Chapter 637: The Favor
This question had been brewing in Sylas' mind for a long while. However, other than knowing that it was beneficial like the Madness Key said, he couldn't get any more details.
Every clarifying question he asked seemed to touch upon a taboo of some sort, and he felt that right here and now... would probably be the best chance he would ever have of answering this question for a long while.
"Hm?" The man looked toward Sylas and almost felt amused.
Almost.
Sylas had still not asked him his name, his title, his strength. He didn't seem interested in any of that, or maybe he felt that if he was going to find out, it would be the man who told him anyway, so he might as well wait.
"You have asked a very loaded question, young man. You shouldn't ask that question of anyone else. But since I have taken you on as a disciple, I guess it is somewhat appropriate.
"No one can guarantee whether it is truly far more beneficial to raise your Foundation at Level o compared to other Levels."
Sylas was surprised by this answer. The Madness Key had made it pretty clear to him that he should stay at Level o for as long as he could possibly manage it.
Now it seemed to be a question of whether he trusted the Madness Key or this mysterious man
more.
However, he didn't have the chance to make a decision before the man spoke once more.
"That said... it is commonly accepted that the benefits of an ancient system of methods and techniques can only be accessed when you are still deemed 'pure' by it. Once you begin to Level up, you deviate from that system too much and as such, lose rights and access to it.
"Though, truthfully speaking, unless you somehow manage to find Legendary Genes, this mostly has nothing to do with you.
"As the first generation of a world in the middle of its Summoning, my advice to you would be to focus on survival first. The Ancestors of a world have a bevy of other benefits that can make up for their lack of a foundation. But you cannot take advantage of them if you are dead."
Sylas nodded.
The ancient system this man should be speaking about was likely the Legendary Path System, and that answered something quite profound for him.
As powerful as this man was... the Madness Key was something beyond him.
"There is also another worry to consider. If you invest too much in your foundation, Leveling up will become extremely difficult. There are many who share the philosophy of Leveling up as quickly as possible, reaching the extremes of a Grade, and only then digging their Foundation.
"There are many nuances to this that you should not consider. Take what opportunities you can get, use them how you see fit. Do not give up your life for long-term benefits, but do not give up long-term benefits for unworthy immediate ones. As an Ancestor of your world, you must strike that balance yourself."
Sylas' gaze flickered. 'This man isn't giving me a direct answer. He's trying to guide me in how to think first and foremost...'
If he was guiding a normal disciple, this would be the right thing to do. But it only made Sylas uncomfortable when others tried to mold the way he thought.
They tried to do it in school and he just became a regular straight-A student as a result. Still tremendous, but he knew that he never bothered to reach his fullest potential.
However, there was nothing to throw a tantrum about here. After all, he was the one who asked the question. He couldn't then be mad about how the man chose to answer it.
"Now, shall we return to Runes?"
Sylas nodded.
...
The teachings of the man went on for about three or so hours, or rather that was how it felt. Sylas wasn't sure how much time actually passed outside since he had only sent his Will, but he felt somewhat exhausted.
The man saw through this and decided to end things here.
"You have already a foundational understanding of the First Layer of the Scorpion Warlord armor. The Second Layer will be much more complex, so return only when you feel fluidity with the first and are well rested."
"I understand." Sylas nodded.
"You may go. But first..." The man waved a hand and a suffocating Will took form, condensing into an emblem that had a two-dimensional etching of a scorpion's tail coming out of a crown of thorns.
"This is my emblem. You will be able to create one when you reach a stage of Will Manifestation in the future. But for now, this will be your protection for what little it is worth.
"When others see it, they will know that you are under the protection of the 713th Scorpion Warlord, Gralith Duskthorn."
Sylas caught the emblem and it felt surprisingly solid in his hand, carved out of an unknown heavy metal that oddly looked like a silver-violet wood and felt especially cold to the touch no matter how long he held it.
By the time Sylas looked up, Gralith was gone.
**
In a far off, distant world, a man sitting on a rock as black as obsidian in the middle of a lack of flowing violet opened his eyes. A flood of memories that seemed both foreign and familiar
came to him.
'Is that so?'
The man slowly stood and strolled forward, walking across the violet waters with light steps. He exited his courtyard, looking up at the bright skies above with a calm expression.
"You seem to be in a happy mood today, master."
The voice came from a young man who wasn't anywhere present, almost as though he had projected his intent from another world.
His words were also especially odd considering Gralith's face was still as placid as ever.
"You've gained a junior brother today." Gralith said lightly.
"Is that so? He must be very talented if master's mood is so good."
"The odds he will die are very high." Gralith replied just as carelessly.
There was a pause.
"The favor?"
"The favor." Gralith confirmed.
"To think that a discarded Inheritance Crystal would end up in the hands of such a good
seedling. Unfortunate... unfortunate indeed..."
The two of them fell into silence.