Odyssey of the Renegade Sovereign-Chapter 40: Soul Space (3)

Boom!

Astrael instinctively took a step back. The towering column of dark water began to churn violently, then collapsed inward like a vortex spiralling into nothingness.

A sudden pulse of invisible force swept through the space, pressing down on everything. Even the air itself seemed to tremble under its weight. But Astrael didn’t flinch. He narrowed his eyes, bracing against the pressure, and watched closely as the black sea gradually calmed down and left something behind.

A platform.

Smooth and circular, forged from obsidian-black stone that shimmered under the dim light. Along its edges, delicate silver runes glowed faintly, their intricate patterns softly humming with an otherworldly energy. And hovering just above the platform was a single crystal.

A gentle wave of mystic white light radiated from it, washing over the space, casting away shadows and brightening the dark, endless void.

"Ugh..." Astrael groaned, squinting his eyes against the sudden brilliance.

Instantly, Astrael’s vision shifted, and the ethereal vastness vanished. He found himself once again standing within the mana mist–covered stair hall. Normally, the mental space—his Soul Space—was like a separate dimension that one could influence from within. It could be shaped to reflect the will and mind of its owner. But, of course, there were boundaries. One couldn’t expand or shrink it at will, nor could one summon objects into existence without a proper medium or skill.

"You may return now."

The calm voice of the priest echoed gently, bringing him back to the present.

Without hesitation, Astrael turned and stepped away from the staircase, his mind already racing with curiosity; he couldn’t wait to check his status and see what had changed.

But the moment he stepped out, he noticed something strange.

The crowd wasn’t murmuring, chatting, or celebrating. There was silence. Pin-drop silence.

Dozens of eyes were fixed on him, their expressions ranging from shock to awe, some even disbelief.

...

"W-What? Eighty-ninth step?!"

"Did my eyes just deceive me?!"

"Who in the world is that boy?!"

Murmurs spread like wildfire through the viewing stands. Even some of the nobles who had maintained their aloof postures earlier were now leaning forward, brows furrowed in disbelief. A few older knights exchanged uncertain glances, their rigid expressions softening into surprise.

"That’s... that’s nearly peak-grade, isn’t it?" one muttered.

Even Baron Avalon, who had sat in silence earlier, furrowed his brows with a deep frown.

"No one’s gone past seventy in years," another added, unable to hide the tremor in his voice.

"What is the kid’s name?" the Count asked, his voice calm but laced with curiosity, eyes still fixed on the youth standing beneath the platform.

An old man beside him, dressed in a clean white coat with silver-rimmed spectacles perched on his nose, quickly adjusted his papers. His fingers sifted through a neat stack until he found the list he needed.

"Sir, his name is Astrael Ravenastra," he answered respectfully.

"Ravenastra...?" the Count murmured, brows lifting slightly. "Kaelen’s son?"

"Yes, my lord," the elder confirmed with a small nod. 𝒇𝒓𝙚𝒆𝔀𝓮𝓫𝒏𝓸𝙫𝓮𝓵.𝓬𝙤𝙢

"Hmm.." The Count hummed thoughtfully, fingers drumming lightly on the armrest of his elevated seat. The stir Astrael had caused wasn’t small, and clearly, the young Ravenastra had just drawn every pair of eyes in the room to him.

..

As Astrael returned to the waiting area, the children instantly snapped out of their stupor. Many of their eyes lit up with newfound curiosity and awe. However, most were hesitant to approach him directly. Only those with middle-grade soul spaces found the confidence to walk up to him, attempting to strike up a conversation and socialise.

Astrael, in return, greeted them with his usual charming smile, calm and composed as always.

The priest watched Astrael with a gentle smile. At first, he had found it absurd when someone asked about reaching the end of the stairs. Yet now, after seeing Astrael stop at the eighty-ninth step, he couldn’t help but be surprised. It was rare for someone to possess a high-grade mage talent, and Astrael’s performance placed him in the upper tier of that rare category.

"Without further delay, let’s proceed," the middle-aged priest announced, his voice carrying across the hall. He then beckoned for the next participant.

"You may enter."

A golden-haired boy stepped forward with a nod. He appeared quite fit, his lean frame built with visible muscle, and his movements carried a refined poise. His blue eyes glimmered under the light, matching the calm, gentlemanly expression on his face—one accompanied by a subtle, self-righteous air.

"Yes," the golden‑haired boy said, stepping into the staircase chamber with a subtle glance in Astrael’s direction. He began his ascent at a steady pace.

All eyes widened slightly as he crossed the twentieth step effortlessly, officially earning a middle‑grade mage talent.

The Count nodded, satisfaction glimmering in his eyes. It was rare to see mage‑level talent in their county—maybe once every century—and this year already had twenty middle‑grade awakenings. If you counted this golden boy, that made twenty one so far. And Astrael... well, he stood as the first high‑grade soul space in the last decade, with real potential to become a high‑ranked mage.

"Let’s see how many steps he can take," the priest murmured, his eyes narrowing slightly as he observed the golden-haired boy.

Though he maintained a calm exterior, Astrael’s earlier performance had clearly left an impression, one strong enough to stir even his seasoned composure. Now, his gaze held a sharper glint, watching the next boy with renewed scrutiny, as if hoping to witness another anomaly.

"Fifty," the Count said, excitement colouring his voice as his eyes gleamed. Two high‑grade mage prospects from one county would bring heavy rewards from the kingdom.

"Who is he?" the Count asked, turning once more to the old gentleman beside him.

The elder consulted his papers, then looked up with a thoughtful crease in his brow.

"Yes, his name is Arthur. He appears to be..."

"Say it," the Count prompted.

"He appears to be an illegitimate child of one of the Dragonheart family."

A hush fell over the viewing area. Every noble’s eyes widened in recognition and shock.

"T‑that Dragonheart family?"

"One of the Nine Great Houses?"

"They’re terrifying in power—their Archmage sits head of the family, and their influence stretches beyond the continent. Why is this boy even here for the awakening? Don’t they have their own chamber?" came hushed replies.

The Count’s frown deepened as he heard the murmurs. His expression darkened.