The Dwarves return

In the quiet solitude of his chamber, Derek sat on his bed with his legs crossed, assuming a meditative posture. The room was dimly lit, and the air was still as he focused his concentration on the ambient Mana that permeated the atmosphere. It was a solitary and serene moment, the only sound being the subtle flow of energy around him as he cultivated in silence.

However, in a world devoid of wars, battles, and the abundant resources that had fueled his cultivation in the past, Derek's progress had become frustratingly slow. He found himself in a constant struggle to harness the Mana around him and convert it into power, inching forward with each painstaking effort.