Ashern City - Reinhart Institute of War, 6th of Brightforge, year 315 UC
Dr. Livingston watched the students' reactions.
"This M.A.G.I.C orb will record your stats with precision that was impossible until recently. Studies show that these numbers are eighty-nine percent accurate. So, we expect you to take advantage of this to the utmost. Focus on your strengths, and cover your weak areas."
He explained, resting both hands on his cane.
"I expect you to remember your numbers, although everything will be recorded and saved. If you would like your stats sent to you, you need to request it. Every Thursday during the Excellence Camp, we will measure and record your growth."
Dr. Livingston said as he looked at a device on his wrist.
"Once the term officially begins, measurements will occur quarterly—once every three months. And do not concern yourselves with privacy. No one will know your stats except the staff and yourself."
His lips curved into a thin smile.
"Of course, you're free to disclose this information among your peers if you wish. Some find that competition breeds improvement."
Dr. Livingston gestured toward the first row.
"We'll proceed in an orderly fashion, starting from the left side of the first row and working our way to the back. Ms. Graves, you're first."
Rosemary rose from her seat, her white-blonde braid swinging slightly as she moved. She passed Kevin, who remained slumped in his chair, his face still flushed red in embarrassment.
Bryan watched her approach the orb. Having his data recorded posed significant risks. The disparity between his abilities and those of the other students would raise suspicions, potentially leading to unwanted questions.
'Could I trick the orb?'
He wondered, thumb still working over his black ring.
'Make it display false stats?'
It would make him appear weaker, but that wasn't his concern. What worried him was the possibility of revealing when he'd awakened his abilities. It wouldn't be difficult to find out when they saw his stats and number of spells.
People his age would have one spell, potentially two. None would have five, unless you were an experienced mage with years of training. This revelation would cause an uproar, and "blending in" was a fundamental part of his mission.
There was also his name. What if the orb displayed "Valentine" instead of "Blackwood"? His cover story was perfect, and coming up with something on the fly just would not work. There would not be a good reason as to why his last name was different.
He watched as Rosemary placed her palm against the orb. The sphere's purple glow shifted to a crystalline blue, ice patterns forming within its depths. Just like what happened with Kevin, words seemed to etch themselves onto the orb.
From his seat he could not make out what they were. It looked as if only the person checking their stats could see the numbers, and anyone within a close proximity.
Which was a bit annoying. Data like that could be more useful to him that the observations he collected over the last few days.
Dr. Livingston talked to Rosemary a little bit before sending her on her way. He quickly called up the next student, and continued to do so. Bit by bit, he was inching closer to being called.
If there was ever a time for Zoltan to appear, now would be it.
At a time like this, there was only one thing he could do. Try to fake it.
His control over his ether was impeccable, so using less might alter his stats. Truthfully, he did not know how this device worked. Besides Dr. Livingston telling them to do it as if they were using a spell or barrier, he had no additional information.
How exactly did using a spell equate to specific numbers?
There were just too many questions that he didn't have the answer to.
Bryan hated not having answers.
If he had the information needed, he could come up with a viable solution. A plan even.
Knowledge was always the first step to success.
Time passed as each student approached the orb in turn. Bryan observed their reactions. Some emerged from the experience with satisfied smiles, while others returned to their seats with slumped shoulders or furrowed brows.
When Alexander took his turn, his expression fell slightly as the orb displayed his stats. He nodded silently at whatever Dr. Livingston told him before returning to his seat, his earlier enthusiasm noticeably diminished.
Bryan questioned why he was bothering to observe him at all. The boy's capabilities were of decent but far from useful.
Even yesterday during all the physical training they had, he was lacking. The one thing Alexander had going for him was his tenacity. The boy refused to give up.
It was a shame he seemed to be struggling with his control.
Bryan made a mental note to check in with him on the little side project he assigned him. Was Alexander collecting data on the other members of their team?
If he was, he was doing so silently. Bryan had not seen him watch their performance much yesterday.
While the information would be useless to him directly, it would be interesting to see if Alexander followed orders and also what he gained from doing so.
"Cadet Blackwood."
Bryan looked over at Dr. Livingston, who called for him.
"You're next."
Bryan approached the orb. He placed his hand on its smooth surface, limiting his ether output.
The orb shifted from purple to a deep crimson red. Numbers materialized around the sphere, displaying his stats for all to see.
Core Size: S
Ether Control: B-67
Casting Speed: C-31
Body Augmentation: C-25
Magic Sensitivity: C-28
Magic Firepower: C-15
Magic Shielding: C-10
Magic Range: C-23
His Ether Control registered in the high B range, while his other stats hovered in the low C area. Only his Core Size remained unchanged, displaying an S-rank that he couldn't conceal.
Notably, his name didn't appear on the display—only the numerical values of his abilities.
Dr. Livingston studied the readings with interest.
"Impressive stats for someone your age, Cadet Blackwood."
Bryan kept his hand situated on the orb for a bit longer as he etched these numbers to memory.
"I don't really have anything to add, keep doing whatever you've been doing."
Dr. Livingston stated as he patted Bryan on the shoulder twice.
The M.A.G.I.C. orb provided less detailed information compared to his ring. There were no recommendations for improvement, no predictions about potential spell acquisitions. It also didn't identify his attribute, though the orb's color did change.
His ring had always listed his attribute as "unknown," despite functioning similarly.
"Dr. Livingston, how does the device accurately measure our stats?"
Bryan asked as he lowered his hand
The elderly man paused for a second before answering.
"It absorbs the ether you channel into its surface, reads the elemental signature, and extrapolates all the information contained within it."
Bryan's eyes narrowed slightly.
That sounded odd. He didn't realize a person could even read ether.
Sure, if someone used magic close by another magic with excellent magic sensitivity could tell, but that was just feeling a shift in the atmosphere.
"Ether has a specific signature, just like DNA."
Dr. Livingston continued before Bryan could speak.
"It tells you everything about the source it came from."
Bryan nodded slowly.
"It doesn't seem foolproof. With DNA, your genes are exactly what you have, no alterations. But unless this device can do the same somehow, wouldn't someone be able to falsify information about their ether?"
Dr. Livingston's lips curved into a slight smile.
"That can be a factor, yes. But as I said, all ether has a specific signature that will lead back to its origin."
He gestured to the orb.
"Even if someone tried to trick the M.A.G.I.C. orb, it would be useless. The information at the start might show incorrect stats, but after enough time has passed, the device would comb through the signature in more detail to give the correct information."
"How is that possible? How much time are we talking about?"
Bryan asked.
Dr. Livingston's eyes twinkled with amusement.
"Well, now, isn't that the question everyone wants to know. Currently, no one has an answer besides the creator."
Bryan stared at the orb for a moment longer. There were a few implications with this new information. If this orb could tell he was trying to give it false information, then what would happen when the numbers changed?
Would anyone even be paying attention to it by then?
"Return to your seat, Cadet Blackwood."
Dr. Livingston instructed.
"We have others to evaluate."
Bryan nodded once and turned away as he walked back to his desk.