The Unparalleled Talent of Ai Ou White

Everyone present understood that the young man before them, barring any unforeseen circumstances, was destined to become a paramount powerhouse. His name would undoubtedly be etched into the annals of history across the continent. Such an assessment from Saint Roland Academy was exceptionally rare, yet its appearance guaranteed a destiny of unparalleled greatness.

No one else was foolish. Upon witnessing Ai Ou’s prodigious talent, they all seized the opportunity to invest. Should their investment prove successful, the returns would be immense. Not only would Ai Ou benefit, but even the families backing these individuals might see a significant surge in their power, all thanks to this single investment and the goodwill fostered.

Observing the fervent enthusiasm of those around him, Ai Ou was momentarily stunned, a wave of awe washing over him.

‘Is this the world of magic?’ he mused. ‘The stronger one’s magical talent, the more sought after they become. I merely possess the potential, and everyone is already scrambling to invest. Indeed, the true principle of this world is power!’

“Ahem, esteemed guests, please return to your designated spots,” the balding middle-aged man gently interjected. “We must continue the tests; let us not delay others.”

While he could afford to be haughty towards commoners, the sheer number of influential figures from various imperial factions present was too great. Even for a respected mage like himself, offending so many prominent families simultaneously would lead to considerable trouble. Thus, he remained exceptionally courteous.

He then turned to Ai Ou, his face alight with excitement.

“Congratulations, Ai Ou! You are the most gifted individual I have ever tested, Ai Ou White. Right now, you bring pride to Saint Roland Academy. I eagerly anticipate the day Saint Roland Academy takes pride in you. I have no doubt this will come to pass in the future…”

A profound silence descended upon the hall. Everyone was utterly flabbergasted. Such an evaluation was unprecedentedly high.

The balding, golden-bearded middle-aged man’s demeanor towards Ai Ou starkly contrasted with his attitude towards other test-takers; it was like night and day. None of the other participants had ever witnessed such a respectful expression from him, and he had even used Ai Ou’s full name, a clear gesture of ceremonial respect.

Moreover… ‘hope to see Saint Roland Academy take pride in you’—what an incredibly lofty commendation!

Could Saint Roland Academy, the highest magical institution in the Sacred Augustus Empire, which countless individuals yearned to enter, truly take pride in one person? That would necessitate becoming one of the continent’s rare, supreme powerhouses. Just how terrifying was Ai Ou’s talent?

By now, even a fool could discern it. The young woman who had previously received an ‘excellent’ rating was destined for at least a sixth-tier achievement. So, what heights could ‘superb’ magical talent combined with ‘superb’ mental strength possibly reach?

Seventh-tier Archmage? Ninth-tier Grand Mage? Saint Domain… or even beyond?!

No one knew, nor did anyone dare to speculate. They only knew that Ai Ou’s future was brilliantly bright. If they could invest early, it was best to do so immediately.

The few previously well-regarded young men and women, under the radiant halo of Ai Ou, instantly dimmed into insignificance. They were like the light of fireflies, utterly incapable of competing with the sun and moon.

Only the balding middle-aged man understood the true implications of such talent. Douglas, the Dean of Saint Roland Academy, possessed ‘superb’ single-element magical talent and ‘superb’ mental strength, yet he had one less ‘superb’ attribute than Ai Ou!

While the conflicting elements of water and fire might affect Ai Ou, forcing him to choose one as primary and the other as secondary, and constantly worrying about their clash forming a hindrance, it was also true that in the realm of magic, talent alone did not guarantee everything. Post-natal effort and fortuitous encounters were also crucial for achieving the Way of Magic.

Yet, who could say? This eighteen-year-old youth might just become the second Dean Douglas. After all, the future was unpredictable. Furthermore, he knew that Ai Ou’s talent might far exceed what was currently visible. After all, using instruments to categorize magical talent was merely a somewhat vague concept. Even talents of the same ‘level’ could vary greatly in strength.

Ai Ou was rated ‘superb’ not because he merely reached that threshold, but because there was no higher category above ‘superb’ into which he could be classified. The balding middle-aged man had rarely, if ever, witnessed talent like Ai Ou’s in his lifetime.

Everyone present had just witnessed the birth of a monstrous genius! It was foreseeable that once the news spread, the capital’s populace would remember one name: Ai Ou White. Even Allen White might gain the Empire’s attention because of Ai Ou.

The young men and women who had passed their tests earlier felt a pang of bitterness. They stared at Ai Ou, dumbfounded, their mouths agape wide enough to fit an egg. Envy, jealousy, and hatred stirred within them. Alongside the sourness, there was a sense of loss, a touch of self-negation.

It was as if a ‘net depression’ switch in their minds had been flicked, filling their hearts with various melancholic thoughts.

‘To be born human, I apologize.’

‘Some people die at eight and aren’t buried until eighty.’

‘If only I could, I’d become a free wind, drifting unfettered. It must be so gentle.’

“Esteemed Ai Ou, please follow me.”

As the balding middle-aged man still needed to test others, a staff member approached Ai Ou. After offering a gentle, polite smile, the attendant respectfully led Ai Ou away from the crowd. Though the balding middle-aged man yearned to abandon the remaining tests and escort Ai Ou himself, he was a teacher, bound by professional ethics not to forsake his duties. He could not simply leave the others.

Thus, Ai Ou stepped forward, following closely behind the staff member. Regarding his own talent, Ai Ou felt both surprised and a sense of something being entirely logical. After all, each time he revived a dragon, Ai Ou felt previously unfamiliar elements suddenly become intimately familiar. It was as if a goddess who had once ignored him had suddenly become his devoted admirer.

‘Dragon Island System, is this related to my contract with the dragons?’

[The Dragon Island Lord gains the magical talent and physical strength of each dragon they revive. Furthermore, your life forces are shared. A portion of the damage received by the Island Lord will be transferred to the revived dragons.]

‘So my lifespan is similar to a dragon’s? And if they get hurt, I’ll get hurt too?’

[Theoretically, the Island Lord’s lifespan is comparable to that of dragons. Damage received by the Island Lord will be borne by the revived dragons. However, the Island Lord does not bear the damage received by the dragons. This is a one-way transfer, not a two-way one.]

Dragons were naturally gifted in magic, far surpassing humans. They could even recover their stamina by consuming their corresponding magical energy. Moreover, each dragon’s physical body was indestructible, possessing extremely high resistance and abundant vitality; otherwise, the legend of bathing in dragon’s blood to gain immortality would not have persisted.

Ai Ou now possessed all these attributes. It could be said that he was currently a dragon cloaked in human skin. This was merely after reviving two dragons. Who knew how many more he could revive in the future? Each revival, however, represented a significant increase in Ai Ou’s strength.