Reborn With A Technology System In A Fantasy World-Chapter 78: Dantian Cracks

After they had both entered the quiet Dojo, Master Von gestured to a woven mat in front of the one which he walked close to sit, and Adrian sat cross-legged in the same manner as him.

’It has to be the breakthrough.’ Adrian’s mind raced as he studied the instructor’s face.

Master Von’s expression wasn’t one of pride or curiosity like it was meant to be; rather, it screamed of dissatisfaction, even disappointment, a look that made Adrian wonder through various possibilities.

A heavy silence settled over the room for some moments before Von finally moved, raising a hand and beckoning on Adrian to come closer.

"Come close enough for me to touch you."

Adrian hesitated for a fraction of a second, then obeyed, bowing his head under Von’s outstretched hand after extending his body.

Almost immediately, a warm sensation spread across his scalp, and his [Tech Core] pinged with a notification he had seen before.

[Alert: External Mana Influence Detected. Would you like to ward it off?]

[Yes/No]

Adrian’s suspicions were confirmed; Von was probing his cultivation. It wasn’t the first time the instructor had accessed it, so Adrian trusted Von’s intentions.

’He’s just checking the breakthrough,’ he reasoned. Internally, he selected [No], allowing the mana to flow through him.

Von’s brow furrowed as his mana met resistance, taking longer than expected to connect.

But soon, the probe was permitted, and a gentle warmth coursed through Adrian’s body, tracing his dantian before retreating.

Von lowered his hand.

"Congratulations on becoming a 2-Star Knight."

Adrian noted the lack of enthusiasm but nodded respectfully, waiting for the real issue. Von’s next words came like a sharply.

"Now, how did you get access to a Cultivation Array?"

Adrian froze and his mind cycled for a millisecond. The question was unexpected, though it made sense in hindsight.

A world steeped in magic would likely have discovered such formation before him.

He had suspected as much, but Karl’s ignorance and the absence of any mention in the texts he’d read had planted doubts.

He recovered quickly and replied in vagueness. "I... happened to figure out how to make one, or something like it."

Von’s eyes bored into him.

"Adrian, Adrian, Adrian," he said in exasperation. "You’re one special kid. With a weak constitution, you were never meant to be a Knight, yet here you are.

You passed the Academy’s exam with that... toy of yours, and now you’ve got a formation. The only logical explanation is that you crafted all these yourself, which is hard to swallow, but I have no choice but to believe it."

"Everything about you has been a mystery since you arrived, and I won’t pry into your secrets. But I called you here for one reason."

He paused before dropping it with all seriousness. "You need to stop whatever you’re doing with that formation."

Adrian’s was surprised for a moment, but he kept his face neutral as Von continued.

"Formations are powerful tools, typically used by high-ranking Mages to accelerate mana accumulation.

Knights can use them, but it’s not advisable for either of them. Your dantian and a Mage’s core are designed to absorb mana at a natural rate.

Forcing it with a formation can overburden your dantian, causing micro-fractures that accumulate over time.

Eventually, it could shatter, leaving you crippled."

He asked after he was done with his explanation.

"You must have felt pain in your head when you broke through. That’s your dantian protesting."

Adrian felt some panic as Master Von explained, but they all went away when the Instructor dropped the last part.

Pain? He hadn’t felt any pain during his breakthrough. If anything, the moment he ascended to 2-Star had been invigorating, like a cool wave washing through his body, leaving him refreshed and stronger.

He decided to probe without revealing too much. "How is one supposed to feel after a breakthrough, sir?"

Von answered immediately. "A breakthrough should feel refreshing and calming... like a clear stream flowing through you. Not painful."

Adrian nodded as if he understood, but within him he directed a question to his system. ’Tech Core, explain what this is about.’

[The Tech Core is integrated with your dantian and it can serve as a regulator for mana flow. When your dantian approaches its capacity, the Tech Core absorbs excess mana, maintaining balance and preventing overload.

This process ensures safe cultivation, mitigating risks associated with rapid mana absorption, such as dantian strain.]

Adrian’s eyes widened internally and a surge of relief and awe washing over him. It all clicked. He had noticed inconsistencies in his mana absorption rates; sometimes gaining 5% after four hours, other times less.

Such made him to assume the system’s percentages were abstract.

But the Tech Core was actively moderating his cultivation, siphoning off excess mana to protect his dantian.

’So this doesn’t affect me in anyway,’ he thought, almost displaying a smirk on his face. ’I can keep cultivating with the array.’

The Tech Core continued despite Adrian asking nothing.

[As you ascend to higher ranks, the strain on your dantian will increase. Hence, you’ll be made to do with less mana, reducing the rate at which you absorb mana]

Adrian’s excitement tempered slightly, but he didn’t mind. He looked at Master Von with an earnest expression.

"Thank you, sir. I’ll make sure not to put my dantian at risk."

Von nodded. "I checked your dantian. It’s intact for now, there are no cracks yet. But that doesn’t mean you’re safe.

It held this time, but it might not next. Cultivate the natural way, like everyone else. You’re not in a race."

His tone shifted into one of guidance. "Slow cultivation has its benefits. Solidifying your foundation makes your techniques stronger than your rank suggests. So there’s no need to be fast about it."

"Yes, sir. Thank you again."

"Good. Now, call the others back for the remaining drills."

Adrian rose, bowing slightly before heading outside the Dojo to call others.

***

~DING—DONG!~

Master Von clapped his hands after the bell went.

"That’s enough! Good work today. Next up are your weapon classes; Blunt Arms, covering hammers, axes, and maces, or Body Combat. I’ll be handling Body Combat myself, so anyone interested, stay back. You’re dismissed!"

The Knights began dispersing, gathering their gear and as they headed for their respective classes.

Karl approached Adrian after seeing he didn’t leave the Diho yet. "Are you staying back or what?"

"I’m staying for Body Combat."

"Wait, what? You’re already doing Archery, and now this? Man, you’re gonna end up in every class at this rate. Might as well join me for Spear Training next, make it your mission to learn everything!"

Adrian shrugged but didn’t refute Karl’s words. "There’s a chance."

Karl’s laughter faltered and his eyes narrowing playfully.

"Really? Jokes aside, I’d love to see you try it. Alright, catch you later!"

He waved, heading out with the others.

Adrian moved to a woven mat near the center of the Dojo and settled cross-legged. The hall emptied quickly but Master Von remained on his own mat, his eyes closed in meditation.

Adrian wasn’t surprised that no one else stayed, every Knight had already committed to a weapon school, except him.

He sat patiently, using the moment to cool off from the drills. His 2-Star breakthrough made the exercises feel less taxing but he still had to rest to recover to peak.

Over ten minutes passed before Master Von’s finally opened his eyes.

"I see you’re the only one," he said as he glanced at Adrian’s side.

"Yes, sir."

Von stood up immediately. "So, are you interested in dedicating your martial path to Body Combat, learning techniques of the body exclusively? Or are you just here to pick up fighting skills?"

Adrian had thought this through before in the martial school, so it didn’t take him long to reply. "I’d like to learn techniques."

Von’s lips curved into a rare smile. "You made the right choice then."

He stepped closer to Adrian’s position. "Can you replicate the basic stance I taught you all?"

Adrian nodded, immediately shifting into the stance; feet shoulder-width apart, knees slightly bent, hands raised in a guard position.

He flowed through the movements Von had drilled into them weeks ago. Von watched, then barked, "Punch!"

Adrian snapped out a straight jab, his fist cutting through the air with precision.

"Block!"

He raised his forearms, angling them to deflect an imaginary strike.

"Fall back!"

Adrian stepped back, dropping into a defensive crouch, ready to move again, while still maintaining the stance.

"Well done. You executed them with near perfection. You’ve learned well."

Adrian returned to his stance as he sensed the instructor was about to push him further.

"I think you’re ready for a technique," Von continued as he stepped back, gesturing for Adrian to watch him. "I want you to observe me carefully."

Adrian’s focus sharpened as his eyes locked on Von’s form. Whatever came next, he knew it was going to help him develop further.