Chapter 5

Deep in an ancient forest, where the trees seemed to know age-old secrets, Jacob stood there, his mind filled with thoughts of his newfound magical abilities. It was time to explore it, time to see what he can really do. With a determined look in his eyes, he looked for a peaceful spot among the tall trees, There, nestled within the embrace of nature. He sat down, closed his eyes, and took a deep breath, using his mind to remember a method of meditation he read about in his previous life.

As he explored his own thoughts and feelings, Jacob imagined where his magic came from – his heart. In his mind, He pictured it as a radiant source, from which ethereal energy extended through his veins like an intricate web. This vibrant energy danced with life, making its way to every corner of his being before converging and pooling in his dantian, the epicentre of his newfound power.

Minutes turned into an eternity as he sat there, surrounded by the gentle forest breeze, jacob's surroundings transformed into a peaceful sanctuary. The only audible echoes were the melodious calls of the forest's avian inhabitants, singing harmonies that resonated through the ancient trees.

Yet, despite his efforts, the desired magical sensation eluded him. Frustration crept in, and he furrowed his brow. But he didn't give up; he whispered words of encouragement to himself. "Come on, Jacob, take a deeper breath. You can do this."

Seconds stretched into infinity, and he began to feel a tingling sensation, a gentle spark of hope presented itself. An arrogant smile curled upon his lips as the sensation grew more pronounced, only to dissipate as he opened his eyes. It turned out that the sensation he felt was nothing more than an itch from a mosquito bite he had received during the previous night.

"Are you kidding me?" Jacob groaned, feeling frustrated by this unexpected turn of events. However, he didn't give up. He gathered his determination, crossed his legs once more, and made another effort.

Time flowed by, the once-lively symphony of avian voices were fading as if the forest's feathered residents had grown tired of cheering him on. Jacob's impatience got the better of him. "Argh, what the hell? Why can't I feel anything?" he wondered aloud, frustrated by his lack of progress.

Doubts began to creep into his mind as he remembered the fantastic stories he had read, claiming that meditation was the key to mastering magic. " Were those story tales nothing more than nonsensical bullshit!!..." he cursed angrily.

After a bout of venting and frustration, Jacob lay down on his back on the forest floor, gazing upward at the intricate web of branches above. Although the sky was a tapestry of clear blue, the sun's warmth was gentler than he remembered from his previous world. In this serene moment, he found solace.

"Maybe I set my hopes too high, I let my excitement get the best of me. I expected too much" he mused.

Jacob took a deep breath and tried to calm himself again. He realised that his hopes were perhaps too high, and acquiring magic might not be as easy as he'd initially thought or as easy as he was made out by those fantasy novels he read previously. He acknowledged that in this supernatural world, just like in his previous life, one must take things step by step. 

With a self-deprecating smile, he admitted, "I shouldn't have assumed what I was doing was true meditation, let alone a meditation technique."

Jacob realised that what he had been doing barely qualified as meditation. True meditation demanded a clear, uncluttered mind, yet his consciousness was a tumultuous blend of memories from a 21st-century biometric engineer and a 14 year old one, how crazy was that. Achieving that calm, single-minded focus seemed impossible. His excitement about this new world had clouded his judgement. He had believed everything he'd read in novels, but now he needed to find his own path, his own way. And to do that, he has to leave this forest and see what this world has to offer, meet people, experience life and all its curses.

After acknowledging the challenges he faced, Jacob's determination resurfaced. He knew he couldn't hide forever. His earlier dreams of becoming a magical powerhouse and conquering the world had been overly ambitious. Now, Jacob understood the importance of facing reality and taking things one step at a time to develop his newfound abilities.

With a resolute spirit, he returned to his house, gathered his belongings, and descended from the tree. He cast one last glance at his forest home, the towering trees, and the tranquil surroundings before walking away, ready to embark on a new chapter in his extraordinary journey.