Awakening is not just about gaining a Talent that allows you to do things you once couldn't do. But it came with something called Talent Energy which was in a way more important than the talent itself.
Talent Energy fundamentally changed the body directly and indirectly, to adapt to the talent and also use of the talent.
Even if one develops eye power that has nothing to do with physical strength, their talent energy will change their body and allow them to resist Calamity Beast plague.
More than that, they will be healthier, a bit stronger and also develop immunity against all past ailments.
A prime example is Elias Thunderspark who was born with paralysis. He could only control his head, and couldn't even speak properly. All his life until he awakened with S-rank Lightning Talent, he immediately stood and became healthy.
The amount and potency of Talent Energy varied by ranking. C-rank talent was nothing compared to A-rank, and Dicing Edge was more capable than Sam Allen, the A-rank Speed talent and also that green boy with psychic powers.
'She is special. This means she was born with an exceptional physique that further improved when she awakened!'
"Should we hear her out?" Sasha asked Elias and he nodded.
"Sani, call Dicing Edge and come in together!" Buddhist Hand used that voice control. Moments later, Sani came in and behind her, the girl came after.
Elias leaned back as he scrutinized her; she was as tall as him, which was very tall for a girl. "Introduce yourself," Elias said.
She wasn't nervous but also didn't act pitiful, whether that was an act or not Elias couldn't say. At least she didn't feign sorry.
"I'm known as Dicing Edge. I'm 21 years old now. My Talent is Sword Master with a Trait of Dicing!"
"Traits?" This was the first time he heard something like this, his eyes on Sasha who swallowed hard before she said, "Some are born with traits that can aid their awakened talent. It's just something that some families have!"
"So, Dicing Edge. You are strong, together we fought that foul beast. But what I want from you is, convince us that you will not bail out mid-fight like you did to Sam Allen."
She had a silent sigh, and then said, "The truth is, Jeremy only took me to safety and came back to pick up Mr. Allen but he was already with you. That's why he didn't come back."
"I'm not convinced," Elias said. "If he truly came back, then when the beasts left, he would have confronted us for Sam Allen, but none of you showed up after the beast stampede finished."
"We all suffered from the foulness of the beasts and Jeremy was injured due to the fight and roar. Knowing Mr. Allen was with you made us just report what happened."
"Reporting that we killed Sam Allen!" Elias asked before he added, "The amount of power Green-haired boy showed is enough to take the unconscious Sam Allen. Also, you don't need to be carried; you could have leapt from rock to rock to scale the mountain. Green boy might only need to aid you at some locations."
Hearing that she was silent before she said, "I'm sorry, I really regret it. We all thought this exploration would be like others where we can test our skill and gain experience. But it changed when Miss Sasha opened the gate and also when we killed the beast and what followed. We didn't know it would explode into this."
"It's not about things exploding. It's about you leaving your comrade behind when he needed you most. The way the two of you left so fast without caring about one of you is the problem here."
"I know. I'm sorry. That is not my habit. I swear. It's just that we thought there were overseers that would save him or something. Not that we didn't care. And when you took him, we couldn't confront you."
"You didn't try. If you cared, you would have come back and demanded him back. If we refused, you could have even threatened to expose us. But no, you vanished until now."
She had nothing to say. She only looked down. And the tent room was silent. Elias turned to speak to Sasha when Dicing Edge spoke pleadingly.
"I promise, it will not happen again. Mr. Allen is a mistake that won't repeat itself. I swear, just give me a second chance. Let me be part of your team. Just this once, I will prove that I'm reliable."
She didn't beg Sasha to carry the kind girl's favors but Elias, knowing that he had the power here.
"Facing death with someone I don't trust is something hard for me to do. But this is not about me, it's about Sasha; as her bodyguard I must ensure she is fine."
He turned to Sasha, "Ask my namesake. This is my view, but if he will vouch for her, I will allow it!"
Sasha sighed and left the tent. Buddhist Hand was sitting, eyes landing on Elias from time to time, and his expression was unreadable.
Several minutes later, Sasha returned, sat in her place and said nothing. Dicing Edge and Sani were eager to hear what the man would say.
"He said, you should do what you see fit." Sasha grumbled with resignation. 'Was it because they have the same name? They are too much alike.'
Elias looked at Dicing Edge and was about to speak when Buddhist Hand said, "I can vouch for her."
The dimming eyes of Dicing Edge lit up and she looked at Elias, hoping that Buddhist Hand would be enough.
"What does SS8 mean in your name?" Elias changed the topic.
"I'm the 8th person that has awakened SS-rank talent in the last 5 years!"
Elias nodded, "But you guys must eat a lot due to your large body!"
"Yes. But we also fast a lot to burn excess unwanted fat and to let our digestive organs rest, and for spiritual awakening!"
"Why is your family the strongest despite being peace-loving?"
Buddhist Hand smiled, almost chuckling, "Peace is something we aspire to, but we also know some need conflict to thrive. Our talent needs conflict to thrive, so we created outlets that aren't destructive to the world while also maintaining principles of peace between us and others."
"They have hundreds of arenas where they always fight and challenge themselves; others can join too. And there is rivalry amongst them, but outside the family they are the best to work with." Sasha commented
"Hmm. I kinda feel like you guys don't cause trouble for others because you believe in your superiority. Why bother with mongrel squabbles!" Elias teased with a smile on his face.
"Haha. Well, there are factions amongst us that think that way. Truth be told, the rest of the world was somewhat too fragile for some of us."
"Hmm. But Buddha is not the strongest Physical Talent in the world," Elias challenged.
"There are some amazing ones. But we are the most well-known. Personally, I believe that Brown Ironhide might be equal to us. They are also the only rivals we acknowledge."
"They aren't Clover Leaf?" Elias asked.
"No. They are a tribe under the Peace Alliance!" Sasha said.
The conversation was casual until his gaze turned to Dicing Edge. "Buddhist Hand SS8 is a respectable friend, so I will give you the benefit of the doubt."
"Thank you," she bowed 90°, "I swear I won't disappoint you!"