In that eternal void where silence reigned like a tyrant, Kenzo once again found himself trapped inside his own thoughts. His mind swirled in uncertainty. Did any of this make sense? Was it truly possible to grow stronger in this world by devouring the hearts of humans or Void Creatures? Was that how the Awakened gained power? Or… was this unique trait his alone?
The questions clashed endlessly within his already exhausted mind. Yet he had little time to dwell on them. A strange sensation seized him, as if an invisible force were violently pulling him away. Vertigo struck. His consciousness wavered. Then… contact. Ground. Solid. Rough. Sounds followed, faint at first, then growing clearer. Voices. Movement. Noise.
At last, his eyelids lifted, and the pale light of a timid dawn welcomed him. He was back. Outside.
He squinted, trying to understand where he was. Around him stood a multitude of teenagers, all in a similar state: some looked lost, still shaken by whatever they had endured. Others tried to straighten themselves with awkward pride, but even they could not hide the mark of the test etched into their eyes.
Kenzo glanced at himself. Nothing had changed since the moment before: black fabric pants, dirty and frayed at the ends, worn flat shoes, and a once-white t-shirt now stained a dull earthy brown.
« Am I at one of those altars Yareth mentioned…? The altar of the royal family of Air? » he thought, scanning his surroundings.
The setting left little doubt. The architecture bore the unmistakable mark of the Air kingdoms: floors polished smooth by wind, pale stone, flowing patterns carved into the rock like frozen currents. Yet there was nothing majestic about it. Everything was functional. Built to receive.
He had no time to think further before a metallic voice, emerging from an intercom, echoed through the space:
– « Please proceed calmly toward the different stands where a Knight awaits you. Please proceed. Other individuals who have passed the test will continue to appear. You must advance to avoid congestion. »
A chill ran down Kenzo's spine.
Knights?
That was what Transfigured were called in his world. Beings of terrifying power , just like the Warden—shrouded in mystery. And yet he had never seen one in the flesh in his world… until now. The Warden in his test had also been a Transfigured, but in Kenzo's eyes he had been an executioner, not a savior.
He was stunned by how many youths had passed the test at the same time as him. An entire week had seemed to pass within that strange dimension, yet here they were, all returning together, as if synchronized.
Just to his right stood a boy nearly as frail as he was. Clean jeans, bright white shoes, an immaculate t-shirt. Blond hair framed soft features, but fear had hollowed them. His blue eyes, though clear, were clouded with terror. He trembled without pause.
What had he gone through in his test?
Kenzo was not used to starting conversations with strangers. It wasn't in his nature. Yareth and William had both spoken to him first , not the other way around.
As they walked silently toward the designated stands, something unexpected happened: the boy suddenly stumbled, instinctively grabbing onto Kenzo to avoid falling.
– « S-sorry, I didn't mean to fall on you! »
Slightly annoyed, Kenzo replied in a neutral tone:
– « It's fine. Don't worry about it. »
– « Do you know why we have to go to the stands? »
– « No idea. Just wait and we'll see. » he answered without enthusiasm.
– « Great. Another one talking to me… » he thought with tired irony.
Time seemed to stretch. Eventually, Kenzo reached his stand. A simple desk stood there, behind which sat an imposing man: tall, dark-skinned, completely bald. His dark green uniform bore a wind emblem along with a curious Roman numeral: "II." Unknown to Kenzo, but likely meaningful.
A nameplate on the desk clearly read: Sir Benson Nuru.
The moment Kenzo approached, the Knight lifted his eyes and fixed him with a look of pure disdain. Kenzo recognized it instantly—the same look he had seen countless times from those within the outer walls. A gaze that judged him without words, diminished him without reason. He was used to it, but that did not make it any less hateful.
– « Your name and place of birth. » the Knight said curtly.
– « My name is Kenzo. I'm from Seikan no Kuni. »
At those words, surprise flickered across the Knight's face. He raised an eyebrow.
– « You're from the Empire of Death? You're far from home, boy. Care to explain? »
– « I… I went to the Florenthel Empire to visit family. Then I was kidnapped. » Kenzo replied, his voice steadier than he expected.
The Knight's gaze hardened. He clearly did not believe a single word.
Without speaking, Sir Benson pressed a button beneath his desk. Almost immediately, two uniformed men appeared. They wore the same colors as Benson, though no insignia adorned their chests.
– « Please follow these two men. We will proceed with a more thorough interrogation. »
No surprise there. Kenzo had no illusions. A child from the slums of a foreign nation, mysteriously appearing in another kingdom through the test… suspicion was inevitable.
He sighed inwardly.
– « Haaa… And here I was, happy to be back in my world. What a welcome. »