Chapter 15: Dictator

In the case of the human body, mana circulates through twelve points via channels that run throughout the entire body. These points are located in the hands, shoulders, feet, knees, solar plexus, chest, and finally, the head. As cultivation progresses, circulation improves, initially through the speed at which the energy flows through the channels, and later through the growth of the pathways. This growth is limited only by the individual's talent. The process must be done slowly and continuously, as a sudden interruption causes a mana reflux that can fatally harm the body. 

"Basically, cultivation is about absorbing the world's mana into oneself. Is this what Michael was talking about? So, it's like I skipped the whole process? It's not so funny anymore… if an interruption can cause fatal damage, I can't even imagine what breaking the channels would do," Li nervously laughed. "This explanation isn't very helpful, but it's a good start…" 

After some time reading, Li had partially discovered how mana absorption worked among the four major races. Humans absorbed it through cultivation, transporting it via vital points throughout the body. Elves, blessed by the world, could manipulate it at will, like a sixth sense. Dwarves were experts at fortifying their bodies, easily using internal mana but struggling with external circulation. Demons, being pure magic beings, didn't need any method; their talent was solely defined by the purity of the demon blood in their veins. 

"These are just basic notions; I don't think I'll be so limited over time…" 

"It must be late…" Looking at the clock, Li shouted. "Three in the morning?!" 

Getting up and rushing to the platform, he teleported away. Upon returning to the Plaza, he went to his room intending to sleep the last few hours of the night, dozing off for just over two hours. 

"WAKE UP, YOU LAZYBONES!" A female voice pierced the room's silence. "YOU'RE LATE!" The woman threw Li out of bed. Startled and confused, Jihan got up. Amelie was staring at him. 

"How did you get into my room?!" He asked, still groggy. 

"Easy, I asked for the key and some blonde guy handed it to me. I forgot his name, some Michel or Micael," Amelie laughed. 

"That bastard! How could he betray me like this?" Imagining the man's mocking face, he cursed him. 

"Anyway, put this on and follow me; I'll show you the true meaning of pain!" She threw shorts at his face and left the room. 

"She's crazy," Jihan whispered. 

"I can hear you!" 

After putting on the shorts, Li realized how tight they were. "What weird clothing, what's the point of this?" Following her outside, he met Amelie. 

"They look good on you, let's go, it's already late," she said. 

Following her, Li noticed it was still dark. 

"Excuse me, miss…" 

"Miss!" 

"Yes, miss, can you tell me what time it is?" 

"The perfect time to make you sweat, it's 5:30 in the morning," Amelie replied. 

Jihan almost fainted, but Amelie had no intention of letting him off easy, dragging him by the arm into the gym. Passing through the door, he saw Polnareff at the reception and, while looking at the man, begged with his eyes for help, but received only a "bless you" gesture, as if the trainer knew the ordeal that was about to begin. Li swallowed hard. 

"Alright! Let's start with some stretching. We don't want you getting hurt," said Amelie. 

After half an hour of basic exercises, the tension on Jihan's shoulders dissolved. "Maybe it won't be so bad after all." 

"Ready, now that we've prepared your body, let's move on to today's schedule: back and legs!" 

"Why legs?" Li asked. His training always included back exercises, but he usually didn't focus on his lower body. 

"Do you really think you'll survive out there using only your fists? Keep dreaming, kid." Scolded. "You have some good points, but we have to make you better as a whole" 

"But you said…" 

"I know what I said, but you didn't understand. If you want to fight without using any weapons, you'll need to make your body your weapon," Amelie explained. "Therefore, you'll have to learn to use those legs." 

Jihan remembered when he fought Jian Hong in the past. At that moment, he used a kick to surprise the giant. However, the move was so instinctive that even Li himself didn't understand it. The boy just felt that it was the path to victory. 

"Listen, kid, I'll give you an example so you can understand better. In a fight between a good boxer and a mediocre all-around fighter, who do you think would come out on top?" she asked. 

"I think someone who masters a martial art is already above someone who does everything average," Jihan replied. 

"You're not entirely wrong, but you don't master anything at all," she retorted. "This isn't bad, as it means you're not tied to any method, and so you can still be molded and focus from the beginning on learning various things. Who knows, there might be something you excel at, but don't know yet. It will make your path harder, but it will reward you much more as you evolve." 

Li pondered. She wasn't wrong, but changing his fighting style after so many years could result in the opposite of what he aimed for. 

"Can you guarantee that I'll improve?" Jihan asked. 

"I can tell you that in the first few days, you'll be weaker than you are now," Amelie declared, and after a brief pause, continued: "However, if you follow what I'm saying, I can assure you that you'll surpass the person you are now dozens of times over." 

" Miss, I don't know you very well, but you are nice and you're definitely the strongest person I've ever met. So, I'll trust you." Li agreed. "I want to see how far I can go." 

"That's the spirit, kid!" 

About two hours later, Polnareff was passing by the door leading to the ring room. 

"GET UP, KID, STOP SLACKING OFF!" Amelie's voice pierced through the walls. 

"Amitabha, kid." The trainer clasped his hands and bowed before the door, then continued his way. 

In the ring, a man was panting heavily on the floor. Li could barely stand. 

"M-miss, I can't take it anymore, please, let's take a break!" he begged. 

"You'll have plenty of time for breaks when I let you go! Now, get up!" 

After numerous heavy exercises, Amelie decided to test the boy's body limits. According to her, his enormous endurance didn't match the rest of his abilities. 

Li, supporting himself with his hands, stood up. He wasn't wearing gloves. To adapt to the new style, all that covered his hands and knees were wraps, now drenched in sweat and blood. 

"Take this!" she shouted, delivering another blow to the man. 

"It's really impressive how much he can endure. I'm not sure why. Maybe I'll ask him someday. Until then, I'll drain every last drop of energy from this kid." 

"Perfect. You're free now, you can go." 

"Miss, what's the point of this…" 

"Hm? Didn't you notice? When you got here, your eyes could barely follow my movements," she explained. "Now they're adjusting… and creating some calluses on your body!" 

Li's eyes lit up, and thanking her, he dragged himself to the door. 

"Oh, before you leave, I have some advice for you," Amelie said. "Enjoy the place where you are now. There are many opportunities here that you won't have in the future, and the greatest of them is the library. You should check out the martial arts books; I can't choose for you, and there's an unrivaled variety on those shelves." 

"Is she talking about the books I saw yesterday? Well, if someone as strong as her is telling me this, maybe I should take a look." 

"Thank you, Director," he said, bowing. 

"You can call me Amelie, kid. Good luck." 

Jihan then left through the door, heading to his room. After taking a shower, while fiddling with things around the room, he found a small box. "These are those Socrates pills the dwarf sold me. He didn't explain their effects well, but it must be something related to training." 

Curious about the pill's effects, he swallowed one. Suddenly, a wave of energy coursed through his body, gradually easing his fatigue and healing his wounds. The pill seemed to accelerate the body's natural regeneration. 

"Incredible! I feel brand new," Li celebrated. "I'd really like to try a mission now, but with my changing fighting style, I doubt I could defeat anything strong." A flash of the troll crossed Jihan's mind, and a shiver ran down his spine. "I think I'd better go to the library, maybe look for one of those books Amelie mentioned." 

Li focused; he couldn't bite off more than he could chew. He had to keep focused on slow and steady progress. Leaving the box aside and putting on some comfortable clothes, he left the room and headed to the library.