‘I cannot believe it took me the better part of eight hours to finish combining all of the Title Fragments. Transforming fifteen Mortal Title Fragments into five Knight Title Fragments took just as forming a complete Mortal Ranked Title.’

  ‘At the very least, I do not have to worry about obtaining additional Knight Title Fragments before leaving the System Introduction.’ Jon thought with a smile, observing his growing collection of Title Fragments.

  Name: Jonathan Randall Guilliman

  Age: 20

  Rank: Knight

  Tier: Third-Veined

  Title: [Princeps Of The Wandering Mutation]

  Mortal Title Fragments: N/A

  Knight Title Fragments: [Forerunner] [Journeyman] [Specialist] [Linguist] [Polyglot] [Dungeoneer] [Logos Eidos] [Father Of Shapeless Carcosa] [Construct Dominus] [Lonesome] [Wonderchild] [Wonder Dominus] [Adeptus Bellum] [Sagacious] [Trailblazer] [Memento Rex] [Self-Imposed Reign]

  The addition of five more Knight Title Fragments had greatly expanded the number of combinations he could form Titles from. Although he was still just a Third-Veined Knight, Jon could not help but desire to form at least a single Knight Ranked Title, if only to integrate into the Mask Of Jade Lies.

  Although the requirements needed to obtain a Knight Title Fragment related to the Mutation Trait still eluded him, ascending Lethe from Mortality to Knighthood would alleviate some of the worries he had about fighting a Lord or even other Memento Source wielding Knights.

  Amadeus was the only Knight to have upgraded their Memento Source Item from Mortality to Knighthood within Springtown.

  Flavius Imperialis was once known as the Combat Training Arena within Springtown. Although most of its effects were relatively unknown, it was able to help Mortals achieve greater mastery over their abilities with the Technique Trait.

  After becoming the Immortal Training Arena, it improved the effectiveness of all abilities with the Recovery Trait within its defined boundaries. Preventing individuals within from dying to quickly while training their abilities or while practicing the manipulation of specific abilities.

  That was one known Mortal effect.

  And one known Knight effect.

  Two effects of a potential dozen.

  Although he did not want Lethe to be an offensive-type Memento Source Item, buffing the effectiveness of certain Traits or granting him buffs capable of enhancing his mana regeneration was inadvertently a form of combat enhancement. Despite it primarily being used for social manipulation and identity concealment, Jon could not help but desire a more supportive Memento Source Item, imagining the effects of the Dimensional Dungeon Shadow and Boundless Heaven Gate.

  ‘Hopefully… through the formation of this next Title…’

  Trailblazer. Adeptus Bellum. Sagacious. Memento Rex. And Self-Imposed Rule.

  Each one with their own powerful and unique effects formed from the combination of three Mortal Title Fragments. Eyeing each one of them carefully as he expanded his status page, opening up more than a dozen effect descriptions all at once.

  Focusing primarily on these five new Title Fragments.

  Knight Title Fragment “Trailblazer”: Concepts and notions related to ones “Source” become infinitesimally easier to understand and comprehend.

  Knight Title Fragment “Adeptus Bellum”: Concepts and notions related to war, battle and combat become infinitesimally easier to understand and comprehend.

  Knight Title Fragment “Sagacious”: Increases the effectiveness of all abilities with the Spell Trait.

  Knight Title Fragment “Memento Rex”: Increases resistances towards all abilities with the Memento Trait.

  Knight Title Fragment “Self-Imposed Reign”: Infinitesimally reduces the mana expenditure for all abilities with the Self Trait.

  Trailblazer formed through the combination of Pathstrider, Delver and Explorer.

  Adeptus Bellum formed through the combination of Invictus, Adept and Thracian.

  Sagacious formed through the combination of Wisdom, Learned and Guide.

  Memento Dominus formed from the combination of Memento-Touched, Knightslayer and Bastion.

  Self-Imposed Rule formed from the combination of Sui Generis, Overlord and Wonderful.

  The combination of Mortal Title Fragments had improved the potency of concepts and ideas within each Knight Title Fragment, sometimes changing their effects while other times improving on the effect of just a single Title Fragment.

  The process of combining Title Fragments was remarkably similar to the process of creating an actual Title, albeit with half the number of concepts at ones disposal. It was somehow less straining than even the formation of his Fragment Of Shapeless Carcosa and Fragment Of Thieving Envy.

  Nevertheless, Jon did have his own preferences for what Title Fragment he wanted to use to form the basis for his first Knight Ranked Title.

  ‘Construct Dominus is out of the question. As is Logos Eidos. Both are Title Fragments that I intend on imbuing into my true Knight Ranked Title. Trailblazer might be added to that list too, depending on if I can find other Title Fragments that improve my natural concepts.”

  ‘Journeyman has some unique synergies with Self-Imposed Reign and might combine together into a single effect. After creating both the Fragment Of Shapeless Carcosa and Fragment Of Draconian Shadows, both abilities now possess the Self Trait. I might even be able to obtain more abilities with that Trait in future, depending on what I need from each of them.’

  ‘Adeptus Bellum and Polyglot are both good contenders as well. Considering that I possess both a Knowledge Mana Core and War Mana Core, most of my abilities will in some way or another, relate to aforementioned concepts. Linguist relates to the latter and might produce synergistic effects as well.’

  ‘Lonesome and Forerunner might have to be left out, perhaps even alongside Dungeoneer. Although each one of them provide unique effects that cannot be replicated with abilities, none of them are particularly noteworthy in any way, shape or form. Even if it would take me another year or two, I would rather wait a combine them after I achieve Lordship...’

  This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version.

  Jon let out a loud sigh, feeling his shoulders droop as he leaned backwards against the head of the Knight Ranked Soft-Feathered Bed behind him. Its effects relieving the minor aches of both mental and physical fatigue from his spirit and flesh.

  ‘I guess… all that leaves is what Title Fragment I should use to form the basis for this new Title…’

  Jon took a deep and long breath, stilling the turbid emotions within his Sea Of Knowledge. The soft thrumming of the Seir-Perpetual Heart within his chest, pulsated with ice natured spiritual energy.

  At the end of the day, this Title would be the one that he intended on imbuing into Lethe.

  The Mask Of Jade Lies.

  Born from a Fragment Of Facelessness, Lie Mana Core, Mortal Ranked Smiling Mask and complete Mortal Title Polemarch Of Jade Warfare. And in the same vein as all the abilities that had come before it, would “layer” these additional concepts atop a preexisting structure.

  And what Title Fragment would be more compatible than-.

  Jon selected the eighth Title Fragment listed from the available seventeen. Beginning the process to form his third complete Title.

  [Father Of Shapeless Carcosa].

  His Carcosa-Form Horrors humming in response to his decision. Fears, worries, anxieties and horrors untold seemed to surge and churn above the waters of his Sea Of Knowledge. An insipid layer of negative emotions expanded to engulf the entirety of his Fragment Of Mind, feeling its related concepts sink deeper and deeper into his Source.

  Concepts relating to “shapelessness,” “form,” “horrors” and “the self,” crumbled into their most basic of structures, flowing into his Source without so much as even a hint of retaliation or resistance.

  Father Of Shapeless Carcosa obeyed his commands as though a child dutifully respecting the wishes of his parent. It did not aggravate the existing concepts within his Source such as Mutare Dominus, Prodigy or Ortus.

  Allowing itself to settle atop all the preexisting concepts within, buoyant at the behest of its creator.

  The concept of “Shapeless Carcosa” was a unique one. Something that Jon had discovered on his own, without the assistance of Ashvattha Rana, Schwarz Eis, Song Lian Yu or even Ru Luan Di. Although it was a just a dual fragment pathway, it was one that had not existed before his creation of said concept.

  And as the creator of the aforementioned concept, why would it resist the one that had birthed it in the first place?

  A smile threatened to pull at the corners of his lips, brows not even so much as twitching before he selected the second Knight Ranked Title Fragment.

  [Sagacious].

  This time, feeling the not-so-subtle thrashes of resistance against his will and spirit.

  The Knight Title Fragment, born from Wisdom, Learned and Guide was a powerful one, with innate synergistic concepts and ideas contained within it. Jon was forced to flow more spiritual energy into his Fragment Of Mind and Fragment Of Spirit, in an attempt to withstand the growing defiance from this specific Title Fragment.

  He could feel Sagacious brushing up against concepts relating to Virtuoso, forcing him to reel it in back in annoyance. As though matador trying to tempt a raging bull, Jon attempted to guide the Title Fragment deeper and deeper into the depths of his Source, tempting it through aggression in hopes of it following his lead.

  The Title Fragment contained within it the unrelenting pursuit that accompanied the exploration of knowledge. To lift ones hand to the starry skies and grasp within it an untold number of truths just waiting to be discovered.

  Concepts relating to “wisdom,” “spells,” “magic” and “knowledge” flowed from the Title Fragment into his Source, assimilated within the imaginary white-black hole construct that dwelled within himself. His ability to control said aspect of his Source was limited, perhaps closer to non-existent.

  Still, its presence was enough to subdue Sagacious and allow it to condense further and further, refining the excess of concepts that it contained, until Jon was left within nothing but the purest, most raw form of the Title Fragment.

  Allowing him to then integrate both the third and fourth Title Fragments.

  [Journeyman].

  [Self-Imposed Reign].

  An increase to the effectiveness of all abilities with the Self Trait.

  And a decrease in mana expenditure to all abilities that possessed the Self Trait.

  Both possessed powerful synergistic effects. Each with a multitude of different concepts, nomological laws and notions contained within them. The two Title Fragments swirled together in an inversed spiral pattern, flowing straight downwards into the depths of his greater Source.

  Concepts of “experience,” “mastery,” “understanding” and “the self” formed the image of a white, picturesque thread descending downwards from some unknown metaphysical space. Journeyman depicted the aspects of growth that an individual would experience over the course of their entire lifetime.

  Experiences of knowledge. Experiences of emotion. Experiences of desire. Experiences of the mind. Experiences of all different shapes and forms which allowed an individual to mature and develop themselves into something greater than just a “collection of experiences.”

  Self-Imposed Reign on the other hand contained within it concepts relating to “control,” “differences,” “independence” and “the self.” This amalgamation of three Mortal Title Fragments formed the image of a shadowless black thread ascending upwards from somewhere outside of his greater Source, reflecting the image of the other Title Fragment.

  It represented aspects of the self that existed within all living beings.

  Emphasizing the inherent differences between members of the same species and their desire to possess their own autonomy. Despite the similarities between each Self and Source, every single creature in existence possesses their own variances and mutations which set them apart from other living beings.

  The combination of Journeyman and Self-Imposed Reign settled deep within his Source. Relating to both his own personal preferences and inherent self-worth, it was perhaps amongst the Title Fragments closet in nature to what Jon considered his own “self”.

  The control he possessed over his assimilated concepts wavered for a handful of moments, before Jon was able to reapply his control over them, even as he selected both his fifth and sixth Title Fragments.

  [Linguist].

  [Trailblazer].

  An increase to the rate at which he understood and comprehended language and syntax.

  Alongside an infinitesimal increase in the speed at which he could comprehend concepts relating to those contained within his Source.

  Linguist appearing in the form of a waterfall formed from cuneiform glyphs and runes, crashing down upon the white-black hole within the depths of his Source. Concepts relating to “words,” “language,” “meaning,” and “grammar” rushing to integrate themselves into him.

  Although there was no resistance in the assimilation process, Jon struggled to control the flow of concepts that emanated from this Title Fragment. Unconsciously gritting his teeth and re-exerting his Sea Of Knowledge and Longinus-Rune Spirit in order to grasp onto this unrelenting tide of surging words and crashing meanings.

  Trailblazer on the other hand, manifested in the form of a shooting star. Beams of neon-coloured light seem to trail behind it, carving an impossibly beautiful arc through this imaginary sky. Nomological laws relating to “desire,” “dreams,” “achievements” and “the self” scattering like ashes behind it.

  Jon found himself with barely any time to react at all before the final Title Fragment crashed into the origins of his Source with a resounding crash. All of his existing mutations and manifested constructs trembling in the face of this conceptually charged event, sending ripples throughout the entirety of his greater Source.

  Father Of The Shapeless Carcosa expanding so as it engulf Journeyman and Self-Imposed Reign. Sagacious resisting being compressed further and further into itself. Linguist distracting him with its overwhelming amount of information while Trailblazer just settled itself within the centre of all preexisting concepts.

  It was a horrifying and terrible mess.

  His mind stretched thin as he struggled to maintain his control over Guf, Tehom and Hadal all simultaneously.

  It was completely different to his formation of both Princeps Of The Wandering Mutation and Polemarch Of Jade Warfare.

  Jon coughed out a mouthful of blood, splattering across the sheets of his Knight Ranked Soft-Feathered Bed. His thoughts grew hazy and muddled, preventing him from hearing either Rana or Eis’ voice echo throughout his Fragment Of Mind.

  His vision dyed crimson as the blood vessels around his eye burst, seeping out from behind both of his eyes. Trails of bright crimson dripping from both eardrums, teeth coloured sanguine as he flashed a grin, despite the enormous headache threatening to split his skull in two.

  ‘I’m not stopping here! Not when I’m so fucking close!’ Jon screamed, his voice echoing throughout his Sea Of Knowledge.

  His eyes widened, as spear natured spiritual energy starting flowing into his Fragment Of Superbia.

  Manifesting in the form of a seven-pointed halo.