THE PATH TO SUPREMACY

The central hall of the estate was alive with energy. Chandeliers cast warm light across the room, illuminating rows of noble families gathered along the perimeter. Rui stood among the other children near the center, watching as the nobles exchanged quiet murmurs and smiles, their proud gazes flicking occasionally toward their offspring.

Rui wasn't nervous, just observant.

"Impressive turnout this year," someone said from nearby. Rui turned his head slightly to see a group of finely dressed men and women, their robes embroidered with familial crests. Among them, one figure stood out—a tall, broad-shouldered man with streaks of silver in his dark hair. His presence was commanding, and the way others glanced toward him made it clear he was no ordinary noble.

"That one," the man said, nodding subtly in Rui's direction. His voice carried enough weight to silence those around him. "Who is he?"

Rui straightened as the group's gazes turned toward him, though he kept his expression calm. A few of the nobles exchanged glances, murmuring among themselves.

"He's one of the Kireans," someone replied—a woman with a sharp, calculating gaze. "The first-born son of Soren Kirean."

"...The Kireans?" the tall man mused, his brow furrowing slightly. "Interesting. The mana surrounding that boy… it's stronger than I'd expect for his age, even if he is a Kirean."

Rui didn't look away, meeting the man's gaze with quiet confidence. It wasn't the first time someone had looked at him like that—curious, searching, as though they were trying to unravel something about him.

The man tilted his head slightly, a small smile playing on his lips as though Rui's reaction had answered an unspoken question. "He might be worth watching," he said simply, before turning his attention back to the hall.

The central hall buzzed with a restrained energy, the kind of quiet intensity that marked moments of great importance. Rows of nobles, dressed in their finest attire, lined the room, their faces a mix of pride, curiosity, and quiet expectation. The grand chandeliers cast warm, golden light over the marble floors, reflecting off ornate banners that hung from the high ceilings, each representing the noble houses gathered for this momentous occasion.

Rui stood among the other children, his silver eyes scanning the crowd. The air felt thick with mana, charged and alive, as though the ceremony itself had awakened something in the estate. He adjusted his ceremonial robes—a deep blue trimmed with subtle silver threads—and took a deep breath, steadying himself.

At the far end of the hall, the grand mage stepped forward. His presence was commanding, his dark robes adorned with intricate patterns of gold and silver. The staff he carried gleamed faintly, its crystal tip humming with latent energy.

"Welcome, all," the grand mage began, his voice resonating through the hall. "Today, we gather to witness a sacred tradition—the awakening of cores. It is a moment when potential becomes tangible, when the connection between mage and mana is laid bare for the world to see."

The room fell silent, the weight of his words settling over the gathered audience. Rui's heart beat steadily in his chest, no longer frantic with nerves as it had been days before. His father's and mother's words lingered in his mind, grounding him. "This is a beginning, not a test."

The grand mage gestured with his staff, and the crystal atop it flared softly. "Each core revealed today will reflect not only the child's essence but their connection to the flow of mana. There are ten grades of cores, each with its own color and meaning."

He began to pace slowly, his words deliberate. "The Earthen Core, humble and steadfast, lays the foundation for growth. The Amber Core, resilient and brimming with potential, shines just a little brighter. And then, the Verdant Core, vibrant as life itself, a symbol of nurturing strength."

The grand mage's voice grew more intense, his staff glinting faintly as he spoke. "Next, the Azure Core, deep and refined, a mark of one who has natural understandment of the flow of mana. Beyond that, the Teal Core, rare and mysterious, speaks of adaptability and untapped potential—a core for those destined to explore the unknown."

Rui's focus sharpened as the grand mage continued, each word painting a vivid picture. "The Crimson Core, fiery and commanding, embodies raw power and ambition. And the Amethyst Core, regal and brilliant, represents extraordinary refinement and control—a sign of prodigies."

The room was utterly still now, the crowd hanging on his every word. "The Silver Core, ethereal and transcendent, speaks of mastery and unparalleled talent, marking those who approach the threshold of legend. And then, the White Core, the rarest of all known cores. It is a symbol of purity and divine potential, a gift bestowed upon only the most extraordinary of individuals."

The grand mage paused, his gaze sweeping the room. "Finally, the Primordial Core—a myth, a legend, a core said to transcend the boundaries of existence itself. None here will see its like, but the possibility of its existence is a reminder of the infinite potential within magic."

Rui felt the crowd's anticipation rising, a palpable wave of emotion that seemed to ripple through the room. He shifted his weight slightly, the reality of the moment sinking in.

"The awakening ceremony is not just a tradition," the grand mage concluded, "but a revelation. A moment of truth for each child standing here. Now, let us begin."

He raised his staff high, and a surge of mana rippled through the air, a visible wave of energy that swept over the hall. One by one, the children were called forward, their names echoing through the chamber as they stepped up to the grand mage.

As the ceremony unfolded, the children approached the grand mage one by one, each awakening greeted with its own level of interest. An Amber Core drew polite nods from the nobles, while an Azure Core elicited murmurs of approval for its promising refinement. The crowd remained composed, their reactions measured—until the next name was called.

"Amara Velare," the grand mage announced, his voice cutting through the low hum of the hall.

A girl stepped forward, her movements graceful yet deliberate. She was tall for her age, with sharp, intelligent eyes that seemed to take in everything. Her black and red dress matched the confidence she exuded, and there was an unmistakable air of expectation about her.

Rui, standing among the other children, couldn't help but notice the sudden shift in the atmosphere. The room seemed to hold its breath as Amara approached the grand mage, her head held high.

The grand mage observed her for a moment, his expression unreadable. Then, with a solemn nod, he placed the glowing crystal of his staff against her chest. A faint hum filled the air, growing louder as the energy flowed between them.

The first sign came as a flicker—a deep red glow that pulsed faintly against her skin. Then, without warning, the light surged outward in a brilliant burst, enveloping her in a fiery aura that seemed almost alive. The red light danced and flickered like flames, casting long shadows across the hall.

A collective gasp rippled through the crowd. The grand mage's eyes widened, and for the first time that evening, his calm demeanor gave way to genuine astonishment.

"A Crimson Core," he declared, his voice resonating with both awe and authority. "Rare and powerful. A core that burns with raw potential and unyielding ambition."

The hall erupted into murmurs, the previously composed nobles now leaning forward in their seats, their curiosity and excitement palpable. A Crimson Core was not something one saw often, even among nobles. It was a mark of extraordinary potential, a sign of greatness yet to be realized.

Amara stood in the center of it all, the red light casting her in an almost ethereal glow. Her expression remained calm, though a flicker of pride crossed her face. She met the grand mage's gaze with a steady confidence, as if she had known all along.

The grand mage stepped back, his voice carrying across the room. "Such a core is not merely a gift—it is a burden, one that demands discipline and determination to wield. Amara Velare, your journey will not be easy, but your potential is undeniable."

The murmurs among the crowd grew louder, some whispering of the Velare family's rising prestige, others speculating about what such a core could mean for the girl's future. Rui felt a pang of envy, though it was fleeting. He couldn't help but admire the sheer presence Amara exuded, standing there in the center of the hall like a flame that refused to be extinguished.

As Amara returned to her place among the children, the fiery aura around her dimmed but did not fade completely. The nobles continued to whisper among themselves, the weight of her awakening still lingering in the air.

Rui glanced at her, his thoughts racing. A Crimson Core—that kind of power and ambition was something that could shape the future. He wondered what it would feel like to carry such a burden, to have the eyes of so many upon you, expecting greatness. Would he ever understand that weight?

The ceremony continued, but the memory of Amara's awakening stayed with him, a vivid image etched into his mind. It wasn't just the power she had displayed—it was the way she had stood in it, unshaken and sure of herself. It was a kind of strength that Rui couldn't help but admire.