Odyssey of the Renegade Sovereign-Chapter 38: Soul Space

"Middle-grade. Next", the priest announced as he called the next number.

One after another, children stepped forward in the order of their assigned numbers. Some walked back with disappointed looks, while others wore expressions filled with pride.

Astrael quietly observed how those who achieved similar grades of soul space quickly gathered into small groups. The ones who obtained middle-grade soul spaces stood together proudly, their faces glowing with self-confidence.

Meanwhile, those who had only managed to form low-grade soul spaces, who made up the majority, wore more subdued expressions. There was no shame in their eyes, but their faces lacked the glow of success.

Astrael could already notice that the people with a similar grade of soul space quickly formed their group. People with middle-grade soul space formed a distinct group, shining brightly with a proud look on their faces.

On the other hand, the children who failed to form any soul space at all looked devastated. Their faces were filled with gloom, knowing they had lost the chance to wield magic. Without a soul space, one could not manipulate mana at all. However, despite their disappointment, they did not fall into despair, because the second part of the awakening ceremony had not yet taken place.

Even if they lacked the chance to form a soul space, losing all hope of becoming a mage, there was still one last glimmer of hope.

The Talent Root Awakening.

Forming a soul space allowed someone to control mana, but the talent root was something entirely different. It was innate, present within every living being in the world of Eldoria.

Here, it was important to understand the difference between mana and aura.

While not everyone could manipulate mana, anyone could awaken their aura. The path of aura simply required continuous tempering of the body through pain, effort, and resources. Many people chose to avoid it because it was slow, exhausting, and expensive.

On the other hand, to use mana, one needed to form a soul space first, which only a fraction of people were capable of.

But talent... talent was universal. Every person, no matter their origin, possessed a Talent Root. These roots were classified from the spectrum of the seven colours, from the weakest to the most powerful.

After all, without strength, they could only qualify for the most basic, bottom-tier jobs. No matter how diligently they worked or how perfect their performance was, the money they earned would barely be enough to keep food on the table. There would be no room for luxuries, no savings, and certainly no dreams of climbing higher in life.

In this world, survival without power was already a challenge. Advancement? A luxury reserved for the strong.

But even if they don’t have hope of magic, the result of the talent root can change their destiny.

This world didn’t hide its cruelty. That was simply how it worked. Without strength, be it aura or mana, one’s head would always remain bowed, neck bent under the heel of the powerful.

"Sigh... this is life," he murmured under his breath, his voice too soft for others to hear. Still, he wore a relaxed expression and gave a casual shrug as if he already knew his results

After waiting for some time, his given number was called. "Number 69."

"Yes," he answered clearly, his voice calm and composed. All eyes followed him as he walked confidently through the parting crowd.

"You may proceed."

"Yes," he nodded his head and went directly.

"Yes," Astrael replied with a polite nod, not wasting another moment.

He strode toward the gleaming stairway without hesitation.

"Hello," Astrael said casually, his voice echoing softly in the vast empty room. As expected, several layers of his own voice bounced back at him from different directions, overlapping like ghost.

He glanced around once, then turned his focus back to the gleaming staircase ahead. Without any hesitation, he took a deep breath and placed his foot on the first step.

There was a faint hum in the air, like the world itself acknowledging his presence, but the step itself felt light, almost effortless. The pressure that had crushed many was now barely noticeable to him.

It wasn’t a surprise to him.

"What do you think?" Astrael murmured under his breath, his voice like a whisper, not really expecting an answer.

But in the stillness, a familiar voice stirred in his mind, silky and laced with intrigue and curiosity.

"I can feel something... strange," Elyndra spoke, her voice echoing telepathically through his thoughts.

"There’s something here. I can’t quite explain it, but I know one thing... whatever it is, it’s going to be a huge opportunity for you."

"Opportunity, huh..."

A small smirk tugged at the corner of his lips.

Astrael pressed forward, his expression calm, eyes focused ahead.

Step by step, he ascended the glowing staircase. Each time his foot touched the next step, a wave of pressure descended upon him.

Yet it did not stop him.

He moved steadily, like a river carving its way through stone. The weight increased with every step, growing more intense, more oppressive, but Astrael’s steps remained unfaltering.

Ten steps.

Twenty steps.

Thirty.

Forty.

Fifty.

He passed the halfway point with ease. It was as if the pressure that had crushed others was little more than a breeze to him.

Down below, the once quiet hall erupted into hushed gasps and murmurs.

"W-What!"

"How is this possible?"

"He’s walking like he’s on a morning stroll!"

Disbelief spread like wildfire through the crowd. Even the nobles who once looked down on the boy now wore wide-eyed expressions. Children and adults alike turned to stare at the dark-haired youth climbing higher than anyone had in years.

Sixty.

Seventy.

Eighty.

The murmurs grew louder as he stepped past eighty-one, completely unfazed.

From the observation platform, the Count leaned forward slightly, eyes narrowing with interest. His fingers tapped rhythmically against the armrest, betraying a flicker of excitement beneath his composed facade.

Meanwhile, Elyndra’s voice returned inside Astrael’s mind, now more curious than ever.

"You are close."

Astrael kept on walking before stopping at.....