‘You are lucky… being held by the son of the Heavenly Venerable Emperor before consumed, be honored.’ I cleaned the meat off the bone and placed it back on the tray.

“That was good!” I patted my satisfied belly.

“You sure ate well.” Celia’s voice was sweet.

I glanced in her direction and my heart started to thump.

She had her elbows on the table with one hand supporting her face as she was smiling. The light from the lamp on the table showered her face with lighting that made her look straight out of an oil painting. Her lips were pink and alluring. ‘I think I’m starting to get attracted to this young lady.’

“Good cook! We should eat like this often.” I praised her.

“If I get lucky again.” She stood up and took the tray to the kitchen.

Celia came back with the lamp from the kitchen.

“Good night, let’s continue tomorrow.” She said as she turned off the lamp and placed it on the table, then walked towards her room.

“Good night.” I said as well as she smiled and closed her door.

I turned off the lamp on the table and went to my room as well. There was so much that happened today, the world, their gods, and its inhabitants. ‘No need to rush, slowly I’m going to learn them all anyway. I just need a strong foundation to protect myself.’

I started to sit in a lotus position to start my cultivation. I needed to balance my Yang Qi first and get used to my current realm before entering the second stage. The Yin Qi started to flow in my body and slowly cohabitated with the Yang Qi in my body. As the perfect balance was in place, I silently went out of the house and straight to the small training field. I made sure nobody was there to observe me, I started practicing the first stage of the Fleeting Clouds of the Silent Moon.

I lost track of the time, and the dawn was breaking. The sun was starting to creep up but that didn’t matter, as I have also reached the Perfect Completion of the technique. It felt good.

“You’re early.” Celia’s voice let her presence be known as I was sitting on the ground.

“Morning, Celia.” I greeted her.

“Morning…” She stopped for a moment staring at me.

“Second stage… did you remember?” She asked the question.

I smiled as I could feel her eagerness.

“I think so, but we need to prepare for it. It has a different practice method of learning than the first form.”

“And?” She wondered.

“Second stage is focused on speed. So, we need to train with something heavy to impair our movements.”

She steadily nodded.

“The ground markings will be after I can assure you that we have the proper physical training.”

“When do we start?” She is starting to get excited.

“Hmmm… we don’t have enough space here… Are the mountains safe?” I asked as there is quite the elevation towards the surrounding trees.

“Not really… there are some wild beasts that roam, they are quite strong.”

“Then… any decent open spaces that you know of?”

“The paths leading to the next village are quite barren and open, the same goes towards the town. But again, it’s quite far. It takes half a day with a carriage to go to the next village.” She explained.

I got into contemplation and decided that it would be best to postpone this first until I get to repay the chief’s kindness.

“Then let’s set this aside for now since we don’t have anything at the moment.” I said.

She let out a frown. “Alright.”

I sighed and tried to change the topic. “Oh yeah, is ranking up your class hard? I noticed that you got your class last four years and you are still at the second rank.”

Her face dimmed more.

“I… I… don’t have enough experience in battling that’s why I was stuck for 4 years.”

“Huh?” I was surprised. “How come?”

“I can’t register as a border guard here. I need to train for two years or more in the town before I can get enlisted, and I will need to leave my parents here alone.” She explained with a pained expression.

The story has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.

“I see...” Her filial piety is through the roof.

“Then why can’t you get some guards to teach you? Kelvin seemed strong.” I was curious.

“They can’t… they are all too busy, most of their spare time is either for rest or personal training.”

This poor girl, I felt bad.

I scanned my memories again for a sword technique that suited her physique and style. Her build is flexible and speedy but likes to rush forward. Complemented by the movement technique, I could only find three sword practices that suited her, but all are on the Divine Grade.

“I have sword techniques, but are you ready for hardships?” I asked as each of the rudimentary components to be able to practice such skills is extremely arduous to complete.

“You have?” She was surprised.

“Yes… again are you ready for hardships?” I warned.

“But… You already gave me a ski-“ I cut her off.

“Just think of it as my payment for staying here while recovering my memories.”

“… Thank you.” She was grateful.

“Do you have blank papers and something to write with?”

“Wait a moment…” She went into the house fast.

There are three options for her: Dance of the Heavenly Phoenix, Fragrance of the Blooming Flowers, and the Solitary Sword of the Frozen Maiden.

Dance of the Phoenix has 16 forms that pursue royalty and power. While Fragrance of the Blooming Flowers has 18 forms that encompass elegance, deceit, and illusions. The last one has only 10 forms but is focused on a cold and sharp killing intent.

‘The last one is out… since an individual needs to cut off all relationships bound to the person in order to at least start practicing the technique. That leaves two… I’ll ask her some questions to make sure I give her the most optimal one.’

I heard her footsteps as she came with a stack of paper, a quill pen, a bowl, and a bunch of charcoal.

“Wait a moment.” She gave me the papers and the quill pen.

The small bowl had a bit of water in it while she dumped some of the charcoal. She grinded it with a wooden pestle until the charcoal dust was finally integrated into the water.

“Here.” She handed me the bowl of what it seemed for me to use as ink.

“I have some questions before we start… Why did you choose to practice the sword and not other weapons?”

“I…” She was a bit shy. “I read about the Hero of Lukasha, Gabrielle. She is a follower of Legathia that went around the continents and saved people. Her party was also responsible for the current deadlock that is happening in the war against demons.”

“And… you try to follow her lead?”

“Yes…”

“Then, what about you? It’s been four years, and what do you think about your progress? Any preferences?”

“… I’m not sure... I tried using a shield, but it does not fit me. I like going in front and slashing away, but I think you’ve noticed, I’m quite scared to draw blood yet.”

“I see. The latter can be fixed in time but now…I’ll give you a choice. I have two techniques that are currently suited for you. One boasts strength and finesse, while the other is more elegant and flamboyant.”

“Strength!” She immediately gave her choice.

“I guess that’s it.” I smiled.

I quickly copied the initial stances of the moves to the paper.

“Here, Dance of the Heavenly Phoenix. There are 16 forms, this is the first.” I handed her seven pages that hold the first stage.

“Phoenix? The legendary bird that could rebirth?” She looked at the papers with amazement and confusion.

‘So, they have Phoenixes here as well.’ I thought.

“Yes… and the technique is to mimic the movements of a Phoenix.”

“How?!” She couldn’t believe it.

“Start with the stances first, until you can hold a stance at least half a day you can only move to the next.” I snickered.

“WHAT?!” She was shocked as the first stance is a person standing on one foot while the other is knees bent above the waist. The sword was held arched above the head while one arm was stretched with palms open.

“Will you still do it?” I teased her.

“Wait.” She took the remaining stacks of paper and tools and went back to the house.

She came back quite quickly and started to copy the first stance.

I went close and adjusted her form in the correct way.

“Regulate your breathing, find your rhythm as you breathe. You can close your eyes while you do the stances.” I suggested.

She did and after a few moments, she was still, as if she was one with the environment.

‘Genius… she really is one.’ I smiled and I sat as I watched her.

The sun was rising, and I sensed faint footsteps and saw the chief.

“Good morning Chief.” I greeted the old man.

“Morning… What is she doing?” He wore a confused face.

“Teaching her some techniques, but it requires this first.” I let out a chuckle.

“…Breakfast is ready.” The old man seems unaware on how to deal with this situation.

“All right, let me get her.” I took a branch and neared her, and I tried to swipe her leg with it.

She immediately jumped on one leg and avoided it, and her eyes opened.

“What were you trying to do?” She was quite irritated at the sudden disruption of her concentration.

I nudged my head towards the chief.

“Dad!” She got red.

“As you can see, she has fast improvements.” I tried to help her explain.

“Young man… make sure not to just let anybody learn your skills. Some skills are very valuable that only joining a faction and proving your loyalty to them… only a person could have the chance to learn a skill.” The old man warned as he started to walk back.

“Yes, chief.” I nodded as I knew this as well.

‘Techniques are very valuable, but this is just a portion as they saved my life… and these techniques’ worth is nowhere near an inch of my foot compared to my life.’

The old chief suddenly stopped walking.

“Did you remember your name?” He asked.

Celia and I looked at each other and started to laugh. We didn’t realize as we had been training since yesterday and still no mention of my name.

“Not yet… sadly.” I lied.

“Hmm… Try to think of a temporary name… At least for us to call you.” He started walking into the house.

“What name?” Celia closed in and her eyes sparkled with curiosity.

“Let me think…” I rubbed my chin in contemplation.

‘I was Zhengwu back home… died exactly as my name… And my soul got transferred here at midnight.’

“Midnight… that will be my name.” I was proud of my naming sense, and I looked at Celia.

She had a frown worse than anything, if her mouth could move lower, it would have reached the ground. She seemed absolutely disgusted.

She shook her head violently. “No… never… I will not call you that.”

“But... it’s a good name, right?” I was confused at her reaction, why was she like this?

She shivered uncontrollably, both her hands hugging herself as if she were cold.

“No… Mid… let’s settle for Mid… let’s go.” She quickly paced towards the house, ending the conversation.

“But…” I tried to argue back but she was long gone.

I followed her inside the house to discuss my name again.

The family of three was sitting and a big pot of gruel was in the middle of the table.

“Sit down, Mid.” The chief’s wife said.

My eyes widened as I knew it was too late, Celia had already told her parents.

I dejectedly sat down beside Celia and nudged her with my elbow.

She looked at me with a fake smile.

‘No hope… Well, at least it doesn’t sound bad.’ I accepted my new name from now on.