The Goddess pouted, expressing her disappointment in Michael.
Sorry, I didn't recognize you. I was just a floating soul back then, Michael apologized.
[That's fine, I forgive you. After all, you've shown me incredibly entertaining things since you reincarnated into this world.]
You aren't mad? I'm practically cheating the advancement of this world's technology.
The Goddess laughed. [It's fine,] she said. [My people have become so reliant on magic that they have completely stopped any advancement in technology. It is quite frustrating watching the same thing for thousands upon thousands of years.]
Michael had a feeling that this was the entire reason why he was reincarnated in the first place.
[Anyway, I like what you're doing, so keep at it. I hope you achieve whatever it is you want to achieve, Mr. Stoic.]
The Goddess flashed a vision of the world on the clouds, showing the happy smiles on the faces of women as they washed their hands with Reborn soap, how the rowdy crowd of chess players were enjoying their game in front of the fireplace, and how much he had affected the lives of the people in his life.
His mother and father were embracing each other as they watched Michael's body standing still under the Goddess' statue.
Back in the Vanderbilt estate, Beretta no longer arched her back as it ached from fetching pails of water from the well.
There were so many more people whose lives had completely changed for the better either directly or indirectly, all thanks to Michael's actions.
I just want everyone to be as comfortable as me, Michael said to the Goddess.
[And that's what makes you so special. That's why I gave you that power in the first place.]
Michael rubbed the back of his head. He didn't really think that whatever he did was anything particularly special. After all, everything was only possible because of his personal AI assistant.
However, the Goddess knew that if it was any other soul that came equipped with ChatJK2, then they wouldn't have used it the way Michael had—to improve the lives of other people.
Anyway, what happens now? Do you just send me back to the real world?
The goddess shook her giant head. [No. Didn't they tell you that it's time for your Talent Awakening?]
I thought I already had my talent. I already have a Supreme Skill.
The Goddess chuckled. [That doesn't excuse you from getting a Talent. I'll force it on you whether you like it or not.]
Michael shrugged. As usual, if he couldn't do anything about it, then it was useless to argue.
[To help you achieve your dream of making life more comfortable for everyone, you'll have to continue to spread inventions throughout the world.]
[However, it will not be easy. You'll face lots of competition. Not to mention, some people are too entrenched in their culture and their beliefs that you will find it hard to influence them to accept your inventions. To make it easier for you, I will give you a Talent that will allow you and your allies to achieve the top of their fields.]
A golden light surrounded Michael as the Goddess declared:
[I hereby bless you with the Talent: Harbinger of the Future.]
Michael felt a warm sensation course from his head down to his toes, wrapping him in some kind of holy aura for a while before it dissipated into his skin.
[And with that Talent comes a Supreme Skill called: Gift Bestowal.]
Just then, Michael saw the familiar system screen appear before his vision.
[Michael Von Vanderbilt]
[Magic Talent: SSS+ class]
[Element Mastery: N/A]
[Magic Purity: 99.99%]
[Mana Quantity: N/A]
[Talent: Harbinger of the Future]
[Realm: 4-star Learned Magician]
[Progress to next update: 0.89%]
[Supreme Skill: Unity Gathering]
[Supreme Skill: Gift Bestowal]
[Skills:]
— Absolute Unity Defense
—— 4-star level
[Learned Spells]
— Water Ball
— Ember
— Rock Throw
— …
Michael blinked. He would have never thought that the Goddess would give him another Supreme Skill. He had heard that only ten people in the entire world had a Supreme Skill. And now, he had two.
Thanks, though I have no idea what this Supreme Skill does. And what about my Talent? What does that mean?
The Goddess flashed a mysterious smile. Michael didn't know if she was playing with him or simply wanted to laugh at him.
[Your talent is exactly what it sounds like—you bring forth the future. As for your Supreme Skill, you will have to find the full extent of your powers by yourself.]
[The only thing you need to know is that you can awaken the hidden Talent in others and endow them with powers that would have been impossible to obtain otherwise. But I don't want to spoil the surprise for you, so look forward to it!]
Michael exhaled.
Another overpowered ability… Still, he would happily accept such a gift. He was glad that it was a power that would help him make other people achieve their full potential.
[Fufufu…I can't wait to see what you'll do with those powers.]
Suddenly, Michael felt his body getting lighter and lighter. His hands started to become translucent as if his form was fading away from existence.
[I guess that's all the time we have for today.]
Michael looked at the Goddess, his eyes filled with gratitude. Thanks, he said sincerely. He knew it was only because of her that he was able to live such a good life.
[No probs!] the Goddess replied with a lighthearted tone. [Oh, and by the way, I suggest that you get your family out of Kingsbridge as soon as possible. There's going to be a plague soon.]
Michael resisted the fading feeling in his body once he heard that.
What do you mean? He asked in a rushed tone.
[You've noticed the pollution on River Dames, haven't you? It's only going to get worse from here, and it will eventually lead to a lot of deaths in the City. I'm just warning you that you should get out of the City before you get infected.]
Michael frowned. His father worked in Kingsbridge. Seberus and the mages he had befriended while playing chess also lived there. His Reborn company was just starting to mark its spot in the City…
He couldn't just let such a tragedy fall on Kingsbridge and the innocent people there—not if he could do something about it to help.
[Fufufu… I guess that means you'll have to work on that sewer system you've been thinking about. Good luck!]
With a playful farewell, the Goddess blew him a kiss before sending his soul back to the world.
Michael woke up with resolve and determination burning in his eyes.