“Wow, I definitely should have chosen that skill.”

  Gene laughed. “That was not the reaction I was expecting, but if it’s any consolation, I’m glad you didn’t. The Body Transmutation skill was one of my creator’s favorites and it’s quite versatile.”

  “Okay, I’ll try not to ask more questions regarding your personal history. I’m sure the System is going to give me all the answers I need about the history here and that obviously will include you. Instead, I need to ask, how exactly did your creator create skills?”

  “I told you already. Mana Weaving.”

  “Alright, well what is Mana Weaving?”

  “That is indeed the correct question. Mana Weaving is often referred to as soul manipulation, soul imprinting, or soul enchanting in these days, but before the System it was widely known as Mana Weaving. It’s the act of weaving mana into certain shapes to gain a desired result. To create a skill, or class you would weave mana into your soul. The foundation of yourself. If you weave mana onto an object it’s known as enchanting which is much easier to do.”

  “That makes sense. So, skills or even my class are certain shapes that have been imprinted on my soul with mana?”

  “Precisely. This was much more difficult to do before the System. Only the truly skilled in weaving mana could gain a permanent skill. Classes were completely out of the question. Most Mana Weavers would be able to shape mana by their current need. Then a few in the universe found that if they wove the same mana shape consistently it would become easier until it was second nature. Later this was discovered to have branded their soul with the mana shape. That shape became part of them on a foundational level. It even could be found in their DNA.”

  “Incredible! Can I learn how to Mana Weave even though the System is now in place?”

  “Yes, that is what I plan to teach you. The System was always meant to be a guide. A way to help people get started on their path which is why it encourages unique paths. Even people with the same class have different skill choices and evolutions. This is because that class shape on their soul has every path available, but the System tries to read them and unlock only the paths that it feels would be beneficial. The hope was that they would take that mana shape in their soul and expand on it. Create a new branching path to follow.”

  “Wouldn’t enchanters have a head start on this over everyone else? I’m assuming that’s a class due to enchanted items I’ve seen.”

  “It is a class, but most don’t know the true depth of enchanting. They limit their skills to material items. The System in turn unlocks paths along the mana shape that deal with enchanting inanimate objects. Some class masters still practice Mana Weaving and that’s how they’ve become so powerful. When they reach the end of their class branch, they break through by creating a new path.”

  “That’s truly amazing. A lot to think about. What’s the goal then?”

  “Another good question. It’s important to put forth expectations into a concrete goal. I will walk you through the steps to start Mana Weaving. Once you are proficient, we will work out a shape for you to enchant your katana with, in order to make it more relevant to your class. Then we will work on a shape to add to your soul which will hopefully be a combat skill. You aren’t nearly the combatant my creator was and if someone comes for you then you’ll be subdued quickly. Finally, we are going to take it even further and do something to ensure you unlock the most potent path of your class.”

  “How do you take it further than enchanting your soul?”

  “Glad you asked. Let’s take another walk. It’s time to show you the jewel of your people.”

  They both got up and started walking again. With every street they went down, Synexus constantly ran his sensors over everything.

  Zaxillian Silver: 100%

  Crystallized Mirror: 100%

  Soft Stone: 100%

  Electric Steel: 100%

  Intuitive Circuitry: 100%

  Quantum Wiring: 100%

  Zax’xian Atmosphere: 100%

  Thought Processing Air: 100%

  Silver Water: 100%

  Many notifications flooded his vision as he continued to interact with everything. Some of these materials were incredible and others made no sense to him. Each one was from his home, however, and this may be the only chance he would have to collect them. This continued until he and Gene arrived at the base of the tallest tower right in the middle of the city.

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  Looking up he couldn’t even see the top. The building seemed to end and then a spire shot up piercing into the clouds far above and simply vanished.

  “What is this place? It’s a marvel.”

  “Yes, your people were proud of this achievement. Synexus this is the Aether Forge.”

  Gene led them to a box on the ground, and they got in. After pressing some buttons, the box started to rise through the tower on a spiral track. Gleaming metal, delicate filigree, and advanced circuitry worked their way up with them in a dazzling display. Once at the top they stepped in a circular room where a device stood in the middle. Looking up he realized this device was attached directly to the spire that continued into the very heights of the planet.

  Suddenly silver started to puddle in front of them before condensing into a fearsome looking beast. When Synexus focused in on the monster the System gave him what he was looking for.

  Locked Memory

  Without hesitation, the memory attacked forcing both Gene and Synexus to dodge.

  Synexus pulled out his katana and stood at the ready. The memory watched him with an eyeless face. Neither side moved an inch until his arm holding the katana turned into a long snapping vine. He had collected this plants genome on the island and hadn’t had a chance to use it yet. Now his range had nearly tripled with how long the vine was. Its other attribute was a sensitive layer that detected stimuli much quicker than his regular senses which meant as soon as the memory moved, his new vine arm snapped out and the memory took the katana through its body. Solid silver dispersed back into liquid which became a pool before lights started to emit from it becoming an unlocked memory.

  Zunzutoxsian stood before the machine in front of Synexus and many of his people stood close by. He looked much younger than the statue depicted. Gene and Synexus watched close as Zunzutoxsian turned and addressed the growing crowd.

  “Great minds of Zax’xian, welcome! I’ve asked you all here today to demonstrate a machine that I believe will change everything. This is the Aether Forge.”

  Quiet murmurs ran through the crowd as everyone looked around a little confused. One person spoke up.

  “Is this going to be another waste of our time? I thought you were building something useful. This tower is beautiful, let’s just make it housing or something.”

  Another person spoke. “Yes Zunzutoxsian, is this grandeur necessary? Last time you dragged us all outside the city and your invention didn’t even work.”

  “Ah, yes, I do apologize about that, but failures only push us further. I’ve improved my Mana Weaving since then and I assure you that this invention will send us into an age of great prosperity!”

  The crowd shuffled and there were some sighs. “Get on with it then. We are very busy people.”

  “Right you are! Let us proceed.”

  Synexus watched in awe as Zunzutoxsian started to pull levers and push buttons. The machine started whirring to life and he could feel power coming down from the spire. A once normal room started to feel thick with mana and the crowd started to back away slowly.

  Zunzutoxsian continued and more mana flooded in. He pressed his hand to the machine and started to weave the mana into the middle section. Minutes passed and Synexus watched as closely as he could to figure out what was happening. Then the great Zaxillian backed away and a powerful force came down onto the condensed mana inside the machine which caused a bright flash.

  When his vision came back, Synexus noticed that where there was once empty space now was occupied by a beautiful set of armor. Gasps from the crowd were audible and many inched closer to inspect what just happened.

  “Great minds of Zax’xian, I welcome you to the future! With this Aether Forge we can create physical matter from mana into any design we please. I wove the mana that the spire had pulled in from our atmosphere and purified into the shape of my will. In this case I willed it to become a set of armor that you’ll find has nearly no weight, is incredibly durable, and will allow you to jump from any height without fear of taking damage. Please, check for yourselves.”

  They did as instructed and some looked amazed while others looked angry. One of the original speakers turned to the man he obviously despised and said something that Synexus hadn’t expected.

  “This is obviously some sort of the trick. This isn’t possible.”

  “You just saw it happen, Xiv. Will you not trust your own eyes?”

  “I would if I didn’t know you were a failure. Another demonstration is needed. This time we will pick what you supposedly make right before the demonstration.”

  “Very well. It takes a lot out of me, so we will need to wait an hour.”

  The lights faded and the figures disappeared once more. Synexus turned to Gene to discuss what just happened.

  “Gene, I thought you said he was the greatest Zaxillian and was respected?”

  “That he was. This memory took place before I was created. It was his early days when the Zaxillians still leaned towards traditional technology rather than the magical kind. Now, what did you think of the demonstration?

  “It was incredible. He basically did what the System does and created an item from mana. With that power you could create anything. The responsibility alone is something to fear.”

  “Very good. You are obviously correct on all fronts. This did in fact change the course of your people. This is when my creator started to unravel the true mysteries of mana. He learned that it was the feelings and will of souls from how malleable the resource truly was. Living beings use imagination and wishful thinking to create any and every possibility. That’s why mana can be pushed to the limits of reality and beyond.”

  “Mana took on the flexibility of the souls that produced it. All those hopes, dreams, ideas, imaginations, and feelings forced it to be able to do anything. That’s fascinating and the fact he was able to come to that conclusion means he was true genius even amongst a civilization of geniuses.”

  “Exactly. That’s how he became such a legendary figure. Not just here but in the universe. His vision could reach places others wouldn’t even think to look and that, Synexus, will be your final test from me in this place. You will impose your will on reality and create an item that will boost your class with the Aether Forge once you have some skill in Mana Weaving.”

  Excitement was practically overflowing within Synexus and then pouring out of him. The thought of all the possibilities was almost too much. Realizing what Gene had said made him snap back and respond with the only thing he wanted to say.

  “Let’s get started.”