Chapter 14: Forming the Core

Joshua's head throbbed as he slowly regained consciousness. His body felt heavy, as if he had just woken up from the deepest sleep of his life.

A familiar voice cut through the haze.

"Had a nice nap?"

He blinked groggily, his vision adjusting to the dim candlelight. Maydee sat across from him, arms folded, a smug smile tugging at her lips.

Joshua groaned. "What… happened?"

Maydee's smile suddenly vanished, her expression turning grim.

"You've been unconscious for a year."

Joshua froze. His breath hitched. His entire body went cold.

"WHAAAAAAT?!"

Maydee burst out laughing, nearly falling off her chair.

"Oh, you should've seen the look on your face!" she gasped between fits of laughter. "Priceless!"

Joshua's eye twitched. "That's not funny, Master!"

Maydee wiped away a stray tear, still chuckling. "Oh, but it was! I haven't laughed like that in years."

Joshua sighed, rubbing his temples. "Please… just tell me what actually happened."

Maydee's expression sobered slightly, though amusement still lingered in her eyes.

"You were only out for a few minutes. But what I learned in that time… is quite interesting."

She leaned forward, studying him. "You, my dear disciple, are very special."

Joshua straightened. "Special how?"

Maydee's eyes gleamed. "Your awakened attribute… is Blank."

Joshua frowned. "What does that mean?"

Maydee laced her fingers together, her voice taking on a more serious tone.

"It means you have no elemental affinity. You cannot control fire, wind, or water. You cannot summon spirits, heal wounds, bestow gifts, or even curse someone."

Joshua's chest tightened. "So… does that mean I'm worthless?"

Before he could react, a thick book came flying straight at his face.

SMACK.

Joshua reeled back, clutching his forehead. "OW! WHAT THE HELL, MASTER?!"

Maydee huffed, crossing her arms. "Are you an idiot? I just told you—you're special."

Joshua winced, rubbing the forming bump. "Special how? That just sounds like I can't do anything."

Maydee sighed, shaking her head. "Blank attributes are rare. So rare, in fact, that in the entire history of magic, only two people with Blank attributes have ever been recorded."

Joshua's brows furrowed. "And what happened to them?"

Maydee's gaze darkened. "They were monsters. Both of them."

Joshua swallowed. "Monsters?"

She nodded. "It took thousands of the Gifted to hunt them down and kill them."

Joshua's stomach twisted. "Wait—what exactly did they do?"

Maydee leaned back in her chair, drumming her fingers against the table. "Blank attributes are… unpredictable. Unlike those bound to an element, Blanks are not governed by natural laws. They are immune to spirit interference and possess an innate ability to bend magic in ways no one understands."

Joshua's heart pounded. "So… that means I can do things no one else can?"

"Yes. And that's precisely why they're hunted down the moment they are discovered."

His breath caught. "Wait—hunted?!"

Maydee nodded. "Once a Blank is identified, they are immediately eliminated. No exceptions."

A heavy silence fell between them. Joshua's mind reeled.

"So you're saying… the moment people find out what I am, I'll be killed?"

Maydee smirked. "If you were anywhere else? Yes."

Joshua clenched his fists. "Then why are you helping me?"

Maydee's smirk widened. "Because you're lucky."

She stood, walking around the desk to stand in front of him. "You came to Irene—the most remote warrior village in the world. And, even luckier, you became my disciple."

Joshua swallowed hard. "And… what does that mean?"

Her expression softened slightly. "It means that, no matter what happens, I will make sure no one touches you."

A warmth settled in Joshua's chest. "Thank you, Master."

Maydee scoffed. "Don't thank me yet. Your training is far from over."

She gestured toward the bubbling cauldron in the corner of the room.

"Now, let's move to the next stage."

Joshua followed Maydee's gaze. The cauldron was large enough for a grown man to fit inside. Its contents glowed a deep blue, thick steam rising in tendrils toward the ceiling.

Joshua hesitated. "What exactly am I supposed to do?"

Maydee smirked. "Submerge your entire body."

Joshua blinked. "What?"

"Get in."

Joshua took a step back. "W-Won't I die?"

Maydee clicked her tongue, shaking her head in disappointment. "Tsk, tsk. You don't trust your master? Shame on you."

Joshua hesitated. "It's just that—"

Maydee's eyes glowed red.

Joshua jumped.

"Okay, okay! I'm going!"

Before she could throw another book—or worse—he quickly stripped off his clothes and stepped toward the cauldron.

The thick, glowing liquid swirled as he touched the surface.

It was…

Warm.

Not burning hot like he expected, but a gentle, soothing warmth that spread through his limbs the moment he lowered himself in.

Maydee's voice echoed.

"Now, close your eyes."

Joshua did as she instructed.

The warmth intensified, wrapping around him like a cocoon.

"We are forming your core," Maydee said softly. "This will allow you to connect to the energy lines in your body."

A deep, drowsy heaviness settled over Joshua.

He barely registered it when his consciousness began slipping away.

Maydee watched as he sank deeper into the cauldron, his body slowly absorbing the energy.

A small smile tugged at her lips.

"This disciple of mine is weak," she murmured. "But that will change in time."

She turned toward the window, gazing at the distant mountains.

Her expression hardened.

"One day, Joshua… I will make sure that everyone kneels before you."