Macar's words successfully piqued Ogre's interest.
He couldn't help but concentrate.
“These three broad categories of Mind-Images are classified as—the Manifestation Type, the Special Type, and the Enhancement Type. However, some sorcerers from the Church of Truth feel that the Enhancement Type shouldn't count as a major category; they view it merely as a failed awakening.”
“So, the Special Type is for those with unique abilities? Like the one we encountered this time?” Ogre seemed to discover another reason why he had been unable to form a Mind-Image Seed.
How should someone like him, who possessed an innate ability, be categorized?
‘Wait... my ability doesn't actually seem to be an innate awakening either.’
Ogre was a bit confused.
“Yes... but compared to natural Awakeners, the abilities of Special-Type Mind-Imagers are slightly more traceable—because they are closely tied to their experiences and personalities. But overall, they still break the mold, just like the one we encountered this time.”
The talent abilities of Awakeners came in many categories. They might grow, or they might not; they could be powerful, or they could be weak—but the key was that they didn't fit into any standard system.
For example, Ogre's ability, the Ogre's Lunchbox.
Its effect was, one could say, even more ogre-like than an actual ogre.
“There must be restrictions on it, right?” Ogre's own ability had quite a few limitations.
Macar nodded from up ahead. “Most of them have restrictions. Generally speaking, the stronger the restriction, the more powerful the effect. It's quite unreasonable—but fortunately, the Special Type is very rare. Of course, these classifications are only based on the characteristics we humans have summarized. The actual situation can be much more complex.”
“Which category does Grand Friar Fula belong to?” Ogre rubbed his forehead.
“I can't tell you that,” Macar refused Ogre's request.
But this was well within Ogre's expectations.
“Then what is the deal with the Manifestation Type and the Enhancement Type?”
Ogre felt that the strongest aspect of a Mind-Imager was their compatibility with other classes. Even if it only granted one extra ability, it was still far more advantageous than a conventional single-class Professional. He should try to obtain it if he could.
“As the name suggests, the Manifestation Type materializes one or more items. It can be a weapon or a tool, and its form and power aren't fixed—they change along with the Mind-Imager's training and state of mind. It is the mainstream among Mind-Imagers. Most of these materialized items carry ordinary abilities that don't exceed normal limits, such as Holy Light. As for the Enhancement Type, that is much simpler. This category of Mind-Imagers only has one ability: enhancement. The enhancement of an Enhancement-Type Mind-Imager is divided into permanent enhancement and temporary enhancement. Both types of enhancement work on weapons and living beings alike. Many legendary blacksmiths are Enhancement-Type Mind-Imagers.”
Macar's explanation was extremely detailed, which truly opened Ogre's eyes.
“Then there must be people who dual-class in Mind-Image and their own profession, right?” Ogre wasn't particularly interested in the Manifestation Type. He was interested in the Enhancement Type.
“Yes, from a historical perspective, there are actually quite a few such people. However, very few can dual-class both successfully. Sword Saint Jerosen from a hundred years ago should count as one—he was an Enhancement-Type Mind-Imager who also trained in the strength of a Martial Artist. It is said that he could swing a branch he picked up off the ground and unleash a strike that split mountains,” Macar illustrated.
“People like that are truly enviable,” Ogre remarked with a sigh.
But he also knew how difficult it was to dual-class in multiple major professions. The path of a Martial Artist and that of a Mind-Imager didn't conflict, but only one Jerosen had made a name for himself in the empire's history. After all, a person's energy was limited...
‘The profession most suitable for dual-classing with a Mind-Imager should be a Knight, but unfortunately, a Knight's meditation efficiency...’
Ogre realized there was a reason why there weren't many Mind-Imagers.
The training of a Mage or a Martial Artist clearly clashed with that of a Mind-Imager, as both professions required training from childhood.
A Mind-Imager, too, needed their Mind-Image Seed to bloom before reaching adulthood.
If one wanted to dual-class, they would have to put aside their training in other professions and awaken the Mind-Image Seed first—especially for Knights.
It wasn't impossible for a Knight to become a Mind-Imager, but they had to delay the awakening of their battle qi seed; otherwise, the battle qi energy would interfere with their meditation.
To abandon an established aptitude in a profession just to nurture an uncertain Mind-Image Seed was unwise no matter how one looked at it. Those professions that seemed to have no requirements actually had the highest thresholds.
Only the Church of Dawn was willing to train them in large numbers.
“There's nothing to envy. The price one must pay to maintain the strength of a Mind-Image's power is unimaginable. Not everyone is born with a strong mind,” Macar expressed a different view.
A strong mind required restraint. The Clerics of the church relied on self-restraint to obtain their powerful strength.
“Though I am not a Mind-Imager, I know that very little power in this world comes for free. The power that Mind-Imagers gain through indulgence, jealousy, anger, and hatred will eventually consume them. Take the witch who captured me, for instance—while she imprisoned me, was she herself not also in a cage?”
Macar did not envy these bizarre abilities. He still placed greater trust in the skills and battle qi he had forged through harsh winters and scorching summers.
“You're right, Kar.” Ogre did not argue. There was bound to be a way to have the best of both worlds, but Ogre didn't think he would be one of the lucky ones.
“Sigh... why am I telling you all this?” Only now did Macar realize that the Ogre beside him didn't even have the right to choose power.
In this world, there were very few scenarios where one could have the best of both worlds, but plenty where one was lacking in all departments. There was only one Sword Saint Jerosen, but there were countless ordinary people without any power at all.
“Sorry, I shouldn't be lecturing you,” Macar apologized to Ogre.
‘She's probably just envious...’
Perhaps he shouldn't lecture a girl about her simple admiration for the strong.
“There's nothing wrong with broadening my horizons,” Ogre said, putting his hands behind his back and taking light, skipping steps forward.
“Speaking of which, I haven't asked you about that shadow demon yet. Tell me the truth, Gelin—are you a Rogue?”
Macar suddenly stopped and turned to ask Ogre.
He suspected that Ogre had stolen the Silver Badge.
That would make it a completely different matter.
“I wouldn't coexist with a creature like that. If I were a Rogue, wouldn't you all have noticed a long time ago?” Ogre said with a bright smile.
“But that is an evil creature after all.”
“You don't actually think I could steal a Silver Badge from a Discipline Grand Knight, do you?”
“No, I didn't mean it like that. It's just that a shadow demon isn't something you can control. They are cunning, evil, greedy, and dark...” Macar also realized how ridiculous his thought had been.
True, how could a shadow demon steal from a Discipline Grand Knight? Even a regular Dawn Paladin like himself could detect a Rogue...
He must have been out of his mind just now.
“Would you consider a knife to be evil?” Ogre countered.
“How can a child play with knives?” Macar shot back. His concern was primarily genuine care.
“I'm not a child anymore, my dear Paladin. You are judging a book by its cover.”
Ogre felt that Macar's current attitude probably stemmed from the contrast between how he acted before and now.
“You... fine, I can't control you anyway.”
Macar only felt a sudden, inexplicable heartache. Where had his beautiful, pure, gentle, kind, intellectual, lovely, and understanding Miss Gelin gone?
For the first time, Macar felt that maybe it wasn't so bad when she was mute... This was the feeling of a shattered dream.
Back then, he had to muster so much resolve just to give up pursuing her...
“Let's rush to town in one go. We can't stay out overnight; I'd be scared, you know,” Ogre teased Macar, mimicking the affected, delicate tone of some girls.
Some things only seemed beautiful because they were kept at a distance, filled with all sorts of wonderful labels.
This was fine too. At least she seemed much more normal.
“Then be careful yourself,” Macar let out a long, slow sigh.
The sweet sister was gone forever; his once good brother wanted to be his woman; and now even Gelin had changed...
These past three ridiculous days felt like a dream.
“Thank you for believing in me.” Ogre brushed past Macar, then turned back with a smile. “Kar, you really are a very gentle person. Thank you for protecting me.”
‘At least, you're much gentler than your sister.’ Of course, Ogre didn't dare say that out loud.
“Gentle, huh?” Macar dazed for a moment, then gave a helpless smile. “You're the first girl to ever praise me like that.”
“Then keep up the good work,” Ogre said teasingly.
He found that the feeling of being led and protected by someone was actually not bad.
“I'll take that as a compliment.” Macar touched his nose, then quickly caught up. “But speaking of which, Gelin, you must be hungry, right?”
“I'm fine. While you were gone, I already ate something.” Ogre took out a red tree fruit and tossed it over. “You can try one too.”
There were no fish here, so he had to make do with some tree fruit.
“Hmm? Is this a fruit from the Forest of Monsters? It would be bad if you got sick from eating it. We should find a Priest to check you over later. I still have a magic tool with a healing spell.” Macar pulled out a cross.
“How could I not know whether it's edible or not? Don't worry, I've eaten these since I was a child. In a few days, I won't even be able to eat this fruit anymore.” Ogre was actually quite looking forward to seeing how Macar would react after eating it.
“You've eaten them since childhood?” Macar stared blankly for a second, then smiled. He had almost believed this unreliable girl just now. “Fine, I'll try it.”
Ultimately, Macar took the fruit and munched on it, finishing it in no time.
“Why don't you have any reaction?” Ogre asked, somewhat curious.
“I was born without a sense of taste,” Macar replied, a little puzzled. “Does this fruit taste really good?”
Ogre: “...”
“Yes, it really is quite delicious,” Ogre rubbed his nose.
“Is that so? Then I'll pick a few more when I head back and bring them to Aunt Mima and the others.”
“Yes, you had better bring plenty.”
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