Winner

The fear in the child’s eyes left Richard puzzled. Even if she was intelligent right at birth, he was her father. His heart suddenly paused for a moment, an image of Raymond randomly popping up in his head.

Had the Scholars done something to her? His heart immediately sank, but even as he used the Field of Truth to scan her body he didn’t find any traces of external soulforce or mana. As a soul hunter himself, it was near impossible to hide any tampering from him. He was slightly relieved, but the feeling of wrongness didn’t go away. He decided to take the baby with him when he returned to Faelor, having Nasia and the broodmother take a look. He trusted those two better than himself when it came to the soul.

Next, he decided to test her talents. Forming a small flame on his fingertips, he placed it underneath the girl’s little hand. Tongues of flame licked her fingers, but...