Kranos' daily routine shifted from reading and learning to intense physical training. Every day, after returning home, he would soak in a medicinal bath prepared by his mother.
Over time, Kranos grew accustomed to the stress and pain of his training. As weeks passed, he began to notice visible muscle development. My body is slowly changing, Kranos muttered inwardly. He was pleased; he could feel that his body was now energetic.
At present, Kranos was fully immersed in the rhythm of his exercises. According to his teacher, the real training would begin tomorrow. It had already been six months since he started training, and what began with just twenty repetitions had gradually increased over time.
Now, Kranos could perform his exercises up to a hundred times without feeling exhausted. Of course, this improvement was the result of both his tireless effort and the healing effects of his mother's medicinal bath. Soaking in the medicinal bath didn't just have the effect of healing him; it could also strengthen his body to a large extent.
"Teacher, I'm done," Kranos said as he stood up, noticing his teacher observing him with a relaxed smile.
Donald looked at Kranos, inwardly impressed by the boy's progress over the past few months. Truthfully, he hadn't expected such rapid development. Initially, he had assumed this phase of training would take over a year, but Kranos surprised him, reaching the required body strength in just a short six months.
"You've done well," Donald said sincerely. "From what I can tell, your body is now ready to begin learning the knight's breathing technique."
Hearing this, Kranos' eyes lit up. It's finally time... I've been waiting for this moment. He pulled out a scroll from his sleeve and immediately began practicing the first stance, perfectly displaying the traits of a kid who was eager to practice and become stronger.
As he held the posture, Kranos felt the rhythm of his breathing change As he held the posture. His right arm stretched forward, both legs twisted into awkward angles, and only his left arm remained free. He maintained the stance for a few moments before he felt that he couldn't hold the stance any longer.
After thirty seconds, he transitioned into the second stance of the knight's breathing technique. There were twelve stances in total, each more difficult than the last. From what Kranos could tell, mastering each of them was incomparably difficult.
Now I understand why Teacher made me go through all those exercises. Without that preparation, I wouldn't even last five seconds in this position.
When Kranos was done, Donald, who had been observing silently, finally spoke. "It seems you're currently at the first level of the knight's breathing technique."
Kranos was stunned. "First level? Teacher, what does first level mean?"
"The knight's breathing technique is divided into multiple levels depending on how long one can hold a single stance. You can only hold a stance for 30 seconds, which means you are just at the first level," Donald calmly explained.
"I see," Kranos nodded in understanding. Then he asked, "What are the other levels?"
"If you can hold a stance for two minutes, you'll reach level two. Ten minutes will bring you to level three, and thirty minutes to level four. As for the rest—don't worry about them for now. When the time is right, I will naturally tell you."
"Then... what level are you at, Teacher?"
"Focus on your training," Donald said, deflecting the question.
"Hehe, come on, Teacher. I just want to use it as motivation." Kranos outwardly put on a curious look.
"There's no need for that. I don't want you to sink into despair."
Realizing that his teacher wouldn't budge, Kranos turned his attention back to practicing. Each stance brought with it a new wave of pain, but something else too—a subtle sensation, like something was being drawn into his body from the air.
Is this mana? The thought struck him suddenly. If it really is mana... then I can finally begin my real plan. Kranos waited till he completed the full cycle of stances, he looked up and asked the question that had been bugging him.
"Teacher, I felt something strange entering my body while training... was that mana?"
"What?" Donald was shocked. "You're already sensing mana?"
"Huh? Isn't that normal when practicing the knight's breathing technique?" Kranos asked, confused.
"That's not the issue. It shouldn't be this easy for you to sense mana—especially without a root bone."
After giving it some thought, he decided that he would consult Raphael about this unusual development.
"Well, regardless, this is good news. It proves you have some innate talent, even without a cultivation root bone," Donald added with a nod. "Yes, that sensation was indeed mana. Normally, it would take you weeks to reach this stage, but since you've already begun sensing it, we can move ahead much faster with your training."
"That's all for today. Rest well and be prepared—tomorrow we begin basic sword training," Donald said abruptly before vanishing from sight.
Such speed— Kranos was stunned by his teacher's speed. He could tell that Donald didn't possess the space element because he felt no spatial fluctuation from him; rather, it was due to his pure speed that he disappeared.
So it really was mana... That means it's finally time to begin the real phase of my plan. Over the past five months kranos hadn't cultivated his element, the reason was because it was too difficult! He then came up with a plan, an easier way to form his dantian and step into the qi condensation realm.
Another reason was that he had been too preoccupied with the training and being exhausted that he didn't have any time to practice, so he didn't cultivate. Now is the perfect time to step into the time condensation realm as well. Kranos smiled inwardly as he looked at the sun that was halfway up in the sky.
System, Kranos called out inwardly, immediately a panel appeared in front of his eyes. He glanced at the section of time points, over the span of six months, this was what he had gathered.
[Time points - 5002.]
How nice. Kranos was pleased, but he didn't yet know if this was much or not. He could only hope to step into the time condensation realm and obtain some corresponding time skills before knowing. Kranos began walking home. It was time to step into his unique path of cultivation.