When the fixed star in which the Planet Dualmoon was orbiting reached the center of the sky above everyone's head, the Refiner's Association that was seen as not-so-busy three days ago was currently bustling with activity.
Cars of different varieties lined up in the parking space in front of it. And inside the previously empty hallways and reception area, youths and young adults lined up as they were led to a rather spacious hall to wait and socialize with each other.
Most of them were wearing elegant attires and dresses while bearing proud looks on their faces.
It wasn't hard to guess that they're the newly awakened Energy Refiners of the Lonewind City, gathered today by the Refiner's Association for their contract signing to different organizations in the city.
Among them, Aldrin who had just arrived found himself a corner to settle at. Given that he didn't know anyone, he didn't go out of his way to introduce himself when it wasn't even a requirement.
One look and he already recognized that the people around him were the same as him; Energy Refiners. They all had the faint fluctuation of Dimensional Energy being absorbed and refined inside their bodies.
And in his guess considering those fluctuations were as weak as his, they're Energy Refiners who had just awakened recently.
One more point that piqued his slight interest was the number of Energy Refiners gathered here. In his estimate, there are at least 50 or 60 of them.
Without becoming an Energy Refiner himself, Aldrin would probably remain ignorant that there's not just a handful of Energy Refiners existing in Lonewind City.
Unlike when he was standing in front of Gordon, Janet or that man who seemed to be the culprit over the disaster at the Southern District, even though these youths and young adults all appeared proud of themselves, with their back straightened and chins held high, Aldrin wasn't feeling any pressure from them.
In fact, he felt that if a fight ever broke out against any of them, he could stand his ground and leave unscathed.
Aldrin arrived at the Refiner's Association with the reminder of Janet and Renissa in his mind. He was only supposed to be officially welcomed to the Association and be given a chance to sign a contract with any of the factions that would try to recruit him.
However, when he arrived, he found out that Janet wasn't at the reception desk anymore. The new Association's staff manning it pointed him to this hall and was told to wait, joining the group of Energy Refiners that just by looking at their attires, revealed their lineages.
Nonetheless, even though it's not his intention, his arrival, his silence and perhaps, his appearance caught the attention of some of them.
Amidst the whispers wherein he was clearly their topic, two individuals, one man and one woman stepped forward and approached him, a kind and welcoming smile on their lips. Totally different from those whispering around.
"Hello, nice to meet you. I'm Irina Heinen."
"Same. I'm Frederic Colard. It's great to see more Energy Refiner's appearing in our city.
They both stretched their hands towards him for a handshake.
Since they were kind enough to approach him, Aldrin didn't reject the gesture. "Nice meeting you too... I'm Aldrin Fallwater."
"Fallwater, huh? From which district are you?" Frederic asked.
"Southeastern."
"Mhm... No wonder you're unfami--"
The woman hadn't finished her sentence yet but she was cut off by a loud voice behind them.
"Irina, stop it with being kind. You're always like that. He's someone lucky enough to awaken, not worth mentioning. Come back here to us."
Following the source of the voice, Aldrin saw a young man that in his estimation, was the same age as Irina and Frederic. He's sporting a scowl on his face as if he's dreading that the two were talking to Aldrin.
"That condescending idiot is at it again." Frederic pinched between his brows, frustrated at how the young man was acting.
And likewise, Irina showed an apologetic expression. "I'm sorry Aldrin. Don't take offense. He's just like that. He's taking pride that he's from a lineage when everyone can become a great Energy Refiner regardless of origin."
Among all the lineages or just families that had an Energy Refiner as their direct ancestor, every offspring that would be born from the Energy Refiner's line of descendants has a high chance to awaken. However, it won't happen early on.
The youngest Energy Refiner recorded, according to what Aldrin read from the dimnet, awakened at the age of 15.
And upon observing them, most if not all of the Energy Refiners gathered in the same room as him, including Frederic and Irina, are around 17 to 18 years old. At least five or six years younger than Aldrin.
That's the average age a descendant of an Energy Refiner to have the highest chance to awaken. Once a descendant went past that point, like Bert or Oliver, the chances would be infinitely small to none at all.
In a way, those descendants who went pass that ideal age would drop down to being a normal civilian. Their chances would be the same as the accidental or for kinder terms 'natural' Energy Refiner like Renissa or Aldrin.
That's why the pride of those who came from lineages was almost nonexistent except for some. Like that guy who shouted at the two in front of Aldrin.
As for those who were paying to be injected with Dimensional Energy, the optimal age to undergo that procedure is 15 to 20 years old.
Aldrin's sister is inside that criterion. Althea is only 18 years old. She still has two more years for a chance to become an Energy Refiner if she will pay for the procedure rather than rely on her luck.
"I see. It's fine. I thank you two for approaching me. I will remember this."
"Don't be. In the end, when a new Dimensional Rift appears, we will all be comrade-in-arms." Frederic waved his hand but in Aldrin's eyes, he noticed that the guy clearly appreciated his humility.
"That's right. We'll be having the Joint Training soon. If we ever get teamed up, I will be relying on you two." Irina innocently and cheerfully smiled.
"Joint Training?" Aldrin wondered. He hadn't been informed about it. All he knew was that he would surely be trained by whichever faction contracted him. Just like what happened to Renissa.
That's why hearing those words from them raised a giant question mark in his mind.
"You haven't been informed?" Frederic asked, his brows furrowed once more.
It's not the disappointed kind of frown. More like, he's about to raise a complaint for him.
"No. Truthfully, I only awakened four days ago."
Aldrin decided to tell them the truth. Although he had a good impression of the two, he still wanted to see if they would change the way they treat him if he's just recently awakened. In his estimate, these children of Energy Refiner lineages had awakened nearly a month before. Moreover, just from how well-built Frederic is compared to him, or how confident Irina carried herself, they both trained themselves and prepared for awakening not just recently.
"Four days ago... During that disaster?"
As if hearing a magic keyword, Irina's eyes shone brilliantly as she focused on 'four days ago'. And with that kind of reaction, Aldrin gave her a pass. There's no prejudice in the girl's mind nor in Frederic's since he also showed an interest.
"Mhm. I was there."
"My gosh! Tell me about it." Irina covered her mouth with her hands as excitement filled her body. Her curiosity over that disaster was slightly over the top.
Forget about the damage it caused, just the number of casualties could easily put a normal civilian in a depressed state. But for this girl... she's more focused on the Rift rather than the result of its manifestation.
"Gladly, but can you tell me about the Joint Training first?"
Upon hearing his question, Irina was embarrassed that she somehow appeared like a fanatic. She apologized and then together with Frederic informed him of the upcoming Joint Training. A Joint Training that would involve them diving into a maintained Dimensional Rift.