"Do you think I’m ready for my first Ascended Trial?"
Leon didn’t answer imdiately.
He wasn’t even thinking about her question first, instead he thought of Daren’s Trial, trying to analyze and dissect it to see if he’ll understand the essence of the Trial but despite racking his brain he couldn’t find what he sought.
This was another mystery about Neo-Tokara.
Thinking of mysteries, he could not help but think of Professor Robinson at the end of his Trial after becoming a C Rank chanist.
’Did humanity succeed in building a spaceship?’
’And if they succeeded, where is it?’
’Did they manage to ride the spaceship outside?’
’Did they et other civilizations? And is that what resulted in the advent of ADE and the Ascendant system?’
’What of the ChronoSystem, where did it co from?’
Before Leon knew it, he was already lost in his thoughts as different questions reverberated in his head.
The reason why all these thoughts suddenly returned to him was because he was stimulated by Daren’s unusual Ascended Trial.
He felt like there was a hint in the incongruity of the Trial, but he simply didn’t have enough information to grasp at the unique hint in the Trial.
"...Leon".
"...Leon".
"LEON!"
Leon jolted awake and finally snapped out of his daze as he turned to look at Tyla who looked at him with a worried expression on her face.
"What were you thinking about?"
"Oh, nothing," he forced a smile. "I was just thinking about how unusual Daren’s Trial was".
Tyla rolled her eyes. "Your Trial was even more unusual!"
Then she shrugged and reminded him. "You’ve not answered my question, do you think I’m ready for my first Ascended Trial?"
Leon exhaled and quietly processed the question.
He took a mont to think and organize his thoughts, then he answered. "Most of what I learned about the unique growth pattern to safely attempt Trials is mostly based on personal experience, but I do believe it’s correct".
He leaned back on his makeshift chair. "As you should already know, every Class is unique, and each Class has a unique set of principles that its Ascended should follow to align themselves better with the Class ideology".
"My belief is not proven as a fact yet, but my own experience have pretty much confird it that by aligning with these principles and Class ideology, Ascended have a higher chance of surviving Ascended Trials".
"For example, the principle and ideology of F Rank chanists is purely being a chanic and constructing blueprints non-stop, that’s the way to et the requirents to attempt your first Trial as a chanist".
"For Cyber Gladiators, I believe its combat and for NetRunners, I think it should be related to cybersecurity or maybe hacking and cyber infiltration".
"These core principles change at each Rank".
"For example, as a D Rank chanist now, my Specialization is the Warmachine Specialist. I believe the core principle of my Class Specialization is no longer just about being a chanic constructing blueprints".
"I believe that to et the requirents to attempt the C Rank Trial, I need to act as the na of my Class Specialization dictates and be a chanic Warlord".
"It’s in the na- Warmachine".
"This is part of why I had to leave my shelter. I don’t intend to remain as a D Rank chanist forever, so I have to seek out fires to quench and wars to participate in".
He looked at Tyla. "This is also why I said that following is dangerous".
Despite what he said, Tyla didn’t even focus on his last words as she conveniently filtered it out, focusing on only what she wanted.
Her eyes glead excitedly and curiously. "You skipped the Gene Augur and the Quantum Shaper Class, what are the principles of the Gene Augur Class? Costic surgery and genetic modification?"
Leon chuckled but he didn’t respond to her imdiately.
He once again took his ti to think before he carefully answered. "I honestly have no idea when it cos to Quantum Shapers, but I do have a few ideas when it cos to Gene Augurs".
"From my understanding of the Gene Augur Class, I don’t think it’s about costic surgery. Afterall, you can’t fight with costic surgery, can you?" He chuckled.
"At F Rank, the Gene Augur Class is focused on instinct awakening and regeneration more than any other thing".
"For an F Rank Gene Augur, I believe that the principle of developing in preparation for their first Trial should also be tied to this".
"The Gene Augur Class is a class that’s obsessed with pushing the natural biological body to its peak state. Not just the body, but instincts too, including ADE, senses and perception".
"Most Gene Augurs have heightened perception and sensory mutations that make them similar to Neon Beasts".
"These are all elents that are tied to the body, so I do think a core principle of a Gene Augur aligning himself better with the Gene Augur Class at F Rank is staying in peak physical shape and constantly challenging and pushing his body to its limits".
He rubbed his chin. "The main principle for Gene Augurs should be pushing your body over and over again through exercise and working out, maybe combat too, breaking your body over and over again till it attains peak physicality at F Rank".
Leon’s black eyes glead. "I should at least be on the right track".
"Also, at higher ranks, Gene Augurs develop abilities to shapeshift and beco Neon Beasts or even mutate their bodies. At these ranks, I believe that learning detailed knowledge about Neon Beasts should help too".
He finally looked at Tyla. "As for your Class, like I already said, the principle of NetRunners should be related to cybersecurity, hacking, and cyber infiltration".
"Have you been doing any of this consistently since you beca a NetRunner?"
Tyla froze, then she chuckled. "I’ve never really been much of a field soldier. Unlike my superior, Lieutenant Johnmark, I mostly do diplomatic work".
"When it cos to hacking and cyber infiltration, I do think I’m lacking but I’ve been in the cybersecurity branch of Leviathan Quay for years. At least, that should an sothing right?"
"But since I’ve only been focusing on one so far, I guess that ans I’m not ready". She smiled awkwardly.
"There goes your answer". Leon finally responded. "To be on the safe side and if you’re really serious about getting stronger, today is a great day for you to start working towards it".
"Ok, yes sir!" She saluted, making Leon blink.
Watching their interaction, Daren chuckled as he once again paid attention to the neon storms outside the moving aircraft.
He wondered how long it would take them to get to Iron Reef.
Well, it took them less than an hour.
After about 48 minutes of cruising through the sky towards Iron Reef, the Zerphyr-7 finally entered the airspace of the capital city of the Freegrid Collective.
Leon was back in Iron Reef.
...
[Special Appreciation to Shadesworn, Yatekudastop, and r03n for the Golden Tickets, thanks for the support!]
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