When Xu Ran opened his eyes, he realized he was floating in a space with neither ground nor ceiling. Countless blank pages drifted around him, while luminous particles—like stardust—gently shimmered in the void.
— Where… where am I? he murmured in surprise.
At once, the glowing particles converged, forming an intense azure light. From it emerged a gigantic book, imposing and solemn.
It had only a single page.
On its cover were engraved the words:
CODEX AZUR
— A book?
— The… Codex Azur?
Before he could think further, the mechanical voice he had heard before echoed once more.
[Welcome, host, to the system space of the "Codex Azur."
This system possesses the ability to grant the host concepts, which may be enchanted and applied to targets.]
Xu Ran listened without moving.
[Each unlocked concept possesses its own operational page.
The more concepts the host unlocks, the more pages the Codex generates.]
[Concepts may be unlocked using Concept Points (CP).]
— CP… to unlock concepts? Xu Ran repeated, intrigued.
[Yes. CP are obtained through conceptual absorption of beings eliminated by the host.]
[Note: Conceptual absorption completely erases the target. No loot is left behind, with the sole exception of experience.]
Xu Ran frowned.
— Wait… are you saying that when the monsters I killed disappeared without leaving loot, it was because of you?
[Affirmative. The system performed automatic absorption in order to complete its activation.]
[The host may manipulate the Codex through will, in the same manner as the former system.]
— The former system…
Xu Ran hesitated.
— It's destroyed, isn't it?
[…]
No response.
— I see… he murmured. It really is gone.
He took a deep breath.
— Very well. Let's see what this Codex contains.
At his will, the book opened.
On the first page, his information appeared.
User: Xu Ran
Profession: Conceptual Enchanter
Level: 5 (20%)
Health: 100%
Energy: 100%
Concept Points (CP): 110,000
Number of unlocked concepts: 0
Gold Coins: 0
Axioms: Copyright
Xu Ran scanned the data.
— Zero gold coins…
He nodded.
— Makes sense. If I never received any loot…
On Blue Star, gold coins dropped by monsters had become the primary currency.
Then his gaze stopped on a specific line.
— Axioms? Copyright? What is that?
[Axioms are authorities granted by the system.]
[The axiom "Copyright" grants the host absolute authority over all concepts he enchants.]
Xu Ran's eyes lit up.
— Absolute authority…
— That's enormous.
He straightened, determination in his posture.
— System, can I unlock a concept?
[To unlock a concept, the host must fulfill hidden conditions.]
[One concept is currently available.]
[Do you wish to use 100,000 CP to unlock it?]
— Yes.
At his confirmation, the azure particles gathered, forming a new page within the Codex.
[Concept unlocked: Weight of a Feather — Level 1]
[Effect: The weight of the target becomes equivalent to that of a feather.]
— I see… Xu Ran murmured.
— Perfect. With my Copyright axiom, the possibilities are limitless.
Then a question surfaced.
— Why "Level 1"?
[The level of a concept determines the maximum level of the targets it can affect.]
[A concept may only affect targets of equal or lower level.]
[CP may be used to increase a concept's level.]
[Enchanting consumes energy.]
— Like a skill, then…
Xu Ran smiled.
— I have 10,000 CP left. To what level can I upgrade Weight of a Feather?
[Maximum attainable level: 5.]
— Perfect. Upgrade it.
The remaining CP were consumed.
The concept reached Level 5.
On the concept's page, a new category appeared:
Targets
[Targets enchanted by this concept will appear in this category.]
— Excellent.
Xu Ran nodded.
— All that's left is to prepare for the exam.
As he admired his new power—
— Knock, knock. Brother? Brother?
A voice abruptly pulled him back to the real world.
It was He Tao.
Xu Ran opened his eyes. He was lying on the floor.
— Yeah, I'm coming! he said, getting up to open the door.
— What were you doing? He Tao asked worriedly.
— You were supposed to go buy equipment, and it's already getting dark.
— Haha… I must've fallen asleep without realizing it, he replied with a smile.
— Thanks for waking me up.
— Hm. I thought you'd given up, she said.
— Never. I'm aiming for first place, he replied confidently.
— If you say so…
She turned away, then added in a low voice:
— Either way, it won't change anything.
A difference?
Of course it will, Xu Ran thought.
— Hey, sis! he called out as she walked away.
— You can just say you're worried about me. No need to act mean!
— Shut up, idiot Xu Ran! she shouted back, blushing in embarrassment.
Xu Ran smiled, amused, and returned to his room.
— Good. It's time to test my new powers.
The Codex Azur appeared before him.
The old holographic interface was gone—everything now went through the book.
He grabbed a dumbbell and mentally activated the concept.
— Weight of a Feather.
[Ding. Dumbbell No. 1 enchanted with "Weight of a Feather."]
Xu Ran — [Lv. 5] | Health: 100% | Energy: 90%
A new projection appeared: the concept's page.
In the Targets category, the name Dumbbell No. 1 appeared.
Yet its weight had not changed.
— System, why isn't it working?
[No beneficiary has been designated.]
[Please select the beneficiary in the corresponding category.]
Xu Ran noticed the ▶ symbol in front of the dumbbell's name.
He selected it.
A new section appeared:
Beneficiary (Dumbbell No. 1)
He added his own name.
Instantly, the weight vanished.
The dumbbell became as light as a feather.
— Incredible… Xu Ran murmured, swinging it effortlessly.
— The enchantment only affects the beneficiary.
An idea struck him.
— What if… I set gravity as the beneficiary?
He added Gravity.
When he released the dumbbell, its fall slowed drastically, as if carried by air.
Then he removed gravity.
BAM! The dumbbell fell heavily.
— Can you make less noise?! He Tao shouted from afar.
— Sorry! he replied.
Xu Ran clenched his fist, exhilarated.
— This is incredible…
— Now I just need a weapon.
— A very heavy weapon…
He smiled.
From this moment on, Xu Ran possessed a Profession.
And perhaps…
the most dangerous one of all.
END OF CHAPTER 2
Note: there is a restriction for the target on which Xu Ran enchants a concept (Target Level