Kai sat in his usual meditative position, cross-legged with his hands clenched in front of him.

He controlled his breathing, inhaling and exhaling in a steady rhythm as his mana slowly circulated within him around his Mana heart.

He focused on the dull, throbbing ache that came with it. He let all the air in his lungs empty before inhaling deeply, drawing ambient mana.

When he exhaled, he directed that energy toward the fractures in his heart— cracks that had been a painful reminder of his recent forced ascension in circles.

Broken… He thought as his mana brushed against the shattered patches. Every inch of him screamed in protest at the contact, but he pressed on. It was like trying to stitch together a torn muscle without anaesthetic.

He grimaced, his mind steadying against the pain. He couldn't afford to be reckless. Too much mana at once could cause further damage; too little and the repairs wouldn’t hold.

Internal mana surgery— an advanced technique, even by his standards- was not easy. No image in this world could have guided him through it, let alone understand the complexity of the task.

The broken Mana heart required precise control, something usually performed with the help of another skilled Mage. But for Kai, no help was coming. He was alone in this, just as he’d been when he thought of forcing himself to advance to the fourth circle.

Slowly, ever so slowly, he nudged his mana along the cracks, weaving it into the broken patches like a thread through the fabric. The process took hours, and the effort drained him both mentally and physically, but he could feel the progress. In time, a month maybe, it'll be whole again.

Not bad, he mused, thinking of the price he'd paid to take down the brood mother. A few cracks in his Mana heart were nothing compared to what could have happened. He could’ve died. And in that sense, surviving was a victory in itself.

Yet, despite his victory, the events had forced him to reflect on where he stood in the grand hierarchy of power. His victory over the brood mother was impressive, but it had been close— too close.

Magus Veridia— a name that now sent a shiver down his spine after recent events— felt like a growing, silent threat. Yet, silent killers had a way of becoming deafening when they finally struck.

Then there was the shadowy organisation with their parasites and potions that could make a man turn into a creature far more powerful than a normal mana weaver with their details unknown, but he knew they were the ones that had helped Actra and Lucian. There were enough coincidences for him to come to such a conclusion.

The threads of the organisation’s presence wove through everything, and Kai was certain they would have an eye on him.

A frown tugged at his lips. He wasn’t at the top of the mana chain of the creatures— far from it. If anything, he’d only scratched the surface of the middle of the mana chain. The threats around him were real, and every day they grew more apparent.

His mana faltered for a moment as these thoughts came to his mind, the flow stuttering as his mind wandered to the future, away from the past. He couldn’t afford to stay stagnant. Not now.

He needed to grow stronger, and faster. The brood mother had been a challenge, but there were far greater foes waiting. And they wouldn’t give him the luxury of time or any sort of warning.

Kai sighed, knowing his focus faltered with the fear of the future. He opened his eyes and let the pain in his Mana heart subside as he settled the mana flow, thinking of ways he knew to get stronger, faster.

In his previous life, the options for advancing his power had been limited. Becoming a fiend— sacrificing his humanity for raw strength— was the only viable route. But this time, things were different. In this life, Kai had choices, more paths to ascend than he ever thought possible.

He could mutate himself, merge with monstrous blood and become a half-beast, his strength growing at the cost of his humanity. Or, he could seek out a dragon, perhaps one of the ancient remnants, and fuse his blood or bone with his. A dragon's might, their unmatched resilience, would be his to wield.

Then there were the elementals, rare and elusive. Binding one would grant him unparalleled control over mana affinities, boosting his raw magical power far beyond what most Mages could hope to achieve.

But all of that seemed distant, a tantalising dream. Too far, too soon. Kai knew his limits. He wasn’t strong enough to tackle those monstrous paths, nor did he possess the knowledge to hunt them down. Each route had its own perils, and without guidance or preparation, he’d likely end up dead before reaching even a fraction of their potential.

There was, however, one path— one that was open to him right now. A path no one could close, and one he’d been quietly preparing for ever since he’d awakened in this world.

The path of the Enforcer.

His gaze shifted toward the corner of the room where his training gear lay stacked neatly. Mages and Enforcers were seen as separate— Mages controlled mana with precision and intellect, while Enforcers wielded raw physical might, enhanced by mana-imbued bodies. The two disciplines were different, and their foundations conflicted.

But in the coming future, there will be experiments to merge them.

Mages like him had begun to wonder if they could be both. And they’d found answers, though at a heavy cost. The knowledge had been lost over time, forgotten in the chaos of war. But Kai remembered. He remembered every failed experiment, every triumph, every secret detail they uncovered.

Which was why in this world, he wasn’t just training his body to escape the stereotype of the scrawny, frail Mage. He was conditioning himself for the gruelling transformation that came with being an Enforcer-Mage. Mana wasn’t the only thing that had to be tough; his muscles, bones, and even his spirit had to be forged stronger.

In essence, it was about opening his vaults, unlocking latent power within. But the process came with a cost. It wasn't as simple as training in two disciplines— one focused on magic, the other on physical might. The strain on the body would be immense.

Two distinct methods of growth, each demanding something different from his body. Individually, they were manageable. Together? That was a different story.

Most who tried either broke down or met untimely deaths. The human body wasn’t meant to endure both paths. The constant oscillation between physical power and mana refinement puts a tremendous amount of pressure on one's essence. His body would have to support the strength of an Enforcer while still channelling the precision of a Mage.

Kai knew that one wrong step would shatter him. His Mana veins could collapse, his muscles could tear, or worse, his core— the very heart of his power— could fracture beyond repair. The consequences of failure were high.

But he had no other choice.

I can't afford to break.

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The alternative was stagnation, and stagnation meant death. His enemies wouldn’t wait for him to get stronger. Veridia and the organisation that lurked in the shadows wouldn’t grant him the luxury of time.

Fortunately, resources existed— if one knew where to look. This world had treasures hidden beneath its surface, relics and techniques that could strengthen both body and mana without risking collapse. Things his former life hadn’t had access to.

Mana-infused elixirs, rare herbs that strengthened the body's resilience, and even ancient formations designed to temper one’s physique while nurturing mana. And then there were the bloodlines— powerful creatures whose essence could fortify both paths simultaneously.

These were the things Kai would seek.

His lips curled into a small smile. The knowledge he held, combined with the resources of this new world, gave him an advantage. If he was careful, if he planned each step precisely, he could walk both paths and emerge stronger than anyone had ever imagined.

The road ahead wasn’t easy, but then again, nothing worth having ever was.

Kai's mind churned with possibilities. Focus, among many possibilities, he knew that if he was truly going to pursue the path of both Mage and Enforcer, he needed to solidify his body and make it unbreakable. And there was one way he knew of that suited him that best— The Elder Tree Concoction.

The mixture, derived from the roots of the ancient Elder Tree that was a source of mana itself, was said to have the power to break down the body completely, only to remake it stronger each time. It was dangerous, and excruciatingly painful, but it was a tried and true path to gaining an unbreakable physique. A Battlemage once managed it, back when the Elder Tree still lived, and his feats were legendary.

If he could do it, so can I, but again, it’s never that simple.

The Elder Tree was still alive. But it was under the protection of the elves, a race known for their unyielding dedication to their sacred guardian. Getting anywhere near the tree was going to be an uphill battle. The elves wouldn’t let anyone close, especially not for something as selfish as harvesting its roots.

Kai sighed, pushing the thought away for now. It was a path, but one riddled with complications. Another problem for another day.

He stood up, his muscles tense from the hours of meditation. Sweat clung to his skin, his body still recovering from the strain of working on his Mana heart. The ache in his chest had lessened, but the exhaustion lingered. He wiped his brow and moved toward his wardrobe, pulling on a fresh set of clothes. As he adjusted the sleeves, there was a knock at the door.

"Lord Arzan," Claire's voice came from the other side. "Rhea, Klan, and Feroy are waiting for you. They’re ready to depart for Vasper Forest."

Kai’s gaze flicked to the window, the early morning sun now high enough to cast long shadows across the floor. He had nearly lost track of time.

"Tell them I’ll be there in a bit," he called back, his mind already shifting to the task ahead.

***

The cadenced strike of hooves against the damp, uneven forest floor filled the air as Kai led his group through the Vasper Forest. Rhea sat behind him, arms lightly wrapped around his waist for balance, her breath calm despite the tension that hung in the air. Klan and Feroy followed on horseback, the sound of their mounts cutting through the stillness.

The forest which was once lush and serene, bore the scars of the recent battle— marks of the beasts.

Trees lay broken, their trunks splintered and decaying, the aftermath of powerful creatures crashing through. Shredded bark and deep claw marks etched into the trunks gave evidence of what passed these trees. The scent of wet earth and faint traces of lingering mana from past confrontations still lingered in the air.

Even so, there was an eerie quietness now, as if the forest itself was holding its breath.

Kai’s eyes scanned the area, alert to any sign of corruption or mana disturbances. As they rode deeper, he leaned slightly to his right, speaking just loud enough for the others to hear over the steady thrum of their pace.

"So, frays said they haven’t noticed any areas of corruption?"

Feroy, riding just behind, grunted in confirmation. "No, not yet. A group of our scouts are moving with them, checking the entire forest. But it's slow going... the deeper they go, the denser it gets. It’ll take more time."

"If there’s any corruption, we need to deal with it before it spreads. We can't afford another problem so soon after the beast wave."

Klan cleared his throat after staying silent for a while and leaned forward in his saddle. "Lord Arzan, why are we here today, then? We’ve scouted this area before. What’s the purpose?"

Kai looked at him for a brief second and gave a subtle smile, so slight it barely touched his face. The Mages from Archine Tower hadn't returned yet— though it seemed none of them were eager to leave. After witnessing their own progress, they chose to remain, offering to assist with the post-war efforts.

He knew it wasn't just that. There was a spy among them, but from what they had investigated, Klan was innocent.

“I wanted to check a few things in the dungeon,” he said, his voice calm but edged with a subtle warning. “It’s important to be wary of what the brood mother might have left behind. It didn’t go down without a fight, and I doubt its influence has vanished entirely.”

Klan’s brow furrowed as he glanced over at Rhea, riding closely behind Kai. “Then why is she here? Rhea looks too young and... well, weak.”

Kai could imagine Rhea’s eyes flared with irritation, her lips pressing into a thin line, a normal reaction he had noticed whenever someone doubted her capabilities. It had happened before, while they were training. But Kai only heard her huff before she spoke, "I can handle myself," she shot back, barely keeping her voice in check.

Kai’s tone was steady but firm as he interjected.

“She’s here because she’s my apprentice, Klan. I don’t think you’ve heard of her before because everyone was too busy during the battle, but Rhea was there, helping out. And she’s here now because I want to start her combat training once we go through the dungeon.”

Klan’s eyes widened, darting between Kai and Rhea in surprise. “Apprentice?”

Rhea let out a laugh through her nose at Klan’s reaction, her earlier annoyance clearly fading into satisfaction.

Klan, still stunned, rubbed the back of his neck, holding the saddle with one hand. “Could... could I be your apprentice too?”

Kai smirked, shaking his head. “I won’t have time for another one, Klan. It’s already going to be tough training Rhea.”

Klan’s shoulders sagged, the hint of dejection visible as he slumped in his saddle. But before the silence stretched too long, Kai added, “That doesn’t mean I won’t teach you more things. Once we’ve settled down and agreed on a few things, I’ll help you improve.”

Klan’s face lit up instantly. “I’ll agree to anything.”

Kai chuckled softly, the mood between them lightening. “We’ll see.”

Their horses pressed onward, and soon the sound of rushing water filled the air, growing louder as they neared a familiar landmark— the stream where the battle with the necromancer had taken place a year ago. Mist from the flowing water cooled the air, and the ground was damp beneath their horses' hooves. Unlike their last visit, when the bitter cold made it hard to appreciate, the stream now flowed clearly, making the scene feel both serene and surreal after all that had happened.

Kai slowed his mount, his gaze lingering on the landscape, memories of the skeletons flashing through his mind.

Rhea leaned forward, curiosity evident in her tone. “Is the dungeon here?”

Kai shook his head. “No. It’s beyond the waterwall that’s to the front, from what I know, but we need to pass through here. And...” His eyes traced the battlefield once more. “I had a battle here last year. Against a necromancer.”

Everything seemed to still be in his words. It had been one of the first serious battles as Arzan where he'd lost someone under his command since arriving in this world. Though time had passed, he couldn’t shake the sombre weight that lingered in the air, echoing the loss he still carried.

Feroy, riding just behind, gave a slow nod. “Yes, it was a tough battle. But we managed to show some good grit.”

Kai’s gaze remained on the water, lost in thought for a moment before he nodded. “We did. But I believe we missed something crucial in that battle— something that never came up in any of our conversations after.”

Feroy furrowed his brow, intrigued. “What do you mean? What did we miss?”

Kai straightened in his saddle, his eyes narrowing as he thought back. “We assumed the necromancer was hiding here. It made sense at the time, especially with the Dukedom of Blackwood hunting him. So, we didn’t question it further. But now, after dealing with the brood mother and discovering she was a fiend, I have my doubts. I believe the necromancer wasn’t just hiding.”

Klan and Rhea were both listening intently now, and Feroy’s voice dropped as he asked, “Then what was he doing?”

Kai exhaled slowly, his eyes still scanning the remains of the battlefield. “I think the necromancer was here to corrupt the brood mother. He wasn’t just on the run. He was on a mission— to plant a parasite that would twist the brood mother into something even worse. We’ve been looking at it all wrong. The corruption wasn’t an accident or a coincidence. He was actively trying to turn her into something far more dangerous.”