After the Era of the Gods…

No one knew whether it was the will of the gods or the will of nature. But everyone agreed on one thing — the first rulers of the continent of Amelia were the Giants. Their age was called the “Post-Gods Era.”

Long before written history, in those wild and distant days, the Giants built a brilliant civilization. They were tall, powerful, and terrifyingly strong, their skin gleaming like bronze or black iron. Many of them stood two or even three meters tall, and could do things ordinary people would never dare imagine — shatter boulders, uproot trees, reshape the land with their bare hands.

Some claimed the Giants were descendants of the gods. The Giants themselves denied it. Confident in their bodies, they didn’t bother with magic. Many scholars later believed their natural resistance to magic was exactly what cut them off from it. Because of this, during the reign of the Giants, martial arts flourished instead. Countless warriors created legendary combat techniques — and even today, many of the strongest manuals can be traced back to that era.

“The Protagonist One Hundred Thousand Years Later — Walking Beneath the Wheels of History.”

…

Night fell. Faint moonlight slipped through the window, coating the floor with a cold, pale glow.

Luo Yan lay on the bed, eyes open, unable to sleep. His mother and sister were already resting in the other room. He, however, felt too restless even to close his eyes.

The events of the day were still echoing in his mind. The sudden explosion. The darkness. Then waking to find himself not at 140… but back at the age of five.

Only now did he finally have the time to think.

There was no doubt about it — he had truly returned to his childhood. If not for his memories, he might have thought the next hundred years had simply been a dream. But every detail rang true. This was not a fantasy.

He would have to face it.

“…No matter what, this is a good thing.”

Once he accepted that thought, Luo Yan began to consider what came next.

Fortunately, he had returned at five. If it had been months later… even days later… that disaster — the one that haunted him his entire life — would already have happened.

His hand tightened into a fist. He silently gave thanks.

But that was only one piece of his second life. Being reborn was more than luck — it was an opportunity he could not waste.

A spark of excitement flickered in his chest.

The next hundred years would be an era of upheaval. Human kingdoms would rise and fall. Orc tribes would surge in power. Forgotten races would reappear from the shadows. Whether it was wealth, influence, magic, or alchemy, Luo Yan already saw countless opportunities.

Then reality poured a little cold water on his enthusiasm.

Five… was an awkward age.

He was small. Weak. Dependent. Anything he wanted to do would meet restrictions at every turn. And worst of all — he couldn’t tell anyone the truth. As a mage, he knew all too well how scholars obsessed over “mysteries.” If someone learned he had been reborn…

He didn’t want to end up on a dissecting table.

He sighed.

Annoying…

He rolled onto his back and focused on himself instead.

“In my last life, I started magic at twelve. Now I have seven extra years. That should at least qualify me as a genius, right?”

Magic had been his greatest talent — and his only profession. And naturally, he had no intention of abandoning alchemy either.

In his previous life, poverty delayed his studies. He didn’t begin training until twelve. His progress was slow. By the time he reached one hundred and twenty, he had only clawed his way to seventh-level. For the last twenty years, he never advanced again.

Becoming an eighth-level mage had felt impossible.

A faint smile tugged at his lips.

“With a seventh-level mage’s experience and a century of knowledge… calling myself a genius shouldn’t be too much.”

He decided on his first goal:

Become a “magical prodigy” — something his parents could be proud of.

His second goal was simpler, but no less sincere:

Help his father rise in status.

On the continent of Amelia, geniuses appeared every year — twelve-year-old third-level mages, six-year-old apprentices, even four-year-old prodigies. Some soared. Some vanished. A little fame was acceptable. It would make him stand out — but not too much.

And meanwhile, it gave him a reason to work openly.

Yet beneath that calm planning, a faint pressure gnawed at his heart. The tragedies of his last life had carved something deep into him — an instinctive hunger for power. For strength strong enough to protect his family. Strong enough that no shadowy hand could play games with their fate again.

He might never meet the mastermind from before. But he would still prepare.

He closed his eyes, focusing inward.

A few breaths later, he laughed bitterly.

His magic… had not followed him back.

Everything he spent more than a century cultivating was gone. He would have to start from nothing — again. So much for instantly becoming a “peerless prodigy.”

What stung even more was his aptitude. It wasn’t any better than before.

He had secretly hoped for a miracle.

In his past life, he had always been stuck somewhere in the middle. Not hopeless — but never impressive. He advanced slowly, gradually, inching forward. His journey looked plain at best… disappointing at worst.

A genius among commoners. An ordinary man among geniuses.

He let out a breath.

Fine. Rebirth itself was already a miracle. And this time, he had five more years than before. That alone was worth more than most treasures.

Then suddenly — something clicked.

His eyes widened.

Wait.

He slipped back into introspection.

Moments later, joy surged through him like lightning.

His magic power was gone.

But his mental power remained.

Everything he had refined through 120 years of meditation… had returned with him.

Luo Yan nearly burst out laughing.

For any mage, this would be greater than gold, greater than relics, greater than titles.

Magic could be trained. Resources could accelerate it.

But mental power… only time could build.

And now, at the age of five…

He possessed the mental strength of a man who had cultivated for more than a century.

His lips curled.

So what if his aptitude was average?

He knew countless ways to improve magic growth. Effort could close that gap. And with this mental foundation, he could control spells more precisely than most archmages.

Yes.

A genius among ordinary people.

An ordinary man among geniuses.

That would be his path in this life.

The Abyssal Era…

The Sea Folk became the second rulers of the continent of Amelia. Their victory over the Giants wasn’t because they were stronger. It felt more like fate itself had tilted toward them… or perhaps, it had always been part of a divine plan.

This time in history came to be known as the “Abyssal Era.”

At the end of the Post-Gods Era, the world suddenly grew warmer. Glaciers melted. The seas rose. Vast stretches of land disappeared beneath the waves, while towering mountains turned into lonely islands.

And in this new world, the Sea Folk naturally took control.

The other races were forced back to scattered islands. They lived under the rule — and often the chains — of the Sea Folk. In this harsh environment, no one could challenge them. Not even the once-dominant Giants.

Thus, the era of the Sea Folk began.

It was an age ruled by “special powers,” yet it left behind the fewest historical records. People struggled to understand what “special powers” meant. These abilities could not be cultivated through training. They were tied to bloodlines — inherited, not learned.

Later, figures known as “Apostles,” “Ability Holders,” and “Superpowered Warriors” were believed to be descendants of those ancient bloodlines. Rarely seen, but always present, they worked behind the scenes as a hidden force shaping the world.

“The protagonist one hundred thousand years later… walks beneath the wheels of history.”

…

A wave of joy surged through Luo Yan’s chest.

Not only had he been reborn — his mental power was still at the level of a 140-year-old, seventh-rank mage. The realization left him stunned, then thrilled.

Out of habit, he snapped his fingers. Before his rebirth, it was something he often did when casting. Instinctively, he attempted the simplest necromancy spell: Summon Skeleton.

Nothing happened.

No glow.

No sound.

No wave of magic.

No skeleton crawling out of the darkness.

Only moonlight quietly spilling into the room.

Luo Yan froze — then understood.

He had immense mental power…

but no magic power yet.

His magic channels hadn’t even formed. Without them, spellcasting was impossible.

The excitement faded like cold water thrown over him. He smiled bitterly. Magic power could accelerate cultivation, but it still had to be built up slowly. If he wanted his strength back, he had a long road ahead.

He calmed himself and slipped into a light meditative state — clear, quiet, and focused. His first meditation after rebirth began.

…

Soft breaths escaped him as he sensed the world around him. Soon, tiny motes of light appeared in his perception. These were magic elements.

Red — blazing fire.

Blue — deep and calm, like the ocean.

Yellow — heavy earth, slow and steady.

Cyan — swift, lively wind.

Brilliant light.

Crackling lightning.

And finally, warm green — the element of life.

“Earth, Fire, Wind, Water, Lightning, Light, Wood… the seven basic elements that form the foundation of magical civilization.”

Everyone possessed a natural affinity. You could still absorb other elements, but it was slower. That was why most mages rarely switched paths unless they were completely stuck.

Luo Yan’s affinity was necromancy.

But he didn’t worry.

On the continent of Amelia, necromancers weren’t universally hated. Maybe the Church of Holy Light caused trouble in some western regions, but most places accepted every kind of mage: elementalists, summoners, healers — and necromancers.

In fact, many scholars considered necromancy a branch of life magic, tied to the wood element — a strange joke from the gods.

To understand life, one must first face death. The search for immortality led scholars toward death magic. Undead creatures, in their twisted way, represented a form of “eternal life.” From that perspective, necromancy truly was a path of life.

Life and death.

Light and darkness.

At this moment, they seemed to connect within him.

Warm energy wrapped around Luo Yan like a hot spring. It slowly gathered into streams of heat. Instead of following the basic meditation path he used before, he deliberately guided the warmth through a different route — deeper and more complex.

It was the path of the advanced meditation technique: Radiant Earth.

Radiant Earth Meditation Technique

A sub-legendary method ranked twelfth on the Divine Skill Ranking. Its creator remains unknown. The archmage Guo Tuan Rong once used it to dominate the continent for four centuries.

Basic Effect: speeds up magic power cultivation and sharpens mental focus.

Special Effects:

• Earth Qi Absorption — slowly strengthens the body

• Refining — cleanses and purifies physical impurities

In his previous life, Luo Yan’s progress had been slow. His aptitude wasn’t amazing, and he started late — but the real problem was the lack of a good meditation method.

He had only practiced the Magic Guild’s public tutorial:

Low-Level Meditation Technique (Version 2.0).

It was safe, easy, and free… and painfully average. At best, it could open four magic channels. After three years of work, he had barely opened his fifth.

This time, he chose Radiant Earth.

Risky — but powerful. If practiced wrong, it could cause backlash. Most mages wouldn’t dare attempt it without guidance.

Luo Yan, however, had over a century of experience as a seventh-rank mage. He trusted himself.

He silently thanked whichever god had arranged his rebirth. His memories were sharp, like a vast library waiting to be opened — a gift born from powerful mental strength.

He recalled the meditation steps perfectly. Words and symbols floated before his eyes. Warmth flowed through his body, running along mysterious paths — feet to head, chest to back.

The heat circled nine times. Then, slowly, it sank deeper.

He focused.

Magic and body synchronized. The moment came — opening the channels.

Heat gathered at the base of his spine. It spun like a vortex.

A faint crack echoed inside him.

Something broke through.

A shimmering, silver path formed — thin at first, then brighter and steadier as the energy continued to flow.

The first magic channel had opened.

Relief washed over him. With the first channel formed, magic would trickle in on its own, building power slowly and steadily.

The warmth surged again.

Another vortex.

Another breakthrough.

The second channel opened.

Then the third.

Fourth.

Fifth…

Radiant Earth truly deserved its reputation.

By the end, seven channels were open.

In his past life, he had opened only four at the start — and needed three full years for the fifth.

Now, deep in meditation, Luo Yan let the magic circulate freely. His breathing slowed. His mind quieted.

And he sank deeper into cultivation.

The High Magic Era...

After the Sea Folk ruled the continent of Amelia for over nine thousand years, the world changed with time. The seas gradually receded, and the land slowly emerged, as if by divine will. The Sea Folk's reign came with the changing of the seasons and the heavens, and with their downfall, the land races finally returned to the stage of the continent.

However, perhaps due to the near ten thousand years of submersion and erosion, although the seas were receding, the energies of the world were still chaotic, with various magical elements remaining especially active. Thus, the "High Magic Era" arrived.

This was an era dominated by "magic." Due to the extreme activity of magical elements, magical civilization naturally became the new mainstream, with various magical skills developing explosively. While some of these skills existed before, they were perfected and passed down through this era. In this grand environment, the elves, often called the "naturally magical race," gradually became the third generation of protagonists on the continent of Amelia, continuing their own brilliant chapter after the Giants and Sea Folk.

"The Protagonist One Hundred Thousand Years Later - Walking Beneath the Wheels of History"

...

The next morning, Luo Yan slowly woke from his deep meditation. Stretching his somewhat stiff limbs, he snapped his fingers.

As expected... nothing happened at all! (Sigh)

He rubbed his temples, not feeling too disappointed. In fact, a faint smile appeared on his lips. Was it realistic to expect to cast a 1st-level spell just after one night of meditation? Even the genius mages from the Elven Age, who could casually cast forbidden spells, wouldn't be able to do that.

In fact, last night's meditation was highly successful. After a full night of deep meditation, Luo Yan had opened seven magic channels and stabilized four of them. The remaining three were already faintly visible and looked like they could be stabilized within half a year.

Such progress was beyond what Luo Yan had expected. Before his rebirth, when he practiced the "Kill You 3000 Common Tutorial Low-level Meditation Technique (2.0 version)", it took him his first time meditating to only open four magic channels, of which only one stabilized. This time, the reason things went so smoothly was not just because of Luo Yan's rich experience, which allowed him to avoid many detours, but more importantly because of the sub-legendary meditation technique "Radiant Earth."

A high-level meditation technique had brought about such "terrifying" changes...

Now Luo Yan finally understood why, before his rebirth, the gap between him and his exceptional peers had been so large. This speed of cultivation was almost several times faster than before his rebirth.

Shaking his head, Luo Yan pushed aside the inexplicable emotions rising in his heart, quickly dressed, splashed cold water on his face, and ran to the backyard.

The morning mist was thin, and the air smelled of fresh earth. Luo Yan closed his eyes and took a deep breath. His lungs felt cool, invigorating him and refreshing his spirit.

The backyard of Luo Yan's house wasn't very large, but it was enough for a five-year-old child to move around. There were a few Xilai Trees planted there, a large tree with lush leaves that provided excellent shade in the summer. In the fall, the trees bore sweet, red fruits that resembled mulberries.

The ground beneath the Xilai trees was covered with stones. On a summer evening, walking barefoot over it would bring a cool, refreshing sensation, like eating a chilled watermelon, soothing and invigorating.

Although the courtyard was small, it was perfect for Luo Yan to exercise. At the moment, he stood in the middle of the yard, jogging as part of his warm-up. This wasn't just playing; he was serious about strengthening his body.

Yesterday's meditation had gone smoothly, and now he needed to think about how to speed up his magic power cultivation. Luo Yan had several methods in mind, but most of them required magical tools or materials, which weren't practical for him at the moment.

Fortunately, he knew one very simple method to increase his magic power cultivation speed!!

Luo Yan kept running, leaping, and stretching his legs...

- Maintaining a strong physique was the simplest way Luo Yan knew to increase his magic power cultivation speed, and it was the most convenient method under his current circumstances. Despite how simple it seemed, this method could improve his magic cultivation speed by at least 10%.

"Magic is ultimately a battle of strength. A mage actually needs a strong body."

This was a phrase that Luo Yan's disciple, Allen, loved to repeat. At first, Luo Yan scoffed at the idea. Who ever heard of a mage needing a "strong body"? A mage's strength came from the mental power and magic they gained through meditation! So, mages spent their time meditating - who would waste time on physical exercise?

However, after a series of real-life experiences, Luo Yan gradually realized that Allen's words made sense. Whether mental power or magic, both were dependent on the body. Only with a strong body could a person have the energy to train effectively. Luo Yan also found through experiments that people with stronger bodies had a faster magic power growth rate during meditation, at least 10% faster than ordinary people.

This was just the minimum standard. How much faster could it be with the best condition? Luo Yan wasn't sure. When he discovered this phenomenon before his rebirth, he was already over 130 years old. His body hadn't aged yet, but years of lack of exercise had left him physically weak, incapable of intense workouts. As a result, his training effects had been limited.

Even so, after five years of consistent training, Luo Yan had benefited significantly. His magic power growth had increased by almost 10%. If he had started training at a younger age, the improvement would have been even more remarkable, but no one knew by how much.

...

...

...

Luo Yan ran lap after lap, gasping for breath. Though the yard wasn't large, running around it thirty times would be exhausting for an adult, let alone a five-year-old child.

After finishing, he stood still for a short rest, then struck a strange stance, letting out a loud shout. He swiftly executed eight outward kicks, followed by eight inward leg sweeps. A surge of heat ran up his spine, and sweat began pouring from his body, soaking his clothes...

This exercise method was something Luo Yan learned from his disciple, Allen. Luo Yan didn't know where Allen had picked up these peculiar exercises. They were completely different from the traditional methods on the continent of Amelia, but their effectiveness was extraordinary. After only a month of training, Luo Yan had seen significant improvements in his physical strength. After six months, he had developed a physique on par with a 2nd-level apprentice swordsman.

Due to his age and current conditions, Luo Yan could only do exercises such as jogging, jumping, and leg stretches. More intense exercises, like weight training or using equipment, were temporarily beyond his means. Still, after completing a full set of exercises, it took him nearly three magical hours, and he didn't finish until it was close to lunchtime.

Standing there, wiping off the sweat, Luo Yan reflected on some of the details from his previous life. He began planning how to improve his training methods. He would also need to figure out how to create some training equipment, although doing so would require explanations and would be a hassle.

Sigh... five years old... what an awkward age... (Sigh)

Just as he was lost in thought, the sound of footsteps approached, and Susan appeared in the backyard, smiling at Luo Yan and saying, "Son, done playing? Hurry up and take a bath before lunch. You're all sweaty! Be careful not to catch a cold!"

Luo Yan was left speechless. Playing? He was seriously "training"!

However, Susan didn't know what he was thinking. She had woken up to find her usually lazy son already out in the backyard exercising. She didn't fully understand what her quirky son was doing, but seeing him so seriously performing his moves, she assumed he was enjoying himself, so she didn't disturb him. When he stopped, she came over to call him for lunch.

Pouting in feigned protest, Luo Yan looked up and casually said, "No rush, Mom... Dad will be back soon. Let's wait for him to eat together!"

Susan froze for a moment, then covered her mouth with a smile and said, "Son, what are you talking about? You already miss Dad after just a few days? But they won't be back for at least seven days. He won't be home today."

Luo Yan rolled his eyes. He had forgotten that his father had originally planned to return after seven days but had come back early due to an unexpected incident on the road. He couldn't just casually mention this! It was too careless!

At once, Luo Yan felt guilty. He realized that he needed to be more careful about such details in the future. If he kept saying things like this, people might start thinking he was some kind of "prophet" or "fortune teller"! His dream was to become a "great mage," not a "mystic"!

With a childish grin, Luo Yan quickly used his advantage and smiled mischievously. He hurriedly ran to take a bath, and after a bit of delay, with his hair still wet, he emerged feeling refreshed, only to hear hearty laughter from the yard.

Dad! His dad was back!