Chapter Four: Resolution
Not being able to form a vital core carried one simple, yet devastating truth: you could never cultivate.
Without a vital core to store spiritual energy or expand one's magical domain, breaking through cultivation realms was nothing more than an unattainable dream.
In fact, even reaching first stage magic apostle would be a miracle in itself. Yet, in this precarious situation, Twilight found himself feeling an inexplicable calm.
After his earlier outburst, he had paused his steps to think of a solution to his predicament. However, no matter how hard he thought, there was nothing he could do to change the situation.
Instead of a vital core that could take him to the peak of the cultivation journey, all he had received was a measly innate ability that would awaken later.
'In the end, it's just another failure,' Twilight sighed inwardly, a flicker of melancholy passing through his deep grey eyes.
Memories of his childhood resurfaced from the dark recesses of his mind: the loss of his home, his parents, his friends, and his sister. The memories gnawed at him, threatening to break his built-up calm.
In the past, he had been a coward—a weakling trampled upon by those in power. It was why he had lost his sister to those who took her away to the Astral Realm.
It was why he couldn't stand up to his uncles, who cast him out of his parents' mansion after their deaths.
It was why he had been unable to protect his friends when they were massacred by the giants.
And it was why he had given up all hope for life. He had come here fully prepared to fail his awakening, even to die.
But now, standing on his forty-seventh step, he had come too far. Even though his vital core hadn't formed, he could still enter the Astral Realm and search for opportunities to complete the fragmented core, so why should he give up?
Twilight's eyes shone with newfound brilliance as a resolution took root in his heart.
'I'll no longer be a coward. I'll no longer be weak. I'll find you, sister. But for now…'
Twilight's gaze shifted to the distant end of the pond, still far away. His attention lingered briefly on the swirling lights of Hope's Essence, an evil glint flashing in his eyes.
'If I can't form a vital core, then I'll just absorb as much Essence as I can. Who knows? It may prove useful,' he thought, a cruel smile twisting his lips.
Without further hesitation, Twilight resumed his walk in the pond, feeling no pressure or weight bearing down on him which wasn't entirely normal.
---
"Has he reached his limit?" someone whispered as he noticed Twilight pause his steps.
"It wouldn't be surprising if he stopped there. After all, when was the last time someone in the Red Dragon Empire achieved an A-grade potential? Such talent only exists in the Central Continent," another remarked in awe.
"He's already at forty-seven steps. I can't help but envy his future."
"That's true. I wouldn't be surprised if the Emperor himself sponsored him. Lucky bastard."
Murmurs rippled through the crowd as they observed the so-called 'Absolute Genius' slow down for the first time.
If cheating had been possible in the awakening ceremony, many would have suspected Twilight of foul play. But no such thing was allowed or even feasible to say the least.
Even the middle-aged man overseeing the ceremony was momentarily taken aback by Twilight's sudden pause. After all, Twilight had shown no signs of stopping and had been progressing with an ease that had left him dumbfounded.
For a brief moment, the administrator considered calling out Twilight's result, assuming he had reached his limit. But in the next instant, Twilight proved him wrong.
With steady, unyielding steps, Twilight continued towards the end of the pond with a straight back.
"H-he's still going! Just how much potential does this Twilight have?!"
"He's moving even faster now!"
"Fiftieth step! He's crossed the fiftieth step!"
Twilight paid no attention to the astonished crowd. His focus remained locked on the end of the pond.
However, he noticed something peculiar as he passed the fiftieth step: the swirl of Hope's Essence grew denser, flowing into his body at twice the previous speed.
[You have absorbed Hope's Essence.]
[Nourishing Fragmented Core.]
[You have absorbed Hope's Essence.]
[Nourishing Fragmented Core.]
...
Twilight ignored the barrage of system notifications as he strolled effortlessly through the pond. No matter how much ground he covered, he felt no resistance whatsoever from the pond.
It was as though he was merely taking a walk in the park. Quickening his pace slightly, he aimed to finish and enter the Astral Realm as soon as possible. Otherwise, his fragmented core would collapse without spiritual energy.
Fifty-three steps… fifty-five… fifty-eight… sixty… seventy steps.
By now, the crowd was utterly slack-jawed.
To them, achieving an A-grade potential was akin to divinity—a result they could only dream of. But this frail-looking youth had shattered their expectations, surpassing what they believed was possible.
The onlookers, aged sixteen to eighteen, were in utter disbelief that couldn't be described with mere words. Twilight's success felt like a slap in the face, as if to say they were beyond insignificant.
Before their very eyes, someone had awakened SS-grade potential and was still going. Why was the world so unfair? Why would the heavens grant such potential to him and not to them?
Envy consumed them, particularly those who had failed their awakenings or received E-grade talents.
"H-he cheated! There's no other explanation. I refuse to accept this!" shouted one boy, his face as pale as a sheet.
"Y-yeah, it's impossible!" another chimed in.
"With his speed and progress, it's obvious he doesn't feel the pressure. That's supposed to be impossible! He's cheating!" exclaimed a tall youth.
"He's cheating!"
"He's cheating!"
"He's cheating!"
The envious crowd erupted into an uproar. They simply couldn't accept that someone could do this well in an awakening ceremony.
"Are you all idiots?" A cold voice silenced the commotion. The crowd turned to see Lucas Reighbour, the pale-skinned youth who had first awakened, standing with a sneer.
"You fools. Scorn and ridicule. Then praise and slander. Blinded by envy, you've forgotten one thing: is it even possible to cheat inside water imbued with Hope's key?"
The crowd fell silent. The answer was obvious. No one could cheat within the awakening pond—attempting to do so would result in immediate detonation as the hope key hated such despicable acts.
Shame spread among the onlookers as they lowered their heads, realising how rash and foolish they had been.
They so much wanted to refute Lucas's claim but knew it would only increase their embarrassment, so they stayed silent.
"Well said, Mr Reighbour. Your insight is admirable," the middle-aged administrator said with a smile.
But as his gaze swept over the disgraced crowd, his smile turned cold.
"You dare defame a top-tier talent of the Red Dragon Empire? You deserve death!"