After numerous twists and turns, and an indoor bridge that impossibly spanned over the lobby with minimal supporting structures, she eventually reached her destination.
A pair of oiled oak doors were left open in anticipation of her arrival. She was greeted by many floating lights within a relatively large, rectangular room. It was shaped like a room for mass prayer, except there weren’t any seats found anywhere. An altar-like fixture was the only notable structure within the otherwise gorgeous room.
It sat at the furthest end, atop a small platform where she saw Jury, Ignis, the Moons and Carpalis gather around the altar. The triplets were the first to notice her, and Cer was about to open her mouth until Res cupped it and silently gestured Frost to keep silent.
Is this the ceremony they were talking about?
“It’s the registration ceremony. It was not required for the Blessed until recently. The Nex Megalopolis has adopted physical multilingual IDs. They benefit the non-Blessed more and places less of a burden on the Blessed who constantly needed to identify people.”
Makes you wonder why it took them until now to do that. Knowing how this world works, nothing changes until they’re forced to. Isn’t that why the Nex Megalopolis was created in the first place?
“Precisely. A united city built out of necessity in the case of another Paradise Lost event.”
Hardly united when there’s 5 independent cities fragmented by walls and their own interests. At least the Golden Index has the right idea with building the guilds.
Frost and Nav were stuck in a world of their own as Snap stealthily arrived at the foot of the altar. The ceremonial induction was a rather simple procedure that required a person to place their palm upon an orb.
Afterwards, their levels would be approximated by the orb depending on various stats, and they’d also be given an Adventurer Rank pertaining to their skills. The orb itself was not needed for the non-Blessed, but because the Blessed could not see each other’s stats, it became a necessity.
How exactly it measured them was unknown, although Frost was interested to see how close the approximations were since she had the bizarre ability to see the stats of a Blessed.
Jury was the subject of this process, and Carpalis acted as her supervisor.
She needed to visually confirm the outcome and validity of their status as a registered Adventurer, and to personally testify that their IDs, which were called Guild Plates, were legitimate.
There was always an option to bypass this process, but it was unfortunately turned down by Carpalis. As much as she trusted them, she wanted to see it for herself. If someone asked her if they were legitimate Adventurers then she would be unable to tell them ‘yes’.
Carpalis was many things, but a liar was not one of them.
“That’s it… Hehe… colorless as expected. Incandescent Soul… For beating a Woe of the Fallen Star and as another fellow Beholder… Unbound Rank it is until the Hyperlinks return. Then… Maybe I’ll return to the Nexus to congratulate you on your, haha… graduation. Level 200.” Carpalis said, motioning Ignis to step up next.
“How was it?” Frost asked, hopping down from Snap to join them.
“Therapeutic! I’m sorry we left early. I didn’t want to wake you up after you slept so soundly. You needed that rest.” Jury apologized for leaving her behind, not that Frost really minded.
“Can you two please stop flirting for a second?” Res hushed. “Ignis. Please place your hand on the orb. Squeeze it as hard as you can. Don’t be afraid of breaking it.”
Ignis did as told, and after only a minute of strenuously testing her grip strength, Carpalis sluggishly applauded her. There was no glorious glow of light. She had seen or at least read of a similar trope in fantasy novels where ranks were calculated by an orb. Usually, they’d be triumphant and full of excitement.
Here, it was difficult to feel upbeat when they already knew the outcome.
“Unbound Rank as well. Oh mellow Moons. You don’t want another attempt?” She offered them, which they immediately declined.
Politely, of course.
They were in the presence of a Beholder, after all.
“Thank you, but we’re at our maximum level already. The last instance was only 20 years ago.” Res spoke on their behalf with utmost respect. “Frost. It’s your turn now. Perfect timing.” She politely smiled.
“Yep. I just need to squeeze it, right?” Frost climbed the shallow steps and stood before the altar, facing Carpalis on the other end. “As hard as I can?”
“Preferably without your gloves on… Those are a Corrupted Item, aren’t they? And that badge?” Carpalis pointed out.
Indeed. Frost wore the Badge of Fragmented Aspirations, pinned to the left side of her chest.
“The Heart of Ours dropped two Corrupted Items this time around. Is there a specific number of items guaranteed to drop after a Corrupted dies?” She asked, removing her gloves, and storing them into her Dimensional Storage as she reached for the transparent orb.
“Drop? That is a humorous way of calling a harvested Corrupted Item.” Carpalis cackled. “It depends on the Corrupted itself. I know of a Monsoon that revealed 5 items. Each was a blade with different markings. The material of the defeated Corrupted can be turned into other anomalous items… I suggest inquiring with ImpulseWorks. Your Guild Plates will be ready tomorrow before you depart.” Carpalis explained throughout the minute Frost spent gripping the orb with all her might.
The orb held up well much to her surprise, although, her hand had left an imprint.
“Color. Unbound Color. It’s official now, Black Dove. From tomorrow, at the very least.” Carplis hummed, making a strange face as she playfully poked the orb. “No level from what I can perceive. It’s cold. Hehe… It’s been bitten by Frost.”
“How… Sorry. How is ImpulseWorks going to know we’re with you?” Frost had to ask, refitting her gloves.
“I will present you with a personal request. I have a good friend there who can help you with the restoration of your Corrupted Items… and if you’re creative, then you can utilize those Corrupted materials you’ve been holding onto. Haha… Unless you want to eat them?”
“We just have to enter the City of Hearts, huh.”
“Not necessarily. Retrofitters will be everywhere. We know a few who can lead us to the right people.” Res stated. “Even with Beholder Carpalis’ favors, we’ll have a hard time getting it confirmed.”
“Yep! Res is right! What are the odds of her friend, which mind you is that bitch – I mean, that damned pervert –”
“The Body Violator.” Ber corrected Cer.
“Yeah! That! The Scylla tentacle woman. The Impulse Fabricator. Fuck. That. Aquatid. Listen. Beholder Carpalis. I know we’re just Moons but think about Frost! Think about Jury! What about Ignis!? Think about us!”
“… Is there something wrong with Kissira?” Carpalis sounded sad as she asked this, wondering why they were so hateful towards her close friend.
Frost felt sorry for Carpalis.
“EVERYTHING! Wanna know how I got these scars on my jaw!? You can’t see them because they’re healed but –!” Cer suddenly locked up.
“She’s so touchy! We just wanted Atelier Items but she felt us up like –!” Ber was also frozen stiff.
This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.
Suddenly, a bolt of lightning struck them, causing their tails to shoot up as Res swiftly held onto their smoking collars and began to drag them towards the exit.
“I am so deeply ashamed of their conduct. Please pardon us and thank you for being so forgiving, Beholder Carpalis.” Frost could tell that Res was on the brink of bursting out as veins popped around her forehead.
Then, as soon as they left, and the doors were gently shut –
“ARE YOU FUCKING KIDDING ME!? WHAT’S WRONG WITH YOU TWO!? I CAN’T BELIEVE I’M RELATED TO YOU IDIOTS!” Res’ muffled voice ran through the ceiling and floors of the megastructure.
It wouldn’t be a surprise if they weren’t the only ones who heard her brutal reprimanding.
Frost did find it funny, but couldn’t help but empathize with Res. Those two never seem to learn. At all. It didn’t help that punishing them was more of a reward, especially to Res and Frost was not cruel enough to separate them.
Surely there was a better way to go about it.
That being said, the induction was over, and tomorrow would mark the beginning of their next major step into the world of Elysia. But before that, they still had time for one other thing.
“Don’t you think it’s time to shed your skin?” Carpalis ran a hand along the hems of Frost’s coat. “Hehe… My fashion sense… is lacking, but I think you need a do over. Your eyes scream special… but your apparel shouts ‘stowaway’.”
“New clothes! Mhm. I think changing my image will also be a good idea.” Jury brought up, tugging at her Mantle of Sin. “It’d be bad if I’m mistaken for the 2nd Apostle again.”
“The Scarlet Logic might be on the prowl, so seeing you in that will probably stir some old feuds and bad blood. Good idea.” Frost agreed, nodding to herself before suddenly surrendering to a sigh. “Ahhhhhh shit…”
“What’s wrong?” Jury peered in close worriedly.
“Jury, you know exactly what’s wrong. It’s worse now that I remember what my old body looks like.” Frost admitted, mentally preparing for another trial she needed to overcome in this newfound body of hers.
Carpalis tilted her head.
“Old body?” She asked.
“It’s a long story. Funnily enough, you’ve already read through it, along with every Beholder up there.”
* * *
< I think now will be a good time to reveal your stats. Before your impending trial >
< The Third Milestone Level Has Been Reached >
< HP and MP have greatly increased >
< New Professions have been granted >
< Additional Active and Passive Skills have been Granted >
< A new title has been granted >
< Title has been revoked >
< The title you earned was Braveheart >
< The Amalgam >
< It still continues to eat all titles >
< The Brawler Profession has reached its third milestone >
< Bonuses to ATT and DEF stats gained >
< Additional Active and Passive Skills gained >
< The Appraiser Profession has reached its first milestone >
< No additional Bonuses >
< The Counter Offensive Profession has reached its first milestone >
< Bonuses to AGI and RESIST gained >
< Additional Passive Skill gained >
< LEVEL : 151 >
< The Amalgam >
NAME : Frost HP : 9,550,000 ^45/Min
MP : 120,000 ^45/Min
AGI : 90 RESIST : 380 AGE : 0 ATT : 11,200 (+3,500)
ATT DEF : 8,350 (+250)
O : 75 D : 29 ORIGIN : Archetype MAG ATT : 9,000 (+4,500)
MAG DEF : 7,000 (+500)
S : 220 E : 65
< PROFESSIONS >
OFFENSIVE DEFENSIVE SUPPORT EXPLORATION BRAWLER: 75
CONFLAGRATOR: 0 COUNTER OFFENCE: 29 THE OTHERWORLDLY HEALER: 220
LEADERSHIP: 0
APPRAISER: 27
COOK: 38
COMPREHENSION: 0
< ACTIVE SKILLS >
OFFENSIVE DEFENSIVE SUPPORT EXPLORATION Punch V
Double Punch II [5/10]
Goodnight [0/10]
Armor Piercing [0/10]
Magnitude [0/10]
Inferno [0/10]
Liquid Fire [0/10]
Thermal Propagation [0/10] Solemn Counter II [9/10]
Grand Healing V
Cure Disease II [8/10]
Prolonged Stasis IV [8/10]
Area Heal II [8/10]
Cleanse III [9/10]
Corporeal Restoration II [5/10]
Inspiration! [0/10]
Home Cook III (8/10)
Appraise Object II (7/10)
Non-Euclidian Interpretation [0/10]
< PASSIVE SKILLS >
OFFENSIVE DEFENSIVE SUPPORT EXPLORATION Tooth and Nail
Severe Combo
Fight, Never Flight!
Origin of Flames Fine Line
Instinctive Drive Hyper Saturated Blood
Medical Attention Please!
Ultra Coordinated
Mana Profusion Painkiller
Heart of Hearts Dimensional Storage II (24kg/40kg)
Comprehension I
< MASTERY EFFECTS >
OFFENSIVE DEFENSIVE SUPPORT EXPLORATION Punch V: Omnipresent Maw
Grand Healing V: Black Dove’s Commitment
< ABILITIES >
Archetype of Amalgamation
Blessing of the Amalgam
Eyes of Judgement
Language of Judgement
Unwavering Wick
String Theory
Touch of the Black Dove
The Language of Greed
Nex Accumulation
Reach for the Stars!
Spatial Distortion I
Leader of Hearts