A/N: 3.4K words. And there are some changes you might need to know.
So, ranks of Attributes. There have been five ranks before it's six now.
Elementary, Advanced, Major, Greater, Ascended, [Redacted]
Major is the new addition, which stands before Greater.
Additionally, the ranks of Swordmanship honours are as follows: True Swordsman (Fabled), Master of Swords (Epic), Grandmaster of Swords (Legendary)... Its the same as Magus (Fabled), Grandmagus (Epic), ArchMagus (Legendary). Unlike crafting or alchemy, there was no noble or prestigious variant. All this information would be revised in book one.
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Chapter 44: Old Wounds
Now in a better mood, Eran departed to meet his family before they got worried sick. Meanwhile, I whined to Father to let me inspect his soulblade. He snorted in derision, but he lacked the talent of shooting me down with one look like Mum. Unable to bear my constant grousing, he relented, releasing the weapon into form before handing it to me.
“Make sure your inspection doesn’t involve slicing any of your body parts,” he warned.
“Don’t worry,” I grinned ear to ear. “It's all for an academic purpose.”
“Tell that to your mum if you like.”
Speaking of the devil, she actually appeared in the drawing room, wiping her palms on her apron. “Tell me what exactly?”
“Nothing,” I quickly said. “Father was just showing me his Skypiercer.”
Mum’s nose scrunched up as she cast her gaze towards the adult. “That’s one name I had not heard for a while.” Her gaze turned towards me. “An advice, when you get to name your blade, make sure not to name it the first thing that comes to mind, or something you get embarrassed by, isn’t that right, dear?”
Father mumbled something under his breath too fast for me to catch. Leaning into the couch, he mopped his face with both his palms. He had had enough humiliation for a day.
Mum was about to take her seat when a knock came at our door. Opening it revealed two nervous enforcers, one younger and one who looked far older than Father.
“Um, we are here to enquire about,” said the older one, “about the magical light that pierced the sky.”
It seemed Father’s sword piercing the sky had been quite a spectacle, such that even enforcers came for inquiry.
“I apologise, officers,” Mum said. “My husband is a big show-off. He gives up no chances he gets to display that frolic skill of his. He didn't mean anything by that.”
The two lawmen exchanged a look, unsure what to say to that. They peeked behind her to see Father and me on the couch, with the soulblade Skypiercer in my arm.
“Why don't you come in?” Mum asked politely. “I was just brewing some tea.”
Immediately, visible sweat began to form on their foreheads.
“No, no, no,” the older one denied. “We are on official duty. Taking more of your time would be highly inappropriate.”
Mum nodded. “Then I won't see you off.”
She remained there as the two enforcers turned and left without another word, the stiffness in their posture visible even in the dark. Even lawmen seemed to hold great fear towards someone of a higher class.
“Show-off,” Father said, arching an eyebrow. “Frolic skill?”
Mum sniffed. “Then should I have explained it to them, that you have made a blade a piece of your soul that can pierce the realm wall? How do you think these two noble-class augmenters would take that?”
Father was a bit miffed by her reply.
“And what do you think their superior would say to that?”
If he had been miffed before, now he was outright embarrassed that two children had goaded him into displaying the sky-piercing force in a festive city.
“Since they only sent two constables, it was merely a mandatory investigation, and perhaps to give you a warning.” She paused. “Hmm, they seemed to have forgotten about the warning, however.” Her eyes turned towards me. “And you, stop playing around with the sword and get down to advancing. It’ll already be time for dinner by the time you finish.”
I replied with an agreeable hum, though my fractal sight and all my senses still inspected the blade. Its foundation and inner workings eluded me completely, even beyond the relic I owned. There were no runes, no essence threads, merely a rigid blade, sharp beyond any measure.
Before I could find anything measurable, it turned into a wisp of glowing mist and disappeared into Father’s body.
“Father,” I squealed, “I wasn't done with that.”
“You can inspect all you want later,” Father said. “Just don't make your mother angry right now.”
I shot a measured glance towards her and acquiesced, noting the expression on her face. Sitting straight, I controlled my breathing and finally opened my gaze to my prime seed. I concentrated on the connection between my essence threads and the relic, and then on the thirty-six-odd threads remaining to be linked.
“Before you advance,” Father said, as Mum went to prepare our meal, “I want to ask you about the competition.”
Maintaining my concentration, I arched an inquisitive eyebrow in his direction.
“You know you would have a much easier time if you depended on your essence during the duels. How long are you going to push your swordsmanship?
“As far as I can bear it,” I said truthfully. Though I did not think it would go far. I had almost had to rely on my essence against Melina. If I met some bad draw in the league of the top 64, someone who had an answer to my swordsmanship, I might have to reveal my shaping far earlier than I intended.
“Did Master Kaius put you to this?”
“No, he only gave me the blade.” I opened my eyes to shoot him a look. “It was all my idea. I want to show you... and Mum, what you have taught me.” And make you proud.
“I see... Well, get on with your advancement then.”
I nodded, sat straighter, and began to connect one thread after another. The whole procedure was uneventful, if somewhat strenuous. To maintain a constant stream of Will for over three hours was not exactly an easy task, but I had had some experience.
Finally, the prompt from the spell came as I heaved a breath of relief. With my mind made up on how to distribute the empowerment, I did not hesitate, putting five points into Will and leaving the remaining four for Weight.
Soon, an ecstatic sensation flooded through my veins. I revelled in it for a moment before my eyes finally opened, a spark flaring within them. Then I opened my profile.
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[Profile]
Arilyn Arcis O’Ryon
Path: Shaper (Common)Wayfarer (Noble - Fifth Step)
Honours: Prime Seed (Prestigious), Journeyman Artisan (Prestigious), Demon Hunter (Prestigious)
Aspects:
Influence: +12 (+50%)
Weight: +15 (+50%)
Will: +21 (+80%)
Attributes [8/9]: (Unallocated Points: ) [+60%]
Arcane (Major): +299
Adaptive Physicality (Major): +227
Split Focus (Advanced): +99
Fortitude (Advanced): +99
HyperCognition (Advanced): +99
Uncommon Reflexes (Advanced): +99
Enhanced Aura (Advanced): +99
Agility (Advanced): +99
Gift:
Fractal Soul[Fractal Sight][Rune Imprint]
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There were some easy attribute points I could gain through practising rune imprinting, the various facets of aura, and advanced shaping. My aura sense needed work, but that was not something that could be changed in the short term. However, the resonance of sharpness and penetration were much more immediate. I had some inspiration from the battles, added with some deliberate display from Father; I might have enough ideas on how to carry through the next couple of duels.
Now, if only I could add heaviness and swiftness into the mix.
Among the other tasks of importance was merging the two attributes, Uncommon Reflexes and Agility, into one. There was also one free slot open. Mum wanted me to take Toxin Resistance, which could later be upgraded to some variant of arcane resistance. Getting an elementary attribute would be far too easy. I reckoned I could get it within a few hours by injecting that corpse flower’s toxins.
But I was leaving the slot open for Sword Sense. Oracle knows, I would even take a weaker variant of it. I had already grown familiar with the ability, but just hadn’t met enough formidable foes to test my sword with.
Among the various facets of a True Swordsman, Sword Sense was as significant as any other.
“Done appreciating your profile?” Father said as he came to sit next to me, a paper in his hand.
“What is that?” I asked, peeking at it.
“Your Mum and I thought—well, mostly I thought—about giving you something to aim for,” Father said, handing me the paper.
My eyes widened. The paper held all the information from their profiles.
“Ashlyn was worried that this would set an overwhelming expectation for you, so she did not want to show you before you advanced to Prestigious Class, but then you had to exceed all our expectations. Now perhaps this paper can only help you curb your ambition.”
Setting the page on my lap, I shot him a curious glance.
“Whatever you make of yourself, son, we will always be proud of you.”
I opened my mouth to say something, but had no words to express it.
He patted me on the shoulder. “Now, I must remind you, both your mother’s and my accomplishments are greater than most fabled classes you see.”
I was barely hearing him by that point, as most of my attention was fixed on the information on the pages.
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Jinn O’RyonPath: Weave Ripper (Fabled)
Honours: Blight Defier (Legendary), Master of Sword (Epic), Aura Master (Fabled), Ta’Shin (Fabled), Jinn of Ryon (Fabled), Wielder of Ouroborus (Fabled), Rift Walker (Prestigious)
Aspects:
Influence: +512 (+320%)
Weight: +1552 (+420%)
Will: +2032 (+680%)
Attributes [7/8]: [+420%]
Attuned Sword Aura (Ascended): +1566
Blade Perception (Greater): +999
Blight Resistance (Greater): +999
Apex Constitution (Greater): +999
Sword Forged Spirit Body (Greater): +223
Heroic Heart (Major): +877
Uncommon Recovery (Advanced): +319
Gift:
Nullification
SoulWard:
Weave Ripper Robe
Skypiercer (Soulblade)
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I knew Honours could add great boosts to aspects and attributes, but my mind almost stalled, looking at all the numbers. Of course, he had an honour bearing his name like a hero.
Then my gaze fell on the first attribute.
“Ascended attribute!” My eyes widened in shock as I turned to him. “You have an ascended attribute?”
“Hmm,” Father smirked, shooting a meaningful glance at Mum, who came to sit on my other side. “I guess you never thought your oldman can be this incredible, huh?”
Overlooking his smirk, I noted the other attributes, three of them standing at the precipice of reaching the Ascended mark.
“I get what Attuned sword aura is,” I said. “What does Blade Perception mean?”
“It’s an evolution of sword sense,” Father explained. “Essentially, it gives me the ability to cut things precisely, while not getting hit.”
“What about sword-forged spirit body?”
“It is something I got after becoming a master swordsman. A result of the sword forging.”
“But what does it do?”
“Currently,” Father tilted his head, “it strengthens the soul, empowers the soul-body integrity, and boosts the attacking power of my aura. It might not sound like a lot, but it is essential for a master swordsman.”
I already knew what Heroic Heart was. It was an attribute which helped burn the lifeblood of an awakened to bring out greater power against an adversary, but of course, that was the extreme use of the attribute. The other utility was that Heroic Heart could empower one’s Will so long as their resolve remained unshaken. It was both a great power and a curse, as the backlash for its extreme use cases had been more than dire.
“All right, don’t just let me hog all the attention. See what your mother has there as well.”
I turned the page. I thought I already had an opinion on what Mum’s profile would be like after reading Father’s, but as I got to the list of honours, that conception evaporated into thin air.
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Ashlyn Aline Silverheart
Path: Rune Weaver (Fabled)
Aspects:
Influence: +812 (+420%)
Weight: +1802 (+300%)
Will: +1482 (+480%)
Honours: Blight Hunter (Epic), Distinguished Master Arisan (Epic), Greater Blessings of the Star Phoenix (Epic), Aura Master (Fabled), Champion of Olympic - Duels (Fabled), Primus of Oracle Academy (Fabled), Rift Walker (Prestigious), Gifted Wunderkind (Prestigious)
Attributes [8/8]: [+400%]
Blessed Light Body (Greater): +999
Radiant Aura (Greater): +999
Hallowed Affinity (Greater): +999
Bastion of Will (Greater): +999
Blight Resistance (Greater): +618
Fragile Soul Integrity (Detrimental)*: - 56
Heroic Heart (Major): +604
Insight (Major): +529
Gift:
Construct
Lesser Synthesis
SoulWard: Rune Chains
Aether Vestige: Starfire
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“Champion of Olympics!” I shouted, jumping to my feet. “You never mentioned you have participated in the Olympics, and even won the most significant game in it!”
“It is a long time ago,” mum said, “and it never came up.”
“What about Primus of Oracle Academy?” I accused. “That certainly had come up a number of times when Rose said she had missed that honour by half a mark.”
Why hadn’t she mentioned she was this accomplished?
“I have had some great fortune,” she only said, as though that explained it all.
“What about the Greater Blessing of the Star Phoenix?”
Mum went silent, collecting her thoughts. “That was the great fortune, I guess.”
“Does a transcended being bestow their blessing to anyone?”
“It is something I received in my younger years,” Mum said, unsure how to explain it, or if she should. “Have I not mentioned that the Amadeus family had a bit of connection with the Star Phoenix?”
I stared at her, accusation boring from my eyes as I moved to her attributes. Although she lacked an Ascended attribute, she had half of her attributes at the greater threshold. But then my eyes struck dumb, finding an attribute with a detrimental effect.
“Fragile Soul Integrity,” I read as my heart shuddered in pain.
“It's almost healed,” Mum interjected. “Once I reach Epic class, it won’t even be there.”
Mum hardly ever explained something unasked. While there might be some truth to that, it all sounded like an excuse. My heart pounded, thinking she had hidden something so big and for so long. Yes, I might not know exactly what it meant, but the inkling was hard to miss.
Without a word, I hugged her, a tear dripping down my face unbidden.
“I’m fine, pumpkin,” Mum said, tousling my hair. She shot an accusing glare at Father, as if it were all his fault.
“Your mum wanted to omit it,” Father explained, “but I reasoned you have the right to know, as you may have already glimpsed our family’s relation with the Empire was not all merry.”
“How did it happen?” I asked, sucking in a frigid breath.
“It's from a forced class change,” Mum said, “and splitting a relic or two from my Essence Core. You see, once one ascended to Fabled Class, their body works differently; mine is even more miraculous with the Blessed Light Body I got with the Star Phoenix’s blessing. Along with Hallowed Affinity and Radiant Aura, it has been healing the soul trauma. I’m even more unkillable than your father. Even if I lose a limb or two, they’d grow back in time.”
All her reasoning only felt like pretence to my heart, as she wiped my eyes with the back of her thumb.
“That one is true,” Father added.
“As you know,” she continued, “something needs to be reforged for the smallest of cracks to disappear. Once I advance, this little damage will only strengthen my soul.”
“Is it really painful?” I asked.
Mum met my glance. For a long while, she did not answer, only pulled me closer. “It was,” she whispered, “but no more than the humiliation I brought to the House.” She patted my shoulder. “But that’s all in the past. I don’t miss what I lost; perhaps if we get to meet your aunts and others more, it would be all good. Now, aren’t you curious about all my other attributes? Unlike the Master of Sword here, who takes whatever attributes that come his way, all of mine were cultivated selectively.”
One by one, she explained the exact properties of her attributes. Her explanations were more apt and informative than Father’s, anything she could do to not dwell on the past.
Bastion of Will was a will- and perception-based ability. It could be called a counterpart to Father’s Blade Perception, though it was impossible to determine which one was greater. Whereas Blade Perception was indomitable in battle, Bastion of Will was more versatile. It assisted greatly with grafting Will into crafts, and even in spell forging.
Blight Resistance was an obvious choice for anyone who had fought demons on the front lines. It denied the demonic will and aura from destabilising one’s being. The other benefits were also enormous, from various resistances to toxins and arcane powers.
“How did you get Insight?” I asked, curious.
“It was a culmination of a lot of studying and becoming a master of one field,” she answered. “But you don’t have to be envious. Your Fractal Sight allows an even greater advantage.”
I was already aware of her two gifts, so I moved on to the bottom of the page. I had experienced her rune chains, but the aether vestige felt unfamiliar.
“It is also something I got with the blessing,” Mum answered.
“Is aether vestige something different from a soul ward?” I asked.
“They are. A soul ward is your personal property that you awaken at Fabled class, or earlier, in special cases like your father’s. Whereas an aether vestige is akin to a soul-bonded relic.”
She waved her hand as a golden flame bloomed from her palm. It barely radiated any heat, though my arcane senses warned of its intensity; if I were to put my finger into it, it would burn it to cinders in the blink of an eye.
We talked for almost an hour. Mostly, I asked questions, and they answered about their profiles while Mum served our meal. I also learned that the only reason Father had not advanced to Grandmaster of Sword was due to his soulblade shattering. Once he fixed that, he would gain another legendary honour to accompany Blight Defier.
“How did you get that legendary honour?” I asked.
Father exchanged a look with Mum. “I have had some experiences.” He waved a hand. “Don’t worry about that. It is merely an evolution of the demon hunter honour. Your mum was already halfway to getting it herself.”
There, he was clearly hiding something. But since he did not elaborate, I did not press further. There was something else I wanted to ask.
“But you already have a legendary honour and an ascended attribute. Why are you still fabled class?”
Father let out a breath, while Mum nudged him. “I answered him. It was your great idea to show him all this.”
“I was a swordsman first and a nullifier later,” he said. “And if I haven't said it before, void essence is not all that accommodating. It does not work on the same principle as the other essence. There are no steps in it; once my soul and body are strong enough to bear its power, I’ll advance.”
I asked him for more, but he seemed to struggle to explain it any better.
“It just means your father is far stronger than any Fabled Class awakened, you know,” Mum cut in, “and he has a greater chance of reaching Legendary Class one day.”
I sucked in a ragged breath.
Legendary Class. There are only five or six of them in the whole world. I had even met one of them. Well, one and a half, if counting Master Kaius. The only other known legendary figures were the Guardian of Thera and the old Emperor Hadrian Aelius Alberan. Both were far more mysterious and secretive than Sir Gaius, their last public appearances dating back over a decade.
“Don’t take your mother’s word for it,” Father waved off. “I barely even know what it means to ascend, much less grasp it. Instead of the clouded Legendary Realm, we should celebrate getting an Epic Class in our family soon.”
He continued, shooting a meaningful glance at Mum. She had delayed advancing because of her wound. And I reckoned a greater part of it was to take care of me, and now, to wait for my sibling to be born. Once that was out of the way, she would have nothing holding her back from advancing.
A certain epic-class craftsman, and a swordsman with the potential to reach legendary class.
I must have saved a nation or two in my previous life to be born into them.