Reborn With A Technology System In A Fantasy World

Adrian sat on a mat opposite Master Von's in the silent empty hall of the Dojo.

He couldn't help but feel a wave of nostalgia wash over him. It had been months since he'd been in this place. Their solitude in the Dojo made him remember their grueling training sessions, which transformed him entirely.

The situation was strikingly similar now, though the stakes were immeasurably higher. Back then, it was about mastering combat; now, it was about mastering a kingdom.

Adrian quickly removed the distractions in his thoughts and focused on the matter at hand. Master Von remained seated on his mat, with his eyes closed once more.

He didn't speak because je didn't have to. The silence was a demand for an explanation. It was a challenge for Adrian to prove why he had intruded upon his sanctuary and disrupted his class.

Adrian met the demand head-on, speaking in a calm, clear voice:

"You must have heard about the war the former King caused."

Master Von's eyes snapped open at the use of the word "former."

A hint of a question crossed his face, but Adrian continued before he could voice it.

"The war was built on lies and greed. Theron's incompetence led to countless lives being lost, and the entire Kingdom was thrown into chaos."

Adrian watched his instructor's expression carefully, observing the subtle shifts in his hardened features. He saw the slight tightening around the eyes, the brief press of the lips — all were signs of agreement.

When Adrian was confident he had the instructor's silent support, he dropped the bombshell.

"I killed the King."

Master Von's eyes widened once again. It was a reaction of genuine shock, a stark contrast to his earlier composed surprise. Adrian, however, wasn't done. He knew that the news was shocking, but the next part would be even more so. He took a deep breath.

"And... I've decided to become the new King."

Master Von was still at a complete loss for words. His mind was racing, trying to process what Adrian had just said.

The weak boy he had once trained months ago was claiming that he had killed a Transcendent Mage. Not just any mage, but the strongest human mage to ever exist.

The idea was unbelievable, and yet, Adrian stood before him, exuding a power and confidence that belied his age.

The instructor's piercing gaze swept over Adrian, as if searching for any sign of who was truly before him, but he found none.

He shook his head in disbelief before finally regaining his composure.

"Alright," he said in a low voice. "Let's assume that's true. What do you want from me, Adrian?"

Adrian wasn't surprised by the lack of pressing questions. Master Von was a man of action, not debate.

Adrian replied truthfully, "I'll need your help to convince the Academy. I need all the support I can get, and with you by my side, it will make speaking with them easier."

Master Von's brow furrowed. "And why would I help you?"

Adrian didn't panic. He had anticipated this question and his response was ready.

"Treat this as an invitation. I'd like for you to join my close counsel. You'll have an important role and contribute to my ambitions of helping everyone live their best lives. Besides," he added, a hint of a smile in his voice, "deep down, I know you support my plans. We both want a better world. We're just as invested as each other."

Master Von appeared to think for a while. Then, he simply said,

"Hmm, that doesn't convince me. If that's all you have to offer, then I'm not interested." He closed his eyes once again, appearing to continue his cultivation.

Adrian wasn't deterred, as he dropped something that was sure to get the Instructor's interest:

"I could heal your dantian."

Master Von's eyes immediately snapped open. The surprise this time was not just in his gaze, but in the way his whole body tensed. Adrian knew he had guessed right.

"You're an 9-Star Knight. You are aware of the constant stream of leaking mana around you. That's why you're always cultivating. But even with everything you've done, your dantian has refused to heal." Adrian's words were a statement of fact, not a question.

Von's eyes widened, his ears perked up, and he felt goosebumps. He felt like Adrian's gaze was penetrating his very being, seeing the deepest, most private secret he had kept hidden for years.

"How?" he finally said. "How did you know?"

Adrian smiled behind his helmet. He didn't tell Master Von it was a guess.

He couldn't fully explain that he wasn't entirely sure himself; he had simply noticed that mana particles that were far more concentrated around Von than normal, and he had concluded that there must be something wrong with his body.

He'd simply taken a leap of faith and now it was paying off.

He shrugged it off nonchalantly. "I have my ways... I suppose you're interested now?"

Master Von rubbed his bald head and a deep sigh escaping his lips. "Of course, boy! Let's go meet with the Dean right away."

Adrian smiled in triumph. He had won. He stood up to follow Master Von out of the Dojo, but as they left, the instructor stopped in his tracks and turned to him.

"You know," Master Von said with a thoughtful look on his face. "You didn't really need me for this, did you? You just wanted me to come with you."

Adrian smirked behind his mask. Master Von was right. While having a respected instructor by his side made everything easier, it wouldn't be too much of an issue if he had simply found the Dean by himself.

He was confident in his ability to convince them of his vision. He nodded.

"Of course. I need allies I can trust. And Master Von, I trust you."

A genuine smile lit up Master Von's face before he stopped in his tracks again. Naturally, Adrian stopped as well.

"You know, according to the law, you're King already."

"Huh?"

Von sighed. "Well, according to our law, the strongest person in the Kingdom can challenge the active King for his place. And since you managed to defeat King Theron, you're automatically the King."

"Wow," Adrian said. This was new to him. It didn't make much sense in a modern context, but it was a welcome development nonetheless.

This law would save him a lot of stress. At the very least, it meant that he had legal control over the Academy, the Adventurers Association, and other important bodies. He didn't need their support; he commanded their allegiance.

Von easily figured out that Adrian was surprised by the news.

"Yes, it's the reality. That's why King Theron was such a bastard. He wasn't fit to rule."

Adrian couldn't stop himself from stifling a laugh behind his mask. It was unusual for Master Von to speak in such a way. Seeing Adrian's reaction, Von turned serious.

"A deal is a deal. We're not going back on our agreement, Adrian."

Adrian nodded his head. "Yeah, no problem. We'll meet the Dean regardless."

After some minutes of walking through the staff quarters, Adrian and Von reached the Dean's office.

Their first knocks on the door didn't get a response. But eeconds later, a young lady with glasses and a tight bun opened the door slightly, peering out to see who was there.

She gave a little jump when she saw the imposing Power Suit. After a brief inspection, she turned around and informed the Dean, "Master Von is here to see you. He has a guest with him."

The Dean must have consented, because the lady opened the door wide enough for them to come in.

Master Von walked in with a sense of pride that seemed to make him taller than he actually was, and Adrian followed closely behind him.

The Dean was seated idly on a chair behind her desk, looking bored. She was a middle-aged woman with sharp, intelligent eyes, and her demeanor suggested that she was surprised by the visit but ready to be displeased if it wasn't worth her time. It was rare for her to be visited by anyone other than the Vice Dean.

"What do I owe this visit to, Von?" she asked. Her voice was calm but her tone was laced with a hint of impatience. Her gaze then drifted to Adrian, observing the flashy, metallic armor he was wearing. "And who did you let into my office? Is this one of your students?"

Master Von smiled, stepping forward with a flourish.

"That's Your Majesty to you, Melissa. Adrian here is our new King. The King of Zarion." He finished with a confident, triumphant grin.