Sunlight filled the sky, pure scattered light, its hue ambitiously illuminating each crevice of the land. Sparrows chirped an explicit background melody.
Lucas slowly opened his eyes, for a moment the unfamiliar white ceiling confused him, slowly he raised his right hand and carefully examined.
'My hands!
'So young and fragile!'
For some time Lucas laid on his bed without moving a single muscle.
'Yes this is a new world, a new life.'
Right now Lucas could feel himself being complete, in order and in peace. It was pleasing feeling. Lucas's mind was serene and calm like still water, his previous life's memories and the memories of 16 years of his new life blended without causing any complications.
"I am Lucas, Lucas Arsln."
Lucas calmly stood up and walked to the nearby full length mirror. He could he see his reflection on the mirror. The silver lined mirror was plain and clear.
The mirror reflected a handsome delicate young man with a lean build wearing a white t-shirt and gray long pants. He had a raven black colored hair which was all jumbled and messed up.
Lucas was comforted seeing his familiar black hair. He ran his fingers through his unkempt hair and tidied up. Intentionally or not Lucas's deep purple eyes shone with a otherworldly charm capable of attracting others.
Lucas stood still in front of the mirror seemingly lost in his thoughts.
Ding Dong!
Lucas woke up from his thoughts hearing the sounds from his front door.
Lucas turned his head to look at the clock.
6:16 AM
"Who is this early in the morning?"
Lucas walked unhurriedly towards the door and opened it.
To Lucas's surprise it was Steward Jacob who was outside the door. He quickly moved and invited Steward Jacob inside.
Steward Jacob shook his head gently, "Not today, I have especially came here to inform you that the flight is delayed and the trip will be delayed till noon."
"Flight? Trip?…Oh! Right I forgot. I will be ready on time."
Steward Jacob didn't show any surprise at Lucas's neglect. After nodding slightly Jacob flicked his fingers and produced a brown wooden box from his storage ring.
Lucas looked on curiously and asked, "What is this?"
"As Young Master instructed I have selected three specialized martial arts which have high defensive abilities. Young Master can choose one from them."
Lucas took the box from Steward Jacob and opened the box. Inside the box there were three green colored thin books. Lucas took each of them out and carefully examined. Each of them was unabridged versions of the martial arts.
One Fist to Three Strike
Black Panther Fist and Palm Art
Buddha Lotus : Palm Arts
Lucas inwardly called out System [Scan].
[Ding! Scanning.]
One by one all three martial arts were scanned by the system. In a blink of an eye inside Lucas's mind the three martial arts were firmly imprinted. Lucas finally took the book containing 'One Fist to Three Strike' and gave the remaining back to Steward Jacob.
"Young Master please remember that you are walking on the Way of Mage. Don't bite off more than you could chew."
Lucas smiled when heard the concern filled voice of Steward Jacob. He gave a nod and said, "I know, I just want to know how to efficiently and proficiently utilize my power. That's all."
"If so then good." Since his job was done Steward Jacob turned to leave.
"Wait!" Lucas suddenly called out.
Steward Jacob turned back and asked in a calm voice, "Yes? Young Master."
"Do you know why the flight was delayed?" Lucas knew that there will be repercussions due to his action late night, but he didn't know the extend and importance regarding that.
He wasn't sure whether his action would led to the delay of the trip or not, but he was hoping to find any sort of information. Steward Jacob was well connected, so Lucas was inwardly hoping for some inside information.
"Last night there seemed to be a quite a fight in the northern part of the city where the new factory development plan was going to take place. But the devastation caused was outside the expectations so there are some change in plans. These events involved some special characters so there was a small upheaval."
"Oh!! Special characters. Which special characters?"Lucas was overjoyed inside, but he controlled his expressions and showed an innocent but curious look.
Steward Jacob didn't doubt him, he with a calm and composed voice spoke, "It's confidential."
Lucas eyes madly twitched.
"Confidential?"
"Yes, Confidential." Steward Jacob warmly smiled and acted as nothing happened.
"Alright, you can go." Lucas impatiently waved his hand.
Just as Steward Jacob started to turn around Lucas called out again. "Wait! One more thing."
Without showing any kind of impatience or annoyance Steward Jacob waited for Lucas to speak.
Lucas showed a pensive look, after a while he stared at Steward Jacob for sometime. After hesitating for a moment Lucas asked in a low voice.
"Is it possible to get some chapter of the Compendium of the Art of Supreme Body."
Steward Jacob was in bewilderment.
"Young Master are you talking about [The Compendium of the Art of Supreme Body]."
Lucas lowered his head shyly and asked in a nearly inaudible voice. "Hmm, Yes...Is it possible?"
Steward Jacob looked at Lucas with a very strange expression. Lucas could only scratch the back of his head and laugh to himself.
[The Compendium of the Art of Supreme Body] is a book written by the ancients. It contain the cumulative knowledge regarding Body Arts. If any Grandmaster wish to create any high level martial art, referring [The Compendium of the Art of Supreme Body] will greatly help in perfecting his art.
As thousands of years passed by the [The Compendium of the Art of Supreme Body] was split and many pages were lost. [The Compendium of the Art of Supreme Body] didn't have any kind of Supreme Body Art or martial art. The book contained the way the body is used, the language of body, anatomy, vulnerable points, meridian and body charts, detailed explanation regarding bone, skin, muscles, blood and Six senses sight, hearing, smell, taste and touch and mind.
[The Compendium of the Art of Supreme Body] have anything and everything related to it. A quarter of it contains information related to medicine and healing of body.
Steward Jacob stared at Lucas as he was seeing Lucas for first time.
"Young Master Lucas, you walk the Way of Mage. Your talent in martial arts, mana and spirit have been tested when you were young. Your talent in martial arts have been high, but if you want to pursue the the martial path and to be a dual practitioner it's going to be difficult."
Steward Jacob paused for a moment but still continued, "You have to train from a young age to walk the martial path, otherwise the hardship you will face will multiply by about ten times. Personally I d-"
"Wait! Wait! What are you talking about? I have no interest in walking the martial path. I just want to take a look. I am just curious." Lucas quickly cut off Steward Jacob and stopped him from continuing his speech.
Steward Jacob quietly released a sigh of relief, still he asked again for confirmation. "Are you sure?"
Lucas with a sincere and earnest expression hastily nodded.
"Even though [The Compendium of the Art of Supreme Body] doesn't contain any supreme martial art, the value of the knowledge it contains is immeasurable. So if you want to read the contents of the [The Compendium of the Art of Supreme Body] in Arsln family collections, the contributions needed are very very high."
Lucas was disappointed, he was really interested in the knowledge in [The Compendium of the Art of Supreme Body]. He was curious about the what knowledge the book contained that was treasured for more than 10,000 years. Since the moment Steward Jacob showed him the martial art book containing fist art, Lucas was reminded of the knowledge contained in the Compendium.
After contemplating for sometime Steward Jacob said, "Then I can give you six pages of the book. I have copied from old master's collection for some training. If Young Master only have some interest then I can let Young Master take a glance now."
Before Lucas's eyes Steward Jacob took out six pages from his storage ring and gave to Lucas.
Lucas was stunned and tongue-tied, he looked toward Steward Jacob and saw him waiting patiently. Lucas chuckled understanding Steward Jacob, Steward Jacob still felt apprehensive and suspicious so he was only letting Lucas satisfy his curiosity.