Mathew's past

The elders of the clan and the members of the minor families were watching the ceremony from afar.

Lady Rosaline began to call out the names of the youngsters one by one.

Each name was greeted with a hushed silence and then a collective gasp as the soul revelation ball revealed the number of soul pockets in their body.

"Jack Ice, Eight Soul Pockets! Extraordinary!"

"Haila, Three Soul Pockets! Below average!"

"Wintera, six Soul Pockets! Mediocre."

The crowd erupted into cheers and applause as each youngster's talent was revealed.

For some, it was a moment of great joy as they discovered they had more soul pockets than they had ever imagined, but for others, it was a moment of disappointment as they realized they had fewer soul pockets than they had hoped.