4. Imprint

Ahmed couldn't remember when he reached the top, he just knew he did at some point in time. He had passed out the moment he reached the top mostly due to fatigue and because he had finally ran out of the adrenaline buff.

He woke up staring at the twinkling stars and bright moon above him, he was briefly mesmerized by the beauty of the night sky.

"It's beautiful isn't it?" A calm voice asked from his side.

"It is," he replied without turning, not that he couldn't but because his body was too sore for him to want to move.

"I didn't think there was anyone who'd try to match my pace during the climb, I almost thought you'd surpass me." The voice continued, his tone carried some level of acknowledgement that made Ahmed curious.

"Match you?" He asked as he forced himself to turn.z

"Mh, you finished second after all, My names Eren Yeager, what's your?" Eren asked still looking at the stars.

"Reeves, Ahmed Reeves, wait did you just say second place?!" He blurted out in surprise.

"Yeah, second. But you fainted immediately after, you've been out for three hours." He calmly responded.

"Three hours! Did I miss the awakening?" He asked somberly, were his efforts really going to be his undoing?

"Nah, there's still a few kids climbing, so your fine." Eren finally shifted his gaze and locked eyes with Ahmed.

He had dirty blonde hair which was medium in length and worn into a bun, his eyes were a dark shade of green, he had a well defined jawline and cheekbones with a fair skin tone.

He wore a pair of black sweatpants with a loose shirt and zipped hoodie on top.

"You changed clothes?" Ahmed absent mindedly asked to which Eren gave a small laugh.

"Yes I did, my robes were too sweaty and smelly, just like you are right now." He pointed out forcing Ahmed to sniff himself, he cringed after a sniff and turned to Eren with a serious gaze, "where did you bathe?"

"Eh.." the sudden change in demeanor stunned Eren briefly before composing himself, he pointed out the direction and watched the barely rested Ahmed sprinting away.

"Is he a clean freak?" He couldn't help but mumble watching his departing figure, "not that I mind anyways." 1

After a quick shower and change in clothes, Ahmes returned to Erens side to say his thanks and ask about the overall situation.

"No need, anyone would have helped." Eren waved off after the thanks before continuing.

"Well we have a little over an hour before the stairs seal themselves, immediately after the awakening will begin." He explained.

"Just enough time to sleep, that bath was really something I feel like I washed away all my fatigue." Ahmed said with relief.

"It did, that was a magical spring. Those below the hundred ranks can't see it for some reason." Eren shrugged, "it must be a reward of sorts, ohh that reminds me you should check your Imprint."

"Imprint?" Ahmed confused titled his head.

"On your arm, it's the individual reward for the top ten." Eren explained as he showed of his own imprint which was on his left hand.

Ahmed checked his left hand and saw the Imprint on it, an Imprint was a rune of sorts, an advanced collection of runes which could no longer be classified as such.

Ahmed tapped his rune and found his mind transported into a separate space of white.

[Welcome Ascender Ahmed, congratulations for placing 2nd on the myriad steps.] A voice whispered into his ear from seemingly everywhere and nowhere.

[You have been given four chances to pick the rewards of your choice, good luck.] The voice whispered once more before a collection of artifacts appeared before him.

"I don't know what to choose, what's better suited for me?" He asked the empty space after perusing through the array of items.

[....]

[... Queries have been confirmed, requesting permission to scan the ascender Ahmed Reeves?] The voice whispered once more.

"I permit." Ahmed replied with a grateful smile.

The voice went silent for few minutes before a sudden static echoed within the empty space.

[The Ascender has a powerful Ancestral Heirloom in their possession, it's activation conditions are unknown but it has been affirmed to need a lot of energy.] The voice briefly explained.

'Heirloom, since when did I... wait is the voice talking about Rahman's hand me down pendant?' Ahmed thought inwardly as he continued to listen to the voice that was yet fo finish.

[It is advisable to pick an extremely potent source of energy for the sake of completing one of its activation requirements, a legacy is worth more than any artifact.]

[The List of potent energy sources have been availed to the Ascender Ahmed.]

The array if collections changed into a specialized list of energy sources, Ahmed had no idea what any of those things were so he once again relied on the voice.

"Could you please choose the most appropriate, I have no idea what those names are or mean."

[Authorization confirmed, you have received The Eneria Core.]

[Proceeding with analysis, Ascender Ahmed has experience upto the Ace level in weapon wielding, it is advisable to pick a weapon of choice and a corresponding art.]

"Choose a weapon, but I don't have any specialization, I use what I can get, is there a weapon that's all weapons?" He asked not sure how to tackle his lack of specialization.

[List of Shifter weapons has been availed to Ascender Ahmed.]

A plethora of artifacts appeared before Ahmed who was stunned at the wide choice.

"Is using many weapons a common thing to awakened?" He couldn't help but ask.

[It is, more so in their first years before they find a path to wholly specialize in, but it is highly rare in the higher realms.] The voice explained.

"What should I choose then, is there a difference since fhey can all change into different weapons?"

[There's a difference in quality, rarity, efficiency, functionality, durability even conviniency.]

"I see... Can you pick out something for me, a weapon that's within my limits but still usable in higher stages?"

[Order confirmed, you have received Aldram.]

"Thank you. The other thing, what was it an art what's that?"

[An art is a collection of techniques that complement each other or build each other up, there's many types of Arts but for what I mentioned your would be a weapon art.]

"Is there a multiple weapon, weapon art?" Ahmed sheepishly asked, he was new to all this, there was hardly any information about awakeners back home plus his siblings never told him anything.

[There are, but they are incredibly difficult to learn let alone use before awakening.]

"I see, that's a shame. Then is there a weapons art for Blade Arts?"

[Yes, there's quite a number of blade arts, would you like to see?]

"No, just choose something for me similar to what you did with the weapon." Ahmed replied, after a brief silence the voice notified.

[Order Confirmed, You have received the Blade Monarchs Arts.]

"Ahh I remember, I need something defensive don't I?"

[Indeed, would you like to choose, or should I handle it?] The voice asked having already become accustomed to Ahmed's choices.

"Choose for me."

[Order confirmed, You have received the Fragment of Darra.]

[Your slots have been finished, the Vaults will be disengaged from your Imprint and will be in you possession.

For the next two hours the Imprint shall turn into a high grade training facility whose time is dilated in the ratio of 1:100(hours).

This function will be lost once the two hours have expired. The Imprint shall be restored to it's proper functions that is storage of the Ascender items.

Good Luck, Ascender Ahmed Reeves.]