"Now I will teach you the very beginning stage of cultivating your spiritual powers. But first, look at what I'm doing," the old man said, closing his eyes and beginning to meditate.
Is he using Spirit Enchantment? Rayen thought, watching closely.
Moments passed before a soft glow began to emit from the old man's body—Yes, it's definitely Spirit Enchantment, Rayen confirmed in his mind.
Then the old man waved his hand through the air. Instantly, the dust scattered across the floor and walls began to rise and swirl around his hand. Rayen accidentally inhaled some of the dust and started coughing. The fuck, why does this always happen to me?
With another smooth motion, the old man swept his hand again, and all the dust rushed out of the shrine. The room that had looked ancient and dirty just moments ago now appeared almost new, clean, and bright.
The old man opened his eyes and looked at Rayen, who was still coughing. "Are you okay?"
Rayen nodded, taking a deep breath to calm himself. Then he asked, "What was that? How did you pick up all that without even touching it?"
The old man looked at Rayen's eyes, then glanced up at the sun. "It's called Spirit Enchantment—the power that allows us to use our life force and the objects around us as tools for defense and offense."
"How can we use the surroundings?" Rayen asked, though I know how.
"That's a good question," the old man smiled. "It's because spirits are present all around us. Invisible energies—gifts from the gods—that only they can truly see. By forming a strong connection with your inner spirit, Spirit Enchantment allows you to channel those divine energies and manipulate the world around you."
"You also try—concentrate and try to feel your own presence and the world's presence around you," the old man encouraged Rayen.
Rayen, who had already done all the training before—but that time it was through the hard work of keyboard and mouse, not his own mind—now had to do it all by himself.
He closed his eyes, sitting quietly in place, and began concentrating on presence. His focus was sharp, honed by years of gaming. Slowly, he started to feel it—his blood flowing, a faint vibration rising in his spine... an energy moving from lower to higher.
His hands and legs were feeling the vibration too; his whole body was completely consumed by concentration. But still, his focus wasn't helping him feel the world's presence. He tried his hardest, but he couldn't. Slowly, he opened his eyes—and right in front of him was the hand of the old man.
"Your concentration is pretty impressive for a child, but you can't feel anything around you. A moment ago, I acted as if I were attacking you, but no response came from your side. That means you can't feel anything around you—and that's the problem. Focusing only on yourself won't help you sense the world's presence. Now, let's go home. It's already afternoon," the old man said, standing up.
Rayen looked surprised. "How? We just came here in the early morning—a moment ago. How is it already that late?"
The old man smirked while walking out of the shrine. "After I told you to concentrate this morning, you started meditating—and you've been doing it straight until now. A whole four hours."
Rayen was stunned. How the hell did I meditate that long? I didn't even feel the time pass.
And this old man... he sat here watching me for four hours. He really has the kind of patience I could never have.
They started heading back, this time with Rayen walking beside the old man. His eyes wandered around, taking in the forest's life—the trees towering high above, some long, some short, but all painted rich with greenery. The leaves rustled softly as the wind passed through them, and rays of sunlight filtered through the canopy, casting golden patches on the dirt path they walked.
I need to complete this stage as fast as possible, Rayen thought, clenching his fists lightly. I'm more excited for the second stage of Spirit Enchantment, but without mastering the first, I can't move forward. My concentration is impressive as hell after years of gaming—but still, I can't focus on the world and myself at the same time. I need to find a way to make it easier… or master it as it is. But that'll take a lot of time.
He looked up at the old man, walking silently with a calm smile on his face. Rayen couldn't help but admire him—even if this man was a complete mystery. The way he stayed patient, the way he sat beside him for four whole hours… was something Rayen knew he could never do before.
The path curved gently and led out of the woods, the edge of the forest opening up to the vast, green plains once again. The same hills, the same endless sky—and their small house sitting quietly in the middle of it all, like a forgotten piece of a larger puzzle.
As they approached the house, Rayen's steps slowed slightly. He looked back at the forest, then ahead toward the shrine they left behind—his mind already planning how he'd conquer the power that awaited him.
If I want to survive in this world, I've got to stop acting like a player and start thinking like a cultivator.
---
The next morning, the house and the surroundings were unusually quiet. Too quiet. The old man assumed Rayen was still in his room.
He's probably still sleeping, he thought. But it's already going to be afternoon in an hour. I should wake him up.
He stepped into the house, walking to Rayen's room and knocking softly.
"Rayen, are you still sleeping? It's already afternoon, wake up."
No response came.
A strange feeling passed through the old man's chest. Did he… did he fall back into that half-dead sleep again?
Worried, he pushed the door open—only to find the room empty.
He looked under the table, beneath the bed, even behind the door—but Rayen was nowhere to be found.
With unease building up, he stepped outside the house, scanning the open land. Still no sign of the boy.
Maybe he's playing with that little lamb again, the old man thought, heading quickly toward the barn.
But Rayen wasn't there either.
The lamb was grazing with the other little ones, calm as ever. No sign of disturbance.
Now a flicker of panic crept into the old man's mind.
He checked behind the house, along the fence, around the small field—but nothing. No footprints, no trace.
D-Did the priests take him? he wondered, breath catching for a second. No… if they did, I would've seen them. I've been outside since dawn… I saw no one. Then where is he?
Where could a little kid like him go? Even if he is cursed… even if he can talk without being taught or hearing enough to learn... he's still a child. Just a little fellow...
The old man stood still for a moment, eyes scanning the hills. His heart thudded louder with every second.
Rayen… where did you go?
But then a thought struck the old man—sudden and sharp.
His eyes widened. The shrine!
Without wasting a second, he turned and ran toward the forest. But his old body—worn down by time—didn't support him well. His breathing grew heavy, his legs slowed, and a harsh cough escaped his throat.
Yet he didn't stop.
Instead, he closed his eyes. A second later, his body began to rise—floating into the air.
With a swift movement, he soared above the trees, flying fast toward the old stone shrine hidden deep within the forest.
As he landed before it, his feet touched the ground softly. He stepped forward, walking slowly inside—and then he saw him.
Rayen.
Sitting silently in front of the statue, eyes closed, lost in deep meditation.
The old man exhaled a long breath of relief.
This child… he's making me wonder if he's even a child at all... he thought. But then a small smile crept onto his face. Still, he's much better than a spoiled brat.
Meanwhile, Rayen—unaware of everything—was slowly beginning to sense it. A faint rhythm of energy, a soft whisper of life beyond himself.
He was feeling it.
The world's presence.
He was… cultivating.