"Thanks for everything you did for me, Faluel." Lith shook her hand.
The Hydra had accurately predicted how the trial would unfold, making her plan work like a charm.
At least until that moment.
"Don’t thank me, yet. I’ve got no idea what they’ll put you against and if you fail, all of this will be for nothing. Humans are stricter than beasts and after revealing your abilities, you need the Council more than ever. Whatever happens, accept the results of the trial." She said.
"She’s right." Jiza had never left Lith’s side, making sure that no one exploited the chaos of the debate to try something funny. "If you fail and then refuse to acknowledge Raagu as your master, your life will become a nightmare the moment you step out of that door."
"Revealing your true hybrid nature was a double-edged sword. Now that everyone knows how precious you are, they’ll spare no dirty moves to force you to submit if you go back to being a rogue Awakened.
"That said, I know that Awakened humans have given you more trouble than help during your journey, but I hope you don’t resent us all for that.
"Beasts are no better than humans. You’ll find as many bad people among their ranks as among our own. The only reason why you faced mostly Awakened human criminals is that you lived in human society.
"Awakened are tightly bound to their race of origin. We live among our kin and task our descendants with taking care of business, whereas beasts mostly work as mercenaries and hate being forced to hide their nature.
"Even if you succeed in your trial, once you are done with your apprenticeship, you’ll keep meeting more humans than beasts as long as you reside inside cities. Don’t burn bridges that you may need later."
Lith gave her a small bow and then spent the time before the test talking with Solus.
’Glad to have you back. I need all the help I can get to not let our plans get screwed up in case Raagu doesn’t agree with Awakening Phloria.’ He thought.
’The monster-Abomination’s words were interesting, but there’s something you need to know. Aside from young people like you and Athung, every one of those present has either a bright blue core or a bright purple core.’ Solus said.
’Meaning?’
’Don’t you find it odd that even old looking Awakened have a bright blue core? I mean, sure, you Awakened from birth and had an easier time adapting your body to the mana core’s growth, but how can it take people centuries to reach the stage right above yours?
’It doesn’t make sense. Especially considering that all Awakened we met had either a cyan or a blue core. Unless...’ Solus said.
’Unless getting a purple core requires to meet some hidden conditions.’ Lith completed the phrase for her. ’Doesn’t this also mean that fake mages are potentially even stronger mages than Awakened?
’People like Manohar naturally grow with a purple core, whereas Awakened are capped to blue unless they find a way to overcome their limits.’
’If we’re right, then the cap plus the fact that even Faluel can’t Awaken people with a bright blue core like Quylla, limits the Awakened’s progress with magic. Whatever is needed to get a violet core, I don’t think it can be taught.’ Solus said.
’There are way fewer purple cores than I expected. Moreover, based on what Faluel told us, Awakened without a magical bloodline always have a master, so there’s no way they wouldn’t pass down the technique in the case something happens to them.’
"Everything is set. Please, follow us." Leegaain opened several Warp Gates at once, allowing all those present to reach what looked like an underground arena.
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