Chapter 2 Psychic Power Test

Chapter 2 Psychic Power Test

The Medici family had booked the testing slot for this morning early. Although the testing center was packed with people, the line winding around itself multiple times, Baron Medici presented his reservation, and a specialized staff member immediately stepped forward with a smile, ushering the family of four into a private testing room.

The testing room was immaculately white, with a pillar as thick as two people embracing in the center, connected to the staff's machine on the other end. Eve noticed Anna was a bit excited and couldn’t help smirking.

In the Interstellar Era, the two most promising professions were mecha pilots and alchemists. Alchemy required exceptional insight and talent, and related knowledge and talent had always been monopolized by various major families. In contrast, mecha pilots only needed sufficient psychic power to operate a mecha, offering a clear path for advancement to those of ordinary backgrounds.

Hence, there was a saying that psychic testing was comparable to college entrance exams, with one test determining one's fate.

The crowded people downstairs mostly were eager to seize the opportunity to leap through the gate of opportunity from their psychic test results.

Anna was, after all, just a fifteen-year-old girl, just old enough for psychic testing and having the chance to take it, so her excitement was understandable. Even if she didn't want to leave her parents for the distant main family on the capital planet, who would turn down such a good thing as psychic talent?

The staff explained how to use the machine: the test subject only needs to stand within the circle, places their hand on the metal pillar, and begins to concentrate and meditate. The machine would then measure their psychic level and transmit the results to the computer. As soon as the explanation ended, Baron Medici affectionately nudged his younger daughter's shoulder, signaling her to go first.

Anna hesitated. "Maybe Sister should go first, since there's an order of seniority."

Her words poured cold water on the excited atmosphere, even making Baron Medici somewhat awkward. Eve laughed softly, curling her lips, and said, "Since Father asked you to test first, just go ahead. I'm in no hurry."

Surprised that her stepdaughter was being so sensible today and finally understanding not to compete or fight, the Baroness's gaze swept over Eve before urging her own daughter, "Since your sister said so, you go ahead, Anna."

Anna stopped hesitating. She walked up to the pillar, pressed her hand against it, closed her eyes, and began to concentrate. The originally white metal pillar suddenly began to glow, bright but not dazzling, just enough to illuminate Anna's plain face.

The printer whirred and clattered, and after a moment, the staff called a stop and handed a piece of paper to Baron Medici.

"Class C Psychic," the staff congratulated with a smile. "Your daughter's talent is quite good."

On this medium-sized planet, Class S was out of the question. Class A, there were only a handful, Class B was considered high talent, and Class C was still decent. Although Baron Medici felt his daughter's Class C psychic power was worse than he had hoped, Anna was still young, and her psychic power could continue to grow. Moreover, once it reached Class B, she would be taken away by the main family.

Class C was just right, not bad, and wouldn't take her away from her parents.

Overall, the Baron and his wife were relatively satisfied with the result.

When it was Eve's turn, the couple was still looking at Anna's report, paying no attention to their elder daughter. Anna, however, was watching her sister's test with full attention.

As Eve placed her hand on the metal pillar and closed her eyes like Anna had done earlier—

"Boom!"

The metal pillar emitted a sound like a malfunction, shifting from its previous gentleness to erupt in a brightness so intense it was nearly blinding. The brilliant light filled every corner of the room like a tide.

The previously indifferent couple turned their heads in surprise, while the staff at the desk immediately shot up from her seat, looking at the girl with awe and shock at the commotion she had caused.

"Class A Psychic!"

The machine likewise clattered and printed out a report, but this time the staff held the paper with both hands, repeatedly congratulating, "Your daughter has Class A Psychic! Even on the capital planet, this is an outstanding talent. She has a boundless future! A boundless future!"

Before Baron Medici could speak, the Baroness uncontrollably snatched the report, scrutinizing it over and over, exclaiming, "Impossible! Is the machine broken? How could Eve have such talent?"

"Are you questioning our machine, Madam?" The staff member was displeased. "Our machines are regularly maintained. Moreover, you booked a VIP room—the machines here absolutely cannot malfunction."

"Besides, your daughter has achieved such excellent results. You should be happy for her. Have some confidence in your child. Suppressive education is no longer in fashion."

The Baroness turned pale. Eve watched her swaying figure and curled her lips, thinking it was normal for her to be upset. After all, her own biological daughter had only tested as Class C, while the one she had ignored since childhood now held a Class A result.

Now that Eve had tested as Class A, the staff explained that talents above Class B needed to be reported to the database. Even if she didn't go with the main family, many well-informed people would soon come to curry favor with Eve. If she wanted to get revenge on her birth family, it would be a simple matter.

But it wasn't necessary. Even in the original story, as petty as Eve was, she never returned to seek revenge on her family.

In the original story, after Eve left home, the two parties never contacted each other again. Until Eve died tragically on the capital, her family never even came to collect her body. In the end, it was her fiancé's younger sister who couldn't bear to see it and arranged a small but dignified funeral for Eve.

It seemed that from the moment the test results came out, the last thread connecting Eve to this family was completely severed. Her family had only fulfilled the most basic duty of raising her, and the benefits the main family provided to her original family after she went to the capital could be considered repayment.

From then on, accounts were settled, and grievances were over.

Eve watched her father and stepmother talking quietly not far away. Baron Medici said something, and his wife's expression slightly improved.

Even without hearing, Eve could guess it was nothing more than comforting the Baroness that the main family would soon take her stepdaughter away, and she would no longer have to endure the other party being in her way.

Coldly holding the newly printed psychic report, Eve heard a faint voice behind her. "Sister."

It was Anna.

She turned and saw Anna's nervous and uneasy expression. Her half-sister, who had been neglected by the family since childhood, had suddenly become a soon-to-be sought-after genius. Anyone would find it hard to adjust.

But Anna still mustered the courage to call out to Eve, even if her voice was barely a whisper. "You're going to the capital planet soon. Take care of yourself out there alone."

In this girl's naive mind, even if home was neglectful, it was far less dangerous than the truly cutthroat world outside.

Eve was momentarily stunned but quickly reacted, offering a warm smile. "I understand. Thank you for your concern, Anna."

...

The main family arrived in the afternoon.

Well before the scheduled time, Eve was urged by Baron Medici to wait at the starship port.

The branch family's respect for the main family was evident.

Just before leaving, Eve's stepmother, the current Baroness, called out to her. "Eve," the Baroness frowned at her always unpleasant stepdaughter.

She asked, "Are you going to meet the main family's adults looking so poorly dressed? Where is your jewelry?"

"..." Eve lowered her head to look at the floor, silent.

The Baroness was not foolish. She sharply ordered the maid beside her, "Call Eve's lady's maid here."

"Yes, Madam."

The maid in gray, who had been impatient with Eve in the morning, was led to the hall by the Baroness's maid. She dropped her previous pretentious attitude, bowed respectfully to the Baroness with an ingratiating smile. "Good afternoon, my lady."

"Save the superficial courtesy. I ask you, where is Eve's jewelry?"

"Gasped!" The maid in gray put on an extremely surprised expression. "Miss Eve's jewelry is all in her own possession. She never lets us servants know. I have no idea where Miss Eve stores her jewelry."

"If you ask me, it's possible she traded those little pearls and gems for money. Teenage girls always have expensive and secretive spending habits. Wouldn’t you say, Miss Eve?"

"Preposterous!"

The Baroness slammed the table in rage, scolding, "You dare threaten your mistress right in front of me? Is there anything you wouldn't do?"

She spotted a bulge in the maid in gray's pocket and pointed at it, ordering the maid beside her, "Rose, go fetch what's in this insolent servant’s pocket."

The maid Rose immediately walked over, skillfully twisting the maid in gray's arm. She cried out in pain, but Rose remained expressionless, directly pulling out an inferior-quality pearl necklace from her pocket.

The moment the necklace appeared, the entire living room fell silent. Even Baron Medici, who had been reading the newspaper pretending to be absorbed, looked up in astonishment. Anna stood behind her mother, not daring to speak. Only the Baroness's chest heaved violently with angry breaths.

Eve heard her stepmother forcing her voice to remain calm to speak to her daughter. "Anna, take your sister to your room to pick out some jewelry."

"Yes, Mother." Anna, like a startled little bird, rushed over to grab her sister's hand, shooting her a meaningful look and pulling her toward the room. The moment the door closed, Eve heard the sound of a slap and a woman's crying from the living room.

She couldn't help but find it somewhat amusing. The Baroness’s actions might have been intended to vent anger for her stepdaughter about to gain status, but more than that, she felt her dignity as the mistress of the house had been violated.

She could ignore her stepdaughter, refusing to buy her trendy jewelry, but she would never allow a servant to overstep and take what belonged to her stepdaughter.

Anna didn’t understand the deeper meaning behind her mother’s actions. She simply stood with her back to the door, happily opening her jewelry box.

This girl’s world was terrifyingly naive. Her superfluous sister was leaving home for the better conditions of the capital planet, and before her departure, her mother, who had never liked her sister, had avenged her, as if there were signs of reconciliation. Everything seemed to be moving in the best possible direction. For this, Anna was so happy that she even took out her favorite sapphire necklace and held it against Eve’s neck.

"Alright, it suits you perfectly," Anna exclaimed in admiration. "The sapphire is as beautiful as your eyes."

...Shouldn’t it usually be said that the eyes are as beautiful as sapphires?

Eve glanced suspiciously at her stepsister, unsure whether this was due to her poor grasp of literature or if she meant it literally.

Unfortunately, this beautiful sapphire necklace was clearly extremely valuable. Eve gave it a regretful look—her stepmother would not want her to have the audacity to take the most precious necklace from her daughter’s jewelry box.

Eve touched the large, cat’s-eye sapphire, then picked up another necklace from the box, one adorned with three small sapphires, and put it on. "That necklace is too precious. You should keep it, Anna," she said. "Perhaps this one suits me better."

Besides, she believed that once she reached the capital, she would be able to afford larger, more beautiful sapphires for herself.

"Alright, sister," Anna resignedly put her necklace away. "You can go out first. I need to tidy up my room a bit. For now, I don’t quite dare to face Mom while she’s still furious."

By the time Eve returned to the living room, the earlier mess had been cleaned up. The Baroness was sitting on the sofa with her eyes closed, resting, her well-maintained face flushed with a faint redness from her earlier anger.

As Eve passed by, the Baroness suddenly spoke: "This is why I’ve always disliked your way of doing things. Being deliberately clever is just cunning."

"You could have simply told me that the maid had taken your jewelry, but instead, you chose to remind me by behaving oddly and purposely hovering near me repeatedly, even though you clearly hate appearing before me. It’s too deliberate, too cunning. A girl like you will never be likable. If you could be a bit more sincere, like Anna, perhaps we might not all dislike you so much."

"......"

Eve lowered her eyes, staring at her plain black dress hem, and even felt somewhat amused by the Baroness’s words.

What kind of nonsense was this? Dislike was dislike.

Sincerity was a privilege reserved for favored children. For a child like Eve, getting what she wanted had always required resorting to those underhanded methods.