Nero felt his body was different, perhaps faster, stronger, more resilient…
"Close your eyes and say this: recensio,"
Axel commanded, his gaze thoughtful.
The three of them closed their eyes and recited the incantation.
Recensio…
Nero opened his eyes and found himself in a place of shifting colors, like a rainbow. On the ground lay two symbols, separated by about three meters.
He approached the first symbol. It was a figure that seemed strangely unfamiliar: a circle with black arrows protruding from it.
He crouched down to examine it more closely.
The circle and its arrows glowed purple and were quite large, roughly a meter in diameter. Cautiously and fearfully, Nero touched the circle.
First, a word repeated itself in his mind: Path of the Void.
Then, a purple line emerged from the circle, forming eleven smaller circles, each half the size of the original symbol.
Nero moved to the first of the smaller circles and observed it. This circle also contained a symbol, a Roman numeral: XI.
He touched it as he had the first one.
Next to the circle, words appeared in a single line. He settled into a comfortable position and began to read:
Rank 11: Magician
Magician?… Like Merlin.
Ritual Ingredients:
Kinio blood powder, water, a clean container, and the recipient's blood…
Kinio…
Then he remembered. Kinio is a type of rabbit whose blood turns into white powder when it dies.
Power:
Ability to create small objects, such as a knife, by visualizing them and shaping them with aura; 10-second cooldown.
The creations could be enveloped with aura, making them stronger, sharper, and more durable.
They could destroy their creations, regaining half the aura used; 10-second cooldown.
A slight increase in strength, speed, and stamina.
All of that… impressive. He could do so many things, but… how would he actually use the aura? He would ask Axel later.
Nero moved to the next circle, but it was different.
It was completely black.
That must be rank 10. He wasn't that rank yet, so he couldn't see it.
Wait…
He turned toward the other symbol. If these symbols represented paths, that meant he had two paths.
Sliding through the black "room," Nero reached the second symbol.
The symbol was a fox with nine white tails, the tips glowing blue.
A Kitsune.
He touched the symbol, and the same process occurred as with the Path of the Void.
Only this time, the line that appeared was black, and the word that entered his mind was: Path of Cunning.
Cunning, like Axel's path.
So it was true… he had two paths. But why?
Perhaps because he had two souls within his body. That also meant he had two Centrum.
He returned to the first circle and touched it again.
Rank 11: Watcher
Ritual Ingredients:
Kinio blood powder, water, a clean container, and the recipient's blood…
Did all Rank 11s have the same ritual?
Power:
While suspended in the air, the user could focus their aura on the soles of their feet to leap; 1-minute 30-second cooldown.
By focusing aura on their eyes, the user could enter the Zero state.
In the Zero state, the user could see the weaknesses of others and anticipate their movements.
Slight increase in speed and agility.
At least he could attack with objects using the Mage's power, which would help offensively… though he had wanted firebending.
How would he exit this place?
He decided to replicate the actions that had brought him here. He closed his eyes and said, Recensio. When he opened them again, Axel, Kōri, and Lux were standing in front of him.
"You took your time. What's your Path and rank name?" Lux asked with her usual amused tone.
"Axel, where was I?" Nero asked, straightening up.
"You were in your Centrum. It may have seemed like you were only inside for a short time, but ten seconds in the real world equals one second in the Centrum. That answers Lux's question."
"I have the Path of the Void, Rank 11 Mage, and the Path of Cunning, Rank 11 Watcher. Axel, is it normal to have two Paths?"
"Yes. It's common but dangerous. Best not to tell anyone. And hey, we share a Path."
"Lord Axel, now that Nero has awakened, can you explain how to use aura?" Kōri asked elegantly.
"Of course. I'll take this chance to give a general lesson on the Sinners. Questions come at the end."
Nero already knew what a Sinner was, as well as ranks, paths, the Centrum, and aura.
"First, the types of paths. Paths representing emotions are called common paths; those representing moments are abstract paths; and fused paths are infrequent."
"The types of ranks: low rank 11–10, mid rank 9–7, high rank 6–5, angel rank 4, archangel rank 3, demigod rank 2, and god rank 1."
"The dangers of being a Sinner are many: other Sinners, soul corruption, and most importantly, the Daemon."
"A Daemon occurs when a Sinner performs a ritual incorrectly, advances in rank unprepared, advances without knowing the rank name, or forces their Centrum."
"Daemons are beings with elongated limbs, completely gray skin, deformed faces, total sensory loss, and absolute aggression."
"Sinner artifacts are objects—like weapons or everyday items—which, if wielded by a Sinner, gain power according to the wielder's rank and path after the wielder dies."
"Aura: the higher your rank, the more mature your Centrum; the more mature the Centrum, the stronger the aura."
"For example, aura starts at 100. When ranking up, it doubles to 200. Rank up again, 400. Aura multiplies with rank advancement."
"To see your aura, open either hand and focus. Only you can see your own. Activate aura by saying activare and deactivate it with deactivare. Aura color differs by Path and can be moved telekinetically. Aura regenerates over time."
"A person is ready to rank up when a personalized mark appears on their chest."
"That's all I know. Any questions?"
"Why can Daemons use Sinner abilities without a Centrum?" Nero asked, trying to process the information.
"Good question. It's because of the remnant of the Centrum. When the Centrum disappears, much of its aura remains."
Axel then asked Kōri and Lux to state their ranks and Paths.
"Path of Coldness, Rank 11 Cryokinetic," Kōri said elegantly.
"Path of Happiness, Rank 11 Clown," Lux said lightly, smiling confidently.
"Alright," Axel said seriously. "Remember, a powerful Sinner is one who best understands how to use their abilities and imagination."
"Experience beats brute force... tomorrow is our first mission: an assassination. Their work uniforms will be ready this afternoon, and I'll also provide their Sinner artifacts."