The hall fell silent once more. The weight of his words hung heavy in the air, and the disbelief that had filled the room earlier was now replaced by a stunned stillness. Diamond rank—the monster rank. A level so rare, so difficult to achieve, that only a handful had ever reached it. And here was Asher, claiming with certainty that his method, his choice of the mist and the three vials, would lead him to that impossible height.
The elder's gaze narrowed, a flicker of intrigue passing over his features. Around the hall, many of the younger generation exchanged bewildered glances, their mocking gazes now replaced by uncertainty.
"Is he serious?"
"He's either a genius or a fool…"
"Diamond rank… no one can guarantee that."
Even Emily, who had been worried moments ago, looked at Asher with a mixture of shock and confusion. She knew Asher was talented, but this level of confidence was something new, something unexpected. Could he truly be right?
The elder, still hovering in the air, seemed to weigh Asher's words carefully. "A bold claim," the elder finally said, his voice softer now but still commanding. "Very well, if you're so confident in your method, proceed." He gestured for the ceremony to continue, though his eyes remained fixed on Asher, now more curious than dismissive.
The elder, floating above the hall, had already reached a level of mastery where he could sense the truth in a person's words. And in Asher's case, he could tell that Asher was not lying—his confidence in his method was genuine. The same realization struck the hidden figures behind the curtains, the high-ranking elders who watched the ceremony in silence.
"Patriarch, he's not lying, but how can he be so sure?" Ryder Magnus, one of the leading figures in the family, and Selene brother, asked, baffled by Asher's unwavering certainty.
Arnold Magnus, the patriarch of the Magnus family and Asher's grandfather, observed his grandson intently. 'Pure and bold confidence,' he thought, impressed by the composure Asher displayed despite the pressure of the moment.
"We will see," Arnold said, his voice calm but decisive. "Let him go first. If he creates a perfect core, then we will allow others who can endure the pain to follow the same method." He paused, and the tension in the air thickened as his bloodline aura surged, causing faint crackles of blood lightning to dance in the air. "But if not, I want the person who fed my grandson false information found and punished."
The other elders nodded silently, their expressions grave. Ryder immediately relayed the patriarch's orders to James, the middle-class elder overseeing the awakening ceremony on the stage. James, understanding the gravity of the situation, gave a respectful nod and stepped forward.
His voice boomed through the grand hall as he made the official announcement. "The first to awaken will be Asher Magnus."
There was no objection from the gathered crowd. Despite the skepticism and mockery some still harbored, no one dared speak against the decision. After all, Asher was the son of Selene Magnus, the Crimson Terror, and was of the direct bloodline of the Magnus family. Many were also secretly relieved—if someone had to go first, it was better that it be Asher. If he failed, it would serve as a lesson for everyone.
The hall fell into a tense silence once again, all eyes locked onto Asher as the stage was set for his awakening. The pressure was immense, but Asher remained calm, stepping forward to face the test that could either confirm his bold claim—or expose his folly.
James handed Asher the three vials, his expression neutral but his eyes sharp with interest. The hall was silent as Asher took his place in the center of the ancient formation carved into the floor. The formation, filled with a faint hum of energy, awaited activation.
Asher sat down, composed and focused, fully aware of the intense pain that would follow. Without hesitation, he uncorked the first vial and drank it. The mist, shimmering with rainbow hues, sent a ripple of energy through the room as it flowed down his throat.
He drank the second and third vials in the same steady manner. Each one added to the building energy within him, increasing its intensity. The audience watched, knowing the immense pain that was coming. Elder James, along with the figures behind the curtain, observed closely, ready to intervene if needed.
The mist now turned liquid began burning through his veins, its power spreading through his body. The pain started as a low hum but quickly escalated. His muscles tightened, his breath quickened, and his vision blurred. But he remained steady, his training keeping him grounded.
With each vial, the pain grew threefold. It felt as though his body was being torn apart from within, as the creation energy began to gather, seeking to form his core. The onlookers expected him to break, to collapse under the strain, but Asher's expression remained composed. His focus was absolute.
The formation beneath him began to glow, reacting to the energy building inside him. Swirls of rainbow light surrounded him, his body trembling slightly from the pressure. Still, he did not waver.
The crowd, once filled with skepticism, now watched in silence. Could he truly endure this? Would he succeed?
Taking a deep breath, Asher concentrated, reaching for the energy inside him. He was close to forming his core, pushing past the pain and limits that would have broken others.
This was the moment that would decide everything.
Asher focused intently on the energy coursing through him, using Appraisal to hone in solely on the creation energy. His mind blocked out the overwhelming pain as he directed his attention inward, imagining the energy swirling within the center of his body.
With focused control, the energy began to gather, swirling faster and faster, forming a vortex at his core. The creation energy, once wild and chaotic, gradually responded to his will, condensing into a dense form. Slowly, a small bead, no larger than a fingernail, began to take shape in the center of his body. The condensed bead of creation energy marked the crucial step in forming his core.
The crowd watched in silence, aware of the delicate balance he was maintaining. One wrong move, one moment of lost focus, and everything could unravel. But Asher remained steady, guiding the energy as it coalesced, inching closer to completing his foundation core.
And after another half an hour his foundation core is complete.