Minerva chuckled after she heard Eren's proposal.
"Of course you wouldn't mind, brat. We are Rankers from Anfang who hone our Individualities. The powers that contribute to our Individuality are enticing to us, no matter their origin.
But you need to understand that it's not about what we desire or don't. The Sin and Virtue Series Marks are fundamentally opposed to each other. Trying to house Marks from these conflicting factions within you would create an internal struggle.
If you attempt to selfishly wield both Divine and Demonic Abilities simultaneously, it's likely that both Marks would reject you, causing harmful effects on your soul. They would wage their battles within you, using your body and soul as their battleground. And no matter who wins the battle, the battleground will always suffer.
Unless you can find a way to harmonize them, I'd advise against pursuing any of the Virtue Series Marks," Minerva explained, turning her head slightly as she addressed Eren.
The Sage Ranker signaled for Meeli to join her, affectionately ruffling her hair and playfully pinching her cheeks like a caring guardian. After instructing Meeli on some tasks to complete now that her Soul Fragment had been awakened by Eren, Minerva had her step aside, leaving Eren alone with her.
Minerva sensed Eren's disappointment at her decision to withhold the Virtue Series Marks. She realized that he might not yet grasp the potential dangers of combining Marks from two opposing factions. In a calm tone, she continued to explain her reasoning.
"Eren, let go of the idea of wielding Abilities from both the demonic and divine factions. Instead, consider the Abilities within a single faction," Minerva began, her tone earnest.
"While I'm not certain of the circumstances surrounding your acquisition of the Sin Series Mark, you should know that obtaining more than two Marks, even within the same faction, is incredibly challenging.
For instance, if you were to attain the Virtue of Temperance Mark, acquiring the Virtue of Prudence Mark or any other two of the four Marks I can bestow upon you would become exceedingly difficult. And even if you managed to gain two Virtue Marks, obtaining a third would be exponentially more arduous," Minerva explained.
Eren held his suspicions about this topic. He understood that his possession of three Sin Series Marks was largely due to his Elder Ichor Bloodline. But whether this bloodline would also allow him to wield the Virtue Series Marks with equal proficiency remained uncertain. However, he was determined to learn as much as he could from Minerva to better understand his limitations.
"Sage Minerva, regarding these potential limitations in harnessing Abilities from both Divine and Demonic factions, do they relate to one's soul?" Eren inquired, his contemplation evident as he tugged at his right earlobe and scratched underneath.
Minerva nodded, offering a more detailed explanation.
"Indeed, Eren. Ordinarily, a soul can handle only one, or at most, two such Marks. It would require an exceptionally rare genius, perhaps occurring once in centuries, with an immensely strong inherent Spiritual Foundation to manage more than that.
Moreover, it's not guaranteed that compatibility with a Mark will lead to obtaining it.
Sometimes, a Ranker's Soul Space or the soul itself simply isn't capable of housing a Sin or Virtue Series Mark, even if compatibility is there. Hence, I set up the four tests, hoping the potential legacy holder would clear them flawlessly.
This raises their likelihood of obtaining at least one out of four Virtue Series Marks, and if two are gained, it's even better. Since I am capable of wielding all four Virtue Series Marks, I wish my successor possesses the same caliber.
Though, I understand that there's always a possibility of settling for someone more ordinary. However, I can bestow these Marks only once before my soul fragment departs from Anfang. This is why I searched for someone with the potential to bear four Virtue Series Marks, which would allow me to have no regrets in my choice of successor," Minerva explained while playing with a strand of her hair.
Coming to a halt, Minerva turned to observe Eren absorbing her words. She gave him a moment to process the information before continuing.
"Eren, I suggest you stick with the Sin Series Mark. You're highly compatible with it. I lack the power to erase the Mark imprinted on your existence, which would be unwise even if I could.
Moreover, obtaining Virtue Series Marks is a vastly different process from attaining Sin Series Marks. Despite the turmoil demons often sow across countless realms, their bestowment of Sin Series Marks follows a straightforward and organized approach.
The same can't be said for the divine faction, which grants Virtue Series Marks to its followers," Minerva sighed, her voice carrying a note of resignation.
'Pressuring her for the Virtue Series Mark won't yield positive results,' Eren concluded after absorbing Minerva's explanation.
'If I push too hard, she might question my confidence in avoiding potential consequences. Even if I manage to gain the Mark through coercion, it might backfire. Considering the fallout with Nira Nightshade, I can't afford to make an adversary out of Minerva as well.
Besides, the Virtue Series Marks aren't exclusive to this world. There are countless opportunities beyond these confines. I shouldn't be hasty. First, I should focus on acquiring all the Sin Series Marks before attempting the Virtue Series Marks,' Eren contemplated before continuing his thoughts.
"Very well. Sage Minerva, I'll heed your advice and forgo the Virtue Series Marks. If it's not meant to be, I won't insist upon it," Eren responded with a tinge of disappointment in his tone, followed by a sigh.
He then respectfully bowed before Minerva, continuing, "But… since the bestowment of the Virtue Series Mark was a core aspect of your legacy, please consider its omission as the penalty for a Master Ranker like me entering your secluded domain.
So... I would like to claim all the other rewards that are available to me."
AN: The subtle disparities between a Utopia, potentially inclined towards the divine, and a Purgatory, possibly leaning towards the demonic, were outlined in chapters 206 and 466.
