"Miss, are you sure about this?" Arina asked while driving the car. She kept glancing back and forth to check Ellia's expression. "Shouldn't I experiment with it first?"
"Whether you are healthy or sick, whether you are a genius or untalented—have you ever seen someone with no avatar?"
"Now that you mention it…" Arina tried to recall such a case, but there was none. "No. Every human will awaken an avatar. So, if he didn't awaken his avatar, his talent in that regard might be…"
"No. The typical human mind tends to create excuses that serve to boost their self-esteem. If he doesn't have an avatar, does it really mean he's not talented? That's just them trying to believe in their own superiority."
"That's…" Arina couldn't retort to that statement.
"Rather than 'untalented,' I prefer the word 'unknown.' After all, can't the same be said if his talent exceeds what the awakening ceremony is capable of?"
"I can't deny that possibility. If you look at him, he doesn't look like he's untalented. If he can come up with such a revolutionary idea, he can only be described as a genius, one who is beyond our time."
"There you have it. That's why I'm willing to take this opportunity. If it fails, it fails. That's all there is to it. It's better to try and fail than to not try at all."
"Won't it be dangerous?"
"He will pay the price." Ellia's tone became cold. "However, if this method works, we have to find a way to pull him in. For now, do some background checks on him."
"Aye, Miss."
…
Evolution Shop.
"We don't just get a space element." Auric shook his head. "While it's true that the space element is important, I'm more interested in that storage ability. I understand some parts… but I don't know if I can manifest it."
"What?!" Lindwurm dropped his jaw. "Are you sure?"
"Yes. Thanks to you, I can understand the manifestation part to a certain extent, but since it's a battle technique, I might have to read all its parts first. But since this is not a combat-related battle technique, can't I just use parts from the Void Step for this storage ability to compensate the missing parts temporarily?"
"This way, I get the Accumulation Technique, Void Step, and Space Storage." Auric grinned.
Lindwurm was completely speechless. He had seen him comprehend abilities quickly, but this instance confirmed that Auric could learn battle techniques just by reading it once.
'What a monster…' Lindwurm was sweating. "So, what are you going to do now?"
Auric raised one finger. "Let's go home. I have checked everything in the store and listed out what we're supposed to do. Since the shop was originally a material store, I'm considering making this store sell the evolution service and the materials at the same time."
"You also need to learn some more basics about evolution," added Lindwurm.
"I know that. Besides, I want to test the technique. Even if we have the accumulation part, we still don't know the limit of this element, right?"
"From the explosiveness she showed earlier, it should be around 25%."
"Really? How do you even come up with that number?"
"From experience!"
Auric rolled his eyes, deciding not to continue the argument, and returned home.
Due to his curiosity, he started with the space element instead of reviewing the materials that would be used for the evolution master test.
However, he could taste the fruit of his efforts in just three hours.
Just like what happened with the plant element, the progress slowed down without any materials.
Still, practicing in an open space helped a lot.
In three hours, he was able to gather enough magical energy to manifest his power.
"Look!" Auric excitedly called to Lindwurm as he used his Void Step.
It looked as if Auric teleported from one spot to another.
Lindwurm just looked at him as if it was an expected result. He wouldn't be surprised anymore if Auric ended up mastering his ability, even if he didn't show it to him.
"Is that the technique?"
"Yes. Void Step. I can travel up to ten meters in one direction. But the requirement is quite demanding. In addition, I can't use it in rapid succession. I must wait at least five seconds before I can use it again."
"Still, it's good enough for you, no?"
"Definitely." Auric then concentrated the energy to form the portal, like Ellia did earlier. "Now to the next one…"
He succeeded on the first try again.
"Oh! I got this." Auric smiled and carefully inserted his hand inside. "Well, it looks like I can control my element to sort out the space. Given my current strength, the space should be roughly the size of my closet."
"You can try to improve the technique later. If you have the time and expertise, that is." Lindwurm smirked. "But this is just a temporary measure, so you should get the original to perfect it or maybe why don't you try creating one yourself?"
"I will think about it. I'd rather spend more time focusing on building my element."
Name: Auric Elfe
Element: (Fire 0%) (Water 0%) (Lightning 0%) (Wind 0%) (Earth 0%) (Plant 24%) (Light 0%) (Dark 0%) (Unique 5%)
Lindwurm agreed. "Indeed, the higher their element, the more energy they accumulate, so it is better to increase the amount rather than focus on improving battle techniques. At least, for now."
"By the way, are you really not going to tell me about your power? If we add yours, won't my strength increase further?" Auric asked.
"Sorry, but I can't tell you that even if I want to." Lindwurm shook his head helplessly.
"Such a shame." Auric sighed.
"Enough about elements. You've wasted enough time, so hurry up and begin reviewing the materials!"
"Ah!" Auric couldn't refuse. If he couldn't become an evolution master, the bet would be nullified after all.
…
The next day.
"Hmm, hmm, hmm…" Auric muttered in a low voice, walking to the association while reading the book.
The Evolution Association was located at the center of the city. It was a prestigious organization due to its role in shaping this world.
A lot of people wished to become one, but not everyone could be one.
The crowd couldn't help but sneak a glance at his face in astonishment.
"Is that a celebrity?"
"Do we have such a handsome evolution master?"
"Aren't they usually old men?"
"I pray for his success. May he become the evolution master who will help me evolve in the future."
Auric was so engrossed in reading the book that he didn't pay attention to everyone's reaction. He eventually stopped in front of the registration desk.
The female staff offered him her best smile. "W-Welcome. Would you like to become an evolution master?"
Auric quickly closed the book and smiled back. "Yes. I want to take the test that is happening today."
"Let me help you fill out the form. Please state your name."
"Auric Elfe."
"Age?"
"17."
"Oh my. You have just awakened?" She was taken aback by his choice. There were only two days to prepare from awakening to the test, so most participants would wait for the next test, which happened six months later.
"I did my best. Don't worry, Sister. I won't register if I think I don't have a chance. Besides, even if I fail, the assessment will be a wonderful experience for me." Auric reassured her with a smile.
The staff's heart beat rapidly. She hurriedly corrected herself. "Alright. It's good to be motivated. Let's continue. What is your element?"
It would be ridiculous if he said he didn't have an element. And using two elements would be suspicious as well.
So, Auric and Lindwurm agreed to make a small cover. He extended his hand to the table, using the battle technique to grow a small flower out of the wooden table. He smoothly plucked the flower and presented it to the staff. With a smile on his face and a flower in his hand, he said, "Plant."
The staff was dumbstruck, no, lovestruck. She almost fainted, as if an idol had just proposed to her.
Lindwurm facepalmed. He couldn't help but recall what happened a few years ago.
…
His father, Gran Elfe, offered the same flower to his mother in the middle of a flower field. "My love."
"Oh!" Natalia felt overwhelmed with happiness and hugged him tightly.
He sighed while muttering, "He's really your son."
…
"We're done here." With a red face, she carefully stored the flower and stood up. "Let me explain everything to you."
"There are three levels of evolution masters that can be assessed here—bronze, silver, and gold.
"Each level is divided into three stages, differentiated by the number of stars.
"For your first attempt to become an evolution master, the test will be at the bronze level. However, the star is not determined.
"Each star represents one thing. If you can only deal with a normal element, you will have one star. If you can also deal with variants like blue flame or ice, you will have two stars. If you can handle an extreme variant such as magma or dry ice, you will get the three-star badge.
"For bronze, you only have to handle the basic form of an avatar, such as normal goblins, elves, dwarves, and other races.
"For silver, you have to be able to take care of juvenile avatars such as hobgoblins or elder dwarves.
"Last but not least, you need to evolve a master variant for gold, like a demonic goblin or a dawn elf. Do you have anything to ask so far?"
"No." Auric gently shook his head.
"The test will be divided into three parts: theory, measurement, and evolution. You will have to receive 70 out of 100 points in theory, 8 out of 10 in measurement, and successfully evolve one person."
Auric had heard about the test before. The theory was indeed useful, but he should have no problem. If he were in trouble, he could probably use his cheat, Lindwurm, not that he wanted to.
The measurement was more like an evaluation of intensity rather than the exact number of elements.
After all, with the bracelet, they could receive data on their element measurement right away. But with only their element category presented, an evolution master needed good perception to figure out the intensity of one's element.
It would change the treatment method, after all.
Last but not least, they had to successfully help one person to evolve.
The association created this assessment twice a year so that some people could successfully evolve without bearing the cost of an evolution master.
It was their way of giving back to the community while getting another evolution master for themselves, a win-win solution.
"I understand everything. Thank you." Auric politely nodded.
The staff then took out the card. "This will be your identification card. The test will start in one hour. Please wait in that area."
She pointed to the left corridor, where a lot of people were waiting.
"Thank you." Auric received the card and headed to the waiting room, of course, opening his book again.
The staff next to her couldn't help but glare at her colleague with envy, as if thinking, 'Why don't I have that opportunity as well?'
Her gaze soon met another man who was trying to register. His eyes were asking, 'Are you not going to explain all that to me?'
She simply looked away.
Auric simply sat down on an empty seat without paying attention to the other people around him, but his movement had been observed by the person next to him the whole time.
"Do you think you can become an evolution master with just your face?" The man snorted.
Auric had already refocused on his book, so other noises were like sounds that went in one ear and out the other.
"Oi! Did you hear me?!" the man raised his voice.
"Pardon?" Auric couldn't help but turn his head, looking at the 23-year-old man. "Can I help you?"
The man's eyebrows twitched. "Do you think anyone can just become an evolution master? What we need is skill."
Auric was bewildered. The way this man picked on him felt so familiar. It was as if Eric were in front of him.
"No shit." Auric shrugged, not bothering to be polite anymore since the other party was so rude.
The man's face turned redder as if he wanted to eat Auric alive.
"You…"