Ivy shook her head. "It doesn't change your appearance; it changes perception."
"Changes perception?"
"Yes, this forbidden artifact is called the Recognition Mask."
Upon hearing this, Olivia didn't even have time to ask Ivy about the effects before she immediately asked the magic mirror in her heart.
The magic mirror naturally provided the answer instantly.
【Name: Recognition Mask.】
【Danger Level: sealed-grade.】
【Appearance: A thin mask resembling a clown's face.】
【Effect: When left unmanaged, it will stealthily appear on the faces of people nearby, altering others' perception of the wearer—for example, making a man appear as a woman or as another person entirely.】
【Sealing Method: Immersing this forbidden artifact in a liquid mixture of at least seven types of pigments can quiet it down.】
【Note: Although this forbidden artifact can be sealed, it is difficult to use; it is not recommended for anyone below a mid-level class rank transcendent.】
...
After reading the information provided by the magic mirror, Olivia understood.
Although she was not yet a mid-level class rank transcendent, using this forbidden artifact would still not be a problem for her; she only needed to use her eyes to intimidate it.
Despite already knowing the artifact's situation, Olivia still pretended to be puzzled and asked about it, so Ivy provided the explanation once again.
What Ivy said was, naturally, the same as what the magic mirror had stated.
Olivia was full of interest and asked, "Lady Ivy, since such a forbidden artifact exists, couldn't you have given it to me earlier? Although I'm not a mid-level class rank transcendent, as you know, I won't have any burden at all when using this kind of forbidden artifact."
Ivy naturally knew about Olivia's uniqueness, and hearing Olivia mention this, even her face couldn't help but show a subtle expression.
She then explained, "It wasn't that I wouldn't give it to you, but the church has many uses for this forbidden artifact. It won't be given out easily until it's certain to be necessary. There are too many applicants."
Olivia could understand this. An item that could change perception was similar to changing one's appearance; it essentially allowed someone to become another person, which had a significant effect when impersonating others.
Therefore, in many transcendent events, this forbidden artifact could play a sufficient role, so applicants would naturally be countless.
Olivia said, "I understand the situation. When will this forbidden artifact be given to me? I could be asked to meet Thales at any time."
"You're in luck. Just today, this forbidden artifact was returned. You can go get it now; I'll write an application for you."
As Ivy spoke, she walked toward a room beside the cathedral.
That was her office.
After entering, she sat at her desk and expertly wrote an application, then took her seal from the drawer and stamped it. After confirming everything was correct, she came out with the application and handed it to Olivia.
Olivia relaxed quite a bit at this moment. As long as she had this forbidden artifact, she could distort others' perception, making those who had seen her before still see her current appearance, while those who hadn't met her—like Thales—would see a different, unfamiliar face.
...
Not long after, having received the Recognition Mask, Olivia returned to her house at Annus Street 88.
At this moment, her left eye was already glowing with a crimson light, while she held a clown mask in her hand, fiercely intimidating the forbidden artifact.
The clown-like Recognition Mask was also trembling slightly, as if it were afraid of something, displaying living characteristics.
"You better be good and behave yourself, or else... hmph."
Olivia muttered in a low voice.
She didn't know if the Recognition Mask could understand her threat, but anyway, since even forbidden artifacts like the King's Domain and Elemental Praise behaved themselves, would this Recognition Mask dare to be unruly?
After a simple intimidation, she let the red in her eyes fade, returning to her original amber eyes.
The next step was to sleep peacefully and wait for the Rose Legion to come knocking.
...
The Rose Legion came looking for her far sooner than expected.
Only on the next day, Esme came to her door, inviting Olivia to Gerard's manor, where she would meet Thales.
This made Olivia secretly feel lucky that she had gone to the church last night to ask for the Recognition Mask; otherwise, this meeting would likely have been a massive amount of trouble.
She had already put on the Recognition Mask in advance and followed Esme toward Gerard's manor at an unhurried pace.
As they entered the manor, Esme kept reminding Olivia, telling her that the person she was about to meet was a prominent figure and that Olivia must be respectful later so as not to accidentally offend such a great personage.
To ordinary people, a mid-level class rank transcendent was a great personage.
And among mid-level class rank transcendents, a Skywalker was undoubtedly a great personage in the eyes of a Transcender.
"Don't worry, I understand."
Olivia wore a smile as she followed Esme into the manor's main hall.
Two people were already sitting on the sofa in the hall, conversing. One of them was Count Gerard; this usually stern earl was now full of smiles, which made Olivia couldn't help but complain in her heart.
She had thought this earl was someone who didn't like to smile, but now it seemed the earl just couldn't find anyone he was willing to smile for in his daily life.
The elderly man sitting on the other side of the sofa was Thales Walker.
Hearing the sound of footsteps approaching, Gerard looked back and then said to Thales with a face full of smiles, "Lord Thales, please allow me to introduce a new member of our organization."
"She is an elemental mage, and her class rank has already reached the level of a Transcender, with quite extraordinary skills."
"In addition, she is also the daughter of the chairman of a well-known chamber of commerce in the Main District, the Elijah Chamber of Commerce, so she can certainly be considered a person in charge."
"Without a doubt, she is a very excellent new member."
Hearing Gerard's words, Thales looked up toward Olivia.
Of course, he only looked over when Gerard introduced Olivia as the person in charge of a chamber of commerce.
After all, everyone knew that a place like a chamber of commerce represented money.
And as it happened, Thales lacked money... more accurately, the Rose Legion lacked money.
So, Thales also revealed a smile. "It turns out our organization has another new partner. This is truly a happy occasion."
He looked at Olivia, completely failing to recognize that this Miss Stella was the Sister Olivia he had met not long ago.
Rate on N.U.
