CHAPTER 257: CHAPTER 257 BURNING TALISMAN

"Barbarism and... more barbarism?"

Vinya didn’t expect Aiven to give such an answer, her beautiful blue eyes suddenly widened. Although she looked surprised, she still appeared just as adorable to others.

Actually, she had asked this question to many people she met during her travels whom she felt were very wise.

Some said it was the steadfast faith of the mainlanders! Some said it was advanced culture! Some said it was powerful technology! And some said the ethnicities of the mainlanders were inherently more noble than the aboriginals!

Aiven’s answer, however, brutally swept all those seemingly reasonable answers into the trash.

He explained the essence of the current situation of colonization and being colonized from a very objective and neutral perspective!

This time it was the young girl’s turn to fall into "contemplation," and after a long while, she raised her head again, showing a smile of sudden realization and relief.

Was the answer she had been searching for all these years really this simple?

The so-called civilized nations and primitive principalities have no essential difference. Stripped of those grandiose, luxurious trappings, the apparent advantages of civilized nations are merely derivatives based on the advantage of power.

The direction of her journey to seek answers was wrong from the start.

Even if she could learn all the civilized achievements of the Old Continent and transplant them entirely to her homeland.

But could she imagine the people there abandoning their ancestral spirits and customs of a thousand years, wearing formal attire, greeting with mainland manners, and drinking afternoon tea in a ridiculous manner?

How long would it take to establish a scientific foundation from scratch and then grow to the level where the mainland could build strong ships and powerful cannons?

More likely it would probably be acclimatization issues...

If Aiven knew her thoughts, he would surely provide her with a more vivid example.

The dinosaurs, which ruled the Earth for hundreds of millions of years in a previous life, never developed wisdom and technology like humans, who have only existed for a few million years. Is this a failure of their evolution?

However, perfectly adapted to the environment, they spread to every corner of the world. Occupying the top of the food chain for a time that exceeds humans by 55 times, how can such achievements be considered a failure?

Who dares say that sharp claws and strong bodies are not another kind of evolutionary victory?!

Of course, if space-time were to be confused, giving humans and dinosaurs a chance to confront each other head-on.

At that time, the overlords of two eras would probably only be able to determine the victor through a duel of guns and claws.

Seeing Vinya finally come back to her senses, Aiven did not realize what kind of impact his words had on her, as even the most casual humorists in a previous life were a hundred times more eloquent than himself!

"Topics concerning the future of races are really too far away from us. Even a king cannot steer the direction of the civilized world. Doing one’s own things more realistically is better.

If your study tour in Nisk ends, you’re welcome to come to our ’New Inn Port’ in Phaletis. As the host, I’ll show you the scenery of another country.

The most special point is, there are far more factories there applying the steam engine than here!"

Having resolved her long-standing troubles, the girl’s face had recovered to its original brightness. After thanking Aiven for his invitation, she suddenly remembered something.

"Oh, actually, I’ve noticed you for quite some time.

Look, this is something I just drew, let me give it to you!"

The girl said as she pulled out a piece of paper from the portfolio she had been carrying on her back and handed it to Aiven.

It was a very lively sketch.

In the lower left corner of the image was an artist holding a violin, playing passionately.

In the main part, under the sunlight by the stone bridge, a boy stood still and upright, listening intently to the melodic tune of the violin.

The handsome boy slightly raised his face, with a faint smile at the corner of his mouth, and his closed eyes glistened with a hint of tears.

He seemed to be immersed in some beautiful memories, unable to extricate himself for a long time.

In elegant handwriting, the lower right corner of the painting had a small inscription—"The Boy’s Reminiscence."

"This..."

Aiven looked at the sketch, recognizing it was indeed him, but he appeared several years younger than his current sixteen-year-old self, probably around ten years old.

The girl shyly stuck out her tongue, "When I saw you deep in thought, I felt the you in the painting might be the version of you in your memories. So..."

Aiven then realized why among all the passersby in the square, this girl with such outstanding temperament and appearance had chosen him?

So unknowingly, he had become her model once.

However, the painting was very vivid, especially capturing his mixed expression of happiness and nostalgia at that moment. It was incredibly lifelike and expressive.

"It’s fine, thank you, Vinya! It’s a very great painting, I love it."

Aiven carefully rolled it up and held it in his hand, intending to treasure this moment of genuine emotion.

After the awakening of the memories from the past life, how long has it been since the "strong" self shed tears?

Reaching into the pants pocket (actually the Magic Pocket inside the pants pocket), pretending to fumble around, he took out a "Silver Talisman" that could defend against negative energy and spiritual attacks, and handed it to Vinya.

"Miss Vinya, this is my return gift; it’s just a Protective Talisman, a blessing from a friend, please make sure to accept it!"

In a world where the Extraordinary exists, various "Mysticism" is also very popular in the world of ordinary people, and talismans are widely present and sought after by mortals as "Mystical Items."

However, unlike the so-called "mystical items" sold in "mystical items stores" in the mundane world that are only for psychological comfort, this is a genuine Extraordinary talisman.

It’s also a fine piece that Aiven, who temporarily does not have the ability to make such items himself, got from the "Crow Market" earlier!

"Thank you, Mr. Aiven!"

Seemingly not recognizing the value of this talisman, Vinya straightforwardly took it and immediately hung it on her belt.

After pleasantly conversing for a while longer, the time gradually approached noon.

Out of courtesy and gentlemanly demeanor, Aiven wanted to invite Vinya to lunch, but was very unexpectedly declined by the young lady.

"I’m sorry, maybe next time.

I’ve arranged to visit a painting teacher at his home at noon, and it’s about time; I must leave first!"

"Oh, that’s really a pity."

So, in the bright sunlight, the handsome youth and the beautiful maiden waved goodbye by the bridge.

The scenery was so beautiful it could be painted.

Before parting.

Aiven left the address of the Royal Navy Academy in "New Inn Port" as a contact point.

Vinya told Aiven that she might stay in Water City for a while and would tell him where her hometown is the next time they meet.

"It was nice meeting you, Mr. Aiven! I enjoyed our chat today!"

"Me too, Miss Vinya, goodbye!"

Watching Vinya’s graceful figure disappear at the horizon, Aiven immediately put the paper in his hand into the "Magic Pocket."

Suddenly, he felt a bit strange in his heart; for this very adorable girl, he indeed felt a kind of reluctant farewell to a beautiful thing, but more so, an inexplicable... sense of relief!

Because.

For some unknown reason, staying with this beautiful girl who seemed like a Forest Elf, he felt an inexplicable pressure.

It’s like standing alone on a rock at the edge of a ten-thousand-meter cliff facing the wind; even knowing there’s no danger, he couldn’t help but feel fear of the height.

However, his previously very sensitive Spiritual Perception did not give him any danger feedback this time.

He could only guess that it might be because he hadn’t been alone with a beautiful stranger for a long time, causing some nervousness.

Until now.

Aiven noticed in the "Data Visualization" record that his physical attributes had undergone a noticeable sudden enhancement just now.

The most obvious point was "Spiritual Power."

Scientifically taking the "Essence Fruit" allowed his spirit attribute to grow steadily.

Now, it finally moved up from 0.84 at the end of the "Navy New Star Mission" to 0.99, providing the foundation to illuminate the eighth Original Essence, "Radiance."

Looking at the last significant leap in time, it just so happened to be more than an hour ago when he heard the violin piece titled "Meditation" and fell into deep longing for his family.

In an Idealism world, it’s truly amazing how a piece of music could rival months of arduous Meditation!

After this.

As long as the three prerequisites of the apprentice stage are completed, mainly the making of "Spirit Communication Potion" and "Wild Talisman" for Aiven, he can perform the advancement ceremony to achieve the transformation to a Tier 2 Official Wizard!

However, Aiven, who was pleasantly surprised by the unexpected gain, did not notice.

In a nearby alley not far from him, the girl who had chatted and laughed with him while carrying a painting frame now had lost all expression on her face, like a very exquisite doll.

Looking back at where Aiven stood through the wall, she raised her slender hand and gently stroked her pale pink lips:

"So the one with the ’Golden Compass’ aura turned out to be a Galliot? This generation indeed has a very interesting fellow... More savage? Perhaps just the excellent ’adventurer’ that a Thetis needs....."

As she spoke, with her mood’s slight fluctuation, the deeply hidden aura in her body slightly overflowed.

The "Silver Talisman" on her belt spontaneously combusted without fire, turning into a pile of blackened residues in the blink of an eye.