《Jackson Taylor | Pursuit of Power》 1 | Selection I was born only a few years before the System bound my universe to the vast multiverse. The beings my parents spoke of¡ªelves, dwarves, dragons¡ªmay seem like myths, yet they¡¯re woven into my everyday life. I can imagine how, for someone who had lived almost their entire life surrounded only by other humans and familiar farm animals, the existence of these diverse and intelligent species would be difficult to grasp. The System¡¯s integration began with three intense years¡ªa true trial by fire for the adults. Numerous tutorials were assigned to everyone over sixteen, the most common being brutal survival challenges. Participants faced monster-infested landscapes, fought formidable bosses, and braved the most unpredictable danger¡ªother humans. On the other hand, children under sixteen were given a foundational education on the vast multiverse, guided by teachers from all walks of life. Through pristine tomes, detailed writing exercises, and immersive lessons, we absorbed everything the adults were learning¡ªbut from the safety and comfort of our quiet dormitories and bright classrooms. My favorite teacher was a dryad from the Sylvan Pantheon. She taught us how common mana affinities respond to our environments, shaping our abilities in subtle but powerful ways. For instance, an ordinary fish would naturally find it easier to wield water and ice, while an elemental born in the heart of a volcano would feel a stronger resonance with fire and earth. She also explained that, while we could use magic, discovering affinities that truly resonate with us would be impossible until we receive a class or profession at sixteen. While the adults had the opportunity to choose a basic class before beginning their tutorials, children are only given this choice upon reaching their sixteenth birthday. The selection process differs somewhat from what my parents experienced; they weren''t offered the option to select a profession in their introductory rooms, whereas we are. We can''t choose both a class and a profession simultaneously, but we can select a profession from a basic list. I''ve already made up my mind to choose a class over a profession when my time arrives. Professions can be acquired by working as an apprentice under a craftsman or someone with a specialized skill, or they can be gained through repetitive practice. I love to draw, and even before I left my tutorial, I resolved myself to pursue a profession that involved that passion. Many people disagree with my way of thinking, but my parents assure me that I''m making the right choice. They don¡¯t see a profession among the basic options that would evolve into something aligned with my chosen path. In contrast, any of the basic classes can develop into virtually anything I desire, as long as I keep pushing myself and avoid stagnation. During the selection process, a System Guide will re-explain ranks, levels, stats, skills, and titles to us. Although we¡¯d gone over these things in our tutorial many times with many different tutors and instructors, it felt like this was the System¡¯s way of covering its metaphorical ass. Although the System could act as it pleased¡ªwhenever and however it desired, exercising absolute control over everything¡ªit appeared to possess a moral compass. It opted to grant free will to all, while subtly guiding, and giving them the necessary tools that would help with survival. For anything born in Universe #1 through Universe #48, the System adopts a markedly different approach, taking a more hands-off stance. After all, even Universe 48 has had a billion years to develop its civilization and education system. We are Universe #49, and the multiverse has now entered the 49th Era. Each era, lasting a billion years, brings the integration of a new universe into the multiverse. However, in approximately two thousand years, the System is expected to treat us like every other universe, withdrawing the comfort of its extra attention. Although I spend most of my time in my room¡ªdrawing, or practicing with the two light wooden swords given to me by my parents. I met my best friend, Erica, in school. We don¡¯t have much in common, yet conversation always comes easily. She¡¯ll be going through selection at the same time as me. Although we¡¯d already turned sixteen, selections are typically grouped into four groups yearly to reduce travel costs for orphanages, schools, and parents. Erica and I often spend our time exploring the parks around Sylvanel, the city we call home, named after the Paragon Sylvanus, who established the Sylvan Pantheon. The values of the Sylvan Pantheon differ among its members; some seek to create new life and spread it to the areas of the multiverse that lack life, while others advocate for the natural continuation of the cycle of life. As a result, the pantheon is home to various sub-factions and political parties. My father, Sylvanel¡¯s lord, is like a mayor with a monarch¡¯s authority over anyone who settles in our sanctuary. While many would characterize him as benevolent, granting citizens as much freedom as possible, I see him as a tyrant who never allowed me to go out until I completed my schoolwork. Many of the gods who serve the Paragon, Sylvanus, see my father as the very embodiment of Sylvanus and his ideologies, which in turn makes me the spoiled rich kid in the eyes of my peers. That¡¯s one of the things I appreciate about Erica; she doesn¡¯t view me as the son of Sylvanus¡¯ chosen pupil, but simply as me¡ªJackson, the guy who enjoys sitting in the grass under trees and drawing. Don¡¯t get me wrong; I wish I could be a social butterfly, but my father¡¯s powerful position on Earth has forged a chasm between me and my peers. It¡¯s painful not knowing who truly values my company and who merely seeks to gain something from me. With Erica, I feel secure knowing shes not drawn to me because of my identity, because her father is the lord of a neighboring city. She came to Sylvanel to escape the vultures seeking to take advantage of her, but word travels quickly, and soon the same thing she ran from, followed her here. So now we sit under trees in my family¡¯s insanely large estate drawing and reading in silence. As we speak, Erica and I sit beneath our favorite tree, its expansive canopy shielding us from most of the sun, simply relaxing as we await the call from my parents to let us know when it¡¯s time to head to the teleportation pad for Dawn, the major city where our selection will occur. Rather than splitting costs with our peers, Erica and I decided to pay a little extra for teleportation to travel alone. Usually, we wouldn¡¯t talk much when simply relaxing, but today a quiet tension lingered, a constant undercurrent of anxiety. After this, we¡¯d be expected to join hunting parties and establish our reputations by proving our skill and strength in whatever paths we chose. Though we silently agreed to stick together as long as possible, we¡¯d never discussed my class choices. ¡°What class are you leaning toward?¡± Erica asked. ¡°I¡¯m torn between Sorcerer, Striker, and Ranger,¡± I replied. I caught Erica¡¯s eye as she tried to suppress a grin. ¡°Well, your base stats are solid for all of those. If I were you, I¡¯d go with something that capitalizes on your speed¡ªyour agility stat is the highest in our generation. Your intelligence is high too, but I can¡¯t exactly picture you as the little bitch, that flings magic at people from a hundred yards away,¡± Erica laughed, though her advice was sound. "Aren¡¯t you set on Sorcerer? Sounds like you¡¯re just calling yourself a coward now. Besides, our starting classes won¡¯t define our whole path¡ªyou could be a Spellblade in a few days, and I could become an Inkweaver," I pointed out. Erica nodded thoughtfully. ¡°True, but you could still become an Inkweaver even as a Striker or Ranger. For me, it¡¯s more about the kind of Inkweaver I¡¯d want to become.¡± I had to admit, I hadn¡¯t thought of it that way¡ªchoosing a class focused on agility and then evolving into an Inkweaver would naturally push me toward close-range combat with magic, whereas Sorcerer would lean toward long-range. I¡¯d been a bit shortsighted; my parents always stressed that a basic class wouldn¡¯t define me, but I¡¯d overlooked the part where it would still nudge me in a certain direction. Choosing Sorcerer felt safe, but also distant¡ªexactly what I¡¯d been taught to avoid. ¡°That¡¯s true¡­¡± I admitted, wincing as the realization of my lack of preparation hit me. She stood, brushed the dust from her pants, and let out a resigned sigh as she turned toward the house. ¡°Come on, let¡¯s just get it over with.¡± Without a second thought, I rose and trailed after her, casting a quick wave to my parents as we passed through the wrought-iron gates and stepped onto the main road, the golden light of late afternoon casting long shadows around us. We walked in mostly comfortable silence, pausing to greet local shop owners who offered words of encouragement. As we arrived at our destination, I gazed at the extravagant teleportation pad, which shimmered with dark leylines interwoven with tiny white specks that resembled stars. It was a testament to the space magic required to forge one of the multiverse''s magical wonders. I had always been terrified of teleporting, ever since my first experience left me vomiting the contents of my stomach. Teleportation nausea was a common issue for first-timers. Even though it wasn''t either of our first times, the memory of that previous nausea still made me hesitate. Erica nearly had to drag me onto the pad, offering me a lighthearted nod. I braced my stomach as she said to the attendant, ''Dawn City, please.'' The attendant nodded and adjusted a dial on the control panel while I held my breath and shut my eyes. We teleported in an instant, and to my relief, I experienced no nausea. My eyes stayed closed, but I could hear the cacophony of voices, shop owners hawking their wares in the streets, and children laughing as they headed home from school. As my eyes opened, Dawn City¡¯s Victorian architecture unfolded before me¡ªa beauty I rarely appreciated amid the city¡¯s constant chaos. Ornate facades with elaborate ironwork and tall, arched windows rose around us, each building whispering stories of a forgotten age. Even the air seemed to hum with restless energy, carrying a blend of distant chatter and street sounds that felt almost as tangible as the cobblestone beneath my feet, making the city¡¯s atmosphere both impressive and uncomfortably alive. Navigating Dawn City is always a challenge. No matter what, you have to stay vigilant about your surroundings... and your belongings. In such a densely packed city, pickpockets roam freely, eager to grab anything that isn¡¯t firmly secured. If they could, some would probably take the clothes right off your back. The walk to the Guide Hall is short, but the crowded streets make it hard to get through. Thousands of kids our age hurry to their selection, anxious parents whispering about which profession their child should choose, and merchants loudly peddling their wares fill the air with constant noise and motion. I was nearly dragging Erica through the crowd, using my above-average height and frame to push my way forward and ensure she didn¡¯t get swept away by the rush of people. Erica is on the smaller side, and in a crowd like this, especially without the stat boost a class provides, things could get risky for her. My advantage is that I look like I could knock someone¡¯s head off¡ªeven if a quick Identify skill would reveal the reality behind my appearance. We drew a few glances from passersby, as we always did¡ªlooking every bit like the classic young couple in love. My feelings on that aren''t complicated, but I can¡¯t speak for Erica. I¡¯ve spent nearly every day with her for the past two years, and somewhere along the way, I started to love her as more than a friend. Even though I sense she might feel the same, I stay silent, afraid that confessing could risk everything if she doesn¡¯t share those feelings. Before the System, it wasn''t uncommon for people to find love at a young age; my parents dated in school and married shortly after graduating college. However, with the advent of the System, social norms are evolving. Given that the average human lifespan exceeds 150 years across the multiverse and the possibility of immortality exists, the idea of choosing someone to spend the rest of your life with at sixteen feels increasingly unrealistic. I¡¯d been lost in thought for quite a while, only snapping back to reality when Erica started flicking me on the arm, having noticed that I had completely walked past the Guide Hall. ¡°Earth to Jackson. Guide Hall is right here.¡± Erica flicked me again. ¡°Sorry, I got lost in thought.¡± I glanced up at the towering structure, the only skyscraper on this side of the city. Long skywalks extended from it, reaching toward other floating buildings connected by blue, tentacle-like streams of eerie magic. It was both beautiful and mesmerizing, an architectural marvel that never failed to capture my attention. The floating buildings on the right were for class selections, and on the left, profession selections. The central building served as the intake hub, directing people to their respective destinations. The Hall doubled as a hotel, restaurant, and library that offers a wealth of information about the multiverse¡ªall managed by multiple System Guides. As we entered the Guide Hall, we were met by a spacious lobby bustling with activity. Six human secretaries, who¡¯d taken on System-appointed roles, worked behind sleek desks, assisting people with directions. We made our way to the shortest line, whispering to each other as we took in the pristine white marble floors, marveling at how beautiful¡ªand almost unnaturally spotless¡ªthey looked. Dark steel accents lined the polished white marble floors, creating a sleek, modern contrast. Black pillars crafted from solidified magic spiraled upward, their surfaces flickering with ethereal blue and silver lights that pulsed like a heartbeat. These mystical pillars, wide and unyielding, provided vital structural support, holding the weight of the skyscraper. They gave off an otherworldly aura, their magical glow illuminating intricate symbols etched along their lengths. The entire lobby felt like a delicate blend of elegance and power, a testament to the fusion of architecture and arcane forces that kept this towering building standing tall.The story has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation. We moved toward the shortest line, though it was still fairly long. Despite the secretaries only handing out Earth IDs¡ªsomething everyone received at sixteen¡ªthe wait was anything but quick. As we waited, we chatted about small things: the unseasonably warm weather, or how long we each thought we¡¯d take to make our choices once we got into the selection room. Erica was convinced she¡¯d decide quickly and that I¡¯d hold us in Dawn City for hours. Luckily, we didn¡¯t need to shop for armor and weapons like many others. Erica¡¯s parents had given her a basic set to cover any class or profession she might choose, and my parents had an armory I could raid. So, while equipment shopping wasn¡¯t on our list, I had mentioned wanting to explore the city later to find someone with a drawing profession whose work would inspire me. We only waited about ten minutes before it was our turn¡ªquicker than I¡¯d expected. ¡°Name, date of birth, and city of residence,¡± the secretary prompted, barely glancing up from her screen. ¡°Jackson Taylor, March 18th, 2008 BS, Sylvanel,¡± I replied. ¡°Erica White, March 28th, 2008 BS, Sylvanel,¡± Erica added. We both used ¡°Before System¡± or ¡°BS¡± for our birth years, as it was customary on Earth to separate dates from before the System¡¯s integration for clarity in situations like this. The secretary paused briefly as if waiting for something, before reaching into what appeared to be a spatial storage and pulling out two IDs. ¡°Hallway on the left, first elevator for profession selection. Hallway on the right, first elevator for class selection. Have a nice day,¡± the secretary said in a flat, mechanical tone. Erica and I headed to the right side of the lobby. Thankfully, there was no line for the elevator, so our trip up was quick. "Have you decided yet?" Erica asked. "Not completely, but I¡¯m leaning heavily toward Striker. Your advice made sense; choosing Sorcerer would feel like selling myself short. I might still go for a split between Intelligence and Agility with my free points, though. I¡¯ll decide once I¡¯m there,¡± I replied. ¡°Are you still set on Sorcerer?¡± ¡°Yeah,¡± she said, a little too quickly, before biting the inside of her cheek and watching the elevator numbers climb, marking each floor as we passed. Erica had a natural calm about her, rarely showing negative emotions. When she did, it was subtle¡ªbarely noticeable unless you knew her. Her tell-tale anxious habits were biting the inside of her cheek or bouncing her leg. I didn¡¯t usually need to ask what was making her uneasy; if it were something important, she¡¯d share. I could only guess that the pressure of class selection and the transition into adulthood stirred some nerves, just as it had for me. I was better than her at keeping my emotions from my face, she could never tell when something was bothering me. As we arrived at our floor, the color drained from Erica¡¯s face. ¡°Jackson?¡± ¡°Yes, Erica?¡± I replied, guiding her through the elevator doors. ¡°Follow our hearts?¡± She managed the best imitation of a smile she could muster. ¡°Always,¡± I assured her. ¡°Let¡¯s meet back here once we¡¯re done¡ªI won¡¯t take long.¡± I gave her a reassuring smile before heading toward the left hallway. ¡°Jackson, you promise we¡¯ll stick together?¡± Erica asked, her voice barely a whisper. ¡°Of course,¡± I replied, keeping my back to her to hide the huge grin spreading across my face. ¡°No need to worry¡ªwe¡¯ll look out for each other, just like we always have.¡± I listened to the soft click of her shoes fading as she walked toward an open room in the opposite direction. Taking a steadying breath, I nodded to myself and headed down the hallway, scanning for an available room. The hallway seemed to stretch endlessly, and a wave of dread settled in my stomach as I neared the room where I¡¯d finally choose my class. I can do this, I reminded myself. It¡¯s just a selection¡ªnothing more, nothing less. As I stepped forward and turned the doorknob, waiting for that reassuring click, a wave of relief washed over me, as if I¡¯d just been hit with a calming skill. I opened the door to find a stranger¡ªa System Guide. Yet, strangely, they felt familiar. Some kids who¡¯d returned from selection mentioned this odd feeling, like meeting someone you know yet don¡¯t really know. It was a bit like being called to the principal¡¯s office: unsettling, yet somehow expected. "Jackson, please have a seat, and we can begin," the System Guide said, gesturing to a chair positioned in the center of the wood-paneled room. Guide Rooms are designed to reflect what feels most comfortable to each person, and for me, it resembled my own bedroom¡ªminus the familiar furniture scattered around. I gave a quick nod and took my seat. "Before selecting your class, we¡¯ll review levels, stats, ranks, skills, and titles," the System Guide began. "But first¡ªdo you want to change your mind and head to profession selection?" "No," I replied firmly. "Then let¡¯s proceed. If you would, pull up your status screen into your vision." Status. STATUS Name: Jackson Taylor Age: 16 Rank: H Class: ??? Lvl 0 Profession: ??? Lvl 0 Race: Human(H) Lvl 0 HP: 100/100 MP: 110/110 ST: 87/100 Attributes Vitality: 10 Strength: 12 Agility: 19 Endurance:10 Wisdom: 10 Intelligence: 16 Willpower: 10 Perception: 11 Free points: 0 "Good, above-average starting stats," the System Guide remarked, making a slight, thoughtful nod, as if filing it away. "I''m sure you''ve heard that before." "Now, let''s go over ranks and levels. Each level you gain provides additional stats. For instance, if you choose the Mender class, you''d receive two points each in willpower, wisdom, and intellect, along with one free point to assign. Every two levels in either your class or profession, you''ll gain a race level, as a human you gain two free points and one in all stats per race level. Race levels are crucial¡ªat level 50 in your race, you¡¯ll evolve into a Rank G human. With each rank advancement, whether or not you''ve evolved your class, your stats per level will increase accordingly." The Guide looked for understanding in my eyes before continuing. ¡°Here are the level requirements for each rank.¡± System Guide Rank H 0-49 Rank G 50-99 Rank F 100-149 Rank E 150-199 Rank D 200-299 Rank C 300-449 Rank B 450 - 699 Rank A 700 - 999 Rank S 1000 - 1999 Godhood 2000 - ¡Þ ¡°Any questions so far?¡± The Guide asked. ¡°I¡¯m all good,¡± I responded. The Guide nodded, continuing, ¡°Let¡¯s go over stats quickly. Vitality, Endurance, and Wisdom all impact your health, stamina, and mana¡ªeach point in one of these stats adds 10 points to the corresponding attribute. All humans start with ten points in each of these by default. Strength determines your physical power, while Agility measures your speed, precision, and overall finesse. Intelligence governs the quality of your mana, affects how quickly you think, and influences the damage dealt by mana-based skills. Finally, Perception involves your senses¡ªsight, smell, taste, touch¡ªand, in some cases, your instincts. Willpower relates to your mana regeneration speed and your resistance to mental attacks. The formula detailing how each point in Willpower affects your mana regeneration can be found in the ''Statistics Explained'' book in the library.¡± The Guide took a deep breath, signaling the end of the explanation. ¡°Skills are gained every ten levels in Ranks G through F, every fifteen levels in Ranks E through C, and every twenty levels in Ranks B through S. These skills can be improved, evolved, or even discarded through consistent practice. For example, if you were to focus on manipulating your mana to move objects, the System might offer you Telepathy as one of five possible skills when you reach level ten or upgrade the base Sorcerer skill Object Manipulation into Telepathy. You may also gain skills by accomplishing feats with practice, understanding or doing something a skill could help you do without one, grants you one.¡± ¡°Titles. You earn titles by accomplishing significant feats. For example, clearing your first dungeon grants you the Dungeon Explorer title, which provides a 1-point stat boost for each dungeon you complete, up to a total of 50 in Rank H. A comprehensive catalog of all public titles is available in the library. All species that undergo integration automatically receive the titles Endless Tongues and Awakened upon selecting their class. The Awakened title offers percentage-based stat bonuses. And the Endless Tongues, allows you to understand and speak all languages in the multiverse.¡± The Guide paused briefly before asking, ¡°Any questions?¡± I nodded my head, remaining mostly quiet throughout the process. I had already learned this in my tutorial and had been regularly reminded of it by my teachers at school. ¡°That brings us to your class selection,¡± the System Guide said sharply, and a screen materialized in front of me. Class Selection Sorcerer - A basic caster class. The sorcerer focuses on using mana in combat. While the sorcerer is weak in close combat, the sorcerer uses long-range, powerful, and devastating magic. The sorcerer commonly uses weapons with high mana conductivity, such as staves, focuses, and tomes. A sorcerer is not a specialist in any affinity. Stats gained per level: +3 Int, +2 Wis, +1 Will, +1 Per, +1 Free Point Mender - A basic support class. Menders use mana to heal injuries, remove poisons, and curses and boost the power of themselves or allies. While the mender is weak in combat, they are invaluable to groups of fighters. A mender is not a specialist in any affinity. Stats gained per level: +2 Will, +2 Wis, +2 Int, +1 Free Point Juggernaut - A basic fighter class. Juggernauts use their power and durability to their advantage, at the cost of speed. The juggernaut commonly uses heavy two-handed weapons or, a combo of a one-handed sword and a shield. A juggernaut is not a specialist in any affinity. Stats gained per level: +3 Str, +2 Tough, +1 Vit, +1 End, +1 Free Point Warrior - A basic fighter class. The warrior favors both speed and power at the cost of being slower than an assassin, and weaker than a juggernaut. The warrior has a vast amount of weapons at their disposal, more often using two-handed weapons or light weapons. A warrior is not a specialist in any affinity. Stats gained per level: +2 Agi, +2 Str, +1 Tough, +1 End, +1 Free Point Striker - A basic fighter class. Strikers use their speed to their advantage, at the cost of power and durability. The striker commonly uses their fists, light weapons, daggers, shortswords, and throwing weapons. A striker is not a specialist in any affinity. Stats gained per level: +3 Agi, +1 Per, +1 Str, +1 End, +1 Free Point Ranger - A basic ranged class. Rangers use speed to their advantage at the cost of durability and strength. The ranger commonly uses a bow and arrow, with light weapons as a melee option. A ranger is not a specialist in any affinity. Stats gained per level: +2 Agi, +2 Per, +1 Str, +1 End, +1 Free Point Before I could even consider the other classes, I quickly blurted out, ¡°Striker,¡± hoping to save myself from spiraling into anxiety. The Guide let out an actual "hmph"? Wait what? "Very well." The Guide snapped again, and I suddenly felt a strange tingling sensation, as if my entire body had fallen asleep momentarily. You have selected ¡°Striker¡± Class Level up! +3 Agility, +1 Per, +1 Str, +1 End, +1 Free Point You have learned 4 Skills Identify (Common) Identify what you are looking at. Dash (Common) Gain a burst of speed Body Enhance (Common) Gain a +3 Boost in STR, AGI, and VIT. Lasts 1 hour Power Strike (Common) Focus your mana into a body part or extend your mana into a melee weapon, generating an additional surge of power with each strike. I watched the notifications stream into my vision, each being important, but the rush of gaining stats was overwhelming, like pure euphoria coursing through my veins. It was addictive, a kind of drug designed to pull you deeper into the pursuit of power. I knew this feeling would eventually fade as I progressed into each rank¡ªmy parents had explained that the first few levels in a rank always felt like this. The rush never completely disappeared, but it became duller with each level gained. The stat gain flooded me with a ridiculous amount of energy¡ªit felt like I could run forever. I was eager to get out there and start leveling, though I knew Erica would want to go home and prepare before we left the nest. "Everything feels alright?" the Guide asked, snapping me back to reality. I nodded. ¡°Amazing, even.¡± ¡°That¡¯s the preferred reaction. You should now have access to the inherited titles you gained at integration,¡± the System Guide replied. ¡°But proceed with caution¡ªyou¡¯re not invincible. Goodbye.¡± With that, the Guide vanished without a trace. I hardly paid any attention to the Guide popping out of existence. It was common knowledge they weren¡¯t ones to waste time with unnecessary conversation or fuss. Being part of the System itself, they only spoke out of courtesy and already knew precisely how you felt or if everything was functioning as intended. Instead, my mind was on finding Erica, hoping she¡¯d finished as quickly as I had. She¡¯d been a nervous wreck before, and once the dopamine faded, I started worrying about how she was holding up. 2 | Potential As I made my way down the hall toward the lobby where we¡¯d entered after leaving the elevator, I spotted Erica stepping out of a room across from mine. She looked noticeably more at ease, carrying herself with a newfound confidence I hadn¡¯t seen in her before. When our eyes met, her grin widened, transforming into one of the most genuine smiles I¡¯d ever seen light up her face. Her baby-blue eyes sparkled under the bright hallway lights, and her dark hair cascaded gracefully over her shoulders. She broke into a light jog toward me, which quickly turned into a full sprint, her smile radiating warmth. Yet, as she moved, everything seemed to slow¡ªher steps felt like they were stretching out, one after another, as if time itself had slowed to a crawl. It was as if the world held its breath, each second stretching impossibly long, the very rotation of the Earth pausing in sync with my heartbeat. I¡¯d heard stories of moments like this, a heightened state where time nearly froze, but only in tales of people facing mortal danger. It was only when the realization hit me that I understood what was happening. Before I could react, a notification flashed in my vision, and in an instant, time froze completely. You¡¯ve awakened your Bloodmark Bloodmark of the Temporal Crescent As I read the notification, I felt my color drain. A bloodmark wasn''t something the System handed out of generosity. It was a force beyond even the System''s control¡ªsomething you were born with. These marks were rare and immensely powerful, and each one was unique to its bearer. The bloodmarked are universally feared for their immense potential, and in many parts of the multiverse, those who awaken a bloodmark are often swiftly executed by their faction. That is, of course, unless their awakening remains a secret. Though a bloodmark isn¡¯t especially hard to conceal, most selection cities have security protocols before anyone leaves the building. This includes a specialized scanner capable of detecting far beneath the surface, ensuring no hidden power goes unnoticed. Earth, however, is a unique exception. There are no such precautions; the prevailing approach is to let individuals live freely, as long as they don¡¯t pose a direct threat to the planet. A bloodmark¡¯s symbol could manifest on any part of the body, but nothing in my books and classes suggested it would be painful¡ªcertainly not like someone carving it into my skin. Time sped up again, gradually enough for me to watch the symbol etching itself into my forearm. The pain was excruciating, though I managed to hold back a cry. A shining white crescent moon in the foreground of a night sky entwined with a swirling amber vortex¡ªlikely a symbol of time in flux¡ªformed on my skin, vivid and unmistakable. By the time, time reached its usual pace, Erica flew into me, hugging me and smiling. "That stat gain was..." Erica tightened her grip around me, her eyes gleaming with a fierce intensity. "Invigorating." She looked up, a huge grin plastered on her face. But as her gaze met mine, her smile faded, concern replacing it as she took in the pain etched across my face. "What''s wrong, Jack?" Erica asked, immediately noticing my half-hearted embrace, my right arm awkwardly hovering behind her. She shot me a puzzled look, then her gaze dropped to my forearm. Her eyes widened, and without a word, she shrugged off her jacket and handed it to me. "Cover it. Quickly." I nodded, pulling the jacket on gratefully. Thankfully, it was actually one of mine that she¡¯d "borrowed" ages ago. Finally, I had it back¡ªthough maybe not under the best circumstances. It was only a bit too small, as I¡¯d grown a couple inches since I last wore it, but it¡¯d suffice until we were done in Dawn City. "We¡¯re heading straight to your parents¡¯ compound. No detours for art supplies, not here," she said firmly, glancing around. "We don¡¯t want a Blessed to report this to their god." "Understood." I knew better than to question her when she got serious¡ªshe was leagues ahead of me in that department. The average intelligence stat in our generation was about eleven; mine might have been above that, but Erica was a genuine genius with her score of twenty. Just as I was known as a prodigy in agility, she held that same reputation for intelligence. She guided me into the elevator, gripping my right hand tightly. To conceal my arm, she pressed her elbow against the inside of mine, inching closer to me as if to shield it from view. I couldn¡¯t help but wish it had happened under less serious circumstances, but I wasn¡¯t about to complain. "We''ll be fine, Erica. It''s not exactly hard to conceal. Just thank the gods it''s not on my forehead like that dude from a few years back. And even he''s doing okay now." I chuckled softly, attempting to lighten the mood with a bit of humor. ¡°Shut up.¡± Erica said sternly. I simply nodded, sitting quietly as I waited for the elevator''s chime to signal our arrival on the lobby floor. Erica was fully focused, her determination clear. Once she''d assessed the risk, there was no room for hesitation¡ªshe wouldn¡¯t take any chances. It was a comforting thought, knowing just how much she cared. It made the weight of everything feel a little lighter. The elevator¡¯s ding jolted me out of my thoughts. Erica didn¡¯t pull me out of the elevator, but she gently guided me, staying close. She even leaned her head against me, playing into the young couple image to make sure no one paid too much attention. We walked right out of the Guide Hall without drawing any attention or even a second glance. The crowd was still thick, but the walk back felt like it would be smoother now. We waded through the crowd slowly but surely, things felt easier with the ¡®small¡¯ stat gain I¡¯d gained from receiving my class. I started thinking more about my stats allocation. Many factions recommended allocating free stat points to Vitality if you planned on going solo for a while. Erica and I, though, had different plans. We were set on adding a third to our team, at least for a bit. One of our acquaintances had recently selected the Juggernaut class, and we were eager to invite him along for our first few dungeon delves and hunts¡ªat least until we each unlocked our next class specific skill. Juggernauts were pushed down the road of being someone who could take a lot of hits compared to all of the other basic classes, it would free Erica and I up to lean into our styles. Erica had already expressed interest in developing a style that blended utility with combat, following in her mother''s footsteps as a mobility-focused mage. Her goal was to zip in and out of fights, peppering opponents with medium-range spells while boosting her allies with defensive and offensive buffs. As for me, I wasn¡¯t entirely sure what I wanted yet. The most obvious path was to go all-in on mobility¡ªdodging every attack that came my way. That would mean taking up an unarmed style or dual-wielding light swords. Another option was to pursue the popular blademage path, blending melee and magic. As a blademage, I could buff myself or my weapons while maintaining medium-range attack options. That seemed just absolutely boring. I¡¯d seen blademages come and go in Sylvanel, blending into the crowd with ease. They weren¡¯t the pinnacle of blade mastery, nor were they close to achieving the prowess of a true spellslinger. For someone chasing the peak of power, it was a path lacking in both refinement and specialization. My bloodmark presents a rare opportunity. If it indeed grants me powers tied to the moon and time, I could either lean fully into that path or forge something entirely new and unique from it. As we approached the teleportation pad, my mind began to wander, imagining the possibilities my bloodmark could unlock. I could become a Chronoshade, like my distant cousin. He wields time itself in brief bursts, moving faster than the eye can track, allowing him to rewind or accelerate his actions. With this power, he strikes multiple times in the blink of an eye or effortlessly dodges incoming attacks. He¡¯s a nightmare for those with low mobility or mages who¡¯ve neglected their perception, which, unfortunately, is most of them. Or I could lean into the moon aspect, becoming far stronger at night or exceptionally skilled in stealth. I¡¯d heard of someone who left Earth early to join the Order of Nocturnis¡ªhe was almost completely useless during the day, but as the moon¡¯s phases progressed, his power grew exponentially. Under a full moon, he was nearly unbeatable unless someone was an entire rank above him. That was when he¡¯d hit Rank E. By now, he was probably at the end of Rank D or just entering Rank C. The highest grade we had in our universe is Rank B. We had a couple of those on Earth, making us comfortably the most powerful planet in Universe #49. Currently, the only two people who¡¯d reached this rank on Earth were my father and the lord of Dawn City. Erica had guided me to the center of the pad while I was lost in thought, contemplating the endless possibilities my bloodmark had just unlocked. At first, I had been determined to focus on something related to ink or paint, using it to manifest creations that could fight for me, seamlessly blending my craft into my class. But now, the idea of drawing seemed like a distant memory, overshadowed by the new potential my bloodmark had revealed. The pad whirred, before I could even prepare my stomach, and as I blinked out of my trance, we were back in Sylvanel. ¡°I¡¯ve been trying to get your attention since we bumped into that merchant,¡± Erica said, poking me and finally letting go of my arm. ¡°What merchant?¡± I asked, still confused. ¡°Wow. What had you so zoned out that you didn¡¯t notice how many people we just ran into?¡± Erica shook her head. ¡°The endless paths this unlocks for me,¡± I said, pointing to my arm. I wasn¡¯t concerned about anyone noticing my bloodmark in Sylvanel¡ªthere was no one around. The streets were empty, the dark of night having fully settled in. Back in Dawn City, it had still been morning, but here, night had taken its rightful place. ¡°What¡¯s the mark called?¡± Erica finally asked. ¡°Bloodmark of the Temporal Crescent,¡± I replied, trying to sound as casual as possible. ¡°Time and the moon?¡± Erica''s eyes gleamed with a devious grin. ¡°That¡¯s dangerous. You could become the multiverse''s greatest assassin, or create an entirely new affinity. We need to hit the library. You¡¯ve just unlocked something that could make it nearly impossible for you not to attune with the two rarest affinities in the multiverse¡ªLunar and Time. And don¡¯t forget, combining them could lead to something completely unique, something never seen before. There has to be¡ª¡± I raised my hand, signaling her to stop before she got carried away. ¡°Plenty of time to think about all of that later. We need to get back to the estate before we do anything else, so I can properly hide this.¡± I gestured to the glowing white crescent moon that was faintly visible through the fabric of my jacket. ¡°Right¡­¡± Erica¡¯s eyes glazed over as she got lost in her own thoughts, and I quietly led her down the street toward my home. When we reached the gate, I let Erica walk ahead of me, lost in her own thoughts as she muttered softly to herself, occasionally nodding in agreement with her musings. My parents were standing on their balcony, waving down at us. Erica didn¡¯t notice, but I gave a small wave and smiled, watching as my mom quickly turned and almost ran toward the doors, likely to greet us at the entrance. I could only assume she¡¯d seen the faint glow from underneath my jacket. Before I could even reach for the door handle, my mother swung it open, eyes wide with excitement as she grabbed my arm and tugged the sleeve up. ¡°You have a bloodmark!¡± she exclaimed, practically beaming. It was the exact opposite of the reaction I¡¯d expected. My mother bombarded me with questions, one right after another. ¡°What¡¯s it called? How did it awaken? Did anyone see it? Did it hurt? Are you okay?¡± Her excitement gradually shifted to concern by the time she finished. ¡°I¡¯m fine, it hurt a bit at first, but not too bad,¡± I said, glancing at the symbol on my forearm. ¡°It¡¯s called the Bloodmark of the Temporal Crescent.¡± I conveniently skipped over her question about how it awakened. Bloodmarks emerge when a surge of intense emotion strikes, and while Erica likely assumed it activated during selection, the truth was¡ªit awakened the moment I saw her. Erica answered one of my mother¡¯s questions for me, ¡°I was the only one who saw it. It was too bright outside for anyone else to notice it glowing through the jacket.¡± Then, she turned to me, giving me a questioning look. ¡°So, Jackson, how did it awaken?¡± she asked, noticing how I¡¯d skipped over the question.Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings. ¡°Oh. Uh¡­¡± I stammered, suddenly caught off guard. My mind scrambled for an answer, but words seemed to evade me. I caved and decided to tell the truth. It wasn¡¯t like I was confessing anything monumental¡ªjust that I cared about her, the same way I always had. ¡°When I saw you, time just... slowed down,¡± I said, feeling my cheeks heat up. ¡°Eventually, it froze completely, and the mark carved itself into my arm.¡± Erica¡¯s cheeks flushed a deep red, and she looked away, clearly flustered. It was obvious she¡¯d taken my words as a confession, and I could almost feel the shift in the air between us. Thankfully, my dad saved me. ¡°A bloodmark is awesome bud!¡± he let out a loud chuckle, ¡°I wish I¡¯d gotten one, cept¡¯ maybe not, Sylvanus¡¯ would¡¯ve locked me on his planet until I was Rank S. Ah yeah, you should probably wrap that up with a bandage or two and wear long sleeves for a while.¡± He pointed out. I nodded, feeling a sense of validation. ¡°That was the plan. Anyways, Erica went with Sorcerer, and I chose Striker.¡± My mother¡¯s expression softened slightly but her tone became more refined and serious. ¡°Good choices, for both of you. Your stats align well with those paths¡ªyou¡¯ll find greater success that way.¡± My father nodded, agreeing with her, as usual. ¡°Are you guys stickin¡¯ together for a while?¡± He looked toward Erica for the answer. Erica managed a quiet, ¡°Yes,¡± glancing down at the floor, clearly still a bit flustered. ¡°Good, again. I had your things moved from your dormitory Erica to one of the guest bedrooms. I hope that¡¯s okay, since this counts as your graduation.¡± My father looked at her, waiting for approval, only to receive a nod. ¡°Alright, the room furthest from Jack¡¯s room is yours. You should know where that is, go ahead and get some rest. Jack, stick behind for a sec.¡± Oh god¡­ Here it comes. The talk. And sure enough, I got the full version. My mom even chimed in, telling me not to break Erica¡¯s heart. They were acting like we were already in some kind of relationship. ¡°You basically are,¡± my dad said, after I voiced my concerns, completely unfazed. ¡°Huh?¡± I was puzzled at that. ¡°You told her your bloodmark awakened when you saw her, and she probably assumed it happened in the selection room. Then, right after you told her she¡¯d assumed wrong, she said you were sticking together,¡± my dad bellowed out a laugh. ¡°Truly clueless.¡± My mother just gave me an amused smile. ¡°Alright, yeah¡­ I get it,¡± I muttered, heading up the stairs toward my room. Their teasing quieted down as I reached the halfway point, and I promptly tuned out whatever they were saying next. They never brought up anything about staying away from Erica¡¯s room, or vice versa. I suppose that was a relief¡ªthey didn¡¯t make it awkward. At least, not yet. I only thought that because, as I was heading up the stairs, I caught a glimpse of Erica¡¯s silhouette, lingering by the upstairs railing, probably listening to our loud conversation. I decided to act like I hadn¡¯t seen her, and retired to my room. The day had been eventful, and I was ready to check out¡ªgrab my sketchbook, unwind, and eventually drift off to bed. Usually, my nights followed the same routine: drawing for an hour or two, showering, then studying until my eyes grew heavy. But tonight, I¡¯d gotten a knock at my bedroom door. ¡°Come in,¡± I called, expecting one of our servants or maybe my parents. My eyes widened as Erica quietly stepped inside, barely opening the door before shutting it softly behind her. She stood there for a moment, quietly, holding her wrist in her other hand as if unsure of what to do next. I patted the spot next to me on the bed, gesturing for her to sit. ¡°What¡¯s up?¡± I asked, glancing at her with a raised eyebrow. ¡°Jack, I¡ª¡± She stuttered for a moment, before rolling her eyes and muttering, ¡°Ah, screw it.¡± She turned toward me and kissed me. It was unexpected, yet somehow, everything about it felt right. I sat there in shock for a brief moment, my mind racing, before I found myself kissing her back, the world around us fading into the background. She pulled away after a few more seconds, her smile soft and genuine, yet there were tears glistening in her eyes. She looked at me as if searching for a reaction, her breath shallow as if the moment had left her equally speechless. ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± My heart started to quicken, thinking there was something bothering her. She wiped her eyes quickly, as if embarrassed by the tears. "Nothing, it''s just... I¡¯ve wanted to do that for a while now." She gave a shaky laugh, her voice soft and full of vulnerability. "I guess I was just nervous before, but now I¡¯m just happy." I smiled at her, pulling her into a familiar hug. She leaned into the hug, her body relaxing against mine. For a moment, there was just the quiet sound of our breaths and the warmth of each other''s presence. It was a comfort, like everything that had been complicated up until now suddenly fell into place. At some point during the night, our conversation shifted to random, insignificant things¡ªjust small talk, really¡ªbut it didn¡¯t matter. We were enjoying each other¡¯s company. Hours passed, and eventually, she drifted off to sleep in my bed, the book still open in her lap, murmuring softly in her sleep while I continued to sketch. I quietly slipped out of my room, intending to head to the shower, when a sudden thump against me made me pause. My mom¡¯s head landed on my shoulder with a soft thud. ¡°Mother,¡± I hissed under my breath, trying not to laugh. She scratched the back of her head, clearly embarrassed to have been caught eavesdropping. ¡°What? I was just checking in to see if you two were... behaving.¡± ¡°Behaving?¡± I repeated, trying to keep my tone as serious as possible, chuckling slightly. ¡°You¡¯re the one sneaking around.¡± She shrugged, unable to hide the mischievous glint in her eye. ¡°I wasn¡¯t sneaking,¡± she insisted. ¡°I was just checking in.¡± ¡°Of course mom.¡± I sighed, shaking my head with a smile, walking toward the bathroom. I had a bathroom in my room, but wanted to make sure the running water wouldn¡¯t wake Erica. I could hear my mom giggling to herself as she walked back down the stairs, toward the kitchen, where I could hear my dad chatting up the chef while he made dinner. I probably should wake Erica for dinner. After my shower, I returned to my room and gently shook Erica awake, still wearing nothing but my towel. "Dinner." "I could get used to that," Erica said with a mischievous grin, eyeing me up and down as she rubbed the sleep from her eyes. "Oh, shut it," I replied playfully, stepping into my closet and closing the door behind me. I could hear her stretch loudly and the soft shuffle of her feet as she made her way toward the door. I joined them for dinner, greeting and thanking the chef for the meal. With my hair still damp, I sat down beside Erica. We ate quietly for a bit before my father decided to spark some conversation. ¡°So, do you two still plan on inviting the big guy along?¡± he asked. I stuffed a roll into my mouth, mumbling, ¡°The juggernaut? Yeah.¡± Erica promptly smacked my shoulder, scolding me for talking with my mouth full. ¡°Chris is struggling to find a group that needs someone who can take hits,¡± she explained. ¡°Juggernaut seems to be everyone¡¯s go-to these days.¡± My dad shook his head. ¡°Back when we went through the tutorials, Warrior and Sorcerer were by far the most popular choices,¡± he said, gesturing toward my mother and himself. ¡°It¡¯s funny¡ªkids growing up surrounded by all the chaos of the multiverse seem to take fewer risks these days.¡± ¡°Picking Juggernaut is more of a risk in my opinion. Shifting your archetype when you pick it is tougher than usual.¡± Erica added, getting nods from both my mother and father. We chatted a bit more about which class offered the most flexibility. My dad argued, somewhat biasedly, that Warrior was the best choice; my mom and Erica both vouched for Sorcerer. I, however, sided with Mender. Despite its humble, pure support beginnings, a few early Menders on post-integration Earth had become absolute powerhouses, boasting unreal survivability, self-healing, and even impressive damage potential. For a Sorcerer, acquiring defensive or healing skills required significant time and effort, whereas obtaining damage-dealing skills was relatively straightforward for most classes. Healer classes that evolved from Sorcerer tended to be more powerful, mainly because Intelligence played a key role in determining the effectiveness of their healing abilities. Erica expressed her interest in gaining a few healing skills to support me. After chatting for a bit longer, my parents called it a night, and directed us to the armory and encouraged us to pick the best armor we could wear for our level. We had an impressive selection, and although Erica¡¯s parents had sent her to Sylvanel with a range of basic armor sets suited to any class or profession she might choose, our armory offered her far better options. Erica quickly gathered everything she needed. She picked up a grimoire that enhanced her damage when using offensive spells, a robe that boosted her intelligence by five, and a spatial storage ring with a capacity of two hundred pounds. She also found another ring that increased her intelligence, wisdom, and willpower by two each. But the pair of boots she found caught my eye¡ªthey granted three agility and the ability to use Veilstep every ten minutes. The skill allowed her to teleport into the shadow of anything, likely helping her put distance between herself and her enemies. I had my eye on those boots for myself, intending to lean into an assassin-style build where I could use the ability to catch opponents off guard. It was a shame there wasn''t a way to perfectly duplicate armor. We could find an armorer to craft me a pair, but engraving a skill into the armor would be incredibly expensive. I wasn''t about to drain our budget for something like that. Although I was disappointed not to get the boots, I was fortunate with what I did find. I came across two swords¡ªextremely rare weapons. Set bonuses on weapons couldn''t be crafted by anyone; only the System had the ability to bestow such enhancements. Even Atraxis, the Forgegod, hadn''t acquired the knowledge to forge weapons like these. When I made use of my new skill Identify I was in awe that my parents had just left these in the armory. I assumed my father had used them during his time in the tutorial. Veilbreaker (Epic) - One of two blades that create a set. A slender blackened blade with a jagged edge coated in the shadow affinity. The coating of the shadow affinity makes it harder for your opponents to regenerate resources. System Created. ¡­ +5 Agility, +2 Perception Veiled Mind Set Bonus 1/2 : Synergized Strikes - When landing a physical strike, your next magical skill is empowered. Mindpiercer (Epic) - One of two blades that create a set. A finely crafted sword that hums with an ancient arcane affinity. It is lightweight but perfectly balanced, channeling your intelligence to increase its cutting power, especially against the mind and spirit. System Created. ¡­ +5 Intelligence, +2 Perception Veiled Mind Set Bonus 2/2 : Synergized Strikes - When landing a magical attack, your next physical strike is empowered. What was intriguing, though, was how the System had concealed the rest of the descriptions for both swords. When I tried to poke at the ¡°¡­¡± icon, a quick sharp pain shot behind my eye, making it clear that this knowledge wasn¡¯t meant for me¡ªat least not yet. Before I could get frustrated, I moved on to the rest of my gear. A black cloak, nothing too special, that boosted my perception by one point. A pair of black boots granted three agility, and to round it off, a matching set of trousers and a tunic, each providing two agility. I also grabbed a spatial ring for myself, along with a sleek necklace that didn¡¯t offer any stats but promised to make me a bit more inconspicuous. With everything on, I looked like the definition of edgy. Dressed in all black, with a cloak that concealed the weapons fastened to my back. Erica couldn¡¯t help but comment. ¡°You look insane.¡± Erica chuckled. I rolled my eyes at her, giving her a teasing, judgmental look. The bright colors she wore made her an easy target¡ªway more than usual. I¡¯d have to ask my mom in the morning to dye her robes darker. We kept searching, looking for any other essentials we might need. We picked up a couple of simple leather backpacks to carry survival basics: a knife for dressing animals, flint and steel, and a canteen. Erica also snagged a tent and the only sleeping bag she could find. The night passed quietly; we settled on the couch, each absorbed in our usual activities¡ªme sketching, her reading¡ªbefore heading to our rooms. I slept in a bit, with no school obligations since we¡¯d already chosen our classes. I finally woke to the sound of Erica¡¯s light cough. Cracking one eye open, I saw her perched at my desk, feet propped up as she picked at my breakfast while reading a book on some different professions you could gain. Smiling, I croaked with morning grogginess, ¡°Pretty sure that¡¯s my food you¡¯re eating.¡± "Well, I don¡¯t see you eating it," Erica smirked, setting her book aside. She got up, crossing the room to lie down beside me, her face just inches from mine. "Good morning, Jack," she murmured, her voice soft. I looked at her, trying to gauge her intentions, when she leaned in and gave me a quick kiss on the cheek. "C''mon, we have to go find Chris," she said, hopping up and tossing me a set of clothes for under my armor. Then she just stood there, watching me with a mischievous grin. "Well, go on," she prompted, that devious smile never leaving her face. I headed into the closet, catching a glimpse of Erica''s pout before I closed the door. Once I¡¯d changed and walked back out, I found her still pouting, though she was now dressed in her robe with her grimoire secured at her waist. My mom must¡¯ve taken care of dyeing her outfit black overnight¡ªno need for me to even bring it up. Erica glanced down at her newly darkened robes as we made our way downstairs. "Black is not my color," she muttered, inspecting the fabric. "I think it suits you," I replied with a smirk. "Besides, that blinding hot pink was¡­ something else. You¡¯d have stuck out like a sore thumb." 3 | Preparation After greeting my parents with quick ¡°good mornings,¡± Erica and I headed out to Christian¡¯s place. He lived in the residential area of Sylvanel, a comfortable middle-class section nestled just beyond a small forest. The trees served as a natural divider, keeping the elite estates separate from the rest of town. Sylvanel was a city where nature and architecture blended effortlessly, each district seeming to spring organically from the landscape. The elite quarter, my home, was perched atop a hill, enveloped by towering oaks that lent a secluded, almost mythical feel. Wildflower meadows and manicured gardens decorated the spaces between the elegant homes, while well-kept roads wound through the district, bordered by upscale shops and private teleportation pads. A dense woodland of pine and silver birch acted as a natural barrier, separating the elite residences from the bustling middle-class neighborhood below. This forested divide provided a sense of privacy to both districts, with a well-maintained road cutting through, crossed here and there by bridges arching over trickling streams. It made for a refreshing walk, one that Erica and I took almost daily on our way to school, often finding ourselves more charmed by the middle-class area than by our own. The middle-class neighborhood showed great respect for nature, with houses nestled between groves, beside ponds, or even built into the sides of hills¡ªquaint "hobbit homes" as my father called them. Here, gardens and wild patches intertwined, and magical trees planted along the streets glowed softly at night, casting delicate patterns of filtered sunlight by day and gentle shades by night. Beyond this, a vibrant wetland marked the inner city, with cattails, marigolds, and the soft chorus of frogs. This area held the commons: markets, trade centers, gathering places, and high-density housing. Sylvanel¡¯s rustic wooden walkways wove throughout, leading to embassies of allied factions to the Sylvan Pantheon, with winding paths that blended seamlessly into the natural landscape. People often assumed that my father, when designing Sylvanel, had prioritized prestige and wealth, creating the finest living area for himself and the elites. And while that might have been partly true, there was also a strategic side to the city¡¯s layout. The elite quarter, positioned on the hill at the city¡¯s edge, was designed to serve as the first line of defense should an attack ever reach Sylvanel. The inner city appreciated this defensive design because it meant that Sylvanel¡¯s most powerful and well-equipped residents would be the first to respond in the event of an attack, protecting the more populated districts deeper within. Positioned on higher ground, the elite quarter had natural vantage points and strategic terrain that could hold off threats, providing critical time for the rest of the city to mobilize or evacuate if necessary. For the middle-class neighborhoods and commercial districts below, this layer of protection fostered a sense of security and stability, knowing that the wealthier residents, many of whom held political influence and strength, were effectively acting as the city¡¯s first line of defense. This mutual reliance strengthened the bond between districts, creating a sense of unity in Sylvanel despite its class divisions. Moreover, the layout allowed the inner city to flourish with less emphasis on fortifications, resulting in a more open, harmonious design where nature and architecture could blend freely. This gave the city its unique charm and functionality, as the people felt both protected and surrounded by beauty. I appreciated my father¡¯s line of thinking. He prioritized the wellbeing of all citizens, understanding that the true lifeblood of our civilization wasn¡¯t the wealthiest or most powerful individuals but those who innovated and worked to improve our quality of life. To him, the city¡¯s strength came from those who contributed to its growth, stability, and prosperity¡ªthe teachers, healers, artisans, and thinkers who shaped the city¡¯s future. Usually, Erica and I would wander through the forest, taking in the sights and enjoying the peaceful atmosphere, but today, we had a clear goal. We hoped Christian would join us without hesitation as we set our sights on the bounty boards for some low-level monster hunting or even a trip into the manmade dungeon within the inner city. The dungeon was structured to gradually push adventurers to their limits. The first level housed creatures from levels three through ten, making it a manageable entry for beginners. The second level raised the stakes with monsters between levels eleven and seventeen. Our goal this week was to conquer the third level, where we¡¯d face creatures from levels eighteen to twenty-five, a true test of our growing skills. With Erica¡¯s high intelligence and my ¡®prodigal¡¯ agility, we¡¯d been advised that the second floor would be manageable once we reached a race level of three¡ªor level six in our respective classes. This benchmark meant we¡¯d be prepared to face tougher monsters without being overwhelmed, giving us a good sense of our combined strength. We weren¡¯t entirely certain about Christian¡¯s stats, but we knew he had an edge in strength while staying fairly average across his other attributes. As we continued along the winding roads of the middle district, one shop stood out, catching my eye: Tattoos. But it was a bit more complex than just that¡ªthis was Runescribing. The practice went beyond mere ink; it was the art of weaving runes into objects and even skin. Some runescribes specialized in empowering weapons, etching simple runes to sharpen blades or reinforce the durability of armor, while others pushed the art further, crafting symbols that carried unique powers or even channeling energy directly from the runework. Hiring a runescribe was costly, as their craft involved permanently empowering you with tattoos that could enhance your abilities. The process didn¡¯t end with the service either¡ªrunescribes retained a connection to their work. There were limits to how much power could be infused into a person. At each rank, individuals could only receive a certain amount of stat boosts from equipment or permanent buffs, meaning that even the most skilled runescribe couldn''t bypass these natural restrictions. I wanted that profession. ¡°Can we check out the runescribe?¡± I asked Erica. Her head snapped toward me, realization dawning on her face, eyes widening. ¡°Holy shit, I didn¡¯t even think of that.¡± Erica paused, looking up at the sky as she laughed. ¡°With your drawing skills, you could become the best runescribe in the city.¡± She grinned ear to ear, then continued, ¡°I just read about a profession evolution this morning. Runescribes can evolve into something that can create tattoos that act like skills¡ªlike, you could make one that activates when you¡¯re hit, or when you hit someone else. The possibilities, Jack! And I¡¯ve always wanted a tattoo.¡± She pointed to the middle of her chest, smirking. ¡°Right here.¡± I playfully rolled my eyes. ¡°We¡¯ll check out the runescribe when we¡¯re done at Christian¡¯s. I¡¯ve got some tattoo ideas of my own.¡± ¡°Yes, yes, yes! But we have to stop by the tailor for me first.¡± Erica added eagerly. ¡°My mom would gladly help you get started with tailoring. Though, I thought you were leaning toward something more combat-focused for your profession?¡± ¡°Oh, I don¡¯t want to be a tailor, I just need a cloak,¡± she said, pausing for a moment to think. ¡°I don¡¯t think we¡¯d have trouble finding my profession though. I want to dive into alchemy¡ªor maybe jewelcrafting.¡± I nodded thoughtfully. She had mentioned her interest in alchemy before, largely because of its versatility. The ability to craft potions that could restore mana mid-battle would save a considerable amount of money otherwise spent on purchasing them. It was a practical choice, one that fit her strategic mindset perfectly. On the other hand, her interest in jewelcrafting was a bit unexpected. While it held some appeal, it didn¡¯t seem as practical compared to alchemy. Jewelcrafters could eventually create items like spatial storage rings or rings with stat boosts, but these weren¡¯t things you¡¯d frequently replace. A well-crafted spatial ring obtained at Rank C would likely remain useful well into the peak of Rank A, making the demand for such items less consistent. I voiced my concerns, ¡°Jewelcrafting? Are you sure?¡± ¡°Yeah, I mean, it¡¯s definitely playing second fiddle to alchemy. I know, I know¡ªaccessories don¡¯t get replaced often¡ªbut I was reading about someone who created transportable housing. Like, a spatial ring that could hold an entire house, and you could just drop it wherever you wanted. I think it¡¯d be amazing to live anywhere without spending millions on a permanent place. Plus, if we ever decide to stop progressing, we could end up living comfortably with more money than what we know what to do with.¡± Erica looked toward our destination, noticing something odd going in the front garden. ¡°Jack, what¡¯s he doing?¡± She asked. ¡°Uh, I think he¡¯s trying to get a profession,¡± I said, watching the massive, superhumanly muscled man frolic through his family¡¯s garden, attempting a surprisingly graceful ballet routine. For someone with so much muscle to carry, his movements were impressively fluid¡ªit was honestly pretty good. It wasn¡¯t really my thing, and I couldn¡¯t tell if it was good, but to my untrained eye, he looked as though he¡¯d already gained the dancing profession. ¡°Hey, Christian!¡± Erica called out as we approached the small fence enclosing his parents¡¯ yard. ¡°What¡¯re you up to?¡± Christian froze mid-spin, his graceful movements abruptly halting. He turned toward us in a panic, his face flushing a deep shade of red that nearly matched the tomatoes in his family¡¯s garden. ¡°Oh, hi guys¡­ uh¡­¡± he stammered, fumbling for an explanation as he glanced nervously between us. His expression shifted, determination overtaking embarrassment. Straightening his posture, he looked at us almost defiantly. ¡°Dancing,¡± he declared firmly, as if daring us to question him. I chuckled, trying to put him at ease. ¡°No one¡¯s judging you, man. Honestly, you¡¯re really good¡ªat least as far as I can tell.¡± I leaned against the fence, giving him a curious look. ¡°So, why dancing?¡± His answer was unexpectedly thoughtful. ¡°Passion,¡± he began, ¡°and because it¡¯ll help with my footwork and fluidity in battle. It also addresses my weakness in mobility. I already picked up the profession¡ªit gives me agility, endurance, and perception. My agility is below average, and while I could focus purely on becoming an unkillable tank, being able to dodge attacks adds a lot more survivability. Especially now, since I don¡¯t have any movement skills. "Endurance is a no-brainer¡ªit¡¯s always good to have more stamina, and gives me more perception, which happens to be my second-highest stat.¡± ¡°Wow.¡± Erica¡¯s eyes flickered with subtle surprise, just enough for me to catch. ¡°That¡¯s super smart.¡± Christian, clearly eager to move past the attention, got straight to the point. ¡°So, what¡¯s up? Just passing by?¡± ¡°No, actually, we came to see you,¡± I said, pausing for a moment and glancing at Erica for one last nod of agreement. Once she gave it, I continued, ¡°We wanted to ask if you¡¯d be interested in teaming up with us until Rank G.¡± Christian¡¯s previously stern expression faded, and his eyes lit up and he could barely contain a smile. ¡°Really? No joking?¡± ¡°Really.¡± Erica assured him. Christian couldn¡¯t contain his excitement. He leapt over the fence and scooped me up as if I weighed nothing. ¡°Oh yes, yes! I¡¯d love to! It¡¯s been so hard finding a group to dive with.¡±A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation. Christian was a giant man-child, but in the best way possible. It wasn¡¯t a bad thing, at least not to me. His carefree attitude made him incredibly fun to be around. He had the ability to be serious when needed, but his laid-back personality always put everyone at ease. ¡°We both plan to get our professions before heading into the dungeon, but we expect to have them by the end of the week,¡± Erica explained. ¡°If not, we¡¯ll just go in without one. Does that sound good?¡± Christian nodded, his grin stretching ear to ear. ¡°Take your time! It¡¯s not like I¡¯ve got much else to do anyway!¡± I couldn¡¯t help but crack a smile as I reached into my pocket and flipped him a small coin etched with my family¡¯s crest¡ªa hawk carrying a flower. ¡°What¡¯s this for?¡± Christian asked, catching the coin and inspecting it with a puzzled expression. ¡°Show it to the guard at my house, and he¡¯ll let you in. Stop by tomorrow anytime after noon, and you can go through our armory for anything you might still need,¡± I replied. Then, with a playful smirk, I added, ¡°We don¡¯t have any dancing shoes, though.¡± Christian let out a deep, hearty laugh. "You bet. Thank you guys, for real." His expression softened with genuine gratitude as he pocketed the coin, the excitement never quite leaving his face. We said our goodbyes, Christian¡¯s smile still beaming as we turned to head back to the runescribe¡¯s shop. Most profession shops offered starter kits or profession tomes, but they were a bit of a cheat. Profession tomes allowed you to gain a profession quickly, though they were outrageously expensive. Even then, it was far better to learn a profession naturally. The System rewarded talent and achievements you earned without outside help, and gaining a profession without natural aptitude made it harder to level up. Not to mention, learning something that wasn¡¯t suited to you could actually hinder your overall growth in the long run. We stepped into the runescribe¡¯s shop, immediately noticing a shelf stacked with decorated boxes labeled as starter kits, and a singular profession tome resting in a glass case atop the highest shelf. The air was thick with the scent of ink and parchment, a few arcane symbols glowing faintly along the walls. We made our way through the shop, nodding and offering a smile to the deskkeep, who gave a polite wave in return. The atmosphere felt welcoming, yet subtly charged with the magic of the runes, as if every object here held more than just its physical form. The mana in the air was almost tangible, swirling with a multitude of affinities that intermingled and fed the runic symbols etched into the walls and shelves. It was like standing in the heart of an arcane storm, each breath thick with the energy of the environment. I tried to focus, reaching out to sense the distinct threads of each affinity, but it was a challenge. They blended together, making it nearly impossible to separate them, each one pulling and twisting in its own dance. I stood there, eyes closed, letting the mana swirl around me. It felt like a puzzle, a web of energy waiting to be unraveled. I reached out mentally, gently tugging at each individual thread of mana, trying to identify their unique affinities. There were the simple affinities, a sharp, crystalline edge of fire, the earthy, grounding presence of earth, the fluid, ever-changing flow of water, and the ethereal, almost intangible nature of wind. Each affinity felt different, but they were all interconnected, like veins in a larger, living organism. The more I focused, the clearer the threads became, though the complexity of the whole network still eluded me. It was as if the mana was alive, moving in patterns I could sense but not fully understand yet. I didn¡¯t rush, allowing myself to settle into the rhythm of it, embracing the challenge with a quiet determination. The air hummed with possibility, and I knew that this was just the beginning. There were far more affinities than I had anticipated¡ªone that I couldn¡¯t quite identify, but it pulsed with an energy of organized chaos; another that radiated a calming, serene aura, likely the nature affinity that permeated Sylvanel; and a third, dark and cold, with an air of mystery¡ªShadow. I reached for the thread that drew me in most¡ªthe one pulsing with organized chaos. Its power was energetic, rapid, almost frantic. As I drew closer to it mentally, I felt an electric arc of energy crackle through the air. Ah, now I know what you are. I opened my eyes and looked down at my hands, watching as lightning jumped between my fingertips. Holding my hand out in front of me, I examined it slowly, just as notifications flashed into my vision. You have resonated with the ¡°Lightning Affinity¡± You have gained the ¡°Lightning Affinity¡± You have learned 1 Skill Mana Sense (Rare) It''s easier for you to sense affinities within the environmental mana. This skill is passive. Erica stood quietly, a smile tugging at her lips before asking. "You just got your first affinity, didn''t you?" "Yep," I replied, still mesmerized by the blue lightning crawling across my fingertips, inching toward my bloodmark on my forearm. In a sudden moment of panic, I shook my hand, trying to dispel the electric energy that clung to my limb. With a little luck, my lightning dispersed quite quickly, responding to my will. Apparently, I¡¯d caught the attention of the Runescribe, who had been watching from behind the front desk. As soon as he saw that I¡¯d noticed him, he spoke up. ¡°That¡¯s a rare sight.¡± ¡°What do you mean?¡± I asked, still a little confused. ¡°Most people don¡¯t walk into a Runescribing shop and just pluck an affinity out of the air for themselves. Especially one that¡¯s barely even there,¡± he explained, his voice filled with intrigue. ¡°Say, when you gained the affinity, did you also get Mana Sense?¡± he added, clearly curious. I nodded, ¡°Yeah. How¡¯d you figure that out?¡± ¡°I did it too, accidentally though, during the tutorial, at the end of Rank G,¡± he said, his eyes narrowing as he examined me from a distance. ¡°Jackson Taylor,¡± he added, his tone changing slightly, as if he¡¯d just made the connection. ¡°Talented family I guess.¡± He smiled and shook his head. I watched him in silence as he walked toward us, reaching up to the profession tome. ¡°Oh no, I¡¯m gonna go with a starter kit.¡± I said. He smirked in approval, reaching toward one of the kits, ¡°Smart kid.¡± he said, handing me the kit, ¡°On the house, not because of who you are, but because of what you just did, one condition though, you return when you gain the profession so I can teach you how to tattoo.¡± I nodded eagerly, taking the decorated box and shoving it into my spatial ring with a mental command. I reached for his hand, ¡°Deal.¡± Erica had been silently inspecting the art on the walls, tattoos that were purely cosmetic, and some that mentioned stat gains. ¡°Hey, shopkeeper guy, how much is a ¡®Stattoo¡¯.¡± She held in a laugh, clearly proud of her pun. ¡°Depends,¡± he said, gesturing to a tattoo of a bear¡¯s claw on his arm, ¡°I specialize in strength and vitality tattoos, so those would be quicker and easier for me to do. For a quality one, those are my most expensive since it''s the best work I can produce. For anything else, I''d have to spend quite a bit more time crafting a tattoo for another stat, which would make it a little more expensive.¡± Erica nodded thoughtfully, seeming to understand the standard business practice. ¡°Okay. If Jack here is talentless and can¡¯t get the Runescribe profession, I¡¯ll pay you a visit.¡± I rolled my eyes at her teasing. ¡°I¡¯d love to keep chatting, but we should go find something for you,¡± I said, turning my attention to Erica. Erica nodded, ¡°Yeah, we should get going if we¡¯re done here. Thank you, for the starter kit you gave Jack.¡± ¡°No problem, names Phil by the way. Remember, you¡¯re coming back here when you get your profession.¡± I nodded toward him, repeating his name back to him so I could remember it better, ¡°Of course Phil, I owe ya, even if you¡¯d still be doing me a favor.¡± We kept the visit brief, efficient, and more effective than either of us had expected. Gaining an affinity was no small feat, especially without even having a race level yet. But I had walked into a profession shop and walked out with more than I¡¯d hoped for. I was excited as hell¡ªlightning was just fucking cool. I¡¯d visited a number of alchemy labs in Sylvanel with my parents over the years. They were always ordering massive quantities of potions and contracting alchemists to create specialized brews for our military forces in case of monster attacks. Fortunately, those were rare, especially with us ¡°tree huggers¡± around. I¡¯d never fully aligned with my dad¡¯s love for nature, though I¡¯d learned to appreciate it in my own way. He¡¯d be pretty disappointed to know that Nature wasn¡¯t my first affinity. I also wouldn¡¯t mention how the Nature affinity hadn¡¯t quite felt right to me¡ªit was a shame, really. I wished I could experience the supposed constant calmness it brought to others. My Mom could replicate the feeling with a skill she had, but imagining that feeling but it constantly running through my body sounded like bliss. The thought of affinities lingered in my mind. My bloodmark was supposed to make acquiring the time and lunar affinities almost effortless. I decided to ask Erica if she¡¯d be okay with me making a quick stop at a clock shop after we picked up her starter kits for both jewelcrafting and alchemy. She¡¯d been undecided, so we agreed on buying both kits for now and letting her think it over later. The rest day was unsurprisingly uneventful, and we picked up the kits without issue. We eventually made our way to a cozy little shop that specialized in purely cosmetic jewelry and various doodads¡ªitems I remembered being in abundance before the integration. The shop also carried watches, and anything related to the physical representation of time would naturally leave traces of the time affinity. A clocktower would have been ideal, but unfortunately, Sylvanel didn¡¯t have one. Still, I figured this would work for now. ¡°Are you going in or just standing there?¡± Erica asked. ¡°Give me a moment, I¡¯m trying to hype myself up. I¡¯m gonna look crazy just walking into a shop and sitting there with my eyes closed, doing nothing,¡± I replied. ¡°Seriously? It¡¯s not weird at all. People do this all the time. Just go,¡± Erica sighed, giving me a nudge to move forward. ¡°Go.¡± I rolled my shoulders back, shaking off my nervousness, and walked toward the door. As soon as I entered, I was greeted by the soft tick-tick-tick of various clocks, each one a small masterpiece of intricate gears and delicate hands. The air was filled with a sense of stillness, and despite the hustle of the outside world, the shop felt like a sanctuary. I found an unoccupied corner by a window, trying my best to ignore the odd looks I might get. Erica, a few steps behind me, was already looking at the jewelry with interest. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath, letting the quiet tick of the clocks fill my senses. Reaching out with my mind, I focused on the soft, steady hum that seemed to pulse in the air around me¡ªtraces of the time affinity woven into every second that passed. ¡°Here goes nothing,¡± I muttered, reaching for the faint thread of time, hoping it would respond to me the same way the lightning had. I hadn¡¯t even touched it yet, before it shot toward me, a tangible web of golden-orange light swirling around me, wrapping me in a thin cocoon before all of it streamed toward my forearm, settling in a ball before slowly sinking into my skin. The sensation wasn¡¯t unpleasant, just... strange. Time seemed to slow once more, the same odd feeling I¡¯d experienced during my class selection. This time, however, it was fleeting¡ªlasting only a second before fading, much shorter than it had been before. You have resonated with the ¡°Time Affinity¡± You have gained the ¡°Time Affinity¡± I blinked away a grogginess from my eyes and let out a yawn. ¡°Wow, that really made me tired.¡± I¡¯d heard that gaining the time affinity had this effect, as your body tricked itself into thinking it had lived an entire day in that moment. It only lasted the day of acquiring the affinity, but it was still one of those unexplained phenomena in the multiverse. I was sure some time mage out there had the answer, but they probably weren¡¯t in a rush to share their secrets. Erica stared in awe at me, ¡°That was so damn pretty to watch.¡± The older couple that she¡¯d acquainted herself with in the short time she¡¯d been looking for jewelry nodded their heads in agreement both letting out a quiet sound of approval. They didn¡¯t really comment, other than a ¡°Good for you!¡± and a ¡°Congratulations.¡± which I¡¯d been grateful for, as right now, I genuinely just wanted to go home and sleep. Erica had chosen a pair of earrings she found pretty, while I secretly purchased a simple silver bracelet. I planned to give it to her on our first dungeon delve¡ªa small token to commemorate the start of our journey. It felt fitting to mark the occasion, a moment that would hold meaning for both of us, even if our paths eventually diverged. I tucked the bracelet into my jacket pocket, keeping it hidden as Erica walked beside me, her arm linked with mine. The stroll felt like a serene evening walk, though the sun still hung high in the sky, barely dipping past its peak. The exhaustion from gaining my time affinity wasn¡¯t overwhelming, but the constant waves of drowsiness made it hard to ignore. As the familiar gate of my home came into view through the trees, I briefly considered using the last of my energy to sprint toward the comfort of my bed. Instead, I chose to fight the impulse, savoring the extra moments I could spend with Erica. Our relationship had taken an unexpected but welcome turn, shifting from purely platonic best friends¡ªwithout even a hint of flirtation¡ªto a young couple others naturally assumed we were, all within less than twenty-four hours. It was quite a turnaround, which my mother said she fully expected. Offering my greetings to the guard, telling him about Christian stopping by tomorrow with a family coin, me and Erica bee-lined for my room. She planned to tinker in the workshop with her jewelcrafting kit and alchemy kit after I fell asleep.