Vile Evil Hides Under The Veil
chapter-70-30041322

"Is there anything you want to ask about the explanation provided so far?"

Linda stopped her speech and asked Eren to see if he had any queries. The latter voiced his question soon after:

"Ace professor Linda, do you think the profession of a close combat expert is more suitable for me than being a potioneer according to your explanation?"

Eren asked with slight anticipation. He didn't have to think this hard when he only had the element of lightning as his element. Although the great element of water was considered to be the most ideal element of a potioneer, he could do just fine using his lightning element.

That's because Eren's derived element was made from water, wind, and fire. The spells related to water and fire were very useful in potion-making. So he dealt with his lack of 100% water element affinity by introducing variations in simple potioneering spells related to water, wind, and fire.

But if his new time element pushed him towards being a close combat expert, then he'd have to rethink his priorities. He'd still walk the path of a potioneer. It's just that he will have to prioritize being a close combat expert more.

"Yes and no. If you can get time-element spells related to the profession of potion-making, the element will play a vital role. If not, then being a close combat expert will be more suitable for you since it is relatively easy for you to get the elemental spells related to that profession.

Do you know why I called Lin an idiot after looking at the result of your aptitude test? It's because of his remark of calling the 'XX' entry in the Inherent Nature section a miscalibration in the array. Technically he is not wrong. But he has failed to understand what caused that miscalibration.

The array used for aptitude testing works on previous database entries of rankers that have been accumulated over a long period. Your mana signature changes according to your element, inherent nature, and a lot of covert and overt factors about you.

Theoretically, even the minutest of changes in rankers' ranking journey can be traced and deduced with their mana signature. Of course, the array used for the aptitude test isn't that advanced. But it doesn't have to dig deep into the rankers' pasts who have just started their ranking journey.

The purpose of maintaining database entries of such mana signatures generation after generation is so that the array can find a few close matches to your mana signatures and predict what professions will suit you best based on those matches.

Inherent nature is something that has been categorized by very high-ranked entities after considering a large sample size. Since the mana signatures reflect the trait of the rankers, it also becomes possible for rankers to predict the mana signatures based on their traits. This linear relation is the principle behind the functioning of the array.

The array would show blank space or XX error when it doesn't have a matching entry in its database. This is extremely rare considering the database has been nurtured for so many years now. But it couldn't be helped since the case was related to someone with a time element. The rankers belonging to the time element are rare. So the sample size of time-element database entries is restricted as well.

The XX means there's no entry of another time-element ranker with a similar mana signature as you. The inherent nature of your time element is different from what had been observed and recorded in the database so far.

Lin couldn't understand the reason behind the miscalibration even after studying and teaching arrays for a living. Hence I called him an idiot. The knowledge of one's parents won't get automatically transferred in the child's brain after all.

Lin should REALLY think about changing his first name. It's an insult to the Sansara Sage, having this ill-informed array master teaching stuff about arrays to gullible students, as someone who shares his first name.

Anyway, coming back to your problem. I checked your aptitude test results and they are pretty skewed if you ask me. Your time element doesn't have a known inherent nature as displayed by the XX.

Then you have another derived element in your arsenal that has three great elements fused into it. But even after all these anomalies, the professions you can opt for remain relatively traditional and well-known.

I can understand the compatibility for a close combat expert and weapon specialist because of your lightning element and inherent nature of speed.

Element wise, you are not a perfect match for potion-making. But since your file record mentions your guardian as a C-Rank healer and a potioneer, I can imagine you must have dabbled in making elementary potions from a very early age. And that is reflected in your mana signature now.

But the inherent nature of devouring isn't linked with either of your derived elements. Plus, you even have a berserker listed in your weird aptitude compatibility choices. If I didn't know you were a 16-year student, I would have believed the person undergoing this test was a beat-up ranker who had probably dipped his luck in a lot of professions before finally deciding to focus on a single path.

Your mana signature is convoluted enough to derive such an assumption.

Do you know what's even weirder? Your time element hasn't influenced your aptitude compatibility choices as far as I can tell. It's like someone has lent you their elemental affinity. Which is as bizarre as it is farfetched.

Maybe your mana signature has two or more polarizing attributes that sometimes complement and sometimes create conflict with each other. We are never really entirely sure about anything when it comes to time-element rankers.

So I'll conclude my consultation by keeping things simple. I'd suggest you choose the easy way. Focus on getting an F-Rank lightning element ranking technique related to the profession of close combat expert first.

Keep everything related to time-element ranking techniques on the back burner for now. Think about getting them once you have broken into D-Rank or above.

Prioritize finding attacking-type time-element spells related to the profession of close combat expert or any other suitable profession. And then include them if and when you can in your battle style.

You can keep treading on the path of being a potioneer, thanks to your derived element of lightning. You'll need to work hard, but you'll eventually get the results you want with enough investment.

Are there any other queries you have?"

Had it been Ken Riverine in Eren's shoes right now, he would have chosen to go for the most difficult path like a 'true protagonist' he was. He would have opted for a time-element ranking technique to practise from the get-go. And then he would dominate everyone on his level with his focus, commitment, and sheer fokin will.

But Eren was not like Ken. He agreed with Linda's practical consultation.

The Butcher was not looking to cut corners in his hard work. But a particular path's efficiency was equally important to him. That's why he deliberated hard over choosing the right profession in this timeline. Otherwise, he would have opted for the path that he was most familiarized with, the path of a berserker.

Eren knew what Linda was talking about when she said it seemed that element of time was something that was lent to him. He knew this was due to the incorporation of that gem.

It was the gem's power manifesting in Eren's elemental affinity and inherent nature. He preferred polishing what belonged to him first before working on the power that he wasn't familiarized with for the time being. So he chose to go with Linda's consultation. He declared his intentions to Linda before taking his leave.

Linda was left alone in the room, seemingly brooding over something. It wasn't apparent with her cadence, but a sudden bout of time dilation had struck her when she had entered the room. When a ranker is proficient enough in their innate powers, they tend to activate their powers subconsciously using the honed sixth sense. Therefore she could minutely observe Eren's changing facial expressions before the latter took note of the event.

'Why did this kid act surprised when he first saw me? Does he know me? And if he does, why did he mask his expressions quickly after?'

Linda was trying to come up with an answer but she couldn't find anything on the kid. She just shook her head and decided to give up on those trains of thought. For now!

Author's Note: Hello. Last week's spirit stones count exceeded 100. And I'm seeing a lot of non-spam comments. Thanks for all the support you've shown for the novel. The two extra chapters will be released soon. Look forward to it. ;)