Chapter 6: Pilgrimage
Waiting in a queue must have been a novel experience for Elaine.
There weren’t that many people in their House. Being one of the chosen ones, she was generally given priority for most things. Strictly speaking, the same was true here. Just like everywhere else on Remior. Yellow-borns always went first. Still, the sheer number of people waiting their turn was simply staggering. Even the lucky groups who had a Yellow-born among them easily numbered in the triple digits, which meant the trio would have to spend the better part of the morning in the line.
Percy on the other hand was amazed he got to skip most of the wait for a change. He flashed the Orange-borns behind him an apologetic expression, not too comfortable cutting in line. It wasn’t like he particularly minded waiting at the back either. For one, he was already used to such things by now.
More importantly, this was perhaps the only time he wished he could stay here longer. Well, ok. He was naturally eager to find out his affinity, plus his legs were killing him. Elaine was propping him up right now which wasn’t exactly ideal. Still, he had another reason for taking his sweet time.
Soon after entering the valley, he quickly verified his guess had been correct. Once the density of mind mana around him increased to the point where each breath carried with it a sliver of the rosy mist, he felt a part of his body stir. It wasn’t his sternum, where his original core – everyone’s core – was located. Instead, this was happening in his abdomen. He hadn’t been able to examine his temporary alien body for long enough, but it seemed that’s where the second mana core took root.
‘Doesn’t matter where it’s located.’
In any case, he’d be happy to get one on his forehead if it meant giving him an edge.
- [??? (Fractured)] – Grants the seed of a second mana core. Requires potent life and mind mana to germinate.
But he shook his head. This was too important to leave up to chance.