Solo Leveling: Monarch of Knowledge

This arc will focus on Marie, as it's her own, after this one, i will write about the Rank evaluation and from there everything will go in motion, his business as well everything else.

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(Day 1 – 0:01 AM)

The moment they emerged from the portal, gravity reclaimed them.

A vast ocean stretched infinitely beneath them, deep and endless with its surface illuminated by the glow of massive bioluminescent coral structures that pulsed like veins of light beneath the waves. No land. No solid ground. Just a dark blue sky with two moons hovering above as their reflections shimmered on the water's restless surface.

The Colmillo de León hunters reacted instantly, mana flaring around them as they braced for impact. But before anyone could touch the water, a surge of light blue energy enveloped them.

Adam extended his hand, and within seconds, a large mana-formed vessel took shape beneath them, a sleek, sturdy construct floating effortlessly on the ocean. The hunters landed safely on its surface, exchanging tense glances.

Héctor planted his feet firmly, scanning the surroundings. "A full water world… This will be difficult."

Sofía observed the coral forests below, narrowing her hazel eyes. "Not just water. Look at the structures beneath us. Those formations are… enormous."

She was right. The corals weren't mere clusters; they were titanic pillars extending far into the abyss, each glowing with an ethereal luminescence. The entire underwater landscape pulsed with life, creating an alien ecosystem.

Marie exhaled slowly. "Great. No land. So we're fighting in the water?"

One of the A-Rank hunters, a Ranger, adjusted his breathing. "We'll be severely limited down there. Oxygen, visibility, mobility, everything's against us."

Another, a Mage, nodded. "Even with mana reinforcement, prolonged combat underwater will drain us faster. We can't afford reckless fights."

Adam remained silent as they debated with a distant gaze. He had already scanned the entire planet within seconds of arrival as his senses were already capable of extending beyond what S-Rank hunters could even sense.

Then Awà analysis came, now being able to scan even an entire solar systems thanks to Adam body being strong enough, coupled wth his mana reserves that were increasing at an exponential rate.

[Planetary Analysis Complete.]

[Location: Unnamed oceanic planet in an uncharted solar system.]

[Surface Composition: 98.3% water, 1.7% landmass (isolated islands, submerged mountain ranges).]

[Atmospheric Conditions: Earth-like oxygen-nitrogen ratio, slightly denser air pressure.]

[Celestial Bodies: Two moons, gravitational influence suggests stronger tidal forces and deeper ocean trenches.]

[Magical Energy Distribution: Extremely high concentration in oceanic depths, likely due to the High-Rank magic beasts.]

[Threat Assessment: Dungeon Boss detected. Estimated power, National Level.]

Adam's gaze already locked onto the national levels, having long pinpointed their locations. 'National Level, don't forget that the two beasts flanking it are on the same rank.'

[Confirmed. Two additional low National Level magic beasts serve as its guardians.]

A Red Gate with National Level threats? It wasn't just dangerous, it was a death sign, if there were normal hunters that's it.

....

Adam could end the dungeon immediately. A single calculated move, a precise application of force, and the creatures ruling these waters would cease to exist.

But that wasn't his goal.

'One day here is one hour outside. This is the perfect training ground.' he thought as his eyes moved to Marie who was still enjoying the new armor, clueless of the challenges Adam will trow at her.

Marie had potential, but without a proper method, her growth was fixed, limited by the natural restrictions of awakened hunters. Unlike him, she couldn't just refine herself endlessly.

But there was a way.

"Marie." Adam called, breaking his silence. She turned to him, still adjusting to the strange environment. "Come." Curious she stepped toward him.

Then, without a word, a thin layer of mana expanded around them, forming a sound-isolating bubble. The air inside shifted slightly, creating a sealed zone where no sound could escape, no lips could be read, and no external mana could penetrate.

To the rest of the Colmillo de León hunters, it appeared as though Adam had simply pulled Marie aside for a private conversation. Whatever they were discussing was completely cut off from the outside world.

Marie raised a brow. "A little dramatic, don't you think?"

Adam ignored her as Awà's voice cut in.

[Recommend introducing the mana breathing technique. Her body's pathways are undeveloped, but with guidance, she can start refining her body.]

Adam met Marie's gaze. "I'm going to teach you a breathing method that will make you stronger over time. It's not like normal training, it's something that hunters still need decades even before discovering the bases let alone this completed version."

Marie frowned slightly but nodded. "Alright. What do I need to do?"

(Day 1 – 0:07 AM)

After explaining her the method, Marie smirked. "I can handle it."

[She absolutely cannot.]

Awà's voice echoed in Adam's mind, but he already knew that. 'I know.'

He took a breath, demonstrating the technique. His inhale was controlled, precise, not just pulling in air, but guiding mana through his body with perfect efficiency.

Marie copied him without hesitation.

And immediately collapsed.

A violent convulsion tore through her with blood bursting from her nose, ears, and mouth. Her limbs locked up with her chest constricting as if her own body was suffocating her from the inside.

Before she could even process the pain and before her heart collapsed, Adam had already moved.

A soft yellow glow enveloped her, healing her before she could fully hit the ground. The agony vanished as quickly as it had arrived.

Marie coughed, wiping her face. "What… the hell… was that?"

Adam watched her carefully. "It's normal."

She glared up at him. "No warning!?"

"It wouldn't have changed anything."

[Her mana pathways are undeveloped. Attempting to regulate flow at your level was always going to result in circulatory collapse.]

Marie groaned, shaking her head. "So what, I just can't do it?"

Adam crouched beside her. "Not yet. But every time you try, your body will adjust. Slowly."

Marie sighed, clearly unamused. "Great. Let's get this over with."

She braced herself this time, sitting up straight. Her expression was determined, despite the frustration still lingering in her eyes.

Another inhale.

One second.

Blood erupted again.

Outside the barrier, the hunters stiffened, watching as Marie collapsed for the second time.

"What the hell is happening?" a Mage muttered.

A Healer instinctively moved forward, but Héctor raised a hand, stopping them. His golden-brown eyes narrowed. He couldn't sense anything inside that barrier.

Sofía, observed closely. "They're doing something. And whatever it is, Adam doesn't look concerned."

Inside the bubble, Marie groaned, but this time, something felt different.

She wasn't just in pain, she felt… stronger.

Slightly. Barely noticeable. But it was there.

Adam stood, watching her reaction. "Again."

Marie exhaled sharply, wiping the blood from her face. She hated this already.

But she nodded.

(Day 1 – 0:32 AM)

After several minutes, the mana barrier dissolved, allowing sound and energy to flow freely again. Adam stepped out first, Marie followed, her movements were slightly slower but steady.

Her breathing was deeper now, more controlled, though a trace of frustration lingered in her expression. She still couldn't properly use the technique, but at least her body had stopped violently rejecting it.

The other hunters watched her closely, but no one spoke. They could tell something had changed.

Héctor approached Adam. "Done?"

"For now." Adam replied simply.

Héctor didn't pry. Instead, he gestured toward the water. "Then let's move on. We need to plan the immersion."

The hunters gathered near the edge of the mana-formed vessel, looking down at the endless abyss beneath them. No land, no clear landmarks, only the glowing coral forests stretching deep into the unknown.

One of the Tankers exhaled sharply. "Fighting underwater is going to be a nightmare."

Héctor nodded. "We need a way to breathe down there. Even with mana reinforcement, we can't last indefinitely."

Adam had already considered this. With a simple flick of his hand, several smooth, translucent blue masks materialized in the air, floating toward the group.

Marie raised an eyebrow. "And these are…?" Already having a general idea.

"Mana filtration masks." Adam explained. "They extract dissolved oxygen directly from the surrounding water, filtering and infusing it with mana before transferring it to your lungs. The process is continuous, meaning you won't run out of air as long as you breathe."

A Mage adjusted his glasses. "That… shouldn't be possible. There aren't any known spells that can sustain something like this indefinitely."

Adam handed him a mask with a smile. "Now there is."

Héctor grabbed one, examining it briefly before placing it over his face. The mask molded to his skin seamlessly, adjusting to his breath as a faint mana pulse activated within it.

He gave a satisfied nod. "Thanks."

The rest of the hunters followed suit, securing their own masks.

Marie, however, remained unmoving. Adam glanced at her.

"You don't need one." he said, nodding toward her armor. "It's already equipped with a mana-based filtration system."

Marie looked down at herself, then smiled. "Huh. Guess you did think ahead."

Adam shook his head at her antics.

With everyone equipped, the preparations were complete. The only thing left was to descend.