In truth, there was no third phase.

It was really just some obscure selection round.

No tests.

Just an all-round evaluation of the vessels as hunters.

This gave them more chances at passing than those who took the monarch’s offer.

This doesn’t mean all six of them made the cut.

It just meant the possibility of them doing so leaned more to the green, while the others leaned more in the red.

The seats observed them discuss.

They shared thoughts.

None of them seemed as impressed.

The fourth seat was the only one who faked enthusiasm, or rather, he exaggerated it.

He may have been a fan of one or two of them, but even he certainly knew that this batch was bad, not unlike batches that had come before.

"Cut the crap, Fourth. They just don’t cut it. None of them do," the fifth seat said.

The third seat laughed.

"Oh, what’s this now?" the second seat stepped in.

He didn’t think it was fair they were trying to prove their point with overwhelming numbers.

"Ok, you two. Enough. We aren’t getting anywhere."

"There’s this thing I see the hunter leaders do."

"Why don’t we all try it?" the second seat said.

They all burst into laughter.

They knew what he meant.

It was funny, or rather not.

Just insulting.

"You don’t expect beings of our status to champion toys like these guys," the third seat reiterated.

"Well, since you all already know what I mean, then let’s give it a try."

"No hurt could come from it."

"I mean, we are already so frickin uninterested in them."

"Let’s make things interesting then."

"In fact, to spice things up, let’s include the four who stayed behind."

The others were reluctant, but they eventually all came around one by one.

Everyone but the first seat.

He made no comment.

"Since we’ve all come to an agreement, I’d say this session may begin."

All 12 seats concurred but one.

They proceeded anyway.

"How do we proceed?" 12 asked.

"Maybe we start with you, then climb up the ladder."

"You obviously don’t have to talk about any vessel you’re not interested in."

"After doing the aggregate of all our thoughts, that’s how we’ll determine who passes the third phase."

"There’s ten of them. 12 of us."

"Let’s go."

"12?"

He stood up.

It seemed customary or something.

Definitely customary.

They noted them as objects.

All got tagged with their skills.

No names.

Names would be acknowledged by those of substance, not just any run-of-the-mill husk who somehow became suitable to be a vessel.

He started.

’(I hope you can keep up with the skills and link them up with their users).’

The 12th began.

"Class has been the most impressive one to me consistently."

"He’s perfectly rational."

"Skilled and willing to go the extra mile while still acknowledging his own limits."

"Frankly speaking, I hold his performance in the highest of regards."

He paused.

"Who else...."

He was deep in thought.

He couldn’t think of anyone.

He was running through the events.

"Well, there’s ’Combine,’ but he somehow died in the first phase."

"Yeah, I think using 2nd’s words, if I had to champion anyone, that’d be Class."

He sat back down.

No clap.

Not their custom again.

They nodded as a sign of approval.

The 11th immediately stood.

He cited "Multiplier" as his favorite.

"He seems to be more stable than the past user."

"He’s rational."

"Believe it or not, despite his multipliers being less than that guy’s, I just can’t explain it."

"He’s got some crazy potential."

"I don’t see him ending as a vessel."

The others were shocked.

None of them seemed interested just a while ago.

Now 11th was claiming one would transcend.

Wow. 𝒇𝒓𝒆𝒆𝙬𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝒎

This was shocking, but not exactly.

Victor wasn’t part of the six being evaluated.

After all, he chose to stay back.

10th smiled.

"Are you done?"

"No."

"Another one I’ve got eyes on is the time girl."

"She’s yet to come into her own proper, but the potential is definitely there."

He had more to say, but the 10th was getting rather impatient.

"I mean, those are solid picks and all, but what of ’Evolution’?"

"He’s a cut above the rest."

"Have you checked his inventory?"

"Have you seen him articulate?"

"Have you dwelled in his head when he thinks?"

"Have you seen his progression?"

"Weeks ago, he was undoubtedly weaker than ’Class’ and ’Multiplier,’ but now I’m of the opinion he’s way ahead."

"Ok, maybe not way ahead, but definitely ahead."

"That’s all."

"Ok, 10. Thanks for those words, even though we hadn’t called for you yet."

9 stood.

"Much like 10, I’m disappointed in taste."

"I want to emphasize Class’s potential."

"He should not be underestimated."

They were all in some sort of shock.

You couldn’t tell if you were in the room with them, cause they had a weird way of showing it.

They were shocked because of how he started.

He made it seem like he was in support of the tenth, but apparently he didn’t.

The eighth, following the tenth’s pattern, cut the ninth.

He said he didn’t take interest in literally anyone.

"Get this over with," he said and sat back down.

"Harsh," the seventh said as he stood.

"Percentage is the answer."

"Oh, and Evolution is pretty cool too."

"That’s all."

He got back seated.

Now, of the six they ought to actually evaluate, they’ve already spoken well of two.

The sixth agreed.

He claimed Transform to be a failure.

"This current vessel of Transformation is the worst in the skill’s line."

"Incompetent."

"What’s the word?" the sixth said.

"Disappointing."

"A failure. That’s what I’d call him."

"We might as well drain it and pass it on."

"That would be all."

The sixth had just built an unusual tension.

They all felt it.

It wasn’t funny.

Once again, you couldn’t tell something was up.

They just had weird expressions.

I guess just think of the weirdest image of tense and surprised in your head.

Use your imagination.

The fifth waved his hand.

He was against it.

He didn’t wish to humor the second after all.

It seemed something changed his opinions.

The fourth seat stood quick, and just as quickly as he stood, he claimed the only right choice was "Energy."

Just as quickly, he sat back down.

Everyone was shocked.

I guess they kind of expected him to talk of Xander because of the earlier squirmish.

The third seat claimed Evolution, Class, and Multiplier were where the stocks were at.

"I’d like to trust those three."

The second seat had it finally be his turn.

He smiled.

He thanked everyone for playing along and then said Class was his pick.

He didn’t feel the need to elaborate, as a lot of the others had already seemed on board.

He sat.

They all turned to the first seat.

He did not respond.

All the other 11 now facing the 12th.

Their eyes came alive with a glow.

Simultaneously, they all said—

"We compel you to speak."

***************

Away from the Council of source.

Back to the Room with all six.

Something happened.

They all had their heads feel pain.

The inhumane kind.

They fell.

"What’s this? Any idea Xander?"

Xander couldn’t respond, he was too busy thinking of how he’d stop whatever was causing this.

This internal pain was spreading from not just the head. The expanded to other body parts.

Their pains were certainly real.

They wailed.

It was pretty loud.

Zeus . The all powerful couldn’t hold back. He’s screams were the the most intense.

It was weird. This happened simultaneously as the first seat got activated.

They didn’t know about this obviously but could this be the reason.

"This pain..."

Xander grit his teeth.

The others began passing out.

It was finally just Zeus and Xander left.

"You’re really amazing man. "

That was all Zeus said before he collapsed.

******************

In the underground chambers of a certain castle .

The monarch reacted to a wave the others couldn’t even sense.

"Ha. Those guys are at it.

I can’t actually remember the last time they got the old man to speak ".

What are you talking about? Victor asked he was confused.

He doesn’t like people mouthing off to themselves in case you haven’t noticed.

"You know what don’t answer that.

You want to go or not?".

***************

The other classes felt this wave.

Not just the 18th.

All vessels around the world felt this pain.

The power being emmited by this rare wave was dangerous, seemed that way to allow the vessels at least.

The only such beings unaffected were those of Class Zero.

They just smiled it off, just like this monarch.

"Interesting", one said from another dimension.

The wave was felt just had no effect for certain reasons.

Remember all such beings were affected by this wave besides the Class Zero bunch.

All.

We shift back to the Council.

All 11 other members are down on the ground.

The pressure being too much to even resist.

Not long after they all pass out.

Only one remained conscious and this one wasn’t of the eleven.