Chapter 23: Forming a Team
In the private dining room, the twins, Iris, Cryo, and X sat waiting for Nioh, whose tardiness was beginning to test their patience. The door finally creaked open, and Nioh strolled in, his hair still damp and his attire undeniably casual.
Cryo, a staunch advocate of decorum and nobility, couldn't hide the slight twitch of his brow. It's been a month, and he still refuses to act with proper manners, Cryo mused, though he bit back the criticism. His recent journey with Makari had tempered his impulsive nature he learned to choose his battles more carefully.
"I apologize for being late," Nioh began as he ruffled Sol's fluffy hair with a mischievous grin.
"Little uncle, you're ruining my hair!" Sol protested, hastily trying to fix it.
Nioh chuckled and then addressed the group. "I gathered you all here for a simple reason: the upcoming Summer Hunt."
The room fell silent as they exchanged glances, their expressions ranging from curiosity to guarded skepticism. Nioh allowed the weight of the announcement to settle before continuing.
"As you know, the Summer Hunt occurs every four years. It's one of the most sanctified and revered traditions in the fiefdom," Nioh explained.
"It was established by the Prime Monarch," Kol chimed in, his voice steady. "The archipelago is surrounded by aquatic biocores that migrate during this period. The Hunt's primary purpose is to defend the islands and cull the biocores to manageable levels for the next four years."
Nioh nodded. "True, but it's also the largest stage for the younger generation of corebinders. If you're looking to make a name for yourself, there's no better opportunity."