I had realised an important fact about this world upon my reincarnation of sort. This world, this calendar system, the nation I lived in and my status.
I had been undoubtedly reincarnated inside of the hit video game 'Roses and Gold'. To be exact I had been reincarnated 6 years before the start of the game's story and introduction to the most spineless cardboard cut-out and sorry excuse for a main character. The hero chosen by the Goddess, Leon Rawlder.
He too, like the me of this world, is a poor Baron. But I will be better. I promised to be better! To steal his glory as the protagonist of this world!!!
And so using the six years that I have before my personal enrolment alongisde the hero and the main cast of characters of the game, I decided that if I'm to have a shot against the protagonists plot armour and his fucking broken and overpowered magic thanks to being the Hero chosen by the Goddess, I would need to implore a strategy to become the strongest, most handsome and most intelligent student attending the Empire's academy!
I needed to become perfect. Fortunately, my looks were covered, and I routinely began ensuring my skin, my hair and my body is groomed well as I grow older and enter puberty. Though, this is my second time going through puberty, so I have much more experience in dealing with it. I know all the tricks to implore!!
"Handsome check!" I crossed the box of my checklist.
Now to become strong!
During my first year I began immediately working out and training my body physically with high resistance and endurance.
My schedule consisted of:
Monday: Working out chest, triceps and shoulders
Tuesday: Working out biceps, back and forearms
Wednesday: Working out legs, the core and cardio
Thursday: Working out chest, triceps and shoulders
Friday: Working out biceps, back and forearms
Saturday: Working out legs, the core and cardio
Sunday: Rest
I implemented this plan in mind the countless videos of fitness influencers I used to watch back in my world where phones and the WIFI existed. It was the most optimal plan to ensure my muscles were pushed to the limit and had enough time to recover before being remoulded again.
And whilst indulging in the process of sculpting my body, I began working on the essence of life in this world. The force that manipulated surroundings and allowed people to gain extraordinary power.
The force called mana!
There are some things that are necessary to know before training mana however.
NUMBER ONE~!
Mana is able to moulded and manipulated into six different attributes. Fire, water, earth, wind, lightning and healing. These are the only attributes that can be possibly conjured or shaped via mana.
NUMBER TWO~!
Mana reserves aren't fixed! Mana reserves, through continuous spellcasting and applying mana, can be increased. It is not something to dwell on and not something that will limit your progress. With enough training and hard work, your mana reserves will naturally grow.
FINALLY NUMBER THREE~!
People, from the day they are born, are set with specific attributes that they can learn when spellcasting. Usually, from the original six attributes, a person will be born with an affinity for two! There are special cases that can manipulate three or even four, but none in history have been able to manipulate all six. That is apart from the Hero, who had been blessed by the Goddess and in turn received the ability to use all six attributes.
Blah, blah, blah, random bullshit go! Basically, another layer of plot armour for the main character to obliterate his opponents through the use of all elements.
And I call that...BULLSHIT~!
But that wasn't important. Even with that plot armour, I swore on my new name I would be better than him. And so I got to figuring out my attributes.
The sun brightly glared downwards as I sought shelter beneath the great shadow of a looming tree I say beneath. A lushes green canopy rustled in the wind as the leaves gently dropped.
"Now, let's get into the real fun stuff of this world. Magic!" I rubbed my hands together as my snow white hair blew in the gale.
"If I remember correctly, the process of learning your attributes is simply pouring your mana out of your body and envisioning each attribute one by one. Upon discovering an attribute, it will form with the mana at your palm in the discovered image represented in your head. Let's get the show on the road then.
I slowly closed my eyes and began sensing the mana brewing deep inside of me. My body released all tension and my mind relinquished all other thoughts.
"Let's start with fire!"
Gradually I began cultivating a kindling flame in my mind as I let the mana flow freely into my palms. I called on all my concentration mana began taking shape before me, ambient mana existentially fuelling my incomplete image.
Ultimately, however, mana collapsed and dispelled in my grasp.
"I see. So fire is out of the question."
I then regrouped my focus and began instilling a flowing and burbling stream of fresh water flowing along the rock formations as it spewed out of the mouth fiercely.
Once more mana gathered and condensed in my hands, only for the miraculous ivory light to crumble tragically.
"Shit! Not water either?" My hands slowly fell to the ground as I allowed my fingers to brush past the coarse grain of the dirt below me. Mana welled once more as I infused the sensation into creating a more stable image.
"Texture, shape, qualities." I whispered to myself, trying to desperately establish the core of earth.
My mana revelled in the fluorescence of the image sprouting outwardly, its bright particles gradually staining a russet as thicker chunks crafted before me.
"Come on, come on!" I urged it.
Bang!
The mana this time exploded in my hand, forcefully tearing itself from me and damaging my hand at the same time.
"Motherfucker!" I yelped. Not only did I fail, but the mana rejected my will no matter how clear the image in my head existed. This in itself proved to me that you can't force mana to accommodate your wishes. You can only work towards it, but it won't work with you.
"Selfish fucking power..." I snickered to myself, wiping the dirt that fell upon my face.
I allowed myself respite, laying down on the green grass blades that edged along my gentle skin. "This mana stuff is harder than I imagined it'd be. Hopefully Armis will be easier to get the hang of."
My voice drowned out in the chirping of the birds and the animals passing across the fields encompassing my father and mothers estate.
"Let's get to it. Wind!" I declared and stood up this time. I spread hands out wide and closed my eyes, tilting my head backwards slightly as I allowed myself to be swayed in the motion of the wind.
The ambient mana coalesced around me as the abrasive power welled within me, the two synergising and working in cohesion. A verdant sphere of condensed wind supplied my inspiration and soon the mana building on my palms fluently adapted that desired verdant hue.
I hesitantly opened my eyes, my mind finding peace no matter the outcome of the result this time.
"Ha...hahaha! I did it! Whoooooo!!!" I let out a triumphant celebration, the desired sphere of condensed wind brewing in my hand.
"Hell, if I get the next two, I might just be considered special in attributes as well!" A pleasant thought of beautiful noble woman clinging to each of my arms.
"You're so cool and special with your three attributes!"
"You're really handsome, Kaiser."
I nodded my head with a frivolous grin plastered on my face. Yep, that's exactly what I'm working hard for.
And so I tried to confirm if I had three affinities. And what would you know, I had.....
"Two. This damned world, you couldn't have made it that bit easier for me? Well, to be fair, you did give me this handsome face. Even with two attributes, I'll destroy you, Hero~."
And so I discovered my two attributes, wind and lightning!