CHAPTER 33: ORIGIN ARCHIVE
[Archive initiated]
Light fractured in front of John, forming lines of text suspended in the air.
[Identity confirmed. Archive record initialized.]
***
Origin Archive Record
Name: John
Age: 14
Race: Human
Affinity: ???, VOID, ABYSS, LIGHTENING
Ascension Level
Stage I — Awakening (Early Tier)
Energy Circulation Arts
Current Art: None acquired Art Grade: N/A
Techniques
Registered Techniques: None
Domain
Status: Awakened (unstable)
Domain Grade: Unrated
Domain Aspect: Undefined
Manifestation: None
Blessings
Thread of Eternity: A binding tether to the Origin Archive, the silent witness that records all and enforces the laws of existence.
Gift of Tongues: Ability to speak and understand the Common Tongue shared by all sentient beings in the world of Cassiopea.
Soul‑Bound Item:
Evolstice Blade
Ring of Lies
***
John blinked hard, trying to process the meaning of the glowing words.
"Damn…" he muttered under his breath.
Echo's voice slithered through his mind, tinged with confusion.
[Hm… now this is interesting. Four affinities. Not to mention two of them are abyss and void—both ridiculous, dangerous. And one is unknown...]
His tone shifted, dropping to a whisper.
[Who exactly are you?]
John's expression hardened, his voice low.
"Is it really that rare?"
Echo's reply came sharp, unsettled.
[Not just rare. I don't think I've ever seen a situation quite like yours. Abyss and void are two of the most dangerous and mysterious affinities in existence. And that unknown one… if even I cannot glimpse it, then it means I am not qualified.]
John let out a short, incredulous chuckle, the tension breaking for a heartbeat.
Oh… I can't believe it. There's actually something the almighty gorgeous supreme isn't qualified to know.
Echo voice came uncharacteristically cold.
[You should know this is no joking matter. Even I am not arrogant enough to claim I know everything. There are only a few truths I am forbidden to glimpse… and for this to be one of them? You should be concerned, not amused.]
John swallowed hard. His hands trembled for a moment before he shook his head hard, slapping his cheeks as if to chase away the tension.
Yeah, yeah… fine. I get it. Now, what about all these other things?
For once, Echo was silent. The pause stretched long enough that John frowned. Finally, the voice returned with the same flair.
[Ah… these are the basics. Categories the Archive uses to make it easier to see your progress as well as where you stand on the path of power: affinities, arts, techniques, domains, blessings, soul‑bound items, and ascension.]
John narrowed his eyes. "That's it? You're not going to explain more?"
Echo's voice came lazily.
[I'm tired.]
John's jaw tightened. "Tired? You never shut up when it's useless commentary, but now, when it actually matters, you're suddenly exhausted?"
Echo ignored him completely, offering no response.
John clenched his fists, bubbling with irritation. "Tch… useless, fine. I'll figure it out myself."
His gaze dropped back to the glowing text, scanning line by line. He stopped at the Blessings section.
"Thread of Eternity that one is pretty obvious, it must be referring to this screen… what about the other one, Gift of Tongues?"
The words clicked in his mind. His eyes widened.
"This must be one of the "gifts" jynx mentioned."
His gaze slid down the glowing record, scanning the other sections. His pulse quickened as he reached the final category.
Soul‑Bound Items
Evolstice Blade
Ring of Lies
John stared at them, wondering what exactly they were.
Then the text shimmered, descriptions unfolding before his eyes:
Evolstice Blade— An evolving weapon forged by a smith of the Obsidian Covenant. Crafted from rare materials, it feeds on ores to grow stronger. Its form shifts alongside its wielder, adapting and ascending with them.
Ring of Lies — A subtle artifact gifted by one who delights in deception. It bends the will of others, making them more susceptible to agreeing with your words and ideas.
Ring of lies… his brow furrowed. That has to be from Jynx… Despite the way he'd angered Jynx during the Awakening, despite the sharp words exchanged, the god had still given him these "gifts."
He was about to turn to the other sections when ONES voice cut through the silence.
"John. Are you finished?"
John blinked, the glowing text fading slightly as he looked up.
"Yes," he replied, his voice steady though his mind was still filled with questions.
Nico let out a low whistle, shaking his head. "This is nuts."
Adam gave a quick nod, his face pale. "Yeah… overwhelming doesn't even cover it."
ONE's eyes narrowed as he studied them, his expression unreadable. "I need each of you to state your affinities. One at a time."
John stiffened. Should I tell them all—abyss, void, lightning, and the unknown? Echo's voice cut in sharply.
[Don't. Not yet. Some truths are better hidden.]
John exhaled, forcing calm into his voice. "Lightning."
The others began to speak, one after another, their words filling the air with tension.
Nyara lifted her chin, her voice proud though her eyes flickered nervously. "Fire, ice, and water."
Nico's tone was flat, almost defiant. "Death."
Liora's voice was softer, but carried weight. "Twilight, Corruption and purification."
Thomas grinned, sharp and eager. "Chaos."
Thalia's eyes gleamed as she spoke. "Witchcraft and mysticism."
Orion's voice was calm, almost detached. "Shadow… and puppet work."
Lucian followed, his tone steady. "Shadow, metal, and wind."
Sylas smirked faintly. "Wood and poison."
Elowen hesitated, then spoke quietly. "Healing… and divine light."
Amara's lips curled into a sly smile. "Devouring… and darkness."
Finally, Malric's voice cut through, grim and heavy. "Hellfire… and sin of wrath and pride."
ONE stood silently as each affinity was spoken, his sharp gaze flicking from face to face. When the last voice faded, he finally exhaled, his mind trying to process the situation. This is… crazy. To think this many talents could come from one group. But John… I didn't expect him to be the only one with the least interesting affinity. Or is he hiding something? And… I am not able to see his archive; something is stopping me. I need to focus I will dig more later.
He straightened, his voice cutting through the tension.
"Alright. The next part of training will be connecting fully to your domains."
Meanwhile, John was lost in thought, regret gnawing at him. I shouldn't have gone first. Everyone else revealed something insane—death, twilight, chaos, hellfire and the multiple affinities—and I just said lightning. If I'd waited, if I'd gone after hearing everyone else, no one would've thought twice. But now… compared to them I look plain. Suspiciously plain.
Before the silence could stretch further, the sound of footsteps echoed across the training ground. The other groups had arrived.