Chapter 82: Evaluation

"Janus."

The old man descended to our level, his long, snow-white hair shifting lightly in the wind. His voice carried the weight of experience, yet there was a teasing lilt beneath it.

"You've taken so long to return and pay your respects. Have you become so busy with your affairs that you can't visit an old man in his twilight years?" He spoke like a pitiable grandfather guilt-tripping his neglectful grandson.

Janus sighed. "Master, please don't tease me. You're no closer to death than I am. But if you're feeling lonely, maybe you'll appreciate the gift I brought you."

The old man's eyes gleamed with interest. "Oh?" His gaze flicked to Asmund briefly before settling on me. "One of your guests?"

Asmund took a step forward and bowed slightly. "Greetings, Sir Ramus." Then, he glanced back at me and tilted his head, subtly gesturing for me to follow.

I hesitated before awkwardly mimicking the motion. "Oh. Um… Greetings, Sir Ramus."

Ramus barely acknowledged it before turning his attention back to Janus.

"Master, we need to move somewhere private." Janus glanced at the gathering crowd. "And we need to test the kid. His bone age and his cultivation stage."

Ramus raised an eyebrow, stroking a thin wisp of hair sprouting from his chin. "He doesn't know his own stage?" His tone held genuine curiosity, but there was something else there too... something unreadable.

He turned to the gathering disciples, all wearing matching green coats over gray shirts and pants. 

"Return to your tasks. Rather than prying into matters that don't concern you, you should be striving to become official disciples." His voice carried authority, sharp and commanding.

A few disciples grumbled, but most silently obeyed, turning away.

Ramus nodded in approval before continuing. "Follow me and explain as we go. I'll personally administer the test as a favor to you."

He led us toward a large, three-story building in the distance, his stride steady and unhurried.

As we walked, Janus pulled the medallion from his robes. "There's something else, Master." He held it out. "A Starborn. Asmund and Peter are responsible for killing one."

Ramus froze mid-step. "…A Starborn?" His hand reached out, gripping the medallion with sudden intensity.

After a moment, he exhaled, studying the object carefully. "Asmund, you continue to impress me. If you were just a bit younger, I would have taken you in."

Asmund rubbed his arm awkwardly. "Truthfully, sir… Peter is mostly responsible. For her death. And my survival."

A brief silence fell over us.

"I see…" Ramus turned his gaze to me, and for just a second, I felt a light prickle against my skin, like an invisible force pressing in. Then, just as quickly as it came, the feeling vanished.

'That guy was examining you.' Luna warned.

'Thanks. I can see the energy moving around me, but what could he possibly learn just by surrounding me with energy like that?'

'Don't know. Ask later. Might be useful in the future.'

Not a bad idea. 'Once I know I'm not in danger here, I will.'

*Ahem.* Janus cleared his throat. "Even so, Asmund has been working bravely and diligently against that bloodline. I think he's more than earned an exceptional reward for his contributions."

Ramus barely reacted. "And what might that be?"

"The Realm of Eternal Fire."

Ramus remained silent, his expression unreadable as he continued walking.

Eventually, though, he spoke. "I will convince the sect leader." His voice was even, measured. Then, finally, he turned, meeting Asmund's gaze. "Considering your accomplishments, Asmund, you do deserve a chance to develop an essence."

"Th—THANK YOU, SIR!" For a second, I thought Asmund might fall to his knees and start groveling, but before he could, Ramus raised a hand.

"We can handle this later. Focus on the task at hand."

"YES!"

Luna hummed thoughtfully. 'Essence must really be something.'

I thought back to her unnatural ability. Her power to absorb all forms of energy.

'Maybe not to you. You might be the most talented piece of grass in all of existence.'

She adopted a bright pink glow. 'You really think so?'

Honestly? How should I know? I didn't exactly have an encyclopedia on mystical plants. 'Of course.'

Luna paused. 'I'll pretend I didn't hear your thoughts.'

Oops. 'I mean… Unless your kind can do what you do, I wouldn't doubt your talent. My dumb thoughts are just that.'

She didn't reply, but I got the feeling she had gone back to training.

Just in case, I sent a fresh surge of energy toward her. My vision sharpened instantly, energy trails flaring to life all around me.

We kept moving, eventually reaching the building's entrance.

The moment we stepped inside we were greeted with a, "Ticke—Uh, Greetings, Elder!"

A young man, probably just a few years older than me, scrambled to his feet and bowed deeply.

The first floor wasn't overly impressive. A fairly open hall, a greeting desk, and a single attendant, who was now raising his head from the bow.

To my left, I noticed a circular chamber flanked by two hallways. One leading to a stairwell, the other to an altar at the far end.

"Be at ease." Ramus barely acknowledged him. "We'll be using the testing center. Any appointments may need to be rescheduled."

The attendant shook his head. "There are none today, sir. Please, take your time."

"Good." Ramus turned to me and pointed toward the center of the hall, where the two hallways met. "Stand there."

At the center stood a black obelisk, slightly taller than me and as I approached, I noticed etched runes carved into its surface, unfamiliar symbols that I was unable to read.

The moment I stepped into the circle surrounding it, a shimmering barrier flared to life, sealing me inside. My pulse spiked. Had they decided to extract information out of me?

Then, Ramus spoke. "Be calm. Wait, and you will be tested."

I took a slow breath, forcing myself to calm, but I stayed vigilant.

A deep, resonant voice suddenly filled the space, layered as if two voices spoke at once. One baritone, one bass.

[Place your hand on me.]

I flinched. "Wha—who?"

[Place your hand on the stone.]

I hesitated, scanning the obelisk. "Who are you?"

[Plac—]

"Alright! Alright!" I interrupted. Clearly, it wasn't much for conversation.

I pressed my palm against the stone. Instantly, the obelisk lit up from the base, glowing white lines racing upward, forming a web-like pattern that pulsed across its surface before converging on my hand.

For a moment, I considered pulling away, but I wasn't in any immediate danger. Janus and Asmund had literally rushed me here for protection, so if this thing was meant to harm me… they'd be awfully bad at their jobs.

Anyway, my hand stayed. I felt no intrusion, no pull, no pain. Just a faint warmth spreading through my palm. Then, the glow retreated back into the stone, and new runes flared to life.

The structure spoke again.

[Age is eighteen.]

[Cultivation Stage is unknown.]

More runes etched themselves onto the surface as it spoke.

[Cultivation method is unknown.]

[Internal Force Power is variable. Stable Internal Force Power is equivalent to the peak of Foundation Strengthening.]

[External Refinement is at the peak of the first layer.]

So… even here, my cultivation method was either unrecognized or outright rare. I wonder if they use the circuit system. Or maybe something like Kazriel's root system?

The barrier shifted excluding the obelisk, and the energy field collapsed inward, pressing against me almost like a second skin.

[Circulate your power.]

Janus' voice cut through the tension. "Peter."

I turned my head slightly.

"Use it. Everything you have."

I assumed he meant my "not a domain" domain.

With a deep breath, I activated my internal flame and my Precursor Sense surged to life. I forced my Internal Force through the Grand Channel, the condensed energy roaring through me like a torrential river.

My muscles tightened, the power flooding every inch of my body.

I used everything.

Even my Beast Force.

Though, to be honest, it didn't do much.

[Cease.]

I stopped, the air settling around me as the forcefield expanded once more.

The obelisk spoke again.

[Active Power is at the Solid stage of Core Refinement.]

[No Essence Attributes detected.]

[Internal Force composition is attributeless Internal Force and two unknown energies.]

[Talent is difficult to determine. Recommendation is allotment to Core Disciple. Observe performance in the future.]

The energy field flickered, then dimmed, finally fading into nothing.

Janus was already moving, practically grinning as he rushed over. "A Core Disciple! Peter, that's something most can only dream of!"

He turned toward Ramus, his excitement barely contained. "Master, as I told you, his power. That strange energy he used."

Ramus nodded slowly, his gaze settling on me. "Yes… Peter." Something about the way he said my name sent a faint prickle down my spine.

Apparently, they'd been whispering about my Precursor Energy the whole time I was being tested.

Ramus folded his arms. "Are you aware of what that power is? The one that acted like a domain? And the other as well. Explain both." His tone wasn't accusatory, but genuinely curious. Like even he didn't know.

Maybe having foreign energies mixed into Internal Force was already rare enough. That would explain Janus' earlier reaction.

I had honestly assumed he recognized it. I hesitated. "As long as I—"

"The rewards for new forms of energy will not be small." Ramus cut me off, his voice calm but firm. "I will personally guarantee your protection as well."

Great.

After a pause, I lifted my right hand, palm up, Luna resting on my skin like a soft blue band. "First is something I call my Beast Force."

I bent my wrist, letting Luna shift slightly in demonstration. "It lets me communicate with anim—well, at least with Luna here."

Luna's voice nudged at the back of my mind. 'You sure we should reveal my identity?'

'I need to get as much as I can from this place. This has to be a cultivation sect. No one has even mentioned systems yet. If I can find something useful for you and me, it'll be worth it. I won't tell them about your absorption ability though.'

Ramus stepped forward, intrigued. "Fascinating. Later, we can test this on more creatures. Perhaps even find a way to develop it." His deepening smile reminded me a little too much of Thea's obsessive curiosity. "How did you come about it?"

Oh, crap. 'What do I say?!'

'HOW SHOULD I KNOW?!'

I forced a casual shrug. "Uhhh. I was rewarded it in a trial!"

'NICE!' Luna cheered, as if I'd just pulled off some incredible deception. I mean… it was a lie. But it wasn't that far from the truth either.

Ramus exhaled, as if disappointed but not entirely surprised. "I suppose we will have to research it later." Then, his eyes narrowed slightly. "And the other power?"

It actually had a name. The system had called it something specific anyway, so maybe they'd recognize it?

I took a breath. "Prec—"

"OH! Elder Ramus! What a coincidence to see you here." A new voice interrupted, aged yet sharp, followed by a dry chuckle. "It seems like you've brought someone interesting with you?"

I turned toward the newcomer. Another elderly man, dressed in similar robes to Ramus, stood just beyond the doorway.

A second figure lurked behind him, partially obscured, shifting just enough to stay hidden from view.

Ramus barely reacted, offering only the barest nod. "Greetings, Elder Craine." His voice was stiff like he had just tasted something sour.

I tried peeking around Elder Craine, but the person behind him stayed just out of sight, seemingly moving intentionally to avoid me.

Craine's smile widened. "Are you taking a new disciple? What a coincidence, I too—" Then, with a quick motion, he reached back and pulled the hidden figure forward, "—am taking an incredibly talented girl."

The moment I saw her, my heart skipped a beat, and the words came out before I could stop them.

"Synthia?"