Kingdom of Verdwryn

Michael sat cross-legged in the quiet corner of the training hall, surrounded by the glowing scrolls of mage cultivation and the leather-bound tomes detailing the knight's path. His eyes flicked between the two manuals, his mind racing with the complexities of each system. He had studied the theory of mana manipulation, the different types of spells, and the various stages of knighthood, but something didn't sit right. The more he read, the more he realized that the methods they described—both for mages and knights—seemed wasteful.

The mage's path focused heavily on drawing mana from the environment and internalizing it. But Michael had already begun to sense that most of this mana wasn't being used efficiently. Only a small portion of the energy absorbed from the surroundings actually became a part of the mage's body, while the rest dissipated or was lost in the process.

The knight's path, while focusing on refining the body and harnessing internal energy, still felt incomplete. Though it built strength and resilience, there was no mention of how to properly channel or absorb internal energy to enhance both the body and the mana within. Instead, it encouraged overextension, a reliance on brute force rather than efficient cultivation.

As he turned the pages of the knight's manual, Michael's thoughts turned inward. Why waste so much energy? The traditional methods spoke of cultivating muscles, improving reflexes, and using mana for combat, but nothing about harnessing the internal energy effectively. He remembered the cultivation novels he had read in his previous life—especially those where cultivators refined their Qi through distinct paths, directing their internal energy with precision and purpose. Why shouldn't I try something similar?

An idea began to form in his mind, a vision as clear as a tree in full bloom.

He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. What if I could cultivate both my body and my mana like the roots of an ancient oak tree? His affinity for nature, for wood, had always been present in the back of his mind—what if his cultivation method could be just as natural, just as efficient?

Instead of letting energy dissipate into the ether, what if he could absorb it, consolidate it, and direct it like the roots of a tree drawing sustenance from the earth?

Michael sat up straighter, focusing all his attention on the idea that was quickly growing in his mind. The roots are the foundation, and just as the oak grows strong from its roots, I will cultivate my energy from the ground up, nourishing and strengthening my body. The wood element, with its ties to life and nature, could work in tandem with his internal energy, amplifying both his strength and his mana. He could focus not just on power but on efficiency, drawing in the energy and refining it into something useful.

He began to experiment, visualizing the flow of mana inside his body as he read through the mage's cultivation methods. Instead of absorbing mana from the environment indiscriminately, he imagined it flowing like roots into his lower dantian—the core of his energy. His breaths became steady, and with each exhale, he imagined the roots of the oak tree spreading deeper into the earth, drawing energy from the world around him.

He then visualized the energy moving up through his spine, just as a tree's trunk would carry nutrients to its branches. His body began to tingle as his mana moved along his limbs, strengthening his muscles and bones. Every step he took in this process felt natural, as if his body itself was aligning with the earth, grounded and alive.

Instead of letting the energy flood indiscriminately, he focused on channeling it directly into his muscles and bones, nourishing them, reinforcing them, just as the trunk of an oak tree would grow thick and sturdy over time. The energy didn't leave him; it became part of him, strengthening his internal core. The process felt deeply satisfying, like filling a well that would never run dry.

He wasn't just absorbing mana for the sake of magic. He was absorbing power to build his body, to make it stronger, more resilient, more efficient.

As he practiced the technique, Michael's mind began to connect the dots. What if I also used this method to enhance my external power? The leaves of the tree, the outward growth, symbolized his magic—his ability to manipulate nature. He had always known that his wood affinity was a part of him, but now, he could refine it further by feeding his external abilities with the energy he had absorbed and consolidated.

He would channel energy through his limbs, through his body, and let it extend outward, just as the branches of a tree stretched toward the sky. His magic wouldn't be wild or uncontrolled—it would be focused, rooted in his strength and purpose.

The hours passed, and Michael continued to experiment, building the foundations of a new form of cultivation. He imagined the trunk of the tree becoming sturdier with each passing moment, his core power growing stronger, and the energy from the earth feeding his internal strength. It was a slow process, but the more he practiced, the clearer the path became.

Eventually, he could feel the subtle shift in the air around him. The wind whispered. His mind's eye saw his cultivation method working, like a tree growing strong and steady, with each part of his body and magic aligning to this new philosophy of energy use.

Later, as he leaned against the cool stone wall of the training hall, Michael reflected on the method he had begun to develop. The Verdant Cultivation Method—it wasn't just a technique. It was a philosophy, a way of life.

"It's more efficient," he muttered to himself, nodding slowly. "In traditional methods, energy is absorbed indiscriminately, wasted or dissipated. But if you refine it, channel it like the roots of a tree—well, then it becomes part of you, rooted and strong."

He picked up the mage's manual, flipping it open to a section about mana absorption. "Most mages focus too much on external sources, pulling in power from everywhere, only for it to dissipate or overburden the body. With this method, I can absorb and channel mana directly into the body, consolidating it into a core that strengthens both my physical form and my magical essence. Every bit of energy I take in becomes useful; it doesn't just slip through my fingers."

Michael's fingers brushed over the leather-bound knight's tome. "The knight's path focuses on body and strength, but it doesn't teach you how to channel that strength effectively. This method… it blends them both." He paused, thinking carefully. "With the Verdant Cultivation Method, my internal energy doesn't just flow through me aimlessly. It strengthens my body first, the roots of my power, giving me a solid foundation. It's the groundwork for everything else—physical resilience, magical power—without one ever weakening the other."

His gaze shifted toward the window, where the wind rustled the leaves outside. He smiled, imagining the wind flowing through branches, the way energy would flow through him. "The beauty of this method is how it aligns body and mana in perfect harmony. The roots draw the energy in, the trunk distributes it, and the branches extend it outward, feeding both the body and my abilities. Each part of me—muscles, bones, magic—grows together, stronger and more refined, not competing but complementing each other."

He tapped the edge of the scroll thoughtfully. "This way, I can draw energy from within, channel it where it's needed. I don't have to rely on random bursts of power or overexertion. It's about precision, efficiency. Not just brute force. That's what makes this method so different."

Michael's expression became more serious as he considered the deeper implications of what he was developing. "And it's sustainable. Unlike other methods that demand a constant influx of external mana or qi, this method works from within, using the body's natural energy stores, its connection to the earth. It's slow, but it's steady. It builds, strengthens, and lasts."

He glanced at his own hands, flexing his fingers and imagining the energy flowing through his limbs. "The more I cultivate, the more the energy is absorbed, refined, and redirected. It doesn't just fill me; it makes me stronger, faster, more attuned. My body becomes like the oak—strong, grounded, able to weather the storms of battle or the trials of magic."

A smile touched his lips as he realized the full scope of what he was on the verge of creating. "I'll call it Verdant Cultivation. Verdant, like life itself. It's about growth, roots, stability, and strength. It's my path—a path that blends the power of the earth with the essence of life. I think it will work for both a mage and a knight. Maybe even better than either of those paths on their own."

Standing up, Michael gave one last glance at the scrolls before carefully packing them away. "Tomorrow, I'll test it. I'll refine it in battle, see how it holds up. But for now, I'm ready. Verdant Cultivation—it's my path to power."