Chapter 2: New Century (Epilogue)
148: Nina’s Ability Test
Since Nina wasn’t a system-generated soldier, Xi Wei couldn’t see the details of her skills. However, just by looking at the skill names, he already knew they were incredibly powerful.
While her combat prowess might be average, some things were far more precious than sheer strength.
After a while, Nina opened her eyes, her gray irises filled with surprise. She stammered, “My Lord! I… I’ve awakened!”
“Yes, Nina, you’re wonderful! Truly amazing!” Xi Wei praised her, gently stroking her head under her expectant gaze. Nina beamed, looking as though she’d received a great reward.
Although she usually tried her best to act like a big sister, she was still a child and deeply yearned for Xi Wei’s approval.
“Can you sense what abilities you’ve awakened? Tell me in detail about their effects.”
In response to Xi Wei’s question, Nina closed her eyes and carefully sensed her newfound powers. She then listed them as if reciting familiar items:
“My Lord, I’ve awakened a total of six skills. They are Mineral Vein Search, Mineral Transmutation, Rich Mineral Art, Mineral Fusion, Stone Skin Technique, and Summon Rock Golem.”
“Mineral Vein Search can accurately locate mineral veins within a ten-kilometer radius. This range might even increase in the future… but this ability consumes a lot of energy, and I can only use it once a day.”
“Mineral Transmutation allows me to convert one mineral into another by consuming energy. However, the condition is that both minerals must be present before me; I cannot transmute them from thin air. There also seem to be some limitations…”
“Rich Mineral Art can be cast on a mineral vein to increase its output. Currently, I can only cast it on one at a time. I can’t feel the specific increase in yield yet, so I’ll need to test it.”
“Mineral Fusion consumes energy to evenly blend two minerals together to form a new synthetic mineral. It doesn’t seem very useful…”
“Stone Skin Technique is a defensive skill that makes my skin as hard as rock. I can also cast it on you, but it’s nowhere near as strong as your armor. As for Summon Rock Golem, it means exactly what it says…”
Nina’s voice grew softer as she spoke, her head drooping lower and lower. Staring at her toes, her voice trembled slightly, filled with disappointment. “Nina is truly useless… I only have one combat skill, and the others are all related to worthless rocks…”
Xi Wei was speechless. Worthless rocks? What? Was this Versailles? How could such an incredible set of skills be useless? If Nina were sent to the Dwarf Kingdom, she’d likely be revered as a saintess from the start.
However, Xi Wei soon realized that Nina probably only considered powerful combat skills to be useful. Her limited perspective meant she didn’t understand the true significance of her abilities.
“It’s not like you think. In fact, your skills are incredibly useful and can bring great help to Eagle Territory!” Xi Wei said softly, stroking Nina’s little head in comfort.
Nina looked up, her eyes widening in surprise, still glistening with tears. She murmured incredulously, “Are you telling the truth, my Lord?”
“Of course, I am. I am an honest knight and never tell lies,” Xi Wei replied with conviction. This time, he was truly not lying. “However, you don’t seem to fully understand your abilities yet, so I think we should conduct some tests.”
…
A short while later, Xi Wei brought Nina to the shanty town area outside the city walls. A group of players were vigorously engaged in construction there. It had to be said, the players’ talent was quite impressive; in just a day or two, the once-simple shanty town had begun to take shape.
“Yo! It’s our Lord!”
“Lord, have you eaten? Are there any new missions today?”
“Lord, bless me with a +6 next wave!”
The players greeted the Lord of Eagle Territory enthusiastically. Although their days in Winter City were filled with the usual – chopping trees, building houses, and fighting magical beasts – the players had hope and motivation, and didn’t find their lives boring. After all, a sense of superiority and happiness were derived from comparison.
Xi Wei nodded expressionlessly at the players. “Uh… Are you there, Nobody Does Human Things? Could you come here for a moment?” The name was truly a mouthful. Couldn’t these players choose names that were grand, elegant, and suited the historical context? Xi Wei couldn’t help but complain in his heart. Although the natives here wouldn’t understand the meaning, he did. What if he slipped up and exposed himself one day?
“Oh, oh, Nobody Does Human Things, the Lord is looking for you!” The players shouted, simultaneously sending messages to Nobody Does Human Things through the channel. Soon, a dusty and disheveled Nobody Does Human Things appeared before Xi Wei.
Xi Wei examined Nobody Does Human Things from head to toe. His scouts had already informed him that this player was mysteriously tinkering with something called cement. However, it seemed he was encountering quite a few difficulties. It was understandable; cement production was quite complex, requiring not only grinding machines but also various ingredients. Xi Wei didn’t understand these details and only had a rough idea. His purpose in bringing Nina here was to see if her abilities could ease Nobody Does Human Things’s difficulties in producing cement.
“Good day, my Lord,” Nobody Does Human Things said, standing at attention before Xi Wei and performing a proper knight’s salute. He was somewhat puzzled as to why the Lord of Eagle Territory was suddenly seeking him out, especially with a charming demi-human girl following behind.
Xi Wei feigned ignorance and asked hesitantly, “I heard you’re making a miraculous item called cement, which is said to be used for building houses and city walls, and can make the bricks on the city walls perfectly integrated and incredibly strong. Is this true?”
