Today, many would find it difficult to imagine a world without the Akashic Records. When they first learn that there was in fact a time before the Records existed, many students of history react with shock and doubt. How could someone fight if they couldn't track their health? How did they identify illnesses and diseases without checking the status? While these were legitimate problems which the pre-Record sapient had to contend with, other questions which I often hear, such as "how could they survive without levels and skills?" or "how did they perform magic without any mana?" show a common misunderstanding of what the Akashic Record actually is. The Record is, as the name suggests, a source of information. It is not, directly, a source of power. Ample historical evidence from before the ancient empire shows that levels, stats, magic, and skills did in fact exist as we know them. They were, however, referenced in much vaguer and imprecise terms. Rather than simply stating what level and tier their great warrior is, the myths from that era would instead demonstrate strength via comparison or example; they might say their warrior was strong enough to kill a dragon, or that he could defeat a thousand men alone. What the Akashic Record provided for the world was clear information about themselves, and advice on how to improve.

-Excerpt from History of the Akashic Record

Once again, the list of available skills was massive. After a quick check Mud confirmed that, aside from the two options at the top of the list, there was nothing it hadn't seen before. Weighing its options, Muds interest was drawn immediately towards 'Enhance Skill: Dictionary (U)'. Dictionary had been an indispensable ally for Mud. Without it, there would be no clear way to identify threats or quickly learn about the world. The skill did, however, have an annoying flaw. Despite Mud's best efforts, Dictionary refused to activate for 'names'. Every time the golem encountered the name of a historical figure or place in its research, it was frustrated by Dictionary's failure to activate. Similarly, no matter how carefully Mud described the home invaders, the skill would simply reply "best match: human" and not their proper names.

If Dictionary could be enhanced to describe named objects, its value would increase even higher. In particular, such an upgrade would allow the skill to identify the threat class of specific individuals. Unfortunately, there was no way to know exactly how it would actually change. It was entirely possible that the skill would 'enhance' in a way that was completely useless to Mud, such as automatic activation or allowing multiple descriptions at the same time. Because of the way the upgrade option was phrased, Dictionary could not be used to describe the enhanced skill and learn what it would be like. It seemed somehow fitting that Dictionary had failed it in the very moment it was able to be improved. Another problem with spending the only available skill point on the enhancement is that it was highly unlikely the enhanced skill would be directly useful in combat. The primary goal in hunting was to increase combat ability after all, and with that in mind the golem shifted focus to the other new option on its list.

'Substance Integration ®'. According to Dictionary, the 'R' symbol meant that the skill was 'Rare' rank, which meant it was capable of directly modifying the skill holder's constitution. Similarly, 'U' indicated that a skill was 'Unique' rank, and a being could only have one Unique Skill in their life. Pushing aside the unease that it may have wasted its only Unique Skill on something useless, Mud considered this new skill.

Depending on exactly how it functioned, this skill could be incredibly powerful. Would Mud be able to absorb any kind of dirt, or only powdered Earth Elemental? The former would allow nearly unlimited easy growth, while the later seemed much more difficult to obtain. Would its hp and strength increase with its mass? Being the size of a town wouldn't do much good if it couldn't move from its own weight and it still died from having six handfuls of mud removed. Would it activate automatically or was it manually controlled? Contingent on the answers to these questions, this skill could either be unbelievably powerful, useless, or even detrimental.

Similar concerns plagued Mud regarding the magical skills. While they sounded incredibly useful, there just wasn't enough information to work with. What if it needed something else besides the skill for magic to work which was impossible to obtain? What if it required some other prior ability to use magic, like the ability to speak? The more it considered, the more possible pitfalls appeared.

Turning back in the direction of the Cithlar estate, Mud made its decision. It would ask for advice.

Mayor Guy Fallow rolled out of bed with a groan. He hadn't been sleeping well lately. The date of the Dungeon Wave was growing near and the stress was piling up. Normally the festival wouldn't have been much of a problem. As an annual event, the city council would just reuse the plans from the last year with a few minor tweaks. Such convenient methods became impossible when it was announced that the Crown Prince would be attending this year's festivities. After the news broke, countless other powerful and famous individuals declared they would be coming, doubtless seeing this as a prime opportunity to form connections with the young prince. As a result, Fallow had been forced to increase the scope of the event again and again. The work at times seemed never-ending.

Noting the dark skies and visible stars outside the window, and deciding he would be unable to get back to sleep, the overworked mayor pulled on a comfortable suit and decided that today he would definitely visit Cithlar. Even if he couldn't get a vitality tonic, he could at least get something to help him sleep. Bitterly, he thought, 'if only there was a potion that could cure my real problems'.

Pushing open the thick metal door, Mud was greeted by the familiar sight of the demon Jabrax lounging on the air above the shimmering rainbow lights of a magic circle.

Not even lifting her head, Jabrax spoke. "Back already? I hope you have more to show for your troubles this time than five experience."

I have increased my level.

At that the demon sat up straight and placed a hand on her mouth in mock surprise. "Oh, look at you! Level two! Be careful not to blow up the planet with that awesome power of yours."

I will be careful. I have need of advice to spend my Skill Point.

"Whoa, hold it." Holding up one hand with a stern expression, she continued "I've already helped you plenty. I've shown my good will. You're not getting any more out of me until I'm out of this stupid binding." Leaning down from her perch suspended in the air, Jabrax grabbed a thick stack of papers. "I've read through your contract. It was a bit hard to follow even for me, but I think I have a good understanding now. Basically, I have to help protect this list of stuff, have to try to help you if I know how, I can't intentionally hinder you, and otherwise I can do whatever I want. That about right?"

It is as the contract states. I won't fall for the trick of letting you simplify it verbally.

"...worth a shot. Alright, fine." Standing up to her full height, the demon spread her wings proudly and placed one hand on her heart. "I, Jabraxicalicomixelwalkydoopilous, agree to abide by this written contract so long as we both live."

I, Mud Golem, agree to abide by the contract I wrote so long as we both live.

While no visible change occurred in the cold stone room, the two monsters present buckled under the heavy weight of the contract as it ensnared their souls.