The oppressive weight of the Hall of Wills lifted from Arin's shoulders the moment he stepped back into the sun-drenched pathways of Ark Fortress. Yet, the external clamor of congratulations, the envious murmurs, and the outright mocking laughter that had followed his "A-Rank Master Encyclo" proclamation felt distant, like echoes from another dimension. His true world was internal, a kaleidoscope of newly merged memories and astonishing potential.
Rei and Kaela, loyal as ever, had shepherded him through the dispersing crowds. Rei's arm around his shoulder felt oddly solid, grounding him, while Kaela's quiet concern was a comforting anchor. He'd given them the simple, reassuring "Never better," and they'd accepted it, perhaps sensing the profundity behind his calm. But Arin knew he couldn't fully process what had happened until he was truly alone.
His dorm room, a Spartan space with a narrow bed, a desk, and a small mana-fueled light, offered the solitude he craved. The walls hummed faintly with the city's omnipresent mana flow, a familiar sound that now seemed to whisper secrets only he could discern. He closed the door, the click echoing loudly in the sudden silence, and sank onto his bed.
He closed his eyes, focusing inward. The first thing that assaulted him was the sheer volume of information. His Mind Vault, the A-Rank ability the Will Crystal had identified, wasn't merely a photographic memory. It was an oceanic archive, perfectly indexed and cross-referenced, where every sensation, every sound, every rune, every faint whisper of mana he had ever encountered was stored. He could recall the intricate mana-flow patterns on the Hall's walls, the precise cadence of the General's voice, the exact shade of Rei's mana eruption, all with perfect clarity. But more than recall, his mind now comprehended them. He saw the underlying formulas of mana structures, the logical progression of light particle manipulation in Rei's awakening, the fundamental principles of defense in Kaela's Guardian shield. It was like seeing the blueprint, the very source code, of reality.
The transmigration, the collision of two Earths within his soul, was no longer a confusing dream. It was his new foundation. His fragmented memories of a world without mana, a world of science and logic, had fully integrated with the memories of this mana-infused reality. He understood nuclear fission and the precise channeling of elemental mana with equal, crystalline clarity. The concepts, once disparate, now flowed together, creating a unique lens through which he viewed existence. He was a confluence of realities, a human database of cosmic information. The thought sent a thrill, cold and electrifying, through him. He was not just Arin Vale; he was Arin Vale, the nexus.
Then, there was the second awakening. Skill Craft. The whispered words from the Will Crystal resonated within his mind, no longer an external voice, but an internal imperative. He focused on it, and a translucent, shimmering interface coalesced in his mind's eye. It wasn't a screen he could touch, but a mental construct, intuitive and responsive to his thoughts.
It displayed:
Skill Craft
Host: Arin Vale
Passive Abilities:
Mind Vault (A-Rank): All observed knowledge is retained in high-fidelity and can be referenced at will. Upon encountering information again, it resurfaces automatically with complete comprehension.
Active Ability:
Skill Crafting (SSS-Rank): User can craft skills based on mana capacity and mastery within the laws of the World.
Skill Slots:
A-Rank or Lower: 10 available
S/SS-Rank: 3 available
SSS-Rank: 2 available (Slots are consumed upon skill creation and are tied to mana capacity and mastery.)
The sheer audacity of it left him breathless. He didn't just awaken to skills; he created them. This wasn't about manifesting inherent talent; it was about defining, designing, and forging abilities from concept to reality, guided by the fundamental laws of mana. His strength wouldn't be inherited; it would be engineered.
His mind raced, a torrent of possibilities. What did he need? In a world of raging demons and shadowy figures, stealth and perception were paramount. He wasn't a frontline fighter like Rei, nor a sturdy defender like Kaela. His advantage lay in knowledge and adaptability.
He started simple. Basic movement. He'd always been light-footed, but against the heightened senses of demons and the unpredictable nature of Fractures, silence was a weapon.
"Okay," he whispered, focusing on the mental interface.
[Please pick a name for the skill...]
"Silent Steps," Arin spoke, the name forming effortlessly in his mind.
[Skill 'Silent Steps' has been created.](Rank will be settled by default upon full conceptualization.)
[State the use of the skill.]
"When activated," Arin began, visualizing the effect with the clarity only his Mind Vault allowed, "this skill will immediately mute the sound of the user's footsteps. With every five steps taken, the user will gain one stealth stack, but lose 50 points of mana for every stack gained. Each stealth stack will increase the user's overall stealth by 1%. All accumulated stacks will disappear once the skill is turned off." He paused, considering. "The mana cost should be minimal for the mute, but increase for the stacking effect."
(Processing...)
(Description accepted.)
A thrill of pure creation shot through him. It worked! The Craft System understood his intent.
[Please select the active phrase for the skill {Silent Steps}.]
"Silent Steps," he answered without hesitation, the words feeling naturally linked to the concept.
[Phrase 'Silent Steps' has been selected.]
[Estimated mana cost: 100 mana to activate, 50 mana per stealth stack.]
[Cooldown: 5 minutes.]
(Rank settled at A)
[Would you like to learn the skill or destroy it?]
"Learn it," Arin said immediately, a satisfied grin tugging at his lips.
[Congratulations! You have successfully learned [Silent Steps]!]
He felt a subtle shift in his mana pathways, a new channel opening. This wasn't an inherent ability; it was a crafted one, a testament to his will and comprehension. The thought was intoxicating. He had effectively written a piece of mana-code into his own being.
Encouraged by his first successful skill creation, Arin leaned back against the headboard, his mind already racing ahead. What next? He needed something to aid his understanding, to give his Mind Vault practical application in combat situations. Awareness. Detection. The ability to read the mana signatures of hidden threats.
He envisioned a skill: a sensory enhancement that allowed him to perceive mana fluctuations in his vicinity, effectively granting him a sixth sense, a mental map of his immediate surroundings.
[Please pick a name for the skill...]
"Mind Map," Arin stated confidently, the name clicking into place.
[Skill 'Mind Map' has been created.](Rank settled by default upon full conceptualization.)
[State the use of the skill.]
"Upon activation, 'Mind Map' will create a three-dimensional mental projection of the user's surroundings within a 50-meter radius," Arin began, detailing the parameters with his newfound clarity. "This projection will display real-time movements, mana fluctuations, and structural layouts, allowing the user to predict enemy actions and navigate complex environments. The skill consumes an additional 20 mana every 10 seconds while active. The effective range of this skill will expand as the user's strength and mastery grow."
(Processing...)(Description accepted.)
Arin's eyes gleamed with anticipation. "This should help in evading those pesky detection spells and finding hidden Shadow Figures." The synergy between Mind Vault and Mind Map was immense; one gathered the data, the other interpreted it into actionable intelligence.
[Please select the active phrase for the skill {Mind Map}.]
"Perceive," he replied succinctly, testing the word. It felt right.
[Phrase 'Perceive' has been selected.]
[Estimated mana cost: 50 mana to activate, 20 mana every 10 seconds while active.]
[Cooldown after use: 2 minutes.]
(Rank settled at A)
[Would you like to learn the skill or destroy it?]
"Learn it," Arin affirmed.
[Congratulations! You have successfully learned [Mind Map]!]
He felt another subtle, yet distinct, shift within his mana pathways. Two skills. Two A-Rank skills. He had used two of his ten A-rank slots, but the power they promised was immense. He was not a flashy Awakener like Rei, nor a bastion like Kaela. He was an architect, a strategist, a walking library, and a creator. Sean Frost might have scoffed, dismissing him as mere "trash," but Sean couldn't make abilities. He could only wield what was given. Arin, however, could craft.
The sun began to dip below the crystalline spires of Ark Fortress, casting long, purple shadows across his room. The ceremony was long over; most students would be celebrating or commiserating with their families. He heard the distant shouts of Rei and Kaela, probably heading to the cafeteria. He still had much to explore, much to understand about this Craft System. But for the first time in a long time, the chaos in his mind had coalesced into purpose. The journey ahead was uncertain, fraught with challenges and discoveries. But with knowledge as his weapon and creativity as his guide, Arin was ready to forge his own destiny.
He would observe. He would learn. And he would craft.