Starting from Ainz Ooal Gown, simultaneously traveling through time

Raylin teleported with Ciri to a quiet, empty office.

He sat down behind the large desk, while Ciri stood awkwardly in front of it, her hands nervously clutching the hem of her clothes, her posture as stiff as a soldier waiting for instructions.

"Relax, Ciri," Leylin said gently.

"I've heard that you possess the innate ability to directly 'see' the demonic power within others, is that true?"

"...Yes, Your Highness." Ciri's voice trembled slightly.

However, thanks to the stabilizing effect of the [Heart of Nature] magic, she was able to maintain basic composure.

"So," Leylin leaned forward slightly, an expression of interest on his face, "you also 'saw' the magic within me, didn't you?"

"I...I saw it..." Ciri's voice was almost choked with sobs.

"Don't be afraid," Leylin smiled.

"I'm not going to eat you. So, describe how my magical power appears to you?"

Ciri took a deep breath, closed her eyes, and tried to organize her thoughts, transforming that overwhelming feeling into words.

"Ordinary classmates... are like faint fireflies; the Dean... is like a burning furnace; and Your Highness..."

She opened her eyes, glanced at Leylin with fear, and said softly but clearly, "...like the midday sun, vast and boundless, radiant with light...this is the only metaphor I can think of."

"The sun?" Leylin raised an eyebrow slightly, feeling that the metaphor was both exaggerated and somewhat novel.

He pondered for a moment, then raised his hand and cast a high-level [Aura Concealment] spell on himself, an invisible wave enveloping his entire body.

"And now?"

Ciri looked closely and shook her head: "Nothing has changed... It's still the sun."

Leylin was not surprised. He reached into what looked like a pocket, but was actually a personal storage space.

He then took out a ring he had crafted himself, imbued with multiple concealment runes, and put it on his hand.

"Would you like to wear this?"

"It is still the sun, Your Highness," Ciri replied without hesitation.

It seems that the stealth items I made myself are indeed not as effective as some "pay-to-win items".

Undeterred, Leylin activated a more sophisticated alchemical matrix within the ring with a thought—

This is a domain-based shielding design that he created by combining multiple world technologies.

A very faint, invisible ripple spread from the ring, enveloping his entire body.

"Now, take another look."

Ciri stared at him for a few seconds, her confusion deepening, but she still answered honestly, "Your Highness... in my eyes, you are still... still as bright as the sun in the sky."

This time, Leylin was genuinely surprised.

He then tried several different concealment techniques and magic, even employing some mental interference methods derived from dragon alchemy, but without exception—

In Ciri's unique perspective, his immense magical power was always as conspicuous as the sun, impossible to conceal by any means.

"Your innate ability... is even more special than I imagined," Leylin finally concluded.

Ciri's ability seems to penetrate all disguises and interference, allowing her to directly observe the target's most essential magical power level, much like having "real vision" in a game.

He couldn't be sure if there was an upper limit to this ability, but at least with all the means he currently possessed, he couldn't interfere with it.

Born with superpowers – a special individual that may appear in about one in two hundred humans.

Abilities come in all shapes and sizes, varying greatly in strength, but Ciri's is undoubtedly one of the most powerful and practical.

But precisely because of this, a problem arises.

"Now you know the truth about me."

Leylin leaned back in his chair, the light from the office window blocked by the high back of the chair, his face half-hidden in shadow, his voice calm yet carrying an invisible pressure.

"This makes it very difficult for me to let you leave like this."

Ciri's heart skipped a beat.

"Your Highness! I swear I will keep this a secret! I will never tell anyone!" she hurriedly assured him, her voice dry with nervousness.

"Human hearts are unpredictable." The voice from the shadows was devoid of emotion. "The vows we make now may not be able to restrain future changes."

Ciri felt a chill run down her spine; even with the magical enhancement, fear began to spread. "Then... what should I do?"

Leylin seemed to be thinking. After a moment, he reached into his personal space and took out a parchment scroll that emitted a faint magical glow. He placed it on the table and pushed it toward Ciri.

"Now, you have two choices." His voice became clearer.

"First, sign this contract and become a member of my direct team; second, refuse to sign... then for the sake of necessary confidentiality, I will have to make some long-term and proper 'arrangements' for your personal freedom."

Ciri carefully picked up the scroll and began to read it carefully.

Soon, an incredulous look of surprise crossed her face. The contract was not only not harsh, but far more generous than she had imagined—

His Highness Leylin promised to provide her with a top-notch magical research environment, ample experimental resources, and corresponding status and stipends.

The only obligation is not to disclose any confidential information learned while working for him, especially information about his own abilities, without permission.

This...this offer is too good! It's practically a research grant agreement specifically designed to attract talent!

Ciri was a little confused, but when she looked up, she saw Leylin's expression, which seemed particularly profound in the shadows, and that undeniable, sun-like presence...

She barely hesitated before picking up the quill pen that was prepared on the table and signing her name at the end of the scroll.

The moment the pen tip left the parchment, the magical patterns on the scroll suddenly lit up, transforming into two thin streams of light. One entered Ciri's brow, and the other flew toward Leylin before dissipating.

"The contract is established," Leylin said. "This is my self-created magic, 'Proof of the Contract.' Violating the terms of the contract..."

Leylin paused deliberately before smiling and saying, "Believe me, it definitely won't be a pleasant experience."

Ciri subconsciously touched her brow, where a slight coolness still lingered.

"However, now that you've signed, you're one of us."

The shadow on Leylin's face dissipated as he stood up, and his smile became more genuine: "Come on, let me introduce you to your future companions."

"Companions?" Ciri hadn't fully processed the situation yet.

"Of course." Leylin had already walked to a large door on the inside of the office, and upon hearing this, he turned around and glanced at her.

"You don't think you're the only one who signed this contract, do you?"

As he spoke, he pushed open the seemingly ordinary wooden door.

Behind the door was not a corridor or another room, but an extremely spacious and bright interior space—a standard magical arena.

In the arena, two young people were engaged in a fierce magical attack and defense exercise, their movements dazzling and captivating, drawing cheers and shouts from the sidelines as well as intent observation from the crowd.

Some people were not interested in the battle on the field and sat quietly in a corner reading a book or fiddling with some strange gadgets.

"This...this is?" Ciri was stunned by the sight before her.

"They are all like you," Leylin said, standing by the door. "Born with special abilities."

"Like me?" Ciri murmured repeatedly, her gaze sweeping over the figures in the room who were of different ages and dressed differently, yet all of them exuded a special aura.

"Ever since I realized that I also have special talents, I have become interested in other people like me."

Leylin explained, "Over the years, I have been searching for and recruiting worthy superhumans within the kingdom, but including you, there are only thirteen people who have truly caught my eye and are willing to join."

"Thirteen people..." Ciri repeated softly, the number giving her a strange sense of comfort.

"You think it's not enough?" Leylin smiled.

"Of course, there are more people with superpowers who have awakened within the kingdom than these, but many of them have abilities that are too weak or useless. I don't think they are worth training, so I didn't invite them. Those who are here are all talents with promising potential."

"No, I don't think it's too little." Ciri quickly shook her head, a complex light flashing in her eyes.

"I realized... there are so many people like me, at home, in the village... they used to call me a 'freak'."

"Here, no one will call you a freak," Leylin said in a gentle yet firm voice.

"Everyone's abilities are unique, and yours, Ciri, is extremely powerful and crucial. Welcome to the team."