As a Shattered Divine Artifact, resonance from the Nurturing Mystic Divinity Spark signified the presence of something on par with its general level of power.
Meaning, at the very least, the manifested item was undoubtedly on par with the spark in terms of rating.
The Nurturing Mystic Divinity Spark grew dormant after a while, but Eni's avatar began speaking in place of its disappearing resonance.
"Those who make it this far in the Lineage of Ancient Wisdom's test are bound to accomplish great feats in the future. However, this also means that you're prone to a much deeper form of understanding. For that, I would like to extend the opportunity of a broader path. One that we seldom present."
As Eni's avatar waved his hand, he sapped all of the mystic energy from this unknown space, causing it to embody the void—consisting of boundless emptiness, devoid of the slightest bit of activity.
When Kieran felt this change, he marveled.
'This strange feeling… it's powerful yet elusive but not all that unfamiliar. Could this be the Origin Principles that Lord Veradin, Hekaina, and Master Scar mentioned?'
Overcome by curiosity, Kieran raised this question with Eni's avatar. "Eni… are you perhaps wielding the Origin Principles?"
"No," Eni's avatar succinctly replied, "I have no need to wield them when I as a being understand most. The Origins are a part of everything yet remain hidden. However, that isn't the case with my gaze. If I will it to happen, I can create a pseudo-Origin. Granted, this body isn't capable of such a thing."
"I see," Kieran muttered in a dazed voice. Creating a pseudo-Origin was a baffling concept far beyond Kieran's understanding.
"With time, you'll become more familiar with the Origin Energies and the principles that embody their influence. For now, focus on what you can accomplish. Which is this."
The huge ball of mystic energies rotating above the palm of Eni's avatar condensed, doing so until it lost its circular shape, becoming something that resembled an unformed book.
After further inspection, Kieran found that more complex symbols, designs, and inscriptions covered this bizarre book. Once the process finished, Kieran was bewildered by its presence but agog to understand its abilities.
If anything, Kieran felt as if this item resembled a grimoire, which only certain ancient wizards could wield to store spells of baffling power or to simplify the process of unleashing different spells.
"If you accept this text, you'll become a wielder and student of Eni's concepts. It is not a path for those of finite understanding. There is a chance that if you unlock too much without a mind of a prerequisite standard, your psyche will fragment," Eni's avatar warned.
The warning, however, increased Kieran's desire to accept this unknown book rather than deter him from doing so.
"I will accept it," Kieran resolutely answered.
"Very well. You must bear with the process and the pain," Eni's avatar said.
Afterward, the exquisite-looking book merged with Kieran's forehead, reaching the depths of his mind where his Mystic Gate gradually manifested it.
〈System: Following the assimilation of the «Archaic Verity Compendium» you will be awarded the subclass: Mystic Runemaster.〉
"Ngh!" Kieran's eyes widened as he immediately dropped to his knees and clutched his head. Two presences created a dichotomy of pain and pleasure in his mind.
The Archaic Verity Compendium continued to destroy his Mystic Gate yet the Nurturing Mystic Divinity Spark continued to nurture the damage afflicting his soul.
The paradoxical nature of Kieran's current situation was enough to drive any sane person to the brink of madness.
If pushed too far, there was even the possibility that one wouldn't be able to recover from the madness which was not ideal. Of course, a presence like Eni wouldn't introduce something outside of Kieran's current parameters.
Otherwise, Eni's avatar would have gone into further detail regarding Origin Energies and its principles.
Because of the high levels of pain, Kieran endured during this transformative period, Kieran felt as if an eternity had elapsed, despite it being less than ten seconds in reality.
Eventually, the pain subsided, leaving the assuaging feeling of the Nurturing Mystic Divinity Spark as the dominant sensation.
"Haaa…" Kieran sighed in relief, slowly dropping his hands and opening his eyes. For a moment, he became blind, his entire world becoming dark.
But then, a few seconds later, he felt a pleasant heat pass through his eyes.
〈System: The assimilation of the «Archaic Verity Compendium» has concluded. As a «True Relic» has taken its place as your Mystic Gate, several of the gate's abilities have been empowered.〉
"A True Relic!" Kieran blurted out, following up his exasperated words with a deep gasp.
While Kieran had no recollection of something like a True Relic, he was aware of Relics despite their well-guarded presence. Unlike Artifacts, which were formed by an individual after imbuing their lifelong attainments, Relics were born naturally from a world.
By right of a Relic's nature, Kieran assumed a True Relic delved even deeper than a traditional one, touching upon enigmas that he sought but most likely couldn't comprehend.
"Correct. The Archaic Verity Compendium is a True Relic birthed in phenomenal circumstances provided by Eni. What you hold is something that Eni has tried to impart many times but the soul and Mystic Gates of our people have proved incapable of handling. Therefore, as the one to assimilate with it properly, you have gained the right to peer into the true practices of Eni."
Ding!
〈System: The changes produced by the «Mystic Runemaster» subclass will be listed below.〉
┌───────────────────
«Mystic Runemaster» -
Subclass
Description: A practitioner of mysticism that has exhibited great power and has become acknowledged by a piece of Eni's soul. As masters of words and knowledge, the holders of this subclass give new meaning to the known.
[«Changes»]
«Eye of Discernment» has been replaced by the «Eyes of Profound Discerning».
«Unveiling Gaze» has been replaced by the «True Unveiling Eyes».
All knowledge of the «Mystic Ciphers of Eni» has been erased and replaced by the «Nine Supreme Ciphers of Eni».
[«Class Abilities»]
«Inimitable Scribe» - Allows the Mystic Runemaster to create formations, arrays, and wards that are unable to be imitated by those without the proper knowledge.
«Mystical Fabrication Arts: Wordmancing» - Allows the Mystic Runemaster to wield the syllables to make constructs and imbue personalized concepts into mediums of one's choice. (Limited by the user's understanding of Eni's concepts.)
└───────────────────
'A subclass…' Kieran muttered.
Subclasses were extremely rare within Zenith Online because most subclasses were considered professions. This is because classes like Forgers, Runists, and Enchanters would rely upon trade skills to boost their prowess.
Anything boosted through tradeskills was considered a profession. Yet, from the description of Kieran's Mystic Runemaster class, it was evident that it relied upon no such thing.
Aside from the matters of his subclass, Kieran also focused on the other notifications that appeared before his eyes. Their nature was unprecedented but also expected, considering Hekaina's words before entering this Secret Trial.
〈System: You have fulfilled the conditions to undergo a befitting Race Transition. Due to the nature of your circumstances, possessing a «True Relic» as a «Mystic Gate», your transition path has been confirmed.〉
〈System: Congratulations, due to your Spirituality, Knowledge, and incredible Wisdom, you have become a «High Human»!〉
"A High Human?" Kieran muttered, blinking his eyes with a dubious expression.
Although he was aware of race changes, he had never come across one considered a High Human. Because of his lack of knowledge regarding this, Kieran wondered how a High Human fared compared to Demons, Angels, Dragons, and Titans on the racial power spectrum.
'If my racial transition has been confirmed, does that mean a human is limited in what it can evolve into, or could there be more stringent requirements barring me from choosing another path?' Kieran wondered.
Meanwhile, Eni's avatar responded to Kieran's dazed utterance.
"As I expected, you've been primed to become a High Human. It's not incomprehensible since the Lineage of Ancient Wisdom is in truth tied to humanity, but not the humanity of today. Unless you step beyond being a normal Enlightened Being, humanity will forever be caged by the principles binding them," Eni's avatar revealed.
〈System: As a reward for being the first player to race change, you have been rewarded the following: 400 Unassigned Attribute Points, randomized Racial Ability.〉
〈System: You have unlocked the special Racial Ability of the High Humans: «Impartation»!〉
Kieran's mind had received so many shocks that he feared it would stop working at any given moment.
First a Shattered Divine Artifact and now a True Relic. Even if he couldn't directly wield them, their passive presence was enough to produce remarkable effects.
"You have received two more rewards, however, they will only reveal themselves once your proficiency with your current power has reached the proper level," Eni's avatar said.
…
Outside the Veiled Arcadia Gate…
Hekaina tapped her index finger against her inner elbow, glancing at the quiet Agatha. "Why do you feel so tense, dear? Do you not have faith in him?"
"I'm... not sure," Agatha muttered. "The problem is that his soul was damaged before stepping into the place and he has now almost reached the seven-day deadline."
"I see," Hekaina said with a faint smile. "Those worries plagued me at first, but my inability to heal the soul is not something I can easily overcome. That's why I provided him with a higher dosage of the Mystical Permutation Tea with hopes of it neutralizing the issue."
All of a sudden, Hekaina stopped talking when she sensed a presence appearing from within the Veiled Arcadia Gate.
