Ashen Ascension: The Divided Flame-Chapter 69: Rite Of Armament

"The only thing different is the name of the stages," Nara replied. "Beasts use their own terms, but the ladder is the same."

"The first stage for beasts is called Scion. After that comes Hunter, then Predator, Apex, and finally Sovereign."

Ivor stored the names carefully. His dual awakening was not a contradiction; it was an advantage. Two systems built on the same structure. It was twice the potential paths.

"There’s one major difference, though," Nara continued. "Beasts don’t learn skills from scrolls the way we do. Their abilities come through resonance. When they awaken, their soul aligns with a dominant Instinct. That Instinct responds to them."

He leaned back slightly as he explained. "They don’t study diagrams or circulate mana through written patterns. Instead, during resonance, a compatible skill forms within their awareness. It’s imprinted directly into their mind, the structure, the flow, the execution pattern. After that, they don’t have to learn it from scratch. They just have to practice and refine it."

He added, "Not every beast receives the same skill. The type depends on their Prime Instinct and their individual nature. A Seeker won’t resonate with the same abilities as a Devourer."

"There are four Prime Instincts — Seeker, Guardian, Devourer, and Shade."

Ivor nodded slowly, considering what that meant. If skills came through resonance for beasts, then increasing his attuned soul nodes might trigger another resonance in the future.

Nara didn’t let the conversation drift after mentioning symmetry. He shifted his weight slightly and spoke.

"What weapon do you prefer?" he asked.

"Swords," Ivor replied.

Nara nodded.

"If you want, I can bring you a good sword," Nara said. "Something that will last you till you become Initiate."

Ivor did not mind that.

"There’s also something special in the Vladiric domain for weapons," Nara continued. "Before you can become an Initiate, you must go through a ceremony called the Rite of Armament. Our family has many weapons - swords, daggers, armor, and more, that we found in dangerous Scars in the Deep. In that place you can resonate with a weapon and then that weapon will grow stronger alongside you.

Till then, I can bring you a good sword," Nara said. "When the time comes, you can participate in the rite."

Ivor didn’t pretend he understood the idea of a weapon growing with its wielder. He asked the only question that mattered.

"How does resonance happen?"

Nara shook his head once and said, "I don’t know. I only know the weapon chooses the wielder. Every weapon has different characteristics. Some reject you. Some accept you. Some accept you and still ruin you if your control is bad."

Once their conversation ended, Ivor sat down and immediately started eating the food that smelled so good. He was very hungry and focused only on the food. The dense, warm meat and rice, which tasted faintly of mana, were delicious and filling.

Nara sat nearby and watched him eat. But then he spoke suddenly, interrupting the quiet. "How was your childhood?"

Ivor kept eating, ignoring the question. Nara didn’t stop, even though Ivor ignored him. His voice sounded casual, but there was a tension underneath, as if he’d been needing to say those words for a long time.

"My initial childhood was good," Nara said. "Born in a wealthy family, but with a lot of competition and headaches. It was good but difficult. I have met my father only eleven times in eleven years."

Ivor paused, reflecting on his parents. They were always there and even know the sacrifice they made for him. He recalled his father’s quiet watch and his mother’s sharp awareness of danger. They had saved him from reckless moments. However, their lives and standing were sacrificed to keep him hidden.

He resumed eating, but his mind didn’t fully return to the food. It drifted toward the question he had avoided since awakening: how long had the beast side been in him, and when did it truly begin. He had always thought of himself as human, and now that thought felt less certain, as if it had been a story told to keep him calm.

He spoke without lifting his head, his voice low and simple.

"Mine was good as well. Shrouded but good."

Nara gave a quick, small, real smile.

"Really," Nara said. "I have never been to the Shrouded District. I wonder how it is there."

Ivor finally raised his head and looked at him directly. "Dark", he answered.

Nara coughed, losing his smile. He changed direction, perhaps realizing he was too close or not wanting to think about the place.

"What is your plan next?" Nara asked.

"Hunt," Ivor replied.

Nara looked at the scrolls and books, then frowned slightly at Ivor. "Are you not going to read through the skills and books?" he asked.

"I am already behind," Ivor said. "I have to get more crystal to catch up."

Nara’s mouth tightened. He saw his chance. "And pay me as well," he added.

Ivor looked at him coldly but nodded. The partnership didn’t erase what he owed. Nara became more serious and leaned forward, ready to discuss something important.

"But the skeletons drop raw impure mana crystals," Nara said. "If you use them it will be bad. How about I take the raw impure and get you refined ones."

Ivor asked,"What is the difference?"

Nara was glad for a practical question.

Nara said, "We grade mana crystals in two ways: ’raw’ and ’refined.’ Raw crystals are just what we take from a Scar. Refined ones are those raw crystals that have been processed afterward. We have four grades of crystals - Impure, Veiled, Dense, and Pure. These four types exist in both raw and refined forms."

Ivor listened carefully.

Nara continued. "We only find these in the Scars," he explained. " We dug up almost everything on Everhold’s surface long ago. This is why the Scars in the Deep are so valuable. Domains and Unions fight over them constantly. The first two stages — Initiate and Adept — can be reached relatively quickly with discipline and steady effort. But beyond that, progress depends heavily on resources.

Advancing from one stage to the next requires enormous amounts of mana. Without access to high-yield Scars, crystal veins, or rare sources, growth slows to a crawl. Power at the higher ranks isn’t just about talent. It’s about who controls the flow of mana.

Anyway in this scar skeletons drop raw, dirty material with the most contamination. Processing plants outside turn this into refined-dirty material. It’s not pure, but it has fewer impurities and is much better than the raw version."

Ivor realized that refining impure crystals was important. It meant less risk of damage and waste, allowing him to grow faster and safer. He started planning. If Nara refined the crystals, hunting would serve two purposes: his own growth and paying Lily. Safety was more important than speed.