Arminius' Rise To Power

Chapter 1: Day of Adulthood

“The path of the martialist is the road to godhood! Only by following this path can a human become a god!”

Everyone in Hochland knows this mantra by heart. From a young age, children are taught their letters, numbers, and to show respect to martialists. In Einburg, the strongest martialist is only at the Novice level, but even someone at the second level of the martial way commands respect throughout the kingdom, let alone the town!

In this world, martialists dedicate their lives to advancing through nine realms: Human, Novice, Apprentice, Adept, Expert, Master, Legendary, Mythical, and Godly. Each realm has its stages, marking the journey to becoming a god. Andric is ready to start this journey!

“Andric, step forward. I’ll open your heart-lung meridian,” Instructor Hubert called, spotting a youth who sat near the back of the classroom.

“Yes, Instructor Hubert!” Andric stood up and walked to the front of the room.

Instructor Hubert glanced at Andric’s chest, his eyes seemingly peering through the fabric. The younger students didn’t understand, but the others knew: Spirit Sight! Only a few martialists in Hochland could use it, and Einburg was lucky to have one.

Using Spirit Sight, Instructor Hubert examined Andric’s body, searching for the meridian pathways that channeled spirit energy. There are different ways to open meridians, but the most effective is to inflict a spiritual wound at the meridian site to clear any blockage. With Spirit Sight, the process becomes a lot easier, as Hubert doesn’t need to measure or try repeatedly!

Andric stood in front of the instructor, bracing himself for what was to come. He had seen other youths have their heart-lung meridians opened and knew it would be painful.

Suddenly, Instructor Hubert jabbed his finger into Andric’s chest. His finger pierced about half an inch into Andric’s skin, then released a focused pulse of spirit energy. This pulse hit Andric’s heart-lung meridian, blasting away the impurities. Hubert withdrew his finger, and Andric stood still for a moment.

Experienced martialists feel a spirit energy attack in their meridians before their nervous system registers it, which can lower their meridian usage. Inexperienced ones, however, might not feel anything. Many martialists endure hundreds of such attacks to clear their meridians. In real battles, spirit energy attacks are lethal, but in controlled settings, they’re used to clear meridian blockages!

Andric tried to sense his meridian, but he lacked Spirit Sight and Spirit Sense. Spirit Sight is innate, while Spirit Sense can be learned but only allows sensing one’s own spirit energy. For now, Andric could only hope that Instructor Hubert’s technique had worked.

“You can sit down now. Your heart-lung meridian won’t be fully opened for a few hours. If successful, you’ll be able to meditate with the first rank of our town’s Standing Tortoise Manual.”

Andric bowed to the instructor and returned to his seat at the back of the room. Though Hubert was precise, he didn’t distribute meditation techniques. Most in Einburg bought the Standing Tortoise Manual from the town hall, but some had techniques passed down through family. Andric’s special circumstances allowed him to get the manual for free.

Unable to focus on the rest of the lesson about medicinal plants, Andric concentrated on his own body, trying hard to feel the energy within him. Despite his efforts throughout his life, he had never sensed the spirit energy that supposedly exists in all living beings.

After the lesson, Andric hurried to the town hall. He knew Einburg and its surroundings well, and the town hall felt like a second home.

“Hello, Miss Erminhilt!” Andric greeted the woman by the entrance. She was a few years older than him, with long blonde hair that caught everyone’s eye. Despite her appeal, it was known that Miss Erminhilt had never had a male suitor, and many thought their chances with her were slim to none.

“Hi, Andric. It’s not a grain day, is it?” Miss Erminhilt asked with a friendly smile. Her mother had helped Andric’s mother when he was young, which started her fondness for him. She’d watched him grow up.

“No, not today. I’m here for the Standing Tortoise Manual,” Andric said.

“That? If you’re here for that, it must be your birthday!” Miss Erminhilt exclaimed. She stood up and hugged Andric. “Why keep it a secret? Happy birthday!”

Andric hugged her back, saying, “It’s no big deal. I’m just a year older.”

Miss Erminhilt let go and sat back down, feigning annoyance. “Hmph. Go get your manual or whatever. I’m not celebrating anyone’s birthday.”

Andric chuckled inwardly and walked past her. While most families in town celebrated birthdays from one to fifteen, Andric’s family didn’t celebrate any. Miss Erminhilt knew the month of his birthday but not the exact date, which was even removed from the town hall’s records.

The town hall, as its name implies, is a long hall with many tables and chairs for meetings, currently empty. Andric walked to the end of the hall and entered a storage room, where the Standing Tortoise Manuals were kept among other items. He grabbed a book and headed back.

As he passed Miss Erminhilt, he called out, “There won’t be a party, but if you make me a cake, I’d definitely appreciate it.”

Miss Erminhilt smiled but said nothing. Andric walked quickly to his home, eager to start reading the Standing Tortoise Manual. Once home, he went straight to his room.

Andric sat on his bed and opened the manual, written in Empyrean Standard, a language still used long after its empire fell. He found the language familiar and learned it quickly.

The manual described meditation techniques to gather spirit energy from the environment to strengthen oneself. For every meridian a martialist opens, their ability to gather spirit energy improves. Opening all twenty-four major and thirty-six minor meridians is known as achieving a Heavenly Channel Body, a goal many martialists aspire to. Everyone starts with just one open meridian.

Andric read the manual and began circulating spirit energy through his body. As instructed, he felt energy entering from the atmosphere, flowing through his heart-lung meridian, and exiting his body, strengthening his heart and lungs.

“So, this is spirit energy?” he asked the empty room. It was the first time he felt the mysterious energy, even if just a little.

He spent several hours meditating with the manual, feeling the energy circulating and strengthening him, gradually opening his heart-lung meridian a bit more.

As evening approached, Andric was interrupted by a knock on his door.

“Andric, it’s time for dinner,” a young woman’s voice called. Andric recognized her immediately.

“Yes, mother!” he replied, putting away the manual. He inspected his clothes, then followed his mother to the kitchen.

The dinner table was set, and Andric’s grandparents were already eating the meal his mother had prepared.

“Alda, sit down. Let Andric serve you,” Andric’s grandfather said, waving his daughter to her seat. Although they lived together, Andric’s grandfather had a low opinion of him, and Andric didn’t expect that to change.

“Right, let me get the food for you,” Andric said, pulling Alda’s chair out.

“Okay, thank you,” Alda said quietly as Andric pushed her chair in. He fetched a bowl of grain porridge with boiled vegetables for her and a similar bowl for himself. He took his seat next to Alda.

Andric’s relationship with his grandparents was strained. They had once tried to sell him into slavery, but Alda had intervened just in time. Although Alda had always been distant, that act revealed her care for him. Since then, he had distanced himself from his grandparents and focused on supporting his mother.

He learned about his mother’s past a few years ago. When other kids tried to bully him, they mentioned his father, whom Andric had never met and always assumed was dead. Discovering the truth about his father explained much about his grandparents’ hatred and his mother’s protective nature.

After dinner, Andric cleaned up and returned to his room to continue practicing the Standing Tortoise Manual. He practiced for a few more hours until he was interrupted again.

Alda stood at his door and said, “Erminhilt is downstairs. She has something for you.”

“Thanks. I’ll go see her,” Andric said, putting down the manual and heading downstairs with his mother.

In the sitting room, Erminhilt was chatting with Roza and had a wrapped package on her lap. She looked up and smiled at Andric.

“I hope I didn’t interrupt you,” she said.

“It’s fine,” Andric replied. He sat next to her, and she handed him the wrapped package. Inside was a small wooden box containing a tiny round cake, enough for about ten bites. “Thank you.”

He grabbed a spoon from the kitchen and enjoyed the cake while Erminhilt, Roza, and his grandparents chatted. The conversation turned to Andric’s childhood, a tough topic for his grandparents, but Erminhilt was unaware of their animosity.

Andric quickly finished the last piece of cake and offered it to Erminhilt, who smiled as he fed it to her. “It’s getting late. I’ll walk you home.”

“Alright,” Erminhilt agreed. She took the box and cloth from Andric, and

they walked outside together.

As they strolled down the road, they both kept to themselves, avoiding eye contact.

“Happy birthday,” Erminhilt said softly.

“Thanks,” Andric replied.

He walked her to her door, then returned home. Back in his room, he lay on his bed, staring at the ceiling, and thought, ‘Fifteen years after my reincarnation, and I still haven’t met a single magician. The age of magic must really be over.’

Chapter 2: First Rank

Meditation techniques are everywhere in the kingdom, but the best ones are kept locked up by the big-name clans. In Hochland, the Standing Tortoise Manual is considered pretty basic. It's just enough to help someone move from the Human realm to the Apprentice realm. But for Andric, this manual was like a treasure.

In his previous life, Andric had reached the peak of magical power, only to be taken down by martialists. This time around, to outdo those martialists, he first needed to get a handle on how their energy system worked.

Magicians used mana and thought energy to cast spells. They had arcane cores that generated mana, which they’d then mix with thought energy to create magic. Martialists, on the other hand, didn’t have a fancy core. They stored their spirit energy throughout their entire body. To use their abilities, they just needed to will their body into action. For magicians, it’s all about accessing mana, imbuing it with thought energy, and then casting spells. Clearly, martialists had a quicker method.

Andric had managed to open his heart-lung meridian and could feel a slight flow of spirit energy. Instructor Hubert had mentioned that how quickly someone could absorb spirit energy was determined by their heritage. If Andric’s parents had been higher-level martialists, he’d absorb energy faster. But according to Hubert, you couldn’t change that rate after birth.

Andric wasn’t buying it. He believed there was always a way to improve, and he was determined to be the one to figure it out. So, for now, he focused on practicing the Standing Tortoise Manual exactly as it was written.

The next day started like any other. Andric woke up, bathed outside, and headed to Instructor Hubert’s class. He didn’t need to go anymore after turning fifteen, but most of the town’s youths stayed for an extra year. After sixteen, most either found jobs or left for bigger opportunities.

Hubert’s classes covered general knowledge and didn’t focus much on the martial way. But Andric attended every lesson, hoping for a nugget of martialist wisdom. Hubert's way of ensuring attendance was by keeping the door open to valuable insights.

In Einburg, about ten to twenty babies were born each year, but half didn’t make it past five. Of the few who did, only one or two might master the Standing Tortoise Manual up to its second rank. Many struggled just with the first rank, staying stuck in the Human realm.

Thanks to his previous life, Andric had no trouble grasping the Standing Tortoise Manual. He wondered why it used such obscure wording, guessing it was to prevent easy theft of the technique.

After class, Andric rushed home and dove back into the manual. In less than a day, he had figured out the first rank of the technique and was already chanting its mantra while sitting cross-legged on his bed.

At the first stage of the Human realm, the body could only absorb minimal spirit energy, making martial techniques ineffective. Reaching the second stage would boost his strength, but only slightly. Real benefits started in the Novice realm and above.

Andric was aware of these limitations, so he focused on the knowledge he could gain from practicing the technique. His magical spells were way better than any martial attacks, but if needed, he’d use magic to save himself rather than relying on martial skills.

Back in his previous life, martialists didn’t have realms or stages. They just grew stronger gradually. With the advent of meditation techniques, realms and stages were introduced to help martialists track their progress.

Andric was pulling energy from the atmosphere with the Standing Tortoise Manual but couldn’t gauge his progress. He’d only notice a change when he reached the second stage, and he had no clue how long that would take.

After two days of meditating, Andric no longer needed to refer to the manual. He sat calmly, focused on the image of a tortoise standing firm against a relentless wind. Initially, he questioned why the tortoise wouldn’t just retreat into its shell, but as he practiced, he realized the real message. The Standing Tortoise Manual symbolized resilience and the strength to face adversity head-on, rather than avoiding challenges.

Sitting cross-legged, breathing deeply, chanting the mantra, and visualizing the scene were the keys to circulating spirit energy. It wasn’t until Andric truly grasped the manual’s essence that he began absorbing spirit energy effectively. What he thought was absorption before was nothing compared to the real deal.

Two days flew by. On the third day, six days after getting the manual from the town hall, Andric opened his eyes, hopped off his bed, and threw a punch at his bedroom wall. The speed and power of the punch surprised him.

“Human realm second stage?” he wondered, unsure. He felt a surge of energy through his body, indicating he might have reached the second stage, but he wasn’t completely sure. Regardless, he definitely felt stronger! Even just standing and punching felt noticeably different. If each stage brought such gains, it could be addictive!

When done right, the Standing Tortoise Manual made all of Andric’s body stronger. Spirit energy absorbed through his heart-lung meridian spread evenly throughout his body.

He changed his clothes and went downstairs. It was already afternoon, and his mother was snacking on some dried root in the sitting room.

“Andric, did you make any progress?” she asked, hopeful.

“I think so,” Andric replied with a nod.

“That’s great! You’ve been in your room for three days. You must be starving. I’ll make something for you,” Alda said, getting up.

Andric was surprised by how long he’d been holed up. He’d never missed more than a single day of Hubert’s lessons before, and he hadn’t eaten or drunk anything during that time. His stomach was growling, and he was parched.

“I’ll get some water,” he said, heading outside. The well wasn’t far, and he quickly drew some water to drink. He took a few gulps and reflected on the past.

Reaching the second stage of the Human realm gave Andric a powerful feeling. He could see why martialists might think their system was superior to magic. There was something primal and satisfying about growing stronger physically that magic couldn’t quite replicate.

The cold water from the well refreshed him, and after splashing some on his face, he headed back inside.

Chapter 3: The Challenge of Progress

Andric spent the rest of the day working through the Standing Tortoise Manual. In just under three days of nonstop meditation, he’d hit the second stage of the Human realm. For a small town like Einburg, that kind of progress was unheard of. Normally, this would be cause for celebration, but for Andric, it wasn’t something to brag about. His grandparents might’ve been thrilled if things had been different, but in their eyes, Andric’s talent was just a minor redeeming quality. At least it would help the family make some extra money through his martial prowess.

The next day, Andric headed to Instructor Hubert’s class. As soon as he walked in, Hubert stopped him dead in his tracks.

“Second stage already! No wonder you were gone so long!” Hubert said with a grin. His Spirit Sight easily picked up the spirit energy in Andric’s body, making his advancement obvious.

“Thank you,” Andric said, bowing slightly. He glanced around the room, hoping his talent would stay under the radar. But it was too late—several town youths had overheard Hubert and were sure to spread the word.

“Don’t get complacent,” Hubert warned with a chuckle. “Just because you’ve got some talent now doesn’t mean you can skip out on class!”

“I won’t!” Andric promised, taking his usual seat in the back.

For the past fifteen years, Andric had kept most of his abilities under wraps. As a kid, he skipped crawling and babbling and went straight to walking and talking. It earned him a reputation as a prodigy but also made him the target of envy. Now that he’d advanced to the second stage so quickly, the local youths would definitely try to one-up him to boost their own egos.

A few minutes later, a group of six boys—four fourteen-year-olds and two fifteen-year-olds—filed in and sat near Andric. One of the fifteen-year-olds, who had also reached the second stage but had been training for months, whispered something to the group. The six boys then turned their hostile glares toward Andric.

Andric read their thoughts like a book. Even though he was a reincarnated magician with far more power, he knew better than to reveal his magical abilities. Doing so could make him an enemy of Hochland, and he wasn’t ready to face the backlash from potentially thousands of soldiers.

He also couldn’t use violence. He was stronger than five of the six boys but weaker than the sixth. Plus, he had no backup. While the six boys had older siblings, Andric was an only child with no one to defend him.

As class went on, Andric wondered what the boys would do after school. If he was lucky, they’d just walk away. If not, they’d probably try to prove their superiority.

When class ended, the six boys started to approach Andric. But just in time, Instructor Hubert stepped in.

“Andric, to celebrate your stage advancement, I’ll open your lung-diaphragm meridian,” Hubert announced. Before the six boys could react, he added, “If anyone else here advances to the second stage in under a month, I’ll open a second meridian for them too.”

Hubert’s comment shut down any complaints. Although he could open meridians with ease, he only did it for a fee. No one in town had the talent to warrant free meridian openings, but Hubert made an exception for Andric because of his unique circumstances.

Andric stood and bowed. “Thank you.”

The six boys glared at him, but with Hubert staying in the room, they couldn’t do anything. Andric walked to the front of the classroom, and Hubert didn’t start immediately.

“Let’s wait until the room clears,” Hubert said.

They waited for the younger students to leave. Andric was eager for the procedure to be over, but he knew it would delay his confrontation with the six boys. Hubert was aware of this too, so he took his time.

“To reach the second stage in less than a week is impressive for a town like Einburg, but it’s nothing compared to the top talents in Mahtzig. Three years ago, a Blanchard Clan kid hit the second stage in less than a day!” Hubert said.

Andric was stunned. Even with his previous life’s knowledge, it had taken him almost a week to reach the second stage. Hearing about someone who did it in less time showed just how critical natural talent could be.

What Hubert didn’t mention was that the Blanchard Clan was known for its legendary generals and that the kid in question was a once-in-a-century genius. But Hubert wasn’t going to share that with Andric.

“I’ll keep working hard,” Andric said.

“Good. Now, let’s get your lung-diaphragm meridian opened,” Hubert said, turning to face Andric. He examined Andric’s abdomen with Spirit Sight and then carefully performed the procedure. It only took ten seconds, but Andric winced in pain.

He tried to focus on the process, hoping to learn something about clearing meridians, but it didn’t help. Maybe if he got better at controlling spirit energy, he could figure it out later.

Once the procedure was done, Hubert returned to his desk. “Don’t slack off.”

“I won’t,” Andric replied and left the classroom.

As expected, the six boys were waiting outside, casually munching on sweetgrass. They might have looked like ordinary town kids, but Andric knew they were waiting for him. Other students from class were hanging around, eager to see what would happen.

Andric wasn’t afraid but was annoyed that a few jealous kids were causing trouble. He wanted to get back to his practice.

The leader of the group, Audovacar, approached first. Dressed in farmer’s clothes and built strong from years of field work, he was physically superior to Andric, even if Andric were at the third stage.

Andric decided to handle the confrontation with words rather than fists. The key to a verbal fight is to speak second, twisting the other person’s words to make them look foolish. He didn’t want to start a fistfight.

Audovacar started with a classic jab. “Last night, my dad said he’d teach me the Ground Plowing Stomp—a Human realm second stage technique. Not everyone gets to learn it. Does your dad teach you any martial techniques?” He then added, louder, “Oh right, you don’t have a dad.”

It was a cheap shot, poking at the fact that Andric didn’t have a father. The insult was old news to everyone in town, and it wasn’t particularly clever.

Andric shot back, “Is that a sparring technique? Well, you two have fun plowing each other,” and walked away.

Audovacar and his cronies were stunned. The insult had gone over their heads, and the clever comeback left Audovacar embarrassed. He’d have to deal with the awkwardness of taking a hit without firing back.

Audovacar’s pride and ego clashed with his embarrassment, and he let Andric walk away without further dispute.

Chapter 4: Lost Youth

Andric came back home feeling pretty content. He didn’t have any pressing tasks around town, and he wasn’t helping out in the fields with his grandparents or mother. His only focus was on practicing the Standing Tortoise Manual, and with no other obligations, he had all the time he needed to get stronger.

But even though Andric wasn’t looking for trouble, trouble found him. That night, nothing happened, but the next evening, a group of older townsfolk showed up outside his house. Most of them were farmers who didn’t have much say in town affairs, but there were also a couple of businessmen from the inner town, relatives of Audovacar’s friends.

The moment Andric saw the gathering, he knew they were there to cause problems. It wasn’t news to him that many townspeople thought he had no right to be born, and they resented the help Alda and he had been getting. In Einburg, everyone had to work for their meals, except Alda. She got special treatment from the town’s mayor, which included perks like the Standing Tortoise Manual and a weekly bag of grain.

Alda used to be able to defend Andric by saying he was just a kid, and the mayor backed her up by pointing out that her parents had done a lot for the town and deserved some help. But now that Andric was fifteen and officially an adult by Hochland standards, things were different.

If the townspeople wanted to push him out and cut off Alda’s benefits, it wouldn’t be surprising. After all, it had been fifteen years since Alda’s trauma, and the townspeople were not going to let things go on forever.

Einburg had grown from a small village into a bustling town with hundreds of residents. What was once manageable for a few families had become an issue with so many people. The townsfolk didn’t want anyone taking advantage of the system, using Alda as a precedent.

“Hey, Alda, we need to talk to that boy of yours,” a man from the group called out, his voice echoing through the house since the walls were thin.

Andric knew the group was gathering outside, but he stayed in his bedroom, continuing to read the Standing Tortoise Manual. Gasto and Roza, his grandparents, were in the sitting room with Alda, clearly unsure of how to handle the situation.

“That boy is nothing but trouble,” Gasto muttered, leaning back in his chair. Though he had always been critical of Andric, he wasn’t thrilled about the idea of a mob outside their home. He wanted Andric’s departure to be handled smoothly.

“If they want to talk about him, they should talk to him. He’s an adult now, so he can speak for himself,” Roza added, also disapproving of the crowd’s approach.

“I’ll go see what they want,” Alda said, standing up and heading for the door.

Andric knew his grandparents and most of the townsfolk didn’t like him, but he didn’t really care. The only opinion that mattered to him was Alda’s. He could handle the sneers and hostility as long as his mother wanted him around.

Staying in Einburg had its conveniences. It was a safe place for him to practice his meditation techniques and learn about the world. If he left, he’d miss out on things like the Standing Tortoise Manual and the generous Instructor Hubert. He originally planned to stay another year, but leaving early wouldn’t be the end of the world.

Alda opened the door and faced the group of townspeople. “What do you want to talk about?”

“I just want to know when you’re going to move on,” the man replied, stepping back into the crowd.

“What do you mean?” Alda asked, puzzled.

“We’re not blaming you for anything,” the man continued. “We know you didn’t have a choice with Andric. But you can’t just sit back and let the town support you forever. At some point, you need to accept that the past can’t be changed. Andric’s an adult now, and he should be out working.”

Alda stood there, flustered, while her parents joined her at the door. Gasto whispered something in her ear, and she finally said, “I know. I’ve spent so long trying to get back to where I was, but now I’m older and I’ve lost so much time. I’m thirty-two now, and I’m still in the same place.”

Alda’s words were heavy with regret. She thought about all the “what-ifs”—what if she’d aborted Andric, or let her parents sell him? Every day, she wondered where her life could have gone if things had been different. Though she tried to ignore it, she couldn’t forget.

The townspeople who had gathered had known Alda since she was a child, and they felt for her. But they also saw her as stuck, unable to move on. They wanted her to have a chance at a better life, not be held back by her past.

“Alda, we’re here for you, but we can’t support Andric anymore. You need to decide: either he starts working, or he leaves with the next merchant caravan,” the man said, laying down the ultimatum. “We didn’t want it to come to this, but it’s the only way to help you move on.”

For Alda, this was a tough decision. She had barely ventured out in fifteen years, and the idea of sending Andric away was daunting. But the townspeople’s proposal meant she could finally have a chance at a fresh start.

Merchant caravans came through Einburg every few months, and joining one wasn’t expensive, but it was a cost Alda and her parents couldn’t afford. It was easier for the town to pay for Andric’s trip and be done with him.

Alda’s parents would gladly send Andric away. They hoped he’d end up in a border region, join the military, and die there, at least earning them some silver in return for raising him. Anything to get him out of Alda’s life.

For sixteen years, Andric had been a constant burden for Alda. Even though he was a talented and adaptable kid, the townspeople saw his presence as a weight holding her back.

Alda thought for a moment, then asked quietly, “Can you help him get to Mahtzig?”

“If the next caravan is heading to the capital, we’ll cover his trip,” the man said, reassuring her. The mood among the crowd brightened— it seemed Alda was going to agree to send Andric away.

“If you can arrange that, I won’t have to worry,” Alda said, relief flooding through the crowd. After fifteen years, they had finally convinced Alda to let Andric go.

Alda knew she couldn’t force Andric to leave, but she didn’t need to. He had always obeyed her requests without question. She knew if she asked him to go, he’d comply. And though she wouldn’t see him again, Mahtzig was a safe city, and she hoped her brother there might be able to help him.

Sending Andric to Mahtzig would be a way to give him a chance and also a way for Alda to finally move on with her life. It wasn’t perfect, but it was a step toward a fresh start for both of them.

Chapter 5: Preparations for Departure

Andric listened from his room as the conversation between his mother and the townspeople unfolded. He stayed put, focusing on every word Alda said. In his heart, he wondered if she had been considering sending him away even before the townspeople brought it up. After all, she had never mentioned it before.

Once the townspeople left, Alda joined her parents in the sitting room to discuss things. After their discussion, she made her way upstairs to Andric’s room. Andric heard her footsteps and sat on his bed, keeping his face expressionless.

“Did you hear what we were talking about?” Alda asked as she peeked through the doorway. She had felt prepared to talk to Andric when she was downstairs, but now that she was standing in his room, she felt uneasy. Asking her son to leave was a huge step, and it made her uncomfortable.

“Yes,” Andric replied, his voice low and serious. He knew this was a delicate situation, and though leaving Einburg wasn’t the end of the world, it marked the end of his peaceful life here. Beyond these walls, he’d have to fend for himself in a world full of martialists.

“We think it would be best if you went to Mahtzig. The capital is big and thriving, and you’ll find a job easily. It’s better than staying in this small town, right?” Alda said, trying to sound positive but only managing a weak smile. She had once been eager to leave Einburg, but her own journey had ended poorly, and she was now grappling with her decision.

The more Alda spoke, the more uncomfortable she seemed. Asking Andric to leave made the idea seem real, and she was frightened at the thought of him leaving her protection. Despite being fifteen, she still saw him as a vulnerable child.

Andric glanced up at her and then looked away at his hands. He had the strength of a second-stage martialist thanks to his work with the Standing Tortoise Manual, but it wasn’t enough to guarantee his safety in the world. He thought about showing Alda his magic to ease her fears, but he had vowed to keep his abilities hidden, even if it meant letting her worry.

Alda sat down beside him on the bed. “If this is what you want, I can accept it,” Andric said quietly. Alda hugged him, and they sat in silence, both lost in their own thoughts, unsure of what to say next.

For Alda, stability was key. She needed to ensure Andric’s safety and also ease the tension with the townspeople. Keeping him in Einburg meant protection from external threats, but the hostility from within was growing. Sending him away would give him a fresh start and help her move on from the past. But she struggled with the harshness of the decision.

Andric, meanwhile, was thinking about how to handle potential threats. In Hochland, dangerous areas included borders, wilderness, and cities. In the wilderness, magic might be safer to use, but in cities, it would be risky. He was focused on how to deal with opponents, never considering that his mother would be concerned about his safety.

A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. Alda eventually stood up and left the room, and Andric’s future was set.

Over the next week, Alda talked to Andric about the world outside Einburg, and her parents worked with the townspeople to gather enough silver coins for his trip. Joining a merchant caravan to Mahtzig would cost between ten and thirty silver, a sum that could be easily collected from families supportive of Andric’s departure.

While Alda’s parents and the townspeople organized his departure, Andric stayed in his room, practicing and memorizing the Standing Tortoise Manual. He decided not to take it with him, feeling it was something he should return once he was done.

The manual was overly wordy, so Andric spent time simplifying it, especially the parts related to the Novice and Apprentice realms. With the manual committed to memory, he sought out Instructor Hubert for clarification on things he didn’t understand. Unfortunately, while Hubert had Spirit Sight, his martial skills were lacking, so many of Andric’s questions went unanswered or were met with guesses.

By the end of the week, Andric learned that the next caravan would arrive in twenty-seven days. This news made his preparations feel somewhat premature. With so much time left, he could continue his training, but he also anticipated that the townspeople’s hostility might escalate.

A group of youths gathered outside Instructor Hubert’s classroom after a lesson, discussing Andric. One of them, a member of Audovacar’s group, said, “If Andric doesn’t know how to fight, how is he going to protect himself?”

“Hagano is right. We should help him out,” Audovacar agreed, as if he had anticipated Hagano’s point.

Around twenty youths surrounded Audovacar and his gang. The crowd included students of various ages, mostly younger than sixteen. The older ones persuaded the younger ones to stay and watch. While the younger youths had mixed feelings about Andric, they were influenced by the town’s general sentiment.

Andric tried to walk past them. “If you want to spar, pick someone your own level,” he said, pointing to a seven-year-old child in the crowd named Alfbern.

Audovacar and his group did not appreciate the comparison to a child. Audovacar responded, “If you can take five moves from me, I’ll agree that you don’t need any pointers.”

Five moves might sound brief, but in martial arts, it was a significant amount of time. Andric had no formal martial techniques, unlike Audovacar, who knew the Ground Plowing Stomp. The advantage was clear.

“What’s the point of your concession if we’re already fighting?” Andric asked, ready for any attack.

The youths of Einburg were predictable. In his previous life, Andric would have let his pride get in the way. In this life, he had more pressing concerns. With less than a month left, he preferred to resolve conflicts peacefully.

“Hey, what’s going on here?” a female voice called out. Andric turned to see Miss Erminhilt scolding the group of youths.

“Ah, Miss Erminhilt, we weren’t doing anything,” a youth said quickly. No one wanted to cross Miss Erminhilt, who was not only beautiful but also highly respected.

“We were just having some fun!” another boy added. Miss Erminhilt’s presence was enough to shift the balance, and most youths would side with her if it meant avoiding trouble.

Miss Erminhilt was admired by every adolescent male in town. In a place where eligible women were scarce, she stood out. Despite being nineteen and still single, she was highly sought after. In another life, she could have been a prominent consort, but here, she remained in Einburg.

To many, Andric’s association with Miss Erminhilt was a major offense. More than his origins, the fact that he was friends with her was seen as his greatest transgression.

Chapter 6: Greatest Mistake

The town might eventually forgive Andric’s father, but the way Andric had caught Miss Erminhilt’s eye? That was unforgivable! Audovacar and his gang might act all meek around Miss Erminhilt, but once she was gone, they’d be back to their old selves in no time.

“What’s this ‘fun’ you’re talking about? Surrounding my Andric? Don’t think just because I’m a woman I don’t know what’s happening!” Miss Erminhilt snapped. In this time, people often underestimated women, assuming they couldn’t grasp what was going on. Some of the youths might have thought Miss Erminhilt was clueless about their hostility toward Andric, but they were wrong.

‘My Andric?’

Miss Erminhilt’s choice of words came out more personal than she intended, and her face turned beet red as soon as she realized it. She tried to backpedal, but it was too late. The remark just added fuel to the fire for the youths who were already jealous of Andric for winning Miss Erminhilt’s favor.

“Miss Erminhilt, I heard you baked a cake for Andric’s birthday. Is that true?” asked a girl from the sidelines.

In Einburg, where drama was a rare commodity, the townspeople loved stirring up trouble. Watching a confrontation was pure entertainment for them. A lot of the youths had been itching to see a fight between Audovacar and Andric.

“Uh, why bring that up now? It’s not really relevant,” Miss Erminhilt said, her cheeks still flushed.

Andric grinned and chimed in, “Yeah, it was a really good cake, too.”

Since he was about to leave town anyway, Andric felt free to push Audovacar’s buttons as much as he could. With Miss Erminhilt around, Audovacar and his gang wouldn’t dare make a move. Andric had always known he could count on Miss Erminhilt to stand up for him, but his pride had kept him from asking for her help. Now, with her stepping in, it was a different story.

The plan to kick Andric out of town had clearly been in the works for a while. Whatever Audovacar wanted to do, he was on a tight clock. With Andric leaving soon, any attempt at retaliation from Audovacar would be futile. If he turned to his elders for help, they’d just remind him that Andric was leaving soon.

“You made him a cake?” Audovacar asked, disbelief in his voice. The idea of Miss Erminhilt and Andric being close didn’t sit well with him—it meant his own chances with her were pretty much nonexistent.

Miss Erminhilt ignored the question and walked through the crowd with Andric in tow. She guided him down the street, leaving the onlookers behind. Even if she’d defended Andric now, she wouldn’t be able to do so every day. Andric’s pride kept him from asking her for daily protection, even though he knew he could count on her if needed.

They eventually reached a metalworking shop. “Wait here,” Miss Erminhilt said, leaving Andric outside while she went inside. A few minutes later, she emerged with a sheet of paper.

“What’s that?” Andric asked, curious about her errand.

“It’s a log of all the weapons sold by the shop. The mayor’s reporting all weapon sales to the capital, and I need to collect sales logs from merchants who haven’t submitted theirs. Some of these old blacksmiths don’t like dealing with the mayor, so instead of sending guards, he sends me,” Miss Erminhilt explained as they walked back to the town hall.

The town hall was usually quiet during midday. Most visitors came in the morning or evening, and appointments were required unless it was a town meeting. Besides Miss Erminhilt and the mayor, his family also worked at the town hall, so there was no rush for Miss Erminhilt to return.

As they strolled, Miss Erminhilt chatted about the areas around Einburg. “You don’t know how tough it can be outside Einburg. Our town is surrounded by hamlets. It’s about two hundred miles to the next town, which takes around ten days to travel. Going all the way to Mahtzig will take you over fifty days!” she said.

She continued, “A lot can happen in fifty days. You might face wild animals or bandits. Bad weather, like storms, can make travel even more dangerous. Bandits often strike during heavy rain, so you always have to stay alert. Even if it’s not raining, bandits can still attack. Unless you're within a well-guarded town, you’re at risk.”

“Wow, Miss Erminhilt, you seem to know a lot about what’s outside Einburg. Have you ever traveled?” Andric asked.

“I haven’t left Einburg myself, but my fiancé used to send me letters from his travels across Hochland,” she said.

It was well-known that Miss Erminhilt once had a fiancé, but he had left Einburg over five years ago and ended their engagement less than a year after leaving. Despite their separation, there were no hard feelings. The mayor’s oldest son had been betrothed to Miss Erminhilt since they were children, but he discovered a talent for martial arts at fifteen and left town soon after.

Andric knew part of this story, but it was clear why Miss Erminhilt worked at the town hall and wasn’t married at nineteen.

As they neared the town hall, Miss Erminhilt continued sharing her knowledge. Though she’d never traveled herself, her job and interest in maps had given her plenty of insight into the world beyond Einburg.

“I’ve got a question. If there are martialists in the merchant caravan, do they still have to worry about bandits?” Andric asked.

“Of course. The bandits around Mahtzig aren’t very strong compared to the military, but they’re still martialists. Merchant caravans usually have only one guard for every ten merchants because hiring guards is expensive. Bandits, however, keep growing in number. You could run into a group of criminals working together or even remnants of destroyed sects turned bandits!” Miss Erminhilt explained.

In Hochland, sects of martialists controlled a large part of the land. Weaker sects paid tribute to the kingdom, while stronger ones defended it during wars. When sects expanded, they would attack and steal from others. Those left behind after a sect’s destruction often turned to banditry.

“There aren’t any sects near Einburg, but I’ve seen martialists traveling through before. They’re usually at least Novice level or higher,” Andric added.

“Don’t forget about spirit beasts! They stay away from towns but are common in the wilderness. Watch out for waldbars, waldschwein, steinbar, windspinne, and more!” Miss Erminhilt said, listing creatures Andric had only heard a little about.

“I’ve got it,” Andric said, trying to calm her as he waved his hand.

“Overconfidence is dangerous! Anything can happen on the road. What if all your food spoils and everyone around you turns out to be cannibals? You can’t predict the actions of those you travel with. Even a small mistake can lead to disaster,” Miss Erminhilt warned.

They arrived back at the town hall, and just as Andric was about to leave, Miss Erminhilt grabbed the back of his head. She muttered softly, “I’m going to regret this,” and then kissed him.

Andric stumbled backward, shocked by the unexpected kiss. His heart raced, but he quickly reminded himself of his situation. He couldn’t afford to get involved with Miss Erminhilt in that way, especially with his imminent departure.

He turned and walked away briskly, while Miss Erminhilt watched him go, her expression a mix of regret and sadness. Unbeknownst to them, a young boy had been watching from a distance, witnessing the moment.

Chapter 7: A Man's Honor

In small towns like Einburg, rumors spread faster than wildfire. By nightfall, half the town’s youth already knew about the kiss between Andric and Miss Erminhilt. Before long, the story had twisted to say that Andric was the one who kissed her. A few hours after sunset, Audovacar and his gang showed up outside Andric’s house, banging on the door.

“We need to talk to Andric right now!” Audovacar shouted, his friends standing behind him, giving him courage.

Gasto answered the door. He towered over Audovacar and the others, peering down at them. “What’s up?”

“We need to speak with Andric,” Audovacar said, meeting Gasto’s gaze.

“Fine,” Gasto replied, closing the door. He wasn’t keen on defending Andric from Audovacar and his crew, so he called upstairs, “They want to talk to Andric,” then went back to the living room.

Reluctantly, Andric paused his Standing Tortoise Manual practice, checked his clothes, and went downstairs. When he opened the door and saw Audovacar and his gang, his eyes widened. What did they want at this hour?

Without a word, Audovacar grabbed Andric’s shirt, yanked him forward, and threw him to the ground by the door. Andric stifled a yawn as he got up, unfazed by Audovacar’s rage.

“What’s this about?” Andric asked, brushing off his clothes.

“We heard about what happened with Miss Erminhilt!” Audovacar declared, his anger barely contained.

His outburst was loud enough for everyone inside to hear. Gasto and Roza held Alda back, explaining that it was just kids quarreling and it was probably good for Andric. Alda was anxious, her hands trembling, ready to intervene at any moment.

Andric hadn’t expected a fight when he opened the door, but Audovacar wasn’t about to hold back. Andric assessed the situation quickly. Besides Audovacar, there were three others — a young boy among them who wouldn’t be much help in a fight. Andric decided to wait for a chance to strike if anyone came within his reach.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Andric said, standing his ground.

“Otmar, tell him what you saw,” Audovacar said, turning to the small child.

“I saw you kissing Miss Erminhilt!” Otmar declared, pointing at Andric with an accusatory look.

Andric sighed but kept his composure. It wasn’t his idea for Miss Erminhilt to kiss him, but now he was taking the heat for it. Though he didn’t mind the kiss, he wished it hadn’t happened in front of a crowd. He preferred to focus on his training without these distractions.

“Well, you must’ve seen wrong,” Andric said, looking down at Otmar. His tone was cold enough to make the boy back away, hiding behind one of Audovacar’s friends.

“Don’t give us that! Otmar saw exactly what happened,” Audovacar retorted, shaking his fist.

Andric quickly analyzed the situation. Aside from Audovacar, there were Berard and Ingulf, who were both Human realm first stage, while Andric was Human realm second stage. He decided to wait for an opening to strike.

“Did anyone else see it? How do you know Otmar isn’t lying?” Andric asked. Audovacar looked momentarily confused. Doubt crept into his mind.

Audovacar’s friends glanced at Otmar, but Audovacar remained fixed on Andric. Otmar, now less frightened, insisted, “I didn’t lie! I really saw it!”

Audovacar groaned. “I believe Otmar.”

Andric frowned. It wasn’t surprising that Audovacar trusted Otmar over him. What concerned Andric was how Audovacar would react now that he was convinced Andric had kissed Miss Erminhilt. The rumor had likely spread further than just Audovacar’s group.

“Berard, Ingulf, grab him and take him to our hideout,” Audovacar ordered. Two of his friends moved forward.

Andric scanned the group for an opening. Berard and Ingulf approached slowly, clearly wary. Andric, being a stage higher, had an advantage, though the difference was not huge.

As they got close, Andric kicked one of them in the knee, causing him to stumble. He then shifted his focus to Ingulf, who had stepped back.

“You asked for it!” Audovacar shouted, swinging his fist.

Andric braced for impact. He gathered his spirit energy and blocked the punch, though it still hurt. As he retreated, Audovacar’s friends surrounded him. Audovacar was in front, Berard and Ingulf on the sides, and an unnamed boy behind him.

The unnamed boy threw a punch at Andric’s shoulder. The punch wasn’t precise, but it still hurt. Soon, all four were attacking him, and Andric struggled to dodge or block their blows.

Andric wasn’t used to physical fights, and his fighting style was not suited for this kind of confrontation. His mana surged, urging him to retaliate violently, but he held back, aware that using magic in this situation could be risky.

After a few moments of being pummeled, Andric saw an opportunity. Ingulf attempted a high kick, which was poorly timed. Andric grabbed Ingulf’s leg, causing him to lose balance and fall. Andric took the chance to stomp on Ingulf’s torso, temporarily removing him from the fight.

Though Andric was injured, Ingulf was down for now. The remaining three kept attacking him, and Andric decided to flee. He ran to a field away from prying eyes, with Audovacar and his friends close behind. The young boy lagged behind.

In the field, Andric turned to face them, preparing for another round. As they closed in, Andric deflected their attacks. When the unnamed boy overreached with a punch, Andric grabbed his arm and retaliated, breaking his nose. Then he refocused on Audovacar and Berard.

However, while he was distracted, the unnamed boy recovered and pulled at Andric’s leg, making him fall. Andric kicked him away, but Audovacar and Berard took the chance to kick him while he was down. Andric covered his face, taking the blows while suppressing his urge to retaliate with magic.

After a while, Ingulf rejoined the group, and they all continued kicking Andric. They weren’t using spirit energy, just venting their frustration. After about ten minutes, they finally left, shouting curses as they went.

Andric lay in the grass for a while, trying to resist the urge to heal himself with magic. He eventually got up, knowing he had to make it home without drawing more attention. His clothes were bloodied, and his body was bruised, but he wasn’t seriously injured.

He walked home slowly, limping at first but finding a more comfortable rhythm. With no mirrors available, he could only guess at his appearance. After reaching home, he passed Alda and his grandparents without a word.

Alda rushed to him, seeing the blood and asking, “What happened?”

“I’m fine,” Andric replied curtly, heading straight to his bedroom.

Once alone, Andric sat on the floor, waiting for everyone to go to sleep before he started healing. A few hours later, when the house was quiet, he began.

Andric visualized his body in perfect condition. He focused his thought energy and combined it with mana from his arcane core. He directed this mana to his right palm and, after a few seconds, released it into the air.

The spell burst and the mana spread across his body, repairing his injuries. The mana worked quickly, replacing damaged tissue with healthy tissue. After a few minutes, Andric was back to his ideal state. He cast another spell to clean himself and his clothes, then went to bed, knowing he’d need to lay low for a few days to avoid suspicion.

Chapter 8: Pathways

After four days of resting in bed and focusing on the Standing Tortoise Manual, Andric felt a sudden rush of energy. In an instant, his spirit energy surged, becoming more potent and flowing faster. He realized he’d reached the third stage of the Human realm.

In Einburg, ordinary folks typically took between two to six months to hit the first stage of the Human realm. Moving on to the second stage usually took another four to twelve months, and reaching the third stage could take anywhere from eight to twenty-four months. No one from Einburg had ever hit the third stage in under a year, but Andric had managed it in less than a month.

Andric couldn’t stop thinking about his fight with those four boys. If he’d been stronger, he could have defended himself. But even if he had been stronger, Audovacar could have just brought more reinforcements. One of Audovacar’s older brothers was at the fifth stage of the Human realm, which meant he was as strong as Andric might be at the seventh stage.

Clearly, Andric needed to get stronger, and fast. At his current pace, he might only reach one more stage before leaving Einburg. If he couldn’t defend himself against four teenagers, there was no way he’d survive the dangers of the outside world. Andric spent a lot of time thinking about how to boost his strength quickly.

The next day, Andric lay in bed, using Spirit Sense to visualize the meridians inside his body. Right now, he could only see his heart-lung meridian and lung-diaphragm meridian. The pathways continued beyond these points but were clogged with debris, making it impossible for him to see the ends.

Meridians were new to Andric. Even though he’d regenerated his body multiple times in his past life, he’d never encountered meridians or spirit energy. He tried an experiment: he cut off his left arm and disintegrated it, then grew a new one. But the new arm still didn’t have any visible meridians.

Recalling how Instructor Hubert had cleared his meridians, Andric tried to replicate the process by stabbing himself above the clogged pathways. He couldn’t release any spirit energy, no matter what he tried. He even combined techniques, pressing on the meridian while flooding the area with spirit energy, but it didn’t work.

After several failed attempts, Andric thought he might need an external source to unblock his meridians. It seemed plausible that a separate person needed to use their spirit energy to clear them, supporting the idea that martial artists needed to engage in combat to open their meridians. If it were possible to do it alone, martial artists would be constantly harming themselves.

Andric’s magic could regrow limbs to their exact previous state, including the spirit energy within them. However, he noticed that his spirit energy didn’t fully regenerate with the new limbs. It entered them at such a slow rate that it was barely noticeable. Concentrating spirit energy in his right hand, he saw a deficit in his newly grown left arm. He found that he could move most of his spirit energy, but a tiny amount always stayed behind. Over time, this loss added up, requiring him to meditate frequently to replenish it.

He also learned how to sense the locations of his meridians and the pathways between them. When regrowing his limbs, he saw that his spirit energy couldn’t enter the clogged areas. To learn more, he cut away the flesh around his lung-diaphragm meridian and then regrew it. The new meridian was clear, confirming his hypothesis.

Andric repeatedly destroyed and regrew parts of his body, gaining knowledge about his meridian system. The human body had twenty-four major meridians and thirty-six minor ones. The major meridians included various pathways connecting different organs and systems.

Over the next few days, Andric continued his experiments, regrowing and cutting away his flesh to uncover the meridian pathways. He discovered that unclogging a meridian pathway by a tiny fraction was possible with his current method. He estimated that he could clear one or two major meridians a day if he continued.

As the merchant caravan’s arrival approached, Andric’s excitement grew. He theorized that his spirit energy rushing through the unclogged meridian was dislodging debris in the clogged pathways. He spent his last days in Einburg testing this theory.

He started by concentrating his spirit energy above his right lung and then disintegrated the flesh around his heart, diaphragm, and lungs. Using a spell to temporarily support these organs, he removed them entirely, suppressing his urge to breathe. He then regrew the flesh and organs, and immediately released the concentrated spirit energy near his right shoulder.

The spirit energy filled the void left by the removed organs and flowed into the clogged meridian pathways. This caused some debris to dislodge, unclogging the pathways slightly. It took under a minute to see noticeable results, and Andric estimated that with constant effort, he could unclog one or two major meridians per day.

For two days, Andric focused solely on this process, refusing food and staying in bed. He observed that debris closer to the meridian was denser and harder to clear. Despite working for fifty hours straight, he only managed to clear about four-fifths of the way to his diaphragm-lung meridian. He guessed one more day would be enough to finish.

However, with only two days left before the caravan arrived, Andric decided to stop. He considered the potential consequences if Instructor Hubert noticed the changes. He didn’t want to attract any unwanted attention, so he wrapped up his experiments.