I followed the warrior through long corridors, my mind racing. Why would they want to see me?
Inside the Warrior Team's council room, leaders of incredible presence sat in a semicircle. Their eyes scanned me like I was an enigma.
"So it's true," one said. "A core with no element."
"We've never seen this before," another murmured.
The leader at the center leaned forward. His voice was calm but commanding.
"What's your name, boy?"
"Akairo Atsuji, sir."
The leader's brows lifted. "Sunayan's son?"
"Yes… Master."
A brief silence fell, heavy with unspoken memories of my father. Finally, the leader spoke, "We summoned you because the Null Core intrigues us. We will observe what it is capable of. For now… you may join the Warrior Team."
My breath caught. I'm… still chosen?
Back in the ceremonial hall, the announcer's voice thundered once more.
"Now that all cores have been awakened, it is time for you to test your abilities in the real world! We have two missions prepared.
One team will go to Kanju District, where a mid-level demon has been sighted. The rest will travel to the demon-infested tunnels and reclaim them."
I swallowed hard when my name was called.
"Team for Kanju District: Akairo Atsuji, Shinata Moiman, Katshuu Riyan, Bunai Osuna, Kaibon Kutura, Shimon Koijal, Fatina Goglia, and Ragun Gunoi.
You will be led by Warrior Junai Kotokun."
Junai stepped forward, tall and imposing, his aura of experience impossible to ignore.
"Prepare yourselves," he said. "Select your weapons according to your fighting style. We move at dawn."
As I held the sword I'd chosen from the armory, I couldn't help but feel the Null Core pulsing faintly in my chest. Am I really powerless? Or is there something deeper hidden within me?