Rei's access to knowledge was limited. The room bookshelf, lined with an array of books and his knowledge from his past life was all there was to rely on. Looking through the books none of them promised the secrets of advanced magic, Rei searched through them anyway, hoping to uncover something useful.
The collection was varied—History of Astria, Herb Recipes to Increase Body Strength and even Crop Farming Techniques. Each title spoke of practical knowledge, but none held the allure Rei sought.
As Rei went through the dusty tomes, a particular book caught his eye. Unlike the others, its binding was worn, its title barely visible. It wasn't about magic but rather a lesser-known art: Spirit Arts. Intrigued, Rei carefully opened the cover and began to read.
The Spirit Arts, as the book described, revolved around the concept of Qi—the life energy that flows through all living things. By harnessing and manipulating Qi, practitioners could enhance their physical abilities and control a part of their surroundings. Depending upon their strength the range of control may vary. This range can be molded according to the person's needs however this range needs to be connected to the person's body which means that it can only be used in close combat. Unlike magic, which was a rare and innate gift, Spirit Arts could be practiced by anyone who doesn't possess magic with the dedication and determination to master it.
Rei's heart quickened at the revelation. If magic was beyond reach, then perhaps Spirit Arts offered another path—a chance to wield power despite the lack of magical aptitude. But Rei's hopes were quickly crushed as he read that, unlike Magic, Spirit arts is used in conjunction with a weapon to cut magic and not to create Elements. Rei wanted to learn magic, not weapon mastery but this was the only path he had and Rei was forced to accept it.
Delving deeper into the text, Rei discovered the foundational principles of Spirit Arts. The human body, it explained, existed in two forms: unawakened form and awakened form. Only those who achieved the awakened form could truly begin to wield the power of Qi.
The awakened form was further divided into five stages:
Low-Awakened- these people's strengths are stronger than that of an average human and they Live 10 years more than an average human.
Mid-Awakened- these people's strengths are stronger than that of a low-awakened human and they Live 50 years more than an average human.
High-Awakened- these people's strengths are stronger than that of a Mid-Awakened human and they Live 100 years more than an average human.
Peak-Awakened- these people's strengths are stronger than that of a High-Awakened human and they Live 500 years more than an average human.
Limit-Awakened- these people's strengths are stronger than that of a Peak-Awakened human and they Live 1000 years more than an average human.
Each stage represented a higher mastery of Qi and greater physical potential. The people who practice Qi are called martials, Martials are divided into 7 levels
1. Junior Martial- They are the weakest level of Martials who possess low-awakened bodies
2. Senior Martial- They are stronger than Junior Martials and possess mid-awakened bodies power to compute at high speeds
3. Master Martial- They are strong Martials who possess high-awakened bodies, the power to compute at high speed, and a 6th sense
4. high Martial- They are strong Martials who possess peak-awakened bodies, a 6th sense, the power to compute at high speeds, and the power to enhance one of the 5 senses
5. Elite Martial- They are the strongest Martials who possess limit-awakened bodies, a 6th sense, the power to enhance all senses, and the power to compute at high speeds
6. Martial Sages- It is a title given to the martials who have a very high amount of knowledge
7. Martial Sentients- It is a title given to the martials who have the power to annihilate a whole country
Rei held his breath as the book revealed that reaching even the lowest stage—Low Awakened—would unlock the ability to begin training in Spirit Arts. Unlike magic, this power did not rely on innate talent but on the practitioner's dedication to surpassing the limits of their body.
At two years old, Rei's body was still unawakened and it was also not ready to go through the training regime. The text made it clear that achieving the low awakened stage required strength and resilience far beyond that of an average human. It was a challenging path, one that would demand relentless training and unyielding determination.
But where others might see a barrier, Rei saw hope. If magic is not meant to be, perhaps Spirit Arts would offer a second chance—a way to rise above mediocrity and carve out a place in a world that seemed determined to leave Rei behind.
With the book firmly in hand, Rei made a silent vow. Every spare moment would now be devoted to training, to pushing the body beyond its natural limits. Until the day came when Rei could feel the first stirrings of Qi and step into the realm of Spirit Arts.
This wasn't just a path—it was a calling.
As Rei read further into the book on Spirit Arts, a sobering truth came to light: the ideal age for awakening one's body was typically between five and nine years old. At just 2 years old, Rei was far from the starting line. The realization was disheartening, a fresh reminder of how far behind everyone else Rei seemed to be.
But this despair was fleeting. Determination burned brighter than disappointment.
Though the body of a baby was ill-suited for rigorous physical activity, Rei began training nonetheless. It started with simple push-ups, a task that proved monumentally difficult. The fragile, untrained limbs trembled under even the smallest strain, and progress was painfully slow.
Day after day, Rei snuck away from the watchful eyes of Lily and Thomas, using every moment alone to practice. Push-ups, sit-ups, crouches, and even short sprints became part of a grueling self-imposed routine. The work was taxing, but Rei's resolve never wavered. Lily and Thomas too were busy training Hanna so they did not notice your growth too.
A year passed.
Now Rei was a toddler and wore black shorts and a brown shirt.
The once-clumsy movements grew steadier, the toddler's body gaining a strength far beyond what should have been possible. And then, one quiet morning, Rei felt it—a cold, subtle energy coursing through the veins. It started faint, almost imperceptible, but with each passing day, it grew stronger.
Qi.
Rei recognized it immediately from the book's description. This was it, the life energy that flowed through all living things, the key to Spirit Arts. Excitement bubbled up, but it was tempered by the knowledge of the next challenge: learning to release Qi and manipulate it.
For months, Rei poured every ounce of focus into this new goal. Countless techniques and methods were tried, and each met with failure. The frustration mounted, but Rei pressed on, undeterred.
And then, after two grueling months of trial and error, it happened. Rei felt the Qi spreading out into the atmosphere and surrounding him. Though the Qi surrounding him was only a thin layer near his skin it was enough to make him happy. Now Rei thought about how to mold the Qi to create a bigger space and manipulate the environment. As Rei was preparing plans he got an idea. Rei thought about using centrifugal force to make a whirlwind.
.After a week Rei was able to mold the Qi to prepare a bigger space then during the same day in the room, Rei's hands trembled with concentration. The air shimmered faintly, and then, a small whirlwind formed. It hovered above Rei's hand for a brief, beautiful moment before fading away.
It was small, almost insignificant. But to Rei, it was a monumental victory.
Fueled by this breakthrough, Rei redoubled the training efforts. Hours each day were spent honing the newfound skill. The whirlwinds grew larger and more stable, twisting into different shapes and sizes. Yet despite this progress, something still felt missing. Manipulating wind came naturally, but Rei knew there had to be more to Qi than this.