The Genius Evolution Store

Everyone was looking forward to the banquet. They had seen people from five countries. A lot of people had been hyping Auric up, especially in Esfrata.

They had also interviewed a few people. The plan was to interview at least the top candidates from each country.

Unfortunately, before they could even get to Auric, they had to stop because of what had happened.

”What the hell?! Poison?!”

”What is Dermania doing?”

”But is it really poison? Are they going to trust the words of a student? I mean, he’s just a student. How can he notice it when other instructors can’t?”

A lot of people were complaining. This incident could become a massive problem. They didn’t want the situation that was already bad to get worse.

This training program was meant to show the world that even though the beasts were moving suspiciously, they had the power to fight. The next generation would also feel reassured by all these candidates.

However, if the poison incident were to occur and took down all the top students, it would change the narrative.

They might end up becoming the void generation because no top students would be able to become powerhouses that would protect them.

That was why the incident was treated seriously.

The people understood it as well, which was why it was quite shocking when Vanessa admitted it in front of the camera.

”Auric is telling the truth? Holy cow!”

”My prince has given you his edict. How dare you commoners argue against him!”

”God Auric, God Auric!”

”Why God? God is untouchable. He should be a prince because I will have the chance to be at least a concubine!”

”You are a genius! My Prince!”

Most of them ended up praising Auric, while the rest were still waiting for the result of the investigation.

Auric, of course, remained in his room until further notice. Supervisor Jacob and a few instructors came to help with the interviews to determine what they had found.

Auric simply answered everything truthfully without giving too much information, especially about how to make the poison.

The situation had changed quite a lot. This incident would definitely make Dermania hostile toward Auric.

Supervisor Jacob let out a long sigh while rubbing his forehead.

”So, what’s the situation, Jacob?”

”Thanks to Auric, it’s manageable. I think they’re going to continue according to schedule. It’s just... because Auric exposed their blunder, he might be targeted to wash away their shame.”

”Can you handle it? Maya Relesha can protect him directly as his teacher, while I ask you and Greenfell to handle the offense.”

”I think it will be manageable. However, to avoid unexpected situations like this, I’d like to request that food be transported directly, Mr. President.”

”That is not a problem. I’ll ask some people to handle it. Fortunately, the distance is not too far, so we can bring everything daily.”

”That will be enough. For now, I will be keeping an eye on Dermania, especially their instructors. They might end up bullying him in the training session to make him look bad. How is our relationship with Dermania?”

”It doesn’t matter as long as we’re in the right. However, try your best not to worsen the situation with the other three countries.”

”I will do my best.”

”Okay, good.”

Supervisor Jacob let out a long sigh, feeling the headache of taking care of Auric’s problem.

...

In another room, Vanessa crossed her arms, looking at Ryan. She even called Gloria directly.

”So, what’s going on with him?” Vanessa turned to Gloria. ”I heard you managed to get into his group previously.”

”Yes, Ma’am. I managed to join his group, but nothing escaped his eyes. His sensitivity was something beyond my imagination.

”We could just walk from one place to another, and he could make a stop because he found an artifact buried underground, hanging on a tree, or even right in plain view. However, the most ridiculous thing I could see was the Mysterious Cave ruins.

”He discovered it even though it was buried underground, and no one had ever found it for so many years. The path to reach that place as well was so complex and small, so there should be close to no energy leak.

”As a fighter, he’s no less exceptional. If he uses his full power, he might rival the power of a Rank 4 human. It takes a long time to activate, but the power can definitely bypass the rank restriction.

”His command ability is also excellent. It might not be the best, but he fixes all his mistakes and has a very small chance of making them again even under intense pressure.

”He calculates everything well, including his enemy’s movements. He might curse a lot during the battle, but it might be his way to let it out to reduce his stress level. That’s why he will remain calm in the battle.

”As for his power as an evolution master, it’s beyond exceptional. Although it’s with the help of the artifact, Auric Elfe has helped his teammates, such as Ellia Stroph Astler and Vera Schneider, to evolve to Rank 3.

”In addition, Katarina has reached Rank 4 because of him. At the very least, Katarina Vasilyevna trusted him enough to let him watch over her as she absorbed artifacts.”

”He is a gold-grade evolution master?” Vanessa raised her eyebrows.

”I don’t think so. While it’s true that Auric helped Katarina, he only let the artifact do its job. He only reminded her to stop when her element reached 100%, similar to when evolution masters watched over unique-element users who tried to evolve. They couldn’t do anything other than watch them, and they can’t be called unique evolution masters.”

”I see. But at least he is confident enough that his sensitivity can get an accurate reading?” Vanessa looked up, contemplating.

”That’s correct.”

”I guess his sensitivity is much stronger than the report. He could even find out the elements mixed in the food.” Vanessa closed her eyes for a moment. ”What about the ranking competition?”

”I have no doubt that he will dominate the ranking competition. I don’t think any Rank 2 students from five countries will be his match. He has one big advantage. Even if you exhaust him, he can switch to another element.

”In other words, if you exhaust his wind element, he can use the lightning element and so on, while letting his lightning element recover. That recovery is also abnormal. It might be the combined recovery of his other elements.

”So, if we want to use attrition tactics, we will be the only ones to lose honor. People will definitely call us shameless. If we want to defeat him, it will be through overwhelming power and speed.”

Vanessa tapped the ground with her right heel a few times before asking, ”What’s your relationship with him?”

”Not exactly a friend, but we’re not enemies. We greeted and talked to each other earlier, just like acquaintances. Though I’m not sure what happened after the military relieved me of my duties. They said Auric had become hostile.”

”Hostile?!” Vanessa narrowed her eyes. Even Ryan’s expression turned solemn the moment he heard that word.

If Auric had turned hostile, he might be capable of doing this. Maybe he stopped the poisoning to shame them.

”Well, I’m not exactly sure about that. You may have to ask my superior directly.” Gloria shook her head helplessly.

”Did he do it on purpose?” Vanessa asked directly.

”I don’t know about that. However, I do know that Auric is a principled man. His main principle is Equivalent Exchange. In other words, if we haven’t done anything to him, he won’t do anything to us.”

Vanessa narrowed her eyes and turned to Ryan. ”Other than monitoring him, what else have you done?”

”I haven’t done anything!” Ryan denied everything. ”He might be doing this out of spite, thinking he’s the best.”

”I’m sorry, Instructor Ryan, but the Auric I know is a man who doesn’t want to get into trouble. At least he will avoid trouble. It’s just... for some reason, trouble seems to always get to him, and he’s not afraid to fight back.”

Ryan’s eyebrows twitched, as he did not react well to Gloria interrupting him in front of Vanessa.

Vanessa took a deep breath before saying, ”For now, we’ll continue the training program. If we cancel it just because of this, we will become a laughingstock. However, I won’t forbid them from bringing in food from their respective countries to avoid another poisoning like this. This is a method that is difficult to detect. Also, do you think you can ask him to heal people who are poisoned?”

”I don’t know. Maybe he will, but he’s probably going to do it only after the competition is over. I’ve helped him in the past, so if I ask for that favor, maybe I can convince him.” Gloria nodded carefully.

”All right then. For now, all of you need to be careful. Watch your mouth at this sensitive time. I’ll continue my investigation.”

”Understood.” Gloria straightened her posture and saluted before leaving the room.

...

In another corner of the hotel, a man casually took out his phone. ”Yes, Director. I’ve just confirmed that his sensitivity can even detect the poison from miles away. If his claim is right, he was the evolution master that healed all the people we’d poisoned in the past.”

There was another report that Supervisor Jacob received.

He then made a big announcement.

”Attention, all students. According to the investigation, there is no more poison in the hotel. However, there are some suspicious people going around, but we can’t determine anything until further investigation.

”For the time being, the official stance of Dermania is that we will continue with the training program.

”However, they no longer force us to eat their food or drink their water. Instead, I’ve asked the country to provide our food and drink for the next thirty days.

”You may also buy some food from the city or get some from the hotel, but be careful. Auric, may I ask for your cooperation if anyone ends up being poisoned?”

Looking at Supervisor Jacob’s announcement, Auric chuckled and replied, ”My Night and Day Store is open. Fair rate.”

”We’ll talk about that later, okay?”

Another student asked, ”Will it be dangerous for us to continue? Will the poison kill us directly?”

”Auric?” Supervisor Jacob asked Auric to explain.

Auric replied carefully so that he didn’t cause a panic. ”No. If it has been ingested, the poison won’t kill you directly. It will remain dormant in your body until you use your element. In other words, I suggest that before doing anything, you use a very small amount of energy to check whether you’ve been poisoned or not.

”The poison can enter your system in a lot of ways, but I don’t think it can enter your body through your lungs. I don’t have the official research, so please forgive me for saying that. From what I’ve seen, it can enter your system if you ingest it orally or inject it into your body directly, either with syringes or through open wounds.”

Supervisor Jacob was satisfied with the explanation. ”Very well. Everyone, I’d like you to be careful from now on. Since we’ve exposed them, Dermania won’t be looking kindly on us.

”Still, it doesn’t matter whether they like us or not. If it hadn’t been exposed, so many of us would have gone down without knowing anything. In the end, the mess would have been much bigger, so don’t direct your anger at Auric. Instead, tell Dermania that they’re not capable.

”However, do your best not to cause any more conflicts with the other three countries. In other words, if they mess with you, beat them up. If they haven’t done anything, you will remain calm. Understood?”

All the students and instructors saw this discussion.

Auric couldn’t help but let out a long sigh. ”My poor life...”

Vera rolled her eyes. ”Auric, oh, Auric.”

Ellia chuckled. ”Do you want me to give you a massage?”

”I will just be careful for the time being. Ellia, did you bring anything for a headache?”