The First Step Towards Awakening

Ethan returned to his small shack as the night air turned cool, carrying the scent of damp earth and the distant aroma of food stalls closing for the day. He secured the wooden door behind him and exhaled deeply, feeling the exhaustion from a long day at the library. Yet, excitement coursed through his veins.

Without wasting time, he walked over to his bed, crouched down, and carefully lifted the loose wooden plank beneath it. Dust and splinters clung to his fingers as he retrieved the books he had hidden days ago. He brushed off the dirt and placed them on the rickety table in the center of his small room.

His eyes studied the covers of the books, both aged yet well-preserved. The first book was titled "Basic Magic Models", and the second was "Meditation Techniques for Beginners." Ethan traced his fingers over the leather-bound covers, feeling the weight of knowledge contained within.

Curious, he flipped open the Basic Magic Models book first, but his excitement quickly dimmed. The text inside was written in Ancient Hermes, a language he had not yet begun to learn. The letters were unfamiliar, consisting of archaic symbols that seemed to form a complex structure of meaning.

"Tsk. Of course, it wouldn't be that easy," Ethan muttered, shaking his head with mild disappointment. He was making good progress in the common Hermes language, but Ancient Hermes was a different beast entirely. He would have to learn it eventually, but for now, this book was useless to him.

Sighing, he carefully set the Basic Magic Models book aside and turned his attention to the second book, "Meditation Techniques for Beginners."

Unlike the first, this book was written in common Hermes, making it readable. Ethan flipped through the pages, his eyes scanning the neatly arranged text and diagrams. The opening chapter spoke of a fundamental truth—

"Every living being, whether human or beast, possesses a natural energy within them. This energy, known as spirituality, is the foundation of magic. Mages refer to this energy as 'Mana.'"

Ethan's heartbeat quickened as he read further.

"To awaken as a mage, one must first learn to sense and stir the dormant mana within their body. The key to this lies in meditation—a specific breathing technique designed to guide one's mind inward, connecting to their innate spirituality."

He turned the page, where a diagram of a human figure was drawn, illustrating the flow of mana through the body. Small arrows indicated how one should breathe in and out, guiding the flow of energy toward the core of their existence.

Ethan's hands trembled slightly as he absorbed the information. If this book was to be believed, he had the potential to awaken as a mage—if he could master this meditation technique.

"Every creature is born with a different level of mana. Some are gifted with abundant spirituality, while others have little to none. Through rigorous training, one can refine and expand their reserves, but the first step is always the same—awakening one's mana."

Ethan's gaze hardened with determination. He had no idea how much mana he possessed, nor if he was even capable of awakening, but there was only one way to find out.

He set the book aside and sat on the wooden floor, crossing his legs as the book instructed. He straightened his back, closed his eyes, and began regulating his breathing.

Slowly, he followed the pattern described in the book:

Inhale through the nose—hold—exhale through the mouth.

The rhythm was slow and deliberate, designed to calm the mind and allow one to focus inward.

Minutes passed.

At first, all Ethan could hear was the sound of his own breath and the distant noises of the city outside. But as time stretched on, he began to notice something faint—a subtle warmth deep within his core.

It was weak, almost imperceptible, like a dying ember buried beneath ash. But it was there.

Excitement stirred within him, but he suppressed it, keeping his focus. He continued the breathing pattern, trying to reach deeper into himself, as if knocking on a door that had never been opened.

The warmth flickered, responding to his focus.

It was working.

Ethan gritted his teeth and pushed further, his mind sinking into a trance-like state. The world around him faded, and all that remained was the rhythmic flow of his breath and the faint sensation of something shifting deep within him.

Then, suddenly—pain.

A sharp headache struck him like a hammer. His temples throbbed, and an overwhelming dizziness made his body sway. His concentration broke, and his breathing turned ragged.

His eyes snapped open, and he gasped for air, feeling as if he had just run a great distance. Sweat dripped down his forehead, and his limbs trembled from exhaustion.

"Damn... so this is the price," Ethan muttered, rubbing his temples.

The book had warned that meditation was not just a mental exercise but also a draining process. Overexerting oneself could lead to severe headaches, fatigue, or even unconsciousness.

He had only lasted an hour, yet he felt like he had spent the entire day hauling bricks.

Despite the discomfort, a small smile formed on Ethan's lips.

He had felt something.

It was weak, almost nonexistent, but it was proof that he had mana within him.

"If I can keep this up for months... I might actually awaken," Ethan whispered, gripping the book tighter.

He turned back to the final section of the chapter, which described the timeframe for mana awakening.

—For those with exceptional talent, the process takes weeks.

—For those with moderate talent, it takes months.

—For those with poor talent, it could take years.

Ethan sighed. He had no idea where he fell in this ranking, but judging from his initial struggle, he estimated it would take at least three to four months before he could truly awaken.

"I can work with that," he muttered, setting the book aside.

His head still throbbed, and his body felt heavy. He needed rest.

Carefully, Ethan placed the books back under his bed, ensuring they were well-hidden. He could not afford to be caught with such dangerous knowledge.

He collapsed onto his bed with a tired sigh, staring at the ceiling. His mind buzzed with thoughts about the future.

For the first time since arriving in this world, he felt as if he was truly progressing. He had taken the first step into something beyond the mundane. Something forbidden, yet powerful.

"Three to four months..." he murmured, closing his eyes.

The road ahead would be difficult, but Ethan was no stranger to hardship.

And this time, he had a goal.

With that final thought, exhaustion overtook him, and he drifted into a deep sleep—one filled with dreams of mana, magic, and the mysteries that lay ahead.