Almost all the children had already drunk the elixir. Only a few remained standing with their bottles untouched, watching the others in silence. Some waited to see how the awakenings ended. Some simply looked calm, like they were in no rush.
It didn't matter.
Before the trial ended, everyone would have to drink it.
Above the hall, inside a sealed inner room, six maids entered in silence. Two of them pushed a trolley forward. On it sat white ceramic kettles and cups marked with thin gold lines. The wheels made no sound as they stopped in front of two elderly men.
One elder sat at the center. The other sat to his left.
The maids moved with care. One poured tea. Another held a folded cape in both hands. Steam rose gently from the cups.
The elder in the center wore a dark cap that covered part of his white hair. A long cape rested over one shoulder. In his right hand, he held a black cane topped with a golden eagle. Six stars gold badges were fixed into his cape. His white eyes stayed fixed on the hollow screen floating before him, showing the hall below.
A sharp smile appeared on his face.
The elder to his left had removed his cape. He wore a plain white shirt and black trousers. His white hair was neatly combed back. His eyes, also white, did not blink as he watched the screen. A maid stood beside him, holding his cape. Another placed the tea cup in front of him.
"We appreciate your presence, elders of Ashenlocke," Freya said. She bowed her head slightly.
She stepped closer to the screen. "As you can see, the program is proceeding well." She smiled, careful and measured.
"Yes. I can see that," the elder in the center replied. His grin widened. "It's impressive watching the children of the highline show such development."
He tapped his cane once against the floor.
"They are clearly proving why the highline stands above the lowline."
His eyes narrowed slightly. "But what interests me more… is what we are seeing now."
He turned his head. "Isn't that right, Fredrick?"
"With the level of Cognis fluctuation I'm sensing," Fredrick replied, his voice calm but focused, "we will be seeing many Full Alchemists."
Freya's breath caught.
"Many… Full Alchemists?" Her eyes widened before she could stop herself. "With the first two trials completed, I expected some Full Alchemists, but… plenty?" She hesitated. "That's beyond what we predicted, Lord Fredrick Ashenlocke."
The two elders looked at her for a moment.
Then clearly, they laughed.
"This is why an Adept Alchemist still has a long road ahead," Fredrick said, shaking his head lightly. "But I understand your reaction."
He rested the back of his hands beneath his chin.
"A Full Alchemist is not a rank. It's a measure. A separation within the same level."
His gaze stayed on the screen.
"It depends on how perfectly one constructs their star during awakening, or while raising ranks through Cognis cultivation."
He leaned forward slightly.
"What we are seeing now is not just potential. It is precision."
The elder in the center nodded.
"Most of these children already formed fragments of their star before drinking the elixir."
He scoffed.
"It's a known fact. Awakening without Ese, even forming a quarter of a star, gives better Cognis control."
His smile faded.
"Though my useless granddaughter couldn't manage that… despite all the training she received before this program began."
He frowned deeply.
"Hahaha," Fredrick laughed. "Branthwaite, aren't you being too harsh on Pamela?"
"No," Branthwaite replied flatly. "Her foolish brother died in the first trial. And now…"
The screen zoomed in.
Pamela's body shook violently. Sweat and blood mixed as she groaned, teeth clenched.
"With that level of fluctuation," Branthwaite said, rubbing his forehead, "she won't even awaken as a Novice. Just a half-star Alchemist."
He sighed.
"Why did my son have to produce two useless children?"
"My grandson is doing well," Fredrick said calmly.
The screen shifted.
Felix sat cross-legged. Cognis surged around him in waves. A star formed clean and sharp above his mind core.
Then the energy didn't stop.
Another surge followed.
The second star starts to form, bits but progressively.
Both elders stiffened. Freya's breath froze in her chest.
Fredrick stood up, laughing.
"A second star at thirteen," he said, pride clear in his voice. "Only Dwight of House Bergwyn showed such talent."
He smiled widely.
"It may not match the golden age of Britannia's Alchemists, but this is a fine beginning."
"It's not only him," Branthwaite said, stepping closer to the window.
The screen shifted again.
Veda.
Vera.
Both were steady. Cognis moved cleanly around them. Their second stars were forming.
"Asher will be proud of his children," Fredrick said.
He paused.
"But my grandson will surely manage to handle them."
They sat down again and sipped their tea.
Seventeen hours passed.
One by one, awakenings ended.
Children collapsed onto the floor. Some couldn't move. Some cried quietly. Pain and exhaustion weighed on every body.
One figure stood out.
The boy with black hair and purple eyes that sat near Priscilla. His posture was calm. His star was perfect. Cognis level: 28.7 percent.
"A lowline awakened as a Full Alchemist and a Novice Alchemist," Branthwaite muttered. His eyes sharpened. "Interesting."
He smiled.
"Our family's rise draws closer."
"I've seen enough," Fredrick said as he stood. A maid placed his cape back on his shoulders. "The results of the third trial are impressive. And the coming trials will be even harsher."
"Yes, sir," Freya said, bowing deeply. "With our preparations, the children will develop further."
"Within a year," Fredrick said proudly, "Ashenlocke will show all of Britannia its strength."
Branthwaite followed him out.
"I'll brag to those old fools about Felix," Fredrick laughed loudly.
Branthwaite stared at him without expression.
***
Down in the hall, Priscilla finally finished stabilizing her Cognis. She exhaled hard and leaned back.
She opened her eyes.
"My body…" she groaned, rolling her shoulders.
"You're done, Priscilla?" the boy beside her asked, still sitting.
"It's Lady Priscilla," she snapped. "How many times do I have to correct you, Nate?"
"Not happening," Nate replied calmly. "So?"
"I'm a Novice Full Alchemist," she said. "Cognis around twenty-seven percent."
She glanced at him. "You?"
"Same rank," he replied. "But 28.7 percent."
She clicked her tongue.
"Lowborn. Don't get cocky."
She looked around.
"What about the others?"
"Most finished," Nate said. "Some reached perfect half-stars. Most are rough. Niki and Mira should reach a perfect half-star."
"So only us are Novices," she muttered, displeased.