A New Beginning

Cyrus had grown accustomed to the sudden changes in his life, but this time, something felt different. His mind, usually filled with the turmoil of voices and conflicting thoughts, was strangely silent. No arguments, no internal bickering, just a deep emptiness, as if a part of him had been erased. It was a relieving peace, but at the same time, it brought a sense of abandonment, like something essential was missing. He wondered if he was truly in control or if, for some reason, this quietness was a prelude to something much greater.

It was as if, for the first time, he could breathe. But at the same time, he didn't know what to do with this silence. What was left of him without the voices that had always guided him, the frenzy of his multiple identities? Who was he really without the conflicts?

With a sigh, he shook his head. The first thing he did was grab his phone, calling his boss, Mr. Louis. The man's warm voice was something that, in moments like this, brought him a small comfort. He didn't know what to say, but he felt the need for some kind of connection to the world he still knew.

"Hello, Mr. Louis? It's Cyrus. I just wanted to apologize for missing work these past two days without letting you know... a lot has happened, and I... I don't even know where to begin."

The boss's response was immediate, warm, and almost seemed relieved. "Cyrus! My boy, it's so good to hear your voice! Don't worry about the absences. I know you're responsible, and honestly, I imagine the pressure of the exam must be weighing on you. And, frankly, you deserve it. I've always said, you have a future much greater than staying here in my café. Don't hold yourself back. Go become an Avatar, a hero, and seize your chance. The world needs people like you."

Those words felt almost like a balm to his confused spirit. He was making an important decision, and although he wasn't sure if he was ready, he knew he couldn't turn back. The fears and uncertainties were still there, but Mr. Louis' confirmation gave him the strength he needed.

"Thank you, Mr. Louis. I... I'll try." He hung up the phone, slipped it into his pocket, and for a moment, stood still, feeling the weight of the decision. Something in his chest tightened, but there was also a spark of determination. He was going for the exam. He was going to Divine Glory, and whatever happened next... well, that would be the beginning of something much bigger.

With a deep breath, he got on the motorcycle. The sound of the engine cutting through the morning silence seemed to reflect the internal change he felt. He could no longer hesitate. The city around him was beginning to stir, but he was on a path with no turning back.

When he arrived at the imposing gates of Divine Glory, something in the vastness of the place made him hesitate for a moment. The architecture of the campus resembled a fortress, with marble pillars and symbols from various pantheons adorning the space. It was a place brimming with history and power, something beyond his understanding. He felt a chill run down his spine, as if he was about to be judged.

Cyrus passed through the gate and parked the motorcycle, feeling the weight of each step as he moved toward the exam site. He didn't look back. The city, his life until then, seemed to have been left behind. Deep down, he knew he would never return to what he was before. It was no longer just about skill or strength. Here, he would be tested on something much deeper. His identity. His future. Who he really was.

The exam area was filled with young people, most of them wearing elegant clothes adorned with emblems from their families or renowned Avatars. The atmosphere was tense, charged with expectations. Among the candidates, Cyrus felt like a fish out of water. He wore his worn leather jacket, a black tank top, and equally simple pants. His boots, already visibly used, scraped against the marble floor with each step. He knew his appearance didn't scream aristocracy, but the fact that his face was considered handsome, with his black hair flying in the wind, gave him a certain mysterious charm. Still, he could feel the disdain and curiosity of others.

Some, especially the girls, were enchanted by him. Their eyes followed his body, perhaps imagining there was more behind that simple appearance. But for many, particularly the young ones from noble families, Cyrus was an uncomfortable reminder of the gap between classes. The idea of sharing space with someone from the "lower class" was unpleasant. He could feel the judgment in the air, a silent revulsion hanging over him.

As he entered the grand hall where the exam would take place, the magnificence of the place made him feel even smaller. The sound of others' footsteps was muffled by the sense of being in front of something much bigger than himself, something unattainable. Everything there seemed ready to welcome heroes, yet ruthless with those who didn't prove themselves worthy.

He took a step forward, feeling the weight of the others' gazes on him. He didn't know what awaited him, but he knew that, regardless of the outcome, this exam would be the first step toward a completely different life. And finally, he asked himself, no longer with fear, but with a new determination: who would he really be in this new world?

Cyrus felt the eyes on him as he walked toward the registration area. He already expected that the aristocrats and children of famous Avatars would judge him, but he didn't care. They had their legacies, their surnames, their titles. And him? He only had himself.

The crowd began to disperse, each heading to their respective preparation areas. The exam would begin soon. Cyrus took a deep breath, trying to stay calm. But then, in the midst of the silence in his mind, a voice whispered:

"Finally woke up, kid?"

His heart stopped for a second. The silence shattered like broken glass.

"Hope you're ready, because this is going to be fun."

Other voices began to emerge, one after the other. Some curious, others mocking, others eager.

"Don't let him falter." "Remember, Cyrus... only the strong survive." "Let's see if you deserve what was given to you."

Cyrus closed his eyes for a moment, feeling the weight of it all. The personalities were coming back, and with them, the uncertainty of who would take control first.

He opened his eyes, facing the grand gate that led to the test arena.

The exam was about to begin.

And he didn't know if he would leave there as just himself.