Jack slowly closed the book and sat it down. Once he had started reading, he had not been able to put the book down until he had finished. The Way of the Shaman was written in orcish and according to the preface, had been passed down to each generation’s chieftain. This magic allowed the chief to grow his power and ensure his clan’s survival. I’m so glad I killed him while he was sleeping, if he had used his magic I’d be screwed!

The book contained two sections. The first explained the details of unlocking mana, the second instructed on the casting of ten or so spells. However, it did not say how long unlocking mana or learning spells usually took. Nor did it state how long it would take to level spells up, it had only stated, “With great practice.”

I need to talk to Islar. Almost an hour had passed since Jack had awakened, and he had promised he would tell her of his battles with the orcs. He found her at her streetside counter, waiting for new customers.

“Hello Islar.”

“Why good afternoon Jack, did you have a good sleep?” she asked.

“Yes I did, thank you very much for letting me borrow your bed. I haven’t felt this well rested since I got here.”

“Good, good. I see you have taken a liking to jewelry,” she teased, grinned widely.

Jack’s cheeks reddened as he stammered, ”Uhm, uh, actually, I got it off the orcs.”

“Now how did you manage that?”

“Well, it all started when I went out to hunt by myself yesterday morning,” he began.

“Why would you do something stupid like that? You’ll die quick like if you keep that up, yes you will.” she interrupted.

“Uh…..” he stammered, “I have my reasons.” Jack shifted uncomfortably. “Anyways, I killed something called a borstach, and when looking for more, I was shot with an arrow in the shoulder by an orc. Luckily, I was able to kill him and I took his armor.”

“Good for you sonny!” she smiled widely.

“I, uh, then killed a bear.” he added.

“Impressive, yes it is.”

“So, after that, while I was looking for more animals, I found this awful smelling orc village. I think they were eating humans! I hid and waited. An orc trapper, or hunter, or whatever left the village, so I followed him. All of a sudden, he dropped his armor,” Jack paused. “To uhm, answer nature's call. And then I killed him.”

“Hahaha! I love it, yes I do!” she cackled, clapping her hands together.

Encouraged, Jack continued, “After killing two orcs, I was worried the village would be on alert when they didn’t come back for a while. Hoping I had a bit of time, that night I snuck into the village, found the chief’s hut and killed him while he slept.”

“Oh my,” she said as she focused her gaze upon him, “You are level 14! Oh my goodness! You were lucky indeed, yes you were!”

“Uh, yeah, I definitely was. Especially since I got caught by some other orc when I was leaving his hut. I killed her too. But then some orc saw me trying to sneak out. I pretended to be an orc too, but I guess my accent sucked. He started yelling and I had to run for my life. I was stumbling through the forest all night long with orcs after me!”

“No wonder you were tired!” she added.

“Anyways, before I left the hut, I looted a bunch of coins and this enchanted jewelry. I also found a book on magic.” he added with a big grin.

Islar glanced around and then lowered her voice, “Jack, you must keep this to yourself. Some would kill you for wealth such as this, yes they would. Enchanted jewelry is worth many gold, and the book is worth far more.”

“Well, I doubt the book would do someone any good, it is written in orcish,” he said.

“Well then, if it’s in Orcish how do you know it’s about magic?” she retorted.

Jack hesitated. Should I tell her? What if she worships a rival god? He was not sure who he could trust with his secrets, but Islar had been nothing but kind to him. When he told her of his wealth, her first instinct was to protect him. Resolving that he needed to trust someone, he took a deep breath, “I can read and speak orcish. Actually, I can speak every language on Nessag, it was given to me as a boon from Elantarr.”

Islar gasped, “You’re a champion?”

“Well no... I am a contestant.” he corrected.

“I’ve never heard of such, no I haven't.”

Jack then told of his journey to this world, starting with him dying on Earth. He told her everything, holding nothing back.

After a long pause, Islar responded, “My, that is much to take in, yes it is. No wonder you seem so strange, I had thought you simple minded.”

Jack let out a bark of a chuckle before asking, “So, do you know who Elantarr is?”

“Yes I do. Most do. The gods and goddesses are always wanting followers to their side for their endless wars, yes they are. Orbs of power… Hmm… I’ve never heard of them, but I suppose that’s what they are fighting over. They don’t bother us though, Rivertown is too small to interest the likes of them, yes it is.”

“Are they really gods?” The question had bugged him since he met Elantarr.

“Of course they are, what else would they be?” she responded.

“So, they are all powerful and know what is going to happen in the future?” he asked.

“Why would you think that? If they were all powerful Jack, then why do they need you?” Islar chuckled.

“True,” he said, nodding to himself. “I guess that changes a few things. So, if they aren’t all powerful, why do people follow them?”

“For power of course. And food, and safety. The same reasons we do most things.”

“Do you know anything about Elantarr? Is she good or evil?”

“That depends on who you ask, yes it does. Her followers will say she protects and cares for them. I’m sure her enemies will say the opposite, yes they will.”

“But should I be her champion?” he asked, exasperated by the lack of clear answers.

“Only if you want to live.” Islar retorted.

“What if she asks me to do something horrible though?”

“Then don’t do it.”

Jack reflected on her statement. It is so obvious, why didn’t I think of that before? He would continue this contest to survive and become her champion. If she asks me to do something awful, I’ll tell her no, even if I die for it, he decided, resolute with his new perspective. Decision made, he now needed to find out how to win.

“Islar, I don’t know what level the other contestants are, so I have to get as much experience as possible. The problem is, everything in the forest is low level and spread out. I only found a few creatures to kill yesterday.” he complained. “At that rate, it will take MONTHS to reach the next level. Am I stuck at level 14?” he asked, in desperation.

“Of course not, you just need to go to Stonehold, yes you do.”

“Why Stonehold?”

“Stonehold has a dungeon, of course. Every big city has a dungeon. In the dungeon, you’ll find plenty to kill, and plenty of fools willing to join you. Dungeons attract all sorts, willing to risk their lives for money and power, yes they do.” she sighed, shaking her head.

“Thanks, I really appreciate it. Would you be ok if I used your bedroom again? I want to try unlocking my mana someplace safe.

“Of course Jack, help yourself. You’ve done more to avenge my Herbert than anyone else, yes you have.” Islar added with satisfaction.

Jack now had a plan. He would unlock his mana, practice a spell or two, and then head to Stonehold to level up. I wish I knew what level the others were. If this takes too long, I may drop too far behind. In the end, he hoped knowing magic would become his ace in the hole.

In the solitude of the bedroom, Jack sat on the bed in lotus position. Reaching for the short book, he opened to the page on unlocking his mana, rereading the first step aloud.

“Before you can unlock your mana, you must first be in control of your body. You must control your breathing and the beating of your heart. Once you are able to slow and speed your heart at will, then you are ready for the next step.”

It’s talking about biofeedback! Jack recalled the words of his highschool biology. With the aid of heart rate monitors and practice, people could lower their heart rates at will. She even mentioned people who could increase their body temperature, speed healing, and reduce pain. I’m supposed to learn this without medical devices for feedback? he complained. At least it only says to change my heart rate, that shouldn’t be too hard.

Jack searched for a pulse on his wrist. I guess I’m dead. He chuckled to himself after five minutes of struggle and switched to his neck. There he found his pulse easily, and counted the beats.

After a few tries, he was able to get a semi-accurate heart rate. Searching his memory he recalled a show he once saw about tibetin monks. They lowered their heart rates by taking deep, slow breaths. Speeding up my heart sounds easier, let’s try that first.

Breathing in and out with rapid short breaths, Jack was immediately reminded of his panicked flight through the forest and his narrow escape from the orcs. He remembered his fear of being caught, of being tortured and then eaten. The forest had not allowed him to rest nor his body to recover. He had spent hours in a panicked, fevered state.

I can’t breathe. It felt as if something was pushing on his chest. It’s so hot, he thought as waves of nausea hit his stomach. Jack rolled onto his side and pulled off his tunic. Cool air hit his skin, lowering his nausea. With his heart beating fast, he told himself Calm down, deep breaths.

Ten minutes later his heart was still racing, and he beat his fists against the bed in frustration. Calming yourself it is a lot harder, he realized. Once he dwelled on the pain and fear, it was too hard to let go. His thoughts would feed on themselves, building up his pain and tension.

30 minutes had passed before his heart finally calmed. This sucks, it’s like I’m torturing myself, he whined. It better be worth it.

Jack practiced for the next few hours. Repeatedly, he raised and lowered his heart rate with the control of his breathing. With each repetition, his body responded faster. He found he could even drop his heart rate lower by focusing on breathing deeply for an extended time.

Jack had become more aware of his body the longer he meditated. Within a deep trance-like state, he felt what seemed to be a dead spot in his abdomen. What is that? He wondered, while focusing inward. It seemed as if a hollow area existed where his blood did not flow. He focused closer and closer at the anomaly, studying it.

This is my core! He thought excitedly, recalling the book’s words. He dropped from his trace with this shift in thought, losing his awareness. Sweet! Time for step two! He had reached the second step, the finding of his core. Reorienting himself, he returned his focus on breathing. Once calm, he was again able to feel his core.

According to the book, the third step required him to be aware of his core at all times, through any activity. To test his awareness, he stretched out his legs, flexing his tight muscles. I can still feel it! Excited by his success, he then stood atop the bed. And I lost it.

Encouraged by his quick success, Jack returned to the lotus position. Swiftly he found his calm, then his core. Looking inward, strengthening his resolve, he stood. His contact with his core remained. Success! He allowed himself a small celebration before returning his focus.

Unable to stop after victory, he began pushing himself further and further. With each failure, he responded with further resolve. He began moving around the room while in contact with his core, and then completed a set of jumping jacks.

The rumbling of his stomach broke Jack from his meditations. He realized how hungry he was. I guess my core isn’t the only thing that feels hollow. Chuckling at his own wit, he decided to head to the pub for stew. Let’s see if I can keep awareness while eating and talking.

He gathered his things.

“Did you unlock your mana yet?” asked Islar as he left the bedroom.

“Not yet, but I’ve made a lot of progress! I’m just hungry and I want to eat before they close the pub.”

“It is getting late, yes it is. I was heading to bed soon myself, but I didn’t want to interrupt you, no I didn’t. Are you going to sleep in the cellar tonight?” asked Islar.

“No, I can rent a room at the inn now, and I don’t want to bother you while you sleep. Don’t worry, you will be the first to know when I can cast spells!” he added with a big grin, waving goodbye.

He skipped the entire way to the pub, thrilled that he kept his awareness while talking to Islar. I am going to have pork belly tonight!

Jack took out The Way of the Shaman while he sat on the comfortable bed. He felt guilty after spending 4 silver to rent a private room. But then, I have plenty of money, and I need a safe place where I won’t be interrupted. With a full belly and renewed energy, he turned the page.

Time for the last step.