Vivian's explanation finally made Shane understand why she insisted that his growth potential in all aspects was very high.
"Since you were able to defeat a Golem about ten levels higher under such conditions, your growth potential must be very high to achieve that, right?"
This was Vivian's belief.
Logically speaking, under the same level, a strength-oriented warrior would definitely lose to a warrior who is not only strength-oriented but also defense-oriented and can even use magic, right?
Therefore, if the growth potential in all aspects is very high, then during level-up, every capability can be fully enhanced, and the overall improvement will naturally be far greater than those who only improve one or two areas of ability.
However, this is under the condition that other factors, including skills, are not considered.
If one has combat skills and can also raise those skills to a certain level, the situation would naturally be different.
Level is the hardware, while skills are the software; only by possessing both can truly formidable power be formed.
Thus, only those whose level and skill levels are both adequately high are truly strong; those possessing only the former are like bodies without brains—simpletons; those possessing only the latter are like brains without physiques—sickly. Neither is desirable.
In short, to calculate a person's strength, both level and skills must be considered together.
(Perhaps Shane has an extraordinary advantage in level growth potential but is disadvantaged in skill acquisition.)
Vivian thought silently to herself.
Although normally, this shouldn't be possible.
After all, as mentioned earlier, being able to elevate to Level 10 means having certain innate talent; logically, at least, some simple skills should be acquired.
(What's going on, indeed?)
Vivian watched Shane, lost in thought.
Meanwhile, Shane also fell into contemplation because of Vivian's words.
This was because Shane remembered one of the effects of his Unique Skill—Heaven's Grace.
Besides having extraordinary results in acquiring and boosting skills, Shane's Heaven's Grace had another effect,—"all capabilities are enhanced to the maximum value upon leveling up."
Previously, Shane never understood what this effect meant.
Now, Shane understood.
(This effect allows all my abilities to enhance to their maximum during level-up, right?)
In strength, endurance, magic power, and even reflexes, all aspects can be fully enhanced upon leveling up. This is the true manifestation of this effect.
In Vivian's words, Shane had the highest growth potential in all areas.
This forced Shane to once again realize how excessively overpowered his cheat was, making him feel uneasy.
(The bigger this cheat, the harder it is for me to hide it.)
Shane sighed inwardly.
Suddenly, Shane thought of another problem.
(What is the benchmark for the level enhancement granted by Holy Sword?)
Since the capabilities that can improve during level-up vary from person to person, related to personal talent, capability, and training direction, then what abilities will be enhanced by the level granted by Holy Sword?
Moreover, how much enhancement is there?
(It couldn't be that, like Heaven's Grace's effect, all-capability types enhance to the maximum value, right?)
At least when using the Holy Sword, Shane could feel that his magic power did not enhance.
As for other capabilities, based on Shane's current level of improvement, by the time he reaches Level 100, he seems to be stronger than the Level 100 granted by Holy Sword.
With this thought, Shane roughly concluded based on his usage experience.
(The level granted by the Holy Sword should provide an average enhancement in all areas except magic power.)
For instance.
When Shane levels up, all aspects enhance to the full value of "ten."
The Level 100 granted by the Holy Sword equally distributes "one hundred" to each capability except magic power, converting to an enhancement of "one" per level in every ability except magic power for Shane.
This way, by the time Shane reaches Level 100, all his capabilities will reach the "thousand" level, naturally stronger than the "one hundred" enhancement from Holy Sword's Level 100.
Of course, this is just an example.
But based on Shane's own feelings, by the time he reaches Level 100, he would definitely be stronger than just relying on the Level 100 granted by Holy Sword.
Not to mention, the Holy Sword does not amplify magic power at all, but Shane's level-up will enhance his magic power, which is already a difference.
(But the Holy Sword has other effects as well; I wouldn't say it's inferior to my Unique Skill.)
If so, Shane's Unique Skill also has other effects.
Both, in their own ways, are powerful.
However, Shane possessed both.
(Maybe this is why the Goddess thought I had the best hope of defeating the Demon King.)
Shane pondered.
Then...
"All right."
Vivian clapped her hands, drawing everyone's attention.
"Now, we have a general understanding of Shane's strength; although he is still a novice, I think his potential is much better than we imagined." Vivian looked towards Tielle and the others, asking, "Don't you think so?"
Tielle, Lu Muya, and Merica remained silent, not responding.
"What do you think, Tielle?"
Vivian seemed to anticipate this situation and turned to Tielle.
"... Let's continue on our way."
Tielle did not give any response, after a moment of silence, coldly threw down this sentence, and returned to the carriage.
"Hold... hold on!"
"Tielle!"
Lu Muya immediately followed in a fluster, prompting Merica to hastily follow.
Their deliberate avoidance or escape-like behavior left Vivian helpless.
Shane, however, didn't overthink it and prepared to return to the carriage as well.
But as he passed by Vivian, she said something.
"I hope you won't blame them," Vivian sighed and said, "They don't dislike you; it's just because they've had some unpleasant experiences before, so they're a bit too wary of a newcomer like you."
Her words made Shane stop in his tracks.
Then, after thinking for a moment, Shane roughly understood what happened.
"A team composed of such exceptionally beautiful female adventurers, it's obvious how much trouble it can attract."
Shane could understand this as well.
"I'll keep a reasonable distance, please don't worry."
Shane smiled at Vivian and returned directly to the carriage.
Vivian was stunned for a moment, then felt helpless again.
"My intention wasn't to have you keep your distance..."
Vivian just wanted to express that to become close to Tielle and the others, a lot of effort and earning their trust was needed.
Unexpectedly, Shane chose to keep his distance without hesitation.
"What a strange newcomer."
Vivian muttered and returned to the coach seat.
Once paused, the carriage resumed movement, proceeding with the sound of wheels rolling forward.