The Empyreal Gem Master

"Will you two take the Primal Life Gems and awaken first, or…"

He gave the preference to the Scions of the Mortal Branch Leaders to awaken first, but Claire smiled gracefully towards Gem Master Azazel as her voice rang out.

"Thank you for the opportunity, Gem Master Azazel. But if there are any who have the urge to volunteer, they can go first."

"..."

Alexander blinked as he turned to look at Claire briefly.

Was this girl actually nervous about this?

Having known her for years now, he looked at her hands and as expected…they were stoic and rigid without a flutter of nervousness.

Which actually meant…

'She's actually this nervous?'

It was a surprise and understandable at the same time, with today being a truly big day that would decide one's future.

After Claire's words, a few hands rose hesitantly amongst the few hundred young men and women as ten volunteered to go first while they did their best to defy their fears.

Gem Master Azazel nodded as he pointed to the nearest figure- a young man with dark hair like all those standing above this Ancestral Mountain.

"You, come on up."

His demeanor was a terrifying one as even the air felt hotter around him, the young man going up with fast strides as Gem Master Azazel took one of the Primal Life Gems and crushed it above his head.

The Primal Life Gems could be taken and dissolved orally, or one could crush it in their hands, or even make a cut anywhere on the body and place it in.

Being about two inches in size made many things possible as either way, it would get absorbed in the body and awaken the Life Sockets lying within!

The golden dust of the Primal Life Gem fell on the head of the young man and was absorbed as moments later, his body began to shine with a dull golden glow.

"Ah…"

A yelp of pain echoed out from this young man, his front turned towards all others in the clearing of the Ancestral Mountain as visibly, they all saw two bright points of circular light flash on his chest!

Gem Master Azazel looked at this scene and nodded with appreciation as he voiced out.

"A future Two-Link Gem Master, good! Dione, stand on the side."

A face of ecstatic joy was present on the young man called Dione as he went off to the side, his future already brighter than most as it meant apart from a Main Ability Gem, he could have a single Support Ability Gem to aid him in the future!

"Next!"

The bright eyes of Gem Master Azazel seemed to be hungry for more results as more stepped up.

Next was a young girl with a determined expression who stood facing everyone while a Primal Life Gems was crushed above her head, and…

The glow of a single circle shone on her chest after a brief moment as her bright eyes quickly became dark and sunken.

"One Life Socket, next!"

The voice of Gem Master Azazel was akin to a sharp knife on all those here as they were reminded how nearly 50% of Gem Masters…would only ever awaken a single Life Socket!

Nobody wanted to be among them.

But the Awakening Ceremony continued as the voice of Gem Master Azazel continued to ring out.

"One Life Socket, next!"

"One Life Socket, next!"

Two young men left with darkened faces as they achieved the same result one after another, but the next one…

"A future Two-Link Gem Master, good! Stand on the side."

Another one with two Life Sockets appeared as the mood brightened up again.

Alexander looked at this scene and clicked his lips as beside him, the tense shoulders of Claire remained high as he couldn't help but try to assure her.

"Remember, whatever is coming is already set in stone. There is no use worrying about it now."

He wanted to calm her down, but he felt like his words weren't entirely the most comforting thing to hear as Claire only nodded at them and continued looking ahead.

"One Life Socket, next!"

"One Life Socket, next!"

"One Life Socket, next!"

"One Life Socket, next!"

More and more of the same results came as they showed just how rare and powerful Gem Masters with multiple Life Sockets were, and as Alexander saw the mood starting to sour…he breathed out while taking a step forward.

…!

Gem Master Azazel was about to call on another random figure from the group when he stopped.

He looked into the determined eyes of Alexander Asmodeus and nodded, giving the go-ahead as, with calm steps, he went forward.

Behind him, it was as if he could feel Claire's nerves buzzing as she almost reached out for him when he stepped forward, but he continued because he simply wanted to know.

Would he be able to achieve what he wanted?

Would he have sufficient strength to at least look at those who took his mother from him straight in the eyes?

With a heavy heart, he came and stood before the eyes of a few hundred people as he closed his own eyes.

Behind him, he felt the pressure of Gem Master Azazel, along with the risen hand of this being that crushed a golden Primal Life Gem right above his head!

"..."

It was a unique sensation.

He kept his eyes closed as he felt the cooling sensation travel down his head and towards his chest- this cooling sensation wrapping around his Heart as in the next moment…

BOOM!

He broke out in cold sweat as he clutched his chest, feeling like his own heart had exploded!

"Huff…"

He breathed out a few times while remaining standing, his eyes opening at this moment as they momentarily flashed with an iridescent white hue.

But it disappeared just as quickly as it appeared as he felt like every part of his body was burning.

He felt a unique sensation begin to travel all throughout him, but he couldn't focus on this fully as he saw the faces full of shock among those who had yet to awaken!

Because from where they stood, they could only see a single amalgamation of light on the chest of Alexander!

A single Life Socket? On the Son of the Four-Link Gem Master?!