“I won! I won!” Myeyl happily cheered. “Now you better keep your promise, Eyes, and do everything I…”

Myeyl suddenly lost consciousness from exhaustion, but before her body could fall onto the ground, Zebeyeyl caught her in her arms, saying “There, there, dear. Have a well earned rest.”

Allowing myself to rest after that long battle too, I laid on the stone floor and thought, “I know I’m stronger and faster thanks to my higher Stats and Level, and I know I was holding myself back the entire time to hide my true power, but for Myeyl to have actually fought relatively equal to me—even overwhelming me at the times, was completely unbelievable!” And although I absolutely hated the thought of having failed my first Quest, and losing to someone other than my Uncle Thalion, I couldn’t deny fighting with Myeyl did more to help grow than training with Odelia ever did—reading the notifications that came as a result of it.

Hand-to-Hand proficiency increased by 11 Levels. Swordsmanship proficiency increased by 9 Levels. Ensnaring Arrow increased by 3 Levels. Explosive Arrow increased by 2 Levels. Element Arrow increased by 4 Levels, and has reached the Skill’s Maximum Level, meeting the Basic Requirement for a 1st-Tier Evolution. First Aid increased by 2 Levels, and has reached the Skill’s Maximum Level, meeting the Basic Requirement for a 1st-Tier Evolution.

“I’m not complaining, but I wonder why fighting Myeyl helped me level my Skills faster than training with Odelia did?” I questioned in curiosity. “I mean even killing high-level monsters in the Blood Dungeon didn’t level my Skills this fast—so could that mean Myeyl has something to do with it?” Staring back at her, “Well whatever the case is, she just reminded me of something I completely forgot about back in the Waiting Hub.” Reading the last notification that appeared.

Skill Evolution

The Skills ‘Element Arrow’ and ‘First Aid’ have both met the Basic Requirement for a 1st-Tier Evolution, unlocking the ability for them to be evolved into greater tiers of power and effectiveness. You also currently have [12] other Skills that are ready, and waiting to be evolved at your choice.

Would you like to choose your Skill Evolutions:

*All Evolvable Skills can be evolved at any time in your Skills Menu.*

[Yes] or [No]

“I forgot one of the notifications the System Update mentioned something about unlocking Skill Evolutions, but who knew I already had so many Skills that were ready to be evolved.” Figuring, “I guess I must’ve only found out now ‘cause a new Skill reached maxed level, opposed to my other Skills that were already at maxed level before the Update happened.”

Though before I could delve into seeing what these Skills Evolutions were, Zebeyeyl walked over carrying Myeyl’s unconscious body, and said “You know, Eyes, I expected great things from you and my daughter, but I never expected witnessing the unfathomable feats you two just accomplished.”

“Yeah, I was surprised by Myeyl’s incredible growth myself.” I replied, watching Zebeyeyl lay Myeyl down beside me.

“Yes, Myeyl was indeed impressive, especially when she perfectly imitated that last fighting-style... But you, Eyes; being able to conjure 6 different elements, as well as already knowing how to wield your mana to such an extent was even more...exceptional.” Zebeyeyl praised me with a smile.

“Thank you, Master Zebeyeyl.” Sitting myself up and bowing to him, “Your praise is too kind.”

“Not at all.” He refuted, gesturing for me to raise my head. “You and Myeyl deserve all the praise for what you two have accomplished at your young age, and I’m sure Odelia would’ve expressed the same as I if she were aware of your…unprecedented talents.”

Zebeyeyl stared as if he was waiting for me to tell him the truth, and figuring I had to tell him eventually, I said “Well actually, Master Zebeyeyl, I still have one more letter I was told to give to you.” Taking out the third forged letter from my Inventory and handing it over to him.

“Is that right?” He said curiously, raising his eyebrow while opening the letter and reading it for himself.

“I was planning to hand the letter to you when we became more familiar with each other, but after I failed to physically manifest an element in the competition earlier, I realized I had to deal with this problem now rather than later.” I reasoned; thinking “I wonder how he’ll react to finding out I already have a Trinity Tattoo, and that Odelia asked him to complete it for her while she’s away.” I patiently waited for him to finish reading, but like the letter from before, Zebeyeyl’s face became increasingly unamused and irritated by the end of it.

“What kind of stupidly moronic Master Trinity Archer just leaves their precious student all alone with an uncompleted Trinity Tattoo on their body when they’ve supposedly passed all the required tests, huh!?” He loudly asked rhetorically, crumpling the letter in frustration, and stuffing it inside his pocket. “Does she simply not care at all about how this could negatively impact and stunt your growth, or is she just purposely trying to get on my nerves by forcing me to deal with another problem she herself created!?”

“Probably the latter.” I knowingly guessed.

“Humph! Sounds about right!” He grumbled, loudly exhaling and taking a moment to calm himself.

“But aren’t you surprised to find out about such an unbelievable secret?” Wondering why Zebeyeyl wasn’t more baffled by the fact, “I heard from Odelia I’m the first person in history to ever accomplish such a feat—learning all 3 Styles in less than a month I mean.”

“Don’t mistake my lack of reaction for a lack of surprise, Eyes. I really am dumbfounded by this news.” He assured me, playfully faking a reaction. “It’s just that the shock of both you and my daughter already meeting the essential requirements for learning a Style took quite a lot of energy from me already. And not to mention Myeyl’s earlier awakening of our House’s Bloodline.”

“I guess all that is a lot to take in one after the other.” Understanding his reaction.

“However, that’s not to take anything away from your undoubtedly phenomenal achievement, Eyes. And I know I haven’t technically taught you anything to help you reach this point, but I am truly grateful and honoured to have my first ever protégé be someone with such goddess-given ability.” With Zebeyeyl’s words came a sudden Title.

You have gained the Title: [First Protégé of the Unrivaled Duo of Earth and Sky].

“What a long title name…” I noted, reading the description right away.

First Protégé of the Unrivaled Duo of Earth and Sky: Accepted and acknowledged by both ‘Odelia Ven’Thyl’ and ‘Zebeyeyl Fre’Nddare’ as their first protégé together, you’ll be privy to and entrusted with the forgotten knowledge and teachings, only they alone share in this world, of reaching the True Pinnacle of Elven Archery. And unbeknownst to anyone except your Masters, you are named the first rightful inheritor of all their personal belongings when it is time for them pass. +50% Experience Gain for All Archery related Skills and Proficiencies when one of your Masters is present, and +100% Experience Gain for All Archery related Skills and Proficiencies when both Masters are present.

“Forgotten knowledge of the Pinnacle of Elven Archery, huh? And only Odelia and Zebeyeyl know of it? How intriguing…” I grinned widely, eagerly anticipating what that knowledge could be.

Zebeyeyl got my attention back and gestured for me to take off my shirt, saying “Alright, Eyes, go ahead and show me your Trinity Tattoo. I need to assess if there are any impurities or damages to your tattoo before I can do anything. It's to make sure there’s nothing else that could impact your growth further, or affect my placings of the other seals, and the final completion of the tattoo.” Knowing I needed to get this done, I willingly took off my torn shirt, and exposed my bare back to him. Zebeyeyl’s eyes still widened at the sight of physically seeing the Trinity Tattoo himself, helplessly staring at me in awe, but they narrowed once he began inspecting the minuscule details of the tattoo.

“How’s it looking back there?” I asked, hearing him mumbling things to himself. “Can you finish what Odelia started?”

“Hah, of course I can.” Zebeyeyl scoffed. “Though there are some severely damaged lines along the Close-Combat and Long-Ranged sections of the tattoo that need to be addressed, and redrawn before I can continue placing the others seals on your body.” Tracing his finger along my back to point out the different sections.

“There are? What does that mean for me then?” I inquired, wondering if I should be concerned.

“Well, considering these damages are caused by the Combat and Ranged Styles fighting inside of you to overwhelm each other, it would mean you’ve been recklessly using those Styles until now without awakening your cores and sealing away their power beforehand; which would ultimately result in whatever mastery you previously had in those particular Styles to greatly diminish with every use.” Zebeyeyl explained in detail. “And what’s worse is at their current volatile and unfiltered state, if nothing is done soon, those Styles might even destroy each other and be forgotten from your body entirely.”

“W-Wait, what?!” I exclaimed in shock. “Now why does that sound kind of familiar?” Then suddenly remembering, I opened up the exact description of Class Proficiency Skills.

Close-Combat Archery: One of the Three Pinnacle Styles of Elven Archery; Close-Combat provides the Aptitude, Evasiveness, and Physicality needed to become a Trinity Archer. Complete Mastery is required for combining the Styles, but unbalanced Mastery will result in overwhelming the others and erasing their progress. Skill Level based on Skill Levels of the Close-Combat Style.

“Ugh… I really should’ve read the Skill properly.” Slightly kicking myself for only glancing over them. “And who knew erasing progress could mean forgetting the Skill entirely...”

“From seeing your reaction right now, it would seem Odelia failed to inform you of just how detrimental those consequences could be—or simply neglected her responsibility as your Master to teach you the importance of that fact.” Zebeyeyl said with a disappointed expression. Though wanting to figure out just how bad the regression of my proficiencies were, I opened the Skills Menu to find out.

Skills

[Sort]

[Available Skill Evolutions]

Class Actives:

[Archer’s Dash Lv.10(Max) Evolvable], [Arrow Shower Lv.10(Max) Evolvable], [Charged Arrow Lv.10(Max) Evolvable], [Element Arrow Lv.10(Max) Evolvable], [Ensnaring Arrow Lv.7], [Explosive Arrow Lv.8], [First Aid Lv.10(Max) Evolvable], [Leaping Shot Lv.10(Max) Evolvable], [Power Shot Lv.10(Max) Evolvable], [Rapid Shot Lv.10(Max) Evolvable], [Sniper Shot Lv.4], [Spread Shot Lv.10(Max) Evolvable], [Turning Arrow Lv.8], [Twin Arrow Lv.10(Max) Evolvable] Class Passive: [Archer’s Confidence Lv.4], [Archer’s Triality Lv.Max], [Archer’s Stride Lv.Max Evolvable], [Combat Aura Lv.2], [Deadly Range Lv.5], [Elemental Affinity Lv.4], [Magic Arrows Lv.2], [Ranged Advantage Lv.1] Subclass Active: [Seer’s Eye Sacrifice Lv.3] Subclass Passives: [Eyes Of A Seer Lv.8], [Seer’s Eye Collection(15,309) Lv.8] [Seer's Visions Lv.8] Active: [Sprint Lv.10(Max) Evolvable] Passives: [Dodge Lv.10(Max) Evolvable], [Fitness Lv.8], [Natural Tracker Lv.1], [Sneak Lv.5], [Perception Lv.10(Max) Evolvable] Racial Active: [Bloodthirst Lv.2], [Tree Sense Lv.1] Racial Passives: [Darkvision Lv.Max], [Elven Physiology Lv.Max], [Keen-Sighted Lv.Max], [Truesight Lv.Max] Class Proficiency: [Close-Combat Archery Lv.4], [Long-Range Archery Lv.2], [Magic-Wielding Archery Lv.14(Sealed)] Weapon Proficiency: [Archery Lv.50], [Hand-to-hand Lv.26], [Swordsmanship Lv.24], [Wield Mana Lv.30] Crafting Proficiency: [Bowyer Lv.1], [Creature Harvest Lv.2], [Fletcher Lv.1]

“Wow, look at all the Skills that are ready to be evolved!” Quickly admiring them all. “But other than that, when did my Class Proficiencies become so low? They’ve practically been reset back to the single digits—well except for Magic-Wielding which is still sealed.”

“I’ll assume this is not a predicament you wish to remain in, yes?” Zebeyeyl asked, with me nodding yes, “Then I guess as my first true actions as your new Master, my dear protégé, I’ll generously resolve the problems your other Master irresponsibly brought upon you. Now if you’ll excuse me, I'll go and quickly retrieve all the needed supplies from my House's Treasury, and inform the rest of the House to not disturb us under any circumstances.”

“Oh, if supplies are what you need, I already have them.” Opening my Inventory, I took out Odelia’s tattooing tools and the 6 bottles of essence bottles I took from her room before I left House Ven’Thyl. “Here.”

Bottle of Abyssal Dark Essence Bottle of Tempest Wind Essence

Unique

Harnessed and extracted from a pure source of Darkness, the essence contained within holds the properties of the Endless Abyss itself.

Craftable

Unique

Harnessed and extracted from a pure source of Wind, the essence contained within holds the properties of the Ravaging Tempest itself.

Craftable

“Hmm, you were already prepared for this, I see.” Zebeyeyl smirked, carefully examining the different contents of the bottles.

“I thought I might’ve needed them eventually. Who knew I’d be needing them today.” I shrugged.

“Yes, who would’ve known indeed.” Staring at me in suspicion. After Zebeyeyl examined each of the bottles, he said “These essences will definitely suffice. But Odelia really spared no expense obtaining the highest quality pure essences for you, huh?”

“Yeah, they were really expensive.” Though feeling slightly interested to learn more about the process of creating a Trinity Tattoo, I curiously asked “Master Zebeyeyl, does that mean using lower-quality essences would’ve worked just as well for making the tattoo?”

“Not as well, but they would’ve got the job done.” Zebeyeyl then saw the perfect opportunity to teach me something, and properly postured himself to speak, explaining “The benefits may not be as great as using high-quality essences, yet it’s actually preferred by most Trinity Archers to use lower-quality essences over higher-quality ones. For you see, my young protégé, the chances of one’s body outright rejecting the essences entirely is significantly reduced, and any rejections that do occur will only cause relatively minimal internal damage, opposed to the higher-quality ones that have a much greater chance to cause massive internal damage—sometimes even causing unfortunate deaths.”

“Haha, I see…” I nervously laughed. “Good to know...” thinking, “Now that I look back at it, Odelia really should’ve warned about that, even if she knew I was willing to take the risk anyway.”

“Okay, well now that I know you have supplies for yourself, all that’s left is go retrieve some for Myeyl.” Zebeyeyl concluded.

“For Myeyl?”

“That’s what I said.”

“I’m not trying to say she shouldn’t get a Trinity Tattoo, but doesn’t she need to complete some sort of Combat Test first? Like how Odelia makes her students fight a monster from the Blood Dungeon?” I questioned.

“A Combat Test, you say?” I nodded to his words, “Well from how I see it, that fight you two just had was more than enough of an adequate test, don’t you think?”

“Umm...” Recalling our fight, Myeyl technically abided by all the same rules I did for my own Combat Test, and she did ultimately beat me fair and square at the end of it. “I guess it was.”

“Exactly!” Zebeyeyl voiced ecstatically. “And besides, my young protégé, do you know the reason why a Combat Test is always used to evaluate if one is a Combat Archer or not?”

“I feel like Odelia told me the exact reason in one of her long lectures, but I was too lazy or distracted to listen.” Simply shaking my head and answering, “Not really.”

“It’s to attempt to push someone to their very utmost physical limits, in hopes to forcefully manifest a Combat Aura which is usually only obtained after experiencing and surviving through thousands of battles first-hand , as that is what’s truly essential for mastering the Close-Combat Style.” He stated matter-of-factly.

Zebeyeyl left the training hall right afterwards, leaving me to watch over Myeyl while he went to retrieve the supplies from their House’s Treasury. He was gone for quite some time. Finding nothing else to really do while I waited for him to return, and not being able to talk to Myeyl since she was still unconscious, I found myself helplessly looking over Myeyl’s very intriguing Menu.

Npc Info

Name: Myeyl Fre’Nddare

Species: Elventhyl (Wood Elf)

Age: 20

Gender: Female

Class: Combat Archer

Title: Favoured Grandchild of the Infamous Elven Dragonslayer, Second Protégé of the Unrivaled Duo of Earth and Sky, and Self-Proclaimed Rival of ‘Eyes Thalion Ven’Thyl’

Level: 35

Vitality: 494(+150) Magic: 380(+150)

Strength: 446(+150) Agility: 565(+150)

Intelligence: 337(+150) Endurance:518(+150)

Sense: 1,171(+150)

Innate Skills: Lv.Max Bloodline of the Wind, Lv.Max Elven Physiology, Lv.Max Curse of the Trinity, Lv.Max Keen-Sighted, Lv.5 Quick Learner, Lv.3 Rivaling Talent, Lv.2 Second Wind, Lv.4 Unparalleled Adaptability, Lv.1 Whispers of the Wind, Lv.0 Heart of Perfect Harmony (Unawakened), Lv.0 Gale of the Ravaging Tempest (Unawakened)

Acquired Skills: Lv.6 Air Slash, Lv.3 Archer’s Confidence, Lv.7 Archer’s Dash, Lv.4 Arrow Manipulation, Lv.26 Bow Mastery, Lv.5 Archer’s Will, Lv.1 Aura Shockwave, Lv.2 Blade Flurry, Lv.70 Blade Mastery, Lv.1 Combat Aura, Lv.57 Close-Combat Archery Mastery, Lv.6 Empowered Strike, Lv.61 Hand-to-Hand Mastery, Lv.3 Leaping Shot, Lv.4 Power Shot, Lv.5 Rapid Shot, Lv.2 Spread Shot, Lv.55 Sword Mastery, Lv.11 Way of the Endless Abyss (Imitation)

Status: [Cursed], Exhausted, and Unconscious

Weakness: None

“She has surprisingly great Stats, but there’s no way they should’ve been enough to keep up with mine...” I thought to myself. “And apart from all these Skills she has that I don’t, how is it possible for Myeyl to have jumped up to Lv.35 when she was literally only Lv.25 when we first started fighting?” simply questioning, “How? Is it one of the effects of these Skills I don’t know about? or maybe multiple effects? Or perhaps these Npcs just level differently from us Players?” My curiosity grew the more I stared at, and pondered about Myeyl’s Menu. It grew to the point where I wondered why I even had the ability to see a Menu if I couldn’t openly see and figure out the exact details of the different Skills; but then it hit me. “Seer’s Eye Sacrifice…” And in an instant, Myeyl’s whole Menu rapidly transformed into one that was gold, displaying more details and allowing me to interact with it as if it were my own.

Character Info

Name: Myeyl Fre’Nddare

Species: Elventhyl

Race: Tempest Wood Elf

Birth: Sagittarius, 3080 SC

Age: 20

Gender: Female

Parents: Zebeyeyl (Father) & Clari (Mother) Fre'Nddare

Siblings: Thereyl (Eldest Brother), Kethavel (Eldest Sister), [More]

Class: Combat Archer

Elemental Affinities: Darkness, Fire, and Wind

Title: [Favoured Grandchild of the Infamous Elven Dragonslayer], [Second Protégé of the Unrivaled Duo of Earth and Sky], and [Self-Proclaimed Rival of ‘Eyes Thalion Ven’Thyl’]

Level: 35

Vitality: 494(+150) Magic: 380(+150)

Strength: 446(+150) Agility: 565(+150)

Intelligence: 337(+150) Endurance:518(+150)

Sense: 1,171(+150)

[Equipment]

Innate Skills: [Lv.Max Bloodline of the Wind], [Lv.Max Elven Physiology], [Lv.Max Curse of the Trinity], [Lv.Max Keen-Sighted], [Lv.5 Quick Learner], [Lv.3 Rivaling Talent], [Lv.2 Second Wind], [Lv.4 Unparalleled Adaptability], [Lv.1 Whispers of the Wind], Lv.0 Heart of Perfect Harmony (Unawakened), Lv.0 Gale of the Ravaging Tempest (Unawakened)

Acquired Skills: [Lv.6 Air Slash, Lv.3 Archer’s Confidence], [Lv.7 Archer’s Dash], [Lv.4 Arrow Manipulation], [Lv.26 Bow Mastery], [Lv.5 Archer’s Will], [Lv.1 Aura Shockwave], [Lv.2 Blade Flurry], [Lv.70 Blade Mastery], [Lv.1 Combat Aura], [Lv.57 Close-Combat Archery Mastery], [Lv.6 Empowered Strike], [Lv.61 Hand-to-Hand Mastery], [Lv.3 Leaping Shot], [Lv.4 Power Shot], [Lv.5 Rapid Shot], [Lv.2 Spread Shot], [Lv.55 Sword Mastery], [Lv.11 Way of the Endless Abyss (Imitation)]

Status: [Cursed], Exhausted, and Unconscious

Weakness: None

Character History: Myeyl Fre’Nddare is the youngest daughter, and child of the Elven Noble House of Fre’Nddare. Growing up, there was always an awkward distance between her and most of her siblings due to the large age gap between them, but that did not deter her from always secretly admiring each of them from afar while they were training with their various private combat teachers. However, that distance only grew larger, and for most soon turned into contempt and disdain for Myeyl, as their beloved Grandfather, Illiveyl, lay to rest on his final deathbed and solely bestowed upon her his cherished ‘Cursed Charm of the Trinity’. [More]

“Holy shit!” I exclaimed to myself. “Who knew I could learn this much about a person, and this is just what's on the surface!”

“Finally…” Annihilation unexpectedly voiced out loud, physically manifesting herself out from me. “It was quite pathetic how long that took you to think of, my small-brained Voa.”

“Anni? What the hell are you doing out here? And I thought you were busy with your stuff?” Shocked by her sudden appearance.

“I was. Though I saw all I needed to see for now, and simply decided I wanted to take a break and get some fresh air, my small-brained Voa.”

“Stop calling me that. I’m not small-brained. I...I just didn’t wanna unnecessarily sacrifice perfectly good eyeballs is all...”

“That’s not what all the space I have inside your head tells me.” She teasingly remarked. “But I digress. It's good you wish to be scarce with your precious sacrifices, little Seer...” Ominously laughing to herself, “Who knows when all those eyes could be of…greater use to us. Haha…”

“What’s that supposed to mean? And why are you really out here, Anni?” I sternly questioned, suspicious of her true motives for manifesting herself now.

“Seems you aren’t that small-brain after all, Voa.” Annihilation laughingly scoffed, floating her amorphous-self directly above Myeyl’s unconscious body.

“W-Wait, what are you doing?!” As I then watched her forcefully try and enter Myeyl’s body, “Hey, stop that!”

Annihilation ultimately stopped when she realized she wasn't going to be able to do what she wanted, “Huh. I guess I'm still too weak in my current state to do that.” but an idea suddenly came to her, and she immediately returned back inside of my head.

“Hey, answer me, Annihilation!” I adamantly demanded. “What the hell are you doing?! And what were you just trying to do to Myeyl?!”

“Alright, if you must know; the real reason I manifested myself a moment ago was because you unknowingly found a person whose soul is mysteriously equal, and kindred to yours.” She openly revealed, “And because of that fact alone, she will actually make for your perfect replacement as my next vessel, even more so than any of those lesser Players would be, or those several individuals who could possibly kill you—well that is only in case you were to ever unfortunately die in the upcoming future...”

“D-Die!?” I anxiously repeated, taken back by telling words. “Wait, is that what you’ve been busy doing all this time, looking for futures where I die soon!?” Though without warning, Annihilation suddenly took control over my entire body.

She then spoke through my mouth against my will, and said “I’m not able to create a separate Substitute Vessel in my currently weakened state, so I suppose I’ll have to settle for physically creating a conditional Soulbound Transfer using your body, Voa.”

“You what!? A Soulbound Transfer!? What is that!?” I loudly voiced to her, unable to control my body as she forcibly moved me over top of Myeyl. “H-Hey, wait! You can’t do this! This is illegal, and not at all consensual! I do not consent!” I kept trying to take back control, but there really was no use. “Are you crazy!? You're gonna get me arrested if I get caught like this, you know!? Or worse, killed by my new Master!”

Truly powerless to stop it, our lips sensually pressed against one another. and an enormous amount of magic began rapidly amassing between the both of us. Intense ripples of uncontrollable magic started emitting from each of our bodies, and the air in the hall became increasingly heavy and extremely dense as all the immense magic filled the entire space. I continued resisting at first, though the longer Myeyl and I shared our kiss, the more a deep longing to be together utterly overwhelmed, and brimmingly imbued my very soul with the feeling of an undeniable and indefinite fate. Then all at once, everything just abruptly stopped. And in that moment, with us in an admittedly intimate position, Myeyl suddenly awoke into an embarrassed and angered consciousness...