The hall remained quiet for a moment. Seven classifications still glowed across the massive display.
SOVEREIGN. RELIC. ABYSS. Unanswered.
Director Adrian Cross stepped forward again. "While gate classification is our immediate concern..." He paused briefly. "...it is not the only pattern emerging."
He gestured toward the display. Images replaced the gate classifications: crystalline clusters, metallic shards, and strange glowing fragments. "Every gate cleared so far has produced system-generated rewards."
The screen zoomed in on a cluster of pale blue crystals. "These are mana crystals."
Cassian Verity stepped forward slightly. "They are the only reward every awakened participant receives." A new image appeared, showing different shapes and densities. "Regardless of role. Regardless of rank. Everyone receives mana crystals."
Across the hall, Seris leaned forward slightly. "Condensed mana?"
Cassian nodded. "Yes. Highly stable. High density."
Kaida's eyes lit up. "That's impossible."
"Yet the system produces them consistently," Cassian answered calmly. He gestured toward the next item on the screen: a thin metallic catalyst. "Enhancement catalysts. Items capable of interacting with awakened abilities."
Orion crossed his arms slightly. "Meaning combat amplification."
"Possibly," Cassian replied. "But the interaction remains unpredictable."
The screen changed again. Fragments appeared—small, glowing shards, each slightly different. "These are fragments." Cassian's tone remained calm. "Fragments were first reported already after the first gate raid." His gaze briefly moved toward the four members of Regulated Order. "Additional data was later confirmed through other guild reports."
The hall remained quiet.
"Fragments appear to resonate with awakened authorities."
Several awakened immediately straightened. That was new information.
Cassian continued. "The exact mechanics are still unclear, but fragments appear to strengthen authority output under certain conditions."
Across Aurora, Orion's interest sharpened. Seris had already opened her tablet again, and Kaida was writing rapidly. Mira leaned toward Lucien. "They're about to disappear into research mode."
Lucien sighed. "They're already gone."
Across the hall, Darius Kade studied the display, his voice calm and thoughtful. "So the system gives everyone mana crystals..." He nodded slightly. "...but stronger contributions increase the chance of receiving catalysts or fragments."
Cassian nodded. "That appears to be the pattern."
Darius folded his arms. "Which means raid performance directly affects reward quality."
Cross answered evenly. "Yes. And those rewards may hold significant value."
The display shifted again, showing global markets, awakened trading networks, and early valuation estimates. "International awakened organizations have already begun privately exchanging gate rewards."
A quiet stir spread through the room.
Ronan Calder spoke calmly. "An emerging market."
Cross nodded. "Yes. Mana crystals alone could become a global energy resource."
Seris spoke quietly. "If they can be refined..."
Kaida finished the thought. "...they could replace several modern energy systems."
Across the hall, Tempest Choir members whispered excitedly. Even Iron Bastion looked interested now.
Cassian added one final point. "There is another possibility." The room quieted again. "Fragments and catalysts may interact with each other." He paused slightly. "Possibly allowing modification. Or combination."
Across the hall, Nox said nothing.
But in another timeline, he had already seen it. Fragments merging. Catalysts forging weapons. Relics awakening. Power growing beyond what anyone in this room currently understood.
Nox remained silent.
Across the room, Elias noticed his expression again—completely calm, as if none of this information was new.
Lucien noticed that look from Elias, then from Cassian. Both watching Nox.
Lucien leaned slightly closer. "...You definitely know something."
Nox didn't answer.