"For example, when creating a storm, a disaster—
a 'Sea King' can directly use the corresponding Authority, ignoring physical rules entirely.
"But a Cognizer instead 'sees through' all things, and at a certain causal node…
Well, in extreme cases, he could even make a butterfly flap its wings, use that as leverage to shift the 'fate' of events, and ultimately cause a storm at a predetermined location.
"Of course, no Cognizer would actually do something that extreme.
It looks simple, but who knows how many fate paths one would need to 'see through' in the process.
It's far easier to simply 'simulate' the corresponding ability,
or to pick a far more appropriate causal node to pry at.
"In short, what I call the Event Lever is somewhat similar to a 'Writer's' ability—
but the latter is based on the 'Collective Unconscious Sea,'
manipulating fate and behavior as long as it follows a certain logic.
They can achieve an intended effect.
"Even completely illogical fantasies can work, as long as the price is paid…
"But the Event Lever, while it can influence people,
works mainly by fully understanding the target, then prying at their fate from elsewhere to reach a result.
The success rate is questionable, since humans—intelligent beings—
have far too many branching fate-streams.
Impossible to 'see through' every possibility…
"By comparison, objects, environments, and supernatural abilities—
anything that follows rules and belongs within strict determinism—
are far easier to shift.
"In the end, a Cognizer is still far inferior to a Writer when it comes to manipulating the world to achieve intended outcomes…
I wonder if the later stages—Wisdom Angel and Omniscient Eye—can improve that.
"Also, just like Klein in the original timeline, once at Sequence 3,
the divine patterns begin to take on personal traits.
This is deeply tied to prayer and response—
meaning that even among Cognizers, their honorifics will differ in essence,
because personality, experience, and traits vary.
"Hmm… I can let my Cognizer Eyes take shifts listening to prayers,
then organize them into the corresponding shelves inside the White Tower…
Heh, multi-threaded thinking has its advantages;
each Cognizer Eye is essentially me.
"For other pathways, they'd be limited to simple auto-response mechanisms.
"Hehe, I'll think of an honorific matching my traits later—
for now, continue studying the Cognizer's abilities.
"At Sequence 4, the 'Learning Space,' combined with the All-Capable Heart, and ascended by the incomplete mythic form into the White Tower—
is now much more complete.
It finally resembles a 'Tower.'
Still missing a lot, but far larger than a mere bookshelf room.
"With more knowledge, the White Tower now even has functions similar to Sefirah Castle—
it can draw all Beyonders of the Reader pathway within a certain range into it!
"Of course, only if they chant my honorific to connect with me.
And they're pulled in only as spiritual bodies.
"In a sense, what I learned from Edwina—'Scholar Communion Ritual'—
must be a simplified or trial version of this ability.
"Should I pull some Readers in and form an organization?
"But… if it's only the Reader pathway, that's too one-dimensional.
And would eventually lead to internal competition…
"Hmm. Based on the Dream Labyrinth Tower,
this ability should evolve later—
not only unrestricted by pathway, but able to pull in physical bodies!
"Of course, the Dream Labyrinth Tower needed the Chaos Sea's support to do that;
the White Tower alone might not be enough."
Feeling emotional, Ebner rested for a moment, then activated the Pure White Eye.
He had prepared to see that "Unknown" silhouette again—
but once more, his sight was blocked by that illusory "Sun."
Now that he understood how the "Creation" side of his ability worked,
he naturally made a few guesses about the illusory Omniscient Eye and Pure White Angel blocking the passage:
"Could those have been created by Twenty-Five Dragon?
"But why is the Pure White Angel so much stronger?
Not only those items and 'spots,' but even the Omniscient Eye itself is relying on it…
"And more than one former Pope of the Eternal Blazing Sun mistook me for their Lord."
With these doubts, Ebner began testing the enhancements the Pure White Eye brought at his current level.
Unlike the past's hazy senses,
as a Cognizer he clearly perceived the connection between the illusory Omniscient Eye and himself—
and understood that
the so-called "early access to next Sequence abilities"
was the Omniscient Eye shifting its power according to his will,
adding as much leverage to him as possible.
Of course, though he could "see through" the process,
he still couldn't interfere with it at this stage.
"It boosted computational power again…
Nothing surprising—
I was already enjoying this benefit at low Sequence…
"Thinking back,
my earliest ability to deduce potion formulas from Beyonder characteristics
was already 'Insight' in embryonic form!
And now, since I can 'create' illusory Sequence 4 characteristics within the White Tower,
reverse-engineering formulas isn't hard—
just time-consuming when tracing origins.
"Anyway, back to the point—
my processing power has risen again,
likely reaching Sequence 2 level, a qualitative leap.
"This means:
I can now use the Pure White Eye to preliminarily see through the mysteries of Authorities.
"The reason I cannot 'create' Sequence 3 characteristics, or simulate many Sequence 3 abilities,
is because Sequence 3 already borrows the power of Authorities.
"For example, Sea King in ocean domains,
Ancient Scholar manipulating historical fissures—
these all involve Authority.
They can be recorded, but not simulated.
"But with the Wisdom Angel's talent for mimicking Authorities,
I can now preview the core abilities of other pathways' Sequence 3!
"It's still extremely difficult—
even with the Pure White Eye,
understanding one Authority takes years of accumulation.
"But fortunately, I have countless lifetimes of memories at Sequence 3 and above.
At least for Wheel of Fortune, Moon, Death, Door, Chained, Paragon, and Red Priest—
I should be able to master their Sequence 3 abilities quickly.
"Otherwise this power would be rather useless…
"As for the other pathways—
impossible in the short term."
Thinking this, Ebner once again looked down on Giuseppe Castiya—
who hadn't even reached Sequence 3.
Then he took a deep breath, split off several Cognizer Eyes,
and prepared to explore the imprints left by Dannett
and the far older Alvin
within the Unknown Land.
(End of Chapter)