"Hmm...."
As I settled into the plush seat of the mana train, the gentle hum of the engine filling my ears, my thoughts were consumed by the city of Valeris.
It was a place teeming with the unknown, a city known as the "City of First Awakeners," yet slowly losing its former glory, blending into the ranks of any metropolitan area.
Valeris held a peculiar allure, a city that concealed many mysteries beneath its bustling surface. Curses and treasures were said to lurk in the shadowed corners, hidden from casual view.
My reason for visiting this place was simple – to purchase a longsword. But the true essence of my journey lay beyond that, in the secrets and knowledge that Valeris held.
This city was renowned for its blacksmiths and their rich history. My parents had been convinced by my request for a longsword, for Valeris was the ideal place to find one.
However, what I truly sought here was an ART, an art vital for what lay ahead in my quest.
Lost in thought, I didn't notice the passing scenery as the train sped toward its destination. The city of Valeris grew closer with each passing moment.
When the train finally pulled into the Valeris station, I was greeted by the bustling crowd. A middle-aged man approached me, his demeanor professional.
"Welcome to Valeris, sir,"
he said, extending a hand.
"Allow me to take you to your destination."
I nodded in acknowledgment and handed him my bag. He was the driver from the hotel I had booked for my stay in the city.
As we navigated the busy streets, Valeris revealed itself to me. It was a city of contrasts, a place where the past and the present coexisted.
Modern structures towered beside ancient buildings, and the city's heartbeat pulsed with life.
Finally, we arrived at the grand hotel I had chosen for my stay. It possessed an air of tradition and history,
starkly contrasting the technological marvels I had seen during my journey.
"Finally here,"
I thought, a smirk tugging at my lips as I gazed upon the impressive facade.
I followed the driver inside, and we approached the sizable reception desk.
"Good afternoon, sir,"
the receptionist greeted me with a warm smile.
I returned the gesture, feeling the anticipation building within me. After the necessary formalities were concluded, I received the key to my room and was informed that my luggage had already been delivered.
As I ascended to my room on the 20th floor and stepped inside, the luxury of the accommodations impressed me.
The king-sized bed looked inviting, and I couldn't resist the allure of rest. After all, I had a plan to execute come nightfall.
'Why am I sleeping now?'
*smirk*
A wicked grin slowly spread across my lips,
I was thinking about picking up that "item" tonight.
.
.
.
As I descended to the ground floor in the elevator, my mind couldn't help but think about mana,
I settled into a cozy corner of the hotel restaurant, my mind churned with thoughts about mana, a mystical force that fueled this world's technology and shaped its combat prowess.
Mana was a versatile phenomenon. In some places, it substituted for electricity, illuminating homes, and powering devices.
In others, it replaced conventional fuels, propelling trains, cars, and even planes. The world thrived on this ethereal energy, weaving it into the fabric of daily life.
Yet, the true magic of mana lay in the realm of combat. It was the lifeblood of hunters and warriors, the very essence of their power.
In this world, one's perception of mana was the key to awakening. And that's where I, Lucian, found myself at a disadvantage. My talent for perceiving mana was abysmally low, almost non-existent.
It was this deficiency that had driven me to Valeris in the first place.
*sip*
Sipping a glass of chilled water, I mulled over my predicament. To break through the limitations of human potential, I needed to unlock the secrets of mana. It was the demarcation line separating the truly powerful from the ordinary.
My thoughts delved into the various facets of mana. It was a tangible, flowing energy that permeated the world, yet remained elusive to most.
Hunters, on the other hand, possessed the innate ability to perceive and harness mana. They could manipulate it to achieve extraordinary feats, from superhuman agility to devastating elemental attacks.
I had observed hunters in 'my' memory performing these incredible feats, their bodies adorned with mana that crackled with energy.
It was as if they had tapped into the very source of life itself, transcending human limitations. But as I watched from the shadows, I knew that such heights were currently beyond my reach.
although it wasn't that there wasn't any alternative there were also forces like ki and auras but there was no way to reach that now,
*clink*
As my thoughts reached that point dinner arrived—a sumptuous spread of local delicacies