Jack strode down the corridor, his mind focused on the Artificer's skill branches. He had just completed his study, and now, all that was available were skills of Herald rank. The rest remained grayed out, tantalizingly out of reach.
The Artificer faction split into two distinct branches: Creation and Combat. The Combat branch allowed an Artificer to wield most weapons and equipment, albeit with some penalties. But it was the Creation branch that intrigued Jack the most. He saw within it one of the most crucial skills from his reincarnated experience in world No.146.
Artificer's Basic Knowledge Lv. 0 (Passive, Herald)
Next Level: Lv 1
Effect: Provides the necessary knowledge for the subject to easily examine items and materials. The amount of knowledge increases with level.
Jack couldn't help but rejoice, his lips twitching with a barely suppressed smile. In his previous world, examining items had been a fundamental skill provided from the start. Here, it required upgrades and was far more inconvenient. The delay in installation and initialization suggested that the system, or more accurately the sphere, had encountered issues. Perhaps this world was simply more sophisticated.
Item Crafting Lv. 0 (Active, Herald)
Next Level: Lv 1
Cooldown: 24 hours
Effect: Choose a crafting item from the provided list. The requisites of materials, knowledge, and skills will be displayed for the subject to perform the crafting. Cooldown decreases and categories increase with level.
Curiosity piqued, Jack pressed the three-line icon next to the skill node. A list of craftable items appeared before him, featuring weapons, armor, and accessories. Despite being only at Herald rank, the list was extensive, including items of higher ranks. Jack found it perplexing that a Herald could craft such powerful items. Unable to access further skill nodes, he continued to peruse the list.
Among the myriad options, two items caught his attention.
Item Identification Lens (Accessories, Herald, Rare, Upgradable)
Description: The mortal eyes are nothing more than obstacles in the quest to find the nature of the world. Only through the lens of truth does one see the essence of things.
How to Use: Put the lens on both eyes.
Effect: Displays the object's information within the subject's sight. Reveals information of higher-level items and greater distances with upgrades.
*Requires: Corresponding knowledge.
*Can examine items of different factions with the corresponding knowledge.
Core Material: Light Essence
A detailed list of material requirements and crafting instructions followed. Jack had hoped Basic Knowledge would provide him with visual clues, but it seemed he needed to gather knowledge independently.
With a long sigh, Jack turned to the second item, intrigued by its potential.
Reset Clock (Accessories, Archon, Epic, Upgradable)
Description: To move further is to go back. To be strong is to be weak. To start is to reset.
How to Use: Turn the hand of the clock when available.
Cooldown: 3 months.
Effect: Reclaims all granted skill points and returns them to the subject. These points can then be used to upgrade other skills in the system. Note: Stat points will also be reset. Side effects include sudden changes in the subject's physiology, potentially causing dizziness, nausea, and headaches. Use with caution. Cooldown reduces with upgrades.
Core Material: Soul Essence, Time Essence, and Space Essence.
Jack barely breathed as he absorbed the details. His eyes darted to the skill branches, the nodes floating before him. The clock's effect hinted at a profound possibility—a chance to master all factions.
His blood boiled with excitement, his hands and legs shaking. He let out a triumphant yell, laughing as he walked through his schoolmates, who stared at him like he was mad. Now, Jack understood why the system lacked basic features like item examination. The upgrades in this world were so vast that compromises were necessary. He eagerly anticipated his future.
Bursting with enthusiasm, he opened the door to the principal's office. Meinhard, engrossed in paperwork, looked up and signaled him to sit.
On the table sat a small stack of three books. Jack knew better than to touch them without permission. He continued reviewing the crafting list, aware that these would be his only clues until the system's full initialization.
After fifteen minutes, the principal stood and approached the table, taking a seat across from Jack.
"Tea?" Meinhard asked.
"If possible," Jack replied, "I'd like the previous one, please."
The principal glanced at him before taking out a crystal and crushing it for the tea. Jack noticed the effort it took, indicating the crystal's hardness. It suggested why such crystals were rarely consumed by the lower classes.
Jack accepted the cup and relished the comfortable sensation of mana flowing through his veins.
"Thanks," Jack said.
Meinhard leaned forward, his hand on the stack of books.
"I was considering punishing you for the chaos you caused today," he said wearily. "Julia and Hazel were very displeased with you."
"So the librarian's name is Hazel," Jack laughed. "And you sure pay a lot of attention to me amid your daily mountain of tasks."
"I had thought someone your age would avoid trouble."
"What can I say? I'm just trying to live young."
Meinhard sighed and pushed the stack of books toward Jack.
"One of them contains information about soul deficiency. I don't have much time, so you'll summarize it for me when you're done."
Jack nodded. The principal set the book aside. Its worn leather cover and old pages suggested its importance despite its unimpressive appearance.
The other two books were well-maintained, though not particularly striking.
"These are additional knowledge books to help you avoid further issues with the staff. One on mana manipulation, the other on Warrior faction history."
"What about Arcanist?" Jack asked.
"Perhaps next time, with more time, I'll lecture you myself."
"What an honor!" Jack said.
"Can you be any more sincere?"
Jack eyed the book in front of him thoughtfully, then suddenly asked, "Can I ask how many factions there are, professor?"
Meinhard frowned, sensing Jack had stumbled upon something significant.
"You knew I was an Arcanist before I mentioned it. How many factions do you think there are?"
Jack glanced at the floating orbs in his peripheral vision.
"Nine, maybe?"
"Nine?"
Meinhard's frown deepened.
"How do you know this? From the event?" His voice rushed.
Jack knew he had touched a nerve and tried to cover it.
"I already knew four, just a lucky guess."
Meinhard stroked his chin, not buying the explanation. He only knew of seven existing factions, and that knowledge was common across the Dessotor Empire. The other two factions were either forbidden or forgotten. Additionally, his rank was too low to learn more. Jack's precise knowledge of the factions couldn't be a coincidence.
The principal's eyes landed on the lamp post where a raven had perched during Jack's first visit. He had received more directives since.
"If you wish to know about the factions, besides the four you've already figured out, I can tell you about one more. There's a reason you only know four at your age."
"What is this faction then?"
Meinhard took a deep breath.
"Nightblade."
"Nightblade?" Jack repeated. "Sounds like a bunch of assassins."
Meinhard's eyes widened.
"Is it true?" Jack asked eagerly. "Wow, that sounds awesome."
The principal had lost count of how many times he had to shake his head since meeting Jack. He sat up straight, his face stern.
"Nightblade is a faction no longer permitted in many empires. But Emperor Anton Ovidus made an exception. The reason is a man named Flavius Corvus—your grandfather."