Once Alistair had left the automata trial world, he had taken the time to peek into the third gate address. It had turned out to be quite mundane and not too dissimilar to his first trial world, although filled with slightly stronger monsters. Including some grade 9 ones, he could spot in the distance. Alistair presumed this was a more linear upgrade to his trial world, perhaps he could find another hub in it.
The following day, Alistair made a quick stop at Nessyra's to talk with her about his discoveries in the trial worlds, with plans to tackle a more sensitive topic afterward. When he arrived, he noticed that she had reached Grade 9 and had undergone a racial evolution. Her horns had become smoother and somehow less menacing, and her tail had vanished. She told him she had become a Covetix Sovereign. Everyone he knew who managed to reach the next grade had so far been given the option to evolve into a higher-tier subrace based on their affinities and stats. He had heard that people with high enough base stats had been commonly offered the high human subrace but hoped to get better options. After congratulating her and informing her of his discoveries, he shifted the conversation to a more sensitive topic. Urging her not to burn herself out with work. She had reassured him that compared to before the initiation, she had worked just as hard, sometimes to an unhealthy degree, all in order to win her family's approval.
"I am a bit worried, Nessy; I heard you took on yet another large project. I can't tell you just how integral you are to the clan, and I am worried you are overworking yourself. If there is anything I can do to help, don't hesitate to ask." Alistair expressed concern, evident in his tone.
"It means a great deal to me that you and sis recognize my efforts and watch out for me. I never received the acknowledgment I worked so hard for from my previous family," she reflected, a faint smile appearing on her lips.
Alistair sat opposite her desk, his gaze soft yet earnest. "Nessy, I know I am not from Neshan or family yet, but the day I don't recognize your value is the day you are dealing with a doppelgänger," Alistair quipped lightly, attempting to lighten the mood.
She chuckled before continuing, "Considering them family might be a stretch; they treated me as a useful tool at best. I am glad I got this second chance to make something of myself on my own terms; it was the push I needed. Or I would still be working my hardest for a family that does not even acknowledge me outside of putting me in an advantageous position for their own self-interests," she said bitterly.
Her features brightened as she looked up at him. "The Clan has been a better family to me than my blood relatives ever were. And you are not the first to talk to me; your mother has given me the exact same talk. She keeps coming over to talk to me over tea," Nessyra revealed.
Alistair smiled knowingly. The revelation wasn't surprising; it resonated with his mother's caring and attentive nature. He recalled her recent restlessness and was glad to hear she was returning to her old habits of checking in on others. "My mother can be a bit nosy, but she means well," Alistair remarked with a chuckle.
Nessyra nodded in understanding. "I know. Don't worry about it; I always look forward to our talks," she admitted with a warm smile.
After exchanging some pleasantries, he took his leave; he decided to make a quick stop at Mitania's desk to get the key to the [Crafting Quarters] and ask her about the Affinity Orb as well. Nessyra had recommended the luck affinity and reassured him the acquisition of measuring orbs was going quite well. He should be able to measure most of the affinities of interest in the following days.
Alistair approached the desk in the [Study Dungeon]; Mitania looked up at him and put on a concerned frown.
"Hey, Mitania, it's been a while. What's with the frown?" Alistair asked, confused.
She made an uncharacteristic pause before speaking up. "You are falling behind. When I first met you, you were among the most promising individuals I had seen. Now, you are above average at best, although very well connected," Mitania said, a worried expression evident even through the foliage that adorned her dryad features.
Alistair was taken aback by her sudden comment, and before he could respond, she continued.
"I am constrained by the rules regarding what I am about to tell you, so I require your consent first to offer you some advice," Mitania said urgently.
"Of course, go ahead," Alistair agreed promptly, leaning in to listen intently.
Mitania's expression grew more serious as she spoke up. "I can see you've been diligently working on your foundation, which is commendable under normal circumstances and would be highly praised outside the trial. However, within the trial, with opportunities abound, you must push yourself rather than worry about the best possible foundation. You are missing out on opportunities snatched away by others, leaving you in the dust as you concern yourself with building an incredible foundation. You have incredible potential, and it is still early enough in the trial to catch up and become a true elite. I think you know what you have to do." Mitania concluded, looking at him intently.
Alistair was shocked. This was not how he had expected this conversation to go. He considered it for a moment. She was correct; while the challenges in the Arena were a lot easier due to his low level and strong foundation. He was missing out on great treasures and other advancements by playing it safe. His improved growth rate alone was a strong argument to support his approach, though he had no idea what he was missing out on, and her candor made it clear he would have to adjust his approach drastically. However, he would make sure not to get himself killed in the process.
"I appreciate your insight, and I'll certainly take it to heart. Are you referring to opportunities like this?" Alistair asked, his expression grateful as he retrieved the unattuned affinity orb from his storage and showed it to her.
"Exactly opportunities like that. How much do you know about concept affinity?" Mitania inquired, her tone curious yet authoritative.
He elaborated on his understanding of concept affinities, which he considered to improve.
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"I understand that for somebody who has lived most of their life without concepts, affinities may be hard to wrap one's head around, especially when even talent is a concept. I am impressed by what you already know, but there are some gaps," Mitania told him before elaborating on some of his misunderstandings.
He looked at her, shocked when she mentioned that even talent is a concept. He kept underestimating how deeply concepts were ingrained in everything around him.
"As you already know, every individual has their own affinities, determined by birth and influenced by factors like species, environment, and heritage. Some excel in certain areas while struggling with others, and there's a limit to how far one can progress through sheer effort alone. Racial evolutions and treasures like your orb can bypass this limit," Mitania explained, noting his surprised expression.
"Don't worry too much about the talent concept. While it does slightly raise the ceiling, its impact is mostly passive, affecting how quickly someone learns and improves rather than their ultimate potential. Potential is one of the most esoteric and flexible affinities and is determined by a combination of many factors and not just the affinity you start with. Everyone has their own talents and affinities; some people pick up on things faster than others or are just luckier to the point it can be considered unfair. That has been true even before the initiation and introduction of magic, but there is a potential path for greatness for everyone willing to seize or create it," she reassured him.
"For instance, some individuals have a strong aversion to combat, resulting in a low affinity for fighting and related concepts. However, unlike luck, which is notoriously difficult to improve, one can overcome this aversion and low affinity through exposure and dedication. Luck is a wise choice for improvement since it's one of the most useful and hardest affinities to enhance, and few races naturally excel in it. Unless, of course, you plan on becoming a leprechaun," she added, her tone lightening with a playful smile.
"I'm not sure if Riseth would approve of me becoming a leprechaun," Alistair chuckled.
She smiled before she continued elaborating on some of the finer details and the difficulties when dealing with affinity improvement. Of particular interest was that the orb would be more effective on lower affinities rather than already strong ones. Still, she insisted that using it on hard-to-impossible-improve affinities like luck would be her recommendation.
"Okay, and do you know what this item's hidden quality is?" Alistair asked curiously.
"Yes, but I am not allowed to tell you, but an educated guess should be possible," She responded, and Alistair knew she was again tiptoeing around the rules again.
His best guess was that the hidden effect would be related to whichever affinity he picked. He mulled it over some more before he nodded and turned back to Mitania, who had observed him with a satisfied smile.
"Thank you, Mitania. I really value your assistance. I also stopped by to request a crafter key so I can leave some items in my brother's workshop," he expressed gratefully. He had gathered from conversations with others that Mitania was discerning about whom she aided and offered guidance, as many had described her as distant and indifferent toward them.
She handed him the key, and he transferred the 15,000 [USC]. The [Crafting Quarters] were the priciest among the instances and didn't permit bringing guests along, which explained why most business was conducted within the [Traders Market] & [Nurturing Ward]. It had prevented his mother from visiting the instance sooner. Luckily, their clan had been doing quite well with cash flow, and the costs of the key were easily covered by their arena winnings alone. He bid Mitania farewell before heading for his brother's workshop.
After stepping through the gate, Alistair found himself walking through the stone corridors, his mind still racing from Mitania's words. It was the first time he had even visited the [Crafting Quarters]. Much like the [Study Dungeon], everyone had their own isolated space accessible by doors. The stonework reminded him of his first dungeon, and the corridors were not exactly tight but not wide enough for anyone to set up stalls without blocking most of the path. Much like the [Arena Dungeon], there were tons of corridors and sections for the different crafts. Each section had a forum where people could show off their skills or discuss among themselves. However, from the few Alistair had passed, they were not very busy, and the techniques shown there were very introductory to the point that even a child could follow along.
After settling his mind a little and exploring the [Crafting Quarters], he stepped towards a door and knocked lightly, intending to reach his brother's workshop. The door shimmered and turned incorporeal, and he felt a pull before stepping through. On the other side awaited a vast and bustling workshop, bathed in the radiant glow emitted by an immense light crystal nestled in the high ceiling and by the glow of various arcane and mechanical contraptions. He stood on a metal platform overlooking most of the workshop. The air was heavy with the scent of metal, infused with hints of ozone and the faint aroma of flames. Tables sprawled across the expanse, some laden with dismantled machinery. Mechanical arms were alive with the rhythmic hum of ongoing assembly on small conveyor belts. On the side of the room were gantries showcasing robots and a mechanical suit reminiscent of power armor, its intricate web of exposed wiring and magical circuitry capturing Alistair's attention. Alistair suspected this was just one of many rooms his brother occupied as he made his way down the metal stairs.
Unfamiliar figures diligently operated a smelting machine, pouring molten metal into molds that solidified into ingots before being placed onto a series of conveyor belts. Alistair suspected these individuals to be followers hired by Nessyra to assist his brother in the workshop. As the workshop buzzed with activity, a pair of large gates swung open, revealing two heavily modified robots emerging from the room. These former Sentries had undergone significant alterations to suit their new role as haulers; their bodies had been expanded, making their original heads appear comically small in comparison.
Alistair felt the sensation of [Identify] wash over him as he was approached by an unfamiliar alien species. The creature could best be described as a large, humanoid, muscular crustacean. It stood tall and upright, measuring roughly two meters in height. With three sets of arms, the first set was large and powerful, extending from its broad shoulders. Below these, a second set of arms, much smaller but exuding an air of precision, followed, and beneath them, a third set, slightly smaller than the first. Horizontal sensory organs protruded from its head. This bipedal creature's shell was a deep blue with occasional white streaks, complemented by an orange overall that complemented its shell's color. [Identify] revealed the individual as [Oconoe - lvl 31].
"Welcome, Patriarch. Your brother and Lady Jessica await your arrival in section 3. I've been tasked with guiding you there. Shall we proceed?" Oconoe asked after crossing all his arms in what Alistair presumed was a formal greeting.
"Thank you, Oconoe. Please do," Alistair replied, falling into step behind him as they navigated through the bustling workshop, weaving through an array of diverse machinery. Eventually, they reached one of the other large gates, which parted open automatically, revealing another workshop area beyond. This space was characterized by its size and high ceiling, featuring a wide expanse of concrete flooring and towering gantries lining the sides. Alistair surmised that this room was designated for fabricating larger constructs than the previous area they had traversed.
He spotted his brother and Jessica talking to each other over a large metal table with a wide array of tools on it. They noticed their entry, and James waved him over with his cybernetic hands. A sight he still had to get used to.