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Chapter 202: Answering Everyone Else's Questions
2023-10-23 Author: Rowing Without Oars 233
"How rare."
As the examiners, Ganthet and Sayd could naturally see how each person was faring in their test. Right now, their gazes were focused on Orin Vale, the alien who intrigued them the most.
The most important quality for a wielder of the Hope Power Ring is to harbor unyielding hope at all times, never giving up even when facing the most desperate situations. Therefore, this was a trial every Lantern must undergo: to overcome their own inner darkness.
The method was also very simple. Sensing and capturing the emotions of others was the foundation of the Emotional Spectrum's technology. The Star Sapphire of love could capture and amplify the love in another's heart, manifesting a construct of their beloved. The Yellow Lanterns of Fear could capture fear and manifest a scene of their deepest terror. The Blue Lanterns of Hope, in turn, could allow the subject to see the most inspiring person or thing.
As Guardians, Ganthet and Sayd were naturally well-versed in this, and this assessment was based precisely on this kind of emotional technology. They perceived and amplified the dark side within each member, creating a construct of their most desperate internal scene.
It wasn't mental control, nor was it an illusion, but a construct created using a technology similar to a power ring, drawing material from the target's own inner darkness. That construct had an independent mind, existing for the sole purpose of dragging its target into darkness.
Only those who could walk out from the shadows of their past and emerge from the most desperate of situations were qualified to stabilize their connection with the Light of Hope.
And now, both former Guardians were astonished by the "dire straits" that had appeared before Orin Vale.
"The burden of being a 'Guardian'," Sayd murmured.
"I'm seeing this for the first time as well," Ganthet said. "But this just proves that he is indeed special. Regardless, he must find a way to overcome that hurdle in his heart.
"Even the most powerful of beings have darkness in their hearts, and that inner darkness cannot be beaten by fists. Let's see how our friend of the Light will handle his inner...
"Wait, what is this?"
Ganthet's eyebrows shot up high, his expression turning to one of bewilderment as he saw the development in the testing ground.
Orin Vale released a divine radiance of immense proportions, as warm as the sun, intense yet incredibly gentle. Merely being touched by its aftershocks was enough to make one feel calm and peaceful, as if all worries and frustrations had been cast aside.
The next moment, the construct that was supposed to be Orin Vale's inner darkness tilted its head back and spewed a long stream of blood. Its body convulsed violently and its image distorted, nearly fading into nothingness.
Even the well-versed Guardians were seeing such a situation for the first time. They exchanged glances, feeling as if they had stumbled upon a blind spot in their boundless knowledge.
"How could this happen?" Sayd said, "He seems to have already mastered the ability of the Blue Lantern light to grant hope... but didn't you say he only learned of the Blue Lantern Corps' existence yesterday?"
"I... don't know either," Ganthet was also baffled. "Besides, he's not even wearing a power ring."
Sayd also frowned in confusion.
That's right, he doesn't have a power ring yet.
Without even a power ring, how could he already use the signature ability of the Blue Lanterns?
"And even if he had a power ring... would the construct of his inner darkness be so fragile?" Sayd continued to question.
Ganthet mulled it over for a moment. "Perhaps... I don't know, but just maybe... maybe the light he possesses far outweighs the dark. Plus, he has mastered the correct way to face darkness, which is why it was so easy... perhaps."
In truth, there was more to it. In the Land of Light, the psychological fortitude of the Ultramen was always a matter of utmost importance. Long before receiving basic training, Orin Vale had already been arranged to undergo a dozen major and minor psychological tests.
The academy would absolutely not entrust him with dangerous techniques and skills before ensuring that a soldier possessed sufficient quality and a brilliant heart.
So, although it's true in principle that where there is light there must be shadow, and that the inner darkness of any living creature can never be truly eliminated, his inner demon had already been whittled down time and time again by the rigor of endless psychological conditioning through the long years. And so, it ended up like this.
At this moment, the dark construct, which had almost been insta-killed on the spot, was on the verge of both spiritual and physical collapse.
*Wait, this isn't what was in the program!*
*What the hell? Am I not the construct born from this person's inner darkness? According to the script, shouldn't he be in a state of utter turmoil, his spirit shattered, kneeling before me, weeping and repenting for his entire life?*
*So why does the script I got make me look like a weakling who won't survive for more than three minutes?*
This was the first time Orin Vale had seen this technique of the Guardians, which created constructs based on a person's inner self. However, he had seen similar tests before. It was just that in every test, the things like darkness or fear he saw within himself were always different. On one hand, it might be because he didn't really have any significant psychological trauma. On the other, it could also be the influence of his different mental states and moods at different times.
Seeing the shadow figure finish spewing blood and start convulsing, Orin Vale asked gently, "How is it? Feeling any better?"
The dark construct shivered and replied hastily, "Much better! Much better! I just thought about it again, and I feel like I was out of my mind before. What does protecting or not protecting have to do with me? Let it all be destroyed! Just let everything be destroyed..."
"Your thinking is still a bit extreme," Orin Vale smiled. "But don't worry, you will eventually embrace hope. Because..."
As he spoke, he spread his arms. Seeing a faint blue light being released from his body, the dark construct's pupils shrank, and a great sense of fear welled up in its heart...
"No, wait a second..." The dark construct was at a complete loss.
However, a certain someone paid it no mind at all.
"...Everything will be alright."
The radiance was released once more.
The dark construct's form twisted once again, its eyes rolling back into its head as it convulsed violently...
Saint Walker was from Universe Sector 1, the planet Astonia. Before being discovered by the Guardian Ganthet, he had been a leader on Astonia.
Astonia was facing a natural cataclysm; its star was on the verge of destruction. As the apocalypse descended, the planet was thrown into chaos, and everyone fell into despair. But he never did. He steadfastly believed that the savior, whom the people of Astonia called the "Messiah", would bring salvation, just as recorded in the ancient Sacred Text.
Disregarding the objections of others, he set out with his entire family, embarking on a journey to the summit recorded in the Sacred Text. Legend said no one could reach that mountaintop alive, but he firmly believed that God would protect them, and that only unwavering faith could bring salvation.
They embarked on the journey, just as the Sacred Text guided, fearing no hardship or danger.
But during that journey, his father fell from a cliff to his death. His wife and daughter were swept away and drowned by a great flood. His son, after being poisoned by plants, was tormented by a high fever for hours before dying in front of him.
Finally, hungry and thirsty, but still maintaining his steadfast faith, he climbed to the top of the legendary mountain, fully expecting to see the Messiah, the salvation of this world.
Only to find... nothing at all.
The Sacred Text was not true. There was nothing on the summit, only a bare stone, polished to an incredible smoothness.
Reflecting his own image.
He had lost his entire family who had trusted and followed him. The divine truth of salvation he had sought after enduring countless tribulations, was actually just a stone.
Dark constructs circled around him. Saint Walker knelt on the ground, forced to relive this most unforgettable moment of his life once more.
It was the moment he came closest to despair, the moment his faith was on the verge of collapse.
The darkness surrounded him, transforming into four figures.
His father, wife, son, and daughter.
"I told you so. I never believed in that book," his father began in a low voice. "You were stubborn, insisting on climbing that summit no matter what."
His wife also said grimly, "I trusted you so much. We all did. But you insisted on believing in that damn book. You killed us all, Walker. For what? A bare, worthless stone?"
Saint Walker looked up, trying his best to argue, "No, that's not—"
"I'm so cold, Papa," his son said pitifully, hugging himself. "You lied to us. You told us everything would be alright."
His daughter also said sullenly, "I hate you."
Saint Walker said resolutely, "No, none of this is real. I—"
Just as he was trying to focus his unwavering faith to break through the darkness.
Before he could even finish his sentence, an intense radiance was suddenly released from an unknown location, and an aftershock of light swept over him.
In an instant, he felt refreshed and clear-headed, the heavy burden on his heart swept away in a moment.
The next moment, the expressions of the four "family members" surrounding him changed drastically, and they suddenly began to convulse.
Without even a chance to scream, their forms twisted under that powerful, unknown light before they were completely annihilated, turning to ash and smoke.
Saint Walker: "?"
He stared in bewilderment at the four wisps of black smoke dissipating before him, unable to make sense of the situation.
*Wait, although I feel I could be considered someone who harbors hope...*
*...I hadn't even exerted myself yet, had I?*
How had the dark construct already been defeated?
And what he didn't know was that, at this very moment, a similar situation was unfolding before everyone else.
All the Blue Lantern Cadets had just encountered their respective dark constructs. Some were struggling with difficulty, others were concentrating on finding a breakthrough point.
Suddenly, with a *swoosh*.
It was so fast.
An intense light burst, like an area-of-effect attack, flattened everything in its path, and everyone's dark constructs were all dispelled.
The two former Guardians, Ganthet and Sayd, couldn't help but look at each other again, falling into silence.
Only they saw what had happened.
Orin Vale had unleashed a blast of the Light of Hope, but its power was so immense and its effect so potent that it had even knocked out the dark constructs in the other testing grounds...
Ganthet was at a total loss.
*Seriously, who can even understand this?*
*This candidate not only turned in his exam early, he also damn well answered all the other candidates' questions for them.*
*Was this guy here to tear down the whole establishment?*
(end of chapter)
2023-10-23 Author: Rowing Without Oars 233
"How rare."
As the examiners, Ganthet and Sayd could naturally see how each person was faring in their test. Right now, their gazes were focused on Orin Vale, the alien who intrigued them the most.
The most important quality for a wielder of the Hope Power Ring is to harbor unyielding hope at all times, never giving up even when facing the most desperate situations. Therefore, this was a trial every Lantern must undergo: to overcome their own inner darkness.
The method was also very simple. Sensing and capturing the emotions of others was the foundation of the Emotional Spectrum's technology. The Star Sapphire of love could capture and amplify the love in another's heart, manifesting a construct of their beloved. The Yellow Lanterns of Fear could capture fear and manifest a scene of their deepest terror. The Blue Lanterns of Hope, in turn, could allow the subject to see the most inspiring person or thing.
As Guardians, Ganthet and Sayd were naturally well-versed in this, and this assessment was based precisely on this kind of emotional technology. They perceived and amplified the dark side within each member, creating a construct of their most desperate internal scene.
It wasn't mental control, nor was it an illusion, but a construct created using a technology similar to a power ring, drawing material from the target's own inner darkness. That construct had an independent mind, existing for the sole purpose of dragging its target into darkness.
Only those who could walk out from the shadows of their past and emerge from the most desperate of situations were qualified to stabilize their connection with the Light of Hope.
And now, both former Guardians were astonished by the "dire straits" that had appeared before Orin Vale.
"The burden of being a 'Guardian'," Sayd murmured.
"I'm seeing this for the first time as well," Ganthet said. "But this just proves that he is indeed special. Regardless, he must find a way to overcome that hurdle in his heart.
"Even the most powerful of beings have darkness in their hearts, and that inner darkness cannot be beaten by fists. Let's see how our friend of the Light will handle his inner...
"Wait, what is this?"
Ganthet's eyebrows shot up high, his expression turning to one of bewilderment as he saw the development in the testing ground.
Orin Vale released a divine radiance of immense proportions, as warm as the sun, intense yet incredibly gentle. Merely being touched by its aftershocks was enough to make one feel calm and peaceful, as if all worries and frustrations had been cast aside.
The next moment, the construct that was supposed to be Orin Vale's inner darkness tilted its head back and spewed a long stream of blood. Its body convulsed violently and its image distorted, nearly fading into nothingness.
Even the well-versed Guardians were seeing such a situation for the first time. They exchanged glances, feeling as if they had stumbled upon a blind spot in their boundless knowledge.
"How could this happen?" Sayd said, "He seems to have already mastered the ability of the Blue Lantern light to grant hope... but didn't you say he only learned of the Blue Lantern Corps' existence yesterday?"
"I... don't know either," Ganthet was also baffled. "Besides, he's not even wearing a power ring."
Sayd also frowned in confusion.
That's right, he doesn't have a power ring yet.
Without even a power ring, how could he already use the signature ability of the Blue Lanterns?
"And even if he had a power ring... would the construct of his inner darkness be so fragile?" Sayd continued to question.
Ganthet mulled it over for a moment. "Perhaps... I don't know, but just maybe... maybe the light he possesses far outweighs the dark. Plus, he has mastered the correct way to face darkness, which is why it was so easy... perhaps."
In truth, there was more to it. In the Land of Light, the psychological fortitude of the Ultramen was always a matter of utmost importance. Long before receiving basic training, Orin Vale had already been arranged to undergo a dozen major and minor psychological tests.
The academy would absolutely not entrust him with dangerous techniques and skills before ensuring that a soldier possessed sufficient quality and a brilliant heart.
So, although it's true in principle that where there is light there must be shadow, and that the inner darkness of any living creature can never be truly eliminated, his inner demon had already been whittled down time and time again by the rigor of endless psychological conditioning through the long years. And so, it ended up like this.
At this moment, the dark construct, which had almost been insta-killed on the spot, was on the verge of both spiritual and physical collapse.
*Wait, this isn't what was in the program!*
*What the hell? Am I not the construct born from this person's inner darkness? According to the script, shouldn't he be in a state of utter turmoil, his spirit shattered, kneeling before me, weeping and repenting for his entire life?*
*So why does the script I got make me look like a weakling who won't survive for more than three minutes?*
This was the first time Orin Vale had seen this technique of the Guardians, which created constructs based on a person's inner self. However, he had seen similar tests before. It was just that in every test, the things like darkness or fear he saw within himself were always different. On one hand, it might be because he didn't really have any significant psychological trauma. On the other, it could also be the influence of his different mental states and moods at different times.
Seeing the shadow figure finish spewing blood and start convulsing, Orin Vale asked gently, "How is it? Feeling any better?"
The dark construct shivered and replied hastily, "Much better! Much better! I just thought about it again, and I feel like I was out of my mind before. What does protecting or not protecting have to do with me? Let it all be destroyed! Just let everything be destroyed..."
"Your thinking is still a bit extreme," Orin Vale smiled. "But don't worry, you will eventually embrace hope. Because..."
As he spoke, he spread his arms. Seeing a faint blue light being released from his body, the dark construct's pupils shrank, and a great sense of fear welled up in its heart...
"No, wait a second..." The dark construct was at a complete loss.
However, a certain someone paid it no mind at all.
"...Everything will be alright."
The radiance was released once more.
The dark construct's form twisted once again, its eyes rolling back into its head as it convulsed violently...
Saint Walker was from Universe Sector 1, the planet Astonia. Before being discovered by the Guardian Ganthet, he had been a leader on Astonia.
Astonia was facing a natural cataclysm; its star was on the verge of destruction. As the apocalypse descended, the planet was thrown into chaos, and everyone fell into despair. But he never did. He steadfastly believed that the savior, whom the people of Astonia called the "Messiah", would bring salvation, just as recorded in the ancient Sacred Text.
Disregarding the objections of others, he set out with his entire family, embarking on a journey to the summit recorded in the Sacred Text. Legend said no one could reach that mountaintop alive, but he firmly believed that God would protect them, and that only unwavering faith could bring salvation.
They embarked on the journey, just as the Sacred Text guided, fearing no hardship or danger.
But during that journey, his father fell from a cliff to his death. His wife and daughter were swept away and drowned by a great flood. His son, after being poisoned by plants, was tormented by a high fever for hours before dying in front of him.
Finally, hungry and thirsty, but still maintaining his steadfast faith, he climbed to the top of the legendary mountain, fully expecting to see the Messiah, the salvation of this world.
Only to find... nothing at all.
The Sacred Text was not true. There was nothing on the summit, only a bare stone, polished to an incredible smoothness.
Reflecting his own image.
He had lost his entire family who had trusted and followed him. The divine truth of salvation he had sought after enduring countless tribulations, was actually just a stone.
Dark constructs circled around him. Saint Walker knelt on the ground, forced to relive this most unforgettable moment of his life once more.
It was the moment he came closest to despair, the moment his faith was on the verge of collapse.
The darkness surrounded him, transforming into four figures.
His father, wife, son, and daughter.
"I told you so. I never believed in that book," his father began in a low voice. "You were stubborn, insisting on climbing that summit no matter what."
His wife also said grimly, "I trusted you so much. We all did. But you insisted on believing in that damn book. You killed us all, Walker. For what? A bare, worthless stone?"
Saint Walker looked up, trying his best to argue, "No, that's not—"
"I'm so cold, Papa," his son said pitifully, hugging himself. "You lied to us. You told us everything would be alright."
His daughter also said sullenly, "I hate you."
Saint Walker said resolutely, "No, none of this is real. I—"
Just as he was trying to focus his unwavering faith to break through the darkness.
Before he could even finish his sentence, an intense radiance was suddenly released from an unknown location, and an aftershock of light swept over him.
In an instant, he felt refreshed and clear-headed, the heavy burden on his heart swept away in a moment.
The next moment, the expressions of the four "family members" surrounding him changed drastically, and they suddenly began to convulse.
Without even a chance to scream, their forms twisted under that powerful, unknown light before they were completely annihilated, turning to ash and smoke.
Saint Walker: "?"
He stared in bewilderment at the four wisps of black smoke dissipating before him, unable to make sense of the situation.
*Wait, although I feel I could be considered someone who harbors hope...*
*...I hadn't even exerted myself yet, had I?*
How had the dark construct already been defeated?
And what he didn't know was that, at this very moment, a similar situation was unfolding before everyone else.
All the Blue Lantern Cadets had just encountered their respective dark constructs. Some were struggling with difficulty, others were concentrating on finding a breakthrough point.
Suddenly, with a *swoosh*.
It was so fast.
An intense light burst, like an area-of-effect attack, flattened everything in its path, and everyone's dark constructs were all dispelled.
The two former Guardians, Ganthet and Sayd, couldn't help but look at each other again, falling into silence.
Only they saw what had happened.
Orin Vale had unleashed a blast of the Light of Hope, but its power was so immense and its effect so potent that it had even knocked out the dark constructs in the other testing grounds...
Ganthet was at a total loss.
*Seriously, who can even understand this?*
*This candidate not only turned in his exam early, he also damn well answered all the other candidates' questions for them.*
*Was this guy here to tear down the whole establishment?*
(end of chapter)
