I stood in the courtyard drenched in sweat, my muscles aching from the intense training session. I had just finished demonstrating the Celestial Body Arts' Three Strike Pose, a difficult sequence that combined sharp strikes with graceful footwork. As I held my final position, panting but resolute, my teacher Joseph watched me with a satisfied nod.
I've done it, thank you human sage, you are my biggest cheat. But now, I've only completed the three strike poses. I need to finish the entire sequence, but to do that, I'll need to use my full core mana. So what if I have to? I'll make sure to complete it.
I've used everything because I need to become the strongest. Come on, Austin, do it. You can't lose to the main character.
After that, I completed all thirteen strike poses and six footwork techniques, and I got a notification that I had leveled up three times. Mana surged through my body once again as leveling up instantly refilled my mana. As soon as I used all thirteen strike poses and six footwork techniques together, Joseph was shocked. The entire class fell into pin-drop silence, everyone just staring at the scene. Some were amazed while others felt jealous.
I just ignored them. Why the hell would I care about others' feelings? I quickly opened my status.
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Name: Austin Rosford
Age: 10
Gender: Male
Race: Human
Potential: Locked
Level: 6
Rank: F
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Attributes
Strength: 20
Agility: 18
Mana: 20
Endurance: 25
Vitality: 20
Intelligence: 28
Charm: 12
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Ability: You can inherit a system if you come into contact with a system.
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Talent: Human Sage [Divine]
You are born with the power of a human sage. You can learn everything faster than anyone else.
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Martial Arts Skills
Low-level mana breathing (Progress: 5%)
Celestial Body Arts (Progress: 7%)
Mana Core: Rank 1
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Innate Skills
Element Master [Divine] (Locked)
This ability allows its user to control all elements in any way, but certain conditions must be met to unlock this ability.
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I improved, but I still can't use magic, and I'm exhausted—not physically, thanks to the level-ups, but mentally. Practicing all these martial arts is incredibly tiring. Anyway, until I gain magic, I'll have to add elemental attributes to my martial arts. But that will only be possible once I become a C-rank awakened, which will still take time. From level 1 to 10 is F rank, and from level 11 to 25 is E rank, which can easily make you a super soldier. But above that, Rank D is from 26 to 60, and Rank C is from 61 to 100.
With each rank increase, leveling up becomes harder and harder because normal awakened individuals gain stats but don't have any cheats for leveling up. Only their hard work and practice help them progress. I haven't received any inheritance yet, so I'll have to work even harder.
Joseph was quite astonished, but he didn't show any emotion on his face. How is this possible? Just a year ago, I found this child in the rainforest in a wounded state. He had lost his memory. I brought him to the Rosford orphanage, and back then, he was timid and quiet, not speaking to anyone. Later, he showed an interest in magic books and the history of ancient family magic engineering, which made him Shela's favorite. She wanted to turn him into a mage, but his talent in martial arts is on par with the geniuses of ancient families. I need to speak to Shela and Sir Evan, the ruler of Rosford country and the first disciple of the legendary hero Rosford, about him. This child's potential is limitless. But first, I must fulfill my promise. Perhaps this is the child who can complete that martial arts manual.
Joseph walks over to me. You've improved remarkably, Joseph said, stepping forward, his eyes full of pride. Your form is sharp, and your footwork has finally caught up with your strikes. It's time I fulfilled my promise.
My heart raced as Joseph reached into the folds of his robe, pulling out a scroll bound in worn dark leather. The air around the scroll seemed to hum with an ancient energy. Joseph held it with both hands, presenting it to me like a sacred relic.
This, Joseph said, is the Vajrastava Martial Arts manual. It was created by the legendary Rosford, a hero of the highest rank. Legendary Rosford, with his mastery, could channel core mana like no other, using it to create powerful barriers around his body and form weapon auras that could slice through steel.
My eyes widened as Joseph continued. With this martial art, even a hero of rank F or E can harness core mana and create blasts powerful enough to turn the tide in battle. More than that, they can form mana barriers, defensive shields capable of withstanding devastating blows. But perhaps its most dangerous technique is the ability to imbue weapons with mana, creating what is known as a weapon aura. Whether it's a sword, spear, or any other weapon, the wielder can coat it with an aura of pure mana, making each strike far deadlier. And if you master it further, you can infuse elemental attributes into your attacks—lightning, fire, ice, whatever your affinity might be.
My fingers trembled slightly as I took the manual. The weight of it seemed far greater than its physical form suggested. This wasn't just any manual—it was a piece of history, a treasure of martial wisdom.
But there is a reason, Joseph warned, his voice turning grave, that even though this art was designed to be legendary, it is considered incomplete.
Incomplete? I echoed, my eyes narrowing.
Joseph nodded, stepping closer, his voice dropping to a whisper, as if afraid the very air might steal the words away. Vajrastava lacks a crucial component: proper mana breathing techniques. Rosford created this art, but he never fully perfected it. Many geniuses have tried to develop a breathing technique that would harmonize with the martial art, but none have succeeded. Without a way to synchronize mana with the mind, body, and soul in perfect unity, its true potential remains locked away. As it stands now, it is only usable by heroes of F and E rank. Even though it has the power to achieve divine rank, no one has been able to ascend beyond its limitations.
I felt a surge of conflicting emotions—excitement at the potential of what lay before me, but also a deep apprehension. Incomplete techniques could be dangerous, especially if they required perfect control over one's mana. Missteps could lead to injury, or worse, death.
I won't lie to you, Joseph continued, his tone solemn. The path you're choosing is a difficult one. Many before you have attempted to fully unlock Vajrastava's secrets, but all have failed. Without the right breathing technique, you'll be walking a tightrope between power and self-destruction.
Why hasn't anyone been able to create the breathing techniques? I asked.
Because, Joseph replied, it requires more than just skill. To develop the perfect breathing technique for Vajrastava, one must be able to unify mind, body, and soul perfectly. This is not an easy task. Most martial artists struggle to balance two aspects, let alone three. The mental fortitude, physical precision, and spiritual depth needed are immense. Even the greatest minds of our time have fallen short. Rosford himself was the only one known to have achieved this perfect unity, but he took the secret of his breathing techniques to the grave.
I was silent for a moment, my gaze fixed on the scroll in my hands. The allure of mastering Vajrastava was undeniable, but the risk weighed heavily on me. Still, the thought of being one of the few who could control such a powerful art stirred something deep within me—a hunger to prove myself.
I'm willing to try, I said finally, my voice filled with determination.
Joseph smiled softly, though there was a hint of sadness in his eyes. I expected no less from you. Just remember, this is not a journey you need to take alone. If you ever feel that the weight is too much to bear, come to me. I've walked many dangerous paths, and I can help guide you through this one.
I nodded, clutching the manual tightly. I will, Master. Thank you.
Joseph turned, his voice becoming lighter as he gestured toward the horizon. Now go and rest. You'll need your strength for what lies ahead.
As I made my way back to my quarters, I could feel the eyes of the other disciples on me, whispers of envy and curiosity trailing in my wake. They all knew what I had been given. The Vajrastava manual was no ordinary gift—it was a mark of trust, a symbol of Joseph's belief in my potential.
But as I lay in my bed that night, staring up at the ceiling, I couldn't shake the feeling that I had stepped onto a path that was both extraordinary and perilous. The scroll sat on the table beside me, the dark leather gleaming faintly in the moonlight. My mind swirled with thoughts of Rosford, the legendary hero who had created such a powerful technique but had left it unfinished.
Was it really possible for someone like me, a mere rank F hero, to unlock its true potential? Could I be the one to finally discover the perfect breathing technique that would bring the mind, body, and soul into harmony? Or would I, like so many before me, fall short of the mark?
As sleep began to take hold of me, I made a silent vow. No matter the difficulty, no matter the risks, I would not rest until I had unlocked the true power of Vajrastava.
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