I woke up, groggily aware of my refreshed body – Cora's notification echoed in my mind:
[Body reformation successful. Host vitality increased by 300%.]
As my consciousness fully returned, memories flooded my thoughts – memories not only of my past life as Markhem but also glimpses of this new world. My mind reeled as fragmented visions of Eridoria's history, geography, and magic systems coalesced into a coherent understanding.
This planet called Eridoria is incredibly huge, 200 times larger than Earth. Made up of seven ginormous continents, each one teeming with life and mystery, it was a world unlike any other.
The continent where I live is called Arkalia, the smallest one, still three times the size of Earth. Surrounded by a vast sea and dense fogs, Arkalia is naturally protected, with very few resources to sustain its many inhabitants.
What I find even more fascinating is that this planet is home to more than just humans. There are beastmen, elves, dragons, and many other races that defy comprehension. Dragons, while the most powerful creatures on the Arkalia continent, are reclusive. They do not rule over the lands or interact with the inhabitants much. Instead, they remain in their ancient lairs, rarely showing themselves to the outside world.
Humans, on the other hand, are far from revered. In fact, they are despised by many of the fairy races, particularly because of their historical practice of slavery and false sense of superiority that plagued the history of the fairy races.
In this world, there exists a mystical force known as Mana, a pervasive energy that flows through every corner of the planet. Those who can harness Mana have the ability to achieve feats that transcend the ordinary: shattering mountains, soaring through the sky, and even living for thousands of years. With proper mastery, one can become nearly invincible.
Harnessing Mana, however, is not easy. It requires dedication, discipline, and cultivation. Those who seek to wield its power must absorb it into their bodies and gradually progress through various stages, each unlocking greater power.
There are two primary paths to Mana Cultivation: Vanguard Cultivation and Mage Cultivation. Though both paths make use of Mana, their methods are drastically different, and the people who follow them are equally unique.
Vanguard Cultivation is pursued by those known as Vanguards. These individuals draw Mana from the environment, using it to fortify their bodies and enhance their physical capabilities. Vanguards are warriors, excelling in close combat and hand-to-hand battles. They can cleave mountains with a single strike, move with the speed of lightning, and bring empires to their knees with their strength. Their defense is almost as formidable as their offense, making them nearly unbeatable in direct confrontation.
There are nine distinct tiers in Mortal Vanguard Cultivation, each one representing a dramatic increase in strength. These tiers are:
Tier 1: Initiate Vanguard
Tier 2: Adept Vanguard
Tier 3: Honed Vanguard
Tier 4: Elite Vanguard
Tier 5: Grand Vanguard
Tier 6: Eminent Vanguard
Tier 7: Transcendent Vanguard
Tier 8: Mythic Vanguard
Tier 9: Eternal Vanguard
On the other hand, Mage Cultivation is followed by those who seek to harness Mana for its magical properties. Mages absorb Mana into their bodies as well, but they use it primarily to cast spells, manipulating the five primal elements: Water, Fire, Wind, Earth, and Spirit. There are also rare elements like Ice, Metal, Thunder, Space, and Time, which grant Mages even more varied abilities.
While Mages excel in long-range combat, their defense is weaker than that of Vanguards, and they struggle in close combat. Their true power lies in their ability to manipulate Mana to cast devastating spells, and some can even change the very fabric of reality itself.
Becoming a Mage is more difficult than becoming a Vanguard. It requires innate talent and a profound understanding of the elements and the ability to connect with them on a deeper level. Resources such as spellbooks, elemental crystals, and ancient knowledge are essential to a Mage's progression. Like Vanguards, Mages also have nine Mortal tiers of cultivation:
Tier 1: Initiate Mage
Tier 2: Adept Mage
Tier 3: Honed Mage
Tier 4: Elite Mage
Tier 5: Grand Mage
Tier 6: Eminent Mage
Tier 7: Transcendent Mage
Tier 8: Mythic Mage
Tier 9: Eternal Mage
Mana is undoubtedly a powerful force, but only those with the talent, determination, and resources can truly harness it to its full potential.
As for me, I found myself in the slums of the Ashenfall district, located in Allyria city. The city sat on the border between the Valhaven kingdom and the Excarres forest, which surrounded the kingdom on three of its fronts. It was a place where the poor and downtrodden struggled to survive, fighting for every scrap of food and every ounce of safety.
After absorbing the memories of this new life, I sat up on the narrow bed in my room, the small, dingy space was filled with the faint smell of dampness. Stretching my rejuvenated body, I felt an unusual surge of energy – the effects of Cora's 300% vitality boost were undeniably noticeable. My body was in peak condition, brimming with life and strength.
My stomach growled loudly, reminding me of the dinner I had skipped the previous night. In the slums, food was never guaranteed. It was time to start this new life. I dressed quickly in the simple clothes that were provided by the system, and left my room, stepping out onto the bustling streets of Ashenfall district.
The district was a maze of narrow alleyways, cluttered markets, and makeshift homes. People of all races moved through the crowded streets, and I could already hear the calls of merchants hawking their goods. As I walked, I remembered that I still had 40 gold left after the body reformation process. It wasn't much, but it was enough to get by for a while.
Suddenly, Cora's voice whispered in my mind again:
[Notification: Mission Available.]
My heart skipped a beat. A mission! This was it – the opportunity I had been waiting for. Missions meant points, and points meant power. It was the key to survival in this world, especially for someone like me, who was still so new to everything.
"Open System menu" - I shouted