"Tell me — what do you know of Ascendants?" Mister Knight asked directly, and the air was filled with curiosity.
"As much as a normal person knows, Mister Knight. I know that they possess power after surviving a Tribunal Eclipse, but that's about it," Sieg replied casually.
Back in Strovian, a slum boy like him had heard stories of powerful humans who could slay monsters called Collapsals, born from the violet eclipses.
"There's much you need to know." Mister Knight prepared to explain to Sieg, who was eager to catch his every word. "You have questions, ask them."
Normally, Sieg would ask about something related to attributes, but this was the most important question in his mind. "Mister Knight, why do eclipses happen, and are you some sort of byproduct of that thing?"
Mister Knight was caught off guard by the question. "I'm curious — what made you ask me that?"
Sieg was relieved that Mister Knight didn't seem pissed off about the question, as admittedly, it was a risky one considering the context of the trial.
"Mister Knight, A violet eclipse is what killed my father."
Mister Knight didn't seem shocked by that revelation. To him, it was a common reason among past candidates, dead parents, awful lives, begging for a savior, or something different like power, it was all too common.
"Do you resent me and the eclipse for the death of your father?" Mister Knight asked, with no emotion behind his tone.
Whatever Sieg said next would dictate his fate.
"I don't know, I was too young when it happened, somewhere around two or three years old," Sieg murmured. Then he felt bolder. "Mister Knight, I don't get one thing. If eclipses are the reason mankind is being attacked by Collapsals, but they're also the reason Ascendants exist, then that doesn't make sense to me. Why is that?"
For a moment, the air around them was silent. It was clear that Sieg was stepping into unknown ground. Mister Knight let out a cold sigh.
"I am in no obligation to tell you anything regarding the eclipses or my origin," he said. "And I advise you to stop. If you don't wish to never see the other world ever again…"
"Ask me something else, child."
Sieg nodded hesitantly, deciding it was best to play his cards right — after all, ignorance was safer than death.
"I apologize, Mister Knight. Then, if you can, tell me everything I need to know about being an Ascendant," he asked, though the mystery of the Eclipse and Mister Knight's origin would remain at the back of his mind.
"Very well." Mister Knight moved on rather quickly and proceeded to explain the essentials to the boy, but the mentor made it clear that most of what Sieg saw on his stats would only be relevant once the boy survived the trial itself.
Sieg kept that in mind, as he learned crucial things about the Ascendant System. "Mister Knight… below your Elite level, there was an Ascendant Type and something called Exalted Arts. The Arts and talent listed under them — are those abilities you have? Are they connected?"
Mister Knight regarded him for a moment, then nodded. "Hm. An intelligent question. Yes, you are correct that Abilities and talent are influenced by both Ascendant Type and Exalted Arts;however, Let's begin with the backbone of it all — Aspects."
Sieg was confused. "Aspects?"
Mister Knight's voice was calm and deliberate. "An Aspect is a specialty. It defines the foundational capabilities of an Ascendant."
"The majority of Ascendants manifest one of six common Aspects: Domination, Execution, Precision, Sorcery, Inspiration, and Sentinel."
Each served a distinct role:
1. Domination — Focused on close-quarters combat and raw physical supremacy, with primary usage of [Skill-Arts], or in other terms, martial skills. Physicality Type A was the dominant attribute.
2. Execution — Built for speed and mobility. Assassins and skirmishers alike, abusing lethality and the stat Physicality Type B to no end.
3. Precision — Masters of range and accuracy. Marksmen and long-distance combatants capable of sustained barrages, advantaged by the Accuracy attribute.
4. Sorcery — The primary wielders of [Spell Arts], drawing power from Sanity while scaling potency through Spell Power.
5. Inspiration — Where Sorcery destroys, Inspiration sustains. Buffs, support, and battlefield control through utility.
6. Sentinel — The bulwarks. Tanks. Guardians who exist to endure and protect what others cannot. Similar to Domination, it relies primarily on the Physicality Type A stat.
Sieg felt exhilarated upon learning about the different Aspects. "So far… I think I'm going to manifest an Execution Aspect," he murmured to himself.
Mister Knight heard it and, surprisingly, let out a short chuckle.
"What's funny, Mister Knight?" Sieg asked cautiously. It wasn't every day he heard his mentor make a sound like that.
Mister Knight quickly composed himself. "Ignore it. Let us continue."
Sieg was baffled for a moment, a slight curiosity tugging at him — but he ultimately swallowed it down. Whatever amused Mister Knight clearly wasn't meant to be explained yet.
He nodded. "Understood, Mister Knight."
Sieg quieted his thoughts and listened, committing every word to memory as the explanation continued. He was beginning to grasp the concept, though not fully. "Mister Knight… then, is it safe to assume that an Ascendant Type dictates how many Aspects an Ascendant possesses?"
"An astute observation," Mister Knight's tone grew deliberate. "There are three kinds of Ascendants: Mono, Hybrid, and the Trinity. Among them, Mono is the most common and effectively the safest."
Sieg leaned forward, curiosity bright in his eyes. "Safe?"
"Indeed," Mister Knight continued. "A Mono possesses only one Aspect. There are virtually no drawbacks — except, of course, that they have only a single Aspect. But they excel tremendously in that one specialty."
Sieg nodded slowly, trying to picture the difference in power. "So… they're limited, but very strong in one way?"
"Precisely, Hybrids, on the other hand, are far rarer. They hold two Aspects, which grants versatility far beyond Monos. But… as with all power, there is a cost."
Sieg's brow furrowed. "A cost?"
"Hybrids are burdened with a permanent Affliction," Mister Knight warned. "It awakens at Elite 3. Their power is paid for with a curse that never leaves. Reveal it, and you hand your enemies a weakness they will tear apart without mercy."
Sieg's stomach twisted at the thought. "A permanent curse… that sounds… dangerous. You mean there's no way to get rid of it?"
Mister Knight nodded slightly. "None. It is as much a part of a Hybrid as their two Aspects. The stronger their abilities, the greater the weight they bear. That is why discretion is as important as the power itself."
Sieg swallowed hard, a mixture of awe and apprehension settling in him. The path of a Hybrid sounded alluring, but the cost… it was frightening. He straightened, determined to remember this lesson, knowing that even curiosity could be dangerous in the wrong hands.
"But, Mister Knight… aren't you a Hybrid?" Sieg asked as carefully as he could. It was clear his curiosity was edging toward the subject of Mister Knight's Affliction.
"I am. And yes, like any other Hybrid, I have a weakness. But you should be aware that I have no intention of telling you." Mister Knight did not take offense.
Sieg smiled awkwardly, the tension easing slightly. Then, recollecting himself, he asked, "I see… Mister Knight. But what about… the Trinity?"
Mister Knight's voice grew more serious.
"The Trinity, in theory, stand as the strongest Ascendants, wielding three Aspects. Yet the Affliction they bear is far crueler than that of a Hybrid. Trinity Ascendants are extraordinarily rare, bordering on legend. To witness one is luck; to cross paths with one… an anomaly."
Sieg's eyes widened slightly. "I… I see." He swallowed, trying to process the weight of Mister Knight's words.
Three Aspects… and a harsher Affliction than a Hybrid… he thought internally, a shiver running down his spine. That sounds like a bad time. Maybe… being a Mono Ascendant should be enough for me.
He forced himself to nod. "It's… incredible. I can only imagine how powerful they must be."
Mister Knight took a deep breath and said to Sieg, "You are getting closer to understanding an Ascendant's power. Now, let us turn to the last important topic: Origin Arts."
Sieg remembered the word — it was the promised power he would receive if he successfully triumphed in the trial.
"My reward…"
Chapter End.