Dago's face had never shown even the slightest flicker of surprise, disappointment, or anger.
His expression was like the waters of Spirit Mirror Lake beneath his feet, smooth as a dead mirror and unfathomably deep.
"Nine stars in soul aptitude, nine stars in spellcasting ability, and even a terrifying seven-star evaluation in obscure, tedious knowledge."
Dago narrowed his eyes slightly, completely ignoring the blade-like stares around him.
He disregarded everyone and calmly studied the tall figure above through the gaps between his fingers, its form obscured layer upon layer by radiant light.
In his heart, he spoke softly in an utterly flat tone: "Juventus... is this the heaven-defying talent that a Seventh-Tier Withered Blood Firstborn is born with through bloodline alone?"
"Hmph, that boy's bloodline purity is indeed astonishing. He has a great chance of surpassing that monstrous bloodline progenitor of his and completely shedding the cursed name of 'Withered Blood' in the future."
Alazan's lazy voice sounded in Dago's mind at just the right moment.
Then his tone shifted, carrying an unconcealed sigh and a hint of schadenfreude. "But now isn't the time to marvel at others."
"Look at yourself. Your soul aptitude... even after that self-destructive trial, it's still far too poor. You're a full two insurmountable star tiers below their five-star passing threshold."
Alazan paused, his tone becoming exceedingly complicated. "If you had listened to my advice back then, obediently stopped to recuperate after completing your third dream entry, and stopped touching those dimensional impurities..."
"Then taken this damned soul test... the treatment and resources you'd receive now would have been worlds apart from your current situation as some kind of 'abandoned child'!"
"But... judging from your expression, you don't seem worried at all that, because your soul falls short, you might not even qualify to sweep