Genetic Ascension

Chapter 770  First Entry

The first thing Sylas noticed were the tall ceilings. The lobby region was like the inside of an enormous mall walled with curved glass. However, while compared to the places he had already been, this region was very much sparsely populated, its size was shocking. 
The ceilings above seemed to extend to the full height of a skyscraper, reaching beyond a hundred meters. The glass fixtures of light that hung from it sparkled like stars beneath the beaming sun, while every speck of marble that coated the ground was spotless and clean. 
All around Sylas, people were dressed in formal wear and garbs. Although they weren't wearing the suits and dresses of Earth in most respects, Sylas could tell from the look alone that these were all either business men and women, or nobles. 
This region was completely different. 
Several careless glances landed on Sylas, and most didn't think much of it or even thought to dismiss him after seeing his crude style of dress. It was likely that in this entire mall, he was the only one wearing beast skin like he was. Or rather, he was the only wearing such unrefined beast skins. He looked far more like a barbarian than the nobles here did. 
However, their pupils constricted when they saw Voxena. 
The robes Voxena and the other women wore were similar to the cheongsam of ancient China, but different. It was sleeveless and didn't have the same embroidery. Instead, it was a very flat silver color with red bands lining the hems and shoulders. 
The only sign of embroidery was on the back… but that came not from the dress, but rather the tattoo on Voxena's back. 
The dress had an open-back concept, revealing the tattoo of a budding rose with a slit eye right in the center of it. 
There was only one group in this galaxy that would have such women. 
The Petals of the Seeing Thorn. 
They were a faction of women that had a relationship inextricably linked to the Thryskai. It was said that all of the elite men of the Thryskai would choose their women from this group. 
Therein lied the question, though… with the nobility of the Thryskai, why would such a group of women be allowed to act as guides for the likes of Sylas? 
Well, for one… Sylas wasn't just anyone, he was an under-50 elite. And, not all of the women of Petals of the Seeing Thorn were worthy of such an honor either. 
Those that were here in this Level 30 Bazaar had yet to prove themselves, and most never would. Just by virtue of being here, they had an uphill battle to climb. 
Being tasked with serving the elite of the Skai Galaxy, one could easily see how these women could have their reputations ruined and their innocence tarnished. Rising up from such a poor starting position was bound to come with its problems, and they were unlikely to marry anyone truly elite in the future. 
But that didn't mean that there wasn't a chance… 
Unless, of course, you landed in the hands of an elite like Ulrik who left nothing but tears and first bloods in his wake. 
Even if Sylas was dressed like the homeless, it would matter in the slightest so long as he had one of these women by his side. 
And clearly, he had exactly that. 
"Please follow me, young elite." Voxena hurriedly led Sylas forward, her strides much more purposeful than Tongue'Head, who had been quite silent since their first teleportation. 
Seeing that Sylas could keep up, Voxena continued to accelerate until she felt he had reached his limit. 
Of course, this wasn't actually Sylas' limit. But… there was no need to use his telekinesis here, not for this. He still wasn't sure how things would go, so he needed to be ready for anything. 
They stepped into a rounded glass elevator that shot up like a rocket. Sylas felt like he should feel some vertigo given the speed, but he felt no such thing, even when it came to an abrupt stop. 
The doors opened and he was greeted by an expanse of white with glass platforms every two meters or so lining both sides. These platforms seemed empty, but Sylas found himself frowning when he looked at them. 
The more he focused, the more blurry it was. 
As he was trying to figure out what was going on, there was a flicker and a figure appeared behind each and every one of the glass counters. But… it was the same person projected hundreds of times over. 
A man, middle-aged, leaning on a cane and having an eye-patch over a single one of his eyes. Out from behind the eyepatch, one could see a claw mark running through his face, leaving deep, scarred gouges. 
All at once, the figures turned to Sylas, looking him up and down as though they could see right through him. 
"Please step forward, young elite." Voxena said respectfully. They were still standing within the elevator, holding it up. 
Sylas nodded and did so. 
There was a WHOOSHing air around him and it felt like he was being buffeted by strong winds. But rather than feeling cold, it felt like his soul itself was being blown away. 
He frowned and his Will moved. 
The air around him solidified and the rushing winds all came to a stop at the same time. 
There was a flicker in the eyes of the eyepatch man, and Voxena looked over to Sylas with her own level of shock. 
"What is this place?" Sylas asked. 
"Young elite, this region is the entrance to the Beast Master Core of the tower. I thought that young elite was an expert of the Beast Master under-50 list, so I didn't expect this to happen. Just now, you were tested to see if you had the adequate Will to proceed. Normally, there would not be such a test." 
"I see. Then what do I do now?" 
"Young elite should walk as far forward as you can. There is a reward for first entry." 
Sylas nodded again and took a step forward. n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om