Scion Reliquarian Node arrangment.

Why not make the jewelry node in the back take 2 to path to and the first node attainable with just one ascendancy so your first ascend doesn't feel like shit...? :o\

I assume the intention is to not be able to take both the top and bottom nodes.

Because Scion.

The Ascendant works the same way, where it takes 3 ascendancy points to reach a notable, so if your normal lab was enough to reach the body armor nodes it would mean the optimal way to play an Ascendant is to first choose Reliq and reroll at the Cruel lab altar.

Honestly, you should just wait until act 7 and do your normal and cruel labs if you intend to play a Scion at any point during this league; 2 passive skill points at level 30-ish are not worth how long the lab is going to take you to run.