Mark flinched at the sound of the Archivist's voice; then he straightened himself and turned to face the book. "No, sir," he said, his voice surprisingly steady despite the churning chaos in his mind. "Just trying to make a choice."

The ancient book didn't possess a face to smile with, but a warmth emanated from its weathered cover, nonetheless. "Good set of options," its voice rumbled through the chamber, like the rustling of old parchment. "Time is of the essence, but knowledge is a weapon just as powerful. Tell me, young one, what piques your interest?"

Mark glanced back at the towering shelves, his gaze lingering on the books he'd shortlisted. " 'The Core and Cultivation' for building a foundation intrigue me, but I am not sure it would benefit me any time soon.”

The book levitated slightly, its presence shifting as if considering. "Unfortunately, young man, accessing these specific tomes requires passing a test of your capabilities, however, I can offer you guidance and tell you little about what each book is about."

Mark frowned, a tinge of disappointment flickering across his features.

The Archivist hummed, as if turning invisible pages. "For foundational knowledge in mana cultivation, I can recommend 'The Fundamentals of the Weave.'" With a soft rustle, the book pulsed, and a shimmering replica of a different book materialized in front of Mark.

"This text," the Archivist continued, "details the basic principles of mana, individual affinity and harnessing the weave, and methods for nurturing your inner core, the source of your strength."

"For unlocking the secrets of your nodes," the Archivist rumbled, levitating another shimmering copy, "a lesser tome titled 'An Introduction to Nodes' will provide a starting point. It delves into their basic properties and methods for initial activation."

Mark took in the illusory book, a spark of anticipation still burning within him. "These seem like a good starting point," he admitted, a glimmer of hope replacing his initial disappointment.

"Knowledge is power," the Archivist rumbled. "How you utilize what you learn is what truly matters. Now, books about combat training and technomancy. Perhaps…" the book pulsed once more, and two additional shimmering copies materialized – different than the ones Mark had chosen, but still intriguing.

"'The Way of the Balanced Warrior' outlines the path of the martial adept," the Archivist explained, the illusory copy hovering closer to Mark. "It teaches not just physical prowess, but also the fundamentals of integrating mana into your attacks and strengthening your body for optimal combat performance."

The second illusory book, "A Primer on Technomancy," shimmered with an otherworldly glow. "This introductory text explores the basic principles of imbuing mundane objects with magical properties," the Archivist boomed. "Imagine, young one, the possibilities of merging your technological knowledge with the arcane arts of this world."

Mark stared at the hovering books, his mind ablaze with possibilities. A warrior wielding augmented strikes, enchanted gadgets enhancing his abilities – the path forward seemed less daunting now.

"The choice is yours," the Archivist rumbled. "These are but a taste of the knowledge this Labyrinth holds. Each title comes with a test to unlock its full potential. Choose wisely, young man, and forge your own path to power."

"These introductory texts will equip you with the fundamental knowledge you need to embark on your journey," the Archivist rumbled. "However, there's more to your development than just mana and combat, young one."

Mark tilted his head, his curiosity piqued. "What else is there, sir?"

The ancient book hummed thoughtfully. "Your attributes, young one. They form the foundation of your physical and mental capabilities. Mastering them will amplify both your combat prowess and your ability to wield mana."

Mark's brow furrowed. "Attributes, huh? How do I improve those?" He hesitated, then continued, "I thought my body already felt stronger, like with each point I gained in the system, my physical capabilities improved. In fact, I already feel many times stronger than when I was back on Earth."

The Archivist hummed thoughtfully. "Indeed, young one," it rumbled. "The points you received undoubtedly boosted your base attributes. However, think of your body as a finely tuned instrument. While raw power has its merits, true mastery comes from understanding the instrument and unlocking its full potential."

This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

Mark pondered this, the analogy resonating with him. Back on Earth, he'd seen countless bodybuilders with impressive sizes, but their movements lacked fluidity and grace. True strength, he realized, went beyond just raw power.

"So, this book will teach me how to refine my attributes beyond just the initial boost from the system?" he asked, his voice laced with newfound interest.

"Absolutely," the Archivist rumbled. "However, remember, knowledge is just a tool. It's how much you understand and apply it that truly matters. And of course, you haven't taken the assessment test yet."

"Now, on to the more enigmatic subject," the ancient tome continued, its voice taking on a reverent tone. "The concept swirling around you, young man. It's a rare and fascinating phenomenon for someone who was just integrated in the weave. 'Concepts and Their Manifestation' explores the nature of these ethereal notions and how they can be nurtured and shaped."

Mark leaned forward, captivated by the Archivist's words. "Concepts, huh? Can you tell me more about what it is?"

The Archivist hesitated, a sense of caution emanating from its weathered pages. "Unfortunately, young one, the specifics remain shrouded in mystery. Concepts are unique to each individual, reflecting their experiences, aspirations, and sometimes even their lineage. Concept holds the potential to manifest in unexpected ways, to amplify your strengths and even grant you unique abilities."

A silent battle raged within him. The attribute book offered a clear path to immediate improvement, a way to refine himself and learn more about attributes. The concept book, on the other hand, was a tantalizing enigma, a gateway to unlocking hidden potential. It was a risk, a venture into the unknown, but the potential rewards were too great to ignore.

The internal debate raged within him. Logic screamed for him to choose the attribute book. Attributes were tangible, measurable, and promised immediate improvement. On the other hand, the concept, he had already unlocked one and he was very eager to learn what he could about it. He knew it helped him a lot in the battle against the Goblins during the fourth wave and Nam.

Opening his eyes, a newfound determination hardened his gaze. "Sir," he said, his voice ringing with conviction, "I'd like to study both. 'Understanding Attributes and Their Applications' and 'Concepts and Their Manifestation, but first I would pick Understanding Attributes and their application and see if I would still have time for the books on concept."

The ancient book hummed thoughtfully, a faint tremor running through the stone chamber. "A wise choice, young man," it rumbled. "Knowledge is like a well-honed blade – its effectiveness depends on the wielder's skill."

With a rustle of unseen pages, the illusory copy of "Understanding Attributes and Their Applications" solidified before Mark. Its worn leather cover exuded an air of power and promise. He reached out, a sense of anticipation tingling in his fingertips, and grasped the book.

A surge of energy pulsed through Mark as he held the book. As he gripped it tighter, a spectral inscription flickered into existence on the inner cover.

"The test is going to be curated for you and it is going to be randomized" the archivist boomed, its voice echoing through the chamber. Goodluck Mark

A screen lit up above the book.

"This assessment is designed to gauge your comprehension of attributes and their applications" and the difficulty level will be “hard”."

Your test is called The Gauntlet of Attributes

The Gauntlet of Attributes is a practical assessment designed to evaluate your raw potential and your understanding of applying attributes in a real-world scenario. You will be transported to a challenging environment. To navigate and succeed, you will need to leverage your Physical Attributes and potentially even push them beyond their current limits."

The stone floor beneath Mark trembled, and the air shimmered with distortion. Disoriented, he braced himself as the world dissolved into a blinding maelstrom.

When his vision cleared, he found himself clinging precariously to a narrow, crumbling ledge. A sheer cliff faces plummeted hundreds of feet below, its base obscured by a swirling mist that danced above a raging river. The deafening roar of the water filled his ears.

Across the chasm, another ledge jutted out, seemingly the only way forward. The distance between them was immense, easily exceeding any jump Mark had ever attempted.

Panic threatened to rise in his throat, but he quelled it with a deep breath. This was the test.

He surveyed the treacherous environment. Lush green vines snaked their way up the cliff face on the opposite side, offering a potential handhold. However, the distance was vast, and the vines looked worryingly thin. To his left, a fallen tree trunk precariously bridged a smaller gap to a crumbling rock pillar, but the pillar itself appeared precariously balanced, teetering on the brink of collapse.

This wasn't a simple test of strength or dexterity. It was a puzzle demanding strategic use of his attributes. He needed to assess the risks, leverage his physical capabilities, and potentially even push them beyond their current limits. A spark of determination ignited in Mark's eyes. He was looking forward to passing the test and pushing his limit.

=============================

Archivist POV

The blinding vortex of energy subsided, leaving the stone chamber eerily silent. The Archivist, the ancient tome, pulsed faintly, its weathered pages trembling with hidden effort. A tendril of shimmering energy stretched from the book, then snapped with a sharp crackle, dissipating into wisps of smoke.

The Archivist shuddered, its spectral script flickering momentarily. A sense of weariness settled over the book. It had nudged Mark towards the attribute book, subtly influencing his decision. This nudging was necessary, for the knowledge he would gain would set his foundations for cultivation and opening his nodes. A potential inheritor so new to the Weave needed a foundation of understanding first. Yet, these nudges, these subtle manipulations, came at a cost. The fabric of the labyrinth, the very essence of the Archivist's being, strained with exertion from the backlash of the weave. This was expected; the weave tolerated no interruptions in the Cosmic Trial, especially with how crucial this one seemed to be.

But a flicker of defiance sparked within the ancient tome. "The potential within him is undeniable," it continued, its voice regaining strength. The inscription on the Archivist's cover pulsed with renewed vigor.

"The time has come for the universe to remember us once more, for Voren to remember us once more," it boomed, the voice echoing through the labyrinthine halls.

The rest, the true test, lay entirely with Mark.