Chapter 39: The Assessment Begins

While explaining things, Chen Jing first led Lu Xin into a spacious office. Inside, Lu Xin saw many things he had only seen on TV or described in books from before the Red Moon incident but had never encountered in person.

Things like a water dispenser, a projector, and a small exquisite laptop with a logo resembling a bitten apple on its lid.

The items were somewhat scattered, looking like the place had been set up temporarily.

Quite a few people were already waiting: four or five researchers in white coats, security personnel in black uniforms armed with live ammunition standing in each corner of the office, and an amiable-looking old man with gold-rimmed glasses seated in the middle behind a desk.

“These are the staff members here to assist with your final assessment. Among them are nervous system specialists, scholars in brain science, psychologists, occult researchers, and so on. Don’t feel pressured. The security personnel are standard procedure for us. Unpredictable incidents occurred during past assessments, causing major disasters. Things are much better now!”

Chen Jing introduced the people in the office to Lu Xin concisely, without any unnecessary fuss.

“So, where are the Qinggang Six Monsters?”

Lu Xin felt a bit puzzled, not seeing anyone who looked like a “monster.”

“Six Monsters?”

Chen Jing paused, casting an inquisitive glance at Lu Xin.

Lu Xin subconsciously looked back at Gecko, who was following behind him. Gecko immediately turned his head away, feigning nonchalance.

“Hehe, the Qinggang Six Monsters he mentioned… that should be us!”

The old man with glasses in the office chuckled, stood up, shook Lu Xin’s hand, and introduced himself, “My surname is Chen. I’m the director of Qinggang City’s Special Pollution Research Center. Your assessment this time will be primarily led by myself and these five colleagues. Any subsequent guidance plan for you will also be handled jointly by the six of us. But don’t be nervous, we’re very experienced!”

The other five individuals, men and women, nodded towards Lu Xin in acknowledgment.

Lu Xin carefully observed the six people. Four men and two women, all appearing to be around forty or fifty years old. The oldest was Director Chen, who seemed over sixty. Among the others, most of the men were bald, except for one with thick black hair. The women wore no makeup, appearing calm and composed. They all nodded at Lu Xin together, their faces showing a kind expression.

Lu Xin wasn’t nervous initially, but being looked at by them like this made him inexplicably tense.

“Yes, yes, these six are Qinggang City’s most qualified, professional, and beloved expert professors. Their research in the field of mental alteration is top-notch, not just in Qinggang City, but throughout the entire Alliance…”

Gecko, who had been pretending to be nonchalant, now walked over with a smile, taking the initiative to make introductions.

Only then did Lu Xin realize this guy had done it on purpose, giving him a subtle glare.

“You probably recognize this person too. His name is Gecko. He specifically requested to come this time!”

Chen Jing casually added, “His ability is similar to yours, so he can serve as a reference point!”

“Reference point… that sounds awful…”

Gecko muttered, then greeted the people in the office with a dazzling smile that even his sunglasses couldn’t hide:

“Good evening, experts!”

“Move aside…”

A middle-aged woman wearing glasses waved her hand, indicating he was blocking Lu Xin.

Chen Jing then explained some precautions for the assessment to Lu Xin, though it seemed more like giving him some buffer time to relax. Following the suggestion of the old professor surnamed Chen, the group exited the office and headed towards the prepared assessment venue. The assessment Lu Xin needed to undergo now was related to the very first ability he had demonstrated.

“Precise control over the body, based on strong mental power, was one of the earliest abilities discovered after the Red Moon incident, and also the most common…” The kind-looking old man with glasses explained cheerfully to Lu Xin. When he mentioned the word ‘common,’ he glanced at Gecko again and added, “Of course, it’s also one of the most powerful abilities!”

Gecko, following behind, nodded with satisfaction.

“Mentally Altered Persons in this direction can control their bodies several orders of magnitude better than ordinary people. The stronger the mental power, the higher the percentage of body control, and thus the stronger the ability. Its essence lies in the enhancement of psychic power!”

“The assessment we need to conduct, the psychic power assessment, is the most crucial part!”

“With this data, we’ll know how to provide guidance for you and avoid the risk of losing control!”

…

“So, the guidance you mentioned is…”

Hearing this, Lu Xin couldn’t pretend he understood everything anymore and asked the question that concerned him most.

The amiable old man clearly didn’t expect Lu Xin to ask this question and looked at Chen Jing with some surprise.

“Guidance means helping you enhance your mutation ability!”

Chen Jing explained from the side, “Every Spider-type Mentally Altered Person is a natural fighter, marksman, acrobat, and master magician because you can essentially control every bone and fascia in your body at will. Therefore, almost any skill related to body control and its extensions is easy for you to master!”

“But this world doesn’t only have Spider-type Altered Persons!”

As she said this, her voice became somewhat serious, “Mental mutation has several branches!”

“Besides Spider-type ability users, there are also different ability systems like Princess, Doctor, Ghost, and Dream Weaver.”

“Each ability has different advantages and disadvantages!”

“And compared to the expert professors who have conducted in-depth research and data calculations on various mutation cases, the Mentally Altered Persons themselves often don’t understand how to better utilize and enhance their own abilities.”

“Sometimes, incorrect attempts and challenges might even push them closer to the edge of losing control.”

“And this… this is why ability users need guidance!”

“You need formal guidance, and even data support, to achieve progress and improvement.”

…

“Sigh, this is the annoying part about you guys…”

Lu Xin found this quite novel, while Gecko beside him was already muttering softly, “Good thing someone with the same ability has finally shown up. Now I can finally help tell you guys that we’re not omnipotent either…”

“There are so many things you calculate and think I can do, but I just can’t…”

“Like, why on earth would you think I can turn into liquid?”

“I’m a person, not a cat…”

…

“Actually, this just proves why you need guidance!”

The old man with glasses explained with a smile, “You just happened to get the chance, and your minds underwent mutation.”

“How could you understand ‘abilities’ better than us researchers?”