Dragonheart Mansion.

"Refused?" David spoke in utter disbelief.

Butler Fu, his head bowed, stammered, "I offered a hefty sum, even promised more, but..."

David forced a deep breath. As a mage, when had he ever experienced such humiliation? ...Well, very often back home in Jade Bamboo Mountain.

"I suppose I just have to get used to it." He muttered, a wry smile twisting his lips.

"That's it then. They've deemed my talents... insufficient." He shrugged.

As a mage, even at the lowest level, he had sharp ears and a photographic memory. But obviously those didn't count.

He recalled the appraising gaze during his meeting with the middleman - a gaze focused solely on physical prowess. The martial arts warrior, it seemed, didn't care for the intellectual and spiritual gifts that defined a mage. "So, brute strength reigns supreme in this world," David thought with a flicker of disdain. "A primitive and barbaric notion."

He offered a dry chuckle. "Refusal is their loss. Yuanhe Mountain's narrow-mindedness doesn't suit me anyway. We'll find a more... open-minded institution. An martial arts school, perhaps?"

A smile broke across Fu's face. "Indeed, Mastah! The martial arts schools claim to teach without discrimination, so that they are able to only accept people who have coins."

David's smile mirrored his butler's, a touch colder. "Fortunately, coin is the one thing I have in abundance."

The afternoon sun bathed Dragonheart Mansion's training yard in a golden glow. David reclined on a chaise lounge, a chilled fruit smoothie sweating condensation beside him. Perfect refreshment for a sweltering summer day.

Across the makeshift arena stood a group of martial arts masters, a mix of middle-aged and seasoned veterans, all regarding him with a curious intensity. David swiveled his head towards Yue Gui. In a practiced motion, she held out the smoothie. David took a long, contented slurp. A single clap, almost regal, escaped his hands.

Butler Fu emerged from the crowd and cleared his throat. "My mastah, David Dragonheart, seeks tutelage in youh esteemed arts. Each of you, I presume, possesses a unique skillset. Showcase them now. If Mastah David takes a liking to youh style, a generous reward awaits. Even those not chosen will receive a token of appreciation."

David, a man of considerable means, had no need to mingle with the masses at a martial arts school. He sought a private instructor, a bespoke education in the art of combat.

A collective gleam ignited in the eyes of the assembled warriors. Running a martial arts school meant embracing profit, not rejecting it. And their target - the enigmatic foreigner, Mr. Dragonheart - was notorious for one thing: his wealth, bordering on corpulence.

An eager grin split the face of a wiry old man in black. "Shen Lei, of the Red Snake Martial Arts School!" he boomed, cupping his fists in a salute. "We specialize in the art of the Red Snake Legs!"

Lei Shen strode towards a wooden post, then with a surprising burst of agility for his age, hoisted his right leg high. Muscles bulged beneath his straining black pants, threatening to split the fabric. With a powerful exhalation, he unleashed a flying side kick. His leg, seemingly boneless, whipped through the air, striking the wooden post with a resounding crack.

SMASH!

The post splintered into pieces, a cloud of sawdust erupting in its wake. Lei Shen, chest heaving, introduced his technique with a flourish. "The Red Snake Kick Technique emphasizes legwork, honing not only power but also exceptional speed. With speed, you'll be able to preserve yourself in any duel."

David's eyes lit up with intrigue. While the lethality of the Red Snake Legs might not match a well-placed Kusanagi Sword spell, a limited mana supply restricted his reliance on magic. This warrior, however, could unleash a barrage of kicks - twenty, thirty perhaps. A practical skill indeed.

"Just as I suspected," David thought, a spark of excitement igniting within him. "These martial arts could be a valuable addition to an Aer Weaver's repertoire. Perhaps there's even something akin to Wave Weaver's ability hidden amongst them!"

The prospect of unlocking a new dimension of power set David's heart ablaze. Wave Weaver! The possibilities were tantalizing.

The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

For every fledgling mage, the realm of Wave Weaver shimmered like a mirage - a coveted destination just beyond reach. Reaching the pinnacle of the Aer Weaver realm before the age of sixty, a prerequisite for ascension, felt like scaling a sheer ice wall. Most independent mages, like David, faced a brutal reality - the perilous attempt without elixirs often resulted in a watery grave. These elixirs, fiercely guarded by powerful factions, were the lifeblood of aspiring mages. Even the Sato family, with their vast resources, had to navigate a bureaucratic labyrinth to acquire a single Manastream Elixir. For David, a freelancer with limited means, such elixirs were but a elusive dream, as distant and unattainable as the Wave Weaver realm itself.

But now, an enticing alternative path presented itself. "By honing my body to the level of a late stage Aer Weaver," David strategized, "I'll gain access to better elixirs and techniques reserved for those advanced stages." This, in turn, would solidify his abilities and increase his chances of acquiring the coveted Manastream Elixir, making the breakthrough to Wave Weaver a safer proposition.

"The path to immortality beckons!" he declared, a surge of exhilaration coursing through him.

Despite his access to resources from both worlds, David remained acutely aware of his lowly position in the world of mages. Selling the extraordinary resources from the Three Kingdoms at home was unthinkable. But with the prospect of acquiring greater power, a glimmer of hope emerged.

"Master Shen has demonstrably impressive skills," David announced in a buoyant mood. "Reward him well!"

Master Shen, initially a tad put off (he considered himself above mere street performers), saw Fu approach with a gleaming plate of silver. His dissatisfaction vanished instantly. The wrinkles around his eyes crinkled with delight. This wealthy patron, he concluded, was indeed a goldmine.

Witnessing Master Shen's reward, a spark of envy flickered amongst the remaining martial arts representatives. A tall woman, Piaomiao Mu of the Baiyun Martial Arts Academy, stepped forward. "My expertise lies in the White Cloud Palm," she declared. "This technique allows one to overcome superior strength with finesse." Her keen eyes had identified David's lack of "gifts", correctly surmising the reason for his rejection by Yuanhe Mountain.

Piaomiao Mu's demonstration emphasized her beautiful figure with the flowing, deceptive nature of the White Cloud Palm. Her movements were elegant, showcasing the technique's efficiency, as well as her perky breasts, which gave her extra charm. The other masters, though secretly cursed her subtle display of beauty, were reluctant to look away.

One by one, the remaining martial artists presented their styles. Tiangang Yuan showcased the versatility of the Wuji Stick, Qiujue Yi displayed the focused power of the Iron Wire Fist, and others continued, each technique a unique expression of martial prowess.

Once the final demonstration concluded, David stroked his chin thoughtfully. "All the masters have presented impressive styles," he acknowledged. "Would it be possible to learn them all?"

His wealth, after all, afforded him such an indulgence.

A murmur of uncertainty rippled through the assembled masters. Before anyone could voice their doubts, Piaomiao Mu stepped forward, her voice measured. "Mr. Dragonheart," she began, "martial arts training is a demanding pursuit. A single discipline can leave a practitioner depleted, requiring a significant amount of restorative tonics. Additionally, certain styles conflict with each other in their energy flow. It's best not to be overambitious."

David listened intently, a thoughtful expression furrowing his brow. There were intricacies to this martial way that he hadn't fully considered. Perhaps, he realized, this was knowledge only gained through experience.

"In that case," he declared after a moment's deliberation, "I'll focus on mastering one leg technique and one palm technique for now. Master Shen and Master Mu, I would be honored if you would accept me as your student."

Disappointment flickered across the faces of the other masters. They are okay with picking Lei Shen. He, after all, had been the first to showcase his skills, confident in his prowess. But Piaomiao Mu, is it just because she had long legs and broad breasts? Are the preference of rich people really so predictable and unpretentious?

With the martial arts masters dispersed, David turned his attention to Lei Shen and Piaomiao Mu. "Masters," he announced, "let's begin our lessons today. How about we schedule your instruction every three days?"

He studied them both with renewed scrutiny. Lei Shen, when not engaged in a martial display, returned to a rather ordinary demeanor. Piaomiao Mu possessed a strong, athletic build with attractive features, though her skin lacked a certain refinement.

Piaomiao Mu pondered for a moment. "The Red Snake Leg technique focuses energy flow primarily in the legs," she explained, "which doesn't conflict with the White Cloud Palm. However, avoid diversifying too much. In the later stages, conflicting energy flows can hinder your progress."

A hint of disappointment flickered across David's face. "So, your techniques primarily focus on the legs and palms? Isn't there a holistic approach to body training?" He recognized the limitations of such specialized methods, particularly their ineffectiveness against spells.

Lei Shen and Piaomiao Mu exchanged a knowing look. The old man cleared his throat. "Well," he began cautiously, "any martial art will inevitably strengthen the entire body when training its core aspects. True full-body refinement, however, goes beyond the basic teachings of our schools. That realm belongs to the first-rate, secret martial arts. Perhaps..." he trailed off, "the very techniques Yuanhe Mountain holds so close might fall into that category."

David sighed, a plan taking shape in his mind. Advanced martial arts techniques were merely a matter of time. After all, the warriors in this world may not be able to withstand the methods of mages. Of course, testing the effectiveness of magic against warriors required a cautious approach.

Thankfully, time was on his side. At twenty one, with the longevity granted to mages - even Aer Weavers could live to be eighty or ninety - he had ample time to learn and experiment. There was no need for haste.