Pioneer Platform

Ian had never favored any particular ability.

If he lived in a volcano, he used fire and earth; if he lived in a rainforest, he used water and wood.

He had grown up in a coastal port city, so Ian had transformed himself into an ice fairy. This was one of the most powerful forces he currently wielded. At the same time, because of his teacher, he had mastered one of the most powerful earth-element inheritances.

Likewise, because of Earth's knowledge and technology, he had added thunder and electromagnetism to his power, condensing and fusing the forces most familiar and convenient to him into the Steel Pioneer, creating the Glazed Imperial Dragon.

He was a pragmatist with no taboos—he used whatever worked. He only used a sword because someone had taught him profound swordsmanship. If Hilliard had excelled with a lance, then Ian would have learned how to wield a spear.

All knowledge and all techniques flowed through Ian's heart like water. He would learn them, use them, and study them to the deepest heights, just as he had with psychic arts and alchemy. But that was all they were—techniques Ian had mastered, arts he could cast. He did not believe that any one power or discipline could bring him everything. There was only one goal he desired.

Faraway places.

Places farther away.

Places farther and farther away—places he did not know, did not understand, could not imagine, and did not need to imagine.

For that goal, Ian could make himself learn and use any art. In his eyes, every method was equal.

Cycle after cycle, he acted in pursuit of a perfect ending. That unceasing struggle and ascent—he would carry his will and convictions onward even across the universe, across space and time, through parallel worlds that were almost