After helping Jordan clean the utensils, Adam returned to his room. The air felt heavy, and his thoughts swirled like an unstoppable storm.
Walking to the window, he gazed outside. His room overlooked a dense forest, its dark canopy barely illuminated by the faint light of the moon.
Adam has seen that where this house is there are four more big tall trees which are completely dark outside, seeing this darkness he cannot even understand whether it is morning or night.
Shadows danced between the trees, the silence of the wilderness broken only by the occasional rustle of leaves.
Adam sighed deeply and moved back to his bed, collapsing onto the mattress. Yet, sleep refused to come. Lying on his back, he stared at the wooden ceiling, his mind restless. Thoughts of his weaknesses gnawed at him, their weight pressing heavily on his chest.
How can I fix this? he wondered. How can I increase my mana reserves?
The question repeated itself over and over until Adam sat upright, his frustration bubbling to the surface. His gaze turned inward, sifting through memories of his past life on modern Earth.
Suddenly, an idea struck him. Yoga!
He remembered a technique he had learned during college—a breathing exercise meant to restore life energy and calm the mind. Could this ancient practice help him here? Could it expand his mana reserves?
But Adam thinks that world was different, this world is different, maybe yoga doesn't work here and I waste my time just by doing such work, but he slaps both his cheeks with both his hands.
Adam whispered to himself, his voice firm, "I won't know until I try."
Determined, he slid off the bed and sat cross-legged on the wooden floor, adopting the lotus position. Closing his eyes, he took a deep breath, focusing on his core.
Slowly, he exhaled, recalling the breathing techniques he had practiced long ago.
He began with a simple rhythm, inhaling deeply through his nose and holding his breath. Using his thumb, he pressed one nostril shut and exhaled slowly through the other. At first, it felt like nothing was happening.
But as Adam continued, a strange warmth began to spread in his chest and stomach. The sensation was faint at first, but it grew stronger with each passing moment.
Beads of sweat appeared on his forehead as the warmth turned into a burning heat. Adam's breathing quickened, but he refused to stop. The heat intensified, radiating throughout his body. His shirt clung to him, damp with sweat.
Something's happening, he thought, his excitement mingling with unease.
There is a lot of heat being generated inside his body which he is able to vent out and while he is spreading this heat around the house Adam thinks "I don't know what is happening but something is definitely happening."
"M-my mana reserve," Adam whispered to himself, his voice shaky. "Show me my mana reserve."
Adam has said this in English due to which he wants to check his mana reserve.
In an instant, a translucent blue screen appeared before his eyes, numbers glowing brightly.
2028 / 2028
Adam froze, his heart pounding. What? He blinked rapidly, staring at the numbers. "But… my mana reserve was only 1008!"
Ram gets very surprised to see the results. He did not think that he would get such results. He thought that even if there is a difference, it will be very little, but it is almost clear to him that mana reserve.
Realization dawned on him, and a wide grin spread across his face. It worked. The yoga—it worked!
His breathing steadied as he marveled at the results. The practice had increased his mana reserve significantly. Adam's mind raced with possibilities. If a single session could yield such results, what could he achieve with consistent practice?
Excitement surged within him, dispelling his exhaustion. Adam decided then and there that he wouldn't sleep. He would continue the practice, refining his mana reserves further.
Just as he was about to resume, the sound of his door creaking open made him pause. Adam turned his head sharply, his body tensing.
Standing in the doorway was Jordan, his expression unreadable.
"Master Jordan," Adam said, surprised.
Adam wants to tell his result to Jordan, that's why he looked towards Jordan with great excitement, but as soon as he opens his mouth.
Before Adam could say anything more, Jordan's eyes narrowed, and his voice thundered, "Adam, if you want to train under me, you will follow my every instruction. And when I tell you to rest, you will rest!"
Adam flinched at the harsh tone but remained silent, lowering his gaze.
"I know you're eager," Jordan continued, his voice softening slightly. "You're desperate to protect your village and your people. But you must also take care of your body. The training I have planned for you tomorrow isn't something you can endure if you're already exhausted."
Adam stood slowly, his legs trembling from the effort. He met Jordan's gaze, guilt evident on his face. "I… I'm sorry, Master Jordan," Adam said quietly. "I won't do it again."
Jordan's sharp eyes softened as he observed Adam's sincerity. But something caught his attention. His gaze lingered on Adam, sensing a change in the young man's energy.
What is this? Jordan thought, his brows furrowing. His mana feels… refined, as if it's passed through a filter.
Jordan's surprise grew as he realized what had happened. Could he have unlocked a breathing technique on his own?
The thought left Jordan speechless. He shook his head, suppressing his curiosity for the moment.
Adam, too weak to stand properly, used his hands to steady himself as he climbed back into bed. He lay down, his body heavy with fatigue. Looking at Jordan, he whispered, "Master Jordan, I'm truly sorry. I'll follow your instructions from now on."
Jordan nodded, his expression stern but understanding. Without another word, he turned and closed the door behind him, leaving Adam to rest.
After Jordan left, Adam lay on his bed, his thoughts restless despite his physical exhaustion.
His muscles ached from the strain of the previous day's efforts, but his mind kept replaying Jordan's words, analyzing their meaning and weight.
"If you want to protect your village, your people, then control yourself first." Those words echoed in his mind.
Adam sighed deeply, shifting to find a more comfortable position.
He stared at the wooden ceiling of the small room, the dim light of the moon spilling through the window.
The rustle of leaves and distant sounds of the forest surrounded him, but instead of finding peace, Adam's thoughts churned like a raging storm.
Finally, he closed his eyes and took deliberate, steady breaths. His body began to relax, and the cacophony in his head dulled, surrendering to the pull of sleep. Though uneasy, sleep eventually claimed him, and the night passed in fitful dreams.
The morning sunlight barely penetrated the dense forest canopy, casting a faint glow inside the room. Adam stirred at the sensation of a firm hand gripping his shoulder.
His eyes fluttered open, and his vision adjusted to see Jordan standing beside him.
Jordan's stern face was illuminated faintly by the morning light. For a brief moment, Adam blinked, disoriented, his mind struggling to place where he was.
But then, the memories of the night before surged forward, filling the gaps. He scrambled to his feet in a rush, his movements clumsy and sluggish.
"Master Jordan," Adam muttered groggily, rubbing his eyes. "Is it time for training already?"
"Yes," Jordan replied with a nod. "Are you ready?"
Adam stretched, his body still stiff from sleep, but his resolve shone through his tired expression. "I am."
Jordan didn't wait for further confirmation. He turned and walked out of the room with a purposeful stride. Adam followed closely behind, shaking off the last remnants of sleep.
As they stepped outside, the air was cool and crisp, carrying the earthy aroma of the forest. Adam paused, his eyes widening as he took in his surroundings.
Massive trees surrounded the wooden house, their trunks thick and ancient. Their leafy branches formed a dense canopy overhead, creating an eerie twilight that clung to the area.
Adam craned his neck upward, squinting as faint beams of sunlight fought their way through the foliage.
For a moment, he wondered, Is it still night? But then he caught a glimpse of the sun beginning to rise in the east.
Its rays were blocked by the forest's towering trees, shrouding the area in darkness.
"This place feels alive," Adam murmured to himself, marveling at the overwhelming presence of nature around him.
Jordan stood a few paces ahead, waiting patiently. For the first time, Adam noticed his master's attire.
Jordan wore a traditional Japanese-style robe, its deep fabric tied securely with a sash. At his side, a katana rested in its sheath, the worn hilt speaking of its frequent use.
"If you want to become a great warrior," Jordan began, his voice cutting through the silence, "you must first become a great survivor."
Adam frowned, unsure of the meaning behind Jordan's words. Before he could voice his confusion, Jordan continued, "In this forest, everything you eat must be earned. That includes breakfast."
The weight of the statement hit Adam, and he straightened, nodding in understanding.
Jordan studied him for a moment, then reached into his pocket and pulled out a small folded cloth. He unfolded it carefully, revealing two white wristbands.
"These will help you grow stronger," Jordan said, holding the bands in his hands.
Adam tilted his head in curiosity, studying the strange black symbols etched into the fabric.
The markings were intricate and seemed to pulse faintly with a strange energy, but their meaning was lost on him.
"What are they?" Adam asked, his tone cautious.
Jordan didn't reply immediately. Instead, he stepped forward and grabbed Adam's right hand. Before Adam could react, Jordan secured one of the wristbands tightly around his wrist.
The effect was immediate. A sudden, crushing weight bore down on Adam's arm. His hand dropped to the ground like a stone, his muscles straining against the unexpected force.
"What… what is this?" Adam gasped, his knees buckling slightly as he tried to keep his balance.
"This device consumes your mana," Jordan explained, his tone calm and matter-of-fact. "The more mana it absorbs, the heavier it becomes."
Adam stared at the wristband in disbelief, beads of sweat forming on his forehead as he fought to lift his arm.
Before he could fully process the situation, Jordan grabbed his left hand and secured the second band around his other wrist.
The added weight was unbearable. Adam's other hand crashed to the ground, and he fell to his knees, panting heavily.
His muscles screamed in protest as he struggled to regain his composure.
"These bands serve two purposes," Jordan continued, his arms crossed as he observed Adam's struggle. "First, they will teach you mana control.
Second, they will enhance your physical strength."
Adam gritted his teeth, his arms trembling as he tried to raise them. Every movement felt like he was pushing against an invisible mountain.
Jordan's voice was steady as he gave instructions. "The less mana you release, the lighter these bands will become. Learn to contain your energy, and you'll master both control and strength."
Adam closed his eyes, his breathing labored but steady. He focused inward, imagining his mana retreating into his core.
It was difficult, his mind racing as he tried to grasp control over the invisible energy within him.
Jordan observed silently, a flicker of approval crossing his face as Adam began to show signs of progress.
Minutes passed, and Adam's trembling began to subside. The weight of the bands, though still oppressive, seemed to lessen slightly as he found his focus.
"Good," Jordan said finally, his voice firm. "But this is just the beginning."
Adam nodded faintly, sweat dripping from his brow. His muscles burned with exhaustion, but his determination was stronger than ever.
The chapter ends here.