I finished my work in the kitchen by midnight, after helping clean everything and prepare food for the next day. My body was sore and exhausted, but my mind was fully alert. Martha gave me a small piece of bread and some cheese, whispering, "Don't let anyone see you eating this. May God protect you."
I returned to my small room on the third floor—a space originally meant for servants' storage. I closed the door carefully behind me and sat on the bed, eating slowly while contemplating what I had witnessed today.
The hidden object in the cellar piqued my intense curiosity. In the game, there was no mention of anything important in Shadowpine Manor, but that didn't mean it didn't exist. Perhaps there were secrets the game hadn't revealed, or maybe things had changed in this new reality.
But the most urgent priority was strengthening my body and restoring my abilities. I looked at my thin, weak hands. Three years of mistreatment had taken their toll. Yet I knew exactly what needed to be done.
In the game, I had learned advanced training techniques from various masters. One such technique was "Spiritual Energy Absorption Meditation," a method to absorb ambient spiritual energy and gradually fortify the body. This was something any Spirit Controller could learn, but most people didn't know the correct technique.
I closed my eyes and began breathing slowly and deeply, just as I'd learned in the game. I felt the spiritual energy in the air around me—thin threads of light gently flowing through the room. I started absorbing this energy into my body, directing it through my internal energy pathways.
At first, it was difficult. My weak body wasn't accustomed to this training, and my energy pathways were partially blocked from neglect. But gradually, I felt a gentle warmth spreading through my limbs, and a small surge of strength accumulating in my muscles.
I meditated for two hours, until dizziness from exhaustion set in. I stopped and opened my eyes, and immediately, a notification window appeared:
**[Congratulations! You have gained +1 Spiritual Power]**
**[Congratulations! You have gained +1 Physical Strength]**
I smiled. This was faster than I'd expected. In the game, raising stats this way took much longer. Perhaps it was because Lian's body was in such poor condition that any improvement seemed significant by comparison.
I lay on the bed, staring at the ceiling. Tomorrow, I would begin my true plan. I needed to escape this place and go to the Dark Sorcerer's Forest to find the fire spirit, Ember. But first, I had to explore what was in that cellar.
I finally fell asleep as my mind planned for the next day.
---
I awoke an hour before dawn, while the house was still drowned in deep silence. This was the perfect time to sneak out and explore. I rose carefully, dressed silently, then opened my door and slipped through the dark corridors.
I knew the house layout well from Lian's memories, but I'd never visited the cellar. Access was through a narrow stone staircase behind the kitchen, hidden behind a heavy door reinforced with iron.
I reached the door and placed my hand on the handle. It was locked, but the lock was old and simple. In my past life on Earth, I'd learned lock-picking as a hobby. I pulled a small hairpin from my pocket and began working on the lock.
After several minutes of careful attempts, I heard a faint click, and the lock opened. I smiled—some skills were unforgettable. I opened the door slowly, wary of any sounds that might alert the guards.
The stairs were dark and damp, descending deep underground. I had no lamp, but my "Holy Spirit Eye" skill helped me see partially in the dark. I crept down cautiously, placing my feet carefully on each step to avoid noise.
The cellar was larger than I'd expected, filled with old wooden crates and discarded equipment. But in the far corner, something was different. A faint glow of spiritual energy radiated from behind a large wooden shelf.
I moved toward the shelf and pushed it carefully. It was heavy, but I managed to shift it enough to see what lay behind it. There, hidden in a recess within the stone wall, was a small cavity containing an old metal box.
I pulled out the box and examined it. It was made of an unusual metal, emitting a soft glow of magical energy. On the lid was the original crest of the Shadewind family—different from the current Shadowpine emblem.
I opened the box cautiously, and what I saw inside made my heart race. There was an old leather-bound book, next to a blue gemstone pulsing with a strong inner light, and a letter written in elegant script.
I took the letter first and read it carefully:
*"To my dear son Lian,*
*If you are reading this, it means I am no longer alive, and you have survived the conspiracy that befell our family. I know our relatives in the Shadowpine family will try to exploit you, but I have left you this legacy to aid you.*
*The book contains the true combat and spirit control techniques of the Shadewind family, passed down through generations. The blue stone is the "Dragon's Tear," a rare gem containing immense spiritual power that can greatly accelerate your training.*
*Use these gifts wisely, my son. Let no one know of their existence until you are strong enough to protect yourself. And always remember—vengeance is sweet, but justice is sweeter.*
*With all my love,
Your father, Mark Shadewind"*
I felt a wave of mixed emotions as I read the letter—grief for a father I'd never truly known, rage at those who had killed him, and excitement over the treasures he'd left me.
I took the book and opened it carefully. Its pages were filled with detailed illustrations and instructions for advanced techniques. There were methods I hadn't even seen in the game—ways to fuse multiple spirits, combat techniques using spiritual weapons, even methods to conceal one's true power from others.
But what caught my attention most was a page titled "Holy Spirit Eye Development Technique." It contained detailed instructions on honing this rare hereditary ability and ways to increase its power and range.
The "Dragon's Tear" was equally astonishing. When I touched it, I felt a wave of pure spiritual energy flow through me. This stone could accelerate my training tenfold compared to normal rates.
I realized I'd found a true treasure. With these tools, I could strengthen myself immensely without raising suspicion. But first, I needed to hide them somewhere safe.
I returned the box to its hiding place and rearranged the shelf, but concealed the book and gemstone within my clothes. I'd need to find a secret hiding spot in my room for these treasures.
I returned to my room before anyone in the house awoke, hiding the book and gem under a loose floorboard. Then I began reading the book carefully, memorizing every technique and instruction.
The first technique I decided to learn was "Aura Concealment." This technique allowed me to hide my true power level from others, even from those with advanced sensory abilities. With this, I could appear weak while secretly growing stronger.
I spent the rest of the night practicing this technique, and by dawn, I had mastered its basics. Now, if anyone looked at me—even with magical abilities—they would only see a weak youth at Level 1.
---
I heard a bell ring through the house—the signal to begin the workday. I hid the book and gem again and left my room, pretending I'd just woken up.
In the kitchen, Martha greeted me with a warm smile and a bowl of hot porridge. "You look better today, Lian. You finally have some color in your cheeks."
She was right. Last night's training and the energy of the "Dragon's Tear" were already affecting my body. I felt stronger, my mind clearer.
"Thank you, Martha. I feel much better."
"That's good, because Lady Margaret wants to see you after breakfast. Seems she has new tasks for you."
I smiled and nodded, but inside, I was already planning. Whatever tasks Lady Margaret had for me, I would use them as an opportunity to scout the surrounding area and prepare for my journey to the Dark Sorcerer's Forest.
After breakfast, I went to Lady Margaret's office on the second floor. It was an opulent room filled with books and expensive artifacts—most of which had belonged to the original Shadewind family before the Shadowpines seized them.
"Come in, Lian," Lady Margaret said without looking up from the papers she was reading. "I have an important task for you."
"Yes, my lady."
She finally looked at me, her cold gray eyes scrutinizing me carefully. "You will go to the city market to buy some supplies. The list and money are here." She handed me a piece of paper and a small pouch of coins. "Most importantly, you will deliver this letter to Merchant James at the Magical Herb Shop. Ensure you give it to him personally."
I took the letter and noticed it was sealed with red wax. Something was suspicious about this. Why would Lady Margaret need to send a secret letter to an herb merchant?
"Understood, my lady. When do you want me to return?"
"Before sunset. And don't try to be clever, Lian. We have ways of knowing if you act suspiciously."
I left the office pondering this new task. This was better than I'd hoped. A trip to the city would give me a chance to scout the area and prepare for my plan. And this mysterious letter might prove useful somehow.
I put on a simple cloak and left the house, carrying the money, lists, and letter. The walk to the city took at least an hour, and I decided to use this time for training.
As I walked, I began practicing the "Walking Meditation" technique from my father's book. This technique allowed me to absorb spiritual energy while moving, strengthening my body simultaneously. It was difficult at first—maintaining focus while walking required practice—but gradually, I mastered the rhythm.
The road was busy with travelers and merchants, giving me a chance to secretly practice my "Holy Spirit Eye" skill. I observed the power levels of people around me, analyzing their strengths and weaknesses.
Most travelers were ordinary citizens without magical abilities, but there were some mid-level warriors and spirit controllers. None were strong enough to pose a real threat, but it gave me a good sense of the general power level in this region.
I reached the city just before noon. It was crowded and vibrant, filled with sounds, smells, and colors. The central market bustled with vendors hawking their goods, customers haggling, and children darting between stalls.
I started buying items from the list—vegetables, fruits, meat, spices. But my mind was focused elsewhere. I needed to buy basic equipment for my journey to the forest: a sturdy backpack, rope, a dagger, and some preserved food.
It took several hours, but I managed to purchase everything I needed without raising suspicion. I used some extra coins saved from smart bargaining and hid the equipment in separate bags.
Finally, I headed to the Magical Herb Shop to deliver the letter. The shop was a small, dimly lit building, filled with the scent of dried herbs and strange potions. Behind the counter sat an elderly man with a long beard and sharp eyes.
"Are you James?" I asked.
He looked at me warily. "Yes, I'm James. What do you want, boy?"
"I have a letter for you from Lady Margaret Shadowpine."
His expression changed instantly upon hearing the name. He took the letter cautiously, opened it, read it quickly, then looked back at me.
"Wait here," he said, disappearing into a back room.
While waiting, I seized the chance to explore the shop. It was filled with intriguing items—magical potions, energy stones, rare herbs. Some I recognized from the game, but others were entirely new.
James returned after a few minutes, carrying a small wooden box. "Give this to Lady Margaret. And tell her the next shipment will arrive next week."
I took the box, feeling its unusual weight. Something heavy was inside, along with... a faint, unidentifiable scent.
"Thank you," I said, placing the box in my bag.
I left the shop and began the return journey, but my mind raced. What was in that box? And why did Lady Margaret need to exchange secret letters with an herb merchant?
Halfway back, I decided to stop and rest. I sat beneath a large tree away from the road and pulled the box from my bag. It was locked, but the lock was as simple as the cellar's.
I opened the box cautiously, and what I saw inside made me freeze. There were several small capsules filled with a black powder, and a tiny vial of pale green liquid.
I recognized both from the game. The black powder was "Deep Sleep Powder," a substance that could make someone sleep for hours without waking. The green liquid was "Memory Dissolver," a potion that could erase specific memories from a person's mind.
My heart raced as I realized what was happening. Lady Margaret was planning something. She likely intended to use these substances against me or someone else. This explained why she'd sent me to retrieve the shipment—she didn't want to be directly linked to these materials.
I closed the box and returned it to my bag, but a decision solidified in my mind. I wouldn't wait two months for the academy exams. I would escape tonight.
I returned to the house, delivered the supplies, the remaining coins, and the box to Lady Margaret. She smiled with satisfaction upon seeing the box, confirming my suspicions.
I spent the rest of the day acting normally—helping in the kitchen, doing my usual chores. But inside, I was preparing for escape. I hid the equipment I'd bought in my secret stash, along with my father's book and the "Dragon's Tear."
When night fell and everyone retired, I began executing my plan. I put on suitable travel clothes and packed everything I needed into a small backpack: food, water, rope, dagger, saved money, and my father's treasures.
I slipped out of the house through a first-floor window, avoided the guard patrols, and fled into the depth of the night.
Finally, I was free. Now, it was time to begin my true journey toward power.