Zenoir
At the end of the tournament, I woke up in a small white room and found myself lying on a not-so-comfortable bed. My body ached, especially across my chest.
"What is this pain in my chest?" I thought.
I moved my right arm and touched my chest, realizing it was bandaged.
"What the hell happened to me?"
I turned my eyes to the ceiling, my thoughts racing:
"What should I do now?""I need to get stronger.""Maybe I should just keep moving forward.""Did I lose because of lack of experience? Or strength?"
Then I heard the sound of the door opening beside me. I moved my eyes to see who had entered… it was my sister, Nora. She was wearing casual clothes: a simple white top tucked into a short dark blue skirt. Her presence felt unexpectedly pleasant.
— So you're awake… how are you feeling? — Nora asked.
Her voice was calm, her steps silent, like she belonged to the quiet itself. That kind of composure always made me uncomfortable. I continued staring at the ceiling and replied:
— I'll recover.
— S-so… where have you been all this time? — she asked, sitting on an empty bed beside me.
— Many places… with an old man.
— I see.
The atmosphere was tense. I felt she wanted to say something, but lacked the courage.
— You know… I'll soon become captain and… I… I'd like you to… well, how do I say this… would you join me?!
"She shouted just to ask that?" I thought.
— I'll pass. I just want the license the organization gives. Even if I joined you, what would we do if our father discovered I'm alive?
My question visibly unsettled her.
— So that's why you hid your eyes?
— More or less.
— I need you!! All of you… — Nora stood, her expression serious, trying to persuade me. — My only goal is to dethrone our father. Things can't stay like this forever…
— Hahaha… — I couldn't hold back a laugh at that — And how do you plan to do that?
— Look at me!! — Nora shouted again, irritated by my tone. — To overthrow him, I need the rest of the clan, the two branches. I know a way to break their blood pact.
— And how do you know they'll help us? They could very well kill you at the first chance.
— I have to take that risk. — Nora said, narrowing her eyes. — In a year… in a year I'll start my plans. If you want to help me, get stronger. I know you're capable.
— Fine, but I want him for myself. If Alduin dies, it will be by my hands.
— Done.
Nora stood from the bed she was sitting on and extended her left hand, saying:
— Actually, I came for another reason. The nomination ceremony is today, so… can you walk?
I took her hand and let her pull me up. Though tired, I managed to stand.
— How long was I unconscious?
— I think… two days? — Nora answered, forcing a small smile.
— I see.
— I'll leave the room so you can get dressed.
Several outfits were laid out on a chair in front of me. I assumed they were for me and changed quickly: a plain green shirt and cotton pants that reached my feet.
— You can come in now!! — I called for Nora to return.
— Much better now. You could even get a girlfriend.
— Don't say nonsense.
Before we left, I held the door shut before Nora could touch the handle. I stood in front of her, realizing she was taller than me — maybe three years older. I had to tilt my head to meet her gaze.
— Listen… nothing will change. The time will come when I take everything with me. — After saying what I wanted, I opened the door myself and stepped into a hospital corridor. People moved in opposite directions; the place was moderately busy.
— We're at the hospital, the ceremony will be at the headquarters. — said Nora.
We headed to the organization's headquarters, not far from the hospital.
While walking, I remembered something I needed to correct.
— I'm sorry.
Even beside me, Nora hadn't heard me clearly.
— Huh?
— I'm sorry for threatening Helena. I said that just to provoke her. Please forgive me.
— Don't worry, but don't do that again. — she said, visibly annoyed.
— I won't.
As we neared the headquarters, I noticed many members of different divisions present. Most wore their uniforms; the majority were Guardians.
— Why are so many people here?
— Almost all twelve divisions are present. Today we'll learn our classes, or something like that.
Many were outside, eating, talking, and reuniting with old friends. Since most travel constantly, these gatherings were welcomed.
We entered the headquarters and I asked:
— Where will it be?
— There's an auditorium inside, — Nora replied, pointing to two large white doors on my left.
Before I could say more, a voice interrupted:
— Hey!! I've been waiting for you.
It was Helena approaching. Not wanting to talk more, I just said goodbye to Nora.
— I'll go ahead, thanks for bringing me… see you later.
As I walked into the auditorium, Helena noticed I had come with Nora.
— Who's he? You said you were going to fetch something from the hospital… what was it?
— I came for that boy. He is our brother, Zenoir — or at least he was.
— W-what do you mean? That's impossible. — Helena replied in disbelief.
— He's the one I fought. He's the one who saved you on the second floor of the tower.
— I'll go talk to him.
Before she could approach, Nora grabbed her arm.
— Leave it for later. Let's move forward. Where's Rebeca?
— She's already inside.
++++++++
At the auditorium entrance, I identified myself to a staff member who led me to an appropriate seat among other tournament participants. I sat in the first available chair. Some participants stared at me… being stared at so openly was embarrassing.
— So you're the one who had the blindfold? — asked the dwarf, Gan Longbeard.
— Yes. I'm sorry. Some people don't like me much, so I had to hide my face a bit. — I replied with the first excuse I could think of.
"Actually… I covered my eyes because their color symbolizes my clan's purity. That fact disgusts me," I thought.
++++++
Ten minutes passed, and the auditorium quickly filled. I wasn't nervous, just hoping it would end soon. Ahead, a raised area held twenty rows, with nine of the twelve division captains seated.
"Some didn't come, probably on a mission," I thought.
After a while, the old organization head, Aoji, appeared before everyone, wearing the yellow-trimmed tribal robe representing his Monk class.
— The entry process for our organization has ended. We lost many candidates, but as you know, we cannot allow just anyone to enter. I remind you of the honor and mastery in serving to protect the world. We've endured difficult times, but thanks to all of us, today we enjoy peace.
Part of me felt convinced, yet another thought whispered:
"This peace is partial at best. There are still people starving, enslaved, and races being placed above others… this is far from true peace."
Aoji continued:
— I thank each of you, truly; your efforts are the reason: "Even an ant can carry ten times its weight." That's what I always say. Five hundred years ago this organization was founded by the first adventurer, and after all this time, we persist. Come forward to receive your passes and uniforms.
Seven of us, including me, approached the captains. First, the dwarf Gan received his uniform. As his hands touched it, his tribal markings glowed green, assigning him the Cardinal class. A group of Cardinals erupted in cheers and chaos.
Then it was Helena's turn. Nervous, she thanked them, took her license and uniform. Her tribal markings glowed red, the Guardian class. Even as Aoji asked for silence, the celebrations didn't diminish. Helena joined her classmates, quietly celebrating with them.
"Is she stealing their drinks?" I thought, watching the chaos.
Finally, it was my turn. Injured, I couldn't skip this. I walked slowly toward Aoji, who extended his right hand.
— How are you feeling? I heard your injury was severe.
— Don't worry, only a scar will remain, nothing more…
"Did he see my fight?" I wondered.
Time seemed slower, as if my vision was replayed frame by frame. Aoji's assistant handed me my license and uniform. My license had no photo, but my name remained. When I touched the uniform — pure black, like cotton infused with mana and some polyester — my tribal markings glowed white.
I squinted, expecting shouting, but silence prevailed.
"Isn't this when the cheers come?"
I looked at the audience. They were still, some scared, some surprised.
"Did I do something wrong? Oh God… did I ruin the uniform?"
My mind raced.
Then I heard Marshal Aoji's voice:
— It can't be… an Adventurer?
"An what?"
Confused, I just took my things and walked slowly to my chair. Descending a small staircase from the auditorium, I noticed no one else had the same class among the two hundred present. I sat, feeling the weight of many eyes; I just wanted to hide my head somewhere. I looked again at my uniform — its tribal color remained white. Which meant… I was an Adventurer?
To be continued…