Chapter 921 Guina <TOC> Chapter 923 Human Skin
Translator: SumTLMan
The so-called test was merely an offhand remark from Angel.
He certainly couldn’t appear as if he were desperate to find those with special talents. That would be rather unbecoming.
But having mentioned a test, Angel began to craft the framework of such a challenge in his mind.
A true test would require a fundamental objective. For Vonman and Guina, what Angel found least appealing was the inherent ‘malice’ within their character. However, he had no intention of correcting their moral compass, but he could take this opportunity, before they transcend into the extraordinary realm, to temper their impetuous nature – particularly Vonman’s.
In Angel’s mind, a rough draft of the supposed test had been sketched out.
However, as he mentioned before, the test could commence anytime; there was no need for haste. Prior to the actual challenge, Angel still needed to perform one task.
—Determine their talents.
Various signs indicated that both individuals might possess unique talents. But it was a possibility, not a certainty.
To avoid any mishaps, Angel planned to test their talents first.
Fortunately, the members of the Rat Ant Undergound Society were all destitute. They used a crude measure of mental strength to identify talents, so neither Vonman nor Guina had undergone the ‘baptism’ of the “Eye of Abiras” yet.
“Next, I will measure your talents.” Angel arranged plates, water-filled cups, lit candles on the table… he even conveniently installed a skylight in the cellar.
All these arrangements were for the preparation of talent testing.
Once the setup was complete, Angel placed a light-red crystal ball on the table, stating, “This is the Eye of Abiras, also known as the Talent Sphere. It can roughly estimate your future talent inclination. Of course, a more accurate test will be conducted when you return to your wizarding organization.”
Angel briefly explained the testing method of the Talent Sphere, “…Remember, observe carefully. Notice what changes occur in your surroundings.”
After Angel finished speaking, he gestured for them to begin the test.
Vonman took the lead, and his movements bore a certain cautious deliberation. His outstretched hand quivered as though held aloft by a zephyr, and before his hand made contact with the Talent Sphere, he hesitantly posed a question, his voice laden with an undercurrent of apprehension: “Lord, if I am unable to perceive any changes, does that signify my lack of talent?”
“Some alterations can be incredibly subtle; it’s not necessary to judge yourself too harshly if you can’t see them. The Talent Sphere illuminating in your presence is a clear indication of your talent,” Angel assured him.
Vonman further inquired about specific variations and unusual phenomena, but Angel lacked the patience to entertain his questions. The Annals of Abiras Talent Collection had already been issued hundreds of times, and the oddities were far too numerous for Angel to possibly explain in their entirety.
Vonman released a sigh, rubbing his eyes in preparation for the attentive observation he would soon be undertaking.
As Vonman’s hand made contact with the crystal sphere, a streak of red light pulsed unexpectedly.
Vonman’s eyes glazed over, a common symptom of those undergoing the talent test.
“Once a red light appears, it means that the individual undeniably possesses a talent.” As Vonman was being tested, Angel took this opportunity to explain some details about the talent testing process to Guina. “Despite his currently vacant expression, he’s likely scouring his field of vision for any changes.”
Guina appeared contemplative, her gaze unwavering from the illuminating Talent Sphere.
When Vonman finally withdrew his hand, his expression seemed dazed but held a hint of surprise. He kept twisting his neck, scanning the cramped basement repeatedly as if searching for something elusive.
“It seems like the changes you witnessed were quite noticeable? What did you see?” Angel queried Vonman.
Vonman ceased his search, his features echoing notes of regret and disappointment.
After a moment’s hesitation, he replied: “I witnessed many peculiar creatures in the basement. On that wall over there, a creature resembling transparent clay emerged. The dust on the floor turned into little lumps of coal with large eyes, while translucent creatures akin to earthworms were undulating as they strolled through the air. An image of a large-faced cat even materialized on the ceiling, blinking at me…”
“They were all wondrous creatures, vibrant and colorful, yet bizarre and outlandish,” Vonman added, the tone of his voice suggesting he had found the experience somewhat enthralling.
After Vonman concluded, Angel pondered for a while: “The changes you observed resonate with several instances described in the books. It’s probable that you have a talent inclined towards the mysterious aspect of summoning. It makes sense that Ghost Caller would take an interest in you.”
After all, Ghost Caller was initially a summoner’s apprentice.
Vonman was itching to inquire about the summoning system, however, Angel didn’t entertain him and instead cast his gaze upon Guina.
“It’s your turn now. Though your arms and legs are missing, you can touch the Talent Sphere with your forehead,” he said.
Guina nodded her approval, displaying none of Vonman’s hesitation, and signaled Vonman to carry her forward. However, Vonman seemed to be still lost in the remarkable scene that just unfolded and carelessly caused Guina’s small doll on her shoulder to tumble onto the ground.
Vonman hastily scooped the doll up, dusting it off with his hand.
Angel observed that it was a small cloth doll with a rounded head and slim body, somewhat squishy to touch, reminiscent of a yellow smiley faced doll. The face, however, was peculiar; both the eyes and mouth were stitched with black thread.
And this black thread was virtually identical to the one used to sew shut Guina’s mouth.
If viewed from a distance, Guina too looked like a doll, but one that’s been severely damaged with missing limbs.
When Guina’s forehead made contact with the Talent Sphere, it burst forth with a radiant red light, proving that Guina, as Vonman had claimed, was indeed a talent.
After a while, Guina opened her clear eyes and told Angel, “Wizard, I saw my cloth doll, manipulated by invisible strings, dancing.”
“Is that your transformation?” Angel pondered for a moment, “It sounds a bit like the puppet wizard manipulated by strings.”
‘Bogula’ the Puppet Master took a similar path.
As Angel was considering this, Guina suddenly spoke again, “Also, I saw my body emitting red light.”
Angel shot up and asked, “Are you sure your body was giving off a red light?”
Guina was uncertain why Angel’s expression was suddenly filled with surprise. She nodded and confirmed in her peculiar ventriloquist-like tone, “Szz… Yes, since I can only move my neck, I could only see a part of my waist.”
Guina’s clothing was actually an improvised version of a worn-out male dress, and there was a hole in the waist area. It was through this hole that she saw her own body glowing.
“It felt as if there were peculiar symbols etched into my skin, and I tried to commit them to memory. But when I woke up, I couldn’t remember anything,” Guina expressed with a hint of regret.
Angel, however, was rapidly comparing her description with cases from the —Annals of Abiras Talent Collection—, a marionette performing a dance. That was undoubtedly puppetry. Yet, she also saw herself glowing red. This could potentially indicate that Guina possessed an unusual physique.
But his exposure to the —Annals of Abiras Talent Collection— was limited, hence his understanding of such unique traits was not vivid.
Glowing bodies, on the other hand, were solely seen in individuals with special physiques. Thus, he could almost confirm that Guina was not just a talent but also a talent with a Special Physique.
This was indeed astonishing.
As per the rules of the Savage Grottoes Guide Mission, locating an individual with a unique talent or special physique results in multiplied rewards. Although Angel didn’t have any interest in these rewards, the existence of this rule indicated the rarity of people with special physiques.
“Never thought my luck would be this good. At the last moment, I actually encountered a talent with a special physique. Guina alone can basically match the worth of ten regular talents,” Angel couldn’t help but marvel to himself.
“My lord, what does the glowing of Guina’s body signify?” Vonman asked curiously at this point.
“It implies that you possess a special physique, which could potentially be a boon or a bane,” As Angel said this, he inadvertently thought of Hilary who had a unique talent. “We will make a thorough assessment once we return to the Savage Grottoes.”
Angel didn’t elaborate further, pocketed the talent sphere and said to both of them, “Your talents have been assessed, and preliminary indications suggest that they are impressive. However, your future accomplishments will depend on your own efforts.”
“Next, I will give you an hour to gather your belongings. We will set off after an hour.”
……
Neither Guina nor Vonman had many possessions to collect. Hence, they understood very well that this wizard, known as Pat, was allowing them an hour, mainly to bid farewell to their past.
And also to bid adieu to Aniga and Chira.
Previously, their grief was momentarily placed aside as they needed to evaluate their inherent talents. Now, gazing upon the two cold bodies lying in the cellar, their spirits gradually descended into the depths of sorrow.
Vonman dropped to his knees, sobbing in muted whispers.
“I still remember the scene when we first met three years ago, I never expected that now it would come to…”
These four were, in fact, refugees with no blood ties. Yet, their bond was stronger than that of kin, each other’s warmth being their only refuge in a merciless world at the bottom rungs of society.
Chira aspired to be a cook, and Aniga’s dream was to be a musician.
But now, all that came to a standstill here.
Vonman’s face was a picture of bitterness: “In reality, it’s all my fault. I shouldn’t have followed that Ghost Caller, nor should I have believed his lies, leading you into the clutches of that old witch. If none of this had happened, they wouldn’t be like this…”
In the face of Vonman’s guilt and regret, Guina, who had been silent all along, finally spoke up: “It’s not your fault, it’s just that we were born too humble, left with no choice but to drift with the tide in this dark world.”
“But, there will come a day when I will no longer let others make choices for me.” Guina’s eyes were filled with a determined resolve.
In the consolation offered by Guina, Vonman managed to quell his sobbing.
After the moment of remembrance, they inevitably had to confront the stark reality.
Vonman said, “The Lord only gave us an hour, time is running short. What do we do now? Do we leave them in this cellar?”
Guina hesitated for a moment, “I want to take them with us.”