Chapter 2: Questions and Answers

The night was late, and I finally extricated myself after cataloguing and advising my original troops with a few extras. There was a lot to go over and it took time for Amaya to come to terms with what I did. The Empire was not a stranger to abnormal magic. Whether it be from terraforming storms that could transform an entire grassland into a scorched desert or a blistering tundra. Or even blood magic now outlawed without the proper facilities and willing participants. She just assumed it was something like that. Amaya just didn’t want me to be using something that was banned or extremely dangerous. Such as soul or unauthorized blood magic

She did complement me on keeping my secret, well, secret but was upset that it took until we were basically adults before I told her. I could tell she was truly hurt but also curious as to when and how I got this power exactly. I haven’t even told her I was reborn into this world from another. Some secrets I might take to the grave or only reveal once I felt I was powerful enough.

‘Ask your questions Aegis Kan.’

It seemed someone was just as excited as I was.

‘First go over what exactly aspects are and what they can do.’

‘In the easiest way for you to understand Aspects are a power replacement source. You will receive 3 active perks and 2 passive. Your current cultivation in mind, body, and soul will be replaced by your cultivation in aspects. This happens in a gradual Process of Three. As I previously explain the user will get three aspects. Aspects themselves are in a sense an enhancement to its user. Whether it be through physical strength, magic, or other aspects such as intelligence and will. As you’ve seen in Ryna case. Soul.’

I listened with rapt attention taking in every detail and paying attention to key words that was stated to me and I began taking notes in English a language only myself spoke upon this world.

‘What is the Process of Three, how do you cultivate your aspects and do aspects replace everything including your spell knowledge or existing move set?’

‘No Aegis Kan to your last question. The Process of Three is something that System was waiting for you to unlock before further explanation. In a sense the Process of Three is to receive your three aspects and push them to the very limits of your understanding. Once there you will be far past the level of any of the so-called Land and Sky gods of the puny Empire. Something [Beyond]. But not far enough for the strength of this universe. You will arrive on the first step of the three steps on the Path of Power.’

For the most part I was understanding, and I fiercely scribbled down thoughts and questions least I forget them.

‘You cultivate your aspects simply by using them and unlocking the three active perks you are entitled to as well as the two passive perks.’

It was here that perfect recall activated for me, and I thought back to that faithful day also known as Amaya’s birthday. Every year my thoughts would drift back to the day I learned about aspects, got my ass whooped by Aunty Ahana, while celebrating Amaya’s birthday the day before.

The conversation appeared before me:

‘What are Aspects?’

Aspects are in a sense an enhancement to its particular user. The System will provide 3 main points of what Aspects can do for you before you can receive any more information you will have to complete a mission. First, how will an aspect enhance its user? I will give you a few examples of the most common aspects to appear. Aspect: Strength, Aspect: Fighter, Aspect: Speed, and Aspect: Vitality. There are a few more but for the common man these 4 matter the most as these aspects replace cultivation. Any individual using the system will receive 3 aspects throughout their life. Each of those aspects will follow the name that it is given but for the people using the aspect they can receive different benefits all depending on a number of options. For example, if a farmer where to choose the Aspect: Strength they would be able to till the fields faster. Remove tons of debris single handedly, among other things. If a warrior took up the Aspect: Strength. By themselves they could combat the most vicious beast. Beast that would usually take a team to take down. All aspects enhance the user in some way.

Second, each aspect will receive 3 perks or abilities an example of this would be Limit Breaker or Body Enhancement for the Aspect: Strength. Those perks do exactly as the name suggest. Finally, and most important users receive 3 aspects of their choosing. It is important to synchronize those aspects. One more word of advice, aspects can be removed but not without a price.

Every detail came back to me from my outfit of the day to Murnia annoyance at my constant scatter brain. The journey to the Catacombs had done well in removing some of those qualities and giving me a more goal focused mind.

‘Wait you clearly said every user would receive 3 perks but in truth we’re receiving 5 altogether. Two just are passive. Why is that?’

‘Why is it that you’re receiving two passive ability enhancements?’

The System seem to ask me, flabbergast. I was certain what I was playing host too was either learning more and having emotions or just didn’t want to keep up the façade of a robot-like entity.

‘Stupid question. Ok you’re right. What did you mean by cultivating all three aspects would put us beyond the limit of this continent but not that far in terms of the universe and before I forget. What happen earlier to the planet. When another overlapped the original world of Prima.’

It was here when I was asking this question that it hit me. The System, [Beyond], had always talked about a universe. A universe I was meant to be a part of that would involve leaving the planet. My eyes glazed through my window at the silver ship and truly my mind opened to the idea. I already began to walk this path.

‘In truth this is information that I should let you discover upon your own. However, a new opportunity has appeared, and a mission shall be issued. Consider this the reward. Reality was shifted.

The Process of Three is the first step in the path when it comes to aspects. To further enhance your power and truly step onto the universe stage you must combine three into one.’

‘Three into one. Reality was shifted?’ I was confused what did System mean by that, but a new notification appeared before me.

Mission:

Conquer the World of Prima

Details:

Conquer the World of Prima and induct its inhabitants into the System. Construct a World Binary Core and deposit in into the heart of a world.

Blueprints began squirming their way into my head and suddenly I was taking a knee with a soft green glow lighting up my surroundings.

The thump was loud, and a few guards posted outside of my door knocked before entering. I returned to my feet and waved them off. New blueprints in my head and thoughts on whether the twins would be able to build something like this. My question about Prima all but forgotten as I began to copy the image onto paper.

***

Amaya paced around her room in the mansion constructed for herself and Aegis. It was far from the normal royalties she was used too in growing up in the Kan estate. However, this did not take her out of her comfort as her mother and aunt had more than prepared her for a life of non-comfort. Amaya paced around because of what Aegis had done earlier.

She knew he was up to something the moment a Geas had been pulled out and it was something that her cousin hadn’t discussed with her prior. His general. His family and his best friend. She was upset when he showed her the source of his abnormal growth and strength, yet she felt that some things where still being hidden from her. Why couldn’t her idiot of a cousin not even trust them, trust her. What was plaguing him so that he couldn’t even tell his family. The wood slightly groaned under the stress of her passing. As a fully grown Magi Human she towered over most of the commoners of Aegis army as a noble should. She finally understood now why her cousin didn’t want other nobility in his army. The secret he held was precious and she could already feel her physical strength increase along with her mana pool. It was incredible.

“Aspects.”

Aspect: General of the Army

(0%)

Effect: Increase in all stats which include but is not limited to endurance, vitality, speed, magic, and strength. When leading an army this boost is given to all soldiers under your command.

Perks:

General’s Insight (Tier I): When activated allows the user insight on the status of their army which include but is not limited to their physical and mental state. Allows the user to better evaluate when and how to use members of the Army. Grants the skill [General’s Intuition]. When activated while preceding over a battle all members of the Army can borrow the general’s tactical knowledge to better place themselves within the battle.

Unrivaled Dragon (Tier I): When activated this perk allows you to create a Field of Law. Allowing you to place three rules within this field that all must follow. Breaking of the rules summons the constructs which will arrest the law breaker and punish them according to your rules.

Lead from the Front (Passive) (Tier I): When leading your army to battle moral cannot wavier if user continues to believe in their armies’ victory.

Aspect: True Mage

(5%)

Effect: Increase the size of your mana pool by a third while fortifying it allowing you to cast more for less.

Perks:

True Spell Caster (Tier I): When active allows user to build a storage of up to three different spells ready to be cast at a moment’s notice. This does not affect the user’s capacity to construct other spells and hold them in reserve in the Mindscape.

Quick Caster (Tier I): When active allows the casting of indirect magic without the greater need for mana.

Dragon’s Mana Pool (Tier II): Greatly regenerates mana and mental fatigue. Increase in mental endurance.

As a tier 6 mage the second aspect would allow her to jump tiers in terms of keeping up with the stronger mages of the empire. Amaya thought about all the possibilities available after she reached the strength of a Sky God and was able to easily cast reinforced spells. Spells that could take out the estate as her aunt once did without further effects. Therefore she couldn’t hold onto her anger at Aegis. These abilities were, are dangerous especially in the wrong hands. To think Aegis wanted to provide these aspects to the entire army. Any worries Amaya once held was almost eliminated. Alone she could conquer a few villages and towns. Imagine what she could achieve with 500 mages supporting her in a group casting calling down reinforced spells. What could the Kan family do with the tens of thousands of soldiers at their disposable on the wall. Eradication.