Chapter 13 - Measuring Talent (1)

It was almost noon when Nathan finished explaining Theodore's circumstances.

Thinking Theodore was about to face several tests according to his plan, Nathan first led his disciple to eat a simple lunch from a nearby inn.

...

Nathan and Theodore soon returned to the house, each preparing for the tests.

Nathan was taking out and checking his equipment while Theodore tried to relax and get himself in his optimal state.

After finishing the preparation, Nathan smiled as he explained the tests to Theodore, "There are three tests in total. The first test is to measure the mana sensitivity."

"People usually called it the mana talent test as it assesses the rate at which a person can sense and absorb mana."

"There are five grades to the result: the poor level, the lower level, the middle level, the upper level, and the top level." Nathan ended his description by pointing out the criteria for the test.

Theodore listened carefully to Nathan's explanation. This test was similar to the one he had taken in his previous life at the Roxarth Academy.

He understood the process of the test; he was more worried about the result.

Even if he knew that his teacher had already cleansed the poison from his meridian and his result should be better than his previous test, he still hoped to get a result as good as possible.

Sensing Theodore's nervousness, Nathan consoled, "Although the person with high mana sensitivity can practice and recover mana faster than others, it was just one aspect of practicing to become a mana user."

"This is the sensitivity sphere. It can help you enter a concentration state and sense mana easier." Nathan said as he took out a transparent-looking crystal ball.

"Tell me when you are ready," Nathan said. He did not rush Theodore; a peaceful mind was also critical to the test.

Theodore took a few deep breaths to calm his mind and response, "Teacher, I'm ready."

Nathan handed the sensitivity sphere to Theodore, and he instructed, "Hold the ball, close your eye, try to sense the surrounding mana, guide it to your meridian, and circulate the mana in your body."

Theodore nodded and began to follow Nathan's instructions.

็He had a memory from his future self about completing this test, so he was not too flustered.

He could discern many weightless particles surrounding him when he closed his eye in a tranquil state and held the sensitivity sphere.

He knew he completed the first step, sensing mana.

He then tried to guide those particles into his meridian. It was easier than expected; he concentrated on his meridian and imagined an absorbing vortex.

The result was that the mana particle rushed into his meridian continuously. He could feel a strange but warm and relaxed feeling lingering inside him.

He finished the second step, guiding the mana into his meridian.

The last part was to circulate this absorbed mana all over his body. He also completed this step without difficulty.

The mana particle automatically spread around his body when he loosened the suction vortex. The mana particle did not leave his body, but it instead attracted to his body. He just needed to let the mana flow naturally and prevent it from clogging at certain places.

All the processes were more effortless compared to what he had gone through in his previous life.

At that time, he could only slowly guide the mana particle into his meridian, and he needed great concentration; a slight distraction forced him to try all over again.

Theodore did not waver his thought long to the past but focused on absorbing and circulating mana.

Nathan watched the processes.

When Theodore was meditating to absorb and guide the mana particle in his body, the ball shone more and more radiant. It glowed the brightest at the last moment before it dimmed.

The sensitivity sphere also acted as a medium, and the Thodore's mana circulation also passed through the sensitivity sphere. The more mana Theodore could control, the brighter the ball was.

Nathan could judge Theodore's mana sensitivity by examining the brightness of the sphere.

From what Nathan could discern, Theodore's talent in this aspect was a top talent, the highest level of talent classified in mana sensitivity.

'This is a good start.' Nathan thought, feeling satisfied with his disciple's result.

Shortly after the sphere lost its glow, Theodore also opened his eyes.

"Teacher, can I know my result?" Theodore looked at Nathan with anticipation. He could feel that he had done better than in his previous life.

Nathan smiled at Theodore's response; he readily replied, "The talent you have for mana sensitivity is the top level."

Theodore was shocked hearing the result. He could feel his mind blanking with delight.

He knew the result would be good but never expected it to be this good.

He had a top-level mana talent, a top-level talent!

It was the highest talent in mana sensitivity a person could get.

Theodore could understand the role of having such talent because he had suffered from having a mediocre talent before. He could imagine how much struggle and pain he would save himself from.

With this aptitude, he could absorb and recover mana much faster than in his previous life. It was helpful to him in practicing, fighting, and using mana.

In this way, he could be more hopeful of being powerful fast enough to change the previous fates he encountered from his future memory.

Nathan did not interrupt Theodore as he immersed himself in his joyful feeling.

He remembered that he was also in a high spirit, similar to his disciple when he first measured his talent and got an extraordinary result decades ago.

At that time, he did not know what the influence of having high aptitude meant, but he understood he would suffer less from some people in the Ashford family.

Even the past Nathan, who did not know much, was that joyful, much less the current Theodore.

When Theodore recollected himself, he looked happily at Nathan with his eye full of immense joy.

"Thank you very much, teacher." Theodore could not help but express his gratitude again. He felt that his teacher's role was indispensable for the change that happened to him.

"It was your talent," Nathan awkwardly replied as he nodded. After a pause, he stiffly changed the subject, "Tell me when you are ready to take the second test."