The So-Called Mark

Whether Apprentice or Scholar, whether studying or practicing, the prerequisite for the birth of every transcendent is the mark granted by the Hours.

The power flowing out from the principles that support the world and define all things permeates the soul-substance, responding to desires and cravings, thus bringing forth the mark: the brand of the principle, the touch of the Hours, and a milestone on the path.

Just as desire ebbs and flows like the tide, it will not settle into a single state. The mark also changes as desire climbs, either updating or deepening. And the path is the ladder of that climb. Although there is no rule stating that one cannot walk multiple paths simultaneously, the vast majority of transcendents will only delve deeply into one path, at most jumping to different paths under the same principle; they would never rashly change their allegiance to seek the marks of other principles.

Because human nature has its limits, yet desire has no end. The further one travels, the more miracles manifest, and the heavier the calamity becomes.

Most people, even if they climb steadily along a single path, will gradually slide into an abyss of loss of control due to impulses and cravings. Once the power exceeds the limit that the soul-substance can bear, the gradually uncontrollable Restlessness will summon the Obsession Illusion, fear like a wolf, or even worse things.

--Mental insanity, soul pollution, and even physical mutation; death is the most merciful result, while becoming an [Abomination] is the destination for many more transcendents.

Those who are lucky can suppress the symptoms of loss of control after treatment and continue to live as ordinary people after regressing their marks. Those who are unlucky, having been tainted by some filthy thing and subsequently noticed by even more alien existences, find their situation worse than death.

To avoid this situation, the Ascension Ritual was created to constrain the marks.

Through generations of attempts and exploration, transcendents created the concept of the Ascension Ritual. Through these rituals, one can increase the ascendant's capacity, guide their marks to grow in a predetermined direction, and stay away from the risk of losing control.

Just like a map and a compass, it prevents travelers from getting lost on their journey.

Higher-level Ascension Rituals also include the [Rite of the Named], which involves drawing closer to higher-level existences. By using the mark to inherit the traces of miracles left by myths and legends, one exercises the authority of donning armor to become a saint.

Just like Saliba's Fifth Mark, [Beelzebub], the mark named after the Lord of the Flies grants him the authority to unleash plagues and pests. Not only does it bring the gluttony characteristic of the Path of Devouring into full play, but when combined with the high health and high recovery inherent to the principle of [Blood], it is troublesome to the extreme. As long as he can escape with a portion of his body, he can flourish and make a comeback before long.

Fighting him doesn't necessarily mean he will die, but you will definitely end up covered in blood.

"Hmm... so the path is something like a talent tree, where you meet certain conditions to enter the next level, and it doesn't let you just add points randomly and ruin your build, right?"

Muttering to himself in a way he could understand, Hohenheim nodded slightly, feeling that he had grasped the core mechanism.

"...Whatever way you understand it, as long as you're happy."

Looking at the clear-eyed, thoughtful Hohenheim, Emma suddenly felt that her knowledge had been severely devalued, and the corners of her mouth twitched slightly. However, she continued to explain, trying her best to cover the price of an expensive alchemical material.

Life is not easy, Emma sighed.

"Although you alchemists prefer to divide things into the four ranks of 'Prototype', 'Creation', 'Formation', and 'Matter', and the True Immortals of the [Jade Immortal Garden] have another set of complex calculations, the names of marks and paths also differ among the major systems. But the mainstream still divides the levels of transcendents by the number of times their marks have transformed, totaling seven ranks."

"The First Mark is Temptation, the Second Mark is Devotion, and the Third Mark is Enlightenment. The Fourth Mark is Rebirth, the Fifth Mark is Apostle, and the Sixth Mark is Achievement."

"The Seventh Mark is Ascension."

"Once you step over the threshold of Ascension, you are no longer a mortal destined to die, but an [Immortal] who enjoys longevity. But let alone an [Immortal], even the [Knower] corresponding to the Third Mark is a rank that most Apprentices can only look up to from afar."

"In this era, for ordinary people, an Immortal who can respond to prayers and grant power to believers is no different from a god."

"Ah, I've digressed. For a newcomer like you who awakened autonomously, you'd better worry about how to choose your path, otherwise, it will be too late to change paths once the First Mark reaches its limit~"

"How do I choose? I remember you said that crossing paths leads to madness, right?"

Nodding, Emma pointed to herself and explained: "Take me, for example. I am the First Mark of the Path of Enlightenment, the [Candle Bearer]. But I can also step onto other paths of the [Candle] principle, because at the First Mark, these are interchangeable. It's just that it's easier to advance on the same path, and the ability combinations are better."

"In fact, at the Temptation stage, even desire can be changed. Just as a moth seeking transformation gazes at the Lamp of Glory and develops a longing to chase the light. Or like a wealthy man tired of pleasure and debauchery gives away his fortune and throws himself into the embrace of silence. In later stages, changing desires becomes much more difficult and requires specialized rituals for assistance."

"Because the deeper you walk on the path, the more you lose. The more extreme the path, the greater the restrictions, and the more influence from higher-level beings. To chase that power, sacrifice is just a small price to pay. Whether it's your own, or someone else's."

As she spoke, Emma's eyes gradually turned cold, and her tone became harsh.

"Therefore, for those Apprentices who have lost their humanity, as well as dangerous knowledge that can cause pollution, both the former Night Watch Agency and the current Prevention and Suppression Bureau are responsible for handling those crimes that are not publicly acknowledged, and punishing those less common criminals—those whose crimes may only exist in the minds of dreamers, and conducting closed-door trials for the suspects."

"Therefore, agents of the Prevention and Suppression Bureau are not obsessed with following general social laws, and the bureau often borrows capable people whose records are not spotless. Although nominally under the jurisdiction of the Night Watch Minister of Avalon, Ms. Edith Abney Hastings, it is actually composed of agencies with similar functions from various countries in the Federation, and is supported by three libraries that inherit the Art of Night, also occupying a seat in the Historical Council."

"Well, well." Having said a long string of words along with the atmosphere, Emma tugged at her collar uncomfortably, letting her slightly flushed face cool down a little, and concluded: "The duty of the Prevention and Suppression Bureau is to fight crime and eliminate monsters, although the work is a bit dangerous. But generally, it's not our turn, as rookies who don't even have a Second Mark, to charge into the front lines."

"In any case, as a contract worker guaranteed by Ms. Veronica, you now have the status of an 'insider'."

Reaching out to shake hands with Hohenheim, Emma gave a sincere smile and congratulated him:

"Welcome to the job, Mr. Hohenheim Lancaster."