I, Fú Nī Yà, a magical genius!

The moment Master Valentin extended his hand, the space around Fú Nī Yà twisted and blurred instantaneously.

A wave of dizziness washed over Fú Nī Yà, and when it receded, she found the scenery before her had abruptly transformed.

It was a rather dim room.

The room boasted a high, vaulted ceiling, and directly ahead stood a solemn statue, structurally reminiscent of the Knight God’s temple she had visited recently. Before the statue, a small fountain gurgled, its clear waters flowing serenely.

Fú Nī Yà’s eyes widened in astonishment.

“What was that just now…?”

“A simple spatial displacement,” Master Valentin chuckled, stroking his beard. “How do you feel, little lass?”

“I want to learn!”

Fú Nī Yà exclaimed instantly.

However, Master Valentin shook his head in refusal.

“That won’t do,” he stated. “Let’s first assess your magical talent.”

“Hmph…”

Fú Nī Yà pouted unhappily. “Where is this? What am I supposed to do?”

“This is the Temple of Knowledge within the academy. What you need to do is quite simple: walk to the fountain before the statue, then close your eyes and calm your mind.”

“Another fountain?”

Fú Nī Yà tilted her head in surprise, her inner question spilling out.

Just moments ago, there was a gigantic fountain in the pond outside, and now another fountain stood before this statue. Could fountains hold some special significance for mages?

“Flowing water is one of the sacred artifacts of Thoth, the God of Knowledge and Wisdom. Thoth frequently uses fountains as his altars,” Master Valentin explained. “This is because Thoth has a maxim: [Knowledge flows like water, nourishing all things.]”

“The God of Knowledge and Wisdom?” Fú Nī Yà questioned, a hint of surprise in her voice. “Shouldn’t mages typically worship the Goddess of Magic?”

“Cough… cough cough!”

Upon hearing Fú Nī Yà’s words, Master Valentin suddenly began to cough awkwardly, while Albert and Jo also wore subtle expressions.

After observing Fú Nī Yà for a while, confirming that her words weren’t meant to be provocative, Master Valentin finally answered, his expression somewhat stiff.

“Those are all ancient histories now… In any case, the mages here long ago abandoned their faith in the Goddess of Magic and instead pledged allegiance to Thoth.”

“Why?” Fú Nī Yà pressed on.

“Because the Goddess of Magic governs magical elements, her authority leans towards the Evocation school, but the mages’ schools of thought have long since expanded beyond just Evocation,” Albert quickly interjected, seeing Master Valentin somewhat flustered by Fú Nī Yà’s questions. “Mages’ research into magic has grown increasingly profound, even surpassing the Goddess of Magic’s comprehension. Only Thoth, who commands knowledge and wisdom, can keep pace with their evolving ideas…”

“I see, so the Goddess of Magic couldn’t keep up with the times…?”

Fú Nī Yà murmured to herself.

If one’s primary support became useless, it was only natural to seek another.

Who would cling to a single rope until they met their demise?

Seeing that Fú Nī Yà finally grasped the situation, Master Valentin’s previously stiff expression softened considerably.

After all, for the majority of an entire profession to abandon their faith was, by any measure, somewhat excessive.

To avoid enraging Lady Hecate, the Goddess of Magic, mages made a concerted effort to avoid discussing the matter. Even after converting their faith, they still habitually uttered, “By the Goddess of Magic,” in their daily lives.

The preceding discussion was merely a minor interlude. Fú Nī Yà, following Master Valentin’s instructions, walked to the fountain, closed her eyes, and calmed her mind.

Master Valentin stepped aside, taking control of the altar.

Detecting an individual’s talent was, fundamentally, a prerequisite ability for every deity.

It was through this power that the high and mighty gods could select talented individuals from their mortal followers, nurturing them to enhance their influence in the mortal realm.

Observing the somewhat nervous Fú Nī Yà, Master Valentin felt a pang of helplessness, inwardly deciding that if her overall rating reached a B, he would permit her to audit classes.

A B rating was already the absolute minimum. It was worth noting that for a commoner to even enter the doors of the Arcane Branch, an overall rating of A was typically required.

Under Master Valentin’s control, the altar emitted faint glimmers of light. The next moment, a translucent screen of light materialized before Fú Nī Yà, displaying several lines of text.

[Mage Path Assessment—

Talent Rating: SSS

Intelligence Rating: SSS

Perception Rating: SSS

Overall Rating: SSS+]

“…”

Master Valentin’s expression instantly became a masterpiece of astonishment, his gaze fixed on the screen in utter disbelief. His left hand, which had been stroking his beard, instinctively clenched with such force that it plucked several white hairs.

Jo’s eyes were wide with incredulity, and though he wanted to speak, he was too stunned to utter a sound.

Albert, meanwhile, secretly breathed a sigh of relief. While the Calamity Witch had been formidable in her previous life, Fú Nī Yà’s talent in this life was an unknown quantity. This rating from Thoth, however, could certainly be considered an official endorsement.

Fú Nī Yà, for her part, simply blinked at the screen.

Though she didn’t understand the meaning of the display, judging by the SSS+ rating and everyone else’s expressions, her talent… must be quite formidable, right?

She wondered if the God of Knowledge could detect her system.

If not, then this talent was entirely her own.

If so, then it was a combination of her own abilities and the system’s influence.

However, considering the Goddess of Magic, it seemed the gods of this world were not omniscient or omnipotent. Thus, Fú Nī Yà leaned towards the belief that the God of Knowledge was unaware of her system.

Did that mean she was inherently powerful?

Then again, was this talent truly hers, or did it belong to her previous self…? Eh!?

Fú Nī Yà’s internal debate was abruptly interrupted.

Behind the fountain, faint blue motes of light inexplicably emanated from Thoth’s holy statue. The next second, all the shimmering light infused itself into Fú Nī Yà’s body.

“The miracle of life surpasses all…”

A sentence faintly surfaced in her mind. Simultaneously, her system’s translucent screen popped up, displaying a line of text:

[Ding! New talent discovered—Thoth’s Favor: Intelligence +10, Experience Gain Bonus +20%.]

A new talent?

Fú Nī Yà tilted her head in confusion.

Meanwhile, Master Valentin cried out, losing his voice.

“Di-Divine Favor!?”

The next second, Master Valentin rushed to Fú Nī Yà’s side, his right hand tightly gripping her shoulder as he spoke urgently.

“What did Thoth say to you!?”

Her shoulder ached slightly, but seeing Master Valentin’s anxious demeanor, Fú Nī Yà considered it and ultimately forgave him.

“Let me think…” She recalled that when the system screen appeared, a sentence had indeed surfaced in her mind: “‘The miracle of life surpasses all…’ Thoth seemed to have said something like that.”

“The miracle of life surpasses all, indeed…”

Hearing this, Master Valentin glanced at the SSS ratings on the screen before the altar, shaking his head with a wry smile.

“Ahaha… it truly is a miracle of life. Who could have imagined, before this, that a single person could possess such talent? Thoth himself must have been startled when he saw it, no wonder he bestowed Divine Favor upon you.”

He recalled how, in his youth, he had become a legendary figure with an overall rating of SS. An SSS overall rating was exceedingly rare, reserved only for geniuses who shaped an entire era. But this little lass’s SSS+? Unheard of, unseen…

Gazing at his withered arms and pale hair, Master Valentin suddenly felt profoundly old, as if he could no longer keep pace with the times.

“What is Divine Favor?” Fú Nī Yà asked curiously.

“Divine Favor is the gaze and grace of a deity,” Albert explained. “It signifies that a person is cherished by a god, receiving various enhancements depending on the deity’s power. Furthermore, anyone who slays a Favored One will incur the deity’s curse.”

“That powerful!?” Fú Nī Yà exclaimed in surprise.

“Certainly, and due to the Planar Wall (TL Note: A magical barrier that separates different dimensions or planes of existence, often causing power loss for beings crossing it.), the projection of divine power into our world incurs significant losses. Consequently, Favored Ones are quite rare; currently, there are only a few dozen throughout all of Iyetta (TL Note: The name of this world.)—at least, openly.”

“Dozens? That amazing? Aren’t they even rarer than legendary figures?” Fú Nī Yà asked, astonished.

After all, the Holy Lohiris Empire alone boasted hundreds of legendary figures, yet there were only dozens of Favored Ones in the entire world.

“What’s there to be surprised about? Your talent is truly one of a kind!”

Albert grumbled, reaching out a hand as if to pinch Fú Nī Yà’s nose.

He had always suspected Fú Nī Yà’s talent was terrifying, but he never imagined it would reach such an extreme.

Not merely SSS, but SSS+!

A talent completely undocumented throughout history.

However, Fú Nī Yà promptly stepped back two paces, evading Albert’s fingers.

“Can I audit classes and learn magic at the academy now?”

She inquired of Master Valentin.

“With such talent, you can certainly audit classes,” Master Valentin said, smiling as he gently patted Fú Nī Yà’s head. “Not only that, little lass, have you considered finding a legendary-level teacher?”

“Are you already trying to poach her?” Albert raised an eyebrow.

“Nonsense! Such talent is utterly unprecedented. Who wouldn’t try to wield a hoe and dig for it when they see it?”

Master Valentin retorted, clearly annoyed.

“You’re both legendary figures, can’t you show a little decorum?”

“Is decorum more important than a good student?”

“You…”

Seeing the two suddenly bicker, Fú Nī Yà timidly interjected.

“Um… aren’t you all in St. Mier City? Is it really necessary…?”

Hearing her, Master Valentin looked at Albert curiously.

“Your little maid doesn’t know about that yet?”

“No, I only purchased her yesterday,” Albert replied helplessly.

“Yesterday? If I’d known, I would have gone too…”

Ignoring Master Valentin’s grumbling, Albert explained to Fú Nī Yà.

“I’ll come of age in another month. According to royal decree, I must be enfeoffed in a distant territory. By then, I might not even return to St. Mier City once a year.”

Is that so? Fú Nī Yà blinked, then after a moment’s thought, she addressed Master Valentin.

“Forgive me, Master Valentin, I apologize for disappointing your expectations. However, I am currently still under Albert’s employment. If, one day, I can repay my debt, I will come to you and accept your teachings.”

“Debt?” Master Valentin tugged at his beard. “How much do you owe?”

“One hundred thousand ducat gold coins.”

“A small sum. Shall I repay it for you?”

Fú Nī Yà felt a flicker of temptation upon hearing this, but recalling Albert’s help both today and yesterday, she hesitated.

After a long moment of silence, she shook her head.

“Thank you, Master, but I still wish to repay these one hundred thousand ducat gold coins myself.”

“Tsk tsk tsk…” Master Valentin gazed at Albert. “You’re quite something, young man, to have a girl so utterly captivated in just one day.”

“Captivated? What nonsense! Albert has simply been kind to me, and I merely wish to repay his kindness!”

Fú Nī Yà retorted angrily.

Her soul was male; how could she possibly be attracted to men!?

Impossible! Absolutely impossible!

Seeing Fú Nī Yà’s vehement reaction, Master Valentin chuckled. “I understand, I understand. So, little lass… there’s still a month until the Fourth Prince’s enfeoffment. Would you like to try being my student for this month?”

“Just one month? Is it really worth it?” Albert asked helplessly.

“Nonsense! I’ve never even seen a talent like this. What’s wrong with an old man wanting to mentor a genius student? Those idiots at the academy nearly drive me to my grave.”

As he spoke, Master Valentin sported an expression of puffed-out cheeks and wide eyes, seemingly genuinely infuriated by his students.

“You’ll have to ask Fú Nī Yà what she thinks.”

“Yes, of course I’m willing!”

Fú Nī Yà quickly nodded.

Seriously, this was a legendary mage!

In a traditional xuanhuan (TL Note: A genre of Chinese fantasy literature often featuring cultivation, magic, and supernatural elements.) novel, he would be the white-bearded old man living in a ring!

Even a single month would be more than enough to gain immense benefit.

“Very well, let’s head to the Mage Tower first…”

Master Valentin said, extending his arm once more. However, at that moment, Albert suddenly spoke.

“Master Valentin, can Fú Nī Yà’s talent be kept secret for now?”

“Secret?” Master Valentin paused, then nodded. “Indeed, such remarkable talent certainly warrants secrecy…”

He then looked at Jo, who stood nearby.

“Can your bodyguard keep a secret? Or would you prefer a memory wipe?”

“Thank you, Master Valentin,” Jo stated proactively, apparently wishing to have his memory erased to ensure he wouldn’t leak any information.

However, Albert shook his head.

“There’s no need. If Jo were to betray me, then I’d have no one left to trust.”

Upon hearing this, Jo’s face was etched with a touched expression.

“I would gladly die for Your Highness!”

He declared, kneeling on one knee.

“No, no, quickly rise. There’s no need for you to die; it’s much better to live.”

Albert quickly helped Jo to his feet.

The two gazed at each other, presenting a perfect picture of a benevolent lord and a loyal retainer.

“Tsk tsk tsk…”

Fú Nī Yà and Master Valentin watched the scene unfold with amused expressions (TL Note: ‘吃瓜’ (chī guā) literally means ‘eating melon,’ a Chinese internet slang term referring to passively observing drama or gossip, often with amusement.).

Under the playful gazes of the two, even Albert felt a surge of embarrassment, quickly releasing the hand he had used to help Jo up.

“Ahem, well then, let’s head to the Mage Tower.”

He said awkwardly.

Hearing Albert’s words, Master Valentin withdrew his amused gaze and raised his hand once more to cast a spell.

The next second, space shifted—