Moments later, Thorgan, Jorra, Merath, and the other Initiates picked their masks and stood behind the three Veilmasters.
Those who were Whisperers had no need for masks, and they were also not qualified to wear the masks of the clan.
Whisperers are the eyes and ears of the Shadowgrave Clan, and wearing masks would ruin their purpose.
As for the Initiates and higher ranked members of the clan, they needed to keep their faces hidden to protect their identity.
Thorgan stood beside Simon with a black mask of an oni.
Simon was a little bit surprised by Thorgan’s decision to pick such a mask, but he could not ask because the female Veilmaster demanded silence from them.
’Sure, the mask looks fierce and dangerous, I expected him to have chosen a more simpler and subtle mask since he has a very high shadow affinity.’
’Just like her.’ Simon shifted his gaze to the third placed female Initiate who was wearing a plain white mask with two openings for the eyes.
’Well... when I think about it. Thorgan has never been like a shadow. He’s not quiet, not subtle, and he’s always excited... Only my first encounter where he attacked me from behind showed that he could act like an assassin, but after that, he’s different from a typical assassin.’
Simon then shifted his gaze to Jorra and Merath.
Jorra wore a plain grey mask with no opening in the mouth or even the eyes.
Meanwhile, Merath wore a glossy red mask that seemed wet on the surface but was not. It had vein-like carvings on it with no opening in the mouth area, but two openings for the eyes.
Merath noticed his gaze, and she waved at him.
Simon waved back at her.
Eighty two Initiates stood with masks covering their faces, and the life that awaited them next was not going to be an easy one.
"Alright people. Get ready to be teleported to the main headquarters of the clan. This might be the last time many of you would see me. My business with you guys is done, you are no longer mongrels or candidates, you are now Initiates."
"Survive and succeed in the training, become Shadow Blades, then aim to become a Veilmaster and beyond."
"I never addressed you guys before because you were all unqualified to know it, but now I can tell you."
"I am Veilmaster Silent Rose."
"He is Veilmaster Vanishing Blade." She gestured to her right.
"And he is Veilmaster Red Death." She gestured to her left.
"Survive and thrive long enough kids. Until next time... if you are still alive that is."
Before Simon or any other Initiate could respond to Veilmaster Silent Rose’s words, they suddenly sank into their shadows.
The expressions of those with a poor shadow affinity drastically changed to one of horror, while those like Simon, Thorgan, Jorra, Merath, and the third placed Initiate had calm expressions despite suddenly sinking into their shadows.
A second later, they all vanished, leaving behind the three Veilmasters and the Wall of Masks.
"How do you think the little ones would perform?" Veilmaster Silent Rose asked calmly, and Veilmaster Vanishing Blade responded.
"This year’s batch should be full of surprises. There are many extraordinarily talented kids this time around despite the reduced number of expected Initiates."
Veilmaster Red Death nodded. "Considering how talented they are, the Grave Lords should be pleased and would most likely ignore the low number of Initiates."
Veilmaster Silent Rose remained silent, then she shifted her gaze to the Wall of Masks.
"I hope they are talented enough and grow quickly because of how many of us have sacrificed our lives for the great plan of the Master... Forty percent of the Shadow Blades died, and two other Veilmasters died while trying to suppress that thing during the trial."
"I just hope they’re sacrifices would be worth it."
Veilmaster Vanishing Blade and Veilmaster Red Death remained silent and just stared at the Wall of Masks.
’Will my mask be placed on this wall for another generation to wear?’
This was the same thought the three Veilmasters had.
----
Meanwhile, Simon and the others appeared in a hall with torches lined up on the walls.
Just like before, those with low spatial and shadow affinity vomited once again, while those like Simon felt discomfort in their stomach.
Simon nearly spat on the ground, but he stopped himself and just controlled his breathing.
He looked around, and the first thing he saw were the pillars of the building they were in.
For some reason, the pillars reminded him of the pillar he was chained to after he was tortured, but he also knew that the pillar was different.
This was just a normal pillar compared to the pillar that nearly killed him.
’I really have been traumatized by so many things. Can’t believe I froze for a split second because of a pillar.’
Simon shook his head, then he shifted his gaze to a demon who was seated at a desk that was close to the only door of this building.
The demon wore dark robes and a hoody that covered his face, but his hands and feet were bandaged.
’A Velari.’ Simon instantly recognized the race of this demon, and when he tried to figure out what the demon’s heart rank was through his unique ocular technique, he failed.
’That’s new.’
Simon thought as he felt a sort of power that prevented him from sensing the demon’s heart rank.
’But if I’m not wrong. He might be a Demon Lord... Though the aura he’s emitting makes it seem like he’s a Lesser Demon. You might fool every other demon or human, but you can’t fool my years of experience as the Demon Slayer.’
The Velari glanced at him, but Simon had already shifted his gaze to another place.
Clap
Clap
Clap
A soft clap echoed in the building, and everybody who had not noticed the Velari jumped to their feet in disbelief and shock.
"All of you form a straight line, and get ready to tell me what titles you want. Don’t forget, whatever title you give yourself would most likely stick with you till you die. It would be your new identity from now on."