The city of Argent was buzzing.
Hover-trains hummed through skyrails, neon lights flickered across glass towers, and the digital billboards flashed one message over and over:
"Awakening Day – Class of 2055. Welcome, Future Cultivators!"
For most teenagers, it was the most important day of their lives. The day their Spirit Core would be tested. The day they'd learn if they were destined to become cultivators—spirit warriors, healers, elementalists, or even legends.
But for Christian Vale, it was just another reminder of how far behind he was.
He stood at the back of the line outside Verdant Edge Public High, wearing a patched-up uniform two sizes too small. His sneakers were worn thin. His fingers were cold. But his jaw was set.
He wasn't afraid of failing. He was used to failure.
He was afraid of being forgotten.
"Next!" the registrar called out.
Christian stepped forward, ignoring the snickers from a few rich kids in sleek uniforms. One of them, Kael, sneered. "Why's he even here? Doesn't even have a family name worth registering."
Christian said nothing. He'd learned long ago that words didn't win fights—effort did. Sacrifice did.
The registrar scanned his ID, then waved him toward the Spirit Awakening Pod—a sleek, silver chamber that pulsed with soft blue energy. One by one, students were scanned, their spirit cores read and evaluated.
Christian stepped inside. The pod sealed shut.
"Initializing Spirit Scan. Please remain still."
His heart pounded. He closed his eyes. He wanted this. No—he needed this.
"Spirit Core detected: Unclassified..."
A pause.
"...Dormant State. Potential: Undetermined. Grade: Null."
The chamber opened. Silence followed.
Then laughter.
He stepped out, face blank, as whispers spread like wildfire.
Null Core.
Spiritless.
Trash tier.
Why is he even here?
Kael smirked. "Told you. Might as well go sweep floors now."
Christian walked past them, not saying a word. But inside, something stirred—something deep, quiet, ancient.
That night, while others celebrated or cried, Christian sat on the roof of his apartment building, staring at the stars.
He clenched his fists.
"Even if the whole world spits on me… I'll find a way. I'll rise."
And in the shadows behind him, his Spirit Core—dormant no more—flickered with a strange, dark light.