After the dizziness subsided, I sat back down, interlacing my fingers in front of my face.
My head still felt heavy, but the memories that had flooded in had left something behind… like crumbs of knowledge starting to form.
"I… am starting to understand."
Not much—very little, in fact—but enough to give me a basic understanding of how this world works.
This world is built on three foundations of power:
1. Body Breathing — forging the physique, hardening muscles and bones, enabling humans to transcend normal limits.
2. Inner/Soul Meditation — training the mind, regulating the flow of subtle energy within the body.
3. Elemental Affinity — the natural ability to interact with the elements of the world.
Body Breathing and Soul Meditation even resembled fantasy exercises I had read about.
But elemental affinity… that was more complicated.
I reopened Astryan's notebook.
A small inscription in the corner of the page briefly explained the elemental system:
"Everyone has an affinity measured by a percentage.
The percentage determines talent.
The higher the percentage, the faster a person develops in that element."
I read further.
The majority of people in this world possess only one element.
Those with two elements are considered talented.
Those with three or four elements are considered rare—they can even enter the palace for training.
But on the other hand, percentage determines one's future.
And Astryan's data was clearly written on the last page:
Affinities: Fire, Water, Wind, Earth, Lightning, Light, Darkness.
Affinity Level: 10% (average).
I was speechless.
"Seriously… seven elements?"
Seven.
Not one.
Not two.
Not four.
Seven complete elements.
I didn't fully understand it yet, but even Astryan's memory knew one thing:
This wasn't talent. This was an anomaly.
His body… our current body… didn't have a high percentage, but it had a nearly impossible elemental range.
It wasn't a special trait.
It wasn't a curse, either.
More like… an empty shell that could be filled with anything, but nothing truly powerful.
"So that's why this body is called unique?"
He could learn anything—but it all happened slowly, even slower than a normal person's.
I took a deep breath.
This wasn't like the power system in the manga I'd read.
There were no cheats.
There were no bonuses.
There was no insane speed.
I—Astryan—was someone with vast potential, but shallow.
Like a vast ocean that was half a span shallow.
And amidst all this new knowledge… there was one mystery lingering in the back of my mind.
The mask.
I ran my hand over my face, as if hoping to find a crack or a carved line from the mask that once clung to me.
"But there's nothing…"
But the strange sensation lingered—beneath my skin, beneath my bones.
It was as if the mask hadn't vanished, but had become one with me.
Part of my memory—or Astryan's—offered no explanation.
There was no information about the mask.
There were no records.
Even the real Astryan seemed to have never seen it.
The mask stole my name.
Gave me a new one.
And forced fragments of foreign memories into my head.
But… for what?
What purpose did it serve?
Why did it choose me?
I found no answers.
Only a faint premonition, like a thin voice lingering:
"Return… to your new name."
I shuddered.
Something was destined to awaken… something this world might not even be ready to meet.
For now, I could only sigh and close the book.
"I need more information… but in a remote mountain like this…"
There was only wilderness, forest, and the old man who had trained Astryan since childhood.
No town.
No library.
No other people.
I stood, stretching my body, which was starting to feel more familiar. "Okay… first step: understand this body. Understand this fundamental power. The rest… later."
Beyond the small window of the room, a mountain breeze blew, carrying the scent of pine trees and wet earth.
The world was vast.
Dark.
Full of mystery.
And I had only begun to open its first door.