)
"Remember, everything starts with your breath."
Andre said as he applied the oil along Ron's spine.
"Follow the rhythm I taught you: inhale for seven beats, hold for three, exhale for five."
The moment the cool oil touched his skin, a sharp pain flared—but Ron forced himself to focus and began his breathing rhythm.
Inhale—count seven heartbeats.
A warm current of air streamed in through his nose and mouth.
Hold—for three heartbeats.
The air pulsed through his body, syncing with the penetrating burning oil.
Exhale—for five heartbeats.
As stale air left his lungs, his internal heat seemed to abate.
"Very good—maintain that rhythm." Andre's calm voice instructed.
"Now silently recite the Corona Breathing Method mantra."
As Ron repeated the mantra internally, he felt his breathing hook into a certain energy within him. Each breath stirred internal currents. The burning oil traced the meridians on his back; the pain normalized, becoming a rhythm of its own.
[Detecting meridians being reshaped. Progress: 27%. Tip: Breathing rhythm has resonated with meridians.]
"Proceed to stage two."
Andre's tone turned solemn. "Inhale for nine beats, hold for five, exhale for seven. Align with the meridians' flow."
Ron adjusted accordingly. The internal energy surged. The illuminated meridians pulsed in time with his breaths—sharp, rhythmic pain, but bearable. Strange, it felt like a life-affirming signal, strengthening his body with each cycle.
[Next phase begins]
"Final stage."
Andre's voice held gravity. "Inhale for twelve beats, hold for seven, exhale for nine. Visualize the radiance of the sun."
Ron complied. Each breath brought a strange transformation in his mind—he imagined a golden sun, utterly scorching, yet pure. This vision wasn't hallucination—it was a real sensation, a manifestation of the deep energy within his core.
With each inhale, energy surged from his limbs to his center, scorching yet invigorating.
He felt consciousness shifting, glowing within the rhythmic flow.
[Detecting energy resonance. Progress: 58%. Tip: First stage of Breathing Exercises nearing a critical juncture.]
"Hold your breath!"
Andre's command cut through the silence. Ron complied, holding his breath for seven counts, feeling his blood boil as energy converged at his heart, forming a scorching vortex. Pain peaked but his mind remained clear.
[Energy nearing critical threshold. Profession detected: Potion Apprentice—gained buffs: Meridian transformation efficiency ↑, Energy absorption ↑.]
Ron internally celebrated the unexpected synergy—his Potion Apprentice background boosted the procedure's effects. Enhanced perception: he could sense every meridian and pulse. The added potency invigorated him more than anything before.
"Exhale."
Slowly, Ron let out one steady breath. A torrent of internal energy burst through his body as if a dam had broken. Previously painful meridians opened like cleared channels, and every fiber in his body shifted subtly but profoundly.
[First Breathing Exercises completed: 87%. Basic evaluation: Excellent. Profession unlocked: Knight Squire ★.]
[Tip: Some meridians remain partially connected—perform the second session after 24 hours.]
His body buzzed with newfound vitality. Unlocking Knight Squire as a primary combat profession had pushed his stats beyond those of his passive potion path—he felt strength surge in every muscle fiber and nerve.
[Basic attribute increases:]
Constitution: 0.5 → 1.2 (+0.7)
Spirit: 1.4 → 1.6 (+0.2)
Magic Power: 0.3 → 0.4 (+0.1)
[Unlocked professional skills:]
Basic Swordsmanship (Beginner)
Breathing Exercises (Beginner)
[Special bonuses:]
Martial arts skill experience ↑
Physical training efficiency ↑
The changes far exceeded the modest gains from Potion Apprentice. His body felt sharper, more poised. His meridians throbbed with new vitality and clarity.
[Profession linkage detected: Knight Squire ★ (primary) + Potion Apprentice ★ (secondary). Extra bonuses: Potion absorption efficiency ↑, Meridian strengthening effect ↑.]
With this synergy, Ron realized he could qualify as an Elementary Apprentice in just three months—if he continued unlocking and linking professions.
By the time the energy settled, Ron was drenched in sweat, pooling around the stone platform. Andre handed him a robe. "Good job—you're ahead of most. Most beginners faint during their first session."
Ron's hands shivered slightly as he accepted the robe. The meridian transformation had been extreme; even now, a residual burning lingered in his veins.
"Is this the Corona Breathing Method's power…?" he muttered.
"No. This was only the guided initiation. True mastery of Breathing Exercises goes much deeper." Andre shook his head slowly, eyes flickering. Then he noticed something on Ron's back. "Wait—that's…"
Ron looked down and saw faint golden lines shimmering on his skin. "Sunlight Meridians!" Andre whispered, awe in his voice. "Legend says only those under the Sun God's protection develop this during their first session."
[Unlocked special talent: Sunlight's Protection (Incomplete)—Affinity for positive energy ↑, Meridian strength ↑, Breathing Method skill gain speed ↑.]
Ron stared at the Ethereal patterns, feeling both honored and uneasy. This blessing was powerful, but it would undoubtedly draw attention. His mind drifted to the Wizards who collected rare bodies for experiments.
"Wear thicker clothes from now on," Andre advised, concern underlying his tone. "This physique… it's likely to attract attention."
Ron nodded, understanding the unspoken warning. He then remembered something.
"Ah, right—I was going to apply for that assistant position at the herbal shop," he said.
[End of Chapter 8 – 87% Completed Breathing Exercises, Profession Unlocked: Knight Squire ★, Special Talent Detected: Sunlight's Protection.]