As the sun’s rays dimmed, the night sky pulsed into existence, and dusk marked its arrival.

The otherworldly glow of the Moon and the second planetary body– Eidolon signalled a great shift in the world.

A vast change that swallowed Earth Supreme on a cold night.

Luca and Caedun had finally arrived back at the Mansion. Refreshed despite the strain of the afternoon.

Their little effort at maximising their potential bore fruit, and they would reap it in time.

As they walked into the iron gates of the exquisite compound, they were welcomed by quite a scene.

Caedun, on recognising the situation seemingly straddled towards them.

"Hurry! They’re sharing the resources!"

"Shit."

Luca whispered as he followed after Caedun in haste.

Ahead of them was a lineup of Cadets with three Instructors. Two of which held tablets reflecting the holographic images of Cadet profiles, their Interface scores and ratings.

And the remaining one– the man who had brought them here, called out their names one by one.

"Number 27, Elyr Van De Caelun."

"Here, sir!" A white-haired boy with violet eyes replied with his arm up.

One of the Instructors walked up to him and stretched out a ring.

"Here, ensure to keep it on you at all times– as we said before, these will not be replaced."

"Yes, sir!"

He exclaimed and received it with much vigour.

At that moment, two unassuming boys joined the line. Their effort at being subtle was put for nought by the distraught exclamations of the boys they stood next to.

’Bunch of snitches.’ Luca couldn’t help but curse as the Instructors turned to them in unison.

"Seems like we have two vagabonds. Were you not aware of the time you were meant to be here?"

Some Cadets snickered.

"Yes, sir! Sorry, sir! We were aware!"

Caedun stood at attention. His right arm formed a fist as it rested on the left side of his chest.

His left arm crossed behind his back and he held a dignified, yet guilty, expression.

"Then explain yourselves." The Instructor said with a bit of intrigue. "Or is this a lover’s squabble?"

Some Cadets choked on their laughter, and many more couldn’t hold it back.

"Silence."

Their poise returned.

"Yes, sir! We only went to apply and train at the Exercise Infrastructure you showed us today, sir!" Caedun replied.

"Oh?" The man arched his brow.

His intrigue blossomed, as he glanced at Luca.

"You too, scrawny kid?"

Luca narrowed his eyes. "Yes, sir."

He replied lukewarmly.

It was clear he didn’t intend to practice any of their enthusiastic display of devotion.

"I see." The man nodded in acknowledgement.

"That’s what a Soldier does. Egoists are too proud for their own good, believing in their power without realising how much they’re wasting.

Your efforts signify personal growth.

I look forward to seeing more from you too."

"Yes, sir!"

"Yes... Sir."

The Instructor turned away and continued with the names.

This was the list of the top fifty.

It seemed like they had already handled the top ten, first fifteenth and second twenty-fifth.

Now, it all comes down to the remaining fifty before others are called.

Why did they do it this way? Luca wasn’t certain, but if he had a clue, it would probably be to instil a sense of rivalry.

’They’re practically turning us into their little soldiers.’

He brushed the thought away when a name snapped his distracted thoughts.

"Number 45, Caedun Darman."

"Sir, yes sir!"

One of the Instructors walked up to him and handed him a ring, gave him the same instructions and went on to the next person.

Four names later and Luca was called.

"Number 50, Lucamir Elaric."

"Yes, sir." The Instructor arrived, handed him a ring and gave the same monotonous instructions.

Luca simply nodded without a response.

’I guess this solves my ring problem... though...’

He placed it in his right index finger.

’Wonder if it’s inscribed with spyware. I heard the Federation tends to spy on their workers without them knowing.

This could be the Ardenthals doing the same.’

It wouldn’t be difficult if they intended to, but what could he do about it?

’I’ll use it for institution-related stuff, only.’

"Alright, that’s the last of you bums!

You have the rest of the evening and night ahead of you.

Study. Work. Exercise. Absorb. It doesn’t matter what you do because nothing will prepare you for what is to come tomorrow morning."

A wild grin spread across his rugged features. Menacingly accentuating his beard.

Luca shivered at the scene.

’Makes you wonder.’

"Dismissed!"

"Sir, yes sir!"

The Cadets walked in a single file into the Hostel, scattering along the large, exuberant staircase and hallways to their respective rooms.

"Call the next hundred."

The two Instructors nodded and followed behind the back of the line where Luca lingered.

He had heard the Head Instructor’s words and merely ignored them as he headed up to his rooms.

As he did so, he could hear the sudden sharp opening of doors and rushing of feet.

Supposedly the next hundred were most likely called through their digital cards.

Some even ran past him as he headed back up.

He observed in silence and a bit of curiosity.

These were the faces of those who were left behind at the first task, after all.

’I wonder if those boys made it.’

At that thought, his gaze caught a fraction of a blonde that attempted to knock him back as he descended.

"Elaric." The boy’s words were literal venom.

Luca pursed his lips, then a grin spread across his own features.

"Mirek, I see you made it."

Daryon choked on his saliva as his eyes darted between the staircase and the boy.

"You will pay for this!"

Then he ran down the stairs.

Luca shrugged with amusement and continued on his way.

Soon, he was in the comfort of his room.

He clasped the door, stripped off his uniform, revealing only his plain boxers and walked up to his bed.

Once propped and comfortable, he began to pull out the orbs from his Interface.

This, after all, was his major concern.

’I wonder if my titles will have an effect on this?’

His first and best title– First True Egoist was the full package when it came to sensitivity and understanding of Ego.

He pulled out his Interface and on observing the numbers, his eyes bulged out of their sockets.

Name; Lucamir Elaric.

​

Archetype; Undefined.

​

Ego Rank; Explorer, 2nd Stage.

​

Ego Core; Particle White (39.3%)

​

Ego Synchronization; 5%

​

Ego Manifestation; 25%

​

Null Resistance; 100%

​

Titles; First True Egoist(Divine). Seven Sins(Celestial)

​

Bloodline; None.

​

Traits; Mercuryborne(Transcendent), Doggedness(Dormant-Mastery(7%) )

​

Talents; Identification Talent(Dormant-Mastery (30%) ), Sword Talent(Dormant-Mastery (9%) ), Core Talent(Dormant-Mastery (5%) ), Bond Talent(Dormant-Mastery (0%) ), Fist Talent(Dormant-Mastery (8%) ), Focus Talent(Dormant-Mastery (0%) ), Harmonize Talent(Dormant-Mastery (1%) ), Stealth Talent(Dormant-Mastery (7%) ).

Ego weapons; Trial Longsword <Yet to be named> (Dormant-Mastery (0%) ).

​

Ego Accessories; None.

​

Bonds; None.

His manifestation, Fist and Harmonise, had increased!

’Was it the exercise?’

He had spent five hours of grueling work out sessions to embody his body with the full extent of 5%.

Thus, it must have pushed his manifestation even higher.

’I’ll get the chance to obtain another talent... from each of my Archetypes soon.’

He smiled sheepishly at the thought.

’This is awesome!’

Another factor to be noted about Archetypes and how they work with Ego Cores is that Archetypes grow with an Egoist.

Not just structurally but functionally as well.

Snipers develop faster precognition, sharp eyesight and flexible motor control.

Rogues develop bodies attuned to the dark and better poison resistance, fast reflexes and lighter steps.

This was the same for the other Archetypes, and while similarities did exist in development, the result was usually structurally different.

So that when they become Invokers, they truly become embodiments of their Archetypes.

Luca which had all would practically be a mutation of specialisation.

None would suffer because of the other as long as he develops it at a close rate.

It was because of this that Luca had begun to consider his plans for his first true visitation to the Abyss.

’I’m thinking I might forgo the whole looking for team mates and go solo, but am I capable enough to withstand the Abyss alone?’

He had heard stories– good and bad.

Treasures and sufferings were both hands of the Abyss and it decided like an unbiased judge which to give to you.

This didn’t affect Luca’s decision, though.

’I will go alone. Can’t afford others to learn any more of my secrets.’

It was already known that Luca doesn’t punch like a Knight.

A Knight’s punch is hard, yes, but a Brawler’s? Let’s just say that if a Knight could knock a skyscraper with a single punch, a Brawler could knock down five.

The disparity was absurdly evident.

’The Brawler and Knight combo will be their own to figure out, but the rest... they’re literally my saving grace from the world... and my free tickets in obtaining a substantial reward from the Institution.’

His eyes narrowed as he rubbed one of the Cores.

’... and then I can finally see my parents.’

He held the core tight and the adult-sized ball smashed into bits before turning to a misty, blue dust.

Luca inhaled slowly and actively felt the rush of these particles into his nostrils and straight to his brain.

Veins arched around his sclera and his lips parted open for a gasp.

A subtle rush of power filled his muscles and vessels like a hard drug as the dust rushed faster into his system.

This occurred for what Luca timed as a minute before everything had reached his brain and settled, leaving an aftertaste that felt... divine?

Luca ignored it and quickly turned to his Interface.

Ego Core; Particle White (39.3% => 40%)

Luca stifled a pained groan as a smile took its place.

’Nice! My title works on this. I got the full effect!’

It was slow, but growth was still growth, no matter how slow.