Training Facility 5's Defensive Development Chamber is a specialized training room with reinforced walls and adaptive attack drones designed to test protective abilities. Barrier is easy to spot, a tall, lean man with dark skin and a faint blue aura that seems to shimmer around him like heat waves off hot pavement.

  His force fields are impressive. As we enter, he's holding a semi-transparent blue dome that's deflecting high-velocity projectiles from four directions simultaneously. The impacts create ripples across the shield's surface but never penetrate.

  "Barrier," I call out once the training sequence ends.

  He turns, the blue aura still pulsing faintly around his hands. Recognition flickers in his eyes. "Kinetic, right? The new combatant." His gaze shifts to Desta, his expression changing immediately. "And... a Null?"

  "We've registered Team Exodus," I say, getting right to the point. "Looking for a defensive specialist to complete our roster. Your force field capabilities would complement our team configuration perfectly."

  Barrier laughs, not bothering to hide his disbelief. "You're joking, right? A team with a Null in it? What's she going to do, watch from the sidelines?"

  "Tactical support," I explain, keeping my voice level despite the dismissal. "System interface during combat can provide critical intelligence advantages."

  He looks between us, the blue aura fading as his concentration shifts fully to the conversation. "Look, I've received eight team offers today, including from veterans with actual combat records. Why would I join a rookie with one win and a fucking Null?"

  Desta remains expressionless beside me, but I can feel my own anger rising at his dismissal.

  "Our approach is different," I try again. "Strategic rather than just power-based."

  "Save it," he cuts me off with a wave. "No one's going to take a team with a Null seriously. You want people to join you? Show them something worth joining first." He turns back to the training drones.

  If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. Please report it.

  As he reactivates his training sequence, the dismissal is clear. We leave Training Facility 5 with our team still incomplete, the reality of our situation sinking in.

  "That went well," I mutter as we walk through the corridor.

  "Expected response given current facility hierarchy perceptions," Desta observes calmly. "Null classification carries negative combat association regardless of actual capability parameters."

  "So what now?" I ask, frustration evident in my voice. "Most experienced fighters are already committed to established teams."

  "Two options remain viable," she responds. "First: demonstrate significant ability application in tomorrow's match against Tremor, potentially attracting interest from unaffiliated assets seeking optimal team configuration. Second: recruit from newer enhancement subjects with limited combat experience but higher potential ceiling."

  "Rookies," I translate. "New fighters without established records."

  She nods. "Less immediate combat effectiveness but potentially greater loyalty parameters and developmental compatibility. Would require longer preparation timeline but might create more cohesive team structure."

  As we continue through the facility, I notice how other assets react to our passing, measuring glances at me followed by dismissive looks at Desta's Null coverall. The classification biases run deep here, with the combat hierarchy dominating social interactions.

  "Tomorrow's match becomes even more critical now," I say as we reach the intersection where our paths must separate. "I need to show enough to attract serious team interest without compromising our long-term security."

  "Calculated demonstration parameters essential," Desta agrees. "Sufficient capability display to establish recruitment viability without revealing molecular manipulation extent or neural optimization architecture."

  "A fucking balancing act, as usual," I sigh. "I'll see you after the match. Hopefully with better recruitment prospects."

  As I head toward my temporary quarters to prepare for tomorrow's fight, the reality of our situation clarifies. The new rules have transformed the facility dynamics overnight, but the underlying prejudices and power structures remain. A team with a Null member faces automatic dismissal regardless of our actual capabilities. I'll need to really make a statement tomorrow to overcome existing biases.

  Tomorrow's match against Tremor isn't just another arena match, it's our recruiting pitch, our proof of concept, our declaration that Team Exodus deserves to be taken seriously despite conventional expectations.