Lucas Graves died in the dumbest way possible.
His last memory was binge-reading Rebirth of the Immortal Emperor on his phone when—BAM!—a truck introduced him to the "isekai starter pack."
"At least let me finish the damn chapter…" were his final thoughts.
When Lucas opened his eyes again, he was lying on a hard cot in a stone-walled dormitory, covered by a scratchy wool blanket.
"Where the hell am I? Is heaven this shabby?"
He tried to sit up, but a wave of pain hit him as foreign memories flooded his mind:
He was now Lucas Graves, the Academy's bottom-ranked magic apprentice.
Yesterday, during the annual Mana Affinity Test, he'd been declared a "zero-talent waste."
The original owner, in despair, chugged a bootleg potion and kicked the bucket.
"So… I transmigrated into a loser?" Lucas' eye twitched. "Couldn't I get a cheat code or something?"
The dorm door slammed open.
Three apprentices in blue robes swaggered in. The blond leader smirked.
"Look, the trash is still alive! Thought you'd finally offed yourself."
Memories identified him as Derek, the academy's golden boy who loved bullying weaklings.
Derek snapped his fingers, conjuring a tiny flame. "See this? Real talent. You—" He yanked Lucas' collar. "Can't even spark a fart."
His lackeys roared with laughter.
Lucas clenched his fists but stayed silent—fighting back now would only make it worse.
Derek dropped him with a sneer. "Don't miss 'Practical Magic' tonight. The professor's doing public demonstrations—not that you'll contribute anything."
They left, slamming the door behind them.
Lucas collapsed onto the bed, grinding his teeth.
"Others get OP systems. I get a trash-tier life?"
Then—
[Ding! Host's survival instincts detected!]
A mechanical voice echoed in his skull.
[Eastern Cultivation System activated!]
[This system will assist you in transcending this inferior world!]
A semi-transparent blue screen materialized before him:
» Host: Lucas Graves (Soul Compatibility: 99%)
» Current Realm: Mortal (Uninitiated) » Available Techniques: None
» Spiritual Roots Detected:
- Metal: 2%
- Wood: 8%
- Water: 5%
- Fire: 13%
- Earth: 7%
» Initial Quest: Prove yourself publicly (Reward: "All Spiritual Roots +10%")
"A cultivation system?!" Lucas gaped. "Wait, how does Eastern cultivation work in a magic world?"
[System Note: This world's 'mana' is degraded 'spiritual energy.' Host may cultivate the true path!]
Suddenly, Lucas remembered all those web novels he'd read. He burst out laughing.
"Hah! Screw magic—I'm going full immortal!"
Then, he took a closer look at the details.
Lucas blinked. "Five spiritual roots? That's… amazing, right?"
[System Notification: Host possesses a 'Mixed Spiritual Root'—commonly known as 'Waste Root' within cultivation realms.]
"Wait, what?"
[Explanation: Most cultivators excel in 1-2 elements. Host has all five… but all are pathetically weak.]
Lucas groaned. "So I'm still a loser, just a different kind?"
[Correction: 'Mixed Roots' are despised because they're hard to cultivate… but if mastered, allow control over ALL elements. The System will provide tasks to enhance them.]
Lucas smirked. "First quest gives +10% to all? Then I'd better prove myself."
The system guided him into "meditation stance"—
First Attempt: Channeling Qi
Following the system's instructions, Lucas:
1. Assumed lotus position (ignoring his stiff Western muscles)
2. Visualized qi as liquid gold flowing from crown to soles
3. Pressed tongue to palate to bridge the Governing and Conception vessels
Governing and Conception vessels
Mages sensed elements; cultivators cycled qi through meridians.
For hours, nothing. Then—
A needle of cold fire stabbed his lower dantian(lower abdomen)!
[Qi Refining Initiated!] the system chimed as Lucas gasped. His sweat stank of iron. The cracked dorm window rattled as ambient mana tore inward, forming a visible whirlpool above his navel.
Outside, Derek's fire-sparring session suddenly sputtered."What's happening?! My fire magic—"
Meanwhile, golden patterns shimmered across Lucas' skin—the mark of "Qi Refining"!
That evening, the academy hall buzzed with students showcasing spells. Derek announced loudly:
"Professor, should we let 'Mana-less Lucas' try? Maybe he'll conjure a fart this time!"
The crowd laughed.
The professor Brys sighed. "Lucas, would you like to attempt?"
All eyes mocked him as Lucas stepped forward.
Derek smirked, twirling a flame between his fingers.
"Since you asked so nicely…"
Lucas approached the demonstration crystal. Instead of chanting,he closed his eyes, recalling the system's "Basic Qi Guidance Technique," then—Released!
BOOM!
The crystal didn't ignite—it shattered into diamond dust.
Silence. Then chaos.
Derek shrieked. "IMPOSSIBLE! HE HAS NO MANA!"
Brys's face turned parchment-white. "That wasn't… that wasn't magic."
Lucas grinned at the system prompt:
[Quest Complete! Reward: All Spiritual Roots +10%!]
"No," he said softly. "It was cultivation."