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[Sophos]
Hey
Hey
Hey
Answer me
Hey
[Conqueror]
?
[Sophos]
[coordinates]
Cmere SSS-rank
I want tests
[Conqueror]
No tests
I’ve done enough
[Sophos]
Yes test
Tests are eternal
[Conqueror]
No
[Sophos]
Why
[Conqueror]
Because you’re weird
[Sophos]
I’m crying right now. Sobbing.
You can’t treat a Guild Master like this! You can’t treat a genius like this!
Aren’t you a real man?
[Conqueror]
Nope
[Sophos]
Hmph!
You hopeless loser
Stupid Neanderthal
Weak, puny man
Heartless bully
[Conqueror]
I looked away for one second what the fuck did I come back to
[Sophos]
I’m strategically insulting your pride in hopes to entice you to spend the day in my company
Is it working?
[Conqueror]
No
[Sophos]
o(〒﹏〒)o
Do you know how many people would spend literal billions of points just to spend a single afternoon with me? Who can blame them of course but why are you denying me right out of the gates?
Wait! Perhaps you’re a man of the homosexual variety?
[Conqueror]
Thats the weirdest way someone asked me if I’m gay
[Sophos]
Are you?
[Conqueror]
no
[Sophos]
Damn.
[Conqueror]
Wtf does that mean
What do you *want* with me
This can’t get any weirder than you having a sign that says ‘I’M SUSPICIOUS BE SUSPICIOUS OF MY DUBIOUS WAYS’
[Sophos]
As I told you, tests! A conversation! I want to speak with the next star of Ordo! And see if he isn’t dead yet from Astraria’s gift!
[Conqueror]
This seems too suspicious to be true
[Sophos]
That’s because you’re a paranoid cynic
[Conqueror]
I don’t trust that either
[Sophos]
If you don’t come, I will genuinely cry
[Conqueror]
That sounds more like a reward than a threat
[Sophos]
You will make Chie cry!
[Conqueror]
Now that sounds like a threat
[Sophos]
Good, you should feel terrible!
Now stop fighting me and come already!
[Conqueror]
Christ
*
[SLAYER SYSTEM PROFILE]
Name: Alexander Shen
Codename: Conqueror
Slayer Rank: D-Rank Slayer
Fabel Ranking: Chronicle (Deep Arcana)
Skills: 5/4
Memento Recollection
Rank SSS
Type: Item Accumulation
Description: You possess the special power to materialize your interpersonal relationships as physical items. These items are called [Mementos], created when you have established a significant bond with an individual (the holder). Each [Memento] is ranked from F (weakest) to SSS (strongest) depending on the relationship.
The rank is dynamic. If the holder is deceased, the [Memento] will remain but its rank cannot be changed. There is no limit to how many [Mementos] you are able to acquire. You can receive a personal description of each [Memento] upon selecting it. You cannot use duplicate [Mementos] simultaneously unless explicitly stated.
This is an [Awakened Skill] and is thus always active without taking up a [Skill Slot].
Certain Shot
Rank A
Type: Concept Application
Description: Apply the Certainty Principle to any launched projectiles. They will hit their determined target in a theoretical reality, however still obeying natural law and logic in the real world.
Forged Skin
Rank A
Type: Body Enhancement
Description: Through brutal conditioning conducted by your uncle, your skin has become harder than steel and resist damages of almost every type.
Intimidating Presence
Rank C+
Type: Presence Enhancement
Description: Apply mild intimidation to any weak-willed individuals around you. You are able to toggle this [Skill] on and off at will.
Mana Impact
Rank C
Type: Internal Energy Manipulation
Description: Condense mana in a determined point inside your body and release it upon impact. You are able to control the quantity of mana condensed. Higher concentration will produce a more powerful result.
Acquired Skills
Home Cook
Rank B
Type: Cognitive Enhancement
Description: You are able to remember all recipes you have cooked previously down to the individual ingredients and measurements required.
Algebraic Mind
Rank C
Type: Cognitive Enhancement
Description: You can mentally perform difficult algebra without the use of a calculator.
Note Transfer
Rank C
Type: Reality-System
Description: You are able to transfer all contents from your [Notes] into physical documents or electronic files and vice-versa.
Undeveloped Skills
Anti-Slayer Techniques
Rank SS
Type: Nested, Pressure Point Techniques
Linked Skills: Sixteen-Point Obliteration [SS], Sixteen-Point Incapacitation [SS] [?], Momentum Kill [S], Flow Reversal [S] [?], Phenomena Negative [S]
Description: Created by Alistair Romanos, your uncle, these techniques were specifically designed for a single purpose: to eliminate Slayers as a regular, Systemless human. Today, the Anti-Slayer Techniques are said to be the greatest and most coveted countermeasure against Slayers.
Acquisition Requirement: You must attain adequate mastery over all five linked [Skills]. Current progress: [2/5].
Dual Dragoneyes
Rank S
Type: Martial Art Technique, External & Internal Perception
Description: The foundational technique of the [Zhenlong School] series. One eye peers inward into the internal world, piercing through bloodstream and qi and entering the schema of the body. The other eye leers outward into the external world, marking the ebb and flow of the natural way.
Acquisition Requirement: You must discover a method to obtain the [Dragoneyes].
You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.
Zhenlong School
Rank SS
Type: Nested, Martial Arts Techniques
Linked Skills: [Tears…] [S], [Ruinous…] [S], [Dust…] [S], [Blades…] [S], [Casket…] [S], [Earth…] [S], [Spirit…] [S], [Sparrows…] [S], [Graveyard…] [S], [End…] [S]
Description: The techniques belonging to the Zhenlong Tactical School, created for the sole purpose of killing cultivators of the Jianghu. Assassins from Zhenlong are some of the most feared amongst the land for precisely these techniques.
Acquisition Requirement: You must attain adequate mastery over all ten linked [Skills]. Current progress: [0/10]
The Fool’s Many Faces
Rank ???
Type: ???
Description: Its effects have not yet been revealed…
Acquisition Requirement: Unknown, though as you continue on your journey, the [Skill] may open itself to you.
Mementos
Chain Gauntlets
Rank A+
Holder: Bastien Romanos (deceased)
Memento Type: Gauntlet
Description: The [Memento] of your father, taking the form of tightly-wound chains. His wisdom and teachings are crystalized within these hands. Above all, they contain his sins, his regrets, and his responsibility. Much like how your own hands have scars.
Special Effect: You may unravel the [Gauntlets] into long chain-lengths.
Yuzhou
Rank A+
Holder: Shen Xingyu (deceased)
Memento Type: Armor
Description: The [Memento] of your mother, taking the form of full-body armor. This [Armor] is protection. Warmth. Security. It will protect you from the outside world and endure as a constant reminder of her bright spirit. Always look towards the light, she says, and remember who made you smile.
Special Effect: When paired with [Chain Gauntlets], [Technique Daggers], or [Nightingale Watch], increase the rank of this [Memento] to S.
Technique Daggers
Rank A
Holder: Althea Shen
Memento Type: Dagger
Description: The [Memento] of your younger sister, taking the form of silversteel daggers. You’ve been through everything together, from the moment you held her tiny hand to today. Even if the world is falling down, you would crawl through Hell for her.
Special Effect: When using [Technique Daggers], you may summon additional [Daggers] up to the number of [Techniques] in your sister’s possession. The maximum is currently 4.
Nightingale Watch
Rank A
Holder: Alistair Romanos
Memento Type: Magick Firearms
Description: The [Memento] of your uncle, taking the form of matte-black magick firearms modeled after their real-life counterparts. He imparted you with many things: his infamous Anti-Slayer Techniques, his combat experience, and his philosophy. Violence can only be subjugated through extreme violence. That’s the way of the horrible world for people like us.
Special Effect: This [Memento] takes the form of individual firearms: [Nightingale Pistol], [Nightingale Rifle], and [Nightingale Shotgun].
Solitary Demonblade
Rank D
Holder: Leona Ryu
Memento Type: Sword
Description: The [Memento] of your colleague and unwitting roommate, taking the form of a demonic blade. She brought you into Angels Guild and helped your family that’s almost impossible to repay. Perhaps you don’t need to reconcile the debt, however. As long as she’s in your company and you in hers, life in the ivory tower might not be so insufferable.
Special Effect: N/A
Conviction
Rank E
Holder: Angels Guild
Memento Type: Wings
Description: The [Memento] of Angels Guild, taking the form of angel wings. Everyone in your team has their own reason for joining: protection, the truth, a home. For you, it’s not so different: you’re fighting against the idea of a tragic ending—more than that, you’re fighting for a future brighter than the sun itself.
Special Effect: You are capable of flight.
*
Loadout
Weapon(s): N/A
Armor: [High Intensity Combat Suit]
Accessories: N/A
High Intensity Combat Suit
Rank A
Type: Armor
Description: Manufactured by team engineer Sage (that’s me!), your [High Intensity Combat Suit] is a lightweight combat bodysuit that’ll serve you well in the field! On Celestial Empress’s recommendation, your [Combat Suit] is paired with additional clothes so you don’t have to fight wearing only a skintight bodysuit. For additional information, please tap on this link.
*
Weekly Commission: First Order Special Task Force
Weekly Pay: 52,100smp
Description: You are a member of the Special Task Force inside Angels Guild working directly on the behalf of its Guild Masters and Kosmos. Complete your assignments as they are ordered.
*
“Still pondering over what Astraria had blessed you with?” Sophos asked, sitting in her fancy reading chair with a journal hovering over her shoulder, aptly labeled “ALEXANDER SHEN.” Unlike most researchers, she refused to hand-write her own notes and had a self-writing pen to do that instead.
We were in her personal study, the Starry Repose. The last time I’d been in here was during the Scare. It hadn’t changed at all aside from the absence of a young, hopeless genius, replaced by an older but more hopeless genius.
“...I have a lot of things on my mind.” (“Then please share—!”) “That’s not an invitation to play therapist.”
Sophos pouted like a child. “Very well. I don’t have a degree in psychology after all. Only in all things magical.”
“You’re also educated in getting on people’s nerves.” Meanwhile, I’d taken a seat in one of her lounges, positioned a safe distance away from the irresponsible Guild Master. “Shouldn’t you poke Rei with needles instead of me?”
“I’m waiting on Rector to determine a time and date; he’s quite protective of that boy. You, on the other hand, I can freely kidnap and he wouldn’t bat an eye.”
“No, he will throw you into that fireplace if you do kidnap me.”
“He can try!” Sophos exclaimed in a sing-songy manner, her haughty voice grating on my ears. “I won’t let that buzzkill interrupt our private heart-to-hearts, in which I slowly grind away your loyalty for Angels Guild and entice you to join mine.”
More like the opposite. I said, “I’d rather join Martials before I’d join Wisdom—” (“That’s a lie.”) “—you’re right, but don’t tempt me.”
“Hmph.” She crossed her legs, rendering me her muse with that curious gaze of hers. “I do want the best for you, Alexander. You and I both know that greater enemies remain. Larger, stronger, more powerful enemies. You aren’t on a strict timetable. You don’t know where the damned table is to begin with. As the prodigal and benevolent Guild Master I am—and sagely mentor to one of your colleagues—you need my word of advice.”
I narrowed my eyes. “Is that why you dragged me here? To lecture me?”
“Good, you understand. I am the best source of knowledge and wisdom; after all, [Original Magic] is powered by the Planet. You won’t find my lectures in even the most up-to-date textbooks.”
That… She didn’t make a terrible point. To grow stronger, I had to make use of my colorful connections. Sophos, Cheonma, and whoever else was in our inner circle. As for my [Profile], developing [Dual Dragoneyes] and [Memento Recollection] took priority. However, the System functioned in mysterious ways. Acquisition methods differed. Acquiring [Skills] was needlessly fucking complex. Developing them was even more complex.
Yet if there was anyone to shed light on the System’s deeper mechanics, it’d be the mage whose magic tapped into the Planet.
I sighed and sat back. “Fine. Teach me your ways, master.”
“Ooo, I like the sound of that—” (“No.”) “—phooey. But alright, my arrogant pupil, I’ll entertain you.” She snapped her fingers and closed her research journal about me. “Where should we start…? Ah, let’s begin with something simple: magic! What’s your understanding of the Phenomenon Production System?”
I shrugged. “It’s how we physically use our [Skills]. It’s a second nervous system but for the Slayer System. Instead of blood or electrical signals running through its veins, it’s mana or qi or chakra—they all have the same function. It runs on that fuel in order to perform miracles previously considered fantasy.”
“Yes and no. You’re correct in thinking that the PPS has allowed impossible acts, but there’s more nuance to that idea. Let’s refocus on the main subject, though. Consider the way of the world as it currently is: magic and technology are rampant. Airships hover over grand metropolises, corporations spend billions on commercial teleportation, every soldier is equipped with exosuits—over a century ago, these advancements wouldn’t be possible. Do you understand my point?”
The lesson was already starting to be mind-boggling. I rubbed my eyes. “Not at all, no. Our technological developments occurred because of the System—”
“Incorrect, it occurred because a failing Worldline invaded ours. In response, the Planet awakened the System. Due to the infinite variety of Worlds, we experienced phenomena completely foreign to us: mana, qi, chakra, if you will. However, an outworlder like Silverhonor may find our original phenomena just as foreign.”
“So phenomena aren’t magic?”
“Now, that’s correct.” Sophos softly smiled.
She opened a palm to reveal a magical projection of thunder and molecules. “Before the Emergence, our phenomena was electricity, the quantum realm, atoms and quarks.”
The projection changed to bright blue orbs. “In another World, it may be mana and leylines.”
Then it changed again, depicting godly light. “In another, divinity and souls.”
Sophos closed her palm. “And so on, and so forth. The main idea should be obvious, now. What is ‘phenomena’?”
I inhaled, wracking my mind to hopefully please this woman. “Phenomena is not magic but the base concept of ‘energy’ itself? The System and the PPS, then, allow us to…manifest any and all energies as if they’re natural to our Worldline.”
“Roughly, yes. Phenomena, under our current understanding, are the ‘blank slate of energy.’ It has no qualities, no values—it is literally nothing until an external force enters with a pencil. An influence. Typically, the external force is the World then its subsequent Worldlines host variations, but that’s a lecture for another day. To put it differently: the Worlds write phenomena for Worldlines, and the Slayer System grants phenomena to Slayers. In our case, breaches bring these phenomena into our external world while the PPS manifests the same phenomena from our internal world.”
I frowned, my brain working overtime. “[Skills]?”
Sophos happily hopped from her seat. “Yes, exactly! [Skills] are impossible abilities drawing from existing phenomenon systems. [Skills] themselves can take up several lectures, but phenomena and [Skills] are linked concepts. You can’t discuss one without discussing the other.”
Right. So these “phenomenon systems” she referred to must be “magic systems,” the widely-used yet inaccurate term according to her. Summoning, ritualism, faith, cultivation, runecraft, all different systems using different phenomena. In the all-seeing eyes of the Slayer System, however, there was no such thing as “magic” but simply a spectrum of energy that could take an infinite variety of forms.
Thus, looking at things System-side, to acquire a [Skill]...
I asked, “So the Phenomenon Production System also gathers data on our life, then? Recording our actions, our preferred systems, our specialties and so on. Then, it communicates that information to the Slayer System for [Skill] development and acquisition?”
“Oh, the PPS records everything about you: from DNA to nasty thoughts. After all, the System also uses your personal experiences when [Skill]-making.”
“Doesn’t that make things a little too subjective?”
“That's the point. Much like how a life is meaningless without a name and memories, phenomena are meaningless without rules and influences.” Sophos levitated back to her throne and snapped her fingers at me. “Explain how you acquired your [Skills].”
“I—okay. Let’s use [Certain Shot], a conceptual application [Skill] that guarantees projectile contact in a theoretical world. The Certainty Principle, basically. I’d acquired it after hours of firearms training with Overseer. As a human, mind you. I was taught to burn everything in my senses: the weather, the environment, the weight of the gun, my beating heart, my target, and whatever else.”
“So you visualized a world with ideal circumstances to hit your target.” Sophos held a hand to her lips and giggled. “Let’s put aside how absurd it is to develop a conceptual [Skill] like that, but the methodology tracks. Other conceptual [Skills] are obtained similarly.”
I scooted closer and sat on the edge of my seat. “What about [Mana Impact]? I learned it during the Disaster, manipulating my internal energy to create an explosive burst of power.”
“Again, the methodology tracks.”
“Because of the different phenomenon systems?”
“Mhm. Through a dichotomy of ‘will hit’ and ‘will not hit’ and manipulation of your internal energy, you operated under those systems’ rules. As a result, the Slayer System acknowledged your efforts and graciously awarded [Certain Shot] and [Mana Impact] respectively.”
“But where does my life experience come into play?”
“It already has. If someone follows your exact steps, they may develop the same [Skills]—or they don’t and develop an offshoot. For example, let’s say an outrageously lucky man tries to learn [Certain Shot] using you as a recipe. He’ll instead develop a variation that uses luck as a factor. Oftentimes, the more advanced and higher-ranking a [Skill] is, the more unique it becomes. There are exceptions, of course, but that is where the individual comes into play. However, there’s a much better example of this concept.”
“And that is…?”
Sophos pointed at me. “You, with [Technique Sovereign]. While this is a theory, it’s likely that your natural disposition caused [Memento Recollection] to manifest.”
That… That made more sense than I thought, but that raised an interesting question: when did the transformation happen? At the time of my birth or during my Awakening? Was I destined to develop [Memento Recollection] from the get-go, or did I grow into it? I couldn’t answer that question, and asking Sophos might lead us to a discussion I wasn’t intellectually prepared for yet.
“Right, okay, I’ll digest that information.” I sat back in my seat, giving myself a couple seconds to relax. “I imagine these theories are unpopular to both sides of the aisle, though. You’re giving people too much credit, but you’re also relinquishing too much control to the System.”
“They’ll see the truth eventually,” snarked Sophos. Not even a genius like her could penetrate the science community. “The truth, like hands in a negotiation, lies somewhere in between. We guide the System in ways we can never imagine, and the System guides us in ways our sanity isn’t prepared for. Yet at the end of the day, despite all the drama and arguing, we own ourselves. Every [Skill] is a chapter in our books. More than that, we own phenomena. We’ve cataloged hundreds of different systems, researched them, experimented and innovated them, for the beautiful idea of humanity. Now, young Slayers fill classrooms to develop their [Skills] faster and stronger than previous generations.”
I think I’m beginning to understand the lecture.
Phenomena is the base state of energy, yet by itself, it’s useless. You must have a “system” in place: rules and conventions basically. By drawing within the lines, you’re also drawing a pretty picture of your “magic.” Give it a handsome face, an hourglass body, or four tentacles as arms. It doesn’t matter. If you do it correctly, you’ll transform your phenomena into something else: elements, electricity, psionics, and so on. By going through the process, the Slayer System will recognize and crystalize your efforts as a shiny [Skill].
Most people do this without thinking about it. To them, these systems can’t be more different, but at their core, they’re identical. Yet despite going through the same systems and the same processes, some [Skills] turn out different. That’s due to the individual. Every Slayer adds their own magical touch, and the Slayer System accounts for that.
The ultimate question was: “What does this mean for [Memento Recollection]? What system does it use?”
The research journal about me, which had been hovering over Sophos’s reading chair, levitated into her hands. The covers opened to a certain page. “I’m not sure. Memories? The soul? Emotions? That’s on you to determine. SSS-Rank [Skills] are wildly unpredictable. Anything could happen, so the more information you can gather the better. Yet that’s not your only dilemma.”
“Because I have a whole [Profile] to worry about.”
The journal closed.
Sophos said, “Exactly. Think about what we discussed. On a foundational level, every system is the same. The lines can be blurred, the rules can be bent, and there’s no [Skill] that has a single acquisition method. Be creative. Mix and match, throw things in the pot, and other fun things! Acquiring [Skills] is an artform, so be an artist!”
Easier said than done when you had a cultivation-based [Skill] that was currently impossible to develop. Wish I could have her advice, but informing her about [Dual Dragoneyes] without considering the long-term consequences was asking for a disaster. This was a problem for another time.
“I’ll keep that in mind. Thanks for the lesson, but I have one more question…” Hearing the word “phenomena” so much reminded me of something, back during the Summer Scare. “With Starcatcher, the machine to capture Astraria, you said you’d used ‘phenomenal energy.’”
Sophos hummed. “Yes, I’ve gathered blank energy itself. Considering it’s the energy of possibilities, I thought it’d attract her. It had.”
“...How did you gather that shit at all?”
“Aren’t you nosy?” Sophos canted her head to the side and giggled. “I’ll tell you after you develop a [Memento] for me. I imagine mine wouldn’t be so tacky like a sword or a shield, but rather… How about my glasses? You can have my glasses—”
“Absolutely not.”
