The Achievement Junkie

"Oli… has gravity affinity?!"

"Yeah, so what? Want to see what it feels like? Why not ask Skaryn?" Oli added, smiling proudly.

"But… Why can't--"

"Jack," Daruun interjected, "your body has already been enhanced with more affinities than a cosmician could ask for, so many that training normally would be nigh impossible. Adding something gravity affinity to your body would never work."

"Come on, Gramps?! Don't tell me you gave up! You're the greatest--"

"Jack, I may sometimes be considered a miracle worker but that doesn't mean I can bend all energies to my whim. If I could do that, how come I haven't given myself all energy types like yourself?" reasoned Daruun.

"But… But…"

"Accept it, Jack. There will be attacks and energies that you won't be able to gain for yourself.. I could possibly add gravity affinity to your--"

"Then why haven't you?!"

"For the same reason that you can't wield sound magic…" Daruun explained, "Once you make Perchet a demigod, you'll see for yourself. I was only able to give you a single complex energy type, which was space. Space cosmicians are already incredibly rare and extremely versatile. With that--"

"But that's not gravity!" Jack groaned in disappointment. "If you were sending me here, why not give me a survey first? I would've chosen gravity every time!"

"Jack… Had I given you gravity, you'd only get one more affinity." Having successfully stunned Jack into shutting up, Daruun continued, "Gravity is arguably one of the rarest energy types and the most complex. Also, there's a limit to any construct I could build with gravity affinity. They would eventually break themselves under their self-generated pressure. Right now, I'd be lucky to build a construct that survives past five or six-star, and that's being generous."

"... How do you know?" Forced to give up, Jack sought out some form of proof.

"Because I've made one already, and I've had to fix him far too often. He's only a four-star right now, but he's nearly killed himself more than a dozen times. The burden of gravity energy is more than a construct can bear at the higher realms of power…" sighed Daruun. "And that's using priceless materials equivalent to your current body, Jack, so don't think I wasn't testing properly. Testing a construct with gravity affinity any other way would result in their self-destruction as a one-star.

"But there's no reason to feel down on yourself!" Daruun added.

Still laughing, Oli threw an arm around Jack. "Jack, as you are now, you've already got a leg up an more than ninety percent fo cosmicians. Did you really think you could just leave Kartonia and conquer the void without facing stiff competition? I may only have three affinities, but I'm sure I'd beat you while we're at the same realm."

"How do you know that?" Jack teasingly sighed.

Suddenly, Jack felt his entire body shaking. A new force came over him that left him in awe. It felt like gravity but it wasn't pulling him toward the floor. Jack felt his entire body being tugged toward Oli's open hand, where a minuscule black orb was starting to take form. But that black orb never fully took shape and faded as Jack's body almost dropped to the ground in relief.

"The void is a treacherous place. Never assume you're the strongest or most capable. That's how you'll get slaughtered, if you're lucky."

"Enough scaring, Oli. Let Jack breathe a little," Daruun spoke up, convincing Oli to let go of Jack. "But I am serious about you two cutting a deal. I think you'll get along great and might even become partners in the far future."

"Really?" Eyeing Daruun, Oli sighed. "I don't mind making a deal, but it'll have to mutual. Your seal is too lopsided for my tastes, giving you access to my strength while I'm left with nothing. Try again, Jack."

"Well… What about a pact? That would share our skills. You'd get half the potency of all my passive skills, like energy regeneration and such, while I'd gain the ability to eventually learn your skills that aren't gravity-based…" reasoned Jack. "Sound fair, considering you'd also be allowed to used the nexus whenever you'd like?"

"Deal!"

They immediately shook on it but Jack still felt a tinge of disillusionment from his lack of gravity affinity.

"Then, let me say one last thing," Daruun continued. "Jack, as the new owner of Kartonia you have the decision to open the world to the rest of the void. Eventually, once you're strong enough, we'll reset the nexus with you as the owner. But for now, you're still able to decide policies."

"Oh? And what about Gem or Jewel?"

"Don't worry much about them," Oli spoke up. "The reason Halmut was able to get so far was thanks to the ISA's partnership with Jewel, but that won't be a problem now."

"What's--"

"I'll explain the ISA when you're strong enough to confront them and it's necessary. For now, just know that you're able to focus on growing your influence and strength within the Fate District without worry," Daruun stated. "It's likely that Jewel has already backed out of Gem, leaving its husk behind to take the fall for what's happened here."

"Fine…" Jack sighed, trying to take in so much new information all at once.

"Then let's go congratulate the other competitors. If you'd like, you're now allowed to invite them to the guild and celebrate. Such a celebration would surprise the entire district, putting you in the spotlight for the first time."

Nodding, Jack shrugged. "I guess a party's not a bad place to start… But you'll be hosting, right Gramps?"

"Sure, why not. We'll secretly consider it my last event as the owner of Kartonia," replied Daruun. "Also, I'm sure we'll get some influential visitors that are eager to meet you and the others from Kartonia… Now move along, it's time we told the others of the good news. They'll be honored to be Kartonia's first-ever, honorary guests."

As they were all shuffled back through the spatial gate, Oli sighed and glanced at the nexus with a giant grin. He was the last person that Daruun had to force through the gate, dispersing the spatial energy the next moment.