Excerpt 4

  (Page 1, Section 6)

  The mind is powerful—and any mage will tell you just how strong it can be, not only in spellcasting but in pure thought, ability, and raw force. Some can level cities with a single thought—literally.

  But even if the power of the mind is limitless, it only bends for those favored by luck.

  After all, who really gets to choose what kind of creature they are? Their bloodline, their health, their resources… even their parents? No one.

  Still, I can’t help but wonder:

  What if I had started sooner?

  Just one year earlier...

  I wouldn’t just be a mind harvester.

  I would be a mind reaper.

  Source: Cognitive Foundations – Mind Harvester Skhun

  Excerpt 4 End

  Before fully committing to entering the training space to retrieve the Basic Mind Manual, Hassan decided to check how much time he had left. He wanted to determine whether reading a manual actually consumed real time—or if the fatigue afterward had simply caused him to sleep for many hours.

  #####

  System Training Space time remaining: 23 hours 53 minutes 43 seconds

  #####

  Satisfied, he mentally requested the Basic Mind Manual.

  #####

  Initiating transfer of the Basic Mind Manual

  #####

  Once again, Hassan found himself enveloped in darkness—a familiar sensation by now. A book appeared before him, materializing out of the void. Unlike the previous manual, which had been ancient-looking and metallic, this one was extraordinarily large yet surprisingly plain. Its cover bore a simple title: Basic Mind Manual.

  Strange, Hassan thought, momentarily puzzled. Still, he chose to ignore the detail and began reading.

  This manual wasn't tailored for Zamongarai specifically; instead, it addressed humanoid species as a whole. It began with detailed explanations of brain structures and their developmental stages—and revealed several harsh, sobering truths.

  A humanoid’s brain typically completes around 25% of its growth at birth. By roughly 1% of the average racial lifespan, it reaches 65%. Growth continues to 80% by 2%, 85% by 3%, 95% by 6%, and finally achieves full maturity at approximately 15% of the total lifespan.

  These percentages varied slightly across different humanoid species, but the general pattern remained consistent.

  While a larger brain didn’t inherently guarantee greater intelligence, it significantly reduced limitations on learning capacity—a clear advantage.

  The most critical brain development occurred within the first 1–6% of a humanoid’s lifespan, and beyond that, increasing brain size in any meaningful way became nearly impossible—aside from the final 5%, which developed gradually and reached full maturity around the 15% mark.

  Research across various humanoid species revealed that strict educational regimens—paired with highly nutritious diets from birth—could dramatically accelerate brain growth, in some cases even doubling it.

  However, this accelerated development came at a cost: increased brain size required significantly more energy to sustain.

  Crucially, the manual emphasized that a larger, well-developed brain didn’t just offer cognitive advantages—it substantially raised the likelihood of becoming a powerful caster.

  It also introduced a new concept: synaptic density, connectivity, and efficiency, which developed most prominently between 2% and 3% of a humanoid’s lifespan.

  These factors, the manual claimed, played an even greater role in magical potential than brain size alone.

  Ultimately, a brain that was both large and efficiently structured—with dense, interconnected neural pathways—dramatically increased one’s potential to become a caster.

  The information gave Hassan pause. How exactly did they measure synaptic density, connectivity, and efficiency? Did they possess advanced technology? Or was advanced magic involved? And if that were the case... why were the Zamongarai still living in simple tents?

  A wave of confusion swept over him, but no answers emerged. Even so, it only reinforced what he already suspected—his mind attribute would be key, and now was the time to invest in it.

  If the average Zamongarai lifespan was around 500 years, then the most critical window for his mental development would span roughly the first 30 years of his life. As for the final 5% of brain growth... he hoped to return to Earth long before reaching his seventy-fifth year in this world.

  Even thirty years felt like too long. By then, most of his family might already be gone.

  He hoped magic in this world was simple enough to master quickly. Maybe then, he could find a way back sooner—or even learn to travel between worlds.

  After all, this world was starting to seem oddly interesting.

  What caught him off guard next was the manual’s description of a feedback loop—one that linked the physique and soul directly to enhanced brain development. Physically robust infants, it explained, were able to supply their brains with higher-quality nutrients. Meanwhile, a strong soul—curiously associated with curiosity itself—encouraged greater mental stimulation during early growth.

  Hassan wasn’t entirely sure how curiosity tied into the soul, but the logic felt sound.

  The manual noted that while the overall increase in brain development from the physique–soul feedback loop was measurable, the highest recorded boost was around 25%. At first, that seemed average—but that was for normal people. For someone like him—who had his memories, a strong soul, and unusually high mind and soul attributes—the results could be far greater.

  And for once, it felt like the soul finally had a concrete use.

  Feeling encouraged, Hassan allowed himself to dream—of becoming a powerful spellcaster, maybe even mastering teleportation to find a way back home.

  But his optimism quickly dimmed.

  The next section of the manual discussed brain structure, explaining that while it could be influenced by environment, it was largely dictated by genetics—and played a pivotal role in one’s magical potential.

  To Hassan’s dismay, it revealed that giant humanoids—those standing three meters or taller—typically possessed neural architectures optimized for physical coordination rather than abstract reasoning. Their brains, though massive, devoted more resources to motor control and spatial awareness at the cost of cognitive flexibility.

  One striking example was the rock troll. Despite its enormous brain, its neural pathways were so rigidly wired for instinct, sensory input, and movement that higher reasoning was practically nonexistent.

  There were, according to the manual, rare cases of giant humanoids overcoming these challenges to become mages. But most struggled to advance beyond the basics. And among those who did—only a handful ever reached true mastery.

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  A heavy weight settled in Hassan’s chest. As a Zamongarai male standing nearly three meters tall, he fit the definition of a giant—undeniably so. If what the manual said was true, then his ability to master spellcasting might be fundamentally limited by his biology.

  But there was still a glimmer of hope.

  The text mentioned the possibility of reshaping neural pathways through intense mental training—neuroplasticity. If he could drastically improve his brain’s efficiency—by increasing synaptic density, restructuring neural networks, or even expanding overall capacity—perhaps he could bypass the natural limitations of his species.

  Still, one question gnawed at him. Did these limits even apply to him?

  Since arriving in this world, he hadn’t felt mentally dulled. On the contrary, he felt sharper—more attuned and aware than ever before.

  Was it possible that, since his intelligence and soul attributes from Earth had carried over, they rendered the usual constraints irrelevant?

  Or... did the physical structure of his new brain still matter—simply because he now belonged to a giant race?

  Time would tell.

  Whether or not the biological constraints applied to him, Hassan resolved to do what he could. If only a few had ever achieved true success, that didn’t mean none could—it just meant it would take more. And for now, the only thing that mattered was pushing forward. He turned back to the manual.

  The next section covered a new concept, though its logic felt familiar: base mind attributes.

  According to the text, every brain possessed inherent limits—parameters that governed cognitive control, executive function, abstract reasoning, innovation, and the processing of complex ideas. These fundamental limits were known as base mind attributes, and they defined the boundaries of one’s intellectual potential.

  These base mind attributes were shaped by a combination of brain growth, synaptic density, and neural connectivity—giving Hassan yet another reason to dedicate himself fully during the crucial first 30 years of development.

  The manual then introduced a new type of energy: neurotha.

  According to the text, neurotha energy was generated by the brain—more specifically, by neurons—as they activated and formed new connections. It was essentially the energy of thought, born from activity and interconnectivity.

  Neurotha shared similarities with vireth energy, but its function was fundamentally different. When introduced into the brain, neurotha acted as a multiplier—but not in the way one might hope.

  Unlike vireth, which could directly enhance physical strength or endurance, neurotha didn’t increase intellectual limits. Instead, it improved the speed and efficiency of cognitive processing. It made the mind faster—but not deeper.

  No matter how much neurotha energy was applied, the brain’s fundamental limits—its base mind attributes—remained unchanged.

  The manual offered a clear analogy: base mind attributes were like the processing power of a USB drive. Neurotha was the transfer speed—it allowed faster input and output, quicker responses, and smoother function, but it didn’t expand storage or upgrade the hardware.

  If base attributes defined the limits of the mind, then neurotha defined its momentum.

  There was also an overload state for neurotha. Over time, and as neurotha levels increased, this state caused the mind to become noticeably stronger and more efficient at processing information—but it didn’t increase intelligence or alter core thought patterns.

  This overload state was far less restrictive than those tied to physique or soul energy. Since most brain development completed by around 6% of a humanoid’s lifespan, anyone reaching overload state for neurotha was typically well past the age where additional base attributes could be gained.

  It also seemed likely that the soul possessed its own set of base attributes—along with an overload state—just like the physique and the mind.

  The manual then turned to the subject of artificial enhancement. Just as some tried to accelerate physical growth through potions or pills, others had attempted to boost brain development through similar means.

  But the consequences were severe.

  Most of these methods corrupted neurotha energy, causing a range of debilitating side effects. Some users were crippled. Others suffered drastic reductions to their lifespan. In the worst cases, their cognitive stability completely unraveled.

  The manual explained that these outcomes occurred because unnatural enhancement altered the brain’s pathways, structure, and connections—disrupting the natural flow of neurotha energy. Once that flow was destabilized, the consequences became nearly irreversible.

  Just like with physique, the mind had no shortcuts to lasting success.

  Hassan still wasn’t entirely sure what it meant for neurotha energy to be corrupted—the manual never defined it precisely. But the concept felt familiar. It reminded him of vireth energy purity—where stability depended on keeping one’s energy clean, undistorted.

  As long as he avoided tampering with his brain through unnatural means, he figured he’d be fine.

  The next section covered diet, and its recommendations differed notably from those in the Physique Training Manual. For optimal brain development, it recommended consuming greens, eggs, nuts, berries, grains, and other foods rich in essential nutrients that support brain and neural growth.

  Unfortunately, back in reality, Hassan was still stuck with herbal paste. Maybe the system space would eventually offer more variety, he mused.

  After diet came training—and with it, a wave of disappointment.

  There were no magical spells. No mental incantations. No arcane rituals.

  Just... mind puzzles. Mathematics. Cognitive drills. Endless pages of exercises designed to stretch memory, logic, and abstract reasoning.

  It was no wonder the book was so enormous. It read like a textbook from a hyper-advanced academy. He couldn’t help but feel like he’d been shoved back into school—only now, in another world.

  The manual even included instructions for designing custom exercises, just in case he somehow managed to complete the thousands already provided.

  By the time he pulled himself out of his thoughts, he realized he’d reached the final page.

  Basic Mind Manual: Humanoid Edition.

  No author was listed—just like the last book—lending it an oddly personal touch, as if the book had been compiled just for him.

  And remarkably, even though the manual was easily twenty times longer than the Basic Physique Manual, he could recall every word. It had to be the system—there was no other explanation.

  #####

  Transfer of Basic Mind Manual complete

  #####

  The world around him twisted for an instant—and just like that, he was back in the area with the pillar of light. Without hesitation, he checked the time.

  #####

  System Training Space time remaining: 23 hours 53 minutes 40 seconds

  #####

  It seemed as though only three seconds had passed—or perhaps no time at all, considering it had taken a few seconds to think the words.

  A moment later, a wave of immense fatigue hit him. Thankfully, it melted away almost immediately, likely due to the lingering effects of the pillar of light. But then, the pillar began to recede, fading until it vanished entirely.

  It was clear now—he had just two chances to use the pillar. With luck, it would reset the next time he entered the space.

  Hassan exhaled slowly, letting the silence settle. His thoughts drifted back to the knowledge he’d just absorbed from the Basic Mind Manual, leaving him with mixed feelings.

  It felt like school all over again—pages of theory, endless drills, and just like he feared, no instant magic.

  After a few moments to steady himself, Hassan began piecing together a plan. The manual had laid out the path—now it was up to him to walk it.

  First came the mind. Everything about learning magic depended on how far he could push his brain while it was still in its developmental phase. That meant acting fast—and training with consistency.

  He’d also need to eat far more—quality mattered now more than ever. And his body? That couldn’t be ignored either. The stronger it was, the more efficiently it could convert food into fuel for the brain.

  As for the soul… he was already curious, already driven—and he’d arrived in this world with his soul attributes intact. That alone had to count for something.

  Just how big of an advantage it was, he didn’t know. But he’d figure that out once he reached the Basic Soul Manual.

  The first steps toward hopefully becoming a spellcaster were clear.

  With the manual now behind him, Hassan couldn’t help but wonder—had it actually increased any of his attributes or skills? It was the only explanation he had for why his mind and soul attributes, along with their related talents, had increased last time.

  System, he whispered in his mind.

  #####

  Name: None

  Race: Zamongarai

  Age: 14 days

  Tier: 0

  Attributes:

  Physique: 0.11

  Mind: 10.47 → 10.49

  Soul: 9.33 → 9.53

  Talents:

  Human Intelligence (Rank 3: 13% → 14%) – Expand

  Human Soul (Rank 2: 79% → 75%) – Expand

  Zamongarai’s Physique (Rank 0: 11%) – Expand

  Zamongarai’s Sense (Rank 1: 87% → 90%) – Expand

  Zamongarai’s Soul (Rank 0: 12% → 21%) – Expand

  Vessel Control (Rank Unknown) – Expand

  Skills: Physique Manual (Basic: 0%), Mind Manual (Basic: 0%)

  System Training Space – Time remaining until reset: 0 hours, 40 minutes, 43 seconds – Current Mode: Tutorial

  Note: You possess a gifted training manual: Basic Soul Manual. You may access the knowledge contained in the manual at any time.

  #####

  So it had made a difference. Reading the manual had slightly raised both his mind and soul attributes.

  What surprised him more was that the Human Intelligence talent had increased as well. It was percentage-based, yet it had still gone up—proof that the talent could grow.

  He didn’t feel a dramatic shift from the attribute gains, but his senses were definitely sharper than when he’d arrived—likely due to the Zamongarai’s Sense talent.

  The Mind Manual had also been added to his skills, confirming that learning anything through the system created a skill entry. Now he just needed to find out if training or studying outside the system would do the same.

  Still, that experiment could wait.

  Right now, he had a more immediate task.

  It was time to hunt some delroaches.

  Basic Mind Manual feel overexplained at any point, or did you enjoy the level of detail?

  Basic Soul Manual) to follow a more concise format like the Basic Physique Manual, or if you’d rather keep the in-depth exploration style.