Chapter 69: Back To The Dojo

Chapter 69: Back To The DojoAdrian wasn’t surprised to meet every single student seated on their mats by the time he walked into the Dojo.

He glanced at his System panel: [7:33 AM].

Luckily for him, the bell hadn’t gone yet, but will do so any moment from then. He slipped onto his mat, joining the others in watching Master Von, who sat cross-legged at the front as usual, deep in meditation.

A few minutes later, the bell chimed, and Master Von’s eyes snapped open, scanning the room with a piercing gaze that seemed to weigh each student.

"You’re all looking strong today," he said with authority. "By now, you’ve had the weekend to test your new strengths and to push yourselves. I trust you’ve been working hard."

The class nodded, some with eager smiles, others with quiet confidence. Adrian mirrored their nods.

Master Von continued in an encouraging tone. "Soon, you’ll begin learning Martial Techniques in your weapon classes. That’s what sets a Knight apart; mastery of technique, not just raw power."

His eyes lingered on Adrian before he continued.

"I’d advise against spreading yourselves too thin across multiple paths. But if you’re unsure about weapon training, I’ll be leading Hand-to-Hand Combat classes myself. I’m here to guide you."

Adrian’s thoughts drifted. Hand-to-Hand Combat could be useful, especially with his suit’s abilities, it could make him a more versatile fighter.

He had never wielded a weapon in either of his lives, and the idea of learning swordplay or spear techniques just didn’t sit well with him, at least not yet.



The process seemed tedious, and he wasn’t ready to commit. But then he recalled the ’’Archery Fundamentals’’ class, scheduled after Electives.

He didn’t use a bow, but the idea intrigued him since he was still a shooter. ’Maybe I’ll check it out,’ he thought after weighing the possibilities.

Master Von’s voice cut through his musings.

"Enough talk. Let’s start with drills. Two hundred push-ups. Ascended or not, physical discipline is the foundation of a Knight."

Adrian stifled a groan but stood with the others, dropping into position.

The push-ups were grueling, his arms trembling by the twentieth rep. But to his surprise, he hit fifty before his muscles gave out; a massive improvement from the ten he had barely managed before Ascending.

Still, his peers breezed through the full two hundred, Karl among them, grinning as he pushed past the benchmark with ease.

Adrian didn’t mind. ’I’m not here to compete,’ he thought. ’Just a bit more cultivation, and I’ll be a 2-Star Knight. Then we’ll see who’s stronger.’

The drills continued — squats, lunges, and core exercises — each one testing their endurance and strength.

Master Von watched closely, offering pointers and corrections. When they finished, he addressed the group, his voice warm with approval.

"Good work. You’re shaping up." Then his gaze settled on Adrian, and his tone shifted, firm but not unkind.

"Adrian, you’ve got potential, but you are holding back too much. Your peers train daily, body and mind, but you don’t. Keep relaxing , and they’ll leave you behind."

Adrian nodded, more to end the conversation than out of agreement. He knew Master Von meant well, but his path was different. Cultivation coupled with his inventions would carry him further than drills ever could.

Master Von sighed, then clapped his hands. "Alright, final drill. Laps around the dojo until the bell. Move!"

The students leapt up, some whooping with excitement, others jogging eagerly.



Adrian joined them, bemused by their usual enthusiasm.


’What’s so fun about running?’ he wondered. Still, he was curious to test his stamina after Ascending.

He settled into a steady jog, pacing himself as others sprinted ahead like it was a race. Lap after lap, the dojo’s walls blurred past, and to his surprise, he hit fifteen laps without collapsing.

His legs burned, and his breath came in sharp gasps, but he felt stronger than ever.

’This is great,’ he thought, a grin spreading across his face. ’All I need is more cultivation, and I’ll keep getting better.’

The bell finally rang, signaling the end of the drill. Adrian slowed to a stop, hands on his knees, catching his breath.

He had lost track of the others, but he was sure they’d cleared thirty laps, some staggering and sweat-soaked from their reckless pace.

His steady jog had left him tired but not wrecked, and he was proud of his progress. Master Von gathered them, nodding approvingly.

"Well done. I’m truly impressed. Most of you gave it everything. That’s what I want to see."

He gestured toward the exit. "Those of you in Sword or Spear training, head to your classes. As for the rest of you, you’re free to cultivate, rest, or do as you please. You’re dismissed."

Karl jogged over as Adrian grabbed a water container, gulping down a few sips.

"I’m off to Spear Fighting," Karl said, wiping sweat from his brow. "Catch you later, man. Don’t forget. You still owe me those stories!"

He flashed a grin and waved before heading out, his energy seemingly endless.

Adrian watched him go, then made his way back to the dorms.

He had planned to nap, exhausted from his sleepless night, but as he stepped into the quiet room, he felt surprisingly alert.



The rush of the morning drills had left him wired. Checking his panel, he saw the time.

’9:19 AM’

He didn’t know how long weapon classes ran for, but he guessed it would be three hours, since the lunch bell would follow. That meant he had enough time.

"Screw sleep," he muttered, his mind fixed on reaching 2-Star.

Cultivation was the fastest way to getting stronger, and he wasn’t about to waste a free morning.

He summoned ten 1-Star Magic Crystals from his [Inventory], their faint glow spilling across his bed.

With practiced ease, he began setting up the Formation.

Satisfied, he sat cross-legged in the center and activated the array with another crystal.

The air thickened with mana, shimmering like a heat haze and Adrian closed his eyes, drawing the potent energy into his dantian.

The process was as intoxicating as before, the mana flowing in dense waves, filling him with a sense of power.

He set a mental note to stop when the lunch bell rang so he could be ready on time for Alchemy class.

As the room fell silent, Adrian sank deeper into cultivation.