ¡°Don¡¯t. Eat. Anything. Unless you know what it is.¡±

    ¡°Noted.¡±

    We remained kneeling there, two clueless recruits with no plan, no knowledge of survival, and approximately zero confidence in our ability to not die in the next 24 hours.

    Well, I thought, at least I won¡¯t die alone.

    __

    And that¡¯s a wrap on Chapter 3! ????

    Peter¡¯s had a day¡ªmeditation, running, and¡­ let¡¯s call it survival. Thea, ever the steady presence, continues to be both his guide and his sharpest critic.

    Things are starting to get clearer¡­ and also way more complicated.

    ?? Thoughts: What do you think about the training so far?

    ?? Predictions: Any theories about what¡¯s coming next?

    ?? Feedback: Which moment in this chapter stood out to you the most?

    Thank you so much for joining Peter and Thea on their chaotic journey! Every comment, like, and follow means the world and keeps the story going strong.

    Until next time¡ªstay curious, stay hydrated, and remember: energy flow is easier when you¡¯re not being chased through the woods.

    ¡ª Your Slightly Out-of-Breath Author ???¡á???

 Chapter 4: Fangs in the Forest

    Welcome back to Everyone Has a System but Me! ??

    Peter and Thea¡¯s journey continues, and if you¡¯ve been following along so far, you know that survival isn¡¯t just about strength¡ªit¡¯s about wit, teamwork, and maybe a little bit of luck. In this chapter, expect more banter, more discoveries, and the kind of challenges that make you question every life choice that led you here.

    So grab a snack (hopefully something better than tree bark) and settle in for another chapter.

    Let¡¯s see how our favorite underdog and his snarky mentor navigate this wild, system-filled world! ??

    ¡ª Your Enthusiastic and Caffeinated Author ???

    __

    Some of the others were already heading into the woods beyond the clearing, walking with purpose and obvious confidence in their scavenging and hunting skills. Meanwhile, Thea and I stood there like two kids who¡¯d forgotten their permission slips for a field trip.

    Back home, I didn¡¯t know much about the woods beyond what I¡¯d seen in movies. Had I ever been dropped into a forest and told to survive, it probably would¡¯ve ended with me eating something toxic and hallucinating colors until I met an unfortunate end.

    And this wasn¡¯t even Home¡ªfor all I knew, this planet could have plants that screamed when you picked them and squirrels the size of bears. Sure, the trees looked like trees, and the grass was¡­ grass-ish, but I hadn¡¯t seen a single animal since arriving.

    We probably looked pitiful¡ªThea kneeling on the forest floor in defeat and me standing awkwardly beside her, shifting from foot to foot like a guilty toddler.

    ¡°You two!¡±

    The no-longer-angelic instructor¡¯s voice cut through the air like a whip. Honestly, I should probably start calling him Commander instead.

    I froze, my spine snapping straight as I tried¡ªand failed¡ªto catch my breath. Beside me, Thea shot up like a spring, standing rigidly.

    ¡°Yes, sir!¡± she said with all the enthusiasm of someone about to be sentenced.

    ¡°Come here.¡±

    We exchanged a brief look that said, Oh no, before shuffling forward like two kids called into the principal''s office.

    The instructor¡¯s glare bore into us, his face carved from stone, his eyes gleaming with barely restrained annoyance.

    ¡°You two¡ªdo you not know anything about the plants and animals here?¡±

    Thea hesitated, her lips twitching as if trying to form an answer. Seeing her nervous made me feel even worse, so I stepped up.

    ¡°No.¡±

    It came out so shaky it was practically a squeak. I cleared my throat and tried again, straightening my back.

    ¡°Ahem. No, sir. I am confident in saying I know absolutely nothing about gathering any plants that are safe to eat.¡±

    For a long moment, the instructor just¡­ stared at me.

    He rubbed his temples, muttering something that sounded suspiciously like, ¡°Why me?¡± before pulling a small book from somewhere within his oversized coat.

    ¡°Take this.¡±

    I accepted the book with both hands, bowing slightly like it was some sacred artifact.

    ¡°Thank you, sir!¡±

    With a sharp nod, he turned and stomped off, leaving Thea and me standing there holding what I could only assume was our lifeline to not starving to death.

    The silence between us was broken by Thea holding out her hand.

    ¡°Book.¡±

    I handed it over immediately, grinning. ¡°Yes, of course, Grandmaster. Grace me with your knowledge and literacy.¡±

    ¡°Could you quit that already?¡± she said, though she was laughing as she flipped open the book. ¡°You sure know a lot of words for someone who can¡¯t read.¡±

    ¡°I told you, I can read!¡± I huffed. ¡°Just¡­ not whatever swirly hieroglyphics is written here.¡±

    ¡°Right, right.¡± She smirked before squinting at the book¡¯s title. ¡°Herbal Remedies for Health and Comfort Food: A Collection of Plants in the Western Continent.¡±

    I blinked. ¡°That entire thing is the title? What is this, a light novel?¡±

    Thea frowned. ¡°Light novel?¡±

    ¡°Never mind. Cultural reference. Moving on¡ªare we going to find anything edible in there, or am I about to start chewing on bark out of sheer desperation?¡±

    She skimmed through the pages as we started walking into the woods. The leaves crunched softly beneath our boots, and every distant rustle made me flinch slightly.

    ¡°I mean, we should find something,¡± she said, her finger tracing a page filled with rough sketches of plants. ¡°Why else would the commander give it to us?¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s the spirit. Confidence! Leadership!¡± I said with mock enthusiasm, spreading my arms. ¡°And if all else fails, I¡¯m sure one of these trees looks somewhat appetizing.¡±

    Thea snorted but kept walking, the book clutched tightly in her hands.

    ¡°I mean, actually,¡± Thea said thoughtfully, tapping the book with her finger, ¡°one of the trees around here should have some soft plant threads under the bark if you really want to try it.¡±

    I made a face. ¡°And¡­ anything else? Roots, berries, food that doesn¡¯t taste like recycled lumber?¡±

    ¡°Well¡ªthere are some roots that grow from a small shrub that looks like this.¡± She pointed to one of the illustrations in the book. ¡°But we¡¯d have to be careful because there¡¯s a poisonous plant that looks almost identical.¡±

    I squinted at the two sketches. To me, they looked like the same plant cosplaying as itself.

    ¡°So¡­¡± I said slowly, ¡°you can tell the difference, right?¡±

    Thea flashed me a confident smile. Then¡­ she turned the page.

    ¡°How about berries instead? They¡¯re rare but easy to identify, and they grow low in the brush, so most people miss them.¡±

    My smile twitched.

    ¡°Berries it is. Anything else we should keep an eye out for?¡±

    ¡°Hmm¡­¡± Thea scanned the page, her finger tracing across the illustrations. ¡°Looks like there are also some edible herbs. Basically grasses you can eat.¡±

    ¡°Oh, so¡­ nettles. Delicious,¡± I said flatly.

    She snorted but kept walking, her eyes still glued to the book.

    It took about an hour of chatting, stumbling over roots, and scanning the ground before Thea stopped in her tracks.

    ¡°Look!¡± she said, pointing ahead.

    There it was¡ªa small shrub tucked beneath some overhanging branches, dotted with bright red berries. They glistened in the dappled sunlight filtering through the canopy.

    Like tiny, edible rubies.

    ¡°Oh sweet nectar of the gods,¡± I whispered reverently.

    We crouched beside the bush, and I carefully plucked each delicate berry, splitting them evenly into two small handfuls.

    ¡°Fifty-fifty?¡± I asked.

    Thea nodded quickly, already eyeing her share with an intensity that bordered on reverence.

    When I bit into one, my eyes nearly rolled back into my head. They tasted like cherry tomatoes fused with the tart sweetness of raspberries. Juicy, sharp, and perfect.

    ¡°Amazing,¡± I said around a mouthful.

    Thea nodded vigorously, cheeks puffed out like a chipmunk hoarding treasure. Her chestnut hair fell across her eyes, and for a second, I couldn¡¯t help but think¡ª

    Cute.

    We sat there savoring every last berry until our handfuls were empty. I let out a satisfied sigh and leaned back against a tree.

    ¡°So,¡± I said casually, ¡°about cultivation?¡±

    Thea glanced up at me, her cheeks still faintly pink from eating. ¡°Yeah?¡±

    ¡°Isn¡¯t there something about taking the world¡¯s energy as nutrients?¡±

    She froze mid-chew and stared at me, her shoulders trembling slightly.

    ¡°Don¡¯t make me laugh while I¡¯m eating,¡± she said, her voice strained.

    But it was too late. Her shoulders shook, her cheeks puffed, and then she burst out laughing, nearly choking on the memory of the berries.

    ¡°How¡ª¡± she gasped between snorts, ¡°do you think we¡¯re plants? Just soaking up energy from the sun or something?¡±If you encounter this tale on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.

    Wait¡ªthey know about photosynthesis? Huh. Probably just common knowledge about plants. Not important.

    ¡°Okay, okay, you can stop now!¡± I said, waving my hands. ¡°But seriously¡ªis there really nothing like that? You¡¯re sure?¡±

    She wiped tears from her eyes, her laughter finally fading into soft chuckles.

    ¡°Not that I know of,¡± she said, her voice still trembling with leftover giggles.

    Well, she didn¡¯t roll her eyes. Progress.

    Thea sighed. ¡°Honestly, I don¡¯t know much past what¡¯s in the cultivation book. It ends with core formation, and it only really instructs you on sensing and moving energy to increase your stats.¡±

    She paused, her expression thoughtful. ¡°But¡­ I do have some ideas of my own. Stuff that isn¡¯t in the book.¡±

    I perked up at that. ¡°Oh? Do tell, Grandmaster Thea.¡±

    She ignored the jab, her stormy gray eyes lighting up with excitement as she continued. ¡°I¡¯ve thought about temporary storage¡ªlike focusing energy in your hands or feet to use it more readily in battle.¡±

    Something clicked in my brain. My eyes widened, and I snapped my fingers. ¡°That! That¡¯s what I wanted to talk about!¡±

    She tilted her head, clearly intrigued. ¡°What?¡±

    ¡°What if we could store energy not just in a single core, but¡­ all over? Like¡ªwhat if, instead of just circulating energy, we could refine it into tiny reservoirs across our whole body? Like micro-cores, or checkpoints, permanently increasing our stats rather than just temporarily boosting them through circulation,¡± recalling the step name from novels in my mind, "Real Body Refining.¡±

    Thea froze, her expression shifting from curiosity to something sharper, something brighter. Her lips parted slightly as if she was trying to process what I¡¯d just said.

    ¡°That¡¯s¡­ actually brilliant,¡± she said softly, her voice almost reverent. ¡°It¡¯s like creating little anchors throughout your body. Not only would it increase your baseline strength, but you¡¯d have easier access to stored energy during combat.¡±

    ¡°Yes! Exactly!¡± I said, the words spilling out of me in excitement. ¡°Think about it¡ªif your core is like a deep well of water, then these reservoirs would be like smaller basins or channels spread throughout your body. You wouldn¡¯t have to pull everything from one spot; it would already be where you need it.¡±

    Her stormy gray eyes widened slightly, her focus sharpening even more. ¡°That¡¯s¡­ that¡¯s perfect. Like creating streams branching off from a river. Instead of trying to pull water all the way from the source every time, it¡¯s already there. Accessible, ready.¡±

    ¡°Right?!¡± I grinned, my hands gesturing wildly. ¡°And those streams¡ªor checkpoints, or whatever we want to call them¡ªthey wouldn¡¯t just make energy easier to use in combat. They¡¯d also reinforce the body itself, permanently increasing its capacity to handle more energy. Like¡­ like carving pathways into stone so the flow becomes natural over time.¡±

    Thea nodded vigorously, her chestnut hair falling into her face as she leaned forward, her excitement mirroring mine. ¡°And if one stream¡ªor, reservoir¡ªruns dry, the others could redirect their flow. It could make controlling energy smoother overall.¡±

    ¡°Yes!¡±

    We both fell silent for a moment, staring at each other like we¡¯d just unlocked some hidden truth about the universe.

    ¡°Well,¡± I said after a long beat, grinning wide, ¡°there¡¯s nothing to do but try it, right?¡±

    Thea grinned back, her confidence infectious. ¡°Yeah. But we should start small. Target one area first¡ªsee if it even works.¡±

    I tapped my chin thoughtfully. ¡°We¡¯re in the middle of endurance training. What if we start with the skin? It¡¯s the largest organ, covers the whole body, and¡ªit just seems practical, right? Like layering armor, but with energy.¡±

    She smiled with excitement. ¡°Let¡¯s do it then.¡±

    Just as I was about to sit down, a thought hit me like a brick.

    ¡°Wait. Is it safe here? We¡¯re in the middle of the woods, after all.¡±

    Thea paused, her brow furrowing slightly. ¡°There shouldn¡¯t be any dangerous animals around here. Besides, we¡¯re not going to take too long.¡±

    Her tone was confident, but¡­ shouldn¡¯t isn¡¯t exactly the most comforting word in this context.

    Still, she was the Grandmaster here. I trusted her judgment.

    I sat down next to her, crossing my legs on the uneven forest floor. It was surprisingly easier to clear my mind here¡ªthe rustling leaves, the distant calls of birds, the faint hum of energy in the air.

    I closed my eyes and let myself sink into the stillness.

    The stream of energy within me flickered to life¡ªa faint ember growing into a steady current. I focused on moving it downward, directing it to my feet. The sensation was subtle at first, like warm water trickling through tiny cracks.

    Focus.

    I willed the energy to condense, to form a point of concentration in the skin of my left foot. It resisted me at first, slipping through like trying to cup water in my hands.

    Compress it. Hold it steady.

    Slowly, I felt it: a tiny nodule of warmth embedded in the core of my foot, but it didn¡¯t reach the skin. From there, faint threads of energy began spreading outward like fine cracks on glass. They didn¡¯t venture far¡ªjust a shallow network of tiny energy pathways feeding back into the node.

    It wasn¡¯t what I¡¯d imagined as a core, but it was something¡ªa beginning.

    But there was something¡­ off. The threads felt fragile, like they could snap if I pushed too hard. And the energy was¡­ leaking. Trickling back into my central flow no matter how hard I tried to hold it in place.

    I gritted my teeth, focusing harder. Was this because my body wasn¡¯t used to holding energy in such a specific way? Did I need to train this tiny network, reinforce it like a muscle?

    Do we need to train this channel? Like how we absorbed the world¡¯s energy?

    The process felt unstable, unrefined¡ªlike building a dam out of twigs and hoping it held back a river.

    The faint warmth in my foot started to sting. Just slightly, like tiny pinpricks needling my skin.

    I risked a glance at Thea. She was still focused, her brows furrowed in deep concentration. A faint shimmer of light danced along her arms, almost like the energy within her was visible beneath her skin.

    She¡¯s doing it.

    No, not just doing it. She was thriving in it. Her control over her energy was leagues beyond mine. Where my energy felt like a frantic scribble, hers moved like an elegant painting, flowing with precision.

    But then¡­ something shifted.

    A ripple ran through the forest air¡ªa pulse coming from Thea, faint but wrong. Like the pressure before a storm.

    My chest tightened.

    ¡°Thea,¡± I whispered sharply. ¡°Something feels¡­ off.¡±

    She didn¡¯t respond, her focus locked into herself.

    I thought back to how the small branches felt like they would snap if I tried adding more energy and my heart sped up.

    ¡°Thea! Stop!¡± I shook her violently.

    ¡°What,¡± she responded with a bit of frustration.

    ¡°Where did you store your energy,¡± I scanned her body, and saw her right hand, red like a cooked lobster. ¡°Thea, you got carried away I think.¡±

    ¡°Yeah,¡± she agreed, her voice trembling slightly.

    We sat in silence for a moment, the forest feeling both peaceful and unnerving at the same time.

    I broke the silence first. ¡°It worked¡­ sort of. I managed to concentrate the energy, but it felt unstable. Like it didn¡¯t want to stay put.¡±

    Thea nodded thoughtfully. ¡°I felt something similar. My network held, but it wasn¡¯t¡­ permanent. The energy wants to return to the main flow.¡±

    I tapped my fingers against my thigh, thinking. ¡°Maybe it¡¯s not just about placing the energy. Maybe it¡¯s about binding it. Like tying knots to hold it in place.¡±

    Thea¡¯s eyes lit up with recognition. ¡°Yes! Or weaving it into the existing structure¡ªlike stitching fabric together, maybe we can start closer to the main flow at our center, then spread out from there.¡±

    ¡°Exactly!¡±

    We stared at each other, excitement mixing with the lingering unease from whatever had happened earlier.

    ¡°So¡­ what now?¡± I asked.

    Thea leaned back against the tree behind her, her face thoughtful. ¡°We refine it. Test it. Carefully. Whatever happened just now¡ªit might happen again if we push too hard, or too fast.¡±

    ¡°No, I meant about food. I¡¯m still hungry.¡±

    ¡°Why don¡¯t you cultivate and eat that,¡± she responded sarcastically.

    ¡°Helpful.¡±

    ¡°Your master is always here to help,¡± she said, not yet dropping her sarcasm.

    We were about to continue our banter when a rustling sound cut through the morning stillness.

    Both Thea and I froze.

    Something shifted in the underbrush behind us¡ªa heavy presence, slow and deliberate. My skin prickled with cold anticipation, every nerve in my body screaming at me to run.

    When I turned around, I nearly screeched like a banshee.

    Standing in the clearing was a creature unlike anything I¡¯d ever seen. Its sleek black carapace armor glistened faintly in the pale sunlight, segmented like overlapping plates across its hulking form. Six powerful limbs, each ending in hooked claws, braced against the ground as if ready to pounce.

    Its head was flat and triangular, jaws hanging slightly open to reveal rows of jagged, needle-like teeth that seemed almost too numerous to fit in its mouth.

    But the worst part? Its eyes¡ªpale, glowing orbs that shimmered with an unnatural light as they locked onto us.

    ¡°Thea¡­¡± I croaked, my voice barely above a whisper. ¡°What is that?¡±

    She didn¡¯t answer. Her stormy gray eyes were locked on the creature, her body tense, her breathing shallow. She looked scared¡ªbut poised. Ready to fight.

    My mind raced. We had no weapons, no tools. What were we supposed to do¡ªpunch it to death?

    ¡°Thea, we should¡ª¡±

    ¡°Peter,¡± she interrupted, her voice low and firm, ¡°I¡¯ll draw its focus. Circle around and hit it from behind. Be quick. This thing moves¡ª¡±

    The creature lunged.

    A blur of black and silver shot forward, claws tearing into the ground where Thea had been standing a split second earlier. She dove sideways, rolling to her feet with a sharp breath.

    I stumbled backward, nearly tripping over my own feet. Focus, Peter!

    Thea was keeping its attention, darting in and out with quick, controlled movements. Her attacks were faint, her energy focused into short bursts of speed. But she couldn¡¯t hold out forever.

    I crouched low and began circling the beast, trying to keep my breathing steady.

    Energy. Circulate.

    To my surprise, there was still a faint ember of energy in my left foot¡ªthe remnants of our earlier experiment.

    It would have to be enough.

    With a sharp inhale, I lunged.

    I slammed into the creature¡¯s side, wrapping my arms around its midsection and throwing my weight into it. The impact was jarring, the carapace cold and unyielding beneath my grip.

    The creature screeched¡ªa chittering, ear-piercing noise that rattled in my skull.

    ¡°Thea!¡± I yelled. ¡°Now!¡±

    Thea didn¡¯t hesitate. She leaped forward, her fists slamming down on the creature¡¯s head and neck with brutal precision. Each strike was accompanied by a faint shimmer of energy flowing down her arms.

    But the creature was strong.

    Its back legs kicked out, claws scraping against my arm and forcing me to release my grip. It twisted violently and wriggled free, letting out a shriek as it bolted into the underbrush.

    Silence fell over the clearing, broken only by our ragged breathing.

    I collapsed onto the ground, clutching my arm where its claw had grazed me. Thea stumbled back, her chest heaving.

    ¡°You okay?¡± I managed between gasps.

    ¡°Yeah,¡± she said weakly, her voice trembling slightly. ¡°But¡­ we really need weapons. Maybe next time it¡¯ll be our meal.¡±

    She let out a soft, breathless laugh.

    I managed a weak chuckle in response, pushing myself upright. ¡°Agreed. But honestly, a meal made from world energy is sounding pretty good right now. As long as we eat it in safety.¡±

    Thea smirked, standing up and brushing the dirt from her clothes. ¡°You know what? That sounds delicious.¡±

    We exchanged a glance¡ªequal parts relief, exhaustion, and shared understanding.

    Without another word, we turned and began walking back toward the clearing where the commander was.

    The forest behind us was quiet again, but I couldn¡¯t shake the feeling that those pale, glowing eyes were still watching us from somewhere deep in the shadows.

    __

    Thank you for diving into another chapter of Everyone Has a System but Me! ??

    Writing this story has been an absolute joy, and seeing Peter and Thea grow¡ªboth in skills and in their chaotic friendship¡ªhas been a highlight. I hope you enjoyed this chapter¡¯s mix of discovery, tension, and a sprinkle of humor.

    ?? Comments: What did you think of their survival skills (or lack thereof)? Drop your thoughts below¡ªI¡¯d love to hear them!

    ?? Follow: Don¡¯t miss the next chapter¡ªhit that follow button!

    ?? Like: Enjoyed this chapter? Show it some love!

    Until next time, stay curious, stay resilient, and maybe¡­ carry a survival guide if you ever end up in a mysterious forest.

    ¡ª Your Slightly Sleep-Deprived Author ???

 Chapter 5: The Hall of Heroes

    Thankfully, we both made it back in one piece. The towering figure of the commander stood near the camp¡¯s edge, his shadow stretching long under the setting sun. Honestly, the guy was starting to feel less like a man and more like some kind of divine sentinel.

    ¡°Back already,¡± he grunted, his voice rumbling like distant thunder.

    I stepped forward, holding my hands behind my back in what I hoped was an appropriately respectful pose. ¡°We got some berries, sir. Decided to focus on training instead. If that¡¯s alright with you?¡±

    His gaze bore into me for an uncomfortable moment before he nodded once, a motion so slight it might have been mistaken for a breeze. ¡°That¡¯s fine. But keep in mind¡ªyour survival score will suffer today. Tomorrow, you¡¯ll both be attending survival classes.¡±

    Honestly, that sounded like a win to me. A bit of structured instruction on not dying horribly in the woods sounded far better than me squinting at berry bushes and being attacked by horrifying monsters.  I glanced sideways at Thea, and judging by her faint nod, she wasn¡¯t complaining either.

    ¡°Alright, both of you¡ªstay quiet,¡± he said, his voice low but firm. ¡°Don¡¯t be a bother to me.¡±

    We both nodded, our heads bobbing like two perfectly synchronized puppets, before shuffling a few steps away and plopping onto the cold, hard ground. Dirt¡ªmy new favorite chair.

    Thea didn¡¯t waste any time. She cracked open the borrowed survival guide like it was some sacred grimoire holding the secrets to eternal life. Meanwhile, I took a long, steady breath, trying to focus.

    She broke the silence first, her voice a low murmur. ¡°I don¡¯t think we can focus on skin or muscles for now. It seems¡­ too advanced. Like building a house without laying the foundation. For now, it feels like all we can do is create smaller channels branching from the main one.¡±

    I nodded thoughtfully, scratching at the back of my head. ¡°Yeah, ideally, I want to store the energy in the body itself¡ªto strengthen it permanently. But having quicker access during fights feels like the smarter starting point.¡±

    She gave me a quick smirk¡ªalmost proud, like a teacher whose least-promising student finally answered a question correctly. ¡°Exactly.¡±

    With that, we both fell into silence again, our focus shifting inward.

    I closed my eyes and let the night air fill my lungs. The world¡¯s energy felt like faint whispers brushing against my skin¡ªsoft and fleeting, like trying to catch smoke with bare hands. I pulled it inward, letting it pool in the familiar spot above my stomach.

    But then, like before, the familiar pressure started to build¡ªan uncomfortable heat crawling up my chest, curling in my throat like bad cafeteria food making a second appearance. I hesitated, then tried something different. Instead of forcing more world energy into that single reservoir, I let it branch outward, guiding it upward to my chest. Forming a new node from world energy, rather than my own.

    It was delicate work¡ªlike threading an impossibly thin needle. But eventually, the energy settled into place, spreading out like a spider web woven across my ribs. And unlike the earlier attempt at my foot, which had vanished faster than my willpower during math class, this one stayed.

    Stable. Steady.

    I cracked one eye open and glanced at Thea. She was still deep in concentration, her expression calm and focused, a faint sheen of sweat glistening on her forehead. Good. She was fine.

    Maybe¡­ if we practice physical activity now, we can permanently anchor these reservoirs. Make them part of us, rather than fleeting lines of energy in the dark.

    But one thing at a time. For now, I focused on guiding more of the world¡¯s energy into that fragile web at my chest, fusing it carefully into my main channel.

    Inhale. Exhale. Steady.

    When I finally opened my eyes, Thea was staring at me with an excited glint in her storm-gray eyes. It was the kind of look that said, I have a terrible idea, and you¡¯re coming along for the ride.

    ¡°Shall we spar?¡± she asked, her voice practically vibrating with excitement.

    I groaned internally. ¡°The instructor said to keep quiet,¡± I muttered, glancing over my shoulder. To my absolute dread, the man himself was still nearby, looming like a storm cloud with arms crossed and an expression that suggested mild amusement.

    ¡°Don¡¯t worry,¡± he said, his gravelly voice cutting through the air. ¡°As long as you don¡¯t bother me, more training is never a bad thing.¡±

    Thea¡¯s smirk could have powered a small village. ¡°See? No problem. Now get up.¡±

    With a world-weary sigh that I felt in my bones, I pushed myself to my feet. My knees cracked like dry twigs, and I couldn¡¯t help but long for those flimsy gym mats from earlier. At least they cushioned the blows slightly.

    And once again, just like before, I was utterly, completely demolished.

    But this time¡­ it was different. The energy flowed easier through me, responding to my focus with far less resistance. The sharp pangs of pain didn¡¯t stack up as aggressively, and every time Thea knocked me flat on my back, I could feel the oil-like world energy fusing into my internal strength. Sure, a good chunk of it still slipped away like sand through my fingers, but more stayed than before.

    When I finally collapsed onto the cold stone floor for the last time, bruised, battered, and utterly spent, Thea plopped down beside me.

    ¡°I think we¡¯re both done here. At least, I am,¡± I said, rubbing my sore ribs and squinting at a bruise already forming on my arm.

    Thea stretched her arms behind her head and sighed, her smile as smug as ever.

    ¡°You know,¡± I said, tilting my head toward her, ¡°we¡¯ve just invented¡ªat least as far as we know¡ªa completely new system of cultivation. And yet, we forgot the most important part.¡±

    She quirked an eyebrow, leaning her head against her hand. ¡°Oh? And what¡¯s that?¡±

    I grinned, despite the dull ache in my jaw. ¡°The name, obviously.¡±

    Thea¡¯s lips twitched, and she bumped her shoulder into mine lightly. ¡°You have a point. Hmm¡­¡± She furrowed her brow, her expression growing serious. ¡°What about¡­ Spiritual Reservoir Formation? Your ¡®Body Refinement¡¯ sounds cool, but let¡¯s be honest¡ªwe¡¯re nowhere near that level yet.¡±

    I let out a mock gasp. ¡°I was thinking Checkpoint Pool System! But fine, yours is¡­ adequate, I suppose.¡±

    She gave me a pity laugh¡ªjust a single, breathy ha¡ªand rolled her eyes. ¡°Alright, Spiritual Reservoir Formation it is.¡±

    It felt¡­ right. The name carried a sense of purpose, of direction. Like the first brushstroke on a blank canvas. But before I could bask in the glow of our tiny accomplishment, the sharp blare of a horn shattered the moment.

    ¡°Gather back!¡± the commander¡¯s voice roared from somewhere behind us.

    I winced and scrambled to my feet, Thea already pulling herself up with far more grace. Slowly but surely, recruits emerged from every corner of the camp, dragging their feet and clutching whatever pitiful food hauls they¡¯d managed to scrounge up. The sun hung directly overhead, beating down on us like it had a personal grudge.

    One by one, recruits stepped forward to present their findings. Some held bundles of berries, others had small critters they¡¯d managed to trap, and one kid had an armful of what suspiciously looked like tree bark. Anyone who had eaten their haul¡ªlike Thea and I¡ªwas assigned survival lessons the next day. Everyone else would continue their usual scavenging routine.

    The instructor finally stepped forward, his voice carrying across the clearing with the weight of absolute authority.

    ¡°Now, we will head to the Hall of Heroes. There, you will be taught how to structure the rest of your day. Every morning at sunrise, you are expected to report to the tents. If you fail to do so, there will be punishment. At noon, you will proceed to the Hall.¡±

    I was already half-smiling, ready to follow along at a leisurely pace when the dreaded words reached my ears.

    ¡°Keep up!¡±

    Oh no.

    ¡°No,¡± I whispered under my breath, a prayer to whatever cosmic forces were listening. ¡°Not again.¡±

    Beside me, Thea groaned softly and then clapped me on the shoulder with all the sympathy of someone watching a puppy try to climb stairs. ¡°Come on, Peter. You¡¯re stronger now, remember? And¡ªplease¡ªuse your inner strength this time.¡±The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

    She was right, though. The run was easier. Only a bit¡ªbut I¡¯d take every tiny victory I could get.

    Unfortunately, ¡°easier¡± didn¡¯t mean ¡°shorter.¡± The route dragged on just as long as before, and when we passed the familiar cube-shaped building that led into the underground tunnels, I instinctively started to slow down, assuming we were finally done.

    Nope.

    Thea grabbed my arm and yanked me forward with the strength of someone who clearly still had energy reserves. ¡°Not yet, Peter. He¡¯s still moving!¡±

    The commander, who seemed forged from iron and pure spite, didn¡¯t even glance back as he jogged past the stone structure and continued onward.

    Eventually, after what felt like an eternity (and roughly six internal monologues about the futility of cardio), I spotted something in the distance¡ªa colossal circular building rising from the landscape like some ancient titan had decided to drop their crown into the middle of the camp.

    It looked¡­ familiar. Like a postcard come to life. Massive stone archways framed its circular shape, wide entrances gaping open like the jaws of some stone beast. I¡¯d never seen the Colosseum in person, but I¡¯d seen plenty of photos. And this? This was definitely inspired by that.

    Other groups were arriving too, streaming toward the enormous entrance in messy lines¡ªmages with faint flickers of light at their fingertips, warriors clanking in mismatched armor, and healers huddled together like a nervous flock of birds.

    Our group slowed to a halt beside the healers, and I took a moment to gulp down air and clutch a stitch in my side. My stomach felt like it was tying itself into a balloon animal.

    A familiar voice rang out, sharp and commanding. The knight from yesterday strode into view, his armor, replacing his training outfit, gleaming faintly in the sunlight, his presence radiating authority.

    ¡°Welcome to your real training!¡± he boomed, his voice reverberating off the stone walls of the structure. ¡°Here, you will take on challenges¡ªagainst beasts and each other. This place contains facilities and resources that will push you to your limits and force you to grow stronger.¡±

    I perked up slightly. Challenges? Resources? This actually sounded kind of cool. Maybe I¡¯d misjudged the vibe here. Training coliseum, rewards, battles¡­ this might actually be¡ª

    ¡°However,¡± the knight continued, his sharp gaze sweeping across the crowd, ¡°resources are limited. Especially the best ones.¡±

    Ah, there it was. The catch. I should¡¯ve known.

    He reached into a pouch at his side and pulled out a smooth, glowing white orb. Inside, faint green numbers shimmered¡ª100, clear as day.

    ¡°You will purchase resources using these. Each of you will start with one hundred points. They can be earned through proof that you are worth raising.¡±

    Oh no. A caste system. Based on merit. And power. In a world where everyone else had a system. Except me.

    Fantastic.

    The knight continued, his voice sharp and unyielding, carrying across the gathered recruits with commanding authority. ¡°Challenges between recruits can be issued at a cost of ten points each¡ªthe winner takes all. Outside of these personal duels, you will participate in one official battle every day. These daily battles cost no points. Win, and your ranking will rise while earning you additional points. Lose, and your ranking will fall. As for beast challenges, each attempt will cost twenty points, with twenty-five rewarded upon victory. However, you may only face a beast four times per month.¡±

    He paused, letting that sink in. Around me, murmurs rippled through the crowd. The mages exchanged knowing glances, the warriors grinned at the thought of a fight, and the healers¡­ well, they mostly just looked stressed. Same, honestly.

    ¡°Lastly,¡± the knight added, raising one armored finger for emphasis, ¡°at the start of each month, every recruit will receive one hundred points. Within these walls, you will learn more about how to spend them. And as you rise through the ranks, special privileges will be granted.¡±

    The way he said special privileges carried a weight that felt just shy of ominous. What kind of privileges? Extra food rations? Private rooms? The ability to skip running day? (Please let it be that last one.)

    The knight stepped back, folding his hands behind his back in a way that made his armor creak slightly. ¡°Inside, you¡¯ll find the information you need.¡±

    The colossal archway of the Hall of Heroes loomed ahead, sunlight glinting off its ancient stone carvings. But before we could cross into that overwhelming world of noise and energy, our instructor planted himself firmly in front of the group, his sharp gaze cutting across us like a knife through butter.

    ¡°Before you enter, each of you will receive this.¡± He reached into a pouch strapped to his side and withdrew a handful of small, smooth white orbs, each faintly glowing with a number etched inside¡ª100.

    ¡°These are your point orbs,¡± he said, his voice low but carrying over the murmurs of the recruits. ¡°They are bound to you as soon as you touch them. If you lose them, you lose your points. If they break, you lose everything. Treat them as if they are your life¡ªbecause here, they might as well be.¡±

    One by one, he handed out the orbs. When it was my turn, the cool surface of the smooth white sphere sent a shiver through my palm. The faint glow of the green 100 felt almost mocking.

    ¡°Points will allow you to grow here,¡± he continued. ¡°Spend them wisely. Hoard them if you must. Earn them, challenge others, fight beasts. Or lose them¡ªand fall behind.¡±

    With that, he stepped aside, his broad figure no longer blocking the grand entrance. The group shuffled forward cautiously, and Thea and I followed, our orbs clutched tightly in our hands.

    The second we crossed the threshold into the Hall of Heroes, the sheer scale of the place hit me like a hammer to the chest.

    The air buzzed with life¡ªshouts, cheers, the sharp ring of steel against steel, and the faint crackle of magic. Everything echoed off the towering stone walls, turning the coliseum into a massive, chaotic symphony of energy and ambition.

    But before I could fully take in the chaos, something caught my eye.

    To the left of the entrance stood an enormous glowing board mounted on the wall. Names¡ªat least, I assumed they were names¡ªwere etched in brilliant gold against a dark surface, each paired with a glowing green number. The numbers pulsed faintly, as if alive.

    At the very top of the list, one number practically screamed at me: 1.

    Was it a ranking?

    I squinted at the name beside it, trying to make sense of the swirling script. It looked vaguely familiar, like something I might¡¯ve seen in the cultivation book or plant textbook.

    ¡°Do you recognize any of these names?¡± I asked Thea, nudging her gently with my elbow.

    She tilted her head, her sharp storm-gray eyes scanning the board. ¡°No¡­

    The Hall of Heroes wasn¡¯t just one arena; it was an entire city packed into a massive stone coliseum. Grand archways opened into separate wings, each alive with distinct activity. Above, colorful banners fluttered from balconies, marked with symbols I couldn¡¯t read. Sunlight streamed in through high, narrow windows, casting golden beams across the polished stone floors.

    To our left, market stalls lined a wide corridor. Wooden carts overflowed with weapons¡ªgleaming swords, curved daggers, and massive war axes displayed like trophies. Shelves sagged under the weight of ancient books, their leather bindings cracked and runes faintly glowing. Potions bubbled in glass vials, and powders shimmered in small silk pouches.

    Merchants barked out their deals: ¡°Blades sharper than dragon¡¯s teeth!¡± ¡°Mana potions! Stamina elixirs!¡± ¡°Rare spellbooks¡ªonly ten points!¡±

    Thea¡¯s eyes lit up as she took in the stalls. ¡°It¡¯s like a treasure vault.¡±

    I nodded mutely, my gaze snagging on a merchant displaying enchanted orbs that sparked faintly with lightning. Behind him, racks of armor glimmered faintly, each piece marked with intricate runes.

    To our right, another massive wing crackled with magic. Sparks flashed in mid-air as recruits hurled spells at dummies made of obsidian. Fire bloomed in roaring pillars, ice shards hung suspended in mid-air, and gusts of wind howled through narrow stone channels.

    A mage floated a glowing orb of water above his head, reshaping it into delicate spirals. A small crowd watched in silent awe.

    ¡°Whoa,¡± I breathed.

    But nothing compared to the central arena.

    Before us stretched a massive, multi-tiered amphitheater filled with dozens of battle platforms. Each was surrounded by shimmering barriers of pale light. Some hosted brutal duels between armored warriors, their swords clashing in rapid exchanges. Others had mages firing off blinding spells, their robes whipping around them like banners in a storm.

    On one distant platform, a recruit squared off against a beast¡ªa creature with claws like scythes and horns that could skewer a truck. The recruit dodged, spear flashing in their hands, while the beast roared loud enough to rattle my teeth.

    Above the platforms, floating screens displayed glowing numbers and unfamiliar names¡ªreal-time updates on scores, winners, and ranks.

    Maybe this place wasn¡¯t so medieval, or maybe the screens worked off magic, but it was incredible either way.

    Thea let out a long, slow breath. ¡°Peter¡­ this place is unbelievable.¡±

    I could only nod. ¡°It¡¯s like¡­ like someone built a theme park for gladiators. With a side of magical chaos.¡±

    We continued walking, weaving through the packed crowd. Everywhere we turned, there was something to see¡ªsparring recruits, intense instructors shouting corrections, merchants flaunting their wares, and even tiny restaurants tucked into archways, their chalkboard menus offering things like "Warrior¡¯s Stew" and "Mana-Boosting Tea."

    ¡°Look!¡± Thea said, nudging me and pointing at a training platform. Two fighters¡ªa swordsman with a greatsword and a rogue with twin daggers¡ªmoved in perfect rhythm, their weapons flashing like silver lightning.

    My stomach twisted slightly. These people weren¡¯t just strong¡ªthey were skilled. They moved with precision, confidence, and an ease that screamed experience.

    I glanced down at the glowing orb in my hand. 100 points. A drop in an ocean.

    ¡°Come on,¡± Thea said softly, her voice steady despite the chaos. ¡°We¡¯ve got a lot to figure out.¡±

    As we stepped forward, deeper into the Hall of Heroes, the noise, the light, and the sheer weight of the place pressed down on me.

    But somewhere, deep in my chest¡ªjust above my energy reservoir¡ªI felt something stir.

    Excitement.

 Chapter 6: Paths Unfolding

    There was a desk in front of us with letters written above it¡ªletters I still couldn¡¯t read. Honestly, I was just thankful I could speak the language here. Small victories, right?

    Before I could squint at the incomprehensible script any longer, Thea grabbed my arm. ¡°Come on, we can sign up for matches later. Let¡¯s check out the bookstores.¡±

    And just like that, I was being dragged through the bustling market stalls. Merchants shouted over each other, their wares stacked high on makeshift counters. Bottles of glowing potions rattled against each other, herbs tied into bundles swung in the air, and the metallic glint of weapons peeked out from wooden crates.

    The smell hit me next. Oh, the smell. Warm, savory, cooked food drifted toward me like a divine messenger. My stomach let out a growl so loud I was surprised no one turned to look.

    ¡°Thea?¡± I croaked out, my voice trembling with the weight of hunger.

    ¡°Yeah?¡± she replied without slowing down.

    ¡°Food,¡± I gasped, trying not to let my mouth flood with drool. ¡°Let¡¯s check it out first.¡±

    She paused mid-step, sniffed the air, and her stern expression softened. ¡°Yeah, okay. But we¡¯re just looking. Who knows how many points it¡¯ll cost?¡±

    We followed the scent into what I could only describe as a medieval canteen carved into the stone wall. Long wooden tables stretched across the dimly lit space, packed with teenagers laughing and eating with loud abandon. Skewers of sizzling meat filled the air with smoke and spice, and mugs overflowed with frothy liquid, leaking onto stained tablecloths.

    Honestly, it smelled like paradise.

    At the front, behind a rough wooden counter slick with liquid of some sort, stood an older man. His scraggly gray hair framed a face lined with age, but his bright, sharp eyes carried a lively glint. He didn¡¯t look like a recruit. No, this was someone who had worked here for years, serving hungry trainees day in and day out.

    Before we reached the counter, a sudden thought struck me. I stopped Thea with a hand on her shoulder.

    ¡°Thea¡­ if we¡¯re conscripted into the military, how long do we have to serve?¡±

    She didn¡¯t glance back, her answer coming quick and sharp. ¡°Three years. After that, we¡¯re citizens. Free to go off on our own.¡±

    Three years. Somehow, that number felt both short and impossibly long.

    We stepped up to the counter, and Thea leaned on it with an air of casual confidence that I could never hope to replicate. ¡°How much for your cheapest meal?¡±

    The old man looked up, his grin wide and toothy beneath his tangled hair. ¡°Just ten points for a skewer of Carapace Hound Meat!¡±

    The words sunk in slowly. Carapace Hound. My mind flashed to that armored six-legged nightmare from the forest with enough teeth to stock a dentist¡¯s office.

    But¡­ I was hungry. Too hungry to care.

    I turned to Thea, activating my deadliest technique: Puppy Eyes Level 10.

    Her face twisted like she¡¯d swallowed something sour. ¡°Ugh, stop looking at me like that.¡±

    But a smile twitched at the corner of her lips, and she sighed. ¡°Alright. One skewer.¡±

    We both held up our glowing point orbs. The old man plucked a larger skewer from behind the counter, our orbs flashed, and our bright green numbers flickered¡ª100 dropping down to 95.

    ¡°Here you are, enjoy!¡± he said cheerfully, passing over the skewer.

    Thea handed it to me with an amused smirk. ¡°Here. You take the first bite.¡±

    Six cubes of grilled meat glistened on the skewer, each one slightly charred around the edges. I didn¡¯t hesitate. I popped the first piece into my mouth and¡­ oh.

    Oh.

    The meat was tough, stringy, and clearly from a creature built more for survival than culinary delight. But to me? It was perfection. Savory, smoky, and real food. I let out an involuntary groan of pleasure.

    Thea¡¯s eyebrow twitched upward, and without warning, she snatched the skewer back and bit into a cube herself. Her expression went through at least five stages of emotion¡ªsuspicion, surprise, joy, regret, and finally¡­ something close to bliss.

    We shuffled over to an empty spot near the wall and slumped down, passing the skewer back and forth until every last bite was gone.

    When the final cube disappeared, we just sat there, backs against the cool stone wall, staring at each other with matching wide-eyed expressions.

    And then we broke into laughter. Loud, unrestrained, ridiculous laughter that echoed through the canteen.

    Maybe it was the exhaustion. Maybe it was the bizarre reality of eating grilled alien dog meat in a medieval cafeteria. Or maybe it was just the simple joy of having something¡ªanything¡ªto eat.

    Whatever it was, for that brief moment, everything felt¡­ okay.

    And honestly? That skewer of Carapace Hound Meat might as well have been a feast fit for kings.

    ¡°Alright, thanks. Now we can head to a bookstore and look for cultivation information,¡± I said, pushing myself up and dusting off my pants.

    Thea nodded, and we started walking at a more casual pace this time¡ªno more weaving through crowds like caffeinated squirrels. The chaos of the Hall of Heroes buzzed around us, but we stayed focused, navigating through narrow alleys and past noisy vendors until we reached a store tucked beneath a carved stone archway.

    The sign above the door was written in the same swirling script I still couldn¡¯t read, but the rows of books visible through the wide glass windows made it clear enough: bookstore. And not a tiny one either. Shelves packed with leather-bound tomes and stacks of paperback books stretched up to the ceiling. Hundreds of them.

    Honestly, the sheer volume of knowledge here made the world feel a little less medieval and a little more¡­ well, modern. Or at least functional.

    Thea walked in first, her boots clicking softly against the wooden floor as she approached the counter. Behind it sat an attendant¡ªprobably in her late twenties¡ªwith her nose buried in a thick book. Her messy black hair partially covered her face, and her bored expression said she¡¯d rather be anywhere else.

    ¡°Are there any books about cultivation?¡± Thea asked, her tone sharp and businesslike. ¡°Core formation and the basics?¡±

    The attendant didn¡¯t even glance up from her reading. ¡°Sure, but no one in any store is gonna let you browse, including this one.¡±

    Her voice was flat, her tone drenched in the kind of boredom usually reserved for teenagers forced to work weekends.

    I stepped up beside Thea, irritation seeping into my voice despite my best efforts. ¡°Alright, how much then?¡±

    ¡°Fifty points for the basics, eighty for the core formation book,¡± she said bluntly, still not looking up.

    I clenched my jaw but managed to keep my voice even. ¡°Right.¡±

    I turned to Thea, lowering my voice so the attendant couldn¡¯t hear. ¡°The basics might have some information other than what we know, but it might just be stuff we¡¯ve already seen in the training room book. If we¡¯re spending points, we should make it count.¡±

    Thea frowned, her brows pulling together as she mulled over the options. She didn¡¯t like wasting resources any more than I did, and with only 100 points per month and beast fights capped at four per month, every choice felt like a gamble.

    Before she could speak, I raised a hand. ¡°Let¡¯s get one. We need information if we¡¯re going to refine our new methods. We can¡¯t afford to stumble blindly.¡±

    She gave me a small, thoughtful smile¡ªthe kind that said she¡¯d been thinking the same thing but just needed to hear it out loud. ¡°Yeah, okay. Then let¡¯s go with Core Formation. Back home, I never saw much past gathering enough inner strength to form a core in the basics. I really do think we¡¯re already on our own path here.¡±This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.

    I nodded. She was right. Whatever weird system (or lack thereof) I was working with, we needed as much information as possible to keep moving forward.

    Together, we held up our glowing point orbs. The attendant finally¡ªfinally¡ªlooked up long enough to pluck a heavy, leather-bound book from behind the counter and hand it to Thea. The faint green numbers in our orbs flickered and dropped from 95 to 55.

    Thea hugged the book close to her chest like it was a sacred artifact. I couldn¡¯t blame her¡ª80 points was no joke.

    ¡°Thanks,¡± I said dryly to the attendant.

    ¡°Mmhm,¡± she replied, already back to reading her own book.

    We turned and walked out of the shop, the heavy tome in Thea¡¯s arms and the weight of our diminishing points sitting heavy in my gut.

    ¡°Well,¡± I said with a weak grin, ¡°let¡¯s hope this thing has the answers we need. Otherwise, we just bought the world¡¯s most expensive doorstop.¡±

    Thea snorted, hugging the book tighter. ¡°Then let¡¯s make sure it¡¯s worth every point.¡±

    We began walking again, weaving through the bustling chaos of the Hall of Heroes. At one point, we passed what looked like a makeshift clinic. Rows of thin sheets were laid out on the stone floor, each one occupied by someone injured¡ªbruises, bandages, and pale faces everywhere. A group of teenagers, most wearing light robes with faintly glowing runes stitched into the fabric, moved between the patients, hands glowing softly as they worked.

    Healers, I guessed.

    It struck me then¡ªthis was probably how they earned points. Not through fights, not through beast hunts, but through healing.

    ¡°Maybe there are other ways we can earn points, Thea,¡± I said, watching one healer press a glowing hand against a nasty-looking wound.

    Thea glanced up briefly from the heavy tome in her arms before looking back down, her attention clearly split. She stepped closer to me, using me as an impromptu shield against colliding with the crowd. ¡°What could we possibly have to offer that people would want?¡±

    ¡°Cultivation lessons?¡± I suggested, completely serious.

    She stopped in her tracks and stared at me like I¡¯d just suggested starting a circus with trained squirrels.

    ¡°Hear me out!¡± I continued. ¡°If we actually succeed in developing Spiritual Reservoir Formation¡ªthen progress to a body refining technique that gives a permanent boost to stats¡ªwouldn¡¯t people be interested? It could make cultivation more appealing. More accessible.¡±

    Thea¡¯s brow furrowed as she considered it. Cultivation, as she¡¯d explained before, was common at the start but became exponentially harder to maintain. It required an intense focus and a constant supply of resources. I now knew firsthand that while it was one thing to circulate energy calmly during meditation, it was something entirely different to maintain that circulation in the chaos of combat. And once you stopped focusing, the energy simply drifted back to its gathering point, doing absolutely nothing until you focused again.

    ¡°I mean, Spiritual Reservoir Formation already seems like a huge step forward,¡± I continued. ¡°It makes energy way more accessible. I¡¯m not constantly having to will it to my hands and feet¡ªit¡¯s already closer, like it¡¯s waiting for me to call on it.¡±

    Thea raised a hand, stopping me mid-ramble. ¡°I get it. And you¡¯re not wrong. But let¡¯s make sure we actually have something first. It¡¯s already going to be hard enough convincing people to focus on cultivation instead of just relying on their systems. If all we have are theories¡­¡± She trailed off, letting the weight of that hang in the air.

    She was right. I was getting ahead of myself, letting my imagination leapfrog over the realities in front of me. The clinic, the rows of injured people, the looming threat of fights¡ªall of it had wormed its way into my head. But still¡­ I had no choice. We had no choice. If we wanted to survive, I had to get stronger¡ªtogether with Thea.

    ¡°Maybe we can rent a training room for cheap,¡± I said after a pause. ¡°Just somewhere quiet where we can cultivate without distractions.¡±

    She nodded thoughtfully, but I wasn¡¯t finished.

    ¡°Oh! Also¡ªI noticed something when I was forming my reservoir earlier,¡± I said, excitement bubbling into my voice. ¡°I was able to use world energy, not just my own inner strength. It let me cultivate for way longer without feeling like I was about to, you know, explode. First, I gathered enough energy in my focus point, and then I transferred the overflow into the reservoir.¡±

    Thea¡¯s storm-gray eyes lit up, her face breaking into a wide smile. ¡°I can¡¯t believe I didn¡¯t think of that!¡±

    I chuckled softly at her enthusiasm. ¡°Well, you¡¯ve got way more inner strength than me. You¡¯re close to core formation, and you¡¯ve been focused on refining your own energy this whole time. You weren¡¯t as focused on gathering world energy as I was.¡±

    She rolled her eyes but didn¡¯t lose her grin. ¡°Yeah, yeah. Fair point.¡±

    We continued walking, the tension between us easing into something lighter. For all the uncertainty, all the looming challenges ahead, moments like these reminded me why we made such a good team.

    We weren¡¯t just trying to survive anymore.

    We were trying to thrive.

    We found ourselves back in a familiar hallway lined with training rooms. Through glass windows, we could see people firing spells at stationary dummies and swinging weapons in controlled arcs. The faint hum of magic and muffled shouts seeped through the walls.

    At the front desk sat an attendant¡ªmid-to-late twenties, maybe¡ªwearing the same tired expression as everyone else who worked in this place.

    I stepped forward, clearing my throat. ¡°Can we get a practice room?¡±

    For once, someone actually responded without an air of complete disinterest. The attendant straightened slightly and spoke with something close to professionalism. ¡°What type? We¡¯ve got basic, intermediate, and advanced. And how long?¡±

    ¡°Um¡­¡± I stammered, caught off guard by the sudden barrage of options.

    Thea stepped in smoothly. ¡°Which one is quiet? And what¡¯s the cost per hour?¡±

    ¡°They¡¯re all quiet,¡± he replied flatly. ¡°But the basic rooms have no practice dummies, clear windows, and no system assistance. That means no damage numbers, no feedback on technique¡ªjust a quiet space for training. Ten points per hour¡­ plus five more if you¡¯re sharing.¡±

    It made sense. If everyone could share rooms endlessly, resource management would fall apart, and privacy during training would become nonexistent. Plus, I could only imagine how competitive people here were about their stats and techniques.

    Thea nodded, taking over again. ¡°Alright. One hour. Two people. Basic room.¡±

    We held up our orbs, and the numbers ticked down¡ªThea¡¯s glowing 50 and mine glowing 45. The attendant handed us an old brass key, his tired eyes narrowing slightly.

    He gave us a key, ¡°No fooling around you two, remember, there¡¯s a window,¡± he called out as we walked away.

    ¡°Weirdo,¡± I muttered as we walked away, earning an agreeable nod from Thea.

    ¡°Room forty-two¡­ here we are,¡± Thea said as we stopped in front of a glass-paneled door.

    Inside, the room was¡­ well, plain. Just four stone walls, a smooth floor, and a faintly glowing rune in each corner. But when the door closed behind us, the silence was absolute. It was almost unnerving how well the room was soundproofed.

    ¡°For the sake of every mage¡¯s eardrums, I hope they sell earplugs around here,¡± I muttered. ¡°Because one magical fireball in this confined space and someone¡¯s going deaf.¡±

    Thea snorted but didn¡¯t reply as she carefully set our heavy cultivation book on the floor and sat cross-legged. ¡°Alright, let¡¯s continue with the Spiritual Reservoir Formation method,¡± she said, her voice carrying a mix of pride and excitement, like she was savoring every word of a technique she could finally call her own.

    I mirrored her position and nodded. ¡°We could try making multiple at once, but I still need to solidify my first one.¡±

    Thea frowned slightly, considering. ¡°We could, but spreading our focus might weaken the foundation. If we form them all poorly, it¡¯ll hold us back later. It¡¯s better to focus on one, make it as solid as possible, then move on.¡±

    She was right.

    ¡°Yeah, solid foundation first,¡± I agreed. ¡°The thicker we can make the reservoir veins, the more energy will be readily available. And if we can pull it off¡­ the better we¡¯ll be at refining our bodies overall.¡±

    With a mutual nod of understanding, we both closed our eyes, sinking into silence and focusing inward.

    I felt the faint hum of energy around me¡ªthe world¡¯s essence brushing against my skin like a faint breeze. I drew it inward, focusing on my core, letting it pool in that familiar gathering point above my stomach. The sensation was warm, but as it grew heavier, nausea crept in.

    Carefully, I channeled the excess energy upward into the reservoir in my chest.

    The web-like threads began to expand, branching out toward my shoulders and collarbone, glowing faintly in my mind¡¯s eye. The reservoir felt fragile at first¡ªlike a glass sculpture under pressure¡ªbut as I concentrated, something clicked.

    The energy stabilized. The web locked into place.

    The excess world energy no longer leaked away; instead, it traveled back down into my focus point, ready to circulate again. And even better¡ªa portion of my inner strength stayed in the reservoir, ready to be called upon at a moment¡¯s notice.

    When I opened my eyes, Thea was already staring at me with the wildest grin I¡¯d ever seen on her face. Her excitement lit up the room.

    I braced myself.

    ¡°Spar?¡±

    I let out a groan as I pushed myself to my feet. ¡°I think I succeeded. Something¡¯s¡­ different. Like it clicked into place. The reservoir feels complete¡ªor as complete as I can make it right now.¡±

    Thea practically exploded with energy, her smile infectious. ¡°I know! Same! I think we actually did it. Our own method. And once we get our systems, we¡¯ll be stronger than everyone else!¡±

    I couldn¡¯t help but smile too, though there was a pang of bittersweetness in my chest. She¡¯d get her system. I wouldn¡¯t.

    But that was a problem for another day.

    Thea took a fighting stance, her grin turning sharp. ¡°Alright. Now we refine it. I think we should stick with the same path¡ªmake sure there aren¡¯t any issues before branching out.¡±

    She lunged at me, her energy moving smoothly through her body, faster than before. I was thrown down so fast my head spun.

    ¡°Ugh. Yep,¡± I groaned, pulling myself upright. ¡°I agree. The next question is: where do we form the next reservoir? Around our core focus point to make diffusion easier? Or do we focus on the arms or head for battle prowess?¡±

    I lunged toward her in an attempt to tackle, but Thea sidestepped with frustrating ease, her hand swiping out to grab me. This time, though, I actually managed to dodge.

    Her eyes widened slightly, impressed.

    ¡°I think,¡± she panted, dodging another clumsy tackle, ¡°we should focus on battle prowess. We need to win fights for points.¡±

    ¡°Arms it is,¡± I replied, grinning as we both paused to catch our breath.

    Eventually, we collapsed onto the cold stone floor, panting heavily, sweat dripping from our brows.

    ¡°You¡¯re getting much better, Peter,¡± Thea gasped, wiping her forehead.

    ¡°Only thanks to Grandmaster Thea,¡± I replied with mock reverence, earning a breathless laugh from her.

    ¡°Don¡¯t you forget it.¡±

    Her laughter echoed warmly through the quiet room, cutting through the exhaustion hanging heavy in the air.

    And as we sat back and began circulating our energy, consolidating the reservoirs we¡¯d worked so hard to form, one thought settled firmly in my mind:

    We were actually doing it.

    Step by step, reservoir by reservoir, we were carving our own path forward.

    And nothing¡ªnot systems, not beasts, not arbitrary point systems¡ªwas going to stop us.

 Chapter 7: Strength Without a System

    Thankfully, unlike the endless cultivation sessions I¡¯d read about in web novels back home, our training didn¡¯t take hours¡ªor days¡ªfor a single breakthrough. At least, not at our current level.

    After our first session, sparring match, and a bit of energy consolidation, I had the vague sense that only about half our time had passed.

    ¡°Should we start on the second reservoir? I think our right shoulder would be a good spot. It¡¯ll connect naturally to the chest reservoir and branch out toward our hands. Then, our third can be centered on the hands themselves,¡± I suggested.

    ¡°Yeah, that sounds like a great plan. Let¡¯s begin!¡± Thea replied, her voice carrying that same gleeful spark she always got when cultivation was involved. Total cultivation nerd.

    We settled back into our positions, closing our eyes and sinking into focus. Just like before, I began drawing in world energy, guiding it to my main channel first, letting it build and saturate until nausea started to creep in. Then, carefully, I directed the excess upward, weaving it into a new web-like reservoir in my shoulders.

    The process felt smoother this time¡ªlike my body was slowly getting used to it. But I could tell this shoulder reservoir wasn¡¯t fully stable yet. Another session would be needed to solidify it properly.

    I opened my eyes, finding Thea already staring back at me with a satisfied grin.

    Neither of us said a word¡ªwe both knew what came next. With a heavy sigh, I pushed myself up and fell into a sparring stance once again.

    By the time we collapsed back onto the floor, chests heaving and muscles aching, the sharp crackle of a voice echoed from a hidden speaker above.

    "Time¡¯s up. Leave now or you will be charged for another session."

    ¡°I guess we should go register for battle,¡± I said between breaths, pushing myself upright. ¡°I can¡¯t imagine skipping registration ends in anything good.¡±

    Thea nodded, and we trudged back to the front desk to return our key.

    We made our way back to the Hall''s entrance, weaving through the ever-present crowd of recruits and vendors. At the far end of the grand archway, another desk stood, the one Thea identified as registration earlier, was tucked under a stone alcove. Behind it sat yet another tired-looking attendant, her posture slouched and her expression utterly uninterested in life itself.

    Her hand was already outstretched as we approached. ¡°Orbs?¡±

    We handed over our glowing point orbs. The faint green numbers flickered softly from our earlier transactions.

    ¡°Names?¡± she asked, her eyes still glued to the glowing interface in front of her.

    ¡°Peter.¡±

    ¡°Thea.¡±

    She tapped something on her desk with mechanical precision, her fingers dancing across the glowing symbols. After a brief pause, she handed our orbs back. A faint shimmer passed across their smooth surfaces as if sealing some unseen agreement.

    New information glowed faintly in green lettering across the surface of both orbs.

    Unfortunately¡­ I couldn¡¯t read any of it.

    I leaned slightly closer to Thea, keeping my voice low like we were hatching some grand conspiracy. ¡°Thea?¡±

    ¡°Yeah?¡± she replied, squinting at her orb with sharp focus.

    ¡°Teach me how to read. Please.¡±

    She glanced up at me, her mouth already forming what I could only assume was going to be a sharp-witted, sarcasm-drenched retort.

    But before she could unleash it, the attendant¡¯s voice cut through the space between us.

    ¡°Wait for your names to be called. It shouldn¡¯t take long.¡±

    We both fell silent, stepping aside to make room for the next pair of recruits.

    Around us, names were called one by one, each followed by the soft shuffle of boots and murmured conversations.

    I turned my orb over in my palm, its green letters glowing faintly in the dim light. It felt heavier somehow, like it carried more than just numbers and letters¡ªit carried expectation. Somewhere within these unreadable symbols was the next step, the next challenge.

    And whatever it was¡­ it was coming.

    ¡°So¡ª?¡±

    ¡°What?¡± Thea asked, confused. ¡°Oh, right. Um, sure, I can teach you. But we¡¯ve only got a few books to practice with, and they¡¯re all about cultivation and plants. Not exactly packed with daily conversation material.¡±

    ¡°How about just the characters first?¡± I suggested with a laugh. ¡°I just need to know the sounds. I think I can pick it up pretty quickly that way.¡±

    At least, I hoped they were phonetic symbols and not some overly complicated pictograms that could represent entire words¡ªor worse, entire concepts.

    Before we could talk more, a sharp voice crackled through a speaker above us, echoing across the hall.

    "Peter!"

    My heart practically punched me in the ribs. But before panic could fully settle in, a firm hand landed on my shoulder.

    ¡°You got this,¡± Thea said softly, her storm-gray eyes steady and reassuring.

    I managed a nervous smile, took a deep breath, and walked up to the front desk.

    The attendant looked me over and raised an unimpressed eyebrow. ¡°Good, you didn¡¯t run away. Happens more and more these days. Honestly, I still think opening the arena to spectators was a mistake.¡±

    She gestured vaguely to an opening behind her, an indent in the stone wall that looked suspiciously like a doorway. ¡°Through there.¡±

    I stepped into the narrow space, and before I could so much as adjust my stance, the floor jolted beneath me. A stone wall slammed shut behind me, and then¡ªI shot upward.

    The world blurred around me, and my feet scrambled for balance on the smooth stone floor. My stomach tried to stay three feet below me, and I was pretty sure I let out an embarrassingly high-pitched noise at least once.

    Just as abruptly as it started, the elevator slammed to a halt. I stumbled forward, catching myself against the wall. A moment later, the stone door in front of me slid open with a faint grind.

    I stepped out into the center of the massive coliseum-like Hall of Heroes.

    The noise hit me first¡ªa chaotic storm of shouting, clashing steel, and bursts of magical energy. Battles raged all around me in smaller arenas, recruits clashing in duels while floating numbers and glowing ranks hovered over their heads.

    I instinctively tried to spot Thea in the crowd, but it was hopeless. There was just too much happening.

    A booming voice echoed from above, projected by some unseen magical force.

    "Present Systems!"

    Across from me, a guy who looked about my age stepped forward. He raised his head confidently and shouted, ¡°System!¡±

    ¡°Confirmed: Warrior Class. Blessing: Clubist. Waiting for opponent.¡±

    The glowing words shimmered into existence above him.

    Right. That was my cue. Embarrassed and feeling incredibly out of place, I mumbled the word under my breath.

    ¡°System.¡±

    The air around me crackled faintly.

    ¡°Confirmed: Late Bloomer.¡±

    The words rang out like a bell tolling doom.

    The guy across from me visibly relaxed and then¡ªcheered up. He was nervous before, but now? Now he looked like he was about to have a nice afternoon stroll.

    The voice overhead continued, unfazed by my existential dread.

    "When an opponent cannot continue, the fight will end. Killing the opponent will result in punishment."

    Wait¡­ punishment? That didn¡¯t sound nearly serious enough. Shouldn¡¯t there be something like ¡®severe consequences¡¯ or ¡®eternal imprisonment¡¯? My heart thundered in my chest again.

    "If you would like, shout ''surrender'' to forfeit the match. However, doing so will cost you five points. If you have no points, you cannot surrender."

    This system was ridiculous. I thought back to my earlier assumptions. The fact that the guy across from me looked so visibly relieved meant he probably wasn¡¯t planning to actually kill me.The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.

    But still. Fighting until one of us couldn¡¯t continue? How did the arena decide what counted as ¡®cannot continue¡¯? Was it based on blood loss? Unconsciousness? Emotional damage?

    Before I could spiral further into panicked theories, my opponent pulled out a heavy, wicked-looking metal club.

    A weapon.

    A real weapon.

    Something I had completely forgotten about in my wild overthinking.

    The voice thundered overhead again.

    "Begin!"

    My opponent charged.

    Although still panicked, I forced myself to focus. After all, that club didn¡¯t exactly look like it was painted to resemble metal¡ªit was metal. Heavy, unforgiving metal.

    I pulled energy from my chest reservoir, letting it flow lightly into my shoulders and arms. My legs, though¡ªthey felt distant, unresponsive. Circulating energy into them felt like trying to thread a needle during an earthquake. The reservoirs we¡¯d built had become too good as shortcuts. Without one in my legs, I couldn¡¯t guide energy there properly.

    No time to fix that now.

    The warrior lifted his club high above his head, the metal glinting faintly under the arena lights. I dove backward just as it came crashing down.

    BOOM.

    The impact shook the ground, leaving behind a jagged dirt crater. The cracked earth around the impact looked like someone had tried¡ªand failed¡ªto grow a miniature forest with dynamite.

    He didn¡¯t stop. With me on the retreat, he charged again. This time, his swing came with less force but far more speed. And unlike the first time¡ªit hit.

    The moment the club collided with my side, it felt like I¡¯d been struck by a freight train barreling down a mountain. My breath vanished in an instant, ripped away like a rug pulled out from under me.

    Thea had been right. So right. Yesterday, she¡¯d refused to fight, and now I understood why. The stat boosts from these systems weren¡¯t just arbitrary numbers¡ªthey were real. Tangible. Devastating.

    My ribs felt like they were folding in on themselves, and every attempt to breathe felt like inhaling shards of glass. If not for Thea¡¯s and my cultivation method¡ªif not for the thin thread of energy I kept circulating in desperation¡ªI would¡¯ve collapsed then and there.

    But even with that¡­ breathing was still painful.

    The edges of my vision darkened. My head felt light, my chest hollow. Yep. Definitely blacking out.

    Before I could recover, another swing came. Faster this time.

    I had no time to think. Instinctively, I threw up my arms to block it.

    Which¡­ bad idea.

    CRACK.

    The sound was sharp, sickening, and final. Pain flared up my right arm, racing to my shoulder in an instant. My arm went limp, hanging uselessly at my side.

    Somewhere, faintly, I heard a scream.

    At first, I couldn¡¯t place it. Then the realization hit me: Oh. That¡¯s me.

    I stumbled back, my breaths coming in short, shallow gasps. My chest burned. My vision wavered. My ears rang with the aftermath of that brutal impact.

    Even if I wanted to shout ¡°surrender,¡± even if my pride would allow it, which it totally would, it wouldn¡¯t have mattered. My throat was locked, my lungs empty. I couldn¡¯t pull in enough air to form the word.

    This arena system was ridiculous. How could anyone forfeit if they couldn¡¯t even speak? Was I supposed to tap dance in Morse code? Raise my hand politely while a giant metal club flattened me into the dirt?

    He charged at me again.

    Alright, focus.

    Instead of trying to dodge backward, I leaned into his swing, narrowly slipping past the ridiculous speed of his club. It felt like dodging a falling piano in slow motion¡ªexcept the piano was angry, fast, and actively trying to murder me.

    I summoned every ounce of energy I had left into my left arm, planning for something¡ªanything¡ªthat might resemble an explosive comeback. Some epic move that would leave the crowd cheering, my opponent unconscious, and me looking vaguely competent.

    When my fist connected, it did have an effect. My guess? Endurance, stamina, or whatever stat this guy had poured points into gave him enough natural armor to shrug off a blow that should¡¯ve put him on his knees.

    Still, he staggered. His breath hitched, his eyes widened slightly, and for one glorious moment, I thought¡ªthis is it!

    Unfortunately¡­ he recovered. Quickly.

    And now he looked¡­ how can I put this delicately? Visibly annoyed.

    ¡°Fun¡¯s over,¡± he said flatly, his voice carrying an edge of genuine irritation.

    But my punch¡ªand his little victory speech¡ªhad given me something far more valuable than damage: a second to breathe.

    Air filled my lungs in a ragged gasp, and a surge of defiance flared through me. I used my moment wisely.

    I raised my hand¡ªmiddle finger proudly extended.

    His expression shifted from annoyance to¡­ confusion? Oh. Right. Maybe flipping someone off didn¡¯t mean anything in this world.

    But that didn¡¯t matter, because with the last shred of air left in my aching lungs, I croaked out the word:

    ¡°Surrender.¡±

    It wasn¡¯t loud. It wasn¡¯t heroic. Honestly, it sounded more like a dying cat being dragged over a chalkboard.

    But it was enough.

    The speaker above crackled to life.

    ¡°Continuing the fight will result in severe punishment. If able, return to the room you entered from. Five points will be deducted from the loser upon exiting.¡±

    The tension in the air cracked and fell away like shattered glass.

    I let out a shaky breath, my legs trembling beneath me. My opponent stood there, still holding his club, frozen in place. Slowly¡ªalmost reluctantly¡ªhe lowered his weapon.

    I was alive. Bruised, broken, humiliated, but alive.

    I walked back into the strange elevator, this time choosing to sit on the cold stone floor rather than try to stay upright. As the platform began its slow descent, the adrenaline faded, and I noticed just how much everything hurt.

    I¡¯m not ashamed¡ªokay, maybe just a little¡ªto admit that my eyes started to well up. Not crying, mind you. Just¡­ a bit of water pooling in preparation for the kind of sobbing usually reserved for toddlers who¡¯ve lost their favorite toy.

    When the door finally creaked open, three figures were waiting for me¡ªtwo holding a stretcher, and the ever-exhausted attendant standing between them.

    Before I could say anything, the attendant reached into the tattered pocket of my ragged shirt. Let me tell you, having someone dig into your chest pocket while your ribs feel like shattered glass? Not fun.

    She plucked out my glowing orb, tapped something on it, and handed it back to me, now flashing 40 instead of 45.

    ¡°Move him quickly,¡± she said to the stretcher carriers, her tone flat, like she was giving directions for moving a sack of potatoes. And they did, gently placing me on the cloth stretcher and draggin me away.

    The younger healer stepped closer, his face lined with worry. ¡°Ten points for beginner healing.¡±

    The older one¡ªprobably in his early twenties, with sharp eyes and an air of confidence¡ªglanced down at my arm, his lips curling into a knowing smirk. ¡°Twenty for my services. But you¡¯ll be back on your feet before you know it. Plus, you won¡¯t have to rest that arm of yours.¡±

    Until then, I¡¯d been carefully not looking at my arm. But now, thanks to his helpful observation, my gaze zeroed in on the mess of flesh and bone that used to be straight.

    My right arm was bent in a way that could only be described as wrong. Like, cartoon characters after an anvil drop wrong.

    Panic spiked in my chest, sharp and dizzying.

    ¡°Peter!¡±

    The familiar voice cut through my haze, and I turned just enough to see Thea rushing over, her storm-gray eyes wide with worry¡ªno, actual worry, which was a rare sight from her.

    ¡°Why did you choose to fight, you idiot?!¡±

    Not exactly the warm, heroic welcome I was hoping for.

    ¡°Points are valuable,¡± I said weakly, offering a half-hearted shrug that immediately sent a fresh wave of pain down my shoulder.

    ¡°And now,¡± she said, crossing her arms as her eyes flicked briefly to my mangled limb, ¡°we¡¯re going to have to spend more.¡±

    She turned sharply to the older healer, her expression somewhere between stern and desperate, and thrust her glowing orb at him. ¡°Hurry up.¡±

    He nodded, tapping his orb against hers. His flashed with a number I couldn¡¯t read, and hers dipped down to 25.

    Before I could mutter a weak protest, the older healer extended his hand.

    A faint hum filled the air¡ªa low, resonant note that seemed to reverberate somewhere deep in my chest. His fingers began to glow softly, and from his palm, thin threads of white light began to unravel into the air, weaving delicate trails around me.

    The light wasn¡¯t harsh or blinding¡ªit was soft, gentle, like moonlight filtering through a canopy of leaves on a summer night. The threads of energy swirled lazily around my broken arm, wrapping it in a cocoon of shimmering light.

    Warmth flooded through me¡ªnot the sharp, artificial warmth of a hot pack, but something deeper. It felt like a quiet campfire on a freezing night, the kind of warmth that sinks into your bones and chases away the cold.

    The pain, which had been screaming in every nerve ending, dulled to a faint throb. My breath came easier, my chest no longer feeling like it was filled with gravel and glass shards.

    For a brief moment, the world felt still. Quiet. Peaceful.

    The glowing threads of magic finally settled, fading away like fireflies blinking out one by one. The healer exhaled softly, lowering his hand.

    ¡°There. You¡¯ll still be sore for a bit, but it¡¯s set properly now. Don¡¯t push it too hard.¡±

    I flexed my fingers experimentally, and while it still hurt, the sickening wrongness of my arm was gone.

    Thea let out a long sigh, her shoulders slumping as the tension drained from her frame.

    ¡°Let¡¯s go back to camp,¡± she suggested softly.

    I pushed myself to my feet, the lingering ache in my arm a faint reminder of my earlier failure. Shame pooled in my chest, heavy and suffocating. What was I thinking, going up against someone with stats like that?

    The healers had already dispersed, the younger one casting a brief glance back at me as he walked away. His expression¡ªuneasy, maybe even nervous¡ªlingered in my mind. He was probably a new recruit, not hardened to injuries like mine. Not yet, anyway.

    As Thea and I began our slow trek back to camp, she must¡¯ve noticed how quiet I¡¯d gotten. The familiar rhythm of our banter was gone, replaced by an awkward silence that clung to the air.

    She bumped me lightly with her shoulder, her voice carrying a forced cheerfulness. ¡°I told you stats are too hard to catch up to with just cultivation.¡±

    I didn¡¯t respond, keeping my eyes fixed on the uneven ground beneath my boots.

    She hesitated for a moment, her smile faltering slightly before she tried again. ¡°But with our Spiritual Reservoir Formation, we¡¯ll be tougher than anyone once we get ours.¡±

    That was supposed to cheer me up. It should have cheered me up. But instead, it felt like a knife twisting in my chest.

    I stopped walking.

    Thea took a few steps before realizing I wasn¡¯t beside her anymore. She turned, her storm-gray eyes narrowing slightly in confusion. ¡°Peter?¡±

    ¡°I won¡¯t.¡±

    ¡°What?¡± she asked, her brow furrowing.

    ¡°I won¡¯t get a system...ever¡±

    The words hung in the air between us, heavy and unyielding.

    For a moment, Thea just stared at me, her expression unreadable. The distant murmur of the bustling Hall of Heroes filled the silence, a stark contrast to the quiet, fragile space that had formed between us.

 Chapter 8: When the Horn Blows

    Thea broke the silence with a nervous laugh, her voice trembling slightly. ¡°Peter, it¡¯s not that rare to be a late bloomer¡ª¡±

    ¡°Thea, stop.¡± My voice cracked, frustration bleeding through despite my best efforts. ¡°You have to find it strange. I don¡¯t know anything past two days ago. I can¡¯t read when it seems like everyone else can. I didn¡¯t even know about mandatory conscription, about the war, about¡­ anything. Stuff that should be common knowledge.¡±

    I paused, realizing how sharp my words had become, how much I¡¯d let my fear slip through. ¡°Thea, I¡¯m not from here.¡±

    The weight of my words settled between us, heavy and unyielding. The wind stirred around us, carrying faint whispers from the forest nearby.

    I swallowed hard and looked down at my hands¡ªhands I recognized, hands that felt like mine. I didn¡¯t know what exactly happened in the cafeteria that day, but I knew, deep in my bones, that this was my body. My height, my build, my scars. No possession, no swapped souls¡ªit was me.

    And yet¡­ I was an alien here.

    Thea¡¯s storm-gray eyes searched mine, her expression torn between confusion and concern. ¡°I don¡¯t understand what you¡¯re saying, Peter. You mean¡­ you¡¯re from another country?¡±

    ¡°No.¡± I let out a shaky breath, steeling myself. ¡°I don¡¯t know if you¡¯ll believe me. Honestly, it¡¯s hard to believe myself. But, hey¡ªmagic exists here, so maybe it¡¯ll help make this easier to swallow.¡± I forced out a dry chuckle, but judging by Thea¡¯s tight expression, I¡¯d failed spectacularly at lightening the mood.

    ¡°I¡¯m not from here, Thea. Not this country, not this world, not even this¡­ reality or whatever this place counts as. This is all¡ª¡± I gestured weakly at the distant Hall of Heroes, at the chaotic energy of the world bustling around us, at the distant glow of star-light cutting through the early night¡ª¡°it¡¯s like something out of a fantasy novel. Magic, cultivation, systems. It¡¯s something I¡¯ve only ever read about in books or seen in games back home.¡±

    Thea didn¡¯t respond right away. Her arms crossed over her chest, her eyes flicking downward as she processed everything I¡¯d said. I braced myself for disbelief, for rejection, for laughter. But none of that came.

    She shook her head softly. ¡°Peter¡­ I¡¯m trying. I really am. It¡¯s not that I don¡¯t believe you¡ªit¡¯s just¡­ I don¡¯t understand.¡±

    Her voice wavered at the end, and the quiet vulnerability in her tone made something tighten in my chest.

    Slowly, I stepped closer and placed my uninjured hand on her shoulder. She flinched slightly at the contact but didn¡¯t pull away.

    ¡°I know it¡¯s a lot,¡± I said softly, my voice steady despite the whirlwind of emotions in my chest. ¡°But it doesn¡¯t change anything, does it? I¡¯m still me. You¡¯re still you. I won¡¯t ever get a system, but I¡¯ll still do everything I can to keep up with you, Grandmaster Thea.¡±

    The corner of her lips twitched upward in the faintest smile. ¡°You wouldn¡¯t have caught up to me with one anyway.¡±

    I let out an exaggerated gasp, clutching my chest like she¡¯d struck me with her words. ¡°Rude! Here I am, bearing my soul to you, and this is the thanks I get?¡±

    She let out a soft laugh, one that felt like a breath of fresh air after being underwater for too long. ¡°Let¡¯s go back and I¡¯ll teach you how to read¨Csomething.¡±

    We walked back together in silence¡ªnot the awkward, heavy kind, but something quieter, something comfortable. The kind of silence you could wrap around yourself like a warm blanket. It was¡­ nice. Just walking beside her, knowing she was there. Someone to confide in, someone I trusted.

    But speaking of trust¡ªI realized I knew so little about her. Thea was sharp, stubborn, and had a knack for throwing me face-first into the dirt during sparring. But past that? Nothing.

    ¡°So, Thea,¡± I started, breaking the calm, ¡°why are you so obsessed with cultivation? I mean, nobody else here seems to care about it half as much as you do.¡±

    She raised an eyebrow, her lips quirking into a smirk. ¡°Obsessed?¡±

    I cleared my throat, trying to recover. ¡°Uh, yeah. Obsessed. It¡¯s a compliment, I swear.¡±

    Her smirk softened into something more thoughtful as she looked ahead. ¡°I guess there¡¯s no grand reason. My parents both practiced cultivation¡ªthey made it to core formation, actually. They always said having that extra reservoir of energy made everything easier¡ªspells, techniques, even healing.¡±

    She paused for a moment before continuing. ¡°But¡­ I think I just like it. No one seems to really understand it. The information past core formation is all fragmented¡ªjust scraps of knowledge passed around like rumors. Nobody knows the limits, or if there are limits.¡±

    Without warning, she punched me lightly in the shoulder. Playful, sure, but ouch. It still stung way more than I was ready for. I tried¡ªand probably failed¡ªnot to flinch.

    ¡°But I love it,¡± she said, her voice carrying that spark of excitement she always got when talking about cultivation. ¡°I want to figure it out. I want to see just how far we can go with it.¡±

    I nodded, her words settling into the quiet space between us. There was something so Thea about her drive¡ªsteady, determined, unshakable.

    By now, we were passing the stone building leading underground, our boots crunching softly against the gravel path. The tents were just up ahead, their canvas shapes glowing faintly under flickering lantern light.

    ¡°Maybe¡­¡± I hesitated, then decided to just say it. ¡°Maybe we can put reading on hold for now. I mean, you¡¯re basically my walking, talking translator anyway. We can go over a little bit each day, but improving cultivation feels¡­ more important right now.¡±

    Thea considered my words, her brows pulling together as she thought. After a moment, she nodded, her expression softening.

    ¡°I turn eighteen in four days,¡± she said, her voice quieter now. ¡°That¡¯s probably when I¡¯ll get my system. If that happens¡ªand unless I end up being a tank or something¡ªwe¡¯ll probably be split up in the mornings and evenings. We¡¯ll still meet in the Hall, but¡­ time will be tight.¡±

    She glanced over at me, her eyes sharp yet uncertain. ¡°Maybe tomorrow we can buy some paper and ink. I¡¯ll write down the letters, teach you what they sound like, and you can practice on your own when we¡¯re apart.¡±

    I let out a small breath, relief settling in my chest. ¡°That sounds good to me. Thanks, Thea.¡±

    She smiled¡ªsmall, but warm. For a brief moment, the lantern light caught in her eyes, turning them into molten silver.

    We fell back into silence again, walking side by side. It wasn¡¯t heavy or uncomfortable; it just was. A simple, shared quiet.

    The tents were just ahead now, the glow of campfires flickering in the distance, casting shadows that danced along the ground.

    ¡°Hey, Thea¡­¡± I said quietly, the words slipping out before I could stop them.

    She turned to look at me, her head tilted slightly, curiosity sparking in her storm-gray eyes.

    ¡°Thanks. For everything.¡±

    Her smile softened further, and for a brief second, it felt like the world slowed down around us.

    ¡°Anytime, Peter.¡±

    And just like that, we walked into camp together¡ªside by side¡ªunder a sky scattered with stars.Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.

    Thankfully, my pillow and blanket were still in the same spot outside. Maybe a bit dustier, sure, but no worse for wear.

    ¡°Wait a sec,¡± Thea said, scrambling off toward the girls'' tent. She reappeared moments later, her own sleeping gear tucked under one arm. ¡°Trust me, they probably aren¡¯t any quieter than the guys.¡±

    I snorted at that, adjusting my blanket on the uneven ground. ¡°Maybe we should move behind the tents. Last thing I want is to wake up to someone accidentally stepping on my face.¡±

    She nodded, her lips twitching into a smirk. ¡°Good point. I¡¯d rather not get trampled either.¡±

    We shuffled our things a bit farther back, finding a quieter spot nestled between two tents and partially shielded by some low bushes. It wasn¡¯t exactly cozy, but it felt a little more private¡ªand less prone to foot traffic.

    Once we settled in, I broke the silence. ¡°More cultivation? We could finish up the shoulders, and if we¡¯ve got time, maybe even start and finish a reservoir in our hands.¡±

    Thea glanced at me, her brows raising slightly. ¡°If you feel any resistance, stop. Who knows if there are consequences for moving too quickly? After we consolidate our gains, it should be fine, but it¡¯s best to tread carefully.¡±

    ¡°Agreed,¡± I said with a nod, already settling cross-legged on the blanket.

    We both closed our eyes, sinking into focus.

    I started as usual, drawing in the world¡¯s energy and letting it gather at my central channel before guiding the excess upward. It flowed through the chest reservoir, weaving outward into the shoulder reservoir like threads of liquid light. Slowly but surely, the web of energy expanded, threading its way down to my upper arms, elbows, and finally, the tips of my fingers.

    There was a faint pop¡ªa subtle internal shift, like something locking into place¡ªand I knew the shoulder reservoir had stabilized. The energy web felt solid now, no longer fragile or fleeting.

    But before I could enjoy the sensation, I felt it. That look.

    You know the one.

    The intense, burning gaze of a cultivation maniac staring holes into the side of my head.

    I sighed heavily, cracking one eye open. Sure enough, Thea was sitting there, eyes locked on me, practically vibrating with energy and itching for a fight.

    ¡°Alright, fine,¡± I groaned, pushing myself up with all the enthusiasm of someone heading to a dentist appointment. ¡°Stop staring. I¡¯m getting up.¡±

    Thea¡¯s grin was downright predatory as she sprang to her feet, bouncing lightly on her toes.

    ¡°Don¡¯t hold back this time, Peter. You¡¯ve got reservoirs in your chest and shoulders now¡ªyou should be able to keep up better.¡±

    ¡°Yeah, yeah,¡± I muttered, rolling my shoulders and wincing slightly at the lingering stiffness. ¡°Let¡¯s just get this over with.¡±

    Thea darted forward, and the sparring began.

    This time, though, it felt¡­ different. Better.

    The energy circulating through my reservoirs flowed smoother, faster. It didn¡¯t feel like I was trying to scoop water out of a well with a leaky bucket anymore. When Thea lunged, I could react quicker. When she struck, I could absorb the impact better.

    For once, I wasn¡¯t just desperately flailing to survive.

    Don¡¯t get me wrong¡ªThea still wiped the floor with me. But I managed to dodge more, block more, and even land a couple of hits that made her blink in surprise.

    Eventually, we both collapsed back onto our blankets, gasping for breath and staring up at the starlit sky above us.

    ¡°You¡¯re getting better,¡± Thea said between breaths, her voice softer now, almost proud.

    ¡°Thanks, Grandmaster Thea,¡± I said with a tired grin, earning an eye roll and a laugh from her.

    The night sky stretched above us, stars twinkling faintly in the vast dark expanse. The distant crackle of campfires and quiet murmurs from the tents around us drifted through the air as we focused on consolidating our cultivation.

    Eventually, Thea spoke again, her voice quieter now. ¡°You know¡­ I¡¯m glad we¡¯re in this together, Peter.¡±

    I turned my head to look at her, finding her already staring up at the sky, her chestnut hair spilling across her blanket like a cascade of shadows.

    ¡°Yeah,¡± I said softly, my chest tightening with something warm. ¡°Me too.¡±

    No one had come back yet, which I suppose made sense¡ªthe instructor hadn¡¯t specifically told us to return to camp for sleep, just to be here by dawn. The quiet of the night stretched around us, broken only by the distant occasional chirp of some unseen creature.

    ¡°Let¡¯s try forming another,¡± I suggested softly.

    Thea nodded, closing her eyes with that sharp focus she always had during cultivation. ¡°Let¡¯s do the right fist first.¡±

    We both fell into our breathing patterns, drawing in the faint hum of world energy around us. I guided it into my main channel, letting it pool in my chest before carefully redirecting it into the reservoir in my shoulder. From there, I threaded it further, weaving it into the fine, fragile structure forming in my fist.

    The process felt smoother now, more intuitive, like my body was adapting to this method with each attempt. But as the energy solidified into delicate web-like threads in my hand, I could feel it¡ªresistance. Not in forming the reservoir, but in my ability to pull in more energy into my main channel. It felt stretched thin, strained under the weight of the constant flow.

    The sensation reminded me of when Thea had first guided me, her energy like an overwhelming river coursing through me. The flow now wasn¡¯t nearly as vast, but it was approaching that same weight, that same saturation.

    It still baffled me that people found this method slow. Maybe it spoke more about how absurdly efficient systems were, rather than how effective cultivation itself was. If this energy saturation meant I could theoretically form a core soon¡­ then why did I still feel so weak? So far behind?

    The memory of my earlier opponent came rushing back¡ªthe way his swings carried bone-shattering force, the way his stats turned him into a juggernaut. If this was the difference between someone with a system and someone without, then Thea and I had our work cut out for us.

    Systems weren¡¯t just powerful¡ªthey were a completely different playing field. And once Thea got hers, it would elevate her to a level that felt almost unreachable to me.

    But despite the faint sting of that thought, I smiled faintly. Because even if we were on different levels¡­ we¡¯d still be fighting side by side.

    The same process resumed as earlier¡ªenergy flowing, reservoirs forming, and another brief sparring match that ended with both of us sprawled on the dusty ground, panting like we¡¯d run a marathon. Thea was definitely more skilled, but power-wise, we were starting to feel evenly matched.

    ¡°I¡¯m done for tonight,¡± I gasped, my arms spread wide as I stared at the night sky. ¡°I still don¡¯t know much about this place. You said we become citizens after our service, right? How did your parents feel about you being taken away?¡±

    Between tired gulps of air, Thea responded, ¡°They were¡­ fine?¡± Her questioning tone caught me off guard.

    ¡°I thought most parents would be sad sending their kid off to war,¡± I said, tilting my head to glance at her.

    ¡°Hm.¡± She stared up at the sky, her chestnut hair splayed out on the ground. ¡°I don¡¯t know how it is where you¡¯re from, but this is just¡­ expected of us. It¡¯s part of life. They went through it, and now we do too. Brothers, sisters, family dying in battle¡ªit¡¯s not that uncommon.¡±

    Her words carried a blunt honesty, but there was something hollow underneath.

    I frowned. Even though I¡¯d grown up in a foster home, her words felt so devoid of warmth that it unsettled me. ¡°So¡­ parental love? Like hugs and stuff?¡±

    At that, Thea¡¯s face turned an impressive shade of red, and she sputtered. ¡°No! That¡ªthat¡¯s just crazy!¡±

    I laughed despite the ache in my chest. ¡°Relax! Didn¡¯t realize this place was so¡­ reserved. Back where I¡¯m from, most families are really close. Lots of hugs. Lots of¡­ affection.¡±

    She went quiet, her gaze shifting upward to the moon hanging low in the sky. Its pale light caught in her eyes, turning them silver and distant. For a moment, she looked lost in thought¡ªsomewhere far away from this camp, this night.

    ¡°Not here,¡± she mumbled softly. ¡°Parents are more like instructors than anything else. Like I said, they told me about cultivation¡ªits benefits, why I should practice it. So I started about a month ago. Slowly building it up, learning the steps.¡±

    I hesitated, unsure what to say. Sorry didn¡¯t feel right. It wasn¡¯t pity she needed, and honestly, I wasn¡¯t even sure if she wanted whatever version of family I was picturing in my head. Maybe she didn¡¯t hate the way things were¡ªmaybe she just didn¡¯t know any different.

    So instead, I asked, ¡°Siblings?¡±

    She gave a small nod, her lips curling into something halfway between a smile and a frown. ¡°A little sister. Five years younger. In a bit, she¡¯ll be here too. But by then, we¡¯ll both be gone. If we¡¯re alive, we¡¯ll nearly be done with our service.¡±

    Her words hung heavy in the air, and it took me a moment to realize she was waiting for me to answer the same question.

    ¡°How about you?¡± she asked.

    ¡°Me?¡± I paused, thinking back. ¡°I guess I had plenty of brothers and sisters¡­ but they came and went.¡±

    Thea sat up slightly, leaning on her elbows, her brow furrowed in confusion. ¡°Did they¡­ die?¡±

    My eyes widened. ¡°What? No! They were adopted into families or aged out of the home. I was on my way out too, actually. It¡¯s just how the process works back there for kids without parents.¡±

    She stared at me for a beat, then snorted lightly. ¡°Weird.¡±

    I raised an eyebrow. ¡°I¡¯m weird? You¡¯re the one who thinks hugs are some alien concept.¡±

    She laughed, the sound soft and genuine, and I couldn¡¯t help but join in.

    The weight in the air seemed to lift slightly, and for a brief moment, everything felt¡­ lighter. A campfire flickered in the distance, and the forest whispered softly in the night breeze.

    Eventually, the gentle hum of the night, the faint glow of moonlight, and the quiet rustle of leaves lulled us into an unplanned sleep. Neither of us noticed it happening¡ªwe were just¡­ still. Comfortable.

    But then, the pale light of dawn pierced through my eyelids, sharp and unyielding, followed immediately by that horn. That horrible, dreadful horn, blaring through the silence like a war cry.

    Another day had come.

 Chapter 9: The Scholar

    On the bright side, Thea and I were the first to line up, groggily crawling out from behind the two tents. Everyone was present, so thankfully, no one got to find out what ¡®reprisals¡¯ meant for not showing up on time.

    Although I¡¯d been expecting it, I still let out a groan when the familiar gruff voice barked, ¡°Keep up.¡±

    Another hour of marching later, we arrived at the same clearing as before¡ªthis time, a little less ragged than yesterday. Behind the instructor stood a row of plants, and beside them, several creatures in cages. One was the now all-too-familiar Carapace Hound, and another looked like a rabbit, if rabbits were armed with claws better suited for a grizzly bear than their small frames. The third was¡­a squirrel. A completely normal-looking squirrel. Suspiciously normal.

    ¡°Alright,¡± the instructor began, his gravelly voice carrying across the clearing. ¡°Those who managed to bring back food yesterday, step forward.¡±

    A handful of the tank recruits walked up, their shoulders squared with something that almost looked like pride.

    ¡°Present your point orbs.¡±

    The recruits held out their glowing orbs, and the instructor pulled out his own¡ªits number carefully obscured by his massive hand. When he tapped his orb against theirs, each recruit¡¯s number ticked upward by ten points.

    The collective gasp from the group was almost comical. In an instant, the attitude around camp shifted. What had felt like just grueling survival drills suddenly carried the weight of potential rewards. These classes weren¡¯t just some random obstacle course; they were a real chance to earn resources.

    I didn¡¯t know if this was unique to our commander or if all instructors did this, but I suddenly felt far more motivated to pay attention to his lessons.

    ¡°Now,¡± the instructor continued, after distributing the points. ¡°If you want, you can stay, and I will teach you about the woods. About plants you can eat and those you can use to treat your wounds,¡± he gestured behind him to the rows of strange greenery. ¡°What not to eat, and how to avoid¡ªor catch¡ªdangerous creatures.¡±

    He shifted slightly, the massive bulk of his frame casting a longer shadow. ¡°But I know some of you are more eager. You will not be forced to stay. You can head into the woods again. Hunt. Gather. Bring something back. You¡¯ll be rewarded based on your haul.¡±

    Then he added, his tone sharp as stone striking flint, ¡°Those who stay to learn will get nothing.¡±

    Nothing¡­ but a better chance of survival.

    I turned to Thea. ¡°I¡¯m staying. I think we both should.¡±

    Although we were both desperate for points, Thea nodded in agreement, her storm-gray eyes flicking toward the row of plants thoughtfully.

    Apparently, we were in the minority. The rest of the recruits scattered almost immediately, disappearing into the trees with barely a glance back. Boys and girls alike, their faces full of determination¡ªand more than a little desperation.

    The instructor¡¯s sharp eyes settled on us, and for a moment, I thought I saw something that almost resembled approval tugging at the corners of his stern mouth.

    ¡°You two again?¡± he said, his gruff voice softer than usual. ¡°Well, come over here.¡±

    I leaned slightly toward Thea and whispered, ¡°Maybe he likes us.¡±

    Thea rolled her eyes, though a small smirk tugged at her lips. ¡°I think he just likes hard workers. Now be quiet and listen.¡±

    And with that, we stepped forward, ready to learn.

    The instructor stood with his arms crossed, a towering figure that made the Carapace Hound beside him look almost¡­manageable. The creatures and plants arranged neatly behind him gave the scene an odd balance, like some bizarre classroom from a survival horror story.

    ¡°Alright, listen up,¡± he said, his voice sharp and commanding. ¡°These are just a few of the creatures and plants you¡¯ll encounter in the wild. If you want to survive out there¡ªand not waste all your points on healers¡ªyou¡¯ll need to understand them.¡±

    He pointed to the Carapace Hound first, its armored six-legged form lying still, jaws slightly parted to reveal sharp rows of teeth. Its segmented back plates glistened faintly in the morning light.

    ¡°This here is a Carapace Hound. Ambush predator. They rely on stealth and patience, attacking prey when it¡¯s vulnerable¡ªmost commonly when it¡¯s resting or distracted.¡± His sharp gaze swept over Thea and me, lingering for just a second longer than I was comfortable with. ¡°You two should know about that firsthand, I¡¯d wager.¡±

    I shifted uncomfortably wondering how he knew about our encounter.

    ¡°They prefer single targets and will avoid groups if possible. Their armor¡¯s thick, but not invincible. Aim for the joints, the neck, or if you¡¯re lucky enough to get above them, the underside of their plates.¡±

    The hound let out a low growl, and I instinctively tensed. The instructor silenced it with a single sharp look before moving on to the next creature.

    The rabbit-like beast¡ªif you could even call something with bear-like claws a ¡®rabbit¡¯¡ªtwitched nervously in its cage, its long ears flicking toward every tiny sound. Its wide eyes seemed perpetually alert.

    ¡°This one¡¯s a Pack Claw. Don¡¯t let the size fool you¡ªthey¡¯re vicious, especially in groups. They¡¯re pack hunters, coordinated, and surprisingly intelligent. Their claws can tear through light armor without much trouble, and they¡¯ll target ankles, hamstrings, and wrists to disable larger prey.¡±

    I swallowed hard, imagining a dozen of those little horrors swarming around me, claws flashing like knives in the dark.

    ¡°They¡¯re skittish alone, though. If you see one by itself, you can usually scare it off. But if you see two¡­¡± He let the silence hang for a beat, his dark eyes scanning the recruits. ¡°¡­run. Because there are always more nearby.¡±

    The Pack Claw let out a high-pitched chittering noise that sent an unpleasant chill down my spine.

    ¡°And finally¡­¡± He gestured to the squirrel. A squirrel¡ªnot exactly the most unassuming death machine I¡¯d ever seen. It sat calmly in its cage, chewing on something and staring at us with soulless little eyes.

    ¡°This is a Tree Rodent.¡±

    I blinked. That was¡­ underwhelming.

    ¡°Don¡¯t let the name fool you,¡± he continued, his tone sharp. ¡°This little menace is one of the most dangerous creatures in these woods¡ªnot because it¡¯s fast or strong, but because people underestimate it.¡±

    The creature cocked its head, its tail flicking once as if in response.

    ¡°It¡¯s venomous. Its bite won¡¯t kill you outright, but within an hour, you¡¯ll wish it had. Fever, nausea, hallucinations¡ªsometimes even paralysis if the venom hits your bloodstream fast enough.¡±

    Thea shifted uncomfortably beside me, her gaze locked on the tiny animal.

    ¡°But that¡¯s not the worst part. It¡¯s poisonous too. If you mess up while trying to prepare one for eating¡ªif you so much as nick the poison gland hidden near the spine¡ªyou¡¯ll contaminate the meat. One bite and you¡¯re dead in minutes.¡±

    The instructor leaned closer to the cage, and the Tree Rodent froze, its tail curling slightly.

    ¡°And lastly, they¡¯re fragile. Their poison sac bursts with the slightest mishandling. Skin it wrong, hold it too tight, startle it¡­ pop. That venom sprays everywhere. Your skin, your eyes, your food. If you¡¯re unlucky enough to have an open wound, well¡­¡± He let the silence hang, his sharp gaze sweeping over the recruits. ¡°¡­you¡¯ll find out exactly how fast toxin can travel through your bloodstream.¡±

    The silence stretched uncomfortably long. The creature stared back at us, utterly unbothered, munching away on whatever it was holding.

    ¡°Bottom line,¡± the commander said, straightening up, ¡°avoid them if you can. If you have to catch one, don¡¯t mess up. And if you kill one, don¡¯t eat it unless you know exactly what you¡¯re doing.¡±

    I leaned slightly toward Thea and muttered, ¡°Still think Puffer Squirrel is a better name.¡±

    She blinked at me, her brow furrowing. ¡°Puffer¡­ what?¡±

    I sighed, realizing too late that the joke didn¡¯t land. ¡°Never mind. Just¡ªnever mind.¡±

    The commander¡¯s sharp eyes snapped to me again. ¡°Something amusing, recruit?¡±

    ¡°Uh¡­ no, sir.¡±

    He gave me a long, unreadable look before turning back to the row of plants and creatures.

    ¡°Pay attention, both of you. Every one of these can kill you if you¡¯re ignorant. Knowledge is your first line of defense in the wild. Ignore it at your peril.¡±

    The commander launched into a rapid-fire explanation about plants, and I tried to keep up. Honestly, I did. But the second he started pointing out subtle differences between leaves that could either save your life or turn your insides into soup, I felt my brain start to fog over. I¡¯m no botanist¡ªone leaf looks pretty much like another to me.

    Thea was doing better, or at least she was trying harder. Her brows were furrowed in fierce concentration, and she squinted at every plant like it had personally wronged her. But even she seemed to struggle with identifying the minute details he was highlighting.This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

    When the focus shifted to edible and medicinal plants, though, I perked up. These felt¡­ practical. Tangible. Something I might actually remember when it counted. I forced myself to pay close attention, mentally filing away every detail. These plants could mean the difference between survival and a slow, painful death in the wild, and I wasn¡¯t about to let that knowledge slip away.

    After a while, the commander had gone over all the plants. With a final glance at the rows behind him, he tapped his trusty horn, the metal catching the light briefly.

    ¡°If you want, you can head off, but there won¡¯t be much time left before you''re expected back,¡± he said, his gravelly voice carrying over the clearing.

    Thea and I exchanged a quick look, silently reaching the same conclusion. Stepping forward, I straightened my posture in what I hoped looked respectful. ¡°We¡¯d like to train here again, sir, if that¡¯s alright.¡±

    He gave a small shrug, his expression neutral. ¡°Go for it. But don¡¯t get too caught up in cultivating. It¡¯s good for building a foundation, but once you both get your systems, it¡¯ll be better to focus on what your blessing can actually do for you.¡±

    I nodded, his words settling uneasily in my chest. There it was again¡ªthat casual dismissal of cultivation. But honestly, if the system was as powerful as it seemed, and if the cultivation methods here really were as bare-bones as they appeared, he was probably right.

    If only I could actually get a system.

    Thea and I found a quiet spot in the clearing and resumed our training together. I definitely couldn¡¯t fit any more world energy inside my main channel, a clear sign that by this world¡¯s standards, I was ready to start forming a core like Thea. But now, neither of us wanted to rush ahead. Our method was working, and we wanted it solid before taking the next step.

    Once I felt the familiar pop from the reservoir in my right hand, I stood up, rolling my shoulders and preparing myself for yet another sparring match with Thea.

    As usual, she wiped the floor with me. And honestly? It was starting to get frustrating. Theoretically, we were at equal levels now since she had to slow down and adapt to our new cultivation method, but every time we clashed, she dismantled me effortlessly. It was like trying to punch water¡ªit didn¡¯t matter how hard I swung; she just flowed around me.

    Suddenly, a booming voice cut across the clearing. ¡°Stop being so reckless!¡± the commander barked, his gravelly tone silencing everything around us. ¡°Look at the girl¡ªshe¡¯s using short bursts of movement, conserving her strength. You, on the other hand, are swinging wide like you¡¯re trying to hit five people at once. And tackling with your head down? Are you trying to get yourself killed?¡±

    I froze mid-step, glancing over at Thea, who had the decency to smother a grin behind her hand.

    ¡°Focus up!¡± the commander continued, his voice sharp. ¡°Tighten your defenses. You might not be one for long, but right now, you¡¯re a tank. Act like it. Stay on guard, keep your stance strong, and wait for an opportunity.¡±

    I wanted to ask, What happens if we both just stand there on guard forever? But as if reading my mind, the commander cut me off.

    ¡°And if you¡¯re both too stubborn to make the first move, use feints. You two aren¡¯t far apart in strength¡ªit shouldn¡¯t be so one-sided.¡±

    I nodded stiffly, glancing at Thea. She gave me an encouraging nod back, her smirk finally fading into something more focused.

    As we squared up again, I found myself really starting to like our commander. Sure, he was massive, intimidating, and his voice could probably shatter glass¡ªbut beneath all that roughness, he was sharp and genuinely helpful.

    Well¡­ mostly friendly. At least when we weren¡¯t making fools of ourselves.

    Once we finished consolidating our gains, Thea and I agreed to target the other shoulder next. Reaching the halfway point in forming the new reservoir, we stood, stretched, and began the familiar cycle again: cultivation, sparring, consolidation. It was a rhythm now¡ªsomething natural, almost meditative in its repetition.

    An hour passed before the heavy crunch of boots signaled the commander¡¯s approach. His sharp gaze flickered between the two of us, curiosity etched into the hard lines of his face.

    ¡°You two!¡± he barked, and we both stiffened instinctively. ¡°You¡¯re moving your internal strength way too smoothly. And the way you¡¯re cultivating¡­ it¡¯s odd.¡±

    Thea, ever the cultivation enthusiast, perked up immediately. ¡°Do you know about cultivating, sir?¡±

    Of course, she couldn¡¯t resist. The moment someone so much as hinted at the topic, she was ready to dive in headfirst.

    The commander¡¯s expression softened slightly, his voice losing some of its usual gruffness. ¡°I covered the basics back when I was your age. I never tried to form a core, though. The extra energy was useful, sure, but as I advanced, the focus it took to move the energy became too much of a distraction in battle.¡± He paused, his eyes distant, as if replaying old memories. ¡°Eventually, I stopped.¡±

    Thea inhaled sharply, clearly ready to launch into a full explanation of our method. But before a single word escaped her mouth, I slapped a hand over it, muffling her entirely.

    ¡°Sir,¡± I said, doing my best to sound confident and not like a kid trying to haggle with an adult. ¡°I can guarantee that what we¡¯re doing isn¡¯t in any book you¡¯ve ever read. It¡¯s¡­ new. But we¡¯re not going to give it away for free.¡±

    The commander raised an eyebrow, his gaze sharp as it pinned me in place. There was no hostility there, but the weight of his presence was enough to make me shift nervously. Behind those rugged features, though, I could see something else¡ªa spark of interest, a hunger for knowledge. Maybe, buried beneath all that armor and muscle, was the heart of a scholar.

    ¡°It¡¯s not some grand secret,¡± I continued, swallowing thickly. ¡°But if you haven¡¯t formed a core, this method could definitely improve your control. It¡¯s still just the basics, sure, but it¡¯s worth something.¡±

    The commander considered me for a moment before shrugging off the massive pack that was always slung across his broad shoulders. From it, he pulled out a rolled piece of parchment and a feather pen¡ªthough oddly, no ink accompanied it. Sitting cross-legged on the ground, he glanced back up at me, his expression unreadable.

    ¡°How much?¡±

    My heart skipped a beat. I shot a quick glance at Thea, who looked like she was ready to practically give away the secret just for the chance to talk about cultivation. Nope. Not happening. I subtly leaned closer to block her from speaking.

    The commander sighed, his lips twitching into something almost like amusement. ¡°You kids should think more before offering up secrets. For something this low-level, the usual price wouldn¡¯t be very high. But¡­ if you¡¯re not lying about its usefulness, I¡¯d say three-hundred points is fair.¡±

    Three hundred. That was no small number, especially for something he considered low-level. I hesitated, glancing at Thea again. Was this the right call? Would he spread the method to others? Would it even matter if he did?

    No¡ªprobably not. More ready to use inner strength didn¡¯t magically close the gap between cultivation and systems. And besides, the commander had earned some trust. He¡¯d been teaching us, guiding us, and he wasn¡¯t the type to cheat kids out of their hard-earned knowledge.

    I cleared my throat. ¡°Um¡­ each. Three hundred points each.¡±

    His brow lifted slightly, but he didn¡¯t argue. Instead, he extended a hand. ¡°Hand ¡®em over.¡±

    Thea and I both held up our glowing orbs, and the faint green light flickered as the numbers shifted. When the exchange was done, my orb glowed with 340, while Thea¡¯s displayed 325.

    The commander tucked the parchment back into his pack, rising to his full, intimidating height. ¡°Well then,¡± he said, his voice low but steady, ¡°show me.¡±

    I turned to Thea, who looked like she might actually implode if she didn¡¯t start talking immediately. Her storm-gray eyes were practically glowing with excitement, and I knew there was no stopping her.

    ¡°Okay!¡± she began gleefully, clapping her hands together. ¡°It¡¯s really not that complicated. We¡¯re basically taking the concept of condensing a core and applying it¡­ well, everywhere. Multiple smaller cores¡ªkind of. Although they¡¯re not exactly solid cores either.¡±

    I winced internally. Oh no. She was in full Cultivation Nerd Mode.

    ¡°As I¡¯m sure you know,¡± she continued, turning her full attention to the commander like he was her new favorite student, ¡°a core is essentially a condensed form of inner strength¡ªa solidified storage point for an enormous amount of energy. It acts almost like a bigger, more powerful main channel. A storage point and generator of internal force, if you will. But Peter and I had an idea: what if we didn¡¯t stop at just one?¡±

    The commander¡¯s brow furrowed slightly, but he said nothing, his sharp eyes locked on her.

    ¡°What if instead,¡± Thea continued, her hands gesturing animatedly, ¡°we created smaller channels, web-like structures that could store smaller pockets of spiritual energy? These would act as reservoirs. Immediate access points scattered across the body. We weave them starting closest to the focus point of our main channel, and from there, we spread outward¡ªcarefully, systematically. Admittedly they are different from a core in almost every way, but the reservoirs are still incredibly useful.¡±

    I watched the commander¡¯s expression closely. His eyes were locked on Thea, and though his face was hard to read, there was a glimmer of something there¡ªcuriosity, maybe even respect.

    Thea finally paused for breath, her cheeks flushed and her hands frozen mid-gesture as if she¡¯d forgotten where to put them.

    ¡°And¡­ yeah. That¡¯s the gist of it,¡± she finished a bit lamely, glancing at me for backup.

    She instead continued, ¡°After we finished making the ones in our chest, shoulders, and fists, we¡¯d move to our groin, knees, and then feet. And here¡¯s the best part¡ªwe would then fuse them into¡ª¡±

    I clamped my hand over Thea''s mouth mid-sentence. ¡°The rest is theory,¡± I said firmly, glancing at the commander with a mix of caution and confidence. ¡°It¡¯s not something we¡¯ve confirmed yet. If you want the rest, you¡¯ll have to pay.¡±

    Thea let out a muffled protest behind my hand, her wide eyes glaring at me, but she didn¡¯t fight it. I removed my hand cautiously, shooting her a look that said, Please, just let me handle this one.

    The commander, meanwhile, hadn¡¯t stopped writing the entire time. His thick fingers gripped the feather pen with surprising precision, the ink flowing seamlessly from the tip without the need for a well. His focus was absolute, brows furrowed as he etched our words into the parchment.

    When he finally stopped, he looked up at us, sharp eyes glinting with curiosity and something else¡ªsomething close to respect.

    ¡°If you have more to offer that isn¡¯t theoretical,¡± he said slowly, his deep voice carrying weight, ¡°tell me. And I will pay.¡±

    With that, he stood, grabbed his horn, and¡ªhaving learned my lesson¡ªI quickly clamped my hands over my ears. The sharp blast cut through the air, scattering birds from the treetops and making a few recruits flinch.

    One by one, everyone trickled back into the clearing, carrying whatever they had managed to scavenge or hunt. The commander moved down the line with practiced efficiency, counting their spoils, tapping his orb to theirs, and distributing points with little ceremony.

    Once the final recruit had received their points, the commander raised his voice. ¡°Dismissed! Head back to the Hall of Heroes.¡±

    Thea and I exchanged a glance, silent but full of meaning, before falling into step with the others. The path back to the Hall was filled with the crunch of boots on gravel and the faint murmur of tired voices.

    But my mind wasn¡¯t on the road or the setting sun ahead. It was on what had just happened. We¡¯d done something no one else here had, something that felt¡­ important.

    We¡¯d sold knowledge. Our knowledge.

    Thea had practically been glowing when explaining our cultivation method to the commander, and even now, she walked beside me with a satisfied expression. We¡¯d just earned points¡ªnot by fighting, not by scavenging, but by teaching. By sharing something we¡¯d created.

    And the commander paid. Without hesitation. Without doubt.

    It hit me then¡ªthis wasn¡¯t just a fluke. If one person valued what we knew, others might too. Selling our cultivation method might actually be¡­ viable.

    A chill ran down my spine, not from fear, but from the sheer weight of possibility.

    The Hall of Heroes came into view, its massive silhouette framed against the fading light of the sky.

    And as we walked through its towering gates, one thought settled in my mind:

    This was just the beginning.

 Chapter 10: Steam and Secrets

    As we neared the massive Hall of Heroes, I glanced at Thea, who was practically glowing with excitement.

    ¡°Already more proud of your second disciple, huh? I might just betray you and steal your secrets out of sheer jealousy, you know,¡± I said, grinning as I recalled the classic web novel trope.

    Playing along, she smirked. ¡°My second disciple is so much stronger than you, he¡¯ll avenge me before you even get the chance to use my secrets.¡±

    I let out a laugh, the kind that shook off some of the exhaustion clinging to me. But it stopped as we reached the Hall''s grand entrance. Standing awkwardly near the massive archway was a familiar face¡ªthe younger healer who¡¯d offered to patch me up after my fight.

    He was glancing around nervously, his hands clutching his point orb like it was some fragile lifeline. The moment his eyes landed on me, his shoulders sagged in relief, and a smile crept onto his face.

    ¡°He¡¯s coming over,¡± Thea said out of the corner of her mouth.

    The healer hurried toward us, gasping for breath, clearly not the poster child for cardio excellence¡ªunlike myself, of course.

    ¡°How are you feeling? Is everything¡­ alright?¡± His voice carried genuine concern, his brow creased as he scanned me up and down.

    ¡°Uh¡­ fine? Your partner healed me up just fine,¡± I replied hesitantly.

    The moment I spoke, his expression tightened. His eyes darted around, scanning the crowd as if he expected someone to jump out and tackle him.

    Sensing his unease because, naturally, I am excellent at reading people, I stepped in to ease the tension. ¡°How about we head inside first? We can talk there.¡±

    ¡°NO!¡± he shouted suddenly, loud enough to make several recruits nearby glance our way.

    I blinked, taken aback, and even Thea stiffened beside me. His face paled as he realized how loud he¡¯d been, and he opened his mouth to explain¡ªonly to freeze at the sharp voice that cut through the crowd like a whip.

    ¡°Elric! What are you doing?¡±

    The older healer from yesterday strode over, his face twisted in fury. His sharp gaze flicked to me, then back to Elric.

    ¡°You¡ªwhat did you tell them?!¡± He raised his hand, fully intending to strike Elric across the face.

    Before he could, Thea stepped forward, her storm-gray eyes narrowing with a sharp edge I¡¯d only seen in our spars. ¡°You¡¯re hiding something so serious that you¡¯d hit him for it?¡±

    The older healer froze mid-motion, his hand trembling slightly in the air. His jaw tightened, and his lips curled downward into something between anger and frustration.

    I couldn¡¯t help but notice the way his shoulders tensed, like a cornered animal. The thought struck me¡ªhealers probably weren¡¯t built for combat. My guess? Their stats leaned heavily into mana, intelligence, or magic power. Maybe they even avoided fights entirely.

    The older healer let out a sharp exhale, his chest rising and falling rapidly before he spoke again, his voice low and venomous.

    ¡°Do not come back, Elric. You¡¯re not welcome in the Healers¡¯ Guild anymore. And I¡¯ll make sure everyone knows what you did.¡±

    Elric flinched as if struck, his mouth opening and closing as he tried to protest. ¡°I didn¡¯t say¡ª¡±

    ¡°Shut it!¡± The older healer spat, his face a twisted mess of anger. Without another word, he turned on his heel and stormed away, disappearing back into the crowd milling near the Hall entrance.

    Elric stood frozen in place, his shoulders trembling slightly as his head hung low.

    I glanced at Thea, and our eyes met briefly. The weight of what just happened settled heavily in the air.

    It wasn¡¯t hard to piece together the basics. Healers were probably allocated roles to heal different people¡ªfairly or unfairly distributing work based on skill, connections, or whatever arbitrary system they had in place. They had to sign up for fights as well, but maybe they had some deal to prevent too much injury, or maybe they could just get healed by their colleagues for free. Either way, being an outcast couldn¡¯t be good for him. No guild support, no easy access to resources, and likely no protection if something went wrong.

    ¡°Elric is it? I don¡¯t know what you were about to tell me, but it seems like it''s too crowded to do it secretly, let¡¯s head inside, we can get a training room for some privacy.¡± He must have been hiding something that healers did not want getting out too far, maybe some already knew about it but kept quiet, either way for a complete stranger like me, he had gotten himself in serious trouble.

    He nodded and shuddered looking like he was about to start crying.

    Elric stood a little shorter than me, his frame wiry and lean, built more for precision than brute strength. His shoulders had a slight inward slope, like he was used to avoiding attention rather than commanding it. His black hair fell unevenly around his face, the strands hanging just above sharp, observant aquamarine eyes¡ªeyes that flicked between nervousness and quiet resolve.

    There was a delicate sharpness to his features: a straight nose, a defined jawline, and thin lips that often seemed pressed together in thought or hesitation. His skin was pale, not sickly, but like someone who spent more time indoors under lantern light than outside under the sun.

    His hands, though, told the real story¡ªlong fingers, steady despite the tremor in his shoulders, nails kept clean, and faint calluses on his palms from hours of careful work. These were healer¡¯s hands¡ªmeant for stitching wounds, crushing herbs, and channeling energy with precision.

    We walked into the Hall of Heroes, and I could already feel the weight of more than a few sideways glances. It wasn¡¯t subtle either¡ªpeople weren¡¯t even pretending not to stare. I wasn¡¯t sure if it was because of Elric walking with us or because we still looked like we¡¯d been rolling around in the woods for a week. Honestly, could¡¯ve been both.

    I started heading towards the training area, but Thea grabbed my arm and stopped me mid-step. Her face was¡­ hesitant? Embarrassed? Nervous? That wasn¡¯t like her at all.

    ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± I asked, a flicker of concern creeping into my voice.

    She shifted uncomfortably, avoiding eye contact. ¡°I didn¡¯t want to waste our points before, but now¡­¡±

    ¡°What? Thea, we¡¯ve got plenty of points. Just tell me.¡±

    Her lips pursed into a tight line before she finally said, ¡°You smell.¡±

    There was a pause.

    I blinked. ¡°Wait¡­ I smell?¡±

    She blushed slightly and quickly added, ¡°We smell. Both of us. And it¡¯s¡­ bad.¡±

    Oh. Oh no.

    Now that she¡¯d said it, I couldn¡¯t unnotice it. Days of training, sweating, sparring, and no actual bath had left me¡­ ripe. The bathroom situation had already been a whole other circle of discomfort, but this? This was something else entirely.

    ¡°Right,¡± I said, rubbing the back of my neck as my ears burned with embarrassment. ¡°A bath. Yeah, that¡¯s probably a good idea.¡±

    Elric, who had been quietly trailing behind us, popped up with an awkward half-raise of his hand. ¡°I can show you where they are, but¡­ I can¡¯t go in. I don¡¯t have enough points. Registering with the healer¡¯s guild took all I had.¡±

    I glanced at him, then at Thea, then back at him. ¡°Don¡¯t worry about it. I¡¯ll cover it. Just¡­ let¡¯s go before someone starts spraying us with perfume.¡±

    Elric gave a tiny, grateful nod and started leading the way, while Thea shot me a look that said, See? I was right.

    I sighed, already dreading what the point cost for basic hygiene was going to be in this place.

    Eventually, we arrived at another alcove tucked into the coliseum¡¯s stone walls. Two separate hallways stretched out behind it, one on the left and one on the right. I could only assume they led to the respective bath areas for boys and girls. The faint scent of soap and something floral lingered in the air¡ªit was almost enough to make me forget how much I probably smelled.If you encounter this tale on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.

    Behind the small desk sat yet another attendant. She was, predictably, disinterested and radiating the universal aura of someone who had long since stopped caring about their job. Before we could even ask anything, she pointed wordlessly to a sign propped up in front of her.

    I squinted at it, but yeah¡­ reading wasn¡¯t happening. I turned to Thea with what I hoped was my most pitiful, pleading expression.

    She chuckled into her hand, her storm-gray eyes sparkling with amusement. ¡°It says, ten points per person for full access to soaps, showers, baths, and perfumes.¡±

    I perked up at that. ¡°And other courses¡­?¡±

    ¡°Nope,¡± Thea said firmly. ¡°We¡¯re getting this one.¡±

    ¡°Princess,¡± I muttered under my breath.

    ¡°Rube,¡± she shot back without missing a beat.

    Rolling my eyes, I held up my orb to the attendant. ¡°Two, please. Me and my buddy here.¡± I nodded towards Elric, who was still half-hiding behind me like he expected someone to toss him out at any moment.

    Thea followed suit, holding up her own orb.

    The attendant sighed dramatically, like we¡¯d just asked her to move a mountain, then tapped our orbs against her own. Twenty points drained from mine and ten from Thea¡¯s, leaving our glowing numbers at 320 and 315 respectively.

    As Thea turned toward her hallway, she gave me a sharp glance over her shoulder. ¡°I¡¯ll see you in a bit. Don¡¯t rush.¡±

    ¡°Yeah, yeah,¡± I waved her off. ¡°Go get cleaned up, Princess Grandmaster. You¡¯re stinking up the place.¡±

    She froze mid-step, slowly turned her head back toward me, and narrowed her eyes in a way that sent an icy chill down my spine.

    Oh no. Mistake. Big mistake.

    For a second, I thought she might actually tackle me right there in front of the attendant. Instead, she just shook her head and disappeared down her hallway without another word.

    ¡°Okay,¡± I muttered to Elric as we turned toward our side. ¡°Note to self: Avoid hygiene-related comments with Thea. Ever. Again.¡±

    Elric nodded solemnly, his face serious despite the faint smile tugging at his lips.

    We entered an area filled with nozzles hanging off the wall.

    ¡°Communal style,¡± I muttered.

    To be honest, it didn¡¯t bother me too much¡ªwe were both guys here, after all. But then I started peeling off my clothes, and yes, I mean peeling. The grimy rags I¡¯d appeared in this world with had fused to me like some cursed glue made from sweat, dirt, and who-knows-what else. As for undergarments¡­ the less said, the better.

    ¡°Elric?¡±

    ¡°Yeah?¡± he responded, his voice a little too jumpy, like he thought I was about to attack him.

    ¡°You know where a clothes store is?¡±

    ¡°What? Oh¡ªoh yeah, of course. I can show you and Thea after.¡±

    I nodded and stepped in front of a nearby mirror.

    Yep, it was me. Same black hair¡ªmessy, sticking out in odd directions like it had declared war on every comb I¡¯d ever owned. Same brown eyes, sharp but a little tired, like I¡¯d been surviving on sheer stubbornness for a while now. My face was the same too¡ªdirty, smudged, but unmistakably mine. No sudden chiseled jawline, no mysterious scar that hinted at a dark, brooding past.

    I ran a hand through my hair, grimacing as my fingers caught on grit and tangles. The dirt clung stubbornly to my face and neck, and the smell¡­ let¡¯s just say it wasn¡¯t great.

    But under all the grime, under the exhaustion etched into my face, it was still me. Not some hero, not some larger-than-life protagonist. Just¡­ Peter. The same average height, lean build, and unruly hair I¡¯d always had.

    Well¡­ except dirtier. A lot dirtier.

    There were two handles for what I assumed were the water controls, and in the corner, a neat little collection of bottles sat waiting. Soaps, probably.

    ¡°Elric, which one¡¯s for hair, body, and¡­ whatever else?¡±

    Elric handed me bottles one after another. ¡°Body, hair, and this is perfume for after.¡±

    I rolled my eyes before I even realized it. Oh no. Is Thea infecting me? ¡°I know what perfume is, thanks.¡±

    I plopped myself down on one of the small stools placed in front of the faucets and turned a handle.

    Then it happened.

    A squeal. A high-pitched, glass-shattering squeal that, if recorded, could probably double as a car alarm.

    Cold. So cold. My soul briefly left my body, and I¡¯m pretty sure Elric had to physically hold back a laugh.

    ¡°Hot water is the other one,¡± he commented, his face twitching with barely-contained amusement.

    Well, at least I¡¯d cheered him up a bit. Just like with Thea, I was confirming¡ªI¡¯m funny.

    I turned the other faucet cautiously.

    And oh. Oh.

    Some things, you just don¡¯t know how good they are until they¡¯re gone. The warm water poured over me like liquid gold, seeping into every pore, washing away the grime and exhaustion, and wrapping me in an embrace so soothing I could¡¯ve cried.

    I might have cried. We¡¯ll never know for sure.

    Anyway, I¡¯m pretty sure I used up half the bottles scrubbing myself down¡ªhair, face, arms, legs¡ªevery inch of me practically shining by the time I was done.

    And then I realized a very important detail.

    My clothes.

    My ragged, tattered, biologically hazardous clothes. Could they even still be called clothes at this point? Wouldn¡¯t it have been smarter to buy something before cleaning up?

    Wait¡­ did Thea have anything to change into? Did anyone?

    Now that I thought about it, most of the recruits I¡¯d seen were wearing pretty much the same worn-out basics. Maybe they stripped everyone down to even the playing field at the start¡ªmake sure nobody had an unfair advantage.

    But only at the start.

    Those of us who proved ourselves worth the investment got the benefits¡ªthe gear, the resources, the opportunities. The others? Well¡­

    I pushed that thought aside and let the warm water run over me for just a little longer, savoring every drop.

    One step at a time, Peter. One step at a time.

    Unfortunately, I did eventually don my cursed rags again after drying off with a rough-but-effective towel. I gave myself a couple of spritzes from the perfume bottle¡ªno point in going overboard when my clothes smelled like¡­ well, despair. It seemed like Thea hadn¡¯t come out yet, so I thought of something.

    ¡°Is the clothing store close by?¡± I asked Elric.

    ¡°Yeah, just across the hall there,¡± he said, pointing across the corridor.

    Figures. Probably set up this way intentionally to milk us for points after bathing. Clever.

    I stepped into the store and was immediately surrounded by rows of neatly folded training clothes¡ªcomfortable, breathable, and infinitely better than the fabric-based horror currently clinging to my skin. I grabbed a pair of pants, a belt, and a shirt for both Thea and myself. For me, I added five sets of underwear. As for Thea¡­ well, let¡¯s just say I wasn¡¯t brave enough to pick those out for her.

    After a total of forty points¡ªleaving my orb reading 280¡ªI changed into my new clothes in one of the small fitting rooms. The scratchy, cursed rags were officially dead to me, and as if by design, you could dispose of them here. I might have actually held a ceremony later. But for now? Better to be swift about it.

    I felt like a new man.

    Returning to Elric, I realized Thea still hadn¡¯t come out. A small pit of worry grew in my stomach.

    ¡°She¡¯s not¡­ sitting there refusing to put on her old clothes, is she?¡± I said aloud.

    Elric blinked at me.

    I sighed, already knowing the answer. ¡°Never mind.¡±

    Walking up to the attendant at the bathing hall, I held out the neatly folded clothes I¡¯d bought for Thea. ¡°Could you give these to the girl who went in earlier?¡±

    The attendant glanced up at me, then back down at¡­ well, nothing. Apparently, I was the least interesting thing she¡¯d seen all day. I sighed again and fished out my orb.

    ¡°Five points?¡±

    Suddenly, her face lit up with the kind of enthusiasm usually reserved for free cake. ¡°Absolutely!¡± she chirped, holding out her orb with lightning speed.

    The transaction complete, she snatched the clothes and bolted off with surprising agility.

    So¡­ tipping is a thing here, or at least, attendants really want it to be.

    A few minutes later, a faint commotion echoed from the women¡¯s bathing area. There was a muffled yell, something like, ¡°He¡ªnot¡ª!¡± but the words got lost in the acoustics of the stone walls.

    Moments later, Thea emerged, and¡­ yeah. Wow.

    Gone were the dusty, tattered rags, replaced by clean training gear that actually fit her properly. Her chestnut hair, usually tied back in a loose ponytail, was still damp and clung to the sides of her face in soft waves. Her storm-gray eyes looked brighter, clearer, and her skin¡ªnow free of grime and dirt¡ªglowed faintly under the warm light of the hall.

    For a second, I forgot how to blink. Or breathe, really. It was like seeing a different person entirely. No, not different¡ªjust¡­ more her.

    Unfortunately, my moment of stunned silence was cut short by a firm shove from Elric.

    ¡°You can stare at each other later,¡± he muttered, voice low but firm. ¡°We need to talk about the healer¡¯s guild.¡±

    Thea paused mid-step, her brows raising slightly as a faint blush crept across her cheeks. Whether it was from the hot water or my unintentional staring¡ªI wasn¡¯t sure.

    Snapping out of my daze, I cleared my throat awkwardly and nodded. ¡°Right. Uh, yeah. Let¡¯s¡­ let¡¯s talk.¡±

    Elric glanced between the two of us, his delicate features set with a rare seriousness. Whatever he had to say, it wasn¡¯t going to be good. ¡°Can we go somewhere private first?¡±

    Thea nodded without hesitation. ¡°Sure, let¡¯s go. But¡­ one thing first.¡±

    I followed her gaze as it flicked toward the clothing store across the hall.

    ¡°That way,¡± I said with a smirk.

    Before I could blink, she was gone, practically sprinting toward the store. Clearly, whatever final piece was missing from her wardrobe wasn¡¯t something she planned to delay any longer.

    She returned just as quickly, a small bag clutched tightly in her hand.

    Once that was sorted, we reserved a basic room for an hour. Thea handled the points this time, her orb flickering as it dropped to 290 after her earlier shopping trip.

    Inside, the door clicked shut behind us, muffling the constant noise of the bustling Hall. The small, dimly lit room felt almost too quiet after the chaos outside.

    Elric took a deep breath, his delicate features tense with uncertainty as he looked between Thea and me.

    ¡°The healers aren¡¯t actually helping anyone.¡±

    The words dropped into the silence like a stone into still water, sending ripples of unease through the air.

 Chapter 11: The Cost of Survival

    ¡°What do you mean?¡± Thea asked, her brows knitting together.

    Elric hesitated, his aquamarine eyes flickering with uncertainty as he chose his words carefully. ¡°Well¡­ they do heal people¡ªfor the right price, and only for those they know can afford it.¡± He paused, letting that sink in before continuing. ¡°But for others¡ªfor people like you¡­¡± He pointed at me, his voice quieter now. ¡°They¡¯ll use spells with side effects.¡±

    He let that hang in the air for a moment before explaining, ¡°Most healers pick up these techniques after their first few missions. Powerful healing spells that work fast, like the one used on you. But they come with a cost¡ªlasting damage if you don¡¯t take a long time to properly rest afterward. I didn¡¯t want to offer something like that, so I was offering healing at a cheaper price, using safer methods. But, like yesterday¡­ most people choose the faster option, even if it costs them more.¡±

    ¡°Like I did,¡± Thea said softly, her voice laced with regret.

    ¡°It¡¯s not your fault,¡± I said quickly, hoping to reassure her. ¡°You didn¡¯t know. Besides, it¡¯s not permanent damage, right?¡±

    Elric nodded, though his expression remained grim. ¡°He¡¯s right¡ªit¡¯s not permanent¡­ yet. But if you keep fighting hard, get injured again, and rely on those same quick-fix spells to patch yourself up? That¡¯s when it starts to stick. Bone density drops, tendons lose elasticity, muscles stop working properly. And all the while, you¡¯re burning through every point you¡¯ve earned just to stay on your feet.¡±

    His words hung heavy in the small room, each one painting a clearer picture of just how dangerous this hidden cost really was.

    ¡°Thank you,¡± I broke the silence, my voice steady but soft. ¡°For telling us. That couldn¡¯t have been easy. I promise we¡¯ll do our best to help you.¡±

    Elric let out a sigh, his shoulders slumping slightly. ¡°Not much you can do. I¡¯ll just have to survive for now. I can patch myself up if¡ªwhen I lose my matches. And I¡¯ll have to save up points to surrender if things get too bad.¡±

    I frowned, thinking about his situation. Most people don¡¯t like accepting pity or handouts without giving something in return. An idea sparked in my mind.

    ¡°Thea?¡± I said, glancing at her.

    ¡°Yeah? What is it?¡± she asked, her storm-gray eyes meeting mine with a flicker of curiosity.

    ¡°What do you think of having our first real disciple?¡± I said, letting the suggestion hang in the air.

    Elric¡¯s head snapped up from where he¡¯d been staring at the ground, confusion etched across his sharp features.

    ¡°Wha¡ª¡± Thea started, her brow furrowing. Then, almost like a light bulb flicked on above her head, her expression shifted, and a smirk tugged at her lips. ¡°Ohhh. Yeah, I think it¡¯ll work.¡±

    With acting skills that deserved at least some kind of award, she added with mock concern, ¡°But Peter, how could he possibly pay us?¡±

    I picked up her cue, stroking my chin thoughtfully. ¡°If only there were some service he could exchange with us¡­ Something valuable after fights, maybe something¡­ essential.¡±

    I glanced at Elric, raising my eyebrows meaningfully, trying to nudge him into catching on. But instead of realizing what we were doing, he froze. His aquamarine eyes darted between us nervously, and he took a cautious step back towards the door.

    ¡°Are¡­ are you two alright?¡± he asked, his voice trembling slightly.

    Thea pinched the bridge of her nose, exhaling slowly. ¡°This is what I get for following your lead.¡±

    ¡°Admit it,¡± I said with an exaggerated huff, crossing my arms over my chest. ¡°It was fun.¡±

    She rolled her eyes but couldn¡¯t quite hide the small smirk tugging at her lips.

    ¡°Alright, Elric, listen,¡± Thea said, her voice taking on a steady, serious edge. ¡°We¡¯ll teach you our new method of cultivation. Down the line, it¡¯ll let you take care of yourself¡ªeven as a healer.¡±

    ¡°Ideally,¡± I added with a shrug. Body refinement was still just a distant goal, hovering beyond the current limits of the Spiritual Reservoir Formation stage.

    Thea continued, ignoring me. ¡°In return, you¡¯ll heal us properly when we need it. We¡¯ll help you with any missions from your system if they¡¯re too tough to handle alone. And if we have the points to spare, we¡¯ll cover your surrender fees in fights

    Elric hesitated, his sharp features creased with uncertainty. ¡°Cultivation?¡± he repeated, the word heavy with skepticism and curiosity.

    I leaned forward slightly, my voice calm but firm. ¡°Listen, Elric. None of us¡ªespecially you¡ªhave many choices here. This helps all of us. You get stronger, we stay alive, and together, we¡¯ll have a much better chance of surviving whatever this place throws at us.¡±

    The room fell into a heavy silence, the weight of the offer settling into the air like a stone dropped into still water. Elric¡¯s eyes flicked between Thea and me, his brows furrowed in thought, his lips pressed into a thin line.

    For a moment, I thought he might refuse. But then, he let out a small breath and gave a faint, determined nod.

    ¡°¡­Okay. I¡¯m in.¡±

    A smile crept across Thea¡¯s face, and I let out a slow breath, relief washing over me.

    ¡°Welcome aboard, disciple number one,¡± I said with a grin, holding out my hand.

    Thea practically jumped toward Elric, her storm-gray eyes alight with excitement. ¡°Alright, let¡¯s get started!¡±

    ¡°Fair warning, she¡¯s a cultivation freak¡ªow!¡± I recoiled as Thea¡¯s fist connected with my arm. It definitely wasn¡¯t a playful punch; internal strength was absolutely involved. ¡°Okay, okay, point taken. I¡¯m gonna cultivate over there. You two have fun.¡±

    Leaving them to it, I settled down a short distance away. Thea launched straight into the basics, her voice carrying that sharp enthusiasm she always had when talking about cultivation. I caught snippets¡ªforming a focal point for internal strength, pulling in world energy, and the very real danger of popping your body if you rushed things. And our new discovery of using reservoir formation as the solution to that little nightmare.

    Having already finished forming the reservoir in my left shoulder earlier, I got a head start on my left fist. The world energy flowed steadily through me, weaving into delicate, thread-like structures until I reached the barrier of the first half. I opened my eyes, flexing my hand experimentally, and glanced over.

    Elric was sitting cross-legged, his brows furrowed in concentration as he meditated. Thea, just moments later, stirred from her own cultivation and stretched her arms over her head.

    ¡°Ready?¡± she asked, her smirk sharp with anticipation.

    ¡°Yeah,¡± I said hesitantly. ¡°But shouldn¡¯t we keep quiet? Elric¡¯s cultivating, after all.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ll be fine,¡± Elric interrupted without opening his eyes. ¡°In fact, I probably need to join. It¡¯ll help me fuse the world energy into my main channel.¡±

    ¡°Great,¡± I muttered, rising to my feet and preparing myself. ¡°Another round with the mighty Princess Grandmaster.¡±

    Following the commander¡¯s earlier advice, I fared way better this time. I kept my stance tight, avoided wild swings, and¡ªdare I say it¡ªheld my ground. I even managed to take Thea down a couple of times, though her bruised ego would probably never admit it.

    Elric watched us spar with wide eyes, his gaze darting between our movements like he was trying to memorize every step. By the time Thea and I finally collapsed onto the ground, gasping for air, he spoke up.

    ¡°I have to fight you two?¡± he asked, his voice a mix of disbelief and dread.

    Through ragged breaths, Thea grinned. ¡°Don¡¯t worry. We¡¯ll be easy on you.¡±

    She stood, brushing dust from her pants. ¡°We can¡¯t let our first student fall too far behind. Come on, get up.¡±

    I silently cursed myself for not finding a shop that sold training mats. Elric¡¯s hesitant, jittery stance mirrored my own first spar with Thea, and what followed could only be described as a painfully familiar process. Thea was relentless but instructive, and Elric¡­ well, he survived. Which was impressive in its own right.This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

    Before we began consolidating our gains, Thea turned to him. ¡°Any missions on your system right now?¡±

    Elric shifted uncomfortably. ¡°My current one is to heal a moderate injury, but it¡¯s hard to get someone to agree with me doing it. The guild doesn¡¯t allow freelancers.¡±

    ¡°Well,¡± I cut in, ¡°we can just see after my match today. I¡¯m sure you¡¯ll be able to complete it quickly.¡±

    ¡°No,¡± Thea interrupted sharply. Her voice carried an edge I hadn¡¯t heard in a while. ¡°What if you get yourself killed? Even I¡¯m surrendering all my matches. We should just wait until we get our sys¡ª¡±

    She stopped abruptly. Elric raised an eyebrow at the odd pause, glancing between the two of us.

    I sighed, locking eyes with Thea. ¡°Okay, I get it. But we¡ªI can¡¯t keep turning down matches forever. Eventually, I¡¯m going to have to fight.¡±

    She held my gaze for a long moment, her brows drawn together in something close to worry. Finally, she nodded.

    ¡°Fine. But let¡¯s at least finish this step first. Please.¡±

    Her voice was quiet but firm, and for once, I had no argument against it.

    ¡°Deal,¡± I said softly.

    Elric glanced between us again, his brows furrowed in confusion, but he didn¡¯t press. Instead, we all settled back into position, the quiet hum of world energy filling the small training room once again as we consolidated our gains.

    Soon enough, the familiar sound of ¡°Time¡¯s up¡± echoed through the training room. With heavy breaths and sweat clinging to our skin, we packed up and left, heading straight for the registration desk.

    I glanced over at Elric. ¡°You have enough points to surrender?¡±

    He nodded, though his shoulders sagged slightly. ¡°Yeah, I¡¯ll be okay today¡­ but tomorrow¡ª¡±

    I held up my hand to stop him. ¡°We¡¯ll take care of it. Just¡­ take care of us when we need it, alright?¡±

    Elric gave me a weak smile, the kind that didn¡¯t quite reach his tired eyes.

    Thea and I walked to the registration desk while Elric hung back. He¡¯d sign up after our fights were done, just in case we needed him immediately afterward. It wouldn¡¯t do any good if he was stuck in his own match when we needed patching up.

    As we handed our orbs over to the attendant, Thea turned to me, her storm-gray eyes sharp with concern. ¡°Peter?¡±

    ¡°Hm?¡± I responded, distracted by the green flicker of my orb being scanned.

    ¡°You promised, alright? Just surrender.¡± Her voice was firm, but I could hear the quiet tremor beneath it.

    ¡°Yeah, no problem.¡± I patted her shoulder lightly.

    But even as I said the words, I couldn¡¯t meet her eyes. The promise felt heavy in my chest¡ªheavier than it should¡¯ve been.

    Before either of us could say more, my name was called.

    It happened so much faster than the last time. My stomach clenched, and I turned away from Thea, unable to let her see the look on my face. I didn¡¯t want to lie to her, but¡­ I was different. I had to be. If I couldn¡¯t get used to fighting people with systems¡ªpeople stronger, faster, and better equipped than me¡ªthen how could I survive here?

    Besides¡­ now we had a healer. Now we had Elric.

    The stone elevator stood waiting, and I stepped in without looking back. The doors clanged shut behind me, and the descent began. The platform jolted slightly as it moved, the dim light of the shaft casting eerie shadows across the stone walls.

    I sank to the floor, knees pulled up, hands pressed against my thighs, trying to steady my breathing. The elevator shuddered to a stop, and the doors ground open with a low creak.

    The artificial arena stretched out before me¡ªa familiar imitation forest with dense trees, uneven ground, and the faint smell of damp earth lingering in the air. Across the way, my opponent was already waiting.

    He held a metal polearm¡ªa spear-like weapon with a broad, flat clubbed end gleaming faintly in the arena¡¯s lights. His eyes met mine, sharp and assessing.

    The same system announcement from before echoed overhead.

    "System!" we both called out in unison.

    "Confirmed: Warrior class. Blessing: Spear Guard. Confirmed: Late Bloomer."

    The moment the words finished, something shifted in him. His posture straightened, his grip on the polearm tightened, and his gaze locked onto me like I was prey.

    "Begin."

    He charged, and when close enough, he lunged.

    The blunted tip of the spear shot forward in a blur of silver, slicing through the air with terrifying speed. I barely managed to sidestep, feeling the wind of its passing brush against my cheek. My feet found the uneven ground, and I forced energy from my main channel into my legs, flooding them with strength. My reservoirs in my shoulders and arms pulsed faintly with readiness.

    He didn¡¯t let up. The spear flicked upward in a sharp arc, aimed for my ribs. I twisted my torso just in time, feeling the cold metal graze against my shirt. He was relentless, pressing forward with quick thrusts, each one forcing me back step by step.

    But then¡ªan opening.

    Maybe because he didn¡¯t expect much from me, he overextended slightly on a downward strike, the pole digging into the soft earth. I didn¡¯t think. I just moved.

    I lunged forward, closing the gap faster than he expected. My hand shot out, grabbing him by the throat, my fingers pressing into the hollow just beneath his jaw. With all the force I could muster, I pulled him downward.

    He hit the ground hard, his polearm slipping from his grasp as I landed on top of him.

    My fist came down.

    The first punch connected with a dull thud, skin meeting skin, knuckles scraping against cheekbone. The second followed, then the third. My breath came in sharp, ragged gasps, my vision narrowing until all I could see was his face¡ªhis wide, panicked eyes, his bloodied nose, the growing bruises spreading across his skin.

    I couldn¡¯t stop. My arms kept moving, fists crashing down over and over, each strike accompanied by a sickening crack or muffled groan.

    Then, a sound¡ªa sharp, brittle snap¡ªcut through the fog in my mind.

    I froze.

    My hands trembled where they hovered in the air, blood smeared across my knuckles, dripping slowly onto his swollen face. His eyes were still open, unfocused, barely conscious.

    I stumbled back, my breath catching in my throat as I stared down at him. Blood pooled under his nose, tiny droplets sprayed across the dirt beneath him.

    What did I just do?

    My hands shook as I looked down at them¡ªshaking fingers stained crimson. This wasn¡¯t my blood. It wasn¡¯t an accident. It wasn¡¯t self-defense anymore¡ªit was me. I did this. I caused this.

    My stomach twisted painfully, and I staggered backward, nearly tripping over my own feet. My chest heaved, and for a moment, I thought I might vomit right there in the arena.

    But before I could, a sharp whistle cut through the air, followed by an impact that felt like a sledgehammer slamming into my side. Pain exploded across my ribs, and I heard it¡ªa sickening crack.

    I hit the ground hard, my breath wheezing out in a sharp gasp. My vision swam, and for a moment, all I could process was pain. White-hot, blinding pain blooming across my torso like wildfire.

    The boy was standing¡ªstanding!¡ªpolearm in hand, blood dripping from his nose and mouth, staining the collar of his clothes. His swollen eye was nearly shut, his breathing ragged, but his expression was clear and sharp. The haze that had clouded his gaze before was gone. Whatever fog I¡¯d put him under had cleared, and now he looked at me like I was an actual threat.

    His grip on the polearm tightened, his knuckles white around the shaft of the weapon. His eyes were locked onto me¡ªnot with anger or hatred, but with something colder. Determination.

    Move, Peter. Move!

    I forced my legs to obey, rolling to the side just as the polearm came down, embedding itself into the dirt where my head had been moments before. Dust scattered into the air, and I coughed violently as I scrambled back to my feet.

    Pain flared up my side again¡ªevery breath, every movement sent sharp spikes of agony radiating through my chest. But I couldn¡¯t stop. Not now.

    He pulled his weapon free with a grunt, his feet shifting with practiced ease as he reset his stance. For a brief second, neither of us moved. We just stared at each other across the uneven forest floor, the tension between us sharp enough to cut steel.

    He lunged again, the polearm sweeping horizontally with a blur of motion. I ducked low, the blade passing inches above my head. Using the momentum of my crouch, I surged forward and slammed my shoulder into his chest.

    It wasn¡¯t graceful. It wasn¡¯t clean. But it worked.

    He stumbled back, his footing breaking for just a second. It was enough.

    I grabbed his polearm with one hand and shoved it downward, locking it against my hip. With my other hand, I balled up my fist and swung upward, catching him under the chin with a sharp, desperate punch.

    His head snapped back, and he staggered, but he didn¡¯t fall.

    Why won¡¯t he fall?! Are stats really this ridiculous?

    I focused. With a shaky inhale, I pulled at the energy in my shoulder reservoir, feeling it flood into my arm like liquid fire. My muscles burned as the power surged through them, and for one fleeting moment, I felt strong.

    He lunged at me again, polearm stabbing forward like a snake. But this time, I was ready.

    I sidestepped, grabbed the shaft with both hands, and yanked.

    The polearm slipped free from his grip and clattered uselessly to the ground. His eyes widened in shock, and in that brief moment of hesitation, I stepped forward.

    My knee drove into his stomach with every ounce of strength I could muster.

    He doubled over with a sharp gasp, his knees hitting the ground. I could see the fight leave his eyes¡ªsee the exhaustion, the pain, the reality of his injuries catching up to him all at once.

    I stumbled back, clutching my ribs as every breath felt like dragging shards of glass through my lungs. My vision blurred around the edges, and my legs trembled with the effort of holding me upright.

    He stayed down.

    A  horn blared above us¡ªa sharp, final sound that signaled the end of the match.

    Continuing the fight will result in severe punishment. Winner: Late Bloomer. Please return to the elevator and the result will be recorded on your orb.

    I struggled to my feet, every movement sending sharp, fiery jolts of pain through my ribs. My breaths came shallow, each one barely pulling enough air into my lungs.

    Stumbling backward, I glanced one last time at the crumpled, unmoving form of the boy lying in the dirt behind me. His chest rose and fell faintly, proof that he was still alive. But the image of his bloodied face, swollen and smeared with red, was burned into my mind.

    The stone doors of the elevator slid shut with a dull thud, sealing me away from the arena. The world outside disappeared as the platform began to ascend.

    I slumped down against the cold wall, my legs giving out beneath me as I stared down at my trembling hands¡ªhands still stained with his blood.

    In this world, this is normal. One day, I¡¯ll go to war. One day, this might not even bother me. But right now¡­ this felt so wrong. And yet, it was just the beginning. The first step down a road I wasn¡¯t sure I wanted to walk.

    A hollow chuckle escaped me, sharp and humorless. ¡°Thea¡¯s gonna be pissed,¡± I muttered, wincing as the motion jarred my ribs.

    I let my head fall back against the wall, eyes fluttering shut as exhaustion threatened to pull me under.

    ¡°At least Elric can finish his mission.¡±

 Chapter 12: Shattered Ribs and Quiet Nights

    Before the door opened, I pulled out my orb in preparation for the attendant.

    When the doors slid apart, two healers were already standing beside the attendant, their expressions set in thinly veiled annoyance. With an extremely manly grunt, definitely not a whimper, I stood and hobbled over.

    I handed over my orb to the attendant while shaking my head at the healers, refusing their services before they could even offer. They exchanged exasperated glances but backed off, muttering under their breath as they walked away.

    ¡°Since you are bottom rank, you win ten points for your victory. Nine more wins, and you advance to the next rank,¡± the attendant droned, tapping my orb before handing it back.

    The glowing green numbers flickered¡ª285.

    ¡°Peter?¡±

    I turned and spotted Elric approaching, eyes wide with concern. With his slightly ethereal features and the light behind him, he looked suspiciously like some kind of angelic figure.

    ¡°You need some help?¡± he asked softly.

    As the epitome of strength and resilience, I responded, ¡°Yes, please. It really hurts.¡±

    Two pairs of sharp eyes snapped toward us¡ªthe healers who had been about to leave froze mid-step and turned back.

    ¡°Elric? What do you think you¡¯re doing?¡± one of them snapped, their voices sharp with disdain.

    Before Elric could respond, they surrounded him. I tried to step forward, but my ribs reminded me just how fragile I was at the moment.

    ¡°You think you can just go around stealing our work? Offering charity healing like some kind of saint?¡±

    They stepped closer, their voices dropping to angry whispers. But before things could escalate, the attendant¡¯s voice cut through the tension.

    ¡°If you start a fight outside of a challenge, you will be heavily punished. Go back to whatever you were doing.¡±

    The healers hesitated, weighing their options, before letting out a synchronized huff and storming away.

    ¡°Elric¡­ help,¡± I croaked, clutching my ribs.

    Before Elric could step in, an elevator nearby dinged, and the doors opened to reveal a steely-eyed Thea stepping out.

    ¡°Oh¡­ crap,¡± I muttered under my breath.

    She was spotless, confirming my suspicion that she had immediately surrendered her match. Her orb flickered as she handed it to the attendant, dropping her total to 285, matching mine.

    Her storm-gray eyes locked onto me as she strode over, and for a second, I wasn¡¯t sure if the emotion in them was anger, worry, or a fun mix of both.

    ¡°You promised,¡± she said firmly before her gaze dropped to my hands. Her shoulders relaxed slightly, her voice softer now. ¡°Are you okay?¡±

    I swallowed hard and avoided looking at my hands, still smeared with drying blood. ¡°Yeah, it¡¯s um¡­ not mine. But I can barely stand.¡±

    She sighed heavily, stepping beside me and offering her shoulder for support. ¡°Next time, don¡¯t lie to me.¡±

    ¡°Yeah, I promise,¡± I said with a weak smile.

    ¡°Is that supposed to be funny?¡± she shot back, her eyes narrowing. Considering I¡¯d already broken one promise today, fair point.

    Wisely, I decided not to respond.

    Elric finally spoke up, a flicker of annoyance crossing his delicate features. ¡°I¡¯m done watching you two flirt¡ª¡±

    ¡°We¡¯re not¡ª¡± Thea and I said in unison.

    He held up a hand, cutting us off. ¡°Whatever. Let¡¯s move. I can treat Peter now, but then I need to sign up for my own match. I only have one effective healing spell, and it¡¯s¡­ not pleasant. You won¡¯t be okay for a couple of days, at least.¡±

    He glanced down at my side and then at my hand. ¡°Your ribs are probably cracked, and you¡¯ve definitely busted up a couple of knuckles. Continued treatment will help, but you¡¯re sitting out your next few matches.¡±

    His expression sharpened, turning downright demonic despite his angelic face. ¡°And if you refuse to surrender next time¡ªno healing.¡±

    His smile was bright and sweet, but it held all the warmth of an ice storm. I gulped and nodded while Thea openly snickered beside me.

    We found a quieter spot against a side wall, away from most of the foot traffic. Elric motioned for me to sit, and I did¡ªgratefully.

    He raised both hands over me, his palms glowing with a pale white light. The soft sparkles of energy danced around me, gentle and warm at first. But then¡ª

    ¡°Gah! Ow!¡± I yelped as a searing, grinding pain spread through my ribs and hand. It felt like my bones were rearranging themselves, grinding together like rusty gears. My breath hitched, stolen from me entirely.

    And then, just as suddenly, it stopped.

    ¡°Elric!¡± I wheezed. ¡°What was that?!¡±

    He gave me a polite, unbothered smile¡ªsomehow both angelic and completely demonic. ¡°Look forward to two more days of that. And thanks for letting me finish my mission.¡±

    Yep. Definitely a demon in disguise.

    Thea, on the other hand, seemed far more relaxed now. ¡°Thanks, Elric. Go ahead and register. We¡¯ll wait here.¡±

    She turned her storm-gray gaze back to me. ¡°And you¡¯re not going to be dumb enough to try fighting again anytime soon¡­ right?¡±

    Elric nodded and walked off toward the registration desk, leaving me sitting against the wall like some discarded ragdoll.

    Thea plopped down beside me with a smug grin. ¡°You looked like one of those red berries about to pop.¡±

    ¡°Yeah, yeah, laugh it up,¡± I grumbled. ¡°I deserved it for lying. Now, help me up.¡±

    She hauled me upright, and I leaned against the wall for support.

    ¡°I actually want to buy a couple of things while we¡¯re here,¡± I said, changing the subject. ¡°Hopefully, they¡¯re not too expensive.¡±

    ¡°Like what?¡± Thea asked, tilting her head slightly.

    ¡°An actual blanket, a pillow, and¡ªif this world has something similar¡ªa sleeping bag.¡±

    Her eyes lit up at that. ¡°Oh! And a tent, maybe¡ªbecause if it rains, sleeping outside won¡¯t be fun. Oh, and bags to carry our stuff.¡±

    She started rattling off a growing list of items. A desk somehow made it onto her wishlist, and honestly, I was starting to lose track.

    ¡°¡­and paper and a pen,¡± she finished. ¡°That way, I can write out the letters for you, and you can study them on your own.¡±

    I gave her a flat look. ¡°You¡¯re planning on turning our campsite into some sort of inn, aren¡¯t you?¡±

    She grinned innocently. ¡°You say that like it¡¯s a bad thing.¡±

    I sighed, rubbing my temple lightly. But honestly? A good blanket didn¡¯t sound half bad right now.

    And with that, we leaned against the wall together, letting the faint hum of the Hall¡¯s bustle wash over us while waiting for Elric to return.This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.

    Pretty soon, Elric returned¡ªlooking completely unharmed, not a scratch on him. Honestly, it was a little unfair. I was still leaning against the wall, trying not to breathe too deeply in case my ribs decided to remind me of their current fragile state.

    Naturally, I asked the most important question I could think of: ¡°So, if I¡¯m recovering, I shouldn¡¯t spar anymore, right?¡±

    Elric paused mid-step, blinking at me as if I¡¯d asked whether water was wet. His aquamarine eyes flickered toward Thea, then back to me, and his lips curled into that wickedly angelic smile that somehow always seemed to carry the faintest hint of evil.

    ¡°As long as it¡¯s light sparring, you can handle it,¡± he said cheerfully.

    ¡°Oh¡­ great,¡± I muttered. Meanwhile, Thea grinned like she¡¯d just won the lottery.

    ¡°On that note,¡± I continued quickly, hoping to shift topics before Thea dragged me into another round of bruised ribs, ¡°we should probably buy some things.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s alright, you two go ahead,¡± Elric said, raising his hands slightly like he was surrendering. ¡°I need to take care of some business back at the healer''s camp.¡±

    I squinted at him, suspicion prickling at the back of my mind. ¡°You gonna be okay? Those guys didn¡¯t seem particularly friendly before.¡±

    Elric laughed lightly, and despite the charming sound, I refused to be tricked by that pop-star smile. I could see through it now.

    ¡°With the instructor around? No one¡¯s going to try anything. Messing with her or breaking her rules¡­ well, let¡¯s just say it¡¯s not something most people would risk. You two have fun shopping. Bye!¡±

    And with that, he turned and walked off, his dark hair catching in the soft light filtering from above.

    I crossed my arms and watched him go, only to notice something else¡ªa subtle pattern in the crowd. Specifically, the number of girls watching him.

    Wait¡­ were they giggling? Were they actually¡ªoh come on!

    ¡°Are there¡­ maybe too many female recruits looking at him?¡± I said slowly, my voice tinged with disbelief.

    Thea¡¯s smirk was instant, and far too satisfied. ¡°I think there are a couple of other reasons he¡¯s safe at camp¡­ and why the guys aren¡¯t exactly friendly toward him.¡±

    I let out a small grumble, something unintelligible and vaguely caveman-like, as I watched yet another girl sneak a glance at Elric before whispering something to her friend.

    Look, it¡¯s not that I was jealous or anything. It¡¯s just¡­ okay, fine. Maybe I was a little annoyed. Why did Elric get to float around like some ethereal angel while I was here, covered in bruises and barely able to stand straight without wincing?

    ¡°Come on,¡± I said with a sigh, nudging Thea forward. ¡°Let¡¯s buy what we need before Elric starts collecting love letters or something.¡±

    Thea snorted at that, but thankfully, she didn¡¯t press the subject further.

    We wandered around the outer ring of the coliseum, passing by tightly packed market stalls and larger storefronts built directly into the stone walls. Everything was bustling with activity¡ªrecruits haggling over gear, attendants carrying boxes of supplies, and a few street food vendors grilling up skewers of something that smelled amazing but probably wasn¡¯t anything I¡¯d eaten back home.

    We managed to check off most of our shopping list¡ªblankets, pillows, basic camping supplies, and even what passed for a sleeping bag in this world.

    Oh, and food.

    Glorious, glorious food.

    After absolutely starving all day, we stopped by one of the vendors and bought more skewers than was probably reasonable. Meat, vegetables, some sort of grilled fruit that tasted way better than it looked¡ªit was all incredible.

    For a while, we didn¡¯t talk much, just ate and walked, the sounds of the bustling market filling the air around us.

    It was one of those rare, fleeting moments of peace. And honestly? I was starting to realize just how much I appreciated them.

    But something told me this calm wouldn¡¯t last forever.

    ¡°Alright,¡± Thea said around a mouthful of whatever delicious mystery meat was on her skewer. ¡°What¡¯s left on our list, Rube?¡±

    I rolled my eyes but smirked anyway. ¡°Paper and a pen. Apparently, you¡¯ve taken it upon yourself to become my personal tutor.¡±

    ¡°Oh, I have,¡± she said confidently. ¡°You¡¯re going to know how to read if it kills me.¡±

    ¡°Or me,¡± I muttered under my breath.

    She laughed, and for a brief moment, the tension of the day melted away.

    It was nice.

    We made one last stop to buy the writing materials, simple parchment and a pen, and finally left the Hall of Heroes with our orbs showing an even 200 points each.

    Honestly, I was still struggling to understand how people managed to survive here as beginners. Everything cost points. Breathing probably cost points if you did it wrong. Maybe those guilds were worth looking into¡ªif they actually offered real benefits. But then again, after seeing how the Healer''s Guild operated¡­ yeah, hard pass for now.

    Once again, we found ourselves walking back to camp under a sky blanketed with stars, their light scattered across the night like shards of glass. No matter how many times I saw it, the sheer depth of it all left me feeling small, in the best way possible.

    The packs on our backs felt heavier with every step, despite my best efforts at circulating internal strength to ease the burden. My ribs still protested every breath¡ªcracked, bruised, or outright broken, I couldn¡¯t tell. Elric had been clear: proper healing wasn¡¯t a simple thing, and it wasn¡¯t instant. But even so, this was still miles faster than recovery back home.

    I flexed my hands, glancing at the faint outline of my knuckles in the dim light. I¡¯d washed them back at the Hall, and what I found beneath the crusted blood wasn¡¯t pretty. They were raw, swollen, and bruised¡ªprobably way worse before Elric¡¯s spell. Note to self: get some wrappings and gloves tomorrow before the fight. The fight I will definitely surrender, I reminded myself firmly.

    Thea¡¯s voice pulled me from my thoughts. ¡°Wanna finish up the upper body reservoirs tonight?¡±

    ¡°Yeah,¡± I said, adjusting the weight of my pack with a wince, ¡°but let¡¯s at least set up our luxurious bedding first.¡±

    A thought struck me, and I glanced at her. ¡°Actually, considering we¡¯re all new recruits¡­ maybe we shouldn¡¯t flaunt our, uh, wealth.¡±

    We both stopped walking, standing in the quiet chill of the night as the two tents loomed in the distance.

    Woods?¡± Thea offered after a beat.

    ¡°Is it safe, though?¡± I countered. ¡°Plus, we¡¯d need to figure out how to wake up on time for morning training.¡±

    She frowned thoughtfully. ¡°Okay, maybe it¡¯s better to just keep our stuff hidden under the beds and use those sleeping bags on the hay. Keep it subtle, you know?¡±

    I nodded slowly. ¡°That could work. But¡­ I didn¡¯t get any earplugs. So unless we want to get jolted awake by every snorer, sneezer, or sleep-talker in camp, I¡¯m leaning toward the edge of the woods, right next to camp. We¡¯ll still hear the horn easily. Unless it rains. Then I¡¯ll brave the snores.¡±

    Thea smirked slightly and nodded. ¡°Edge of the woods then. We can cultivate, avoid the snores, and keep our method secret.¡±

    ¡°Well, until you get your system in a few days,¡± I reminded her. ¡°Speaking of which¡­ when exactly is your eighteenth?¡±

    ¡°After today, just two more days,¡± she said, her voice softer than usual. ¡°Then, unless I¡¯m actually a Late Bloomer, I¡¯ll get my system. And unless I somehow get a tank blessing, I¡¯ll be heading out.¡±

    I nodded, feeling a knot tighten in my stomach at the thought. ¡°Then let¡¯s try to finish the Spiritual Reservoir Formation stage before that. See if we can push further.¡±

    ¡°Sounds good.¡±

    The edge of the woods was quieter than camp, the distant sound of crackling fires and faint murmurs just background noise here. It felt secluded but not isolated¡ªa perfect balance.

    I was too exhausted to deal with setting up my tent. Instead, I just dropped my pack, kicked out my sleeping bag, and flopped onto it with zero ceremony. Thea, on the other hand, went all out. She unrolled her sleeping bag neatly, arranged a pillow, set up her tent properly, and even fluffed it up a bit before sitting down cross-legged beside it.

    ¡°Showoff,¡± I muttered from my sprawled position on the ground.

    ¡°Lazy,¡± she shot back with a smirk.

    Once we were both settled, we started cultivating. The familiar hum of energy settled over us, and I sank into the focused rhythm of forming reservoirs¡ªdelicate, thread-like structures weaving under my skin, locking into place, and then being refined through spars, and consolidated over and over again.

    It was exhausting and painstaking work, but the difference it made was undeniable.

    Several hours passed like that¡ªThea and I both finishing the first lower body reservoir, one entire leg and moving on to the knee of the other. It felt tangible now, the end of this stage was in sight, and with it, the start of something entirely new.

    We finally let ourselves collapse back onto the ground, panting softly in the cool night air. My muscles ached, and every breath still twinged my ribs, but the progress felt real.

    Between gasps, I spoke, ¡°So tomorrow, we¡¯re going to have to invent the next step.¡±

    ¡°Yeah,¡± Thea replied between her own breaths, her gray eyes glinting faintly in the moonlight. ¡°I can¡¯t wait. Making our own cultivation method. One that could actually change our stats permanently.¡±

    She started to ramble, her excitement bubbling over into a half-coherent string of theories and possibilities¡ªmerging systems with cultivation, manipulating energy flows in ways no one else had thought of, maybe even creating hybrid skill sets.

    Honestly? I didn¡¯t catch all of it, but I didn¡¯t mind. Listening to her enthusiasm, seeing how her eyes practically glowed when she spoke about cultivation, made it worth it.

    But eventually¡­ eventually, I grew tired. Just a little, I swear.

    ¡°Thea?¡± I called out from my sleeping bag, my voice muffled slightly by the fabric.

    She stopped mid-sentence. ¡°What?¡±

    ¡°Can you show me the letters now?¡±

    ¡°Oh¡ªright!¡± She scrambled for the parchment and pen from her pack. ¡°Yeah, let me write them out. I¡¯ll show you how they sound, and there are accent marks to change the sounds too.¡±

    She began sketching out the letters on the parchment, explaining each one and how they were pronounced. It felt oddly peaceful¡ªthe quiet forest around us, the faint crackle of distant fires, and Thea¡¯s steady voice breaking down something so simple yet entirely foreign to me.

    The night passed like that¡ªme clumsily repeating the sounds she made, her correcting me with patient amusement, and the two of us getting caught up in the small moment of normalcy.

    Before I knew it we passed out and a sharp, blaring horn split through the air, dragging us both roughly back into reality.

    The sky was streaked with faint hues of dawn, and the chill of morning crept into my sleeping bag.

    I groaned into my pillow, clutching it dramatically. ¡°Noooo, five more minutes.¡±

    Thea kicked the side of my sleeping bag. ¡°Up. Now. Don¡¯t make me drag you.¡±

    And just like that, the day began again.

 Chapter 13: Beyond the Breaking Point

    The morning unfolded in a familiar rhythm: the usual run to the forest clearing, followed by the daily choice¡ªscavenge for resources in the woods or take another lesson in survival. Once again, the only ones opting for the latter were Thea and me.

    The commander¡ªI really need to figure out if he has a name or if family names are even a thing here. Mental note: ask Thea about that¡ªanyway, the commander taught us more about identifying useful plants and starting fires.

    Fire-starting, by the way? Way harder than it looks. Sure, I was stronger and faster now, which definitely helped with using a fire drill, but without a proper thread to keep the spindle steady, it felt like I needed turbo-charged hands just to make a spark. And tinder? Turns out it¡¯s a lot easier to prepare when you have a knife¡ªsomething neither Thea nor I currently owned.

    Add that to the ever-growing shopping list.

    The commander dismissed us early, leaving Thea and me with plenty of time to focus on finishing the final stages of our cultivation method.

    ¡°Thea?¡± I started as we walked back to our usual spot. ¡°What¡¯s your last name?¡±

    She blinked at me, tilting her head. ¡°Last name?¡±

    ¡°You know, like a family name¡ªsomething everyone in your family shares. Do people here have those?¡± I clarified.

    Her face lit up with realization. ¡°Oh, yeah! Sort of. We have them, but they¡¯re only adopted after becoming citizens. You need them for things like buying a house or having kids, so only citizens are allowed to hold family names. Most people take their parents¡¯ name, but if they don¡¯t have one, the state assigns it.¡±

    That was¡­ horrifying. ¡°So, after military service?¡±

    ¡°Yep.¡±

    ¡°Great. Love that. Let¡¯s cultivate.¡± I decided to shut down that train of thought before it spiraled.

    The lesson had been shorter than usual, which gave us extra hours to refine our method. We settled into our cycle¡ªreservoir formation, completion, sparring, and consolidation. Over and over again, we repeated the grueling process, pushing ourselves to the limit as the interconnected reservoirs expanded and solidified within us.

    But as I was finishing the final reservoir in my foot, something¡­ happened.

    For a brief moment, I felt it¡ªa flicker of something beyond the reservoirs. The vast network of energy pathways stretched through my body like veins glowing with internal strength.

    And then¡ªpain.

    It wasn¡¯t the dull ache of overexertion or the sharp sting of injury. No, this felt like my reservoirs were straining¡ªevery thin thread of energy inside me vibrating violently, teetering on the edge of snapping. It was as if the pathways themselves were trying to expand beyond their limits, forcing energy through too-narrow channels like water pressurized against a cracking dam.

    And then, they did expand.

    The thin, thread-like structures began to widen¡ªnot just the larger main pathways, but the tiniest venules stretching to my fingertips, to the tips of my toes, and every inch of my body. They grew until they were as wide as the central channels I¡¯d painstakingly formed earlier. The energy flowed differently now¡ªnot trickling, not pulsing, but flooding, rushing with terrifying speed through a network suddenly too vast to be contained.

    Beside me, Thea¡¯s sharp, ragged gasps were punctuated by what I could only describe as choked-off screams. I didn¡¯t dare glance over; I couldn¡¯t. If I lost focus for even a second, I felt like my body might shatter into a thousand glass shards under the force of whatever was happening inside me.

    Heavy, thundering footsteps approached. They were distant and muffled, as if the world had been wrapped in cotton. I could only assume it was the commander, but his words¡ªif he spoke¡ªwere lost to the chaos inside my head.

    And then¡­ the final extremity expanded.

    The flood of energy reached every corner, every capillary-like thread in my reservoirs. And with it, the pain vanished.

    It was like surfacing from beneath deep water and taking my first desperate gasp of air. My lungs filled fully, easily, as if every breath carried more oxygen than it should.

    Sound sharpened¡ªnot louder, but clearer. The distant hum of insects, the faint rustle of leaves in the wind, the rhythmic thud of my own heartbeat¡ªthey layered together, distinct yet harmonious. Somewhere nearby, a droplet of water fell from a leaf, and I swear I could hear it splash against the soil.

    But it wasn¡¯t overwhelming. It wasn¡¯t chaos. It was¡­ calm. A stillness wrapped in clarity.

    I opened my eyes, blinking against the sudden sharpness of the world.

    Colors weren¡¯t just colors¡ªthey were vivid, alive, etched into my vision with impossible detail. Every leaf on every branch seemed unique, their edges razor-sharp against the pale morning light. A tiny insect I couldn¡¯t identify crawled along a nearby rock, and I could see the glimmer of its antennae twitching in the light.

    For just a moment¡ªso brief it could have been a heartbeat¡ªeverything slowed. A single leaf drifted down from a tree branch above, twirling in the faint breeze. I followed its path with perfect clarity, every rotation, every tiny bounce as it hit the air currents below.

    And then the world resumed its natural rhythm.

    I gasped softly, my breath fogging faintly in the cool morning air. My body felt stable, the energy flowing smoothly¡ªno longer a chaotic flood, but a steady river coursing through channels reinforced by whatever had just happened.

    Slowly, I flexed my fingers, watching as the muscles responded with perfect precision. I could feel the subtle shifts in tension, the faint vibration of each tendon beneath my skin.

    Beside me, Thea let out a shaky exhale, her voice quiet but sharp. ¡°What¡­ what was that?¡±

    I swallowed hard, still staring at my trembling hands, feeling the faint hum of energy thrumming beneath my skin.

    ¡°I don¡¯t know,¡± I said softly. ¡°But I think¡­ we just finished the first step.¡±

    The commander stood over us, arms crossed and an eyebrow raised. His sharp eyes flicked between Thea and me, taking in our exhausted forms and, no doubt, the bewildered looks on our faces.

    ¡°Are you two okay? Those screams didn¡¯t sound particularly pleasant.¡±

    Thea was the first to recover, nodding firmly despite the faint tremor in her voice. ¡°We¡¯re fine, sir. Thank you for¡­ watching over us. I think¡ªI think the method we invented changed something in us. And unfortunately, it wasn¡¯t very pleasant.¡±

    ¡°Changed?¡± The commander¡¯s brows furrowed. ¡°You didn¡¯t mention anything about change yesterday.¡±

    I cleared my throat and stepped in before Thea could respond. ¡°We didn¡¯t know about it until now. We thought we were just forming reservoirs, building pathways for internal strength.¡± I hesitated, trying to piece together the right words for something I barely understood myself. ¡°But it feels¡­ different now. Like there¡¯s this massive, main channel running through us¡ªsomething bigger than before. Everything feels sharper, more¡­ connected. I can¡¯t explain it.¡±

    I let out a slow breath, my chest rising and falling as the residual tension faded. Then, an idea sparked, and I couldn¡¯t help the sly grin that crept across my face.

    ¡°Maybe, sir, if you get to this point soon, you¡¯ll understand. And trust me, you¡¯re definitely going to want the next step.¡±

    The commander¡¯s eyes narrowed slightly, and for a moment, I thought I might have overstepped. But instead of anger, his lips twitched upward into something dangerously close to amusement.

    ¡°You already have the next step figured out?¡± he asked, his tone sharp but playful.

    I froze. ¡°Uh¡­ um¡­¡± Words failed me as I scrambled for something¡ªanything¡ªto say.

    And then, the commander did something I absolutely did not expect.

    He threw his head back and roared with laughter.

    It wasn¡¯t a polite chuckle or a reserved smirk. No, this was full-bodied, uproarious laughter that echoed through the clearing and probably scared away every bird within a hundred yards.

    ¡°You kids are something else,¡± he said, wiping a tear from the corner of his eye as he caught his breath. ¡°Inventing methods, pushing yourselves to the edge, and now trying to bargain with me about the next step. I like it.¡±Did you know this text is from a different site? Read the official version to support the creator.

    He paused, his smile softening just slightly. ¡°But listen here¡ªyou¡¯d better come up with that next step soon. I¡¯ve got plenty of free time to train, and trust me, I¡¯ll catch up to you faster than you think. And if you don¡¯t have anything by then¡­ well, let¡¯s just say there¡¯ll be no payment for your little invention.¡±

    Thea and I snapped to attention instinctively.

    ¡°Yes, sir!¡± we said in unison, our voices loud and clear.

    ¡°Get back to it then,¡± the commander said, his grin lingering for a moment longer before he turned on his heel and began walking away, his boots crunching lightly against the forest floor.

    ¡°Let¡¯s explore the change first,¡± I said, looking over at Thea, who was practically vibrating with excitement. Her storm-gray eyes were alight with the curiosity of someone who had just discovered a new world. ¡°I know you¡¯re excited, Grandmaster Thea, but we should first make sure nothing¡¯s, you know¡­ wrong.¡±

    She deflated slightly, crossing her arms, but after a brief pause, nodded. ¡°Fine. Safety first.¡±

    We both resumed our steady breathing, slipping back into the familiar rhythm of focus and circulation. But as soon as I felt the flow of energy within me, I noticed two things: one very good and one very bad.

    Good news? The energy moved effortlessly now, gliding through me like a river on a clear day. It was miles¡ªno, galaxies¡ªeasier than before. Bad news? The Spiritual Reservoir Formation method was designed to create storage points¡ªnodes of condensed internal strength meant for quick bursts of power during a fight. It was supposed to allow us to stop focusing on energy flow during combat.

    But now? Now everything had changed. The reservoirs we had spent hours painstakingly crafting were gone¡ªreplaced by a vast, singular pathway. A Grand Channel. Yeah, that had a nice ring to it. I¡¯d ask Thea later, it was my turn to name something after all.

    The Grand Channel was smooth, uninterrupted. Energy flowed easily, but the problem was clear: if I stopped actively directing it, the energy just¡­ settled. It went right back to circulating aimlessly around the focus point, as if our hard work had been wiped clean.

    ¡°Thea?¡± I said, my voice low.

    ¡°Yeah, I know.¡± Her usual spark had dimmed, her shoulders slumping slightly.

    We sat there in silence, two geniuses stumped by our own brilliance. For every step forward, it felt like we¡¯d taken another right back.

    ¡°You know,¡± I started, trying to sound more confident than I felt, ¡°maybe we could just¡­ try making our cores. I mean, that¡¯s the next logical step, right?¡±

    She mulled it over, biting her lip. ¡°I guess that¡¯s fine. The energy moves so much easier now, and theoretically, we both have enough to start forming one. But¡­ I don¡¯t want to abandon this path just to move forward faster. This transformation¡ªit¡¯s new. I¡¯ve never read about anything like this before. We could be on the edge of something huge.¡±

    She was right. I nodded. ¡°Yeah, you¡¯re right. We shouldn¡¯t rush it.¡±

    ¡°Maybe we could just try to pool the energy again?¡± she suggested. ¡°Maybe reservoirs are just¡­ harder to make now?¡±

    It wasn¡¯t a bad idea. And honestly, I didn¡¯t have a better one. ¡°Sure, we can try,¡± I said, though I wasn¡¯t feeling particularly optimistic.

    We closed our eyes, settling back into meditation. The familiar pulse of world energy surrounded us, thick and ever-present. I reached out for it, drawing it into myself.

    And then¡ªsomething strange happened.

    The nausea I had come to expect from absorbing too much world energy didn¡¯t hit me. Instead, the energy flowed in smoothly, seamlessly merging into my Grand Channel. My internal strength didn¡¯t resist it; it just sank in, spreading outward, filling me like water pouring into an endless reservoir.

    It was spreading.

    My eyes flew open. ¡°Thea!¡± I shouted.

    She flinched, her concentration breaking. ¡°I know, it¡¯s pointless. I can¡¯t use my internal strength to make a new rese¡ª¡±

    ¡°No!¡± I cut her off, shaking my head so hard my neck almost protested. ¡°Just cultivate. Absorb world energy.¡±

    She hesitated, her brow furrowed in doubt. ¡°But we¡¯re at our limit, Peter. We can¡¯t grow our internal strength any further right now.¡±

    ¡°Trust me,¡± I said, and something in my face¡ªor maybe just the manic energy radiating off me¡ªmust have convinced her.

    She closed her eyes, focused, and then¡ª

    Her head snapped back up, her mouth wide open in shock.

    And then she screamed.

    Loud enough to shatter glass, loud enough to wake whatever ancient forest spirit might¡¯ve been napping nearby.

    ¡°WE ARE A RESERVOIR!¡± she yelled, her voice cracking with equal parts joy and disbelief.

    The commander glanced at us one last time before letting out a chuckle, a sound I could clearly hear despite the growing distance as he walked back to whatever he was doing.

    ¡°Peter! This is amazing!¡± Thea practically vibrated with excitement, her storm-gray eyes wide. ¡°We can just sit, absorb world energy, train to fuse it, and fill our, um¡ª¡±

    ¡°Grand Channel,¡± I supplied with a grin.

    She smiled brightly, nodding. ¡°Right! Fill our Grand Channel to the max.¡±

    ¡°Well, it¡¯s great that we have something,¡± I said, already settling back into position. ¡°Let¡¯s see how much we can take in.¡±

    We both resumed cultivating, letting the world energy pour into us. But the strangest thing? It didn¡¯t stop. Not once did I feel like I was reaching my limit, not even the faintest sense of that dreadful popping feeling.

    Eventually, though, it did stop¡ªnot because of discomfort, but because my Grand Channel was completely full. There wasn¡¯t an ounce more energy I could absorb. It felt¡­ heavy, in a good way, like being filled with pure potential energy silently moving around the body, and it was circulating on its own, with no focus required.

    The original internal strength circulated nearer to the focus point¡ªwater compared to the oil-like world energy now packed around it. But I already knew how to fix this. And for once, filled to the brim with power, I was thrilled at the thought of sparring.

    I jumped to my feet, and Thea was already standing there, practically bouncing on the balls of her feet.

    ¡°Still injured,¡± I reminded her, holding up a finger. ¡°Elric said gentle sparring.¡±

    She nodded sagely¡­ but the manic grin on her face told me the message might not have landed. Not that it mattered¡ªI was lying anyway. Whatever transformation we¡¯d undergone had healed me. I felt brand new, like every bruise and ache had been smoothed over by molten gold.

    What followed was insane.

    We clashed¡ªfaster, harder, and sharper than ever before. Every step, every strike, every dodge felt explosive. I didn¡¯t have to think about moving energy through my body; it was already there. The power responded to my instincts instantly, without delay.

    But there was a catch.

    Despite our ferocity, despite the sparks that practically flew between us as we exchanged blows, only some of the world energy was fusing into our internal strength. Some. Not all. Not even most.

    Eventually, we collapsed onto the grass, panting, sweat dripping from our brows.

    Thea spoke first, her voice breathless. ¡°How much did you retain?¡±

    I frowned, closing my eyes and focusing inward. The reservoir-like sensation of the Grand Channel was still there, but it felt¡­ emptier.

    ¡°If I had to guess, my Grand Channel¡±¡ªI said the name proudly, savoring how it rolled off my tongue like fine honey. Thea rolled her eyes, but the small grin gave her away¡ª¡°now feels about¡­ ten percent full. Just barely spreading past the focal point.¡±

    She nodded, wiping a strand of chestnut hair from her face. ¡°Same. Although it isn¡¯t exactly a new technique, it is a new stage. Let¡¯s call it the Energy Gathering Stage.¡±

    ¡°Simple,¡± I said with mock disappointment.

    ¡°Descriptive,¡± she shot back, raising an eyebrow.

    And¡­ well, she wasn¡¯t wrong.

    It wasn¡¯t a perfect step forward. But it was something. And something was better than nothing.

    Before we could discuss more, the horn blared¡ªa sharp, grating sound that felt ten times worse with my newly enhanced hearing. I winced, clapping my hands over my ears. Thankfully, it seemed my eardrums had toughened up as well, because they didn¡¯t immediately shatter from the force.

    The tank instructor made his rounds, quickly allotting points for the day and dismissing us without much ceremony.

    As we made our way back toward the Hall, a nagging worry crept into my chest. Elric had said camp would be fine, but what about the outside? Inside the arena, there were attendants keeping everyone in line, but out here? It was just recruits and whatever fragile power dynamics existed between them.

    But contrary to my expectations¡ªand my anxiety¡ªElric wasn¡¯t in danger. No, in fact, he was standing near the Hall entrance, very clearly being protected.

    Two girls, both in healer robes, stood in front of him, blocking a group of three guys who looked just about ready to start throwing punches. Elric, for his part, hovered behind the girls, looking meek, though his aquamarine eyes flickered with a quiet kind of patience.

    ¡°You¡¯re just mad because Elric¡¯s a nicer person than all of you combined!¡± one of the girls shouted, her voice sharp with righteous fury.

    ¡°Not to mention, you¡¯re jealous,¡± the other added, her arms crossed tightly over her chest as she leaned into the confrontation.

    ¡°He broke our rules!¡± one of the guys snapped back, his face red with frustration.

    The taller girl stepped forward, her voice cold and razor-sharp. ¡°Oh, you mean that rule? The one where you don¡¯t talk about causing more harm than good? Please. You¡¯re a disgrace to the Healers'' Guild.¡±

    Oof. That hit hard enough to leave bruises.

    The three guys hesitated, glancing at each other and then at the crowd forming nearby. They must¡¯ve realized they weren¡¯t going to win this particular argument, because they turned on their heels and walked away in a huff.

    Elric sighed and smiled at the two girls. ¡°Thanks, Penny, Sam. I really appreciate it.¡±

    I swear the two of them almost fainted at that deceptively angelic smile of his. I could practically hear the mental squee! from where I was standing.

    I¡¯m not saying it got under my skin or anything, but we had things to do, and it felt like a good time to remind Elric we existed.

    ¡°Elric!¡± I called out, waving an arm. Definitely not ruining a moment. Absolutely not interfering with whatever sparkly aura he seemed to generate around these girls.

    Both Penny and Sam turned their heads sharply in my direction, and I was pretty sure they were glaring at me. Could¡¯ve just been my imagination. Could¡¯ve also not been.

    Elric¡¯s face lit up when he saw us, his eyes practically glowing. ¡°Peter! Thea! I¡¯m so happy to see you.¡±

    We walked over, and Penny¡ªstill a bit tense¡ªtilted her head toward us. ¡°Are they your friends?¡±

    Elric nodded, his voice soft but warm. ¡°Yeah, they¡¯ve helped me a lot. Don¡¯t worry, we¡¯ll talk more back at camp. You two should get back to your guild duties.¡±

    They looked visibly disappointed, their shoulders drooping just a bit. But when Elric gave them one of his signature smiles and waved, they managed a weak goodbye before walking off, stealing glances back at him as they disappeared into the crowd.

    Thea leaned over to me, whispering under her breath, ¡°I knew he had a fan club.¡±

 Chapter 14: A Lesson in Stone and Blood

    The three of us headed inside to grab a training room and start another cultivation session.

    ¡°So, Elric,¡± I started, tilting my head toward him, ¡°since you finished your last system quest by torturing me, have you gotten anything new?¡±

    He shook his head, that annoyingly angelic smile creeping across his face. ¡°No, not yet. But I¡¯m sure when I level up my abilities more, they¡¯ll come. So let me keep torturing you.¡±

    There it is again¡ªthat smile. It¡¯s like a puppy trying to convince you it didn¡¯t just destroy your couch.

    He continued, ¡°You two are Late Bloomers, right? Any idea when you might get your systems?¡±

    ¡°No clue,¡± I said with a shrug.

    Thea chimed in, ¡°I should get mine in a couple of days, hopefully.¡±

    At the training desk, I paid this time, dropping my total down to 180.

    Once inside, Thea turned to Elric. ¡°How¡¯s your cultivation progress coming along?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ve finished the first reservoir in my solar plexus, so nine to go. I think I¡¯ll focus on my lower body next since I don¡¯t plan on fighting anytime soon.¡±

    Thea nodded approvingly. ¡°As long as they stay connected from the focus point, I don¡¯t think you need to rush into the shoulders and fists just yet. Peter and I formed ten reservoirs, and honestly, I don¡¯t think there¡¯s much point in going beyond that.¡±

    She then explained the transformation Elric would undergo once he completed all ten reservoirs¡ªthe heightened senses, improved strength, and enhanced reflexes.

    ¡°You mean¡­ you¡¯re physically transformed? Better senses, speed, and strength?¡± Elric asked, his aquamarine eyes wide with interest.

    ¡°That¡¯s right,¡± I said, stretching my shoulders slightly. ¡°But now, we¡¯re in uncharted territory. Since we are the reservoir, and we can completely fill our body with energy, there¡¯s not much point in focusing on improving circulation anymore. Instead, I¡¯ve been thinking¡ªwhat if we find a way to make the energy more powerful where we need it most?¡±

    Thea crossed her arms, her expression thoughtful. ¡°We could try exploring ways to fuse it into our bodies to refine them, but honestly, that idea feels impossible to me. The Grand Channel is¡­ it¡¯s like its own organ. We can use it like a muscle¡ªit flexes, it contracts¡ªbut we can¡¯t just merge it with our bones or our skin. It doesn¡¯t work that way.¡±

    I nodded slowly, the same frustration gnawing at me. The idea of permanently fusing our internal strength into our physical body felt like trying to grip smoke. No matter how hard we focused or how much energy we pushed, it just wouldn¡¯t stick.

    ¡°It¡¯s like¡­¡± I paused, trying to find the right words. ¡°It¡¯s like the Grand Channel is a dam, holding back a lake of energy. If we draw water from that lake and pour it over a patch of dry ground¡ªlike, say, our arms or legs¡ªit¡¯ll soak in for a moment, but eventually, it evaporates. It doesn¡¯t stay. The energy needs the channel to remain stable. Outside of it, it disperses.¡±

    Thea spoke next, ¡°Well, for now, we can just focus on completing the Energy Gathering phase. We¡¯ll think about other techniques while cultivating it.¡±

    And so that¡¯s what we did. Elric practiced his reservoir formation, while Thea and I focused on cultivating¡ªgathering energy into our bodies until they were full. The same routine repeated: spar, consolidate, cultivate again. By the end of the hour, Elric had completed another reservoir, and Thea and I had increased our personal energy in the channel to around twenty percent, filling the rest with world force as an emergency reserve.

    While walking around afterward, a thought struck me. ¡°So, do you think we should get some weapons or tools? Honestly, the arena fights are starting to feel pretty unfair when everyone else has them.¡±

    Elric didn¡¯t stop walking as he answered. ¡°If you join a guild, they usually provide equipment for a monthly fee. But to buy one outright? It¡¯s incredibly expensive. I mean, a basic metal club might not cost more than a couple hundred points, but a magical tool, like a crystal ball¡­¡±

    He trailed off, his voice fading slightly. The unspoken weight of those words hung between us. It wasn¡¯t just about the price¡ªit was about access. He wouldn¡¯t get one, not after being kicked out of the guild. And, honestly, I couldn¡¯t blame him for feeling bitter about it.

    ¡°Alright, we probably have enough points, but it¡¯s best to hold onto them. We need to make sure you can drop out of fights if needed,¡± I said, nodding toward Elric. ¡°Speaking of which¡­¡± I glanced at Thea cautiously. ¡°We¡¯re much stronger now, and we can hold more energy. I think we can stand our ground against bottom-rankers¡ª¡±

    Thea¡¯s sharp glare stopped me mid-sentence, freezing the words in my throat. But then she sighed, her expression softening slightly. ¡°I think you¡¯re right. We should be able to hold our own against fighters and tanks now.¡±

    I grinned, silently celebrating her permission like I¡¯d just been handed the keys to a sports car.

    ¡°But,¡± she continued, and my grin froze in place, ¡°you have to be extremely careful against mages. I¡¯ve heard they cause the most accidental deaths out of anyone.¡±

    Elric nodded, his voice calm but serious. He was quickly becoming my go-to encyclopedia for anything related to the Hall. Honestly, I wouldn¡¯t be surprised if he had done some serious research before arriving here.

    ¡°It depends, really. I mean, it¡¯s hard to cure an icicle spear through the heart¡­ or a bad case of ¡®charred beyond recognition.¡¯¡± He gave a small, dry chuckle. ¡°Some magic is more dangerous than others. But low-rank mages shouldn¡¯t be too deadly. Painful, sure¡ªbut deadly? Less so. Then again, ¡®fire hurts¡¯ isn¡¯t exactly surprising news, right?¡±

    ¡°Well, let¡¯s get it over with then. We can train more, shop, or¡ªmost importantly¡ªeat after the match,¡± I said as we reached the battle registration desk.

    Thea tapped her orb against Elric¡¯s, her points dropping to 195 while his rose to 5. The difference was a little amusing.

    Elric stayed behind as Thea and I registered for our fights. He¡¯d wait until we were done before entering his match¡ªor more accurately, surrendering.

    We sat in silence until Thea¡¯s name was called.

    ¡°Good luck,¡± I said as she stood.

    ¡°Thanks.¡±

    And just like that, she was gone, leaving me alone with Elric in the increasingly stale waiting area.

    ¡°Man, this is taking forever,¡± I groaned, leaning back against the cold stone wall. ¡°I wish we could watch the fights.¡±

    ¡°Oh, we can!¡± Elric said brightly, like he¡¯d just revealed a hidden treasure map.

    ¡°Oh, sweet! Then¡ª¡±

    ¡°For a price.¡±

    Of course.

    I sighed and trudged over to the attendant desk. ¡°How much to watch a bottom-rank fight?¡±

    ¡°Thirty points,¡± she replied curtly, not even looking up.

    I turned right around and plopped back down next to Elric.

    ¡°Too expensive?¡± he asked, his eyes sparkling with amusement.

    ¡°No, I¡¯m sitting down because the prices were reasonable,¡± I deadpanned.

    He let out a light chuckle, and despite everything, I couldn¡¯t help but smirk.

    I heard my name called, and soon I was stepping onto a rocky plateau arena. Jagged spires of stone jutted out at uneven angles, the air sharp with dust and the faint scent of iron. Across from me stood my opponent¡ªa wiry girl clutching an obsidian disk. Her expression was sharp, focused, but beneath it, there was something else. Fear, maybe? Uncertainty?

    ¡°Status!¡± We both called out.

    ¡°Confirmed: Mage Class. Blessing: One with Stone. Confirmed: Late Bloomer. Begin.¡±

    A stone mage. In an arena like this? My odds didn¡¯t look great. I remembered the commander¡¯s advice¡ªobserve, wait, don¡¯t rush in¡ªbut the ground beneath my boots felt far too unstable for patience.If you encounter this story on Amazon, note that it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it.

    The girl didn¡¯t move. Instead, she lifted the obsidian disk. From this distance, my enhanced sight picked up faint ripple-like etchings carved into its surface. Patterns. Not random scratches¡ªdesigns.

    Should I approach? Would charging her give her less time to set up whatever she was planning?

    Before I could decide, glowing brown orbs of light manifested around the disk. They hovered like suspended droplets before streaming toward the etchings, racing along the patterns until they reached the center. As they traveled, they accelerated, like water rushing down narrowing grooves.

    When the disk¡¯s center flared with light, the girl slammed her free hand into the ground.

    The disk went dark.

    And the earth screamed.

    A jagged stone spire erupted inches from where I had been standing, slicing clean through the air as I dove sideways. The shockwave hit me like a hammer, rattling my bones.

    Patience is a luxury I don¡¯t have here.

    I roared and charged, energy coursing through me like molten steel. Either she¡¯d need time to prepare another attack, or I¡¯d die trying to stop her. She wasn¡¯t prepared for speed. My tackle hit her square in the chest, and we crashed to the stone ground. The disk skittered away, landing a few feet to our left.

    She screamed¡ªraw, terrified¡ªand her hands shot up in a pitiful attempt to shield her face. My fist was raised, ready to strike, but I froze mid-swing.

    Tears streaked her dusty cheeks, her lips trembling as she let out a small, choked sob.

    This wasn¡¯t a hardened killer. This wasn¡¯t some adrenaline-pumped warrior. She was terrified.

    ¡°Surrender,¡± I said firmly, my voice sharp but steady.

    She shuddered violently. ¡°I can¡¯t. I don¡¯t have any points left.¡±

    I let out a long breath, feeling the anger bleed out of me. Pushing myself off her, I stood and turned to the unseen sky above us.

    ¡°The match is over! She can¡¯t fight anymore!¡± I shouted.

    Silence.

    I waited, but there was no response¡ªnot from the mechanical voice, not from the arena staff. Nothing.

    ¡°She¡¯s done!¡± I barked again, frustration bubbling up like bile. ¡°What, am I supposed to beat her bloody just so you sick freaks can get your entertainment?¡±

    The silence that followed felt heavy, oppressive. Then, finally, a voice¡ªnot mechanical, but resolute and cold¡ªechoed down from somewhere unseen.

    ¡°We will determine when she is unable to fight.¡±

    The girl¡¯s small frame trembled as she clutched her arms to her chest, but she didn¡¯t move.

    I turned back to the sky¡ªor whatever cameras were watching me from above. ¡°She¡¯s obviously lost! What, do you want me to break her bones? Crush her spirit? Are we training soldiers or monsters here?!¡±

    The metallic clunk of an elevator filled the silence. Its stone doors opened, and a tall man stepped out. His stride was deliberate, his expression unreadable. He approached the girl first.

    ¡°Pick up your tool,¡± he said flatly.

    She scrambled for the obsidian disk, clutching it tight like a lifeline.

    ¡°Leave through the exit.¡±

    She did. Without hesitation, she fled through the stone archway, leaving just me and the man alone in the arena.

    ¡°So¡­ do I win?¡± I asked, my voice uncertain.

    He didn¡¯t answer. His gaze remained locked on me, expression as hollow and cold as stone. And then¡ª

    He moved.

    One moment he was ten feet away, the next he was inches in front of me. His fist slammed into my stomach like a piston. My vision shattered around the edges, my lungs convulsed, and I staggered back, clutching my abdomen.

    ¡°What¡ªwhat are you¡ª¡±

    Before I could finish, a black baton appeared in his hand, a blur of motion arcing downward. It connected with my ribs in a meaty crack. The force buckled my knees, and I collapsed to one side, choking on a strangled gasp.

    I didn¡¯t have time to recover before his hand closed around my jaw. Fingers like iron clamps locked me in place as he slammed my head against the rocky ground. Stars exploded behind my eyes, static filled my ears, and the world twisted into something surreal and unrecognizable.

    For a brief, fleeting moment, there was silence.

    My head lolled to the side, my cheek pressed against the cold stone. But then his voice cut through the haze, sharp and biting.

    ¡°If we say fight, you fight.¡±

    His boot connected with my ribs¡ªagain. Something deep inside me shifted, a jagged pain radiating outward from the impact point like splintering glass.

    Another kick.

    Another crack.

    Every nerve in my body felt raw, exposed, like live wires stripped of insulation.

    By the time the punishment stopped, I couldn¡¯t tell if seconds or hours had passed. My breath came in shallow gasps, my chest hitching painfully with every inhale. Darkness clawed at the edges of my vision, but consciousness clung to me stubbornly, refusing to let go.

    The last thing I remembered was the sharp sting of gravel digging into my cheek, the distant echo of the elevator doors sliding open¡­ and then silence.

    When I came to again, the world was sharper this time¡ªstill hazy around the edges, but shapes and colors started to settle into something familiar. Above me, the leaves swayed gently against a sky painted with streaks of orange and pale blue. My ribs ached deep and dull, and every breath was tight, but at least I could breathe.

    ¡°Peter?¡± Thea¡¯s voice came softly from beside me, careful and trembling around the edges. Her face hovered into view, her storm-gray eyes filled with worry that she wasn¡¯t even trying to hide. Her hair was a mess, a few loose strands stuck to her forehead, and her lips were pressed tight together as if she¡¯d been holding back tears.

    ¡°You¡¯re awake.¡± Relief softened the tension in her shoulders.

    ¡°Barely,¡± I croaked, wincing as my throat scraped out the word.

    ¡°Don¡¯t talk too much,¡± she said, glancing over her shoulder. ¡°Elric¡¯s almost ready.¡±

    I turned my head slightly¡ªit felt like trying to move a sack of stones strapped to my neck. Elric was kneeling nearby, his palms glowing faintly with pale light as he muttered something under his breath. His expression was pinched with focus, beads of sweat trailing down his temples.

    When he finally looked up, his lips pressed into a thin line. ¡°Peter, I¡¯m going to start now. It¡¯s¡­ it¡¯s going to hurt, but I promise, it¡¯ll help.¡±

    There was something in his voice¡ªa faint tremor, a hesitation. I realized then that the sight of me laid out like this had shaken him.

    Elric exhaled slowly, steadying himself before he pressed his glowing hands gently over my chest. Warmth spread outward¡ªnot the comforting kind, but sharp, invasive warmth that dug deep into every fracture, every bruised ligament and cracked bone. It was an ache that didn¡¯t flare so much as it spread, pulling at the edges of each wound, stitching them together with deliberate, agonizing care.

    My jaw clenched tight, and my hands dug into the earth beneath me, but I didn¡¯t make a sound. Through the haze of pain, I felt Thea¡¯s hand on my shoulder tighten slightly as if she were trying to share even a fraction of the weight.

    Elric¡¯s hands trembled slightly as he worked, the glow pulsing faintly with every deliberate motion. He was careful, impossibly so, his breaths shallow with concentration as he guided the energy where it needed to go.

    Eventually, the pain ebbed¡ªnot gone, but duller, manageable. My ribs felt wrapped in something heavy, almost like an invisible brace. I let out a shaky breath, feeling air move freely through my chest for the first time since the beating.

    ¡°It¡¯s done,¡± Elric said softly, leaning back on his heels, his face pale from exertion.

    Thea helped me sit up against a nearby tree, her hands steady but her expression tight with concern.

    ¡°What happened?¡± she asked quietly. ¡°I walked out and saw a knight dragging you out of the Hall.¡±

    Elric filled in the gaps. ¡°They pulled him out of the elevator. Then they showed him off, yelling about ¡®not following the rules.¡¯¡±

    I took a deep breath, wincing as my ribs protested, and explained everything¡ªthe girl, the obsidian disk, her fear, my refusal to beat her when she was clearly unable to fight.

    When I finished, silence settled over us, heavy and uncomfortable. Thea¡¯s storm-gray eyes were clouded with thought, her brows drawn together in a tight line.

    Finally, she spoke. ¡°Peter, we have to follow the rules. When we join the military, we¡¯ll have to follow orders. If they wanted you to continue, you could¡¯ve just knocked her out. Someone would¡¯ve healed her after¡ª¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s insane!¡± I snapped, cutting her off. ¡°She couldn¡¯t fight back, Thea. She was helpless. And what? Just so whoever¡¯s watching can confirm I can ¡®follow orders,¡¯ I have to beat some defenseless girl into the dirt? No. Absolutely not.¡±

    Thea flinched slightly at my tone, and I immediately regretted snapping at her. But I couldn¡¯t bring myself to apologize¡ªnot yet. The raw edge of my anger was still too sharp.

    ¡°The answer is no,¡± I said firmly. ¡°I refuse to do that.¡±

    Silence settled again, only broken by the faint rustle of leaves above us.

    I sighed, running a hand through my hair. ¡°Elric, how many more days of treatment will I need?¡±

    Elric hesitated. ¡°I¡ªI¡¯m not sure. You¡¯ve recovered way more than I expected. Maybe your transformation helped more than just your senses and physical attributes. I think¡­ maybe one more treatment tomorrow morning, and you¡¯ll be fine.¡±

    I nodded, feeling some relief at the prospect of not spending more days in pain.

    ¡°One more thing,¡± I said, shifting the topic. ¡°Elric, do you know anything about a disk-like tool for magic? Black, kind of obsidian-looking, with spiral etchings?¡±

    He shook his head, looking apologetic. To my surprise, Thea spoke up instead.

    ¡°It¡¯s used to accelerate the flow of magic,¡± she said, her voice clear and confident. ¡°It¡¯s made from a rare material that acts as a conduit for elemental energy¡ªwhich is different from world energy and internal strength. The spirals etched into it form a lattice that controls the flow.¡±

    I stared at her, mouth slightly open. ¡°How do you know that?¡±

    Her gaze flickered away for a moment. ¡°My mom was a magician¡­ Anyway,¡± she continued quickly, ¡°you gather energy onto the disk, and it runs along the grooves. The shape of the spirals speeds up the flow, focusing it toward the crystal in the center. From there, the mage can draw it into their body or release it outward as a spell.¡±

    I couldn¡¯t help but grin as an idea sparked in my mind. ¡°Thea, the grooves¡­ their shape. The magical energy flows through them like water and speeds up. If inner strength circulated faster, what would happen?¡±

    She froze, her eyes wide as realization dawned. ¡°If you circulate it quicker, you could diffuse more energy into your body at once. That would mean bigger stat boosts¡ªmore strength, more speed, everything.¡±

    ¡°Exactly,¡± I said, feeling excitement bubbling in my chest.

    ¡°But¡­¡± she added, her voice hesitant, ¡°if you circulate it faster, you¡¯d burn through your energy much more quickly.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s true,¡± I admitted. ¡°But right now, how long would it take for us to recover if we used up most of our internal strength?¡±

    She thought for a moment, her brows furrowed in concentration. ¡°Well¡­ if you used everything, you¡¯d probably die. But if you used most of it, it would recover naturally over time. If we eventually filled the entire Grand Channel with internal strength and used it all in one burst¡­ maybe it would take an entire day to recover fully.¡±

    I nodded thoughtfully, leaning my head back against the tree bark. The idea was taking shape in my mind

 Chapter 15: Quiet Conversations

    ¡°Can you help me up? We should probably head back to camp.¡±

    I had finalized my thoughts on the next transformation for the Grand Channel and the Energy Gathering stage, but it felt like an idea too big to sit on for long.

    ¡°Yeah, alright. Come on,¡± Thea said, crouching down and guiding my arm over her shoulder. ¡°Up we go.¡±

    We started toward our campsite, the faint sounds of the forest filling the gaps in our tired breaths. My mind buzzed with questions, theories, and half-formed plans I needed to run by her.

    ¡°Thea?¡±

    ¡°No more Grandmaster now?¡± she said with a teasing grin.

    ¡°I thought you didn¡¯t like it,¡± I said, raising an eyebrow.

    ¡°It¡¯s grown on me. What¡¯s up?¡±

    ¡°You finished that book by now, right? Did it cover core formation?¡±

    She nodded, her storm-gray eyes flickering with curiosity. ¡°Yeah, I finished it. It covered the theory of forming a core¡ªhardening your inner strength by stopping its flow and condensing it. It¡¯s a lot more dangerous than it sounds, though.¡± Her face lit up slightly. ¡°Wait, are you thinking we could etch patterns into the central core once we finish this stage?¡±

    I shook my head, frowning slightly. ¡°No, not yet. I think you were right earlier¡ªwe shouldn¡¯t rush into core formation. But¡­ what if we carved into the Grand Channel itself, just like the magic tools?¡±

    Her eyes widened, and I could practically see the gears turning in her head. ¡°That¡¯s¡­ that¡¯s brilliant. But how exactly do we carve into it?¡±

    I hesitated, organizing my thoughts before speaking. ¡°If someone fails core formation, and they stop the hardening process midway, does their energy re-liquefy?¡±

    She froze mid-step, her brow furrowed. For a moment, she seemed troubled, but then¡ªlike clockwork¡ªher expression shifted into the gleaming look of someone who¡¯s just stumbled upon a golden puzzle piece.

    ¡°No¡­ not exactly,¡± she said slowly. ¡°The reason most people never attempt it¡ªother than the fact that with a system, a small energy generator doesn¡¯t offer that much benefit¡ªis because if you fail, you lose everything. Every ounce of energy you used trying to form the core just¡­ evaporates. Most people aiming to form one want the biggest core possible, so they funnel all their energy into it. Could you imagine spending a day¡¯s¡ªor even several weeks¡ªon cultivation, only for all of that to vanish in seconds?¡±

    I winced at the thought. Yeah, losing so much progress sounded like a nightmare scenario. But the seed of an idea had already taken root, and I couldn¡¯t let it go.

    ¡°What if we just used a tiny bit of internal strength?¡± I said, my voice low and deliberate. ¡°Just enough to harden a thin thread of energy¡ªsolidify it into something temporary. Like¡­ like a carving needle.¡±

    Thea stopped walking entirely, her hand tightening on my arm as she processed the thought.

    ¡°A needle,¡± she whispered, her eyes unfocused as if she were staring straight into the blueprint of an idea etched across the sky. ¡°Not an entire core, not a complete transformation¡­ just enough energy to create something stable for a few seconds. And if it fails, we lose almost nothing.¡±

    ¡°Exactly.¡±

    She let out a breathless laugh, a sound caught somewhere between exhilaration and disbelief. ¡°So, we carve spiraling patterns like the ones on magical tools to increase flow? Sure, it could help for devastating attacks, but if we carve that everywhere, we¡¯d lose a significant amount of control over our own circulation.¡±

    ¡°Yeah, that wouldn¡¯t be good,¡± I agreed, grimacing at the thought of my energy rushing out of control like a broken dam.

    She kept supporting me as we walked, our steps slow but steady. Above us, the stars stretched endlessly across the sky¡ªa shimmering blanket of cosmic wonder. It was the kind of sight that made you feel both incredibly small and infinitely important at the same time.

    A thought struck me, sharp and sudden. ¡°What about other patterns?¡±

    ¡°Other patterns¡ªwait, exactly!¡± Thea¡¯s voice pitched upward with excitement, her storm-gray eyes practically glowing in the moonlight. ¡°We could design them to increase flow between specific points¡ªlike our fists, or maybe our legs for bursts of speed¡ªand at those points, um¡­ we could make¡­¡±

    She looked at me, eyebrows raised, eyes dancing with expectation. Clearly, she wanted me to finish the thought.

    ¡°Maybe something like foci. Small dimples or indentations in the flow¡ªplaces where the energy could collect, even if only slightly.¡±

    ¡°Yes!¡± she shouted, her voice breaking into a giddy laugh. ¡°Exactly! We could create small points like that, essentially allowing the energy to pool just enough for quick bursts. Not full reservoirs, but functional, concentrated hubs of energy.¡±

    ¡°Well,¡± I said, smirking despite the dull ache radiating through my ribs, ¡°just like last time¡ªnothing to do but try it, right?¡±

    Thea beamed, her smile wide and unrestrained. ¡°That¡¯s right!¡±

    For a moment, it looked like she might drop me entirely, start bouncing around, and squeal in excitement like a kid on their birthday. But she didn¡¯t. Instead, she tightened her grip on my arm, her steps light and filled with an energy I couldn¡¯t help but feel myself.

    Thea and I trudged back to our little corner of the Tank camp, far enough from the snorers, sneeze-shouters, and general chaos to actually get some sleep. Our gear was still where it was before, hidden under Thea¡¯s set up, tucked carefully away from curious eyes. I flopped onto my sleeping bag without ceremony, groaning as my ribs protested the sudden movement.

    Thea set her pack down a little more gracefully, though her shoulders slumped from exhaustion. She glanced at me, one eyebrow raised. ¡°You look like¡­ like you¡¯ve been trampled.¡±

    ¡°Flattering,¡± I muttered, shifting to prop myself up on one elbow. ¡°I think I¡¯ve officially transcended pain and entered the realm of permanent discomfort.¡±

    Thea smirked faintly as she lowered herself onto her sleeping bag with a sigh. Above us, the stars glittered across the night sky¡ªsharp, cold, and scattered across the vast expanse like shards of glass. For a moment, neither of us spoke. The faint crackle of distant fires and the rustling of leaves filled the silence.

    ¡°You know,¡± Thea said softly, breaking the stillness. ¡°We¡¯re doing something crazy¡ªcarving our own path¡­ literally.¡± She chuckled lightly into her hand, the sound almost shy before fading into a thoughtful pause. ¡°No one¡¯s ever been as obsessed with cultivation as I am. And even though you didn¡¯t really have a choice¡­ I can¡¯t remember the last time I had this much fun.¡±

    Her words hung in the cool night air, and I let them linger as I stared up at the endless sky. ¡°Me too. Back home¡ªwherever that is now¡ªeverything was so¡­ I don¡¯t know, empty. Monotonous. Wake up, school, eat, sleep¡­ repeat. Don¡¯t get me wrong, there were tons of great things, I miss toilet paper. And speaking of which¡ªyou need a shower.¡±

    I laughed, but Thea¡¯s gasp of indignation cut me off as she grabbed one of her precious books from her tent and hurled it at me.

    ¡°Ow!¡± I yelped as it hit my shoulder and bounced onto the grass. ¡°Violence! Abuse!¡±

    But honestly, I just ended up laughing harder, clutching my sore ribs as I gasped between chuckles.

    When I finally caught my breath, I continued, my voice quieter this time. ¡°But really¡­ with you and Elric, it¡¯s the most alive I¡¯ve felt in years. It¡¯s only been a few days, but¡ªit¡¯s like I have a family. A real family.¡±

    When I glanced over, Thea was already watching me. Her storm-gray eyes softened slightly, shadows of thought swimming in their depths. For a long moment, neither of us said anything. The firelight from distant campfires reflected faintly in her gaze, flickering like tiny stars caught in a storm cloud.

    ¡°Do you regret it, back at the arena?¡± she asked softly.

    The image of the girl from the arena flashed through my mind¡ªtear-streaked cheeks, trembling hands clutching that obsidian disk, the quiet shuffle of her feet as she walked away.

    ¡°No,¡± I said firmly. ¡°But it¡¯s going to make things harder for me, isn¡¯t it?¡±

    ¡°Probably.¡± Thea¡¯s voice was steady, but the weight behind her words made my chest feel tight. ¡°I don¡¯t know if it¡¯s because I was raised in this place, but¡­ it¡¯s normal here. To take down your opponent, to not hesitate. But Peter¡ªwhat you did, the choice you made¡ªit made me think. Why are we doing this? Why are we trained to beat down people who have nothing against us until they can¡¯t stand?¡±

    Her voice trembled slightly, but she pressed on.

    ¡°We¡¯re going to war. After three years in this place, we won¡¯t have the¡­ luxury of stopping. The enemy, the Northern Continent¡ªthey won¡¯t show mercy. And yet¡­ shouldn¡¯t we hold on to something? Some kind of sympathy? We¡¯re training to fight alongside people we¡¯ve competed against for years. People we might one day have to rely on with our lives.¡±Support the author by searching for the original publication of this novel.

    She paused, her brows furrowing. ¡°And what if¡­ what if this point system doesn¡¯t stop? Even in war, will we still be fighting against each other? For glory, for contribution¡­ for something that doesn¡¯t matter in the end?¡±

    Her voice faded into the quiet of the night, carried away by the soft wind filtering through the trees.

    For a while, there was nothing but the faint rustle of leaves. Her storm-gray eyes met mine again. There was something raw there¡ªopen and vulnerable in a way I had never seen Thea act.

    I wanted to say something¡ªto reassure her, to give her some kind of answer. But the words stuck in my throat, heavy and unmoving.

    After a beat of our eyes locked, I sat up, wincing slightly as my ribs protested. ¡°I¡¯m starving.¡±

    Thea rolled her eyes but reached for her bag. ¡°I figured you would be. After I won my match, I bought these.¡± She pulled out two skewers of the familiar Carapace Hound meat, still faintly warm and glistening with juices.

    ¡°Thanks,¡± I said, taking the skewer she offered and biting into it. The smoky flavor hit instantly, and for a moment, everything else faded away. ¡°How¡¯d your match go?¡±

    ¡°It was quick,¡± she said, chewing thoughtfully. ¡°Honestly, that transformation we went through¡ªit¡¯s something else. When I circulated my energy, the world slowed down. Just for a moment. But that axe-wielding brute? I had him in the palm of my hand.¡±

    I paused, remembering that fleeting moment during our evolution when the falling leaves had seemed suspended mid-air. I hadn¡¯t been able to replicate that since. ¡°Knowing you, Thea, I bet you were the brute in that fight.¡±

    he tossed a small piece of meat at me, which bounced harmlessly off my forehead. ¡°You¡¯re impossible.¡±

    We fell into a comfortable silence, the skewers slowly emptying as the distant firelight flickered faintly across her face. It painted soft golden lines along her cheekbones and jaw, catching in the strands of her chestnut hair. The moment felt¡­ peaceful. In a way I hadn¡¯t realized I needed until now.

    I checked my orb and frowned at the glowing numbers. 175. Five points lower than before. I guess my refusal to fight counted as a loss.

    ¡°Seriously?¡± I muttered under my breath, letting the orb flicker off in my palm.

    Thea, noticing my expression, pulled out her own orb and held it up with a triumphant little smirk. The soft glow revealed her total: 185.

    ¡°Winning and feeding your sorry face,¡± she said, shaking the orb slightly for emphasis. ¡°Honestly, Peter, I¡¯m starting to think you¡¯re dragging the team average down.¡±

    I sighed dramatically, leaning back against my sleeping bag. ¡°Hey, I saved a life today! That has to count for something, right?¡±

    ¡°Mm-hmm,¡± she replied, her smirk widening. ¡°It counted for negative five points, apparently.¡±

    ¡°How do you think Elric is doing?¡± she asked after a while, chewing through another cube of meat.

    I paused, mid-bite. ¡°Elric? Honestly¡­ I think he¡¯s tougher than he lets on. Scary, even. Maybe a little manipulative. Smart, though. And those two girls¡ªPenny and Sam¡ªthey hover over him like guard dogs in love. He¡¯ll be fine.¡±

    Thea smirked. ¡°Fan club perks.¡±

    ¡°Must be nice,¡± I said, dramatically placing a hand over my heart. ¡°Meanwhile, I¡¯m out here getting painted across coliseum arenas by knights.¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t forget being dragged out like a sack of vegetables,¡± she added so helpfully.

    ¡°Ah yes, my favorite activity¡ªcosplaying as a corpse.¡±

    ¡°Cosplaying?¡±

    ¡°Nothing,¡± I said, waving a hand. ¡°Another cultural difference. It means my favorite activity is pretending to be a corpse.¡±

    ¡°What?¡± she laughed¡ªa soft, genuine sound that felt warmer than the firelight. For a fleeting moment, everything felt normal. We weren¡¯t two teenagers in a brutal fantasy boot camp preparing for war. We were just two friends, sharing a joke after a long day, camping under a sky full of stars.

    ¡°Your birthday¡¯s in a couple of days, right? Anything you want?¡±

    ¡°Want?¡± she repeated, tilting her head slightly. ¡°You mean from my blessing?¡±

    ¡°Um¡ª¡± I faltered. Do they not do birthday presents here? Perfect. Makes it easier to surprise her, then. ¡°Yeah, exactly.¡±

    ¡°Some kind of warrior blessing, I think. Something powerful.¡±

    ¡°Figures,¡± I said dryly.

    ¡°What¡¯s that supposed to mean?¡± she retorted, mock offense painting her features.

    ¡°Oh, nothing. Just that it¡¯s the most ¡®Thea¡¯ answer you could¡¯ve given.¡±

    She rolled her eyes, but there was a lightness to her expression that hadn¡¯t been there earlier.

    We bantered back and forth until the night wrapped around us like a heavy blanket. The distant hum of others arriving in camp faded into background noise, and above us, the stars shimmered in their endless vigil.

    A warmth stirred in me¡ªnot from the fire, not from the food, but something softer, quieter.

    Thank you. Whatever brought me here¡ªthank you for letting me meet her first.

    Once again, as usual, the fragile peace was shattered by the blare of the violent morning horn.

    The day kicked off in the familiar routine¡ªlining up in formation, jogging to the woods, and starting survival class. Today felt different, though. Less instruction, more prove you were paying attention. Basically, it was quiz day.

    We were tasked with identifying poisonous plants from their safer, edible counterparts. The subtle differences¡ªleaf shape, texture, even smell¡ªfelt like tiny puzzles, and honestly, I think I did pretty well. If I were stranded in the woods right now, I¡¯d have about a seventy percent chance of not accidentally turning myself into a human biohazard.

    Thea, naturally, did better. She would have an impressive eighty percent chance of survival. She seemed to approach every leaf and berry with the focus of someone studying for the final exam of her life.

    Starting a fire, while still challenging, had also become easier with our improved strength and repeated practice. Turns out, when your hands are faster and your grip is steadier, rubbing two sticks together becomes slightly less miserable.

    ¡°You two are making steady progress,¡± our hulking commander said, his deep voice carrying easily through the forest air. ¡°As am I.¡±

    He looked at us with an expression that always caught me off guard¡ªa mix of scholarly curiosity and quiet respect. It was strange how such an imposing figure could carry himself like a thoughtful professor.

    ¡°When do you plan to tell me the rest?¡± he asked, his brow raising slightly. ¡°I¡¯ll be finished with the Spiritual Reservoir Formation very soon.¡± He paused, a small smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth. ¡°I can pay quite handsomely. You were right¡ªI haven¡¯t been able to find anything like this in my library, nor have I seen it mentioned in any other resource.¡±

    Of course he had a library. Somehow, that didn¡¯t surprise me at all.

    ¡°We have an idea of our next step, sir,¡± I said carefully, exchanging a glance with Thea. ¡°But we need to test it first. As soon as we confirm our theory, we¡¯ll share it¡­ for a fee.¡±

    The commander let out a rumbling chuckle, his broad shoulders shaking slightly. ¡°Good. I look forward to it. Go on, then¡ªI¡¯ll let you two head out early. Soon, we¡¯ll be receiving new recruits, and you won¡¯t be able to camp here anymore.¡±

    That bit of news caught me off guard. ¡°What are we meant to do then, sir?¡±

    ¡°At that time, I¡¯ll show you personally. But it will be a few days yet. Don¡¯t worry¡ªI won¡¯t let you starve just yet. You two have far too much to offer.¡±

    His tone was light, but there was a sharpness beneath it, a weight to his words.

    ¡°Now, head out,¡± he continued. ¡°Some quiet in a training room will help you progress more. I expect great news tomorrow.¡±

    With a final nod, he turned on his heel and walked away, his heavy boots crunching over the forest floor. Whether he was off to cultivate or inspect more recruits, I wasn¡¯t sure.

    ¡°Well,¡± I said, adjusting my pack over my shoulder, ¡°let¡¯s go then. He said we could.¡±

    Thea nodded, her expression thoughtful as we started walking back toward camp. ¡°Do you think Elric will be there already?¡±

    ¡°Probably,¡± I said, glancing at the distant silhouette of the coliseum. ¡°It feels like the healer class has a completely different schedule from us. They always seem to be there before we arrive. Last time, Elric was already waiting for us.¡±

    ¡°Do you think the other classes are the same way?¡± Thea asked, her storm-gray eyes flickering with curiosity.

    ¡°No clue,¡± I admitted with a shrug. ¡°Guess we¡¯ll find out eventually.¡±

    ¡°Good point. Come on, let¡¯s hurry up.¡±

    And then Thea did something that made me seriously question our friendship. She ran. No, sprinted. And judging by how she blurred into motion, I was pretty sure she was funneling every ounce of her internal strength into her legs.

    Roughly an excruciating several hours later¡ªalthough, if you asked Thea, she would firmly deny it was that long, quarter of an hour she says¡ªwe arrived at the coliseum.

    As expected, there was Elric. And, as expected, he was surrounded by admirers. Two new girls flanked him, both walking with an air of practiced nonchalance while shooting daggers at anyone who so much as glanced his way.

    ¡°God, are they in shifts or something?¡± I muttered under my breath.

    ¡°Maybe they all wanted a turn,¡± Thea said, smirking.

    ¡°Ugh.¡± Nope. Not jealous. Totally not jealous.

    ¡°Elric!¡± I called out, waving an arm.

    He turned toward us, his face lighting up with a smile so bright I was momentarily worried about the sun losing its job. The two new girls accompanying him went beet red. One actually wobbled on her feet like she might faint.

    Yep. Pop star. Definitely a pop star if he lived in my world.

    Wait¡­ Can Elric sing? That¡¯s a million-dollar question. Could we hold concerts for points? Sell tickets? Make a fortune?

    ¡°Thea?¡± I whispered just before we reached Elric. ¡°Do you have concerts here? Musical performances people pay to see?¡±

    ¡°Yeah¡­? What, you wanna go to one? It¡¯ll be tough here in training.¡±

    ¡°Awesome.¡±

    ¡°What?¡± She gave me a look that was equal parts confusion and suspicion.

    But before I could explain my absolutely brilliant business venture, Elric and his entourage met us halfway.

    ¡°So, we doing the usual today?¡± Elric asked, his voice pleasant, his smile effortlessly charming. But then his aquamarine gaze flicked to me, and something else crept into his expression¡ªa glint sharp enough to cut glass.

    ¡°Also, Peter,¡± he said, his voice taking on a sweetness that could only be described as demonic, ¡°we still need to finish your treatment.¡±

    I swallowed hard.

    Yep. Definitely a demon in disguise.

 Chapter 16: Needles and Patterns

    A short but excruciating Doctor Elric visit later, I was officially cured of cracked ribs and every lingering injury. It still felt like my insides had been tenderized by a particularly vindictive chef, but at least I could breathe without wheezing.

    Elric turned to the two girls who¡¯d accompanied him. ¡°These are my friends, Peter and Thea. Thanks for walking me here, but I¡¯ll be fine now. You two should focus on your guild duties.¡±

    The two exchanged glances, disappointment flashing across their faces. The one with sharp, calculating eyes crossed her arms. The other, softer and more reserved, fiddled with the hem of her sleeve.

    ¡°Neither of us have anything to do,¡± the sharper one said. ¡°Why don¡¯t we all just¡­ hang out?¡±

    Her gaze flicked to me and Thea, lingering on us like we were suspicious strangers loitering near her best friend.

    Elric looked like he was about to politely decline, but before he could, I blurted out, ¡°I think it¡¯s a good idea, but we¡¯ve got some secrets we want to keep. If you want to come along¡­ you¡¯ll have to pay.¡±

    I flashed what I hoped was a winning smile.

    It was not.

    Both girls gave me a look that could only be described as deeply unsettled. Like I¡¯d just offered them candy out of an unmarked van.

    ¡°Peter,¡± Thea said flatly, pinching the bridge of her nose. ¡°Stop smiling like that. It¡¯s not a good look.¡±

    I coughed awkwardly and let my face fall back into something resembling neutrality.

    Thea continued, ¡°What he means is that we¡¯re teaching Elric a cultivation technique. Since he¡¯s already our healer, we don¡¯t exactly need two more. But if you¡¯re interested, and you¡¯ve got points to spare, we¡¯re not opposed to sharing.¡±

    Both girls let out a collective sigh of relief, and I tried not to take it too personally.

    ¡°We¡¯re not running some scam, I know cultivation is exactly popular¡± I added quickly. ¡°But even our Tank instructor bought the technique from us. You can ask him if you want¡ªhe¡¯d vouch for it.¡±

    Elric stepped in then, his voice soft yet confident, and his smile¡­ well, if charisma were currency, Elric would be swimming in gold. ¡°Sia, Lyra¡ªI trust them. The technique they taught me is incredible. My spells flow smoother, my healing is faster¡ªit¡¯s like everything¡¯s finally in sync. I¡¯m sure it could help both of you, too.¡±

    The sharper girl¡ªSia, apparently¡ªcrossed her arms tighter but nodded. ¡°Fine. We¡¯ll pay.¡± Her voice carried an edge of determination, but her suspicion had softened. ¡°Also, I¡¯m not a healer. I¡¯m a flame mage.¡±

    Flame mage. Right. The class responsible for half the burned recruits limping around the Hall. But Sia didn¡¯t look reckless¡ªher eyes carried the focus of someone who knew exactly where every spark would land.

    The softer girl spoke up next, her voice light, almost melodic. ¡°I¡¯m Lyra. I¡¯m a support healer. I can cast spells to boost combat effectiveness.¡±

    Elric turned to her with a fondness that was borderline unfair. ¡°Lyra¡¯s skills are incredibly rare. Her buffs are the kind of magic you feel¡ªstrength, speed, clarity. She can turn an average fighter into someone who feels unstoppable. It¡¯s¡­ amazing, honestly.¡±

    Lyra turned pink almost instantly, her gaze dropping to her boots.

    Feeling like an intruder at a fan club meeting, I cleared my throat. ¡°Right. Well, the cost is the same as what our commander paid¡ª300 points.¡±

    Three voices, including Elric¡¯s, shot out at once: ¡°What?!¡±

    ¡°You guys gave me something like that just for healing,¡± Elric muttered, disbelief plain on his face.

    ¡°Elric, are you sure about this?¡± Sia asked seriously, her sharp eyes narrowing as if trying to read him.

    He nodded firmly. ¡°It¡¯s the real deal. I¡¯ve seen the difference in their bodies after they completed it. And Sia, for someone with your control, this could be groundbreaking. You might not even need a conduit tool to cast smaller spells.¡±

    Sia¡¯s lips parted slightly, and something flickered in her eyes¡ªhope, maybe? Curiosity?

    ¡°I know it¡¯s a lot of points,¡± Thea said cautiously. ¡°But¡ª¡±

    Lyra cut her off softly but resolutely. ¡°We¡¯re not new recruits. We¡¯ve been saving up points for a while. If Elric says it¡¯s worth it, I trust him.¡±

    Wait¡­ How long have they been here? These two weren¡¯t fresh-faced rookies¡ªthey had the weight of experience in their expressions. Older girls, one not even from the healer class, hovering around Elric like protective older sisters.

    It almost feels like he¡¯s the protagonist of this world. The golden boy with angelic looks, natural charm, and a fan club trailing behind him. Then again¡­ he is my¡ªwell, Thea¡¯s and my¡ªstudent¡­ technically.

    ¡°Great!¡± Thea shouted, practically bouncing on her toes. Whether it was the thought of having more people to discuss cultivation with or the idea of officially becoming some kind of Grandmaster of Cultivation, I couldn¡¯t say. Either way, she was glowing with excitement, and honestly? That was good enough for me.

    ¡°Alright, let¡¯s head inside first. We¡¯ll grab a training room,¡± I said, glancing around at our suddenly much larger squad. ¡°Maybe a beginner room won¡¯t cut it anymore. Once we¡¯re settled, we can exchange the points, and Thea here¡ªour local cultivation nerd¡ªow!¡±

    She smacked my arm hard enough to make me wince, and judging by the sharp ache, she definitely channeled her inner force into that one.

    ¡°Will enthusiastically demonstrate the technique,¡± I finished with a sheepish grin.

    Thea huffed but didn¡¯t bother to argue, instead turning to our new recruits. ¡°It¡¯s good timing, honestly. Peter and I are working on developing the next step. You¡¯ll be able to try out the first technique, and if you find it worthwhile, we¡¯ll continue teaching you as we refine the next phase.¡±

    ¡°Wait¡­ making the next step?¡± Sia¡¯s eyebrows shot up, suspicion and curiosity battling across her expression. ¡°You two invented this technique?¡±

    Thea¡¯s chest practically puffed up with pride as her lips curved into a self-satisfied smile. ¡°Yep! Peter and I created it from scratch, and you two are officially our first-generation disciples.¡±

    I wasn¡¯t entirely sure how thrilled Sia and Lyra were about being referred to as disciples, but they seemed to let it slide. Thankfully.

    We made our way inside the Hall, the cool air and faint hum of magical machinery welcoming us. At the training desk, I learned about the medium rooms. Apparently, they came with a system assistant that could display damage numbers, monitor energy flow, and offer tips on improving techniques. They also came with a heftier price tag¡ªtwenty points per session, plus an extra five points per additional person.

    We decided to split the cost among ourselves, except for Elric, whose fee Thea and I insisted on covering as part of our ongoing deal. After all, he was our personal healer, and let¡¯s face it¡ªhe¡¯d earned his spot in our little group.

    Once the transaction was complete, I checked my orb: 145 points left.

    As we stepped into the medium training room, Sia spoke up, her voice sharp and confident. ¡°I¡¯ve already reached the peak of the initial stage of cultivation. Lyra¡¯s at the same point.¡±

    ¡°Good,¡± Thea said with an approving nod. ¡°That means I won¡¯t have to explain the basics. We can get right into the good stuff.¡±

    She pulled out her orb, and I followed suit. The two girls did the same, cupping their hands around their orbs like they were shielding precious gemstones. I noticed the commander had done something similar before, so I guessed it was common practice when handling point exchanges.

    The transaction was smooth, and in a moment, my orb ticked up to 445 points, while Thea¡¯s glowed with 485 points.

    ¡°Alright, now that the business part is done, Thea can teach you, and I¡¯ll¡­ uh¡­ go sit over there and cultivate,¡± I said, motioning vaguely to a corner of the room.Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

    Thea wasted no time launching into her explanation, her storm-gray eyes alight with enthusiasm as she detailed the reservoir formation method. She moved her hands as she spoke, drawing invisible pathways in the air, her voice clear and confident.

    ¡°Always excited to teach, isn¡¯t she?¡± Elric said quietly beside me.

    ¡°Yeah,¡± I replied, watching her work. ¡°At least when it¡¯s about cultivation. She¡¯s passionate about this stuff. It¡¯s¡­ impressive, honestly.¡±

    I glanced at Sia and Lyra, who were leaning forward slightly, hanging on every word Thea said. It was clear they were taking this seriously.

    ¡°Speaking of which,¡± I said, turning back to Elric with a sly grin, ¡°how exactly do you have so many followers? What¡¯s your secret, oh wise and sparkly one?¡±

    Elric¡¯s face immediately shifted into what I could only describe as the politest version of avoidance I¡¯d ever seen. ¡°It¡¯s too bad you don¡¯t have your system yet. By now, you probably would¡¯ve gained some kind of blunt damage resistance.¡±

    Oh, you¡¯ve got to be kidding me. Resistances? Another system-exclusive perk?

    Trying not to let too much bitterness slip into my voice, I asked, ¡°So, I¡¯m guessing the more damage I take of a specific type, the system rewards me with resistance to it?¡±

    ¡°Spot on, buddy,¡± Elric said with a bright smile. ¡°In fact, one reason mages end up racking up so many points is that people pay them to get hurt. Like, on purpose. Just to build up their resistance levels. Can you believe that?¡±

    I blinked. ¡°I pay you to hurt me.¡±

    Elric gave me a slow nod, his angelic smile turning just a shade too smug. ¡°Yeah¡­ weirdo.¡±

    We both burst into laughter. Across the room, Sia and Lyra both glanced over at us, starry-eyed and practically glowing at the sound of Elric¡¯s laugh.

    I could practically hear the mental chorus of Ahhh¡­ echoing in their heads.

    Honestly? I couldn¡¯t even blame them. The guy could probably charm a dragon into giving up its hoard with that smile.

    ¡°Bastard,¡± I muttered under my breath.

    ¡°Jealous?¡± Elric asked, his grin widening like he already knew the answer.

    I paused, pretending to think of a witty comeback. When it finally hit me, I smirked and delivered it like a seasoned pro.

    ¡°¡­Maybe. So what?¡±

    Elric cracked up, and for a second, the polished, refined facade he always seemed to carry shattered completely. In that moment, he wasn¡¯t the angelic healer surrounded by a fan club¡ªhe was just a guy, laughing like we were old friends hanging out after school.

    And honestly? That made me laugh.

    We sat there, doubled over, our shoulders shaking with barely contained chuckles. Elric¡¯s easy grin was infectious, and for a fleeting moment, the weight of our reality didn¡¯t exist.

    Unfortunately, peace is fleeting, and so was our laughter.

    ¡°Peter?¡±

    Thea¡¯s voice cut through the air like a blade dipped in ice.

    I froze mid-laugh, my head snapping toward her like a deer caught in headlights. ¡°Ye¡ªYes?¡±

    Her smile was sharp, cold, and¡ªoh no¡ªit was an Elric smile. ¡°Since you¡¯re obviously finished cultivating, how about we spar?¡±

    Every survival instinct I had screamed at me to tread carefully.

    I sighed dramatically, placing a hand over my heart. ¡°Thea¡­ you shouldn¡¯t learn bad habits from Elric.¡±

    Beside me, Elric completely lost it. His laughter came out in loud, wheezing gasps, tears forming at the corners of his eyes. From across the room, I caught Lyra and Sia¡ªstill sitting in their meditative positions¡ªgiving me two very enthusiastic thumbs-ups.

    But Thea? Oh no, she wasn¡¯t happy.

    Her smile widened, but her storm-gray eyes glinted with the kind of promise usually reserved for villains in horror stories. Step by step, she began walking toward me.

    ¡°Thea, it¡ªit was just a joke. You know that, right?¡± I stammered, backing away slowly.

    ¡°Of course¡­¡±

    She lunged.

    What followed could only be described as a slapstick routine straight out of a cartoon. I bolted, skidding across the training room floor, with Thea hot on my heels. Round and round we went, her laughter mixing with Elric¡¯s uncontrollable wheezing and the quiet, amused smiles from Lyra and Sia.

    I¡¯d like to say I had some shred of dignity left by the end of it, but honestly? No. Absolutely not.

    Thea and I collapsed onto the floor, drenched in sweat and utterly spent. Across the room, Elric, Sia, and Lyra sparred with varying degrees of grace. Mages and healers made surprisingly balanced opponents when they actually worked together.

    I let out a shaky breath, speaking between gasps. ¡°So¡­ to condense a core¡­ we just need to compress some energy. How much are we talking?¡±

    Thea wiped her forehead with the back of her sleeve, exhaling heavily. ¡°Well, I¡¯d say about as much as we had at our max before finishing the Spiritual Reservoir Formation stage. So¡­ maybe ten percent of the Grand Channel¡¯s capacity. Only with that amount can you condense it enough to form a solid shape.¡±

    Ten percent. An entire session¡¯s worth of cultivation, sparring, and consolidation¡ªjust to form one tiny, fragile needle. A single tool I could use to carve patterns into my Grand Channel.

    I glanced at her. ¡°What do you think? Should we carve the foci into the same points where the reservoirs used to be, or just focus on the hands and feet?¡±

    Thea tilted her head in thought, her storm-gray eyes sharp even in exhaustion. ¡°Hmm¡­ I¡¯d say we stick to the reservoir points. They were the most effective places for pooling energy before, and it doesn¡¯t make sense to change what already works.¡±

    ¡°Agreed,¡± I said with a nod. ¡°Once we¡¯ve marked those, I can etch spiral patterns around each focal point to improve the flow throughout the Grand Channel. Let¡¯s start with the sternum¡ªit¡¯s central, and it¡¯ll let us feel out if the idea works. Spirals can come later.¡±

    She gave a tired smile and nodded, determination flickering in her eyes as we both pushed ourselves upright. The sparring noises in the background faded into white noise as we focused inward.

    I closed my eyes, turning my attention to the Grand Channel within me. The vast, smooth conduit stretched through my body like an intricate pipe system, twenty percent of it filled with my own internal strength and the rest brimming with world energy.

    Focus.

    I began to gather ten percent of my internal energy at the center of my chest. It started as a slow trickle, then a whirlpool, swirling tighter and tighter as I compressed it into a single point. The sensation was dense, almost suffocating, as if the energy resisted the very act of being confined.

    It was like swallowing a lump that refused to go down.

    Then¡ªit worked.

    A needle. Long, thin, sharp¡ªa perfectly condensed sliver of pure internal strength.

    A needle. Long, thin, sharp¡ªa perfectly condensed sliver of pure internal strength.

    The moment it formed, I felt a flicker of triumph. But that flicker was immediately smothered by sharp, biting pain.

    ¡°Agh!¡± I let out a sharp gasp, my chest tightening as if someone had stabbed me with an actual needle from the inside. The pain wasn¡¯t unbearable, but it was raw and invasive, like getting a tattoo etched into the lining of my lungs.

    My eyes shot open, and everyone in the room froze. Thea¡¯s storm-gray eyes locked onto me, wide with worry.

    ¡°What¡¯s wrong? Did something go wrong?¡± she asked urgently, her voice tight.

    I exhaled shakily, forcing a weak smile through the discomfort. ¡°No¡ªno, I don¡¯t think so. But turns out, carving structures into an organ designed to circulate energy hurts. A lot.¡±

    Her brow creased, worry etched into every line of her expression. ¡°Is it¡­ bad enough to stop? Should we stop?¡±

    I shook my head firmly. ¡°It¡¯s painful, yeah, but I think it¡¯s manageable if we go slow. I just wasn¡¯t expecting it, that¡¯s all.¡±

    She stared at me for a long moment, scanning my face for any sign of hesitation. Finally, she nodded. ¡°Alright. But if something feels wrong¡ªanything¡ªyou stop immediately. This isn¡¯t something we can afford to mess up.¡±

    ¡°Understood.¡±

    With a deep breath, I closed my eyes again and refocused.

    The carving process was slow, deliberate, and painstaking. Each movement of the needle felt like dragging glass shards across the inside of my chest. Every dimple, every etched groove, required precise control and an almost meditative focus.

    Ten minutes. Ten agonizing, sweat-soaked minutes for a single carving.

    And even then, the needle itself was fading. Bit by bit, the energy I¡¯d condensed into this impossibly sharp form was breaking apart, leaking out into my body. It coursed outward, seeping into my bones, tendons, and organs, threading itself through every inch of me. Like a sandcastle being slowly washed away by the tide, it was dissolving back into the ocean of the world''s power.

    I opened my eyes, meeting Thea¡¯s storm-gray gaze. She had finished her carving and was watching me closely.

    ¡°It¡¯s gonna take a while,¡± I said through a shallow breath. ¡°We¡¯ll need more time in the room.¡±

    ¡°Yeah,¡± she agreed with a tired nod.

    Sia and Lyra stirred from their meditative states, exchanging glances before each handed Thea five points. She left to extend our reservation while I slumped back against the wall, catching my breath.

    When she returned, we resumed our painstaking work. The carving process didn¡¯t get any less painful, but my control over the needle improved. Each precise movement, every careful stroke, became slightly easier. I was learning to guide the needle with less resistance, bending it to my will as it etched into the invisible walls of my Grand Channel.

    After what felt like hours, I gasped softly as the final pattern clicked into place. The carved indentations hummed faintly with energy, faint pools forming in the dimples I had painstakingly created. It wasn¡¯t much yet, but the difference was undeniable¡ªthe energy settled more readily, like water pooling in tiny wells along a riverbed.

    The needle, now completely spent, dissolved into a faint ripple of energy.

    A moment later, Thea opened her eyes. Her chest rose and fell with deep, steady breaths, sweat plastering strands of chestnut hair against her forehead.

    ¡°Success,¡± she whispered, her voice trembling slightly from the effort.

    ¡°Thea,¡± I said, pushing myself upright with a wince. ¡°The most important part is left.¡±

    She blinked, realization dawning across her tired face before she gave me a small, triumphant smile. ¡°I guess it¡¯s my turn.¡±

    She paused, her brow furrowing thoughtfully. ¡°How about¡­ um¡ªGrand Carving? It combines Grand Channel and, well¡­ carving.¡±

    I smiled faintly, nodding. ¡°Sounds perfect. But I think I¡¯m done for now. We¡¯ll need to cultivate more energy anyway.¡±

    She nodded in agreement, leaning back against the cool stone wall with a sigh.

    The remaining time passed in our familiar cycle¡ªcultivate, consolidate, spar. The lost energy slowly trickled back into our Grand Channels.

    By the end of the session, everyone had made noticeable progress. Elric was nearing the completion of his Spiritual Reservoir Formation stage, Thea and I had filled about thirty percent of our Grand Channels, and Sia and Lyra had successfully formed their first two reservoirs.

    Our little group was taking shape¡ªfour cultivators, each walking their own path, but somehow intertwined with one another.

 Chapter 17: Books, Beasts, and Bold Ideas

    ¡°You know, why don¡¯t you go ahead, Thea? I¡¯ll register after you,¡± I said as our group walked toward the combat center.

    I had a plan brewing in the back of my mind¡ªa little something for her birthday, whether birthday gifts were a thing in this world or not.

    ¡°Alright!¡± Thea said confidently, her chest puffed out like a victorious general. ¡°I¡¯ll see you after I win.¡±

    ¡°Good luck. I¡¯m going to buy a few things. Maybe some food¡ªwant anything?¡±

    ¡°Dried fruit and other rations, please. I¡¯m starting to feel like Carapace Hound meat is going to come crawling back out of me in my sleep.¡±

    ¡°Got it.¡± I turned to Elric. ¡°You mind showing me around, my first disciple?¡±

    The glint in Elric¡¯s eye was downright unsettling. ¡°Sure, oh great master. We can also talk about my new system mission. Looks like I might be unlocking a new spell. An effective one.¡±

    Oh great. New and effective? That definitely sounded like it would hurt.

    Lyra turned to Elric with her usual gentle tone. ¡°We¡¯re going to head out too. We need to earn back our points.¡± She smiled softly. ¡°It was nice meeting you all. Bye, Elric.¡±

    With a quick nod, Sia and Lyra left, heading off to¡­ whatever it was they did to earn points.

    Thea gave us a small wave before heading to register for her match, leaving Elric and me to explore the marketplace.

    The marketplace was busy as always, filled with the clatter of wooden carts, the hum of conversation, and the occasional bark of a vendor hawking their wares. I ended up spending forty points on supplies¡ªa mix of dried fruits, meats, and nuts.

    As I browsed through one particularly chaotic stall, I mulled over the idea of a gift for Thea. Something meaningful, something¡­ her.

    ¡°Elric,¡± I said, turning to him as we walked, ¡°do you know anything about the beast fights?¡±

    He tapped his chin thoughtfully. ¡°Hmm¡­ I think they¡¯re ranked, just like our compulsory matches. You only get five points per win, and you can only enter four times a month.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s good to know,¡± I said, nodding. ¡°If they have their own ranking system, it might be worth looking into. Maybe we can earn more points the higher rank we are.¡±

    We walked a little further until we reached a familiar storefront¡ªthe bookstore from before.

    I let out a small sigh of relief. Thank whatever mystical forces decided the spoken language here sounded like English. Reading, though? That was still rough. The characters were different, but at least they matched the same phonetic pronunciation.

    I could read most things now¡ªslowly, sure¡ªbut I¡¯d gotten better.

    ¡°Come on, Elric,¡± I said, pushing open the wooden door. ¡°Let¡¯s see if we can find something interesting.¡±

    The faint smell of parchment and ink greeted us as we stepped inside. Rows of wooden shelves lined the small shop, each overflowing with leather-bound tomes and fragile scrolls. A small bell jingled above the door, and somewhere in the back, the shopkeeper gave a faint grunt of acknowledgment.

    ¡°Didn¡¯t picture you as much of a reader. Why are we here?¡± Elric asked, his tone light but curious.

    I ignored the jab. ¡°I¡¯m not, but Thea seems to like it. Unfortunately, cultivation information is sparse. Last time we checked, there were only books on the basics and some vague theories about core formation. I¡¯m wondering if there¡¯s anything else we can find.¡±

    Elric¡¯s eyes lit up with a knowing grin, far too wide for my taste. ¡°You¡¯re getting a book for Thea?¡±

    I cleared my throat, choosing not to dignify his smirk with a direct answer. Instead, my mind turned to an idea that had been nagging me¡ªmartial techniques. The system granted people techniques, sure, but there had to be rules, right? Some internal logic for how those abilities worked. If the system could teach them, surely there was a way to figure them out manually. Reverse-engineer them, maybe.

    Before approaching the counter, I paused to ask Elric another question, this time keeping my voice low. ¡°Hey, do you know anything about martial techniques people can learn without a system?¡±

    Elric gave me a look like I¡¯d just asked if fish could breathe fire. ¡°Without a system? Why would anyone know about something like that?¡±

    ¡°What? You¡¯ve never heard of late bloomers wanting to shoot fireballs? Trying to get a head start?¡±

    He squinted at me, suspicion creeping into his expression. ¡°I mean¡­ I guess someone must have tried. But most people would just wait until they got their system. Obviously.¡±

    I sighed and shifted tactics. ¡°Okay, fine. What about system techniques¡ªcan people copy or learn each other''s moves?¡±

    Elric tilted his head thoughtfully. ¡°For melee fighters, yeah. If you understand the concepts behind the energy flow and the movements, it¡¯s possible to mimic them. But spells¡­ that¡¯s different. They require an understanding of the world. Like, the laws behind how the spell works. It¡¯s not something you can just copy. The system¡­ it sort of teaches you that. Instinctively, I mean. You¡¯d understand if you had a system already.¡±

    ¡°Right. As long as it¡¯s possible,¡± I muttered, more to myself than to him.

    With my theory still buzzing in my head, I walked up to the counter. The attendant, a thin man with ink-stained fingers and an expression like I¡¯d personally offended him by walking in, gave me a tired look.

    ¡°I¡¯d like to see books on warrior, tank, and mage techniques.¡±

    The attendant¡¯s brows shot up, and he sighed dramatically, like I¡¯d just asked him to haul an entire library uphill. ¡°We can¡¯t just show you those. Even seeing the titles might give you insights you haven¡¯t earned yet.¡±

    I held up my orb and let it hover in front of him. ¡°Twenty points. If you bring them out.¡±

    Suddenly, it was as if I¡¯d flipped a switch. The man¡¯s expression smoothed into a pleasant, professional smile. ¡°Right away, sir.¡±

    He pressed his orb against mine, and the points drained away. Without another word, he vanished behind the shelves, moving with a speed and energy I hadn¡¯t thought possible from someone who looked like they spent their days hunched over dusty ledgers.

    Elric leaned in, whispering as we waited. ¡°You know, for someone who¡¯s supposedly bad with books, you sure are committed to this.¡±

    ¡°Desperation breeds creativity,¡± I replied with a shrug, my eyes already scanning the shelves, anticipation thrumming in my chest.

    If I was right¡ªif martial techniques had patterns or principles that could be mirrored with cultivation¡ªthen Thea¡¯s birthday gift might be something far more valuable than just a book.

    The shopkeeper returned, balancing a small stack of books in his arms. ¡°Here you are, sir.¡± He set them down carefully on the counter, their worn covers catching the dim light of the shop.

    I squinted at the titles, mouthing the words silently as I deciphered the text.

    The warrior books read: Spiral Fang, Dancing Leaf, and Last Stand.

    The first two caught my attention immediately. From what I knew about martial arts tropes back home, Dancing Leaf sounded like some kind of evasive movement technique, graceful and quick. Spiral Fang had the sharp edge of an attacking skill¡ªsomething fast and deadly. As for Last Stand¡­ well, Thea had already explained how burning through all your energy could be devastating, both to your opponent and yourself.

    The two tank books were Bark Skin and Shield Fortification. Shield Fortification sounded situational¡ªprobably only useful if you had an actual shield. But Bark Skin¡­ body fortification, maybe? Could I use that concept to reinforce the body with cultivated energy?Love what you''re reading? Discover and support the author on the platform they originally published on.

    Finally, the mage book stood out with its refreshingly simple title: Fireball. Straightforward, explosive, and something I could definitely picture Thea grinning about as she hurled one across an arena.

    ¡°How much for each book?¡± I asked, already bracing myself.

    The attendant gave a faint shrug. ¡°Eighty points apiece.¡±

    ¡°Peter¡ª¡± Elric started, but I cut him off with a wave of my hand.

    ¡°I¡¯ll take these four,¡± I said, pointing at Spiral Fang, Dancing Leaf, Bark Skin, and Fireball.

    With a faint ding and a draining sensation in my chest, my points dropped from 145 to a measly 65. The shopkeeper tucked the books into a cloth bag and handed them over with surprising care, as if he respected the weight of the knowledge they held.

    Before heading out, I made one more stop to grab some writing materials, dropping my balance to 45 points. I had a lot of reading¡ªand experimenting¡ªahead of me.

    As we stepped back into the sunlit street, Elric gave me a sidelong glance, his brow furrowed with doubt. ¡°Are you sure that was a good idea? Once you and Thea get your systems, those books might be as good as garbage. The system will teach you those techniques when you need them.¡±

    I shook my head, clutching the bag tighter against my side. ¡°I¡¯m not looking to just learn the techniques, Elric. I want to understand them. If I can figure out how they work¡ªhow the energy flows, how they shape power¡ªthen I can combine them with cultivation. I can create something new.¡±

    He sighed, his lips twitching into a faint smile as he shook his head. ¡°Learning isn¡¯t that easy, Peter. You could¡¯ve just waited for your system. But¡­ well, I guess I can¡¯t argue with your stubbornness.¡±

    We walked back to the registration area, the sounds of combat echoing faintly from nearby arenas. As we approached, I spotted Thea sitting on a bench, a few fresh bruises coloring her arms and cheek. Elric hurried over to start healing her, his hands already glowing with faint light.

    ¡°How was it?¡± I asked as I crouched beside her.

    She winced slightly as Elric¡¯s magic started knitting her bruises together but managed a triumphant smile. ¡°I won. But the fight was harder. My opponent actually had some real skills¡ªtechniques, even. It wasn¡¯t just brute force and flailing. But in the end¡­¡± Her smile turned sharp and confident. ¡°¡­I pulled through.¡±

    ¡°Good,¡± I said, grinning back. ¡°You¡¯ll need those skills. We¡¯ve got work to do.¡±

    Thea raised an eyebrow, glancing at the bag tucked under my arm. ¡°What did you buy?¡±

    ¡°Surprises,¡± I said smugly, clutching the bag tighter. ¡°We can talk about it later.¡±

    As Thea gave me a curious look, I thought about the ranking system. It took ten victories to rise from bottom rank to beginner rank.

    This made two victories for her. Eight more, and she¡¯d climb up the ladder.

    ¡°That¡¯s great,¡± I said with a nod. ¡°I¡¯ll sign up for my match now. You can wait out here.¡±

    Leaving Thea and Elric behind, I walked toward the registration counter. The familiar attendant was there, head bent over a stack of paperwork, her pen scratching lightly across the surface.

    ¡°Welcome back,¡± she said without looking up. ¡°Ready to listen this time?¡±

    I hesitated, the phantom ache of cracked ribs and bruised pride bubbling up for a moment. Then I took a breath, pushing the memory away. ¡°Yeah¡­ but first, I want to fight a beast.¡±

    That got her attention. She looked up sharply, one eyebrow arched high. ¡°Are you sure you want to do that?¡±

    I nodded, firm. ¡°Yes.¡±

    She studied me for a moment, her eyes sharp and assessing, like she was trying to gauge whether I was brave or just stupid. ¡°There will be no stopping this fight, recruit. Even if you¡¯re¡­ losing. Many new recruits die fighting beasts. They¡¯re not like humans. They don¡¯t stop. They don¡¯t hesitate. Are you sure?¡±

    Her words carried weight, and I let them settle in my chest. I thought of the Carapace Hound, the way its claws had shredded the air, its jaws snapping with ruthless hunger. Beasts weren¡¯t bound by fear or hesitation¡ªthey just attacked.

    But I also remembered the rewards.

    ¡°What are the rewards for ranking up?¡± I asked. ¡°And how many victories do I need?¡±

    She sighed, setting down her pen as if this conversation had already drained her patience. ¡°You already know the cost: twenty points to fight a beast. You¡¯ll earn twenty-five if you win. It also counts as your compulsory fight for the day, so you won¡¯t need to fight again. But you can only do this four times a month.¡±

    She paused, letting the weight of her words settle before continuing.

    ¡°Like regular matches, after ten victories, you¡¯ll rank up from Bottom to Beginner. The cost will remain the same, but you¡¯ll earn a net of ten points per victory instead of five, and you¡¯ll be allowed to fight up to ten times a month.¡±

    Relief flickered through me. If this worked, I could skip the grim spectacle of beating down another recruit just to prove I could follow orders. A beast fight would be ruthless, sure¡ªbut it would be clean. Honest, even.

    ¡°I¡¯ll sign up.¡±

    She extended her hand, palm up. ¡°Orb.¡±

    I handed it over. With a few quick taps and the faint glow of magic pulsing through her fingertips, she handed it back to me.

    The orb felt warm in my palm as I glanced down at the smooth surface. A new line of text had appeared:

    <ul>

    <li style="font-weight: 400">Peter</li>

    <li style="font-weight: 400">Soldier Battles ¡ª Rank: Bottom, Victories: 1</li>

    <li style="font-weight: 400">Beast Battles ¡ª Rank: Bottom, Victories: 0</li>

    </ul>

    The letters glowed faintly in the dim light of the registration hall.

    ¡°Good luck, recruit,¡± the attendant said, her voice flat but not unkind, before turning back to her paperwork.

    I tucked the orb securely into my pocket and turned on my heel, walking back to where Thea and Elric waited.

    My pulse was steady. My focus, sharp.

    A beast fight. No rules. No hesitation. Just survival.

    I could handle that.

    ¡°Are you really not going to tell me anything about what you bought? And just how much did you spend?¡± Thea asked, her storm-gray eyes narrowing as she crossed her arms.

    Before I could come up with a suitably vague and non-damning answer, Elric decided to help.

    ¡°Upwards of three hundred¡­ maybe three hundred fifty points.¡±

    ¡°WHAT?¡± Thea¡¯s voice cracked slightly as her arms flew into the air in disbelief.

    ¡°Thea, listen¡ª¡±

    ¡°We just recovered most of what we¡¯ve been spending, and you went and dropped everything? Are you out of your mind? We could¡¯ve at least discussed it!¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s for cultivation!¡± I said, holding my hands up in surrender. ¡°I promise, it was well spent. Plus¡­¡± I reached into the bag and pulled out a pack of dried fruit, holding it up like it was a peace offering. ¡°I got some food for us. Stuff that isn¡¯t just charred mystery meat on sticks.¡±

    She stared at the fruit, her glare softening just a fraction. ¡°Hmm¡­ Well, if it¡¯s for cultivation, you should¡¯ve led with that. Honestly, Peter¡­¡±

    Elric chimed in, ever the instigator. ¡°Oh, he led with it all right¡ªled with his points straight into financial ruin.¡±

    ¡°Not helping,¡± I smirked, clutching the bag tighter. ¡°Don¡¯t worry. Tomorrow, it¡¯ll all make sense. I promise. But for now, it¡¯s a surprise.¡±

    Thea squinted at me, then at the bag, clearly torn between suspicion and curiosity. ¡°Fine. But this had better not be one of those ¡®I¡¯ll explain later¡¯ things that turns into never explaining at all.¡±

    I placed a hand over my heart dramatically. ¡°You wound me. Have I ever let you down?¡±

    She raised an eyebrow. ¡°You want me to make a list?¡±

    Before I could defend my honor, the sharp voice of an attendant echoed through the air.

    ¡°Peter.¡±

    I froze, my stomach doing a tiny somersault.

    Thea¡¯s irritation melted into a warm smile, and Elric gave me an encouraging nod.

    ¡°Good luck,¡± they both said in unison.

    ¡°Thanks.¡±

    I walked towards the elevator, my footsteps steady despite the knot tightening in my stomach. The familiar hum of machinery filled the air as the doors closed behind me, sealing me into the stone box. When they reopened, I stepped into an arena drenched in emerald hues¡ªanother forested battleground.

    But something was different. There was no opponent waiting for me, no eager stance, no mechanical voice asking me to confirm my status.

    For a moment, I stood in confusion, the silence pressing against my ears like a heavy weight.

    And then¡ª

    ¡°Begin.¡±

    A second elevator groaned open on the far end of the arena.

    At first, all I saw was shadow¡ªa hulking silhouette framed by flickering fluorescent lights. But then it stepped forward, and my breath caught in my throat.

    It was as if a tree and its twisted roots had decided to sprout legs, crawl out of the depths of a nightmare, and audition for the lead role in an eldritch horror movie.

    The creature was just taller than me, standing on four muscular legs that seemed carved from gnarled tree trunks. Its hide was a patchwork of dark, bark-like plates and sinewy flesh that pulsed faintly with an eerie bioluminescence. Massive, jagged antlers, twisted like cruel branches, extended skyward from its elongated skull. Its eyes¡ªdeep pits of glowing amber¡ªlocked onto me, unblinking and hungry. From its mouth, rows of needle-like teeth jutted out, glistening with strands of thick, black saliva that dripped onto the forest floor and sizzled where they landed.

    What is that?

    I forced myself to breathe, but my lungs felt constricted, like someone had cinched a belt around my chest.

    The beast took another step forward, the ground trembling under its weight, leaves scattering with each calculated movement.

    Its mouth opened wider, a guttural sound reverberating from somewhere deep in its chest¡ªa sound that wasn¡¯t quite a growl, nor a hiss, but something ancient and awful in between.

    I tightened my fists, my mind scrambling to piece together a plan.

    For now, though, there was only one thought repeating in my head.

    This¡­ is going to be a problem.

 Chapter 18: The Mechanics of Power

    The beast roared, charging toward me with a ferocity that froze every muscle in my body. I forced myself to move, diving sideways as its jagged antlers swept past, close enough that I could feel the air shift. The landing was brutal¡ªI hit the dirt hard, scraping my palms and knocking the breath out of me. Scrambling to my feet, I tried to shake off the panic clawing at my chest.

    This wasn¡¯t sparring with Thea. This wasn¡¯t a human fight with predictable moves or hesitation. This was something raw, something primal. It wasn¡¯t here to win. It was here to kill.

    My heart hammered in my chest as the beast turned, moving with an unnatural grace that belied its massive frame. Before I could steady myself, it lunged again, claws slicing through the space where my legs had been just seconds before. I jumped, barely clearing the strike, and landed awkwardly, my legs wobbling as pain shot through my ankles.

    It snarled, its needle-like teeth snapping together in frustration. My limbs felt heavy, my breathing ragged. Every dodge was a fraction of a second too slow, every movement clumsy. This wasn¡¯t a fight¡ªit was survival. Pure, desperate survival.

    The beast charged again, and instinct overrode fear. I stepped forward rather than back, channeling every ounce of energy I had into my fist as I aimed for its side. The impact was sharp and jarring, pain exploding up my arm as my knuckles cracked against its bark-like hide. A fissure formed, but it was small¡ªtoo small. The beast staggered but didn¡¯t fall. Its amber eyes flared with fury, and it swiped at me with a massive claw. I stumbled back, the wind from its attack throwing me off balance.

    My knuckles throbbed, the skin split and raw. This isn¡¯t working. It¡¯s too strong. I can¡¯t brute force this.

    I gritted my teeth, forcing the panic to the edges of my mind. ¡°Come on,¡± I muttered through clenched teeth, my voice shaking. ¡°Think.¡±

    The energy in my Grand Channel churned, circulating faster as my breathing steadied. My senses sharpened¡ªthe faint rustle of leaves, the flicker of light across the beast¡¯s hide, the rhythmic thud of its steps. For a fleeting moment, it felt like the world slowed. And then I saw it¡ªa tree, splintered and leaning precariously from the beast¡¯s earlier charge.

    The beast lunged again, its antlers gleaming. I sidestepped, narrowly avoiding the blow, and lured it toward the fallen tree. It charged with a deafening roar, smashing through the splintered wood. The impact left it momentarily stunned, its massive body shaking off debris as it tried to regain focus.

    I didn¡¯t hesitate.

    With a roar of my own, I charged, driving my fist into the fissure I¡¯d created earlier. Pain shot up my arm, but I didn¡¯t stop. I struck again and again, the energy coursing through my limbs, amplifying each blow. The beast howled, a sound so raw and guttural it sent shivers down my spine. Its claws lashed out wildly, but I clung to its side, my fists pounding into the crack like a hammer on stone.

    The bark-like armor began to splinter, giving way under the relentless assault. Blood¡ªits dark, tar-like ichor¡ªsplattered across my arms and face. My own blood mixed with it as the skin on my knuckles tore further with each strike. My breaths came in ragged gasps, my vision narrowing to the task in front of me.

    The beast buckled, its massive legs trembling as it fell partially onto its side. But it wasn¡¯t done¡ªit wouldn¡¯t go quietly. Its claws flailed, raking across my back, searing pain spreading like wildfire across my skin. I screamed but refused to let go.

    With a guttural yell, I planted my feet against its trembling body and plunged my hands into the fissure. The warmth of its pulsing flesh made bile rise in my throat, but I didn¡¯t let myself think. I grabbed at sinews, tearing chunks free with a primal desperation. The beast thrashed beneath me, its wails warbling into something almost pitiful, almost human.

    My fingers slick with blood and ichor, I drove my fist deep into its exposed side one last time. Something brittle snapped under my grip¡ªits ribs? Its spine? I didn¡¯t care.

    The beast¡¯s movements slowed, its cries fading into a weak, rattling wheeze. Finally, its massive body sagged against the forest floor, motionless.

    I stumbled back, falling to my knees as my legs gave out. My chest heaved, my arms trembling, my entire body screaming in protest. My knuckles were raw, the skin torn and bleeding, the pain a dull, persistent throb.

    I stared at the lifeless creature, its amber eyes now dim and empty. Relief didn¡¯t come. Triumph didn¡¯t come. All I felt was exhaustion, a hollow ache settling in my chest.

    ¡°Well¡­¡± I rasped, my voice hoarse. ¡°That sucked.¡±

    An emotionless voice sounded from above. ¡°You have won. If you can, return through the way you came.¡±

    My entire body screamed in protest, but I forced myself upright, limping toward the stone elevator. The clashes and cries of other battles echoed faintly in the coliseum, a haunting reminder of the brutal world I¡¯d been thrust into.

    When the elevator descended, I handed my orb to the waiting attendants. Their glances flicked over me, no doubt noting the dark ichor and sinew plastered to my body. The healers hovering nearby moved toward me with professional annoyance, but I brushed them off. My orb now displayed an extra five points, bringing my total to a measly fifty.

    I trudged toward the familiar spot where Thea and Elric waited, mentally preparing for the inevitable torture that would come with Elric¡¯s ¡°healing.¡±

    Thea noticed me first, her storm-gray eyes widening in shock. She rushed over, Elric hot on her heels. ¡°What are you covered in?¡± she asked, recoiling slightly at the sight of the blackened gore clinging to my clothes and skin.

    ¡°You should see the other guy,¡± I said, attempting a grin. No one laughed. ¡°What? Really, that thing was horrifying. You should¡¯ve seen it. Oh, by the way¡ªI fought a beast.¡±

    Both of them froze, their expressions shifting from surprise to disbelief.

    ¡°Why?¡± Elric asked, his brow furrowing. ¡°You didn¡¯t think you could take anyone else on?¡±

    I hesitated. ¡°No, I¡­ I needed a break. From hurting people, I mean.¡± My voice dropped slightly before I cleared my throat and continued. ¡°Plus, there are rewards for ranking up in both beast battles and regular fights. I think we should try doing both. Who knows what we¡¯ll get as we move further up.¡±

    Elric nodded slowly, his thoughtful expression returning. ¡°Alright. I can ask around and see what others know about beast rankings. But first¡ª¡± He broke into the kind of smile that sent chills down my spine. ¡°Let¡¯s get you patched up. Lie down.¡±

    ¡°Oh no¡ªwait¡ª¡±

    Before I could protest further, I was laid out on the bench, and Elric got to work. His energy flowed into me, searing and soothing all at once. It was effective, I¡¯d give him that. Still, the sensation of bones knitting together and skin sealing shut never got less unsettling.

    When he finally stepped back, his expression shifted to something closer to awe. ¡°Wow.¡±

    ¡°What is it?¡± Thea asked, leaning closer.

    ¡°It¡¯s¡­ you two. You¡¯re healing so fast, I can barely believe it¡ªeven seeing it myself.¡± He gestured faintly toward me. ¡°The energy flowing through your body is¡­ purer somehow. Stronger. It¡¯s like it¡¯s helping the process along.¡±

    ¡°Well,¡± Thea chimed in, ¡°we did change quite a lot. Before, I could barely stand against anyone. Now, I can hold my own against bottom rankers, even without a system.¡±

    Elric shook his head, his expression still incredulous. ¡°It¡¯s not just that. My own energy¡ªwhen I channel it to heal you¡ªit feels different. Like your cultivation method is improving it. Maybe there are still benefits we don¡¯t know about.¡±

    I sat up with a groan, wincing at the lingering aches. ¡°Just wait until you make your Grand Channel, Elric. You¡¯ll be the first healer to not surrender and win fights without hurting anyone. Just cure them mid-battle. All you¡¯d have to do is get close enough to heal them.¡± I smirked. ¡°They¡¯d be doubled over in pain, perfectly intact but miserable.¡±

    Thea chuckled softly, but Elric froze, his eyes narrowing slightly as if deep in thought.

    ¡°Elric¡ª¡± I waved a hand, trying to snap him out of it. ¡°I was joking. Don¡¯t turn your healing magic into some twisted form of torture.¡±

    He blinked, shaking off whatever idea had been brewing in his mind. ¡°Right,¡± he said, though I wasn¡¯t entirely convinced.This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings.

    Desperate to change the subject, I asked, ¡°Did you already finish your match?¡±

    Elric turned back to me, his expression softening. ¡°Yeah. Thea paid for my surrender. But¡­ the mage I fought? They were almost desperate. They almost had time to fire a spell before I yielded.¡±

    I paused, considering his words. ¡°You don¡¯t think the Healers¡¯ Guild¡ª¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s possible,¡± Elric cut in, his voice calm but edged with unease. ¡°Some people might be targeting me where I can¡¯t be¡­ protected.¡±

    ¡°You mean fawned over,¡± Thea said with a sly smirk.

    ¡°Well, either way,¡± Elric continued, brushing her comment aside, ¡°I¡¯m safe out here. I have some ideas I want to work on.¡±

    I prayed to whatever forces governed this world that those ideas weren¡¯t inspired by my earlier sarcastic suggestion. ¡°Alright, man, stay safe. Try to find some fangirls to walk you back,¡± I said, offering a half-hearted salute as he waved goodbye and headed off.

    Thea turned to me, wrinkling her nose as she eyed my tattered, bloodstained clothes. ¡°You need new clothes¡­ and a bath.¡±

    ¡°Rude,¡± I shot back, before flashing her my most exaggerated pleading face. ¡°You paying?¡±

    She rolled her eyes but smiled. ¡°Yeah, yeah. Come on, let¡¯s get you some clothes first. And this time, we¡¯ll see if we can get them cleaned too.¡±

    We made our way to the clothing shop, where we found basic training outfits that fit well enough. The shopkeeper offered a cleaning and repair service for less-destroyed clothes, but mine were too far gone. Thea handed over her old clothes along with some additional items for cleaning while changing into her new outfit. I followed suit, the fresh fabric feeling like a blessing after the day¡¯s events.

    From there, we headed to the bathhouse, parting ways to clean ourselves up thoroughly. The warm water worked wonders on my aching muscles and grimy skin, washing away layers of dirt, blood, and beast ichor. By the time we regrouped outside, we both looked and felt far more human. Thea¡¯s points were now sitting at 400, a small price for the much-needed refresh.

    There was still time before sunset, but my mind was elsewhere. I glanced at the bag of manuals I¡¯d purchased earlier, their weight a constant reminder of my plan.

    With the prospect of keeping everything a surprise, I resolved to stay up after Thea fell asleep. If I could figure out something meaningful from the skills in these manuals, it would make the perfect gift. If not¡­ well, she¡¯d still appreciate the books. Either way, I was determined to try. For now, though, I turned to her. ¡°You want to get a room to cultivate for a bit? Feels too early to head back.¡±

    She raised an eyebrow, smirking. ¡°I assume I¡¯m paying?¡±

    I grinned. ¡°Like you¡¯d ever complain about a chance to cultivate. Plus, I want to try more of the Grand Carving technique. We should experiment with spiral patterns¡ªsee if they really increase the energy flow.¡±

    Her storm-gray eyes lit up as she beamed. ¡°You¡¯re right. Let¡¯s go.¡±

    We headed to the training area and got a beginner room. Once inside, I settled into a meditative stance and focused inward, sensing the structure of my Grand Channel and the energy coursing through it. After a few deep breaths, I began forming another needle. The process was still challenging, but my previous experience made it feel slightly more natural this time.

    The needle formed, sharp and precise, as I began the painstaking task of carving a corkscrew pattern into my channel. The pain was still there, raw and biting, but my focus drowned it out. The grooves of the spiral took shape, leading up to the reservoir node in my chest. Each movement of the needle required deliberate precision, but I could already sense the effect as I worked¡ªthe energy within the channel flowed faster, riding the carved grooves like water in a newly carved canal.

    Eventually, I finished the pattern leading to the chest node. The result left me stunned. The energy rushed through my Grand Channel with a speed and smoothness I hadn¡¯t experienced before, pooling briefly in the chest node before dispersing outward. With this enhanced flow, I could diffuse more energy into my body without constant focus, allowing me to concentrate on battle instead of micromanaging my internal force. My combat potential had undoubtedly risen.

    But the needle was still intact. I wasn¡¯t finished yet.

    ¡°Thea?¡± I called softly, opening my eyes just enough to see her in focus. She stirred slightly, a faint sheen of sweat on her forehead, but her breathing remained steady. I figured she was listening. ¡°I¡¯m going to start a reservoir pattern in my right shoulder now. I should be able to finish before the needle fades.¡±

    She nodded silently, and I returned to my work, deciding not to disturb her further. The room was quiet except for the faint hum of energy, and I let myself become completely absorbed in the task ahead.

    I barely finished the node in my shoulder before the needle vanished, its energy surging through me one last time¡ªcoursing through my bones, tendons, and organs like a river carving its way through stone. My Grand Channel was back at twenty percent, so I decided to start refilling it, figuring Thea would make the same decision. Once the world energy fully saturated my Grand Channel, I opened my eyes and found her gaze fixed on me, intense and unwavering.

    ¡°Ready?¡± Thea asked.

    ¡°Yep, let¡¯s start.¡±

    And so, we began the cycle again, repeating it over and over. By the time we were kicked out of the training hall, we had both carved the new node, spiral pattern, and reached fifty percent of our internal strength capacity in the Grand Channel. It seemed even cultivation moved faster with the spiral patterns.

    Walking back to camp, we chatted all the way.

    ¡°That sparring session was insane!¡± Thea bounced on her feet like a kid who¡¯d just discovered the world¡¯s biggest candy store.

    I smiled, catching her contagious enthusiasm. ¡°I¡¯ve never felt my force move like that before. Every fight¡ªit had so much power behind every attack.¡±

    ¡°I know! And all of this, every step¡ªwe¡¯re making it together.¡± She glanced at me, her eyes shimmering with gratitude. ¡°Thank you, Peter. Without you, none of this would¡¯ve been possible. I could¡¯ve reached core formation without ever realizing I could carve my own path.¡±

    ¡°We¡¯re a team, Thea. I don¡¯t think I would¡¯ve survived this long without you. There¡¯s no need to thank me.¡±

    The sunset painted the horizon in vibrant hues of gold and crimson as we strolled back to our spot near camp, the warm glow wrapping around us like a comforting blanket.

    ¡°Tomorrow you¡¯ll be eighteen, huh? Are you excited to get your system?¡± I asked. ¡°Finally combining the benefits of our methods with the boosts from stats and techniques?¡±

    ¡°Yep!¡± She beamed, practically glowing with excitement. ¡°As long as I¡¯m not a late bloomer, tomorrow morning I should wake up to my first system notification. I just hope I get a warrior blessing.¡±

    ¡°No kidding. You¡¯d make a terrible healer. Probably causing more harm than¡ªow!¡± I flinched as her playful punch landed squarely on my arm. ¡°Hey, I was just agreeing with you!¡± I said, rubbing the spot and glancing over to see her smirking at me.

    ¡°Sure you were,¡± she replied, rolling her eyes.

    I chuckled as a thought struck me. ¡°I guess we¡¯ll have to revise your full title.¡±

    ¡°What?¡± she asked, raising an eyebrow.

    ¡°Right now, you¡¯re Princess Grandmaster Thea. But if you become a warrior,¡± I paused, grinning at my own comedic genius, ¡°you¡¯ll be Warrior Princess Grandmaster Thea.¡±

    The silence that followed was so thick it might as well have taken on a physical form.

    Thea sighed, the sound heavy with resignation. ¡°Are you ever going to drop that?¡±

    I looked at her, schooling my face into mock seriousness. ¡°Thea?¡±

    Her expression shifted, expectant.

    ¡°Never. I will never drop it,¡± I declared, bursting into laughter.

    She shook her head with a faint smile as we continued talking, the sun dipping lower, casting long shadows. Other recruits were filtering back to camp as the moon began to rise, its silver glow softening the edges of the world around us. Over time, Thea¡¯s words became slower, her voice softer, until eventually, her breathing evened out and she drifted into quiet sleep.

    I stood, careful not to wake her, and walked a short distance away for privacy, carrying the bag of books. Settling onto a flat patch of ground, I decided to start with Bark Skin.

    The manual was the shortest¡ªonly three pages long¡ªand seemed manageable despite my slow pace with the unfamiliar characters. Besides, it had images, though they turned out to be disappointingly unhelpful. One depicted a hulking figure in heavy armor, possibly included for style rather than instruction.

    The technique described the ability to envelop oneself in a thick, hide-like barrier of energy. It was a defensive enhancement that grew stronger as the ability leveled up. It increased both defense and endurance stats¡ªconcepts that meant little to me since I had no system screen of my own.

    Still, my focus wasn¡¯t on stats. I was hunting for something specific: the logic underpinning the technique. Surely whoever had written this manual had included some hint of how it worked.

    Skimming wasn¡¯t an option. I still struggled to read the unfamiliar symbols. After painstaking effort, I finally found it¡ªa small section near the end offering the writer¡¯s interpretation of the technique:

    "The system imparts knowledge not just through words but through impressions¡ªa convergence of image, sensation, and instinct, etched into the mind like a waking dream. In the case of ''Bark Skin,'' it presents a vivid mental image: energy welling up from deep within, emerging as a force that coats the body in a protective sheath.

    This force, as I interpret it, is externalized through the skill, bonding to the skin as if it were an extension of the body itself. Early in my practice, this energy dissipated quickly, leaving me utterly drained, my reserves depleted until I rested. Over time, as the ability matured, the energy adhered more efficiently, though it brought an unusual side effect¡ªa pungent odor clinging to my skin after each advancement, requiring thorough cleansing to remove.

    Yet, with each repetition, the technique refined itself, allowing my body to retain more of this energy, growing stronger as it adhered more seamlessly."

    My heart thudded as I reread the passage. It sounded familiar. Too familiar to ignore.

    The mention of energy dissipating completely¡ªleaving nothing behind until rest replenished it¡ªtriggered a realization. Memories of our training surfaced, those moments when Thea and I traded jabs about who needed a shower more. I¡¯d assumed it was just sweat from the relentless pace of cultivation, and it was¡­ but not just sweat. There had been something else.

    During intentional core failure, the energy didn¡¯t dissipate in a simple burst¡ªit flowed outward, coursing through every part of me. Bones, tendons, organs¡ªit reached everywhere before vanishing.

    This was the same process described in the book. The more the writer used their skill, the more it leveled up. And as it leveled, the energy stuck to their skin more effectively.

    But ours was different.

    When I expelled energy, it didn¡¯t stop at the skin. It went deeper, flooding every fiber of my body. The implications were staggering.

    This wasn¡¯t just Bark Skin.

    I drew in a sharp breath, the words forming in my mind like a revelation carved in stone.

    ¡°Body Refinement.¡±

 Chapter 19: A Crude Beginning

    ¡°All this time, we¡¯ve been purifying our bodies, and the more we fail at core formation, the more we cleanse ourselves.¡±

    ¡°Who¡¯s out here?¡± A familiar gruff voice cut through the stillness behind me, pulling me from my thoughts.

    My heart jumped. I suddenly remembered the commander¡¯s stern instruction not to wander after dark. So much had happened over the past few days that I¡¯d let it slip my mind. Clearing my throat, I called out, ¡°It¡¯s me, sir. Over here.¡±

    He stepped into the faint light, irritation etched across his face. ¡°What are you doing out here, Peter?¡±

    I scrambled to my feet, brushing dirt off my knees. ¡°I was training, sir.¡±

    His gaze fell on the book in my hand, his brow furrowing. ¡°You¡¯ve got my book? You don¡¯t even have a class yet.¡± His eyes flicked to the pile of books scattered at my feet. ¡°What exactly are you training for? It¡¯s not bad to study, but stuffing your head with too much can do more harm than good.¡±

    ¡°Your book?¡± I glanced at the cover and saw the author¡¯s name: Griffin Ironscribe.

    ¡°Should I call you Commander Ironscribe?¡± I asked, a grin tugging at my lips. It seemed fitting, given how his scholar¡¯s mind contrasted his rugged, commanding presence. He¡¯d mentioned having a personal library¡ªa rare luxury in a world like this I imagine¡ªand now I knew he was an author, too. Did he pick the name himself?

    ¡°Answer my question, recruit,¡± he barked, his tone sharp enough to straighten my posture.

    ¡°I¡ªI¡¯m experimenting,¡± I admitted, words tumbling out faster than I could think. ¡°I want to create skills without using the system. I mean¡ªwho knows how long it¡¯ll take me to get one?¡±

    He frowned, the weight of his gaze making my pulse race. ¡°What do you mean? At most, late bloomers only take a month to gain their systems.¡±

    My stomach dropped. Panic crept into my voice as I stammered, ¡°Uh¡ªyeah, of course! But still¡­ I want to be prepared.¡±

    For a moment, he studied me like I¡¯d grown a second head, and I thought for sure he¡¯d press further. After all, my behavior practically screamed ¡°out of place.¡± But then he sighed. ¡°Good timing anyway. I just finished the Spiritual Reservoir Formation stage. Now I¡¯ve got this¡­ large system running through me¡­by the way not pleasant,¡± he added. ¡°Anyway, as you said, I¡¯ve changed.¡±

    I tilted my head, curiosity piqued. ¡°How worthwhile is the change for someone like you? With such a high level¡ª¡± I hesitated, guessing at his rank based on his commanding role.

    ¡°Had I been your age, it would¡¯ve been massively useful,¡± he admitted. ¡°But now? The only real benefit is the improvement to my senses.¡± He paused, his tone shifting. ¡°Do you have another step in mind?¡±

    I nodded slowly. ¡°I do. I also came up with a theory from your book, but it¡¯s just a theory. You could wait until I¡¯ve tested it.¡±

    He shook his head. ¡°No. I know your ideas hold merit, I¡¯ll take it now.¡±

    I hesitated. Pricing was still a mystery to me, and I wasn¡¯t sure how to balance fairness with profitability. After all, Thea and I had charged him six hundred points for something we¡¯d only asked three hundred for from others. ¡°Can you tell me what would be a fair price?¡± I asked.

    The commander sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. ¡°You need to start learning the value of these things, Peter. But I won¡¯t trick you¡ªI¡¯ll let you know what it¡¯s worth.¡±

    My tone softened as I tried to explain, hoping I didn¡¯t sound like a complete idiot. ¡°Okay, so¡­ first, the new structure holding your internal strength¡ªit¡¯s something I¡¯m calling a Grand Channel. It¡¯s kind of like a new reservoir, but also a path for cultivation. You can store world energy in it and use it way more efficiently. Plus, it holds a lot more energy than anything you¡¯ve had before.¡±

    As I spoke, the commander was scribbling on a piece of paper with his inkless feather pen, his eye glowing faintly from the light of a strange instrument attached to it. The steady scratch of his pen filled the silence between my words.

    ¡°But Thea and I invented a technique,¡± I continued, ¡°something we call Grand Carving¡­ Oh, and the stage you¡¯re at? We¡¯re calling it the Energy Gathering stage. Anyway, for the Grand Carving, Thea and I use about ten percent of our stored internal strength to¡­ intentionally fail core formation.¡±

    He stopped writing and looked at me, startled. ¡°You waste energy for nothing? Why would you do that?¡±

    ¡°No, not waste,¡± I corrected quickly. ¡°We form a needle-shaped core and, using inspiration from mage tools, carve patterns into our Grand Channel. At the points where the reservoirs used to be, we carve foci to create pseudo-reservoirs. Then, for now, our plan is to carve spiral patterns to increase flow speed and improve energy diffusion into our bodies.¡±

    ¡°This is all non-theoretical?¡± he asked, his tone sharp.

    ¡°Yes.¡± I hesitated, weighing the value of telling him the rest. There was danger in revealing too much. But this man had been a good teacher, guide, and¡­ well, customer. He hadn¡¯t given me any reason to distrust him¡ªyet. Taking a deep breath, I pressed on. ¡°My goal has always been to strengthen the body permanently, not just by diffusing internal force into it only for that force to disappear later. I wanted something tangible.¡±

    I paused, watching for his reaction, but all I got was a simple, ¡°Go on,¡± as he grabbed another sheet of paper.

    Clearing my throat, I continued, ¡°Using your book, I came to a realization. One that people might have reached if they failed core formation enough times.¡± I hesitated again, knowing how unlikely that was. ¡°Though honestly, most people would abandon cultivation after wasting all their energy on failed attempts. They don¡¯t have a Grand Channel, so they¡¯d have to start over. And, well, systems are easier.¡±

    He nodded slightly, still writing. ¡°What realization?¡±

    I shifted my weight, gathering my thoughts. ¡°In your book, you mentioned how leveling up Bark Skin in the system causes the body to give off an odor. I think it¡¯s from removing some sort of impurity that prevents system energy from sticking to the skin.¡±

    ¡°I thought the same thing,¡± he agreed, his eyes narrowing in focus.

    ¡°Right,¡± I said, feeling a little more confident. ¡°And when I fail core formation by creating the needle, the same thing happens. But I think it¡¯s because the dissipated energy runs through my whole body, not just the surface. I don¡¯t know how yet, but I¡¯m pretty sure the trick is learning how to send internal strength into my body itself. Maybe it¡¯ll happen naturally over time as the energy diffuses more deeply. Then, once it¡¯s purified enough¡­ maybe it won¡¯t leave.¡±

    He didn¡¯t respond right away, and the silence made my heart pound. Finally, he spoke, his tone low and deliberate. ¡°Peter.¡±

    ¡°Yes, sir?¡±

    ¡°Who have you told about this?¡± His piercing gaze locked onto mine, serious enough to make my chest tighten.

    ¡°Ju¡ªjust you, sir,¡± I stammered, caught off guard by the weight of his question.

    He let out a long sigh, the sound almost one of relief. ¡°I think your ideas hold up. You might actually achieve your goal. When you do, tell me. But until then¡­¡± He leaned forward slightly, his voice grave. ¡°Be very careful who you tell. If this works, it will change the world. I¡¯ll keep this a secret¡ªfor now. It benefits me to do so. But until you¡¯re strong enough, I advise against giving away more information than you have today.¡±

    ¡°Understood, sir,¡± I said quickly, my voice steady despite the storm of thoughts racing in my mind.

    ¡°Good.¡± He straightened, his tone shifting back to practical matters. ¡°As for the value of the basic information about Energy Gathering, I probably could have reached the same conclusion myself¡ªbut Grand Carving¡ªintentionally failing core formation to carve patterns into your Grand Channel, I don¡¯t know if I could have. I¡¯d put this information at four hundred points.¡±Support the author by searching for the original publication of this novel.

    He paused, and I could feel the weight of his next words. ¡°As for the rest¡­ even in theory, I would say it¡¯s worth five hundred. And if you discover the principle behind achieving it¡ªif you can make it work¡­ I¡¯d easily pay one thousand points for what is essentially Bark Skin permanently activated across my entire body.¡±

    My jaw practically hit the floor at the idea of such a number.

    Without hesitation, he pulled out his orb, carefully shielding his point total. I followed his example, mimicking the motion as best I could. Then, without batting an eye, he transferred nine hundred points to me. My orb now glowed with a bright green 950.

    I blinked, trying to process the sheer magnitude of the exchange. Nine hundred points!

    As my mind reeled, a new thought struck me¡ªif Thea became a warrior, wouldn¡¯t it be amazing if she could use Fireball? And here I was, standing before someone who could probably explain a skill in such detail that even someone like me could understand it.

    I hadn¡¯t even looked at the other books yet, but who knew how well they were written? Inspiration hit like a lightning bolt.

    ¡°Sir, can I pay you for information?¡± I blurted out.

    He raised an eyebrow. ¡°It depends. I am your tank instructor. If it¡¯s about skills or knowledge related to that, you don¡¯t have to pay.¡±

    He really is a pretty decent guy.

    ¡°No, it¡¯s not that,¡± I said, trying to keep my excitement from spilling over. ¡°I want to learn how to use Fireball. How does the energy behind it work? Do you have any idea?¡±

    He scratched the back of his head, giving me a look that suggested I¡¯d asked him to explain quantum mechanics. ¡°That seems like a fool¡¯s errand.¡±

    But I just stood there, looking at him expectantly.

    Finally, with a resigned sigh, he said, ¡°Hand me the Fireball book. I¡¯ll see what it offers and explain it. If the book explains enough, I won¡¯t ask for any points.¡±

    Grinning, I handed him the book. He flipped through it at a speed that almost gave me whiplash, grumbling and muttering under his breath. I caught snippets of his commentary: ¡°Amateur¡­ doesn¡¯t even know his own system¡­ idiot.¡±

    Finally, he sighed and snapped the book shut. ¡°Most of what it says is useless. It¡¯s mostly bragging about how destructive the ability is, with only a sliver of theory on how it might actually work. But¡­¡± He paused, tapping the cover with a thoughtful expression. ¡°I do have some ideas on it. Three hundred points, and I¡¯ll tell you what I know.¡±

    I nodded without hesitation, and we quickly completed the exchange. As the glow of the transaction faded from our orbs, he began to explain.

    ¡°Alright, Peter,¡± he started, leaning back slightly as if settling into teaching mode. ¡°Fireball is simple on the surface, but like most system-driven abilities, it¡¯s built on layers of automated processes that the system handles for you. Here¡¯s what¡¯s really going on.¡±

    I leaned forward, eager to absorb every word.

    ¡°The first step is energy generation and compression. Your system taps into your reservoir of mp and pulls raw energy. For Fireball, it compresses that energy into a small, unstable sphere. The compression is what gives the spell its destructive force. The more energy you compress, the more powerful the Fireball¡ªbut also the more dangerous it becomes to control.¡±

    ¡°Compression¡­¡± I repeated, trying to picture it. ¡°So it¡¯s like¡­ packing a snowball?¡±

    He raised an eyebrow. ¡°Sure, if that snowball could explode in your face the moment you handled it wrong.¡±

    ¡°Got it. No snowball fights with Fireball.¡±

    He sighed but continued. ¡°Next comes elemental conversion. Your system converts the raw energy into fire-attribute energy, it tags it somehow. This process aligns the energy with the properties of fire¡ªheat, combustion, and expansion.¡±

    I nodded along, trying to imagine the complexity of doing all of that manually.

    ¡°The system stabilizes the energy during this process,¡± he said, tapping the Fireball book. ¡°That¡¯s the tricky part. Compressed, fire-attributed energy is inherently volatile. It¡¯s like holding a lit torch over a barrel of oil¡ªone wrong move, and boom. The system ensures the energy remains stable until you¡¯re ready to release it. That¡¯s why mages can cast Fireball without accidentally blowing themselves up.¡±

    ¡°That¡­ sounds terrifying,¡± I admitted.

    ¡°It should. It¡¯s not a toy,¡± he said firmly. ¡°Once the Fireball is formed, the system gives you control over its trajectory. You can aim it in a straight line, launch it in an arc, or even guide it slightly mid-flight if your affinity with the system is high enough. But remember, the further it travels, the less stable it becomes. That¡¯s why Fireball always detonates on impact or after a set distance.¡±

    He paused, giving me a moment to process. ¡°And that brings us to the explosion. When the Fireball hits its target¡ªor destabilizes in midair¡ªthe compressed energy rapidly expands. This triggers an explosive release of heat and force, the very essence of its destructive power. The system calculates the exact timing to ensure maximum damage.¡±

    I frowned. ¡°So, without a system, none of this is possible?¡±

    He gave me a measured look. ¡°Possible? Sure. But practical? Not really. Without a system, you¡¯d have to master energy compression, elemental alignment, stabilization, and precise control. And even then, the chances of something going wrong are¡­ high. After all, some ice mages can cast fireball, but once they learn, the skill is implemented in their system, no longer forcing them to manually perform it. And of course, you need to be in the right class to use it¡­I won¡¯t be using a fireball anytime soon for instance.¡±

    I leaned back, feeling a mix of awe and frustration. ¡°So the system does all the heavy lifting. But¡­ is there anything I can do to understand it better? To replicate it?¡±

    His gaze sharpened. ¡°If you want to experiment, focus on understanding the fundamentals. Energy compression is key. Start small¡ªlearn how to condense a stable sphere of energy. From there, work on adding fire properties. But Peter,¡± he added, his tone serious, ¡°this isn¡¯t a game. One mistake, and you¡¯ll be lucky if you only lose a limb.¡±

    I swallowed hard, the weight of his words settling over me. ¡°Understood, sir. Start small. Don¡¯t blow myself up.¡±

    With that, he walked away, leaving me alone with my thoughts¡ªand the growing realization that my journey into understanding energy manipulation was just beginning.

    The night was still young, and it seemed I had permission to stay here. ¡°Right¡­ compression. That sounds easy enough. But how do I expel it? Not to mention, how do I turn it into fire?¡±

    I shook the thought away. I should start by learning how to expel my internal strength in a condensed form¡ªa sort of blast of invisible cultivation energy. I didn¡¯t need to replicate Fireball. A simple long-range attack would benefit me¡ªand if Thea became a warrior, it would benefit her too.

    I kept my focus steady, drawing the energy upward. It moved sluggishly, like water through a narrow pipe, until it settled into my palms. The sensation was faint, almost like an itch beneath the surface of my skin.

    ¡°Compress,¡± I whispered again, trying to mimic the idea of forming a core, but without the sheer force or permanence it required. I visualized the energy coiling into a tight point where the reservoir in my hand used to be. A tingle spread through my palm, followed by a slight pressure, as if the energy was resisting.

    But now came the part I hadn¡¯t figured out¡ªwhat to do with it. Up until now, everything I knew about cultivation had been about circulating energy, diffusing it into my body, and using it to strengthen myself. Expelling it? That was uncharted territory.

    The pressure in my palm started to waver, the energy threatening to unravel. Think, Peter. I remembered how world energy seemed to leak out when I lost focus during training,  or when I sparred with Thea. Maybe¡­ maybe the answer was in letting it escape, but in a controlled way.

    I adjusted my stance slightly, anchoring myself. Slowly, I willed the energy to gather again, pulling it into my palm and compressing it as much as I could. The tingle turned sharper, almost like a gentle burn, as the energy pushed back against my control.

    ¡°Alright,¡± I murmured. ¡°Let¡¯s try this.¡±

    Instead of forcing it out, I focused on releasing it, like letting air escape from a balloon. I relaxed my grip on the energy and visualized it surging outward, flowing in the same direction as my palm.

    A faint ripple burst from my hand, scattering loose dust and grass. The release was clumsy and weak, more like a sigh of air than a blast, but it was something. My heart raced as I stared at my hand.

    ¡°Okay¡­ okay, that¡¯s progress.¡±

    I tried again, this time compressing the energy tighter, holding it longer. The sensation grew stronger, the tingle almost numbing. With a slow exhale, I released it, visualizing the energy shooting out from my palm.

    The ripple was slightly stronger this time, spreading in a wider arc before fading into nothing. Still weak, still crude¡ªbut undeniable. I could feel the energy leaving me, however briefly.

    I repeated the process over and over, each attempt refining the motion. Sometimes the energy fizzled out before I could release it; other times, the pressure rebounded, leaving my palm aching. But the more I tried, the more consistent the results became.

    By the time the first light of dawn painted the sky, I was drenched in sweat, my arms trembling with fatigue. But I could do it¡ªbarely. A crude, unrefined burst of energy, like a shotgun blast at close range. It wasn¡¯t powerful, and it didn¡¯t travel far, but it was real.

    Panting, I flexed my fingers, feeling the dull ache in my palms. ¡°It¡¯s not perfect,¡± I muttered, watching the faint disturbance in the grass where my last attempt had landed. ¡°But it¡¯s a start.¡±

    Exhausted but exhilarated, I stood and stretched, the sky glowing faintly with the promise of morning. For the first time in this world, I felt like I had something truly mine.

    I sat down and grabbed the papers and ink, quickly scribbling down everything I¡¯d discovered, hoping Thea could understand and use it. Once finished, I bundled the notes with the books and stuffed them into the bag, making a mental note to split the points with her later as well.

    Shuffling back to camp, weighed down by exhaustion after staying up all night, I placed the bag where Thea would see it when she woke. On top, I added a small note written in this world¡¯s characters that simply read, Happy Birthday, Warrior Princess Grandmaster.

    Finally, I lay down, knowing I¡¯d only get a couple of hours of rest at most.

 Chapter 20: Strategy in the Alley

    The familiar but grating sound of the horn startled me awake, pulling me from the haze of exhaustion. Regret hit me immediately. Staying up all night might¡¯ve seemed worth it at the time, but right now, I wanted nothing more than to dive back under my blanket.

    Honestly, birthday gifts don¡¯t even seem to be a thing here. But sleep? Sleep is infinitely more valuable. And I¡¯d wasted it¡ª

    Something hit me like a train.

    In my groggy stupor, I thought I was being attacked, only to realize there was no force, no violence in the embrace.

    I yawned and let out a chuckle. ¡°Thea? I can barely breathe.¡±

    Her arms tightened briefly before she pulled back, brushing a stray strand of hair away from her face. For a moment, her stormy eyes softened in a way that was almost startling. ¡°Thanks,¡± she said, her voice quiet.

    ¡°No problem,¡± I said, though the words felt woefully inadequate.

    We fell into step with the others, the silence between us almost comfortable as we joined the line for morning training.

    ¡°So¡ªuh, what blessing did you get?¡± I asked after a beat.

    ¡°I haven¡¯t checked yet,¡± she replied. ¡°I was going to do it after we got to the Hall.¡±

    Before I could press further, Commander Griffin¡¯s voice cut through the air, sharp and commanding.

    ¡°The new recruits are arriving earlier than expected. It is unfortunate for you, as usually, you¡¯d have more time to save points. I suggest, if you haven¡¯t already, you join the tank guild soon. Today, I will lead you past the Hall of Heroes. You will no longer be staying at camp. Your competition is about to change¡ªand become much fiercer. I will explain more when we arrive at our destination. For now¡­¡±

    ¡°Oh no,¡± I groaned, already knowing what came next.

    ¡°Keep up!¡±

    ¡°Where do you think we¡¯re going?¡± Thea asked, falling in step beside me.

    ¡°Hopefully, a bed,¡± I muttered, still shaking off the remnants of sleep.

    She frowned slightly, her concern slipping into her voice. ¡°Did¡ªdid you stay up all night writing the technique down?¡±

    I shook my head. ¡°No, writing it only took a few minutes. Figuring out how to do it? That¡¯s what kept me up all night.¡± I smiled, though I felt the fatigue settle deeper into my bones.

    I could¡¯ve sworn I heard her click her tongue in irritation. ¡°You know what I meant,¡± she said, rolling her eyes. ¡°It¡¯s incredible, though. Something like this¡­ I¡¯ve never received a gift on my birthday.¡±

    Wait, are birthday gifts a thing? Could Thea¡¯s family just be uniquely¡­ un-familyish? I made a mental note to ask Elric later.

    ¡°It¡¯s hardly incredible,¡± I said dismissively. ¡°It¡¯s barely even a gift, considering I did it for myself too.¡±

    ¡°No,¡± she said firmly, her tone almost scolding. ¡°It¡¯s not just the technique. You gave me the gift of knowing we can go further with cultivation. Not just by inventing a new method, but by proving we can even make up for the flaws in the system. Elric and the others can be fighters, using skills outside of their own classes. This changes everything.¡±

    I met her gaze, her stormy eyes filled with a mix of awe and determination. ¡°Well, I¡¯ll be counting on you in the future then. You¡¯ll have to spill all the secrets of your system.¡±

    She raised an eyebrow, a sly smile creeping onto her lips. ¡°Who said I plan to do that? I am the master, after all. I should keep the best techniques for myself.¡±

    I nearly rolled my eyes, catching myself at the last second. This girl had definitely infected me with something.

    We arrived at the Hall of Heroes but didn¡¯t stop. Instead, we ran past it, continuing only a short distance further. When I saw what lay ahead, I stopped in my tracks, completely astounded.

    A town stretched out before us, vibrant and bustling with life. People strolled through the cobblestone streets, their laughter mingling with the melodic calls of merchants hawking their wares to eager passersby. Brightly colored awnings adorned market stalls, fluttering in the gentle breeze, and the rich smell of baked bread and sizzling meats filled the air. Children darted between the buildings, their games echoing with carefree joy.

    The architecture was humble but beautiful, with buildings neatly lined up along streets laid out in a perfect grid. Each structure was crafted from a harmonious mix of finely cut stone and sturdy wood, the colors of the materials blending naturally with the surrounding landscape. Despite its smaller scale, the town felt alive, a heart beating strong and steady in this corner of the world.

    But what truly captured my attention was the building that loomed at the back of the town.

    It didn¡¯t rival the Hall of Heroes in size, but it matched it in majesty. The structure seemed almost otherworldly, a testament to craftsmanship beyond mortal hands. The entire building appeared to be carved from a single, solid piece of pristine white marble, its surface gleaming softly in the morning light. The walls were seamless, as if the building had been born from the earth itself, shaped and polished by some ancient force.

    Ornate carvings adorned the facade¡ªintricate spirals and runes that seemed to shimmer faintly, as though infused with a quiet magic. Massive columns framed the entrance, each one impossibly smooth and perfectly symmetrical, supporting a grand archway that invited both awe and reverence.

    It felt alive somehow, humming with a subtle energy I could almost feel in my bones. This was no mere building; it was a symbol, a place of power and history, and it left me breathless.

    ¡°This,¡± the commander said, gesturing to the magnificent sight behind him, ¡°is the Town of the Fallen, and that,¡± he pointed to the glorious marble building, ¡°is the Grand Hall.¡±

    His voice carried a weight that silenced even the recruits who usually whispered during his speeches. He cleared his throat, letting the awe sink in. ¡°You will stay here from now on.¡±

    A ripple of murmurs spread through the group, most recruits visibly relieved. The promise of their own rooms, separate from the snore-ridden tents of the camp, seemed like a dream come true. A few even smiled, clearly imagining the luxuries of a proper roof over their heads.

    But, in true Ironscribe fashion, the commander quickly crushed those dreams.

    ¡°Staying in any building that functions as an inn will cost points. At least twenty per night,¡± he said, his tone blunt and unforgiving. ¡°I was hoping you would all have a couple more weeks to rank up, but¡­¡± He trailed off, letting the weight of his words settle on the group like a hammer.

    The air grew heavy with tension, and a few recruits glanced nervously at one another.

    ¡°But,¡± Ironscribe continued, his tone shifting slightly, ¡°you can head to the Tank Guild.¡± He pointed toward a sturdy building near the town¡¯s center. ¡°For a percentage of your points, you can stay there. The more you contribute, the more benefits you¡¯ll receive. I can guarantee that the one in charge won¡¯t scam you. Unlike¡ªwell, let¡¯s just say they¡¯re fair.¡±

    He paused, letting the tension hang.

    ¡°Sleeping outside on the streets is forbidden,¡± he added firmly, his eyes narrowing as if daring anyone to challenge him. ¡°And let me remind you¡ªif you think the woods are dangerous during the day, they¡¯re far worse at night. I don¡¯t recommend testing your luck.¡±

    The recruits seemed to visibly relax, probably because most, if not all, had already joined the guilds in the Hall of Heroes.

    ¡°Another thing,¡± the commander continued, his tone sharp, ¡°your responsibilities have increased. You will still be required to complete your daily battles, but now, every month, you must also complete one mission from the Grand Hall. That includes this month. If the mission takes more than one day, you will be expected to make up your daily matches within a time limit set by the Hall of Heroes¡¯ attendants. Dismissed.¡±

    And just like that, he went about his own business, striding confidently toward town.

    The group quickly dispersed, heading in all directions. Before Griffin disappeared entirely, I called out, ¡°Commander!¡±

    He turned, raising an eyebrow.

    ¡°If I need to find you, for¡­ business, where can I find you?¡±

    ¡°The Tank Guild,¡± he replied. ¡°I¡¯m in charge of supervising there. During the day, you¡¯ll find me at the guild. At night, I stay at the new recruit camp, keeping an eye on them.¡±

    I nodded, though questions nagged at my mind. How had he been able to find me that night in the woods? How had he known about the Carapace Hound Thea and I encountered?

    ¡°If I discover anything new,¡± I said, my voice steady, ¡°I¡¯ll sell it to you first¡ªas my first customer.¡±Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.

    He glanced at Thea, his expression serious. ¡°Keep an eye on each other. You were safe at the camps, but the town is not so well watched. Accidents happen all the time, especially on missions. Recruits are found dead all the time¡±¡ªhis next words came slow, deliberate¡ª¡°caught by monsters while sleeping out in the forest.¡±

    The weight of his words settled heavily over us. We both replied in unison, ¡°Yes, sir.¡±

    Satisfied, he turned and walked away, presumably heading to the guild.

    Thea looked at me, her expression lightening just a little. ¡°Let¡¯s go meet up with Elric and the girls.¡±

    ¡°You think it¡¯ll be Lyra and Sia?¡± I asked.

    ¡°I¡¯m sure it will be. Elric knows they¡¯re our students too now. He probably requested them personally from his fan club,¡± she added with a small smirk.

    We walked back toward the coliseum, leaving the town behind us for now. It didn¡¯t take long to reach the entrance, but something felt¡­ off.

    Sia and Lyra were waiting for us, but Elric wasn¡¯t there. The two girls looked visibly worried, their expressions tight with unease.

    Thea and I broke into a jog. She was the first to speak. ¡°What¡¯s wrong? Where¡¯s Elric?¡±

    Sia¡¯s panic was evident in her wide eyes as she answered, ¡°He¡¯s not with you? He went with the other recruits to town. We¡¯ve been waiting here for him, but it¡¯s been a while, and he hasn¡¯t come back.¡±

    My heart thudded painfully in my chest, Griffin¡¯s earlier warning ringing in my ears.

    ¡°Let¡¯s go back to town,¡± I said quickly, my voice tight. ¡°Let¡¯s hurry.¡±

    The four of us doubled back and sprinted toward the town with everything we had. Surprisingly, Sia and Lyra managed to keep up with Thea and me. Maybe system stats weren¡¯t as simple as just picking something and upgrading it.

    When we arrived, Lyra immediately began casting a spell.

    ¡°What is she doing?¡± I asked, glancing at the glowing runes forming around her hands.

    ¡°She¡¯s casting a skill,¡± Sia explained, her voice tight with worry. ¡°It¡¯ll enhance my sight.¡±

    Thea interjected before the spell could finish. ¡°Cast it on me! Our eyesight is already enhanced from cultivation. Trust me¡ªit¡¯ll be more effective.¡±

    Sia hesitated for a moment but seemed to decide against arguing. She gave a quick nod, and Lyra finished the spell. A faint glow surrounded Thea¡¯s eyes as she scanned the town, her gaze sharp and focused.

    I couldn¡¯t tell what she was seeing, and the minutes that followed felt agonizingly slow. I tried to keep my breathing steady, but each passing second only tightened the knot in my chest.

    Finally, Thea pointed to a section of the town. ¡°There! He¡¯s in an alley.¡±

    Her words spurred us into overtime. We tore through the streets with Thea leading the way, dodging carts, pedestrians, and stray animals. My heart pounded in my chest, a mix of fear and adrenaline fueling me.

    ¡°Thea, is he hurt?¡± I asked between gasps for air.

    ¡°He didn¡¯t look good,¡± she replied, her tone clipped.

    ¡°Lyra!¡± I shouted as we neared our destination. ¡°Do you know any basic healing spells?¡±

    She nodded, her face pale but determined. ¡°Yes, but they aren¡¯t very strong. Just what I could learn from books.¡±

    ¡°Good enough,¡± Thea said over her shoulder. ¡°Be ready.¡±

    As we closed in on the alley, the air grew heavier, thick with dread. I clenched my fists, bracing myself for what we might find.

    There he was. Elric lay crumpled beside a couple of wooden barrels, his body a horrifying sight. His face was swollen and bruised, one eye completely shut, the other barely visible under the blood trickling down his temple. His arm twisted at an unnatural angle, and his chest rose and fell with shallow, ragged breaths that sounded like crumpling parchment¡ªeach one a painful wheeze. His shirt was torn and soaked with a mix of dirt and crimson, revealing bruises that mottled his torso in shades of deep purple and black. His legs, one of which looked visibly broken, lay awkwardly beneath him, and every inch of him seemed to scream agony.

    ¡°Elric!¡± I shouted, rushing to his side. Panic clawed at my throat. ¡°Lyra, hurry¡ªLyra!¡± My voice broke as I turned to her, jolting her out of her stunned silence.

    She stumbled forward, her hands trembling as she crouched beside him, her fingers brushing against his chest. Tears streamed down her face as she took in the full extent of his injuries.

    ¡°Will your spell be strong enough?¡± I asked, desperation cracking through my voice.

    Lyra paused, her lips quivering as she shook her head, sputtering, almost breaking into a full sob.

    I turned to Thea and Sia, pulling out my orb and thrusting it toward them. ¡°Here! Find someone who¡¯s good. Elric said for the right price, some healers will actually help. Use whatever you need to! With all our points combined, there¡¯s no way we can¡¯t heal him!¡±

    They both nodded, their shock at the sight of my orb and its contents quickly replaced by grim determination. Without hesitation, they sprinted off into the town.

    I turned back to Lyra, her hands glowing faintly as she channeled her trembling energy into Elric¡¯s broken body. ¡°Lyra, just focus. You¡¯re doing great,¡± I said, my voice as steady as I could manage, though the sight of Elric threatened to betray my words.

    She nodded, still visibly shaken, her tears falling onto her glowing hands as she desperately tried to stabilize him. The faint light of her spell flickered, her energy wavering as she poured everything she had into keeping Elric alive.

    Thankfully, it didn¡¯t take long for Thea and Sia to return, a young man trailing behind them.

    ¡°Oh, you were talking about this moron.¡± His voice was casual, almost amused, but his sneer was anything but. He glanced at Elric¡¯s battered body and added, ¡°Judging by his state¡ªand, well, the fact that I don¡¯t like him¡ªdouble the price.¡±

    Thea¡¯s expression darkened in a way I¡¯d never seen before. Her steely eyes flashed with barely restrained fury, and for a moment, I thought she might actually kill the man on the spot.

    ¡°Enough,¡± I said quickly, cutting off whatever she was about to say. I glared at him, my voice low and sharp. ¡°Give him what he wants. But if you don¡¯t help him,¡± I stepped forward, my tone darkening into something I didn¡¯t know I had in me, ¡°I promise you¡ªyou will regret it.¡±

    The man raised an eyebrow at me, utterly unfazed. ¡°Relax. Just give me the points.¡± He waved a dismissive hand, as if my threat was nothing more than a child¡¯s tantrum.

    Without hesitation, we handed him the points. Thea looked ready to spit fire, but she didn¡¯t argue as my orb glowed faintly, transferring what looked like four hundred points to the healer. My points dropped to 250, but I didn¡¯t care.

    ¡°Thank you,¡± he said, his tone now unnervingly polite, a charming smile suddenly gracing his face. ¡°Now, if you¡¯ll excuse me, I must treat the patient.¡±

    He approached Elric, waving Lyra aside with a flick of his hand. She hesitated but stepped back, her lips moving as she chanted another spell. White tendrils of light coiled around the healer¡¯s hands, the energy forming faster and more efficiently.

    ¡°Oh¡ªthank you, miss. That¡¯s very helpful,¡± he said, his smile softening.

    Then he placed his glowing hands on Elric¡¯s broken body, and a sickening series of cracks filled the alley. Bones realigned, sinew and tendon knitting themselves back together, and Elric groaned in pain as his body was put back in order. It was gruesome to watch, but it worked.

    After only a few minutes, the healer stood and dusted off his hands. Elric¡¯s breathing had steadied, his chest rising and falling evenly. His eyes flickered open briefly before falling closed again.

    ¡°Well, that¡¯s that,¡± the healer said, turning to us with a satisfied smile. ¡°Thank you for your patronage.¡± He then turned to Lyra, inclining his head slightly. ¡°And thank you for your help.¡±

    As if the sneering man who mocked Elric moments ago had vanished entirely, he gave us a slight, courteous bow before turning on his heel and walking out of the alleyway.

    A faint murmur broke the tense silence.

    ¡°Mmm¡ªwhere am I?¡± Elric rasped, his words barely audible between shallow gasps.

    I crouched beside him, placing a hand on his shoulder as gently as I could. ¡°You¡¯re safe, Elric. Just breathe. Tell me what happened.¡±

    He struggled to speak, each word punctuated by strained breaths. I knew from his earlier comments that true healing would take time. My quick recovery had been an exception¡ªonly possible because of my recent transformation.

    ¡°They surrounded me¡­ after the instructor left,¡± he said, his voice weak but steady enough to continue. ¡°Dragged me here. A warrior came with them and then¡ª¡± He paused, his chest rising unevenly.

    He gave a hollow laugh, one that quickly turned into a pained cough. ¡°Thanks to your advice¡­ I heard that warrior scream while I was healing him.¡± His lips curled into a faint, almost self-satisfied smile. ¡°Too bad the system wouldn¡¯t let me¡­ arrange his bones how I wanted. But he had some old injuries¡­ from improper treatment.¡±

    I couldn¡¯t help but chuckle at the sight of that familiar, devilish grin. Relief washed over me as the others visibly relaxed too. ¡°Glad you got him to squeal. Do you know who it was? What was his rank?¡±

    Before Elric could answer, Thea interjected. ¡°Peter, we need to let him rest.¡±

    ¡°He will, after he tells me,¡± I replied, my tone firm. I locked eyes with Elric, silently urging him to finish.

    He shifted slightly, his head moving in what I assumed was a nod. His voice was barely a whisper. ¡°Rorik¡­ bottom rank.¡±

    His eyes fluttered closed, and sleep claimed him once more.

    ¡°Rorik,¡± I repeated, the name heavy on my tongue. My fists clenched as I stood. ¡°Let¡¯s find him. I¡¯ll challenge him and make him regret it. I¡¯ll parade him around the coliseum to make sure no one ever tries this again.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ll do it,¡± Thea interjected firmly. ¡°Now that I have a system, it¡¯ll be easier than before to fight. Just give me a day or so to get used to it.¡±

    ¡°No!¡± I shouted, my voice sharp enough to make her flinch. ¡°Who knows if he¡¯ll even agree to fight you? But turn down a challenge from a Late Bloomer?¡± I gave a humorless laugh. ¡°No way. That¡¯s just free points for him. And when he accepts, I¡¯ll shut his mouth during the fight, make sure he can¡¯t surrender¡­ and ensure that he ¡®can¡¯t continue,¡¯ as those ridiculous announcers like to put it.¡±

    I turned to Sia next. ¡°It was never specified how much we could bet on a challenge. Only that there¡¯s a minimum, right?¡±

    Sia nodded, catching on to my thoughts. ¡°There¡¯s no limit.¡±

    ¡°Good.¡± I allowed myself a small, grim smile. ¡°He won¡¯t refuse a fight with a Late Bloomer offering up hundreds of points for all of his. Fighting you, Thea, he might wonder why you¡¯d be confident enough to challenge him. But me?¡± I gestured to myself. ¡°He¡¯ll think I¡¯ve gone crazy with anger.¡±

    I turned back to Thea. ¡°It¡¯ll look strange if I suddenly have hundreds of points, so take all my points first. Then, pretend to try and convince me against fighting him, and let me borrow everything¡ªbut make it clear that you¡¯ll only agree if it leaves me just short of a full orb. Like, say, lending me 400 points out of 405.¡±

    I paused, meeting her eyes. ¡°That way, Rorik will think you expect me to need to surrender. It¡¯ll make him overconfident, and he¡¯ll likely borrow from others to match us if he can¡¯t alone. If Sia and Lyra offer too, it might seem odd, but since plenty of people see us together, it won¡¯t be suspicious if you¡¯re the one lending me points.¡±

    Thea nodded, though doubt flickered across her face. ¡°Are you sure? What if you can¡¯t beat him?¡±

    I smiled, letting my confidence show. ¡°If I can put you on the ground every now and then, a bottom-rank warrior? I¡¯ll be able to take him.¡±

    Her expression hardened into determination. ¡°Alright.¡±

    Sia and Lyra exchanged glances before nodding. Without hesitation, they each pulled out their orbs, the glowing numbers showing an even 100. ¡°Take ours now too,¡± Sia said firmly. ¡°That way you can use more for the challenge.¡±

    Thea nodded, quickly making the transfer. Her orb now glowed with a total of 835 points.

    ¡°Good,¡± I said, my tone resolute. ¡°Let¡¯s find Rorik.¡±

 Chapter 21: The Cost of Life

    As I hefted Elric onto my back, his weight a grim reminder of his injuries, a thought struck me. ¡°Will he have to fight today?¡±

    Sia shook her head. ¡°Considering his condition, they¡¯ll probably either ask for a small fee or require him to complete an extra battle later.¡±

    We raced off toward the arena, the place most recruits seemed to gather during the day, and where we figured Rorik would be.

    By the time we arrived, I saw the crowd and realized this might be more difficult than I¡¯d anticipated. The noise was overwhelming, recruits packed into every corner of the space, but luck was on our side. A cluster of healers stood near the edge of the arena, and among them, I recognized faces¡ªsome belonging to those who had harassed Elric before.

    And there, next to them, stood a man wielding a massive axe. Like most melee weapons here, it was blunted, but a chunk of metal that size could still wreak havoc. I knew that all too well.

    Putting on my angriest face and summoning a voice laced with rage¡ªhardly difficult given the situation¡ªI bellowed, ¡°RORIK!¡±

    The man turned, confirming that we¡¯d found our target.

    Surprisingly, his initial reaction wasn¡¯t arrogance. Instead, he seemed cautious, as if he was bracing for retaliation. But after a few murmured words from the healers beside him, his confidence returned. He smirked, his stance shifting slightly.

    ¡°What? Do you need something from me?¡±

    I dropped my voice into a low growl. ¡°I am challenging you. Now. Let¡¯s go register.¡±

    Before Rorik could answer, Thea stepped forward, launching into a performance that was teetering on the edge of absurdity¡ªthe kind of overacting you¡¯d expect in a melodramatic stage play where a farmer¡¯s wife sobbed uncontrollably as her husband went to war, a war he would never come back from.

    ¡°Peter!¡± she gasped, her voice quivering with dramatic flair. She paused, as though summoning tears. ¡°You can¡¯t¡ªyou don¡¯t even have a system!¡±

    Oh, sweet creators of this world, please let this work.

    If the situation weren¡¯t so serious, I might¡¯ve laughed. I decided not to tell her that later. Wait¡ªmy line.

    ¡°No!¡± I snapped, turning my glare back to Rorik. ¡°Rorik, do you agree?¡±

    His expression shifted to one of pure delight, as if he¡¯d just hit the jackpot. Though he did cast an odd look at Thea¡ªprobably trying to figure out if she was just way too into me. Honestly, let¡¯s hope he thought that. It¡¯d only make sense for some obsessed fan to throw away her points for a guy like me, rather than a reasonable girlfriend.

    ¡°Fine,¡± Rorik said, his smirk widening. ¡°If you want to hand over ten points, let¡¯s go.¡±

    ¡°No!¡± I resumed my yelling phase, spinning toward Thea. ¡°How much?¡±

    ¡°Darling?¡± she said sweetly, dropping the overdramatic tone just long enough to hit me with such an endearing term that I nearly froze. Nice touch. I might¡¯ve underestimated her. Maybe she knew exactly what she was doing.

    Now starting to look like the incompetent one, I snapped myself out of it. ¡°How many points do you have?¡±

    ¡°I¡ªI¡­¡± she stammered, looking up at me with wide, watery eyes.

    ¡°How much!¡± I barked, doing my best to sell it.

    ¡°Eight hundred and thirty-five!¡± she finally blurted, her voice trembling as though she was on the verge of tears. Good god, she can act. Now there were actual tears glistening in her eyes.

    Rorik hesitated, his smirk faltering. ¡°I don¡¯t have that much. Are you insane?¡±

    ¡°Wait,¡± a healer behind him interjected, grabbing Rorik by the arm and pulling him aside.

    Good, I thought, watching as they whispered back and forth. Hopefully, he¡¯s about to take out a big loan.

    When Rorik returned, his grin stretched wider than I thought possible. ¡°Fine. Eight hundred and thirty-five.¡±

    ¡°NO!¡± Thea shouted, and for a moment, I imagine Rorik thought she might refuse the absurd request. But then she turned to me, her voice quivering with despair. ¡°Eight hundred and thirty¡ªleave him five¡­ please.¡±

    Now she was actually crying. Even Rorik, the man who had nearly killed Elric, looked like he might feel bad. For a second, anyway.

    He nodded, his tone softening just a bit, though his confidence seemed to double. ¡°Fine,¡± he said, this time with a more measured, assured tone.

    Thea pulled out her orb, transferring the entirety of the points into mine as we walked to the front desk. The entire way, she sobbed theatrically, shifting between uncontrollable wails¡ªduring which Sia and Lyra gently comforted her and, occasionally, suggested she rethink her taste in men¡ªa touch I thought was entirely unnecessary¡ªand silent sobs, which I could swear were just muffled chuckles. But what do I know?

    When we reached the attendant, Rorik explained the situation. She looked at both of us skeptically. ¡°You are aware this does not count as your daily match?¡±

    I wasn¡¯t aware, but it made sense. Friends could theoretically challenge each other repeatedly to skip their dailies otherwise.

    ¡°Yes,¡± we said in unison, depositing the full 830 points each into her orb. I handed Elric off to Thea, who, as I glanced back, was practically grinning behind a cloth she¡¯d taken from Lyra.

    ¡°Alright. Proceed back there,¡± the attendant instructed, pointing toward two side-by-side elevators.

    We entered silently and descended to the arena.

    The entrance announcements blared overhead, and before I could take a proper breath, a resounding ¡°Begin!¡± echoed through the space.

    Following the commander¡¯s advice, I held my ground, waiting for an attack. My focus turned inward, circulating my energy as efficiently as possible. It rushed through the spiral patterns in my Grand Channel, diffusing into my body with speed. Some of it pooled in my chest and shoulders, ready to be unleashed.

    Rorik, filled with misplaced confidence, charged immediately. He closed the gap in moments, his massive axe swinging wide in a ridiculously telegraphed arc. Did he take this fight seriously? Or had he relied too long on brute force? Don¡¯t tell me he took on his previous job for points to surrender.

    Without thinking, I stepped into his swing, cutting his momentum short before his axe could come down. Placing my foot behind his, I shoved him with all my strength.

    He fell hard, the impact loud enough to echo in the arena. His weapon clattered to the ground, leaving him defenseless.

    Before he could recover, I climbed on top of him, pulling out a cloth I¡¯d borrowed earlier and gagging him.

    I locked eyes with him as he struggled, his expression shifting from shock to desperation. I wasn¡¯t strong enough to resist those struggles so, my fist struck his throat with precision. His body convulsed, choking as he tried and failed to draw air through his nose. His flailing weakened, giving me the advantage to reposition and pin him more securely.

    Once again, I locked eyes with him, the weight of my rage settling over me like a storm. ¡°You should have never targeted my friend,¡± I growled.

    The rage consumed me. My fist collided with his face over and over, the sickening crunch of bones breaking and flesh tearing barely registering in my ears. The world blurred into a haze of red and static. Only the announcer¡¯s voice cut through, pulling me back.Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.

    ¡°---tinuing will result in severe punishment.¡±

    I froze, my breath heaving. Slowly, I stood, my vision still tinged with red. Before they could order me to the elevator, I grabbed Rorik¡¯s ruined body, yanking the gag from his mouth. A weak gurgle escaped his lips, barely audible over his ragged, wet breaths.

    I dragged him to the elevator with me.

    No soldiers appeared to stop me. Either it wasn¡¯t against the rules, they didn¡¯t care, or maybe they were just happy I was doing their job for them¡ªas long as I didn¡¯t hurt him more.

    When the elevator doors opened, gasps rippled through the gathered crowd. Faces turned toward me, a mix of horror and indifference painted across them. Some recoiled at the sight of Rorik¡¯s battered, bloodied form. Others seemed unfazed, perhaps accustomed to the gruesomeness of these battles.

    I marched directly to the attendant¡¯s desk, dropping Rorik unceremoniously at my feet.

    ¡°What is the punishment for killing another recruit?¡± I asked, my voice sharp and cold.

    She blinked, visibly taken aback by my question. ¡°Outside the arena, it is¡­ severe. An accidental death in battle results in a loss of five hundred points.¡±

    I leaned forward, locking eyes with her, my voice low and deliberate as I emphasized each syllable. ¡°What is severe?¡±

    She hesitated, her face pale. ¡°One thousand points.¡±

    A laugh bubbled up from my throat, sharp and humorless. It spilled out uncontrollably, leaving me trembling. I could only imagine how insane I looked. ¡°One thousand points,¡± I repeated, the absurdity of it twisting my expression into a bitter grin. ¡°That¡¯s the value of a life here?¡±

    I shook my head, disgusted, and turned toward the group of healers responsible for this mess. Their faces ranged from uneasy to outright fearful as I approached, dragging Rorik¡¯s limp form behind me.

    ¡°I have more than a thousand,¡± I growled, my voice cutting through the tense silence. ¡°Do not bother us again.¡±

    They simply paled, nodding wordlessly before gathering around Rorik. Working collectively, they began to heal him, their hands glowing faintly as they restored his mangled body. Then, without so much as a glance in my direction, they carried him away¡ªno doubt to discuss the loss of their investment.

    I turned back toward the desk, holding out my orb. Its faint green glow displayed only 5 points, which then jumped to an astounding 1,665.

    I didn¡¯t want to face the others. I could feel their gazes on the back of my head, burning with unspoken questions and emotions. I was sure none of them held anything against me¡ªnot truly¡ªbut my appearance, which I imagined was a mess, couldn¡¯t have helped what I could only assume were shocked expressions.

    ¡°Sign me up for my daily,¡± I said flatly. ¡°A beast fight.¡±

    The attendant nodded, her movements mechanical as she gestured toward the elevator behind her. After depositing the required points, I stepped in without another word.

    Inside, I took a moment to examine myself as best I could. My hands were smeared with blood, unbroken for the most part but dotted with scratches from striking bone. My clothes were spattered, the dark stains stark against the fabric. The metallic smell told me my face hadn¡¯t fared much better.

    The elevator stopped, the doors sliding open to reveal an unfamiliar arena. This one was made to resemble a snowy landscape, the air biting cold and the ground beneath me crunching faintly with frost.

    I waited, my breath visible in the icy air.

    It didn¡¯t take long for the beast to appear.

    Even after everything I¡¯d seen, the creatures of this world still took my breath away.

    The beast emerged from the snowy expanse like a ghost, its white fur blending seamlessly with the terrain. The only thing that betrayed its presence was the faint shimmer of frost clinging to its pelt, catching the dim light and making it glisten like freshly fallen snow. Its body was sleek and powerful, the rippling of its muscles visible beneath the dense fur with every measured step it took.

    Its eyes were the most striking feature¡ªa piercing, unnatural blue that seemed to glow faintly, as though they contained shards of ice. They locked onto me with a predatory intensity, cold and calculating, sending a shiver down my spine that had nothing to do with the frigid air.

    The beast¡¯s breath misted in the icy arena, curling around its sharp, almost jagged fangs that jutted from its maw. Its long tail swayed behind it, tipped with an icicle-like barb that dripped with frost. Claws, curved and razor-sharp, scraped against the frosted ground, leaving shallow grooves in the ice.

    It moved with an unsettling silence, its paws barely making a sound as it prowled closer, circling me. Every step felt deliberate, like it was sizing me up, waiting for the perfect moment to strike.

    I took a deep breath, focusing on the cold seeping through my boots and the air stinging my lungs.

    The panther let out a low growl, the sound reverberating through the frozen air like the groan of ice under pressure. Its breath puffed out in bursts of frost as it crouched low, preparing to lunge.

    ¡°Alright,¡± I muttered to myself, tightening my stance. ¡°Let¡¯s see what you¡¯ve got.¡±

    I barely had time to react before it lunged, closing the distance in a blur.

    I dove to the side, narrowly avoiding its claws. The beast skidded on the icy ground, turning with unnerving agility to face me again. My heart raced as I scrambled to my feet, my breath misting in the cold air.

    ¡°Okay,¡± I muttered, circling cautiously. ¡°Fast. Got it.¡±

    The panther growled low, stalking me with slow, deliberate steps. I could feel its gaze piercing through me, calculating, waiting.

    It feinted to the left before lunging to the right, claws outstretched. I managed to block with my forearm, but the impact sent a jolt of pain through my body. The reinforced energy I¡¯d diffused into my arm held, but the sting reminded me how fragile my defense really was.

    I stumbled back, my footing slipping on the frost-coated ground. The panther didn¡¯t give me time to recover, closing in with another swipe. I leaned back, barely avoiding its claws as they tore through the air inches from my face.

    ¡°Come on, Peter,¡± I muttered, forcing myself to focus. ¡°You¡¯ve got this¡­ probably.¡±

    The beast lunged again, but this time I sidestepped clumsily, my boots skidding on the icy surface. I reached out instinctively, grabbing hold of its fur as it passed me. The panther snarled, twisting violently to shake me off.

    Before I could think, I wrapped an arm around its neck, clinging to it as it bucked and thrashed. My grip was loose at first, and the beast managed to claw at my side, tearing through my clothes and drawing blood. Pain shot through me, but I held on, my arms tightening as I adjusted my position.

    ¡°Just¡­ stop already!¡± I grunted, my muscles burning as I struggled to stay on its back.

    The panther¡¯s movements grew wilder, its tail lashing out and its claws raking against the ground. I could feel its strength waning, but it was still far stronger than I was.

    I tried to remember what the commander had said about conserving energy, about staying focused, but all I could think about was not letting go.

    The panther reared up, nearly throwing me off, but I used the momentum to tighten my hold around its neck. My arms ached, my fingers screaming for relief, but I grit my teeth and held on.

    Slowly, its struggles began to weaken. Its growls turned into labored hisses, its movements sluggish and uncoordinated. Finally, with a final wheeze, it collapsed onto the icy ground, its body heaving with shallow breaths.

    Panting, I released my grip and rolled away, lying flat on my back as I tried to catch my breath. My body felt like it had been through a grinder, every muscle screaming in protest.

    The panther lay motionless a few feet away, its glowing eyes dim but still open. I could see its chest rising and falling steadily, a sign that it was still alive.

    Finally, I sat up, wincing as the pain in my side flared. My hands were bloodied and scratched, my clothes torn and stained with a mix of my own blood and the beast¡¯s frost-dusted fur.

    I turned my gaze to the panther, its massive body rising and falling with slow, labored breaths. A beast trapped in a situation it had no control over. I knew it was foolish to sympathize with it, but how could I not?

    We were the same, weren¡¯t we? Forced into a system that gave us no choice, fighting battles we didn¡¯t ask for. But its situation was even worse. Would it even survive until tomorrow? Or would it be dragged back here, only to face another recruit in a vicious, endless cycle? At least I got points, progress, a reason to keep fighting. For it, there was nothing. No reward for victory¡ªjust survival until the next fight.

    ¡°What a life,¡± I murmured, resting a hand on its massive side. Its fur was cold to the touch, but I could feel the faint rhythm of its breathing. ¡°I¡¯d wish you luck, but I¡¯d only be wishing for the death of others. I guess¡­ I hope you can escape one day¡ªgo back wherever you came from.¡±

    The panther didn¡¯t respond, of course. Its eyes were dim, half-closed, and its body was too exhausted to react. But something in its stillness felt like an acknowledgment, or maybe that was just my imagination.

    The announcer¡¯s voice echoed distantly, a sharp contrast to the quiet moment. I ignored it, rising unsteadily to my feet and limping toward the elevator.

    When the doors closed, I leaned against the wall, my chest still heaving as I replayed the fight in my mind.

    The elevator descended smoothly, and when it stopped, I stepped out and approached the desk. I handed over my orb, collecting my five points, and watched as the number on it rose to 1,670.

    Without a word, I turned and walked toward my friends, the echoes of the battle still rattling in my bones.

    I felt hollow, the rush of adrenaline replaced by a gnawing emptiness. The thought of meeting their eyes filled me with unease, but before I could dwell on it, someone wrapped their arms around me.

    ¡°This feels familiar,¡± I chuckled weakly, trying to lighten the mood.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry,¡± Thea said softly, letting go just as quickly as she¡¯d embraced me. Her expression shifted, and before I could react, she punched me in the arm¡ªhard.

    I winced but resisted the urge to say anything.

    ¡°We shouldn¡¯t have let you do that,¡± she scolded, her voice trembling with a mix of frustration and concern. ¡°But why did you go to another battle without saying anything?!¡±

    Her words hit harder than the punch. I looked at her, seeing the worry etched across her face, and then to Sia and Lyra, who stood nearby with matching looks of concern.

    ¡°I just¡­ needed to clear my head,¡± I admitted, my voice quieter than I intended. ¡°Thought it¡¯d be better to come back covered in animal blood than¡ªwell, you can see how that turned out.¡± I rubbed the back of my head.

    ¡°Anyway,¡± I added quickly, trying to shift the mood, ¡°what¡¯s your new blessing?¡±

    Her eyes flickered with something¡ªhesitation, excitement?¡ªbefore she answered.

    ¡°You¡¯re not going to believe this.¡±

 Chapter 22: Storm and Threads

    ¡°I¡¯m a warrior!¡± Thea jumped up and down gleefully.

    ¡°Why wouldn¡¯t I believe that? You¡¯re a brute.¡± I smirked as she swung at me. This time, I was ready and dodged easily.

    ¡°It¡¯s not just that,¡± she said, her excitement bubbling over. ¡°My blessing is unique.¡±

    Sia and Lyra leaned in closer as Thea dropped her voice to a whisper. ¡°It¡¯s not like a swordsman or spear wielder. My blessing applies to any weapon.¡±

    Sia and Lyra¡¯s jaws dropped in unison, their shock evident. Meanwhile, I, who didn¡¯t know much about blessings, shrugged. ¡°That¡¯s it?¡±

    Thea rolled her eyes, clearly disappointed at my lackluster reaction. ¡°Actually, no. My blessing is called Storm Heart. As I level up, all my attacks will be infused with lightning energy.¡±

    Oh, sweet heavens. She¡¯s going to tase me during sparring, isn¡¯t she? Fear must¡¯ve flashed across my face because Thea grinned mischievously.

    Lyra and Sia, however, seemed far more affected. Lyra¡¯s usual melodic tone was now laced with disbelief. ¡°Thea¡­ that shouldn¡¯t be possible. Warriors can¡¯t possess magical attributes.¡±

    Thea shook her head, her grin fading into something more thoughtful. ¡°I don¡¯t really know how it happened, but this is the reality of it.¡±

    ¡°Well,¡± I clapped my hands together, breaking the tension and pulling everyone back to the present. ¡°You guys should complete your dailies now. I¡¯ll keep an eye on Elric. Let¡¯s head into town afterward and find a place to rest. Oh, and your orbs¡ªlet me return your points.¡±

    We all exchanged points. I handed Sia and Lyra two hundred points each. They nearly argued against it, but I held up my hand to stop them. ¡°Without you, we wouldn¡¯t have won so much. Just take it.¡±

    Thea nodded in agreement. ¡°We¡¯re in this together. Just help us out again if we need it.¡±

    They nodded reluctantly and headed to the reception desk. Once they were out of earshot, I split the remaining points with Thea, leaving us each with 635.

    ¡°Did you ask about Elric having to fight?¡± I asked.

    She nodded. ¡°They said he can skip today. He¡¯ll just have to do two fights tomorrow.¡±

    ¡°Alright. I¡¯ll wait here with him. Good luck in your fight.¡±

    ¡°Thanks,¡± Thea said with a grin before heading off toward the elevator for her match. No doubt she¡¯d win.

    After a while, Elric began to stir beside me, rustling against the wall where we leaned. His voice was groggy but stronger than before. ¡°Where am I?¡± he yawned, sounding far less like he¡¯d just escaped death.

    ¡°We¡¯re at the coliseum,¡± I said. ¡°How are you feeling?¡±

    ¡°Better than ever,¡± Elric replied, though a cough followed, betraying his words.

    ¡°Sure¡ªjust rest up, man. You shouldn¡¯t have to worry about any of the morons again. At least the weaker ones,¡± I said, leaning back against the wall.

    He laughed, a little rasp in his voice. ¡°It¡¯s only the weaker ones that bother me. Also¡­ what happened to you? You look like you just came from a slaughterhouse¡ªand took a bath there.¡±

    ¡°Oh, this?¡± I glanced down at myself, my clothes torn and caked with dried blood. ¡°I bought a bunch of berries and thought I¡¯d try making juice.¡±

    ¡°Idiot.¡±

    ¡°Whatever, pretty boy.¡± I smirked. ¡°You should¡¯ve seen the two girls. If I didn¡¯t step in, Rorik might¡¯ve gone missing in a few days.¡± Though thinking about it, with the debt he took on, his fate wasn¡¯t looking great anyway. Then again, maybe they¡¯ll put him to work. No point wasting resources on disappearing someone who owes you that much.

    Elric shook his head and leaned back, his expression growing serious. ¡°I need to cultivate.¡±

    ¡°What? You need to rest.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ll recover as soon as I transform, right? And after that, I¡¯ll recover even faster.¡±

    I looked around the bustling coliseum. It had quieted down after my earlier theatrics, but there were still recruits coming and going, running to stalls and chatting. Not exactly the most peaceful place to focus. ¡°I¡¯ll get us a training room, but we should wait until the others come back. It shouldn¡¯t take long.¡±

    I glanced over at him, but he was already closing his eyes, attempting to cultivate right there and then. Maybe his focus was stronger than mine.

    Barely a few minutes passed before a sharp yell tore through the air. I turned quickly to see Elric crumpled over, his hands clutching his knees. Pained grunts escaped him, but then, just as suddenly, the sound stopped. Bruises that had stubbornly clung to his body began to vanish before my eyes, fading so quickly it was like watching time reverse itself.

    He must have succeeded in entering the Energy Gathering stage¡ªfaster than I expected, though I suppose it only took Thea and me a couple of days too.

    Elric opened his eyes, staring at me before his pupils darted around the room, taking everything in. ¡°Wow,¡± he whispered, astonishment plain in his voice. ¡°This is¡­ different.¡±

    ¡°Now how are you feeling?¡± I asked.

    He straightened, bouncing lightly on his heels as if testing his renewed body. ¡°Better than ever. Everything feels¡­ faster, like it¡¯s all flowing at once. This is insane!¡±

    I extended my hand. ¡°Hand me your orb then. You can sign up for a match.¡±

    He nodded, fishing it out and handing it over. I deposited two hundred points. ¡°Now you can surrender whenever you want.¡±

    Almost as if on cue, the elevator doors opened, and the three girls stepped out, all looking spotless. Sia and Lyra immediately ran over, throwing their arms around Elric in an unrestrained embrace. If he had leaned in just a little, I swear they might¡¯ve gone further. Instead, he lightly pushed them away with a polite smile.

    Bastard.

    ¡°You¡¯re alright!¡± Sia exclaimed, joy lighting up her face.

    ¡°Yeah,¡± Elric said with a grin. ¡°Now just wait here. I¡¯ll sign up and be back in a moment.¡± And with that, he was off, leaving the two girls watching after him with barely hidden disappointment.

    Sia turned back to us, clearing her throat as if to shake off the moment. ¡°Here,¡± she said, holding out a piece of paper. It was a rough map of the town with a small square circled and a name scribbled beside it. ¡°My mom owns this inn. Hand her this and tell her I sent you. She¡¯ll give you a good price to stay there. We live there too.¡±

    Thea chuckled, her tone teasing as she said, ¡°Excited to live in the same building as Elric? You might even catch a glimpse of his bedhead.¡±

    Both girls turned beet red, sputtering as they tried to compose themselves.

    ¡°We have to go,¡± Sia said hastily, ¡°Lyra¡¯s got work to do.¡±

    Lyra chimed in, her voice calmer but no less determined. ¡°We¡¯ll head back to the inn later. Maybe we can cultivate together there. Thanks to your method, I can give out far more blessings than before. We¡¯ve been making back our savings quickly, so you can expect our next payment for the technique soon.¡±

    The two of them smiled warmly before heading off. I watched as they disappeared into the crowd¡ªLyra poised and professional, while Sia exuded a protective air that practically screamed, mess with her at your own peril.A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

    ¡°How¡¯d the match go?¡± I asked Thea, turning my attention back to her.

    ¡°Annoying, but not too difficult,¡± she replied with a hint of irritation. ¡°Some sort of control mage¡ªkept popping up barriers. As soon as I got within striking distance, he surrendered. But it took forever to close the gap.¡±

    I nodded thoughtfully. ¡°Alright. I need to tell you something else about cultivating¡ªsomething I didn¡¯t include in your gift.¡±

    Her expression shifted immediately, her stormy eyes lighting up with eager curiosity. ¡°What is it?¡±

    ¡°I think I found it,¡± I said, letting the weight of my discovery sink in. ¡°Body Refinement. Real Body Refinement.¡±

    She gasped audibly, her excitement barely contained. ¡°That¡ªthat¡¯s amazing! How do we do it?¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t know yet,¡± I admitted, trying to temper her enthusiasm, ¡°but I think we¡¯ve already started the process¡ªor at least laid the foundation. I¡¯ll explain everything, I promise. Let¡¯s wait until Elric gets back so we can go over it together.¡±

    Her shoulders slumped slightly in disappointment, but she nodded. ¡°Alright. I¡¯ll hold you to that.¡±

    I took a moment before continuing, watching her closely. ¡°I also want details on the system,¡± I said, my tone serious. ¡°I want to know how stats work¡ªwhat stats exist, how you increase them, skills, levels, missions¡­ everything. I want to know it all.¡±

    She tilted her head slightly, curiosity replacing her earlier disappointment. ¡°Why?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m hoping it can help me understand how to bridge the gap between cultivation and the system,¡± I explained.

    I didn¡¯t tell her, but I couldn¡¯t shake the question lingering in my mind¡ªwhere does the energy come from? People talk about MP like it¡¯s just part of the system, but it has to come from somewhere, right? It works kind of like cultivation energy, but it¡¯s separate. Different.

    I glanced toward the elevators. ¡°Shouldn¡¯t Elric be back by now?¡±

    ¡°You don¡¯t think he fought, do you?¡± Thea asked, her brows furrowing slightly.

    As if on cue, the elevator doors slid open, revealing Elric. He wasn¡¯t in pristine condition, but he didn¡¯t look terrible either. Definitely a step down from his earlier recovery.

    Jogging over with a grin, he called out, ¡°Guess which healer just won his first match legitimately? Didn¡¯t even pay anyone off.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m guessing you?¡± I replied, though something about it tugged at my thoughts. How? Even after my transformation, I was still clumsy in fights. Could Elric really be more competent than me?

    I was starting to feel like I was surrounded by main characters.

    Elric¡ªthe raven-haired pretty boy with a hidden cruel streak to unleash on enemies, but a soft, protective side for his allies. A natural manipulator and fighter, already inventing his own techniques.

    Thea¡ªthe stormy-eyed cultivation prodigy with a unique system blessing that elevated her above the rest. A seamless fusion of raw power and precision.

    Sia¡ªa fire mage, terrifying enough with her system alone, and now with cultivation? Who knew what kind of destruction she could unleash?

    Lyra¡ªa rare support healer with abilities that had already begun to surpass expectations thanks to cultivation.

    And then there was me. Hopefully, my knack for comprehension and invention would measure up to their growing strength, because it certainly didn¡¯t feel like my power alone would.

    ¡°That¡¯s right,¡± Elric said, clearly enjoying the moment. ¡°I forced a surrender with my new technique. Unfortunately, the system doesn¡¯t let me cause any real harm.¡±

    I raised a brow at him, watching his excitement. Elric¡¯s understanding seemed high¡ªtoo high, maybe. If he could already sense the energy flowing through other people¡¯s bodies well enough to manipulate and torture them¡­ What would he be capable of once he mastered cultivation?

    A new thought hit me: maybe Elric could be in charge of inventing techniques for us. His potential might be even greater than I¡¯d realized.

    I stood up, brushing off the lingering ache from the battle. ¡°Congrats on the win, but before heading back, I really need to get cleaned up.¡±

    Thea rose too, a smirk tugging at her lips. ¡°You don¡¯t think the inn will have a bath?¡±

    ¡°I bet it does,¡± I replied, glancing down at my blood-stained clothes, ¡°but did you see those kids on the street? Imagine walking around looking like this. They¡¯d freak out.¡±

    ¡°Good point,¡± Elric said, flexing his arm as if noticing his own scratches for the first time. ¡°I could use a clean-up too.¡±

    With a collective nod, we headed off. I went ahead to clean and repair my clothes, pulling out a fresh set I¡¯d picked up during my last shopping trip with Thea. Then I made my way to the baths.

    When I arrived, Elric was already there, scrubbing at his arms, the faint pink of healing skin still visible beneath the water. I sat at the nozzle beside him, letting the warm spray pour over me, washing away grime and dried blood¡ªa sight I was, unfortunately, getting too used to.

    ¡°Elric?¡± I asked as we both leaned back under the cascading water.

    ¡°Hm? Yeah?¡± He tilted his head slightly, glancing at me through the steam.

    ¡°Are birthday presents a thing here?¡± I kept my tone casual.

    ¡°Here? As in training camp?¡± He gave me a curious look. ¡°Not really. But parents usually give them out.¡±

    I hesitated. Should I finally tell him I¡¯m not from this world? This interaction was starting to feel a bit strange without that context.

    ¡°Thea told me she¡¯s never gotten one,¡± I said instead. ¡°Is that¡­ normal?¡±

    Elric looked up at the tiled ceiling, his expression thoughtful. ¡°Well, I wouldn¡¯t say it¡¯s unheard of. Some families are a bit¡­ traditional. A lot of upbringings are less about celebrating and more about preparing. For, well¡­¡± He gestured around vaguely. ¡°This. And war. Her family might¡¯ve been like that.¡±

    ¡°I see.¡± I mulled over his words before glancing at him. ¡°What about you?¡±

    ¡°Me?¡± He shrugged nonchalantly. ¡°I was raised here, actually.¡±

    ¡°Here? You mean the Town of the Fallen?¡±

    ¡°Yep.¡± He nodded. ¡°My parents used to live there, but they were reassigned somewhere else before I was sent to training.¡± His voice was steady, but his eyes drifted to the wall, unfocused, like he was searching for something invisible.

    ¡°You¡­ you know where they are, don¡¯t you?¡± I asked gently.

    He let out a quiet sigh. ¡°Most people never see their parents again after being sent here. It¡¯s just how it works. There are very few exceptions¡ªsentimental families, mostly.¡±

    I thought of Sia, her mother¡¯s inn, and the invitation she¡¯d extended to us. ¡°You mean like Sia? She told us we could stay at her mom¡¯s place.¡±

    Elric nodded, a faint smile playing on his lips. ¡°Yeah, that¡¯s rare.¡±

    We finished up, and I used up a good amount of soap and a few spritzes of the perfume. Elric and I left together, waiting only a short while before Thea emerged, looking refreshed.

    ¡°Ready?¡± she asked, her stormy eyes bright. ¡°Let¡¯s head to the inn. Then we can cultivate some more¡ªafter discussing your new ideas.¡±

    ¡°We can talk on the way,¡± I said quickly, hoping to avoid any unnecessary jogging.

    Following the map Sia had given us, we walked toward town. As we moved through the bustling streets, I shared my theories with Thea and Elric. I explained how intentionally failing core formation to perform the Grand Carving technique seemed to purify our bodies¡ªbones, tendons, and even organs¡ªallowing cultivation energy to adhere to them. The only problem was that I still didn¡¯t know how to make the energy stay. Even now, it dissipated after diffusion.

    I also told them about the technique I¡¯d invented, inspired by the Fireball system skill, though I admitted it was still crude and barely usable.

    ¡°Wow¡ªwe¡¯re so close,¡± Thea said, her voice tinged with admiration. ¡°I don¡¯t think we need to worry too much about refining the body right now. Let¡¯s just focus on purification and filling our Grand Channels. Maybe there¡¯ll be another transformation along the way that will give us more clues.¡±

    ¡°That makes sense. I think you¡¯re right,¡± I agreed.

    Elric chimed in, his tone thoughtful. ¡°Why didn¡¯t you come to me¡ªor Sia¡ªfor the Fireball technique? You¡¯re focusing too much on condensing it inside your body.¡±

    I frowned, crossing my arms. ¡°What else am I supposed to do? Isn¡¯t that the point? Build it up, then release it?¡±

    ¡°Yes and no,¡± Elric said, shaking his head slightly. ¡°The problem isn¡¯t the buildup¡ªit¡¯s how you¡¯re imagining the release at least from what I read in what you gave Thea. You¡¯re treating the energy like it¡¯s supposed to explode outward, separating from your source of energy. It¡¯s not. You have to guide it, give it direction.¡±

    I tilted my head. ¡°Okay¡­ guide it how?¡±

    Elric crossed his arms and leaned against the wall, his tone shifting to a more instructional one. ¡°To guide it, you¡¯ll need to maintain your focus on the energy even as it leaves your body. Start by visualizing the energy forming a thread or line extending outward. As it moves, keep your mind tethered to it¡ªlike you¡¯re leading it to where you want it to go.¡±

    Thea chimed in, her eyes lighting up with understanding. ¡°So instead of just shoving it outward and hoping for the best, you¡¯re essentially staying connected to it, shaping its path as it moves.¡±

    I nodded slowly, the concept beginning to take shape in my mind. ¡°Alright, but how do I stay connected once it¡¯s outside me? Isn¡¯t it just¡­ gone?¡±

    Elric shook his head, his expression firm yet patient. ¡°Not if you¡¯re doing it right. Think of it like throwing a rope. The moment it leaves your hand, it doesn¡¯t disappear¡ªyou¡¯re still holding one end. You just have to get good at telling that rope where to go. It¡¯s all about focus, extending your awareness beyond yourself. Of course,¡± he added with a shrug, ¡°you could always let the system handle it for you if you wanted.¡±

    I was struck by how clearly he broke it down. His explanation shifted my understanding completely. Form a thread with the energy, keep it tethered to my body. The idea of guiding its direction and force to cause actual damage suddenly seemed more plausible. Though, a shotgun blast of force still sounded cool to me.

    Thea interrupted my thoughts as we approached a modest yet inviting building. The warm glow of lanterns illuminated a wooden sign hanging above the door, etched with the name Gathering Flame.

    ¡°Hello¡± Thea announced, pushing the door open. The faint hum of conversation and the comforting scent of baked bread spilled out.

    As we stepped inside, a woman with kind eyes glanced up from behind the counter. Her gaze flicked to me, taking in my slightly battered appearance, and her smile wavered for a moment.

    I felt a twinge of unease, but before I could speak, the woman said, ¡°Welcome.¡±

    I exhaled, feeling the weight of the day start to lift. But even as I followed the others inside, the thought lingered: if I could master this, really master it, what could I do with it?

 Chapter 23: A Room Full of Promise

    ¡°Uh¡ªhi. Um,¡± I fumbled, suddenly feeling uncharacteristically nervous as such a bright, beaming smile greeted us. Sia¡¯s mother looked just like her¡ªso much so that, if she were slightly younger, I might¡¯ve assumed they were twins.

    Her fiery red hair cascaded down her back in soft waves, faint streaks of silver woven through the strands like embers glowing among vibrant flames, enhancing her beauty rather than detracting from it. Almond-shaped eyes, a deep and piercing emerald green, radiated both warmth and an undeniable wisdom, as though they had seen and endured much yet refused to lose their kindness.

    High cheekbones framed her face, their definition lending her an air of quiet elegance. A gently pointed chin softened her features, giving her an ageless grace. Her fair skin was dotted with light freckles¡ªa trait Sia must¡¯ve inherited¡ªfurther softening her otherwise sharp and commanding presence.

    Even standing behind the counter, her posture was straight and confident, exuding a quiet strength that felt welcoming yet unwavering. There was something about her¡ªa mix of poise and warmth¡ªthat made me feel like we¡¯d stepped into a safe haven, albeit one guarded by someone who could handle any challenge with ease.

    Finally, I remembered the paper map crumpled in my pocket. Pulling it out, I held it up. ¡°Sia told us to come here,¡± I said, handing her the note.

    Her face lit up instantly. ¡°Wow! Sia has more friends now!¡± she exclaimed, her smile so bright it was almost blinding¡ªElric might finally have some competition in outshining the sun. ¡°Lyra is such a sweet girl, but Sia is so closed off. She never talks to anyone but her.¡±

    I opened my mouth to reply but quickly realized I had no idea what to say. So, I just waited.

    ¡°Sia has always been so gentle and shy,¡± she continued, the warmth in her voice making it clear how deeply she cared. ¡°I¡¯m always worried about how she¡¯ll handle training. But she¡¯s already been there for a full year! Can you believe that?¡±

    I blinked, trying to reconcile her description of Sia with the girl I knew. Gentle? Shy? The Sia I¡¯d met was more like an intimidating guard dog, fiercely protective of Lyra. A far cry from the soft image her mother was painting.

    ¡°She always had this way of looking out for others,¡± her mother continued, her emerald eyes sparkling with pride. ¡°Even as a little girl, she¡¯d step in when she thought someone needed help¡ªnever mind if they were twice her size.¡±

    I hesitated, unsure of how to respond. The Sia her mother described sounded almost unrecognizable, yet¡­ maybe there was truth to it. Perhaps the intimidating strength I¡¯d seen in her wasn¡¯t just an act of dominance but a deeper reflection of her protective nature.

    Her mother suddenly paused, her expression shifting as if she realized she¡¯d been talking too much. ¡°Oh dear, listen to me rambling on,¡± she said with an apologetic laugh. ¡°You didn¡¯t come here to hear an old woman brag about her daughter.¡±

    She reached under the counter, pulling out a thick leather-bound book with the word Residents embossed on the cover. The pages inside were lined with neat rows of handwritten names, presumably of past and current lodgers.

    ¡°Now, how will you all be staying?¡± she asked, her tone warm and professional.

    ¡°Is it okay if we¡¯re all together?¡± I asked cautiously.

    She nodded, her smile never wavering. ¡°Of course. All of you in one room is perfectly fine. Both floors have a bathroom and shower, and meals are served in the mornings and evenings. Just remember, no fights are permitted here.¡± Her eyes twinkled with subtle authority as she added, ¡°And it will cost twenty-five points per person.¡±

    She pointed across the street. ¡°There¡¯s a practice hall if you need a place to train or spar. It¡¯s a bit more expensive than the basic rooms in the Hall of Heroes due to the payment method, but the facilities are excellent¡ªtop-notch, really. I go there for exercise myself and take Sia and Lyra there for training when I can.¡±

    Her voice softened, a fond look crossing her face. ¡°You should see those two¡ªSia is always so focused, pushing herself to do better. And Lyra, she¡¯s just the sweetest thing. Always helping out, always so polite.¡±

    She sighed with a smile. ¡°I can¡¯t tell you how proud I am of them both. Lyra¡¯s talent is remarkable, and Sia? Well, she¡¯s got that fire in her. Sometimes I think she works harder than anyone else in the hall.¡±

    She caught herself rambling again and let out a laugh, shaking her head. ¡°Oh, listen to me going on about them. I just can¡¯t help it. They¡¯re such good girls, you know?¡±

    We nodded along, exchanging glances. The warmth in her words was hard to ignore, but I wondered if she knew how fierce Sia really was.

    Finally, she returned her focus to us, her professional demeanor slipping back into place. ¡°Now, would you like me to show you to your room?¡±

    We all nodded, and she led us upstairs. She motioned to the first two rooms on each side of the hall. ¡°This is the women¡¯s bath and restroom,¡± she said, gesturing to one side. ¡°And the opposite side is the men¡¯s.¡±

    Continuing down the hall, she stopped at the very last room. ¡°Here you are,¡± she said, her tone warm. ¡°There¡¯s one bed in the room, so you¡¯ll have to handle the bedding for two of you on your own.¡±

    ¡°Thank you,¡± Thea said politely.

    Sia¡¯s mother gave a nod and a kind smile before turning to leave us to our business.

    ¡°Shall we head in?¡± Elric asked.

    I opened the door, greeted by a modest yet cozy room. A single bed with neatly tucked white linens stood against the far wall, its wooden frame sturdy and unadorned. A small desk and chair were set beneath a window, its pale curtains fluttering slightly in the breeze. A potted plant rested on the windowsill, adding a touch of life to the space. The air smelled faintly of lavender and freshly polished wood.

    Thea¡¯s eyes lit up as she stepped inside. ¡°This is perfect!¡± she exclaimed, her stormy eyes darting around the room.

    Near the bed, the floor had enough space to easily fit two sleeping bags. It wasn¡¯t luxury, but it had everything we needed: functional, simple, and welcoming.

    We all put down our things before I mentioned, ¡°Thea, we need to get our supplies from camp. We left them there.¡±

    She groaned at the thought. ¡°Alright, but then we check out the training rooms across the street. I want to see what they have to offer.¡± She paused, her tone growing more serious. ¡°And we need to cultivate. Increase the carvings on our body and practice techniques using cultivation.¡±

    ¡°And,¡± I added, ¡°I need information on systems.¡±

    She groaned again, exasperated. ¡°Can¡¯t we do that tomorrow? We haven¡¯t done a bit of cultivating today.¡±

    Elric turned his gaze toward me, his expression curious. ¡°You seem to know very little about systems¡­ even for a Late Bloomer.¡±

    Thea and I froze, exchanging uneasy glances. ¡°Uh¡ªyeah.¡± I hesitated, then sighed. Screw it. Why am I even trying to hide this from him? ¡°Look, Elric, it might be¡­ well, honestly, near impossible to believe, but I¡¯m not from this place, this world. I just kind of appeared here a few days ago. And I don¡¯t think I¡¯ll ever get a system. That¡¯s why I want to focus on cultivating so much.¡±

    I braced myself for disbelief or shock, but instead, Elric just said, ¡°Weird.¡±

    ¡°Weird?¡± Thea repeated, her brows furrowing. ¡°That¡¯s it?¡±

    ¡°If I deny it, what would come from that? Plus, I can¡¯t think of a reason for you to make up a lie like that,¡± Elric reasoned, his tone calm and measured.

    His response left both Thea and me blinking in surprise, but it was oddly reassuring.

    ¡°Um, alright then,¡± I said, shaking my head as if to clear the surreal moment. ¡°Thea, let¡¯s get our stuff and stop by the training hall across the street. Though I doubt it¡¯s cheap.¡±

    Thea smirked, a mischievous glint in her eyes. ¡°I¡¯ll race you.¡±Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

    ¡°I¡¯ll stay here and study,¡± Elric said, settling into the room like it was already his. ¡°I want to figure out how exactly my skills work.¡±

    We both nodded and headed out, met with a warm goodbye from Sia¡¯s mother. Unfortunately, Thea took the idea of a race seriously, and we sprinted all the way to the campsite and back, much to the amusement of passersby.

    When we returned, panting and red-faced, we collected Elric and made our way across the street to the training hall. The building stood tall and solid, a medieval structure of stone and wood with cleanly swept steps and well-maintained shutters. The wooden sign above the door was etched with the name Greats Training, its lettering bold and precise. Despite its utilitarian appearance, it was clear the place was kept in excellent condition¡ªno signs of neglect or wear.

    As we stepped inside, the warm scent of polished wood greeted us, mingling with the faint tang of metal and leather. A booming voice followed almost immediately.

    ¡°Welcome!¡± A large man with a bushy brown beard called from behind a sturdy desk. His wide grin and enthusiastic tone were far more welcoming than anything we¡¯d encountered at the Hall of Heroes. ¡°This is Greats Training. What can I do for you all?¡±

    Thea strode up to the counter confidently, her voice steady and authoritative. ¡°We¡¯d like a room for training¡ªone that can fit at least five people.¡±

    The man stroked his beard thoughtfully, his eyes narrowing in calculation. ¡°Hmm¡­ we only have one room that size¡ªthe six-person training hall. But to rent it, you¡¯ll need to sign a contract. A month minimum.¡±

    Before we could even process the words, let alone pretend to refuse, he began speaking again, his tone picking up speed with every word. ¡°But the price is unbeatable, and the facilities are top-notch! All-day access, full stat and class analysis, damage tracking¡ªyou name it! We¡¯ve got a complete encyclopedia of monsters from across the continent, information on class basics, and even a book on core formation.

    His face grew steadily redder as his voice climbed higher in pitch, and for a moment, I was genuinely worried he might pass out from lack of air.

    Thankfully, Elric stepped in, his signature calming smile cutting through the man¡¯s frantic sales pitch. ¡°Why don¡¯t you explain the clauses in the contract before anything else?¡± he suggested, his tone polite yet firm.

    The man blinked, clearly caught off guard, before nodding quickly. ¡°Ah¡ªyes, yes, dear customers. Right away.¡±

    He pulled out a large sheet of parchment from beneath the desk and laid it flat before us. The writing was dense, lines of small text crammed into every inch of space. I could read, but much slower than Thea or Elric, so I let them handle it. I still had plenty of studying to do, and thankfully, the characters were phonetic¡ªmanageable, even if it wasn¡¯t my native script. At least they weren¡¯t some complex pictograms or hieroglyphs.

    ¡°So basically,¡± Thea began after scanning the document, ¡°we agree to pay for an entire month upfront¡ªthirty points a day¡ªand get full access to all the facilities?¡±

    ¡°Yes, miss, that¡¯s the gist,¡± the man replied eagerly. ¡°It¡¯s far cheaper overall than the Hall of Heroes, but,¡± he hesitated, ¡°you must be able to pay the entire amount upfront.¡±

    He glanced at us, his expression a mixture of hope and doubt, as though he¡¯d had this conversation countless times with newer recruits. ¡°Nine hundred points, in total,¡± he finished, his tone slightly resigned.

    I glanced at the others. ¡°I think it¡¯s a good idea. Especially for you two since you already have your systems. This place could really help.¡±

    I turned back to the manager. ¡°The six-person room¡ªdoes it have spaces for quiet study? And are nights allowed?¡±

    He nodded, his beard twitching slightly as he spoke. ¡°It has two separate areas. One is a study space filled with books¡ªfighting is strictly prohibited there, so please refrain. The other is for sparring and training. The rooms occupy half of the second floor together. As for staying overnight¡­ while it¡¯s allowed occasionally, please don¡¯t treat it as a sleeping area. If it becomes a regular occurrence, I¡¯ll have to investigate its usage.¡±

    I nodded thoughtfully before holding out my orb. ¡°I need points, guys.¡±

    Without hesitation, Thea and Elric extended their orbs. After a few adjustments, the glowing green numbers added up to a perfect 900. We handed over the total, draining our combined reserves. Once we paid for the inn and now this training hall, Thea and I would be completely emptied, our orbs showing a haunting zero. Elric¡¯s orb still glowed faintly with 170, which might cover us at the inn for a couple days, but it was clear we¡¯d need to start earning points fast.

    The man¡¯s brows raised slightly as I handed him my orb. For a moment, he looked almost guilty, as if he wasn¡¯t sure we could afford it. But he quickly pulled out a larger, official-looking orb from beneath the counter. Its surface was smooth, polished, and opaque¡ªits number concealed. He tapped it gently against mine, and I felt a strange pull as the energy drained from my orb.

    The glowing number on my orb dimmed to zero.

    ¡°I¡¯ll show you to your room then,¡± the large man said, squeezing his bulk through the narrow gap between the counter and the wall. He had to turn sideways and rise onto his tiptoes, his movements almost comically delicate for someone of his size. By the time he was free, his face was slightly red, and he cleared his throat awkwardly. ¡°Right this way.¡±

    We followed him upstairs to a door near the top of the landing. A little further down the hall was another door, but he stopped at the first one. When he opened it, I nearly fell to my knees in gratitude.

    ¡°Mats,¡± I whispered, reverence in my voice.

    ¡°What did you say?¡± Thea shot me an odd look.

    ¡°Plush mats,¡± I clarified, my tone bordering on worshipful. ¡°I¡¯ve never made a better purchase in all my life.¡± Finally, no more being slammed onto hard floors by Thea. Now I just had to figure out how to avoid being electrocuted to death during our spars.

    ¡°Uh, yes, sir,¡± the man said, clearly unsure how to respond to my strange enthusiasm. ¡°The floor is covered in thick padding. It¡¯s fireproof and can withstand most elements¡ªearth, wind, and water. The walls, too.¡± He pointed toward a rack of evenly distributed dumbbells along one side of the room. ¡°And the weights are over there. The study room is through that door.¡± He gestured to a door on the far side. ¡°Both rooms are soundproof, so you don¡¯t have to worry about noise.¡±

    He left us with a polite nod, and we stepped inside.

    ¡°Oh, sweet merciful ruler of this world,¡± I groaned as I sank onto the mats. ¡°Thank you for creating such a comfy material.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re an idiot,¡± Thea said with a laugh.

    ¡°Your fault,¡± I shot back, smirking at her.

    ¡°Alright, you two,¡± Elric interrupted, his tone exasperated. ¡°Before you get into it, teach me the Grand Carving technique. Then I¡¯ll head out to tell the owner and Sia¡¯s mom to send them here when they return.¡± He gestured vaguely at Thea and me. ¡°Then you can resume¡­ whatever this is.¡±

    ¡°This?¡± I asked, feigning confusion.

    ¡°Shh,¡± Thea cut in, slipping into teaching mode. ¡°Go cultivate over there,¡± she commanded, pointing to the corner.

    ¡°Yes, ma¡¯am.¡± I gave her a mock salute. ¡°Have fun in class, Elric.¡±

    ¡°I will,¡± he said with a grin, mimicking a sing-song tone.

    I settled into a corner and decided to work on more patterns. If Thea joined me after teaching Elric, we could cultivate together and analyze her stats and system details. That would be helpful¡ªalthough with how unique her blessing seemed, she might not be the best example to study.

    Since the effects of the spiral pattern had been so strong before, I decided to make another, this time extending from my chest to my shoulder. I also successfully finished a foci pattern in my fist. The needle still hadn''t disappeared so I managed to complete the spiral pattern from my fist to my shoulder.

    As usual, I lost about ten percent of my energy in the process, but it didn¡¯t take long to refill my Grand Channel to full using world force. I figured I¡¯d only need a sparring session to get back to my original peak.

    When I opened my eyes, Thea was seated across the room, her expression calm but with a faint crease between her brows¡ªthe telltale sign of her managing the pain of the Grand Carving technique.

    Just as a test, I took a small whiff of myself. Oh no. That smell wasn¡¯t just from the earlier race. The technique¡¯s dissipating energy had definitely done something to our bodies. Hopefully, it was purifying us as we¡¯d theorized, and not just making me smell like sunbathing garbage.

    Thea opened her eyes a moment later, catching me mid-sniff with my face practically buried in my armpit. Her expression shifted immediately, her tone tinged with¡­ was that shame? Disbelief? ¡°Peter? What are you doing?¡±

    My face instantly turned beet red. Think fast. Say something smart.

    ¡°It¡¯s for science, I swear!¡± I raised my hands in surrender, like I¡¯d just been caught committing a heinous crime.

    Thea stared at me, utterly unimpressed, before rolling her eyes. ¡°You¡¯re unbelievable.¡±

    ¡°Hey,¡± I said defensively, dropping my hands. ¡°If we¡¯re purifying our bodies, shouldn¡¯t we figure out all the side effects? For all we know, this could lead to another important discovery!¡±

    ¡°You smell yourself and call it a discovery?¡± she deadpanned, staring at me a moment longer before breaking into hysterical laughter. ¡°Let¡¯s start sparring,¡± she said between giggles, standing up.

    And we did. Thankfully, either her skills weren¡¯t active or her blessing hadn¡¯t developed enough yet, because there were no electric shocks coming from her hands. Just good, old-fashioned brute force. And right as I was slammed onto the blessedly padded mat yet again, the door opened, and Elric, Lyra, and Sia walked in.

    Sia, normally stoic unless she was around Elric, looked as red as her hair.

    ¡°Sorry,¡± Elric said, chuckling as he walked in alongside Lyra. ¡°I got to the inn just as they arrived, and Sia¡¯s mom¡ªwell, we had a nice, long chat.¡±

    He was clearly enjoying himself, and Lyra wasn¡¯t far behind, her quiet laughter joining his.

    I groaned from the floor. ¡°Please tell me she didn¡¯t share her theories about Sia¡¯s nonexistent gentleness again.¡±

    Elric grinned. ¡°Oh, she did, and more.¡±

    They laughed a bit longer, their amusement echoing around the room until I interrupted, dragging myself upright. ¡°Alright, alright, let¡¯s get to work. Elric, you should start the carving, and the rest of us need to do some good old cultivation.¡±

    And so we did. Thea and I pushed ourselves, filling our Grand Channels to about eighty percent, while Elric managed to carve one pseudo reservoir before diving into his own cultivation. Meanwhile, Lyra and Sia sat on the brink of their transformations, the tension in the air promising a breakthrough soon.

    ¡°Alright,¡± Thea said at last, breaking the silence as she walked to a dark, black sphere mounted at the end of the room. She placed her hand on it, her stormy eyes gleaming with excitement. ¡°Let me show you all my blessing.¡±

    She pressed her palm firmly against the ball, her voice steady and full of purpose. ¡°System.¡±

 Chapter 24: Beyond the Grand Channel

    On the wall behind her, which turned out to be some sort of display, a set of glowing information appeared:

    Class: Warrior

    Blessing: Storm Heart

    Stats:

    <ul>

    <li style="font-weight: 400">Strength: 20</li>

    <li style="font-weight: 400">Agility: 20</li>

    <li style="font-weight: 400">Stamina: 20</li>

    <li style="font-weight: 400">Endurance: 10</li>

    <li style="font-weight: 400">Magic: 5</li>

    <li style="font-weight: 400">MP: 10/10</li>

    <li style="font-weight: 400">SP: 10/10</li>

    </ul>

    Techniques: N/A

    Titles: N/A

    Missions:

    Bottom Rank Level 1:

    <ul>

    <li style="font-weight: 400">Objective: You have become a warrior. You will be in battles for the rest of your life. Prove yourself capable by participating in real sparring matches. 2/10</li>

    <li style="font-weight: 400">Rewards: A greater understanding of your Storm Heart, 5 stat points.</li>

    </ul>

    ¡°How is that¡ª¡± Elric trailed off, his voice tinged with disbelief.

    ¡°You have both SP and MP?¡± Sia asked, her brows furrowed in confusion.

    Lyra followed, her tone equally shocked. ¡°You really are an anomaly.¡±

    Thea glanced back at the display and then at the others. Her expression was a mixture of pride and uncertainty. ¡°I told you my blessing was different.¡±

    ¡°Alright, we can all congratulate Thea later,¡± I said, waving off the lingering awe in the room. She shot me a look that screamed I was interrupting her moment of glory, but I ignored it. ¡°First, I need an explanation.¡±

    Sia and Lyra looked at each other before turning back to me. ¡°Of what?¡± Sia asked, her tone cautious.

    ¡°Oh, Peter isn¡¯t from this world.¡± Elric¡¯s voice was casual, as if he¡¯d just commented on the weather.

    The room froze, and all eyes turned to me.

    There was a long silence before I finally spoke. ¡°Elric. Why would you say that?¡±

    ¡°...Was that still a secret?¡± His horrifying grin, which seemed to light up the entire room, only made the situation worse. ¡°Come on, you had to tell them at some point.¡±

    Lyra broke the tension with an unexpected chirp. ¡°I don¡¯t really get it, but you¡¯re our friend Peter.¡± She said brightly, ¡°Just explain.¡±

    I looked at her and Sia and gave them the same story, how I appeared here recently, came from another world, and more than likely, will never get a system.

    Sia looked shocked but not in disbelief, ¡°you have been saying some strange things, so I guess it makes sense. Either way, I don¡¯t think Elric would lie.¡± She hardly spared me a glance as she spoke, eyes focused on Elric instead. I decided to take the win¡ªbeing accepted without a long explanation was a relief. Thank goodness for star power.

    ¡°Alright,¡± I said, exhaling slowly. ¡°I guess it¡¯s out now. So, I need a full explanation of the system.¡± I paused briefly, raising a hand to stop any unnecessary elaborations. ¡°I can guess what the stat points are for, but explain MP, SP, and what the average bottom ranker¡¯s stats look like when they first get their system.¡±

    Thea stepped forward, her expression shifting into her classic teaching face. I half-expected her to adjust imaginary glasses. ¡°First, the average starting stats for most people are around fifteen points for most things¡ªexcept for magic. A person¡¯s physicality affects these numbers. In other words, if you stay in shape, you¡¯ll have a better start.¡±

    I nodded, thinking it over. ¡°Makes sense. Can¡¯t run far if you¡¯ve never done it before.¡±

    Sia chimed in, her voice carrying a hint of curiosity. ¡°Mages and healers usually start with around ten magic power, but you having that stat at all as a warrior¡­¡±

    Thea lit up a bit from the indirect praise, her pride shining through before she continued. ¡°MP and SP are used up when performing spells and techniques. As for missions¡­¡± She hesitated, glancing at Sia for guidance, her confidence faltering for a moment.

    Instead, it was Lyra who answered, her melodic voice calm and measured. ¡°Every time you complete a mission, you get rewards. You start at the bottom rank, and after it levels up, the next mission appears¡ªassuming you¡¯ve met the requirement.¡± She smiled, though the revelation that followed was less comforting. ¡°The problem is, you don¡¯t know what the requirement is.¡±

    Her smile stayed fixed, even as I raised an eyebrow at the troubling vagueness of her explanation. Thea looked equally concerned, but before she could speak, Lyra continued, her voice rising slightly with enthusiasm. ¡°Each rank in missions has ten levels: Bottom, Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced, and, um¡­¡± She trailed off, her cheeks flushing slightly as her confidence wavered. ¡°I don¡¯t know the next one.¡±

    Elric cut in smoothly, his tone steady and reassuring. ¡°Most people never even complete the unlock requirement for the second level of Intermediate. For now, you don¡¯t need to worry about ranks beyond that.¡± He gave me a small, knowing smile, as if to say we¡¯d have plenty of time to deal with such things later.

    ¡°As for titles,¡± he continued, ¡°I mentioned how people pay for Sia¡¯s¡­ services. You can gain resistance titles and other similar perks through persistent training or specific achievements.¡±

    ¡°That clears up a lot, thanks, everyone. So¡ªwhat¡¯s your mission, Elric?¡± I asked, curious.

    He shook his head. ¡°After finishing level two, I haven¡¯t seen a new one yet.¡±

    I glanced at Sia and Lyra, who exchanged knowing looks before offering identical answers. Sia shrugged. ¡°I¡¯m waiting for my level five mission.¡±

    ¡°Same here,¡± Lyra added with a soft smile.

    ¡°Alright then, I suppose we¡¯ll focus on Thea¡¯s progress for now,¡± I said, glancing at her. She beamed at the thought of advancing, her excitement evident.

    But the others shook their heads in unison. ¡°It¡¯s getting late,¡± Sia pointed out. ¡°Mom¡¯s going to have dinner ready soon, and trust me, you don¡¯t want to miss out on a real meal here.¡±

    Almost on cue, a loud grumble echoed through the room. Who it came from was anyone¡¯s guess¡ªthough definitely not me. Probably Thea. Yeah, let¡¯s go with that.

    I shot Thea a look, and she returned it with mock daggers in her gaze. ¡°Yep, food sounds good. We can always come back later.¡±

    With no complaints, we all made our way back to the inn. As we stepped through the entrance, I couldn¡¯t hold back my reaction. ¡°Oh sweet god,¡± I muttered, the words slipping out unbidden as the warm, inviting scent of cooking hit me.

    Sia stepped ahead, gesturing down the hall. ¡°This way,¡± she instructed, leading us to a side door in the entrance that opened to reveal a dining table large enough to seat ten people comfortably. Reverently, I followed her and took a seat. Thea settled in on my right, while Elric took the seat across from us, flanked by our companions.

    ¡°Mom! We¡¯re back,¡± Sia called out, her voice carrying easily into what I assumed was the kitchen.

    A clatter of activity followed from the room beyond, and soon enough, Sia¡¯s mother appeared. Her beaming smile was almost as radiant as her daughter¡¯s. ¡°Welcome back,¡± she greeted warmly. Her eyes landed on Elric, and her expression brightened even further. ¡°Oh, you brought the boy with you again! Such a charming young man.¡±

    Elric leaned back in his chair slightly, his signature grin lighting up the room as he replied. ¡°You flatter me, ma¡¯am. But it¡¯s no wonder Sia turned out to be so extraordinary¡ªwith a mother like you, it¡¯s clearly in the bloodline.¡±

    Her face softened, her cheeks flushing with delight. ¡°Oh, stop it, you¡¯ll make an old woman blush,¡± she said, though her smile suggested she didn¡¯t mind one bit.This book is hosted on another platform. Read the official version and support the author''s work.

    ¡°Well, then I¡¯d say my work here is done,¡± Elric quipped, his tone smooth and playful.

    He really can¡¯t turn it off, can he?

    With a little skip, Sia¡¯s mother returned, a large pot in hand. ¡°Grab some bowls, darling. Tonight we have soup.¡±

    Sia got up and pulled a stack of wooden bowls and some spoons from a nearby cabinet, tossing them onto the table with all the grace of someone who wanted to disappear into the floor. Whether it was her title weighing on her or the way her mother acted around Elric, I couldn¡¯t tell. Maybe both.

    The warm atmosphere was a welcome change. I glanced around the table at the chatting group. Elric seemed to be murmuring something to Sia that I couldn¡¯t quite catch, though her softening expression made it clear it was something comforting. Lyra, meanwhile, was fully engaged in conversation with Sia¡¯s mother about how wonderful Sia was¡ªa mutual hobby of theirs, I assumed.

    I turned to Thea, who looked¡­ stunned. Her expression was tight, her gaze darting around the room like she couldn¡¯t quite process what she was seeing.

    ¡°You alright?¡± I whispered.

    ¡°It¡¯s¡­ just so different,¡± she answered, her voice barely audible.

    I thought back to what Elric had said about her upbringing. A traditional, cold, military-focused family, most likely. No warmth, no laughter¡ªjust a cold efficiency preparing their children for war. This must¡¯ve been like stepping into another world.

    ¡°What¡¯s so different?¡± I asked, leaning in slightly. ¡°You called me darling not too long¡ª¡±

    I didn¡¯t finish. My words turned into a muffled scream¡ªor, let¡¯s call it a manly grunt¡ªas pain shot through my side. Thea had delivered one of the worst pinches of my life. In that moment, I understood that her control over her lightning powers was far better than I¡¯d realized. She just chose not to use it in our previous spar.

    But a good joke must never die. Through gritted teeth, I finished, ¡°¡­ ago.¡±

    ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± Thea asked, her tone dripping with fake concern. Her voice was loud enough to catch the rest of the table¡¯s attention. ¡°You look like you¡¯re tearing up.¡±

    ¡°You alright, buddy?¡± Elric called out, his grin infuriatingly knowing. He¡¯d heard everything¡ªI¡¯d bet on it. His enhanced senses had picked up my suffering loud and clear.

    ¡°Yep, yep,¡± I said quickly, trying to salvage some dignity. ¡°Just so happy. I haven¡¯t had a good meal in so long.¡±

    Then a thought hit me¡ªa bad one, in retrospect. Revenge.

    ¡°I was just talking about how when Thea called me¡ª¡±

    Revenge was indeed a terrible idea.

    I was now almost certain my training shoes needed replacement, and I¡¯d definitely need Elric to heal me later. Thea must have emptied her MP reserves because I felt shocks ripple through my entire body from my toes like a punishment from the heavens. I gritted my teeth through the pain, determined not to collapse into a twitching heap.

    ¡°Oh, what did she call you?¡± Sia¡¯s mother asked, her curiosity piqued.

    Persevere. She¡¯s got to be out of MP by now, right? No way she has more left in the tank. I stole a glance at Thea, who was watching me with an expectant glare, daring me to say something stupid.

    ¡°She called me over to spar earlier today. Battle freak,¡± I said quickly.

    Can you blame me? I know nothing about her limits, and I wasn¡¯t about to test them further.

    Everyone but Thea looked disappointed. Elric even piped up, ¡°You shouldn¡¯t call her a freak¡­ maniac, sure, but freak?¡±

    The room eased with his joke, small chuckles spreading among us. Though, in hindsight, someone might mistake my laugh for quiet sobs¡ªit wasn¡¯t. I wasn¡¯t crying.

    Sia¡¯s mother chimed in with her warm, ever-present smile, ¡°Alright, eat up and rest. Tomorrow¡¯s another day of training.¡±

    We all nodded and dug in. I scooped up a spoonful of the thick soup and let it hit my tongue. Oh. My. Every fiber of my being felt assaulted by a medley of divine flavors¡ªdried fruit, tender bits of meat, creamy butter, hearty flour, and a hint of something like sweet corn. The juicy fat from whatever noble beast had been sacrificed for this heavenly concoction melted into an ambrosial bliss that tickled every nerve I had.

    I couldn¡¯t help it¡ªa low groan escaped me, unbidden.

    ¡°My, no one¡¯s had that look on their face since my husband,¡± Sia¡¯s mother said with a chuckle. ¡°I¡¯m glad you enjoy it, but maybe keep the groans down. Your friends are looking at you strangely.¡±

    I froze mid-spoonful, glancing around. Everyone was staring at me. Concern? Amusement? Offense? I couldn¡¯t tell, but I hoped for the second.

    ¡°What? It¡¯s good!¡± I defended, shoving another bite into my mouth for emphasis.

    Then I glanced at Thea, who looked like she was on the verge of cracking up completely. Oh, that¡¯s it.

    In a single breath, leaving no room for retaliation, I blurted out, ¡°Thea called me darling! We all remember!¡±

    The shock on her face was worth every risk. Before she could recover, I switched to a chair further away and shoved another spoonful of soup into my mouth, savoring both the food and my small, victorious moment.

    Everyone started laughing¡ªwell, everyone except Thea.

    ¡°Darling,¡± she said, mimicking that overly dramatic tone from earlier, ¡°we should rest, but let¡¯s do a couple more spars next door, across the street.¡± Her smile dripped with faux sweetness, but her eyes? Her eyes told a completely different story. I¡¯d swear she¡¯d swapped personalities with Elric for a moment¡ªcold and calculating steel beneath that stormy hue.

    ¡°I¡¯m actually feeling a bit tired¡­ maybe tomorrow?¡± I tried, hoping a good night¡¯s sleep might dull whatever storm I¡¯d stirred up.

    ¡°Oh, I think we can finish up our current stage tonight,¡± she countered, her voice shifting to something mockingly hurt and soft, like a rejected character in a soap opera. Somehow, her ridiculous acting was more effective than I wanted to admit.

    Sia¡¯s mother, ever helpful, chimed in. ¡°She just wants to spend a little more time with you. You¡¯ll still get plenty of rest if it¡¯s only a little bit. Eat up, then have some training time together. Then straight to bed,¡± she added with a smile, as if dispensing sage wisdom.

    I could hear the snickers from the others, and I didn¡¯t need to look to know who was enjoying this the most. Elric. His face was already turning crimson, and his shoulders were shaking from holding in his laughter. If he laughed any harder, I feared he¡¯d pass out from lack of oxygen.

    Quietly, I muttered under my breath, ¡°Bastard.¡±

    Elric, ever quick with his retorts, whispered back, equally quiet, ¡°Idiot.¡±

    Once we all finished eating, I was promptly dragged outside by Thea. Fortunately, the meal seemed to have calmed her down quite a bit, much to my relief.

    ¡°I think I have an idea about how to get our internal force into our bodies,¡± Thea said, her tone thoughtful.

    I raised an eyebrow, taking a deep breath for dramatic effect. ¡°Oh? Please enlighten me, Lightning Warrior Princess Grandmaster.¡±

    She gave me a look, somewhere between amused and exasperated. ¡°That title is getting too long,¡± she said, though her smile lingered. ¡°I think we need to get the Grand Channel completely full and then¡­¡± She made a popping sound with her tongue.

    ¡°Pop?¡± I stopped walking for a moment, turning to her with a mix of concern and curiosity. ¡°You don¡¯t mean¡ª¡±

    ¡°I do,¡± she interrupted, her expression growing serious. ¡°The only time I¡¯ve ever felt energy force its way into my body¡ªother than during the failure of core formation¡ªwas when I overfilled my early on. If we push beyond our limit, even just slightly, we might be able to replicate that effect. But,¡± she emphasized, her voice low and firm, ¡°we have to be extremely cautious. We¡¯ll start by gathering just a little more than our maximum and observing how it affects us. Only then can we decide how to proceed.¡±

    I stared at her, genuinely impressed. I would never have thought of something like this¡ªessentially pushing our bodies to the brink to force energy into them. But as reckless as it sounded, it also made sense. Now that I thought about it, those moments when we turned red weren¡¯t just from overexertion; they were a sign of excess cultivation energy being temporarily stored in our bodies.

    ¡°It¡¯s brilliant,¡± I admitted after a moment. ¡°Dangerous, but brilliant. I wouldn¡¯t have figured that out without your knowledge of cultivation.¡±

    She smirked. ¡°Glad to see you finally appreciate my genius.¡±

    ¡°Oh, I¡¯ve always appreciated it,¡± I shot back. ¡°I just don¡¯t say it too often. Don¡¯t want you getting a big head.¡±

    She laughed, and for a moment, the tension between us eased. But as her expression turned thoughtful again, I could tell she was already planning the next step. Despite the risk, I couldn¡¯t help but feel a surge of excitement at the idea of pushing our limits in a whole new way.

    As we walked into the training hall, we were greeted by the burly man from earlier. He looked up from his desk and grinned. ¡°Ah, you two! Since I know you¡¯re staying with Ms. Star, feel free to stay as long as you like now that I know you won¡¯t be using this as a living space.¡±

    ¡°Oh¡ªuh, thanks,¡± I replied, caught off guard by his kindness. ¡°We¡¯ll be heading up, then.¡±

    He gave us a nod, and we made our way upstairs, opening the door to the familiar room.

    ¡°Let¡¯s postpone the Grand Carving for now and just test your idea,¡± I suggested.

    ¡°Alright,¡± Thea agreed, settling onto the mat and beginning her rhythmic breathing.

    I followed suit, closing my eyes and focusing on the process. Unfortunately, our Grand Channels could now only accommodate about twenty percent more world energy, making it much harder to transmute all that energy into internal strength. The silver lining, however, was that the channel filled much faster due to the reduced capacity we were working with.

    After six grueling sparring sessions, both of us collapsed onto the mats, panting heavily.

    ¡°Alright,¡± I said between gasps, staring up at the ceiling. ¡°I think we¡¯re done, right?¡±

    ¡°Yeah,¡± Thea replied, equally breathless. She took a deep breath and pushed herself into a sitting position. ¡°Let¡¯s get started. You keep an eye on me, and if I start looking a bit too... cooked, shock me awake.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re going first?¡± I asked, sitting up to face her.

    ¡°Yeah,¡± she said, nodding with determination. ¡°I¡¯m more familiar with this feeling than you are. My first few days cultivating were full of it. My parents made me push past my limits repeatedly so I¡¯d never make a mistake during cultivation.¡±

    I frowned at that, the image of a younger Thea enduring such harsh training twisting something in my chest. It felt cruel¡ªbut at the same time, it was a form of care. They¡¯d ensured she wouldn¡¯t die from some careless accident, after all.

    ¡°Alright,¡± I said, shaking off my thoughts. ¡°You get started. I¡¯ll keep an eye on you.¡±

    She nodded, her stormy eyes steady with resolve. Then, without another word, she closed them and began. Her breaths evened out, and the air seemed to grow heavier, charged with an almost tangible energy as she pushed herself further and further beyond her limits.

 Chapter 25: Price of Purity

    I watched her closely, not even blinking as she sat and absorbed world energy. At some point, the signs of stress began to show¡ªa faint flush rising on her skin, her breathing growing slightly uneven. She was ignoring the nausea now, pushing past the body''s warning signs like we¡¯d discussed.

    After a few moments, her skin began to turn a faint pink, indicating the strain she was placing on herself. As the moments dragged on, that pink deepened into a darker red, like the embers of a fire growing hotter. I could see faint bubbles forming on her skin, tiny blisters rising from the heat of the energy surging through her.

    ¡°Thea!¡± I shook her hard, my voice snapping her out of her trance. Her eyes shot open, slightly unfocused at first. ¡°Doing alright? I think that¡¯s the limit.¡±

    She blinked a few times before looking down at herself, her expression thoughtful despite the faint sheen of sweat on her forehead. ¡°It¡¯s really hard to stop once you ignore that initial feeling,¡± she admitted, her tone distant. Her voice carried an edge of strain, but there was also something else¡ªa flicker of determination.

    ¡°Did you find anything out?¡± I asked, leaning in slightly, hoping for some breakthrough.

    She paused, her brow furrowing as she placed a hand on her chin, biting the side of her lip lightly in thought. ¡°Yes¡­ but it¡¯s not exactly what I wanted to find.¡± Her voice was tinged with frustration, but she continued, her stormy eyes narrowing in concentration. ¡°The force does enter the body, but it¡¯s not stopping for long on anything¡ªnot really. We want it to stay in our bodies: bones, tendons, organs¡­ somewhere. But it just flows away after a moment.¡±

    She looked down at herself, brushing her fingertips over the red, overheated surface of her skin. ¡°But I noticed something. As it touched the innards, it stuck for almost no time at all, like it was just passing through. Then, when it hit the bones, it moved a bit slower. And now¡ª¡± she gestured to her flushed, blistering skin¡ª¡°on the surface, it¡¯s lasting quite a bit longer.¡±

    I nodded, my mind racing. There was something in her observation, a pattern that seemed crucial, but I couldn¡¯t quite grasp it. ¡°The more important question,¡± I said, half-joking to break the tension, ¡°will we be red forever if we make it stick for real?¡±

    Thea stared at me for a moment before a small, amused huff escaped her lips. ¡°You¡¯re impossible.¡± But then her expression softened into something more serious. ¡°If it does stick¡­ it¡¯s going to change us in ways we can¡¯t predict.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s the point, isn¡¯t it?¡± I replied, shrugging. ¡°My guess is this is the way to go, but we haven¡¯t purified our bodies enough through the Grand Carving technique.¡±

    We looked at each other for a long moment, the weight of what we¡¯d discovered settling between us. ¡°Thea, I think you just saved my life,¡± I said, my voice steady with sincerity. I meant it¡ªthis was the final step I needed to stand a chance against the system. I didn¡¯t know how long I could hold out, but at least now I had a way forward.

    ¡°What are you talking about?¡± she said, brushing it off with a smile. ¡°We did this together. In fact, you came up with most of the ideas. I just got lucky with this one.¡±

    She paused before adding with renewed determination, ¡°Let¡¯s do some carving before we head back. Like you said, we probably need to purify our bodies more anyway.¡±

    We sat near each other, bracing ourselves for the pain that always came with carving. By the end, we¡¯d each used up about twenty percent of our energy, but we had completed the entire upper body. The room was thick with the sour, acrid smell of purification sweat, and we were both drenched.

    ¡°You reek,¡± I commented, grimacing slightly.

    ¡°My MP¡¯s back,¡± she shot back without missing a beat.

    ¡°Reek like¡­ roses,¡± I amended nervously, trying to salvage the moment.

    She smirked, shaking her head. ¡°I think it¡¯s getting late. We should head back and clean up.¡±

    I nodded, relieved. ¡°Agreed.¡±

    But then she stopped, a glimmer of curiosity sparking in her stormy eyes. ¡°But first, let me check something.¡±

    She walked over to the display, placing her hand on it and calling for her status. As the glowing information appeared, I felt my jaw slacken, and hers dropped as well.

    ¡°Thea?¡± I asked cautiously, not entirely sure what I was looking at.

    ¡°It worked¡­ IT WORKED!¡± she screamed, her voice rising into a banshee-like wail that I hadn¡¯t thought possible. Her excitement was contagious, though, and I couldn¡¯t blame her for the outburst. We¡¯d theorized that this would work, but seeing the proof felt surreal. The best part? Her skin wasn¡¯t even red anymore¡ªshe looked completely normal.

    The display glowed, showing:

    Class: Warrior

    Blessing: Storm Heart

    Stats:

    <ul>

    <li style="font-weight: 400">Strength: 20</li>

    <li style="font-weight: 400">Agility: 20</li>

    <li style="font-weight: 400">Stamina: 20</li>

    <li style="font-weight: 400">Endurance: 11</li>

    <li style="font-weight: 400">Magic: 5</li>

    <li style="font-weight: 400">MP: 10/10</li>

    <li style="font-weight: 400">SP: 10/10</li>

    </ul>

    Techniques: N/A

    Titles: N/A

    Missions:

    Bottom Rank Level 1:

    <ul>

    <li style="font-weight: 400">Objective: You have become a warrior. You will be in battles for the rest of your life. Prove yourself capable by participating in real sparring matches. 8/10</li>

    <li style="font-weight: 400">Rewards: A greater understanding of your Storm Heart, 5 stat points.</li>

    </ul>

    Her Endurance stat¡ªher defense¡ªhad risen by one point. Proof that the energy wasn¡¯t dissipating anymore. It was sticking.

    ¡°You¡¯re not diffusing your energy right now, are you?¡± I asked, my voice careful, trying not to let my excitement get ahead of me.

    ¡°No,¡± she said, her voice almost trembling with joy. ¡°Peter¡­ we did it. We¡¯ve changed everything.¡±

    We both took a deep breath, trying to calm ourselves and steady the whirlwind of emotions. ¡°Okay, okay,¡± I started, running a hand through my hair. ¡°Let¡¯s just call this a day. We¡¯ve got a path forward now, but we can¡¯t get overzealous. The process is still dangerous, and we¡¯ll need to watch over each other. That means it¡¯ll be slow.¡±

    She nodded, her enthusiasm tempering slightly. ¡°You¡¯re right. Let¡¯s get back, shower, and rest. Tomorrow, we can finish our carvings and see if there¡¯s any purification left to happen. If not¡­¡± She grinned, the excitement returning to her stormy eyes. ¡°Then we go all out on Body Refinement.¡±

    I grinned back, feeling the weight of the day lifting just a little. ¡°Deal.¡±

    As we left the room, we waved goodbye to the large attendant downstairs, who was clearly doing his best not to notice the pleasant¡ªor not-so-pleasant¡ªodor wafting off of us. His polite smile strained ever so slightly as we passed.

    ¡°It¡¯s too bad there wasn¡¯t a transformation when we filled our Grand Channels to the max,¡± I said, my tone carrying a hint of disappointment. The transformation that came after forming the spiritual reservoirs had been unparalleled so far¡ªsomething that made me feel truly alive, truly changed.

    ¡°Maybe it¡¯ll happen after we finish purifying completely?¡± Thea mused, her voice thoughtful as we stepped into the cool night air.

    ¡°Maybe,¡± I replied, a small spark of hope flickering inside me. If today had proven anything, it was that breakthroughs could come when you least expected them. For now, rest was the next step. Tomorrow, the path to Body Refinement awaited us.

    We each went our way to clean up, ridding ourselves of the stench of sweat and purification. Returning to the room, I fell asleep almost as soon as I hit the bed. For the first time in days, I didn¡¯t wake up to the blaring horn that usually signaled the start of the day in training camp. Instead, a gentle knocking came at the door, followed by Ms. Star¡¯s warm voice.

    ¡°There¡¯s breakfast downstairs. Come soon if you want some.¡±Did you know this text is from a different site? Read the official version to support the creator.

    Her words sounded like heaven to me. An actual meal in the morning¡ªsomething cooked by a competent chef. I shot up at the sound of her voice and glanced around. Elric was already stirring, but Thea remained peacefully sleeping, entirely unaffected by the soft knock or voice. Maybe she¡¯d grown too accustomed to the horn¡¯s harsh wake-up call, and now, anything gentler just couldn¡¯t rouse her.

    ¡°Thea,¡± I said softly, shaking her shoulder.

    ¡°Mmm.¡± She mumbled, shifting slightly as her hand moved to cover her eyes.

    ¡°Wake up, Grandmaster,¡± I said with a grin, giving her shoulder a firmer shake this time.

    Her stormy gray eyes blinked open slowly, her expression groggy and confused. ¡°Peter? What¡¯s up?¡± she mumbled, her voice still thick with sleep as she looked around, momentarily disoriented. I guessed she¡¯d forgotten we weren¡¯t sleeping in the woods anymore.

    ¡°Food,¡± I said simply.

    She shot up immediately, much to my amusement. I couldn¡¯t help but laugh.

    ¡°Elric?¡± I called, checking if he was still half-asleep.

    ¡°Up,¡± he replied curtly, his usual calm demeanor fully intact, even this early.

    ¡°Could you cover today¡¯s staying cost?¡± I asked him sheepishly. Not that Thea and I weren¡¯t broke or anything¡­ okay, we were broke.

    ¡°No problem,¡± Elric said with a slight nod as he got ready to head downstairs.

    When we arrived in the dining room, Sia and Lyra were already seated, looking bright-eyed and fully prepared for the day ahead. Their poise and readiness were both impressive and mildly irritating.

    ¡°Morning,¡± they offered in unison.

    ¡°Hey,¡± I replied, still trying to rub the sleep out of my eyes. Thea and Elric greeted them as well, though Thea¡¯s voice carried a touch of that lingering grogginess. I couldn¡¯t blame her; mornings weren¡¯t exactly her specialty.

    The scent of something delicious wafted through the room, and my stomach growled audibly. Today, I thought, was off to a good start.

    We enjoyed a short, pleasant conversation while eating fresh bread drizzled with something like honey and a large egg from a creature I didn¡¯t recognize. The combination was unexpectedly delightful, making for a hearty breakfast. As we finished, we waved goodbye to Ms. Star, who returned the gesture with her ever-warm smile. Elric paid the fee for our stay, leaving his orb with just ninety-five points. It was a reminder that we¡¯d need to earn more soon, but for now, training took priority.

    As we left the inn, we collectively decided to head straight to the training hall. Lyra and Sia were nearly done with their Spiritual Reservoir Formation, and Thea and I wanted to finish the Grand Carving technique. I also hoped to confirm whether further purification would follow. A thought struck me as we walked toward the Greats Training building.

    ¡°Thea,¡± I began, catching her attention. ¡°Once we complete purification, what happens if we try to form a small core? Can we still force a failure?¡±

    She stopped just outside the building, prompting the rest of us to halt as well. Her expression turned thoughtful, her gray eyes focused. ¡°As long as we don¡¯t try to stabilize the core at our focal point¡­ it should be fine,¡± she said. Her tone carried a hint of uncertainty, but the confidence behind it reassured me.

    If it turned out differently, we¡¯d handle it when the time came.

    We entered the training hall, greeted briefly by the burly attendant at the desk, and made our way upstairs. Once inside the familiar room, everyone settled into their respective spots, ready to begin their routines. I turned to Thea.

    ¡°I think we should finish the Grand Carving technique first,¡± I suggested. ¡°Then we can check what happens next.¡±

    She gave a simple nod, her usual resolve shining through as we prepared ourselves.

    For hours, we worked in relative silence, enduring the sharp, searing pain that came with each carve. By the time I had used up forty percent of my Grand Channel, I was nearly finished. The energy surged through me like a flood breaking a dam, rushing into the intricate patterns I¡¯d painstakingly carved into my body and pooling in the small foci I had created.

    And then¡­ nothing.

    No transformation. No immediate sign of progress. That is, until my very last needle began to dissolve.

    Suddenly¡ªa wave of warmth coursed through me, starting deep in my chest and radiating outward to every corner of my body. It wasn¡¯t the searing, overwhelming sensation I¡¯d feared; instead, it was gentle, almost soothing, like sinking into a perfectly heated bath after a long, exhausting day.

    The warmth seemed to wrap around my bones, threading through my tendons, and curling into the very core of my being. Each pulse felt as if it were squeezing something out of me¡ªdense, heavy, and deeply buried. I couldn¡¯t see it, but I could feel it, like shedding a second skin I hadn¡¯t even known I was wearing.

    A faint pressure built just under my skin, and then, in tiny bursts, it released. There was no pain¡ªonly an odd, rhythmic sensation of something being purged. This wasn¡¯t just sweat; it felt deeper, more fundamental, like every impurity my body had clung to was being forced out from its very foundation.

    As the warmth began to fade, it left behind a calm stillness. I didn¡¯t feel drastically different¡ªnot yet¡ªbut something had undeniably shifted. My breaths came easier, my chest expanding fully with every inhale, as though I¡¯d been given more room to breathe.

    And then¡­ the smell hit me.

    ¡°Oh. Oh no,¡± I muttered, my voice cutting through the silence of the room as my nose wrinkled. The air around me reeked of something foul¡ªrancid and metallic, mixed with a sour, earthy undertone. ¡°What is that?¡±

    I glanced down, half-expecting to see grime coating my skin. Instead, there was nothing visible, but the stench clung to me like a thick, invisible fog. Whatever my body had expelled, it hadn¡¯t gone quietly.

    Thea¡¯s eyes fluttered open, and almost instantly, she recoiled. ¡°Peter,¡± she choked, waving a hand in front of her nose. ¡°What did you¡ªoh.¡± Her expression twisted as the smell hit her. ¡°Oh, that¡¯s disgusting.¡±

    ¡°Speak for yourself,¡± I countered, pointing at her clothes, which were just as coated in grime as mine.

    ¡°Oh man! Both of you, get out,¡± Elric said, his voice a mix of amusement and exasperation.

    ¡°Please,¡± Lyra and Sia chimed in, nodding as they pinched their noses, clearly awakened by our¡­ changes.

    I didn¡¯t feel much embarrassment, but Thea, ever the princess when it came to hygiene, went bright red. Without warning, she shot up at a speed that, without my heightened senses, I almost didn¡¯t catch.

    ¡°Thea¡­ that was¡ª¡±

    ¡°Hurry up!¡± she shouted, her face flushed as she marched toward the door.

    I took her meaning and stood as well, but the moment I got up, the realization hit me. Oh man. I¡¯ve heard people say they feel weightless, but this¡ªthis was real. Real weightlessness. I don¡¯t know if Thea was too preoccupied with the grime or her hygiene obsession to notice, but it was undeniable. This was a transformation, no less significant than the first one.

    Sure, my physical strength didn¡¯t feel any different, and my senses didn¡¯t seem sharper than they were after the last transformation, but the speed¡­ I could feel it in the way my body moved, how effortlessly I adjusted my stance. I mean, the formula for force is straightforward, right? Mass times acceleration. And right now, I was ready to test just how much faster I could move.

    ¡°PETER!¡± Thea called from the door, her tone sharp and impatient.

    ¡°Coming, Grandmaster!¡± I called back, grinning as I followed her out. I was eager to test what this new lightness could really do.

    We bolted across the road back to the inn and straight to the bathrooms, not even stopping to greet anyone. Probably for the best¡ªat the speed we were moving, the smell wouldn¡¯t hit anyone until we were long gone. If we¡¯d stopped, we would¡¯ve been revealed as the source of that stench.

    Man, the grime was something else. It wasn¡¯t just dirt and oil¡ªit clung to my skin like threads of velcro sticking into every pore. I had to scrub like my life depended on it and practically drown myself in soap to get rid of it. After what felt like forever, I was finally clean. My clothes weren¡¯t so lucky; I¡¯d have to burn them and somehow scrape together enough points for replacements. For now, my last spare set would do.

    I stepped out, feeling like a new person, and waited for Thea. Soon enough, she emerged, looking as though she¡¯d been through a war.

    ¡°Feeling better?¡± I asked.

    ¡°That was horrible,¡± she muttered, her expression dangerously close to tears.

    I laughed. ¡°It¡¯s no big deal, Thea. We¡¯re all friends, and hey¡ªno more grime. I still want to try making one more false core, just to be sure, then we can cultivate back to max and see how long it takes to finish body refining.¡± I smiled at her. ¡°Want to relax in the room for a bit? The rest will be fine without us.¡±

    She nodded, still looking like a sad puppy.

    ¡°Come on,¡± I said, bumping her shoulder lightly. ¡°If it makes you feel better, you smell amazing now.¡±

    She smiled despite herself. ¡°Don¡¯t smell me, weirdo.¡±

    ¡°Says the one who noticed the smell first,¡± I countered.

    ¡°And you still do,¡± she said, giving me a playful shove as she giggled.

    We headed back to the room, and as soon as we sat down, I turned to her. ¡°I¡¯ll go for one last needle. You wait. No reason for both of us to risk anything.¡±

    She frowned. ¡°I have a system to support me. I should be the one to take the risk.¡±

    I shook my head. ¡°I won¡¯t ever be as strong as you in this world, no matter what,¡± I admitted. Saying it out loud stung a bit, but I had accepted it. ¡°I¡¯ll need a bodyguard in the future. The last thing I need is a lightning princess with a defect.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re a defect,¡± she muttered, smirking. As the mature adult between us¡ªtechnically older, anyway¡ªI ignored her.

    Closing my eyes, I focused on forming a core, but the energy resisted. Really resisted. I could barely condense it. It was denser, thicker, almost unyielding, like it had transformed. I was sitting at thirty percent of my Grand Channel¡¯s capacity after all the carvings and without recultivating, but now? There was barely ten percent. That amount was enough to form a needle before, but now it wasn¡¯t even close.

    I exhaled and opened my eyes. ¡°Thea, something¡¯s different.¡±

    Her expression immediately grew concerned. ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t think it¡¯s bad¡­ or at least, not yet,¡± I replied, trying to put my thoughts into words. ¡°The energy¡ªit feels more potent. Thicker, denser. It¡¯s almost like it¡¯s condensed but stayed in liquid form. And¡­¡± I hesitated, ¡°I can¡¯t form a core.¡±

    ¡°What?!¡± Her eyes snapped shut, and she focused. Moments later, her nose crinkled¡ªa reaction so unguarded that part of me wanted to poke it, but I wisely chose not to. Charred toes are hard to walk on.

    ¡°You¡¯re right,¡± she said, opening her eyes. ¡°But this is good. Our internal strength must be much more potent now, right? Maybe we can perform techniques much more effectively.¡± Her tone shifted from worry to curiosity as she mulled it over.

    I nodded, her enthusiasm infectious. ¡°If that¡¯s true, we¡¯ve taken a huge step forward. For now, no more digging grime out of our pores.¡±

    She grinned, the earlier discomfort fading. ¡°Deal.¡±

 Chapter 26: Same but Different

    ¡°What do you think?¡± I asked, breaking the comfortable silence. ¡°Should we keep cultivating or head to the arena and finish our dailies?¡±

    She tilted her head, considering it. ¡°Let¡¯s find the others first. Then we can figure it out.¡±

    I nodded, though part of me didn¡¯t want to get up. It had been too long since we¡¯d had a moment like this¡ªjust the two of us. I missed it. We used to sit under the stars, talking until we fell asleep. Although it was only a couple days ago.

    She was staring at me, her stormy eyes curious, and I quickly looked away, hoping she hadn¡¯t caught me being sentimental. Think of something clever. Say something cool.

    Before I could stop myself, the words tumbled out: ¡°Your taser powers suit your stormy eyes.¡±

    The silence was deafening.

    ¡°What¡¯s a taser?¡± she asked, her tone genuinely confused.

    Great. Brilliant. At least she ignored the ¡®stormy eyes¡¯ part. ¡°Uh¡­ it¡¯s like an arrow that shoots lightning at you.¡±

    Her brows rose, and she leaned a little closer. ¡°That sounds¡­ practical.¡±

    ¡°Not if you¡¯re on the receiving end,¡± I said, laughing nervously. ¡°But, I mean, your attack last night? Definitely more effective than any taser.¡±

    ¡°Oh, so you¡¯re still upset about that?¡± Her lips curled into a mischievous grin. ¡°It was barely a spark. You acted like your toe was being roasted alive.¡±

    ¡°I did not!¡± I shot back, feeling the heat rise to my face. ¡°I had a very dignified reaction. Completely composed.¡±

    ¡°Uh-huh.¡± She drew out the words, her tone dripping with mock skepticism.

    I groaned and covered my face with my hands, which only made her laugh softly. Her laughter was warm and contagious, and I found myself smiling despite my embarrassment.

    ¡°Okay, maybe it was a little undignified,¡± I admitted, lowering my hands. ¡°But you didn¡¯t have to do that in front of everyone. I¡¯ve got a reputation to maintain, you know.¡±

    Her grin softened into something gentler. ¡°Reputation as what? The guy who never backs down from a challenge, no matter how ridiculous?¡±

    ¡°Exactly!¡± I said, pretending to puff up with pride. ¡°It¡¯s an art form, really. The challenge of finishing a goo¡ªwell a joke must always be met.¡±

    She chuckled, her shoulder brushing against mine as she leaned back slightly. ¡°Well, I¡¯ll admit¡­ it¡¯s entertaining.¡±

    We lapsed into a comfortable silence, sitting side by side. The quiet felt like an unspoken agreement, a truce from the teasing. Her arm brushed against mine, just barely, but neither of us moved away. The faint warmth radiating from her grounded me, pulling me into the moment.

    Slowly, almost imperceptibly, we shifted closer. My hand moved slightly, and hers did too, until they overlapped. Her fingers hesitated, just for a breath, before settling lightly over mine. The touch was subtle but electric, sending a strange, thrilling calm through me.

    For a few minutes, neither of us spoke. We just sat there, hands lightly resting together, our arms still brushing as the rhythm of our breathing aligned. The stillness wasn¡¯t awkward¡ªit was comforting. Peaceful. As though the world beyond this moment didn¡¯t matter.

    Finally, Thea broke the silence, her voice softer than usual. ¡°We¡ªwe should head back.¡±

    ¡°Yeah,¡± I said, standing up slowly. ¡°We should.¡±

    As the moment faded, a sense of awkwardness crept in. We exchanged the occasional glance but quickly looked away each time. ¡°You think the girls are done? You know, with the reservoirs?¡± I asked as we headed down the stairs.

    ¡°Huh? Oh¡­ maybe. They must be close by now,¡± she replied, her voice thoughtful.

    Ms. Star was nowhere to be seen as we exited into the bustling street. The walk back was quiet except for a brief, polite greeting to the attendant at the training building¡¯s entrance. Even then, the air felt heavier with something unspoken between us.

    When we opened the door to the inn, Elric greeted us first, his grin as sharp as ever. ¡°Hey, what took you two so long?¡±

    Thea walked past him, sitting down beside the girls with a simple, ¡°Nothing, just getting clean.¡±

    I took a seat next to Elric, who immediately leaned in close. ¡°Something finally happen between you two?¡± he whispered, his tone brimming with mischief.

    I hesitated. I thought it had only been a little awkward, but now it felt more pronounced. Maybe Thea was just shy. Not that I was an expert¡ªI had a grand total of zero relationships to my name. ¡°I think¡ªI don¡¯t know. She seems a bit off. Maybe she¡¯s not used to affection, you know, with her fam¡ª¡±

    ¡°Peter,¡± Thea¡¯s stern voice cut through the room like a blade, making me freeze mid-sentence. ¡°You really need to remember that whispering isn¡¯t very effective when we all have¡­ improved senses.¡±

    ¡°Oh¡ªyeah, sorry, Thea,¡± I said, my words fumbling as I tried to recover. ¡°You¡¯re not angry, right?¡±

    ¡°No,¡± she replied, her voice softening. ¡°We can talk later. Really, I¡¯m not.¡±

    Maybe she was just shy, and her version of shy just happened to look a lot like being annoyed. Not that I¡¯d ever admit that thought out loud.

    ¡°While you two were¡­ well, whatever that was,¡± Elric interrupted, his grin widening, ¡°those two actually completed the first stage.¡±

    Sia, who had been sitting quietly, suddenly perked up, her teasing instincts sharpening. ¡°Can we talk about the real issue here?¡± she said, turning to me with a wicked glint in her eye. ¡°Peter, you¡¯re terrible at being smooth. I mean, really? Asking about a girl while she¡¯s in the same room?¡±Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

    Lyra, who had been sitting quietly, suddenly perked up, nodding vigorously in agreement.

    ¡°I told you, you need to aim higher,¡± Sia continued with exaggerated flair, her sing-song tone unmistakably reminiscent of her performance in front of Rorick. ¡°Why settle for a degenerate gambler?¡±

    ¡°Hey!¡± I objected, sitting up straighter. ¡°That was acting!¡±

    Lyra slid to Thea¡¯s other side, patting her back in mock sympathy. ¡°It¡¯s okay,¡± she said, her voice dripping with faux pity¡ªsomething I didn¡¯t even know she was capable of. ¡°We¡¯ll find you someone else. Someone better.¡±

    Elric doubled over, clutching his stomach as he roared with laughter, clearly delighted by the scene. The two girls shared a conspiratorial look, clearly pleased with themselves.

    Meanwhile, I sat there struggling to find the humor in any of this. Thea¡¯s ears, on the other hand, had turned crimson. She shot to her feet, her voice louder than before. ¡°Let¡¯s check my stats! Then I¡¯ll teach you all the next step in cultivation.¡±

    The two girls collapsed into a fresh wave of giggles, their teasing echoing through the room as I sat back, defeated.

    Thea got up and resolved to show her stats. ¡°Status,¡± she called, placing her hand on the orb in front of the monitor.

    What appeared immediately stopped all the laughter in their collective throats as they stared at the monitor.

    Class: Warrior

    Blessing: Storm Heart

    Stats:

    <ul>

    <li style="font-weight: 400">Strength: 20</li>

    <li style="font-weight: 400">Agility: 50</li>

    <li style="font-weight: 400">Stamina: 20</li>

    <li style="font-weight: 400">Endurance: 11</li>

    <li style="font-weight: 400">Magic: 5</li>

    <li style="font-weight: 400">MP: 10/10</li>

    <li style="font-weight: 400">SP: 10/10</li>

    </ul>

    Techniques: N/A

    Titles: N/A

    Missions:

    <ul>

    <li style="font-weight: 400">Bottom Rank Level 1</li>

    <ul>

    <li style="font-weight: 400">Objective: You have become a warrior. You will be in battles for the rest of your life. Prove yourself capable by participating in real sparring matches. 8/10</li>

    <li style="font-weight: 400">Rewards: A greater understanding of your Storm Heart, 5 stat points.</li>

    </ul>

    </ul>

    ¡°Thea?¡± Elric¡¯s voice trembled. ¡°Did your agility raise by thirty points?¡±

    Her eyes were wide, locked on the number. ¡°That¡¯s impossible,¡± she whispered.

    ¡°I mean, I can tell that¡¯s a lot, but how major is it?¡± I asked.

    Sia chipped in. ¡°That¡¯s something most people won¡¯t get until near the end of bottom rank missions¡­ and as Elric said, most never get past second-level intermediate. Other than working out¡ªsomething that becomes less effective over time due to human limits¡ªmissions are the only way to earn stats.¡±

    Lyra spoke after a pause. ¡°Keep in mind, we¡¯ve trained for a full year and are waiting for our fifth-level mission. Most third years who leave just touch on the beginner rank¡­ Thea, that level of speed is unreal.¡±

    There was a long pause before I spoke. ¡°So what you¡¯re saying is we now have very tangible proof for selling our cultivation method.¡±

    Sia spoke up immediately. ¡°I¡¯ll buy whatever you guys offer.¡±

    I shook my head. ¡°No.¡±

    ¡°What?¡± Lyra asked, her voice tinged with surprise, maybe even a little hurt.

    ¡°No, I mean, you don¡¯t have to pay,¡± I added quickly. Before they could protest, I continued, ¡°Not just because you¡¯re our friends¡ªbut because you¡¯re more connected here. You¡¯ve been around longer, and because of the services you both offer, I bet a lot of people know you.¡±

    I quickly said. ¡°You¡¯ll help with recruitment for us¡ªbut only to people you trust. The last thing we want is someone spreading our knowledge before we¡¯ve reaped enough benefits from it.¡±

    ¡°You should start a guild, then,¡± Sia suggested. ¡°There are lots of smaller ones, and the contracts are¡­ let¡¯s just say, binding. But most smaller guilds get bullied into submission by the main class guilds.¡±

    ¡°Especially the good healer ones,¡± Elric grumbled.

    ¡°We can make guilds?¡± Thea and I asked simultaneously, sharing a surprised look.

    Lyra nodded. ¡°It¡¯s a complicated process, but it¡¯s possible. All the guilds were started by recruits at some point and handed down to successors when the founders left. The instructors technically supervise the main class guilds, but they hardly interfere. Their roles are more symbolic¡ªto make sure no one goes too far. Some guilds grow and thrive, while others get bullied into destruction or submission.¡±

    ¡°Complicated, huh?¡± I wondered aloud. ¡°I know someone we can talk to. You three can stay here or go to the Hall of Heroes. If these contracts are really binding¡ª¡±

    ¡°They¡¯re connected to your system,¡± Elric cut in. ¡°There¡¯s no breaking them. If you do, the consequences can be disastrous.¡±

    ¡°Then how did you manage to break yours by telling us the healer guild¡¯s secret?¡± I asked.

    ¡°One, it¡¯s not a well-kept secret. Most healers who use those quick-heal spells with long-term side effects are lower-level ones who don¡¯t have fast effective options. Two, I was never technically in the guild. There¡¯s a¡­ temporary vetting process required, and I failed. Miserably, I might add.¡±

    Lyra chirped in cheerfully, ¡°I¡¯m part of a smaller healer guild. They help me with gear, but they don¡¯t force healers into horrible practices like that.¡±

    ¡°Alright then, I¡¯ll go with Thea to meet our instructor,¡± I said. I wanted to talk more with Thea, and she must have felt the same since we both stood and left the others to their own business.

    As soon as we walked out, I asked gently, ¡°Are you okay?¡±

    She turned slightly. ¡°Yeah, I¡¯m just¡­¡± She paused, clearly searching for the right words. ¡°It feels different. Just a moment of change, and I feel like I don¡¯t know how to act.¡±

    I understood that. It was definitely a different situation after our time in the room. ¡°It is, but I think it¡¯s good.¡±

    Thea¡¯s ears turned red as she hurriedly interrupted, ¡°It¡¯s good¡­ for me too, I mean.¡±

    We stood there for a moment longer, the bustling crowd flowing around us. Her voice softened. ¡°You¡¯re right, though, about my family I mean. Do you remember when we first met, in the gym? I stood alone, just like you. I never talked to people outside my family. Not really. Not unless it was some formal function for military preparation or training.¡±

    I thought about how lonely that sounded, how horrible it must have been to have no friends. Honestly, it was a miracle how socially developed she was. Maybe her parents and sister had been social enough with her that she¡¯d learned some behaviors. The sarcastic eye-rolling had to come from somewhere, right?

    ¡°Thea, this is new to me too¡­ really. Let¡¯s just act the same. We can be different, but still act like usual. You know, rolling your eyes so hard you break something, and shocking me when I embarrass you.¡±

    She laughed at that, and it made me happy¡ªa glimpse of her usual self shining through. ¡°So, different but the same? You really say the dumbest things. I still have dreams about you asking me how to breathe.¡± She began shaking her shoulders uncontrollably, trying to stifle an obvious, large laugh.

    I smiled, sensing an opportunity. ¡°I didn¡¯t know you dreamt of me.¡± Adopting her over dramatic tone, I mimicked, ¡°Darling.¡±

    But instead of punishment or sarcasm, she fell silent and went red. ¡°Come on, let¡¯s go see how to start a guild,¡± she said quietly.

    As we walked, the silence between us was no longer heavy. Occasionally, our fingers brushed as our arms swung, and before I knew it, our fingers had stopped swinging and stayed connected.

    ¡°Same but different, huh?¡± she added quietly.

    ¡°Yeah, you¡¯re right¡ªthat was dumb to say¡­ how could this be the same?¡± I replied with a small laugh.

    I could barely imagine what people around us thought¡ªtwo humanoid tomatoes walking down the street, or something like that¡ªbut I didn¡¯t care. My heart was racing faster than ever before, yet I was happy. The warmth of her hand in mine grounded me, and as we continued forward, I couldn¡¯t help but glance at her, catching a faint smile on her lips.

    It wasn¡¯t perfect, but it was us.

 Chapter 27: Contracts

    As the initial shyness began to fade, we shifted our hands into a more comfortable position. The awkward, mismatched grasp of loosely tangled fingers gave way to a deliberate interlocking of hands. The change was small but felt monumental, a quiet acknowledgment of something neither of us wanted to say out loud.

    We walked closer together now, the gap between us shrinking as though the space itself no longer felt necessary. Each step felt lighter, as if the weight of the moment was shared evenly between us. I couldn¡¯t help but glance at Thea from the corner of my eye. Her expression was calm, but there was a softness there that wasn¡¯t usually present¡ªlike she, too, was trying to figure out what this all meant.

    I focused on the sensation of her hand in mine, warm and steady, and let the silence stretch comfortably between us. The occasional brush of our shoulders was enough to make my pulse quicken, but I told myself to relax. For once, I didn¡¯t want to ruin the moment by overthinking.

    As we turned a corner, the familiar hum of the city surrounded us¡ªmerchants haggling, the clatter of armor, and the faint chatter of other recruits heading to their next tasks. Thea finally broke the silence, her voice quieter than usual. ¡°Do you think this guild idea will work?¡±

    The question caught me off guard, but I was grateful for the chance to focus on something practical. ¡°I think it could,¡± I said after a moment. ¡°It¡¯s a good way to protect what we¡¯re building.¡±

    Thea didn¡¯t respond right away, but she gave my hand a slight squeeze. That simple motion sent a wave of reassurance through me. She might not have said much, but it was enough to let me know she understood.

    ¡°We should go to the Grand Hall at some point too,¡± Thea added, her voice thoughtful.

    ¡°Yeah, I¡¯m curious how those missions work,¡± I responded. ¡°Will we be able to leave the training camp? Are they dangerous? This whole world still feels like a total mystery to me.¡±

    ¡°I was born here, and it feels the same to me.¡± She laughed lightly, the sound soft and comforting.

    ¡°You two seem a lot closer than I remember,¡± an amused and gruff voice said from behind us.

    We both turned to see our former instructor standing there, a knowing grin on his face. Thea quickly pulled her hand from mine, much to my dismay.

    ¡°Don¡¯t stop on my account, girl,¡± he laughed loudly, ¡°you¡¯re making him look so sad.¡±

    I hadn¡¯t realized my disappointment was so obvious, but I didn¡¯t want to push her, so I quickly changed the subject.

    ¡°I have something to offer you, sir,¡± I said, straightening up. ¡°Something that could unlock the rest of the value you said Body Refinement holds. We¡ªor rather, Thea¡ªfigured it out. For real this time.¡±

    ¡°Oh?¡± he said, raising an eyebrow. ¡°Good. I was just heading to the Tank Guild to train. Why don¡¯t you come along?¡±

    ¡°And something else,¡± Thea added, her tone steady. ¡°We need information. Maybe even help¡­ We want to start a guild.¡±

    ¡°What kind of guild?¡± he asked as we began walking.

    Thea paused, clearly choosing her words carefully, before glancing at me. ¡°A cultivators¡¯ guild. One we can use to teach others for a price¡ªbut bind them with system contracts.¡±

    He mulled this over for a moment. ¡°Hmm. Well, the transformation after your Spiritual Reservoir Formation stage is impressive, not to mention the Grand Channel itself. But convincing people with just that might not be enough.¡±

    ¡°What about a thirty-point stat increase?¡± I offered.

    He froze mid-step, his eyes going wide. ¡°You¡¯re sure about that?¡±

    ¡°Positive,¡± Thea said firmly.

    He took a moment to think, his expression growing serious. ¡°Let¡¯s hurry,¡± he finally said. ¡°We need to talk about this now. If that¡¯s really the case, people will be lining up to learn from you. You¡¯ll need an airtight system contract¡ªsomething ironclad. Even the State might take an interest.¡±

    My heart skipped a beat at his words, but his next ones were surprisingly reassuring. ¡°Relax, recruit. The State won¡¯t rob you. Not for something like that. It¡¯s world-changing, sure, but only at the beginner stage of missions. Body Refinement has its limits if it¡¯s just thirty points.¡±

    ¡°Huh?¡± I said, confused. ¡°That¡¯s not Body Refinement. Body Refinement seems to upgrade our endurance...so far. This was another transformation. We haven¡¯t even started Body Refinement yet.¡±

    He stopped dead in his tracks, his expression unreadable, before suddenly breaking into a jog. Over his shoulder, he barked the words I hated to hear: ¡°Keep up! We need to talk now!¡±

    ¡°Why?¡± I grumbled under my breath.

    ¡°Come on, lazy. This should be easy now,¡± Thea said with a laugh.

    We both began jogging. ¡°It¡¯s not the difficulty¡ªit¡¯s the principle,¡± I complained.

    ¡°The principle of what?¡± she asked, rolling her eyes in that signature way of hers.

    ¡°Of¡­ not wanting to run?¡± I replied, though it sounded more like a question than an answer.

    ¡°Are you asking me or telling me?¡± she countered.

    ¡°What? No,¡± I said quickly. ¡°Anyway, I just hope this whole thing¡ªspreading our method¡ªdoesn¡¯t end up being dangerous.¡±

    I couldn¡¯t help but think about the stereotypes I¡¯d read about in stories: the protagonists who hoarded all their secrets, guarding them to stay safe. I didn¡¯t have that luxury. If I had endless resources and points at my disposal, maybe Thea and I could keep our method under wraps, only sharing it with our group. But we weren¡¯t that lucky. Not yet.

    ¡°I think the instructor¡¯s reliable,¡± Thea said, her voice steady. ¡°He¡¯ll help us.¡±

    Before I could respond, we stopped in front of a large building¡ªone that could only be the Tank Guild. Its towering structure seemed imposing, but not unwelcoming.

    ¡°Thanks for the vote of confidence, girlie. Now, let¡¯s head inside,¡± the commander said, gesturing for us to follow.

    I sighed and muttered, ¡°We really need to get used to this whole ¡®whispering doesn¡¯t work for cultivators using our methods¡¯ thing.¡±

    Thea chuckled softly as we stepped through the doors.

    The moment we stepped through the doors, the atmosphere shifted. The room was filled with towering figures¡ªboth men and women¡ªwho looked as solid as the shields they carried. Their builds ranged from broad and muscular to lean but intimidating, each radiating a presence that demanded attention.

    Heavy shields rested casually against walls, some almost as tall as their owners, while massive weapons were slung over shoulders or propped near tables. Axes, war hammers, and blades far too large for any normal human to wield gleamed in the dim light.

    Commander Griffith walked straight ahead, his presence just as commanding as those around him, though in a quieter, more self-assured way. He ignored everything and everyone, his pace steady and purposeful. No greetings, no acknowledgments, just a single-minded focus as he led us deeper into the guild.Support the creativity of authors by visiting the original site for this novel and more.

    I swallowed hard, keeping my face neutral as Thea walked beside me, her steps unshaken.

    We entered a room, and as the door closed, the outside noise disappeared into complete silence. The space resembled the private training room we¡¯d used before¡ªbare but functional, with enough room to work but no distractions.

    The instructor turned to us, his expression unreadable. ¡°First, tell me the information. I said before that the complete method would be worth one thousand points. I¡¯ve already paid you five hundred for the theory, but with this new transformation, I may need to offer more. Speak.¡±

    I glanced at Thea, confident she would take over. She was much better at teaching than me, and I patiently waited for her to explain. Instead, she turned to me with an expectant look.

    There was an awkward pause.

    ¡°Peter,¡± she said, her tone dry, ¡°how would I know what you¡¯ve told him or not?¡±

    ¡°Oh¡ªoh right,¡± I stammered, the realization hitting me.

    ¡°Impossible,¡± she muttered, shaking her head.

    The instructor laughed loudly, the sound echoing through the room. ¡°You¡¯ve got your work cut out for you, girl.¡±

    I sighed, only slightly hurt. ¡°So¡ªThea discovered how to store energy in the body, but first, let me explain the transformation. When you finish carving¡ªor maybe after, it might depend¡ªeither way, when the body purification is complete, you release a bunch of impurities all at once.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s horrible,¡± Thea said with a shiver, her voice low. I patted her shoulder in comfort.

    ¡°Anyway,¡± I continued, ¡°your body feels much lighter afterward, and I imagine the force will now stick to the skin much more effectively. Based on how it worked for Thea, I think the process refines the body in this order: skin, bones, then organs...other than skin, and maybe there are more that are refined.¡±

    ¡°Peter,¡± Thea interrupted, ¡°you forgot something about the transformation.¡±

    ¡°What? Um¡ª¡± I looked to her for guidance. ¡°Why don¡¯t you take over¡­ please?¡±

    She sighed, her voice tinged with exasperation but steady. ¡°The density of internal strength increases¡­ massively. I haven¡¯t tested it myself yet, but I wouldn¡¯t be surprised if it¡¯s two or even three times as potent. That increased potency, however, means cultivation will take longer.¡±

    The instructor raised an eyebrow as he scratched notes onto a piece of parchment. ¡°Longer cultivation, but greater potency. Go on.¡±

    ¡°As for how to perform Body Refinement,¡± Thea said, her tone serious now, ¡°I highly, highly suggest having someone you trust help you.¡±

    The instructor paused, his pen hovering over the parchment. ¡°Help? Why?¡±

    ¡°You have to get close to popping,¡± she said bluntly. ¡°The energy needs to build to the point where it¡¯s forced out through your body. You stop yourself just before your skin starts to blister. In my experience, that¡¯s¡­ difficult to judge on your own. Having someone stop you instead is much safer. Unfortunately, it¡¯s another reason cultivation slows significantly.¡±

    The instructor nodded slowly, his expression contemplative. ¡°That¡¯s a risky method, but I can see the reasoning. Anything else?¡±

    ¡°We haven¡¯t seen exactly how the stats are affected by Body Refinement yet,¡± Thea added, her tone thoughtful. ¡°But I imagine once it reaches the muscles, tendons, and bones, endurance won¡¯t be the only thing increasing.¡±

    ¡°Naturally,¡± the commander responded with a slight nod.

    ¡°That should be everything,¡± Thea said, folding her arms. ¡°Once we complete Body Refinement, we¡¯ll have a better idea of how to progress.¡±

    ¡°Hmm.¡± Griffith paused, his expression unreadable as he seemed to ponder something. ¡°How about this¡ªI¡¯ll show you how to create a guild and set up contracts in the system. If you run into trouble with other guilds, I can provide¡­ some help. But I can¡¯t get too involved. The most I can do is keep the really big guys off your back until you get on your feet.¡±

    ¡°And I¡¯ll hand over the five hundred points to complete the transaction from before,¡± he added, holding out his orb. Thea and I quickly brought ours out, taking two hundred fifty points each.

    ¡°Alright,¡± Griffith continued, slipping the orb away, ¡°but before we go any further, you need to figure out what kind of benefits you¡¯re offering.¡±

    ¡°Benefits?¡± I asked, glancing at Thea. ¡°We¡¯re offering stats. Isn¡¯t that already better than most guilds?¡±

    Griffith raised an eyebrow. ¡°Stats are great, but most guilds include exclusivity clauses for a reason. They¡¯re investing in their recruits¡ªproviding weapons tailored to their blessings, specialized gear, housing, and food. Those kinds of resources aren¡¯t cheap, and spending that much on recruits without loyalty to the guild? That¡¯s a losing game.¡±

    Thea chimed in, her voice steady. ¡°What if we skip exclusivity entirely? For instance, we could create a contract with your guild. That way, your recruits could join ours without leaving.¡±

    ¡°And pay for both?¡± Griffith countered. ¡°Most guilds already take a percentage of their recruits¡¯ points. Adding your fees on top of that? You¡¯d need to prove it¡¯s worth the cost.¡±

    ¡°We can,¡± Thea replied confidently. ¡°Even graduating recruits could use an extra thirty points from the second transformation. And who knows how much they¡¯ll gain from Body Refinement?¡±

    Griffith nodded slowly, rubbing his chin. ¡°That¡¯s a compelling offer. But you¡¯ll still need to keep costs manageable for bottom-rank recruits.¡±

    ¡°We can charge a flat fee based on the tier,¡± Thea suggested, her tone quickening with enthusiasm. ¡°For now, we¡¯ll offer up to the first transformation at a much lower price than most guilds charge. We¡¯ll teach the method, and they¡¯ll pay us. But unless they join the guild, they won¡¯t receive any additional guidance.¡±

    Griffith raised an eyebrow. ¡°So, a store and a guild?¡±

    ¡°Exactly,¡± she said with a grin. ¡°We won¡¯t take a percentage unless they choose to join the guild. And honestly, Commander, most of these recruits are still bottom rank. The change they¡¯ll experience after completing the Spiritual Reservoir Formation stage? They¡¯ll be hooked.¡±

    Griffith chuckled, a low rumble in his chest. ¡°Ambitious. You might be onto something.¡±

    Thea¡¯s smirk grew, a mischievous expression that I swore she¡¯d picked up from Elric. It was almost uncanny¡ªexcept, on her, it was actually cute rather than scary.

    ¡°Okay, so how do we form a guild¡­ and a contract?¡± I asked, leaning forward slightly.

    ¡°You can form a guild at the Grand Hall,¡± Griffith said. ¡°The fee¡¯s only a hundred points. As for the contract, it¡¯s straightforward. Simply say the word, and your system will handle it. You decide the clauses and the punishment. The system enforces it.¡±

    ¡°What kind of punishment?¡± I asked.

    ¡°I¡¯d suggest something severe,¡± Griffith said, crossing his arms. ¡°A seal on all learned techniques, for one. And a massive debt¡ªthousands of points. No one¡¯s going to breach it if they know what¡¯s waiting for them.¡±

    Thea gasped. ¡°Isn¡¯t that¡­ too far?¡±

    Griffith shrugged. ¡°Not if they don¡¯t break the terms.¡±

    I nodded slowly. ¡°Then the clauses will be a ban on sharing the teachings, reverse-engineering, or sharing any insights gained individually from it without consulting the guild heads.¡±

    ¡°Fair,¡± Griffith said. ¡°Anything else?¡±

    Thea tilted her head. ¡°How do we give the contract to someone else?¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s simple,¡± Griffith explained. ¡°Have physical contact with a person and say, ¡®Contract transfer.¡¯ The system will guide the process from there. The individual you¡¯re transferring it to will need to say ¡®agree¡¯ or ¡®disagree¡¯ for confirmation.¡±

    ¡°Why?¡± I asked, curious.

    ¡°To ensure the signer means it,¡± Griffith said, his tone firm. ¡°The system also doesn¡¯t allow contracts to be made under duress¡ªphysical or mental. If the individual is coerced, the system will refuse to transfer the contract. No forcing anyone into an agreement.¡±

    Thea nodded, her expression softening. ¡°That¡¯s fair.¡±

    ¡°Exactly,¡± Griffith said with a smirk. ¡°The system¡¯s strict, but it keeps things balanced.¡±

    ¡°Great, thanks, sir,¡± I said, standing up. ¡°I think we¡¯ll be going. Good luck with the training.¡±

    He gave a short nod. ¡°Alright, go on now. Don¡¯t forget to complete your dailies.¡±

    Thea and I left the building, stepping out into the bustling street. ¡°Should we go and make the guild first, or complete our dailies?¡± I asked.

    ¡°Let¡¯s make the guild first,¡± she replied. ¡°We can check the monthly missions too while we¡¯re there. Knowing Elric and the others, I wouldn¡¯t be surprised if they went to the Hall of Heroes to advertise and already have a bunch of fans lining up to learn from us.¡±

    I laughed. ¡°Pays to be an idol, I suppose.¡±

    The Grand Hall wasn¡¯t far, so the walk wouldn¡¯t take long. The streets were alive with recruits heading in various directions, their chatter and hurried steps adding to the energy of the training grounds.

    ¡°I guess you¡¯ll have to be the master,¡± I teased as we walked. ¡°I can¡¯t make contracts, after all. You¡¯ll really be a grandmaster.¡±

    Thea rolled her eyes, though her smirk betrayed her amusement. ¡°I guess I will.¡±

    The Grand Hall was only a short walk away, its majestic architecture looming ahead. We continued in a comfortable silence, broken only by the sound of our boots against the cobblestones. My gaze flicked to her hand, and my heart started pounding. Screw it, I thought, reaching over.

    ¡°What¡ª¡± Thea started as I grabbed her hand, lacing my fingers with hers.

    ¡°Let¡¯s go now,¡± I said, trying to sound casual despite the heat rising to my face.

    She chuckled, her blush betraying her teasing tone. ¡°Are you going to be clinging to me all the time now?¡±

    ¡°Yep. Is that a problem?¡±

    Her reply was quiet but clear. ¡°No.¡±