For Zayn, time had now split into two paths: the daytime, where he lived a false life as an ordinary child, and the night, where he hid beneath the veil of shadows and chased after the truth. In the eyes of his family, he was still just a boy. But within him, the blood of a warrior from a thousand years ago had begun to stir once more.
The night was silent. Everyone in the house was asleep. Zayn lay in bed, staring at the ceiling. Every fiber of his muscles ached to release the tension he had hidden all day. Quietly, he rose, grabbed the small pack he had prepared in the corner of his room, and slipped into the shadows.
He reached the hidden training ground deep in the forest—his sanctuary. Here, he could show his true face. Stone weights, carved dummies, and shallow pits dug into the earth awaited him. Each one designed for a different exercise. Each one a step toward reclaiming the power he had lost.
He began with his body. Slinging stone weights across his shoulders, he started squatting. Four, five, six... his breathing quickened, but he didn't stop. His veins tensed, sweat poured down his back, but he pushed on. Each movement was a memory; each pain, a reminder.
When his body reached its limit, he shifted focus. He knelt down, placing his hands on his thighs, and closed his eyes. Deep, slow breaths. He reached inward, searching for his mana. At first, it was chaotic—like a waterfall, like a swamp. But then… ancient symbols flickered in his mind. Shadows of techniques he once knew. It was enough—for now.
A warmth rose in his palms. Faint vibrations began to pulse from his fingertips, stirring the air around him. This was the first touch. Mana was finally starting to speak to him again.
He stood up and picked up his wooden sword. He stepped back and charged at the dummy, striking it with a flurry of blows. At first, his movements were stiff, but gradually they became smoother. His right hand delivered power, his left added speed. He slid his feet across the dirt, testing different stances. With every strike, an echo of battle whispered to him; with every breath, he stepped closer to his former self.
Suddenly, he stopped. He raised his palms. This time, he tried to direct the mana consciously. A faint tremor spread from his fingers, targeting the dummy's core. A silent blast—an invisible force pushed the dummy back a few steps.
He smiled. A small step, but a sure one.
He dropped into a crouch to catch his breath. This body was so different from the one he once had. It had never seen battle, never tasted blood. But it was young. Fresh. Moldable. As he stared into the earth, he whispered to himself:
"This body... will it be stronger? Or just another burden?"
He stood. The question didn't matter. The answer was always the same: Adapt. Evolve. Conquer.
Time passed. As the sky began to lighten, his training came to an end. The earth was soaked with sweat. His hands were blistered and raw. But his eyes held an unwavering fire. He no longer wished to simply remember his old strength. He would rebuild it—and surpass it.
He returned to the village. Slipping through a gap in the rear wall of his house, he crept back into his room. No one had awakened. He slid under the covers.
After.
Mornings had started to feel different for Zayn.
Waking up was no longer a simple reflex—it was a conscious decision. In the past, when he opened his eyes, he couldn't even tell where he was. But now… now he remembered everything. Who he was, what he had done, and what he had become. The dreams were gone. His dark past wasn't fragmented anymore—it had returned whole, seared into his mind. Silently, he sat up in bed.
This body... still felt like a prison he hadn't yet grown used to.
The muscles were slow but strong. His fingers were slender yet nimble. The face staring back at him in the mirror still felt foreign. And yet, every morning, he couldn't help but ask the same question:
> "Is this body stronger… or weaker than before?"
There was never an answer. Only time and training would reveal the truth.
---
It had been three months since the birth of his baby sister. Zayn had continued living with his family, appearing as just an ordinary child during the day, but waging wars in his mind at night. Still, it was time to stop lingering in the past.
Now, he stood at the edge of a new battlefield: Mana.
---
The Mana System – Tier Structure
Old memories began resurfacing in Zayn's mind. Mana—the essence of this world. Present in every living being, but rarely awakened. Once awakened, however, it could push its user beyond the boundaries of ordinary existence.
In this world, mana cultivation was divided into 10 levels, and each level had 4 stages:
1. Foundation: The initial stage of sensing, recognizing, and beginning to draw in mana.
2. Control: The ability to guide mana through the body and maintain balance.
3. Expansion: Enlarging one's mana pool and enhancing capacity.
4. Stability: Externalizing mana use and eliminating inner weaknesses.
And now, Zayn was ready to enter Level 1 – Foundation Stage.
---
Training Begins
A small clearing in the forest. Far from the house, silent and undisturbed. This was Zayn's secret training ground.
He knelt on the grass. Took a deep breath. Closed his eyes. Rested his hands on his knees. The sun warmed his skin, and the wind gently brushed his hair. But Zayn didn't feel any of it.
He dove deep into his consciousness.
"Mana… you're here. I can sense you," he whispered.
For minutes, nothing happened. Then… a faint vibration stirred in his chest. A subtle tremor, barely there, yet unmistakable. His heartbeat quickened. His breathing grew heavier.
> "This is it," he thought. "First contact."
---
The Body's Reaction
But mana didn't welcome him easily. A sharp pressure built in his chest. His mind blurred. It felt as if an invisible hand was gripping his insides.
Zayn had to hold his breath.
"This… is hard." He opened his eyes. He was soaked in sweat. His knees trembled. But he didn't stop. One hour… two… three.
And then, something clicked.
A locked door deep inside him burst open. The mana began to flow—slowly, but clearly—into his body.
His chest expanded. His mind cleared. Time seemed to freeze.
---
Level 1 – Foundation Stage: COMPLETED
When he opened his eyes, the world around him looked sharper. The colors were brighter. The sounds were deeper.
"It worked," he whispered.
A stream of mana now flowed within him. Weak but real. Unstable but alive.
For the first time in this new life, Zayn had become a mana user.
---
Toward the Night
That night, when he returned home, his parents thought he had simply been out playing. His siblings asked him trivial questions and hugged him. Zayn realized nothing had changed in their eyes or their voices. To them, he was still the same child.
But to Zayn, the world had changed.
He lay in bed. Stared at the ceiling. Let out a slow breath.
> "This is only the beginning… but even with this body, I can carve my own path," he murmured.
---
End of Chapter Note:
Zayn has taken his first step into the world of mana, reaching the first stage of Level 1. In the coming chapters, his control over mana, physical combat, and inner struggles will grow deeper.