"Maybe you're looking for a new temporary position?" I asked, beaming brightly. My cheer seemed to startle the maid, and she tensed up.

"Yes, Your Highness," she replied quickly, her face full of fear. I could hear some other maids at the back gossiping with mean remarks about what I was trying to do. Weird things? wondered I, feeling unsatisfied. Whispers of admiration, however, came by noting my clear speech at such a tender age.

At the explanation of all the details regarding the new position, her expression changed. It softened in relief that this wasn't such a bad opportunity. I bade her gather the most important books a prince should study, so that I might start at the basics.

The thought of learning was intriguing. In my old life, I had always held the value of learning in high regard, and it was no different in this one. Richly ornamented palace surroundings were comfortable, but they couldn't feed my curiosity. I needed to grasp just what this world was, how it worked, and what my place was supposed to be in it. My introduction to it all would begin with the books.

A few days later, she returned with a stack of books. She placed them upon a small table in my room, much more relaxed than previously. "Here are the books you requested, Your Highness," she said, bowing respectfully.

"Thank you," I said, looking forward to reading them. Opening the first one now, I found myself with a sense of purpose. These books were going to be the base for my education, and thus help me find ways around my new life as a prince.

This was the first one about the history of the kingdom, recounting their rises and falls of different dynasties, wars, and the forming of alliances. I soaked it all up, fascinated by this rich tapestry of events that molded the land that I now called my home. Each page brought new insights, and soon enough, I found myself lost in the stories of bravery, betrayal, and courtly intrigue.

The second book was on the political structure of the kingdom. It dealt at great length with what each nobleman must do: dukes and counts, down to barons and knights. For a prince, this was important information because I would need it to make my way through court politics and build alliances. The more I read, the more I came to understand how strategy and diplomacy had been the path to power and influence.

Another economics concerned: it outlined all the trade routes, agricultural practices, and taxation systems that held up the kingdom's wealth. This information was crucial to running the realm's resources so that my future subjects prospered. I had taken meticulous notes with the intention to understand every principle.

Although I was the Heavenly Demon in my past life, I never got the opportunity to learn politics or any of these subjects. I just went with the flow the entire of my previous life. "This is quite fun," I said as I let out a small smile.

Years later, when I was six, I finally started going out to the training grounds. My first aim in this life was to cultivate, and in order to do so I needed to open my meridians. In those years while reading books, I heard the servants speaking about the warriors of this world. The rankings seemed to be different from my old world; it was from Knight, Captain, Master, and then Grandmaster. Warrior is the lowest rank and Grandmaster is the highest. That would mean I'll be a legitimate warrior in this world, too.

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There was just one slight problem: no one could open my meridians. Only Warriors and above could open anyone's meridians with a special method of acupuncture. As no one ever opened their meridians here, it was time to open them on my own using cultivation.

Opening the meridians would require determination, but prior to that, I had to train my mind and body up to a certain level.

The garden of the Castle was really colorful with flowers everywhere you looked, left or right. But then, for such an open place, there were always people around, but what does it matter to me? Isn't it better if I have benefits and a good reputation from the start rather than building them? My way of life was to get stronger, not to hide one's power or show it off. I climbed up a tree and soon realized that it was the proper place to meditate because all I could hear were footsteps and the chirping of birds; everything else was calm. I sat in a lotus position, put my arms on my knees, and started calming down.

I breathed deeply, envisioning the paths of energy within me. In my imagination, the meridians were rivers, blocked and stagnant at first. With each breath, I pictured the Qi flowing into these rivers and, with gentle persistence, wearing away the blockages. It was slow work, but faint warmth began to spread down my arms and legs, encouraging confirmation that my efforts weren't for nothing.

The first few days were difficult. The mind could not concentrate on any one thing for very long; it wandered. I did, however, prove firm. I remembered all the tribulations of my earlier life and so, by comparison, this was nothing. Slowly, concentrating became easier, and the Qi flow more free.

I also introduced physical training into my schedule. The palace garden proved to be an excellent area for this. I went through the most basic martial arts forms but became very conscious about the moves and how they would impact the flow of Qi. Every punch, every kick, and every stance were executed in as precise a fashion as possible to bring my body's physical and energetic aspects together in perfect harmony.

Weeks passed, and I followed my two-part system diligently: meditation and exercise. This warmth, so faint at first, began to thicken into a dynamic, vibrant energy surging through the meridians. There were moments of discomfort as I pushed through stubborn blockages, but I welcomed them for what they were: a sign of progress.

One evening, after a really powerful meditation session, I felt it break through. Some energy surged in my body, and I just knew then that some kind of important blockage had cleared out. I felt elated with the sensation, and I could not help but grin. I was on my way to opening my meridians.

I woke up every day, feeling a little stronger. My body became hard as nails, and my mind was sharper than ever. I could feel the Qi flowing more and more freely through my meridians, and I knew then that it would only be a question of time before I succeeded.

Months later, I was in my garden, preparing for the final step. I had been preparing myself rigorously to make sure my body and mind were both at harmony. Focus on the Dantian, the energy center below my navel, concentrating the flow of Qi through the channels with practiced precision.

While it flowed, I could feel the last block give. It was beyond description, the surge of power and clarity that filled my entire being. I had done it. My meridians were open. I was a warrior now with this world.