Solo Leveling: Monarch of knowledge

'Awà.' he called silently. 'Pull up the AR holograms. I want all the data you've collected so far, especially anything I haven't assimilated yet.'

[Understood, Host.] Awà's voice responded, calm and efficient.

Within seconds, a series of holographic projections appeared before his eyes, invisible to anyone else. The data flowed like a river of light, each hologram displaying intricate details. Adam scanned them methodically, his mind absorbing the information.

---

Data Summary:

1. E and D-Rank Essence Stones:

Awà displayed detailed scans of both ranks, highlighting their structure, mana density, and potential applications.

E-Rank stones contained chaotic, low-grade energy, ideal for small-scale experiments or tools.

D-Rank stones showed a marked improvement in stability and power, their energy output significantly higher and more refined.

2. Hunter Scans:

Every hunter Adam had encountered was represented with a full-body scan, overlaid with detailed genetic and physiological data.

Angela's post-reawakening stats showcased enhanced muscle density and mana flow efficiency, explaining her increased strength and agility.

Marco and the others showed more modest improvements but were still leagues ahead of their original capabilities.

Leo's scan was particularly detailed, showcasing his A-Rank physiology. His remaining arm was a marvel of adaptation, with muscle fibers infused with mana pathways that compensated for his missing limb. His core strength had increased exponentially, and his mana channels were wider and more efficient than any other than the other hunters in record.

---

Adam's brow furrowed slightly as he took in the data. His memories from his past life about the Solo Leveling universe were helpful, but they were vague, built more on the general lore of hunters rather than the specifics.

The author had laid the groundwork, but there were gaps, critical ones, about how awakened bodies truly worked. For instance, the idea that hunters didn't grow stronger without a second awakening had been broadly stated, but not deeply explained.

The nano machines, however, were filling in those gaps with unprecedented precision.

[Host.] Awà interjected. [The reawakening process was made possible because the nano machines were able to rewire and optimize the hunters' mana pathways at a level beyond current magical or scientific understanding. This process is not replicable without my system.]

Adam's thoughts sharpened. 'So, without you, a second awakening remains a freak occurrence. But with you… it becomes an inevitability.'

[Correct.]

He let out a slow breath, his gaze lingering on Leo's genetic profile. Awà highlighted the intricate network of mana pathways within Leo's body, overlaying it with his muscular and skeletal structure. The level of adaptation and optimization was staggering.

'Awà, initiate the information transfer.' Adam directed, leaning forward slightly.

[Initiating transfer. Brace for cognitive synchronization.]

The flood of information was instant, an overwhelming wave of data and understanding pouring into his mind. Adam's vision blurred slightly as his neural pathways synced with Awà's, the holograms vanishing as the knowledge embedded itself into his consciousness.

Within seconds, he understood everything perfectly.

He had already studied human and awakened anatomy before, using publicly available information on the web. But this? This was on a level so far beyond modern technology and magic that it made his previous understanding seem rudimentary.

Every detail was precise, from the exact way mana flowed through a hunter's veins to the microscopic adaptations that occurred during awakening. He saw how their cells absorbed and channeled energy, how their bodies instinctively optimized for survival.

It was humbling. And shocking.

Adam sat back, his mind racing as he processed it all, the waitress placing a glass of milk on the table unnoticed.

He lifted the glass of milk to his lips, taking a slow sip as he stared out the café window. The creamy taste did little to distract him from the storm of thoughts in his mind.

In most fantasy worlds, mana was often described as flowing into a central core, a crystallized well of energy within a person. But here, it was different. Hunters didn't have a core. Their bodies were the vessel, every cell acting as a micro-conductor for mana. This unique adaptation explained their extraordinary physical abilities and why their strength increased with their rank.

'The higher the rank, the denser the mana.' Adam murmured to himself, his thoughts spiraling deeper. 'It's like their bodies are reservoirs, growing stronger by sheer quantity. But there's no focus on quality.'

He took another sip, his gaze sharpening. It wasn't just about quantity for him. If density was what separated the ranks, then what truly elevated strength must lie in refining mana itself, purity over volume.

....

Adam leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table as his mind formulated a plan. If a hunter's strength was tied to their cells absorbing and holding mana, it stood to reason that this process could be optimized, evolved even.

'Awà.' Adam spoke internally, his thoughts sharp with purpose. 'Can you analyze my biology and determine if it's possible to completely reengineer my body to not just hold mana, but refine it through deliberate training, willpower, and purification?'

Awà's voice was calm as ever. [Analyzing…]

Seconds stretched into what felt like minutes as Adam's heart raced. Finally, she responded.

[It is possible, Host.] she confirmed. [However, such an undertaking would require a significant supply of essence stones of moderate or higher rank. The higher the quality of the essence stones, the more stable and effective the transformation would be.]

Adam exhaled, his gaze narrowing. 'Good. That's the first step.' he leaned back, a faint smile tugging at his lips as his vision for strength expanded. 'I don't want just a body that holds mana like a container.' he said, his thoughts crystallizing into a goal. 'I want to create a true symbiosis, a connection between the body and soul. If one grows stronger, the other should follow. If my body evolves, my soul should too. And vice versa.'

Awà paused for a moment, her usual quick responses absent. When she spoke again, her tone was thoughtful. [Such a transformation is theoretically possible. However, it would require you to master the intricacies of mana, including its flow, refinement, and interaction with the soul. This would necessitate extensive knowledge and firsthand experience, far beyond what is currently available to you.]

'I expected that.' Adam took another sip of milk with his focus deepening. 'But laying the groundwork is just as important. We'll figure out the rest as we go.'

....

Adam's fingers tapped against the table as his thoughts pivoted. 'I don't just want this transformation for myself. I want to build a new system, a way for others to follow. It'll start with mana, its density, and its purity, but I want it to go further. If I can create a way for others to awaken and refine their abilities, I can elevate this world beyond hunters who rely on crude methods.'

He leaned forward slightly. 'Awà, can we design a system where individuals awaken unique talents tied to their mana? Something shaped by their deepest desires and life experiences, with mana itself as the cornerstone?'

Awà's silence stretched longer this time, her processing evident. Adam waited, knowing this wasn't a question that could be answered lightly.

When she finally spoke, her tone was measured. [Such a system is possible in theory, Host. However, there are limitations. Natural talent is often restricted by the individual's potential at the moment of awakening. For such a system to function, you would need a way to guide their mana and desires into shaping their abilities. Additionally, creating a system tied to such a process would require you to understand mana at a level beyond even what I can currently access.]

Adam nodded, his thoughts quick and deliberate. 'That's fine. We start small. The task is figuring out how to awaken someone with the ability to refine and grow their mana indefinitely, without being tied to traditional hunter constraints.'

He paused, then added, 'And when someone awakens, I want you to be their guide. Not as an entity, but as a voice, a Mother Voice. You'll inform them of their abilities and current state, and nothing more. No interference beyond that.'

Awà was silent for longer than usual. Adam could almost picture her processing the enormity of his request, sifting through possibilities and limitations. Finally, she responded, her voice carrying a rare hint of intrigue.

[Host, this system you envision is ambitious. To create it, you would need to fundamentally rewrite not just your biology but the way mana interacts with others. It is a monumental task, but… not impossible. To succeed, you must achieve mastery over mana and build the knowledge necessary to manipulate it on a universal scale.]

Adam smiled faintly, finishing the last sip of his milk. 'You already said that, but that's fine, Awà. We'll take it one step at a time.'

The waitress came by to clear his glass, and Adam stood, adjusting his coat as he prepared to leave. The foundation of his vision was set, but the road ahead was long.

He glanced at the sky, his eyes reflecting a quiet determination. 'Let's get to work.'