That morning, Grande stepped into the Rank A Commander Training Quarters with a cold sense of excitement. It wasn't the excitement of service, but the thrill of an alchemist discovering a priceless ingredient.
The Quarters were located on the highest level of Stone City, an area paved with black obsidian stone capable of absorbing and storing Mana energy. The air here felt dense, vibrating with the power that had been used and left behind - Echo Energy.
"You look cheerful today, Grande," said Jefri, an older Rank F Custodian, hauling a heavy water barrel. "Don't get too excited. This place is tough. If you make a spill, Commander Sirus can curse you for seven generations."
"I'm just happy to be cleaning a place where strong people train," Grande replied, avoiding the question.
He began cleaning the main room, a large training hall where Rank A and B Commanders honed their combat and magical skills. The floor looked clean, but Grande's eyes saw more than just dust.
With the help of the ancient scrolls hidden under his bed, Grande had learned how to detect Echo Energy. It couldn't be seen with the naked eye, but it could be felt as a faint warmth on surfaces, especially on the absorbent obsidian stone.
He directed his Rank F Broom towards the cleanest-looking floor - the spot where the most intense battles had taken place.
[Self-Enhancing Custodian Technique: Echo Mana Harvesting Activated.]
This was a Role Skill he had invented, disguised as a meticulous Custodian duty. He swept the obsidian floor in tight circular motions, as if gathering microscopic dust. In reality, each deliberate sweep was the process of scraping and absorbing residual Mana clinging to the stone.
As he swept, he felt an extremely faint, almost imperceptible current flowing into his badge and then seeping into him. The Echo Energy, the residue of Commander Sirus's Mana, was now being absorbed by the Rank F Custodian.
He swept the same area repeatedly, more thoroughly than anyone else.
After an hour, he felt a noticeable difference. His muscles, which had always felt restricted by the Rank F Power Limit, now felt slightly unbound. Although he still couldn't lift Fate Breaker, the Rank F Broom in his hand felt lighter.
[Temporary Status: Physical Strength +5%. Reaction Speed +3%. Activated by Rank A Mana Echo Absorption.]
The Fate Rank System recognized that he was performing the role of an extremely efficient Custodian. Since the enhancement originated externally (High-Rank residue), the System did not resist it. It merely registered it as a temporary stat.
This was a silent victory. He had bypassed the Power Limit not by force, but by outsmarting the system itself.
While Grande was in the Training Quarters, he wasn't just cleaning; he was observing.
The Quarters featured large glass rune walls that allowed Commanders to view their movements. In a corner of the wall, there was a whiteboard full of strategy sketches and combat notes: Stone City Defense System and J-24 Monster Tactical Weaknesses.
Grande carefully ensured no one was watching, then he began copying the notes into the worn-out notebook he used to list the Custodian schedule.
The notes contained incredibly valuable information. Not just defense strategies, but also information about Gigantes Mana Energy and how High Ranks exploited it.
* Key: Reverse Mana Flow. Commander Sirus's notes stated that the most dangerous enemy attack was when they could disrupt the reverse Mana flow - the Gigantes' last line of defense mechanism.
This information was not in the ancient scrolls; it was modern military knowledge. Grande realized his role as a Custodian gave him access to two worlds - ancient wisdom and modern secrets.
Suddenly, the hall door opened, and Commander Sirus, a muscular Rank A Gigantes with a scar on his face, strode in. His aura of power was palpable, causing the other Rank Fs to immediately bow their heads.
"Custodian!" Sirus roared. "Why are you sweeping there? I just had that central area cleaned yesterday!"
Grande immediately stood straight, playing the role of the fearful Custodian. "Apologies, Commander Sir! I noticed a very small oil stain there. I feared it could cause a High-Rank Gigantes to slip during training."
Sirus glared at him, his eyes sharp. He inspected the floor but found nothing.
"You are a thorough cleaner," Sirus scoffed. "Fine. Clean my private room. And don't touch anything, Custodian! Do you hear? Your Rank F hands are unworthy to touch my Rank A items."
"Yes, Commander Sir," Grande replied, bowing low.
Sirus's private room was a warehouse of weapons and personal items. Here, the Echo Energy was most concentrated.
Grande began cleaning, using the Echo Mana Harvesting Technique more intensively. As he swept the shelf where Sirus's armor runes were tested, he felt the energy flowing into him like a small stream.
[Temporary Status: Physical Strength +10%. Reaction Speed +8%. Rank F Recovery Stamina Upgraded (7 minutes).]
An unexpected side effect appeared. While sweeping, he began to vaguely feel Commander Sirus's combat abilities in his memory- not the actual skills, but the muscle memory of how Sirus moved and struck.
The ancient scrolls hadn't mentioned this. Perhaps because the scrolls were written before the widespread use of obsidian stone.
As he swept Sirus's desk, his eyes fixed on a small book tucked under a map. The book was titled Skill Manifestation Log.
This wasn't a strategy log; it was Sirus's personal log on how to convert High-Rank Stats into Real Combat Skills.
Grande quickly opened the log and began copying the most important information into his notebook. He knew he only had a few minutes.
* Manifestation Principle: "Mana must be channeled through a physical movement that is repeated until it becomes second nature. Then, it will become a skill recognized by the System."
This was what he was looking for! If High Ranks needed to repeat physical movements, so did he. But he couldn't use Mana.
Suddenly, the sound of Commander Sirus's footsteps echoed outside. Grande was startled, but his now-enhanced reflexes, thanks to the Echo Energy, reacted quickly.
He swapped his worn notebook with an old letter he was carrying (trash to be disposed of) and hid Sirus's log under a pile of dirty towels.
Sirus strode in. His eyes went straight to the desk.
"I thought I left my Manifestation Log here," Sirus muttered. He rummaged through the pile of dirty towels.
Grande's heart pounded. If Sirus found the log under the towels, he would be banished to the Wastelands.
Sirus found the log, breathing a sigh of relief. He looked around the room.
"You didn't touch anything?" Sirus asked, his tone threatening.
"I just cleaned the oil residue under this map, Commander Sir," Grande replied, pointing to the spot under the map that was now sparkling clean.
Sirus glanced at the worn notebook Grande was holding. "What are you writing there?"
"This is the Custodian schedule, Sir. I'm just making sure I don't miss any spill areas," Grande offered the notebook to Sirus.
Sirus took the book with rough fingers. He saw the names of the Custodians and the tedious schedule. He grunted and tossed the book onto the floor.
"Good. You are a good Custodian. Now, get out," Sirus commanded.
Grande bowed respectfully and quickly left the room.
As he returned to the Custodian Quarters, he knew he had made the biggest catch yet. He had information on reverse Mana flow and the skill manifestation principle.
That night, in front of the ancient scrolls, Grande synthesized his discoveries:
* Ancient Scrolls: The System can be tricked through Role Skills.
* Junk Arena: The Rank F Custodian Role Skill functions as Mana-less combat skills.
* Sirus's Log: High-Rank skills are manifested through physical repetition.
Grande's Conclusion: If he repeatedly performs the Custodian movements that are converted into attacks, and if he consistently absorbs Echo Energy, he will be able to manifest Rank F Custodian Role Skills so powerful that they can bypass the Power Limit - perhaps even create Rank F Role Skills capable of fighting Rank A Commanders.
The next day, Grande returned to the Training Quarters. Not just to clean, but to draw energy and repeat movements.
He began performing A Thousand Rotating Sweeps in the same area, mimicking the rigidity of his old sword training. With every sweep, Echo Energy was absorbed, and Sirus's muscle memory helped him perfect his form.
He was no longer just a Custodian. He was a Rank F Warrior manifesting his own Destiny, one swing at a time.