Week 1: Solitary Training & Memory Enhancement
The first light of dawn painted the rooftops of Bo City as Yu Tian sprinted through the empty streets, his breath forming mist in the crisp morning air. His adoptive father, Mo Jiaxing, was already gone—off to another long day of driving his cab. Their interactions were sparse, limited to brief exchanges over meals.
"Weak lungs, weak body," Mo Jiaxing often muttered when Yu Tian asked why he never trained with him. "Just focus on yourself."
Yu Tian didn't press. He had his own path now.
[ System, activate Skill Creation. ]
[ Confirmed. Skill: 'Eidetic Recall' Generated. ]
[ Effect: Perfect memory retention, accelerated learning speed. ]
The rush of knowledge was instantaneous. Every book in Mo Jiaxing's sparse collection—basic magic theory, outdated bestiaries—burned itself into Yu Tian's mind.
Good enough for now.
Week 2: Self-Guided Study
Mo Jiaxing's apartment was small, its walls lined with yellowed newspapers and unpaid bills. Yu Tian barely saw him—just the occasional glimpse of his hunched figure returning late at night, coughing into his sleeve before retreating to his room.
But Yu Tian didn't need guidance.
He scoured libraries, memorizing:
-> Elemental affinities
-> Beast species classifications
-> Historical accounts of mage battles
-> Spell Formations
The Little Loach around his neck hummed faintly, its enhanced storage greedily absorbing traces of ambient mana.
[ System Note: Mana Sensitivity at 42%. Progress Adequate. ]
Week 3: Physical Drills
No sparring partner. No coach. Just Yu Tian and the cracked concrete of abandoned lots.
-> Sprinting with sandbags tied to his ankles.
-> Punching a makeshift dummy filled with gravel.
-> Dodging obstacles.
-> Stamina runs laps around the estate with sandbags strapped to his limbs
One evening, Mo Jiaxing stumbled upon him mid-drill, his sunken eyes widening slightly at the sight of Yu Tian's bloodied knuckles.
"…You'll ruin your hands," he rasped before turning away.
Yu Tian flexed his fingers. Worth it.
Week 4: Final Preparations
The awakening ceremony loomed. Yu Tian's body was honed, his mind sharp.
Mo Jiaxing left a note on the fridge:
"Dinner in the pot. Don't stay out late."
That was it. No pep talk. No proud glances.
Just as well.
A smirk tugged at his lips.
Let the world see what a real protagonist looks like