When Norvall said those words, Flint didn't think much of it. Remembering Diana's words about Norvall training his peers, all Flint really felt was an oncoming stomach ache.
It wasn't until he saw Kesan and Ezra's expressions — along with everybody else around them — that he realized something was wrong.
Seeing his confused face, Ezra leaned in. "Usually we have training—"
"I know."
"Huh. Well yesterday he said there would be nothing for today. Told us to save our energy for the…"
She hesitated, choosing not to finish the sentence.
A groggy kid with bushy eyebrows stood up. "Lord Norvall, time for what exactly?"
He knew what Norvall had been referring to. All of them did.
Norvall's heavy eyes passed over the cafeteria. The sadness was unmistakable. Accompanied by Diana and Rorie, along with the Thyran who walked him here, he told the attendees to follow him through the halls.
Flint quickly stuffed his remaining pastries in his mouth before following. Flint attempted to not choke on his food as he caught up to Kesan and Ezra, pushing through several people to get there.
Kesan glanced at him then leaned in to whisper in his ear. "Did you do something to Elysant?"
"Elysant who?"
Kesan furrowed his brow. "Elysant Elevanor. The prodigy. She's been staring at you ever since you walked in."
"Oh, I've noticed. But I tend to have that effect on girls."
Kesan and Ezra — who'd been listening in — both groaned.
"She looks like she wants to stuff you in a bag and bury you six feet deep. So yes, you do have that effect on girls." Ezra shuddered. "I'm not sure if I should be talking to you anymore. I do not want Elysant as an enemy."
Kesan winced. "She gave me bruises all over from sparring with her."
As if she sensed them talking about her, Elysant turned her head to look at the three of them. Muttering around their breaths, Kesan and Ezra both moved away from him, merging with the crowd.
Shaking his head at the two of them, he studied Elysant. Flint wasn't able to read Elysant's expression before, but now it was unmistakable.
Behind her gray eyes was clear hatred. Flint bit his lip as he felt a shiver run down his spine.
What the hell did I do? Flint thought as he stared back.
Eventually Elevanor looked away, choosing to catch up with the Thyrans.
Flint pushed his braids out of his eyes as he recalled something. He had met this girl before. Surely she wasn't childish enough to still be bent over about that one spar?
His thinking was cut short when the concrete walls shifted into a white marble. To the left and right was a series of rooms that each had an iron door. There was a large area directly in front, most likely offices of some sort. Thyran researchers were all over the place, glancing at them before returning to whatever they were working on with a renewed frenzy.
"May each one of the subjects go into a room. One room for one subject." Rorie's voice echoed over the room as she glared at the kids. Giving Flint in particular a nasty look.
Trying to ignore her, Flint pushed past his peers and took a look inside one of the rooms. Inside was a contraption made out of metal. It looked like a repurposed rehab pod, with a diagnostic screen to the side. Beside it was a Thyran researcher with an obviously fake smile and hair that was pulled in a ponytail.
"Hello, young sir. If you could just lay down right here." She pointed towards the inside of the pod.
Flint glanced at the pod before sighing and climbing in. It was claustrophobic, with his body pressing up against the walls of the pod. They could've at least added some cushions.
The researcher moved towards the diagnostic screen as the machine began to buzz to life. She started strapping him in — each one making a metal clunk as it snapped into place.
Then Flint began to feel it. His Soul vibrated as the Hollowing process started. It was a lot less painful than he imagined, but different from the ecstasy natural Hollows describe.
Flint's mind began to whirr on how something like this could work. Did it jump-start the natural Hollowing process?
But his expression became tense as he felt his Soul being carved out. The Hollowing was a gradual process, so did they intend on taking out bits and pieces every day?
The researcher studied his face. "Sir, might you describe how you're feeling?"
Flint thought for a second. "It's like taking a piss after holding it in all day."
"...Excuse me?"
"A mild sense of relief."
"Alright." She mumbled as she wrote it down.
Flint waited for a minute.
Then two.
"Uhh, lady? When is this machine going to stop?"
"I nearly forgot…" the researcher fumbled with her notes. "Hello, subject. The artificial Hollowing contains several flaws, one of them being that it lacks the 14 day preparation window. Upon the completion of your Hollowing in several minutes, your Soul will be transported to the Soul Realm."
Flint's mind grew numb in shock.
"Start to mentally prepare for arrival at the Soul Realm. The Skill you will receive at arrival is determined by your Lineage, personality, talents, and other metrics."
She turned the page, her voice a monotonous drawl.
"Even if it isn't to your liking, the Skill you receive is tailored to you forever and will grow as you grow. Try not to engage with any entities you come across and instead attempt to move towards the center of the Soul Realm, as outposts are larger in quantity there."
Flint stared at the researcher as his body grew cold and his vision started to fill with black spots.
Memories flashed in his mind. Memories of his childhood. Memories of his parents. Memories of—
Wait. His… parents? What? Whose memories were these?
Flint found himself floating in a void.
All around him were small white sparks flickering around him. Some of them darted around as they were being chased around by a purple light. One of the purple lights folded itself over a white one, merging with it and causing the purple light to grow in size.
He swam over as he stared at its pulsating form. Flint reached out his hand and touched it, then shuddered as he felt it enter his body.
[Soul Saturation: 1%]
Then… nothing.