Arin Vale stood amidst the throng of newly awakened students, the echoes of the Will Crystal's proclamation still reverberating in the grand hall. The air was thick with anticipation, awe, and a hint of envy. Yet, within Arin, a tempest of thoughts swirled, centered not on the reactions of his peers but on the enigmatic system that had just introduced itself to him.
[System Boot Complete]Welcome, Crafter. Interface Initialising…Designation: Crafter – Echo-linked Support ConstructClass: Master Encyclo (Exclusive Skill: Mind Vault)Skill Core Detected: Creation Authority – Restricted TierCore Trait: Total Recall – Every observed detail is permanently stored in crystal-thread memory.
Arin blinked. Crafter?
The system continued, its tone oddly conversational—precise, yet not without a trace of personality.
Crafter: I am your cognitive assistant. As the host of the Craft System, you possess an active development path. Would you like a summary of system features?
"Yes," Arin muttered under his breath. Rei raised an eyebrow, but Arin waved him off.
The world faded into background noise.
Primary System Functions Unlocked:• Skill Creator – You may describe and conceptualize any skill. I will generate a matching framework within the laws of the World.• Skill Slot Currency – Creating a skill requires available skill slots. Each slot is consumed on creation.• Current Slot Inventory:– 10 × A-Rank or Lower– 3 × S/SS-Rank– 2 × SSS-Rank
• Passive Ability: Encyclopaedic Memory – All observed knowledge is retained in high-fidelity and can be referenced at will.
A slow grin tugged at Arin's lips. Encyclopaedic memory and skill crafting? It wasn't a warrior's path, no—this was something deeper. Arin's strength would be crafted, not inherited.
'Let's check the Exclusive skill' Arin focused his thoughts on the skill marked Mind Vault, embedded in his status interface. The moment he did, a detailed description materialised within his mind like a book opening on command.
Mind Vault: A passive skill that creates a mental archive within the user's mind. Anything seen, read, or heard is instantly stored with perfect accuracy. Upon encountering the same again, the information resurfaces automatically. No need to memorise twice—once seen, it's yours forever.
Arin felt the weight of its potential settle into him like a key clicking into a lock. His brain no longer needed to chase memory; the Mind Vault was perfect recall incarnate. Every book he would read, every enemy skill he would witness, every formation he would glance at—all of it was his to summon at will. With it, he wasn't just a support-class Encyclo. He was a walking archive.
Crafter: Would you like to begin your first skill creation?
"Yes," he whispered, and focused.
[Please pick a name for the skill...]
"Silent Steps," Arin spoke quickly, not wasting time.
[Skill 'Silent Steps' has been created.]
(Rank settled at 'A' by default.)
[State the use of the skill.]
"I am making this type of skill for the first time... Please don't get messed up," Arin thought nervously as he started speaking.
"When activated, this skill will immediately mute the sound of the user's footsteps. With every five steps taken, the user will gain one stealth stack but lose 50 mana for every stack gained. Each stealth stack will increase the user's overall stealth by 1%. All accumulated stacks will disappear once the skill is turned off."
(Processing...)
(Description accepted.)
Arin's face lit up with a grin. "Yes... The system always accepts mana-hungry skills."
[Please select the active phrase for the skill {Silent Steps}.]
"Stealth" he answered without hesitation.
[Phrase 'Stealth' has been selected.]
[Estimated mana cost: 20 mana to activate, 50 mana per stealth stack.]
[Cooldown after use: 5 minutes.]
[Would you like to learn the skill or destroy it?]
"Learn it," Arin said immediately.
[Congratulations! You have successfully learned [Silent Steps]!]
Encouraged by his first successful skill creation, Arin considered the possibilities. With Total Recall, he could draw upon every book he'd read, every lecture attended, every battle witnessed. The knowledge was vast, and now, it could be weaponized.
He envisioned a skill: a sensory enhancement that allowed him to perceive mana fluctuations in his vicinity, effectively granting him a sixth sense.
He detailed the range, the type of mana detectable, and the duration.
[Please pick a name for the skill...]
"Mind Map," Arin stated confidently.
[Skill 'Mind Map' has been created.]
(Rank settled at 'A' by default.)
[State the use of the skill.]
"Upon activation, 'Mind Map' will create a three-dimensional mental projection of the user's surroundings within a 50-meter radius. This projection will display real-time movements, mana fluctuations, and structural layouts, allowing the user to predict enemy actions and navigate complex environments. The skill consumes 50 mana upon activation and an additional 20 mana every 10 seconds while active. The effective range of this skill will expand as the user's strength and mastery grow."
(Processing...)
(Description accepted.)
Arin's eyes gleamed with anticipation. "This should help in evading those pesky detection spells."
[Please select the active phrase for the skill {Mind Map}.]
"Perceive," he replied succinctly.
[Phrase 'Perceive' has been selected.]
[Estimated mana cost: 50 mana to activate, 20 mana every 10 seconds while active.]
[Cooldown after use: 2 minutes.]
[Would you like to learn the skill or destroy it?]
"Learn it," Arin affirmed.
[Congratulations! You have successfully learned [Mind Map]!]
As the ceremony concluded, students began to disperse, their futures now charted by the classes and abilities they had received. Arin, however, felt a different path unfolding before him. The Craft System was not just a tool; it was a responsibility, a challenge to redefine what was possible.
He approached Rei and Kaela, who were engaged in a spirited discussion about their respective abilities.
"Arin!" Rei exclaimed, clapping him on the back. "Did you see Kaela's mana shield, if combine with actual shield for defense? It will be like a fortress!"
Kaela smiled modestly. "And Rei's light blade is impressive. But what about you, Arin? What did you awaken?"
Arin hesitated. The truth was complex, and he wasn't ready to reveal the full extent of his capabilities.
"A-Rank," he replied. "Master Encyclo. It's... a support class."
Rei raised an eyebrow. "Sounds scholarly. Fits you."
Kaela nodded thoughtfully. "Knowledge is power. Don't underestimate it."
Arin smiled, appreciating their support. He knew that in time, they would come to understand the true nature of his awakening. For now, he would observe, learn, and plan.
As they walked back to the academy, the sun setting behind the crystalline spires of Arkspire, Arin felt a sense of purpose. The Crafter system was a gift, one that he intended to master fully. The journey ahead was uncertain, fraught with challenges and discoveries. But with knowledge as his weapon and creativity as his guide, Arin was ready to forge his own destiny.