Rody slowly approached the massive door, his heart filled with apprehension.
What if the door denied him entry? What if fate, having given him boundless hope, cruelly plunged him into despair once again? Should he smile bitterly, cry in pain, or leave quietly with tears unshed?
As his hands gently touched the door, Rody felt a will-like force flooding into his mind.
"Open the door, I want to be stronger, I seek guidance..." Rody didn't know how to open the door, but he harbored a longing heart, hoping for the will guarding the door to permit his passage. Despite not knowing whether the beautiful tutor was indeed his introducer, or the relation between the goblin-occupied underground altar and this grand door, Rody yearned for guidance to gain strength, seeking a quicker way to become stronger, rather than groping blindly and training clumsily.
The massive door trembled slightly and opened silently. Rody, stunned and almost moved to tears, stood before the dark entrance of the hall.
Never before had a door opened so easily for him...
Rody, who had been toyed with by fate and endured various hardships, for the first time in his life, felt not abandoned. He realized that somewhere in the world, like this massive door of destiny, there were gates waiting for him, ready to open at any time.
The people behind him, each with a different expression, exchanged glances and smiles, but remained silent.
The skinny man gave a thumbs up to the middle-aged man who had guided Rody, praising him for something. The middle-aged man took several swigs of liquor, looking slightly smug.
Even the silver-haired wise elder and the old-faced old man nodded slightly.
Rody paid no attention to the reactions of those behind him. His entire focus was on what lay ahead. This dark hall, like an unknown destiny, would determine whether he was a mediocrity or a genius based on the assessment of the 'servant of the gods'. Swallowing hard to moisten his dry throat, he stepped forward. About a hundred steps later, a light appeared in the distance. Approaching it, Rody was surprised to find that the light wasn't a human.
To be precise, the 'servant of the gods' mentioned by Alecles was not human, nor even a living being, but a suit of armor floating in mid-air. The armor seemed to be worn by a being of light, with eyes shining brightly and light strands flowing from the back like hair, softly drifting in the space.
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"Welcome, young human. You are the 3086th assessor in the last 50,000 years." The 'servant of the gods' sent a compelling stream of thoughts into Rody's mind. It spoke in a neutral, emotionless human voice.
"What are the requirements for the assessment?" Rody thought. Before he could verbalize the question, he received an answer from the servant.
"No requirements. Any lifeform with potential, human or not, can be assessed." The servant's response was devoid of emotion. "After the assessment, the assessed can exchange something they possess for certain desires or wishes to be fulfilled, to a reasonable extent."
"When does the assessment begin?" Rody asked, feeling his heart pounding. He had a desire: psychic magic.
"Just maintain a thought-free state for more than three seconds." After Rody complied, the servant extended light strands, wrapping gently around him, then quickly retracted. Rody waited silently. After a while, another wave of thoughts entered his mind. "Assessed individual 3086, do you want your assessment results to be public or kept confidential?"
"Keep it confidential," Rody replied promptly.
"The assessment results are confidential. Assessed individual 3086's results are barred from any lifeform's inquiry, but you retain the right to disclose them." The servant continued, "Now, 3086, do you want to hear your assessment results?"
"Please tell me," Rody said, nervous and tense.
"Assessed individual 3086, male human, 16 years old, physically healthy, in the prime of growth and life. Physical abilities severely suppressed, disconnecting elemental and divine communication, likely caused by potent forbidden drugs. Suffered multiple injuries in early years but recently well-recovered, complete physical restoration, moderate resistance to water and fire magic, excellent self-healing capabilities." The servant's words filled Rody with mixed emotions, gripping his fists tightly, afraid of missing any detail.
"Assessed individual 3086, soul protected by a consumable guardian goddess will, used twice, only one use remaining." The servant's words made Rody realize why he survived the black dragon's blood. The protective power granted by Father Sado still lingered. "Final assessment, individual 3086, male human, possesses extraordinary potential in spirit and soul, overall potential rated at seven stars."
"Seven stars?
Can I never exceed this level? Can I break through the seven-star barrier?" Rody was shocked. If he could only ever be a Polaris Seven-Star Magic Master, his life's ambitions would be dashed.
"Current assessment cannot determine your ability to exceed seven-star potential. In human history, only seventeen have surpassed themselves. While scarce, it proves humans' unparalleled capacity for self-transcendence among all races. Perhaps you have this potential too," the servant answered emotionlessly. "Assessed individual 3086, you may ask two more questions."
"Can the magic-martial prohibition be broken?" Rody asked thoughtfully.
"According to historical records, humans have indeed broken the magic-martial prohibition you refer to. Once a human transcends the saint level, they can ignore its effects," the servant replied, nearly shattering Rody's hopes. Surpassing the saint level was no easy feat.
"What's the fastest way to become stronger?" Rody asked, biting his lip.
"Method one: Assessed individual 3086, male human, you can exchange one of your five senses or a 'personality trait' with a deity for power. Method two: pass a trial set by a deity through effort and struggle, but failure results in the loss of a 'personality trait.' Method three: use divine faith power or demonic sacrificial power. This method is the quickest but may alter your form, thoughts, or even beliefs." The servant offered three methods, none of which Rody liked, as they all sounded perilous.
"Please explain in detail the process of exchanging senses or personality traits with a deity," Rody asked, pausing.
"This is the most common method among assessors. If you have a deity you believe in, you can offer one of your sensory perceptions to the deity, or any 'personality trait,' such as bravery, cowardice, greatness, selfishness, justice, evil, etc. Any trait can be exchanged for considerable power. However, it should be noted that the exchange is at the deity's discretion, not limited to any specific one. The same applies to sensory exchanges," the servant explained clearly, but Rody felt overwhelmed, his head spinning.
"Can I leave now and come back later for the exchange?" Rody wiped sweat from his brow and asked cautiously.
"As you wish," the servant said. "But once exchanged, it can never be reversed."