What followed was quick.
I found myself riding a train.
It was one of the things I had always liked about the game — the way it combined magic with science. A train powered by mana. I remembered watching my three coworkers play through this part whenever they had time, back when all of this was just a story to me.
Of course, this world didn't have planes or computers like mine did, but they still had something close — an early form of "internet."
They called them Coms: oversized metallic earpieces that looked like bulkier versions of AirPods. Once activated, a holographic screen appeared — much like the system window, except others could actually see it. It connected to what they called the Dimensional Space, their version of the internet.
But they were absurdly expensive. Almost 80% of the population still lived in medieval conditions. Only nobles and a few lucky citizens in the main cities could afford such luxury. Many Lords didn't even have access to one, especially those governing the outskirt territories.
Even sitting on this train was a luxury. But then again, it was expected. The Empire treated those who risked their lives for it better — and I was one of those people now.
I sat alone in one of the dozen carriages, staring out the window as the train began to move. The rhythmic hum of the mana engine filled the air, followed by the faint shimmer of arcane light pulsing through the rails.
I exhaled slowly and opened the system once more. The familiar screen flickered before me.
Character Information
Name: Atlas Frest
Level: 0 (47%)
True Name: None
Strength: D
Speed: E
Agility: E
Intelligence: A
Mana: 0
Passive Skills: Visual Replication — Copy any action witnessed once.
Understanding — Instantly comprehend anything seen.
Receptive Skills: None
Spells: None
Store Currency: 0
My Intelligence had gone up — all the way to A. Probably thanks to my passive skills.
Still, I needed to grow stronger, and fast. To do that, I needed more Store Currency. But since I didn't have any active quests, there was only one thing left I could focus on.
My Rare Breathing Technique.
It didn't show up in the system, but I knew it was there — a hidden mechanic. I closed my eyes and sat down on the small bed inside the cramped room that had been assigned to me. It wasn't much — barely enough space to stretch my legs — but it gave me privacy, which was all I needed.
In this world, Breathing Techniques were living treasures — sacred and guarded by families with their lives. They determined how fast someone could grow stronger, how efficiently one could absorb mana, and even how their bodies developed.
Mine was a Rare one.
Recalling the game, I remembered how the player controlling the Prince — Ariel Frost Von Valerian — had a massive advantage. Born with a mana core thanks to his imperial bloodline, blessed with dragon blood, he had a stronger body, heightened senses for mana, and one of the best breathing techniques in existence.
I couldn't deny I felt envious.
But I also remembered that the game balanced every starting character with Store Currency. Ariel started with none. Meanwhile, my character had the highest — ten.
So I couldn't really complain.
I sat down cross-legged and began to breathe, focusing every ounce of will I had.
In the game, the player simply had to read and "understand" the technique to learn it. So, I used my passive skill Understanding.
The moment I did, pain exploded through my entire body.
The pain was a familiar ghost. It reminded me of the hellish army training, of nights shivering in the cold. But this was different—this pain was mine, a tool I was wielding myself. I embraced it.
Since I had no mana, my body was burning through something else—my own life force. A dangerous gamble, but what was a little more life-force spent when my very existence was on the line?
Still, I didn't stop.
After several minutes that felt like hours, something clicked. The knowledge flowed into me — natural, instinctive, alive.
It wasn't just breathing. It was rhythm, energy, and control. Like the ancient martial artists from my world, it trained the body to pull in more oxygen, more vitality — in this case, mana.
I exhaled and started again. Slowly. Deeply.
Each breath felt heavier than the last, yet cleaner. The sound of the train faded into the distance. All that existed was the rhythm of my breathing, the pulsing pain, and the faint hum of energy moving inside me.
The system chimed several times, but I ignored it.
Minutes became hours. Sweat dripped down my forehead, my limbs trembling from exhaustion. My body felt like it was burning from the inside.
Finally, I stopped and opened my eyes.
I could barely move. My clothes were soaked in sweat, my lungs screamed for air, and my muscles ached — but I felt alive.
I turned to the small mechanical clock on the desk.
"Five hours," I muttered weakly. "That's my limit."
I wiped the sweat from my face and glanced back at the screen.
Level: 1 (12%)
A tired smile crossed my face.
It wasn't much — but it was progress.
As exhaustion finally caught up with me, I collapsed onto the bed, letting the hum of the train lull me to sleep.
Tomorrow, I would continue. Every breath was a step closer to strength. Every level, a step closer to my wish.
For now, I needed rest.
I closed my eyes and fell into sleep.