Time was a strange thing when you weren't technically alive yet. Alex had no idea how long he had been floating in this void-like existence, surrounded by warmth and rhythmic, muffled noises. Was it days? Weeks? Months? Hard to tell when your entire world was a fleshy, fluid-filled pod.
'Great. I've been demoted from a sentient being to an overgrown bean sprout. Fantastic progress.'
The system, naturally, had been no help. Any time he tried asking questions about himself, the world, or the reason for his rebirth, he was met with complete silence.
'Hey, system, care to explain why I'm here?'
[...]
'Right. Maybe tell me who my parents are?'
[...]
'What's two plus two?'
[...]
'Oh, come on! At least pretend to be useful!'
The only thing it had been kind enough to do was bless him with the Basic Elemental Mantra, a technique supposedly meant to enhance the body and align it with all forms of energy. At first, the entire thing sounded like another empty promise from this useless system, but with nothing else to do (and no games, books, or Netflix to kill time), he had no choice but to give it a try.
The Mantra & The Body
The Basic Elemental Mantra was a foundational breathing technique designed to open his body to every type of energy present in the world, something that would make cultivation possible in any environment, without any major drawbacks. Most cultivators, apparently, had to struggle with compatibility issues or regional limitations—some required fire-rich environments, while others needed places dense with spiritual energy. But not him.
His body, if trained properly, would be able to adapt to and absorb any type of energy, giving him an overwhelming advantage over others.
'Or so the system claims. Then again, it's also the same system that tells me nothing, so I have trust issues.'
At first, controlling his breathing inside a womb was bizarre. Could he even call it breathing? It was more like channeling energy through his cells while floating in a mysterious soup. He had no lungs, yet somehow, he was meant to focus on internal circulation?
'If this so-called miracle of rebirth turns me into a sentient potato, I swear, system, we're going to have words.'
With nothing but time, Alex eventually adapted. The Mantra was simple, yet profound—gradually, he could feel his body strengthening. The soft tissue around him felt less constricting, his awareness grew sharper, and there was a distinct sense of flow within his tiny form. The world inside his confined space was changing.
'Wait a second… is it just me, or am I getting bigger?'
Time Skip – Several Months Later
If he had to guess, Alex would say he had been trapped in this cozy prison for several months. He could feel himself growing, his awareness expanding. He could sense his surroundings better now—the rhythmic sounds, the distant thuds, even the occasional muffled voices that came from beyond his fleshy walls.
More importantly, his mastery over the Basic Elemental Mantra had progressed tremendously. The once-clumsy attempts at energy circulation had become instinctual, and he no longer had to focus on each movement. His body responded to the technique naturally, constantly absorbing and refining energy without conscious effort.
'Is this what progress feels like? Maybe being a fetus isn't so bad after all…'
The benefits were undeniable—
His muscles (if they existed yet) felt strong, his body felt more energized than a normal newborn should be, and his sensitivity to the world's energy was growing.
He had no idea what cultivation in this world would truly be like, but at least he wouldn't start at a disadvantage. If anything, he had a terrifying head start over anyone his age.
'Not that I have any competition in here.'
Just as he was reveling in his progress, something shifted.
A deep, unsettling pressure suddenly built up around him. The warmth that had been his constant companion for months started tightening. The rhythmic sounds became louder, more erratic.
'Uh… what's happening?'
The world was pushing him forward. The walls of his existence began to contract, and for the first time since his rebirth, Alex felt panic.
'Wait. Wait, wait, WAIT. Is this—'
[New Mission Progress: Be Born (99%)]
'OH, HELL NO. IT'S HAPPENING?!'
The First Look at the World
Light. Harsh, blinding light flooded his senses as he was pushed out of the only world he had known. For the first time, he felt air—cold, biting, and unfamiliar.
His instincts kicked in, a gasp escaping his tiny form as his lungs—lungs!—filled for the first time. Everything was too loud, too bright, and too confusing.
As his blurry vision adjusted, he caught glimpses of the delivery room, and… it wasn't what he had expected.
'Why does this place look like a mix between a medieval royal chamber and a futuristic lab?'
The room was vast, its walls adorned with intricate golden engravings, and the furniture—ornate yet practical—spoke of royalty. At the same time, floating instruments, glowing runes, and crystalline devices humming with power suggested a level of technological and magical advancement far beyond what he could comprehend.
A throne-like seat stood near the bedside, where a woman—his mother, presumably—rested, exhausted yet regal. The attendants surrounding her weren't human. Instead, tall, elegant beings with translucent blue skin, elongated limbs, and glowing eyes worked around the room, their hands weaving intricate gestures that left behind trails of shimmering energy.
'Wait a second… those are Elves, aren't they? Or something similar? And they're in charge of medical care?'
One of them turned, their glowing golden gaze meeting his.
"So, this is the prince's nephew," the being murmured, voice layered with a melodic, unnatural harmony. "He's… unusual."
'Oh, fantastic. Barely a minute old, and I'm already labeled weird. Great start.'
The room suddenly filled with soft applause and murmurs of congratulations as the attendants finished their work. One of the Elves, presumably the head physician, stepped forward and spoke in a reverent tone. "A successful birth, my lady. The child is strong, healthy, and… unique."
Alex barely processed their words as his gaze shifted back to his mother. She was radiant. Even in her exhausted state, she exuded an aura of divine beauty and absolute authority. Long silver hair cascaded over her shoulders, shimmering like woven moonlight. Her golden eyes, though weary, held a sharp, regal presence that commanded respect and devotion.
'Whoa… is my mother a goddess? Did I just win the genetic lottery?'