As Yuri materialized in the room, the first thing he noticed was the overbearing energy. Getting over the initial pressure, he looked around the room and instantly figured out where he was.
In the center of the room stood a crystalline structure that seemed to pulse with life. Its surface was a mesmerizing array of colors, shifting and changing as the elemental energies within it flowed. Yuri's eyes were drawn to the center of the structure, where a swirling vortex of energy danced.
Fire, water, earth, and air blended in a mesmerizing display, each element fighting for dominance yet existing in perfect harmony. The sheer power emanating from the vortex was intense. Around the Nexus, the environment was lush and vibrant. Exotic plants and flowers, nourished by the elemental energy from the nexus, bloomed in a variety of colors.
"Everyone, sit down criss-cross," the instructor's voice cut through the murmurs, commanding attention. "Hands on your knees, palms up. Close your eyes.
Yuri hurried to follow her instructions as she said, "This isn't going to be some fluffy meditation session. You need to feel the energy within the Primordial Nexus."
She continued. "Feel the ground beneath you. Let go of any tension in your shoulders and neck. Focus on your breath. Inhale deeply through your nose, fill your lungs. Hold it… and exhale slowly."
Yuri felt the tension in his shoulders begin to melt away as he focused on the rhythm of his heartbeat. While he breathed deeply, he began to sense a faint, tingling energy in the air around him. It was subtle at first, like a whisper, but it grew stronger with each breath. He began to feel sensations—heat, cold, tingling, and pressure. He felt his breath catch in his throat as the energy enveloped him, each sensation more intense than the last.
The first wave brought a searing heat as if he were standing too close to a roaring fire. His skin prickled, and he could almost see flames dancing at the edges of his vision. Just as he began to adjust to the heat, it was replaced by an icy chill that made him shiver uncontrollably. The cold seeped into his bones, numbing his fingers and toes.
Then, amidst the chaos, he felt a soothing, cooling sensation. It was different from the icy chill he had felt earlier—this was gentle and calming, like a refreshing breeze on a hot day. Yuri instinctively focused on this sensation, letting it draw him in.
"Feel the energy," the instructor's voice cut through the sensory overload of the students. "Let it guide you."
Yuri concentrated on the cooling sensation, letting it draw him deeper into the energy of the Primordial Nexus. As he did, he felt a sudden rush of power, a surge of energy that filled him. The cooling sensation grew stronger, more insistent until it seemed to merge with his own heartbeat.
"Now, channel that energy into your lower abdomen, just below your navel," the instructor guided everyone. "This is where your dantian will form. Focus on gathering the energy there, condensing it into a stable core."
With each breath, Yuri visualized the energy flowing down to his lower abdomen, pooling and condensing. It was intense, but he maintained his focus.
"Consolidate the energy," the instructor continued. "Feel it solidify into your dantian. This is the foundation of your cultivation."
Yuri felt the energy turn into a dense core just below his navel. It pulsed with the rhythm of his heartbeat.
"Once you form your dantian and consolidate your energy. Let it flow through your meridians and strengthen your body and mind."
After it condensed the energy moved through his body like it had a life of its own, invigorating his muscles and sharpening his senses.
"For everyone who has formed their dantian, focus your mind and observe it. You should be able to observe your dantian as well as your affinity."
With his mind focused, Yuri directed his awareness inward and he found himself perceiving the inner landscape of his body. He visualized his lower abdomen, where his dantian was located.
At first, it was just a faint glow. But as he concentrated, it became clearer. His dantian pulsed with a deep, crimson light. The orb of energy within his dantian swirled like a miniature vortex, It was as if a drop of blood had been infused with the essence of water.
Noticing everyone was done with the process and were now inspecting their dantians, she instructed the students, "Everyone open your eyes. You're probably all feeling drained and tired, but get up and get in line. I'm going to hand everyone a Smartband. It has a number of uses, shows your class schedule, a map of the academy, gives you access to your room, communication, and even more uses which you can find out later. Once you get your band you can use it to find your dorm room by saying 'dorm room'." The instructor said as she started to hand out bands as everyone lined up.
Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.
"It's already night so find your room and take a shower because you all stink. Also on your beds, there should be the academy handbook and your uniform. Make sure you read the handbook tonight, It will have all the information you need. Once you're done you can use your smartband to find the Great Hall to get some food and head back to bed."
After listening to the information from the instructor, Yuri waited in line until he got his smartband. He glanced down at his smart band, a sleek device that now displayed a glowing arrow pointing toward the exit. Taking a deep breath, Yuri followed the arrow's direction. The smart band was his guide, its holographic display projecting a path through the academy's corridors.
The academy was a labyrinth of hallways and staircases, each turn revealing new sights. He continued to follow the arrow, feeling a sense of wonder at the grandeur of the academy. Eventually after walking for a while the arrow pointed towards a door marked with his name. Yuri pushed it open and stepped inside. His room was modest but comfortable, with a bed neatly made and a small desk by the window. On the bed lay the academy handbook and his new uniform, just as the instructor had said.
Yuri set his belongings down and headed to the bathroom for a much-needed shower. The warm water took away the impurities his body had excreted, leaving him feeling refreshed. After drying off, he put on a set of new clothes and sat down to read the handbook. The pages were filled with rules, schedules, and tips.
Once he had absorbed as much information as he could, Yuri's stomach growled, reminding him of the instructor's mention of food. He activated his smart band again, and the arrow reappeared, guiding him to the Great Hall.
Arriving in the Great Hall, Yuri could see the many different food stations that were lined against the walls serving many different cuisines. Long tables were arranged in the middle of the room, and there were many students with their trays lining up to get food.
Yuri grabbed himself a tray, he went to a station and asked for blackened chicken breast with a side of red roasted potatoes and white rice. When he had formed his dantian it took every ounce of energy out of his body, which made his stomach growl intensely. He was also mentally fatigued from it.
After getting his food, Yuri ate and then walked back to his room with the help of his smartband. He was ready to check his system and see what rewards he had reaped.
Once inside his room, Yuri closed the door behind him and took a deep breath. He sat on his bed and opened his system. The holographic display flickered to life, revealing a series of notifications and rewards.
~ Host has reached the Initiates Realm!
~ Skill enhancement token obtained!
~ Host has gained variation of the water affinity!
~ Stats have increased due to dantian being formed!
~ Class options available!
|-----------------------------------------------|
[ System Lvl: 3 | 25 /300]
‣ Name: Yuri Kaguno
‣ Class: (Choose Class)
‣ Realm: Initiates Realm
‣ Affinity: Water ( Blood Variation )
‣ Title:
‣ Elemental Energy: 150
‣ Passives:
‣ Attributes
- Strength: 40
- Dexterity: 42
- Agility: 38
- Stamina: 45
- Constitution: 20
- Int: 15
‣ Traits:
‣ Arts:
‣ Skills:
- Intermediate swordsmanship - 33%
- Intermediate parry - 13%
- Energy resonance - 8%
|-----------------------------------------------|
Looking at his status panel, Yuri could see the amazing changes he had undergone. While he was feeling good about it, he was also confused. He had the water affinity but a variation. He knew there were variations from elements like thunder, ice, and magma. It just didn't make sense that he had a blood affinity. Taking his mind off it, he focused on his class. He opened the class window and three options appeared before him
|-------------------------|
- Blademaster
- Hydromancer
- Blood Mage
|-------------------------|
Yuri was stuck in deep thought, his water affinity with a blood variation made the Hydromancer and Blood Mage classes particularly appealing, but the Blademaster class was also calling his name.
He hesitated for a moment, then focused on the Hydromancer class. The panel flickered, and a progress bar appeared. But just as it was about to be completed, the screen flashed red.
~Error Class selection failed. Reassigning…
Yuri's eyes widened in shock. "What? No, wait!"
Before he could react, the system's voice chimed in again.
~Class reassigned: Berserker.
He stood there, stunned, as the reality of his new class sank in. There was only one person Yuri could think of who was responsible for the error in his system that occurred.
"Well," he muttered, "let me check it out I guess."
|-----------------------------------------------|
[ System Lvl: 3 | 25 /300]
‣ Name: Yuri Kaguno
‣ Class: Berserker
‣ Realm: Initiates Realm
‣ Affinity: Water ( Blood Variation )
‣ Title: Heir of The Bloodlusted Reaper
‣ Elemental Energy: 150
‣ Passives:
- Berserkers Thirst: For every 10% of health lost, the host gains a 5% boost to strength and speed
- Fear: Enemies within a 10-meter radius have their attack and defense reduced by 5%
‣ Attributes
- Strength: 40
- Dexterity: 42
- Agility: 38
- Stamina: 45
- Constitution: 20
- Int: 15
‣ Traits:
- Savage Instincts: Increases perception and reaction speed by 10%.
- Battle Junkie: Increases damage by 1% for every 5 seconds spent in continuous combat, stacking up to 20%.
‣ Arts:
‣ Skills: ( Skill enhancement token available )
- Intermediate swordsmanship - 33%
- Intermediate parry - 13%
- Energy resonance - 8%
|-----------------------------------------------|
"Not bad," Yuri mused. He couldn't wait to test his traits and passives; he knew they would help immensely in battle.
'What's with this title though? It sounds cool as hell but is that an actual being in this world?' Yuri wondered.
Dispersing his thoughts, he decided to rest and recharge, tomorrow would be a long day and he was already exhausted. Closing his eyes, Yuri called it a day and drifted off to sleep.