Soren and the others split up. He headed to his room, and as soon as he got there, he laid down on his bed. In just one day, he had learned more than he could have hoped for, thanks to Tachi and the Foundation.
Ana, Nicolo, Akyo… and Tachi — they were the ones who would help him find out who he really was. 'Even if it was short, I can consider them as friends'. was he last thought before he fell asleep on his bed.
Some time later, he was woken by noises coming from the hallway. He got up, a little disoriented, and opened the door.
Groups of people were passing by, all heading in the same direction. "Guess it's time already," he thought. Before they had parted, Tachi told him to go to the cafeteria at 7:30 p.m., but Akyo had advised him to get there early.
"Damn, I'd better hurry," he muttered to himself, setting off. "What are they planning to do that's so special?"
The closer he got, the louder the noise became — an overwhelming buzz coming from the cafeteria. When he finally reached the hall leading to it, he thought, "With that noise, the place must already be packed. I shouldn't have dozed off."
He finally stepped inside.
"Alright, everyone, drinks are on me!" shouted Tachi, floating in midair above the crowd.
"YEAH!" Everyone roared back in unison, chanting Tachi's name.
Then Tachi turned and met Soren's eyes across the room.
"Hey everyone! Here's the one we're celebrating tonight! Raise your glasses for Soren — welcome him properly!"
"Soren! Soren! Soren!" they all began chanting.
"All this… for me?" he thought, a little embarrassed. He barely knew anyone here, yet they were welcoming him as one of their own without hesitation.
Tachi landed in front of him, feet touching the ground, and wrapped an arm around his shoulders. "Welcome home, Soren," he said softly.
"Thank you," Soren replied with a smile.
"Come on, let's go join the others," said Tachi, leading him toward the same table where they had eaten lunch earlier.
"Welcome, Soren!"
"Nice to meet you!"
"Hope you'll like it here!"
"Can't wait to get to know you!"
Those were just a few of the things people said to him as he passed. Soren tried his best to reply and greet everyone, but there were simply too many.
Eventually, Tachi and Soren reached their table — the same group as last time.
"Told you to come earlier," said Akyo.
"Yeah, you're right. I shouldn't have fallen asleep," Soren admitted.
"Oh come on, you two downers! It's a party night!" yelled Ana. Normally calm and gentle, she was completely hyped up, clearly making Akyo uncomfortable.
"Anaa. yooour drounk," mumbled Francesco.
"You're one to talk — you can barely speak," Akyo shot back.
Francesco was completely gone — a huge mug in his hand, head slumped on the table, nose bright red. He was so drunk he was tearing up without realizing it.
"Oh lighten up, Akyky! We can have a little fun, can't we? You should drink too, loosen up a bit! You're not like this when it's just the two o—"
"ANYWAY! Do we have Soren's gifts ready?" Akyo cut her off.
'My Akyky? I'm keeping that one in mind…' thought Soren with a grin. "What gifts are you talking about?" he asked.
"You'll see," replied Tachi, grinning happily.
Suddenly, a man burst into the room, shouting, "I got them!"
And the whole room cheered, "YEAH!" in unison.
'What are they talking about?' Soren wondered.
The man ran toward their table, dodging hugs and pats on the back from everyone on his way.
"Here, Mr. Tachi!" he said, handing him something.
"Give it to him directly," Tachi said.
The man's face lit up. He turned toward Soren. "Here you go, sir! Congratulations!" he said, holding out a small box.
Soren took it. "Thanks," he said, "What is it?" he wondered, glancing at Tachi, who nodded at him
Soren lifted the lid. Inside was a small note that read: "Welcome :)"
Beneath it lay four golden earrings — pure, shining rings of gold, identical to the ones Tachi wore.
He looked up — everyone was cheering, raising their glasses toward him.
"They're beautiful," Soren thought. He looked back at Tachi. "Thank you so much," he said.
"Thank you for your trust, Soren," Tachi replied with a warm smile. "Those earrings mark your official arrival here."
Soren thanked the others, and then noticed that Akyo was also wearing the same four golden rings.
"But… my ears aren't pierced…" Soren thought.
"Don't worry about that," said Tachi. "Akyo, you can take care of it."
"No problem." Akyo stood up and moved behind Soren. He picked up a small device from the table and prepared it.
"I'll pierce them for you — and I might as well give a little lesson while I'm at it," he said. Soren watched as Akyo closed his eyes and focused his energy into the object he was holding.
"You see, I just charged this tool with my energy. That way, it can actually affect you — otherwise it wouldn't be able to pierce your skin. It's the same for weapons, they have to be infused with divine energy to harm a god. Think of them as… blessed objects."
"Ow," thought Soren, as the device pierced his ears mid-explanation. "Was that lesson just a distraction?" he shouted angrily.
"All done — you're officially one of us now," said Akyo unfazed, returning to his seat.
"They look great on you!" Ana complimented him.
Tachi chuckled and stood up. "I'm going to get more beer, and be right back."
Soren took the chance to ask, "Do these earrings have any special meaning?"
Akyo nodded. "Yeah. It's a rule in the Foundation — a way to tell the ranks of the gods who work here. Ours are the first-rank earrings. There are others — like those of the Generals, and the Pillars…"
"The Pillars?" Soren asked. "I've heard that name before. Who are they?"
"The Pillars are the most important people in the Foundation, right below the Creator. They're probably the most powerful beings here. There are three of them — each overseeing a different territory. The pillar of America is named Juho, and the one of Asia is Shiryu."
"America… and Asia? Those are huge territories. Just how strong are they?" Soren thought, unable to even imagine their power.
"But you said there are three," he asked. "Who's the last one?"
"I thought you'd figured it out," Akyo said with a smirk. "The last one — the Pillar of Europe — is Tachi."
"What?!" Soren was stunned. The one who had taken him under his wing was the leader of the entire continent.
Akyo continued, "I know he doesn't look the part — with all his jokes and laid-back attitude. But at full power, Tachi could probably wipe out an entire continent by himself. His lack of seriousness is proof of his strength — he's got nothing to fear."
Soren turned to glance at Tachi, who was laughing and chatting with others, then looked back at the table. "An entire continent…"
Tachi noticed them looking and asked, "What are you guys talking about?"
"Just explaining the rank system," Akyo replied.
"Oh, that? Who cares, it's not important," Tachi said, sitting back down.
Soren asked, "Then… how strong is the Creator of the Foundation? He must be a monster!"
Tachi laughed. "Not that I know of! I've never seen him fight — but the Foundation wasn't built on strength, it was built on money. He made a fortune in the liquor trade and got so rich that we now have practically unlimited resources! As for his motives — I have no idea."
"Liquor trade?" Soren thought, a bit disappointed by the revelation.
Tachi suddenly jumped to his feet. "Anyway, who cares about all that! It's time to party! Right, everyone?!" he shouted, raising his arms — and the hundreds of people in the hall cheered along with him.
And so, they celebrated all night long.
Soren finally had friends — and he was now part of a true community, one ready to help him, and one he had decided he would fight for.