[A/N]: Another big chapter today. Hope this makes up for the cliff!

[Jonathan Randall Guilliman; Princeps Of The Wandering Mutation].

"… forlorn is the scholar without his books. Tormented is the artist without his craft. Lost is the son amidst without a home to return. Mine is the supremacy over the lost and the mutated. Mine is the dominion over transformation and alternation.

This smile which birthed shadows and eyes. These emotions which birth prana and spirit. This heart which birthed heart and marrow. The soft touch of pride which guides mine wandering hand towards the kingdom my soul so longingly yearns.

All shall become thine children. All shall accept the gift of this Wandering Princeps."

[1]: Dramatically increases the effectiveness of all abilities with the Mutation Trait. Increases the ease at which mastery is obtained with abilities with the Mutation Trait. Increases resistances towards all abilities with the Mutation Trait.

[2]: Dramatically increases the control one possesses over their spiritual energy. Spiritual energy becomes significantly more efficient while within the constraints of the body. Spiritual energy becomes significantly more malleable while outside the constraints of the body.

[3]: Increases the ease of comprehending new ideas and understanding knowledge. Increases the likelihood of obtaining enlightenment, in its myriad forms, regardless of the circumstance.

[4]: Abilities with the Mutation Trait will overflow with spiritual energy.

[5]: Abilities with the Mutation Trait cannot obscured from your senses.

[6]: Abilities with the Mutation Trait can be physically touched.

Jon gazed down at the effect description of his complete Title. Although Rana had told him that a complete Title would possess numerous different effects depending on the Title Fragments used to create it, he did not expect so see enough effects to fill an entire Mana Core.

The abilities of the Title Fragments he had used to create the Princeps Of The Wandering Mutation had been integrated successfully into his Title.

Mutare Dominus was what Jon had used as the basis for the formation of his Title, more than half of the effects related to abilities with the Mutation Trait. Jon had a feeling that the concepts contained within Ortus had been folded into Mutare Dominus, amplifying its effect more than what he originally expected it to.

Maestro and Virtuoso had been combined, birthing the second effect.

While Ariya and Prodigy had been folded into one another, manifesting the third effect.

'While the fourth, fifth and sixth effects seem to be… permanently active effects?'

The fifth effect was quite simple to understand. Jon could feel its effects within the back of his mind, alerting him to the presence of nearby abilities with the Mutation Trait. Even with the cocoon of roots and wooden tendrils that Rana had concealed him within obscuring his vision, Jon was able to discern the nature of the mutations around him.

He could feel Wilheim's Malphas-Mountain Marrow and Flauros-Forest Heart. The Fragment Of Spirit which transformed his mortal spirit into a Vivian-Lake Spirit. The floresiensis did not possess any more abilities with the Mutation Trait.

Avahni's Marchosias-Gale Marrow and Furfur-Gale Heart. The Dumah-Cinder Spirit which enveloped her soul beneath a protective layer of ash and life. Her mortal hair which had been transformed into Asherah-Shamrock Hair and even the presence of two other mutations

Two that Jon had not yet seen.

One born from a Fragment Of Reflexes that left Jon with the taste of rain and ozone on his lips. Another born from a Fragment Of Physique which caused the earthy scent of mud to fill his nostrils.

Sariel possessed three different mutations within herself. The Sitri-Spatial Heart born from a Fragment Of Heart. The Vashti-Orchid Physique born from a Fragment Of Physique. And her Lianhua-Lotus Spirit, born from the Fragment Of Spirit that Jon had given her.

She did not possess a Fragment Of Marrow. Not yet at least.

Shamael on the other hand, possessed but two mutations. The Antheia-Rot Marrow created from a Fragment Of Marrow integrated into a Rot Mana Core, in addition to his relatively new Ashtaroth-Ichor Heart. Through the Fragment Of Heart that Jon had given him in addition to the Blood Mana Core that had pushed him towards the Fourth Initiation.

'So this is what it means by "abilities with the Mutation Trait cannot be obscured from your senses. Interesting.' Jon thought to himself, smiling all the while.

The sixth effect of Princeps Of The Wandering Mutation was weird but ignored it for the time being, Jon instead choosing to focus on the fourth effect of his Title.

Each of his seven mutations, bar his Minerva-Sagacity Eyes, overflowed with numerous different kinds of spiritual energy. The control that Jon possessed over [Eyes Through The Looking Glass] exceeded even [Lamentations Of A Frozen Affection] and [Ours Is The Blood Which Births Winter And Ice] allowing him to prevent this "overflow" effect.

It was subtle, almost imperceptible.

Even Jon almost did not catch the wisps of spiritual energy released from his mutations, even with the effects of his Fragment Of Eyes.

Each soft beat of his Seir-Glacial Heart released ice natured spiritual energy and heart natured spiritual energy.

The gentle hum of his Longinus-Lancea Spirit released a slow, almost non-existence flow of spear natured spiritual energy and spirit natured spiritual energy.

The near-incomprehensible structure of his Yaochi-Jade Prana continued to overflow with wood natured spiritual energy and prana natured spiritual energy.

Murmur-Glacial Marrow did not just flow ice natured spiritual energy throughout his veins and arteries, but also marrow natured spiritual energy.

His Hades-Sagacity Shadow spilled out wisps of black shadow natured spiritual energy in addition to knowledge natured spiritual energy.

And the Helel-Testament Pride, born from his Fragment Of Superbia continued to birth more and more superbia natured spiritual energy and spear natured spiritual energy.

It did not draw upon the spiritual energy manifested from any of his Mana Cores, but rather, from each of the mutations themselves. Attempting to circulate spiritual energy through his Seir-Glacial Heart, Jon found that the overflow of spiritual energy did not grow stronger or pull on his internal reservoir of spiritual energy.

It was as if the mutations themselves created mana.

'Is this… normal?'

It made sense in a strange sort of way.

Spiritual energy was created from Mana Cores. Of that much he was certain.

Although Jon did not understand the role of the System or how it managed to create unfathomable constructs such as this small realm, he did understand that the System possessed a single goal.

The creation and subsequent proliferation of spiritual energy.

This would be done through the introduction of Mana Cores into a universe without spiritual energy. Mana Cores would produce, refine and even absorb ambient spiritual energy. These were all things that the System had stated while Jon was still inside the Pure Room.

'So in a universe without mana, how would one absorb ambient spiritual energy?'

Jon's answer was through abilities, and the fragments that manifested them.

[Temperance Of Green, Imperial Wood Barrier] and [Wrath Of Green, Piercing Wood Eruption] would form constructs of spiritual energy that would break down and dissipate over time.

[Wrath Is The Paradise Whispered On Thou Lips] and [Cometh Thy Red Horse Awaits] would saturate his flesh, blood and spirit with spiritual energy, some of which would escape through sweat or through wounds sustained while active.

His Murmur-Glacial Marrow would produce winterish-white blood containing within it a potent ice natured spiritual energy.

His Seir-Glacial Heart carried within it the conceptual understandings of ice, winter and cold.

'What if the role of participants in the System Introduction, is to gain the abilities to fulfill the desires of the System? Our very existence now fills the air around us with spiritual energy. We have become living terraformers, transforming our home worlds into places where the System and mana can flourish without worry?'

Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

Jon felt his eyes widen.

If that was the case, then Princeps Of The Wandering Mutation would allow Jon to absorb the spiritual energy released through his various mutations! Regardless of how slow the process was, Jon would be able to develop his Mana Cores even on a barren world devoid of spiritual energy like Earth!

Jon opened his mouth to speak, wanting to inform Rana of the abilities his Title provided but noticed another notification appear in the corner of his vision.

Tasks not required before completion of System Introduction.

[1]: Understand the place of individuals within the System Introduction and their roles upon returning to the 37th universe. Individuals shall receive a reward of their choice upon the completion of this task.

Jon could feel his smile growing even wider, allowing the playful lapping of waves within his Sea Of Knowledge to fill the rest of his mind.

He was beyond pleased with himself for figuring this out, grinning as he knocked on the roots Ashvattha Rana had embraced himself within.

He could not wait until the System Introduction was concluded. Things would become so much more interesting once he returned back to Earth.

Break

Sariel thought that she had come quite a long way since the beginning of the System Introduction. Although most of her progress had come after he encounter with Wilheim and Avahni, the young satanas did feel proud with how many different abilities she had managed to obtain.

Name: Sariel Of Lemnos Age: 17 Rank: Mortal Tier: Fourth Initiation Title: N/A

Mana Core(s)

[1]: Life [Fragment Of Physique] [Hers Is The Life That Cradles The Earth And Sky] (Life, Physique, Mutation, Ability, Passive)

[Fragment Of Spring] [Tenderness Is The Gentle Hand Of Spring] (Life, Spring, Spell, Healing, Recovery, Buff)

[Fragment Of Song] [Twelfth Sonnet Of Life] (Life, Song, Spell, Technique, Recovery, Buff)

[Fragment Of Cleanse] [Ninth Verse Of Life] (Life, Cleanse, Spell, Technique, Buff)

[Fragment Of Phoenix] [Despoina; Salvation Of White Beginnings] (Summon, Life, Phoenix, Spell, Recovery, Buff)

[2]: Shield [Fragment Of Devour] [Thou Shalt Stand Before The Boundless Maw] (Shield, Barrier, Defensive, Spell, Debuff]

[Fragment Of Repulsion] [Thou Shalt Not Gaze Upon Thine Image] (Shield, Repulsion, Defensive, Spell)

[Fragment Of Invisibility] [Thou Eyes Shalt Turn Away From The Truth] (Shield, Invisibility, Spell, Buff)

[Fragment Of Invocation] [Thou Shalt Kneel Before The Daughter Of Silence] (Shield, Invocation, Mutation, Ability, Passive)

[Fragment Of Incarnation] [With Thou In Hand, Shields Shall Obscure The Sun And Stars] (Shield, Incarnation, Ability, Technique, Spell, Construct, Buff)

[3]: Space [Fragment Of Heart] [Weeping Throughout Emptiness] (Space, Heart, Mutation, Ability, Passive)

[Fragment Of Shadows] [The Shadows That Dwell Between Us] (Space, Shadows, Technique, Spell)

[Fragment Of Gula] [Gluttonous Bird Of Cobalt Sanctuary] (Space, Pocket, Technique, Spell, Ability, Construct)

[Fragment Of Mind] [Mine Is The Throne Of Distortion] (Space, Mind, Passive, Ability, Enhancement, Resistance, Self)

[Fragment Of Slash] [Spatial Art; Severance] (Space, Slash, Spell, Debuff)

[4]: Lotus [Fragment Of Spirit] [Thou Art The Monarch Of Lotus And Dreams] (Lotus, Spirit, Mutation, Spell, Enhancement, Buff)

[Fragment Of Shield] [Virtuous Lotus Art; Four-Petaled Flower Shield] (Lotus, Shield, Defensive, Buff)

[Fragment Of Water] [With Thou In Hand, Thine Lotus Shall Eclipse The Moon] (Lotus, Water, Technique, Ability, Spell, Construction, Buff)

[Fragment Of Star] [Carmine Star Of Flora Deva] (Lotus, Star, Ability, Spell, Technique, Construct, Buff)

[Fragment Of Luxuria] [Sinful Lotus Art; Decadent Lotus Ardour] (Lotus, Luxuria, Spell, Debuff)

[Fragment Of Acedia] [Sinful Lotus Art; Slothful Lotus Curse] (Lotus, Acedia; Spell, Curse, Debuff)

[5]:

[6]:

Sariel did not understand just how powerful individuals with Titles could be in comparison to those that had not yet formed one. The green-skinned satanas watched from afar as Jon literally dismantled over a dozen mare-sized wolves with nothing but his physical enhancements.

'Is this the power of someone with a Title?'

Sariel knew that Jon possessed two different abilities with the Weapon Trait. One that manifested a verdant-green barred-spear, while the other manifested thulian-pink cross-spear capable of launching lance-shaped projectiles.

'Assail and Luin as Wilheim called them.'

Jon, clad in the dark-red haze of his Fragment Of Stealth launched himself forward with the extraordinary physical strength granted to him through his Murmur-Glacial Marrow, grabbed a snarling wolf by the tail, flinging them into a large tree over a dozen metres away.

'He doesn't need weapons or Spells in order to defeat his enemies.'

Through his [Monstrous Intuition] Jon was able to avoid the poisonous claws or vicious bites of these mutated wolves. His preternatural instincts and senses allowed him to perceive the muted steps of the beasts surrounding him, the gentle pulse of their heartbeats.

Dodging another lunge towards his throat, Jon grinned as he caught the beast mid-air, gripping its snout tightly while urging more and more spiritual energy to flow into his Fragment Of Marrow. Jon could feel his fingers pierce through fur and flesh, crushing the bones of the beast trapped within his grip.

Hurling the dead mutated wolf in his hands towards one of the other mare-sized wolves around him, Jon kicked off the ground beneath him carving a deep trench in the dirt where he once stood.

'I know that I got to see Jon in action during his fight with the Malum Hobgoblin, but that was different. He was fighting an enemy stronger than himself but still managed to hold his own before the debuffs inflicted on him took root.'

'This… is like watching an adult fight a group of children. It is not even fair.'

Jon kicked one of the approaching wolves, ignoring its high-pitched yelp as it shattered its spine and ribs. The wolf was launched somewhere into the underbrush, although Avahni could tell that it was dead even before it hit the ground.

Each one of his strikes possessed an incredible amount of force behind it. Capable of bending tempered steel or crushing stone with nothing but the strength given to him through his Seir-Glacial Heart and Murmur-Glacial Marrow.

It was as if he had eyes on the back of his head, the way he dodged or avoided the numerous lunges of the beasts around him.

Poisonous claws and toxic fangs were nothing in front of overwhelming strength combined with preternatural senses.

"This is the difference between those with a Title and those without Sariel. This man, the one Titled Princeps Of The Wandering Mutation is quite effective at leveraging the various enhancements and mutations his abilities have granted him," said an unfamiliar feminine voice.

Lifting her head, Sariel looked up, noticing the presence of her single summoned companion. The green-skinned satanas had obtained a unique-looking fragment through the completion of one optional task reward, one that she had immediately integrated into her Life Mana Core.

Although abilities with the Summon Trait require additional fragments to act as catalysts for the summoning ritual, Sariel did not hesitate to use one of her other remaining task rewards in order to obtain another Fragment Of Phoenix.

Seeing Avahni, and even Jon get along with their summoned companions, only made Sariel desire a bestial friend that she could call her own. One that could speak Vaayli outside of her brother and his summoned companion Ahuatzi.

[Fragment Of Phoenix] [Despoina; Salvation Of White Beginnings] (Summon, Life, Phoenix, Spell, Recovery, Buff)

Effect (Mortal): Perform a ritual to summon Despoina; Salvation Of White Beginnings. Despoina is a white salvation phoenix born from the endless untainted expanse of the White Heavens. Despoina dwells within the heart after being summoned.

Despoina is capable of flight and will gain an instance of [Nirvana] whenever their lifeforce is entirely expended. Despoina is capable of using lifeforce or life natured spiritual energy to cast either [Healing Flame] or [White Harmony].

[Nirvana]: Transform into a living white flame of life natured spiritual energy. Increases resistances towards all damages, afflictions, and debuffs. Reduces all mana expenditure to zero. Transforms into [Mortal Rebirth] after a short duration. Cannot activate while [Mortal Rebirth] is in effect.

[Mortal Rebirth]: Reduces all physical capabilities. Increases mana expenditure. Reduces all immunities to resistances. Reduces all resistances to null. This effect cannot be resisted. This effect cannot be cleansed. This effect cannot be transferred.

[Healing Flame]: Life natured spiritual energy blesses a target with the gentle warmth of fire. Restores a minute amount of lifeforce and temporarily increases their natural recovery rate.

[White Harmony]: Life natured spiritual energy refines a single debuff or affliction from a willing target. Restores a minute amount of spiritual energy based on how many stacks were refined.

"Princeps Of The Wandering Mutation?" Sariel muttered, repeating the word as if it would help elucidate some unknown truth behind it.

Despoina had informed her that Titles granted numerous beneficial effects depending on a wide variety of different factors. The most obvious being the Title Fragments that formed the basis of said Title, while lesser factors, such as the Source of an individual, the fragments and Mana Cores they choose to integrate would come more into play the weaker the Title Fragments were.

The Salvation Of White Beginnings was a remarkable source of knowledge. Her presence had allowed Sariel, and even Shamael to some degree to better select rewards from their numerous task rewards.

Ahuatzi; Mountain-Devouring Rafflesia, was young according to Despoina. It had not even reached Lordship before it agreed into becoming a summoned companion. The white salvation phoenix on the other hand, brought along with it the experience of someone who had lived ten thousand of Sariel's lifetimes.

"Princeps Of The Wandering Mutation. Easy enough to infer that it relates to abilities with the Mutation Trait. Though I cannot help but wonder what manner of Title Fragments this human used to form it… His manipulation of spiritual energy is similarly… excellent, for a Mortal that is.'

Sariel and Despoina watched as Jon slammed his foot down on the skull of the last mutated wolf, splattering blood, brain matter and pieces of bone across the once green grass beneath it.

Standing up straight, Jon allowed his spiritual energy to flow into his [Mortal Ranked Rejuvenating Shirt] and [Mortal Ranked Renewing Pants]. The two spiritual items hummed with a soft glow before cleansing themselves of any blood or viscera that clung to them.

Lifting his head Jon glanced towards Sariel, manifesting Assail and throwing it towards the stunned satanas. The young woman barely managed to catch the Fragment Of Spear in her hands before watching as Jon summoned Luin giving her a smile before pointing to the wolf corpse he had kicked into the underbrush.

Opening his mouth to speak, Sariel heard Jon shout in broken combination of English and Vaayli.

"First fragment… keep! Whatever Mana Core… yours!" said Jon, his face ever-so-slightly flushed in embarrassment, rather than physical strain.

In fact, Sariel judged that Jon had not even broken a sweat during his fight against fourteen mutated wolves. The brown-haired human already moving to obtain the spoils of his victory, slashing open one of the wolves closest to him and using his Fragment Of Eyes to search for any fragments within.

Sariel and Despoina shared a glance.

'Thank god he is on our side.'

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