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"Am I in hell?"
The words slipped from my lips before I could hold them back. Around me, the darkness slowly dissipated, like a veil lifting, revealing in its place a faint glow that strangely resembled the light I had seen in that oppressive void.
But is this really the afterlife, or worse, hell? The idea crept into my mind as my eyes scanned this strange, almost unreal place. If this were hell, why was it so cold here, instead of burning like the stories say? My limbs were numb, chilled by the damp, rough ground I lay on. The air itself felt laden with a heavy coolness, as if life itself was retreating from this place. Nothing here matched the vision of a flaming hell, the torments I had expected.
The silence that surrounded me was not one of damned screams or lamentations I might have imagined. No, it was a strange calm, almost suffocating, as if the world held its breath. It was too quiet, too still. Way too calm...
And although this pervasive silence unsettled me, it wasn't what tormented my mind the most. It was just a veil, a symptom of a much more pressing, much more troubling question.
Where am I? My thoughts raced, jostling in a frantic rush. Isn't this supposed to be the afterlife? So why could I still feel the bite of the cold from the rocky ground against my skin, the dampness in the air I breathed? Why did I have this strange sensation of still being alive? I was sure that this woman—whatever she was—had killed me on the spot.
I tried to move, even just my right arm, but it was as if my muscles were made of stone. Each movement required titanic effort, a struggle against a numbed body, making me feel as though my entire form had been inactive for years, even centuries. My joints screamed silently, stiff and reluctant, as if they had forgotten how to function.
If it weren't for the slight ability I still had to turn my head and move my fingers, I would have almost believed I was completely paralyzed, frozen like a statue forgotten for millennia. This feeling of heaviness on my body, combined with the inertia of my limbs, evoked the idea of being trapped in my own flesh, unable to free myself.
Which, in itself, brought me some relief. The dull pain coursing through my body was all too real, and it confirmed that I was neither in the afterlife nor lost in a simple dream.
But I didn't understand. I was certain that everything that had happened before was real. I still felt the purple spears piercing my body from all sides, along with the growing pain that heralded death. Just thinking about it sent a wave of shivers through me; that lingering pain and the sense of impending doom were still very much alive within me.
Had that woman healed me before throwing me into this place? This hypothesis seemed logical, given that I was still alive. The powers she possessed were evidently extraordinary, powers I could hardly imagine. There was no doubt she had the ability to heal otherwise fatal wounds.
But the real mystery lay in why she had left me here, in this dark and icy cave, after apparently using her powers to keep me alive.
I pushed those thoughts from my mind. I couldn't afford to waste time pondering that witch while I found myself in such a predicament.
I absolutely had to get out of here!
Using all the strength I had left, I managed to sit up despite the pain and weakness gnawing at me.
I rubbed my aching head, but my expression quickly morphed into one of surprise mixed with confusion upon seeing my hand—a child's hand?
Thinking my migraine was playing tricks on me, I rubbed my eyes and examined my hands again. They were small and surprisingly smooth, flawless and pristine, in stark contrast to the worn, calloused hands I was used to. This striking contrast plunged me into confusion.
Panic-stricken, I examined my body—or rather, this "new body" that was not only foreign to me but also strangely familiar...
But despite the familiar sensation that emerged, I could only horrifyingly note that I was no longer in a well-built adult body, but in that of a skinny child.
"WHAT?!" I shouted in a high-pitched, childish voice after finishing my examination of what seemed to be my body.
What the hell is going on? Why have I been turned into a child? What has happened to my body and all the hard work I put into developing it?
Maybe there's a catch to all this? Perhaps I'm just in a dream, and any moment now, I'll wake up in my luxurious room… the same room I literally destroyed…
I let out a sigh. It was essential that I pull myself together, as panic and stress would not help me understand the situation I found myself in.
While this situation, this mysterious phenomenon, or whatever one might call it, would likely have unsettled anyone in a much more intense way, I am different! I try to stay calm, even though everything seems completely bewildering.
After all, I am a King, and as such, I must keep my composure in all circumstances, even in the most absurd and unpredictable situations. Well, I suppose I am an ex-King now, as no one would take a child claiming to be royalty seriously...
Letting out another sigh, I plunged into deep thought to understand how I ended up in the body of a child. I tried to trace the events, searching for clues about what could have led to this inexplicable transformation. What mechanisms could have triggered such a radical change? How could such a metamorphosis have occurred?
Suddenly, a person came to mind, and of course, it could only be her.
I feel very stupid for not thinking of that woman first...
But just the thought that it might be due to that woman made me internally growl. I had only met her for ten minutes, and yet she had managed to turn my life upside down so casually...
Just considering the acts she committed, the number of her misdeeds against me is staggering. She managed to infiltrate my castle as if it were her home, without anyone noticing. Worse still, she invited me for tea in MY own home! Because of her, I turned my room upside down, and she slandered me as if I were the worst of creatures, all while leaving me in a critical state, teetering between life and death.
And to top it off, she cast a spell on me, or something like it, that rejuvenated me to childhood and dumped me in a stinky cave as if I were old trash.
Just thinking about all the humiliations she had inflicted on me made my teeth grind and my veins swell on my forehead. Damn, this is the height of humiliation!
"Argh, damn it! I swear I'm going to make you pay for this, you unwanted b*tch!" I swore in rage, tugging at my long hair, almost tearing it from my scalp… my long hair?
I quickly grabbed a lock of my hair, my hands trembling slightly from the surprise. Looking closer, I was astonished to discover that not only was my hair long, but its color was also completely different from my former greenish-blond locks. My fingers closed around a long strand of deep chestnut brown, making me realize that my hair had completely changed. It wasn't that it bothered me, but my heart raced for another reason, a mix of disbelief and frustration manifesting in the tension of my muscles and the quickness of my breathing.
And observing my worn white dress, which looked more like a rag than a proper garment, a realization suddenly struck me.
"Dress, long hair, dress, long hair, dress, long hair... OH SH*T!" I yelled, my voice echoing loudly in the cave. A primitive fear surged within me, twisting my stomach. In a panic, I quickly lifted my dress to check that my most precious part was still in place.
Seeing that I still had what made me a man, I let out a deep sigh of relief. Slowly, I lowered my dress and lay back down on the ground, exhausted from the stress.
"Well, it's not quite the same anymore..." I murmured to myself, trying to reassure myself. "Even if my sword has become a dagger, it's still a blade! It just needs time to be reforged." With a slight smile, I looked up at the ceiling, faintly illuminated by the meager beams of light filtering through the cave's fissure, showing the only contact with the outside I had.
However, my smile quickly faded at this unexpected turn. The fact that I had become a child clearly did not please me, but the extent of the change troubled me even more. I couldn't shake the feeling of being deeply unsettled by how different I now was from who I used to be. The coldness of the cave seemed to intensify, amplifying my discomfort.
But is this really still my body? Not only does this body feel strangely new, but it also gives me the impression that I had been this way long ago. The sense of strangeness and disconnection was so intense that I couldn't help but wonder if I was living a reminiscence of a distant past. Every movement, every sensation felt disconnected from the person I once was, creating a confusing blend of familiarity and alienation.
"As I mentioned from the beginning, I'm not here to kill you. But even if I decided to take your life at this moment... you still wouldn't die."
The words of that mysterious woman echoed in my mind, bouncing endlessly, like distant echoes in a deserted hallway. At first, I hadn't understood what she meant, but now a glimmer of understanding began to form.
Could it be... that I have been reincarnated?
This thought suddenly flooded my mind, giving rise to a wave of confusion and wonder within me. The idea seemed both absurd and unsettling, yet it also appeared very logical.
But isn't that frightening, nonetheless? This woman, though I wasn't 100% certain, seemed to possess the power of reincarnation, which is absolutely inconceivable. The notion that someone could manipulate fate to the extent of controlling the life and death of others sent chills down my spine.
It was as if this woman were erasing the boundaries of reality right before me, transforming the impossible into a possibility.
But if she is so powerful, why is she dragging me into this game? I'm not strong enough to fulfill her objectives or her foolish revenge if she cannot do it herself. Would she really stoop so low as to manipulate someone like me into being a mere pawn in her schemes?
Damn! This inconsistency only added more confusion and bitterness to my already chaotic situation.
"Well, enough thinking about something I can't even comprehend," I muttered to myself. But as I tried to stand, I fell to my knees, a dull pain coursing through my stiff legs. Was this my current limit, or the weakness of this new body, still fragile and too young? Perhaps this sudden change had affected me more than I realized. Struggling to rise, I rubbed my knees and sighed.
I took a moment to stretch, forcing my muscles to loosen despite their stiffness. These movements reminded me that I was unaccustomed to this small stature, to a body that felt as fragile as a twig. After a few stretches, I managed to walk, though my steps were still unsteady. It didn't matter; I would press on despite the discomfort.
My goal on this little walk was to discover if there was anything interesting or useful that could help me escape this rat hole I now found myself in. Every corner of this darkness held the potential for some kind of escape.
I also took this small stroll to clear my head. Thinking about all these questions at once wasn't good for me. While exploring the cave, I attempted to clarify my thoughts and find a practical solution. Yet, being forced into this younger body, this... transmigration, weighed heavily on my mind. This abrupt change, coupled with the overwhelming deadlock, did nothing to soothe my already exhausted mental state.
I suddenly stopped upon encountering something more original than the simple rock walls. What I had found seemed... quite intriguing.
In front of me, I leaned back slightly, raising my eyes to better observe this discovery. The wall directly in front of me, unlike the natural surfaces of the cave, appeared to have been carved by human hands. But what intrigued me was the center of this crafted surface. An odd symbol adorned the upper middle of the wall; three eyes, the central one slightly higher than those on the left and right, seemed to watch me in an almost intimidating manner. And just below, a crucifix was engraved, adding an even more enigmatic aura to this unknown symbol.
But the more I stared at this symbol, the more an odd sense of déjà vu struck me. Where had I seen this before?
"Tsk, why does everything seem familiar yet always elude me?" I clicked my tongue, frustrated. As if the situation weren't already confusing enough, every detail that might help me understand slipped away from my memory. It was like trying to grasp a dream that fades upon waking, distancing me from any lead. And yet, this symbol... it had to have meaning.
Yes, this symbol must signify something. If that woman—if it really was her—had imprisoned me here, there was no chance she had left this symbol by accident. She didn't seem the type to act without reason, let alone simply to decorate an abandoned cave. No, all of this had a purpose, a specific meaning. Perhaps a clue?
Finding nothing more to glean from this mysterious symbol, I shook my head with a sigh, turning away to resume my walk.
"I need to focus on the essentials; getting out of this place," I murmured to myself. "No time to dwell on riddles I can't even decipher."
But if this three-eyed symbol has any utility, I'll find out eventually. At least... I hope so.
.
.
.
During the minutes that passed, I searched every compartment of the cave, but nothing—absolutely nothing—seemed capable of helping me escape this natural prison. At this point, I didn't know whether to start seriously worrying about being trapped here for the rest of my life or to admire how perfectly this cave served as a place to imprison someone.
Sitting against a wall, I took a deep breath, trying to calm myself. Then I let it all out at once, like a heavy weight released after being carried too long. Frustration, anger, fear, and even a hint of despair melted into a long sigh that faintly echoed in the silent cave.
In all my life—well, my past life—I had never experienced such a desperate situation, total isolation, without any human contact.
Certainly, I was no stranger to confinement or even torture, a painful memory I preferred to forget. But this time, this isolation felt different.
Although I wasn't enduring physical torture here, the absence of any living being and the prospect of being locked in this cave could prove a form of mental torture, far more unbearable. It was clearly worse than the sessions of physical torment I had endured, even if they had lasted less than an hour. Here, I risked being shut away for years, with no idea if an escape was on the horizon.
There wasn't even anything to eat or drink, not a speck of mold or a puddle of water. And well, I didn't know if dying of hunger would be a true tragedy or, on the contrary, a relief.
"This b*tch… If she really wants to imprison me here, she could at least have the decency to provide me with something to survive," I murmured in exasperation, resting my head against the rough wall.
I let out a deep sigh, realizing it might be a long time before I found a way out.
I looked up, staring at the only source of light that kept this cave from plunging into total darkness.
Upon closer inspection, the cave didn't seem entirely isolated. A small crack in the ceiling allowed a thin ray of light to filter through, injecting a bit of hope into me. Perhaps this opening would be my way out.
However, in my current state, it seemed more likely that I could dig my way through the rock walls with my bare hands than actually reach this supposed exit up there…
Even if I regained my former strength, it wouldn't be enough to reach the crack so high in the ceiling. The height of the cave was staggering; I estimated it to be over a hundred meters, ridiculously high for a cave. The ceiling seemed to fade into darkness far above me.
Whether it was that woman or whoever else, my captor really thought of everything to ensure I stayed here, securely locked away.
"If only I had even a tenth of my former strength, my chances of escape would increase dramatically..." I exclaimed in frustration, feeling my knuckles tighten. Why had I thought jumping was the only option to reach that fissure? It would have made much more sense to climb the wall and reach the opening that way.
I might even be able to manage it without my ki, but given my current state as a child, the idea of digging a tunnel seemed increasingly viable.
I wondered if there might be a shovel somewhere around here? Because without ki, I was likely to injure my fingers badly.
I lay down on the ground, my hands placed behind my head as a pillow, and closed my eyes, enjoying the gentle glow filtering through the crack in the ceiling. I sought to forget, if only for a moment, that I was a captive here.
"Aaah, being without ki really is like switching from easy mode to hardcore."
"..."
"OH DAMN!! HOW COULD I HAVE FORGOTTEN THIS SH*T?!"
I couldn't believe I had forgotten something as essential as ki. Me, Grey, former King of a vast empire and considered one of the most powerful warriors in the world—how could I have neglected such a vital source of energy, so crucial for combat and the challenges I had faced?
If there was one thing that could truly help me escape this situation, it was ki. This energy that I had mastered to an almost unmatched level in my previous life.
Unfortunately, I no longer had that ki pool I had built and strengthened over the years. This loss was both lamentable and frustrating, as I now had to make up for all that hard work, all those years of training, just to regain a fraction of my former power. I had to start all over again, and that prospect was daunting.
No, I can't let myself be downcast! I now have a way out of this lost hole. No matter how long it takes, I am determined to work tirelessly to regain my former power, and even to surpass it. Every effort I make will bring me closer to my goal.
I won't let this situation define me!
Especially since it's not like I had much to do in this isolation. Spending time training could benefit me far more than just sitting here brooding. After all, I had spent my past life training, so I was quite used to it. This would yield beneficial results.
I should also add that I wouldn't start my training without first clarifying my fundamentals. Sure, I may have lost my physical strength, but I hadn't lost my knowledge. With confidence, I could assert that I was one of the best at manipulating ki, perhaps even the best.
Practice was crucial, but one mustn't forget the innate size of an user's ki pool, which played an equally decisive role. The limited amount of ki present in your body dictated everything you could work with. Of course, even if my ki pool wasn't particularly impressive, I had always been recognized as a prodigy in the art of channeling and using my ki effectively, compensating for my shortcomings.
By using every bit of my ki with precision, I had managed to rise to the top of the elite division of duelists, earning the right to become... King.
"I'm sorry, Grey... It was the only way..."
A vivid memory surged in my mind, a memory I wished I could erase... But guilt gnawed at me, chaining me to this painful memory I couldn't escape. This specific moment continued to haunt my thoughts, reminding me of the tragic decision that had changed my life forever...
I pushed those traumatic memories aside. This wasn't the time to wallow in past guilt. I needed to focus on the present, on how to escape this cave and regain my strength. Drowning in dark reflections would only weigh down my mind, and I couldn't afford that weakness.
Where was I? Ah yes! Thanks to my deep understanding of ki and my unprecedented knowledge, I had managed to stand among the best of my peers.
And as a child, I had a massive advantage; I possessed the mentality of an adult, not that of an ordinary child. This meant I could start on a solid foundation and progress even faster than I had in the past. My experience, combined with this new perspective, allowed me to envision a rapid evolution in my journey.
With a surge of determination, I crossed my legs and assumed a meditation position. I focused my thoughts, diving deep within myself in search of that spark, that source of energy that must still exist somewhere in me; the Ki. My goal was simple yet ambitious: to gather this scattered energy into a precise point in my abdomen, to form a new ki pool and reconnect with that lost power.
Children could meditate and feel ki naturally disperse throughout their bodies. Once they managed to direct this energy to a single point, their ki pool would form. So, as one of the best practitioners of ki, I shouldn't have any trouble accomplishing something even children could do.
After a few minutes of meditation, I finally began to perceive faint filaments of energy, the ki, circulating weakly through every part of my body. This reassured me because, for a moment, I had feared that my captor might have done something to my new body, preventing me from feeling the ki.
And while it may sound greedy, I secretly hoped that this new body would possess a more powerful ki pool than that of my previous life. The stronger it was, the greater my chances of success in this escape would be. Just thinking about it made me smile. I couldn't help but imagine the power I could achieve by combining a superior ki pool with my past experience. That thought alone excited me like a child receiving a new toy.
Well, I am a child! I can afford to be so enthusiastic.
But as I indulged in these daydreams, a strange sensation interrupted my momentum. Something was off. An anomaly was felt as I tried to gather the ki.
No! That was precisely the anomaly; the ease with which the ki flowed through my body.
Wait... Why wasn't the ki passing through my meridians as it should?
I furrowed my brow, perplexed by this unexpected situation. The fact that the ki flowed through me with such ease and efficiency was puzzling. The fluidity with which my ki moved astonished me. This wasn't something normal for a child, especially not for one who hadn't yet formed a ki pool.
But what surprised me most, even left me astounded, was how my ki truly moved within every part of my body. It was as if it were alive, responding to my thoughts, capable of navigating through me with disconcerting ease.
What I could clearly assert was that this was impossible! How could I, for lack of a better term, manipulate ki without even having a ki pool? Or even meridians, which are essential for directing this energy through a practitioner's body? It was precisely their role that would allow me to awaken my ki pool.
Even the Legacy needs a system like meridians to manipulate ki. Yet, the ki within me seemed to literally move wherever it wanted, carving its own path through my body. This freedom of movement was both astonishing and fascinating.
But that's not all! Not only did my ki flow without following a specific path—something hard to describe—but it also seemed to accumulate. It was as if every cell in my body acted like a reservoir, storing ki. This reality amazed me deeply, as it called into question everything I thought I knew about manipulating this energy.
In simple terms, my body acted just like a ki pool, like a giant reservoir! This discovery became even more fascinating because it meant that, even without a formed ki pool, I had access to a considerable amount of energy.
Even greater than that of "the Legacy"! Giving me a potential far superior to that.
This realization filled me with renewed excitement, as I became aware that I could surpass the limits I thought I had, opening the door to new dimensions of my future abilities. Every possibility seemed promising, as if I were on the verge of discovering uncharted powers within me.
"But... is this anatomy that defies the laws of nature the work of that woman?" I wondered, confused and suspicious. I wouldn't even be surprised if she were behind this anomaly that astonished me deeply. This situation challenged everything I thought I knew about ki manipulation, and I couldn't help but wonder if she played a role in this surprising transformation.
Furrowing my brow, I refocused my concentration. Questioning the origins of my body would only add to my confusion, leaving me with even more questions than answers. I was far more interested in meditation and exploring my abilities than in pondering this crazy woman.
To return to what I was saying, practitioners have learned to condense and use the ki that exists innately in their bodies. Just like weight training, repeatedly breaking and exhausting the ki pool allowed it to strengthen over time. After each period of effort, rest enabled access to a greater reserve of ki. Thus, the ki could then be channeled through special veins, called meridians, to strengthen the body and optimize its capabilities.
But in my case, my morphology was very different from anything I had known. I doubted that traditional methods for improving a ki pool would work for me since my entire body was literally a ki pool. I wasn't even sure if I could enhance my ki reserves, let alone how to do so. This left me with a feeling of uncertainty, as the usual practices seemed not to apply to my unique situation.
This posed a real problem, as my knowledge, while vast, might not apply to my circumstances. The uncertainty frustrated me, as I faced a challenge I couldn't tackle with the methods I had always used. I needed to find new ways to explore this potential, but how could I approach the unknown?
Maybe if I strengthened my body with ki, I could finally understand how it worked, I thought, resting my hand on my chin.
Without further ado, I began to gather the ki throughout my body, feeling this vibrant energy spread and fill every part of my being. As I focused my attention, I could sense my muscles strengthening, my physical power increasing exponentially, while my senses sharpened, allowing me to perceive every nuance of my environment. It felt as if a new life pulsed within me, ready to be unleashed.
Standing on my feet, I decided to test my current strength to gauge the difference in power between those with a normal ki pool and myself. Bouncing in place, I planted my weight on my left leg while delivering a powerful kick into the air. The impact of this movement produced a shockwave that reverberated around me, echoing in the cave. I felt the force of my strike resonate throughout my body, shocked by this display of strength.
"What power! It far exceeds my expectations," I said, still astonished. I had imagined, at best, being as strong as a trained adult, but the strength I had just unleashed was nearly three times that of my previous life!
I had never felt such power before, and it was almost intoxicating. However, realizing that I was already stronger than my former self, even though I had just been reincarnated and was still just a child, left me perplexed. Should I laugh that I could already overpower almost any great warrior or cry that I had surpassed years of training without doing anything in this new life?
I wonder if this is what Cecilia felt? This thought had me oscillating between excitement and reflection.
I sighed; I couldn't afford to become arrogant so quickly. I needed to remain humble, aware that every step forward required work and discipline. True strength resided not only in the power I had just discovered but also in the wisdom of mastering it. It was a reminder that, as long as I hadn't truly reached the peak, it was essential to keep my feet on the ground.
While stretching my limbs and cracking my joints, I launched into a series of rapid strikes. Punches, kicks, elbows, and knees flowed in a frenzied dance. The speed at which I unleashed my attacks created currents of air around me, as if I were surrounded by a storm. Each movement echoed the techniques I had learned in military schools, resonating with a familiarity that was both comforting and exhilarating. Memories of my past training blended with my newfound strength, allowing me to unleash a power I had never thought possible.
I continued with a flurry of movements, racing across the cave floor at full speed. My steps were quick and precise, marking the ground with my strides. I executed tackles and other maneuvers with impressive agility and flexibility, each gesture showcasing my new power. I felt like a predator on the hunt, exploiting every corner of the space, turning the cave into my playground. Every movement was both a release and a training session, a way to reclaim the body I had barely begun to understand.
.
.
.
After what seemed like a good while, I ended this little training session, slightly sweaty, and couldn't help but congratulate myself on my endurance. Scanning the interior of the cave, I noticed the marks of my footsteps and movements left on the ground. Pieces of rock lay scattered here and there, evidence of the impacts of my strikes, becoming makeshift dummies for my training. This scene, both chaotic and energetic, reminded me how much I was rediscovering my abilities in this new body.
And honestly, I could only be satisfied with my performance, almost awed by my regained abilities. I told myself that I could probably escape my prison right now, but I realized that might be too easy. That woman had surely taken measures to lock me in here. Perhaps a powerful barrier or another type of restriction was preventing any exit. Looking up at the dimly lit ceiling, I couldn't help but wonder about the precautions she had taken to immobilize me.
I couldn't help but think that this woman hadn't locked me away for no reason. I had done nothing to her before, and I had never even seen her prior to this fateful encounter.
"It's simple, King Grey. I am just a monster forger, created to accomplish my own revenge."
This phrase echoed in my mind, its intensity hitting me once more. As I began to piece together the fragments of the puzzle, a troubling understanding emerged.
Was she trying to make me... a monster?
An even more monstrous monster?
Everything made sense now. The reason she had come to me, why she had ended my previous life... it was to transform me into a tool meant to carry out her vengeance.
I was so foolish not to have considered this hypothesis as soon as I discovered the immense potential that resided within me. She had probably granted it to me to make me stronger, like a blacksmith shaping a weapon, only to point it at her enemies...
Nothing is ever free in this world, is it?
I sat on a rock I had shattered earlier, letting out a long sigh. One hand pressed against my face, hiding my eyes, I tried to calm the whirlwind of thoughts that overwhelmed me.
"Just... why?"
These simple words seemed to trigger an inner explosion. Without even realizing it, I unleashed all my murderous intent, saturating the air with an oppressive pressure. The atmosphere grew heavy, so dense that it would be difficult for anyone to breathe, and the cave floor began to vibrate, as if it shared my rage.
I was furious
I could feel my eyes bloodshot, rage rising within me, burning in every fiber of my being. Like a volcano erupting.
I already felt defeated for having lost the one I considered my mother.
I bore the weight of guilt for having broken the bonds of friendship I had patiently woven with my former friends.
I felt a deep void after having killed Cecilia, an act that haunted every corner of my being.
I already saw myself as a monster, for causing so many deaths, for a revenge I couldn't even carry out.
And I was ready to accept my sins, to bear the weight of my actions, even if it meant rotting in hell for eternity.
But I never wanted to be that cold man, the one who turns away from his loved ones, whose soul is stained with blood. I just wanted to live in peace, surrounded by those I loved, those I considered my family...
So why force me to become a monster again? Worse than a monster, even!
Why had this demoness refused to let me go in peace, to resurrect me only to lock me in this cursed place, far from everything?
Why involve me in a vengeance that didn't concern me? Why make me her pawn and push me to commit even more sins?
Why, why, why...?!
"WHY ME?!" I screamed, my voice echoing in the silent cave, resonating both in this stone prison and in my own mind.
But no one answered.
I was there... alone, sitting among the scattered rocks, lost in thought, head bowed, my long bangs falling over my face like a veil hiding my emotions. The heavy silence of the cave seemed to stifle my thoughts, while solitude reminded me of how far beyond me all of this was.
Perhaps... this is my punishment? I thought, my mind heavy. Condemned to relive eternally as a bloodthirsty monster, trapped in an endless cycle. An infinite loop of violence and regret, where I would be forced to repeat the acts I despise, again and again, with no hope for redemption.
"No..." I suddenly murmured, raising my head slightly, my fists clenched tightly. "I refuse to let my fate be this way."
A new fire ignited within me, burning the very idea of accepting such a fate. I refused to be locked into this role, this cycle of suffering and destruction.
I do not deny that I deserve to be punished for my crimes, but if this new life consists of dragging me back to what I was, I refuse! Even if this woman is a deity, or something close, I refuse to dance on her palms!
My heart beat faster with this thought. No matter what she expected of me, I would not be her puppet, nor her tool of vengeance.
I would be none of that. I would live my life as I see fit, even if I must carry all the guilt accumulated from my past life. This power within me, I refuse to use it to perpetuate injustices.
I will stop at nothing to remain the master of my own fate, no matter the obstacles or darkness that might try to engulf me.
"Hmph! You want me to dance on your palm?" I sneered coldly, looking at my right hand, which I suddenly clenched, turning my knuckles white. "Then be ready to risk having it broken, because I certainly won't allow it, you old hag!"
I was resolved, determined not to be the man I despise. If I no longer want to be a toy in the hands of this woman, then I must become stronger. Strong enough to reach her, and never again be a tool in anyone's eyes.
Never again.
.
.
.
It has probably been years since I was reincarnated in this cave. I can't say exactly how much time has passed, as my perception of time has become blurred. However, considering the length of my stay here and the visible changes in my body, I estimate that it must be about three years since I've been trapped in this hell.
And when I say hell, it's not an exaggeration. The first months of my isolation were marked by deep suffering. Not encountering anyone other than myself is a terrible ordeal for the mind. I spent almost every free moment pushing my limits, exploring all the possibilities of my newly discovered potential. I even began to theorize about my future abilities, imagining how I could maximize them. I trained almost every day, seven days a week. One might think that this routine would slowly drive me insane, and that was not far from the truth.
Isolation gnawed at me from within. Looking at the same landscape, this lonely cave filled with stones and rocks, without ever seeing anything else, weighed heavily on my mental health. The monotony became overwhelming; each day blurred into the next, and a growing sense of despair settled within me. I felt trapped in an endless cycle, and solitude was dragging me into its depths.
But I resisted!
I held on against this depressing solitude, adapting so my mind could grow stronger.
I don't know exactly how I managed to keep my sanity. Perhaps having often been alone in my previous life prepared me for this. But I think there's something deeper that helped me get through this ordeal.
It could very well be a miracle my body could produce. Looking back, I realize how unfortunate it is that I didn't have that same talent to manipulate Ki easily in my previous life, or rather, in "my old world."
Yeah, I discovered something strange about Ki during my early days. By manipulating this energy while enhancing my senses, I began to glimpse countless small white spots scattered throughout the atmosphere. These glowing spheres surrounded me and blended into my body, absorbed without my prior awareness. It was as if the environment itself was nourishing me with this mysterious energy.
To say I was shocked would be an understatement. What could this be? Was it Ki? Why was there any in the atmosphere? At that time, so many questions swirled in my mind, and even though I always had them, I managed to guess some of the answers.
First, what I am sure of is that the energy I had been manipulating all this time was not Ki, but another form of energy, much more powerful and versatile.
How did I come to this conclusion? It's quite simple. In my old world, Ki did not exist in the atmosphere. Science never managed to discover it, or perhaps it ceased to exist in the air we breathed. In any case, I know full well that Ki is an internal energy, a force that resides within us and not in our environment.
What proves this, as crazy as it may sound, is that I literally traveled between worlds.
This brings me to the second point: that woman, my captor, possesses powers that surpass anything Ki can offer. This reinforces the idea that I am no longer on Earth. I had speculated that she came from a world completely different from Earth, a place where the rules of energy and manipulation are reinvented.
And I am surely in that same world right now.
I had thought about how to name this energy. Calling it Ki would be confusing, and Superior Ki seemed too mundane. Reflecting on my studies of this energy, I found an appropriate name for it.
This energy reminds me of the powers seen in stories of knights, mages, dragons, and other mythical creatures. It evokes an almost mystical force, akin to what is referred to as magic. However, simply calling it Magic felt too cliché, too common.
So, I thought of another name that merges the idea of magic and spirituality.
Mana.
The choice of this term is not trivial. In many cultures and tales, Mana symbolizes vital energy, a powerful flow essential to existence. It represents not only magical power but also a deep connection with the universe. By calling it this way, I acknowledge that this new energy is not merely a brute force, but also a source of harmony and infinite potential, capable of transforming and elevating those who know how to harness it.
This description perfectly illustrates the exponential growth I've experienced over these three years. Although I have no direct knowledge or encyclopedia on Mana, its slight similarities with Ki have sufficed. I was able to leverage the concepts I already mastered, adapting my training to fully exploit this new energy. Each day, I watched my abilities flourish, transforming what was once a mere curiosity into a deeper and more powerful understanding of my skills.
I also add that Mana could be the reason I've been able to survive in this environment without food or water, acting as a true fuel for my body. Its presence seems to nourish every cell within me, granting me an unsuspected vitality. Even my need for sleep has significantly decreased, allowing me to train more. I can spend hours perfecting my techniques without feeling fatigued, a blessing that has offered me the opportunity to progress at a remarkable pace.
This is what I am currently doing: strengthening my physique and techniques by practicing shadow boxing, a particularly effective training method. But instead of simply striking the air in front of me like boxers do, I imagine a real opponent facing me. I concentrate so much on this vision that it feels as though there is truly a person in front of me. Each blow I throw at this imaginary opponent has an almost tangible intensity; I can feel their skin beneath my fists. When I take hits, the pain feels almost real.
Maybe this solitude has truly driven me to madness? But if becoming a little mad is what it takes to develop such an effective training method, then why not?
The opponent I imagine is none other than... myself. I wasn't sure if fighting against my own shadow was a good idea or just a result of my lack of imagination, but I had nothing better to come up with.
I stood before my imaginary opponent, a perfect clone of myself, about fifteen meters away. With a provocative smile, he raised his hand in a gesture of challenge, as if inviting me to come closer.
"This little sh*t..." I grumbled, a vein throbbing on my forehead.
Normally, this kind of provocation wouldn't affect me, but coming from my own imagination, it was intolerable!
"Hmph! Know your place before your creator, you b*stard!" I retorted, forgetting that it was just my imagination and that I was talking to empty air.
Channeling mana into my right hand, I shaped a long sword of bright turquoise blue while reinforcing my legs to propel myself forward. My opponent, mirroring my movement, summoned an identical sword and charged at me with the same determination.
Our two swords clashed with a dull thud, but without sparks since our swords were made of "pure Mana." I pushed his blade down, taking advantage of the opening to turn my body and attempt a spinning kick. He dodged with disconcerting ease, challenging me with his fluid movements.
Trying to catch me off guard, he executed a sweep to unbalance me. However, I anticipated his move and jumped just in time to evade it. Taking a step back, I charged at him again.
During my charge, I focused wind mana into my blade and launched three wind blades in quick succession towards him. But it was in vain, as my imaginary opponent managed to counter my attacks just in time by raising a wall of earth from the ground. My wind blades struck the wall, failing to penetrate, but seriously gouged it, testifying to the power of my attacks.
I intensified my mana output, letting fiery flames of brilliant blue wrap around my blade, as if an ocean of fire had materialized beneath my fingers. At the same time, a whirlwind began to dance around me, like an elusive serpent, ready to sweep me away. The force of this tornado propelled me at breakneck speed towards my opponent, who was hiding behind his earthen wall. The flames and wind fused around me, transforming me into a fiery storm, ready to unleash itself upon him.
In barely a fraction of a second, I found myself before the imposing wall of earth, which melted under the high temperatures of the flames, breaking down like wax exposed to burning light and raising dust.
Seeing the silhouette of that arrogant imagination before me, I didn't hesitate for a moment. I raised my blade with all my strength, bringing it down on this illusory opponent, slicing him in two. But to my great surprise, as the dust settled, I saw the presumed body of my imaginary opponent collapse into small clumps of earth, dispersing like a mirage fading away.
A decoy? I thought with perplexity. The reality of the situation eluded me. Where was the real one?
Feeling the Mana swell just above me, I quickly looked up. I saw my opponent rushing towards me, surrounded by crackling lightning and a powerful whirlwind that increased the speed of his descent, like a meteor crashing to earth.
Clenching my teeth, I repositioned myself, reinforcing every muscle in my body with Mana. The flames and wind around me intensified, creating a formidable aura resembling a tornado straight from hell. Ready to face the impending impact.
The world seemed to slow as our auras clashed, barely a meter separating us. In a simultaneous surge, our blades crossed violently, generating an explosion of energy. The impact created a shockwave so powerful that it swept everything in its path within the cave, shaking the walls and raising dust. The two tornadoes, merging around us, formed a miasma of shimmering colors, mixing the flickers of flames with crackling lightning—a spectacle as majestic as it was apocalyptic.
Each of us was exerting all our strength to push the other back, determined to win this intense duel. But in a final clash, the power of our attacks unleashed, sending both of us flying backward. Like two fighters repelled by a storm, we found ourselves back in our starting positions, unharmed.
We seemed to be of equal strength, but that was only my imagination, a creation of my mind. My imaginary opponent existed only because I allowed him to use magic; in a way, I was launching attacks at myself through him. He was a perfect copy, a mirror of my skills and techniques. In reality, this confrontation was my way of probing my own weaknesses, testing my abilities by facing an exact version of myself. Every attack he launched was one that I decided the intensity of, seeking to identify where I could still improve.
"Well, how about we get serious?" I declared aloud, a threatening smile forming on my lips as I channeled the rest of my mana into my sensory and motor neurons.
Thunderclap Impulse.
It was one of the techniques I had developed by combining my knowledge from my old world with years of intense training in this cave. It harnessed lightning affinity mana to send electric currents through my nerves, accelerating my reflexes to a superhuman level.
The average human reaction time is about 0.3 seconds. With rigorous training, some fighters could reach 0.2 or even 0.15 seconds. But with "Thunderclap Impulse," I had managed to reduce that time to about 0.05 seconds, albeit for a brief moment.
My pupils dilated, and the hairs on my skin stood on end due to the electric currents coursing through my body.
My opponent, sensing the atmosphere change abruptly, firmly planted his right foot forward, his pure mana blade positioned to his left. The green glow emanating from the sword clearly indicated he was preparing a wind spell.
Taking a moment to charge his attack, he launched two quick thrusts. I knew exactly what would follow.
He was creating sharp wind blades, almost invisible to the naked eye, but with my reflexes amplified by Thunderclap Impulse, their movements seemed disarmingly slow.
The spell moved in a straight line, strictly following the trajectory of his sword. Though the speed was impressive, there were obvious flaws in this approach—vulnerabilities that I would take the time to reassess later.
I dodged the first wind blade with a fluid motion, it passed so close that I didn't even feel a breeze brush my hair. The second, I deflected with the flat of my blade, redirecting his attack away from me. Without losing a moment, I concentrated mana in my legs and dashed toward my imaginary clone, ready to counterattack.
But my opponent was not going to let me approach so easily. In a swift motion, he struck the ground beneath him violently. Immediately, several dozen stone pillars erupted from the earth, rising like a forest of stone between him and me, forming a natural barrier.
Sensing a disturbance in the mana beneath my feet, I quickly leaped from my position just in time to dodge a rock spike that shot up from the ground. Without wasting a moment, I resumed my charge, slicing through the stone pillars in my path or reducing them to dust with well-placed spells.
With a gust of wind, I propelled myself into the air, soaring several dozen meters above the ground. As I glided, I channeled an immense amount of mana into my free hand. Orange-yellow sparks crackled around my right arm, creating an aura of raw power. Without hesitation, I unleashed a curtain of lightning that struck my target below.
My imaginary opponent hastily created a wind barrier, trying to protect himself from the impact. In theory, the wind should mitigate the effect of the lightning, but the power of my attack was such that it pierced the barrier as if it didn't exist, hitting my target with devastating force. The resulting explosion illuminated the cave, casting shards of light in every direction.
Slowing my descent with wind magic, I touched down while watching the cloud of smoke rising around me. I knew full well that it would take much more than a simple lightning spell to incapacitate my opponent. I stayed alert, ready to react to the slightest movement.
As I sensed a rapid movement approaching, I turned my body to the left to dodge. The ice spear shot past me at high speed, crashing into the cave wall with force, leaving a frozen crater in its wake.
The dust raised by the impact revealed my imaginary clone, slowly advancing toward me. Its robe was half-torn, exposing deep burns that extended from its cold hand to its shoulder and torso.
How could I hurt an abstract entity like my imagination? It's simple; I never truly touched my opponent, but merely imagined him taking damage from my attacks. This method is useful for assessing the damage I could inflict in a real fight, turning every strike into a valuable lesson about my abilities.
Snapping out of my thoughts, I saw my opponent closing the distance between us, his lightning and wind mana significantly boosting his speed and power.
I reacted quickly, gathering mana in the sole of my left foot, shaping it to manifest in an appropriate form.
A series of blazing explosions erupted beneath my feet, propelling me directly next to my imaginary clone.
Surrounded by a whirlwind of lightning, we clashed in a relentless dance of sword strikes. Every attack I launched was immediately countered by my imaginary clone, and in return, his assaults echoed against my parries. Lightning crackled around us, illuminating the cave with a fierce, violent glow, while gusts of wind intertwined in a devastating fury.
The air hummed with our energy, every impact of our blades sending shockwaves that reverberated off the rocky walls. The lightning and wind formed a chaotic storm, throwing out bursts of power that ripped through the darkness of the cave. Each movement was a deadly dance, the sound of our mana-forged blades clashing resounded like a symphony of war. The cave, bearing witness to our battle, trembled under the force of our strikes, fragments of stone falling like raindrops in a storm.
In this whirlwind of energy, I felt every strike, every dodge as an extension of myself. It wasn't just a fight against an illusion, but a true test of my limits—a real battle I produced every day.
I could have easily ended this imaginary fight from the start, but as I said, this simulation—if you could even call it that—was designed for me to evaluate my strength and elemental spells with precision, and rework them as needed to correct any flaws. It's a necessary process to prepare me for the real challenges awaiting me outside.
Burst Blade Storm, the spell I was using, like my imaginary clone, aimed to enhance both my movement speed and the force of my sword strikes through a combination of lightning and wind. This spell is meant to make every slash as fast and sharp as lightning—an unstoppable storm. But even now, as I battle this replica of myself, I can see that this technique is far from perfect. It lacks fluidity; its movements are sometimes disorderly, poorly synchronized. Observing my clone use it, the imperfections become even more glaring, as if every clumsy motion reflected my own flaws.
And I'm working to correct those flaws now, because not only do they cause me to waste energy with unnecessary motions, but they could also cost me my life in a real fight.
"Hm, am I being too hard on myself?" I murmured, narrowly dodging a blow that could have taken my head off.
I could easily justify my mistakes by telling myself that my body was still that of a child. After all, it's been about three years since I reincarnated, and based on my height, I must be around ten or eleven years old. Getting used to this new life was a challenge in itself.
As a former seasoned warrior, it's particularly hard to adjust to such a frail and underdeveloped body. It's like trying to put a sports car engine in an old frame that struggles to move.
That's precisely why I need to build a perfect foundation. I must train my body to adapt to my swordsmanship and magic, so I can make the most of it in the future. By strengthening this foundation now, I'll be able to fully harness my potential as I grow.
Several dozen minutes had passed in this infernal clash against my imaginary opponent. And after analyzing everything I needed to improve, I finally decided to bring an end to this fight, which was beginning to wear me down.
Increasing the pace of my attacks, I easily shattered my opponent's guard. His mana blade disintegrated under the force of my strikes, and his lightning storm dissipated in an instant, like a candle snuffed out by the wind.
Dismissing my mana sword, I absorbed a large amount of mana particles, channeling them into my body and transforming them into ice particles. Immediately, the air around me grew colder, the temperature dropping at an alarming rate. The ground beneath my feet began to freeze, cracking under the intense cold. My ice mana swirled slowly around me, forming a crystalline aura that seemed to wait for the perfect moment to unleash its full power.
My imaginary opponent tried to flee, realizing that this spell would be far more devastating than anything I had used so far. He cloaked himself in a mantle of fire, desperately hoping that this protection would save him.
But it was futile.
Before my opponent could even react, I surged forward, both hands pressed against his solar plexus. The concentrated ice within my palms overflowed, its energy cascading outward, making the air even colder as it sought to obliterate any resistance.
"Absolute Zero."
A heavy silence filled the cave the moment the words left my lips, as if the entire world held its breath. The transformation was immediate. The once-solid ground turned into a sea of ice, cracking under the pressure of the intense cold. Even the walls seemed swallowed by an eternal winter, their surfaces gleaming with a thin layer of frost. It was as though the cave had been imprisoned in a frozen time, where even the air hesitated to move.
I fell to the ground, landing heavily on my backside, gasping for breath. Exhaustion washed over me, each inhale becoming more laborious. Channeling such a powerful spell, capable of concentrating and releasing an immense amount of mana, rapidly drained my reserves. Absolute Zero was not an ancient spell—I had developed it recently—and its nature demanded a perfect mastery of ice magic. I had to gather a vast amount of this frigid energy and then release it all at once, freezing everything within a certain radius. A spell this devastating came with a cost, one that my still-developing body struggled to bear.
This spell is incredibly potent and highly effective against multiple enemies. However, in a one-on-one duel, its utility is limited, though still destructive. The real issue lies in its massive mana consumption. I must be absolutely certain that I can eliminate my opponent in one blow before using it, or else risk running out of mana, leaving myself vulnerable.
Adding to that, my small hands are now covered in painful frostbite. I must have overextended, surpassing what my body can handle at this stage.
It wasn't just Absolute Zero that had drained me, but the entirety of this imaginary battle.
Since my opponent wasn't real, I had to constantly maintain a flow of mana for the fight to continue, which, beyond depleting my reserves, also put a considerable strain on my mind.
I've come to understand that a mana user must learn to split their consciousness in two to perform multiple tasks simultaneously. This not only allows for actions to be carried out in parallel but also enables the casting of spells mentally, without speaking, and much more rapidly.
Thanks to that, I managed to put into practice a theory that aims to enhance shadow boxing, making it even more realistic. However, the key wasn't just splitting my consciousness in two—but in several parts.
It took an enormous amount of time and effort to achieve this mastery. A grueling challenge for my mind, which I doubt remains entirely sane after spending so much time in this wretched cave.
But splitting my consciousness into multiple parts proved to be more than just an exercise for shadow boxing; it allowed me to form and cast multiple spells simultaneously. This ability opened up a new dimension in my battles, transforming every fight into a complex dance of magic and strategy.
As the cold began to seep into my bones, I surrounded myself with a thin aura of fire, using what remained of my reserves. The comforting warmth slightly thawed the ice beneath me.
Crossing my legs, I assumed a meditation posture, seeking to absorb the mana present in the atmosphere. This daily meditation helped me refill my reserves and calm my mind.
However, meditation doesn't only serve to replenish my mana reserves but also purifies the mana circulating within me.
This was a surprising discovery I made early on during my time in the cave, and this method has contributed significantly to my current growth.
The purification of mana works differently from that of ki. While for ki, one must literally saturate their energy core until it bursts to create a larger reserve, the cultivation method for mana is much gentler and more efficient. By cultivating external mana, I manage to extract and purify the energy within myself.
This process doesn't just increase my reserves; it also enhances the quality of my mana. By cleansing impurities and stagnant energy, I refine each particle of mana into a more powerful, more concentrated essence. This way, I not only gain access to a larger volume of mana, but it also becomes more refined, amplifying the effectiveness of my spells and strengthening my abilities.
Mana cultivation is not the only thing that has become essential to bolstering my strength; the elements also play a crucial role in my growth.
In my previous world, there were specialized schools teaching the manipulation of different elements. Of course, controlling the elements with mana, as I do now, is vastly different from wielding them with ki, given the difference in power between these two energies.
But thanks to that knowledge, I've managed to produce and manipulate the fundamental elements that make up our world.
Pure Mana.
Pure mana represents the most refined form of this energy, the easiest to shape, but also the most limited in its effects on individual elements of the external world, even though it's not really an element itself.
You can give it a multitude of forms—wrap it around objects, project it to pierce or explode, or even infuse it into elements to control them, as I did with my clone when I formed pure mana swords.
I suppose that a mana user without a specific affinity can manipulate any element tangible enough to be grabbed through telekinesis, whether it's water, lava, metal, stone, or ice. Pure mana can cut, shape, and project them, even reinforcing their structure. However, this method is often far more exhausting than elemental magic.
One of the most underestimated uses of pure mana lies in its potential. It can be solid like a barrier, fluid like water with increased surface tension, or destructive like a surge of condensed lightning, all limited only by the user's imagination.
Finally, being pure, mana is not as vulnerable to other elements, making constructs made of pure mana generally more resilient in battles against elemental magic users.
Fire and Lightning Mana.
Heat is ever-present within us. It is what keeps us alive, for life itself is a complex, vibrant furnace.
Many perceive fire as a destructive force, but it is much more than just plasma hues, modulated by the type of mana.
Fire magic goes beyond mere destruction. It allows the reading of thermal signatures of living beings and even the injection of this type of mana to control the combustion reactions that fuel our bodies. Used with precision, it can burn specific elements while preserving what needs to remain intact. Heat can also be redirected, allowing the mage to turn water into ice or lava into stone by reversing the process, heating or cooling as needed by the user.
Lightning shares similarities with fire, but instead of vibrating mana particles to turn them into red, burning matter, it requires a different vibration, allowing the particles to crackle and assemble into bolts of lightning. This complexity makes it an even more essential element in our existence.
For example, nerve signals are low-intensity lightning bolts. This means that a lightning mage can not only stop or intensify them but also modify them, whether in their own body or someone else's, provided they have sufficient control. This is what allowed me to apply the Thunderclap Impulse spell.
The possibilities of lightning magic are vast; creation of phantom sensations, paralysis, illusions. All these are within reach for a skilled user.
We must not forget the root of this element: the sky. An advanced user of this magic could theoretically harness heat to form storm clouds, then inject lightning mana to channel natural electricity. This would allow them to use far less mana while generating massive amounts of electric current, which they could then control at will.
Water and Ice Mana.
Water mana is one of the most versatile elements. It can be manipulated in various forms, from creating powerful waves, precise water jets, or even generating steam. Its flexibility allows not only for attack but also for defense, healing, or environmental control. For instance, a water mage can cleanse wounds using the soothing properties of the element or create walls of water for protection.
When it comes to ice, it adds a strategic dimension to water's use. By lowering the temperature, the user can solidify water to form sharp projectiles or create impenetrable barriers, more in tune with creation. Additionally, ice has an immobilizing effect, leaving opponents vulnerable. A clever approach is to combine water and ice, alternating between the two to disorient the enemy and exploit their respective weaknesses.
The interaction between these two types of mana offers a range of possibilities. For example, a mage could summon a snowstorm, blending the force of water and the cold of ice to create extreme conditions, thereby disturbing the balance of their adversaries. This duality makes water and ice invaluable allies, both in offense and defense.
Wind Mana.
Wind mana is an element of great subtlety, often underestimated for its ability to influence battles strategically. Its manipulation allows not only the creation of powerful gusts but also the control of projectiles' direction and the modification of the environment at will. For instance, a wind mage can create an air shield to deflect attacks or use updrafts to rise into the air.
As a light and dynamic element, wind offers great agility. Wind attacks can be both sharp and invisible, surprising opponents. By concentrating mana, a mage can generate air blades capable of cutting through solid materials, or whirlwinds that disorient and push back enemies.
Moreover, wind can also be used to manipulate other elements. For example, by directing the heat of a fire or dispersing fog clouds, a wind mage can turn the battlefield to their advantage. With advanced mastery, they could even control gases, creating smoke screens to hide or poison their enemies.
The essence of wind lies in its ability to adapt and surprise, making it a formidable ally in any confrontation.
Earth Mana.
Earth magic is often seen as the most robust and stable of the mana attributes. It allows not only the shaping of the terrain but also the creation of impenetrable barriers, massive pillars, and even the ability to summon golems or other stone creatures, though I am not entirely sure of that as I haven't reached such a level of mastery in this magic. Otherwise, I wouldn't still be using shadow boxing by now.
This magic relies on the solidity of materials, turning the earth into a formidable weapon. By manipulating earth mana, I can raise walls, create trenches, or even cause localized earthquakes to disorient opponents.
One of the most fascinating aspects of earth magic is its ability to control different types of rock, including crystals with unique properties. Though I have only managed to form a few small crystals, it's already a good start. Crystals can be more resistant and durable than rock, giving me a significant advantage in combat.
Moreover, an advanced earth magic user can sense vibrations in the ground—something I can already do in certain areas—allowing them to detect the presence of enemies or underground movements without relying on their other senses. This ability to pick up fluctuations in the earth gives a decisive advantage, enabling the mage to anticipate the opponent's moves and react with deadly precision.
Thus, earth magic is not only a symbol of strength and defense but also offers endless tactical possibilities, reinforcing a mage's presence on the battlefield.
But that's all I've managed to accomplish over the course of these three long years, I thought, sighing. Of course, it shows how far I've come in exploring this mysterious energy, mana, all without books or guidance.
However, I know well enough that mana can only produce six elements. I haven't had the chance yet to delve into elements that remain unknown to me. After all, in my previous world, elements were fairly superficial and limited when it came to the ki pool.
It's not necessarily a bad thing, though; it's better that I focus on perfecting what I already have before thinking about other elements that I have yet to master.
If I had to rank the elements I've mastered the best, it would be fire first, followed by lightning, then wind, ice, earth, and finally water.
This highlights the long path that still lies ahead of me. To escape from that formidable woman, I will need perfect mastery of every aspect that composes mana. Otherwise, I'll remain at the mercy of those who've already understood and manipulated this mysterious energy, like that wretched witch. My development can only be a relentless pursuit to achieve that mastery and surpass my limits.
.
.
.
I stretched slowly, feeling my muscles stiff after staying still for over an hour. My reserves were now filled to the brim, though I could only sense a slight improvement in myself. It wasn't surprising— the more my mana pool expanded, the longer it took to strengthen it and notice the effects. Perhaps the solution would be to extend the duration of my meditation sessions? It could help optimize this process.
I started walking slowly, scanning my surroundings carefully. Almost all the ice had melted, leaving behind scattered puddles of water on the ground. The cave bore the marks of my countless training sessions; craters littered the ground, sword marks slashed across the walls, rocks were broken into pieces, and here and there, burn marks scorched the floor. Every scar, every crack in the stone, was a testament to my efforts and determination.
Wait a minute! Could that woman really make me pay for the damage?
"Bah! Whatever. Who told you to lock me up here? Me, a King?" I said with a mocking smile, swinging my hand behind me nonchalantly, as if the very idea of answering to my captor seemed ridiculous.
"Hmm... speaking of which, should I take a look outside?" I asked myself curiously. Although I had long refused to leave this cave, fearing that the woman would stop me, I was beginning to think that I was strong enough now. It surely wouldn't hurt to take a peek, see where I really was, and then return as if nothing had happened.
After all, what harm could it do? It's been years since I've seen the outside sky. Honestly, it would probably do me good, and I'd love to see how different the landscapes of this world are from my former one.
Resolute, I headed toward the center of the cave, where the breach in the ceiling roughly was. I couldn't just launch myself up with a gust of wind to reach the top. Not that I couldn't make it, but rather, I'd risk missing the breach and falling down like an idiot. Not that it would kill me, of course.
And besides, I reluctantly planned on coming back to this cave anyway. It's just a simple stroll outside.
I really can't wait to see what it looks like, because not once has the light in this cave dimmed. It was nice not sinking into complete darkness, but could this mean it's always daytime in this world?
Anyway, I might as well get started if I want answers, rather than sitting here pondering, I thought as I extended my hands. I began channeling earth magic, drawing the surrounding rocks to me. They rose, obedient to my will, and I carefully stacked them in the center of the cave, gradually forming a kind of mini-mountain, high enough to reach the ceiling and the opening above.
.
.
.
After what felt like countless minutes, I finally completed the rocky mountain. Each stone was meticulously placed, creating a structure perfectly designed for me to climb without difficulty. I even had to generate rocks from my own mana, as there wasn't enough material in the cave to reach such a height. It had cost me more energy than I anticipated, but the result was worth the effort.
Wasting no time, I began climbing the mountain I had built, carefully placing my feet to avoid tripping. You'd have to be quite careless to fall from such a secure structure, I thought with satisfaction as I admired my work. The climb was easy, and each step brought me closer to the daylight.
Reaching the top, I paused to catch my breath, crouching down, only about thirty centimeters from the exit. Placing my hands on the surface near the breach, I prepared to use my mana. But before I could act, I heard noises coming from the other side of the ceiling. The opening began to vibrate, with bits of earth crumbling around me as if someone was striking from the other side.
My heart raced, a mix of curiosity and apprehension rising within me. Who could it be?
Was it her? Had she noticed that I was about to escape my cage? Perhaps she had stationed a guard or cast a spell to keep me contained? A flood of questions surged through my mind, mixing anxiety with anticipation. I slowly straightened up, listening intently to the noises reverberating from the other side.
But I wasn't paying attention. Lost in thought, as I stood, I misplaced my foot behind me and stumbled, tumbling down the mountain…
"Huh?!"
I rolled down the slope like a snowball, enveloping my arms in mana to soften the blows. Every impact against the ground was a wave of surprise mixed with irritation, but I shielded myself as best as I could. Finally, I found myself back at the bottom, dizzy but intact, a mix of amusement and frustration at my own clumsiness.
"Urgh, did I really just fall like that? How embarrassing..." I groaned, rubbing my head as I struggled to sit up. However, my attention was quickly drawn to the breach, which was starting to crack more and more.
The light suddenly intensified, the opening widening completely and revealing a brightness so blinding that I had to shield my eyes. But that was the least of my concerns; I desperately hoped that whoever was on the other side wasn't her or anyone connected to her. The last thing I wanted was to be fully chained up for simply trying to leave the cave.
As I adjusted to the light, I could make out a small figure at the edge of the hole. However, the distance and glare made their appearance blurry. I gathered mana in my eyes to sharpen my vision, and what I saw left me a little puzzled.
The figure that had broken the bars of my natural prison appeared to be... a young girl? She didn't seem very strong, which explained the lack of any overwhelming presence from her.
She's just an ordinary person.
But I couldn't rely on that first impression. It was entirely possible that she was concealing her true strength, giving the appearance of an innocent sheep while in reality being a fierce wolf. Maybe she was sent by that woman?
Cautiously, I cleared my throat and spoke, unsure if she could hear me:
"Uh, hello?"