Chapter 2: Discovering Terra

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Arthur Grey sat in the grand library of his mansion, surrounded by towering shelves filled with ancient tomes and scrolls. The library, like everything in his new life, was both a sanctuary and a reminder of his isolation. Yet, it was here that he sought to understand the world he had descended into—a world he had created but never truly known.

Instead of venturing out into the bustling streets of Astrea, Arthur decided to delve into the knowledge stored within these walls. He knew that if he was to live as a mortal in Terra, he would need to learn everything about the world—its geography, history, and the cultivation system that governed its people.

The first tome Arthur opened was an atlas of Terra. The world was vast, divided into seven continents, each governed by a powerful empire. These empires were centers of culture, power, and magic, each with its own unique strengths and traditions. Arthur learned that the city he now called home, Astrea, was located in one of these great empires, though the name of the empire escaped him for a moment. As he flipped through the pages, he discovered that Astrea was not just a city but a hub of magical activity, known for its academies, guilds, and the renowned school of magic, Astarcus.

As he continued to explore the library, Arthur's eyes caught sight of a sealed envelope tucked away between two heavy volumes. Curious, he carefully opened it and found a letter of admission addressed to him—or rather, to the identity he had created, Arthur Grey. The letter was from Astarcus, the most prestigious school for mages in the world. It was an invitation to enroll, with classes beginning in one month.

Arthur felt a spark of anticipation. This was the perfect opportunity to immerse himself in the magical world of Terra, to learn alongside the most talented mages, and to further understand the cultivation of mana, which was at the heart of Terra's power structure. He set the letter aside and returned to his study of the world's cultivation system.

In Terra, the path to power was through the cultivation of mana. Arthur knew that Terra's inhabitants dedicated their lives to cultivating this energy, striving to reach higher levels of strength. The system was divided into nine stages, each representing a significant leap in power. Within each stage were four levels: low, medium, high, and peak.

At the peak of the ninth stage, a cultivator could wield enough power to destroy entire continents. But as Arthur delved deeper into the texts, he discovered that this was only the beginning. The true secrets of cultivation went far beyond these stages, leading to realms of power that few could comprehend. Yet, Arthur chose not to dwell on these higher stages just yet. There was no need to spoil the journey before it had even begun.

For now, he focused on understanding the basics, recognizing that even though he had knowledge from his time as the Supreme Being, experiencing it firsthand as a mortal would be entirely different. The month leading up to his admission to Astarcus would be spent learning as much as he could about the world he had only just begun to explore.

As the day drew to a close, Arthur closed the last book with a sense of satisfaction. He now had a clearer picture of the world of Terra—its continents, its empires, and the immense power that lay within its cultivation system. But more than that, he felt a growing excitement for what lay ahead. The path of cultivation was long and arduous, but for the first time in his existence, Arthur looked forward to the challenge.