Formless Ascension: My Affinity Is Limitless

"So you want to defy your fate, huh?" The Towermaster smiled, bemused, yet subtly delighted. "That is an arduous path... one that many have treaded upon only to fail spectacularly. In their desperate bid to defy fate, they inadvertently fulfilled it anyway..."

He stepped forward, uncrossing one arm from behind his back and extending his palm toward Uhtred. Resting above his open hand were three shimmering orbs that hovered with a mysterious, ethereal air.

"...My many years tell me you will fail. But who am I to decide what is or isn’t possible for one so young and full of ambition? All I can do is offer you whatever small aid lies within my bounds and watch you try to make your conviction a reality."

The Towermaster looked at Uhtred, then motioned toward the three floating spheres.

"As the Towermaster, I possess the authority to bestow a reward upon you, much like your audience," he explained. "I demanded an interview, and by System rules, I now conclude my assessment of you and grant you a final grade: Marvelous!"

He paused, letting the statement settle over the silent arena.

"Your grit and tenacity impress me. Your demeanor is that of a relentless, dogged ascender. Even if you did not bear Origin, you would thrive nonetheless. I can only say that having you as the bearer of the source is a fortunate stroke of luck..."

The Towermaster gestured to the first glowing orb.

"In my hand are three gifts. The first is the Gnostic Eye — a mysterious item that transmutates one of your eyes, granting you the ability to perceive deeper truths of the world that would otherwise remain hidden from your vision..."

As the Towermaster spoke, Uhtred’s eyes widened. The Towermaster hadn’t even finished explaining, but the concept of the Gnostic Eye already sounded staggering.

"...It will begin with the transmutation of your pupil, and its usage will be heavily limited at first," the Towermaster continued. "However, it will mature alongside you over the years until it self-actualizes into its full glory as the true Gnostic Eye. It will aid you immensely, particularly in deciphering and unraveling Esoteric Guiles."

Uhtred opened his mouth immediately, on the verge of declaring his choice on the spot. He genuinely couldn’t imagine anything exceeding this.

Aside from the overpowered ability to gain insight into deeper truths of the world, or the growth ability of the eye, there was also the added benefit of gaining deeper insight into Esoteric Guiles?

What else could be better than this?

Before he could speak, however, the Towermaster raised a finger to hold his silence, bringing the second orb forward.

"The second is another growth-type item. However, this one is a technique — a movement technique, to be precise. It is called the Slipstream Stride," the Towermaster explained. "A long-forgotten movement art that once dominated the multiverse for several millennia, until it was gradually phased out by newer techniques..."

Uhtred frowned slightly. His initial reaction was skepticism. Why would he want a technique that had been phased out by modern alternatives that likely refined and improved upon the original?

Yet his analytical mind reminded him that the Towermaster wouldn’t place a discarded skill on the same pedestal as an item as terrifying as the Gnostic Eye without good reason.

He waited quietly for the elf to elaborate.

"Contrary to what you might assume, this technique was not phased out because superior methods were developed," the Towermaster clarified. "Rather, it fell out of use because virtually no one possessed the capacity to use it to its true limits... The only individual to ever master this technique to its peak... was the Sovereign of Chaos, Drakgon."

Uhtred’s eyes narrowed sharply at the name.

The Sovereign of Chaos, Drakgon!

That was the only other person Uhtred knew who had possessed so many Elemental Magics, Esoteric Guiles and Fundamental Law, to the point where he was able to embody the word "Versatile."

"Every subsequent movement technique derived from it became terrifying in their own right. But all of them merely exploited narrow branches of this original technique," the Towermaster explained. "It matters not whether you are an Elemental mage of air, fire, water, or whether you possess an Esoteric guile or a Fundamental law. It is a movement technique that incorporates all of your magics to give you the ability to traverse impossible distances. It is with this same technique that the Sovereign of Chaos, Drakgon, gained the title of being able to traverse star systems in a single step."

Damn! I knew there had to be something absurd about it for him to offer it here!

Uhtred was now torn between choices. This was another growth-type item that would be extremely beneficial to him.

He currently didn’t have any particular movement techniques besides just using his full might and perhaps using air magic to also enforce his movements better.

This, however, was a dedicated movement technique — and not just any technique, but the signature stride of the Sovereign of Chaos.

At his current level, the Slipstream Stride would harmonize every element he currently commanded to amplify his speed. Then as his spells expanded, the more terrifying the technique would become.

He wouldn’t need to use teleportation circles to cross vast distances. He wouldn’t need to use tools or artifacts. Just like the Sovereign of Chaos, with a step, he could stride into a new star system without the slightest effort.

If there was ever a technique tailored perfectly for him, this would be it. For someone whose core was Formless, the ceiling of this technique was unmeasurable.

The Gnostic Eye... and now the Slipstream Stride...

Uhtred clenched his jaw, already analyzing the pros and cons of choosing one over the other.

Yet, the Towermaster wasn’t done.

"As for the third," he shifted the third orb forward. "This one is a personal gift from me as the Towermaster. You will not understand the value of it yet, and it may seem useless to you... but it is exceptionally valuable."

Uhtred focused, listening closely.

"It is not a physical item or technique like the previous two. It is a one-time overwrite privilege backed by my authority. If your audience ever forces you into a corner with a mandatory scenario choice as you climb the Tower, you may invoke this privilege to insert your own choice instead."

There was a knowing tilt to the Towermaster’s voice, as if this was something certain to happen.

"Given the storm you are about to unleash, your audience will change dramatically, and your climb will become even harder... But I trust you will manage the lower floors with your own grit. However, this one-time privilege will come in handy on the higher floors."

"Now," the Towermaster’s voice became solemn. "Which of these gifts will you choose?"

He fell silent, his fathomless eyes fixed on Uhtred, awaiting his decision.

Ahh... what a dilemma...

Uhtred dragged a palm down his face.

The last item seemed basic compared to the first two. However, he was very sure it was perhaps even the most valuable among the three.

For the Towermaster to have put this among the gift choices, it simply meant there was definitely going to come a time when having the ability to overwrite a mandatory choice would be extremely vital.

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