The large hall was filled with the soft murmur of conversation as the recruits waited for the mages to join them. Haizen sat with Talon and Ryo, the three of them huddled near a corner of the room, sharing their stories.
Ryo leaned back against the wall, his muscular frame relaxed but his voice steady as he recounted his tale. "I worked as a guard in a city. It wasn't anything special—just the usual patrols and breaking up the occasional fight. At least, that's what I thought." His face darkened. "One night, I heard a child crying in one of the alleys. I followed the sound and stumbled upon something… something terrible. Turns out, the man I worked for was running a human trafficking ring right under our noses."
Talon and Haizen exchanged shocked glances as Ryo continued. "When I tried to do something about it, they caught me. Tortured me." He flexed his hands, as if remembering the pain. "I thought I was done for. Then the Brotherhood came. They infiltrated the place, saved the kids—and me. I owed them my life, so when they offered me a chance to join, I didn't hesitate."
Talon nodded, his expression thoughtful. "That's heavy," he said, before launching into his own story. "In my village, the Brotherhood were legends. They were the stuff of stories—shadowy heroes who showed up when things got bad. I always wondered if the tales were true, but there was no way to find out. That changed when a demon attacked my village."
The others leaned in as Talon spoke, his voice low and intense. "The thing tore through us like we were nothing. Even with my skills, I couldn't stop it. I fought to protect the villagers, but it was the Brotherhood who saved us. They saw something in me and gave me this chance."
Haizen listened intently, the tales of heroism and survival filling him with a mix of awe and unease. When the others turned to him, expecting his story, he shrugged. "Nothing that noble," he admitted. "I got caught up with the wrong crowd. Criminal factions don't take kindly to troublemakers, and I made myself a target. The Brotherhood saved my life too, but not before I learned the hard way just how brutal the underworld can be."
The group fell silent for a moment, the weight of their shared experiences settling over them. Just then, the doors to the hall opened, and the mages entered.
Urilo waved at Haizen, who raised his hand in return. Beside Urilo was Xavier, who offered a polite nod as they approached. The recruits gathered into a loose circle, exchanging greetings and details about their assessments.
"So, how did it go?" Haizen asked Urilo.
"Third-tier mage," Urilo replied, his tone modest. "But the old man didn't go easy on us."
Xavier added, "That's an understatement. He could have flattened us if he wanted to."
Their conversation was cut short as Vorenus stepped onto a raised platform at the front of the hall. His presence commanded immediate attention, and the room fell silent. Behind him stood a masked Brotherhood figure, their stance rigid and imposing.
Vorenus surveyed the recruits before speaking. "Recruits, you've all passed your initial assessments. But let me be clear: you are not yet members of the Brotherhood. To earn that title, you must complete your first mission."
The recruits exchanged nervous glances as Vorenus continued. "Before that, you will be assigned dormitories. Five recruits to a room. This arrangement is not arbitrary; it is designed to foster trust and teamwork among you. These bonds will be your strength in the missions to come."
He paused, letting his words sink in. "Your assignments will be delivered in due time. Until then, you will live, train, and prepare together. This is your chance to prove that you belong here."
Gesturing to the masked figure, Vorenus said, "This is your guide. They will lead you to your rooms. Follow their instructions without question."
The masked figure motioned for the recruits to follow, and the group filed out of the hall. As they walked through the corridors, Haizen fell in step with Talon and Urilo.
"Looks like we'll be stuck together," Haizen joked, though his tone carried a hint of genuine warmth.
Urilo smirked. "Better than being stuck with that Orion kid."
Talon chuckled. "He's not so bad. Just needs to be knocked down a peg or two."
They reached the dormitories, where simple wooden doors lined the walls. Inside, the rooms were sparsely furnished but functional, with five small beds, a shared desk, and storage chests for each recruit.
Haizen threw himself onto one of the beds, sighing in mock exhaustion. "Home sweet home," he quipped.
Talon laughed, while Urilo shook his head with a smile. Despite the spartan conditions, the camaraderie in the room was undeniable. They were recruits of the Brotherhood now, and their journey had just begun.
In the room assigned to Malach, Sirius, Hiroshi, Xavier, and Ryo, tension immediately filled the air. Malach strode in with his usual swagger and threw his bag onto a bed Sirius had already claimed. He began unpacking his belongings without a second thought.
Sirius, his cold expression unchanging, finally spoke. "What are you doing?"
Malach smirked. "The strongest take what they want," he said casually, pulling out one of his curved daggers. "Got a problem with that? Come at me." With a swift motion, he held the blade dangerously close to Sirius's neck.
Sirius didn't flinch. His piercing eyes met Malach's, and though his hand seemed motionless, a glint of metal appeared at Malach's abdomen. For a moment, neither moved, their tension palpable. Just as it seemed their fight would escalate, a strange aura filled the room.
Both men froze, turning toward the source of the oppressive energy. Hiroshi, sitting cross-legged in meditation, exuded a powerful presence. His sword rested upright before him, its gleaming edge adding to the quiet intimidation.
"I don't like noise when I meditate," Hiroshi said calmly, his voice cutting through the tension like a blade.
Malach stepped back, muttering, "Huh," and sheathed his dagger. Sirius silently moved to another bed without breaking his cold demeanor. The unspoken threat in Hiroshi's aura had quelled their conflict before it could begin.
Xavier, who had been watching the scene with growing unease, sighed internally. Why did I end up in this room? he screamed in his mind. His discomfort must have shown on his face because Ryo clapped him on the shoulder with a booming laugh.
"Ah, that's bonding for you!" Ryo exclaimed. "I think they'll end up loving each other!" His words were so absurd that everyone in the room froze for a moment, staring at him.
Malach and Sirius exchanged incredulous glances, while Xavier buried his face in his hands. Even Hiroshi cracked an amused smile before returning to his meditation.
And so, the bonds of their new lives in the Brotherhood began to form—whether they wanted them to or not.