As Mira finished examining the bracelet, a soft smile played on her lips. Her small fingers traced the delicate engravings, her eyes gleaming with wonder. It was a simple silver bracelet, adorned with a small blue gem at its center, but for her, it was a treasure beyond price.
"Thank you, big brother!" Mira's voice was full of joy as she clutched the bracelet close to her chest.
I let out a long sigh, watching the scene unfold.
'This is exhausting... my body can't even keep up with a short walk around the village,' I thought to myself, feeling a deep sense of frustration. 'Pathetic.'
In my past life, I was strong—both in body and mind. Now, I felt weak, fragile, and powerless. Just walking around the village had drained me of energy. I needed to change that.
At that moment, Elena approached me, her expression soft and grateful.
"Thank you, Leon," she said gently, placing a hand on my shoulder. "This bracelet means a lot to Mira... to us. We don't have much, but if there's anything we can do to repay you, please let me know."
I shook my head. "There's no need. It was just a small gift."
A small gift, yes—but for them, it was something precious. Though it wasn't expensive for me, as I had a fortune in gold coins stored in my inventory, for a commoner family like Elena and Mira, who barely made a living running an inn, it was a luxury they could never afford.
Not only did they have to manage the inn, but they also had to support the father of their family, who had been bedridden due to illness for years.
I couldn't help but feel pity for them.
Though my situation was bad, theirs was much worse.
Right now, all I needed to do was get used to this body and gather as much information as possible about this world. I had to be prepared for anything.
----
I had spent the few hours asking around about the concept of Qi in this world. Which what I was familiar with.
However, the more I learned, the more confused I became.
When I first asked the villagers about Qi, they didn't even recognize the word. Some looked at me like I was speaking nonsense. But when I explained that it was a type of energy used in combat, a few people with more knowledge called it Mana instead.
The one who gave me the most insight was Elder Nuugi, one of the oldest villagers.
---
It was early morning when I visited Elder Nuugi's home. His house was small but sturdy, with wooden beams and a stone fireplace where a pot of herbal tea simmered.
The old man sat on a rocking chair near the window, his long gray beard flowing down to his chest. His eyes, though clouded with age, still held the sharpness of wisdom.
"So, you wish to know about Mana?" he asked, taking a slow sip of his tea.
"Yes, Elder Nuugi," I replied. "I've heard that it's a type of energy, but no one seems to know about Qi. Are they the same?"
The old man chuckled. "Mana, boy, is the gift of the gods," he said. "Only those born of noble blood are blessed with it. It is the source of magic—the power that allows one to bend the elements to their will. Fire, water, wind, earth... all are shaped by Mana."
His words made my brows furrow.
"Only nobles have Mana?" I repeated.
"That is the common belief," Nuugi said, nodding. "Peasants, like us, are born without it. Only those of noble lineage, especially royals, inherit the power of Mana. That is why they rule over us—because they are blessed with magic."
I clenched my fist under the table.
If what he said was true, then why couldn't Leon, the former owner of this body, use Mana?
According to the memories I had recovered, Leon was not a commoner. He was a noble by birth. In fact, he was the son of a duke—one of the highest-ranking noble families in the kingdom.
He had two sisters and three brothers, all of whom were powerful mages. Each of them had been gifted with magic from birth.
Yet, Leon was different.
He had never been able to use Mana.
No matter how hard he tried, no matter how many times he was tested, he had never been able to cast a single spell.
Was there something blocking him from using Mana?
If so, why?
There was no answer to that question—at least, not yet.
For now, I had to focus on what I could do: strengthen this weak body by absorbing the Qi of nature.
----
I returned to the inn and found Elena in the kitchen, preparing breakfast for the guests.
"Elena," I said, "do you know of a quiet place where I can train?"
She glanced at me, surprised. "Training? You've never been the type to do that, Leon."
I gave her a small smile. "I'm trying to change that.
Her expression softened. "There is a place... behind the farm, not far from here. It's quiet, and people don't often go there. But if you need a flat surface, you'll have to prepare it yourself."
"That's fine," I said. "Also, I'll need some supplies–food that can last for about a week."
Elena frowned. "Are you planning to stay there for that long?"
"Well... I needed to focus," I replied. "I need to be strong to fight, and also to protect.
She hesitated, but in the end, she nodded. "Alright. I'll prepare everything for you."
The next morning, I stood at the edge of the farmland, gazing at the training ground Elena had mentioned.
The place was exactly as she described—quiet, peaceful, and untouched. The land stretched far, with a few scattered trees providing shade.
It was perfect for training.
I took a deep breath, feeling the energy in the air.
In my past life, Qi was something that had to be cultivated from within, drawn from dantian and refined through years of practice.
But here, I could sense something different.
The Qi of Nature was abundant—thick, dense, and far purer than anything I had felt in Murim.
It surrounded me like an invisible ocean, waiting to be absorbed.
I sat cross-legged on the ground and closed my eyes, focusing my breathing.
The first step was to sense the Qi.
The second step was to guide it into my body.
The third step was to refine it.
And so, I began my journey—one breath at a time, drawing in the Qi of nature, allowing it to flow into my body, strengthening my weak muscles, repairing my fragile bones.
With each breath, I felt myself changing.
This was only the beginning.
To survive in this world, I would have to grow stronger—far stronger than I had ever been before.
And for that, I would need time, patience, and discipline.
The road ahead was long...
But I would not stop until I had unlocked the true power hidden within me.
As I continued my training, my thoughts often drifted back to the concept of Mana. It was similar to Qi in some ways, yet fundamentally different. Qi was the energy of life, the essence of the natural world, something that could be harnessed by anyone with the right discipline and understanding. Mana, on the other hand, seemed to be tied to the very fabric of the elements themselves.
From what Elder Nuugi had told me, Mana was not just a source of power—it was a conduit for the elements. Those who wielded Mana could command fire, water, wind, and earth with ease. It was as if Mana was the language of the elements, and those born with it could speak it fluently.
But why was it restricted to the nobility? Was it truly a gift from the gods, as Nuugi believed, or was there something more to it? The more I thought about it, the more I realized that Mana was not just a tool for power—it was a symbol of control. The nobility used it to maintain their dominance over the common people, ensuring that they remained subservient.
Yet, there was something about Mana that people on this world that intrigued me. It was not just a force of destruction or control—it was a force of creation. Those who wielded Mana could shape the world around them, molding it to their will. It was a power that could be used for good or for ill, depending on the wielder.
I couldn't help but wonder if there was a way to bridge the gap between Qi and Mana. Mana is similar to Qi that can be absorb, if I could understand the true concept of Mana in this world, and harness it completely, I will reach a new height that even my former self as the Heavenly Demon didn't reached.
But for now, I had to focus on my training. The Qi of nature or the Mana of this world was my only ally, and I needed to master it if I was to survive in this world.
As the time continue it turned minute to hours, I continued to train in solitude, pushing my body to its limits. The Qi of nature flowed through me, strengthening my muscles, sharpening my senses, and clearing my mind.
I could feel the changes within me, subtle at first, but growing stronger with each passing day. My body, once weak and fragile, was now beginning to show signs of strength. My movements were more fluid, my reflexes sharper, and my endurance greater.
But I knew that this was only the beginning. The road ahead was long, and there were many challenges that I would have to face. The mystery of Mana, the enigma of my own existence, and the dangers of this world—all of it loomed over me like a shadow.
Yet, I was determined to overcome it all. I would not let my weakness define me. I would not let the past hold me back. I would forge my own path, and I would unlock the true power hidden within me.
The journey was far from over, but I was ready to face whatever lay ahead.