“Mm, you did really well, but when you’re at the exam, make sure not to act like that toward the examiners~ Otherwise, they’ll get angry and might punish you!”
Once again with the coaxing like she was talking to a child.
Delucia smiled, genuinely happy. She felt Liang Lai’s words were a sign of care.
“Of course, Mom. I only act like that with you. Besides, I only dare to do that with you, because only you would tolerate me like that~”
Every other word was “Mom,” like a toddler who hadn’t been weaned yet.
Liang Lai reached out and gently ruffled the blonde girl’s hair.
“I guess I was overthinking it just now. Why did I get such a strange feeling earlier? This kid is clearly very obedient and well-behaved. Ah, how pathetic of me to doubt my own child as a mother!”
Liang Lai silently scolded herself.
Aside from having to assess Delucia, Liang Lai also had to check on Dolosa and Asterys.
Four months had passed, so it was time for their second assessment. This exam was far more complex than the first, with stricter standards.
If the first exam required crystallizing objects before them, the second test was to observe these children’s crystallization attack forms.
Each person’s crystallization attack form was different and could be categorized as:
- Piercing Type
- Erosion Type
- Psychic Contamination Type
- Environmental Manipulation Type
- Concept Embodiment
It was already clear that Dolosa’s crystallization attack form was Piercing Type, while Asterys’s was Psychic Contamination Type.
The Piercing Type, also called “Crystal Spikes,” involved sharp crystal clusters suddenly growing from the ground.
Those hit would experience “Crystallization Spread,” which, simply put, meant their wounds began to crystallize.
But Dolosa’s Piercing Type crystallization wasn’t ordinary—it was an advanced variant called “Rose Execution.”
The victim’s body would grow crystal flowers that spread throughout the body, eventually shattering and causing death.
Asterys’s Psychic Contamination Type, though powerful, had drawbacks.
Her “Memory Crystallization” materialized specific memories of the target as crystals and shattered them, causing selective amnesia and psychological distortion.
When it reached a certain threshold, the brain itself would crystallize and shatter.
Of course, this brain crystallization wasn’t literal crystallization of the brain but a metaphor for reaching the mental breaking point.
For instance, the Pope’s fingers had crystallized because both his body and mind were under extreme pressure—such was the fate of becoming an Oracle.
Overusing this power caused Asterys’s personality to dissociate, so her daily use of offensive crystallization attacks had to be strictly controlled to avoid irreversible consequences.
As for Illucy, there were hints she was likely Concept Embodiment—the rarest attack form.
Sin Crystal manifested the target’s sins as black prisms.
Those touched would see projections of their own sins and suffer mental breakdowns.
Overuse would cause “Moral Backlash,” leading to extreme guilt and self-recrimination.
As for Delucia right now… although she had hurt Liang Lai, Liang Lai knew it was just a small trick Delucia was playing.
She hadn’t reached the stage of learning offensive crystallization abilities yet, so her exact crystallization attack form was still unclear.
“All right, little Delucia, you practice here on your own for a bit. I’m going to check on your sisters’ progress. Tomorrow’s the exam day~”
Saying that, Liang Lai hurried off to Dolosa’s practice room.
What pleased Liang Lai lately was that Dolosa, Asterys, Delucia, and Illucy always stuck together.
She wasn’t sure if they were studying, training, or just playing, but seeing them get along brought her joy.
Previously, these kids constantly bickered (except for the quiet Illucy), but now they could actually play together.
Kids really do become friends through a bit of roughhousing.
“How’s your practice going~?”
Liang Lai peeked her head inside.
To be honest, Liang Lai’s appearance was very youthful, but her figure was mature, giving off a grown-up vibe.
Yet sometimes her behavior was childlike—like her posture now, which was quite amusing.
“Of course, it’s going great~” Delucia grinned and pulled her sister to the doorway. “Mom, are you here to check on our progress? Then come in quickly and inspect! My sister and Dolosa can’t wait~”
Illucy hugged her knees sitting aside, quietly nodding—no one knew exactly what she agreed to.
This was exactly what Liang Lai wanted. She squeezed into the room, straightened her waist, and stood at the front like a teacher.
“All right, let’s check your practice results and see if you’ve been slacking these past two months~” Liang Lai playfully winked and flicked her Saintess Attire.
Dolosa was first to step forward and raised her hand.
In the center of the practice room stood a translucent human-shaped crystal doll.
The doll had vague facial features, skin texture indistinguishable from a real person’s, even showing faint blue-green veins beneath. It was specially made for their training.
Dolosa’s finger curled, and suddenly three crystal spikes burst from the doll’s chest like blooming thorny roses.
The doll staggered but didn’t fall.
The crystal spikes branched out inside its body, piercing from eye sockets, fingers, and joints. Soon it turned into a glowing thorny sculpture.
Liang Lai shivered, “So cruel?” but was quite satisfied.
Dolosa smirked and snapped her fingers.
The doll instantly restored, except for a rose-shaped crystallization scar on its chest.
This time Dolosa used two fingers to pierce, then her palm stabbed through the doll’s abdomen.
But what emerged from the back wasn’t blood—it was blooming crystal flowers.
The doll lowered its head to look at the blossoming flower on its belly and even reached out to touch the petals.
“It can still move now?” Liang Lai leaned closer.
“It’s a Simulated Nerve Crystal.”
Dolosa withdrew her hand, and the doll’s abdominal wound immediately sealed with crystallization.
“It even simulates pain feedback, but…” She suddenly clenched her fist, and the doll instantly exploded into a shower of crystal powder.
“Amazing!”
Liang Lai gave a thumbs-up and continued praising the children encouragingly.
Then it was Asterys’s turn.
A new doll appeared in the center of the room. Asterys pressed her hand on its crown.
The doll trembled violently as countless crystallized patches appeared beneath its skin, resembling fragments of memories.
Asterys took a deep breath.
The doll’s pupils dilated as crystalline flakes of memories spewed from its mouth. One fragment even showed Liang Lai eating strawberry cake yesterday.
The doll suddenly dropped to its knees, clutching its head and screaming silently.
Its skull gradually turned transparent as crystallization replaced brain tissue.
When the last brain tissue crystallized, Asterys snapped her fingers, and the entire head shattered like an ice sculpture.
“I’ve improved it,” she said, kicking the still convulsing headless doll. “Now it can precisely erase specific memory blocks.”
Liang Lai hissed inwardly, feeling these abilities were terrifying. If wielded by malicious people, they could cause serious trouble.
“Not bad, not bad. You’re all doing great—really impressive. You’ll definitely pass the exam tomorrow~”
Liang Lai was relieved. After all, these rescued kids had never made her worry about learning crystallization abilities.
The next day.
Liang Lai patted Illucy and Delucia’s heads.
“Xiao Xi, Xiao Ya, today I’m going to ask you two to be good and stay home, okay~”
Delucia smiled brightly and tugged Illucy’s arm, making a promise to Liang Lai:
“Mom, don’t worry. I’ll have lots of fun with Illucy~ Illucy also likes playing with me, right?”
Illucy shyly smiled. “Of course, Mom. I’ll stay home obediently with my sister while you’re gone~”
On the way.
Dolosa claimed one of Liang Lai’s arms, and Delucia grabbed the other.
Asterys didn’t show any displeasure; she just gave Delucia a faint glance before taking Dolosa’s hand, as if silently warning her: you only have one person; don’t cause trouble.
At the exam venue, Liang Lai immediately spotted Pope Alphonse VII sitting not far away.
How strange—this guy had so much free time today to arrive this early and wait here?
Judging by where Alphonse VII was seated, it was the second exam venue, not the first.
So, he was here to watch the second exam kids?
A strange feeling spread through Liang Lai’s heart.
She always felt the Pope’s appearances were too coincidental…
Why hadn’t Pope Alphonse VII shown up when she brought Illucy for her exam? It seemed that every time Dolosa appeared, this busy Pope would appear as well.
Could it be that Pope Alphonse VII had discovered Dolosa was his child? That was why he kept showing up—to watch over his child?
That thought made Liang Lai shudder.
“Impossible, impossible. That old fuddy-duddy… He even personally abandoned his child in the Underground Sanctuary. If he knew Dolosa was his daughter, he’d just throw her back underground.”
Though she reassured herself, Liang Lai’s eyes kept sneaking glances at Pope Alphonse VII, trying to see where he was looking, whether his gaze fell on Dolosa.
But the Pope sat calmly, a mask covering the upper half of his face, making it impossible to read his expression or eyes.
The first exam’s examiner was still the same as before—he had tested Dolosa, Asterys, and Illucy.
For the second exam, the main examiner was Overseer Alfred, with Crimson Cardinal Harris and Blue Robe Inquisitor Miles as assistant examiners.
The first exam had eight children; the second exam had seven—the same group as last time.
Dolosa drew number 1, Asterys number 5, and Delucia number 3.
That split the order nicely, allowing Liang Lai to watch Dolosa’s exam, then rush to the first exam room to watch Delucia, then back to the second exam room for Asterys.
It kept her busier than the children taking the exams.
Dolosa looked at her hand, feeling hopeless.
How did she get number 1 this time? Though confident in her abilities, being the first to go was always a bit scary.
The source of her fear?
She glanced at Pope Alphonse VII sitting not far away.
Of course, it was him—the one who abandoned her. She had no idea why he was here so early today.
He sat motionless, mask hiding his upper face; she couldn’t tell what he was looking at.
Dolosa lowered her head sheepishly, not wanting to meet her “biological father’s” gaze, afraid he’d see through her. But since he hadn’t noticed anything last time, he probably wouldn’t now.
Dolosa stood in the center of the exam ground, taking a deep breath.
In the center was a crystal doll as tall as a real person.
Dolosa flicked her finger. Three blood-red crystal flowers burst from the doll’s chest.
The examiners noticed the flower petals were as sharp as blades, rapidly growing and spreading inside the doll.
“Precise control,” whispered assistant examiner Harris.
Dolosa’s lips curled slightly, hands clasped together.
The crystal flowers exploded inside the doll, releasing countless tiny crystal spikes from the doll’s pores, turning it into a glowing thorny sculpture—but it still stood upright.
“Can it maintain basic movement?” chief examiner Alfred finally showed an approving expression. “Show the next phase.”
Dolosa snapped her fingers.
The crystal spikes softened and retracted into the doll, leaving only elegant rose patterns on the surface.
She approached the doll and gently pushed it.
The doll’s chest suddenly cracked open, and a giant crystal rose slowly bloomed.
Each petal was as thin as a cicada’s wing, refracting colorful light under the sun.
“Perfect.”
Miles couldn’t help but applaud.
“Precise piercing control, graceful form transformation, and maintenance of basic functions. This is the best Rose Execution demonstration I’ve ever seen.”
Liang Lai smiled too, but the corner of her eye unconsciously flicked toward the Pope.
Alphonse VII nodded slightly in his seat. For a moment, the corners of his mouth beneath the mask seemed to curl.
Liang Lai rubbed her eyes and looked again, but the Pope sat solemnly with no sign of a smile.
Had she just been too happy and imagined it?
After Dolosa’s exam ended, Liang Lai hurried to the first exam venue to watch Delucia’s performance.
She arrived just in time for Delucia’s turn.
This exam was different from the previous two, and each child’s exams were unique.
Delucia stood in the exam center before a row of testing items: an iron shield, a wooden dummy, glassware, and a basin of clear water.
She walked over to the iron shield, lightly running her fingers over its surface.
The metal immediately shimmered with a pearl-like luster, intricate crystal patterns spreading like a spiderweb.
In just three seconds, the entire shield transformed into a semi-transparent crystal shield.
“High purity,” assistant examiner Eric nodded while taking notes.
Next was the wooden dummy.
Delucia pressed her hand onto its chest.
Tiny crystal granules seeped into the wood grain, quickly transforming the dummy into a translucent sculpture, preserving the wood’s texture within the crystallization.
“Strong control.”
When it came to the glassware, Delucia suddenly showed a sly smile.
She merely blew a breath on the glass, and ice-flower-shaped crystals rapidly covered the cup’s surface. The crystals kept growing and changing until the glass transformed into a crystal rose.
The examiners gave approving looks.
Lastly, the basin of clear water.
Delucia dipped her hand into the water, which immediately began to freeze.
Just as it was about to fully crystallize, she withdrew her hand. The water’s surface remained in a half-crystallized, wondrous state like frozen waves.
“Good. Now remove crystallization,” chief examiner Sidric instructed.
Delucia tilted her head, then snapped her fingers. All crystallized objects simultaneously shattered into powder.
“I didn’t say you could break them,” Sidric frowned.
“But this is faster.” Delucia blinked innocently. “And the shattered crystals are so pretty.”
Sidric wrote in his evaluation: crystallization speed and purity were excellent, but a strong desire to destroy objects was apparent. Needs guidance to reduce killing intent.
Liang Lai’s heart tightened.
The child’s enthusiasm for “destruction” was somewhat unsettling.
Delucia seemed unaware of the problem; she believed she had scored high and turned to Liang Lai with a bright smile, already imagining Liang Lai’s praise after the exam rankings.
“No, I have to have a serious talk with Delucia tonight.”
Liang Lai felt she had been lax in her education and resolved to guide Delucia properly.
But it wasn’t time yet; she still had to watch Asterys’s exam.
However, when Liang Lai returned to the second exam site, she found that Pope Alphonse VII had already left.
Was he really gone?
Liang Lai found it too coincidental. Why did the Pope always leave right after Dolosa’s exam ended?