The cathedral was breathtaking from the outside, but its interior surpassed every expectation.
Gold and emerald adorned nearly every surface, shimmering beneath the light pouring through the towering stained-glass windows.
At the center of the grand hall stood a colossal statue of the Emperor of WQSC—the ruler chosen by one of the sacred Constellations themselves.
Before the statue rested a massive obsidian sphere upon the altar, the artifact that would be used for the appraisal ceremony.
Mathew could do nothing but stare in awe.
From the polished marble floors to the snow-white ceiling stretching high above, everything radiated majesty.
“Wow… I wish I could live here forever,” Anika whispered as she walked beside him.
“That would be nice,” Mathew replied, glancing around the enormous hall, “though cleaning this place would probably be a nightmare if it ever got dusty.”
Anika chuckled softly.
“I guess that’s true.”
The orphaned children gathered before the altar in nervous anticipation.
Moments later, an elderly man with silver-gray hair and a neatly trimmed beard approached from the far end of the cathedral.
Two stunning women in golden robes walked beside him.
One possessed flowing blue hair and sharp black eyes, while the other had light pink hair that matched her gentle gaze.
Even the knights stationed around the cathedral bowed respectfully as the old man passed.
“May I present His Holiness, Pope Thadious.”
At once, everyone stood and spoke in unison.
“We greet the Pope!”
The Pope raised his right hand gracefully.
“May the Constellations be with you.”
“So that’s the Pope?” one orphan whispered.
“Honestly, he’s not what I expected.”
“Forget the old man,” another muttered with a grin.
“Did you see the women beside him?”
“Yeah… they’re incredible.”
Pope Thadious stepped toward the altar and began the ceremony in a calm, gentle voice.
“Please, everyone, take your seats.
I would like to thank all those gathered here today to witness this sacred occasion.
May the blessings of the Constellations shine upon each and every one of you.”
“Praise the Constellations,” the crowd echoed reverently.
“To begin,” the Pope continued, “each child will place their hand upon the appraisal sphere and gather the natural soul essence around them.
Through this process, your soul core shall be formed.”
His expression darkened slightly.
“However, understand this well—forming a soul core is an extremely painful and dangerous process.
Some among you may fail to endure it.
Even so, I pray the Constellations guide you all toward successful awakenings and powerful ranks, so that our blessed nation may continue to prosper.”
He spread his arms toward the altar.
“Now then… let the appraisal begin.”
The two women stepped aside, allowing the children to form a line.
“The Pope sure likes talking,” Anika whispered.
“Well, he is the Pope,” Mathew replied.
“I guess speeches come with the title.”
Anika smirked mischievously.
“So?
What do you think about the two ladies beside him?
Pretty sexy, right?”
Mathew sighed.
“Yeah… I guess they’re alright.”
Anika stared at him in disbelief.
“Just alright?
Seriously, Mathew, sometimes I wonder if you’re emotionless… or maybe a eunuch.”
Mathew said nothing.
Though inwardly, he wondered the same thing.
A few moments later, the first child stepped toward the altar—a slim boy with blue hair named Ira.
The Pope smiled warmly.
“Tell me your name, child.”
“I’m Ira.”
“Very well, Ira.
Place your hand upon the sphere and gather the soul essence around you.
Your soul core—and your rank—shall reveal themselves naturally.”
Ira nodded nervously and pressed his hand against the obsidian sphere.
Instantly, thick gray fog erupted throughout the cathedral.
Streams of visible soul essence swirled through the air, transforming the already magnificent hall into something almost divine.
Then came a scream.
A horrifying scream filled with agony.
The children trembled as Ira endured the unbearable pain of soul core formation.
After several tense moments, the fog slowly dissipated.
Ira staggered down from the altar, but everyone immediately noticed the difference.
His once rugged appearance had transformed completely.
His features were sharper, smoother, almost refined.
Even his eyes glowed with newfound vitality.
But more importantly—
The pressure radiating from him was entirely different.
It felt as though the old Ira no longer existed.
The Pope clapped softly, smiling with approval.
“Congratulations, child.
You have successfully formed a soul core.”
He paused dramatically.
“Your rank is… Ascended.”
Ira’s eyes widened in disbelief.
He had always assumed he would become nothing more than an ordinary Awakened, destined to live quietly as a farmer on the outskirts of the kingdom.
But now—
Everything had changed.
The surrounding children stared at him in astonishment.
Everyone except one person.
One of the Pope’s attendants stepped forward.
“Next child, please.”
The second child was far less fortunate.
Though he attempted to gather soul essence, he failed to form a soul core entirely.
Worse still, the backlash crippled both of his legs.
The cathedral fell silent.
Pope Thadious approached him with sorrow in his eyes.
“I am truly sorry, child.
Such tragedies are unfortunate… but do not lose hope.”
The Pope gently placed a hand upon the boy’s shoulder.
“The Constellations still bless all souls in their own way.
Therefore, I shall personally appoint you as a member of the Holy Cathedral.”
The boy’s tearful expression brightened instantly.
“R-Really?”
“Yes,” the Pope replied kindly.
“I see the qualities of a future Pope within you.
But understand… such mercy cannot be extended to everyone.”
“The Pope really is amazing,” one orphan whispered.
“Yeah… giving him a place even after he failed…”
“I hope I get the same chance.”
One appraisal followed another.
Hours passed.
By the end of the ceremony, thirty children had been tested.
Fifteen had become Awakened.
Six had reached the rank of Ascended.
Six had failed entirely.
Now only three children remained.
“Come forward and state your name.”
A slender boy with black hair and dark eyes stepped toward the altar.
Kane.
Despite the brutal beating Mathew had given him days earlier, he appeared fully healed.
A smug grin stretched across his face as he placed his hand upon the obsidian sphere.
The moment he touched it—
Black fog exploded throughout the cathedral.
Unlike the gray fog from earlier awakenings, this darkness felt unnatural, suffocating.
Kane’s eyes widened.
“A black fog…?”
Pain erupted from his chest almost immediately.
The process of soul core formation had begun.
But something was wrong.
The black mist thickened violently until it resembled midnight swallowing the cathedral whole.
Kane screamed in agony.
“Damn it… this hurts!”
Yet beneath the pain burned another emotion.
Hatred.
“It’s still nothing compared to how badly I want to crush Mathew…”
Tiny particles of soul essence began flowing into Kane’s body.
But unlike ordinary soul essence—
His was black.
One of the robed women frowned immediately.
“This could become dangerous.”
Without hesitation, she and the other attendant formed a protective barrier around the Pope and the remaining children.
Kane’s screams echoed endlessly until—
BOOM!
The darkness vanished.
Breathing heavily, Kane collapsed to one knee before forcing himself back up.
He looked toward the Pope with trembling anticipation.
“What… is my rank?”
For the first time that day, genuine excitement appeared on Pope Thadious’ face.
“Congratulations, child.”
His voice echoed through the cathedral.
“You have been blessed with a Supreme Core.”
Silence.
Absolute silence.
Then chaos erupted.
“What?!”
“A Supreme Core?!”
“No way!”
Everyone stared at Kane in disbelief.
At best, they had expected him to reach Transcended rank.
But Supreme?
That was a rank spoken of only in legends.
The Pope raised his hand once more.
“Rejoice, child, for you are one among billions.
Individuals blessed with Supreme Cores are destined to become pillars of our nation.”
His smile widened proudly.
“You shall be taken to the Imperial Academy, where your talents will be nurtured under the guidance of the kingdom’s finest instructors.”
But Kane barely heard him.
Only one thought filled his mind.
Mathew.
“Let’s see how you escape me now… bastard.”
“Very well,” the Pope announced.
“Next child.”
Anika stood and brushed dust from her clothes before walking toward the altar.
Before leaving, she glanced back at Mathew.
“Well… wish me luck.”
Then her expression turned serious.
“And maybe stay close to Miss Irene from now on.
After forming a Supreme Core, Kane’s definitely going to come after you.”
Mathew nodded calmly.
“Noted.
Good luck.”
Pope Thadious gestured toward the altar.
“Come forward, child, and state your name before the Constellations.”
Anika straightened proudly.
“Yes, Your Holiness.”
She took a deep breath.
“My name is Anika.”