Ravi walked slowly back to the village, the sun casting long shadows across the fields as evening approached. His conversation with Shin lingered in his mind, but not for the reasons most would expect. The boy's thirst for adventure was impressive, but something Shin had said sparked a memory—something crucial from the novel that Ravi had momentarily overlooked.
**The body.**
He had been so focused on the soul servants and the rune system that he had forgotten this world had more than just spiritual power. It had a physical power system too—one that was equally important.
"Of course," Ravi muttered to himself as he strolled past the small wooden houses of the village. "The more powerful the body, the stronger the weapon you can wield."
In the novel, it wasn't just the soul servants that made a person powerful. Those who sought true strength had to train their bodies relentlessly. The body acted as a vessel, and the stronger it became, the more powerful runes, weapons, and abilities a person could control. It was the physical equivalent of the spiritual power system, but often overlooked by those who were too focused on their soul servants.
**It's like that gate system from Naruto**, Ravi thought, drawing a comparison to the manga he used to read in his previous life. In this world, there were levels of body refinement, where unlocking each new level allowed a person to harness more power. The process was long and grueling, requiring years of physical training and discipline. However, once the body was strong enough, a person could wield legendary weapons and access the highest-level runes, which weaker individuals couldn't even dream of touching.
He remembered how the hero, Shin, would eventually master both systems—spiritual and physical. By the time he was fully developed, he could wield enormous weapons that ordinary people couldn't even lift. He'd combine that with his soul servants to become nearly unstoppable.
But Ravi? He had to decide if that was the path he wanted to follow.
He reached the small cottage that had been assigned to him when he first arrived in the village. It wasn't much—just a single room with a cot, a wooden table, and a few basic supplies—but it served its purpose. The cottage sat on the outskirts of the village, a little further from the main hustle and bustle. Ravi liked it that way. It gave him time to think without distraction.
He pushed open the door and stepped inside, lighting the small lantern on the table. The soft glow illuminated the room as he sat down, still lost in thought.
In the novel, the physical system had been reserved for only the most serious of warriors—those who dedicated their entire lives to strength and mastery of their bodies. For some, that path led to legendary weapons. Weapons that bonded with their wielders, growing stronger alongside them. Others trained their bodies so they could hold more runes, pushing the limits of what a human could endure.
Ravi looked down at his own hands. They didn't look like much—skinny, with calluses from his past life's struggles—but he knew that would change if he focused on training. This new body, the body of a war orphan in this world, had potential. And that potential needed to be unlocked if he was going to survive here.
But it wasn't just about survival anymore, was it? Ravi wasn't here just to live through the events of the novel—he wanted to thrive. He wanted to become strong enough that no one—not the gods, not the Outer Gods, not even the heroes of this world—could control him. And to do that, he needed to embrace both the spiritual and the physical systems.
Suddenly, a knock on the door interrupted his thoughts.
"Ravi? You in there?"
It was Shin's voice. Ravi shook his head, amused. Of course, the hero would show up unannounced. That's just how he was.
Ravi opened the door, and Shin stood there, a wide grin on his face. Behind him, the sky had turned a deep orange as the sun set behind the hills.
"I knew you wouldn't be sleeping yet," Shin said, his usual energetic tone laced with a bit of mischief.
Ravi raised an eyebrow. "What's up?"
"Come on, don't just sit in that tiny house all night. You gotta do something! It's not healthy to stay cooped up."
"I'm not cooped up," Ravi replied, but he couldn't help the small smile that tugged at the corner of his lips. Shin's enthusiasm was infectious.
"Seriously though," Shin continued, "you should come with me tomorrow. There's this small training ground up in the hills that the village uses. It's perfect for anyone who wants to train their body. And I think you could use it."
Ravi's eyes narrowed. Shin didn't know it, but he had just offered the exact opportunity Ravi needed.
"Training ground?" Ravi asked, feigning mild interest.
"Yeah," Shin said, nodding eagerly. "It's nothing fancy, but some of the village warriors train there every morning. There's equipment, and you can test your strength against some of the older fighters. They'll help you improve. I go there every couple of days, and trust me, it helps."
Ravi considered the offer. He had been planning to start training his body at some point, but this was sooner than expected. Then again, the faster he started, the faster he could build up his strength.
"All right," Ravi said. "I'll check it out."
Shin's face lit up. "Great! Meet me by the gate tomorrow morning. I'll introduce you to the others."
As Shin turned to leave, Ravi called out, "Hey, Shin."
"Yeah?"
Ravi paused for a moment, then asked, "Why do you train your body so much? You know most people rely on their soul servants once they awaken, right?"
Shin shrugged, his expression thoughtful for a moment. "I guess I just want to be strong in every way I can, you know? My dad used to say that a strong body keeps the mind and spirit in check. Besides, who knows what kind of weapon I'll awaken when my spirit servants appear? I want to be able to handle anything."
Ravi nodded, impressed. "Makes sense."
Shin grinned again. "See you tomorrow, then."
As Shin jogged off into the twilight, Ravi leaned against the doorframe, watching him go.
**A strong body keeps the mind and spirit in check**.
Shin wasn't wrong. And in this world, where physical power could rival the strength of soul servants, mastering the body was just as important as mastering the spirit.
Ravi closed the door and returned to his small table. He needed a plan—a training regimen to strengthen his body alongside his soul powers. Because if he wanted to become truly OP, he'd have to master both systems. And tomorrow, that plan would begin.