With the addition of both [Red Archives Of Mars Quirinus] and [Helel], Jon now possessed thirty different abilities across five different Mana Cores. With nothing left but the six remaining slots within his Weave Mana Core, Jon continuously expended his excess spiritual energy in order to transform the forms of his various Mana Cores.

The root-shaped bump on the bottom of his Mana Cores had extended outwards over four centimetres and appeared closer and closer to the image of a tree root that Jon had in his mind.

Although he had not yet obtained a Title Fragment as a result of this transformation, Jon had a feeling that when he completed this single root would he then meet the requirements to obtain another Title Fragment.

Jon did not hesitate to use the effects of Ashvattha Rana's [Naraka Of Protection] in addition to the effects of [Green Is The Flesh, As Red Is The Blood] to swiftly regenerate his weave natured spiritual energy.

He had asked both Avahni and Sariel to occasionally use their Fragments Of Spirit to regenerate his spiritual energy as well, the former doing so without question while the latter peered at him strangely wondering why he needed the effects of [Thou Is The Monarch Of Lotus And Dreams].

Jon did not explain to Sariel the exact details of his actions but alluded to the fact that Mana Cores and spiritual energy could be used for more than just the activation of their abilities.

Given that Sariel was helping him shape his Mana Cores with her abilities, he hoped that the green-skinned satanas would be able to understand what he was trying to convey but knew that Sariel's focus was primarily on gathering fragments and Mana Cores for herself and her brother.

Sariel was still at the Fourth Initiation, while Shamael, after the battle against the Malum Hobgoblin, also reached the Fourth Initiation.

The blue-skinned satanas integrated both the Fungi Mana Core and Blood Mana Core in the days following their battle against the Knight Ranked beast and went out hunting with Avahni and Wilheim in order to search for more fragments to integrate.

Although Jon was uncertain regarding what Tier Wilheim had reached, he was certain that Avahni had similarly reached the Sixth Initiation.

After Jon integrated the Weave Mana Core that he had obtained from the Malum Hobgoblin, Avahni had asked him whether or not she could integrate the Earth Mana Core within his possession.

Jon had obtained it after he killed Han Of The Red Wind and allowed it to sit at the bottom of his bag for more than a few weeks at this point. Seeing as though Jon did not require any more Mana Cores for the time being, he gifted the Earth Mana Core to his lutin companion, watching as she gleefully integrated the Mana Core on the spot, much to the ire of Ru Luan Di and Titus Claudius.

Although he had not physically seen Avahni integrate another Mana Core, he had found the lutin unconscious again the following morning, raising an eyebrow at the little ginseng king sitting atop his summoner's lap. Although Ru Luan Di did not have the same facial features as a human did, he could almost imagine the expression of exasperated annoyance across the face of the little ginseng king.

Knowing Avahni, she would not manifest abilities that did not possess the Summon Trait either, so it was impossible to know what type of Mana Core she had integrated until after she manifested another summoned companion.

Despite all the others working to obtain more fragments to integrate, hoping to push themselves closer and closer towards Knighthood, Jon did the exact opposite, remaining alongside the riverbank and standing guard beneath the canopy of the Earthen Treasury Womb.

Ashvattha Rana had recommended he spent at least a few days circulating [Green Is The Flesh, As Red Is The Blood] to completely regenerate all the damage that had been inflicted onto him by the hobgoblin.

Lingering traces of blood natured spiritual energy, corruption natured spiritual energy and fungi natured spiritual energy were all cleansed or removed from his flesh and organs, granting the bodhi tree a small measure of peace. Jon had continued to do nothing but activate his Fragment Of Regeneration every few hours and expend his excess spiritual energy on the transformation of his Mana Cores.

'Not to bad all things considered. After a few more days I should be able to form a complete "root" on at least a single Mana Core. Perhaps a month until all six of them have been transformed completely,' Jon thought to himself, smiling as he concentrated on the six imaginary constructs within his mind.

Although the integration of the Fragment Of Superbia left an uncomfortable churning in the depths of Jon's Sea Of Knowledge, he still regarded it as an extraordinarily valuable ability. The theological connotations of [Helel] aside, the effects of his Fragment Of Superbia allowed it to replace the Fragment Of Transcendence that Jon initially wanted to integrate.

Rana was beyond surprised that this sin-type fragment manifested an ability that most individuals across the integrated universes would literally kill in order to obtain.

The chaotic nature of fragments made it near impossible to calculate what manner of ability someone would manifest, outside of universal fragments or fragments with unique or specific connotations. The likelihood of a Fragment Of Blood manifesting an ability with the Mutation Trait, was about as common as it manifesting a Spell capable of launching blood projectiles or even regenerating wounds through the consumption of blood.

The Mana Core that a fragment would be integrated into would often determine what manner of ability would manifest, although more open-ended fragments might produce an assortment of varied abilities.

Fragments Of Fire into Magic Mana Cores were equally as likely to produce offensive Fire Trait Spells as they were to produce defensive Fire Trait Spells. There was no defining characteristic between either concept to bridge them together. It was possible that an individual might even manifest an ability with the Summon Trait, just as Jon had done with his Fragment Of Tree.

[Helel] was a boon. That much was for certain.

Raising his arms above his head, Jon stretched his shoulders, scrunching up his face in discomfort for a few moments before releasing all the built up tension in his upper body. Jon could not help but softly moan, feeling the small knot in his shoulder unravel.

"It's not going to hurt right Rana?" Jon could not help but glance towards the Earthen Treasury Womb watching as the golden-green leaved bodhi tree shook her leaves in affirmation.

"Jon. The formation of a Title is nothing like the integration of a Mana Core. I admit it is a little strange at first, but it is not something to fear or worry about. You have already decided what Title Fragments to integrate, correct?" Rana asked.

Jon nodded in response.

"Then you will be fine. Just do what you feel is right and the Title will manifest accordingly."

Nodding several more times, Jon took another deep breath before opening his status page. Ignoring the effect description of his almost three-dozen different abilities, Jon focused on the rows upon rows of greyed out text beneath his Name, Age, Rank and Tier.

Title: [Pathstrider] [Killer] [Adept] [Sui Generis] [Mutare Dominus] [Maestro] [Ortus] [Ariya] [Voyager] [Virtuoso] [Invictus] [Bastion] [Thracian] [Prodigy]

Lifting his index finger towards the fourteen different Title Fragments within his possession, Jon selected the Title Fragment which would become the basis for the formation of his first complete Mortal Title.

[Mutare Dominus].

With the transformation of his mortal pride into Helel-Testament Pride, Jon was now in possession of seven abilities with the Mutation Trait. His Seir-Glacial Heart and Murmur-Glacial Marrow were the cornerstone of his physical enhancements and the foundations for his combat style.

His Minerva-Sagacity Eyes and Longinus-Lancea Spirit were amongst the abilities that Jon used the most.

And although his Yaochi-Jade Prana and Hades-Sagacity Shadow did not see nearly as much use as the previous two mutations, Jon already knew what manner of fragments he would integrated into [Green Is The Ode To Eternity] and [Thou Is But A Shadow Of Oneself] the moment he obtained Knighthood.

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In the future, it was possible through Fragments Of Mutation that other abilities would possess the Mutation Trait. Having [Mutare Dominus] as the focal point of his Mortal Title would see enormous benefits as Jon ascended to Knighthood, Lordship, Barony and even beyond.

Jon felt his eye twitch the moment he selected his first Title Fragment. It was not [Monstrous Intuition] alerting him to a foreign danger, but rather something inward that shifted within him.

Jon could feel two of his toes similarly twitch as the concepts within [Mutare Dominus] fell deeper and deeper within himself. Although Jon could not quite imagine himself there, he could almost feel that paradoxical white-black hole within him absorb the essence of [Mutare Dominus], integrating it into itself.

Although the sensation felt weird, it was something that Rana had informed him about earlier.

'One down. Five to go.'

Taking another breath, Jon selected his second Title Fragment.

[Maestro].

Maestro was the Title Fragment that Jon had planned on integrating since obtaining it after reaching the Fifth Initiation. The Mortal Title Fragment promised to increase the control he possessed over his spiritual energy, something that Rana alluded would extend to both internal and external mana manipulation.

If Jon could possess a more efficient manipulation of his spiritual energy, then perhaps he could increase how swiftly he transformed his Mana Cores or even learn how to absorb spiritual energy into his Mana Cores.

It was somewhat of a gamble all things considered, but Jon would not rely on the teachings of others if it cost him the chance to obtain more Title Fragments.

Self-sufficiency was always something he should strive towards.

Jon felt something within his stomach churn as the concepts contained within Maestro were absorbed into the imaginary construct within himself. For a moment Jon thought that he could hear a faint humming sound, but noticed it vanish each time he tried to listen.

Shaking his head, Jon focused on the third Title Fragment, one that Jon had obtained quite recently.

[Prodigy].

Although somewhat of a recent development, Jon had initially planned on integrating either Voyager or Pathstrider instead of Prodigy. Jon was unsure whether or not Prodigy would increase his intelligence allowing him to comprehend notions and ideas with greater ease, or if it would be more akin to [Monstrous Intuition] which behaved closer to a preternatural sixth sense.

Regardless, its effects would serve him better in the long run than either Voyager or Pathstrider.

The concepts within fell too into the luminescent construct of collapsing white-black light, allowing Jon to select both his fourth and fifth Title Fragments at the same time.

[Virtuoso].

[Ariya].

Jon obtained both after his fight with the nine Malum Hobgoblins. Both of which provided effects that could not be replicated through the integration of fragments.

Virtuoso further increased his control over spiritual energy outside of his body, increasing Jon's ability to absorb ambient spiritual energy into himself. This effect was why he chose it over Voyager, Killer, and even Thracian, which he considered integrating instead.

He chose Ariya in a similar manner.

A certain bodhi tree had told him that while enlightenment was a chance that most individuals did not get to experience throughout their entire lifetimes. Abilities that increased the likelihood of experiencing it were seldom, Ashvattha Rana obtaining it through the effects of her own Title Earthen Treasury Womb.

This was in exchange for giving up all offensive and defensive abilities that the bodhi tree once possessed.

Virtuoso and Ariya too, fell past Jon's Sea Of Knowledge. Deeper and deeper towards the very Source of his being, where they were integrated into the concepts that Jon possessed within himself.

Jon felt his breathing grow strained, despite nothing affecting his physical or spiritual countenance. The faint humming sound had started to grow louder and louder with each passing moment but always felt the sound slip away whenever Jon tried to listen to what was being said.

The sensation was unpleasant but not painful.

As if someone was trying to whisper some incomprehensible truth into his ears, but the Source within him could not entirety translate its contents.

Although the humming whispers in the back of his mind was somewhat distracting, it did not stop Jon from deciding upon his sixth and final Mortal Title Fragment.

[Ortus].

The Mortal Title Fragment which increased both the presence and relationship between himself and his Source.

Jon did not entirely understand what Ortus represented, or how it would affect him, but chose this Title Fragment regardless of the consequences.

Jon had not just peered into his Source, but touched upon its surface, exposing himself to the incalculable and uncontrollable chaotic concepts within himself.

Jon remembered seeing trees and leaves warped into spears and glaciers the size of mountains.

Seeing knowledge in all its myriad forms wilt like flowers amidst an autumn chill.

Ice and snow grow and flourish even in the harshest of environments, blooming throughout drought and famine.

That was his Source. A chaotic, mutative amalgamation which birthed and absorbed and understood and comprehended even to the point of futility. It was continuously collapsing in on itself, which then in turn birthed more and more possibilities from its half-consumed carcass.

It was knowledge for the sake of knowledge. Mutation for the sake of mutation. Creation for the sake of creation.

That was Jonathan Randall Guilliman.

Jon took a deep breath as he felt the concepts with these six Mortal Title Fragments integrate themselves into his Source. Despite its inherent nature, Jon knew that it was not an infallible construct.

Jon could feel something within himself grow fat and bloated, swelling in size as it tried to absorb all the concepts and notions contained within the Title Fragments. This paradoxical existence within Jon could only absorb so many foreign concepts at once before something within it had to change.

Gritting his teeth, Jon released a quiet groan, trying his best to urge his Source to integrate all the information that his Title Fragments contained. The struggle within himself caused time to pass without notice, Ashvattha Rana obscuring Jon's figure beneath a malformed cocoon of roots and wooden tendrils.

Sariel and Wilheim had tried to inform Jon of dinner being ready but was stopped by the Liver Of The Ginseng King and Custodian Of The Fire Swarm. The satanas and floresiensis peered at the fire swarm beetle and ginseng king with a strange expression on their faces, glancing at each other for a few moments before shrugging, deciding to eat without him.

Avahni's two summoned companions sat beside the Earthen Treasury Womb, instead of sitting close to their summoner.

It was a sign of respect not to disturb someone while they were forming a Title.

Although this courtesy was not common throughout a newly integrated universe, even Ler Setanta did not feel the urge to interrupt Jon while he was creating his first complete Title. The Incarnation Of The Hunt peering at the little human trying to discern what manner of fragments he had decided to integrate into his Source.

Xochitl and Metzli watched on too, the former granted Ashvattha Rana her self-regenerating spiritual shield in order to protect her summoner from being struck.

Even Shamael's summoned companion, Ahuatzi did not release even a single instance of their rotting spores into the air around the riverbank. Nor did Sariel and her white-plumed avian companion.

Jon did not even realize just how much time had passed as he attempted to control his Source and the concepts within it. The process was rudimentary and instinctive, somewhere in-between a forcible compression and an ordered integration of the numerous concepts and notions within his Title Fragments.

The Source was an amalgamation of the concepts within oneself.

What Jon was trying to achieve was an absorption and assimilation of new concepts into himself.

Mutare Dominus and its influence over concepts such as mutation and transformation.

Maestro and its correlation with notions such as control and order in relation to spiritual energy.

Prodigy and its affinity with ideas such as knowledge, understanding and comprehension.

Virtuoso possessed similar connotations to Maestro although were much more outwardly focused.

Ariya contained within it an intrinsic connection to ideas such as enlightenment and insight, representing an incomprehensible link between causality and causation.

And Ortus… possessed an amplifying effect on the concepts that already existed within Jon's Source.

These new ideas embedded themselves within the depths of that unfathomable construct of white-black light, nurturing something that felt different to a fragment or Mana Core. Even if concepts were physical manifestations of an idea, Title Fragments representing something similar, but inherently "different" to anything Jon had ever seen before.

Jon's understanding of himself as an extension of his Source was perhaps the greatest amongst his companions. Even amongst individuals with an overly pronounced Source such as Avahni and intrinsically linked existences such as Sariel and Shamael.

The light that once illuminated the small realm had dimmed as time passed causing Wilheim and the others gazes to linger on Jon's concealed figure for a few moments before deciding to sleep, slightly worried about what the human was experiencing.

The little ginseng king had informed Avahni that Jon was in the process of creating his first Title and that he should not be disturbed until the process was completed. The green-haired lutin communicated this fact with the others, causing Sariel, Shamael and Wilheim to peer at Jon thoughtfully, all three of them realizing that they too had the Title Fragments required to complete their eleventh task.

The sound of trickling water echoed throughout the night, the soft and gentle brush of a midnight breeze tickling the nape of a certain young human. Throughout all of this, Jon remained unmoved and unperturbed, focusing on condensing the Title Fragments into his Source.

Ru Luan Di, Titus Claudius, Ashvattha Rana, and all the other summoned companions present continued to watch over Jon, Wilheim, Sariel, Avahni and Shamael, awaiting the moment the human would form his first Title.

Time passed.

And the morning light that crept over the horizon cast long shadows amidst the trees and leaves, stirring all the creatures that dwelled within this small realm. None of Jon's companions had awoken yet, the light somewhat obscured through the immense form of the Earthen Treasury Womb.

A few beams of light crept through the cocoon Rana had formed around her summoner, illuminating the space within.

There was the smallest traces of movements behind his closed eyelids, followed by a few hesitant flickers as Jon opened his eyes.

The corners of his mouth turning upwards into a smile as he glanced down at the System notification in front of him.

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