How does awakening work?
That question had existed for ages. Yet, even now, no one could provide a definitive answer.
However, humanity has managed to uncover some insights through research.
Anyone who excelled in a particular skill had a higher likelihood of Awakening. For instance, those adept in physical sports like boxing, taekwondo, karate, or other physically demanding activities often Awakened as Warrior-types.
On the other hand, individuals skilled in intellectual pursuits—such as scientists, cryptographers, or mathematicians—tended to awaken magical abilities, categorizing them as Magicians.
Although the exact method for awakening remained unknown, it was a widely accepted fact that those who had awakened could grow stronger through cultivation.
Cultivation, however, was exclusive to those who had awakened because they only possessed a mana pool. Without a mana pool, cultivation to grow stronger was impossible.
But the Divine Harmony technique was different.
The first stage of the Divine Harmony cultivation technique was Body Refinement.
Your body needed to be strong to bear great power.
This stage focused on building a solid physical foundation.
Without a robust foundation, no matter how impressive your power output might become, you would inevitably crumble.
Such were the introductory words of the Divine Harmony technique.
In other words, although Ernest wasn't an awakened individual, he should still be able to cultivate based on the initial guidelines of the Divine Harmony technique.
To reach the first stage, Body Refinement, Ernest's first step was to draw all the mana particles around him into his body. Logically speaking, this was impossible since Ernest doesn't have a mana pool.
However, according to the Divine Harmony cultivation technique, it was still feasible by channeling the gathered mana particles into the mana circuits within his body.
While the mana particles couldn't be stored, circulating them through his mana circuits could strengthen his physical foundation and the mana pool he would eventually form.
He was to continuously circulate these particles infinitely. Once he could do so without meditating, he would have successfully reached the first stage: Body Refinement.
The problem, however, was that although every individual was born with mana circuits, each person's circuit was unique.
Even though the technique provided detailed instructions on how Ernest should circulate mana through his mana circuits, if he wasn't familiar with the layout of his circuits, he wouldn't be able to execute the Divine Harmony technique.
Recklessly channeling mana through his circuits would guarantee severe injuries.
"Luckily, I've already memorized the structure of my Mana Circuits."
It sounded impossible, given that every individual's circuits contained hundreds of thousands of intersections, but Ernest had memorized his entire mana circuit layout long ago. It was part of his efforts to lift the curse afflicting his body.
A nostalgic smile crossed his face as he recalled observing his circuits.
Finally, he began channeling the gathered mana particles little by little.
[Progress: 0.1%]
[Progress: 0.2%]
[Progress: 0.3%]
As he cultivated, his progress in achieving the first stage of the Divine Harmony technique steadily increased.
***
One week later.
The rising sun from the east roused Ernest from his meditative state. He opened his eyes. Through the transparent glass window, sunlight streamed into the room where he was staying.
The warm sunlight, unlike anything in the Netherworld, accompanied the sight of a bright blue sky. Outside the window, the modern cityscape was clearly visible, as his room was located on a high floor.
"What a peace!"
He stood up and stretched his muscles.
A week ago, his muscles had been stiff from being in a vegetative state for so long. But after a week of stretching, he could now move freely.
Instead of dwelling on his previous discomfort, he focused on the progress he'd made in his cultivation over the past week.
Despite meditating for an entire week, he had yet to awaken. However, the curse's side effects had significantly diminished. The pain he once felt was no longer as excruciating as before.
Still, a thick wall seemed to block his path to Awakening.
[Progress: 90%]
Ernest's cultivation progress toward the first stage of Divine Harmony had stagnated at 90%.
"Is it because of the curse that I can't awaken or advance beyond the first level of Divine Harmony?"
He felt the need for an external factor to boost his cultivation progress. The first thing that came to mind was medicine—not modern drugs for common human ailments, but medicines made from Mana-infused materials.
Since The Great Catastrophe, mana particles in the atmosphere have affected not just humans but also animals and plants. He was confident there were medicines out there that could help him.
However, acquiring such medicines requires a lot of money.
"Looks like I need to find a job."
"The question is, is my body ready to handle regular jobs out there?"
To answer that, he decided to test his physical strength and endurance by working out.
A few minutes later.
Knock-knock!
The door to the room where he was being treated suddenly rang. As if the knock on the door was just standard operating procedure, without waiting for Ernest to answer, the door suddenly opened, revealing the person who had barged in.
It was Olivia.
She didn't step inside immediately but stood frozen in place, not daring to move.
A few seconds later, her face turned bright pink.
"I… I think I came in at the wrong time."
Under normal circumstances, Olivia wouldn't have blushed upon seeing Ernest.
However, he was currently shirtless and doing push-ups on the floor. His patient gown lay discarded, drenched in sweat. Droplets of perspiration trickled onto the floor, creating a scene that wasn't exactly appealing—especially for someone as timid as Olivia.
Spontaneously, Olivia covered her face with one hand and pretended to cough.
This was the second time she had seen Ernest's bare body, yet her curiosity got the better of her. She occasionally peeked at him unintentionally. Although she had been attending to him for two years, it was the nurses who handled his care, so she had never seen his bare torso before.
The last time she saw him, he was in a dark morgue, and she hadn't clearly observed his body. This time was different—the morning sunlight illuminated him.
Unfortunately, Olivia's expectations of a muscular man exercising were shattered. Ernest's body appeared frail and skinny.
Despite his thin frame, a closer look revealed faint traces of once-defined muscles. Additionally, numerous scars marred his pale, smooth skin, hinting at untold stories behind his emaciated appearance.