She said skillchains "seem like a scholarly endeavor"? Oh, deary me. Skillchains are aboutaru going from theory to practice, which is the precise definition of a scholarly endeavor. "Seem like" indeedy! The existence of level 3 skillchains is attested to by many a seasoned adventurer--but the proper usage of these techniques has only been uncovered recently. Take a look at this chartaru:   Level 1 : 8 types x 1 element each = 8 elements   Level 2 : 4 types x 2 elements each = 8 elements   Level 3 : 2 types x 4 elements each = 8 elements For some time, all we knew was that there were only two types of level 3 skillchain, each with four elements. But there was no way to prove this hypothesis. Generating a level 2 effect is simply a matter of using one level 1 effect after another. That being the case, how would you go about triggering a level 3 skillchain? Well, most adventurers thought you could do it by putting two level 2 effects together. Of course, it was mostly regarded as an art that only the most experienced adventurers could manage to perform. There just weren't many people who were capable of performing the weapon skills needed to create a level 3 skillchain. "Weren't?" That's rightaru, past tense. There are now quite a number of adventurers who have enough battle experience to trigger a level 3 effect simply by accident. So now we have some evidence of what the level 3 skillchains are.   Light = Light, Fire, Lightning, and Wind   Dark = Dark, Earth, Water, and Ice These are the elements that we have come to associate with the level 3 skillchains. The skillchains themselves are simply called Light and Dark. But beyond the element associated with the name, each level 3 effect is rounded out by three unrelated elements. Don't you think that shows how beautifully balanced the universe is? The most important thing in creating a level 3 skillchain is to have the right combination of elements in your level 2 skillchain. It's somewhat different from level 2, where the sequence of skills is so significant. Level 3 skillchains only require the addition of another technique.   Light = Fusion + Fragmentation   Dark = Gravitation + Disruption As indicated above, if you want to create a Light effect, you need to form a Fusion skillchain and a Fragmentation skillchain.   First Weapon Skill : Burning Blade (Liquefaction)   Second Weapon Skill : Combo (Impaction)   First Skillchain : Fusion   Third Weapon Skill : Dragon Kick (Fragmentation)   Second Skillchain : Light The second weapon skill starts Fusion while the third, Dragon Kick (which could cause Fragmentation in other circumstances), causes Light, because you now have all four elements necessary for the level 3 skillchain. Since you've been given concrete example-wamples up to level 2, I'll give you one here. If you have two highly skilled fighters, it's possible to achieve a level 3 skillchain with only two weapon skills.   First Weapon Skill : Swift Blade (Gravitation)   Second Weapon Skill : Cross Reaper (Distortion)   Skillchain : Dark Even if you alter the arrangement of attacks, you will still get the level 3 skillchain. This is the most interesting thing about level 3. You can also decide to trigger a level 2 effect instead. Not all scholarly endeavors are things that can be studied at your desky-wesk! Do you understand? Skillchains are something that you must work with and practice in order to become proficientaru.