I stepped down the ladder, wiping sweat off my brow. My body ached from all the work I had done today. After this, I should rest and eat.
"Finally done..." I heaved between breaths, looking at all the organized bookshelves. Took a ton of work, going through them one by one to figure out where each book should go.
"Still so many books on magic and alchemy? Why? Wasn't Cassian a knight in training?" I paused, holding my chin. "Eh, I should just ask the Emperor's informant..."
I grabbed one book I found interesting, glancing around the small library room. "I should really buy a table and some chairs so I have somewhere to sit and read... Anyway, Cassian... thanks for the books, I guess," I muttered awkwardly, flipping to the first page of Lessons of the Asura Cultivation.
"Woah... so that's how this works?" I whispered in awe. The first parts were interesting. This technique might work better than the usual lotus position for cultivation. I should try this later.
I closed the book and put it back on the shelf. That's enough for today. I need to rest before I start training tomorrow... but I can't believe I have to go to school again.
I finished school already! But I need it to grow stronger in secret... I sighed, walking into the dining room connected to the kitchen. The stairs were next to the dining table, and in front of it was the door to the washing room— or bath, in other words — plus the library and basement I'd use as a training room next to the stairs.
"Welp, I have no choice anyway." I chuckled, opening the cabinets and grabbing the food I bought earlier. I pulled out a chair from the dining table and sat down after closing the cabinet.
I grabbed myself a cup of water too.
Munch.
"Yum... bread. Tasteless bread. Barbecue helps... I should treat myself later," I muttered, chewing on the bread, then the barbecue which tasted amazing. Now that I think about it... I only have a little over a month and a week to train? I can make it... probably just barely though.
I finished eating, pushed the chair back in, and grabbed my plate, washing it before cleaning the table. "Tomorrow, I should train... or maybe not. It's getting late and my body's sore," I muttered, a usual habit of mine to talk to myself. I turned and walked up the stairs to my room.
---
The stairs creaked under my steps, filling the whole house with their sounds. I opened the door and walked inside.
I closed the door behind me, walking toward the lantern on the desk and lighting it up. "There! Finally some light," I murmured, moonlight also spilling into the room through the open window. "Now, for some late-night reading..." I smirked, pulling out the chair from under the desk.
I grabbed a book — Basics of Magic.
"I can't believe I have to learn this again..." I muttered, opening the book. "I guess I have to since I don't remember it fully..." I sighed.
I flipped through the pages, reaching the second half of the book. I grabbed a piece of paper, put it in as a bookmark, and closed it. "Time to continue this tomorrow..."
I stood up, pushed the chair back under the desk, and blew out the lantern.
I walked to the window, closed it, and lay down on the bed. "Phew, I can finally rest now... usually this would've been easy, but oh well..." I sighed, holding my hand up toward the ceiling.
I'll reach my old level someday. I glanced at the window, admiring the beautiful night sky. "Heh... I miss my fiancée..." I whispered before drifting off to sleep.
---
The sunlight coming through the window hit my face like a slap. My eyes fluttered open as I groaned.
"Ugh... Morning? Already?" I sat up, stomach growling like a damn monster. I'm starving. I scratched my belly and headed for the door, opening it and walking down the stairs.
Each step made the floor creak, filling the house with noise.
I grabbed a plate, some bread, barbecue, and a cup of water. I pulled out a chair, which made the floor groan, then started eating in silence. Quiet house, besides the noise outside. "Yum..."
Sunlight filled the house through the window. I finished eating, cleaned the plate and table, and pushed in the chair. I grabbed a lantern and lit it with some basic fire magic. Time to check my condition...
I climbed down the cold ladder, placing the lantern down. "This place is a bit smaller than I remember. Must be because of all the stuff I bought..." I walked to the middle of the room, sitting cross-legged. It wasn't usually done like this for cultivation.
Some scholars and mages made this method about 1,350 years ago after researching how to cultivate mana properly. I suppose they even built a magic tower afterward. Anyway, I drew mana from the air, guiding it slowly and precisely through my mana pathways. Heat filled my body.
"Tch... I still haven't gotten used to it," I mumbled, scoffing. Sweat dripped down my face. Still, my mana veins have holes from... that fight with those monsters... referring to the Dragonic beasts I fought two months ago.
Focus.
I guided my mana slowly through all my pathways, mapping my entire body with it to see everything. Then—
"
What's this...?"
Something's off...
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-End of Chapter-
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