Chapter 4: in search of glory

"You're doing it wrong. You're supposed to wait and pull the fish out of the water, not drag it towards yourself," Lucien chided, exasperated. For the second time that morning, Valeri lost his catch, the fish slipping off the line as it flailed wildly. Lucien sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. Teaching Valeri to fish was proving harder than expected.

It had been two weeks since Lucien—insisting on being called "Luca" to avoid associations with his full name—took Valeri under his wing. Valeri's days were a relentless cycle of trials that pushed him to the brink. By the fourth day, he began journaling as a way to cope and reflect.

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Excerpts from Valeri's Journal:

"Luca says hunting is as much about patience as survival. Hunting in this forest feels like playing a game where the rules change at a whim. You don't know if you're the hunter or the prey—or worse, the prey of something you never noticed.

Every day starts the same: a 14-mile run to 'build my body,' followed by hours of strength training. If I fail to catch any game, there's no real food—just a salad of whatever plants we could scavenge. Three hours of sleep a night feels like a luxury now."

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During their downtime, Luca began explaining the three power laws—Ki, Mana, and Aura.

"Ki, Mana, and Aura are the trinity of life essence. Think of them as solid, liquid, and gas, each unique yet interconnected. Ki flows like strings through your body, using channels akin to the nervous system. It cannot grow in volume but can be purified and strengthened. Purified Ki is the bedrock of physical power—your body's potential unshackled."

Luca demonstrated by pushing his body to its limit, the air around him humming with intensity as his Ki flared visibly.

"Pain and perseverance are the keys to purifying Ki. Each time you push your body, your Ki strengthens, the channels grow more robust. Purification through pain is our method, but mages often flood their channels with Mana instead. Be warned, though: for close combatants like us, that method risks breaking the very foundation we rely on."

Valeri winced as he recalled his own painful attempts at purification during their sparring sessions. Luca had also introduced him to Mana, explaining its fluid nature.

"Mana is life's essence. It flows through all things, adaptable and transformative. Unlike Ki, it can expand and grow. Purifying Mana is a delicate process, stripping it of impurities until it becomes a clear, sensitive substance. Impure Mana is crude and inefficient, but purity grants precision and power."

Lastly, there was Aura, a concept Valeri found almost incomprehensible.

"Aura is the core of all life. Imagine it as the gas in our trinity analogy—volatile, expansive, and intangible. Every atom contains Aura, yet it cannot exist freely; it must be encased by Mana and Ki. Aura is your soul's essence, your will to exist. It shapes your potential and defines your personal attributes. However, Aura is fragile. Overuse can kill you, and insufficient Aura makes abilities impossible to activate. Control is everything."

The lessons were as overwhelming as they were enlightening. Luca's explanations left Valeri pondering his own strength and purpose. Was his quest for power a chase after an illusion, or did he already have everything he needed? For now, he pushed those thoughts aside; his trials were forging his resolve.

---

The next morning, during another fishing attempt, Valeri posed an unexpected question.

"Can you teach me how to fight?"

Luca paused, reeling in a large fish with effortless precision. He placed his hand over it, and to Valeri's astonishment, the fish vanished into thin air.

"You have an inventory!?" Valeri exclaimed.

"You really didn't pay attention to Astrid," Luca muttered, unimpressed. He gestured for Valeri to follow, leading him to a clearing deep in the forest. The ground was scarred with claw marks and scorched earth, the air heavy with the scent of blood and burnt wood.

"This is where I trained when I first arrived," Luca said. "I pushed the forest's inflammable trees to their limits, just as I'll push you to yours."

Despite his fear, Valeri steeled himself. If he could survive the Hell he had endured, surely he could withstand this. Luca, however, was not about to go easy on him.

The first sparring session was brutal. Valeri barely lasted seconds, each strike from Luca sending him crumpling to the ground.

"Get up. That's one," Luca ordered.

Valeri rose, shaky and disoriented, only to be knocked down again.

"That's two. If you're worrying about what's in front of you, you've already lost the battle."

Determined, Valeri continued. On his sixth attempt, he began to sense faint Mana fluctuations, managing to predict Luca's strike for the first time. Though he still crumpled under the blow, the progress fueled his resolve.

The next morning, battered and bruised, Valeri struggled through his breakfast—a fish he had managed to catch himself. Training resumed immediately after. By the fifteenth attempt that day, Valeri could finally withstand the first strike without passing out. But Luca was far from impressed.

"Talent is for mages," Luca lectured. "What you need is grit and hard work. You focus too much on Mana, ignoring the balance between Ki and Aura. And your stance—it's all wrong. Your legs are too rigid, your hands poorly positioned. Fix it, or this will take forever."

Despite Luca's scathing critique, Valeri practiced diligently. He began treating his Ki like armor, letting it coat his body rather than attempting to shape it. Switching between the Mana world and reality, he worked on improving his awareness, slowly adapting to Luca's relentless strikes.

By the end of the day, Valeri felt as though he had taken two steps back, barely withstanding a single punch. But he refused to let despair take hold. With every failure, he inched closer to mastery. His body ached, his spirit burned, but his resolve remained unbroken.

4days later

Lucien leaned back against the cave wall, his gaze fixed on Valeri. "Personal Attributes," he began, his voice calm yet precise, "are the manifestations of one's soul—a reflection of your very essence. They are the unique abilities or powers you inherit, develop, or embody, shaped by who you are and sometimes by what you've become connected to."

Valeri frowned, rubbing the bandages on his arm. "So, these attributes aren't just random? They come from somewhere?"

Lucien nodded. "Exactly. They stem from a deeper connection to either your lineage, experiences, or even the essence of the world around you. Personal Attributes fall into specific categories, each with distinct origins and purposes. Let me break them down for you."

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Types of Personal Attributes

Inheritance PA

These attributes are passed down, often from a powerful predecessor who chose to bestow their ability onto another. It's like inheriting a legacy, but the strength lies in how the inheritor adapts it to their own essence.

Hero PA

This is a legacy tied to a legendary figure—a hero who carved their mark on history. Those with Hero PAs often exhibit traits or abilities reminiscent of that figure, but unlike Inheritance PAs, they are shaped by the wielder's interpretation of the hero's legend.

Artefact PA

Gained through bonding with a powerful artefact, these attributes are infused into the wielder. The bond can be through blood, energy, or sheer will, granting powers tied to the artefact's nature.

Archetype PA

These are the rarest and most personal, crafted directly from the essence of the individual. They embody the person's mentality, physicality, and elemental alignment, tailored entirely to suit their strengths.

Class PA

A Personal Attribute tied to a specific class, such as Mage or Warrior. These attributes amplify class-specific skills and sometimes allow mastery of multiple disciplines.

Combat PA

Focused solely on enhancing combat prowess, these attributes are tailored to maximize efficiency in a single class. Unlike Class PAs, Combat PAs are singular in purpose but devastating in power.

Elemental PA

Everyone has an innate elemental affinity, but Elemental PAs go beyond that. They represent a blessing from the elements, granting unparalleled control or unique abilities, like forming ice from the air or creating magma from the earth.

Summoning PA

These attributes are tied to creatures, often allowing the wielder to summon, bond with, or even transform into their linked being. They are the domain of summoners and beast-kin alike.

Support PA

Rare and versatile, these attributes are not combat-focused. Instead, they assist through healing, crafting, or amplifying others' abilities. Despite their non-combat nature, they are indispensable in any situation.

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The Role of Aura in Personal Attributes

"Aura," Lucien continued, "is the essence of your soul, the very fuel that drives your Personal Attribute. Unlike Mana, which is drawn from the environment, Aura is internal, deeply tied to your soul's identity. While Mana can be manipulated and reconstructed, Aura is fixed—true to your soul's core. This is why a flame-based Personal Attribute will never wield ice without severe inefficiencies. Your Aura will always strive to remain true to itself."

Valeri tilted his head. "So, Aura is like the soul's voice, and Mana is the tool it uses to speak?"

Lucien smirked faintly. "A poetic way to put it. Aura defines the nature of your abilities, while Mana fuels their manifestation. Together, they allow your Attribute to bridge the gap between your soul and the physical world."

"Are there limits to how far an Attribute can grow?" Valeri asked.

Lucien's gaze sharpened. "In theory, no. Aura reserves are limitless, but growth depends on your soul's capacity and your ability to wield that power responsibly. Absorbing more Aura than you can handle risks overworking your soul, potentially severing your connection to it. This is called 'limbo death'—a state where the soul becomes dormant, leaving the body powerless."

He paused, letting the gravity of his words sink in. "The stronger your Attribute, the greater the discipline required to master it. And mastery begins with understanding yourself. Your Attribute is not a tool to wield but an extension of who you are. Embrace it, and it will grow with you."

Valeri let the words settle, the weight of their meaning pressing on his thoughts. "So... mastering my Attribute isn't just about strength. It's about knowing who I am."

"Precisely," Lucien said, his voice softening. "Your Attribute is your truth, Valeri. The only question is whether you're ready to face it."

Lucien stood in the cave's dim light, arms crossed, his shadow stretching long behind him. Valeri's questions hung in the air like mist, heavy and lingering. "You really like to throw the whole library at me, don't you?" Lucien finally muttered, rubbing his temples. His voice was calm, but his faint smirk betrayed amusement. "I half-expected you to ask if Aura could bake bread while you were at it."

Valeri blinked. "Wait, can it—?"

"No, it can't," Lucien interrupted with a sigh. "And don't even think about testing that theory."

The flickering flame in the corner popped, filling the cave with brief warmth. Lucien turned his gaze toward it, using the moment to organize his thoughts. "To answer your first question, Aura reserves are technically limitless, but you are not. A person's soul can only grow with experience, training, and willpower. Overworking it, though..." He paused, narrowing his eyes. "That's like trying to lift a mountain with a spoon. Push too far, and you might disconnect your soul from your body, entering what we call 'limbo death.' It's as bad as it sounds."

Valeri's eyes widened. "Limbo death?" He glanced down at his bandaged arms, suddenly feeling more fragile than before. "That sounds... encouraging."

Lucien raised an eyebrow. "Oh, it gets better. If you take in corrupt Aura or impure Mana, you'll get reflux—a lovely little phenomenon where your channels decide they hate you. At best, you'll feel like you've swallowed fire. At worst, permanent damage. So, yes, don't go drinking strange Mana cocktails."

Valeri tried to suppress a groan. "Alright, but what about Personal Attributes? If I have a flame-based PA, can I use Mana to create ice-based spells? Hypothetically, of course."

Lucien's smirk widened into a grin. "Hypothetically? Sure. Realistically? You'd look like a toddler trying to juggle flaming swords. It's inefficient, dangerous, and downright painful. Your Aura won't betray its nature, no matter how much you want to play Elsa."

Valeri frowned. "Elsa?"

Lucien waved a hand dismissively. "Never mind. Ancient tale. The point is, you're better off refining your innate abilities rather than chasing what isn't yours. Warriors, in particular, need to focus on their strengths. Your Ki channels are like highways for energy—robust and wide—but they're not built for delicate weaving like a mage's."

Valeri rubbed his neck, the weight of the explanations pressing down on him. "So, let me get this straight. Warriors are the clumsy juggernauts, and mages are the artsy geniuses? Feels like I drew the short straw here."

Lucien chuckled, a low, rare sound. "Not quite. Warriors shape the battlefield with presence and raw power. Mages? They can paint pretty pictures with spells, but they don't have your endurance. Think of it like this: you're a sledgehammer; they're scalpels. Both are useful, but in different ways."

"Great," Valeri muttered. "I'm a glorified hammer."

Lucien crouched beside him, his expression softening. "Stop pouting. A well-trained hammer can break anything, even a scalpel. Your path demands discipline, but the rewards are immense. Now..." He straightened, his tone shifting to one of command. "Let's explore your Attribute. If you want to understand it, you need to start by understanding yourself."

Valeri hesitated. "What if I don't like what I find?"

Lucien's gaze sharpened. "Then make peace with it. Your soul is yours alone. No one else can wield it, shape it, or overcome it. You either embrace it, or you let it consume you. Your choice."

The weight of Lucien's words hung heavy, but Valeri nodded. He wasn't sure he liked the idea of exploring his soul, but he had no other option. The path forward was clear—daunting, yes, but unavoidable. As he prepared to delve deeper into his training, the faint sound of the beast's whining reached his ears.

"By the way," Valeri said, glancing at Lucien. "Does that thing ever shut up?"

Lucien's lips twitched. "Not unless you want to give it a lullaby. Go on, sing it a song. I'll wait."

Valeri shot him a flat look. "I think I'll pass."

"Good choice," Lucien replied, his grin returning. "Because trust me, the last thing you want is to deal with a beast that's both angry and insulted by your singing."