Rylan climbed the steps to the podium, his heart pounding in his chest. The crowd's eyes were fixed on him, a sea of anticipation and hope, yet all he could focus on was the glowing Nexus Crystal before him. This was the moment he had been waiting for, the culmination of years of dreams and aspirations. With a deep breath, he reached out, placing his palm against the warm surface of the crystal.
For a moment, nothing happened. Rylan felt a rush of anxiety wash over him as seconds turned into what felt like an eternity. He could hear the whispers of the crowd, the tension building as they awaited a sign of awakening. The first candidate had glowed with brilliance; others had followed suit, each radiating their unique elemental affinity. But as he stood there, he felt an unsettling stillness.
"Come on," he whispered under his breath, his heart sinking. "Please, let this work."
Minutes passed, yet no light emerged, and a wave of despair began to wash over him. Doubt crept into his mind. What if he was destined to fail? What if he was just another commoner, unworthy of the Academy's dreams? The weight of the moment grew heavier, pressing down on him like a dark cloud. He could feel the gazes of the crowd—some sympathetic, others filled with pity—and it made his heart ache.
Just when he thought he could bear it no longer, a sudden surge of energy erupted from the crystal. A dark hue enveloped him, swirling around him like a tempest. Gasps of shock echoed through the crowd, and Rylan felt the power coursing through him, unlike anything he had ever experienced. It was as if he had been plunged into a void, every sense heightened, every thought amplified.
"What type of Nexus Code is this?" he heard someone murmur, disbelief rippling through the onlookers.
Rylan's mind raced as he struggled to comprehend what was happening. The darkness wrapped around him, thick and impenetrable, yet he felt an odd sense of clarity within it. Unlike the elemental cores that radiated light and warmth, this energy was something entirely different—mysterious and potent.
He could hear the murmurs of the crowd, their astonishment palpable. "This has never happened before! In over two hundred years of awakening, no one has ever manifested a core like this!"
The darkness continued to swirl around him, and suddenly, he felt a connection—a bond forming between him and the energy enveloping him. It was as if the core was communicating with him, sharing its essence. He could sense its power, its potential, and it filled him with both fear and exhilaration.
As the energy intensified, Rylan closed his eyes, embracing the darkness. He could see visions flickering behind his eyelids—shadows of ancient beings, echoes of forgotten magic. He felt a primal force awaken within him, one that was raw and untamed, unlike any of the classic elemental cores he had heard about.
"What is he doing?" Finn shouted from the crowd, his voice filled with a mix of concern and awe. "Is this a good thing or a bad thing?"
Rylan opened his eyes to see the crystal pulsating with dark light, the energy now a tangible force. It was mesmerizing and terrifying all at once. He could feel the crowd's astonishment, their fear blending with curiosity. He was no longer just Rylan from Veldrin; he was something more, something powerful.
And then, in an explosion of dark light, the energy erupted outward, casting shadows across the Academy grounds. The crystal shattered, its remnants scattering like stars in the night sky. Rylan staggered back, breathless, as the dark hue began to dissipate, revealing the awe-struck faces of the crowd.
"Rylan!" Finn shouted, rushing forward, his eyes wide with disbelief. "What just happened? You awakened a Nexus Core, but it's unlike any I've ever seen!"
Rylan looked around, still reeling from the experience. He felt different, transformed. "I…I don't know," he admitted, his voice barely above a whisper.
The Academy officials stood in stunned silence, exchanging glances of bewilderment. Rylan could see the admiration in their eyes and how stunned they were. He had done the unthinkable.
"Never in all my years did I think I would witness the Void Code," the tall figure from earlier finally spoke, his voice steady but filled with wonder. "This is unprecedented. We must investigate further."
Rylan's heart raced as he realized the magnitude of what had just happened. He was no longer just an applicant; he was now the center of attention. The whispers of the crowd swirled around him, but amid the chaos, one thought crystallized in his mind: *This was only the beginning.*
As he stood on the podium, Rylan felt a new sense of purpose ignite within him. He hadn't failed—he had a chance to become a pilot, to explore the depths of the power that now coursed within him. This was not an end; it was merely the beginning of a journey filled with limitless potential and untold adventures.