NOVEL ONLINE FREE Chapter 6: Sun Hualing
In an absolute void devoid of light or sensation, Ambrose's consciousness drifted like a leaf in an invisible wind. The boundaries between existence and non-existence blurred as he floated, stripped of all physical feeling. Neither warmth nor cold touched him; even the concept of direction seemed meaningless in this formless space. His very thoughts felt distant, as if they belonged to someone else, yet paradoxically remained crystal clear.
The murky darkness surrounding him seemed alive, actively pulling him deeper into its endless depths. Each moment brought him further from the surface of consciousness, dragging him toward what he instinctively knew was a point of no return. Yet despite the dire situation, an unnatural calm pervaded his being. The serenity felt almost artificial in its perfection, and a small part of him marveled at his own composure in the face of such otherworldly peril.
Through the fog of disconnection, one thought burned with clarity: if he surrendered to this descent, he might never wake again. Was this the price of forcing an awakening through mental strength alone? The system's warning about "irreversible damage" echoed in his mind with new significance. A bitter laugh would have escaped his lips if he still had any – he hadn't even consented to this awakening in the first place.
The memory of those fateful system notifications floated through his mind:
[Observation votes YES]
[Space-time votes YES]
The implications suddenly struck him with full force. How could talents possess the ability to vote? The very concept suggested a level of sentience that challenged everything he thought he knew about this world's magic system. Yet, wasn't there a certain logic to it? Talents weren't mere tools or abilities – they were integral parts of a person's identity, fundamental elements that shaped one's destiny. Even those who resented their talents couldn't deny their defining influence on their lives.
His analytical mind began spinning theories, temporarily forgetting the void's pull in his intellectual excitement. Were talents perhaps the echoes of ancient heroes, their accumulated wisdom and power passed down through generations? Or could they be gifts from higher beings – cosmic entities who granted mortals abilities for their own inscrutable purposes? He recalled stories from his previous world about constellations bestowing powers on mortals for entertainment. Could something similar be at work here?
Mid-thought, Ambrose noticed something had changed. The oppressive darkness had transformed into a still, peaceful white expanse. A knowing smile would have graced his features if he'd had any in this formless state. "Just as I thought," he mused into the void. The principle was universal – whether in water, quicksand, or apparently even metaphysical space, struggling against sinking only hastened one's descent. By deliberately losing himself in intellectual speculation, he'd unknowingly achieved what direct resistance could not.
Satisfied with his successful gambit, Ambrose let his consciousness drift peacefully in the white void. With the immediate danger passed, he allowed himself to relax, knowing his body awaited his return. As he closed off his awareness of this strange space, reality rushed back with startling suddenness – and he found himself springing upright in his bed, very much alive and whole.
…
Sun Hualing sat in a comfortable chair beside her young master's bed, her posture perfect despite the hour. The soft glow of afternoon light filtered through the tall windows, casting gentle shadows across Ambrose's sleeping form. She caught herself staring and quickly rationalized it – she was here because it was her duty as his newly appointed personal maid, nothing more. Still, she couldn't help but smile at how this position had saved her from the daily trials of the maids' quarters.
Her thoughts drifted to the countless cold shoulders and whispered insults she'd endured in those quarters, all because of her name's origin. The Kingdom's hatred for the Empire ran deep, though she knew the animosity flowed even stronger in the opposite direction. The memory of her earlier interaction with Ambrose surfaced – that moment when he'd asked for her name. Her heart had clenched with familiar dread, and she'd briefly considered giving a false one.
But that would have meant denying the name her mother gave her, rejecting a fundamental part of her identity. So she'd steeled herself and spoken it clearly, bracing for the inevitable reactions she'd seen countless times before: the curled lips of disgust, the deliberate turning of backs, or worst of all, the flash of murderous intent in previously friendly eyes. She'd grown used to living in what felt like a glass bubble, constantly observed and judged by those around her.
Yet Ambrose had defied every expectation. His expression hadn't changed, his gaze hadn't hardened. He hadn't pressed her about her origins or regarded her with suspicion. Instead, he'd offered her this position – his first personal servant. In that moment, she'd felt the metaphorical glass bubble shatter, offering her first taste of true freedom in the Rothschild household.
A soft smile played across her lips as she watched his peaceful sleeping face. Her previous identity might have balked at serving anyone, but Ambrose wasn't just anyone. Her gaze lingered on his features, and a slight blush crept across her cheeks as she found herself admitting, "Now that I think about it, the young master is quite cute."
Something shifted in her expression then, her gentle smile twisting into something more predatory. Her breathing grew heavy, taking on a distinctly unsettling rhythm. "When he sleeps quietly like that," she murmured, leaning forward slightly, her hands stretching toward his face. "As if nothing else in the world matters..." Her breath quickened further as she drew closer. "So... defenseless..." she practically purred, "Who can resist..."
Just as her fingers were about to make contact, Ambrose's eyes flew open and he shot upright in bed. The sudden movement sent Hualing stumbling backward several feet, her predatory demeanor vanishing instantly. Her face flushed crimson as the reality of what she'd been about to do crashed over her. "What was I doing?" she thought in mortified panic, hands flying up to cover her burning cheeks.
Scrambling to her feet, she bowed deeply, desperate to escape the awkward situation. "I'll go inform the lady that you're awake," she blurted out before practically fleeing the room.
Once outside, she pressed her back against the closed door, releasing a shaky sigh of relief. But her reprieve was short-lived. Standing before her was Victoria Rothschild, and the lady's expression made it clear this was no casual encounter. "Lady Victoria, I..." Hualing began, but the words died in her throat as a shimmering barrier expanded from Victoria's form, enveloping them both in an impenetrable dome of power.
The young maid felt her heart sink as she realized there would be no easy escape from this conversation. Victoria's presence seemed to fill the entire space, her power pressing down like a physical weight as she regarded her son's new personal maid with unreadable eyes.
…
All Stats:
[Name: Ambrose Rothschild]
[Level: 1]
[Species: Human]
[Physic: Weak Body (Can't increase physical stats in any way)]
[Title: Rothschild's Heir (+10 Charm), One who leapt through through Space & Time (Space-time Talent)]
[Talent: Observation, Space-time]
[Health: 100/100 (Tip: Can at least take a punch, from a five year old that is)]
[Mental Strength: 230/230]
[Strength: 0.1 (Average 5)]
[Stamina: 0.1 (Average 5)]
[Agility: 0.1 (Average 5)]
[Intelligence: 115+ (Average 5)]
[Stat Points: 0]
[Experience: 0/10]
[Overview: ]
Skills:
[Observer's Intuition](Intrinsic) - A natural talent that enhances the user's cognitive and sensory processing abilities, allowing for superior information gathering and analysis. This talent manifests differently in each individual, growing stronger with active use and training. (Subskills: [Heightened Perception](C), [Detail Retention](D), [Pattern Recognition](C), [Focus State](D))
[Heightened Perception](C) - A fundamental enhancement to the user's basic sensory capabilities. Visual acuity is increased by 30%, allowing for clearer vision up to 50 meters and the ability to track faster movements. Hearing sensitivity is improved by 25%, making it possible to detect whispers from up to 15 meters away and better distinguish overlapping sounds. The sense of smell is slightly enhanced, allowing the user to distinguish between subtle scent variations and detect unusual odors in their environment.
[Detail Retention](D) - Enhances the user's ability to retain observed information with high accuracy. The user can perfectly recall visual information from the last 30 minutes, maintaining clarity of up to 50 specific details without confusion or mixing information. This ability particularly shines when remembering exact positions, expressions, or subtle changes in their surroundings, while also granting an enhanced ability to notice inconsistencies in remembered information.
[Pattern Recognition](C) - Accelerates the brain's ability to process and connect information in meaningful ways. The user processes visual patterns and sequences 40% faster than normal, easily spotting irregularities in behavior and environment that others might miss. This skill grants an improved capacity to link seemingly unrelated pieces of information, making it invaluable for investigative work and problem-solving scenarios.
[Focus State](D) - Enables the user to maintain concentrated observation without succumbing to normal human limitations. The user can maintain unwavering attention for up to 15 minutes, with a 30% reduction in the impact of external distractions. This state also comes with a slight reduction in mental fatigue during observation tasks, allowing for longer periods of detailed investigation.
[Mathematician](Unique) - A rare talent that fundamentally alters the mind's processing capabilities, granting exceptional mental powers and analytical abilities that transcend normal human limitations. (Subskills: [Rational Mind](S), [Mental Fortress](A), [Perfect Recall](A), [Thought Acceleration](A), [Time Perception](B))
[Rational Mind](S) - The pinnacle of logical processing, this ability maintains perfect clarity of thought regardless of circumstances. The user remains completely immune to emotional manipulation and can think clearly even under extreme stress or fear. The ability to separate emotions from decision-making becomes second nature, while also preventing mental breakdown in even the most traumatic situations, ensuring consistent rational thought processes.
[Mental Fortress](A) - Creates an exceptionally strong defense system against mental interference. The user gains 85% resistance to hypnosis and mind control attempts, 70% resistance to illusion-based abilities, and 60% resistance to mental-type damage. The skill also grants enhanced recovery from mental fatigue, allowing the user to maintain peak mental performance for extended periods.
[Perfect Recall](A) - Grants exceptional memory capabilities that go beyond simple photographic memory. The user gains perfect retention of all experienced events, with the ability to mentally organize and categorize memories efficiently. Most impressively, they can process and recall multiple streams of information simultaneously, making it invaluable for complex analysis and decision-making.
[Thought Acceleration](A) - Dramatically enhances mental processing speed by a factor of 100. This massive acceleration allows for near-instantaneous analysis of situations, enhanced decision-making capabilities, and superior problem-solving abilities. Time seems to slow from the user's perspective as their mind processes information at heightened speeds.
[Time Perception](B) - Enhances the brain's ability to process information in real-time. Users gain enhanced ability to track multiple events simultaneously, along with improved situational awareness and superior reaction time to observed events. This skill also grants better prediction of immediate outcomes, allowing the user to stay several steps ahead in any situation.