After comprehending the first complex Archaic Syllable of Eni, Kieran’s Fabrication progress broke the threshold required to propel the Trial Completion percentage past minimum acceptance criteria.

Leaving the Ancient Rune Oasis would be impossible without reaching this point in the trial because, despite coming this far, Kieran couldn’t perceive the slightest hint of the Veiled Arcadia Gate’s whereabouts.

There was a reason finding the gate was the last objective of the trial and not the first. It would only become apparent once the trial challenge has fulfilled the prerequisite, which in this case was the completion rate.

〈System: The location of the «Veiled Arcadia Gate» has been revealed. Approach gateway before the complete deterioration of your «Mystic Rooted Tether» occurs.〉

〈Warning: If your «Mystic Rooted Tether» is destroyed before you pass through the gate, all progress will be erased, and your connection to the «Ancient Rune Oasis» will be severed.〉

‘As I expected, the fallout of a broken tether is truly terrifying. Although my Mystic Gate won’t be destroyed, it’ll be rendered ineffective,’ Kieran thought to himself.

A severed connection was akin to destroying the Mystic Gate because there was nowhere to draw mystic energy from without a link to the Ancient Rune Oasis. It was a power unique to this place after gathering the magical prowess of the Archaic Syllabary of Eni.

Even if one could find similar energy sources within Xenith, it would never compare to the magical energy inside the oasis due to a lack of inimitable qualities. There’s a reason the Lineage of Ancient Wisdom didn’t flourish despite having such a magnificent background and history.

Procreation amongst the Wykins was extremely difficult, reaching a level of challenge that could be considered impossible. Hence, the easiest and most practical way to birth a new Wykin was through the Ancient Rune Oasis.

Of course, there were unique circumstances that did abide by this logic. For example, Agatha possessed the body of a human, but her Mystic Gate and soul were incredibly refined.

After considering the dangers of letting his tether break, Kieran looked into the distance and noticed an unusual distortion and a strange occurrence.

The path he walked upon dispersed, as did the feeling that rooted him in place, removing his ability to move when amidst a fabrication clash.

A few seconds after this change, the familiar-looking Veiled Arcadia Gate appeared in the distance, but it felt somewhat different from before.

‘Is it just me, or does its location feel odd?’ Kieran murmured in his mind.

Space around the Veiled Arcadia Gate seemed to bend from Kieran’s perspective, resulting in the gateway alternating between shallow and deep positions.

In addition to this strange depth interference, Kieran realized another problem with the gate. Its position continued to change, sometimes floating within the air and other times appearing in different places on the ground.

All things considered, Kieran understood why the last objective mentioned the Veiled Arcadia Gate would be displaced.

The frequent change in its position was enough to throw many challengers off, but if one took the time to analyze the situation, something would become apparent.

The Veiled Arcadia Gate’s movement followed an easily discernible pattern. This meant although he had fulfilled the requirement to complete the trial, the gate in and of itself was another shadowy challenge.

‘Overcoming the fabrication is merely half of the struggle. I now have to worry about reaching the gate in one piece. If that’s the case, I’ll need to prepare for unexpected hindrances.’

Meanwhile, Xenasio looked at Kieran and nodded faintly. “I can feel it. Your Mystic Gate has taken a step in the right direction, reaching a point where it contains the true concepts of the first four syllables.”

Kieran shifted his gaze from the tricky Veiled Arcadia Gate and listened to Xenasio as he spoke.

“Your rapid progress is truly commendable. Understanding that the Fourth Syllable of Eni relies upon the essence of one’s soul, a conviction to a purpose, untainted and defined, is a challenge that most fail to overcome. Even if you aren’t an Awakened Being, the outline of one’s soul permeates everything we do, for it is the making of the divine.”

“Most struggle with such a thing?” Kieran questioned.

“Without a doubt. Even the most resolute beings can become fickle and finicky amidst adversity. Such a person can never establish the fourth syllable. One must understand that word is a bonding force, which is the basis of our existence,” Xenasio explained, leaving Kieran in a slight stupor.

‘That’s true. The Wykins are a race that gives fascinating meaning to words. Hence, it’s not unbelievable that they pride themselves in abiding by their word,’ Kieran thought.

One of the reasons Kieran didn’t have much of an issue grasping the Fourth Syllable of Eni’s essence stemmed from his linear desires.

After suffering death, Kieran’s soul had more or less adopted principles similar to a martyr that believed themself to be already dead.

As a result, the number of things that could rouse fear within him was few and far between. Even though he felt apprehensive at times, it wasn’t genuine fear that could inhibit him from taking action.

Furthermore, he had already displayed an indomitable spirit in the face of a few perils, approaching them head-on.

After listening to Xenasio’s words, Kieran paid greater attention to his Mystic Gate, noticing a few changes. There was now a subtle connection between his Vengeful Soul and Mystic Gate.

It wasn’t something he could wield, but it enhanced the feeling of his Mystic Gate, giving it a depth that wasn’t present previously.

This connection was why a Wykin’s power was regarded as the opposing side of a Fairy’s abilities. Their soul delved into the mystical by seeking to understand while the Fairy’s used their soul to purify and exist.

After completing the Fourth Syllable of Eni, Kieran’s interest in this power grew. “Xenasio, I know our clash is inevitable if I want to reach the Veiled Arcadia Gate, but before it happens, can you help me understand something.”

“What is it, young man? Speak your mind freely, for questions comprise the soil of knowledge. One should never feel ashamed of questioning; it is an action of the wise,” Xenasio replied.

At the same time, however, the dim sentience with Xenasio’s gaze continued to peter out as if his soul was losing strength. This was because Kieran had nearly exhausted the 3-hour time limit.

Less than four minutes remained before Xenasio would have to perform a fabrication despite his emotions.

“The Archaic Syllabary of Eni–how many syllables does it contain?”

Xenasio contemplated as if searching for the answer within his fading memories before speaking after a drawn-out pause.

“Before my death, I comprehended up to the Fifteenth Syllable. Based on the information locked in our lineage, it seems there are more than 20. However, only the Enchantress has stepped into those final territories. Therefore, I can’t mention the total number with certainty.”

“So there are at least 20 of them. Meaning I haven’t even comprehended 20% percent of the syllabary,” Kieran muttered, his expression becoming too complex to describe.

Because of the maturation of his Mystic Gate, Kieran thought he was making ample progress with this power, but it seemed he was mistaken.

Perhaps the maturation of the Mystic Gate happened irrespective of his understanding of the syllables.

Although comprehending their hidden concepts improved the Mystic Gate, it wasn’t the only factor that produced these results.

Furthermore, Kieran didn’t know if the maturation was similar to skill mastery, where after reaching a complete cycle, the Mystic Gate would achieve a higher level and reset.

‘The Archaic Syllabary of Eni is undoubtedly a tool of great ability. It seems I have come across something that I’ll be comprehending for a long time,’ Kieran thought, lifting his gaze to Xenasio’s.

The deterioration of Xenasio’s sentience hastened, but Kieran took the time to ask another important question.

“The ciphers, is their only purpose to peer through things?”

“Not at all. The ciphers conform to your abilities. It is up to the user to modify the sequences within and unlock stronger versions,” Xenasio answered.

Before the remnants of Xenasio’s sentience faded entirely, he requested something from Kieran. “Should you successfully leave this realm, I hope you can honor my request.”

“I will,” Kieran promised, his gaze becoming strange. ‘Fate truly is an odd mistress at times. Who would have thought….’

At that moment, the remnants of Xenasio’s sentience faded, replaced by an intent to unleash a high-level fabrication.

Kieran didn’t utter any further words, using the time granted to create a sequence different from what he had accomplished thus far.

The first to fourth syllables flowed together, creating an ironclad bond that surpassed the Mystic Cipher.

〈System: You have created an enhanced «Mystic Cipher of Eni». The cipher’s evaluated effects exuded a feeling of persistence.〉

Once he completed the required preparations, Kieran unleashed the syllable.

Bang!

The two fabrications collided against one another, but Kieran remained stoic, accounting for the feedback that accompanied the use of the fourth syllable. The cipher rotating around his hands pulsated with a mysterious presence eerily similar to Kieran’s soul.

As a result of this, both creations exhibited signs of shattering. It boiled down to persistence, which Kieran continued to uphold until finally…

Crrrr! Crrck! Crrrck!

Fwoosh!

The explosion of both fabrications created a gust of magical winds, but amidst those winds, Xenasio’s smiling expression is what Kieran focused on until his presence dissipated altogether.

〈System: You have executed an excellent Fabrication of the «Fourth Syllable of Eni». Fabrication: 75%〉

〈System: Your Trial Completion has increased to 84%.〉