Marcus watched the testing apparatus with newfound interest as his mind processed the revelation. So this was the "surprise" the young master had ntioned—hero licenses. The realization filled him with unexpected excitent. Under normal circumstances, obtaining such credentials required either graduating from a magic academy, a process that could take years, or navigating equally complicated alternative paths involving recomndations and sponsorships.
Yet here they stood, about to receive licenses with seemingly minimal effort. This is the power of the Rothschild na, Marcus thought, a mixture of awe and gratitude washing over him. The young master's simple word had opened a door that would have remained firmly closed to soone of Marcus's background.
His mind raced through the possibilities this license would unlock. Throughout his regression, he had accumulated knowledge of nurous untapped dungeons brimming with treasures—artifacts and resources that could accelerate his growth trendously. Without proper authorization, attempting to raid these locations would have branded him an illegal dungeon diver, risking imprisonnt or worse. Now, those restrictions would fall away like autumn leaves.
Marcus could feel his advancent approaching a plateau. His Top Level Sword Intent talent had brought him far, but to truly break through to the next stage and overco his previous self, he needed the resources these dungeons contained. Special herbs to temper his body, ancient scrolls to deepen his understanding, perhaps even legendary weapons to complent his swordsmanship.
Glancing around, he noticed the hesitation among his companions. No one seed eager to step forward as the first test subject. That was to be expected as the testing equipnt looked really intimidating, but for soone like Marcus who had done this before, he wasn't bothered. With a decisive inhale, Marcus stepped ahead of the group.
"I'll do it," he announced, his voice carrying more enthusiasm than he'd intended to reveal.
The guide smiled professionally and approached the crystalline apparatus. "Please place your hand here," she instructed, pointing to a flat panel on the device's surface. "Focus your mind and allow your energy to flow naturally. The machine will do the rest."
Though Marcus was already familiar with similar testing procedures from his previous life, he feigned ignorance, nodding attentively to her instructions. No need to raise questions about how a supposed commoner would have prior knowledge of advanced association equipnt.
Following her directions, he placed his palm against the cool surface. The crystal imdiately pulsed with light, sending ribbons of luminescence spiraling up his arm and surrounding his body in a gentle glow. The sensation was peculiar—like being imrsed in warm water while simultaneously experiencing a mild electrical current flowing through every nerve.
After several monts, the light receded, and the machine emitted a soft chi. The guide studied the glowing symbols that appeared above the crystal, her expression revealing nothing.
"A C-rank agility-type with a Top-Level Sword Intent Talent," she announced in a clear, professional tone.
Her fingers danced across a separate control panel with practiced efficiency. A soft humming filled the air as the machine processed the information. Monts later, a slot opened in the device's base, and a small card erged—a hero license, complete with Marcus's image and personal details engraved in magical ink that seed to shimr with inner light.
Marcus accepted the card with carefully asured reverence, turning it over in his hands to examine every detail. The weight of it—so light physically, yet so heavy with implications—filled him with profound satisfaction. This small rectangle of enchanted material represented more than just legal permission to hunt monsters; it was freedom, opportunity, and a massive acceleration of his plans.
I made the right choice following the young master that day, he thought, recalling their first encounter with crystal clarity. The path ahead now opened wide before him, brimming with possibilities that were previously re fantasies.
Liu ihua stepped forward next, her observant eyes catching Marcus's poorly concealed excitent. He must be ntally cataloging all the treasures he can now claim, she thought with internal amusent. Having knowledge from the original storyline, she was aware of even more valuable locations and artifacts than Marcus could possibly know. Yet her reaction lacked his enthusiasm—for different reasons.
As an intelligence-type with minimal combat capabilities, ihua couldn't simply march into dangerous dungeons alone to claim treasures. She recalled her previous expedition when she'd relied on Hualing's protection to acquire a particular item. Such arrangents couldn't beco regular occurrences; everyone had their priorities.
Still, ihua remained pragmatic about her situation. Being part of Ambrose's party ant joining collective raids where Marcus would inevitably claim combat-oriented treasures. She could content herself with items the others deed unnecessary—magical tos, magic devices, or intelligence-enhancing artifacts that combatants might overlook.
Her only potential competition would be Ambrose himself, who shared her intelligence specialization. Yet she suspected the Rothschild heir, with his vast family resources, would have little interest in what she would consider valuable finds. Why would soone who could buy entire rchant caravans begrudge a poor transmigrator like a few magical trinkets? she reasoned, a slight smile playing at her lips.
Lost in these calculations, ihua barely noticed when the testing apparatus completed its assessnt. The crystal's light faded, and the guide's voice cut through her thoughts.
"A B-rank intelligence-type with a Mythical-Level Calculation Talent," the woman announced, her tone revealing a hint of impressed surprise despite her professional deanor.
The testing machine humd and processed this information, producing another license card with ihua's details emblazoned upon its surface. As ihua accepted her license card, the cool material smooth beneath her fingertips, she turned to rejoin the group. The sudden silence registered before she fully processed their expressions—wide eyes fixed directly on her.
Oh no. A cold realization washed over her. In her eagerness to increase her strength, she had revealed too much of her capabilities. B-rank at their age was rare enough, but paired with a Mythical-Level talent? Her heart accelerated as paranoia blood. Had she just exposed herself? Would they be suspicious of her?
Forcing a nervous smile, she quickly looked down, concealing the panic in her eyes.
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