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nApplying the concept of compression to the Archaic Syllable of Eni wasn’t as straightforward as Kieran presumed it would be.

nUnlike Mana, the mystic energy found inside the Ancient Rune Oasis wasn’t malleable at all. Applying directional pressure would only result in it traveling the path of fragmentation.

nIn other words, direct compression would shatter the syllable, especially within the areas of weakness Kieran detected.

n‘Because it’s not pliable like Mana, I’ll have to find a way to emulate compression without following its specific principles,’ Kieran thought, rubbing his chin.

nAfter deliberating over the answer for a few moments, Kieran came across a potential solution.

nIf he couldn’t compress the syllables by force, he could do so by changing how he created the foundation. Upon pinpointing the weakness in the Fourth Syllable of Eni, Kieran used a decent amount of the allotted time to correct the inconsistencies.

nImmediately after completing that task, he arranged the characters in the sequences so that the formed fourth syllable became compact and sturdier than the previous version.

nDuring this process, Kieran utilized the remaining time to concentrate harder than he had ever done thus far, slowly carrying out the indirect compression of the symbol.

nOne minute later, Kieran slowly opened his eyes with a profound glisten swirling within his gaze. Compressing the symbol had proved to be more difficult than he expected.

n‘Even modifying the structure isn’t easy, but I barely managed to do so. If I tried to accomplish it using orthodox methods, I would have undoubtedly dismantled the sequence even though I didn’t intend to,’ Kieran thought.

nThe principle of compression in mysticism existed, but it was not something Kieran could claim to be familiar with.

nIn mysticism, it was an act known as Overlay.

nUnfortunately, using Overlay required an almost perfect grasp of the Archaic Syllables of Eni in play and the ability to split one’s concentration countless times, which Kieran was far from reaching.

nThus, Kieran opted for what he could manage without interfering with the energy flow—shrinking and consolidating the symbol, making it sturdier overall but much more compact.

nThe principle of his actions was akin to putting an ungodly amount of cotton into a hydraulic press until the ends resulted in a dense glob that kept the outward appearance of cotton but didn’t maintain its fluffiness.

nThe profound glisten within Kieran’s gaze faded rapidly, replaced by the growing presence of the incoming symbol.

nAfter a soft exhale, Kieran fired his modified version of the Fourth Syllable of Eni, launching it toward the incoming symbol.

nOom!

nA strange ripple occurred after the collision because while the revenant’s syllable was larger, Kieran unleashed his fabrication in such a way that it slammed into the center of its target.

n‘Come on…’ Kieran thought, his eyes narrowed with anticipation.

nUnfortunately, that anticipation deflated when Kieran watched as the condensed symbol failed to emerge victorious.

nIn the end, it was Kieran who suffered once more.

nBOOM!

n“Augh…!” Kieran groaned and gasped while a thunderous noise resounded within the Ancient Rune Oasis.

n〈System: Your «Rooted Mystic Tether» has suffered immense damage. Stability: 49.99%〉

nAn almost unbearable pain surged through Kieran’s body after losing the clash.

nHis Rooted Mystic Tether sustained so much damage that it felt surreal. As a result of this impairment, Kieran noticed his leg flickering in and out of existence like a dying flame.

nAlthough his body was initially incorporeal, it felt rooted to the plane and solid because of the tether.

nNow that its stability fell to half its capacity, Kieran could sense the dangers of becoming untethered in this place.

n‘This… it isn’t just related to failing the trial. If my tether destabilizes completely, I’ll be lost in this realm!’

nOne may say Kieran’s claims were pure speculation, but they weren’t.

nKieran had complete faith in his soul when it came to sensing danger and peril, as it proved correct without fail every time. Furthermore, many people seemed to question how his soul could exist, which led him to believe it was something he could trust blindly.

nAfter all, he was his soul, and his soul was him. Where else would he find solace and supremacy if he couldn’t trust in himself?

nUpon realizing the gravity of a shattered tether, Kieran’s anxiety skyrocketed.

nHe couldn’t afford to drift listlessly in a realm listed as an Immaterial Plane. If that happened, he would be better off destroying his VR Helmet because the odds of him reappearing in Xenith were extremely low.

nNot even Hekaina could defy the laws of this Immaterial Plane and claim his soul from within this place.

nMore importantly, the Veiled Arcadia Gate only allowed one presence to occupy the realm. Until his soul perished, becoming a part of the plane’s sustenance, the Wykins would be barred from this place.

nFortunately, the Trial of Ancient Mysticism wasn’t completely ruthless in terms of its difficulty. After all, its primary purpose was honing the Wykins born here in preparation for them leaving this place.

nThus, Kieran received a message due to his tether’s severe damage.

n〈System: As your «Rooted Mystic Tether» has dropped below a stable threshold, you will be given time to gather yourself and reflect upon what you have learned thus far.〉

n〈System: The «Inspirited Wykin Revenant» wielding the «Fourth Syllable of Eni» will now impart guidance.〉

nOnce the system revealed this information, the soullessness in the revenant’s eyes dissipated, replaced by dim sentience.

n“Young one, I can tell your time with the Archaic Syllabary is fleeting, but your comprehension skills are commendable. Unfortunately, what you know is only the surface. You have yet to pierce the murky veil covering the power of the Ancient Wisdom Race.”

nThough Wykins had come to be known as Wykins, meaning the kin of Wisdom, the proper name of their race was the Lineage of Ancient Wisdom.

nBefore responding to the revenant, Kieran grimaced and placed his hand over his lower torso, where a budding pain radiated. It was the location of his Rooted Mystic Tether, which somehow resembled what spiritual people called the Root Chakra.

nAfter managing the pain, Kieran spoke up.

n“What do you mean?” Kieran asked.

nThe revenant scanned Kieran, focusing intensely on his damaged Rooted Mystic Tether. “There is always a sky beyond a sky and a depth beneath the surface. You believe you have encapsulated the essence of the First, Second, and Third Syllables, but you haven’t. This is even more apparent for the Fourth Syllable.”

nKieran didn’t argue with the revenant because there was truth in its words. Thinking back to the indescribable feeling, Kieran recalled the sensation of inexplicable emptiness.

nWhen the revenant noticed Kieran’s pensive expression, it continued to speak. “Every syllable possesses a unique meaning, and it is up to us as the wielders to imbue it. One must look into the three of beginning to understand the fourth.”

n‘Look into the three of beginning to understand the fourth,’ Kieran parrotted in his mind, beginning a period of deep contemplation.

n“If you fail, the next challenge will be your last due to how powerful it will become. It will undoubtedly destroy your tether’s place inside of you. You will have three hours to understand the meaning of my earlier words and decide your fate,” the revenant said.

nInstead of focusing on the revenant’s words, Kieran asked a question. “Before you died, what was your position within the Mystic Rune Colony?”

n“At one point in time, I was a Mystic Guardian known as Xenasio, responsible for guarding our race. That responsibility, even in death, has not changed,” the revenant, Xenasio, said.

nKieran’s expression grew complex as he nodded, accepting the information. “And, if you had to gauge the power of the upcoming syllable, how would it compare to your peak condition?”

n“Roughly one percent of what I could muster,” Xenasio replied truthfully.

n‘The Mystic Guardians are above the Keepers of Serenity, which are regarded as Mythic NPCs. That would mean Mystic Guardians must be at least a High Mythic NPC at the very least,’ Kieran estimated.

nOne percent of Xenasio’s power, despite sounding like a pittance, was a frightening amount of energy.

nTo put it in perspective, a High Mythic NPC was undoubtedly an Enlightened Being, which means one percent of their power was enough to fight a First Phase Awakened Being to a standstill.

nHowever, Kieran also understood that this one percent was relative.

nXenasio’s revenant could only wield what was present within the Ancient Rune Oasis. They couldn’t tap into the condensed power cultivated over countless years. That had long since dispersed.

nNevertheless, the disparity in their understanding alone was a nearly insurmountable issue.

n‘A sky beyond a sky and something beneath the surface.’

nAfter a moment of pondering, Xenasio’s words, he made a request. “If possible, could you perform the first three syllables for me?”

n“I can,” Xenasio said.

nUnknowingly, Xenasio’s lips curved into a smile because the Wykins who participated in this trial were too proud to ask for this kind of help. After all, their Mystic Gates were attached to the source, so they felt they could grasp it with time.

nUnfortunately for Kieran, he wasn’t attached to such a source in the same way. He didn’t have a permanent reference sheet to turn to for an answer, leaving him to rely upon Xenasio’s help.

nAs per Kieran’s request, Xenasio fabricated the first three syllables simultaneously, which awed Kieran momentarily.

n‘Simultaneous and long-lasting fabrication….’

nAmidst his marvel, Kieran used the Mystic Cipher to comprehend the buried essence, finding that Xenasio’s words were accurate.

n‘This is something the first three apparitions couldn’t teach.’

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