CHAPTER 20 - 20 – TREE OF WISDOM

Chapter 20 – Tree of Wisdom

"Hmm, I see," Jack murmured with a thoughtful nod.

"There are also other types of titles," Lune continued, her tone calm and instructive. "Some affect monsters, others influence specific aspects of a person's character. There are endless varieties—far too many to keep track of."

"So... I should aim for titles that won't cause me problems?" Jack asked, raising an eyebrow.

"That's the tricky part," Lune said with a slight shake of her head. "You can never really know when or what kind of title you'll get. They're awarded based on many subtle, often hidden, factors. Most of the time, it's completely out of your control."

'Interesting...' Jack's brows furrowed slightly. 'So it's like a karma system for people's actions. Good or bad deeds can completely alter someone's life...' It sounded ominous, yet oddly fascinating. Especially in a world like Aevum—a land where chaos reigned and laws bent like reeds in the wind.

'I'll see for myself how this sort of system plays out. I have a feeling... it won't be anything typical,' he mused, brushing aside his thoughts to return to the menu before him.

"I assume the 'Main Chronical' and 'Lesser Chronical' sections are the columns where I'll find my abilities?" he asked, glancing up.

"Exactly," Lune confirmed with a nod. "A Chronist's powers are called Chronicals, and they come in two forms: Main and Lesser. The Main ones are tied to your natural talents or inherent potential. They're usually unique to the individual and can't be passed on or taught—unless..."

"Unless it's through a bloodline legacy," Jack interrupted, finishing the sentence easily.

"Precisely," Lune smiled. "Though even that isn't guaranteed. It's all based on chance whether a descendant inherits a specific Chronical."

"Hm. So it's like a sharing system, but with some luck mixed in." Jack shrugged. "What about Lesser Chronicals?"

"Those are more common," she explained. "You can acquire them through study, practice, or external methods. While they're not as rare or special as Main Chronicals, they make up the bulk of a Chronist's arsenal. Since you can learn as many as you want, they're extremely valuable in combat."

"And the Main one," Jack added, "is more like a signature ability... something you can't rely on all the time, but that's incredibly powerful?"

"Exactly. So?" she asked, eyes twinkling with curiosity. "What's your Main Chronical? You should be able to see it—it unlocks right away."

Jack glanced back down. "It says... Tree of Wisdom."

"Tree of Wisdom, huh?" Lune repeated, tilting her head. "Peculiar name. Try focusing on it—think about its meaning. That should trigger the description."

Jack nodded and did as instructed. As he concentrated on the ability, a new window blinked into view within his retinal interface.

[Main Chronical: The Tree of Wisdom – Where everything has a beginning. One branch of it could change fates, tip wars, and shift the world as it wishes. Only those who carry the torch of Time shall ever catch a glimpse.

Effect:You have acquired the Tree of Wisdom. A tree that sets a path, and a path that you must choose. Upon you are the choices, and before you lie the future and the past. Greatness shall be granted to those who seek it.]

"What... is this?" Jack whispered, reading the words a second time. "What...?"

"What's wrong?" Lune leaned in, sensing something strange.

"I... I don't really get what it's trying to say," he admitted, eyes narrowing.

"Just tell me exactly what it says. Maybe I can make sense of it," she offered.

Jack read the description aloud. As he spoke, he watched Lune's expression shift from curiosity to confusion—mirroring his own.

"That's... quite the vague description," she said slowly.

"It is," Jack agreed. "A path I must choose? A tree of beginning? These are some heavy-handed metaphors, and I can't make heads or tails of them."

The two sat in silence for a brief moment before Jack blinked and asked, "Wait... isn't this the same ability my future self received? Shouldn't you already know what it is?"

"Well..." Lune looked away, her cheeks puffing slightly. "My future husband never told me about his Main Chronical. You were so stubborn about it, no matter how many times I asked."

Jack blinked. "I didn't tell you?"

"Nope." She crossed her arms, frowning. "You said you were ashamed of it. That you didn't want to hurt me with the knowledge. It really upset me, you know?"

'Ashamed...?' Jack frowned deeply. 'Why would I be ashamed of this ability? Did it cause something...? Something bad?'

"Interesting," he murmured.

"Right?!" Lune huffed, clearly still annoyed. "You acted so weird about it."

She shook her head before continuing, "In any case, most Chronical descriptions are straightforward. The fact that yours is so vague..." Her gaze sharpened with suspicion. "Try activating it. Let's see what it does."

"How?"

"Just focus on the ability and think about using it. That should be enough."

Jack nodded and followed her instructions. He concentrated on Tree of Wisdom, his intent guiding the unfamiliar energy within him. Immediately, he felt it—something shift inside his body. The energy coursed through his veins like liquid fire, rushing toward his hand.

It gathered there, building rapidly. In mere moments, something began to sprout from his palm—a radiant light forced him to squint. As his vision adjusted, he finally saw it.

"A plant?" Jack muttered.

A pale white sapling had emerged from his hand, delicate and glowing. It grew fast—branches stretching outward, leaves unfurling in the air, the trunk widening and rooting itself more deeply with each passing second.

In less than ten seconds, it was a tree.

A tree.

Its presence was overwhelming. A warm aura emanated from it, blanketing the entire room. It was as if the sun itself had descended from the heavens and found a new home there. Both Jack and Lune felt a deep, indescribable peace simply looking at it.

"...So beautiful..." Lune whispered, mesmerized. "So this is the Tree of Wisdom."

Jack didn't respond. His attention was completely absorbed by the tree. Slowly, he reached out, extending a hand toward the trunk.

But before he could touch it, something popped up in his retinal corner.

[Wisdom Points: 1]

[Pivots Unlocked: 0]

[Paths Created: 0]

Then, at the very base of the tree, a gleaming red orb appeared—glowing like a ruby. A small window hovered above it.

[Monster Hunter: Base strength increases considerably.]

[Unlock Cost: 1 Wisdom Point]

Jack's eyes lit up with understanding as the pieces began to fall into place.

"I see... I think I'm starting to understand what this tree does," he murmured.

"Hm? What is it?" Lune leaned in.

"It's a skill tree," Jack said. "Or something close to it. Basically, it lets me unlock different abilities or bonuses by spending these Wisdom Points. The first one seems to be a boost to my base strength."

"Oh?" Lune's brow rose in surprise. "That sounds really powerful."

Jack, however, wasn't nearly as enthusiastic. He stood silently, still processing what this meant. 'So... my ability is an entire tree of options. But I won't know where each path leads. It's all based on choices... and the consequences that follow.'

Staring at the radiant tree, Jack began to understand why the description had sounded so cryptic.

"A tree that sets a path, and a path that you must choose. Upon you are the choices, and before you is the future and the past," he muttered softly, the weight of it settling in his chest.

"The choice... determines the future."