Jon could hear Rana's voice hitch within his mind. The movements of the bodhi tree coming to a halt, the sound of rustling of leaves and branches silenced as the Earthen Treasury Womb looked down towards its summoner.

Jon merely stared at the bodhi tree; his hand free to manifest Assail at any moment. While Ashvattha Rana had said they were bound to Jon, as a creature possessing free will and its own emotions and desires, it was always possible the lifeform to lie or conceal the truth from him.

As a being born from "the enlightenment between knowledge and reincarnation" Jon would be somewhat disappointed if Rana did not try and lie to him. It either meant Rana thought he was primitive or stupid enough for them to get away with it, or inexperienced enough to be led around with their wisdom or knowledge.

Even if Jon wanted to think he was smarter than Ashvattha Rana, there were too many things that he himself did not have the answers to. Questions regarding the nature of Mana Cores, or the essence of fragments. The manipulation of spiritual energy or the characteristics of Title Fragments.

Jon was not stupid enough to assume that he was the smarter lifeform in this relationship.

He could sense the trepidation within Rana's mind through his Sea Of Knowledge. An amalgamation of curiosity, fear and hesitation.

"If I may ask Jon, where did you hear the term "Source"?" Rana asked.

"From the System. After integrating my second Mana Core, I completed an optional task which required me to glimpse into my Source", Jon replied, causing Rana to let out a sigh of relief.

"That is good. Beyond good. For a moment I thought that you might have heard it from another individual within the System Introduction. Before I continue Jon, I must inform you of certain… restrictions that the System places on summons such as myself."

Raising an eyebrow, Jon eyed the bodhi tree. An expression of disbelief quite evident on his face.

"How so?" the human asked.

"This is primarily related to acquiring new and undiscovered Title Fragments. Knowledge and information in of themselves are both notions with a grand conceptual weight behind it. Knowledge of oneself. Knowledge of other people. Knowledge on the secrets and mysteries behind the System and its near omniscient, omnipresent power."

"Acquiring knowledge is not necessarily dangerous but can harm your future achievements or endeavours. For example, I know that one of the mandatory System tasks is to create the foundation for a methodology about the manipulation, circulation and refinement of spiritual energy. If I gave you all the knowledge I possess regarding this topic, how do you think it will affect the rewards you receive?" Rana questioned Jon, causing the human to scrunch up his face in thought before shaking his head from side to side.

"I imagine that while it is not considered cheating, the originality of my methodology would be penalized during the evaluation stage, reducing the rewards I could potentially obtain," Jon answered.

The bodhi tree resumed its usual movements, nodding along with Jon's words.

"You are correct Jon. The same can be said for other concepts, such as how to obtain certain Title Fragments, or knowledge relating to the "Source" of an individual. If you wish to continue this conversation, know that it is at the risk of your potential future achievements," Jon furrowed his brows, not liking the answer that Rana had given him.

Jon knew that he was a bit of a perfectionist, academically at least.

Hearing the words "at risk of your potential future achievements" caused him to become apprehensive at the thought of his accomplishments being diminished because he was too impatient to find out these answers for himself.

Jon was a prideful person. If Rana did want to sabotage his future, she would have held the conversation without any regard for Jon's future achievements or accomplishments. If for whatever reason, Rana was lying about knowledge being dangerous, then at most his progress would be slowed down to a degree.

The oath included a pact of non-aggression between himself and Ashvattha Rana, so it would be impossible for one party to physically or mentally injure the other party.

In other words, Jon was stuck with this enormous bodhi tree for the time being.

Letting out a small tsk, Jon's thoughts did not linger on this conversation any longer. His desires for further questions were pushed beneath the surface of his Sea Of Knowledge, suppressed until a later date.

Pursing his lips, Jon instead peered at the bodhi tree, asking something else instead.

"Do you require fragments in the same manner that I do?" Jon queried.

"Fortunately, not. After fulfilling certain requirements, individuals can request the System to take a portion of their essence, containing it within specific fragments. When another individual integrates this fragment, a summoning ability is manifested. This is not always the case, but it does lend to the chaotic nature of fragments."

Jon nodded, relieved that he did not have to collect an additional thirty-six fragments for Ashvattha Rana. Finding thirty-six fragments that he thought were compatible with himself was difficult enough. Having to find another set of thirty-six would be an absolutely nightmare.

Nodding his head slightly, Jon let out a small sigh pointing back to his head.

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"Alright. Would you prefer to remain out here or to dwell within my mind? The effect description mentions that you can dwell within the gaps between the conscious and subconscious mind," Jon said, lifting his head to stare at Rana's main trunk.

"I will retreat into your mind if that is fine Jon. Despite the immensity of my form, I do not possess any offensive capabilities. Encountering a wild mutated beast would surely result in my death," Rana admitted.

Avahni and Rana were both similar in that regard. Although Wilheim was starting to use the fragments in his possession to manifest more offensive abilities for his Mountain Mana Core, both the lutin and floresiensis possessed quite a few supportive Spells or summoning abilities.

Wilheim still only possessed two Mana Cores, while both Avahni and himself possessed three. Jon was willing to give one of the Mana Cores in his possession to the hazelnut-skinned man, but thought if he was anything like Avahni, he would give Jon something of equal value in return.

"Not that I would complain if he did such a thing," Jon muttered to himself. The human observing the form of his enormous bodhi summon.

There was a subtle glow saturating Rana's leaves and branches before the outlines of her form started to fragment, dissipating into tiny little motes of golden green light. The motes of light gathered in a gentle stream of knowledge-tree natured spiritual energy before flowing into Jon's chest, settling within the gap between his conscious and subconscious mind.

Jon felt somewhat weird letting a strange alien plant lifeform dwell within himself but felt no sense of danger from his [Monstrous Intuition], nor the subtle feeling of an ability poking at his Sea Of Knowledge. If Ashvattha Rana was somehow peering into his mind, it was through a combination of abilities that even Jon could not fathom.

The gentle sounds of laughter echoed throughout Jon's mind. His posture stiffening, still unused to the sensation.

"Do not worry yourself Jon. I cannot hear your thoughts, merely the ones you speak out loud. Although I will admit, I am quite surprised over the control you possess over your Fragment Of Mind. Whatever mental construct the ability manifested itself as, it quite sturdy remarkably well manipulated," Rana admitted, speaking directly into Jon's mind.

"Oh? Did you possess a Fragment Of Mind before becoming a summon?" Jon could not help but ask, his curiosity getting the better of him.

Rana let out an interested hum the faint rustling of trees echoing throughout Jon's mind.

"Indeed, I did. [Mine Is The Golden Radiance, The Halcyon Star] was the name of my ability. Although it was called something quite different went it first manifested itself. It was born from a Fragment Of Mind being integrated into a Gold Mana Core," Rana admitted.

Jon blinked, turning around and heading back towards his campsite. He did not quite fully comprehend Rana's words until was halfway through his stride.

"Wait, the names of abilities can change?" Jon asked.

"Yes. It is not quite a common occurrence in the scheme of things, but every individual who increases their Rank experiences at least one such change. There are quite a few different factors involved in such a thing, but I will leave such a thing for you to experience," The bodhi tree said.

Jon suppressed a grumble, muttering something about "forbidden knowledge" and "stupid Systems" beneath his breath.

Jon thought that he was being too trusting with Ashvattha Rana, thinking it was his desire to speak with someone using his own language. Something sentimental within his mind, ignoring the threat that this alien lifeform possibly represented.

While he did not completely comprehend how the System would know if he obtained knowledge from Rana regarding the existence of a "Source", or how to obtain certain Title Fragments, it was not something he was willing to risk over the long run.

Jon was not sure when he would obtain the answers he wanted, but he was confident at finding them out using his own strengths and abilities. He had already completed a single mandatory task and a half-dozen or so optional ones, and ten days had yet to pass within the System Introduction.

His friends might have called him egotistical or narcissistic, and he might have agreed with them if they were here with him.

'I can almost imagine the look on Trevor's face when I get back to Earth with superhuman strength and magic powers. Summer is going to be so jealous,' Jon grinned, acting his age for a few moments before feeling something fall out of his pocket.

Glancing down, Jon could see that he had dropped a couple of fragments onto the sand, swiftly bending down and picking them back up.

Seeing the Fragment Of Throne and Fragment Of Invocation in his hands, Jon glanced around noticing Avahni's figure still sitting beside their campfire. Wilheim sitting beside her, both munching on their grilled skewers of meat.

"Hey Rana, in your opinion, for a close-ranged fighter what type of fragments should they integrate?" Jon asked his summon.

"I'm guessing this isn't a hypothetical question?", Rana responded.

Jon shook his head, before opening his status page and perusing through the thirteen abilities in his possession. The young human made no effort to inform his summon of the exact nature of his manifested abilities, merely waiting for Rana to respond.

"It depends on the individual if I am being perfectly honest. I cannot go into detail without explaining the nature of specific ability Traits, however I can inform you of a few fragments that every individual, regardless of their Source or Mana Core should integrate," Rana said, causing Jon to halt his stride, blinking as he registered her words.

"Fragments like that exist?" Jon asked, a hint of disbelief in his voice.

"Of course! Universal fragments are perhaps the most valuable that an individual can integrate. The nature of their conceptual weight will often manifest abilities like each other, regardless of the Source or Mana Core of an individual. You should know, your Fragment Of Mind is one such fragment".

"Other universal fragments include the Fragment Of Marrow and Fragment Of Spirit. Both produce mutations, one physical and one spiritual, but even if they are integrated into a Tree Mana Core, or a Human Mana Core the mutative effects should be somewhat tame, all things considered," Rana explained.

Jon opened his mouth to speak but stopped himself as Rana continued explaining.

"Of course, the three lauded as the greatest universal fragments are quite difficult to obtain, considering how many people desire to integrate them. The Fragment Of Incarnation might have the greatest number of variations across the integrated universes, but their effects and capabilities are so varied and powerful that people will kill to obtain one."

"The Fragment Of Heart is considered the greatest form of mutation fragment because it will always increase the maximum mana capacity for the integrated Mana Core. The other effects are usually powerful supportive or complimentary ones that benefit other abilities within the Mana Core. Even someone like me, who once possessed a Tree Mana Core would be able to benefit from it."

Rana let out a deep sigh, traces of yearning scattered throughout her voice. It was obvious from a glance that the Earthen Treasury Womb desired the fragment to a point boarding alongside obsession.

"And arguably, the greatest universal fragment throughout the known universes is the Fragment Of Transcendence."

"A fragment which allows an individual to temporarily go beyond the limitations of their Rank. An increase to all physical capabilities. All mana regenerations. Effectiveness of all resistances. It will manifest an ability which can allow an individual to transcend the boundaries between Mortality and Knighthood. Between Lordship and Barony."

"It might have the greatest drawback of any ability in the known universes, but the Fragment Of Transcendence is without a shadow of a doubt, the most desired fragment throughout the thirty-six universes."

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