"Huff... cough, cough!"
The terrifying water pressure binding his body instantly collapsed.
Dago staggered back two steps uncontrollably, his back slamming hard into the crystal wall.
He clutched his chest with one hand, his chest heaving violently. As he gasped for air, he fixed Heliodor with an icy, teeth-gritted stare, like a predator watching its prey.
Heliodor slowly withdrew his hawk-like hand.
Seemingly deliberately avoiding Dago's murderous gaze, his shriveled lips curled as he let out a disdainful snort.
"Put away that ridiculous vigilance of yours, boy. You don't need to look at me like that."
Heliodor turned and walked toward a cluttered workbench, saying coldly, "Outside just now, many people were curious about—and greedy for—your ten-star talent for spells."
"If they don't thoroughly investigate your background, do you think they'll leave you in peace? Letting me squeeze you a little means you'll suffer fewer hidden losses. Later, I can just submit some perfunctory research report and send those flies packing..."
Heliodor paused here.
He turned his head, his strange prosthetic eye made of plant roots openly scrutinizing Dago from head to toe, as though he wanted to see through and dissect every bit of his skin, bones, and flesh.
"But... there really is something strange about you, boy."
As though he had discovered a rare experimental specimen, Heliodor's tone carried a hint of fervor.
"The quality of your soul is turbid and riddled with holes. Frankly, even giving you a bottom-tier three-star rating would be an insult to everyone else."
"But! The source of your spiritual power is astonishingly pure and condensed!"
"You're clever. Your comprehension of spell structures and laws is unquestionably among the best. Coupled with this abnormal purity of spiritual power, it is theoretically possible for you to forcibly earn a five-star or even higher rating