Chapter 28: Becoming an Apostle

The sound of heavy footsteps echoed through the hall, silencing the whispers of the recruits and bringing a palpable tension to the air. The Faculty Overseer entered the room, his presence casting a long shadow across the stone floor. A man of considerable height, draped in a red robe that shimmered faintly with symbols of power, he exuded an authority that made even Glandel stand a little straighter. His mere arrival felt like a shift in the atmosphere, as though the room itself was holding its breath in anticipation.

Abel, still tucked away to the side, felt his chest tighten as he watched the Overseer approach. Something was unsettling about the man’s calm demeanor, as though he carried the weight of secrets too heavy for mortal minds. His face was mostly obscured by the hood of his robe, but Abel caught glimpses of the sharp glint of his eyes as they methodically scanned the room. The tension among the recruits was thick, and Abel could feel the unease ripple through the crowd as the Overseer’s gaze passed over them.

The Overseer stopped in front of Gravedigger, whose face remained impassive despite the thick tension. The recruits’ eyes were wide, fixed on the strange bone protruding from the bag strapped to Gravedigger’s back which occasionally glowed in a faint ghastly light. Many had never seen anything like it, and the sight of it, combined with the gravity of the moment, sent whispers surging through the crowd. They could feel the pressure of something ancient lingering in the air, a weight that bore down on them like a storm on the horizon.

For a long moment, the Overseer and Gravedigger stood in silence, the air between them heavy with unspoken words. Then, the Overseer’s voice cut through the silence, low and commanding, a sound that made every recruit in the room shiver.

"You’ve summoned me to witness your ascension, Gravedigger?" the Overseer asked, his tone carrying an authority that made the room feel even smaller, as though it was shrinking under the weight of his presence.

Gravedigger nodded respectfully, the ancient bone strapped to his back vibrating softly with residual power from the ritual. "I’ve completed the ritual and am ready for the Tower’s judgment," he replied, his voice steady, though those closest to him could detect a faint edge of nervousness.

The Overseer’s sharp eyes lingered on the relic for a moment, a flicker of interest flashing across his otherwise stoic face. He raised a hand, and the bone on Gravedigger’s back responded, humming with a deeper resonance. The power within it stirred the air, sending a cold ripple through the room. Abel felt it in his bones—a deep, unsettling vibration that resonated with something primal and far beyond his understanding.

"An ancient relic," the Overseer mused, his fingers hovering just inches above the bone. "You’ve chosen a dangerous path, Gravedigger. These bones are not to be trifled with lightly."

Abel could feel the collective breath of the room hitch, as if everyone present realized the magnitude of what was happening. It wasn’t just the ritual or the relic—it was the culmination of Gravedigger’s path, a journey that now carried a tangible sense of danger and power. The other recruits exchanged uneasy glances, some unable to fully comprehend what they were witnessing, but all of them could feel the raw, untamed force radiating from the bone.

"I’ve done what was necessary," Gravedigger replied, his voice resolute, though his hands tightened slightly at his sides. "The mana within this relic guided me, and now I am ready to become an Apostle."

The Overseer’s expression remained unreadable, his hand hovering over the bone for a moment longer before withdrawing. The tension in the air eased, though only slightly.

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"Very well," the Overseer said, his voice even. "The Tower will now decide your fate."

With a flick of his wrist, the Overseer traced an intricate symbol in the air—an ethereal pattern of glowing lines that formed into a sigil hovering between his fingers. He pressed the sigil against Gravedigger’s chest, and for a moment, nothing happened. The room held its breath.

Then, without warning, the air around Gravedigger warped and shifted, as though reality itself was bending to accommodate the surge of power. The relic on his back vibrated violently, its mana intertwining with his own in a swirling storm of energy. Gravedigger’s body tensed, and a faint glow emerged from beneath his skin, illuminating his veins in a way that made him appear almost ghastly and ashen. The power surged outward, rolling off him in waves that made the recruits flinch and recoil. Abel could feel the immense pressure—the weight of Gravedigger’s mana pool forming, like a whirlpool pulling everything into its orbit.

Small bones began to protrude on Gravedigger's temples, curving downward in an almost grotesque display. His appearance changed before their eyes, no longer just a man but something fused with the ancient power of the bone. It was like the relic had become part of him, a living extension of his will and essence.

The pressure in the room intensified, and Abel could see the strain on the faces of the other recruits. Some gripped the arms of their chairs, others stared wide-eyed, mouths slightly agape as the realization dawned on them: Gravedigger, a non-gifted, was ascending. The fact that he was not naturally born with the ability to manipulate mana like the gifted made this all the more shocking, and for many, inspiring. If someone like Gravedigger could achieve this, then perhaps they, too, had a chance.

Abel’s thoughts raced. He felt a strange mixture of awe and envy—here was proof that the path of a non-gifted was not a dead end, but it was clearly not a path without its dangers. The power swirling around Gravedigger was both beautiful and terrifying, a reminder that the line between success and catastrophe was razor-thin.

A soft gasp rippled through the recruits as Gravedigger’s eyes snapped open, now glowing faintly with a strange, otherworldly light. He exhaled slowly, his body relaxing as the transformation solidified. The bone relic on his back had become something more, a physical manifestation of the power he now commanded.

"Your connection to the ancient bone has been accepted," the Overseer said, his voice cutting through the heavy silence. "You are now an Apostle of the Stone Tower."

The room erupted into murmurs of awe and disbelief. Abel could feel the energy in the room shift—a mix of respect, fear, and inspiration. For the non-gifted recruits, Gravedigger’s ascension was a beacon of hope, a testament that even they could rise through the Tower’s ranks. Yet there was also a recognition of the price paid for such power. Gravedigger's chosen path was unique, but it was fraught with danger, as the Overseer had warned.

"You’ve defied expectations, Gravedigger," Glandel said, his gruff voice cutting through the murmurs, his expression a mixture of surprise and grudging respect. "I didn’t think you would make it this far."

Gravedigger met Glandel’s gaze with quiet confidence. "I’ve always had my own path," he replied. His voice was steady, but the weight of what he had accomplished was clear in his tone. He had survived the ritual, and now the power was his.

The Overseer, satisfied with the results, gave a final nod. "You may now ascend the Tower and claim your place as an Apostle," he said. "But be warned—the power you wield is not without its dangers. Master it, or it will master you."

Gravedigger bowed respectfully, his expression calm but resolute. Without another word, he turned toward one of the halls. The recruits parted as he passed, some whispering congratulations, others still too stunned to speak. Abel watched as Gravedigger made his way toward the other entrance reserved for Apostles—an entrance not used by recruits. It led directly to the fourth floor, bypassing the grand stairwell the rest of them were required to use. Although, apostle could use the main tair if they so choose.

Abel let out a slow breath as the Overseer turned and left the hall, his robes whispering against the stone floor. The room buzzed with excitement and tension, but Abel’s mind was elsewhere. He had just witnessed something monumental, something that made the path to becoming an Apostle seem more real, and more dangerous, than ever before.