"How come?"
It was not only Researcher Mahan that had such a question running through his mind. Instructor Valdin and even Simon’s classmates were surprised by his words.
Most especially, Researcher Mahan and Instructor Valdin.
The reasons why both of them were stunned and shocked beyond belief is because according to the clan records, Simon had no shadow affinity.
There was no sign of it during his Coming of Age Rite, and he had not even spent up to a week in the clan, so how was he able to gain a new affinity so soon?
He had not stepped out of the clan.
The number of merits he had was very little to be able to purchase a natural treasure from the clan.
So, how was he able to gain a new affinity?
And shadow affinity for that matter once again?
Instructor Valdin and Researcher Mahan trusted the records of the clan, especially when the records should be 100% accurate for a Year 1 Initiate who was not able to leave the clan to complete missions.
For the records the Clan had on Simon to be wrong and incomplete, it left a strange taste on the tip of their tongues.
Meanwhile, the gears in Simon’s mind spun rapidly as he thought of numerous situations that could occur with his next words.
’I could have decided not to say anything about my shadow affinity, but I can’t remain low-key throughout my time in the academy.’
’Exposing my shadow affinity is important and useful because it raises my value in the eyes of the clan. I won’t be disposable to them anymore, and my life would be less difficult and annoying.’
Sigh
Simon looked down and released a soft sigh, then he finally answered Researcher Mahan’s question.
"I actually don’t know how I got this affinity. During the trials, I suddenly fell unconscious and the next thing I saw was that I was in another location in the Blackwind Valley."
Researcher Mahan frowned. "Really? Where were you when you fell unconscious and where did you find yourself?"
"I was on top of a tree trying to scout for prey, but I remember that I became dizzy and weak, then I blacked out. Next thing I knew, I was sleeping with my back resting on a tree. I don’t know the exact location."
"It was after nearly an hour that I realized that I had a bit of connection with the shadows around me, and to my disbelief and shock, I realized that I have shadow affinity."
Researcher Mahan’s frown deepened in confusion.
’None of what he’s saying makes no sense. I know for a fact that the area these kids were allowed to use for their trial had been scouted and every treasure was taken by the clan.’
’If there was a natural treasure that could grant one shadow affinity, the clan would have found it a long time ago.’
’Does that means he’s lying?’
Researcher Mahan narrowed his eyes at Simon in suspicion, but Simon’s gaze was calm and still.
He knew that his story did not make sense and that somebody as brilliant as Researcher Mahan would not believe him, but so what?
It’s not like they could find out the truth.
At best, they would search the Blackwind Valley for any natural treasure that could grant one shadow affinity.
And if they didn’t find, they still would not be able to do anything to him.
’And once they realize that Thorgan is missing, the Grave Lords might put two and two together that me suddenly obtaining shadow affinity and the sudden disappearance of Thorgan cannot be coincidental.’
’They know about the Devourers, so some might have the idea that I actually have the ability of the Devourers in me, but at the end of the day, they’ve tested my blood and there was no sign of a Devourer’s blood in me.’
’So, based on that, they cannot come to the conclusion that I have the Devourer’s bloodline in me.’
’They only believe that I might know where Zaglur kept the Devourer’s blood essence, but nothing shows that I have the Devourer’s bloodline in me... Except that time where I turned the corpse of that mercenary captain into a dessicated corpse.’
’I’m very sure they still don’t know how I was able to accomplish that, but since it’s just one incident and there’s no proof that I have the Devourer’s bloodline, they can’t use that against me.’
’It’s also why I’ve made sure to not leave a dessicated corpse behind, because even if there’s no proof that I have the Devourer’s bloodline in me, questions would be asked if I keep on leaving behind dessicated corpses, and the suspicions of the Grave Lords would be raised higher than ever before.’
’At the end of the day, what I just said is a lie and there would be suspicions. But that’s just it... suspicions, and it won’t lead to anything more than that.’
Just as Simon expected, Researcher Mahan said nothing else after he explained how he got shadow affinity.
Even Instructor Valdin who believed that Simon was lying could not say anything because there was nothing to say.
The researcher took Formula X-II from the black box, then he injected it into Simon’s bloodstream.
"No visible reaction. Initiate Broken Halo is believed to have at least an E grade shadow affinity."
"Moving on to Formula X-III."
Researcher Mahan grabbed the syringe with the label-III-on it, then he injected it into Simon’s bloodstream.
A minute passed, and there was still no reaction.
"No visible reaction. Subject is believed to have at least a D grade shadow affinity."
"Moving on to Formula X-IV"
Researcher Mahan grabbed the syringe containing Formula X-IV, then he injected it into Simon’s body.
Time went on, and after thirty seconds, Simon’s left hand twitched and his veins began turning black.
Simon clenched his fists as he felt immense discomfort and also pain. But this pain was nothing to what he suffered at the hands of Pellin.
Another thirty seconds later, the sensation stopped, and Simon exhaled deeply.
The voice of Researcher Mahan followed.
"Based on the timing and extent of reaction, Initiate Broken Halo has an Intermediate C grade shadow affinity."