Of course, following his delight at gaining affinity in each magic school came the surge in levels to Historical and Cultural Appreciation, and it also ranked up alongside said levels.
[Congratulations! The host's passive skill [Historical and Cultural Appreciation] has levelled up! It is now Intermediate Level 1.]
[Congratulations! The host's passive skill [Historical and Cultural Appreciation] has levelled up! It is now Intermediate Level 2.]
[Congratulations! The host's passive skill [Historical and Cultural Appreciation] has levelled up! It is now Intermediate Level 3.]
[Congratulations! The host's passive skill [Historical and Cultural Appreciation] has levelled up! It is now Intermediate Level 4.]
[Congratulations! The host's passive skill [Historical and Cultural Appreciation] has levelled up! It is now Intermediate Level 5.]
[Congratulations! The host's passive skill [Historical and Cultural Appreciation] has levelled up! It is now Intermediate Level 6.]
[Congratulations! The host's passive skill [Historical and Cultural Appreciation] has levelled up! It is now Intermediate Level 7.]
It stopped there, which was monumental. This skill was very hard to level similar to Meditation and here he had increased its level seven times with one moment.
Lone almost took a quick break to pull up the skill's information, excited to see the changes brought upon it by hitting intermediate rank, but he held himself back. He had at least that much self control. After all, the skill was bound to improve further along in his logs given what else he had done two days ago.
He grinned. The next notification to fill Lone's vision was, in fact, another one from Historical and Cultural Appreciation. 'For the item this time, right?'
[The host has created the moment of an unknown crafter of little renown creating an item in concert with the world Altros that surpases the order of any prior item seen upon it. Moment added to the [Miraculous moments and sites of history witnessed or created] list of the skill [Historical and Cultural Appreciation].
Create 1 more item of a similar order with the world Altros's help to upgrade the tier of this moment.
Stat bonus from moment: Luck 1,000.Additional bonus: The host may choose any one crafting-based skill they possess and force it to level-up or evolve (if it is at master-level-10 and can evolve) with no consequences.]
'This... This is a great opportunity but also very easily squandered. Scott isn't dead but I bet he's struggling with all of these stats. 1,000 is a fuckton to a normal person, but when compared to Sofia... fingers crossed my now over 5,000 Luck can make a difference with all of these Divines interested in me. As for that chosen level-up, yup, saving that for an evolution,' Lone concluded.
Unlike with his experience using crude goblin magic, most skills that could evolve didn't do so on their own. He had researched the topic extensively and the difficulty to evolve skills varied wildly, almost as much as the enlightenment needed for a person to rank up did.
There was no way he was going to waste this opportunity when it could probably be used on something that would have a ridiculous threshold to evolve like Basic Regeneration or some of his other unique skills.
[Congratulations! The host's passive skill [Historical and Cultural Appreciation] has levelled up! It is now Intermediate Level 8.]
[Congratulations! The host's passive skill [Historical and Cultural Appreciation] has levelled up! It is now Intermediate Level 9.]
[Congratulations! The host's passive skill [Historical and Cultural Appreciation] has levelled up! It is now Intermediate Level 10.]
[Congratulations! The host's passive skill [Historical and Cultural Appreciation] has levelled up! It is now Advanced Level 1.]
[Congratulations! The host's passive skill [Historical and Cultural Appreciation] has levelled up! It is now Advanced Level 2.]
Now he was getting almost uncontrollably excited to see that skill's info but he held himself back. He was sure there had to be at least one more historic or cultural moment he had created here.
[The host has developed the passive skill: Magic Forging.]
'And we're back to not congratulating for earning ordinary skills,' Lone thought. 'One day I'll find out why you do that, system.'
[Passive Skill: Magic Forging
A skill that allows the host to perform the very technical art of forging with raw magic.
Magic forging performed by the host will be 5% more likely to succeed and the products made will be 5% more stable.
Cost: N/AMastery: Beginner Level 1]
'Nice. I half-expected to get this. It's needed to make enchantment plates and teleportation platforms. Will be a very helpful addition to my belt of tools,' Lone commented internally followed by a nod of his head.
[The host has created the moment of an A-ranker successfully ordering over 100 Divine/Divine-level beings to do the host's bidding. Moment added to the [Extraordinary moments and sites of history witnessed or created] list of the skill [Historical and Cultural Appreciation].
Successfully order a similar amount of such beings stronger than the host 5 more times to upgrade the tier of this moment.
Stat bonus from moment: 50 Charm | 50 Charisma]
[Congratulations! The host's passive skill [Historical and Cultural Appreciation] has levelled up! It is now Advanced Level 3.]
[Congratulations! The host's passive skill [Historical and Cultural Appreciation] has levelled up! It is now Advanced Level 4.]
'Only extraordinary? I suppose it isn't world-changing, but still... Kind of a let down, to be honest,' he thought.
[Congratulations! The host has developed an affinity for Space Magic.]
'That's it? No skill? If I earned the affinity, I should have earned the skill. What the fuck?' Lone was confused. 'Did he maybe... use a skill above my order and Growth Accelerator can't copy those? I can't risk asking him. That would reveal too much. I might be able to ask Monsieur Librarian though...'
The next notifications were similar in nature and just as much of a disappointment as the ones from before his development of a space magic affinity.
[The host has created the moment of outwitting an Arch Devil, leading to its death. Moment added to the [Extraordinary moments and sites of history witnessed or created] list of the skill [Historical and Cultural Appreciation].
Successfully outwit 5 more Arch Devils, resulting in their deaths, to upgrade the tier of this moment.
Stat bonus from moment: 100 Charisma.]
[Congratulations! The host's passive skill [Historical and Cultural Appreciation] has levelled up! It is now Advanced Level 5.]
[Congratulations! The host's passive skill [Historical and Cultural Appreciation] has levelled up! It is now Advanced Level 6.]
'I guess you only get crazy bonuses from miraculous moments...' he sighed internally, much of his enthusiasm having fled him. Still, he opened this skill's info to see if the ranks had changed anything significantly.
[Passive Skill: Historical and Cultural Appreciation
A skill that allows the host to gain knowledge and sometimes permanent power from observing or creating history and matters of culture.
[New!] Grants the host the ability to know when they are witnessing or creating moments and sites of historic or cultural value, while also giving the host a sense of what to do to ensure the moment happens for moments being created.
Ordinary moments and sites of history witnessed or createdExiled elves of the Western World Tree | Ranton's Grand Colosseum | The death of a human summoned hero | the Estoplian Wasteland | Epitome Brugar the Stout's statue | Epitome Frumgear the Keen's statue
Extraordinary moments and sites of history witnessed or createdAlteration of Sky's Avatar Primal skill | Created moment of a C-ranker beating an XX-ranker in a public spar [Prince Keining] | Created moment of an A-ranker successfully ordering over 100 Divine/Divine-level beings to do the host's bidding | Created moment of outwitting an Arch Devil, leading to its death
Miraculous moments and sites of history witnessed or createdCreated moment of an unknown A-ranker creating a brand new school of magic | Created moment of an unknown crafter of little renown creating an item in concert with the world Altros that surpases the order of any prior item seen upon it
Ordinary moments and sites of cultural significance witnessed or createdThe beauty of the Stone Dwarves underground stronghold city, Krieg Moor | A dwarven Hall of Memories
Extraordinary moments and sites of cultural significance witnessed or createdCreated moment of a foreign B-ranker-turned-A-Ranker successfully confronting the 8 X-ranked local elders of the Crimson Foxkin Clan and two XXX-ranked members of the Council of Elders
Miraculous moments and sites of cultural significance witnessed or createdNone.
Permanent bonuses granted: 25 Strength | 1,070 Luck | 80 Charm | 5 Vitality | 50 Dexterity | 50 Agility | 225 Charisma | 10,000 Magic power | 10% Illusion Magic Affinity | 10% Fire Magic Affinity | +5% affinity in all owned magic schools. | A free crafting skill level-up or evolution.
Cost: N/AMastery: Advanced Level 6]
'That's all? Useful, of course, and I suppose the skill is busted enough to almost be a unique one if used correctly, but still, a bit of a let down. Maybe it'll get something insane at master-rank, assuming it's even possible to reach that high with this skill. I made a whole-ass new school of magic and an item of an unheard of quality but barely made it past the halfway mark of advanced rank...' Lone noted in upset.
His final notification was for his new time magic affinity, again, with no associated skill.
[Congratulations! The host has developed an affinity for Time Magic.]
He sat in silence for a moment just thinking about the immediate future and what he should do. Everything else wasn't important right now or could wait until the next Conclave of Seekers meeting.
He looked down at the two sheets of parchment in his hands. The list of beings he owed a chance to study the device was intimidating. There were 78 individuals in total. That was terrifying but also reassuring.
If Divine Hourglass could be trusted, he had 22 years before he needed to allow a single one of them a chance to study the mana concealer or a possible fake replacement.
It had only taken him less than three years to come as far as he had, surely he could become a Divine or gain the power to contend with such beings in two decades, no?
'... Growth Accelerator can certainly keep up, but can my enlightenment, and what about the other requirements to change one's order for the X-ranks?' Lone was confident but he wasn't absolutely confident.
Next, he read over the offer from Divine Hourglass and Divine Eternal.
'List of obligations and benefits to becoming the joint disciple of myself, Divine Hourglass, and Divine Eternal
Divine Hourglass
ObligationsNone.
Benefits1. My undivided attention to train you in whatever it is you wish to learn. I am the headmaster of The Academy, and while it is known for its magic-centred learning facilities and professors, it does offer courses for all manners of things. You would have unlimited access to it all.
2. A temporal mark will be placed on you, marking you as my disciple. It will only be noticeable to my fellow Divines and those at a similar power level. I am well known and very, very, few people are willing to offend me, as demonstrated during your miraculous event. This is the greatest form of protection any can offer you.
3. Unlimited legitimate funds.
4. Anything else that you want that I can provide.
Divine Eternal
Obligations1. As the unofficial best crafter on the continent now, I would request you make a few items for me and check the condition of one of the world trees.
2. I would also ask that you teach me what you can on the new school of magic you have fathered.
Benefits1. Unrestricted access to my personal library, the most extensive and accurate library on the continent, largely due in part to me being the oldest living Divine.
2. Unrestricted but supervised access to any and all crafters who reside within the world trees and the hidden elven sanctuaries that dot the land. You will be required to accept tattoos of sealing in regard to any sensitive secrets.
3. I felt your nature and water magic affinities, and I happen to be related to the current Avatar of Nature while the Avatar of Water is a close friend of mine. I am happy to arrange for both of them to tutor you in their respective schools of magic.
4. Name any other conditions, and should it be reasonable and not lead to harming the overall balance of the continent, then I shall grant it.'
Lone sighed as he looked away from the sheet and stared at the ceiling. 'Divine Eternal's conditions sound way better than Divine Hourglass's. How can I trust him when he's asking for nothing in return?'
He sat in silent thought for a few minutes before he called out, "Divine Hourglass? Can we talk?"
The door to his room opened and the spectacle-wearing man walked in with a smile on his face. "Of course. I trust your notification log was a treat to behold."
"Yeah, it was, uh, long," Lone replied off-handedly. "I'll be honest. I think that's the best course of action here. This offer, I can't accept it. It's too suspicious. Why do you want nothing from me?"
Divine Hourglass chuckled faintly. "I want a lot from you, Lone. You've already given me most of it and the rest will come with... time. I see no point in giving you obligations. Should you need one, however, for you to accept my offer, then how about this? Become a professor at my academy. At The Academy."
"I don't want to teach my new magic school yet. I need to think about the ramifications," Lone replied genuinely.
"Now, I didn't say you'd have to teach that to anybody. You did what no one else ever has, Lone. You made an item at a level above Divinity. Surely you can teach others how to craft, no? As my offer stated, The Academy teaches far more than just magic," Divine Hourglass said with a smile.
"Right... I need to think about it. I have things I need to deal with from before I decided to be a fuckin' idiot and reveal myself like that to the world," Lone said.
Divine Hourglass shook his head. "Idiot? No. I don't think anyone could have expected for you to do what you did, not even Altros herself. As for revealing yourself, only those that were physically present know it was you, and you need not trust my words but they are true, no one else will ever learn it was you unless you choose to reveal that yourself. Do not doubt Divine Tethered's ability to keep matters a secret."
He apparently was able to tell that Lone wasn't entirely convinced so he added, "Void. You are its Avatar, yes?"
Lone nodded hesitantly.
"The Church of the Primals was able to seal that Primal 500,000 years ago with the help of a dozen Divines, including Divine Eternal. It escaped at the last moment but not without the seal thankfully taking hold. How you wound up as its Avatar and are maintaining your personality are details for you to know, but you are aware that unless one is an X-ranker or above, or has a certain position of power, then almost no one even knows that there are nine Primals, not eight, yes?" the Divine asked.
Again, Lone nodded.
"Well, Divine Tethered is, roughly speaking, 100 or so times more efficient than the Church of the Primals is at hiding and edited history. As far as the denizens of Teresta are concerned, a mana well with consciousness was naturally summoned from another world, and the beam of magical light was the manifestation of its unique skill. The told situation is so far removed from what really happened. Your involvement will not be suspected. Reality itself has been twisted so it is literally impossible for anyone to state what happened unless they are you or are only in your presence," the spectacled man claimed.
'If they were willing to go through that much effort... Then maybe?' Lone met Divine Hourglass's gaze. "May I ask for a favour?"
"Anything," the man replied joyfully.
"I need an undetectable way to hide my appearance. I have three 'Yes, I don't look like this. Stop Asking.' brooches. I need three devices that do the same but better and that are undetectable. Can that be done?" he asked.
Divine Hourglass wore an interested expression. "Easily. Give me a few hours. Now, I can tell you don't trust free lunches. In exchange, I expect you to, at the very least, visit Mystopolis within the next few months. Take a tour of The Academy. No strings attached, just have a look at where you might be working should you accept the offer to become my joint-disciple."
"... Yeah, I can do that. Will, uh, will a bunch of Divines be secretly tracking me now?" Lone wondered aloud.
Divine Hourglass shook his head. "No. Most want nothing to do with you. You were the reason some of their friend's died. Very cunning and I approve wholeheartedly, but while most wish to use you, some befriend you, and a handful kill you, they do not wish it enough to offend me. They will act as if you do not exist unless you enter their land or until it is their turn to study the device you created."
He adjusted his glasses and said, "We have looked into you rather extensively, myself, Divine Persistence, and Divine Eternal. You are cautious but also very reckless, however, that seems to benefit you. Allowing ourselves to risk the growth of the new school of magic you fathered by keeping tabs on you or by secretly protecting you will hinder what I want, and no one wants that."
'That's... very believable, actually. He's a scary motherfucker to everyone else apparently, and if he says leave the weird Golden Foxkin alone, let the specimen grow on its own so to speak, then they can only reply 'sir, yes sir', huh?' Regardless of it that was true or not, he needed to invest in detection-based skills, stat.
Divine Hourglass got up. "I'll be back in a few hours with what you requested. Ah! Do be aware, you may be seeing Divine Dragonsworn in the next few days. I understand you two had a prior engagement. You really were working hard to handle that Arch Devil of yours, weren't you? The more I learn about you, Lone, the more I want you as my disciple."
Lone got a chill up his spine upon witnessing the smile on the Divine's face as he said that. 'This guy is terrifying...'