If someone asked me which affinity was the strongest. Well, the answer would be Creator. Because some of my favorite characters in the manga had that affinity. But that was a very biased opinion.

Though never stated in the manga, many of the fans made their own theories about the affinities. Which one was the best? Which gave an instant power-up? Which was the coolest? There were some agreements within the fanbase.

Warrior affinity made the user powerful as soon as they awakened Ord. They could use it to multiply their strength. But after that Warriors have slow growth. As physical training would have to be intense for any degree of growth. The balance of defense and attack in this affinity was the best. But due to the simplicity of the affinity it wasn't like the other three.

After that initial growth, Blaster wouldn't take long to catch up as they learn to shoot beams. A Blaster would have a more linear continuous growth instead of an initial burst of power. Also for long-range, this was the best affinity. It was the only affinity that would allow users to control Ord outside of their bodies.

Next came the wildest affinity, and the best one to get easier access to real power in a short time. Creator, which can create items and a condition to make them stronger. Depending on their abilities, they can either be strong or weak. There's almost no in-between.

It was my favorite affinity in my last world. Because of the versatility and complexity of the special abilities. Also, they can imbue an item with Ord. That's how they get special abilities to manifest.

Last but not least was my affinity, Beast Master, or as some call it just Master. In the beginning, the affinity doesn't have many advantages. Except getting Ord control faster and to extreme levels after some training.

When early in the Manga, it was one of the worst affinities. Your strength would always depend on the demon you chose. Most people would choose a cool or cute demon. After all, they were teenagers. Even at my age, I could understand the affection for looking cool.

But Beast Master, for the average exorcist, was the affinity with the most potential. Of course, most people squandered that potential. Due to my knowledge about the manga, I wasn't going to do that.

As Beast Master, I didn't get any strong benefits like the other affinities. But if one formed a bond with their demon they can borrow the demon's Ord, and abilities. Later on, even fuse with their familiar.

My goal was to evolve my familiar to Ultimate Class and use its abilities while fused. I should become a powerhouse even for late-game in the manga.

Though I'm not sure if things will work out how I want them to. I might even die before that happens.

Anyways, what worried me now was that Gem might have made some deal with a power he couldn't handle. "The one who gave you that power must be quite amazing. After all, getting all that Ord with training alone would have taken years. Maybe even a decade."

I observed Gem's face. If he showed any signs to have formed some kind of contract with a demon, he would get agitated by my words. Which meant that I would have to knock him out. Before he could become a danger to the group.

If he made a contract with a strong demon then all of us could end up dead. In these scenarios the one to make the first move would win. But at the same time, I had to be cautious and discover all the details of the situation first.

"Ask him," Gem pointed at Bets.

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In an instant, everything clicked back in place. Due to paranoia, I had assumed the worst possible outcome. But that wasn't the case.

Bets doesn't have his armor ability anymore. Well, in this world he never had it to begin with. In the original manga, he was a Creator but fought like a Warrior.

He became what everyone thought of him as, a big strong guy. But Bets wasn't like that. Sometimes even geniuses can fall under the fist that is social expectations.

Getting close to the people haggling around Professor Chain. I went and greeted Bets who was staying by the sidelines with an expressionless look on his face. Deep down he was probably brawling his eyes out and had figured out why Professor Chain looked like he had aged a couple of decades.

"So you have a new ability?" I wasn't sure if this was for the better or worse. Though one thing was for sure, in the original manga, Bets' special ability was only something that helped him imitate being a Warrior. As a Creator, he had created an ability, with no compatibility, and had wasted his potential.

Though by chapter 400 he had added some extra conditions to the ability and made it better.

"Yes, it was created in a rush. But it saved our lives," he sighs but he doesn't look regretful. Then he shows me his palm and a queen chess piece is conjured atop his hand. "I got the idea when we were playing chess. Every piece I give away can strengthen someone."

Creating an ability during a dangerous situation will usually make a stronger Special Ability. As the emotions of the maker were in turmoil, Ord reacted to emotions. But it was a big risk. Technically I had also created a special ability during emotional distress. Every waking hour for the last week I had thought of how to save myself from being ripped apart by monsters.

But even after everything went through to create my ability with careful consideration. Since a lot of emotions like fear and anxiety were involved, my ability ended up having some unforeseen powers.

They weren't bad, but they could have been. "What kind of limitation did you put in your ability?"

I was afraid I knew what his ability was based on. An ability like this, at such an early stage created by someone who barely knew the basics of Ord. The price paid had to be enormous, nothing short of death.

He stared at me and sighed. "The king's piece has formed at the core of my brain. If I break the conditions I have placed, it will explode and kill me."

Damn it! I knew it! I clenched my teeth and held myself back so I don't punch him. "What was the condition exactly?"

Normally that would be a rude thing to say. But we were good enough friends. I didn't have any malicious plans.

"I know that you think I was being stupid. But it was either a death-rule ability and possibly death later, or die now," he tried to reason with me. But he shook his head and explained. "Well, the rules were simple. I have to play a chess game every day and win against my opponent. Don't worry though, the rule doesn't say anything about playing chess against people who're good at the game."

I looked at him as if he was the stupidest person on this side of the world.

Wasn't this guy supposed to be a genius? Didn't he get first place on the entrance exam?

Even if you're the best player at chess, sometimes you lose. But that wasn't my biggest worry. No wonder the empowerment of his ability was enough to push Gem's potential a couple of years forward. "What if you're captured? What if you're stranded and alone? You can't play any chess games then."

As soon as I said that, his eyes widened and his face paled.

Also, how did he create these exactly? Did he use his own lifespan? As long as he doesn’t take these chess pieces outside of his body, he should be okay. But if he does and uses them on other people. Then for each piece used, he’s giving up his lifespan to empower someone else.

As his friend, how could I not feel sad about this? If I hadn’t hesitated to try and think whether to come here or not. He wouldn't have had to create an ability like this.

No, that was only wishful thinking on my part. What could I have done against a middle class demon? I can’t even activate my ability.

But as a friend, I had to tell Bets about the logistic dangers of his ability. "How about something more common in our line of work? You're knocked out for a full day… At some stage in our careers, it’s inevitable that it will happen."

His eyes widened. Realization seemed to settle in. "Oh… fuck."

Yeah. He was on a ticking clock. This is why you don't fucking create abilities recklessly!