In the vast, uncharted world of Gaea, an expanse with a thousand times larger than Earth, mana flows freely through every living being, shaping the destinies of the many races that inhabit the land. Humans, elves, orcs, and dwarves each occupy their own continents. These lands form only a fraction of Gaea, as across the oceans lies a vast realm where the ancient dragons and monsters reign supreme.
For centuries, these races have lived isolated from one another. The journey to the distant continents is perilous, with powerful beasts and terrifying monsters lurking at every corner. Few have dared to venture beyond their borders, and even fewer have survived.
In the north-east lies the land of the Humans, a kingdom of ambition and exploration. To the north-west, the Elves thrive in mystical forests, their magic shaping the very fabric of the land. To the south-west, the Orcs live in harsh, untamed territories where strength is the only law, and in the south-east, the Dwarves build their vast subterranean cities, crafting wonders of stone and metal.
But across the seas lies a vast expanse, an untamable land where dragons rule and the very concept of survival is twisted. Here, monstrous creatures fight for dominance, and only the strongest survive. In this wild domain, "kill or be killed" is not just a saying, it’s the way of life.
"Survival is the fittest"
In Gaea, the world itself will determine who will rise, and who will fall.
The lifespan of each race is determined by how much they comprehend the essence of life. The Essence of Life is the understanding of oneself, and one of the ways to use mana is through comprehending this essence. By cultivating the Essence of Life, a being can slow their aging process and to gain more lifespan. However, this is the hardest way to use mana, and it takes considerable time and effort to truly understand it.
The reason why elves live longer is because they excel at understanding the essence of life. Elves are nature lovers, protectors, and guardians of life, always striving to be one with nature and to understand their surroundings.
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Humans, on the other hand, are often driven by greed, though not all humans are the same. Many crave more power, wealth, or influence, and their understanding of the essence of life is often clouded by their desires. However, some humans do achieve longer lifespans through their comprehension of the essence, such as scholars, archmages and those who dedicated their effort to cultivate the essence of life.
The dwarves, unlike humans, prioritize their craft over wealth. Though not driven by greed, they excel in crafting, understanding and loving their work to such a degree that they are able to reach enlightenment. It is through their dedication and comprehension of their craft that they are able to understand the essence of life and extend their lives.
Enlightenment occurs when one's comprehension of the essence of life deepens, allowing them to better harness their mana. Mana itself is like fuel: without it, one cannot accomplish something, much like an engine without fuel or a valve without electricity.
The orcs, however, have a different approach to use mana. Orcs are proud warriors, strong and honest, with a deep respect to the brave and strong individuals, but despise the weak, orcs prioritize honor over their own life. They believe that strength is the key to everything, and they prioritize the power of their bodies. Orcs use their mana to enhance their physical strength, a practice called "aura." While all races can use aura, orcs are uniquely capable of maximizing its power.
But there is a darker side to the orc's use of aura: it is fueled by anger and the desire to kill, pushing them toward a state of berserk. Berserk is a powerful but dangerous state that allows a being to exceed their normal limits. It consumes mana at a rapid rate and causes immense strain on the body. After a berserk state, the muscles that were pushed to their breaking point often melt and rot away.
However, the orcs have an innate ability "rapid regeneration" that allows them to heal from the damage caused by berserk. This makes orcs the perfect berserkers, as they can recover from the consequences of their power and continue to fight. While anyone can enter a berserk state, only the orcs can fully harness its power without paying the ultimate price.
And last but not the least, the top predator that ruled the land ang sky, a mythical flying beast the Dragons, this mythical beast is blessed with mana they only believe the strong devour the weak, all living things are only eyesore and insignificant infront of them.
How can zen survive in the unknown world where laws of the world are different from his previous life?