In the recorded history of Anfang, there was a noticeable absence of any information regarding Elder Seed Artifacts. Eren could only surmise that such artifacts simply did not exist or had not been discovered and recognized within Anfang.
However, when the time was right, Alephee provided Eren with some crucial insights to fill in the gaps. She explained that the general population of any world typically remained oblivious to the existence of Elder Artifacts, their true power, and how to locate them.
Instead, these artifacts were often associated with their previous owners, who were empowered by them and left an indelible mark on the history of their respective worlds. Consequently, the Elder Artifacts became synonymous with the influential figures who possessed them.
Having acquired privileged information over the course of nine years, Eren became aware of many things that were unknown to most members of the Anfang Alliance. It was through this knowledge that he recognized Shallot's Mirror's extraordinariness when he witnessed its operation in Baelin's weaponsmithy.
The mirror followed the trend often observed with Elder Seed Artifacts, where a person named Shallot, the previous owner, had harnessed its powers to forge a renowned reputation within Anfang's history. As a result, Shallot's name became synonymous with the mirror among the people of Anfang.
Eren quickly deduced that Shallot's Mirror was indeed an Elder Seed Artifact, surpassing the initial recognition of its power. He realized that Baelin's utilization of the mirror to craft spiritual artifacts was merely scratching the surface of its true capabilities.
Naturally, Eren had no intention of disclosing his discovery to Layla. She believed that Shallot's Mirror was solely a remarkable transcendent-grade artifact with potential for the Lazarus Project. Eren intended to maintain this perception and keep Shallot's Mirror for his own purposes, even beyond the completion of the Lazarus Project.
Everything started making sense to Eren as he unraveled the history and complexities surrounding the Hex gear. He realized that Anfang lacked such depth and diversity in the current era. Nevertheless, he understood that this knowledge would prove invaluable once he ventured beyond Anfang's clutches and explored other worlds.
***
Upon commencing the Lazarus Project, Eren dedicated the initial three years to familiarize himself with the fundamentals of Hex artifacts and their intricacies. Soon, he realized that supplying the half-blood forces with Hex artifacts associated with the seven main Hex Creeds was impractical. The requirements for producing such artifacts were excessively stringent, resulting in high production costs and low success rates. This rendered them unsuitable for mass production.
In response, Eren embarked on a journey of experimentation, modifying the transcendent-grade artifacts themselves. Concurrently, he absorbed and internalized Sebastian Slughorn's experiences, making them his own. Through this process, he discovered a unique approach to mass-producing Hex artifacts utilizing supplementary potions exclusive to his production method. As a result, Eren devised his own innovative Hex artifacts, inspired by the classics, specifically tailored for the half-blood forces.
However, Eren opted for a more authentic approach when it came to crafting his own unique Hex artifacts. He dedicated several years to refining these variants, ensuring that they were tailored specifically for his personal use. Every aspect, from their design and runic engravings to their mana compatibility and the intensity of Hex amplifications, was meticulously fine-tuned. Furthermore, Eren made novel modifications to make the artifacts compatible with his various classes.
With these custom Hex artifacts, Eren was confident in unlocking the true potential of his multi-class advantage. The transition between classes would be smoother, as each Hex artifact catered to different aspects and battle styles associated with the specific classes.
Even the most subtle details held significance when it came to intent-based magic. They influenced the runic engravings and the resulting Hex Amplification produced by the artifacts.
For instance, Eren selected a Hex artifact from the Bear's Creed for his Berserker class and Wrath mana. The creation of a Bear's Creed Artifact necessitated a soul from a bear-type mana beast, which spiritually aligned with the Wrath mana and berserker class. While the compatibility may not have been perfect, it was substantial enough to yield satisfactory results.
Since the Hex artifacts Eren created for himself were genuine spiritual artifacts rooted in intent-based magic, they naturally harmonized with his Soul Sense. This meant that Eren instinctively employed his Soul Sense, infused with Spiritual Force, whenever he wielded these artifacts.
Although Eren had refined the design of his Hex artifacts numerous times, they still possessed minor flaws in their manufacturing process that impacted their stability. However, compared to the Hex artifacts he had produced for the half-blood forces, his personal creations for his own use were vastly superior. They represented the pinnacle of his skill as an Artifact Forger and showcased his unique Individuality, impressing even Alephee with their exceptional performance.
The low-grade Hex artifacts crafted for the half-blood forces had already prompted Edinburgh to initiate mass production of spiritual artifacts. If Grandmaster Baelin were to discover the true capabilities of his apprentice Leo, it would shatter his perception of centuries of work, leaving him traumatized and questioning the purpose of his own endeavors.
As Eren delved deeper into the realms of Elder Seed Artifacts, Hex Artifacts, and intent-based magic, he became increasingly aware of the vastness of his own ignorance. Despite his significant progress and personal achievements, he humbly acknowledged that he had merely skimmed the surface of this boundless discipline.
Intent-based magic defied simplistic comprehension and could not be fully grasped through mere logic or a few years of experimentation. In agreement with Alephee, Eren realized that he might need to embark on countless journeys across different worlds and live multiple lives in order to unlock the true potential of wielding intent-based magic to its utmost capacity.
One of the greatest advantages of utilizing Hex artifacts was their unique ability to avoid leaving behind regular residual mana signatures. This distinct characteristic allowed Eren to freely tap into his Sin Series Mana and seamlessly transition between different classes without the fear of being perceived as a demonic ranker or cultist.
Unsurprisingly, this feature greatly appealed to the half-blood forces, as it made their movements virtually untraceable by any means available to Edinburgh.
AN: I have tried to provide a comprehensive overview of Hex Artifacts in these chapters, and I believe further elaboration may not be necessary.
However, for those genuinely interested in delving deeper into their understanding or witnessing their capabilities firsthand, I would highly recommend reading "Infinite Mana In The Oasis." I'll release two extra chapters tomorrow, along with the regular releases, to get us back on track. :)
