Nile sat cross-legged on the cool wooden floor, his breathing steady as he focused intently on the body-strengthening rune that had finally settled into his first mana circuit.
The rune pulsed within him, its energy now completely absorbed after an hour of relentless effort. Every muscle in his body ached from the intensity of the process, but he knew it was a necessary step in his cultivation.
His mind drifted to the butterfly, the ethereal creature that had played such a crucial role in helping him endure the overwhelming mana flow during his previous trials.
The butterfly flitted around the room, its delicate wings casting a soft glow in the dim light. Nile opened his eyes, his gaze following the graceful movements of the creature.
The butterfly noticed him at the same time, her tiny eyes sparkling mischievously. She darted toward him, a playful gleam in her gaze, as if urging him to play along.
"Not now," Nile said softly, his voice still hoarse from the strain. "Later, I promise. I have to focus."
The butterfly pouted but obediently flitted to the side, waiting patiently as Nile turned his attention back to the task at hand.
Nile's mind wandered to the next step in his cultivation—a step he had been preparing for ever since he came across the book Frost had left behind. The Arcane Manipulation Art, a technique designed to refine the flow of mana and Spirit within the body, had been detailed in the ancient tome.
Nile's thoughts raced through the instructions, recalling the key concepts that would allow him to circulate the mana within his circuits.
He closed his eyes again, centering himself in the deep silence of the room. Drawing on his immense control over the Sphere, the space within which he could manipulate his body and the flow of mana with absolute precision, Nile began to move the mana within his first circuit.
The flow was initially slow, as he carefully avoided using the power of his absolute control. It was important that he didn't rush—this was a delicate process.
At first, nothing seemed to change. The mana remained sluggish, swirling within the circuit like a hesitant stream. Nile gritted his teeth and pressed on, determined to push forward. Slowly, the flow began to pick up speed. It was subtle at first, a slight increase in momentum, but it was enough to send a ripple of excitement through him. He could feel the mana beginning to move more freely within him, its path becoming clearer with every passing moment.
Minutes passed, and soon the flow was fast enough that Nile could complete a full circulation of mana within the circuit in under a minute. The speed amazed him. He had only just started cultivating, and already, his control over the mana was surpassing what most cultivators of Lv 1 would experience at this stage. One minute, he thought in disbelief.
Nile's thoughts flashed to the teachings he had studied: all the major mana circulation arts, even the most advanced ones, typically took at least 100 seconds to complete a circulation. Yet here he was, managing it in a fraction of the time. It was nothing short of extraordinary. His heart swelled with hope, and he pushed forward, eager to test the limits of his abilities.
A flash of inspiration crossed his mind, and Nile decided to push things further. He reached deep within his ability, tapping into the absolute control that the Sphere allowed him. The sphere—within where he could manipulate not only his body but also every aspect of his mana and internal energy—responded to his will immediately. Nile felt the weight of the control settle over him like a familiar cloak, as the flow of mana surged forward at his command.
At first, the change was subtle. The circulation time dropped from 60 seconds to 55 seconds, then 50 seconds. A sense of exhilaration built up within him as the flow increased, gaining momentum, faster than he could have imagined. 45 seconds per circulation. The improvement was undeniable, and Nile's pulse quickened. He could feel the mana coursing through his circuits, the strengthening of his body becoming more pronounced.
But as the flow rate reached 45 seconds, something unexpected happened.
A deep bloating sensation began to spread throughout his body, accompanied by an uncomfortable ache that radiated from his limbs, chest, and abdomen. It wasn't a sharp pain, but a constant, dull throb—a feeling of overwhelming pressure building within him. Nile winced, the sensation both foreign and alarming. He paused immediately, his eyes snapping open as he assessed his condition.
"Too much," he whispered, almost to himself. The strengthening his body was undergoing was far beyond what his current physical state could handle. The mana was flowing faster than his body could absorb it, and he could feel every muscle and organ protesting, struggling to keep up with the surge of energy.
Nile closed his eyes again, his hands trembling slightly as he steadied his breathing. He took a moment to mentally calculate the situation. He wasn't just circulating mana—he was pushing his body beyond its limits, forcing it to accept more power than it was capable of at this stage. The rune within his first mana circuit was designed to gradually strengthen his body over time, but the rate at which he was forcing the circulation was too intense.
A slow smile crept onto Nile's face as he relaxed his control over the flow of mana. Despite the discomfort, he felt a sense of pride welling up within him. Even with his heaven-defying ability, he couldn't bypass the natural limits of his body. His body had to catch up to the pace of his cultivation, and pushing it too fast would only risk injury—or worse, death.
Nile let out a deep breath, his mind clear as he gently eased the mana circulation back to a slower pace, allowing the body-strengthening rune to take its time.
"This is only the beginning," he murmured to himself, a sense of determination growing in his chest. He had the potential to go far beyond where he was now, but he couldn't let that rush him. He would take it one step at a time, let the cultivation unfold at its natural pace. Even with the power of the Sphere, there were no shortcuts.
The butterfly, who had been quietly watching from her perch, fluttered over to him once more. Nile reached out, his hand gently brushing the delicate creature's wings. She nuzzled against his palm affectionately, as if congratulating him on his decision to pace himself.
"You're right," he chuckled softly, scratching behind her wings. "Later, we'll play. But for now, I have to take things slow."
The butterfly twirled in the air with a joyful buzz, as if understanding. Nile closed his eyes once more, focusing on the flow of mana within his body, ready to resume his cultivation at a sustainable pace.
Though his journey had only just begun, he was already learning that even with the power of the Sphere and the assistance of the butterfly, true strength came from patience and perseverance. It wasn't about how fast he could go—it was about how steady and controlled he could become.
As the mana continued to flow, Nile embraced the steady rhythm of his cultivation, knowing that each step, each circulation, would bring him closer to mastering his body, his power, and the world around him.
As the saying goes
A Journey of Strength must be accompanied by Patience.