Wish upon the Stars chapter 4 pt 1

My destiny did await, but it had to stand in line. There was only one  of the scanner devices so as we went down the line the rest of us  talked to Beaker. It turned out most of us had heard of Beaker, or at  least his accomplishments. The eccentric Enchanter had apparently  created several products that were in regular use in the Conglomerate.  Beaker explained that crafters could, for the most part, still gain stat  points through crafting.

He  smiled casually as he gestured to a few of his recent projects. "As you  all know heroic cultivation, or Ascendant cultivation depending on your  preference relies on performing great deeds. Since creating a product  that sees heavy use is considered a great deed it's possible to accrue  stats in such a manner. Many a crafting genius has risen to power on the  notoriety of their creations alone, remaining in the background  personally so as not to draw attention."

Our  humorless guide cut in. "Not many. Very few. Creating a device or  concept that counts as a great deed is difficult. MOST crafters get out  among the people and demonstrate their devices, which can give  substantial returns. As you may know, Ascendant cultivation isn't  linear. Especially after a rank up, stats become increasingly harder to  gather. Larger and more impressive deeds are needed. Very few crafters  who operate in the manner Beaker is describing reach E rank."

Beaker  snorted. "Very few people reach E rank at all. It's no shame not  becoming a powerhouse. The F rank is a respectable stopping point. A  decent amount of Impact buys you a long happy life." At our surprise he  turned to raise an eyebrow at our guide. "You hadn't started giving the  speech yet so I assume you told them how stats work. Did you not mention  the main advantage of Impact?"

The  man looked annoyed. "No. I don't tell the newbies about that. It makes  them rush their cultivation and unbalances their stats. But I suppose  it's too late to avoid it now." He turned to look at the group. "As my  colleague so helpfully pointed out, having a higher Impact does indeed  protect you from the ravages of time. Somewhat. It's not exactly a clean  comparison but the easiest way to think of it as that each rank up  doubled your lifespan. Due to the exponential effects of stat values,  the higher your Impact the more effective it is."

Jessie  raised her hand, like we were in a class room, and I had to fight down a  smile at how cute that was. "But, wouldn't Vitality increase lifespan?  You said Vitality is life force right?" I paused. That was actually a  really good point. I looked back to our guide, who was giving an  approving nod, clearly impressed with the question. I hadn't even  thought to question it, but Jessie had spotted that right away.

For  the first time since I'd seen him the guide smiled slightly. "Well  reasoned, but no. Vitality applies to healing, whether yourself or  others. It prevents aging, but doesn't increase lifespan. Having a high  Impact makes you live longer, having a high Vitality keeps you young  while you are alive. We aren't really sure why it works that way  honestly, but it's been proven that it does. Not many think to question  that when first introduced to the concepts, however. I'm impressed."

Jessie  lit up, her face flushing. "Oh, I was just wondering." She was  distracted from her embarrassment though as the device finally made it's  way into her hands. She swallowed hard, and looked at me. "Hope we both  end up getting in!" She gave me a nervous smile then locked her hands  around both of the grips and spoke the activation word that Beaker had  given her. The screen lit up on the device, showing a version of the  same screen I'd seen before with a few differences.

Jessica Evans. I-rank. Ability: Minor Botany

Impact-1

Fantasy-1

Vitality-1

Creation-1

Skills: Minor Flower Arrangement, Minor Herbalism

Our  guide nodded in satisfaction. "Very impressive. Two Skills already so  early in your advancement. Four unlocked stats is no small feat either. I  can see why your brother had such high hopes for you. You haven't  managed to reach two in any of your stats yet, but your scan data says  you only recently acquired that point in Fantasy, and managing to unlock  a new stat before your intake is certainly worth noting." He gave her a  solemn nod, but I saw her shoulder relax a bit as he reassured her.

Finally,  Beaker turned to hand the scanner to me. "Well, looks like you're the  last one young man." It was hard not to roll my eyes at being called  young man by someone in his early twenties, but I managed. Our guide was  not quite so restrained. I smirked a bit at the interplay but nervously  took the scanner. Jessie gave me an encouraging smile, seemingly trying  to convey that I had this. Which was true, but I wasn't worried about  not being noticed, I was worried about literally the opposite. Still I  did what I had to do and grasped the handles.

The  sensation of being scanned felt...intrusive. I wasn't sure why no one  else had seemed to react to it, but maybe not being past I rank meant  they couldn't feel it or something. Whatever the case it made me feel  naked and exposed, and I was silently glad I'd gotten the obfuscator,  because just knowing that not all my secrets hadn't been revealed gave  me a profound sense of comfort in the face of the intrusive energy. Once  the scan finished my information popped up on the screen with a few  minor differences.

Shane Wyndham. H-rank. Ability: Lesser Woodworking

Might-2
Impact-2
Fantasy-2
Vitality-2
Focus-1
Perception-1
Creation-1
Skills: Lesser Doom Sovereign Mastery, Minor Piano Mastery, Minor  Cooking Mastery, Minor Gymnastics Mastery, Minor Swimming Mastery, Minor  Guitar Mastery, Minor Singing Mastery

I  heard a shark intake of breath from Beaker and our guide both as they  stared at me in mute shock. Apparently Jessie and Zeke had both  underplayed how big of a deal this was, because you could have knocked  either of them over with a feather. I was annoyed by all of this  honestly, but even though the obfuscator could change the way my stats  looked it couldn't change what my rank was, so it was a moot point. I'd  already tweaked it so my Fantasy and Vitality looked like they began at  two, so at least that worked out in my favor. I was an H rank so I had  to have ten points plus one in Impact, the distribution I had wasn't any  more eye catching than any other combination of stats.

I  was beginning to regret not hiding some of my Skills, but in my defense  Zeke hadn't warned me how uncommon they were. I was beginning to  realize I had a dramatically skewed idea of what power was supposed to  look like for someone at my level of development. I smiled nervously.  "I...uh, I guess those are good stats?" The guide was looking at me like  he'd just won the lottery and Beaker looked like he wanted to cut my  skull open and study my brain for science. Jessie, who'd already known  my stats, just giggled a bit at my reaction.

The  guide cleared his throat. "Ah, yes. That's...quite a few  accomplishments. I see from your scan data that you had all your stats  already unlocked and started with Fantasy and Vitality at two. I'm  impressed you managed to obtain a second point of Might so quickly. You  seem to have been an Ascendant for only a few days. Still, to be H rank  at such an early point in your career, as well as having yet to acquire  your Ascendant identity is quite extraordinary. I am Stricture by the  way. If you can stay behind after the evaluation I dare say the guild  master would love to speak with you."

Based  on his tamped down excitement bringing the guild master someone with my  supposed talent would net him quite a few benefits, but I didn't mind. I  actually felt much better knowing he was making a big deal because he  stood to benefit rather than some kind of misguided form of expectations  towards me. Stricture (which I assumed was his cape name) simply nodded  one last time and turned to face the rest of the group, clearly having  more information to pass on before this thing could wrap up.

He  cleared his throat again, this time to get attention rather than out of  embarrassment. "Now, each of you have been evaluated and your data has  been registered. A committee will vote on your status and one of two  things will happen. First off you may be deemed to have the potential to  join the Unity. If this happens you will be extended an invitation and  given access to our resources as a member. You will work with our image  consultants to design your new costume and brand and be given access to  coaches to help you learn to spread your reputation and feats to the  populace."

That  was interesting. I knew that great deeds were the way we raised our  stats, but I hadn't considered they might have people who could help  train you on how to perform them. Stricture continued. " Secondly you  may be deemed to have an ability more suited to the private sector. You  will be referred to our overflow office and they will aid you in finding  a job working for a local company in a field related to your ability."

He  held up a finger to silence the muttering that followed. "I would like  to clarify that this does not reflect negatively on those of you who  weren't extended an invitation. Working with the Unity is a dangerous  job, even in non combat roles. There are many groups who see association  with us as a target painted on your backs, and we cannot in good  conscience add a member to our ranks that we feel will be unable to  flourish with our organization. In some cases a job in the private  sector can be just as, if not more rewarding than becoming a Unity  initiate."

His  face softened for the first time outside of his brief smile at Jessie.  "Each of you has embarked on a journey today. Whether that journey  brings you back to us or on to other things, I truly believe it will be  an important and life changing experience for everyone here. Even if you  don't remain, remember this. Every ability can be great if used in the  proper way. There is no Ascendant who cannot make a legend of their own.  Now, follow the steps back down the the intake office and Beaker will  see you out, I have something to attend to at the moment unfortunately."

Beaker  looked completely betrayed and tried to argue, but Stricture just  dismissed him and sent him off down the steps with the other evaluees.  He turned to me with a sedate smile. "Now, Mr. Wyndham, if you would  follow me, I can take you to see the guild master." He gestured me out  onto the steps, and Jessie gave me a tight hug and a bright smile as she  bumped my fist to exchange contact information. As we ascended the  steps he filled me in on the situation in the Unity a bit.

Stricture  only gave me the basic rundown on what to expect. "Now, as you may know  the Unity stretches across the whole of the Conglomerate. The Unity is  the name of our founder as well as our organization, but each branch has  their own guild master as well, just to oversee matters in their  territory. I tell you this so you won't be too stressed about meeting  her. She prefers to be treated casually as you'll see when you enter, so  no need for any worried or formality." I nodded my understanding and we  came to a stop at the top of the invisible steps at a metal security  door. Stricture gestured for me to enter. "Now, I'll wait for you out  here so you can find your way out. Enjoy your visit."