As the calm of the night stretched on, my steady breathing filled the air, blending with the soft ripple of water in the pond.
My breaths grew deeper, slower, as if the entire world had faded away, leaving only the serene connection between my body and the mana-rich environment.
The coolness built steadily in my chest, like a gathering storm, until suddenly—
Crack.
The sound wasn't loud, but it reverberated through my entire body, echoing inside my mind like the snapping of an invisible chain.
My eyes snapped open, and my breath hitched, my chest expanding as if I could suddenly take in more air than ever before.
It was as if a restriction I hadn't even been aware of had been shattered, allowing me to breathe freely for the first time.
The sensation was overwhelming yet exhilarating. The mana in the air rushed into me, not in an uncontrollable torrent but in a steady, purposeful flow, filling me with a vibrant energy I had never felt before.
The refreshing coolness of the water only amplified the effect, the once-muted connection to the elements now sharper, more vivid.
I sat up straighter in the pond, the water rippling around me as I exhaled slowly. My breath came out like a sigh, the kind that carried with it tension I hadn't realized I was holding onto.
'What... was that?' I thought, staring down at my hands. They didn't look any different, but I could feel the change, deep inside. The world felt... clearer.
The air seemed crisper, the faint rustle of leaves more distinct. The subtle hum in the environment was sharper, as though my senses had been dialed up.
Looking down at the water, I watched as it stilled once more. My reflection stared back at me, the moonlight catching on my features.
'That crack...' I thought.
'Was that something breaking inside me? Or something unlocking?'
For a moment, I simply sat there, letting the new sensation settle.
As I sat there, still and calm, my eyes closed, the water rippled gently around me, and the wind brushed past, carrying with it the whispers of the night.
But then, something shifted. The wind grew sharper, biting against my skin like tiny blades, and the water that had felt cool and refreshing moments ago pressed against me with an icy chill that dug into my bones.
The sensation hit me like a jolt—a sudden unease, deep and instinctual. It wasn't fear exactly, but a distinct feeling that I was being watched.
My chest tightened, and the thought struck me with unsettling clarity: Someone's here. Someone's watching me. I need to hide this.
I didn't know why I felt it so strongly, but my body reacted before my mind could catch up. My breathing changed, slipping back into the shallow, restricted pattern I'd only just broken free from.
It wasn't panic—it was deliberate, controlled, as though something deep inside me knew I couldn't let whoever—or whatever—was out there sense what I'd just unlocked.
The sharpness of the wind seemed to affirm it, the chill of the water amplifying the warning like a whisper carried through the elements.
'My -World's Whisperer skill- it had to be.' It was subtle, not like a voice in my head, but an instinct, a natural tug that I couldn't ignore.
My eyes snapped open, scanning the moonlit pond and the treeline beyond it. Everything looked the same, but the air felt different, hostile even.
'Who's out there?' I thought, my mind racing as I slowly exhaled, keeping my movements controlled and unassuming. 'Why is this so important to hide?'
I shifted slightly in the water, letting my posture relax as though nothing had happened, even as every nerve in my body remained on edge.
The sharp breeze pressed against my skin again, its bite a reminder to trust the instinct. My skill wasn't just giving me a warning—it was guiding me, and for now, I wouldn't question it.
The sharp wind brushed against my skin again, carrying with it a subtle nudge—a quiet, insistent pull.
It wasn't fear or alarm, but something gentler, a whisper urging me with calm certainty: Go home. Act normal. If you want to train, do it there.
No words were said but I could feel its intention. I stood up from the pond, water dripping from my clothes as I stepped onto the bank.
The chill clung to me, but the tension I'd felt earlier had softened, leaving only that quiet whisper in the back of my mind.
I dried myself quickly with my shirt and dressed, glancing back at the still water. For a moment, I considered staying, but the whisper persisted.
Letting out a steadying breath, I started walking back toward the castle. My steps were calm and deliberate, as if nothing had happened.
The guidance wasn't just about where to go—it was about how to act. No rushing, no hesitation. Just move naturally, like any other night.
The path back was quiet, the cool breeze brushing past me as I approached the castle grounds. The towering walls loomed closer, their familiar shape lit softly by the moonlight.
The pull in my chest eased slightly as I neared the entrance, like a hand letting go. The whisper's urgency faded, replaced with a reassuring sense of calm.
Stepping inside, the castle's warmth greeted me, but I didn't linger. My thoughts were clear, my movements smooth as I climbed the staircase to my room. If anyone had seen me, they would've thought I'd simply gone for a late-night walk, nothing more.
When I reached my door, I paused for a moment, exhaling softly as I turned the handle and stepped inside. Closing it behind me, I leaned against the door for a moment, letting the quiet of my room envelop me.
The whispering pull was completely gone now, leaving me alone with my thoughts.
The moonlight spilled across the floor, casting its soft glow over the familiar space. My eyes landed on the windowsill, the same spot where I'd cultivated earlier. A faint smile tugged at my lips.
As I leaned against the door, I let out a slow breath, my thoughts swirling around what had just happened. The sharpness of the wind, the chill of the water—it hadn't been random.
It was a message, something my World's Whisperer skill had tried to warn me about. But why? And what was that feeling, like someone—or something—was watching me?
'Was it real? Or was it just my mind playing tricks on me because of the training?' I frowned, crossing the room and sitting on the edge of my bed.
No, it didn't feel imagined. The way my skill urged me to leave, to hide what I'd unlocked... it was too deliberate, too precise. The skill had guided me safely back, and if it had been wrong, I wouldn't be here now.
But still, the unease lingered. Who would be watching me? The kingdom? Something else? I shook my head, trying to clear the thoughts.
Overthinking wouldn't help right now. I needed to focus on what I could control.
Sliding off the bed, I walked toward the windowsill and hopped up onto it, settling into the cool frame.
The moonlight bathed the room in soft light, and I let it calm me as I gathered my thoughts.
If something out there was watching me, it didn't follow me here. For now, I'm safe.
As the thought settled, I let out a deep breath, feeling the restriction in my chest finally loosen. My breathing returned to the full, steady rhythm I'd discovered earlier. The air flowed into me with a freedom that felt almost euphoric, as though I'd been carrying a weight on my chest this whole time and had only just set it down.
That feels better, I thought, leaning back. It felt like I was underwater or something—barely able to breathe.
I hadn't had the chance to try it out properly, though. My skill had warned me to hide it, and instinctively, I'd listened.
That sharp, urgent whisper to leave and act normal had stopped me from using the breathing technique while walking home.
I had kept it bottled up, moving carefully as though the wrong step might set something off.
Now, though, I could feel the difference. Each breath came effortlessly, the flow of energy smooth and natural, as if the world itself had adjusted to match me.
Taking a steadying breath, I straightened up and focused inward.
'Status'. The word came to mind naturally, and almost immediately, the familiar glowing panel appeared before my eyes.
[Name: Drey Edwards ]
[Description: Scratching the surface of the path to strength]
[Level: 0 ]
[Health: 240 ] *
[Mana: 200 ] *
[Stats:
Vigor: 12 *
Mind: 20 *
Endurance: 13 *
Strength: 19 *
Agility: 15 *
Dexterity: 12 *
Intelligence: 10
Additional points: 0 ]
[Classes]
[Class: 6 Spiritual Root Cultivator]
[+Initial stage] *
[Skills: + Press to extend]
My eyes lingered on the description under my name. 'Scratching the surface of the path to strength'. I couldn't help but let out a small, dry laugh. 'Well, at least it's honest,' I muttered, shaking my head.
Looking further, I noticed the asterisks next to certain stats. The changes were clear—my Mind stat had jumped again, sitting at 20 now.
The Strength increase made sense too, given the intense training I'd put myself through. Even Vigor and Endurance had edged up, subtle signs of growth.
However, something else caught my eye—Dexterity. Unlike last time, it had gone up this time, and I couldn't quite explain why.
I hadn't done anything particularly focused on precision or agility. My exercises were simple, focused more on raw endurance and strength.
'Weird', I thought, rubbing my chin as I stared at the stat. 'Did it have something to do with my breathing? Or maybe the way I ran earlier?'
The sharp, deliberate movements during training hadn't felt particularly special, but perhaps my body was starting to adapt in ways I hadn't noticed.
Level 0, I noted, raising an eyebrow. Guess I haven't even scratched the surface yet.
My gaze shifted to the class section. '6 Spiritual Root Cultivator. Initial stage.' It was progress, but I couldn't shake the feeling that it was just the beginning.
What would the next stage feel like? And how much further could I push it?
Curiosity got the better of me, and I tapped on the glowing Skills section. The panel shifted, expanding to reveal a list of my abilities. My eyes scanned over them briefly, but one stood out immediately:
[Body Purification Skill.]
[1st Stage: Middle Proficiency.]
I raised an eyebrow, a small smile creeping onto my lips. 'Middle proficiency already?' I thought, impressed. It had to be thanks to the effort I'd put in last night, along with whatever that crack inside me had been.
Scrolling further, I noticed details tied to the skill:
[Body Purification Skill]
Stage:
1st Stage: Middle Proficiency
Effect:
Enhances physical recovery, strengthens muscles and endurance, and increases sensitivity to mana flow.
'So that's why I felt so refreshed after training,' I thought, my gaze lingering on the description.
The skill wasn't just helping me recover faster—it was reshaping my body at its core, making every bit of effort I put in more effective.
Closing the panel, I leaned back against the windowsill, the cool night breeze brushing against my face.