Hermes' Eye

Biodata

Background

Hermes' Eye manifested after the advanced Magic Puppet recovered from the Faded Desert completed its displayed “Alchemy Talent Acquisition” process. During the awakening, Roy experienced visions of a failed experiment, severe pain, and an influx of information before the talent appeared at 100% completion 77.

Roy concluded that a large portion of the Puppet's scattered soul had been absorbed and transformed into Hermes' Eye. His appraisal identified the Puppet as a Level 4 Humanoid Angel with an originally “Gold” status, despite its current soul being too scattered to retain even Black Iron status 77.

The talent immediately enabled Roy to identify the magical quality of nearby objects, including his Space Ring, Floating Magic Bead, and the Humanoid Angel itself. He later adapted its use by making quick scans first and conducting closer examinations only when an unusual aura appeared 77 79.

Abilities & Skills

Magical Aura Perception

Hermes' Eye perceives magical auras and cannot be deceived by illusions; what it sees is stated to be true 77.

• Reveals an item's hidden quality through aura color:
  • Gray / white — Level 0 miscellaneous or mundane items.
  • Green — Level 1 common magical treasures.
  • Blue — Level 2 rare or fine items.
  • Purple — Level 3 excellent treasures.
  • Orange — Level 4 legendary treasures or Demigod Artifacts. 77 84
• Detects concealed magical value that ordinary appraisal misses, such as a Level 2 treasure disguised as a trinket and the Aegis Stone hidden inside an apparently worthless crystal 79 80.
• Can reveal disguised threats and hidden equipment, including a Level 3 aura concealed on an apparently ordinary adventurer 708.
• Exposed the Fruit of Zunikamoz as a parasitic trap: consuming it grants a Demigod body but turns the consumer into nourishment for a new World Tree avatar 625.

Enhanced Appraisal

When appraising items, Hermes' Eye grants a +4 increase to the corresponding ability level 77.

• Provides appraisal knowledge instinctively, allowing Roy to identify an Aegis Stone and its charging method without prior study 80.
• Enables detailed appraisal of advanced equipment, materials, souls, magic potions, arrays, and artifacts 358 410 412 709.
• Allows analysis beyond physical items, including the usable knowledge contained in Experience Stones and the risks of mental pollution within them 275.
• Supported Roy's reverse-engineering efforts by supplying information on materials and recipes after repeated observation; Roy described the resulting effect as a “copying eye” 667.
• Later adapted to a quality-first appraisal framework rather than relying solely on aura color, reflecting Roy's own revised understanding of item levels 813.

Soul and Source Material Analysis

Hermes' Eye can distinguish qualities connected to soul status, divinity, and Talent Source Material.

• Identified the Humanoid Angel's original Gold-level soul status and led Roy to connect Talent Source Material with scattered soul power and spiritual concentration 77.
• Revealed Black-Iron-like Source Material fragments within the Magic Vine Seed, immediately preceding Roy's acquisition of the Artist talent 109.
• Can identify high-quality artificial souls, including the Level 3 Proto-Apostle created by Roy 358.
• Detects diluted divinity within Soul Stone Fragments and other materials that ordinary alchemists cannot directly perceive 663.

Limitations

• Roy initially suffered dizziness after brief use because his Apprentice-level Spiritual Power could not sustain extended appraisal; he normally kept the talent inactive until needed 80.
• It may be unable to penetrate particularly intense magical auras, as Roy could not directly discern the attributes of the armored Holy Light Envoy 397.
• Living beings' Life Energy can interfere with appraisal, especially when Hermes' Eye is used on a target as though it were an artifact 815.
• A powerful external will can obstruct further examination, as occurred when Roy attempted to appraise the King of Shadow Demons 802.

Notable Appraisals

Relationships

• Roy — Bearer and primary user; relies on Hermes' Eye for appraisal, alchemy research, treasure acquisition, and identifying hidden dangers 77 275 716.
• Advanced Magic Puppet / Humanoid Angel — Its scattered soul was inferred by Roy to be the source from which Hermes' Eye formed 77.