Assessment Review

Divine Skin Manor

One of the G&D Organization's most iconic and important buildings.

It was the origin of the organization, as well as the key to its development and its ability to cultivate outstanding gentlemen.

All newcomers who passed the external assessment and came to Zion would arrive here to be granted a skin corresponding to their assessment level—a necessary item for becoming a "gentleman."

The manor's entrance was a typical Gothic gate,

composed of multiple layers of arches and pilasters. Each layer receded inward, creating a sense of depth and pull that emphasized the entrance.

The gate's proportions were even more exaggerated.

It stood a full ten meters tall. This colossal design made it seem as though the gate welcomed not people, but some sort of deity.

Hummm!

The gloomy, heavy iron gate swung inward.

The ones opening it were two clerics who resided permanently in the manor.

They wore special outer garments that suited the manor's style. They looked like long robes sewn together from the skin of some animal after its fur had been removed.

All the pieces of skin were pentagonal.

Obvious stitching marks could be seen where the edges joined.

Similar "stitches" could also be found on their bodies: their lips, eyelids, necks, and even parts concealed beneath their clothing...

It was as though the clerics' skin had also been pieced together through stitching.

Upon entering the manor,

a huge staircase covered with flesh-colored carpet came into view.

The steps grew wider as they rose, allowing visiting guests to reach the left and right corridors on the second floor.

Six portraits hung on either side of the hall, depicting the manor's former masters.

They all shared the same title: the First Gentleman.

Only they had been qualified to rule this manor.

Yi Chen and the others did not climb the stairs. Instead, they were led to a side room on the first floor.

It was more like a conference room.

An elongated marble table occupied half the room.

The gentleman examiner responsible for supervising the Green Lake Town assessment sat on the inner side of the stone table.

The examinees were instructed to stand in a neat line, giving the impression that they were undergoing an interview.

Walking at the rear, Yi Chen noticed

that the white-haired examiner seated in the center had a White Feathered Owl perched on his shoulder... It was the very same owl that had saved him on the lake.

"I am George Chamberson, the principal person responsible for this assessment.

I am delighted that seventeen people passed the relatively difficult Green Lake Town assessment. Some of you even displayed elegant conduct beyond our expectations during the assessment.

Next, your overall performance during the assessment will be scored.

The full score is 100.

With a score above 40, you may obtain residential status in Zion.

With a score above 60, you may obtain an ordinary 'Gentleman's Skin.'

With a score above 80, you may obtain a 'Gentleman's Skin' retaining the aura of the old world.

If your score reaches 95 or higher, you will have the opportunity to meet the current First Gentleman, who will personally judge you and bestow a skin upon you."

Some of the gentlemen present already knew the assessment standards, and they paid no attention to the final sentence.

The organization's scoring was extremely strict.

Especially this year, with the elderly examiner known as White Owl serving as the chief examiner. A score of 80 was already considered exceptional, and would earn one favorable treatment in Zion in the future.

Following the order in which they had entered, the examiners began commenting on each examinee.

Yi Chen was naturally the last.

Because the Green Lake Town assessment was relatively difficult, most people scored above the passing mark.

Those who scored 80 included:

The three members of Edmund's team,

a swordsman whose body was wrapped in bandages in multiple places,

and a young man with an extremely faint presence who had somehow changed into a floral suit and put on a Seven-Colored Mask.

A simple stone box bearing the G&D emblem was delivered into their hands.

Edmund could barely conceal his delight. He kept bumping his shoulders against his two companions.

Finally,

it was the turn of Yi Chen, the last person to enter.

The blond Edmund also reined in his delight and suppressed his excitement, focusing on the examiners' upcoming evaluation and score.

This time,

Chamberson, the principal examiner, spoke personally:

"Temporary examinee from Easton Graveyard—William Berens.

Your final score for this assessment is 96."

As soon as he said this,

the room fell utterly silent.

Every examinee, including Edmund, widened their eyes. Even the fellow in the floral suit and mask turned his head and studied Yi Chen with some interest.

Quite a few of them came from families, training bases, or small and medium-sized organizations directly affiliated with G&D.

They all knew very clearly how difficult it was to obtain an assessment score of 95 and meet the First Gentleman—a thing that had almost never happened.

For several consecutive years, no one had been able to reach this score.

Teacher Chamberson continued:

"Since your score exceeds the first threshold, I will briefly explain why.

At the beginning of his entry into the town, William chose an investigative route completely different from yours.

He took the initiative to interact with a Sick One who had completed the 'early stages of disease transformation.'

He lived alone in an extremely dangerous inn.

To uncover the true Root of Disease behind the town, after making a correct and astute judgment,

he chose to assist this Sick One, who retained a certain degree of awareness, establishing a temporary relationship of mutual benefit and obtaining their assistance and intelligence.

In the end, he risked Certain Death to enter the depths of the lake and eradicate the source."

"What?!"

Chamberson's brief account of his experience left the examinees even more shocked.

They all knew very well

that an individual who had not yet accepted a 'Gentleman's Skin' and officially become a gentleman could almost never eradicate regional disease transformation. Simply surviving in Green Lake Town and uncovering some key information to report to the organization was already quite an achievement.

Yet this young man had gone alone into a completely unknown lake and slain the source in its deepest reaches.

Ninety-six points.

It was thoroughly deserved.

"Elegant yet compassionate, courageous yet spiritual... Zion has not welcomed a young man like this in a very long time. I believe the First Gentleman is also looking forward to meeting you."

As Yi Chen listened to Chamberson's evaluation,

even he was rather surprised.

He had not been certain whether the organization would regard his assistance to the Sick Ones as 'improper conduct.'

Now, it seemed that the organization itself was not rigid. Under suitable circumstances, contact with Sick Ones to achieve a better outcome was considered a display of 'spirituality.'

"The evaluation process is over. Examinees who have obtained a 'Gentleman's Skin' should proceed to the Temple District and prepare for the 'Acceptance Ceremony.'"

As everyone began leaving,

Edmund lightly patted Yi Chen on the shoulder. "William, you'll have to look after us in the future... I hope you can leave a good impression on the First Gentleman."

"Mm."

After everyone had left,

White Owl Chamberson beckoned to Yi Chen.

"I will personally take you to the depths of the manor, which is where the First Gentleman resides.

During the journey, do not engage in any rude subjective actions. Just follow me.

If you feel any discomfort in your skin, endure it as best you can on your own."

That final sentence made Yi Chen wary.

Moreover, as the First Gentleman—the master of Divine Skin Manor—was actually located deep within the manor... there was bound to be some undisclosed secret involved.

"Understood."

Chamberson turned the wall lamp set into the side wall.

A narrow passage, only wide enough for one person, appeared.

"Come with me... Don't try to memorize the route inside. The route leading to the depths of the manor is one-time and one-way, and it requires the First Gentleman's permission."

"All right."

They walked through the Wall Seam passageways of the manor, illuminated by a Kerosene Lamp, for more than ten minutes.

The cramped Wall Seam passage transformed into a gloomy spiral staircase descending underground.

The instant Yi Chen set foot on the stairs,

a strange whisper suddenly sounded beside his ear.

Although he could not understand its meaning, it caused waves of tingling to spread across his skin, slowly evolving into a sensation of separation...

It was as though his skin had been granted Self-Awareness and wanted to break away from his body and exist independently.

Hey!

A burst of consciousness from Little Grape pulled him back to reality, and the whisper vanished.

Just now...

An ancient presence hidden within this manor tried to flay you. Be careful~ Don't leave any gaps in your mind. I'll help you, too.

All right.

Yi Chen could feel that Little Grape was currently more serious than he had ever seen her before.