'Could've told me that traveling the void also meant going inside walls and such. That took me really off guard.'
Zenon arrived at the training center and it was kinda average, to say the least. It was big enough to fit at least a thousand humans though. It was made out of gray concrete with metal beams supporting the ceiling from coming down even though there were some metal plates dangling.
Just your average warehouse.
As time went by, the entire center got filled with amazing looking, beautiful, splendid - any adjective you could think of that represents beauty - teenagers.
For being wanted by the Fire Keepers due to their Lineage, they were pretty stunning… and then there's Zenon. Let's say that his conditions didn't really match those of his future companions. In fact, his entire aura screamed, "Outskirts!"
He - as a mature person - ignored all of this.
Obviously.
After ten minutes of eavesdropping on some conversations, Zenon already knew the Elemental Soul Tier of half center and their Abilities. Don't even talk about their Familiars, it seems like they didn't know how to hide them inside their soul.
How can a teenager be so naive on this topic?
Don't they know that this could, and will be used against them? Lineage or not, everyone tries to survive in this era. They expect to conquer the First Layer with a megaphone shouting their Elemental Ability, Tier, and whatnot.
But it was something natural. Since every single teenager here has undergone the Awakening - some enduring more than others - they felt like kings of the world. And because of that, they wish to be asked questions about their Awakening and to ask questions about others. They wanted to boast about their Tier and such.
It's sometimes really difficult to hide something you are immensely proud of. If you were to rob a luxurious piece of jewelry, it's more than probable that you'll tell that to a guy or two... right?
Wrong! That's called being a dumbass! Why would you steal jewelry when you could steal a nice loaf of bread?!
'This is awkward... I feel like an outcast.'
As much as Zenon liked collecting sensitive information about others - as that was the main reason he could leave alive from some fights - he forgot about an important small detail that got him some weird stares.
Looks.
As Zenon could see, every man and woman inside the center had a face that would make anyone drool his soul out, a proper haircut, and other perfect attributes being whatever...
It made Zenon seem like he just climbed out of a trash can.
His black hair had no proper care for at least five years, having to make rough cuts to keep it steady, his skin looked beaten up even after that bath, and his tired eyes from Awakening didn't make it easier.
Everything was wrong with him.
People passed by him while giving him the weirdest looks he has ever seen. Even though it didn't bother him that much... it felt somewhat denigrating.
More and more people appeared and began striking conversations about their Awakening - even if it happened months ago. It wasn't until a random, happy boy approached Zenon that the real nightmare began.
...
Twenty minutes later; Zenon already won the reputation of the most arrogant, lying waste of oxygen inside the shelter. He also won some slaps and kicks from various girls.
But in his defense, he will say that it was mostly Leviathan's fault. He would just hide deep inside the void and decided to mess around with Zenon's completely humble and kind being.
Most of his conversations where he used this Ability for his own satisfaction were... uh... well:
"My Awakening was way harder than I thought. I thought for a moment I was going to die from all that running."
"Oh, really? That's a shame. Being fat is truly a harsh downside."
Or:
"I'm so lucky I could step inside the next environment. The Voice even said I was some seconds away from not getting my Enlightened Elemental Soul!
"Lucky? Then I guess I need to play the lottery, going through seven environments it's surely lucky."
Also... uhm... this one is quite degrading:
"Part of my clothing got ripped off inside there. I got even stuck in a tree's branch and couldn't continue because of that! So damn unlucky..."
"Oh, what did you say? I was imagining you shirtless, my bad."
This one left Leviathan with a long session of Zenon's curses which the Familiar just laughed off. And now?
Zenon sat on the same bench while caressing his face. It was still swollen and red because of the punch he received some minutes ago. Not only that, but his Familiar was laughing his ass off while invisible!
'Proud Leviathan my ass! You just want to see me getting beaten up!'
But still, these conversations were enough for Zenon to learn more about that cursed Ability.
As much as it is influenced by Leviathan, could still be controlled at some point. He could perhaps hold it off for some seconds while withstanding the pain and then say something similar to what his Familiar wanted to say.
It was like following orders with a little touch of yourself.
Anyways, this also showed him how angry a teenager could be if he mindlessly talked without caring about the other party's feelings. Quick summary of this past half an hour:
Never talk to teenagers about anything!
Zenon looked to his side, where the Leviathan was proudly standing on his shoulder while looking around.
'Found anything? You've been looking around non-stop for whatever."
The Familiar shook his head and looked behind Zenon again, who just remained sitting while looking at the ceiling.
*Bam!*
Suddenly, he received a punch to the back of his head which made his forehead bounce against the metal table. Leviathan got startled as well and got thrown off Zenon's shoulder and went through the table before landing on the ground.
'Agh, what the fuck?!'
Looking behind his shoulder, he found two boys. One of them was hiding behind the tallest, who was caressing his fist. Zenon squinted his eyes before slamming his hands on the table and getting up.
Zenon recognized the boy behind the tall one. He said something about his predictions for the First Layer and if he would be able to survive or whatever the hell...
Then Zenon… well, Leviathan proceeded to roast the shit out of him.
"So... We were wondering if you would be kind enough to explain what happened and then apologize."
Zenon just looked at them, playing the fool. The boy sighed loudly enough for everyone to look their way. Now... he was the real center of attention.
'Oh man, fuck off… I was calmly existing here.'
"Like, we know how hard your Awakening must've been - like everyone else - but you don't need to be so arrogant about it. Everyone's gone through shit, even way worse than yours."
"Huh? And that gives you enough reason to come and sucker punch me? Whatever…" Zenon sighed as he put his hands inside his pockets, "If you can't tell such an obvious truth, that's your problem. Perhaps you are really arrogant here, instead of me."
The boy's eye twitched before sighing once again, making people group up near them. Zenon realized the severity of the issue but minded no business, after all, they decided to approach him knowing his personality.
"Hehe, still willing to play the narcissist? You can drop it off, it won't take you anywhere. In fact, based on your looks, it may even drop you to the place you belong, rat."
As if a lever was pulled, Zenon took a quick step forward and punched the boy right on the nose, breaking it. Not leaving him a second to rest, he grabbed his head and bashed it against the metal table. While grabbing him by the hair, Zenon got close to his ear and said,
"Listen closely."
Everyone gasped when they saw the fierce look on the small boy's face.
"I don't know how to make you understand how lucky I was to survive the Awakening. Based on your looks, you were at least somewhat prepared for it even if you carry a Lineage.
Sadly, I had to prepare myself mentally the same I had to Awaken - which was today - because I was supposed to be executed at this very hour. Understand it?
So I believe you could make a blind eye to my actions and words instead of being such a pathetic piece of s-"
*Step, step, step*
Zenon stopped talking and looked behind him, watching how people made a small pathway for... Aurea to get past. Zenon sighed and thought,
'Seems like she wasn't the tall one… I am the short one.'
She was clutching with one hand her neck warmer and with the other hand a book. Then stopped in front of both, lowered her head a bit, and looked at Zenon directly.