Another day had ended normally. Falling back into his bed, Kael started thinking 'Well, what a day. Though it's rather tough to act as a kid, luckily no one noticed any difference in me. Guess I need to think about what to do now.
Now that I'm here, I don't wanna be a no-name cannon fodder. And my knowledge about future events also gives me a great edge. So how exactly should I proceed forward?' He had accepted that this world was now his reality, and if he wanted to survive, he had to become stronger.
The first step in that journey was understanding where he stood. Upon analyzing for half an hour, he finally came to the conclusion, 'Alright, though I know the future events, without having enough strength, all that knowledge is worthless. Not to mention, there's no guarantee that things will progress exactly as they did in the novel. It had too many plotholes anyways. And providing someone else with this information is a strict no.
They'll just throw me in the prison and torture me for everything I know, It will also change all future events depriving me of my advantage. So I suppose planning for future events can be left to the future me and it will depend on how much strength I have then. Right now the main focus should be on improving my strength. So how to go about it…
From Kael Veyne's memories, he knew that he had affinity for the Lightning element. He recalled what he knew about his affinity.
'Lightning is difficult to control. It's erratic, powerful, and requires both control and precision for casting any spell or a technique and this guy never practiced to improve his control over it.'
Well, for now, any ranked spells are out of question. Normal civilians and commoners don't get access to spells, so spells could only be learned at the academies that the empire established. And I can only attempt to join the Imperial Academy when I reach 14. Even though I know about many spells and what they can do, I don't really remember the procedure of how to perform them. Not to mention, knowing those spells alone won't be enough. I guess the procedure include how to mold mana in a particular manner or display certain properties that allow those spells to be completed. Until I gain that knowledge, attempting those spells would be rather pointless.
If I want to increase my mastery over lightning, I first need to learn basic mana control. Without proper mana control, wielding lightning would be a disaster. That said, I could still try techniques and training methods that didn't require complex procedures to learn. One such technique was increasing one's speed by concentrating mana in the legs while sprinting. This would provide a massive boost in speed and mobility. It was a basic technique that everyone would eventually learn upon attending the academy, but there was no harm in starting early.
Apart from that, I should try to improve my body. Heck, this is probably the most critical step. While my physical condition isn't bad, it's not very good either. So, I should start with light exercise to build up stamina and strength.'
With that in mind, He started creating a training plan to solidify his basics in the fields he needed to focus on first. he immediately thought of one plan to follow for the next couple of years.
'My first goal would be refining my control over mana flow within my body. Only after I could guide my mana with ease I would begin training my elemental affinity.'
Kael designed a daily training routine that balanced both physical and magical growth:
Physical Training (2 to 3 Hours Daily)
Running (Endurance & Stamina)
Push-ups (Upper body strength)
Pull-ups (Grip strength and back muscles)
Sit-ups (Core strength)
Squats (Lower body strength)
Mana Control Training
Meditation – Absorbing ambient mana from surroundings to refine control.It will help in increasing mana reserves slightly.
Draining Mana – Completely exhausting his mana reserves to force adaptation. Though this would cause unconsciousness at first, over time, his body would adjust and build resistance. This method also helpful in increasing mana reserves.
Runecrafting Study (Major Focus)
Understanding basic rune symbols and their applications. Practicing inscription techniques. Experimenting with minor rune formations.
Elemental Training (Later Stage)
Once mana control reaches an acceptable level, He would start practicing lightning nature manipulation.
Kael nodded in satisfaction. This was a plan he could follow.
As for why he was focusing more on Rinecrafting field, Kael had always been fascinated by Runecrafting when reading The Chronicles of Astralis. Rune symbols were very versatile , capable of setting traps, creating barrier formations ,used in sealing techniques, creating storage seals, even crafting explosive paper bombs and even mana contracts are creted by using Runes.
'A proper Runecrafter could turn the tide of battle before a fight even begins.'
Runecrafting had four stages:
Beginner – Basic symbols and minor formations.
Intermediate – Simple enchantments and combination runes.
Master – Advanced inscriptions and high-level formations.
Grandmaster – capable of crafting near-unbreakable seals and formations.
The reason Kael decided to learn runecrafting is that ,On the half chance if he didn't have talent for reaching higher levels of being a mage or augmenter , Then his Runecrafting skills will come into play. Because becoming master in this field will earn a lot of respect and opportunities . Even though there are books available for public on runecrafting upto intermediate level , very few people will become master in this field and there are less than 10 grandmasters in the Runecrafting field in the Elarion empire which have the most number of Runecrafting grandmasters in the world.
But The main reason Kael decided to learn runecrafting was that it would earn him a shit ton of money. Even in his father's weapon shop, they sold rings, bracelets, necklaces, etc., inscribed with storage runes. Not only that, but they also sold paper bombs inscribed with explosive runes, equipment reinforced with runes, and more—all of which were very costly.
Learning and practicing runecrafting required special ink, which allowed mana to flow through the runes which are drawn, as well as high-quality paper that wouldn't tear even after being infused with mana.
Satisfied with the plan he made, Kael went to sleep excited about how strong he would be after completing his training plan.
Tomorrow, his training would begin.
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On waking up the next morning, Kaen looked out of the window, to notice that the sky was still dark. Looking at the clock in his room, He thought, 'Damn, I woke up way too early... It's barely 5 AM. Oh well, I guess I'll have to get used to it if I really want to get stronger. '
He got out of his bed to notice that his family are still fast asleep. He knows that his mother wakes up first at 6.30 and then his father, waking him and his sister at 7.30 when breakfast is done , he freshened up and got out of his room. He then walked out of his home. Searching his memories, he recalled a quiet riverside near the village—an area where people rarely passed by due to local superstitions.
'Perfect. It's safe, quiet, and I can train without any distruption. Anyways, I suppose I should start with some warm-up and see how much this body can be pushed.'
Ending his train of thoughts, Kael started stretching his body to loosen up his muscles. After around 10 minutes of stretching, he began running around the barren area. By his estimate, the circumference of the area was around two hundred meters. He completed the initial few rounds with ease but soon started getting tired. Pushing himself to the limit, he managed to complete 28 laps around the playground.
Taking deep breaths, he thought 'Wow, I ran nearly 6 kilometers! There's no way I could have run even a kilometer at 8 years old in my previous life. And I don't recall this guy doing any exercise before I took over his body. I wonder if it's because the bodies of people in this world are naturally stronger. Alright, I'll take a short break and get back to it.'
After a short five-minute break, he continued his workout with push-ups. He managed to do two sets of push-ups, each with 15 reps. That was followed by sit-ups, for which he could do three sets of 12 reps. Lastly, he attempted pull-ups, barely managing 10 reps.
This workout pushed him to his limits, and after completing it, he slumped to the ground, sweating heavily.
Done with his exercise, Kael headed back home. Just as he entered, he saw his mother about to go upstairs, likely to wake him up. When she noticed him coming from outside, her eyebrows furrowed.
"Kael! Why are you coming from outside? Where did you go this early in the morning?" she asked, surprised.
Kael flinched at her sudden questioning but quickly composed himself. "Uh… I just went out to get some fresh air," he said casually.
His mother raised a brow. "Fresh air? Then why are you drenched in sweat? Don't tell me you were out playing games this early in the morning."
Kael scratched the back of his head. "I woke up early and couldn't fall back asleep, so I went outside to do some exercises."
"Exercises? why?"lucas, kaen father asked suprised .
Kael turned to him and answered confidently,"Didn't I always tell you, that I want to join the imperial academy. So that's why I strated training"
Lucas stroked his chin, thinking for a moment before responding. "Hmm… But you still have plenty of time before you can attend the academy. And if you want to join the academy, it's not just physical training—you also need to focus more on your studies."
lucas know that his son hates to study so since he got an apportunity he took it and also dangled a carrot by saying "Tell you what—if you study hard and manage to learn everything your mother teaches you, I'll let you have the sword you wanted from our shop when you were six. "
Kaen obiviously saw through his fathers 'clever plan' he followed puting a excited look on his face saying "Reallyy..... Dad,you mean the Dragon Slayer sword?" but inwardly he cursed 'damn you, old man! how can you say such bullshit with that straight face?'
From his inherited memories, Kael knew the so-called Dragon Slayer was nothing more than a rusty piece of metal scrap. Calling it a sword was an insult to real weapons. But back when Kael was six, Lucas had tricked him into believing it was a legendary blade, and Kael had been obsessed with it ever since.
lucas nodded saying "Only if you learn everything your mother had to teach" Watching her husband's obvious attempt at manipulation, Helena sighed. "Alright, Kael, go to your room, freshen up, and come down for breakfast."
As Kael left to wash up, Helena turned to Lucas with an exasperated look. "How many times are you going to use that sorry excuse of a sword to trick him?Not only that sword is rusty but it will probably broke if you even try to cut vegetables with it! What on earth did you tell him to make him so fixated on it?"
Seeing his wife's mood darken, Lucas let out an awkward chuckle. "I, uh… I told him it was the hero's sword from the stories you used to tell him. And that after the hero died, the sword lost its power. But if Kael were to wield it, it would regain its true form and strength and he will become the hero."
Helena stared at him, dumbfounded. Then, rubbing her temples, she muttered worriedly, "When will my son finally mature? If he stays like this, his future wife will have to deal with the same nonsense as I do."
Though she said it under her breath, it was loud enough for Lucas to hear. His face darkened instantly.
After kael had a bath, and put on fresh clothes he headed to the dining hall for break fast where his father and sister are alredy there, His father sat at the table, lost in thought with a dark expression, and his sister playing with utinsils.His mother was busy setting the table , seeing this scene, Kael was momentarily lost in thought. It reminded him of his past life—eating alone every day as an orphan. If there was one thing he was truly grateful for after transmigrating, it was his family. He felt a little sorry for the original Kael, but there was nothing he could do about it now.
Once breakfast was over, Lucas left for the store, and Emily immediately started nagging Kael to play with her. After finishing up the dishes, Kael turned to his mother.
"Mom, didn't you say we needed to go shopping for Emily's and my new clothes?"
Helena glanced at him and nodded. "Alright! Give me a few minutes—I'll go change."
A little while later, Helena and Kael, who was carrying his giggling sister, set off for the nearby town in a carriage. There were two reasons for this trip—buying clothes and showing the kids around town as they never left their hometown . After finishing their shopping, they strolled through the bustling streets when Kael suddenly asked, "Mom, are there any bookstores here that sell books on Runecrafting?" Helena blinked in surprise and looked at her son suspiciously. "Since when are you interested in books? You won't even read a single page of the ones we have at home even if I force you, and now you're asking about books on Runecrafting?"
Kael crossed his arms and replied, "The books at home are boring. And you said Runecrafting will be more interesting! Plus, Dad told me it's a skill that can make a lot of money."Helena observed a glint appeared in the eyes of Kaen when he said the last part.
Sighing inwardly that his son is picking up his father habits and she said, shaking her head. "Kaen , Just because something is useful for making money doesn't mean it's easy to learn. "In fact, Runecrafting is very difficult. It requires dedication and concentration—both of which you lack. And more importantly, creativity, which unfortunately, you don't have."
Kael opened his mouth to retort but quickly shut it. He couldn't argue against that. since he knows that previous Kaen was a goof ball who enjoys lazing around and only cared about magic, swords, and fighting. Since reasoning wouldn't work, Kael did what any kid would do, that is pestering her untill she gives in to his demands. "Pleeease, Mom? Just one book! It's not that hard, right? Just one book! You said learning new things is important, right?" Seeing that kaen pestering her nonstop she sighed in defeat and said "Alright ,Alright I will take you to the book store. Just stop pestering me already"
seeing her mom relented , Kaen smirked 'So this is how brats feel when they get what they want , Even though It's annoying as hell, I have to say it's surprisingly effective if one have doting parents. I should use this trick more often—hehehe....' fortunately for him, Helena isn't aware of her son's thoughts or she may sell him in the very book store she is taking him for free.
Soon, they arrived at a bookstore called The Scholar's Haven. As they stepped inside, Kael was impressed by the sheer number of books. There were books on survival skills, cooking, romance novels, and basic subjects like history, mathematics, and language.After asking the shop staff, they were led to a section with beginner manuals on mana control, elemental affinities, swordsmanship,bowmanship,spearmanship, martial arts, and introductory texts on Runecrafting and Alchemy are there. Kael browsed through the shelves, He planned to buy books on Runecrafting, mana control, and elemental affinities. Even though there are advanved books for on mana and elements ,he knew that they were restricted, only available to scholars with special authorization. Fortunately, Runecrafting up to the Intermediate level was publicly available —as most people found the field too difficult and tedious to master. he thaught 'Perfect. Mastering Runecrafting takes years, but even at an Intermediate level, I can develop practical applications.'
Just as he was about to tell the staff which books he wanted, he suddenly felt an intense stare boring into his back. Turning around, he froze. His mother was glaring at him like he had just announced he wanted to run away and become a bandit
'Shit! Why is she looking at me like that? did I do something wrong?!' Then,it hit him. The old Kael never willingly touched a book. He had barely learned to read and write, and even that was because of his mother's constant nagging and his father dangling that scrap of metal in front of him.Before ethan tranmigrated into Kael's Body, Kael only know how to read and write, and low level mathematical problems like addition, subtraction, multiplication and division(can only do with a single digit divisor). Nowonder she was looking at him as if he is thinking of these books as playthings . I need to tell her something or else she looks like she will make a hole in my chest just with her glare' before he can open his mouth ,Helena smiled—a sweet, motherly smile that sent a shiver down his spine."Since you're so eager to buy books, as a responsible mother, I must ensure you actually study them," she said, her voice dripping with fake warmth. "And of course, you'll also be catching up on the other subjects you've been avoiding."
If anyone saw her smile, they wouldn't think anything was wrong. But Kael knew better. He was doomed.
After paying for the books, they spent some time sightseeing before stopping at a well-known restaurant for lunch. Once they were done, they headed back to their village—and eventually, home.
And Kael knew that as soon as they arrived, he would be facing hell.