One week had passed.
One week since Nolan's humiliating defeat at the hands of Tokita.
Nolan sat in his room, looking at the spear that leaned against the table, basking in the light of the morning sun.
The room was silent, save for the soft hum of the breeze as it caressed the leaves outside. Nolan was slumped over his desk, his face buried in his hands as he stared blankly at the polished wooden surface. The memories of his loss were still fresh in his mind, tormenting him with every passing moment. He had never suffered such a humiliating loss like that before, and it was a bitter pill to swallow.
The spear, a weapon he had once wielded with deadly precision, now lay forgotten against the table. It was a reminder of his failure, a symbol of his weakness. He believed that, due to the spear's innate ranking and power, he would crush all opposition in the tournament. He never trained with it, never mastered its abilities, and it cost him everything.
He closed his eyes, taking a deep breath as he tried to push away the thoughts that were plaguing him. It was a futile effort, though, and he knew it. The memory of Tokita's perseverance kept playing over and over in his mind. He felt a pang of jealousy and resentment towards Tokita everytime he thought of him.
It frustrated him. The idea of a peasant, a man whose Catalyst potential was nearly the lowest possible, defeated him and destroyed his mind beyond belief. He could barely look at anyone after it all.
It wasn't just the fact that he lost. It was the way he lost. The way Tokita had dismantled him, one move after another, until he was left lying on the ground, defeated and humiliated. It was a blow to his ego, pride, and reputation.
Nolan let out a deep sigh, his shoulders slumping even further as he struggled to come to terms with his defeat.
The sun continued to rise, casting a warm glow over the room. Nolan remained there, lost in thought, wondering where he would go from here.
"It's ridiculous..." Nolan muttered to himself, still staring at the spear. "How could I have been so easily defeated by that peasant? It's humiliating."
Nolan stumbled over to the large mirror in his room, wincing as he caught a glimpse of his reflection. His hair was unkempt, falling in clumps around his face, and dark circles had formed under his bloodshot eyes. He leaned in closer to the mirror, observing the stubble that had grown on his chin and jawline. He hadn't bothered to shave since the defeat, letting himself go in a way that was unlike him.
He ran a hand through his hair, trying in vain to smooth it out. The thought of grooming himself felt like an insurmountable task. The more he stared at himself, the more he despised the image in front of him. This wasn't who he was supposed to be. He was the rising star of the Golden Lion Knight division, a prodigy who would surpass his father. And yet, here he was, defeated and broken.
He let out a frustrated sigh and turned away from the mirror, feeling defeated and lost. He had to figure out a way to regain his confidence and redeem himself. But for now, he was just a broken man staring at his own reflection, hoping for a way out of the darkness that had consumed him.
The past week had been nothing short of a living nightmare for Nolan. Every time he walked down the hallways of the Golden Lion Knights headquarters, he could feel the stares of his fellow knights piercing through him like daggers. They all knew what had happened in his fight with Tokita, and they had lost all respect for him.
Truthfully, the Captain didn't even want Nolan to begin with after his fight with Tokita, but he promised Nolan's father he'd let him in the division.
Nolan's eyes traced the outline of the city skyline, the towering buildings seemingly mocking him. How could he face the other members of the Golden Lion Knights after his humiliating defeat at the hands of a peasant like Tokita? His mind replayed the scene over and over again, the sound of the crowd's cheers as they witnessed his defeat ringing in his ears.
The room felt suffocating, and he got up from his desk, pacing back and forth. He couldn't stay here, couldn't face them. The thought of leaving the room made him break out in a cold sweat.
His eyes flicked to the spear leaning against the wall, the one he had used in the fateful battle against Tokita. He felt a surge of anger, frustration, and humiliation wash over him. How had he let himself be beaten by someone so weak, someone so insignificant?!
He shook his head, trying to clear his thoughts. He needed to find a way to redeem himself, to regain his honor and respect. But how? The other members of the Golden Lion Knights would never accept him now, not after such a defeat.
He knew he couldn't wallow in self-pity forever. It was time to gather himself and find a way to move forward.
A crazed look overtook his eyes as he sat down on his bed. He needed to do something, he needed to get his payback. Now that a week had passed, the one-week grace period was over, meaning he was able to walk around the city once again.
"I won't let this defeat define me," he muttered to himself, determination setting in. "I'll prove myself worthy of the Golden Lion Knights, no matter what it takes."
He turned to the door and grabbed his long coat and threw it on.
Nolan's coat was made of a dark, heavy material that draped down to his ankles. The coat was lined with a soft, silky fabric that made it comfortable to wear. The color was black, with gold accents on the buttons and cuffs.
Underneath the coat, he wore a simple, white cotton shirt with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows. The shirt was tucked into a pair of black, fitted pants that hugged his legs and accentuated his lean build.
On his feet were a pair of black leather boots that came up to his mid-calf. They were well-worn, with scuffs and scratches on the surface from years of use. The soles were thick and sturdy, giving Nolan a sense of stability and confidence as he walked.
He adjusted the collar of his coat and ran a hand through his messy hair, trying to tidy it up a bit. He took a deep breath and opened the door, ready to face the world once again.
Nolan looked at himself in the mirror, adjusting his coat so that it sat comfortably on his broad shoulders. He felt a sudden rush of confidence, fueled by the anger and determination that had been building inside him over the past week. It was time for him to prove himself once again, to show the others that he was a valuable member of the Golden Lion Knights.
With a sudden jolt, he grasped the cold metallic doorknob and gave it a forceful twist. The door burst open, its hinges creaking in protest as he stepped out into the hallway.
Nolan stepped one singular foot out of the door, only to hit something and fall backward, landing on his ass.
As he rubbed his throbbing head, he slowly raised his gaze to see a figure looming over him, just outside the door. He squinted to get a better look, and the details of the woman's appearance began to emerge. Her short, shoulder-length blond hair was tousled by the wind, and her sharp red eyes appeared cold and indifferent. A metal visor covered the lower part of her face, hiding her mouth from view.
As Nolan tried to focus his vision, he saw the details of the armor she wore. The black shoulder pads were adorned with intricate engravings of a dragon that seemed to be breathing out flames. The shoulder pads extended down onto her forearms and her fingers were covered with metal gloves that had sharp claws at the end. The armor that covered her torso was a full-plate armor that shone like silver under the bright sun.
Her white dress hung down from her waist and covered her legs, reaching down to her ankles. The dress was embellished with golden embroidery that created intricate patterns of vines and flowers, giving the impression of a garden in bloom. Underneath the dress, Nolan could see a pair of sturdy leather boots that were practical for combat but still elegant in design.
Nolan stumbled back, clutching his nose as he looked up at the figure in front of him. "Rinha... why were you just standing outside my door?!" he demanded, his voice tense with frustration and confusion.
Rinha remained silent and gazed down at Nolan, her red eyes devoid of emotion. She tilted her head slightly as if analyzing him.
Nolan stood up, wiping the blood from his nose with the back of his hand. "Well, what do you want?"
"We're partners for our first mission," Rinha stated simply. Rinha's piercing gaze remained unbroken as she spoke, her words delivered in a mechanical tone. Her armor, a stark contrast to the muted room, shimmered with an almost otherworldly gleam. Rays of sunlight streaming in through the window illuminated the metal plates, casting sharp shadows on the walls like the edges of a blade.
Nolan couldn't help but feel intimidated by her, with her sharp red eyes fixed on him and her mouth hidden behind the metal plating of her armor.
Although, despite her intimidating appearance, he knew she wasn't malicious or hurtful, not like the other Golden Lion Knights.
Nolan knew that Rinha had won her fight during the initiation and was the Captain's first choice to join the division. She could have easily found acceptance among any of the other members, but instead, she chose to accompany a failure like Nolan. He often wondered why she had made that choice, but he never dared to ask her.
Despite his reservations, Nolan was grateful for her presence. She never mocked or belittled him, and he appreciated the sense of calm that came over him whenever she was nearby. Perhaps it was because she was the only person in the division who didn't treat him like he was beneath them. Whatever the reason, Nolan knew that he was lucky to have her as his partner.
Her sharp, red eyes, normally emotionless, seemed to soften slightly when she looked at him, and her metallic armor, though gleaming and formidable, did not seem threatening when she was around.
He stretched his arms, feeling the tightness in his muscles slowly fade away. His gaze fell upon the spear that leaned against his desk, its sharp tip glinting in the sunlight that streamed through the window.
He walked over to it, running his fingers over the smooth, polished surface. With a sense of purpose, he slung the spear onto his back, securing it in its holster. The weight of the weapon was familiar and reassuring, like a trusted companion on the battlefield.
"Let's get moving then," he said, turning to Rinha. He saw her standing there, her expression as emotionless as ever, her armor gleaming in the light. He wondered what thoughts were going through her mind, but he knew better than to ask.
Rinha's nod was barely perceptible as Nolan walked past her down the dimly lit hall, his footsteps echoing off the stone walls. As he passed her, he caught a glimpse of her expressionless face, her sharp features seeming to blend in with the metal plating of her armor.
Stopping in his tracks, he turned around to face her. "Oh, and I should ask, what's the mission?" he inquired, curiosity piqued.
"Something about a cat," Rinha stated in a monotonous voice, her red eyes glinting slightly as they caught the light. Her words were short and to the point, giving no indication of any further information or elaboration.