Solana and Sitri looked up at the massive, crystal-like shard with confused expressions, wondering how something from their home made it to the surface.

  “Lady Carmen, please place your hand on the pillar.” The attendant asked with another humble bow.

  “Oh, right. Here goes.”

  Carmen placed her palm onto the cold, metallic pillar and began exerting her Core Energy. The shard suddenly lifted from its supports and started spinning, picking up speed with each passing second. After a few revolutions, the shard began to glow purple, the hue growing darker and darker until it stopped spinning.

  “Congratulations, Lady Carmen. Your resonance level is now 8,500rlvl. Upper Amethyst level!”

  “Oh wow, 200 more points and you’ll be in Sapphire Class. You’ve come a long way, Carmen.” Zalthia said with a proud smile.

  Carmen accepted the praise, smiling from ear to ear at the results. However, before she could celebrate too much, Azhane stepped forward with a serious look on her face.

  “We should also grade your Boundless form. Can you activate it?” She asked with a cautious tone.

  “Good idea. I’m also curious to see if our suspicions are confirmed. But…”

  Zalthia looked over at the attendant with a glare, wondering if she could be trusted to witness Carmen’s transformation. Before she sent her away, Solana stepped up and made use of her ability instead.

  “TURN A BLIND EYE TO EVERYTHING YOU SAW IN THIS ROOM TODAY.” Solana said with that powerful, grizzly tone of hers.

  “As you wish.” The attendant replied with an empty, monotone voice, her eyes glazing over as she looked off in the distance.

  Solana turned back to Zalthia and nodded, assuring her that there was nothing to worry about. Everyone turned their attention to Carmen and waited for her to transform into a Boundless.

  Carmen took a deep breath and after a brief moment of concentration, she exploded with great power. Her transformation was just as terrifyingly beautiful as ever and within a few seconds, Carmen’s Boundless features were on full display.

  She placed her pale hand on the pillar and watched as the shard began to spin. The color immediately went to black, it’s hue dark enough to show everyone’s reflection. When the shard came to a stop, the attendant checked the reading.

  “Your resonance level is currently 20,600rlvl. Calamity Class.” She said with an empty tone, her blank eyes continuing to stare off into nothing.

  “Well, that confirms it. Goodness Carmen, that Boundless form of yours is such a massive jump. No wonder it was so uncontrollable.” Azhane added, raising her eyebrows after seeing such an impressive number.

  “Yeah, too bad it’s only a temporary boost. Wish I could be this strong all the time.”

  Carmen let out a chuckle as she transformed back to her normal self.

  “Hey, power isn’t everything. Keep training hard and you won’t even need to use your Boundless form.” Zalthia replied, placing her hand on Carmen’s shoulder and smiling.

  “Alright, now that we know your new resonance level, what do you say we get out of here and get something to eat? You all must be hungry!” Azhane added with an excited cadence, clapping her hands together to get everyone’s attention.

  Carmen and Zalthia agreed, however, Solana and Sitri kept their attention focused on the shard. Solana stepped up to the pillar and placed her hand. She exerted her Core Energy and waited as the shard spun on its axis, immediately shifting to a deep black color.

  “Your resonance level is 31,650rlvl. Calamity Class.” The attendant announced.

  If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.

  “Azhane, what’s your resonance level again?” Solana asked as she pulled her hand away from the pillar.

  “31,800. I’ve got you beat by 150.”

  “Tch, lame...”

  Sitri walked up and placed his palm as well, curious to see what his grade would be. The shard spun and changed to blue, the hue growing more vibrant with each revolution. It eventually stopped and the attendant began to read his level.

  “Your resonance level is 15,200rlvl. Upper Sapphire Class.”

  “Hmm, is that good?” Sitri asked, trying to make sense of the numbers.

  “Yes, very good. You’re stronger than me and all of the members of The Six. The only person I know in Sapphire Class with a resonance level that high is the Vice Captain of Enclave, Violet Farro. She’s 15,6 I think.” Zalthia responded, impressed that a mere subordinate to Solana possessed this much power.

  “I see. Where is this Violet Farro you speak of? I wish to see who is the strongest between us.”

  “Uhh, no. Sorry, but that’s not going to happen. Solana, please keep this man on a leash.”

  Zalthia palmed her forehead in disbelief, dumbfounded that he would even request such a thing.

  The group laughed at the exchange and once the conversations died down, Azhane teleported everyone back to Castle de Belouis. They made their way to the dining hall and enjoyed a lunch together, listening to all of the stories Carmen had to tell about her time in the Core Depths.

  EPILOGUE

  High noon had just hit the Arista Badlands, the southernmost region of Arista. The hot, arid sun shined brightly as Mariah was sword fighting with her younger brother outside. Their wooden swords clashed loudly until a guest came walking up to the gate. A tall and fairly young man with short blonde hair opened the latch, entering the yard.

  “Cole!!” Said the little boy, dropping his sword as he ran over to him.

  “Hey, Cayden. How you doing!”

  Cole gave the boy a hug and patted him on the head, ruffling up his blonde curls.

  “Welcome home bro!” Mariah added as she approached, giving him a fist bump once he looked up.

  As they continued their greetings, their mother came outside to tell them that dinner was ready. However, once she saw Cole, she ran over and gave him the biggest hug. She kissed his cheek in excitement and pulled him along, guiding him towards the house. They all went inside and enjoyed dinner together as a family.

  “Hey Mariah, how’s LaVeda been so far?” Cole asked as he took a bite of bread.

  “Great! I placed 7th in the combat midterm! The only Wyvern 1st year to get ranked in the top 10.” Mariah exclaimed with a proud grin.

  “Oh wow, that’s awesome!! I knew all of your summer training would pay off.”

  “Of course, I learned from the best!”

  Mariah waved her arms up and down as though she were playfully bowing to her brother. Everyone at the table laughed at the theatrics before continuing on with dinner.

  “That aside, isn’t it a little early for school to be out though? I’m honestly surprised that you’re home right now.” Cole questioned with a curious tone.

  “Oh, you didn’t hear? Well, it’s kind of a long story, but LaVeda was under attack not too long ago and half the school was destroyed. They had to end the school year early…”

  “What? Destroyed!? Geez, that’s insane. I had no idea that happened.”

  “Yes, we were quite shocked as well when she suddenly arrived a couple weeks ago. Unfortunately, news travels incredibly slow to these parts.” Mother said with a smile.

  “Tch, ain't that the truth. Well, I’m glad you’re safe!” Cole replied, giving Mariah a thumbs up before reaching for another piece of bread.

  Once dinner concluded and the sun had set, Mariah took her younger siblings to bed, tucking their tired bodies in. When she closed the door, she overheard her father and Cole having a serious discussion. Mariah hid behind the wall and listened in.

  “Father, they’re thinking about having a rebellion in the capital. A resistance group is beginning to form not too far from here. Things are about to get real ugly soon.” Cole said with great seriousness.

  “Hmm, I see. I figured it was only a matter of time before people were fed up with how the Empire was run.” He replied, crossing his arms.

  “Yeah, the age of oppression has to stop and I want to be right there to help that happen. I want to join the resistance.”

  He clenched his fist together, determined to go through with this decision. Cole's father looked stunned and fearful of his declaration.

  “Cole! You can’t possibly be serious! It’s too dangerous! If the Empire finds out you’re a part of this group, they’ll come after all of us!”

  “I know, Father. But, I can’t stand it anymore. Arista has always been a nation of vile greed, feasting on and crushing the weak beneath them. Soon, there won’t be a nation left worth living in at the rate we’re going. Change needs to happen now!” Cole replied with a fire in his eyes, unable to be swayed.

  “But son, must you be the one to see it through? Think about your family here. If your mother were to lose you, I don’t know what she would do.”

  “It’s because of you all that I must do something. I want to follow Lady Mariana and help her take the throne. It’s the only way Arista can become a better nation. I’m sorry, but I’ve made up my mind.”

  Cole stood up from his chair and gathered his things.

  “I hope you know what you’re doing, Cole… You better come back safe.” Father said with a deep and serious tone as Cole slung his bag over his shoulder.

  “I will and please don’t tell the others. I don’t want them to worry about me… Well, ‘til next time, Father.”

  Cole bowed his head and swiftly exited the house, shutting the door behind him. Mariah sat behind the wall, reeling from what she had just heard. The pace of her heartbeat quickened as she wondered what this rebellion might mean for her family and the nation of Arista.