There were primary and secondary occupations, the primary occupations were graded through tiers while the secondary occupations were graded with a different ranking; rank F-S.
There were a myriad of occupations to choose from both in the primary and secondary fields, but just like in any other civilisations, certain occupations stood out above the rest.
There were three in particular that were the most prestigious; Knights, Warlocks, and Imperial censors.
These three paths were known as 'pathways to heavens summit'. This was because these three primary occupations granted the most power.
Even commoners who managed to go into one of those three occupations would immediately have the social levels of a low ranking nobles.
My step-brother's were Tier 3 knights and my step-sister was a Tier 2 warlock. Being knights and warlocks was a good thing even for nobles and these were occupations coveted by all.
But even those two couldn't compare to an imperial censor. An imperial censor was an occupation of the highest degree. Imperial censors were admired and envied by all.
During the early years, when occupations were still new to this continent, when a new imperial censor awakened, one of two things happened, they either become roped into an organization or they get killed.
The reason was simple: imperial censors have unlimited potential. Knights and warlocks also have limitless potential but not compared to imperial censors.
With the ability to tame beasts and use them for battle, while also gaining skills from the beast to enable them to fight like either warlocks or knights, they were basically a one man's party.
This made it so that imperial censors had to go into hiding.
But about three hundred years ago, a victim of the prejudice against imperial censors wreaked havoc across the continent. Countless lives were lost and that was when it was determined that it was better to be on their good books than not.
Hence, imperial censors were treated no different than extremely talented warlocks and knights.
The crux of the matter was, to become an imperial censor, one thing was vital, one must awaken the third eye and the mind world.
Without the mind world, one couldn't become an imperial censor and without the third eye, one couldn't awaken the mind world.
'It was possible to awaken the third eye without awakening the mind world though.'
So one could imagine my happiness when I saw the function card capable of allowing one to awaken the third eye, with a chance of awakening the mind world!
[Function card]
Card rarity: [Rare]
Card type: [Third eye awakening]
Use: [This card helps its user awaken their third eye granting them the sixth sense and in rare cases, awakening their mind world]
I read the information on the card once more just to be certain.
Thump~ Thump~
My heart was thumping loudly in my chest. I was ecstatic.
"Esfyn, is it possible to make it assured that I can awaken the mind world?" I asked.
[It is possible, Lord Emris. By using an evolution card on the third eye's awakening function card, you can evolve it to the unique rank and guarantee the awakening of your mind world.]
"How do I get an evolution card?"
[You can get an evolution card by fusing x20 advance card. An advance card is used to upgrade the grade of other cards.]
"I see…"
'So I can upgrade the grades of anything I own and can possibly evolve them… this means that nothing is useless.'
"Apart from card draws and completing tasks, is there another way to earn cards?"
[Yes, lord Emris. You can earn cards by battling monsters. You earn an advance card every time you kill a monster a level above you.]
'I guess it's not so easy then. Still, I'm thrilled at the prospect that sooner than later, I can become an imperial censor.'
Although most of my mates have awakened their cores and have already taken exams to become warlocks and knights, if I become an imperial censor, even with the massive gulf between us, we will still be treated as equals.
Such is the prestige of imperial censors.
"Is there anything else to check out?" I asked Esfyn.
[You still have mission cards, Lord Emris.]
"What are mission cards?"
[When activated, a mission card issues a mission with a deadline. It will grant rewards when completed and consequences when failed.]
'Consequences…'
I was pleased with the rewards part, but punishment?.... I didn't even know what kind of punishment would be issued.
'I guess I'll just have to roll with it. Thankfully, my system is on my side. Unlike some from the novels I've read.'
"Esfyn, activate a mission card."
[Mission card activating….]
A card appeared before me, it looked just like my exclusive card except that it was golden in color and where my image was supposed to be, there was instead, the image of a young girl.
She had white hair and red eyes, she was the most beautiful human I've ever seen.
'I don't think she's human though, this is most likely Esfyn's human form….'
She looked to be around my age and she had a slight smile as she spoke,
[Congratulations, you've received a mission.]
[Master the basic level of the 'Formless shadow scripture' in one week.]
[Reward for completion: Rare skill card x1, Random equipment card x1, Achievement points x50]
[Failure to complete means permanently broken core.]
I felt the corner of my lips twitch, what does she mean permanently broken core?
Although I know that my situation was permanent by normal standards, I've just gotten hope that it wasn't and now that hope might get thrown into the bottom of the ocean.
"Esfyn, isn't this mission unreasonable? Is it possible to reject it?"
[No, Lord Emris. The mission is perfectly reasonable and once a mission card is activated, the mission must be completed]
"What do you mean it's unreasonable? I've been training with the Leonis martial art scripture for nine years and yet, I haven't fully mastered the basics and yet you want me to do the same thing in a month for a different technique?"
[It took the lord Emris step siblings a month to master the whole scripture, the mission isn't unreasonable.]
[The Formless shadow scripture is the same as the Leonis martial arts scripture. The former is the true name of the scripture.]
"Oh, I see….This… this…."
I was stunned. I wanted to argue more but I couldn't, this was because I suddenly realized something, the Leonis martial arts scripture wasn't a sword art.
"It isn't a sword art?" I asked Esfyn just to be sure.
[No, lord Emris, the Formless shadow scripture is a combat art that prioritizes versatility and stealth. It can be used with any weapon as it prioritizes footwork and breathing above power.]
"Hehe…." I laughed in a self deprecating manner.
'So not only have I been practicing using a weapon that's the opposite of what I have talent in, I've also been practicing the wrong thing…'
"Fine, I accept the mission." I sighed.
'Even if I fail and my core becomes permanently broken, I'm sure I can still do other things.'
With the help of Esfyn, I can still journey around the world.
Knock~ Knock~
I unbolted the door to see Reid standing outside with a tray. On the tray was a cup of tea.
I could tell from the gentle steam coming from it that it was just above warm temperature, just how I like it.
Due to being abandoned by my family, I only received the basic allowance. I could only afford to employ Reid and one other maid, Jenna.
Once a week, I hire cleaners to take care of the house, the rest of the duties are done by the two of them.
"Young master, I've sent all of them off. I've also asked Jenna to prepare you a hot bath."
'hmmm,... If I want to better learn the Formless shadow scripture, I should better absorb all of my gains tonight.'
"Esfyn, is there any advice you have to give me before I assimilate the rewards?" I muttered. I don't mind talking to myself in front of Reid.
[Yes, Lord Emris. Be sure to be in a relaxed position, most likely a position that makes it impossible to fall. And your bath should be hotter than usual.]
"I didn't get that, young master." Reid replied but I waved him off.
"I was talking to myself."
I took the cup of tea from the tray and took a sniff, the fragrance was soothing and I felt my body relax.
"Go fetch me the copies of the formless— Leonis martial arts scripture. And tell Jenna to make my bath hotter than usual."
Reid nodded his head and walked away. One of the reasons why I liked him was the fact that he didn't ask questions.
I don't know if it's loyalty, blind trust or nonchalance, and frankly, I don't care.
I left the door open, I'll be going to take my bath soon anyway. I sat on the chair beside my bed and took my time sipping the tea.
A few minutes later, Reid returned with a small book. I took it from him and he excused himself out.
"I should have guessed as much…"
Although I haven't seen other martial scriptures, I've heard that most martial scriptures were divided into; the stances and breathing part, and the footwork part.
But the Leonis martial art scripture had only one part, the movements and breathing part.
Moreover, even though every knight in House Leonis uses a sword, their sword skill is not what they are well known for. House Leonis is known for their ability to move like wild beasts, with powerful strikes and amazing flexibility, it is said that they got their name from their technique.
For this reason, they were known as the 'Lions of Verdant Empire'. I guess I should say 'we'
I read through the Leonis martial arts scripture again and again, this time I didn't picture anyone practicing it and just focused on understanding the essences of the technique itself.
When I wanted to learn the technique, my father had Julien demonstrate it in front of the whole family. Since every knight in my family, including my father, used a sword, I automatically assumed it was a sword art.
"Young master, your bath is ready."
I gulped down the rest of the tea, I already felt that my body was extremely relaxed and I knew that bath would only further relax it.
"Just in case, check on me after three hours,"
This wasn't the first time I would fall asleep in the bath.
I took off my clothes and wore a robe before heading into the bathroom. The space was large, almost half the size of my bedroom which was larger than most commoners' houses.
At the center was a large bathtub that qualified to be a swimming pool. Jenna is a tier 1 warlock of the fire element, that was why I employed her.
Warlocks had potential and the higher the potential, the better the prestige. A commoner like Jenna would never be able to work under a noble, but being a warlock with the lowest potential, she managed to turn the life of her family around.
At least that was how others saw it. I think it's pathetic of nobles to think that way.
I pay her double, as a cook and housemaid.
I dipped my finger into the water, it was hot, but not enough to hurt.
I took off the bathrobe and stepped into the water, slowly sliding until I was laying in it.
"Huu…." A relaxed breath left my body. I closed my eyes for a bit before I spoke,
"Esfyn,"
[Lord Emris.]
"Let's start with the constitution."
A card appeared before me, it was the rare talent card.
[Talent card]
Talent rarity: [Rare]
Talent type: [Ice jade constitution]
Talent grade: [Basic]
Skills: [Perfect body][Mana resonance]
[Perfect Body(Basic)]: [You have a perfectly ambidextrous body. Your general physique is also enhanced, tending towards perfection.]
[Mana resonance(Basic)]: [You have higher Mana affinity.]
"How do I use it?"
[Just crush the card, lord Emris.]
"I have a feeling that will be the most troublesome." I crushed the card and it shattered into star-like particles.
[You are right, lord Emris.]
'Wait what?' I never expected Esfyn to agree with me. It could only mean it was more troublesome than I even imagined.
I wanted to ask more but it was too late. The starlight particles suddenly drifted into my body and a cold sensation ran through me.
[Beginning integration with the Ice jade constitution.]
[Time remaining till integration ends— fifty nine minutes.]
A bone chilling cold sank into my body, literally. I could feel my thoughts getting sluggish, my heart slowed down and I felt like I was suddenly thrown into a frozen tundra.
'Damn…. Esfyn won't do anything that will kill me,.... Right?'
I felt my consciousness slip away as my world went black.