"Remember—everything begins with the breath."
As Andrey applied the Scorching Oil along Robb's spine, he gave precise instructions:
"Inhale for seven beats, hold for three, exhale for five. Follow the rhythm I taught you."
The oil was ice-cold at first, but the moment it touched Robb's skin, an intense burning sensation surged through his back.
Robb forced himself to focus and began regulating his breathing.
Inhale—for seven heartbeats.
A warm stream of air flowed through his nose and mouth, traveling deep into his lungs and beyond.
Hold—for three beats.
That warm current began to resonate with the heat from the oil seeping into his body.
Exhale—for five beats.
As he released the stale air, the burning sensation seemed to lessen slightly.
"Good. Keep that rhythm," Andrey instructed. "Now begin silently chanting the calming mantra of the Solar Breathing Method."
As Robb repeated the mantra in his mind, his breathing started to synchronize with a strange internal energy.
Each breath stirred up a wave of energy inside him.
The heat from the oil flowed with the tides of his breath, tracing out the meridian paths within his body.
The pain was still there—but it had become rhythmic, almost like it had meaning.
[Meridians are being reshaped]
Progress: 27%
Breathing rhythm has synchronized with Meridian Resonance]
"Now for the second breathing stage," Andrey said, his tone heavier.
"Inhale for nine beats, hold for five, exhale for seven. Follow the flow of the meridians closely."
As the breathing rhythm shifted, the energy inside Robb became more turbulent.
The meridians ignited by the Scorching Oil pulsed with each breath, bringing waves of pain—but not intolerable pain.
In fact, it felt... vital. Like the rhythm of life itself. With each controlled breath, Robb felt his entire being gradually focus and unify.
"Final breathing stage," Andrey continued.
"Inhale for twelve beats, hold for seven, exhale for nine. Picture the brilliance of the sun."
Robb adjusted his breathing accordingly. As he did, something within his consciousness began to shift.
In the steady rhythm of breath, he saw a vision—a golden sun radiating light. It wasn't a hallucination. It felt real—a direct result of energy harmonizing through breath.
With each inhale, searing heat surged from his limbs toward his core.
[Energy Resonance detected]
Progress: 58%
First body tempering is approaching critical phase]
"Good. Hold that state," Andrey said, now deadly serious. "This next part is the most dangerous. All your body's energy will peak at once."
As the last drop of Scorching Oil absorbed into his skin, Robb felt his blood begin to boil.
The ignited meridians blazed and pulsed like rivers of fire running through his body.
"Hold your breath!" Andrey shouted.
Robb instantly stopped breathing. In those brief seven beats, all the gathered energy rushed toward his heart, swirling into a molten vortex.
The pain hit a peak, but his mind stayed razor-sharp.
[Energy reaching critical threshold]
Alchemy Apprentice class detected – applying bonus effects:
– Meridian reconstruction efficiency increased
– Energy absorption rate increased]
Robb was thrilled. This synergy effect between his professions was proving far more powerful than he had imagined.
In this high-intensity state, he could feel every meridian's pathway, every flow of energy with precision.
These heightened senses were no doubt an additional benefit of his Alchemy Apprentice profession.
"Exhale!"
At Andrey's command, Robb released a long breath.
At that moment, the accumulated energy surged through his body like a flood breaking a dam.
The once agonizing meridians suddenly cleared, like blocked rivers finally opened.
Every muscle and bone in his body began to change—subtly but unmistakably.
[First Body Tempering Completion: 87%
Base Evaluation: Excellent
Class Unlocked: Knight Squire (One-Star)]
[Note: Some meridians remain incomplete. Recommended to perform a second tempering in 24 hours]
[Class Obtained: Knight Squire (One-Star)]
As a combat class, Knight Squire provided far more dramatic enhancements than life-based professions. Robb could feel a powerful surge within.
[Base Attribute Changes:]
Constitution: 0.5 → 1.2 (+0.7)
Mind: 1.4 → 1.6 (+0.2)
Magic: 0.3 → 0.4 (+0.1)
[Unlocked Skills:]
Basic Swordsmanship (Novice) Breathing Body Tempering (Novice) [Special Bonuses:]
– Slightly increased XP gain from martial skills
– Slightly increased efficiency in physical training
Compared to the gentle, gradual benefits of the Alchemy Apprentice class, this combat profession brought direct and forceful changes.
Robb could now distinctly feel every muscle fiber in his body.
The tempered meridians, once dormant, now pulsed with a revitalized energy.
[Class Synergy Detected:
Knight Squire + Alchemy Apprentice
Gained Additional Synergy Bonuses:]
– Slightly increased potion absorption efficiency
– Slightly enhanced meridian reinforcement effects
With this synergy in place—and more classes to be unlocked later—Robb was confident he could meet the academy's Beginner Apprentice requirements within three months.
By the time the final waves of energy faded, Robb was drenched in sweat. A small puddle had even formed on the stone platform beneath him.
"You held up better than most," Andrey said, handing him a robe.
"Most people black out the first time."
Robb took the robe and realized his hands were trembling slightly.
The sensation of his meridians being reshaped was too vivid—his body still radiated faint heat.
"So this is the power of the Solar Breathing Method..." he muttered.
"No," Andrey replied, shaking his head.
"This is just the beginning. What you just experienced was the most basic energy-guiding process. The real body tempering happens after—"
He suddenly stopped mid-sentence, eyes fixed on Robb's back.
"Wait... is that—?"
Robb turned to look and noticed faint golden patterns glowing on his skin—like threads of sunlight, shimmering in the light.
"Solar Meridians!" Andrey's voice trembled.
"They say only those blessed by the Sun God show these signs during their first body tempering…"
[Special Talent Unlocked:
Solar Blessing (Fragment)]
– Increased affinity with solar-type energy
– Slightly strengthened meridians
– Slightly increased XP gain for breathing-technique skills
Seeing the system message, Robb felt both excitement and concern.
This kind of special trait was clearly valuable—but it also meant he'd draw unwanted attention.
"You'd better start dressing more modestly," Andrey said, his tone casual but his eyes serious.
"Traits like this… tend to attract the wrong kind of interest."
He didn't elaborate, but Robb understood.
He meant them—the wizards always on the hunt for exotic test subjects.
"Speaking of which," Andrey suddenly changed the subject,
"Weren't you planning to apply for that assistant job at the apothecary?"