Mystery Tales Under the Moonlight

Chapter 50: Things Remain the Same, But People Change (2)

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In this world, an ordinary person can become strong.

A person undergoes a ritual that strengthens their physical foundation and develops them; this is the Talent Awakening ritual.

A person cannot progress beyond a certain level without extracting their talent, as levels beyond human capability require superhuman bodies.

A person who has not yet extracted their talent can perform some superhuman feats, but this usually comes with an extremely long period of harsh training.

It's like drawing water from a tap, drop by drop; the result is the same, but the difference lies in quality and duration.

There are four types of talents: A, B, C, D.

In fact, even within a specific talent, there's an internal classification. Four criteria determine a talent's ranking from highest to lowest: willpower, mental state, magical energy, and physical ability.

Grade D Talent: [Lower Class, Middle Class, Upper-Middle Class, Upper Class].

Grade C Talent has three classes unlike the lower rank: [Lower Class, Middle Class, Upper Class].

Grade B Talent: [Lower Class, Middle Class, Upper Class].

Grade B talent is somewhat similar to the middle-grade C, the only difference being quality because the diversity of criteria is higher than in mid-grade talent.

Someone who meets two criteria in Grade B still possesses some qualities in the other two criteria, unlike someone with middle-grade talent, who doesn't possess the other qualities to a great extent.

Grade A Talent: [Lower Class, Upper Class].

There are only two classes in the top grade, as the difference between those with this talent is vast.

The outstanding among the outstanding are hard to find, and naturally, the difference between them must be enormous.

What is the effect of the four criteria on talent?

Lower grade (D) can be obtained by barely meeting one of the four main characteristics, and there are differences even within that grade depending on which criterion was met.

For example, willpower is the most important criterion, followed by mental state, then magical energy, and finally physical ability.

[Willpower: Upper Class] [Mental State: Upper-Middle Class] [Magical Energy: Middle Class] [Physical Ability: Lower Class].

The reason magical energy and physical ability are lower than the other two is that physical ability and magical energy can be increased using many methods.

Thus, their value is lower than the others, but those with Grade D talent don't need to understand such details, as most of them are hopeless from the start.

It can be said that someone who meets the willpower criterion has more potential than those who meet one criterion in other categories, and so on.

There's Grade C talent, where two criteria must be met, one higher and one lower, which can be mixed, and there's no guarantee that the person will be good in the other factors.

For example, magical energy and willpower have better future potential than physical ability and mental state, but those with potential in the former are weak in terms of physique and strong emotional control.

Grade A talent, where three criteria must be met, can be considered the ultimate talent for most people.

Naturally, there is a difference between someone who met the three lowest criteria [physical ability, magical energy, mental state] compared to someone who achieved the three highest criteria.

Finally, the negative effects: madness and pollution due to failure and unmet expectations when extracting talent.

Even if a person successfully extracts their talent, due to the new changes in their body and consciousness, there will be some aftereffects, which are called mental demons.

Some with strong willpower are unaffected, but many need purification.

Emotional release and body purification.

These two conditions must be met regardless of the reason. Let's take what the Academy did as an example.

Why didn't they purify students immediately after the awakening ceremony?

It was because of the first condition, emotional release. Even if they were taken to the purification chamber, that only purged impurities from the body; the mind was still vulnerable.

Thus, the second test each year was made combat-related and without restrictions.

This would reduce hostility and negative thoughts.

Immediately afterward, they were taken to the purification chamber.

At least, that's what was supposed to happen.

But due to certain circumstances... entering the purification chamber was expedited sooner than expected.

"Alright… before we go to the mental demon purification chamber, I need you to stop for a bit."

Leon withdrew his gaze from the majestic chamber before him, where the lines were neatly arranged, and spoke to the others.

"What is it?" asked Lloyd, who stood with Selena with some doubts.

Leon snapped his fingers, and an invisible barrier covered the group.

Logan, Lilith, and the others looked towards the barrier with curious eyes.

"This will prevent eavesdropping,"

said Loki from the side. He was familiar with Leon's unique abilities.

"On one of my trips, I obtained an Ego that can slightly influence the mind, perfectly mimicking the effect of mental demons," Leon began to explain.

"Do you intend to use it? There's no need for this anymore, is there? Since the Academy already knows our intentions and doesn't plan to interfere?" Logan inquired from the side.

"I already know that, but I still have doubts."

"Doubts? What doubts exactly do you have to bother us with this?"

Raphael's eyes wandered curiously around the place; this chamber and environment were pleasing to look at.

"Since the third part of the test has been canceled, I believe the grades will be based on the level of pollution in the purification chamber instead."

"And to ensure that the required minimum grade isn't affected, you want to put mental demons in us?" Lilith deduced.

"Correct… but not you, young lady. Wasn't class A your goal?"

"Certainly, but this is interesting. This Ego piece, is it a first-level artifact? What's its name?"

"No, it's a second-level piece, precisely, the second level, second star."

"This… is considered valuable. What do you think its market price is?"

Lilith's eyes glinted, and she wondered about this piece, as she might buy it as long as the price was suitable.

Leon understood her intentions immediately and explained the mechanism of this piece, deliberately ignoring the price.

"It can be used to influence the minds of others at the same level up to the fifth star. That's what makes it truly valuable. If the opponent doesn't use mind-protection methods, it can even affect someone at the third level, first star, as long as the conditions are favorable!"

The biggest flaw of the piece is that it needs to be touched by the opponent to affect them; Leon naturally didn't say this.

Lilith understood the meaning of Leon's words and didn't push her luck any further.

This piece—although it's from the second star—can be compared in price to a fifth-star, and even third-level artifact, as long as one knows its value!

It was impossible for this piece to be cheap, especially when Leon was the seller.

Naturally, there was a business transaction between her and Leon yesterday; thinking about it made her head ache, so she gave up on it.

"Hmm? Interesting. Where did you get it? This type of Ego isn't common, you know?" Loki also felt intrigued.

"Heh, I obtained this piece in a deadly battle against the insane mind beasts in the Mad Researcher's Cave."

"Humph, deadly? You? You, the scoundrel specializing in battles of thought and will? Heh, don't joke like that, my brother!"

"…Tsk, I was about to spin a heroic tale. The truth is, I took it from one of the explorers in that cave after he tried to kill me."

"Mad Researcher's Cave?" Lilith was surprised. "Isn't that the cave of that mad man with brilliant achievements in the psychological aspect of talent, its influence on level and even battles of thought and will? Not to mention that he developed an ecosystem based on that concept in his entire cave!"

In this world, there were eight levels of strength, each level divided into five small realms called stars.

The Mad Researcher was a master of the fourth level, specifically, the third star of the fourth level.

At this level, he was qualified to become the leader of a large clan, but he preferred to live in seclusion.

The Mad Researcher was a child from a small clan and an orphan.

He was ostracized by his clan because of his personality. When he sensed murderous intent directed toward him, this man, in his youth, made a bold move.

He underwent the awakening ceremony at the age of nine and miraculously survived. His talent was Grade B.

Having become a practitioner before his peers, who waited for adulthood first, the clan couldn't simply ignore him; his talent was great and valuable. He was provided with resources.

He steadily developed himself, and due to feelings of threat, neighboring clans launched a war against his clan, destroying the clan's foundation.

The boy survived after the clan leader sacrificed himself so that the clan's hope could remain and grow again.

After disappearing for years, the boy returned at the third level, then annihilated all those who had slaughtered his clan.

He didn't kill them all. Instead, he controlled those who surrendered after their resources were swept away; he spent a year unifying the remnants of the clans and then appointed their strongest as leader.

He repaid his debts to his clan, and he traveled the continent aimlessly for decades. One day, he suddenly decided to become a researcher.

This eccentric man found a large cave full of dangers for himself. He spent five years purifying it and building his home within it.

He wasn't interested in women or wealth and preferred to immerse himself in his research, believing that the talent system was more complex than others thought.

He didn't have a fourth-level weapon, but he had many achievements in developing third-level weapons, such as the Ego of the Kinship-Clamoring Serpent, the Ego of the Humanoid Beast Hallucination, and many others at the first and second levels.

He even developed hybrid creatures, such as the insane mind beasts, the scattered thought giants, the unfortunate dream bird, and other creatures to protect his cave from invaders.

He tried to develop a fourth-level weapon, the Ego of the Mad Rational Eye, an Ego that stabilizes the mental state and can redirect attacks against the opponent even if they're from the fifth level, but he failed and suffered fatal injuries.

The injuries were so severe that his level dropped to the first star.

Because of his severe injuries, he knew his end was near and spent half a year building his legacy and life story.

He left no instructions or means to refine the unique weapons he had developed in the cave.

Only numerous Ego pieces remained randomly in the huge cave and beasts that roamed and killed anyone according to his orders.

In the middle of the cave, his legacy existed, protected by a fourth-level, fifth-star formation. A master at the peak of the fourth level was needed to even have a chance to break the formation.

Not to mention that the legacy didn't suit everyone, as only those who hadn't yet started their path or were desperate to advance and sacrifice their own path and change it could absorb the legacy.

Only those who met the conditions and created the artifact he failed to refine would receive the essence of the legacy.

Of course, since the cave itself was highly valuable, many expeditions were launched to invade it.

He didn't consider himself from the demonic faction but didn't consider himself from the righteous faction either.

He considered himself a fighter pursuing his dream until his death.

"There was something like that? That senile old man accomplished such a feat, huh? Well, I was just wandering around out of boredom and happened to take this Ego, unimportant," Leon said dismissively.

If the Mad Researcher heard him now, he might curse his entire lineage.

"Anyway, this piece is called the False Devil's Mind Ego. Extend your hands in front of me, guys."

Leon clicked his finger, and a strange black ball emerged from nothingness.

The ball fell into his hand; it had glowing blue engravings. Leon focused magical energy in his hand, and the light intensified.

The others extended their hands.

"Your minds won't be affected initially, but when the Chi in your bodies is stimulated, the will of the False Devil's Mind Ego will interfere with your thoughts temporarily. That period is enough to determine the level of pollution in the purification chamber."

"And?" asked Dio. "What grade will we get?"

"You know that the effect of this Ego might be weak against us, since mental techniques have less effect against people with great mental fortitude."

"I know; that's what interests me about this Ego. Why is it called the False Devil? Because it hides among thoughts and affects them as the person's own thoughts. Since we've lowered our level to the first level, that will be enough."

Leon continued, interrupting the others. "And since I'm the one using it, its effect is greatly amplified. Unless you resist, guys, it will work flawlessly."

"This is fun," Logan muttered.

This is what he loved about this world: there were all kinds of strange things that hadn't been discovered yet.

He extended his hand towards the ball.

They weren't close to anyone, so their actions weren't known; the attention they attracted because of the Night Clan's son and the Kronos Guild princess temporarily diminished.

The reason is the tension caused by the test change and the discipline they were forced to endure before the mental demon purification chamber.

All that, not to mention the barrier Leon had set.

"Myeh, well, there's no problem with being cautious."

The others extended their hands in a circle.

A total of nine people were in a circle around Leon.

"Remember, guys, don't try to resist," he reminded from the side.

[Artifact, Second Level Second Star: False Devil's Mind Ego]

With the artifact activated, a flash of mysterious blue light appeared and entered the group's bodies at the speed of light!

The light made everyone except Leon, who had already closed his eyes, feel some pain in their eyes.

The light disappeared as quickly as it appeared, and the engravings disappeared from the black ball in Leon's hand.

"Ouch… my eye."

"You should have at least warned us."

The others complained to Leon. He didn't pay attention to them, and with a click of his finger, the black ball disappeared.

"Let's go, guys. We don't have time to complain."

Leon stepped forward.

Inside the purification chamber.

The group's eyes wandered around the place.

Pure white, unblemished.

There were no facilities or furniture, only a large white space.

The only colorful things in the place were the people and a pile of uniquely colored stones.

"…This place makes me feel uneasy."

"I know what you mean… the longer I look at this place, the more empty I suddenly feel."

Discussions and whispers spread throughout the place as fear spread.

Although they didn't show it on their faces, even those who achieved the highest results in the exams felt uneasy.

Lilith frowned slightly. She had experience with a place like this.

It wasn't just her; most students with deep backgrounds had the same reaction.

This was how the purification chamber worked.

An environment that gradually empties the mind of emotions, then comes the role of the stones in the middle of the chamber.

Next to the stones, a man stood in white clothes, his head covering and mask were also white.

"Let the students proceed in groups. Each student must hold an Ego stone in each hand. These professors will help you absorb the pure energy."

"When you absorb the energy, focus your minds on the white light in the chamber. Once absorption is complete, your test is over. That's all."

No further explanation. Having said that, the man stood silently next to a pile of Ego stones.

Question marks swirled in the students' minds, but they followed orders.

The fear and anxiety in their hearts suddenly increased since entering this chamber; some were breathing roughly, others were better off.

Leon's expression was blank.

This place brought him old memories.

The others, although the effect was less, were affected by this chamber in some way.

Dio, Raphael, Loki, or Lloyd; this place gave them a tingling sensation, but that's all, a little slight discomfort.

Discomfort of thoughts and draining of emotions; this chamber was designed for this purpose.

But unlike everyone here, Leon didn't feel anything.

"It's funny how experiences can be so varied,"

he thought to himself, but he changed his blank expression, and some frown appeared on his face, as if he was also disturbed by the place.

He stepped forward, arriving in front of the man in white and extending his hands.

The man gave him two shining stones.

"Sit there,"

the person indicated for Leon to sit in an empty spot.

Leon sat down, staring at the Ego stone in his left hand.

The Ego stone was dark blue, looking as if crystalline blue sand had gathered together to form this stone.

Ego stones are used in weapon refinement, vehicle development, are important in rank upgrades, in trade, and replenishing magical energy during combat.

They are highly valuable to ordinary humans, as one stone is enough for a small family to live for a year without hunger.

But for practitioners, one stone is of lesser value, as it only benefits them by providing a certain amount of money so they won't starve, and that's all.

If they want to use it for other things—like refining and trading weapons or replenishing their energy—its value is simply nonexistent.

"Dio, explain to them how to absorb energy if they don't understand,"

After the other nine sat with Leon in a circle, he asked Dio before closing his eyes.

Apparently, the students weren't prevented from talking.

"Is there anything you don't understand about absorbing energy into the body?" Dio asked the three.

"I know how," Logan said.

"Me too," Fernando said.

Chae Nayeon remained silent.

It was logical; she, unlike the other two, had no support from a family or anyone. Getting Ego stones by herself was difficult enough.

The absorption method she learned from her experience was useless, as she suffered severe injuries because she hadn't yet undergone the awakening ceremony at that time.

Since that experience, she had been cautious with Ego stones and preferred using them in her business dealings rather than on herself.

She had been undergoing arduous training; although slower, she had been accumulating results gradually to become stronger in swordsmanship.

It was better to answer honestly.

"…I don't know."

"Okay, sit in front of me. Try absorbing the Chi from the stones. I'll guide you."

Chae Nayeon didn't hesitate; she sat in front of him with her legs crossed.

The professor who was about to help her stepped back, leaving them.

Asking a colleague for help wasn't against the rules, but they had to take responsibility for their actions if their colleague sabotaged their absorption instead of helping.

Leon, Lilith, and Logan sat in a triangle, the same with Loki, Fernando, and Raphael.

Only the other four sat as pairs.

Lloyd sat behind Selena as well, extending his hands towards her back; the tips of his fingers touched the young woman.

The four of them—Dio and Chae Nayeon, Selena and Lloyd—felt their hearts pounding hard.

Trying to ignore the new sense of embarrassment, they focused their minds on their work.

Chae Nayeon closed her eyes and released the Chi in her body.

Holding two stones in her hands, she felt something guiding her mind.

She focused her consciousness on the two stones and thought about absorbing them.

Slowly, gradually, absorb them and make them yours.

Swooosh~ Swooosh~

The stones in her hands glowed with a faint blue light, and as if a stream of water was flowing, she felt a sensation of vitality flowing through her body.

As if fresh water was flowing through the energy pathways inside her body.

Slowly but steadily, the stones in the girls' hands were diminishing in size.

After 20 minutes.

The two stones in Chae Nayeon's hands turned into blue powder.

The essence of the energy had been completely absorbed.

The two girls opened their eyes.

"We're done,"

Having said that, Dio took his hands away from Chae Nayeon's back.

Almost everyone had finished, and only Lloyd and Dio remained.

The two held their stones, and after an additional 15 minutes, the absorption was complete.

"Remember, don't panic when you circulate the Chi in your bodies; negative thoughts will be purified over time, even if it takes a while,"

Leon didn't forget to play the role of leader and said deliberately.

The others understood his meaning, and everyone nodded.

Leon sat down with Lilith beside him.

"By the way, young sir, how long do you think it will take?"

"Young lady, since I only have Grade C talent, maybe an hour?"

Everyone in the chamber heard the two's chat; rather, they were eavesdropping.

"That's a long time, young sir. Weren't you supposed to be strong?"

"Myeh, unimportant. I haven't been interested in that since the beginning,"

The two smiled at each other; the trap had been laid smoothly.

After a short silence, they closed their eyes and focused on the energy wave swimming in their bodies.

The energy rotates and swims throughout the body, then returns to the source, which is the core heart, and the cycle repeats.

After doing this for a while, they opened their eyes and focused on the light.

Magical energy was activated in the body.

Nothing happened at first.

Three minutes passed, looking at the white light, until the emotions disappeared from their minds.

And at that moment.

Gghgh!

Everyone in the group's expressions changed.

Leon's mouth trembled slightly.

A burning sensation of pain inside my head.

"Endure… endure until you get used to it. Remember, don't resist the feeling!"

Leon said with difficulty as sweat formed on his forehead.

This Ego truly lives up to its name; he felt as if there was a nail piercing his head!

It wasn't just him; even the others weren't safe.

Only those with high talent were in better condition.

The last to feel pain in the group was Lilith.

She had the highest talent, but since she was subjected to the influence of the False Devil's Mind Ego and didn't resist its influence with her will, her fate was like the rest of the group.

Not to mention anything; this Ego can even affect the third level!

The pain lasted about 10 minutes.

After that, the pain subsided.

There were many who still felt pain in their heads; clearly, they were those with lower talent.

Leon's eyes began to turn red, as his desire to kill increased slightly.

He glared at the white-haired girl, and she looked at him with the same eyes.

But they didn't move, forcing themselves to sit steadily.

"Hoph… hoph… hah,"

everyone in the group was breathing roughly.

They resisted the primal urge and prevented their hands from moving and attacking with difficulty!

"Focus on absorbing the energy in your bodies! This will reduce the effect of the mental demons!"

Loki reminded from the side while holding his hand, which was about to hit Raphael.

Despite their wild desires for violence, they didn't move away from each other, as if showing their trust in one another.

"Chae Nayeon… why are you leaving your back to me? I might attack you without realizing it!" Dio reminded from the side.

Of course, he knew that was unlikely, but this Ego was indeed something; it made him think that it was actually possible!

"…No,"

Drops of sweat formed on the girl's forehead, but she firmly refused; she was unwilling and focused on circulating the energy in her core heart and body to absorb this essence!

Dio sighed again; this was already the third time she had refused.

Lloyd was also helpless, as the refusal was expressed by Selena through actions.

He could have stood up and moved away, but that would arouse suspicion, as only experts could do that, not a student at the Academy!

"I want… to fight… grrr,"

Logan growled slightly.

"Control yourself… we're almost done!"

Raphael said while sweating profusely.

Time passed, and people felt it moving slowly.

"I'm done!"

"Me too!"

And with each passing minute, someone could be heard announcing the successful completion of their work.

Only after another 20 minutes did everyone in Leon's group finish.

The feeling of exhilaration and haziness faded; the intention to fight and kill vanished.

What remained in the mind was only calm and clarity; a pure, comfortable feeling tickled one's heart.

The group's bodies were drenched in sweat, and black color could be seen mixed with that sweat.

Their clothes were naturally stained.

"Whew… that was something," Raphael muttered with some exhaustion.

"That man, the Mad Researcher… he truly deserves his title,"

Leon sighed, feeling admiration for the researcher, as he refined such a unique Ego, which had a stunning effect on the mind.

"To refine such a unique artifact, he's truly talented, young sir. I think there's room for negotiation about it?"

Lilith said after wiping her sweat.

Previously, she had wanted to buy this piece at a relatively cheap price and sell it at a higher price, but after experiencing its effect, she became determined to buy it!

"Checkmate," Leon thought before saying, "Hmm… I don't know. Should I do that? It's highly valuable; should I sell it though…"

Lilith wasn't tense and waited impatiently.

The students were free to stay and settle themselves, but 30 minutes was the maximum rest time.

Because there were still students who hadn't finished yet, and that would cause a disturbance if they stayed and made too much noise.

After 5 minutes, when Lilith was about to feel impatient, Leon spoke.

The boy smiled slightly. "Well, everything is negotiable."

Lilith nodded; she now understood why Leon didn't haggle with her before; he knew that she would be attracted to the value of this Ego herself.

Now he could take advantage of that and increase the price higher than usual.

"Damn, I lost the initiative,"

she sighed slightly in her heart, but she didn't feel upset; it was a loss she was ready to accept.

Because this Ego was worth it, and she had to get it before anyone else!

Leon stood up and extended his hand toward the young woman.

"Let's talk about the price later. Now, shall we go?"

"Okay,"

The young woman smiled, extended her hand toward him, and the young man pulled her to stand.

The group left the place to rest.

The third test would be held in two days, and thus, they were free to use their time in the Academy's facilities as they wished.