Chapter 23: Slapped in the Face

Just as Harold Olson felt the most annoyed, footsteps finally approached. The Deputy Professional Appraiser of the Lons Administrative District looked toward the sound and saw that the newcomer was the only country bumpkin he found tolerable in this rural place, “Mr.” Luo Pei, the Director of Talim Village.

Following behind Luo Pei was Earl Strom, the Professional Appraiser of Talim Village, and a strange, tall young man. This must be the legendary so-called “Moonlight Battle Aura talent.”

What was his name again? Istvan Ares or Iselen Toras? Well, it didn’t matter. He just wanted to finish the test quickly and leave. By the grace of His Highness Purple Light, let this clumsy farce end soon!

Complaining to himself with indifference, Harold Olson looked at the so-called “Moonlight Battle Aura talent” with a very critical eye. He wasn’t tall enough, his arm muscles were too slender, his thighs were too thick, and his eyes were cloudy, clearly lacking the spark of intelligence. Could such qualifications truly belong to the famous “Moonlight Battle Aura talent”? These damn country bumpkins, did they even know what true Moonlight Battle Aura was?

Undoubtedly, Mr. Harold Olson had very high standards. In his eyes, Isaiah Thomas had been disqualified eight hundred times before the test even began. Fortunately, the testing for personal talent followed a complete set of procedures and “scientific” methods; it did not rely solely on one person’s opinion.

By then, Luo Pei had already walked up and introduced Isaiah to Harold Olson with a smile: “Respected Appraiser, this is Isaiah Thomas, whom we mentioned in the report. He is…”

Luo Pei wanted to give the Deputy Appraiser a detailed introduction, but Harold Olson waved his hand dismissively and said irritably: “Stop right there, Mr. Director. I don’t want to know about him, nor do I believe this person is any Moonlight Battle Aura talent. In my view, this whole matter is just a farce based on rumors and hearsay to attract attention. I am only here to perform my official duty.”

Luo Pei was suddenly stunned by Harold Olson’s words. Wasn’t this way of speaking far too rude? Seeing this, Old Strom quickly tried to smooth things over: “Mr. Harold Olson, Isaiah’s talent is beyond doubt. I have tested him repeatedly, and he truly…”

Again, before he could finish, Harold Olson waved his hand and said: “Stop dreaming. Do you people actually know what Moonlight Battle Aura talent is? Such a talent is one in ten thousand. Even the most noble families in the main county have never produced such talent, so how could it appear in a rural place like yours? It is simply impossible! I assume you heard this story from somewhere and just spread the rumor. Or perhaps you saw it wrong… Sigh, you country folk love to be self-righteous. I don’t know what the Governor was thinking, sending someone specifically to verify this.”

Now, even Old Strom was speechless. Isaiah Thomas, standing behind him, turned bright red and involuntarily clenched his fists. However, Harold Olson ignored their reactions. He reached into his robe, took out a crystal, and handed it to Isaiah Thomas, saying in a very formal tone: “Alright, now grip the appraisal crystal, concentrate your attention and Battle Aura… if you have any… and slowly input it.”

After speaking, without even looking at the crystal’s reaction, he turned his head and said: “See? I told you already. This Moonlight Battle Aura talent is something you all imagined. How could such a noble talent appear in a rural place like yours?” He glanced at Isaiah Thomas again and said irritably: “Well? If one has Battle Aura talent, the crystal should flash with a golden light. Look, it’s flashing silver now. What kind of talent is that? Moonlight… hmm, Moonlight…”

Suddenly pausing, Harold Olson whipped around and looked at the appraisal crystal in Isaiah Thomas’s hand with a look of utter disbelief. He opened his mouth wide and said in a trembling, shocked voice: “Silver light… it’s actually silver light! My god… he is a Moonlight Battle Aura talent!” Harold Olson turned back with an unbelievable expression, waving his hands and shouting urgently: “My god! Did you see that? He is actually a Moonlight… Moonlight Battle Aura talent! This is simply incredible, Moonlight Battle Aura!”

Seeing Harold Olson lose his composure, Luo Pei and Old Strom both rolled their eyes simultaneously. Was this Deputy Professional Appraiser from the main county mentally ill? It would be one thing if he simply “didn’t believe” it, but Mr. Harold Olson’s current behavior clearly showed that he had no idea there was a Moonlight Battle Aura talent here… Then what did he come here for?

Seeing that Harold Olson still seemed unable to recover, Luo Pei couldn’t help but laugh: “Of course we know he is a Moonlight Battle Aura talent. Isn’t that exactly why you came here, Mr. Harold Olson?”

Luo Pei’s words were like a large club hitting Harold Olson directly on the head. At this moment, his expression was priceless—excitement, shock, embarrassment, speechlessness, and a hint of flattery. So many emotions appeared at once, causing Harold Olson’s previously disdainful and arrogant face to twist. The effect was certainly more comical than a circus clown’s performance.

To his face… a slap in the face! A complete slap in the face!

It was extreme embarrassment; such a public humiliation was truly classic. For a moment, Harold Olson felt so awkward that he didn’t know where to put his hands, and the entire Village Office fell into a strange silence because of his embarrassment.

But just then…

Giggle, giggle… giggle, giggle…

A crisp sound of laughter rang out. In the suddenly quiet Village Office, the sound was exceptionally clear and exceptionally piercing.

Everyone turned to look and saw Luo Yan pointing at Harold Olson and laughing happily. Beside him, Isaiah Thomas also had a very strange expression.

“His face looks like a monkey!”

This childish comment made the atmosphere even more awkward! At the same time, the expressions of Luo Pei and Old Strom became awkward. Although Professional Appraisers weren’t highly valued, Harold Olson was still an official from the county. If Luo Yan kept this up and he lost his temper on the spot, things would become very difficult.

The atmosphere in the Village Office instantly became oppressive.