As the first light of dawn shone through the wooden windows of Yuan Jin's small house, he groggily opened his eyes. His body still ached from the previous day's work of gathering herbs, but today was different—today, his journey toward power would officially begin.
He slowly got up, stretching his sore muscles. In the corner of the room, Aether sat cross-legged on the air, levitating slightly above the ground as if gravity meant nothing to her.
"Finally awake?" she asked, smirking.
Yuan Jin yawned. "Yeah… I'm still not sure if this is a dream or not."
"It's real," Aether replied. "And today, we start your training."
Yuan Jin rubbed his temples. "Right… So, what do I have to do?"
Aether snapped her fingers, and a transparent screen appeared in front of him.
---
[Training Schedule – Day 1]
1. Run 10 laps around the village
2. 200 push-ups
3. 200 sit-ups
4. 200 squats
5. Carry a 30kg boulder up the hill 5 Times
Reward: System Upgrade (Basic Energy Circulation)
---
Yuan Jin's jaw dropped. "What kind of monster training is this?!"
Aether giggled. "It's the basics. If you can't even handle this, how can you become strong?"
Yuan Jin groaned. He had expected some kind of magic power or instant strength boost, but instead, Aether was making him train like an old martial artist from ancient legends.
Still, he had no choice. He had accepted the contract, and if this was what it took to become strong, then he would endure it.
"Fine," he muttered. "Let's get started."
---
The First Trial: Endurance
Yuan Jin started running around the village. At first, it seemed easy, but by the third lap, his legs already felt like they were made of lead. Sweat dripped down his forehead, and his breathing grew heavy.
"Come on, don't slow down," Aether encouraged, floating beside him effortlessly. "If you stop now, how will you ever handle real battles?"
Yuan Jin gritted his teeth and kept running. By the time he completed the tenth lap, he collapsed onto the ground, gasping for air.
"Good, now onto the push-ups," Aether said cheerfully.
Yuan Jin wanted to cry.
---
The push-ups, sit-ups, and squats were pure torture. His arms shook, his core burned, and his legs wobbled. By the time he reached the final task—carrying the boulder up the hill—he was already half-dead.
"Why is this part even necessary?" he whined.
Aether shrugged. "To strengthen your body. Carrying weight while moving builds endurance and raw strength."
With no energy left to argue, Yuan Jin lifted the 30kg boulder with trembling arms. He took slow, heavy steps up the hill, sweat soaking his clothes.
One trip.
Two trips.
By the fourth, his vision blurred, and his arms nearly gave out.
"Just one more time," Aether said. "You can do it."
Yuan Jin let out a deep breath and forced himself to move. His legs screamed in protest, but he pushed through, step by step, until he finally reached the top of the hill for the last time.
As soon as he placed the boulder down, he collapsed onto his back, completely drained.
"[Training Complete!]"
A system notification rang in his mind, and a new screen appeared before him.
---
[Training Completed – Day 1]
Reward Unlocked: Basic Energy Circulation
Suddenly, a warm sensation spread throughout Yuan Jin's body. It was unlike anything he had ever felt before—his muscles, which had been screaming in pain moments ago, felt soothed. His fatigue lessened, and his breathing steadied.
He sat up in shock. "What is this? My body… it feels lighter?"
Aether smiled. "That's your first reward. With the Basic Energy Circulation, your body will recover faster, and you'll have a foundation to start harnessing true power."
Yuan Jin clenched his fists. He could feel something different, as if a faint energy now flowed through him. It wasn't much, but it was a start.
He looked up at Aether, determination in his eyes. "What's next?"
Aether smirked. "Tomorrow, we start real training."
Yuan Jin gulped. He had a feeling today was just the beginning of something even more intense.
But no matter what, he would endure it.
Because for the first time in his life, he had a chance to become something greater.
---
The night had passed, and dawn once again illuminated the small village where Yuan Jin lived. Although his body still felt slightly sore, the effects of Basic Energy Circulation had significantly accelerated his recovery compared to ordinary humans.
He moved his body, sensing the difference. His muscles, which should still be aching, were now more flexible, and his breathing was more stable than before. This… was the beginning of the power he had dreamed of.
In the corner of the room, Aether sat in the air as usual, observing Yuan Jin with a calm expression.
"You're awake. Good, today we will begin more serious training."
Yuan Jin furrowed his brows. "Wait… You mean yesterday's training wasn't serious?"
Aether chuckled. "That was just the foundation. If you want to become truly strong, you must learn how to control the energy within your body."
With a snap of her fingers, a transparent screen appeared before Yuan Jin.
---
[Training Schedule – Day 2]
1. Energy concentration training
2. "Core Breath" technique
3. Energy control training
4. Breaking a rock with bare hands
5. Combat training
Reward: System Enhancement (Initial Physical Boost)
---
Yuan Jin's eyes widened as he read the list. "Breaking a rock with my bare hands?! And… combat training?"
Aether smiled mysteriously. "That's right. You must understand that true strength doesn't come from physical power alone but from perfect energy control. Now, sit cross-legged and close your eyes."
Yuan Jin still had doubts, but he obeyed. He sat cross-legged on the floor and closed his eyes.
"Now, feel the flow of energy within your body," Aether said softly. "Imagine a small river flowing inside you. That is your base energy."
Yuan Jin tried to focus, but he felt nothing except the sound of his own heartbeat.
"I… I don't feel anything."
Aether gently tapped his forehead with a finger. "Try again now."
Suddenly, Yuan Jin felt something. A faint vibration, almost like a soft breeze flowing within his body. It was something new to him, something he had never noticed before.
"I can feel it… But it's so weak."
Aether smiled. "That's because you're not used to it yet. Now, focus your energy on a single point in your body—your heart."
Yuan Jin swallowed hard and tried to follow her instructions. He imagined the flow of energy moving toward his heart, gathering into one point.
Then, suddenly… something changed.
A warm sensation spread across his chest, as if a small flame had ignited within him. The energy began to flow more smoothly, more strongly.
"Good," Aether said. "Now, let's move on to breathing techniques."
---
Core Breath Technique
Aether stood in front of Yuan Jin and began explaining.
"This breathing technique is the key to strengthening your body and improving your energy control. If done correctly, you can increase endurance, speed, and even your body's regeneration."
Yuan Jin nodded seriously.
"Now, inhale deeply for five counts, hold for five counts, then exhale slowly for five counts."
Yuan Jin tried to follow the instructions. At first, it felt difficult. But the more he did it, the more he noticed something different. Each inhale brought energy into his body, and each exhale released the tension from his muscles.
"I… I feel lighter."
Aether smiled. "That's the effect. If you master it, you can enhance your strength and endurance significantly."
Yuan Jin opened his eyes, this time with a newfound determination.
"Alright, what's next?"
Aether raised an eyebrow. "Breaking a rock with your bare hands."
---
Third Trial: Breaking a Rock
Outside the house, Aether led Yuan Jin to a large rock, nearly half a meter tall.
"Hit this rock with all your strength."
Yuan Jin stared at the rock, doubtful. "Are you joking? This is a huge rock! How am I supposed to break it with my bare hands?"
Aether shrugged. "Just try it."
Yuan Jin sighed and clenched his fist. With all the power he could muster, he swung his fist toward the rock.
BANG!
A sharp pain shot through his hand. He winced and jumped back, shaking his reddened fist from the impact.
"OW! That hurts!"
Aether laughed softly. "Of course it hurts, you only used your muscles. Use your energy."
Yuan Jin looked at Aether in confusion. "How do I do that?"
Aether tapped his forehead again. "Use the breathing technique you just learned. Gather your energy into your arm, then strike again."
Yuan Jin took a deep breath, activating the Core Breath Technique. This time, he could feel his energy flowing into his arm, gathering in his fist.
He swung his punch again.
"HAA!"
CRACK!
A visible crack formed on the surface of the rock. Though it didn't shatter completely, it was proof that the technique worked.
Yuan Jin stared at his hand in disbelief.
"I… I did it?"
Aether nodded in satisfaction. "That's just the beginning."
---
Combat Training
After energy concentration practice and breaking the rock, Aether led Yuan Jin to an empty field near his house.
"Now, it's time for the final test of the day—combat training."
Yuan Jin frowned. "Against who?"
Aether smiled mysteriously. "Of course… me."
Yuan Jin's face turned pale. "Huh?! That's not fair! You're the supreme system!"
Aether shrugged. "Don't worry, I'll limit my power. This is just to test how much you've improved."
Before Yuan Jin could protest, Aether had already disappeared from his sight.
"Sooner or later, you must learn how to fight. Otherwise, all your training will be useless."
Her voice echoed around him. Yuan Jin swallowed hard, knowing this would be the toughest trial of the day.
But if he wanted to become stronger… he had to fight.
"Alright," he said, clenching his fists. "Let's do this!"
To be continued...