In this world, psychics ruled.
As long as one could become a psychic, they were destined to be superior to others.
There were a total of nine levels of psychics.
From the lowest to the highest, there were nine levels.
The first realm was the lowest, and the ninth realm was the highest.
As Elric listened to the conversation between the two men, his heart grew heavier.
The reason behind the gang war was so simple.
In the eyes of the gangs, the lives of those in the slums were utterly worthless.
The bloody scenes from last night were still vivid in his mind, and Toby was dead.
He lowered his head, gripping the cup of warm milk tightly, his fingers trembling.
The middle-aged man came back inside, glanced at Elric, then quietly headed to the kitchen to continue his work.
"Isn't your son about to become a psychic as well?" the skinny man asked casually, looking at the bearded man.
"It's hard to say.
If he awakens his psychic power before the age of ten, that'll be good enough," the bearded man sighed, taking a sip from his cup, his tone filled with helplessness.
"Didn't your son awaken his psychic powers not too long ago?" the bearded man asked, with a hint of envy.
"Yeah, but he's only got blue talent. Don't bring it up," the skinny man said, though his words seemed dismissive, the slight upward curve of his lips and the pride in his eyes were unmistakable.
Blue talent allowed one the qualification to attend the official academy.
Elric listened to their conversation. He was already nine years old this year.
He had never had the chance to awaken any psychic powers, and he didn't even know if he had any talent at all.
Before he realized it, the cup of milk in his hands was empty.
Outside, the rain had begun to subside.
Elric stood up, gently placed the empty cup on the counter, and bowed deeply to the middle-aged woman, once again expressing his gratitude for her kindness.
The middle-aged woman looked at the dirty child with surprise, not expecting such politeness from him.
"Why don't you stay here tonight?
The ground outside is soaked with water," she suggested, looking at Elric's frail body, unable to suppress her concern.
Elric initially wanted to refuse, but his whole body was trembling, so cold that he could barely move.
In the end, he nodded quietly.
Night soon fell.
Elric, imitating the middle-aged man, helped to tidy up the chairs.
The middle-aged man's name was George.
The middle-aged woman's name was Melissa.
The couple lived on the second floor of the tavern.
Melissa initially wanted Elric to rest upstairs, but Elric insisted on staying downstairs to help watch the tavern.
Seeing his determination, the couple didn't press further. Instead, they gave him a clean, oversized coat.
As the night deepened, the lights downstairs dimmed, and the tavern grew darker.
Elric, wrapped in the clean coat, curled up on a long bench.
The surroundings were silent, the only sound being the steady "tick-tock" of the clock on the wall.
Elric curled up on the bench, burying his face in his knees.
The words he had overheard earlier played over and over in his mind.
"Mommy, do I have psychic talent?"
Becoming a psychic meant he wouldn't be bullied anymore, no longer looked down upon or trampled on.
Calista's voice echoed in his mind.
"Do you really want to become a psychic?"
Elric hesitated for a moment, thinking of Toby's death.
He clenched his teeth and nodded.
He wanted revenge for Toby.
He didn't want to be killed casually one day, just like Toby.
"I want to become a psychic. I want to avenge Toby."
At the mention of Toby's name, Elric could no longer control his emotions.
Tears flowed freely from his eyes.
He didn't want to die helplessly like Toby, nor did he want to be easily killed like him someday.
In his heart, he yearned to change his fate.
Calista slowly emerged from the jade pendant.
"I understand."
She then gently placed her right hand on Elric's head.
The next moment, Elric felt a strange power surge through his body, as if a strength he had never known suddenly appeared out of nowhere.
For an instant, his heart was filled with joy and excitement, as if he had finally touched the threshold of becoming a psychic.
However, Calista's next words were like a bucket of cold water, instantly dousing his joy.
"Gray?"
Calista's voice was filled with confusion.
That single word was like a death sentence, and Elric's heart sank into the depths of despair.
He knew there were four kinds of psychic talent, and gray was the lowest.
Gold represented the greatest potential, purple was next, and blue still had significant promise.
But gray talent meant that there was almost no chance of breaking through.
Most psychics with gray talent remained in the First Realm their entire lives. Even if they were lucky enough to break through, they would barely reach the Second Realm.
"White talent?"
Calista's voice held even deeper confusion.
White talent?
Elric's heart went cold.
White talent was worse than gray talent, nearly indistinguishable from ordinary people, hardly worth noting.
Having white talent meant he had almost no chance of becoming a true psychic.
Elric began to cry softly, tears silently sliding down his cheeks.
He felt it would have been better to have gray talent.
At least with gray talent, there was a faint glimmer of hope, but white talent meant he was almost destined never to change his fate.
By the time Elric had cried enough, he had nearly given up on the idea of becoming a psychic.
"Your talent is strange."
Calista finally spoke.
Elric didn't understand what she meant.
"Your talent isn't ordinary white; it's a snow-white mixed with pale green—an abnormal talent."
"Abnormal talent?"
Elric repeated with hope in his voice, as he had never heard of such a thing before.
Calista nodded.
"Yes, abnormal talent is even rarer than gold talent."
Elric's eyes lit up instantly, his heart filling with new anticipation.
Didn't this mean his talent was stronger than gold?
A new hope ignited in his heart, as if he could see the possibility of having great power in the future.
But Calista's next words shattered his illusion once again.
"However, abnormal talent has serious flaws."
"Flaws?"
Elric's heart felt like it was on a rollercoaster, rising and falling.
"Yes, normal psychic talents can learn a wide range of psychic skills, but those with abnormal talent can only learn specific types of skills.
This means your growth will be significantly limited.
For example, your talent will only allow you to learn skills related to ice and wind, as well as certain physical and mental skills.
But learning fire, lightning, or earth-based skills might cause rejection or even failure."
Calista patiently explained.
"Can I still become a psychic?" Elric asked, filled with anxiety.
Calista smiled gently, stroking his face.
"My dear child, you are already a psychic."