Alongside the numerous books and scrolls were disy cases holding relics, ancient works of art, and strange devices Kain couldn''t begin to understand.


    Pathfinders and researchers from the Academic Stream of the Eclipse Order moved quietly between the shelves, some wearing the blend of ancient and modern uniforms of Pathfinder subdivision, while those in the academic stream had no uniform but instead had medallions pinned to their chests with the insignia of an open book.


    One schr was carefully inspecting a glowing stone tablet, his gloved hands tracing the etched lines of what appeared to be a long-lost script.


    Kain''s attention was drawn to the rows of bookshelves stretching endlessly. "What''s the deal with this ce? Isn''t it basically the same as the books you just handed me?"


    Benji grinned. "Not even close. Those are just the basics. If you want specific info on a time period, civilization, or relic you''re cracking, you''ll need toe here. Every piece of knowledge we''ve ever recovered is stored in this ce."


    "See those folks?" Benji gestured toward the academic stream staff bustling about. "They''re the brains behind a lot of what we do. And they also don''t take kindly to us touching many of the items ourselves in case we damage them, so if you ever hit a dead end in your studies, it''d be easier to just ask them than to go through the extensive paperwork required to touch these antiques yourself. These guys are like your lifeline. Just make sure to bring coffee or snacks or something—they''re not known for their patience when ites to human interactions."


    Kain wandered deeper into the Archives, his steps echoing softly against the polished stone floors.


    As he turned a corner, a subtle sensation brushed against his mind. Kain paused in rm, but realized that the sensation didn''t seem to be directed at him, but something within his Star Space—the Tree of Life.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    A faint sensation, almost like a feather rubbing against the back of his mind, seemed to guide him to a particr disy case nestled near the far end of the room.


    Inside the case was an object that looked like the dried and dead pit of arge fruit, encased in a protective crystal disy case. The pit''s surface was a deep emerald green, but as Kain stared closer, faint golden veins ran across its surface that seemed to be slightly more distinct in Kain''s presence. And the faint aura of life began to emit from it once again. However, it was so faint, that had Kain not been the one in possession of what was causing this reaction, he''d bepletely oblivious to the pit''s changes.


    Surrounding the pit was a tangle of petrified roots and tiny flecks of silver and gold dotted the roots, resembling minerals being embedded within them.


    "Benji," Kain said, his voice lower than usual. He gestured toward the encased dried pit. "What''s this?"


    Benji raised an eyebrow, strolling over to the disy. "Huh. Haven''t paid much attention to this one before. Looks like a fruit pit though—but the flesh of the fruit was either eaten or decayed long ago." He leaned closer to read the que beneath it but frowned. "Doesn''t say much... just that it was recovered from a relic site in the northern region. Hold on."


    Benji gged down one of the Academic Stream researchers nearby—a short, stout man with graying hair and a perpetually annoyed expression. The researcher wore a heavy set of spectacles perched on his nose and was currently juggling a stack of papers in one hand while examining a scroll with the other.


    "What is it?" the man snapped, his tone impatient. "Can''t you see I''m busy?"


    "Ahem…my apologies, Professor Fenwick," Benji said with an easy grin,pletely unbothered by the man''s brusque manner. "What''s the story behind this pit? My friend here''s curious."


    Fenwick let out a huff, muttering something about "field division simpletons," but set his work aside to nce at the disy. His expression softened, if only slightly, as he adjusted his sses and scrutinized the fruit pit.


    "This," he began, his voice taking on a more lecturing tone, "was retrieved from a relic in the northern region about fifty years ago. The site was thought to be part of the remnants of the Verdaris City-State, a civilization long extinct. We suspect it''s one of their unique agricultural items. After all, they were renowned for their vibrant environment that was home to unique nt life not seen before or since the city-state''s extinction."


    Kain''s heart skipped a beat and he became even more certain of his conjecture that this fruit pit was rted to his Tree of Life.


    Verdaris—The very same city-state that his high school teacher, Mr. Evergreen, had been researching when he had found the Tree of Life pit he''d eventually gifted to Kain.


    Fenwick continued, oblivious to Kain''s inner turmoil. "Unfortunately, its exact properties remain unknown and since its long dried up and died, and whatever fruit tree that produced it seems to be extinct, we may never know its purpose. Now, if you''re done wasting my time—" He turned back to his work with a grumble.


    "Hey Benji," Kain called out, "Is there any way to request the missions we get assigned? I know for the most part they assign the mission to the individuals they feel are most suited and have the best chances at sess, but what if you don''t have another mission assigned to you for a while? Rather than twiddling your thumbs waiting for an assignment, wouldn''t it be better to actively sign up for one?"


    Benji nodded, "Correct. Which is why the degree of freedom for the Pathfinders is only second to the Starchasers. If 3 months go by without you being assigned a task, you can volunteer to join another member''s task. However, there isn''t a guarantee your request would be granted. After all, they can''t send a deadweight teammate into a dangerous relic just because they wanted to join. Therefore, the more you prove yourself and explore more relics, the greater the degree of freedom you''ll eventually enjoy." Find your next read at empire


    Although it wasn''t quite the news Kain wanted, it was still good to know that he''d have some control over the relics he''d get to explore in the future.


    There has been one ''side quest'' he''d left unfulfilled for quite a while he''d be interested inpleting—exploring the origins of the tree of life.