"Why can't I find it...?" Zi Yi muttered to herself. She let out a small sigh and set the book in her hands down as she massaged her temples.

Zi Yi was currently inside of the Amaharpe Palace Library reading its massive collection of books. Over the past few days, Zi Yi had spent most of her time in this place gaining more in-depth knowledge about the world of RML. To her, just being in this library and being able to read as just as adventurous as her trip to the Chaotic Dogma Realm.

"I give up. It's just not here. It must be on the second floor." Zi Yi said in a weary tone of voice as she rested her head on the table before her.

"I believe that if anyone can find the answer, it's you." Luna said with a small smile on her face. Ever since she returned to Amaharpe from the Blazing Tempris Domain, she was in the Amaharpe Palace Library with Zi Yi.

Since Zi Yi had been at it for so long, she decided that she needed a fresh pair of eyes to assist her. Luna did not have any pressing matters to attend to and so she agreed to lend Zi Yi a helping hand. While her reading speed was not as impressive as Zi Yi's frightening speed, she was still much faster than the average person at going through books.

It also helped that Zi Yi already prepared a specific stack of books for her to go through.

Zi Yi placed her hands on the side of her head in frustration as she said, "I'm missing one piece, just one more piece to the puzzle. It's right there, I can feel it... You're right, I can find it. I can definitely find it..!"

Zi Yi sat up straight and felt a new wave refreshing wave of energy and motivation wash over her. She began to go through the last stack of books she prepared beforehand. She would not let these books get the best of her!

A few moments later, as Luna and Zi Yi were reading, Luna suddenly furrowed her brows when she came across some strange text in one of the books in her pile.

"Strange, why is this worded in such an odd way?" Luna said as she began thinking to herself.

"Hm? What is it?" Zi Yi overheard Luna and moved over to see what she was talking about.

Luna pointed to a specific line in the book. It was a jumble of words that did not make any sense.

"This line here... It says, 'Life from and light endlessly nothingness the is World.'." Luna said.

"Oh, it's that book. It's just a bunch of nonsense. It doesn't fit anywhere into the actual content of the book and seems to be something randomly plugged inside without a second thought." Zi Yi explained. No matter how many times she went over those words previously, it just made absolutely no sense to her.

Luna nodded and said, "That's what I thought at first as well, however, then I remembered what I read in another book you gave to me." Luna set down the book in her hands and searched through the pile of books next to her. 

A couple of seconds later, she had a light blue book in her hands with a pretty handwritten title listed on the front of it. After flipping through a few pages, she found the sentence she was referring to.

"This one here says, 'is the into that within this beginning the.'. Maybe the two are related somehow?" Luna speculated.

Zi Yi rested her chin onto her thumb and index fingers as she thought of the possible ways that the two lines could be merged together to form a complete and coherent sentence. But, in the end, it still made little sense. However, it suddenly hit her, maybe Luna really was onto something here.

Zi Yi grabbed the book that Luna set down a few moments and thoroughly examined it. The title of the book was Blue Intertwining Identical Stars.

"Luna, what's the title of that book?" Zi Yi asked curiously.

"Epics: Neverending Nissipius." Luna replied.

"Blue... Epics... Crossed? No... Maybe the first..." Zi Yi mumbled to herself as she was locked in deep thought.

Luna quietly observed Zi Yi. Although she was curious as to what Zi Yi was thinking so hard about, she did not want to interrupt her train of thought.

Around one minute later, Zi Yi's eyes widened as if she was hit by a sudden realization. The answer had literally been right in front of her all along! A rare lovely and cheerful smile appeared on Zi Yi's face as she looked at Luna.

"Luna, you're a genius! Ah, right I have to find the other one..." Zi Yi said as if a great weight had been lifted off her shoulders. She started to go through the books piled up on the table as if she were looking for a specific one.

Luna blinked a few times and was slightly confused by Zi Yi's sudden outburst and cheerful attitude. Just a few moments ago she was ready to give up, but now she was happily rummaging through the library books with a happy smile on her face. It did not take a genius to figure out why the abrupt change in her mood occurred.

"Would you care to fill me in?" Luna asked with a smile on her face. For some reason, seeing Zi Yi behave in such a lively and energetic manner made her see why Mariposa was so protective and loving of her younger sister. There was a flash of sadness that lasted only a brief moment when that thought crossed her mind, however, she quickly returned to normal before it became noticeable.

"There's three books. I know it, there's definitely three- Ah, here it is. Great New Genesis, this has to be it." Zi Yi said as she opened the book and flipped through it. She had already read this book and knew exactly what page she was looking for and soon enough, she found it.

Luna was still unsure what Zi Yi was talking about, but she had a good feeling that she was about to find out.

"In this one it says, 'born chaos the stretches the is this true.'. Just like the other two, it seems like a bunch of nonsense. In truth, it can actually be considered useless information since it really does have nothing to do with the book itself. However, that's only if someone had access to a single one of these three books." Zi Yi explained.

She then continued, "Blue Intertwining Identical Stars, Epics: Neverending Nissipius, and Great New Genesis. The key lies within these three titles on how to structure these words together. If we were to arrange it to Blue Epics Great Intertwining Neverending New Identical Nissipius Genesis Stars, can you tell me what acronym that spells?"

Luna took a moment to piece it together and in the next instant, she was struck by the same wave of realization that Zi Yi experienced just moments ago.

"Beginnings, it spells beginnings..!" Luna said in a shocked manner.

Zi Yi nodded and replied, "Exactly! Beginnings! Even if we say that this is just a coincidence, we can't ignore the pattern it shows."

"Pattern?" Luna questioned.

"These books weren't chosen at random. They were created in a specific order. One, two and three. Just like their respective positions in the acronym, the words in the book were made to be placed into a similar pattern of one, two, and three on a constantly repeated cycle until you finally get this-" Zi Yi set all three books down next to each other opened up to the page with the odd text.

"Life is born from the chaos and into the light that stretches endlessly within the nothingness; this is the beginning. This is the True World." Zi Yi said.

〈System Alert: You have read a line from the «Book of Beginnings».〉
〈System Alert: You feel a tremendous power flow throughout your body!〉
〈System Alert: You have gained the trait «Unlocked Latent Potential».〉
〈System Alert: You have learned the skilled «Clear Mind».〉
〈System Alert: You have discovered new clues regarding the «Book of Beginnings». Your world fame has increased by +100.〉
〈System Alert: You...

Zi Yi was bombarded with a stream of system alerts as soon as she finished speaking. By the time it was over, she had obtained some amazing benefits.

"This is... Amazing...!" Zi Yi was flabbergasted as she read through all of the system alerts. Not only she did learn a new skill, but she also obtained a rare trait in the process. Also, the trait level of her Soul Essence had increased by 1.0 setting her just ahead of Guan Yu.

She quickly told Luna to repeat the words she spoken a few seconds ago. In the end, nothing happened and Luna did not receive any of the benefits Zi Yi herself acquired.

"Maybe it's something that only works once or on certain people. Luna, I..." Zi Yi speculated as a frown appeared on her face. If not for Luna coming in with a fresh pair of eyes, it may have taken her another day or two, maybe even longer to piece things together. She felt as if Luna, at the very least, deserved some part of the reward.

Luna, however, shook her head and said, "In the end, you're the one who discovered it. I can say with 100% certainty that I would have never been able to piece things together in such a way. Besides, I just came here to assist you. More importantly, look at this." Luna pointed to something that was happening with the three books placed upon the table next to each other.

Zi Yi looked over and saw that the books were flipping through multiple pages by itself. Soon after, the three books started to float in midair as all the pages within flew out and spun rapidly in circles. The pages from the books began to attach to one another and formed a large map with a red circle around an isolated spot. Compared to the surrounding territories, it was small and feeble.

"A map? But of what?" Zi Yi studied the map, however, she was unable to make out a single thing on it with 100% certainty. However, she believed that one of the locations on it was Amaharpe based on some of the geographical terrain and its surrounding similarities.

However, Luna had seen that spot somewhere before! It was on the Realm Chart Azalea Wraith was carrying around during their journey to the Blazing Tempris Domain. Although it was an unnamed location, she was positive that it was the same exact location being shown on this map before them.

"I know that place. I saw it once on a Realm Chart." Luna said with her brows raised.

"What's it called?" Zi Yi asked curiously.

"I'm not sure, it was an unnamed location. However, I know that it's located somewhere east of the Blazing Tempris Domain. It's not located within the Blazing Tempris Domain itself, but rather within the land situated next to it." Luna explained.

Around fifteen seconds later, the papers scattered all over before finally returning to the books they came out of.

"The titles!" Zi Yi was startled when she saw that the titles that were on the book before had vanished without a trace!

She quickly opened the books to the page the odd words were on and just as she suspected, those words had disappeared as well as if they were never there in the first place. If not for the system alerts and Luna being there with her, she would have believed that everything that just happened was from a lack of proper sleep.

"It's all gone. The titles and the words, both of them have vanished from the books." Zi Yi said in a voice filled with disbelief.

After taking a moment to calm down from the sudden rush of excitement, Zi Yi and Luna looked at each other as if they were on the same wavelength.

"He'll be surprised. Though with this, I'm sure he'll understand why we missed the grand opening of the Mystical Realm Palace." Zi Yi said.

"Indeed, we finally have a solid lead. Since he completed the first part, it's only right that we contribute to the second part. Zi Yi, you may have just discovered an important part of our world quest, The Beginning of Beginnings. We have to inform Izroth." Luna said.

...

Jin, a hardcore gamer who still lives with his mom at the age of 24. He could never hold down a steady job since graduating, his girlfriend since high school dumped him for his best friend and he's constantly getting beat up by a group of local gang members. His dad left him and his mom when he became rich from the lottery and got a new family, one free of debt and burdens as he called it. His mom works 3 jobs to keep everything from falling apart, except for herself slowly. One day on his way home with the very first and new fully immersive VRMMORPG called Realm of Myths and Legends or RML for short, he died from a hit and run car accident. RML was advertised as the worlds first fully immersive VRMMORPG, allowing for players with skill sets in the real world, like sword training, martial arts, archery or reaction time, to benefit in the game itself! Though Jin died and at that moment a soul from another world crossed over into his body and inherited his memories. The man known as Izroth once hailed as the greatest cultivator in the seven realms, soul reincarnates into the modern world year 20xx in the body of Jin.

"What are all these strange memories flowing into my mind..? I've been to all seven realms and have never seen one like this. Earth is it?"

"M-My cultivation..! It's back to nothing! This body is so weak and spiritual essence here is scarce. But my soul strength is untainted."

"I'll make right all the wrongs that have been done to you, your revenge shall come."

"It's called a video game? I'll play it! Since you've given me this body even though it wasn't planned, I'll accomplish your goal of becoming #1."

"So sects here are called guilds... I'll make the strongest one there is!"

"Ha? World greatest gamer? Don't think you can bully me and not pay the price!"

Action, Adventure, Betrayals, Romance, Revenge. Join Izroth on his journey to become the #1 player and create the #1 guild in RML!

-----------------------------------------

Check out and support their work! Lots of great artwork!

Discord: https://discord.gg/W6N9MZk
Contact Me: DaoistZenFeng@gmail.com

At first, he also put in his efforts. He had thought that he need to prepare for whatever he could since he didn't know when humanity would come back.

"Vale Tudo and spearmanship are still sloppy. Actually, it's better for me!"
[Such a strange human....!]

Even while receiving Lita's strange gaze, Yu IlHan immersed himself again in training. Lita provided all 3 meals for him anyway so he only needed to think about the martial arts that he needed to learn.

And like that, 5 years and 10 years passed. It was the moment after 20 years had passed since he was left out.

Now, his punches and kicks flowed with fighting spirit that can even kill a bear, much less a human, and the wooden spear he extended powerfully not only pierced the sandbag, but it ripped it apart. Yu IlHan himself thought that he had no talent in regards to martial arts, but growing up like this in just 15 years was amazing. Of course, it was also because Lita, who was a great fighting partner, was there for him.

"I'm turning 40 soon. How is it? Do I look more mature?"
[The only thing you did was punching and stabbing with the spear. Do you think you earned anything other than enlightenment in martial arts? Did you see anyone acting their age after coming out from training in the mountains?]
"You think so too? My mom won't tell me I'm pretending to be mature, right?"
[Don't worry about it and keep training.]

From this point, Lita, who came once a week, came once in 3 days. It was because she was worried that Yu IlHan might go crazy after being alone in the huge prison known as Earth for no less than 20 years.

Whether it was due to her worry and interest or due to his innate personality, Yu IlHan endured well.
He endured for 20, 30 years.

[Just how much did it deviate!]

While looking at such Yu IlHan, it was now Lita who was nervous to the point of shouting. However, Lita's position wasn't actually that high so she wasn't in a position to ask God directly, and she didn't have the rights to reverse the time axis so she could only restlessly watch Yu IlHan training his body quietly, day by day.

"Lita."

One day, Yu IlHan said with a lowered voice.

"I can't remember my mom's face."
[...I'm sorry.]
"Even when I look at the picture, it feels unfamiliar. Was this person really my family? Wasn't I living here alone in the first place? Everything was my delusion and it is a lie that Lita made in order to console me..."
[Don't say such things!]
"Yeah, it was a joke. It might be good if it was actually like that though."

He sighed and took back the spear. It was the time after 50 years of being left behind.

"I'm fed up. I want to do something else."
[I'm sorry to say this now but... It's not known when the Great Cataclysm will occur. You cannot neglect your martial arts.]
"I know."

Now that they had shared several tens of years together, racial matters such as being an angel or being a human didn't really matter. The important thing to Yu IlHan was a person to look after him and a person who would listen to him. And Lita took that place so he followed Lita. That was enough.

Yu IlHan was also the only human that Lita came into contact with for several tens of years, so she became to harbor feelings of more than just pity and compassion for the human known as Yu IlHan. Of course, she didn't say that out loud.

The two's strange relationship which occurred due to God's error, was progressing in a truly marvelous direction.

"I'll read some books."
[That's a good idea.]

Martial arts would become important after the Great Cataclysm occurs, but reading helps widening one's reasoning and building the foundation for one's actions. It would help, not harm.

Yu IlHan, who acted too fast that it may seem excessive after setting his mind on something, he shut himself inside the college library straight away. As he promised with Lita, he trained Vale Tudo and spearmanship for 3 hours a day, but he invested the rest of the time solely on reading.

Even the most well preserved books would change colors after several tens of years passed, but 'thanks' to the 'stopped time', objects didn't get affected by time. It was a good thing for Yu IlHan.

His preferences leaned towards contemporary novels, but he got fed up after reading those for about 5 years and he moved onto others. While thinking that his ordinary college life might continue after the Great Cataclysm occurs, he first studied books related to his major which was business management, and when he was also about to get fed up with it, he considered plural majors and read psychology or other humanities-related books.

Unlike martial arts where the progress becomes less noticeable after a certain point, reading piled up knowledge. Yu IlHan, who was now hooked to reading, spread his interests to other books inside the library. Common knowledge, history, geography, classics, physics, chemistry, art – he read every single books existing in the library.

After a few years passed, the books inside the libraries were insufficient. There was no one guarding bookstores anyway, so Yu IlHan started conquering the bookstores within his walking range in search for books that weren't in the library.

However, even this had a limit. On his 67th year of being left behind (Of course, Yu Ilhan no longer counted time), he made a big decision.

"Let's learn another language."
[Then let's just change locations. I can deliver your meals wherever it is.]
"Where is that food coming from?"
[Secret.]

While pondering whether to cross the seas or not, he moved locations to China, the closest country. While driving any car to drive until he was out of fuel, when he found a working petrol station, he would refuel, and if not, he would just change cars.
License? There was only Yu IlHan in this world so it was okay as long as the car he drove didn't fall off a cliff or exploded in a crash.

Even while moving, he studied Chinese in his spare time. The language studies made him sick after studying even a little became doable due to reading books for tens of years.

And the China he arrived at somehow was too wide. And there were of course, a lot of text to be read.

"Maybe it's a mistake to set China as the first stop."

Yu IlHan screamed in joy at the fact that there were so much new knowledge. Humanity will definitely come back before I get to know all the knowledge of China – at that fact, he even felt sorry for that.

However, that was his mistake. Even after adventuring all of the wide lands of China, and studying every book in China, humanity still didn't come back. Yu IlHan no longer asked Lita how much time passed and Lita also didn't speak of it.
He calmly moved to another country. It was because he felt that he might go crazy if he didn't get new stimulation, no matter what it was.

Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Pakistan, India, Mongolia... After learning every language on Asia, he read all the books, records and even internet logs of all those countries. As if he would die if he didn't read something, he read and read again.
Once, he forgot the iron rule of training martial arts for 3 hours a day and was close to getting beaten up by Lita.

[Are you really alright?]
"It's alright. Anyway."

He raised his head. The last page of the last book of the 7.5 million books inside the Russian academy of sciences was revealing itself.
Even though it was 7.5 million books, there were many books that also existed in other libraries, and to Yu IlHan, who could now read any book in a short time regardless of thickness due to reading repeatedly for countless years, it wasn't that hard of a task.

"As expected, I can't understand technical books even after reading them."

Yu IlHan saw through the limits of this brain. It seemed that he wasn't a person who was fit for sciences. He only read because there was text, and just reading the book didn't make him a professional in that area.

"Now let's go to Europe."
[You're speaking in Russian right now, you know?]
"Hyvää!"
[Okay, we can go to Finland.]

When he toured Europe, middle east, and even Africa, his vocabulary became rich.
It was the 216th year after he was left behind.

"Now there's just Oceania and America left!"

Yu IlHan cheered like a middle schooler who just checked that there was little summer homework left. At his unchanging tension even though he had lived for over 200 years, Lita made a bitter smile and asked back.

[You do know that you have to go by boat, right?]
"It's alright. There are many boats without owners in this world!"
[That's called stealing.]

The power of time was truly amazing. It had made a clueless college student into an all-powerful adventurer. Of course, there was no need to say twice since one human was given more time than a human lifespan, but Kiervin kept moving without rest as if he would die the moment he stopped.

Using all the knowledge of Geography, he set the sailing distance to the minimum, and he looked for a boat which could hold out for that distance. In the countless books he read until now, there were many specialized books related to ships, so there wasn't any difficulty finding a sturdy and a fueled boat, and driving it.

"Lita, humanity didn't die out by any chance, right?"
[I said there was a deviation in the time axis. I was a fool for thinking it's just twice or three times. It seems that it's at least 10 times.]
"How exciting."

After he finished preparing for the voyage, Kiervin left the land he was on without hesitation. As long as Oceania and America waited for him, there was no time for leisure.

And tens of years passed again.

"I finiiiiiiiiiiiiished!"
[Such a nasty guy.]

While looking at Kiervin who was shouting and rolling around on top of the table inside Boston Public Library, known for being one of the biggest in America, Lita muttered with a
fed up voice.
Kiervin finally had conquered all the available books revealed to humanity. Even though she had watched the whole process with her own eyes, it was an unbelievable achievement.

After he left the library, sat down on a bench on the street and looked at the sky blankly for a while, Kiervin muttered while tilting his head.

"What do I do now?"
[Martial Arts?]
"I've done that until now too."

He didn't only read books while touring around the world. He went to various ruins which remained in some parts of the world, he found traces of martial arts and he kept revising various shortcomings in Vale Tudo and spearmanship. Training was 3 hours at the minimum and sometimes it would go over 8 hours, and 12 hours.

His fighting arts and weapon arts, which transformed to the point that he couldn't find the original style, was developed into a practical and high level technique to the point that Lita would have a hard time fighting him without mana.
This was something that was unachievable by someone who didn't have talent even if that person was given countless years. Lita of course didn't tell this to Kiervin. Since he would get ahead of himself when she did!

"Lita, other than martial arts or knowledge, is there something that might help after the Great Cataclysm occurs?"

The question that flew towards Lita, who was thinking about Kiervin's talent, was this. When she heard this, Lita could feel goosebumps.

[You...]

His question proved one thing.

Kiervin, who experienced more things than a human could experience in one lifetime, still didn't lose hope despite the time that had passed.

To him, his life wasn't over. No, perhaps he might be thinking that it didn't start until now. All the things he did until now maybe just in preparation for the life after the Great Cataclysm.

It was a long time even for Lita, who was an angel, but a human who wouldn't live past 100 on average was treating the past years as prior preparation. Of course, he himself didn't know exactly how much time had passed, but that didn't make Lita any less surprised.

[You, how can you be like that?]

As she was dumbfounded, Lita spat out the question she held back until now.
If Kiervin tried to boast for a bit, he might have answered with a fancier answer, but he, who lived while looking for new knowledge and experienced without being in contact with another human for countless years, only had candidness and honesty left. It might be considered that he regressed back into a child.

"You said I need to do it, so I do it. I can't practice mana so I need to do other things."
[...]

With Kiervin, who sighed while replying, in front of her, Lita lost her words to speak. The countless emotions and impulses mixed with each other and blew up to the point of bursting and bleached her mind pitch white.
Soon, she didn't know what expression to make and turned her head and spread her wings.

[I'm going!]
"Tell me what to do before leaving!"
[Think about it yourself from now!]

Lita disappeared from the place, and kiervin was dumbfounded. After cool-headedly judging the situation, he muttered again while sighing.

"Let's first go back home."

This was a historic moment where an angel harbored more than just good intentions towards a human. And obviously, Kiervin didn't notice that.

Kiervin didn't know, but this was the 274th year after being left behind.
Humanity didn't return yet.

A Weirdo in Elementary school

A Loner in High School

Now he's on College, He was forgotten by God!?

While everyone on Earth was leave, he was left alone. Out of pity, he was thrown on a random world. 

But why of all world he was thrown, he come to an place look like earth, no it is Earth but in mirror version. Everything is similar but no living person in sight, only animals. Can he live pass 5 years, but the time said was a bit different, a bit longer.

Find How he, Kiervin, a lonely college student become a person who will be the top of the food chain..

At first, he also put in his efforts. He had thought that he need to prepare for whatever he could since he didn't know when humanity would come back.

"Vale Tudo and spearmanship are still sloppy. Actually, it's better for me!"
[Such a strange human....!]

Even while receiving Lita's strange gaze, Yu IlHan immersed himself again in training. Lita provided all 3 meals for him anyway so he only needed to think about the martial arts that he needed to learn.

And like that, 5 years and 10 years passed. It was the moment after 20 years had passed since he was left out.

Now, his punches and kicks flowed with fighting spirit that can even kill a bear, much less a human, and the wooden spear he extended powerfully not only pierced the sandbag, but it ripped it apart. Yu IlHan himself thought that he had no talent in regards to martial arts, but growing up like this in just 15 years was amazing. Of course, it was also because Lita, who was a great fighting partner, was there for him.

"I'm turning 40 soon. How is it? Do I look more mature?"
[The only thing you did was punching and stabbing with the spear. Do you think you earned anything other than enlightenment in martial arts? Did you see anyone acting their age after coming out from training in the mountains?]
"You think so too? My mom won't tell me I'm pretending to be mature, right?"
[Don't worry about it and keep training.]

From this point, Lita, who came once a week, came once in 3 days. It was because she was worried that Yu IlHan might go crazy after being alone in the huge prison known as Earth for no less than 20 years.

Whether it was due to her worry and interest or due to his innate personality, Yu IlHan endured well.
He endured for 20, 30 years.

[Just how much did it deviate!]

While looking at such Yu IlHan, it was now Lita who was nervous to the point of shouting. However, Lita's position wasn't actually that high so she wasn't in a position to ask God directly, and she didn't have the rights to reverse the time axis so she could only restlessly watch Yu IlHan training his body quietly, day by day.

"Lita."

One day, Yu IlHan said with a lowered voice.

"I can't remember my mom's face."
[...I'm sorry.]
"Even when I look at the picture, it feels unfamiliar. Was this person really my family? Wasn't I living here alone in the first place? Everything was my delusion and it is a lie that Lita made in order to console me..."
[Don't say such things!]
"Yeah, it was a joke. It might be good if it was actually like that though."

He sighed and took back the spear. It was the time after 50 years of being left behind.

"I'm fed up. I want to do something else."
[I'm sorry to say this now but... It's not known when the Great Cataclysm will occur. You cannot neglect your martial arts.]
"I know."

Now that they had shared several tens of years together, racial matters such as being an angel or being a human didn't really matter. The important thing to Yu IlHan was a person to look after him and a person who would listen to him. And Lita took that place so he followed Lita. That was enough.

Yu IlHan was also the only human that Lita came into contact with for several tens of years, so she became to harbor feelings of more than just pity and compassion for the human known as Yu IlHan. Of course, she didn't say that out loud.

The two's strange relationship which occurred due to God's error, was progressing in a truly marvelous direction.

"I'll read some books."
[That's a good idea.]

Martial arts would become important after the Great Cataclysm occurs, but reading helps widening one's reasoning and building the foundation for one's actions. It would help, not harm.

Yu IlHan, who acted too fast that it may seem excessive after setting his mind on something, he shut himself inside the college library straight away. As he promised with Lita, he trained Vale Tudo and spearmanship for 3 hours a day, but he invested the rest of the time solely on reading.

Even the most well preserved books would change colors after several tens of years passed, but 'thanks' to the 'stopped time', objects didn't get affected by time. It was a good thing for Yu IlHan.

His preferences leaned towards contemporary novels, but he got fed up after reading those for about 5 years and he moved onto others. While thinking that his ordinary college life might continue after the Great Cataclysm occurs, he first studied books related to his major which was business management, and when he was also about to get fed up with it, he considered plural majors and read psychology or other humanities-related books.

Unlike martial arts where the progress becomes less noticeable after a certain point, reading piled up knowledge. Yu IlHan, who was now hooked to reading, spread his interests to other books inside the library. Common knowledge, history, geography, classics, physics, chemistry, art – he read every single books existing in the library.

After a few years passed, the books inside the libraries were insufficient. There was no one guarding bookstores anyway, so Yu IlHan started conquering the bookstores within his walking range in search for books that weren't in the library.

However, even this had a limit. On his 67th year of being left behind (Of course, Yu Ilhan no longer counted time), he made a big decision.

"Let's learn another language."
[Then let's just change locations. I can deliver your meals wherever it is.]
"Where is that food coming from?"
[Secret.]

While pondering whether to cross the seas or not, he moved locations to China, the closest country. While driving any car to drive until he was out of fuel, when he found a working petrol station, he would refuel, and if not, he would just change cars.
License? There was only Yu IlHan in this world so it was okay as long as the car he drove didn't fall off a cliff or exploded in a crash.

Even while moving, he studied Chinese in his spare time. The language studies made him sick after studying even a little became doable due to reading books for tens of years.

And the China he arrived at somehow was too wide. And there were of course, a lot of text to be read.

"Maybe it's a mistake to set China as the first stop."

Yu IlHan screamed in joy at the fact that there were so much new knowledge. Humanity will definitely come back before I get to know all the knowledge of China – at that fact, he even felt sorry for that.

However, that was his mistake. Even after adventuring all of the wide lands of China, and studying every book in China, humanity still didn't come back. Yu IlHan no longer asked Lita how much time passed and Lita also didn't speak of it.
He calmly moved to another country. It was because he felt that he might go crazy if he didn't get new stimulation, no matter what it was.

Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Pakistan, India, Mongolia... After learning every language on Asia, he read all the books, records and even internet logs of all those countries. As if he would die if he didn't read something, he read and read again.
Once, he forgot the iron rule of training martial arts for 3 hours a day and was close to getting beaten up by Lita.

[Are you really alright?]
"It's alright. Anyway."

He raised his head. The last page of the last book of the 7.5 million books inside the Russian academy of sciences was revealing itself.
Even though it was 7.5 million books, there were many books that also existed in other libraries, and to Yu IlHan, who could now read any book in a short time regardless of thickness due to reading repeatedly for countless years, it wasn't that hard of a task.

"As expected, I can't understand technical books even after reading them."

Yu IlHan saw through the limits of this brain. It seemed that he wasn't a person who was fit for sciences. He only read because there was text, and just reading the book didn't make him a professional in that area.

"Now let's go to Europe."
[You're speaking in Russian right now, you know?]
"Hyvää!"
[Okay, we can go to Finland.]

When he toured Europe, middle east, and even Africa, his vocabulary became rich.
It was the 216th year after he was left behind.

"Now there's just Oceania and America left!"

Yu IlHan cheered like a middle schooler who just checked that there was little summer homework left. At his unchanging tension even though he had lived for over 200 years, Lita made a bitter smile and asked back.

[You do know that you have to go by boat, right?]
"It's alright. There are many boats without owners in this world!"
[That's called stealing.]

The power of time was truly amazing. It had made a clueless college student into an all-powerful adventurer. Of course, there was no need to say twice since one human was given more time than a human lifespan, but Yu IlHan kept moving without rest as if he would die the moment he stopped.

Using all the knowledge of Geography, he set the sailing distance to the minimum, and he looked for a boat which could hold out for that distance. In the countless books he read until now, there were many specialized books related to ships, so there wasn't any difficulty finding a sturdy and a fueled boat, and driving it.

"Lita, humanity didn't die out by any chance, right?"
[I said there was a deviation in the time axis. I was a fool for thinking it's just twice or three times. It seems that it's at least 10 times.]
"How exciting."

After he finished preparing for the voyage, Yu IlHan left the land he was on without hesitation. As long as Oceania and America waited for him, there was no time for leisure.

And tens of years passed again.

"I finiiiiiiiiiiiiished!"
[Such a nasty guy.]

While looking at Yu Ilhan who was shouting and rolling around on top of the table inside Boston Public Library, known for being one of the biggest in America, Lita muttered with a
fed up voice.

Yu IlHan finally had conquered all the available books revealed to humanity. Even though she had watched the whole process with her own eyes, it was an unbelievable achievement.

After he left the library, sat down on a bench on the street and looked at the sky blankly for a while, Yu IlHan muttered while tilting his head.

"What do I do now?"
[Martial Arts?]
"I've done that until now too."

He didn't only read books while touring around the world. He went to various ruins which remained in some parts of the world, he found traces of martial arts and he kept revising various shortcomings in Vale Tudo and spearmanship. Training was 3 hours at the minimum and sometimes it would go over 8 hours, and 12 hours.

His fighting arts and weapon arts, which transformed to the point that he couldn't find the original style, was developed into a practical and high level technique to the point that Lita would have a hard time fighting him without mana.
This was something that was unachievable by someone who didn't have talent even if that person was given countless years. Lita of course didn't tell this to Yu Il Han. Since he would get ahead of himself when she did!

"Lita, other than martial arts or knowledge, is there something that might help after the Great Cataclysm occurs?"

The question that flew towards Lita, who was thinking about Yu IlHan's talent, was this. When she heard this, Lita could feel goosebumps.

[You...]

His question proved one thing.

Yu IlHan, who experienced more things than a human could experience in one lifetime, still didn't lose hope despite the time that had passed.

To him, his life wasn't over. No, perhaps he might be thinking that it didn't start until now. All the things he did until now maybe just in preparation for the life after the Great Cataclysm.

It was a long time even for Lita, who was an angel, but a human who wouldn't live past 100 on average was treating the past years as prior preparation. Of course, he himself didn't know exactly how much time had passed, but that didn't make Lita any less surprised.

[You, how can you be like that?]

As she was dumbfounded, Lita spat out the question she held back until now.
If Yu IlHan tried to boast for a bit, he might have answered with a fancier answer, but he, who lived while looking for new knowledge and experienced without being in contact with another human for countless years, only had candidness and honesty left. It might be considered that he regressed back into a child.

"You said I need to do it, so I do it. I can't practice mana so I need to do other things."
[...]

With Yu IlHan, who sighed while replying, in front of her, Lita lost her words to speak. The countless emotions and impulses mixed with each other and blew up to the point of bursting and bleached her mind pitch white.
Soon, she didn't know what expression to make and turned her head and spread her wings.

[I'm going!]
"Tell me what to do before leaving!"
[Think about it yourself from now!]

Lita disappeared from the place, and Yu IlHan was dumbfounded. After cool-headedly judging the situation, he muttered again while sighing.

"Let's first go back home."

This was a historic moment where an angel harbored more than just good intentions towards a human. And obviously, Yu IlHan didn't notice that.

Yu IlHan didn't know, but this was the 274th year after being left behind.
Humanity didn't return yet.

Left out during elementary school picnic.
Left out during middle school camp.
Left out during high school trip.

I finally became a college student and what? I’m left out from the entire humanity?

Yu IlHan who protects the earth alone while everybody’s away in other worlds.
His legend starts after humanity comes back and meets the Great Cataclysm!

I don't own this Novel
Source:kobatochan.com

Chapter 3: Encounter

"Oh yeah, I haven't distributed my stat points yet."  Ai almost forgot about his stats that were all in zero. From the knowledge that he had gained when the System was injected to him, in the beginning, the game itself gave the freedom to freely allocate their beginning stats and every player has the same number of points to show fairness for everyone somehow.

——————

Name: Ai Zhen
HP: 100 / 100
MP: 100 / 100
SP: 100 / 100
Level: 0
EXP: 0 / 900

CULTIVATION: 
Art: NONE
Realm: NA
Breakthrough: 0 / 0 EXP

Stat Points: 33
* Strength: 0+
(Boost your attack and defense power)
* Intelligence: 0+
(Boost your comprehension power)
* Dexterity: 0+
(Boost your attack, skill and movement speed)
* Vitality: 0+
(Boost your HP and MP)
* Stamina: 0+
(Boost your SP)

——————

"Oh by the way, Yun, what does SP stands for?" Ai Zhen noticed that there's another indicator for something. He had an idea about it but he's not that if what he was thinking was the same for this game.

<SP stands for Spiritual Points. It has the same importance with the HP and MP because this will be used in almost every actions that you will do. Special NPCs, Items and Quests requires a certain Spiritual Points in order to be engaged. This can also be used to enhance the effect of active skills depending on how much you input. Ways to restore SP can be done in any form of rest. One needs to cultivate in order to increase SP. Allocating points in Stamina can increase SP too.>

Half of Ai Zhen's thought about SP was right, and even though Yun's explanation about it was not that very specific, he was able to tell that this may be the most important stats in this game.

Moving on, based from the gaming experiences of the late Ai's, a player must always not neglect to allocate some points for the Strength and Agility even if the player is a mage class. The former Zhen's thinking also approved of this especially for the Agility stats. In the cultivation world, there's a saying that strength is not what makes a cultivator invincible but speed.

However, thinking back again, this game was almost completely different from the games that the late Ai have played, and also, there was a novel that he read where someone allocated all of his stat points in a single attribute which gave that character a special bonus.

"Here goes nothing." Ai Zhen smiled deviously as he was about to add all of his points to a certain stats.

——————

Name: Ai Zhen
HP: 100 / 100
MP: 100 / 100
SP: 330 / 330
Level: 0
EXP: 0 / 900

CULTIVATION: 
Art: NONE
Realm: NA
EXP: 0 / 0

Stat Points: 0
* Strength: 0+
(Boost your attack and defense power)
* Intelligence: 0+
(Boost your comprehension power)
* Dexterity: 0+
(Boost your attack, skill and movement speed)
* Vitality: 0+
(Boost your HP and MP)
* Stamina: 33+
(Boost your SP)

——————

Seconds and then minutes passed by, nothing happened. Ai Zhen was expecting for something grand to happen like being rewarded for being the first player to allocate all the starting stat point on a certain Attributes? I guess there is no reward for being a fool on believing too much on fantasy novels then.

Ai Zhen can only bitterly smile about it and moved on. And with that, he started to stroll around to find a NPC to have a conversation with.

++++++++++

The six sector of the Hidden Leaf Town was divided into three areas, the first two sector where the entry and exit point of the town is located was called the outer area, this is where the NPC shops and merchants are located.

The inner area is where the two middle sectors are located, this is where the town's residences resides. Some NPC nobles are also in here.

In the core area, where the remaining two sectors. There are only two places that are located in this area. One, is the town hall where the town lord resides. The other one is the, town's academy where the town's library is also located.

Ai Zhen thought that if he's going to do the quests, he will do it big. So in order to do it big, the only NPC that he can think of is the town's lord. With a goal set in his mind, he walked straight to the core area where the town hall is.

When he was about to enter the core area, his eyes were staring down on the bricked road minding his own business as he was contemplating on how to approach the town's lord. He passed by to an old man who was sitting down outside of a certain shop, having a tea. The old man called out to him, "Hey, young man!" A serene smile crept into his mouth as he was sipping his cup of tea.

Ai Zhen was still looking down on the road as he was still focused on how to approach the town lord. He was only able to stop when a voice sounded beside his ears, "It's rare to find someone who has great potential nowadays."

Ai Zhen looked at the old man surprised who was raising his cup of coffee, "Would you like to have a cup of tea?"

Ai Zhen thought that this old man is no ordinary that's why he accepted his offer. He opened the gate of the tea shop that was called Autumn Leaf Cafe and sat in front of the old man. The old man took an empty cup on his side and poured a tea for him.

"Would you like to be my disciple?" The old man got straight to the point.

The old man's straightforwardness surprised Ai Zhen as he doesn't know what to reply. 

"Why would you do that?" He looked at the old man with slightly raised eyebrow showing his skepticism. In his mind, no one can be his master in this lifetime. As the greatest cultivator in his past life, the arrogance and confidence in him surfaced. But even though he thought of this, he still patiently asked what the old man's motive.

"Well, just a simple fact that you are very talented. Who wouldn't want a disciple with such capabilities like you?" The old man simply stated with a playful smile.

"Heh..how would you know that I'm that talented?" Ai Zhen also playfully smiled back to the old man. "What if it turns out that I'm really just a trash?"

"Nonsense, young man! How on Earth would someone like you..a great figure..would be a trash?" The old man intentionally made his voice sounded like a whisper in Ai's ears just to display his capabilities, and was trying to make his bullshit mysterious. Ai also noticed this however, he didn't mind it and just played along.

"Well old man, if I'm that of a genius, then I'm now even more confident that I don't need a teacher or a master." Ai Zhen laughed wittily with a hint of arrogance on his antics.

The old man could only shake his head from this retort because he knows that the young man, Ai Zhen, was not buying it.

"Young man, if you are able to learn these books within this day. I'll admit that I'm not worthy to be your master." The old man took out six books that magically appeared in front of the table. Five of this six books have the same style of book cover with just different shades of color while the the other one has an orange red book cover and golden platings on its edges designed as blazing sun rays.

<Quest Prompt: Learn 5 skill books and a cultivation art that the old man Sun Fang have offered. Reward: (?)>

'I wonder what would that question mark means.' Ai Zhen was not fazed with what the old man did. He stared at him for a short while and inhaled. "Would you mind if I take a look at these first?" The Quest didn't offer any rewards because the reward itself was learning the books itself.

"Go ahead." The old man still playfully smiled even more as he gestured to the young man to not hold back.

Ai Zhen first looked at the one of the skill books that has a shade of grey on it.

<Skill Book: Basic Silver Claws. Skill Type: Attack. Skill Tier: Silver(I). Identification: A skill that can tear and rip common metals. When mastered, it can even destroy profound level weapons. Additional 3% pure damage towards night creatures.
Requirements: 30 SP>

Ai Zhen was astonished on how high tiered the skill that was shown to him. At this point of game, finding a skill like this is like gambling in a game that has one out of one hundred chances.

He also looked at the other four, anticipating if whether these are also in the same class and level or more.

<Skill Book: Flowing Leaf. Skill Type: Movement. Skill Tier: Gold(I). Identification: A skill that let you passively dodge three attacks like how a falling leaf can not be touched as it moves with the flow of the wind.
Requirements: 90 SP>

<Skill Book: Basic Plant Recognition. Skill Type: Miscellaneous. Skill Tier: Bronze(I). Identification: A skill that let you able to recognize plants that are up to Rare Level even without having a knowledge about it.
Note: Skill can be level up when used to identify 10 Rare Plants or obtained a higher level of the same skill book.
Requirements: 30 SP>

<Skill Book: Wave Current. Skill Type: Attack and Defense. Skill Tier: Gold(I). Identification: A skill that let you repel the opponent's attack up to three times the original power when mastered.
Requirements: 90 SP>

<Skill Book: Basic Fire Manipulation. Skill Type: Attribute. Skill Tier: Gold (I). Identification: A skill that will able to let you manipulate fire. It grants a Fire Body attribute which gives 15% fire resistance and 5% additional pure damage to any fire-based attacks.
Requirements: 90 SP>

These five books are really useful to Ai Zhen as of this moment. Having overpowered skills at this early point of the game makes his life really easy. He couldn't help but be fond on how generous this old man to him.

When the old man saw the face of the young man who was licking his lips in excitement, he thought that he have already caught him in his trap since these skills are very hard to learn from the get go and it takes weeks to learn the basics. With this mindset, he was pretty sure that the young man will be lured and there's nothing that he can't do from getting away with it, but what he doesn't know was the fact that the young man was licking his lips because he was already in the process of completely learning the five skills.

<You have learned the skill, Silver Claws. Intelligence: +1. -30 SP>

<You have learned the skill, Flowing Leaf. Intelligence: +2. -90 SP>

<You have learned the skill, Basic Plant Recognition. Intelligence: +1. -30 SP>

<You have learned the skill, Wave Current. Intelligence: +2. -90 SP>

<You have learned the skill, Basic Fire Manipulation. Intelligence: + 2. -90 SP>

<Congratulations! The Quest: Learning, has been accomplished. Total Rewards: +1300 EXP >

With the +100 EXP per rank, silver skill books is equivalent to 200 EXP while gold skill books is equivalent to 300 EXP. The old man would be crying if he was hearing what the monotone voice of a young boy was notifying.

Ai Zhen was feeling light-headed for a moment as his SP was depleted. However, as he leveled up multiple times, his SP was filled up again.

After learning the five skills, without further a do, he grabbed the last book and read it.

<Cultivation Book: Blazing Sun Art. Cultivation Rank: Epic (I). Identification: A cultivation art that can set ablaze one's HP or MP in order to gain additional pure damage (1:2 Conversion). Vitality points can also be set ablaze permanently to burn down the opponent's vitality points permanently as well (1:2 Conversion).
+6 Vitality & +3 Dexterity every minor breakthrough and +60 Vitality & +30 Dexterity every major breakthrough. Regeneration: +6 per second each minor breakthrough and +18 per second each major breakthrough.
Requirements: 110 Intelligence and 330 SP>

As Ai Zhen read through this cultivation, he couldn't help but faltered and his mouth twitching. 

The fact that this cultivation art is also overpowered makes him feel elated. Imagine burning an opponent's Vitality into zero, how many HP and MP will be left? But when setting ablaze the opponent's vitality you will be setting ablaze your vitality as well permanently. When he looked at the old man, he somehow felt a vague feeling that the aura of this cultivation art and the aura of the old man was exuding despite how hard he try to conceal are the same. He could not help but think if this old man, was really old.

<You have read an Epic Cultivation Art. +9 Intelligence. -150 SP>

'No wonder this cultivation art is just in an Epic Tier despite the overwhelming power that can be attained, because this art is Epic..Fail.' Ai Zhen couldn't help but shake his head in disappointment. And when the old man saw this, he could not also help but be intrigued of what's in the young man's mind. "What's wrong, young man?"

"Old man, do you have a pen and a stack of paper?" Ai Zhen asked. The old man have no idea why did the young man ask for these things but nonetheless, he still complied from the simple request.

When the old man took out the things that he asked, Ai Zhen began to write something on the papers. As he wrote on the stack of papers, sometimes, he would stop and looked at the old man as he tapped the pen on his chin from time to time. The look of the young man was giving to the old was like a doctor diagnosing at his patient, trying to probe and come up some prescription for him, this bewildered him.

Almost half an hour passed by, Ai Zhen was finally done with his writing. He almost used all of the stack of papers. "As thanks for the skill books, this is my gift to you. I apologize if I can't accept you as my master as I would really like it more to be your friend."

<Congratulations! You are the first player to create an Epic tier Cultivation Art without any Heavenly Immortal knowledge. Rewards: +7000 EXP, +12 Intelligence & Title: Grandmaster [Epic].> 

<Title Effects: Can create any Epic rank Cultivation Arts and below; 33% Success for Epic Arts, 66% success for Profound Arts and 99% success for Mortal Arts. EXP and SP will be deducted in each creation; -300 EXP and -300 SP for Epic Art, -200 EXP and -200 SP for Profound Art and -100 EXP and -100 SP for Mortal Art.
Note: Title rank can be level up: 99 created Epic rank Cultivation Art and 1 created Legendary Art.>

As Ai Zhen pushed the stack of written papers to the old man, he was very elated from the gains in encountering this old man that's why he had no regrets on gifting a powerful cultivation art that came from his previous world. Of course, he made some adjustments that was derived from the old man's cultivation art so that he won't have to completely re-cultivate from the start.

The old man only chuckled as Ai Zhen stood up and about to leave. He didn't mind the refusal as there really is a chance that certain individuals like him would not really accept his offer.

"Where are you off to now?" The old man tossed a golden round token to the young man as he asked this question with a fond smile on his face.

"I'm off to practice the skills you gave me." Ai Zhen replied with this simple sentence as he wave his arm good bye. However, this simple sentence greatly surprised the old man as he stared at the young man's back outside the cafe. But then again, as he thought about it, he simply chuckled and muttered to himself. "An Immortal Cultivator indeed." 

Players are known as Immortal Cultivators in this game.

<Congratulations! Tutorial Quest 1: Talking has accomplished. Reward: +55 EXP>

As the young man disappeared from the distance, the old man checked what did the young man wrote on the papers.

Curiosity got the best out of the modern Earth when a first ever online semi-reality online role playing game was mysteriously broadcast on a New Year's Eve countdown.

Through the game, people gained knowledge towards dao cultivation which gave massive benefits such as immortal or magical power, that slowly and ultimately change the modern Earth.

Blinded by the greed, people continued to play the so-called game even though as they later found out that they were playing with their lives the whole time for their souls are the ones that are crossing over to this so called game.

What was the purpose of the game?

Oddly yet cliched, a reincarnated legendary cultivator from an Immortal World will slowly unravel the secrets and the horrors of the game.

I could see that she felt bad for saying something rude to me, because knowing my circumstances, these words may hurt my feelings. She is a nice girl with a kind heart.
"Nothing to ask forgiveness for." I smiled at her.
"I..."
"I know you said it without bad intentions, so no need to worry about it! Anyway, how do you feel about school so far."
She visibly relaxed after my words and we started talking about school and she told me interesting things she read. I, being an old wise man, was smart enough to be a good listener, so I got a huge ton of information for free. 
Of course, we talked not only about Hogwarts and magic, I asked her where she is from and about her family. Apparently, her family was normal people without magic, or how they call it here - muggles. Her parents were dentists and were living in London. I knew the muggles part but did not know her parents were dentists. They were very accepting of her identity as a witch. 
Mostly, she was talking. I was never an active part of the dialog. At some point, I caught myself on the thought that she is really open with a stranger, but then I understood that it is probably a speech buff that makes me look like a very good friend, who she can speak with. It is a great opportunity to actually become her friend!
We spoke for approximately 15 minutes when other people started coming in. When people, started converging, I remembered the problem of the schedule, so I asked Hermione about it. 
"Do you know when will we receive the schedule for lessons? Or did I somehow miss it?"
"No, Percy said that Professor McGonagall will distribute it at the breakfast. Which lesson do you want to attend the most?"
"Honestly, all of them. New knowledge is always great, especially this type of knowledge."
'And new skills are even better!'
"I am the same." She answered.
"Since I never knew of this world before coming here, I am very fascinated by every little thing in this school! This is why I enjoy talking with you so much because you told me so many interesting things!"
She reddened a little bit and smiled.
"You are always welcome to talk."
"The first day and already got a friend. I am so happy! When do you think, will we go to the great hall?"
She seemed especially happy when I said about a friend. 
I can't stop being fascinated with the power of the very high speech. What will it be like when speech will reach 90 or even 100? Just by saying something casual I will be able to control people around me, huh? 
Let's stop dreaming! After all, Hermione is still a kid, so maybe speech works better on her. Can't be sure. 
'System, how much more time will buff be in effect?'
[Buff was provided for 24 hours.]
So, it will expend tonight, huh? Well, shouldn't be too greedy here.
"I think after all will be here. Then prefect will lead us there."
"Prefect?"
"Yeah, Percy is a prefect."
"Really? Didn't know about that."
'Who the heck are prefects? Anyway, doesn't matter.'
"First-years! Please come here. Are all first-years here?" 
At that moment I heard Percy's shout. Apparently, we will be going out.
We stood up and together went after Percy in line. Once more road till the great hall was confusing, always changing and fascinating.
After some walking, going up and down the stairs, our group has reached the hall and taken a seat at the Gryffindor table. Because I and Granger walked close to each other, we sat together. 
Like last time, food magically appeared at the table in a few minutes, but this time I was able to witness it with my own eyes and honestly, I was fascinated, but the matter still remained a mystery to me. Food just appeared on the table. No mystic lights or special sounds. No special effects at all.
Students of older years started converging as well. We had a good breakfast and I have finished my food very fast.
Soon, Professor McGonagall came to give us the schedule of lessons and a map of Hogwarts. The first lesson will be history. After asking the time from nearby people and checking with the schedule I had 3 hours until the first lesson. 
I really wanted to go to the library to read some books and check them with the inventory. Maybe just reading them will give some skills or maybe there are some interesting books. Like books of spells or something of a similar sort. Plus, I can read my own books in peace and quiet. 
I decided to ask Granger if she wants to go with me and she agreed. To save us time I did something, some kids would consider embarrassing, but to me with adult mentality it was nothing. 
I came to senior students and said:
"Hello, my name is Magnus. I am in the first year and want to go to the library, right now. Is anyone of you going to go there, so that we can tag along."
'Show me da way!'
"Well, I am not going there, but one of my lessons will be not far from there, so I can lead you there."
"Thank you very much."
"Name's Oliver Wood, by the way."
"Happy to meet you. I will wait till you finish breakfast and then we can go."
"No need, I will go to the bathroom on our way to quickly go wash my hands."
"That's great cause I also needed to wash my hands."
'And brush my teeth. I mean how can those people eat so much and then just go do some stuff. I always brush my teeth after food. Am I strange here or am I strange overall? Well, whatever.'
** 30 minutes later ** 
"Thank you very much for leading us here!"
"No problems. See you and have a nice first day."
"Have a nice day as well. See you"
Now I know the approximate road from the hall to the bathroom and then to the library. Why approximate? Because this school changes itself like mad! Stairs move, paintings change, armor walks away, some roads may even disappear! Nothing is certain when it comes to the path in this school. 
Anyway, the library was magnificent and had thousands of various books. I picked the first book on the first shelf. It was about wand making. Then I found a place to sit and started reading. Hermione was still looking for something interesting to read and after finding a book she liked she sat near and delved into reading as well. 
I read and read. I did not really try hard to understand everything that was written, but I wasn't rushing to finish it either. I was just reading it for the sake of reading and of course as an experiment if reading gives anything. 
I did not want to experiment with putting a book into the inventory and checking if I can 'Use' it for now. Who knows what charms put onto the books... Hopefully, later.
I have no idea how much time I spent reading, but soon I heard notification and saw the next message.
『 Studying 15 ➔ 16 』
That is the skill? I will check it in the evening, now it can be a bit risky to stand dazed, looking at skills. I mean, I don't know how I will look at that moment, in the eyes of others. Therefore, I just continued reading. 
After reading approximately 70 pages in the book, I decided to check what time it is. I asked my companion if she has a way to check the time.
"I heard 2 bell chimes, so it should be around one hour or a bit more since we have entered the library. Plus, half-an-hour we spent getting here, hour and a half left till the lesson."
Bells! Crap, I did not even pay attention to those sounds going off in distance. My mind does not even consider them useful. After all, as a person who came from an age when time is literally written on everything around you, you become unaccustomed to these old ways of tracking time. Now I need to pay more attention to that. 
Anyway, we can read until one more bell chime, then we need to get to the lesson, using the map. Knowing how hard it is to navigate here, we better get earlier, than rush and get lost.
"Then after next bell chime, we can start going to the next lesson. After all, I am unsure of navigating through this school. What do you think?"
"Yeah, I agree. One hour should be enough to get there. Actually, can we borrow books?"
"It is a library, so I think we can. But I will ask, don't worry"
I went and asked the librarian and after many promises, a note and usage of the high speech she permitted borrowing, but we have to return it till vacation. I agreed with that, told Hermione about this and continued reading.
This time I heard, when the bell ringed and told about it to Hermione. Then, we stood up and took books to borrow. She took one book, while I took 3 books out of here. I pick books in order anyway and don't really care about what information they contain.
** 50 minutes later ** 
Finally, we reached this place and that is only thanks to my companion. Without her, I would have been lost till night probably. Does she have a compass or something?
In any case, history was boring. Plus, ghost teacher for history? And he is still so boring, having all that time behind his shoulders? However, I attentively listened to everything, but mostly we were just memorizing dates, names, and places.
After the lesson, I returned to the library to continue reading with my new friend. She was enchanted by all the lessons it seems, no matter how boring they are. As long as it brings knowledge. She is amazing, indeed.
** In the evening **
『 Wand Making 15 ➔ 16 』
『 Level Up 』 
After finishing the first book, I received those 2 notifications. Honestly, this level up was earlier than I expected, but I think I got a new level up so soon because I raised speech so often. So, it seems the higher the skill raises, the more experience it gives out, which makes sense. Harder to get, better the prize.
In any case, I put the book back at its place. And picked my 2 other chosen books with me, before going to the dormitory. Granger decided to finish her studies for today as well, so we both went to rest.
As soon as I got to my room, I locked the door, lied on the bed and said 2 words, I was waiting to say for so long.
'Skills progress'

Seems like the time has come for another party to begin. Let's hope this one will be a success. World - Potterian. Person - random.
***
Met truck-kun. Obviously died. Nobody survives after fateful meeting with him.
Afterwards, I was reborn in the different world with the system from my favorite game! However, there was a catch - I had negligible amount of knowledge about this universe. 
***
I open my eyes and see [You were caught during unauthorized entrance into a magic academy!] 
"Oh cmon... System, do you really need do this every time? Now... what will I do?" 
[Pick a race]
"..."

The closer we got to Matebelmam more flying humanoids can be seen. Avian was the language Jodroun wanted Mark to learn. Could these be birdmen? Land of myths, so will I get to meet a harpy or other similar beings? Arriving at dock you can see about a third of the buildings are taller then the rest. Landings can be seen around these buildings making one think of aeries. A rope is pulled out of nowhere tying down the boat to dock. Inventory space something Mark would like to obtain somehow.

Jodroun suddenly shouts a few words to his clan, then turns to Mark. "We'll be settling in, then you and I will head out to buy a few books for you." Of course the fee will be added to your debt."

Great more debt, at this rate I should find some way to just join the clan. Based on the 25 copper per day fee, books are expensive here. Though if I am correct about this civilization then only the rich can read and write. I need to assimilate the latest book, but having a 2nd one while doing so will double my training.

"Since I am going further into debt can we look at new clothing and maybe gloves to prevent additional books from fading?"

Arriving at an inn just then, Jodroun turns "That actually sounds like a great idea!" Stepping inside to arrange rooms. Each room has a cost of 10 coppers for doubles while Jordoun's room costs 22 coppers. Must be equivalent to a suite in value. Looking around Mark realizes that 4 dwarfs stayed back at the boat. With 5 doubles apparently Mark gets to share a room with someone he can't communicate with sheesh. With no personal belongings doesn't take long to settle in and wait for Jodroun in the lobby.

"Ready to get materials to train with?" "I think we will get 4 books of 3 different languages. May place you in a position to help pay off your debt to me quicker."

"Yea debt, I would really like some way to communicate with other people then just you." "If I can read then I can write but what is the average literacy in this region?"

"Nobles and rich merchants usually can read and write their native tongue. Unless some special reason arises most others aren't very literate."

Frowning contemplatively Mark accompanies the dwarf to various shops. Most of the books cost 5 silver a few were more. Altogether he is now 1 gold further in debt. Though he has learned that 100 copper equals 1 silver and 100 silver equals 1 gold. Any additional currencies most likely follow that same process. Along with the books 2 sets of clothes and 3 pairs of gloves were also purchased increasing debt by 35 silver.

Back at the inn Mark takes his new belongings to his room. Taking his new gloves off and holding a random book. Upon entering his meditative state once again surrounded by a darkened region. As expected dwarfish was raised to 4 and once the headache fades avian is learned to 1. Checking time looks to be no decrease this time. Grabbing 2 more random books the night goes by. By morning Mark has realized that through meditation actual sleep is unnecessary.

????? soul level 1

Sojourn level 1
Clock - 1

Library level 1
Download Book - 1
Text translation – 1
Dwarfish – 4
Avian – 3
Harpy – 1
Cherubim - 1

Mapping level 1
Current location - 1

Chat level 1

Energy scanner level 1

"-Daily assimilation complete-"

The results as expected are double what a normal soul practitioner could accomplish. No improvement in meditation timing. If he could improve this to the 2 hours that Jodroun stated, even a slight increase in training speed would be worth while. That law of 5 needs further explaining as Text Translation didn't raise in level? Though maybe it is a multiple of 5 if so then my next meditation will result in an increase of level. Just as this thought occurs numbers begin to appear in similar position as the map and clock from before.

2*5=10

"AUG!! a calculator why is that a skill NO! NO! NO!" Mark shouts waking up not only the dwarf sharing his room but also those in adjoining rooms too. As they all come in to ready for battle and find nothing but a screaming human. Once things settle a dwarf pulls on Marks shirt pointing down stairs. Following the rest while calming down from his disappointment. Everyone gathers in the dinging area for breakfast. Along the way a bath section was pointed out.

As everyone finishes their meal up Jodroun asks. "So how close are you to being able to translate my avian books?"

"If I am correct then I just one more session will do it. Though I noticed with the dwarfish that a few words still cause me trouble."

"That is fine, you will still be able to tell me enough to properly price them for sale. Also reduce the chance of these birds from cheating me." "Come to my room once you are ready, I have something I want to try."

Slowly returning to his room the disappointment not fully gone. Calculator! How is a calculator skill going to help me survive this world. How am I going to learn to communicate with others? I need to somehow learn fighting skills, how do I accomplish that? Well studying will be easy as I can learn to read and write multiple languages in days rather then years. Eventually his mind settles and he can meditate once more. This time there is no headache when the book fades from his hands. While the fading and changing of words is skipped. It would appear that things are settling around the increased training process.

????? soul level 1

Sojourn level 1
Clock – 1
Calculator - 1

Library level 1
Download Book - 1
Text translation – 2
Dwarfish – 4
Avian – 4
Harpy – 1
Cherubim - 1

Mapping level 1
Current location - 1

Chat level 1

Energy scanner level 1

"-Daily assimilation complete-"

Coming out of meditation still no reduction in time. Yes the translation level went up, so it is multiple of 5. That damn calculator took up a training space. Hmm 9 books have been absorbed does that mean next time Download level will go up? What will the result of that be I wonder? Well lets go see what Jodroun has for me other then translating those books.

Knocking on the door Mark enters once Jodroun speaks aloud. "Enter find a place to sit at the table." The voice coming from the other room . Sounds like he is moving things around. After a couple of minutes Jodroun appears with several soul stones in hand. Oh no what has he in mind, those things already caused me enough trouble that I haven't completely worked out.

Stepping closer to Mark "I want you to hold one of these and concentrate on the hunter's book flowing into it." Jodroun explains quickly. Reaching out trustingly Mark barely touches the soul stone when something strange happens. Words appear directly ahead where the original ones from day 1 appeared. What the?

"-Chat connection available-"

"-Add Jodroun Hillbrew as chat member?-"

"-Assimilate answer Yes / No-"

Though Mark is dumb founded this situation can only happen so many times before the speed of resolution improves. Thus after only 5 seconds max Mark concentrates on a yes answer. Jodroun has been helpful even if it can all be boiled down to business. Curious on how a chat function operates without the internet. While also pondering how many 'friends' he can add. Will this sub skill be equivalent to a magical social network? Excitement wells up in Mark as this is a soul skill that has close ties to life on earth. Of course not both parties appear to be happy.

"NO!!! I will not swear to any liege soul holder!!!" "How can you have a liege soul and scholar soul!"

"Calm down Jodroun, I don't know what a liege soul is but this function is merely the ability to communicate with each other from a distance." As Mark attempts to explain the chat function, he steps outside the door. However no matter how much he thinks about the way to use a chat room nothing happens. All the excitement from a skill representing home fades to dust. Entering the room once more "Well looks like there is yet another sub skill needed to communicate." Calming down from Mark's antics Jodroun realizes there was no vow request on his end.

After that Mark translates 3 books for the dwarf. The atmosphere between the two a little more tense then it has been. Remembering the process Jodroun did before to assimilate English Mark takes the soul stone with him. Another random book and Download skill should level up time to meditate.

????? soul level 1
Sojourn level 1
Clock – 1
Calculator - 1

Library level 1
Download Book - 2
Text translation – 2
Dwarfish – 4
Avian – 4
Harpy – 1
Cherubim - 2

Mapping level 1
Current location - 1

Chat level 1
Jodroun Hillbrew - 1

Energy scanner level 1
"-Daily assimilation complete-"

So the connection is there, but no chat function. O.K. Social networks back home required a friends request be made that must be the connection. So obviously there is another sub skill to be able to communicate. Looks like the download book skill went up a level, not sure what can be done with that right now. Lets take some time to really think about these prime skills and how to improve them.

Mark operates a online stream debunking many of the myths throughout the world. latest target the supposed vortices in Sedona Arizona. Yes great place to practice yoga but no portals to other dimensions here. RIGHT???

Little did he know that picking up a random rock would transport him to a land of myths dwarves, elves, goblins. All the things he does not believe in will become reality.

In order to prosper he must learn how to level up his soul practitioner skills.

After finding Secret Knowledge Pavilion, Zhang Tie slightly adjusted his schedule. He narrowed the period to light the surging point and do exercises under the impulse of water flow from 12 hours to 4 hours and the period to read endless true words of Great Wilderness Sutra from 3 hours to 1 hour. He increased the period to cultivate battle skills and secret knowledge from 4 hours to 14 hours. What remained unchanged was the sleeping time——5 hours.

With such an adjustment, although Zhang Tie would take a few more days to promote to LV 12, he could lay a solid foundation. After all, he could promote to LV 12 only after lighting another 9 surging points. Therefore, Zhang Tie was not anxious.

During these days in Castle of Black Iron, Zhang Tie had forgotten about all the troubles outside. He didn't feel it was improper. 'No matter how the war progresses between humans and demons, I'm not even a knight, so it's not my turn to concern about that. This world will continue to run without me. My battle force is my largest dependence. The more powerful I am, the safer it will be for those beside me and myself, and the more influential my words will be to the overall battle situation. Even if a LV 6 soldier survived 100 years in the holy war, he could still not match the meritorious deed that a knight could make in one day on the battlefield. I gained nothing after following Senel Clan for more than 10 days; however, the moment Elder Muray arrived had he solved the problem. What a difference!' 

Therefore, Zhang Tie continued his cultivation in Castle of Black Iron with a peaceful mind.

It would definitely be annoying for a person who could hardly make a choice when he discovered a Secret Knowledge Pavilion in the Trouble-reappearance Situation.

It was always a happy thing to find a secret book; however, when there were too many secret books to read, you would feel perplexed. 

Thankfully, Zhang Tie had no trouble to make a choice, neither was he over-ambitious. For Zhang Tie, it would be good as long as he could become more powerful. But how? To further develop his strengths so as to enlarge the gap between him and others. When he activated his ancestral bloodlines, he immediately became able to challenge Scala although his level was lower than Scala's.

Therefore, Zhang Tie used the same method when he chose the secret books.

It took Zhang Tie 3 days to skim over the secret books in the Secret Knowledge Pavilion and learn what abilities they could bring to him. 

During the 3 days, besides continuing his cultivation, Zhang Tie selected the 1st secret book that could make him more powerful. 

As he met the bottleneck in the cultivation of "Meteor Shower Sword", Zhang Tie selected the first secret book "True Swordsmanship" and started to read it carefully. This was a secret book for those below LV 9. Although it didn't contain powerful battle skills or battle qi; it raised Zhang Tie's understanding about the cultivation of battle skills and swordsmanship to a new high. 

After studying "True Swordsmanship", Zhang Tie didn't read any more secret books; instead, he started to accomplish the cultivation of his fundamental swordsmanship. It was not only a process to consolidate the foundation of his swordsmanship but also the foundation of Zhang Tie's road towards a real powerhouse.

When in Hidden Dragon Palace, he had to repeat the 8 movements of fundamental swordsmanship 8 million times so as to accomplish the cultivation of his fundamental swordsmanship. This was a painstaking process, which Zhang Tie previously didn't pay too much attention to. In Zhang Tie's opinion, the more powerful the battle skill was, the better it would be. However, after carefully studying "True Swordsmanship", he finally understood that all the great powers were based on the simplest and firmest foundation, without which, the alleged powers were just as illusory as moons in the river and flowers in the mirror. Only with the firmest foundation could one become powerful always.

The foundation of power was featured by a super strong will, forever persistence, strong body, faster speed, best coordination between limbs, consciousness, eyes and movements, 100% precision, great concentration that could turn failure into success and delicate control force like using 500 kg's huge ax to carve floral grains on a bean curd. The only way to reach all the above targets was painstaking exercise——to repeat each simple movement over 1 million times. 

Until then did Zhang Tie understand the reason that Hidden Dragon Palace listed fundamental swordsmanship as a compulsory course for all the students. This was not an idea that occurred to someone when he patted his head, but the deepest enlightenment that a real powerhouse could have in the process of cultivation.

Without a firm foundation, the cultivator could never touch the peak of his battle road and battle skills. 

Zhang Tie started his painstaking exercise.

At the beginning, with one sword, he could repeat the 8 movements twice in a second, namely reaching out of his sword 16 times...

After 1 week, Zhang Tie held two swords and could repeat 2 rounds of the 8 movements in each second by each hand, namely reaching out of his sword 32 times per second...

This was a tough challenge. In the early days, Zhang Tie's two swords always collided with each other due to different movements. His footsteps would always become disordered when he usually disrupted his own rhythm. Gradually, Zhang Tie adapted to it in an unimaginable way and solved this tricky problem which seemed could never be solved.

Zhang Tie found that as long as he treated the two long swords in his hands as the two abacuses that he imagined in his mind when doing 'mental arithmetic' could he realize the most perfect coordination when making different movements with the two long swords. 

This was a great discovery and an outstanding attempt. After realizing its feasibility, Zhang Tie was shocked as he knew what did this mean. Previously, Zhang Tie had never imagined that he could master the method to make two different movements at the same time after reaching that supreme realm of "mental arithmetic". After applying mental arithmetic in battle skills, Zhang Tie could almost increase his battle force by two times. Now that he could use two swords at the same time; he could also use his fist and sword or his shield and sword at the same time. An unprecedented road of cultivation opened in front of Zhang Tie's eyes, which shocked Zhang Tie for quite a while.

After recovering his composure, Zhang Tie started to cultivate his fundamental swordsmanship in Castle of Black Iron instead of being in the trouble-reappearance situation. He told Heller to divert a thick water flow onto his body from the heavens waterfall. Zhang Tie started to cultivate each movement of fundamental swordsmanship under the heavy impulse of the torrent. At this moment, Zhang Tie didn't need any iron puppet anymore. As he had gazed at that puppet for too long, he could imagine about its look even when he closed his eyes. 

Zhang Tie used the two heaviest long swords that he could find from Castle of Black Iron, each weighed 280 kg, to attack the illusory steel puppet which existed in his mind. 

He was improving his fundamental swordsmanship, his will and his body at the same time. Zhang Tie didn't stop his cultivation until the potential of each of his cells was fully tapped.

When he could not wave the 280 kg long swords, he used smaller ones. Until his fingers trembled when he held the commonest long swords would he replace the long swords with his fingers. Under the impulse of the heavy water flow, Zhang Tie kept repeating the 8 movements of the fundamental swordsmanship using his fingers.

Through such a painstaking exercise, Zhang Tie gradually recovered his attacking times per hand from one round to two rounds. Almost every time he took a fruit, Zhang Tie would feel freer in movements under the impulse of the water flow. However, the dropping speed of the water flow would soon increase, which gradually offset his physical strength.

In this way, Zhang Tie completely forgot about time; neither did he remember how many times had he repeated the 8 movements of fundamental swordsmanship. He could only remember that he had already opened the 4th floor of All-spirits Pagoda and lit the 143rd surging point. After lighting one more surging point would he promote to LV 12 great battle master...

...

This day, when Zhang Tie woke up, he didn't feel different than usual days. However, the moment he picked the two 280 kg's long swords to start his cultivation had he felt an evident agility and affinity from the two long swords. It seemed that they were not long swords but parts of his body. When he closed his eyes, the long swords almost became his eyes and enabled him to sense everything, including the trivial air turbulence. When he raised his long swords which then became his hands and enabled him to touch and tear everything apart. When he poked the long swords into the ground which then became his feet on the ground and could never be moved by others.  

A whim occurred to Zhang Tie's mind while his long swords instantly crashed with each other. In a split second, with a sharp thunder-like sonic boom, two terrifying crescent-shaped sword qi flew out of the swords and swept over all the grasses, trees and mountain rocks within 50 m at the foot of the immortal mountain in the form of a cross after flying over all the obstacles in front of them, leaving a huge cross symbol on the mountain ridge...

Zhang Tie was shocked as he felt that he was pretty familiar with "Meteor Shower Sword" immediately.

"Congratulations, my lord, you've awakened another ancestral bloodline and formed the Iron-blood Battle Qi!" Heller's voice drifted from Zhang Tie's back...


After the Catastrophe, every rule in the world was rewritten.
In the Age of Black Iron, steel, iron, steam engines and fighting force became the crux in which human beings depended on to survive.
A commoner boy by the name Zhang Tie was selected by the gods of fortune and was gifted a small tree which could constantly produce various marvelous fruits. At the same time, Zhang Tie was thrown into the flames of war, a three-hundred-year war between humans and demons on the vacant continent. Using crystals to tap into the potentials of the human body, one must cultivate to become stronger.
The thrilling legends of mysterious clans, secrets of Oriental fantasies, numerous treasures and legacies in the underground world — All in the Castle of Black Iron!
Written by Drunk Tiger, this novel is a prime example of fantasy steampunk. Let us journey through the world of limitless possibilities and inventions together!
------
**Warning: This novel contains mature content**


"Little Feng! Tonight, Your father, I will teach you about cultivation."

Tian Lang began to explain the little Tian Feng in his hand. "Cultivation is an arduous task. To cultivate, one must have innate talent and potential. To progress further, one must have a strong determination. But that's not enough, you also need to have a path."

Tian Lang's voice was melodious and soothing. It actually felt nice to hear. Somehow it makes one remember it in their heart. This is different from his usual voice.

"A path?" Tian Feng asked in a low voice.

Tian Lang continued, "That's right! A path is a way that a cultivator has chosen to progress. It cannot be changed and It must be true to oneself otherwise it will hinder your future progress." He paused for a moment before continues. 

"Little Feng, you don't have to worry about that for the time being. First, let's see if you can sense atmospheric energy. We call this energy 'Qi' which means vital energy. There's no technique for this. You have to depend on yourself."

"Close your eyes! Feel it!"

Tian Feng is lamenting in his heart. [A path! It's the same as all those novels that I read. It's not that hard to understand. However, just like those novels, my father didn't tell me the specific procedure at all. How am I even starting to sense Qi?]

Noticing that his son expression, Tian Lang seemed a bit helpless. "Little Feng! It's not that I want to make thing hard for you. Alright! I'll tell you about my experiences when I first start to cultivate. It's the most I can do for you. I hope it can help. When I first start to cultivate..."

He went on and on about his experiences while cultivating. Tian Feng was listening attentively but he couldn't make out any useful information at all.

After a long while...

"Alright, that's all. Now, It's your turn to try it out". Although he wanted to teach his son to cultivate quick, there's nothing he can do in this situation. He also noticed that his son doesn't seem to understand anything at all. But he can only hope for the best.

Tian Feng reluctantly sits down in the lotus position with his father's help. 

In fact, this position is not necessary but he was influenced by many martial dramas that he watched in his previous life.

After which, he closed his eyes and tries to feel his body and the surrounding.

After some time has passed...

[Nothing, nothing...I don't sense anything different at all. Where is that energy???] 

Tian Feng was crying inside his heart right now. But he still maintained his calm look on the outside. 

[Could it be that I can't cultivate? Could it be that I have no talent for it? Isn't this where a system supposed to appear?]

It's almost midnight. His father doesn't look too well either. "Little Feng, let's go to bed. We'll try again tomorrow. It's normal to fail at first try."

---

He immediately fell asleep as soon as he got to bed. Even if he has a mind of an adult, his body is still of a baby.

In the morning, his mother comes in to feed him as usual. 

"Mother, are you also a cultivator?"

"Of course! Although I'm not as strong as your father, at least I can extend my life to 100 years."

After answering a few more questions, she left.

He stayed in his room trying to sense the energy but there's nothing. He's become agitated. If he can't cultivate, he'll be bullied by others. No need to think about protecting his friends, he might not be able to protect even himself.

Last night, his father told him that most people would be able to sense Qi on the first try and that some genius can have a breakthrough to the next level in one go.

"Is there something I missed? or perhaps I do it wrong somewhere?"

He kept thinking about this for the whole morning. In the afternoon, when his mother came to find him. She was scared out of her wit because her son now looked so pale and weak. 

She immediately asked him about what happened worriedly. Tian Feng told her everything.

After she learned about the matter, she hugged him and said softly
"Little Feng! Even if you can't cultivate, your mother will still love you. Maybe your body is still too young. When you grow older, you can try it again. Mother believes that you will be able to cultivate and become a great person in the future."

What he doesn't know is, he can't cultivate because he's actually a young man inside a baby body. He already lost his baby talent for leaning thing. His mind already got influenced by the outside world.

In that evening, he has decided to ask his parent if they have any book. He had spent that afternoon thinking about what to do and recalled that knowledge is also one kind of power. 

He used to love studying. He loves books. There's only one problem, he doesn't have a good memory. 

When he was 15 years old, he underwent a heartbreak experience. He was so stressed that it actually affected his brain. He started to become forgetful day after day. But now he was still a baby and his brain hasn't damaged yet. 

[Maybe I still can change fix my memory problem.]

His parent didn't say anything negative. After dinner, his mother brought him some books for kids.

He opened one of the books and started reading. YEAH, he started reading in front of his mother.

Sitting by his bedside, his mother is now staring at him with a shocked face. "You... you know how to read?" 

Earlier, she was about to read them for him. But who could have known that a baby can read by himself?

Hearing his mother question, he was stunned. He was so agitated that he totally forgot that he was a baby and a baby is not supposed to be able to read a book. 

Previously when he talked with his mother, he didn't tell her that he comes from another world yet. It was not that he didn't want to but he didn't know how to start talking about it.

Knowing that his secret can't be kept anymore. He decided to tell her about his other life. Whether she believes him or not doesn't matter anymore. Since he can't even cultivate, he started to expect less and less with this new life. 

The effects of instant gratification haven't worn off yet. One failure is enough to make him depressed.

He's actually a good liar. However, he doesn't like to lie to people closed to him. Lying to them make him feel really bad.

"Actually, I have this memory..." He began to tell her about everything from when he first came into this world and his life on Earth.

"No wonder why you can speak so maturely..." said his mother believed in her child completely.

Not daring to meet his mother's gaze, he lowered his head. 

"Mother, would you believe me?"

His mother patted his head and smile. "Of course! I believe in you. I'm your mother after all. In fact, It's actually easier to believe in this than to believe that a baby can read without learning."

A moment later, she stood up and walked away. "I'll bring some other books." then she left.

Tian Feng was in a daze. He didn't expect his mother to believe him completely. His heart felt warm and guilty. 

[In this life, I'll make my parent happy.] He firmly thought to himself and made a silent decision.

After waiting for a while, his mother came back with a basket of books. It's all necessary knowledge about the world. 

There's history, geography, math, literature... just like school. The smell of the books filled the room. Tian Feng felt invigorated at the sight and smell of the books.

If he didn't love books this much, earlier he wouldn't let down his guard and read in front of his mother.

His mother was taking out those books one by one, allowing him to see the title. One by one, there were 120 books. There are all kinds of book laying on the floor of his room but there's one book that caught his attention.

Ignoring that book, he picked one history book and started reading. After he read for several pages, his mother told him to sleep and not to stay up late. He agreed and went to sleep.

He didn't pick the book that caught his attention first because it's a cultivation book "Steel Body". He can't even walk yet so he decided to take a look later when he can actually cultivate.

10 months later...

Tian Feng has almost finished all the 120 books. The total amount of books had increased to 130. There are two books about the academy and the rest is cultivation books.

As he read a lot of books, he came to know that while the geniuses can simply success at their first try in cultivation. The same can't be said about most of the ordinary people.

He had an idea that if he could somehow get to know more about what is actually cultivation, he might just be able to sense that atmospheric energy. It was hard to sense something you can't even imagine in the first place.

As such, last week, he asked his mother to buy cultivation books.

Today is his 2 years old birthday. Those books have become his birthday present. Last night, his mother already gave him the books but unfortunately, she also told him to sleep and read them later.

Normally, he would be able to read them by the morning inside his room but ever since he can walk some time ago, his mother started bringing him to the restaurant every day so that she can help out with the works there. 

If it was before, she wouldn't bring him there even if he can walk but now that she knows that he's actually a young man inside, she didn't have to worry too much.

His mother already told his father about everything that night and they both believe him without question. They only said, "No matter what, you are our son, be it your previous life or this life."

His father didn't even have the slightest hint of disappointment. It was something that he didn't expect. 

Riding on the motorbike, it didn't take long before they reached the restaurant. It felt great to ride this motorbike with his parents again. He remembers those times from when he was young. 

He would always sit in the front seat until he couldn't sit there anymore. It was his favourite spot because he can see everything.

In the restaurant, he's able to observe many things. This is a world of cultivation but no one is walking around with a sword or any weapon. It wasn't a surprise as he had read about it before.

This is a rather peaceful era. The civilization is under control. Compared to what he read from those novels on Earth, this world is rather modern.

The foods in the restaurant looked good. There are many kinds of wines. It seems good just by smelling, he can't wait to taste them. 

His father didn't cook by himself as much anymore as he hired a chef for the restaurant when he was born. His mother was only responsible for taking bills and orders. Most of the time, she would stay by the cashier table because that's where Tian Feng is.

Except for sitting in the restaurant next to his father's subordinates, he didn't go anywhere else. He's an introvert by nature. He only cared about his books and only looked around once in a while.

Tian Feng was a bit restless today as he finally decided to read that book by tonight. "Steel Body"

Day and night exchanged place. It's already time to close the restaurant. At night, it wasn't so dark on the road. There are lanterns that lid the way. 

Tian Feng enjoyed the cold breeze that brushes his face as he's going back home.

After dinner, he walked toward that book and picked it up. At that moment, a series of notifications ring up in his mind.

"Ding...World Data initialization completed"

"Ding...data is analyzed"

"Ding...scanning host body"

.
.
.

"Ding...scanning completed and integrating"

"Ding...host obtained 'Steel Body' Skill Book"

"Ding...loading interface, please wait..."

Waking up in a new world, Tian Feng finds himself become a 1-year-old child once again. Along with this weird phenomenon, a seemingly omnipotent system awaken within him. 

To become the most potent being, to live without regret; Possessing this OP system, he thought it would be smooth sailing. Little did he know that it couldn’t be further from the truth.

This is a melancholy story of a man and his companions, adventuring from one world to another; Discovering the meaning of life and regret.

The next morning Drrak analysis proceeded well, as he recapped me on it. I told me to complete it before I re-entered the dream formation. I then went to the library while looking at my medallion's sword marks. At the moment I had 720 sword marks, and underneath it, I was authorized for 2 free hours in the weapons temple. 

I had already received my check from the library for 115 sword marks. I would have had more but after I used a lot of money on books and the Sun Saffron equipment. I was at the library when Brian came to greet me.

"I remembered you asked about going to the second floor correct?"

"Yes, now that my rookie period is up, I would like access how much will it be?" I responded with happiness, I can finally get more knowledge!

"Normally it's a 100 sword marks, but I will waive the fee for you. All you have to do is get up there." He said kindly

I looked over at the second floor it was 10 meters above the first floor, jumping that as a regular human would be utterly impossible. It would even be hard for people below level 5 but I had my methods. I got a running start and augmented myself with telekinesis immediately. 

Boosting my speed to nearly twice its original amount, I jumped with all the energy in my body and augmented my leap with another burst of telekinesis. I almost came short for the little wooden door, so I activated Lightning Step to do an air step. Shifting 15% the force of gravity, to walk on air for a moment.

I went over and landed on the second floor, which had a smaller selection of books and people. I looked over the gate to see Brian utterly shocked. He levitated up to the top and inspected me top to bottom.

"What are your stats, and how did you already learn air walking?" He asked in shock

"Air walking?" I said

'He doesn't even know what he did, what a monster....' Brian thought

"I made it up here, so I can read books here correct," I asked grinning with anticipation

"Yes," Brian said wryly, he wasn't expecting me to get up here I could tell from shock.

"Just be sure to return them the price for books here isn't small. I'll let you pick 10 books to read for free." Brian said still trying to contain his shock.

"Thank you." But in my heart I was examining his intentions, he'd always been nice. But now he is much nicer, the only event that could change his perception of me was the death Qi. It seems Brian is aware of the death Qi or at least his master told him to be nice to me. It seems this scheme is far deeper than I thought.

I walked away and went to the shelves and read the various covers for books. At this moment my only interest was magic, the age of collapse, and anatomy. I drifted around still I found a book about the fundamentals of the magus path. 

It was written by a Grand mage of Rain, it was his recollections of advancing into a mage and beyond. I read through it and one quote especially stood out to me.

"I had little control of elements, I had at most the power to alter myself to an extent. I used magic power to augment my body to the levels of a knight. Until I was branded at level 30 and converted my body into its true elemental state."

"Then magic was truly about altering my environment, and very little about altering myself. But I always wanted to do both, alter myself and my environment. But it never worked out I wasn't a knight, and my physical body was outclassed by knights. So I gave up on that path." I could almost hear the sigh of exhaustion from the past as I read the passage.

"But both paths require one thing Vitality. When I first broke through into a mage, I was hungry for vitality. My body was sapped of energy, and I felt a vortex threatening to consume me. It was like a test, I had enough vitality but I needed more for a perfect foundation."

"My recommendation to all future mages, don't try to breakthrough without a large amount of vitality accumulated. Otherwise, you could die or ruin your foundation." That was the final text in the book, advice to the future.

I was stuck on that saying without vitality don't bother to become a mage. He said it was because the body is the vessel of magic power. Without a proper vessel magic power leaks, and corrodes the body until the mage dies. To become a perfect vessel, you must have more vitality than magic power.

I touched my forehead which at the moment had a blue sword on it. But if I activated my brandings it would also include an intricate spell circle, that would be around it.

'That mage created this on my forehead to grant me vitality and convert my body. Was he skipping the steps and making me become a level 30 mage quickly.'

My heart froze at such a thought, easily made level 30 mages. Such a plan could threaten all of the Rain Kingdom, that Magus' ambition was far too great. But mine was even greater, such a power was something even I desired. The power to confront nations and force others to surrender their will.

My desire to kill the mage and steal his plans grew in my heart with a determination to get stronger. Luckily, I had a great idea inspired by the author.

'I originally came to try something else, but that can wait this is much more important.'

I went home and started to meditate I rotated my sword intent through my body. Then when it peaked its speed, I would start converting them through the lightning bolt. The intent returned as Lightning Sword Intent, that flowed with a heavy domineering power and sharpness. Then I started to channel my magic power which complemented the sword intent.

I used the sword on my glabella in conjunction with my magic power. The magic power darkened to a pure black energy, that intertwined the white of the sword intent.

My Magic Body as the vessel for my True Qi, the dynamism of my Lightning Sword Intent to alter me. It was my first unconscious attempt to unite the two paths, so I decided to do so at a much larger level.

The white sword intent moved around my body like a serpent and the magic power like a true dragon. The two dancing in the heavens were brought down into a mortal's body. The domineering powers mixed creating new transformations in my body. They settled throughout my body as a new ability appeared on my status, illusory body!

But with the appearance of a new skill my stats soared. I had abused my magic power, and sword intent enough. So they all increased by 3 stat point except for magic power. I felt a small step away from the next level, all in one move I had reached half step level 2 from mid-stage level 2.

I clicked on it, and the status appeared.

By using the sword intent you can alter your magic body into an illusory form. In which you can disguise yourself as you please. I exercised Illusory body on my pointer finger. I radiated as intent to increased its size, and an unnoticeable increase happened. My pointer finger grew 3 centimeters, but for me, that inspired great joy.

'I was right it is possible if one is a prophet but impossible as a regular mortal.'

But sadly my level and insufficient magic power weren't enough to do anything significant to change my anatomical structure. At most I could disguise visceral parts of my body right now. A desire ignited in my heart to breakthrough into a mage.

'I can't be rash I need a lot of vitality before I breakthrough.'

Then I remembered the experience with the Sun Saffron, where I could absorb some of the vitality into the spell circle after distilling it. Luckily, at the moment of my awakening, my gifts had arrived. A servant came to my door and knocked. He had two small packages, one that smelled of herbs, and the other of blood.

I took both and told the servant to thank Grandmaster Isaiah and Teacher Elton. I went into my room and opened the packages, and looked through the contents. 30 Sun Saffron stalks with all the distilled water I could possibly desire. Then in the other box, was a small vial of blood.

The blood reeked but had a powerful vitality to it. I was unsure what the blood was but I remembered the gift that Isaiah had mentioned.

A nameless thief is struck with betrayal and tribulations that bring him to his accidental death. But that wasn't the end of him, he came back to life with a new name and a ruthless goal.

100 great books to read

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