The ride back to the royal palace starts for a near-final time. Elysia wants to throw herself out of the carriage multiple times as Peak’s jokes keep getting worse. Pax just laughs, entertaining Peak to keep making more jokes. Peak stops for a little in order to have an actual conversation. At this point, Elysia is tired and on the verge of falling asleep. Pax stops laughing after a while, and Peak looks at him. Peak’s brown eyes glowed with anticipation for the future.

  [Peak: So, what is the royal palace like? I hope it’s cool, with statues, gold, and other rich stuff!] Peak says with extreme enthusiasm. Imagining the grandeur of the castle. To this end, Elysia reenters the conversation.

  [Elysia: Everything you are thinking about the royal palace is true! It is an excellent place for all types of people!] Elysia says with complete confidence and pride. Peak starts to fanboy even more as Pax just sighs and looks out the window.

  —----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

  They arrive at the royal castle a few hours later and start getting set in. Peak walks in and is overjoyed at all the glory around him. Peak immediately begins to climb the walls to get a better look. Pax and Elysia start to freak out and try to convince him to come down. At this time, Blake and Azarath walk in.

  [Blake: So that is our newest member? He seems like a handful…] Blake says with a hint of apathy. Azarath just puts his head in his hands.

  [Azarath: Another middle to lower class member? This team is a shit show!] Azarath states with anguish. Pax immediately stops what he is doing and looks at Azarath.

  [Pax: Shut up, trust fund baby.] Pax retorts with lasting resentment. Azarath refuses to let this disrespect slide.

  [Azarath: I don’t want to hear anything from a sewer rat.] Pax also refuses to let this disrespect slide, and they both start hurling insults at one another. Elysia just looks annoyed as she frantically tries to stop Peak from breaking anything. Bracken manifests near Blake.

  [Bracken: This guy is definitely something. Isn’t he a little young to be on a team like this? No diddy, tho.] Bracken casually says. Blake looks over at Peak, then back to Bracken.

  [Blake: Maybe you are right. He seems to be around 18-20, while we all are around 25-27. It shouldn’t matter too much in the long run, though. Hey Azarath, I think it’s time to catch Peak.] Blake looks over at Azarath.

  [Azarath: Shut up, emo boy!] Azarath quickly snaps back. Blake doesn’t really care about the insult. However, Bracken would not let this slide.

  [Bracken: Shut your goofy ass “Man of Steel” head ass up. That’s why I clapped your sorry-ass little bitch boy.] Bracken says as he shows his claws. Peak immediately stops moving around and looks at Bracken.

  [Peak: Oh, a monster. Don’t worry, I will protect you!] Peak suddenly webs onto Bracken and dropkicks his chest, sending Bracken through the wall. Bracken breaks through multiple walls before getting up. Just as Bracken is about to retaliate, Blake desummons him. Bracken starts talking to Blake.

  [Bracken: Let me back at ‘em’. I will beat his sorry ass!] Bracken is fuming at this point. Blake decides the best course of action is to keep Bracken desummoned. Elysia’s soul leaves her body upon seeing all of the damage caused by the impact. Deciding enough is enough, Blake starts to use shadow manipulation to catch Peak. Peak drops to the ground in order to dodge. Pax and Azarath are on the verge of fighting.

  [Will you guys just shut up!]

  The ground gives out under the group. They all start to sink into it. Blake looks over to see a woman walk into the room. Her pale, faintly green skin and blue eyes shine as she enters the room. Selene stands as everyone is stuck on the ground, their bodies sinking through the floor like quicksand.

  [What is going on here?]

  An old but wise voice rings out. Everyone can instantly tell who the voice belongs to as Aric enters the room. He surveys the destruction caused and the people stuck in the ground. Aric just waves his staff, and the room starts to fix itself. The group gets ejected out of the floor as it begins to reshape into what it used to be. Pax and Azarath are standing on the opposite side of the room. Blake is holding Peak down with shadows while Peak actively tries to escape. Selene is just annoyingly staring at the situation.

  *Aric: Getting them to work together will be challenging, won’t it?*

  [Peak: Let me out!! Fine, I’m sorry, the monster looked like a monster, so I had to take him out!]

  Blake relents and frees Peak. Peak quickly jumps back to create some level of distance between him and Blake. Aric slams his staff on the ground, making a shockwave reverberate across the whole room, stunning everyone.

  [Aric: Can you guys calm down?!? I need to explain some important information, so if you could get in a line in front of me, that would be appreciated.]

  Seeing the raw power displayed with the slam, everyone decided to fall into place, even Azarath. They get into a line from tallest to shortest. Pax, Azarath, Selene, Blake, and Peak. After they are all in order, Blake asks a question.

  [Blake: You said you have some important information?]

  Aric looks at them and smiles.

  [Aric: It’s more or less going to be a quick crash course. I will explain a lot of things here, so make sure you listen closely. You might have learned some of this if you went to school. However, I know some of you have not gotten a proper education.]

  Without missing a beat, Azarath looks over at Pax and does an audible [Heh]. The richness radiating through his laugh, Pax would have definitely punched Azarath’s jaw off by now if the looming threat of Aric was not standing right in front of them. Selene looks on. Peak is in his own world and is not paying Aric any attention. Blake leans over, very interested in what Aric will explain.

  Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.

  [Aric: First, I will explain the various powers of this world. Every power in this world is categorized into five different categories. The first is called “Specialists”; these are people who were born with an ability; they are usually random and happen completely unrelated to any previous powers within a bloodline. An example of a Specialist would be Azarath, Blake, and Peak. The second is called “Esper”; these are people who have inherited abilities, whether it be from an item or a person, and even learned abilities are considered Esper abilities. A prime example is Elysia, whose jewelry magic runs in her bloodline. Blake and Selene can also be considered Espers.]

  Blake and Selene look extremely surprised.

  [Blake: I’m an Esper but also a Specialist? Is that even possible?]

  Seeing Selene’s face and hearing Blake’s questions. Aric starts to answer.

  [Aric: You learned your shadow magic from a dragon, right?]

  Blake takes a step back. Everyone in the room looks at him in surprise. Even Peak tuned back into the conversion as he whispered [Dragon?] whimsically.

  [Blake: How did you know that?]

  [Aric: I did a little digging into all of your backgrounds. You are a specialist because of your flesh control. Your father left you a dragon to protect you after he left for the last time. That’s where you learned your shadow magic. It’s a learned technique; therefore, it is an Esper ability. Hey, can you eat shadows?]

  Aric looks at Blake. Seeing Blake’s confused face looking back at him, Aric decides to move on.

  [Aric: Selene is an Esper because, as a dryad, she inherently has the ability to control nature. Now, let’s move on. The third category is called “Negations”; these are people who have the ability to negate a fundamental quality of reality. An example would be Pax with his Unfair. This is the rarest category to happen naturally. Four and Five go hand in hand, so I will go over them together. They are called “Binding vows and Contracts”; they are both conditions made to benefit a party in some form. Binding vows are usually vows made with oneself where the premise is that you sacrifice a particular aspect of yourself in order to attain a goal or achieve a buff. Binding vows are based on an equivalent exchange; you can only take as much as you give in. Contracts are vows made between two different individuals that usually are to the benefit of both parties. They could be unfair; however, that’s just the truth if you are bad at negotiations. An example of a contract would be Blake and Bracken, with their contract being that Blake has to split his powers if he wants to summon Bracken, and Bracken will follow all of Blake’s commands. Any questions?]

  They all looked on. No one raised any questions. Blake and Selene were taking in the information. Pax had never known this before, so he was internalizing it as well. Azarath learned this in school, so he just waved it off. Peak was not listening to a word Aric said.

  [Aric: Ok, continuing. You are a team made to fight against strong foes known as the “Aspects of the Apocalypse.” It is said that the old god of the end, “Apollyon” will make his resurrection using the Aspects’ power to bring about a new age of destruction.]

  Peak unexpectedly raises his hand.

  [Peak: So how strong are these Aspects???]

  Aric looks in surprise for a little bit before continuing.

  [Aric: Before I explain, I will tell you how you will be rated in strength. First is Grade 3, which is an average soldier. Grade 2 is an above-average soldier. Semi-Grade 1 is someone who is way above your average soldier but weaker than a Grade 1. Grade 1 has reached the peak of human capabilities; usually, these people are some of the strongest out there. Special Grade is reserved for people who are strong enough to take down countries; they are so strong that they are considered weapons of war in this world. It is a common law that every nation has to register every special grade soldier they acquire so the other countries can know and prepare. Finally, Abyssal Grade is a threat to the entire planet. This is only a grade in theory, as no human or monster has reached this point.]

  Aric sighs after saying all of that, but he continues on.

  [Aric: If the legend is to be believed. The best-case scenario is that the Aspects are only comprised of high-grade 1s and a few special grades. The worst-case scenario is that the Aspects are comprised of entirely special grades with at least one abyssal grade.]

  Pax raises his hand for a question.

  [Pax: You said that every country has registered special grades?]

  [Aric: Yes. It’s an unwritten rule that kings have to be of a special grade to protect their countries; however, they usually don’t count. The highest number of registered special grades is in our country, Aranthia. We have two registered special grades. I am one of them. The other one is not in the city right now. Nocturnus has one registered special grade. However, they have the highest number of grade 1s. Aurorium has one special grade as well; however, it has the largest guild system in the world. It wouldn’t surprise me if they were hiding some special grades. The trade nation Veridia has one, but they are also very secretive.]

  Azarath scoffs; everyone knows what Azarath is thinking “I am probably a special grade.” Pax looks annoyed. Aric, seeing this, summons an orb.

  [Aric: This orb tells you your stats and what grade you are. It is very helpful and you can get one in nearly every market in the world! It will tell you your grade and what level you are in your grade. So, for Grade 2, you could be Low-Grade 2, Grade 2, or High-Grade 2. Same for Grade 1 and Special Grade. Now, put your hand on and see your grade!]

  Azarath laughs as he is the first to walk to the orb. Confident in his chances, he puts his hand on it. The orb starts glowing and springs to life.

  [Name: Azarath Goldwyn. Strengths: Grade 1 level offense and speed. Weaknesses: severe lack of training, arrogance, and usually not thinking of plans. Overall grade: Semi-Grade 1.]

  Azarath looks shocked as if his whole world has been turned upside down. Pax starts dying in the background.

  [Pax: Look at you, barking all that! You are not even a grade 1! Watch this!]

  Pax runs up and puts his hand on the orb.

  [Name: Pax Stone. Strengths: Varying offensive options ranging from Semi-Grade 1 to Grade 1. Grade 1 level defence. Negation ability. Well-trained in combat and martial arts. Weaknesses: Speed is lacking at first, and Pax needs a while to gain speed. Limited to his opponent’s abilities. Low IQ. Kind nature. Overall grade: Semi-Grade 1.]

  Seeing that they both have the same grade, Azarath and Pax start to beef about who is actually stronger. Selene pays them no mind as she puts her hand on the orb.

  [Name: Selene Rivers. Strength: Amazing variety in abilities. Relatively smart. Guardian state. Weaknesses: Grade 2 level offensive and defense. Easily startled. Grade 2 level speed. Can’t willingly summon the Guardian state. Overall grade: High-Grade 2.]

  Selene is happy with this result. While she isn’t as strong as Pax or Azarath, she is still well above average. Blake makes his way over to the orb and touches it.

  [Name: Blake Everhart. Strength: Extremely smart, is both an esper and specialist, monster contract, decently trained. Weakness: Mindset. Is thrown off easily. Grade 2 to Semi-Grade 1 level attack and defence. Grade 2 level speed. Monster contract can limit Blake’s overall power. Overall grade: High-Grade 2.]

  Blake is a little disappointed that he is not Semi-Grade 1; however, he accepts the result. Peak is brimming with excitement for his turn as he puts his hand on the orb.

  [Name: Peak Whitlock. Strength: Grade 1 level offense, speed, and defense. Has a reliable way to immobilize an enemy. Acid can do extra damage. High battle IQ. Has a fighting style developed by himself, making him unpredictable. Weakness: Peak holds back in every fight he is in. Has a hard time aiming at particularly fast enemies. Low normal IQ. Mindset. Extremely gullible. Overall grade: Low-Grade 1.]

  The room turns silent as everyone just looks and reads what the orb says about Peak. He’s the strongest?