The moment my head touched the silky pillow, sleep claimed me, pulling me into a vivid dream—or more accurately, a vision. Sylvanus, the Paragon most known for nature and balance, had entered my mind while I slept. It wasn’t intrusive; I had allowed him access before and did so again without hesitation.

This wasn’t our first interaction. The first time, he reached out on behalf of my father, checking on me in a way that felt strangely paternal. The second time, he gauged my interest in receiving his blessing—a subtle but unmistakable invitation.

Blessings were the divine's way of marking individuals with great potential. They created a mutual exchange, though rarely balanced. The blessed gained power and favor, but the god always gained more from accomplishments their blessed achieved. Only in rare cases, when a god named someone their Chosen, did the exchange become truly equal.

Receiving a blessing was a monumental boon, especially from a god of Sylvanus' stature. Some gods, particularly the Paragons, even shaped their blessings to guide mortals toward affinities aligned with their own divine essence. If I already possessed a strong connection to the nature affinity, Sylvanus' blessing would only serve to deepen and enhance it. Even without an innate link to the affinity, his blessing would make it remarkably easy for me to gain it, bridging the gap with divine influence.

"Hello, Jackson." Sylvanus' voice carried a gravity that was impossible to ignore, each word resonating with a profound bass.

I inclined my head respectfully, meeting his gaze. "Hello. What brings me the honor of speaking with you again?"

From a young age, I’d been taught to show unwavering deference to any god. Still, my philosophy differed—I believed respect should be earned. Sylvanus had done so, but I’d never bowed my head to Gaia, his subordinate, despite her more intimidating presence. My refusal had earned me no shortage of lectures from my father, but he understood my stance, even if he worried it might invite trouble.

"Ah," Sylvanus began, his tone steady and deliberate, "I hoped to revisit our discussion about a blessing. However, this time, it wouldn’t be from me. Flora has taken an exceptional interest in you."

His words gave me pause. Flora—Sylvanus' wife—was renowned for her kindness and generosity. She’d even granted my mother a Divine Blessing just because she was married to my father, a gift that stood as the highest form of favor a god could bestow without marking someone as their Chosen. It was a gesture of immense significance, and one not given lightly.

Sylvanus regarded me carefully, his gaze sweeping over me as though searching for an answer hidden beneath the surface. “Something’s different from the last time we spoke,” he said, his tone edged with curiosity. “Are you eating well? Sleeping well?”

“Yes, and yes, I’m fine,” I replied, brushing off his concern. “I gained the time affinity before bed. It took a lot out of me.” I waved a hand dismissively, trying to reassure him.

“Oh, that’s a rare one,” Sylvanus mused. “Say… did you happen to gain any others? I don’t expect you to have, since you’re only just starting your journey, but with how quickly you gained the time affinity, it’s entirely possible you’ve awakened more.” He paused for a moment, his voice casual, as though pondering aloud. Sylvanus had a tendency to ramble, even when his words weren’t all that crucial.

“Lightning,” I replied, cutting him off before he could ask further. “And before you get your hopes up, I didn’t feel anything toward the nature affinity.” I added, unintentionally deflating his excitement a little.

“That’s a shame,” Sylvanus began, his voice trailing off. “You should try the Light affinity before Flora asks you to be her cho–” He cut himself off abruptly, realizing what he’d just said. His eyes went wide, and he quickly covered his mouth, mumbling through his hand, “Whoops.”

“Chosen? I can’t accept it, and I’m pretty sure Light wouldn’t be too thrilled with me either,” I said, smirking as I pointed to my forearm.

Sylvanus raised an eyebrow, intrigued. “What do you mean?”

I shrugged off my jacket, revealing my forearm. I trusted Sylvanus, especially since he bore a bloodmark himself, one that undeniably amplified his connection to nature.

“Oh joy! A bloodmark!” Sylvanus exclaimed, clearly delighted. “Flora will definitely be excited to hear! Your quick connection to time makes sense now, though. What’s it called, if you don’t mind me asking?”

He reined in his excitement toward the end, his curiosity taking over.

“Bloodmark of the Temporal Crescent,” I answered willingly, a smile spreading across my face as excitement and pride bubbled up within me.

“Time and Lunar aspects, that’ll be exciting to see what you can do with that, especially with lightning in the picture too,” Sylvanus observed, pointing toward my mark. He seemed to notice something I hadn’t—the sky within my bloodmark’s symbol had changed. A faint crackling of lightning now ripped across the blackened sky, a new and unexpected addition to the design.

“Wait what?” I looked down toward my bloodmark, my eyes widened, “What the hell?”

“Oh, yes, I forgot. You’re still poorly educated compared to the rest of the multiverse,” Sylvanus said with a teasing smirk, though his tone was more informative than condescending. “Bloodmarks, while very hard to evolve, can change, especially if you awaken one in the early ranks. Mine awakened when I was Rank B, so evolution was no longer possible.”

He gestured to my arm, his voice turning more serious. “Any affinity you strongly resonate with will naturally incorporate itself into your bloodmark. No one knows exactly why, but it just... does. With talent and effort, you can fully transform your bloodmark into something far greater than what you originally awakened with.”

Sylvanus leaned back, shaking his head in amazement. “There’s a rumor about an S-grade ascending quickly toward godhood right now. They’ve incorporated three different affinities into their bloodmark in addition to the one they started with. Utterly ridiculous.” His expression reflected a mix of admiration and disbelief.

“You can actually evolve your bloodmark? In my case?” I asked, needing to confirm I’d heard that right.

“Yes,” Sylvanus replied, nodding. “While the core aspects of Lunar and Time will always be the foundation of your bloodmark, you can incorporate as many affinities as you resonate strongly with. It’s limitless in theory, though naturally limited by your own aptitude. Take my case: if I’d awakened mine as early as you, I could’ve incorporated my Life affinity. However, my Water affinity wouldn’t have made the cut—it’s too weak a connection for me.”

I nodded, processing the explanation before asking, “So, how does one evolve a bloodmark?”

Sylvanus tilted his head slightly, considering my question. “You have Mana Sense, correct?”

When I nodded, he continued. “It’s similar to how you awakened that skill. You focus on your bloodmark, delving into its essence. Affinities you have a strong enough connection with will leave traces—threads of mana that linger around the mark. From there, it’s a matter of mentally plucking those threads and weaving them into the already existing pattern. It requires precision and, of course, a strong resonance with the affinity in question.”

I glanced down at my bloodmark, considering it briefly, before Sylvanus broke the silence. “So, back to why you can’t accept being my wife’s chosen. Why not? Has another god approached you?”

The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.

“No, nothing like that,” I replied, shaking my head. “I just don’t resonate with the pantheon.”

The word “resonate” lingered heavily in the air, carrying weight given the topic of our conversation.

Sylvanus frowned but nodded. “Alright, if you’re sure, I won’t push it onto you,” he said, leaning back as the sound of his back cracking echoed through the space. It was oddly distinct, given that his body was almost entirely sheathed in tree bark—a trait of the dryad.

What struck me as peculiar, though, was how gods, despite their ability to transform into almost anything they desired, often chose to maintain forms that reflected their origins.

I watched Sylvanus crack joints I didn’t even know could be cracked, the sounds becoming oddly mesmerizing, until he finally broke the silence. “Alright, well, I think we’re done here,” he said, stretching as if shaking off a long conversation. “But before I go, make sure you wake up quickly and stand under the moon for a bit. Try to align yourself with the lunar affinity—it’ll be easier while it’s fresh. Also, explore the markets and see if there are any affinities you resonate with. I strongly recommend revisiting the basic affinities, and definitely give Light a shot. For that, though, you’ll want to head to Dawn City.”

Before I could respond, he snapped his fingers and disappeared, leaving me alone in a void-like space that seemed eerily familiar. I realized with some awe that I was standing in my truesoul—a deep, liminal space tied to my very essence.

Truesouls didn’t typically develop fully until Rank C, but if you managed to access it early without divine intervention, you could lay a foundation that was almost unheard of. It was a rare opportunity, and Sylvanus’ sudden departure left me wondering just how much potential this moment held.

I clung onto unconsciousness, trying to anchor myself to my truesoul. The void around me felt alive, humming with an energy that was part of me, yet separate. I sat down, crossing my legs in a meditative posture, trying to stay asleep.

You have learned 1 Skill

Meditate (Common)

Enter a serene and peaceful state that improves your regeneration in Stamina, Health, and Mana. Focusing comes easier and the mind becomes quicker. Your senses are greatly reduced while meditating.

Nifty. I thought. Meditate. I activated my new skill, and almost immediately, I felt my energy begin to climb. A steady flow surged within me, building with a quiet intensity, like water rising in a well. My thoughts sharpened, narrowing on my affinities—the threads of mana that defined me. I could feel the faint pulse of the time affinity, a rhythmic, almost clockwork sensation, weaving in harmony with the deep, chaotic presence of lightning. I felt a faint trickle of lunar energy within me, gently weaving its way through my truesoul. I watched as it pulsed rhythmically, perfectly in sync with my heartbeat. With each steady thrum, it seemed to grow stronger, as though the moon’s radiant light was shining directly upon me, its reflective glow amplifying the energy coursing through me.

I could feel the faint tug of wakefulness trying to pull me back to consciousness. I was being moved. Determined to stay within my truesoul, I clamped down on my mind, forcing it to remain asleep. My best guess was that Sylvanus had contacted my father, who was now carrying me outside into the night to help me connect with the lunar affinity. I could only imagine Erica’s confusion right now. The thought made me chuckle quietly as I continued meditating.

Sylvanus probably assumed I would use this time in my truesoul to do exactly what I was doing—a solid guess, to be fair. It did irk me a bit that he hadn’t outright suggested it, but I understood the reasoning. The more direct help you received, the less the system rewarded your personal efforts.

The lunar thread I had been focusing on stopped its rhythmic pulsing, instead swelling with power, as if it had just taken a deep, deliberate breath. That’s when I realized—I was outside now. Game time.

I seized the lunar energy in an instant, claiming it effortlessly. There was no grand spectacle within my truesoul, just a calm assertion of control. Outside, however, I was certain my body was putting on a show, reacting to the sudden influx of power in a way that would undoubtedly catch the attention of anyone nearby.

You have resonated with the “Lunar Affinity”

You have gained the “Lunar Affinity”

Turning my focus back inward, the space around me seemed alive, as though it were observing me, waiting for me to act. I reached out mentally, gathering the concentration needed to interact with the mana threads within my truesoul. Slowly, they responded, aligning with my intent. I began to weave the energies into intricate patterns, each strand carefully balanced, their connections stretching across the vast expanse of this surreal realm.

Here, connecting with my affinities felt entirely different from how I had experienced them in the physical world. It was deeper, more intimate, almost primal. This wasn’t just manipulation; it was an act of creation, shaping the raw essence of my potential. If I succeeded, I’d unlock the ability to access my truesoul through meditation, effectively upgrading the skill. This would allow me to anchor any new affinity I acquired directly to my truesoul and, in time, perhaps even create an entirely new affinity. I also suspected this would enable me to evolve my bloodmark—an incredible feat to achieve before even completing my first dungeon delve.

I reached out mentally, grasping the crackling chaos of lightning. The energy surged as I pulled it from the surrounding space, weaving it into the void of my truesoul. I stretched it as far as I could, letting its jagged threads arc and ripple across the emptiness, filling the space with its raw, untamed power.

Next, I focused on the lunar energy, pulling it inward. It felt calmer, more deliberate than the crackling chaos of lightning. I shaped it into a perfect sphere—a small, radiant moon that shone with its own light, needing no sun to fuel its glow. Slowly, I let it expand, its silvery luminance growing until it became a celestial body within the vast emptiness of my truesoul, serene yet brimming with quiet power.

Finally, I turned my attention to time. Its energy was deliberate, precise, and unyieldingly linear—a stark contrast to the chaos of lightning and the serenity of lunar light. It wasn't calm or chaotic; it was structured, inevitable. I began weaving it into a winding rope, its threads interlocking in perfect synchronization. Slowly, I guided it toward the moon, letting it coil around the celestial sphere like a guardian tether. From there, the rope unraveled, its strands streaming outward, threading themselves throughout the expanse of my truesoul, creating an intricate web of order within the void.

Out of sheer curiosity, I envisioned a massive analog clock etched onto the surface of my newly formed moon. To my surprise, the lunar sphere and the winding rope of time responded immediately to my intent. The threads of time energy coiled and shifted, meticulously carving the image of the clock into the moon’s surface. The result was stunning: a glowing celestial object adorned with a perfectly detailed clock, its hands ticking with the rhythm of the time energy that now coursed through my truesoul.

It didn’t feel any different—there was no sudden rush of power or new sensation—but I had to admit, it looked cool as hell.

Satisfied with my progress, I released my focus and allowed wakefulness to take over. My eyes fluttered open to the sight of a tree canopy above, accompanied by the familiar chatter of my parents and Erica nearby. Glancing down at my bloodmark, I searched for any visible changes—something that might reflect the transformation within my truesoul—but there was nothing. Disappointed yet unsurprised, I let out a quiet sigh. Just as I began to shift my attention toward their conversation, an anticipated notification appeared before me.

You have upgraded a skill!

Meditate (Common)

Enter a meditative state that significantly enhances your regeneration of Stamina, Health, and Mana. Concentration becomes easier, sharpening your mind and improving mental clarity. Your senses are greatly reduced while meditating.

→

Truesoul Focus (Legendary)

Enter a tranquil meditative state that significantly enhances your regeneration of Stamina, Health, and Mana. Concentration becomes effortless, sharpening your mind and improving mental clarity. While meditating, your senses remain fully active, and you can access your truesoul at will, increasing regeneration rates by 3x. You remain aware and conscious within your personal void, allowing for a deeper connection to your affinities and the manipulation of mana within yourself. Combat cancels Truesoul Focus.

The upgrade was remarkable. With this ability, I could carry on with my daily activities while passively regenerating stamina, effectively removing the need for physical rest. The only limitation left was mental exhaustion—something even this skill couldn’t completely overcome.

While Meditate was a common skill for newly classed individuals—most people unlocked it naturally by calming their minds before sleep—Truesoul Focus was in a league of its own. Acquiring it at Rank H was almost unprecedented; typically, it only became available around Rank C, when the truesoul matured enough to be shaped intentionally.

This skill, however, gave me early access to my truesoul, allowing me to start building a foundation before leveling up. The advantage was undeniable—it would give me unparalleled control over my affinities, enabling them to manifest externally rather than remaining internalized.

The system wasn’t generous when it came to skills outside of those gained through leveling. To unlock one, you had to manipulate your mana or exert your will in a way that justified its existence. Earning Truesoul Focus now felt like a monumental accomplishment while giving me the determination to exert my affinities in ways I couldn’t imagine before while being rewarded for practicing control.