A thunderous sound rang throughout the orphanage, shaking the walls and rattling the windows awake.
Yet the noise served little purpose—every child had already risen long before dawn, too excited to sleep.
Today was the day they would form their Soul Cores and discover the rank of their abilities.
“I see everyone’s awake already,” one of the nuns remarked with a warm smile as she stepped onto the veranda.
“Well, of course they are,” another replied.
“They’ve been waiting for this day their entire lives.”
At the far corner of the veranda sat Anika.
Resting quietly on one of the wooden benches, she stared into the distance with an unusually tense expression.
Her thoughts swirled endlessly until a shadow suddenly fell over her.
She looked up to see a boy standing before her—blonde hair glistening beneath the morning light, sharp blue eyes filled with curiosity.
It was Mathew.
“What’s with that terrifying expression?” he asked with a grin.
Anika sighed softly.
“It’s nothing.
I was just thinking about the appraisal today.
I heard forming a Soul Core is extremely painful.”
“Yeah, I heard the same thing,” Mathew replied, leaning against the railing.
“But what choice do we have?
After today, our lives change forever.
The Imperials might choose some of us… while the rest could end up in the slums.”
“Shhh!” Anika quickly hushed him, glancing around nervously.
“Don’t say things like that, Mathew.
The slums are horrible.
We’re lucky the orphanage found us before we ended up there.”
Mathew lowered his gaze and nodded.
“Yeah… you’re right.”
A bell echoed faintly through the compound.
“Morning assembly is about to start,” Anika said, standing up.
“We should get going before Lady Godspell scolds us again.”
Mathew chuckled lightly.
“Yeah, let’s move.”
Together, the two hurried toward the massive building situated at the center of the orphanage grounds.
The interior of the assembly hall was breathtaking.
Intricate patterns of gold and brown stretched across the walls, while a pristine white ceiling towered high above rows upon rows of polished seats.
The hall was so enormous that Mathew still remembered his first thought upon entering it years ago—that the entire Western Quadrant Supreme Cathedral could fit inside.
As the duo entered, countless children were already seated, their excited chatter filling the air.
Most of them were discussing the appraisal.
Mathew and Anika quickly found seats near the center.
Moments later, a loud bell resounded throughout the hall, silencing everyone instantly.
An elderly woman, appearing to be in her early seventies yet carrying herself with undeniable elegance, walked calmly toward the podium.
“Wow… Lady Godspell looks especially lovely today,” one child whispered.
“All sit,” Lady Godspell commanded firmly.
The hall fell completely silent.
“I believe you are all aware of the importance of today,” she began, her voice carrying effortlessly across the enormous chamber.
“Because of that, I expect every single one of you to behave appropriately.
Anyone found wandering around the capital without permission from either myself or the sisters will be severely punished.
Is that understood?”
“Yes, Lady Godspell!” the children answered in perfect unison.
“Good.” She gave a satisfied nod.
“Now then, I would like to introduce the guide who will escort us to the capital.
Please welcome Sir Auro, one of our nation’s elite soldiers.”
A tall man with auburn hair and piercing amber eyes stepped onto the podium.
He wore a polite smile, though the aura surrounding him radiated immense power.
“Greetings, children,” he said calmly.
“As Lady Godspell mentioned, my name is Auro, and I will be your guide and coordinator during today’s appraisal.”
He raised a hand casually.
“And with that said… let us depart.”
With a single snap of his fingers, the world around them distorted.
The children gasped.
In an instant, the assembly hall vanished, replaced by an entirely different scene.
Before them stretched a magnificent city overflowing with life.
Crowded streets bustled with merchants and travelers, colorful banners swayed above market stalls, and towering buildings reached toward the heavens.
Elegant carriages rolled across polished stone roads while nobles dressed in luxurious garments walked proudly through the crowds.
The orphans stood frozen in awe.
“Welcome,” Sir Auro announced proudly, “to the capital of the WQSC.”
So this is the capital…
Mathew stared speechlessly at the dazzling city before him.
“Hey, Mathew,” Anika said excitedly, nudging him.
“It’s amazing, isn’t it?”
“What is?”
She rolled her eyes.
“Dummy, the capital!”
A faint smile appeared on Mathew’s face.
“Yeah… it really is.”
Yet despite his words, his expression remained thoughtful.
Anika tilted her head.
“What’s on your mind?”
Mathew hesitated before answering.
“I’ve been thinking about Sir Auro… the way he manipulated space so effortlessly.
And across such a huge distance too.”
Anika blinked before laughing softly.
“That’s what’s bothering you?” she asked.
“Don’t overthink it.
He’s probably Supreme Rank.
People like him are trained by the best academies in the capital.”
“You’re right,” Mathew admitted with a sigh.
“I shouldn’t dwell on it.”
“Exactly,” Anika said brightly.
“That’s what friends are for—giving each other good advice.”
A genuine smile finally spread across Mathew’s face.
“Yeah… you’re right.”
“There we go!” she exclaimed before suddenly grabbing his arm.
“Now hurry up before the others leave us behind!”
A few minutes later, the group arrived before an enormous structure.
Mathew had once believed nothing could surpass the orphanage assembly hall in size.
He had been terribly mistaken.
Towering before them was a colossal dome spanning nearly a thousand square meters.
The structure was nothing short of divine.
Massive golden pillars lined the entrance, supporting walls crafted from an unknown material that looked utterly indestructible—as though not even five Titans battling at once could leave a scratch upon it.
The sheer magnificence of the place left every child speechless.
“What… what is this place?” one of them finally asked.
Sir Auro turned toward them, pride evident in his eyes.
“This,” he declared, “is the pride and glory of our nation.”
He stretched out his arm toward the monumental structure.
“Welcome to the Holy Cathedral of the Western Quadrant.”