Ambrose stood beneath a sprawling oak tree, its dense canopy providing welcome relief from the afternoon sun. In his hands, he held detailed sketches for their new shelter - carefully planned designs that would replace Marcus's well-intentioned but haphazard construction. He couldn't help but notice Marcus's embarrassed glances toward his original creation when Ambrose had announced their plans to build something more substantial.
The sound of axes striking wood echoed through the clearing as his newly formed party worked diligently. Using his [Thought Transmission] ability, Ambrose provided precise instructions to each member, coordinating their efforts with supernatural efficiency. Yet he couldn't help but sigh as he glanced at Hualing, who remained stubbornly planted by his side despite his suggestions that she help the others. With her strength, they could work twice as fast.
"I cannot leave the young master's side," she had insisted with unwavering determination. "What if someone tries to take advantage of you while I'm away?" The memory of her words drew another weary sigh from his lips. "What does that even mean?"
Taking advantage of this idle moment, Ambrose activated his [Mind's Eye] ability to assess his new companions' capabilities since they had now awakened with the help of the mana crystals. He started with Marcus, curious about the regressor's true strength:
[Name: Marcus Turner]
[Level: D]
[Talent: Sword Intent (Top Level)]
[Health: 2500/2500]
[Mana: 200/200]
[Strength: 23]
[Stamina: 25]
[Agility: 30]
[Sword Intent](Intrinsic) - A profound talent that grants the user deep spiritual connection with the way of the sword. This talent allows for natural understanding of sword techniques and grants the ability to project sword-like cutting power even without a blade. (Subskills: [Blade Resonance](S), [Sword Force](A), [Edge Perception](B), [Bladeless Cut](B), [Sword Heart](C))
Ambrose's mind immediately began processing the information. Marcus's base stats exceeded those of a one-in-ten genius, if only marginally. What particularly caught his attention was Marcus's specialization - an agility-type fighter rather than the strength-type he'd expected. Though considering the technical precision required for swordsmanship, it made perfect sense.
The most striking disparity lay in their health values - Marcus's 2500 dwarfed Ambrose's mere 100. Yet given Marcus's stamina was over two hundred times greater, such a difference seemed logical. The D-rank designation intrigued him, though the specific requirements for rank advancement remained unclear.
Turning his attention to Meihua, he observed:
[Name: Liu Meihua]
[Level: D]
[Talent: Calculation (Mythical)]
[Health: 400/400]
[Mana: 200/200]
[Strength: 3]
[Stamina: 4]
[Agility: 4]
[Gambler's Dominion](Intrinsic) - A natural talent that provides extraordinary analytical capabilities with a unique ability to bind participants to probability-based wagers. This talent excels in both calculation and creating binding conditions in games of chance. (Subskills: [Fate Wager](S), [Statistical Analysis](A), [Combat Calculator](B), [Risk Assessment](B), [Variable Processing](C))
Her physical stats proved surprisingly low, all falling below average. Yet she still maintained a D-rank. But it was understandable, if physical stats were the only determining factor, then wouldn't all intelligence types remain F ranks their whole life. "Her intelligence stats must be exceptional," he reasoned, though he hadn't invested enough mental strength into [Mind's Eye] to view those deeper attributes.
Adelaide's assessment followed:
[Name: Adelaide Brightwell]
[Level: D]
[Talent: Accounting (Top Level)]
[Health: 1000/1000]
[Mana: 200/200]
[Strength: 5]
[Stamina: 10]
[Agility: 6]
[Battle Accountant](Intrinsic) - A support-focused talent that provides exceptional organizational and management capabilities during combat situations. This talent enables precise tracking and efficient resource management for both individuals and groups. (Subskills: [Resource Manager](A), [Status Monitor](A), [Combat Logistics](B), [Efficiency Analysis](B), [Supply Line](C))
Her slightly above-average physical stats and D-rank designation further confirmed his suspicions about other determining factors for rank assignment. He guessed she also had quite high intelligence stats. "It seems that 200 mana is the base for D ranks" he observed, noticing how the three of them had 200 mana.
Finally, he turned to Hualing, who met his gaze with an innocent smile:
[Name: Sun Hualing]
[Level: C]
[Talent: Blood - Unawakened (???)]
[Health: 4000/4000]
[Mana: 0/0]
[Strength: 42]
[Stamina: 40]
[Agility: 40]
[Blood Forge](F) - Create weapons using blood.
The information nearly caused him to stumble. Not only was she a C-rank, but she possessed a talent! But he was able to calm himself down as he realized that it was an unawakened talent. But he also wondered why the grade couldn't be seen, could it be of a higher grade than Mythical? Nah, there's no way…
Seeing as she lacked mana, it seemed that she really had no talent. If she had a talent, with such high stats, it would be hard not to awaken. But what surprised him even more was that she actually had a skill before she had even awakened a talent. But seeing the skill's description finally explained where she was getting all those knives from earlier.
Ambrose suppressed another sigh as he realized the futility of his weapon confiscation efforts. With her ability to forge new ones from blood, his growing collection of confiscated knives was purely symbolic.
…
The evening sun cast long shadows across the river as Ambrose and Hualing perched on a smooth rock by the water's edge. With Marcus having provided lunch through his hunting prowess, and Adelaide and Meihua busy improving their shelter, Ambrose had suggested fishing for dinner. It seemed only fair that they contribute something to the party's sustenance.
Ambrose cast his line again, his enhanced perception allowing him to spot the subtle movements of fish beneath the surface. Another quick pull, and another fish joined the growing collection in the basket beside them. Both the fishing rods and basket had come from his space ring, which he was discovering contained an impressive array of items he had yet to discover. He couldn't help but smile at his mother's apparent foresight in preparing the ring's contents - or perhaps her paranoia, though he certainly wasn't complaining about the convenience.
Stealing a glance at Hualing, he noticed her mounting frustration. Despite matching his technique perfectly, she hadn't managed to catch a single fish. The water near her line seemed eerily empty, as if the fish were actively avoiding her presence. The observation triggered an uncomfortable thought in Ambrose's mind, reminding him of her blood-related abilities. There was something inherently dark about that talent, though he quickly pushed the unsettling thought aside.
"Well, you don't have to feel so down," he offered, trying to sound encouraging. "It's not that your skills are bad, but fishing is largely based on luck." Even as he spoke, he knew something felt off about the situation. The statistical improbability of her complete failure suggested something more than mere misfortune.
Noting how Hualing's eyes had taken on that dangerous gleam that usually preceded violence, Ambrose decided to end their fishing expedition before she decided to dive in and catch the fish with her bare hands.
"I think we've caught enough," he announced, standing carefully. "It wouldn't be good for the ecosystem if we caught any more." When he attempted to lift the basket, his arms trembled uselessly against its weight. Hualing's laughter rang out as she effortlessly hoisted the heavy load, her earlier frustration apparently forgotten.
Ambrose smiled, relieved to see her return to her usual cheerful self. As they made their way back to camp, he found himself grateful for these moments of normalcy, brief though they might be…