Six Letters of Instruction

A Mark is the sublimation of desire—

From this perspective, whether Apprentice or Scholar, every transcendent is an idealist. Depending on the Path chosen, they will manifest certain traits to a greater or lesser degree. No, perhaps it is precisely because they possess these traits that they are able to receive a Mark and embark upon a Path.

Transcendents of the [Candle] path are often brimming with curiosity and enjoy acquiring knowledge, yet they are also the least compassionate. Meanwhile, [Cocoon] is full of intense passion, practically a synonym for neuroticism.

Apprentices who devote themselves to [Heart] are often energetic, talented in song and dance, whereas to [Silence], they all seem far too noisy, unable to grasp the aesthetics of silence.

[Edge] Apprentices are the most indulgent in sensory desires, with carnal lust, greed, and gluttony all flourishing within them. [Key] Apprentices are eccentric, making it hard to imagine what they see in their daily lives; they also have a habit of taking unconventional routes, often vanishing the moment one looks away.

[Edge] is divided into two tendencies depending on the Path taken: either the conspirator or the gladiator. The two sides are often at odds, prone to conflict. Furthermore, the antisocial lunatics rejected by both sides are also categorized under the domain of [Edge].

As for [Ember] Apprentices, in the eyes of other transcendents, they are synonymous with "arrogance" and "perfectionism." They do not tolerate flaws, whether in their work or in themselves.

Transcendents who follow different principles, or even different Hours, never lack opposition and strife between them. Each holds deeply ingrained stereotypes about the others, and unfortunately, these stereotypes...

--are actually quite accurate!

Most such impressions are not prejudices, but facts. While it is not impossible to find a transcendent whose style deviates from the norm, on the whole, a transcendent's personality aligns with the Path they belong to.

"If you are to embark on the Path of [Ember], whether you choose the enduring [Path of the Forge], the [Path of Shaping], or the more scholarly [Path of the Sage] or [Path of the Artisan], or even those more secret paths, the core point remains the same."

While using a technique Hohen could not comprehend to plate the water tank with a deep black finish, Olive instructed Hohen, who was sitting obediently.

"That is 'dissatisfaction' with the status quo."

"Because there is still dissatisfaction, one refuses to return to ash, thus igniting a fierce fire, and thus bringing about change."

"Hohenheim, you must understand that 'the lock seeks the key, the wall seeks the door.' Or, to use more ancient and powerful words: [The path seeks the wise to pursue the man, like a raptor seizing the weak, like a beast wrestling the stubborn, leaving nothing behind]."

Listening to the familiar, slightly accented hometown dialect in his ears, Hohen nearly failed to keep his expression composed. Thoughts raced through his mind, converging into a giant question mark.

?

Wait, is Classical Chinese still chasing me?

Fortunately, seemingly misinterpreting Hohen's strangeness as something else, Olive paused slightly and explained.

"This is the [Trace-Solving Tongue]. Those who master this ancient language can travel without hindrance throughout the vast regions east of the East. I can only pronounce it, not write it. Scholars who study the [Preservation Arts] believe that as long as it is still spoken in the imagery of clouds and mountains, humanity will continue to endure. Next, I will translate the meaning for you, listen well..."

"..."

And so it was, and so it went.

Under the influence of the [Secret Atmosphere] lingering on the table, Hohen managed to grasp the essence of that convoluted, esoteric language.

--Which is to say, knowledge pursues the man.

Just as every locksmith will sooner or later dream of doors, keys, and chains, once marked, even the most lethargic person will be pursued by knowledge, either actively or passively, leading to Restlessness. It is as unstoppable as an urgent, ravenous hunger.

When this Restlessness cannot be satisfied, it twists into a fear regarding existence itself. When too much fear accumulates, the shadow of the Hour, the [Wolf of Division], will prowl near, taking the soul of those who cannot bear the burden, leaving behind only a shell whose spirit has been destroyed.

The three disciplines often collectively referred to as the [Art of Night] within the study of [Great Knowledge] also bring similar troubles, and the consequences of studying the brighter [Art of Day] can be even worse. How to balance the pursuit of knowledge with self-preservation is a topic scholars love to discuss.

And Apprentices?

They have cheap lives; if they aren't convinced, they fight!

Perhaps it is a bizarre dream that refuses to fade, perhaps the delirium of the madman before them is too real, or perhaps it is an inherited, strange book... Wild Apprentices sprout up in batches, and most of them die of their own stupidity for various reasons before they even grow enough to warrant a visit from the Prevention and Suppression Bureau.

The bitterness of it is enough for the Kael-Isum Review to dedicate a special volume at the end of the year titled "Soham Award: A Complete Guide to Stupid Deaths," which is ordered by major organizations as a textbook to warn newcomers, remaining fresh with every reading.

"In short, entering dreams carries risks, and one must be cautious in the pursuit of knowledge. The Prevention and Suppression Bureau does a good job of avoiding the dangers of dreams; when you are ready to conduct dream exploration, you can apply to use their dream-entry rooms. As for alchemy, don't rush into hands-on practice yet. Finish reading this first, and then I will arrange a space for you to practice."

Something hard poked Hohen in the waist. Reaching out to take the hardcover book handed over by the professor, Hohen read the title on the cover in confusion, stunned by the lines of data scrolling across the light screen.

[Six Letters of Instruction: This book records the warnings and confessions regarding the price paid for practicing the Formless Secret Arts. It is a gift to students from the 17th-century sorcerer (rumored to be an immortal) Julian Corselli.]

[Aspect--Book: Books are immortal memories.]

[Aspect--Readable: There are things in this world more unsightly than this.]

[Theme--Ember: ALITUR PROPRIIS IGNIS CINERIBUS (The fire is nourished by its own ashes)]

"Six Letters of Instruction?"

"Correct. As the saying goes, 'books are immortal memories.' Your next task is to finish reading this book, understand its profound meaning, and organize it into a piece of [Secret Lore]. The knowledge within is not profound, but it is very practical, which is why the Prevention and Suppression Bureau allows it to circulate openly to a limited extent. Or, in their words: 'It is educational.'"

Clearly having no fondness for the Prevention and Suppression Bureau, Olive commented sarcastically on their regulatory measures. She lifted the vertical water tank with one hand, regained her composure, and instructed:

"I still have some unfinished commissions, so we will end this lesson here. Once you have finished reading Six Letters of Instruction, come back here and find me."

"Mm-hmm, got it, received, thank you, Mentor, take care."

Weighing the substantial book in his hand, Hohen responded to Olive while his eyes involuntarily lingered on the bright yellow [Study] action bar that had slowly risen on the light screen, adorned with a simple lightbulb icon. He struggled to suppress the corners of his mouth from curling upward.

Heh heh, I get a book just for checking in? That's wild~

Study? Studying makes me happy!