Outside the Scar entrance, seven figures stood in front of its entrance. All of them wore the dark robes of the Vladiric Domain. They were not standing in formation, yet there was a quiet tension among them.
Each carried the presence of an Adept. Even without moving, their aura pressed faintly against the surrounding air, the kind of presence only those who had already crossed the first stage possessed.
They were the handlers assigned to this Scar, responsible for observing the awakened children inside and deciding which of them deserved guidance, resources, or attention from the domain.
After a moment, one of them spoke.
"I assume you've all heard the news," he said, glancing from one face to another. "That boy… is him."
A man standing to his right let out a short breath. "Yeah. I still can't believe it. First we hear he came out of the Shrouded District, and then it turns out he awakened a high-grade mana core. That part surprised me the most."
