The Glorious Evolution

Instructor Seraphis waited until the undecisive nightcrawlers either chose a candidate or left before concluding the second phase.

He escorted out the dazed eliminated candidates while leaving only the ones with a chosen nightcrawler. Then, he sent them to their rooms to finalize the contract terms.

Of course, he gave them the standardized version so they would know what was good and what was bad before they could give him the contracts to rate.

While Arthur and the rest were either in their rooms or in the lobby, discovering their potential partners’ powers and personas, Levi and Ash’Kral were seen sitting on the room’s floor.

They knew that Instructor Seraphis had an omnipotent view over his Boundless Domain and even access to telepathic messages.

Thus, they acted like this was the first time they had met each other and kept discussing the details of the contract.

Since Ash’Kral was the only nightcrawler interested in Levi, it made sense that they would go straight to contract signing instead of grilling him about his powers. This situation made sense only to candidates with more than one nightcrawler.

Though he did tell him that his powers were related to sound and spirit, which satisfied the eavesdropping Seraphis. It made him accept the reason for a Tier 5 nightcrawler to pick Levi despite his condition... his talents matched his powers perfectly.

After drafting a standardized contract and both of them seemed satisfied with its terms, Ash’Kral requested Instructor Seraphis’ attendance.

Instructor Seraphis joined them inside the room and read the contract terms carefully. A few minutes later, he nodded in approval.

”Looks good. You may commence with the signing.”

The Nocturnal Contract manifested before Levi and Ash’Kral. Once their hands hovered above the signature placement, an illuminating pen took form between their fingers.

Then, they signed their full names on it and watched as the contract broke into a cloud of gray mist and entered their system.

Naturally, Ash’Kral used his fake name... Kral’Sho. He even changed his voice a bit to not get mistaken for Ash’Kral by the nightcrawlers familiar with him and Levi.

Otherwise, the jig is up.

”Make sure to choose a hidden tattoo spot,” Instructor Seraphis advised. ”It will limit enemies from finding out details about your nightcrawler.”

”I understand.”

Levi nodded in appreciation and focused on channeling the misty ink cloud on his right shoulder.

As for the tattoo’s details? He had no control over its appearance, as it was known to be related to the species of the nightcrawler and changed according to their evolutionary paths.

Soon, the contract was finalized, and the tattoo was inked on Levi’s shoulder, resembling a giant singular eye with three lines crossed on its pupil.

It was drawn inside a circle with mysterious IIthorien runes and two bat-like wings stretching outside of the circle’s border.

Instructor Seraphis watched with his own eyes as Ash’Kral’s spiritual aura collapsed from Tier 5 to Tier 1. Only then did he break into a contented smile and gave Levi a short applause in celebration.

”Congratulations. You are now a Daywalker... just like you’ve always dreamed of.”

”Thank you, but I don’t feel much difference,” Levi murmured while caressing the new tattoo.

”That’s natural, boy. We have yet to reach the first stage,” Ash’Kral lied through his teeth like it was a normal Tuesday evening.

Levi nodded in understanding, keeping his interactions as minimal as possible... he didn’t want to get caught lying by Seraphis, especially not when he had made it this far.

”Everything related to Daywalkers and your future will be explained in the Grand Training Center,” Instructor Seraphis looked at him proudly. ”For now, you should enjoy your victory. I know it wasn’t easy.”

”Will do...Thank you.” Levi smiled kindly.

”If everyone signed their contracts, the Ceremony will be held tomorrow on the ground floor of Willow Grove. So, try to get some rest.”

Instructor Seraphis nodded at them both and took off to another candidate who had finalized his contract as well.

He was left more than satisfied.

Now that they were considered official Daywalkers approved by a governmental entity, Levi and Ash’Kral could finally communicate telepathically, knowing that Instructor Seraphis’ authority to spy on their telepathic messages was taken away.

That’s because it was also included in the terms of this Boundless Domain’s contract to protect the privacy of the newborn Daywalkers.

’Are we finally in the clear?’ Levi asked with a wistful tone as he lay on the ground.

Levi and Ash’Kral had crafted a strict plan to ensure the laundering of their contract, as they knew it would be tough due to Instructor Seraphis’ omnipotence.

While Levi was tasked with the trials, Ash’Kral had to ensure that his spiritual aura showed he was a powerful nightcrawler above Tier 3.

That was all that mattered, as it was a known fact that nightcrawlers came in all shapes and sizes. In simpler terms, Instructor Seraphis wouldn’t judge Ash’Kral based on his appearance, but on his aura.

As for the newly inked tattoo and the fake signed second contract? Well, they weren’t fake!

Ash’Kral had made Levi sign a contract targeting only his Nine Senses Seed. While he got an inked tattoo out of it, in reality, the contract was considered inactive the moment it was signed.

That’s because the Three-Body Problem Seed’s authority as a whole entity superseded the authority of a single seed.

In other words, the original contract was the one in full effect, while the new one wouldn’t serve as toilet paper.

’You can relax now... You did well,’

’Phew, thank god it’s finally over,’ Levi sighed in relief.

’Over? We’re just getting started,’ Ash’Kral chuckled.

***

The next morning...

The streets and central garden in front of Willow Grove were packed to the brim with citizens, holding holographic and physical signs.

They were waiting patiently for the exit of the newborn Daywalkers, knowing that each batch that survived Seraphis’ harsh trials would always make it in life.

”Do you think Levi was signed?”

Jamal wondered while standing on top of the Blood Hunters’ agency’s roof, peeking over the tree and the massive gathering underneath.

Shia and Sergio were accompanying him, chilling on camping chairs with glass sodas and some snacks in hand.

”He must have gotten signed. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have remained in the Boundless Expense until now,” Sergio smiled confidently.

”I do hope so...” Shia wished wholeheartedly to receive some good news.

After the livestream ended yesterday, no one knew who was signed or not unless they were expelled from the Boundless Expense.

Fortunately, the crowd wasn’t left to bake under the blazing noon sun...just before it reached its peak, a massive holographic screen lit up above Willow Grove’s entrance.

Then, Instructor Seraphis walked outside of Willow Grove, followed by the signed candidates in a straight line under the cheers of the crowd.

Keira, Omar, Selene, Rayan, Malissa, Jojo, Arthur, Demetris, Nurah... and lastly, Levi.

”Please give a round of applause to the Rookies of the Year 2130.” Instructor Seraphis announced loudly, his voice amplified by a small mic affixed to his shirt.

Clap! Clap! Clap!...

The crowd exploded with cheers and applause as they watched the highlighted clips of each rookie on the massive holographic screen.

Demetris’ amazing light affinity, Nurah’s insane flexibility, Jojo’s martial arts, Arthur’s barbaric strength, and many other clips of Malissa, Rayan, Omar, Keira, and Selene.

When Levi’s turn arrived, his clips kept getting crazier by the minute... the water glide, the nonchalant cruise of the Trial of Intelligence, and winning the Wyvern Nightmount, the fights in the Trial of Spirituality, and his ludicrous spiritual control of the doll.

As his clips kept playing on the screen, Demetris and the rest of the candidates could only gaze at them with a tint of shame.

Although they were warned not to expose Levi’s condition to the public, none of them planned to do so voluntarily.

Getting beaten this bad was one thing... but owned by someone blind? It didn’t sit right with them and probably never will.

Demetris also planned on keeping it to himself, as his legacy was already tainted following his humiliating defeat...He had no intention of making it worse.

”Hahaha! He really made it! I can’t believe it.”

”Haha! We are in the presence of history being made! A blind Daywalker... it can’t get any stranger than this!”

”Heh, I taught him personally... of course he would make it.”

Meanwhile, Sergio, Jamal, and Shia were seen laughing in excitement and high-fiving at the sight of Levi and Arthur standing among the contracted candidates.

”He has gone and done it.”

”Look at me, getting all emotional over a human.”

”A blind Daywalker...Imagine if he joined the CRS Platform, what a scene.”

Even their contractrad nightcrawlers popped out in their weapon forms, celebrating Levi’s success.

”If I called your name, step forth to accept your reward.” Instructor Seraphis silenced the crowd and called for Arthur to take the stand.

Although Arthur wasn’t too pleased with his results, he couldn’t complain, as he knew it was up to him to be better.

He was helped in three trials by Levi, and while he appreciated his big brother’s assistance, he understood that he must not rely on him always. Thus, he had made up his mind to work hard on all of the areas where he was lacking.

After getting on the stand, Arthur accepted the applause and the measly reward of three hundred Solar Aegis coins and a 5% discount.

Then, he flexed his muscles with a wide grin on national TV until he got kicked off by the annoyed instructor.

Next, Jojo was called to the stand, rolling her eyes at Arthur as they crossed paths.

After accepting her rewards, she clasped her hands tightly and bowed to the crowd, her smooth, mirror-like bald scalp shimmering akin to a lost diamond.

So pretty...

The kids in the crowd had their eyes sparkling in awe at the sight.

”Namaste.”

After thanking the crowd, Jojo returned to her position, and Demetris was called next to the stand...Yet, not an ounce of happiness was displayed on his face.

Who could blame him? He was receiving the reward meant for Levi after losing both wagers. Worse, he had to add two thousand Solar Aegis more from his pockets.

He came third, yet he was starting his journey in the negative.

”Thanks.”

He accepted his reward begrudgingly and walked to his place, just to find Nurah giggling at his misfortune.

”Never gamble more than you can afford.”

She winked at him and walked to the stand after being called next, uncaring that she had also lost her reward. At least, she still had the discounted rate.

Under the cheers of the crowd, Nurah accepted her prize and blew a couple of kisses in appreciation before taking a step back.

”He started with one point in the Trial of Light... dead last and dismissed by all. But he climbed, he endured, and now, he stands alone at the top.” Instructor Seraphis smiled as he introduced, ”Ladies and gentlemen, Levi Larson!”

Wooah! Clap! Clap!...

Levi stepped forward with a serene smile as the crowd roared to life, pleased to no end to see Levi claiming the number one rank and also getting signed.

While they were still ignorant about his disability, they knew that it must have been difficult for him to get signed with the showcased horrible light affinity.

As a crowd favorite, they wanted nothing more than to see him succeed...someone who represented the average commoner like them, born without any remarkable light affinity.

Little did they know... Levi’s light affinity was considered divine.

Levi stood on the stand and accepted a big, golden check worth five thousand Solar Aegis coins. He held it in front of him under the journalists’ camera flashes.

”It’s tradition for the assembly’s number one to give out a couple of words. Are you interested?” Instructor Seraphis asked.

”Sure.”

Levi smiled and stepped closer to the mic, many thoughts coursing through his mind. He never dreamed that he would get this far from a single decision.

The decision to take a risk instead of waiting for the opportunity to fall into his lap.

Although he almost got himself and his brother killed, plus ended up signing a contract with two suboptimal terms, Levi still had no regrets.

That’s because he finally had the strength to change his life... and the lives of others.

As he stood before thousands of citizens, the right words encapsulating his beliefs, wishes, and goals escaped his lips.

”I crawled out of a life no child should endure... and I vowed no one else would have to. That’s not a dream... that’s a promise.”

Then, he nodded in appreciation for their support and stepped off the stage. The crowd had no idea what Levi went through as a child, but they picked up on the sincerity of his promise.

For normal citizens, surviving on a day-to-day basis against the nightcrawlers’ dream invasions and the hardships of life, his promise was all they ever wanted...

Thus, the instant his feet touched the ground, a thunderous chant resounded across the plaza.

Levi!! Levi!! Levi!! Levi!!...

As Levi walked away from the stage, the roar of thousands swelled behind him. But to him, it was more than sound.

It was paint.

Each voice that called out to him became a brushstroke in his spiritual eye, causing his dark world to bloom.

A sea of voices flared into a wavy, chaotic tide of light, stretching endlessly behind him and reaching out to the nearest buildings.

With each chant, Levi witnessed the world reshape itself... buildings rising in rolling tides of deep blue, molten gold, and threads of violet flame. Towers swayed like lanterns in the wind, and windows throbbed with a rhythm like living breath.

And the people... thousands strong... streaked across his vision like streams of color. Some dim as twilight, others fierce as dawn.

Each one called his name and cast a different shade of vibration.

Levi didn’t turn back.

The chants guided his steps, mapped out the world before him in vibrant glory.

Not as it was... but as it could be.

And through a world crafted from echoes of hope and salvation, Levi Larson walked forward toward the future he swore to change...