Chapter 219: Arts

‘Now that I think about it, I learned quite a few things about Arts during my time in the sanctuary.’

Kaiser recalled the information the will had shared with him, particularly its explanation of the different levels of Arts.

Before entering the Forgotten Realm, he had always believed that Celestial Arts were the highest level of Arts that could exist. After all, they were considered the pinnacle of what a world could offer.

However, he had discovered that there was an entire level beyond them.

‘Apparently, there are Arts that surpass even Celestial Arts. They’re known as Transcendent Arts.’

Kaiser frowned slightly as he organized the information in his mind.

‘Grand Arts, Celestial Arts, and Transcendent Arts. I wonder what exactly separates these three levels.’

He already had a general understanding of Grand Arts and Celestial Arts, but Transcendent Arts were something entirely different. He had never even heard of them before entering the Forgotten Realm, and the information he had received there was still incomplete.

Rather than relying on his own assumptions, he decided to ask the Akashic System.

‘System, explain the differences between Grand Arts, Celestial Arts, and Transcendent Arts.’

A moment later, the familiar golden-white interface appeared before his eyes.

[Analyzing the available information…]

[Grand Arts, Celestial Arts, and Transcendent Arts represent three fundamentally different levels of comprehension and authority.]

Kaiser focused on the notifications as the system began its explanation.

[Grand Arts]

[Grand Arts are advanced manifestations of the fundamental principles governing a particular aspect of existence. They allow their users to exercise considerable control over specific concepts and phenomena.]

[Their potential depends on the user’s comprehension, compatibility, and the depth of the principles contained within the Art.]

[Within any world, Grand Arts are considered extremely powerful inheritances. However, their influence remains limited by the laws and underlying principles of the world in which they exist.]

Kaiser nodded slightly.

The explanation matched what he already knew. Grand Arts were powerful, but they still operated within the limitations of the world’s existing laws.

The next notification appeared.

[Celestial Arts]

[Celestial Arts represent a higher level of comprehension that allows their users to interact with the fundamental laws and principles governing an entire world.]

[Unlike Grand Arts, which primarily utilize existing principles, Celestial Arts can influence, manipulate, and, under certain conditions, alter the way those principles function.]

[Their power is not limited to worldly laws. However, their manifestation and effectiveness may still be influenced by the world’s underlying framework.]

Kaiser raised his eyebrows.

‘So, Celestial Arts don’t just allow someone to control a particular concept. They can actually influence the laws governing that concept.’

That was a considerable difference.

He recalled the Celestial Art, Endless Ocean, which Alex’s girlfriend, Emilia, had told them about. After learning of it, Kaiser had done some research and discovered that one of its previous users had actually created an entire oceanic world through the Art.

That alone showed just how powerful Celestial Arts could be.

Before he could think further, another notification appeared.

[Transcendent Arts]

[Transcendent Arts exist beyond the fundamental framework of a world.]

[They are not merely advanced applications of worldly laws. Instead, they contain principles that transcend the limitations imposed by those laws.]

[Their users can comprehend and exercise authority over concepts that are not restricted to a single world’s framework. Depending on the depth of their comprehension, Transcendent Arts may influence multiple worlds and even interact with principles that exist beyond ordinary universal structures.]

Kaiser’s expression changed slightly.

‘Beyond the framework of an entire world?’

He read the notification again, paying particular attention to the final sentence.

That explained why Transcendent Arts were considered superior to Celestial Arts. While Celestial Arts represented the pinnacle of what could be achieved within a world, Transcendent Arts went beyond those very limitations.

However, the system wasn’t finished.

[The distinction between these three levels is not determined solely by destructive power.]

[An individual possessing a Grand Art may defeat someone who possesses a Celestial Art or even a Transcendent Art if the difference in comprehension, authority, or overall strength is sufficiently large.]

[The classification represents the depth and scope of the principles contained within an Art, rather than guaranteeing victory in combat.]

Kaiser nodded thoughtfully.

That was an important distinction. Possessing a higher-level Art didn’t automatically make someone stronger than everyone who possessed a lower-level one.

The user’s comprehension and overall strength still played a major role.

‘So, Grand Arts allow users to exercise control over principles within a world’s limitations, Celestial Arts let them influence the laws governing that world, and Transcendent Arts go beyond those laws entirely.’

Kaiser couldn’t help but feel intrigued.

He had initially believed that inheriting a Celestial Art would be the greatest opportunity he could ever receive. Yet his journey into the Forgotten Realm had introduced him to an entirely different level of inheritance.

And the Art he had chosen?

It belonged to the Transcendent category.

‘Now that I think about it, even a thousand years might not be enough to comprehend it completely.’

Kaiser shook his head, pushing the disturbing thought aside.

‘There’s still some time before I have to return to the place where the Art is located. I should try to achieve at least 1% comprehension. Even a little progress might prove useful.’

With that thought, he focused his attention on the symbol of the Art of Balance engraved at the center of his soul.

It was shaped like an infinity symbol, and he could faintly sense the mysterious energy contained within it.

Kaiser concentrated on the symbol and began trying to comprehend the Art.

Time passed as he immersed himself in the mysterious principles. Gradually, he lost awareness of his surroundings, focusing entirely on the subtle vibrations he could sense through the symbol.

At first, he could only feel them vaguely. However, as he continued concentrating, he began to notice something unusual.

Everything around him seemed to possess its own unique vibration.

The air, the walls, the furniture, and even his own body were constantly producing subtle vibrations. They were too faint for an ordinary person to notice, but Kaiser could now sense them through the Art.

More importantly, he began to understand that these vibrations were not entirely beyond his control.

He continued exploring this feeling, trying to understand how the different vibrations interacted with one another.

Before he realized it, night had fallen.

“Kai, come down and have dinner!”

His mother’s voice pulled him out of his concentration.

Kaiser slowly opened his eyes and looked toward the window. The sky had already darkened, and several hours had passed without him noticing.

‘The Art of Balance… It’s related to vibrations. But it’s not just about sensing them. I can also manipulate them.’

He murmured to himself as he recalled the strange sensations he had experienced.

At that moment, a notification appeared before his eyes.

[Congratulations! You have comprehended the Art of Balance to 0.01%.]

[You have acquired the Minor Vibration Manipulation Skill.]

[Minor Vibration Manipulation]

[Description: Allows the user to sense and manipulate the natural vibrations present in their surroundings to a limited extent.]

Kaiser nodded slightly as he read the description.

‘So, this is the first ability I’ve gained from the Art.’

Although 0.01% comprehension was far below the 1% he had initially aimed for, he wasn’t disappointed.

After all, this was his first attempt at comprehending a Transcendent Art. Even a small breakthrough was worth celebrating.

He looked at the skill description again.

‘Minor Vibration Manipulation… I wonder what I can actually do with it.’

There was only one way to find out.

But before he could test it, his mother’s voice rang out again.

“Kai! Your dinner is getting cold!”

Kaiser smiled helplessly.

‘I’ll have to try it later.’

He dismissed the interface, got off his bed, and headed downstairs for dinner.