Chapter 107: First Update
["Did you guys hear? An S+ Healer-class just showed up in this year’s assessment in the Empire!"]
The topic was already blowing up in a group chat for the children of various noble families.
["I heard, I heard! They came out of the first assessment group, and they even went through a secondary spiritual power awakening. I think her name is Rosalind Rhodes."]
Many people had been paying close attention ever since the first group’s assessment began. The moment Rosalind Rhodes was tested as S+, the news spread like it had grown wings. In an instant, almost everyone in the upper echelons of society knew.
The Empire hadn’t produced a Healer-class rated above Level S in many years, so this news sent everyone into a frenzy.
One by one, they urged the younger members of their families who met the matching criteria to submit applications.
["The number of people submitting matching applications is probably going to explode this time."]
["Speaking of which, your families definitely made you guys apply too, right?"]
["Duh, of course."]
["But I bet none of us stand a chance."]
After that person’s message popped up, it was met with a string of questions. He kindly explained.
["Just a little rumor, but I heard the Marshal was there when this Rosalind Rhodes was being tested. You guys get it, right?"]
["What?! Didn’t he go missing a long time ago?"]
["Your info is so outdated. He came back a few days ago. Have you really not heard anything about the drastic changes in the First Legion?"]
["Then it looks like this matching is really..."]
Just as everyone was discussing Rosalind Rhodes and Cillian Forrest, a message suddenly appeared out of nowhere, stunning them all like a bombshell.
["There’s more than one above Level S."]
The chat went silent for a few seconds as everyone grew confused.
["What the hell?! Is there a second one above Level S this year? No way, we haven’t heard anything."]
No one really believed it. They all knew the first group had only produced one S+ Healer-class. How could there possibly be a second one?
["Believe it or not, all I can say is the Level is ridiculously high."]
He didn’t dare reveal any more information. After all, the higher-ups had ordered it to be kept confidential for the time being.
["Ridiculously high? Higher than Rosalind Rhodes? Stop spreading fake news all the time."]
The person scoffed inwardly. ’This information is only circulating among the highest echelons; very few people know about it. I only found out by eavesdropping on their conversation.’
In the end, he just said, ["Just you wait and see."]
’They’ll find out when the results of this year’s Healer-class assessments are announced.’
’God knows how shocked I was. I was dying to share this news with someone, but I also knew that information like this would definitely be kept secret at first. I couldn’t say who it was or what their exact Level was; I could only hint at it a little.’
’But the thought of their shocked faces when they finally found out was just so satisfying.’
’Right now, it felt like I was the only sober one in a world of drunks.’
Meanwhile, in a branch of the Royal Family, a group of people sat together, their faces grim. Yet, a tremor of excitement could still be heard in one man’s voice. "There’s really a Level 3S?!"
"It’s absolutely true!" the person next to him confirmed. "It’s already been uploaded to the Healer-class Association’s internal system."
In an instant, everyone’s eyes blazed with an intense, brilliant light.
The rarity of a Level S Healer-class was already immense, to say nothing of a 3S, which was far above Level S. The shock was unimaginable!
"Send out the notice. Have everyone in our clan who is rated Level 3S or higher and meets the matching criteria submit an application to the Healer-class Association. We must ensure this Level 3S Healer-class is matched to our branch."
His Majesty’s physical condition was deteriorating by the day. The Starbug toxin had already corroded the depths of his Spiritual Sea, and he didn’t have long to live.
The only direct heir to the Royal Family was Shawn Thorne, but he was too young. Furthermore, with Starbug toxin in his body, The Council of Elders was still divided on his succession to the throne.
And they weren’t the only ones with their eyes on the throne.
Now, a Level 3S Healer-class had appeared, and her match would surely be no ordinary person.
All the major powers were watching. At a time like this, whoever managed to match with her would gain an unimaginable amount of support.
With Advanced Healer-classes being so scarce, the number of High-Tier Practitioners in need of soothing was countless. As long as they successfully matched with her, anyone who wanted to receive soothing would have to support them.
With that, their odds of winning would be astronomical.
"But..." someone hesitated before speaking.
"What is it? Speak," the first man said, lifting his gaze to look at him.
"I heard that when this Level 3S Healer-class was being tested, the Marshal was also present."
The moment the words were spoken, the room fell silent for an instant.
Upon hearing the name "Cillian Forrest," an older man in the center of the group frowned. "Weren’t they saying he was at the matching site for the first group?"
Ever since Cillian Forrest’s return, no small number of eyes had been on him. It was also because of his return that many of their previous plans could no longer be implemented.
Thatcher’s wretched state upon his return a few days ago was a prime example—a show of force from Cillian Forrest directed at them.
He had been staying with the First Legion for the past few days, and they had just heard he went to the first group’s testing site. They were still trying to guess his intentions.
’How did he show up at the second group’s site now?’
"The specifics are unknown, but he’s the one who gave the order to seal all information about this Healer-class."
"He’s afraid something will happen to this Healer-class. He’s trying to protect them, so he doesn’t want us to find out too soon."
"But once the matching system opens, everyone will find out sooner or later."
It was only a matter of time. ’Does he really think this will work?’
"So, why did he show up at the second group’s site?"
No one had expected a 3S Healer-class to come from the second group. His presence at the first group’s site was understandable; after all, there was a higher probability of High Rank individuals appearing there. But the second group...
"Could it be that he knew a top Healer-class would emerge from the second group?" someone conjectured. "Does he intend to participate in the matching this time?"
As soon as he finished speaking, everyone’s expressions became unreadable. If Cillian Forrest participated in this matching, then they...
"Impossible. Even though a Level 3S has appeared, there are still differences between one 3S and another. This one is still far from his Level," the older man said slowly. "Besides, he has never once attended any of the past matching banquets."
More than once, people had tried to get him to match with a Healer-class, but he refused them all, never once making an appearance at an event like a matching banquet.
In his heart, there was only the army, only the extermination of the Swarm. Beyond that, he was so indifferent he seemed devoid of all human emotion.
The idea of them seizing the throne was more realistic than the idea of him attending a matching banquet.
"Don’t worry about Cillian Forrest," someone finally concluded. "Focus more of our energy on that Healer-class.
"Have our people try to meet her before the matching applications open and make an impression. It would be even better if some feelings could develop."
The final match was ultimately up to the Healer-class to decide. If they could get a head start, the probability of being chosen by the Healer-class would increase dramatically.