The first rays of sunlight peeked over the horizon, stirring Noctis from his uneasy slumber on the rooftop. His eyes fluttered open, squinting against the dawn's brightness. He sat up abruptly, his heart racing as reality set in.
"It... it wasn't a dream," Noctis muttered under his breath, rubbing his eyes before pinching his arm hard. "Ouch! Definitely not dreaming. This is real. I'm really here in Dicathen, at Etistin, a city of the Sapin kingdom, I have already realized about the world I am in by the boys lingering memories or my memories I can't tell did I took over the boy or jus regained my memories , leaving that aside during my stealing last night I heard two people talking about Etistin city bay which I remembered because of the war that happened here in the story of tbate."
The vibrant colors of the sunrise painted the sky, momentarily distracting him from the turmoil of his thoughts. As the initial shock faded, his mind raced back to the revelations of the previous night—breathing techniques and their potential.
Taking a deep breath, he focused on the air filling his lungs. "Breath Styles... they increase lung capacity and oxygen in the blood. Demon Slayer described it as improving cardiovascular performance and keeping the body functioning even under extreme stress. Better trained lungs mean more oxygen, which fuels muscles and sustains energy output without failing. That could work here, right? Well, I can only try and check."
Noctis stood and stretched his stiff muscles. Pacing the rooftop, he gesticulated as he spoke aloud to himself, his thoughts racing.
"Flame Breathing mimics fire—powerful, singular strikes. It replicates flames with movements, techniques, and abilities," he explained to himself, visualizing the forms he'd studied. "First Form: Unknowing Fire. A horizontal slash aimed at decapitation. Simple but deadly. Then there's Rising Scorching Sun—a vertical upward slash. Blazing Universe, Blooming Flame Undulation, and Flame Tiger. And finally... Ninth Form: Rengoku. A devastating dash that cuts everything in its path. Powerful, but is it right for me?"
He shook his head, considering the alternative. "Thunder Breathing is all about speed—lightning-fast attacks to overwhelm the enemy in an instant. It channels power into the legs for explosive movements. First Form: Thunderclap and Flash. Quick-draw speed like lightning tearing through the sky. Then the advanced techniques—Sixfold, Eightfold, Godspeed. Each one faster and deadlier. But is speed what I need most?"
A cool morning breeze ruffled Noctis's hair, carrying the scent of baking bread from a nearby bakery. His stomach growled, reminding him of his precarious situation.
"Focus, Noctis. Food can wait. I need to figure this out first."
Determined, he moved to the center of the rooftop, closing his eyes and steadying his breathing. He shifted into a stance, imagining flames licking at his fingertips.
"Flame Breathing. First Form—Unknowing Fire."
He attempted the imagined kata, dashing forward and swinging his arm in a horizontal arc. But his movements were clumsy and uncoordinated. Stumbling, he nearly lost his balance.
"Damn it. This is harder than I thought. Maybe Thunder Breathing would be easier?"
Switching tactics, Noctis tried to envision lightning coursing through his veins. He took another deep breath, focusing on speed and agility.
"Thunder Breathing. First Form—Thunderclap and Flash."
He mimicked the motion, imagining a quick-draw strike. This time, his movements were smoother, but still far from the superhuman feats he envisioned.
Frustrated, he stopped, running a hand through his hair. "It's not working. Am I missing something? Maybe I need to understand mana better first? No... mana's not the problem. Maybe I need to take in more oxygen or something."
As the sun climbed higher, the sounds of the awakening city drifted up to his rooftop sanctuary. He glanced down at the bustling streets below.
"I can't stay up here forever. I need resources, information... and definitely some food."
With a determined breath, Noctis made his way to the edge of the rooftop, searching for a safe way down. He took one last look at the sunrise before beginning his descent.
"Flame or Thunder... I'll figure it out. But first, I need to survive in this world."
As Noctis reached the ground, the bustling sounds of Etistin's marketplace engulfed him. His eyes widened at the colorful array of stalls and the diverse crowd. "It's even more overwhelming up close..."
The aroma of fresh bread and spices wafted through the air, making his stomach growl louder. Glancing around nervously, he spotted a fruit stand nearby. "I hate to do this, but I don't have much choice right now."
With practiced nonchalance, he approached the stand, discreetly palming an apple as he pretended to examine the wares. Quickly melting into the crowd, he tucked the apple into his sleeve. "Sorry... I'll make it up someday, I promise."
Finding a quiet alley, Noctis leaned against a wall and bit into the apple, savoring each mouthful. Chewing slowly, he observed the passersby. "I need more than just food. Information is just as crucial..."
As he finished his meager meal, he noticed a pub across the street, still lively despite the early hour. Straightening up, he brushed off his clothes. "Perfect. Where there's drink, there's loose lips."
Cautiously, he approached the pub, positioning himself near an open window to eavesdrop. Leaning against the wall, he pretended to rest while straining to hear the conversations inside. At first, the voices were too muffled to make out clearly. Edging closer, he was careful not to draw attention.
"Did you hear the kid still has no heir? Is he... you know that," one man said before breaking into laughter.
The other man hushed him. "Shush... if the guards hear you, we'll be in trouble. Though what you said makes sense, but I don't think that's the case..."
His eyes widened as snippets of conversation reached him. "Wait... the royal family of Sapin?"
Two men inside discussed the king's lack of heirs, despite his marriage to a beautiful woman. Furrowing his brow, he processed the information. "King Glayder and Queen Priscilla... but no Curtis? That means..."
The realization hit like a thunderbolt, nearly causing him to lose his balance. Stumbling back from the window, his eyes widened with shock. "I'm not just in a different world... I'm in a different time! Years before Arthur, before everything I thought I knew!"
The implications of the discovery swirled in his mind, both terrifying and exhilarating. A slow smile spread across his face as he clenched his fist. "This changes everything. I have time... time to grow stronger, to prepare for the upcoming in evadable fights and war."