Prophecy Talent Detection

The next morning.

Led by Leonard, Anvis arrived at the duke's Study.

At that moment, Duke Carlot was seated leisurely behind the large writing desk, idly turning an Azure Crystal Cluster that emitted specks of silver light in his hand.

Sunlight streamed into the room through the tall arched window behind the duke. A pale beam of light enveloped his black formal attire patterned with gold, outlining him with a faint glow and lending his figure immense dignity.

"Father—"

Stepping gracefully into the room, Anvis bowed to the duke. Behind him, the butler in Black Tails closed the door.

The duke gave him a slight nod, signaling for him to take a seat nearby.

"I called you here for two matters, Anvis."

Casually setting the crystal cluster at one corner of the desktop, the duke opened a drawer, took out an exquisite invitation, and placed it on the desk.

The invitation was an elegant dark blue, its edges covered in intricate patterns. At its center was embossed a Mysterious Castle Emblem that shimmered with a violet-gold luster.

"First, Royal Pamir Academy has sent an invitation. The first day of Hearthfire Month①, one month from now, will be the time for you to travel to the academy in the Royal Capital for further study."

As the duke spoke, the invitation on the desktop floated up on its own and slowly descended into Anvis's hand.

Anvis had heard of Pamir Academy. Founded personally by Emperor Gloria, it was recognized throughout the Empire as the most prestigious academy. Each year, it admitted only several hundred new students from across the entire Empire.

Pamir meant "radiance" in the Manni Language.

Only true geniuses, descendants of nobles whose family status had reached a certain level, or those who possessed both qualifications could receive an invitation from Pamir Academy.

In a sense, this was not merely an invitation—it symbolized a social class. Receiving it was equivalent to receiving an Admission Ticket to high society.

"Father, will Fiona be going to the academy with me as well?"

After carefully examining the invitation in his hand, Anvis put it away in his ring. Then, suddenly recalling something, he could not help asking.

"Fiona..."

Repeating the Girl's name, Carlos lowered his gaze. His fingertips instinctively stroked the engraving on his Mithril Cufflink, then his index finger tapped lightly against the desktop, as though he were somewhat hesitant.

After a moment, the duke sighed. His eyes closed slightly before opening again, his gaze returning to calm.

"Although her strength is already sufficient, her temperament is still not mature enough... I will postpone her invitation by another year. Next year's Hearthfire Month will be the time for her to attend the academy."

As he spoke, Duke Carlot raised his eyes to Anvis once more. In his backlit Azure Eyes was reflected the impeccably poised appearance of the young noble.

"By next year, if Fiona is still so naive... then I'll have to trouble you to look after her a little at the academy."

"Of course. I will do everything I can, Father."

Breathing in the room's distinctive air, scented faintly with flowers and old books, Anvis nodded gracefully and accepted without hesitation.

"Sometimes, I truly find it difficult to believe that you were born only one year before Fiona."

Hearing Anvis's answer, the duke could not help smiling.

"The second matter, Anvis. How much do you know about the School of Prophecy?"

A thoughtful expression appeared on Anvis's face. After a moment, he spoke slowly.

"The School of Prophecy focuses on studying the Web of Fate. Through certain spells, it can glimpse fragments of information from the future. It is an exceptionally powerful and mysterious profession."

"However, according to the books, only those born with a certain talent are qualified to learn prophecy. And the appearance of that qualification is entirely unpredictable."

"Well said, Anvis. That is the second matter today—"

The duke nodded in satisfaction, greatly pleased by Anvis's extensive knowledge.

"You mean a prophecy talent test?"

Anvis immediately "understood." A bright smile appeared on his face, as though he were excited for the coming test.

"Correct! Your strength has now reached the standard required for testing.

"Shortly, the family's Chief Diviner will arrive to test whether you possess the talent of a diviner."

Seeing Anvis's "excited" expression, Duke Carlot, unaware of the truth, smiled and nodded, confirming his Guess.

A moment later, Leonard opened the door again. A somewhat short figure, completely enveloped in an unusual gray robe, appeared in the doorway.

At first glance, Anvis thought the person merely dressed in a rather mysterious fashion.

But upon closer inspection, Anvis noticed that this person seemed to possess some strange quality.

It was a slightly distorted and detached sensation, as though an illusory barrier separated the space he occupied from the surrounding environment.

When the light in the room reached his vicinity, it seemed to undergo a subtle distortion. This made his figure appear somewhat dim, completely at odds with the bright surroundings.

Layers of hood concealed his head, hiding his face in deep shadows. It looked hazy and indistinct, impossible to see clearly.

"Good day, Chief Diviner!"

Anvis immediately rose to his feet. Respect appeared on his face as he placed his right hand over his chest and performed a standard noble salute.

The figure in the Gray Robe seemed to nod slightly, but beneath that distorted aura, Anvis could not make out the movement clearly.

"Then I shall trouble you, sir."

The duke turned his gaze toward the figure in the gray robe and spoke in an easy, equal manner.

"I shall do my utmost, Your Grace."

The figure spoke for the first time. Her voice possessed a strangely melodious, crisp quality—it was that of a young girl.

She lightly raised a hand, and a colorless Crystal Ball the size of a human head abruptly appeared in her palm.

That fair, slender hand confirmed it once again: the Olyvendi Family's Chief Diviner was actually a Girl! A look of instinctive surprise appeared on Anvis's face, as if he were astonished by the fact that the family's Chief Diviner was a Girl.

In order to play his role properly, he deliberately dug out Little Anvis's expression from this moment in his past-life memories and recreated the scene.

"I wonder how old she really is... But to cultivate to the Seventh Rank, she must be at least one or two hundred years old, perhaps even older..."

As Anvis looked at the diviner's hand holding the Crystal Ball, a somewhat impolite thought flashed through his mind, only to be snuffed out almost immediately.

Granted, with the Family Amulet present, the "Girl" diviner before him probably could not see through his thoughts. But Anvis did not want to take a meaningless risk.

The diviner had no idea what had just crossed the young noble's mind. Otherwise, she might have tried to physically embed the Crystal Ball into Anvis's head, then let him experience it properly.

①: That is, September.

Thanks to reader 20210103100012951 for the tip, nya! Thanks to Random Censor for helping find the character fan art, nya!