Endless Evolution: Last Star

The first part of the Radiant Branch didn’t really hold much interest for Adam, even though Frida was right that the knowledge and advice from the Second Rank Phantoms and the heads of the Twelve Branches could be useful to him.

But the true value of the Radiant Branch lay precisely in the Star Rail.

All the factions, and especially the Twelve Branches, were showcasing their talents. What was most valuable to humanity was the future, and the future of the Citadel lay with the K4-Phantoms, who had a chance to become the next Second Rank Phantoms.

However, Frida said something strange that puzzled Silvana.

“Ah…?” Silvana blinked. “Adam isn’t one of them? What does that mean? You yourself admitted that Adam is one of the top candidates, shouldn’t he be part of the Star Rail by that logic?”

Frida smirked.

“I said it exactly right. The K4-Phantoms who have a chance to become Second Rank Phantoms before the next World Wipe will be represented at the Star Rail, but Adam plans to do it much sooner, doesn’t he?”

Silvana’s eyes widened as realization struck her.

“You… You’re right. Adam isn’t going to wait for the Last Star and First Star to clash again – he’ll become a Second Rank Phantom within the next five years, no… even sooner, and I know he’ll pull it off!”

Frida nodded deeply.

“Good attitude. That’s exactly why the Star Rail is divided into two categories.”

“Hmm?”

Frida held out her hand.

“The Present Stars and Future Stars. ‘Future Star’ is the title given to any Phantom whom the strongest and most influential people at the Citadel believe can reach the Second Circle before the next World Wipe.

“Usually, one or two new Future Stars appear at each Radiant Branch. After all, this event takes place once every five years. Sometimes that isn’t enough time for many strong Phantoms to emerge.”

Silvana nodded thoughtfully.

“But if a K4 Phantom has already been declared a Future Star and he shows up at the next Radiant Branch, then his title remains, right?”

“Right. It doesn’t matter how long a Phantom stays at the K4 level – 5, 10, 20, or even 40 years, if others have decided he’s a Future Star, then that’s what he is. But after the World Wipe, opinions about that candidate may change.”

“Got it. If a K4-Phantom stays at that level for too long, then even if he previously showed promise of becoming the next Second Rank Phantom, over time the potential in him fades.”

“Correct.”

Frida confirmed.

“The main focus is always on the newcomers, which is to be expected, but no one forgets about past candidates either. Also, since this is the last Radiant Branch in this World Wipe, it will be a special one, and possibly the most important Radiant Branch in the last hundred years.”

Silvana gulped. She understood why that was the case.

“I see. For all the candidates, this is their last chance to show what they’re capable of and to size up their rivals. After the World Wipe, when the world is filled with energy and dangerous monsters, a race for power will begin among them.”

“Indeed, but besides the Future Stars, there are also the Present Stars.”

A glint flashed across Frida’s eyes.

“The Present Star is a special title given to whoever can become a Second-Rank Phantom before the World Wipe. As you know, Adam deserves this title, but there’s one important detail.”

“Hmm?” Silvana gave her a questioning look.

“Adam hasn’t been to a single Radiant Branch yet. That means he’ll receive this title at his first Radiant Branch, which will also be the last one in this World Wipe. That’s actually a very rare occurrence.” Frida’s voice grew deeper. She was serious about this.

Silvana nodded. Now she understood better why Frida wanted Adam to participate.

And Silvana had one more question.

“I understand that, besides Adam, there are other Present Stars at the Citadel?”

“Yes. But they earned that title many years ago, which is perfectly normal, and they’re doing everything in their power to reach the Second Circle within the next five years. In that respect, Adam and they are alike.”

Silence.

A moment of silence hung in the air before Frida narrowed her eyes.

“So? Will that be enough to convince Adam to participate and wait one week?”

“I think so. He’ll benefit from advice from the strongest Phantoms, and I’m sure he’ll want to see other candidates just like him.”

Then, Silvana briefly pondered one thing.

‘Aiden… When we first met, he also showed a similar list. Is this the same thing, or is there nothing in common between Aiden Henk and Radiant Branch?’

“By the way,” Silvana blinked as she turned to Kamora. “What about you? Will you be there, too?”

Frida glared at Kamora. She wanted to know that, too.

Kamora yawned.

“Whaw… I usually skip these, but considering the situation and the fact that Adam will be there? Yeah, I think we should go. We haven’t been anywhere with Lamor in a long time.”

“Pfffft!” He snorted. “Whose fault do you think that is?”

Kamora clenched her fists. Her patience was running out, almost.

TREMBLE!

At that very moment, a powerful tremor rippled through the air, causing everyone to turn around.

Massive beams shot out of the largest crystals, crashing straight toward Adam, but he was ready for it, using his Nexus.

The crimson swirls swallowed the rays, leaving them no chance, and immediately Adam used the blue threads to channel the gathered energy into the sphere.

“Wait, this sphere…” Silvana muttered, looking at the sphere, which was now no bigger than a fist. “How much energy is in it already?”

Lamor’s eyes widened for a moment as, right before them, the blue sphere grew smaller and smaller, and its color became darker and more intense.

“About 480%. No… It’s already more – more than 500%!”

Crackle. Crackle. Crackle.

Cracks ran across the sphere as the energy struggled to break free, but Adam’s pressure was strong enough to hold it in place.

“Come on, just a little more!” Adam clenched his teeth, pouring all his strength into it.

In the next instant, the sphere trembled as a bright blue flash streaked across the sky, momentarily blinding everyone.

Adam, in turn, felt something fall onto his hand, as if a hard stone had landed in his palm.

A smirk appeared on his face of its own accord.

“Finally.”