Fifteen minutes later, Noir followed Shin Jin through the cathedral's winding corridors.
They descended several flights of stairs, the air growing cooler. Spiritual lanterns replaced the fading sunlight, casting everything in pale blue light.
"Stay close," Shin Jin said. "The training complex is a maze. Last thing I need is searching for a lost trainee."
Noir said nothing, his mind still tangled in the nightmare and the choice he'd just made.
They passed through heavy wooden doors into a vast underground courtyard.
Noir stopped.
The space was enormous—three times the size of the courtyard above. Training zones divided the area: sparring rings, obstacle courses, meditation platforms, weapon racks lining the walls.
Dozens of seers moved through the space, all wearing sleek black combat suits. They looked professional. Dangerous.
And then there was Noir, standing at the entrance in plain gray training robes that marked him as a new recruit.
He felt exposed.
The moment he and Shin Jin entered, the activity didn't stop—but it slowed.
Heads turned.
Conversations quieted.
Eyes tracked Noir as he followed Shin Jin deeper into the courtyard, and the whispers began.
"That's him."
"The one who attracted all those rippers."
"I heard civilians died."
"Why is he even here?"
Noir kept his gaze forward, jaw tight.
Ignore them. They don't matter.
Shin Jin glanced back. "Seems you're going to be the talk of the town all week long. I wouldn't recommend making any more scenes from now on. Some seers like stirring trouble, and you've already painted a target on your back."
"I didn't ask for this," Noir muttered.
"Doesn't matter. You're here now."
They reached the center, where two figures waited near a sparring ring.
The first was Soo Ah.
She wore a sleek purple combat suit that emphasized her athletic build. Her short hair was tied back, and her axe was strapped securely across her back. She stood with that same relaxed alertness Noir remembered from when she'd saved him—ready to move in an instant, but not tense.
The second figure was someone Noir had never seen before.
A young man, probably close to Noir's age—maybe seventeen or eighteen. He stood quietly to the side, hands clasped loosely in front of him, his posture relaxed but somehow... contained. Like he was comfortable being still, being patient, simply observing.
His hair was maroon and fell just past his ears in a somewhat disheveled way that looked natural rather than careless. His eyes were a deep, thoughtful blue that seemed to absorb everything around him without judgment.
"Alright," Shin Jin said. "Introductions. You know Soo Ah. She's been training under me for two years."
Soo Ah gave a small wave. "Try not to die, Noir. I'd hate to lose a new teammate so quickly."
Shin Jin gestured to the young man. "This is Piers Oda. Joined last week. Quiet, but observant."
Piers stepped forward, offering his hand. "Good to meet you, Noir. I hope your first day hasn't been too overwhelming."
His voice was calm, sincere.
Noir shook his hand. "Noir Adélard."
"I know," Piers said with a small smile. "Word travels fast. For what it's worth, I don't think you should be judged for things outside your control."
Shin Jin crossed his arms. "And this," he said, gesturing to Noir, "is Noir Adélard. Our newest recruit. And as of about ten minutes ago..."
He paused, as if weighing whether to say it.
Then he sighed.
"...the newest Crimson Seer."
The effect was immediate.
Piers' eyes widened. "The Crimson Seer? That's..."
He paused, concern crossing his face.
"I've been reading about the Order's history. That position has... dark implications."
He looked directly at Noir, and there was real worry in his eyes now.
"Are you certain about this choice? I don't mean to question your judgment, but the accounts I've read suggest that every person who's held that title has suffered immensely."
Soo Ah's playful expression vanished completely. "Noir. Are you sure?"
"Yes," Noir said, frustration edging into his voice. "I'm sure."
"The curse isn't superstition—"
"I don't care about the curse."
Silence fell.
Piers studied Noir, then nodded slowly. "If you're that committed, I'll respect it. We're teammates now. I'll support you however I can."
Soo Ah sighed. "Well, this is going to be interesting."
Shin Jin cleared his throat. "The three of you are now a unit. You train together. You fight together. You succeed or fail together."
He pointed at Soo Ah. "You're the most experienced. Keep these two alive."
She grinned. "I'll try my best. No promises."
He pointed at Piers. "You're thoughtful. Use it. But don't overthink when action is needed."
"Understood, sir."
He pointed at Noir. "And you're the Crimson Seer now. You'll be tested harder than the others. You'll face things they won't. But if you survive, you'll become extraordinary. Or you'll die trying."
He clapped his hands. "Alright. Combat assessment. Soo Ah, you're up first."
Soo Ah moved to the center of the ring without hesitation.
Shin Jin followed. "Attack me. Don't hold back."
Soo Ah moved.
Fast.
Her axe swept toward Shin Jin's torso, glowing with spiritual energy.
He sidestepped. She pivoted, swinging again. He ducked, swept her legs, dropped her to the ground.
She rolled, came up swinging. He jumped, landed behind her.
"Too predictable."
She straightened, breathing slightly harder. "Better?"
"Better. But you still telegraph. Work on it."
He turned to Noir and Piers. "See that? Speed, precision, adaptability. That's what you need."
Piers spoke quietly. "The transitions... there's logic to it. Like thinking three moves ahead."
"Exactly," Shin Jin said, looking impressed. "Good observation."
He pointed at Noir. "You're next."
Noir stepped into the ring.
The whispers grew louder.
Shin Jin raised his hand. Silence.
"Same rules. Attack me."
Noir raised his fists.
Shin Jin moved.
One moment distant. The next, right in front of him.
A sharp blow to Noir's solar plexus. Air exploded from his lungs. He stumbled back, gasping.
"Too slow. Again."
Noir lunged. Wild punch.
Shin Jin caught his wrist, twisted, sent him crashing down.
"Sloppy. Again."
Noir circled, looking for an opening.
Shin Jin swept his legs. Noir hit the ground hard.
"Predictable. Again."
The whispers returned, mocking.
Noir got up.
Again.
Again.
Again.
Finally, Shin Jin stopped.
"You're weak. No technique. No control. If you'd fought a ripper like that, you'd be dead."
He offered his hand.
Noir took it.
"But you kept getting up. That's something."
Shin Jin released him and faced Soo Ah and Piers. "Training starts tomorrow at dawn. Be ready."
Then he turned to point at Noir, " As for you, we'll meet here in the afternoon and proceed with your training until sunset. You still have a long way."
He walked away.
Piers approached. "Are you alright?"
Noir wiped sweat from his face. "Fine."
"You didn't quit," Piers said simply. "I almost gave up on the first day, you know."
Soo Ah stepped forward, her expression softer but still direct. "Shin Jin doesn't waste praise. He meant it. Though it'll be harder to hear him do that again if you keep getting stuck in one place, Noir."
Noir said nothing, still trying to catch his breath.
Piers glanced between them, then spoke again, his tone gentle.
"I don't know if this helps, but... we're all starting from different places. Soo Ah has years of experience. You and I are both new, both trying to find our footing."
She glanced at both of them, and a hint of her earlier playfulness returned. "Though you both looked pretty pathetic. We've got our work cut out for us."
Piers offered that small smile. "Maybe we can help each other. Learn together."
Noir felt something ease in his chest.
"Thanks."
Soo Ah stretched. "Dining hall? I'm starving, and we should probably talk about what we're getting ourselves into."
"Coming?" Piers asked Noir.
Noir nodded. "Yeah."
As they walked toward the exit, Piers fell into step beside Noir, maintaining a comfortable distance—close enough to show solidarity, far enough to give space.
"I've been meaning to ask," Piers said thoughtfully, "what made you choose the Crimson Seer position? If you're comfortable sharing, of course."
His curiosity seemed genuine, driven by a desire to understand rather than to judge.
Noir was quiet, then said simply: "I have something I need to do. Someone I need to find."
Piers nodded, accepting this without pressing. "Well, whatever your mission is, I hope you achieve it. And if there's anything I can do to help along the way, please let me know."
Soo Ah glanced at Noir. "You're going to need all the help you can get, choosing a position like that."
But there was no judgment in her voice. Just honest assessment.
Despite everything, Noir felt something shift.
Maybe this wouldn't be completely unbearable.
Maybe, just maybe, he'd found people he could actually trust.