[Astral cultivation technique:
A rare and dualistic path of both aura and body cultivation. Allows to draw energy merely not just from the surrounding; but attune the very being to the cosmic energies. Makes skin and bones as resilient as hardened stardust, and redefine the aura into a living map of the cosmos. The ultimate technique of cultivation brought into creation by the god of combat himself.]
[* The experience required for level up becomes fourfold while practicing this cultivation technique. While each stat point increases by two with each level up.]
"Hahaha...HAHAHAHA!!!" Austin roared with laughter. He wanted a body cultivation technique, but still had a small desire to not discard aura. Since aura was the foundation for various destructive and powerful skills to show their true value. As if the heavens read his mind, the system gave him the Astral cultivation technique.
The only drawback with the technique was that for every level up, he would be required to collect fourfold experience points than the others. But this drawback paled in comparison to the two stat points increase of every stat, while for others, the stat points increase was only one, that too for specific stats, not all.
"I love you system! This is what a primordial rank should be." He didn’t tarry, and without a second of hesitation, selected his reward.
[Astral cultivation technique selected]
[Transferring technique information to host’s mind]
"Haha! Come. I’ll be fucking op now." a wide smile spread on his face. Excited, he closed his eyes, readying himself to receive the information.
BEEP! BEEP!
[ERROR] [ERROR]
[Conditions not met]
[Holding the transfer until conditions fulfilled]
[Condition 1: Body too weak to handle the energy. Raise strength and stamina to 15]
[Condition 2: ????]
DING!! Just then another system screen appeared.
[Daily mission:
-0/100 push-ups
-0/100 sit-ups
-0/100 squats
-0/10 km running
Reward: strength=+2, stamina=+2
Penalty: Upon failure, whole body paralysis for a day
Time left: 23:59:56]
"What the hell? You fucking system. Are you the same one from solo levelling you bastard!?" Austin bellowed in frustration.
****
"Huff!...huff!...huff!!" Austin was gasping for air, his mouth had gone dry, legs refusing to lift up for the next step. All the muscles of his body were screaming to stop. His vision had started going blurry, head spinning around. But he was still going on, struggling to complete the last stretch of his run.
"Why the hell is he so weak? What the fuck did you do all these years Grey?" Waking up early in the morning, Austin started exercising in the field nearby. Forced to complete his daily mission.
He did the squats and sit-ups first, then completed the push-ups. After he was done, he vomited out immediately. He took almost an hour to complete all the 300 reps. He could no longer feel his legs and arms anymore. Even breathing hurt his abs and chest muscles.
Austin was shocked as to how was Grey able to even pass the practical tests with this kind of fitness. When he used to fight in the ring, this amount was just his warm up during training. Now, this warm up felt like a milestone of a lifetime for him.
DING!
[Daily mission completed]
[-100/100 push-ups
-100/100 sit-ups
-100/100 squats
-10/10 km running]
[Reward received: strength=+2, stamina=+2]
THUD!
He collapsed onto the warm, hard ground, a groan escaping his lips as his muscles screamed in protest. Sweat plastered his hair to his forehead, and his chest heaved, each breath a struggle.
"Haha! I have done it. I didn’t die." He lay there, spread-eagled, staring up at the morning sky. The sunlight from the crescent sun blurred into halo. Every fiber of his being vibrated with exhaustion, yet a tiny triumphant smile tugged at the corners of his mouth.
After a long rest, Austin collected himself up. He gingerly stood up, legs still shaking a bit. The +2 points in stamina and strength started showing its effect, as his muscles felt a bit rejuvenated. The pain had subsided a lot. His breathing was not struggled anymore.
Leaving the field behind, he moved inside the hostel. The door to his room opened with a push and he entered. Aeron was still in the bed. He looked towards the clock on the wall. It was still 5 in the morning.
Austin realized he had woken up too early. He had still not adjusted to the time cycle of this world. With only a few hours of sun, it was confusing to differentiate day and night. The skies stayed dark most of the time. feeling the warm sun was a luxury here.
Letting Aeron sleep, Luke took a towel and some clothes, moving out to take a shower.
There was a single bathroom in the whole hostel. There were rows of showers in the wall, with not even a single partition in between. The tiles on the floor and wall were all cracked and stained. Austin felt lucky that at least water was still running through the pipes.
He turned both the levers for hot and cold water. Trying to Maintain a stable temperature. The familiar hiss of the shower filled the space. The water was still hot, but he didn’t care. He stood under the steam, letting it hit his skin. Trying to wash off the sweat and exhaustion.
This was the familiar feeling that made him feel like himself. A hot shower after an extreme routine.
He cleared the fogged-up mirror and stared at his reflection for the first time after moving in this body. He looked young, less tired. Like life hadn’t beaten him down yet.
He still had confusion, uncertainty, doubt and fear with all this transmigration, system and a new world. But he felt free after a long time. no debts to pay, no worries of goons at his doors daily. He had left everything behind. Now, the system has given him something stronger.
A purpose. A purpose to start anew and grow stronger.
He was a bit surprised seeing his face. A sharp face, long nose, starry blue eyes and long white hair. "Damn! Quite the handsome lady killer you are Grey." Austin praised with a wide smile on his face, moving those wet locks of hair back with his fingers.