Awakened Expedition I

When looking at Claire Asmodeus or any Gem Master, the biggest question was always about strength.

Those recently Awakened were always looked at as potential or future Gem Masters because to truly have the distinction of a Gem Master, you had to obtain it over time.

Because it was only over time that one's life force became stronger.

It was theorized that the socketed Primal Ability Gems naturally and passively increased someone's strength, and that the more Life Sockets one had with Support Gems in place, their strengthening effects would only stack as they would gain more strength even faster.

Their life force would increase even faster.

A recently awakened Five-Link Gem Master with all their Life Sockets filled would not be able to survive even a 1-minute spar against a Five-Link Gem Master who had been active for years.

But…A newly Awakened Five-Link Gem Master with all their life Sockets filled may just be able to fight equally against a veteran Four-Link or Three-Link Gem Master- the single additional Support Gem being that effective. 

Age and experience always came out on top, and this wasn't even mentioning the transformation to one's Life Sockets that occurred after they raised the level of their Primal Life Force to a sufficiently high level.

So before they fully grew up, if any genius potential Gem Masters appeared…their safety was paramount.

Until they understood how to use their power most effectively.

Until they at least had undergone…their first Ascendancy.

It meant that for this year's Awakening Expeditions, there would be layers of protection surrounding the one girl whose potential publicly shone the brightest!

"Are you sure about this?"

In the mansion of Branch Leader Julius Asmodeus.

Julius asked his son for what seemed like the third time, and Alexander nodded once more with eyes full of confidence.

His father gazed at him sternly before rising and coming forward with a set of green garments.

"A Gem Master is always distinguished by how they act in private and in public. I've never seen you show any pride and arrogance before, nor should you start now. Regardless of other people's gazes, let your power speak for itself."

As he spoke he placed the green robes that many Gem Masters wore on Alexander, Julius looking at his son closely before he embarked on his first Expedition.

"There are genuine and horrible monsters outside, but know that Beasts of Corruption are not the only monsters out there. Humans can at times be worse monsters than even Beasts of Corruption. Do you understand?"

…!

Words of caution.

Words from a father to a son that were taken seriously as Alexander nodded with seriousness.

His father then backed away and spoke the last set of words to him for the foreseeable future.

"Gem Master Azazel and his forces will follow you in this Expedition to ensure your safety. You are there to learn and face Tier 1 and 2 Beasts of Corruption. Do not try to be a hero, do not try to show off. Learn the ferocity of Beasts of Corruption from these weaker ones, and they will prepare you for the ones you will face in the future. Understood?"

"Understood." Alexander nodded once more with affirmation as his father gave the go ahead.

He looked towards the tall bookcase filled with manuscripts on the wall of his study as behind him, the doors closed.

His son would soon set off.

What he hoped for the most at this time…

"Be safe, my son."

He closed his eyes as his chest burned with brilliance.

Those with truly perceptive eyes could barely see that his four Life Sockets…held a faint blue hue in addition to the initial white circular hue that covered the Gems within powerfully!

—

Outside of the mansion of Branch Leader Julius.

Alexander had only just stepped outside to see the Squadron of green robed Gem Masters led by Gem Master Azazel waiting for him.

"Young Master Alex, I apologize for getting swept up in the excitement earlier and not being able to observe your Variant Life Socket a little more. Have you been able to gain an understanding of it?"

The eyes of a loyal commander burned brightly as he didn't hold any prejudices, and Alexander could see similar eyes in the faces of at least half of those following him.

The other half held skepticism as if they didn't entirely believe in the task they were given, but they followed orders!

Nobody outwardly expressed any disrespect to the Son of the Branch Leader based on rumors they heard.

Alexander nodded towards Gem Master Azazel with a smile as replied.

"No harm done, and my Variant Life Socket is enough for me to not be powerless on the battlefield. Until then, thank you for taking care of me."

He had known Gem Master Azazel for some time as this burly commander was a veteran with a lot of experience and more battles won than lost.

As they talked, the horn of an airship could be heard in the distance as in the skies, the vessel that would be carrying the newest batch of Awakened Gem Masters came towards the Mansion of Branch Leader Julius.

It was ovoid in structure with a flat base at the bottom, artificial wings that stemmed from unique Aerial Beasts of Corruption coming out of the sides of this massive vessel that was nearly half the size of the Mansion near them.

A product born from mixing ideas of innovation and wonders of terrifying Beasts of Corruption.

It was known as a Corrupted Airship.

The wings fluttered constantly as they released a blue hue that kept the massive vessel afloat until it came to hover above them.

Over a dozen ropes were then flung down as Gem Master Azazel nodded towards Alexander.

"We are the last to board, Young Master Alex. The Expedition this time…will be just hours outside our walls of Carthage."

As he talked, he grabbed onto a rope nearest to him and tugged, his figure being taken upwards as his people followed.

Alexander felt the beat of his heart pulse with a bit more caution as he breathed out before reaching towards another dangling rope- giving it a tug before he was also pulled up towards the Corrupted Airship!

As he went up, he gazed down below at the mansion he had spent most of his life in.

At the countless other houses of important figures and vast city streets of Carthage that followed everything.

He paused at this scene ever so briefly.

And then…he could even see a glimpse of the top of the wall in the far distance before his eyes were covered with the darkness of finally stepping inside the vessel.