Zenon Griffey

Zenon Griffey (ゼノン・グリフィ) was a swordsmanship instructor at Midgar Royal Spellsword Academy and one of Alexia Midgar's fiancé candidates. In truth, however, he was a member of the Order of Diabolos from which belongs to the Fenrir's Sect faction, aiming for the Cult executive position by plotting to kidnap Princess Alexia and use her royal blood for the cult's experiments in order to become a 12th seat in the Knights of Rounds.

Appearance
Zenon is a fit and blond man in his late twenties. He is described as handsome by some of the female students, being constantly admired by several of them.

Befitting his rank, he often has a sword on his side.

Personality
While viewed as a friendly man making him popular among students, this is all a façade, and the real Zenon is a self-entitled individual with a large ego. He is nothing more but a delusional fool, who constantly boasts about his accomplishments and believes he deserves fame and glory. He looks down on others like Alexia, taking the opportunity to mock her for her lackluster performance and mockingly apologized for comparing her to her sister.

However, his ego would be his undoing as he severely underestimates his opponents. After being bested by Shadow, Zenon becomes enraged and starts shouting constantly at his opponent, further highlighting his bratty nature. When he was defeated, he shows a pitiful side to him by begging for mercy, despite his actions disgusting others.

Past
Growing up amidst the favor of being called a wonder child, having taken the championship of several tournaments, until finally climbing to the position of Swordsmanship Instructor. In Midgar Kingdom, there is no swordsman who doesn’t know the name of Zenon Griffey. Unbeknownst to all, Zenon was secretly affiliated with the Cult of Diablos and he wants to evaluate his position to become the Knight of Rounds.

When the cult's leadership recognize his strength, they consider making Zenon a candidate to fill the vacant position on the 12th seat but noted Zenon lacks achievements and sought an opportunity. Eventually, Zenon found a chance when Princess Alexia was arranged to him in marriage. Zenon then realized that he could take her royal blood and offered it to the Order of Diabolos for their experiment.

Kidnapping of the Princess
He is first introduced training students at the Academy after Alexia starts "dating" Cid, a lower class aristocrat, Zenon confronts her about her phase and tells her that she will grow out of it and see Zenon as a good choice but she rebuffs him. As the days went on, Zenon simply smiled at Alexia's attempt to get a rise out of him, much to her annoyance.

Sometime later, he secretly kidnaps her and frames Cid for the crime. He and several followers arrest Cid and beat him in his interrogation but the young man does not give up anything, despite his injuries. Zenon meets with Iris Midgar and states he feels responsible for Alexia's kidnapping and giving a report about Cid's interrogation for five days, Iris then decides to release him, but keep following him.

As Shadow Garden assaults all the cult's hideouts in Midgar, Zenon retreats to the laboratory but finds Alexia has managed to break free. He confronts her and the two fight, with Zenon physically and verbally beating up Alexia. Before he could take her away, they are surprised when Shadow suddenly appears to intervene with Zenon's doing. Shadow easily bests Zenon's attacks and the former could only mock on his opponent's underwhelming strength, infuriating him.

Zenon is reduced to using a red lozenge to make himself more powerful and become an Third Awakening. In spite of his mutation increasing his strength, he is still no match for Shadow who uses his own belittling words against him. Realizing he lost, Zenon could only cry and beg for mercy before Shadow kills him with his Atom attack.

Legacy
After his death, a bunch of students are dropped out of the Royal Bushin elective after his scandal become known and souring his reputation. However, Zenon's death revealing the existence of the Cult of Diablos and Shadow Garden which become public and triggered the cult to make Shadow Garden become the world enemy.

Powers & Abilities
Zenon was mightier than the average Dark Knight because his magic that surrounded him qualitatively became sharper and denser, which his strength makes him possibly above the "Second Children" of the Cult of Diablos. Even the Cult's "Knight Rounds" acknowledged his power which is powerful enough to become a Rounds member and wants to make Zenon a prime candidate for occupy the 12th vacant seat position in the Knights of Rounds.

Also, he uses red lozenge to make himself more powerful and become an Third Awakening.

Swordsmanship
Zenon is a master swordsman with his skills allow him to create his own style of swordsmanship and become an instructor at Midgar Academy. In a sword fight against Alexia, he can easily best her in both technique and strength but cannot overcome Alexia imitating Iris' swordsmanship.

Alexia Midgar
His former arranged betrothed and student. From the very beginning, he was okay with the arrangement while Alexia despised him because in spite of his esteemed rank and seemingly perfect persona, she could not find a flaw in him and her forced future to him. As a result, she started her relationship with Cid as a way to annoy Zenon, but he easily saw through it but let it go on and told her to get used to their engagement.

However, he had her kidnapped and revealed he was exploiting her royal blood for an experiment. When revealing his true nature, he proceeded to belittle her and stated her power will fulfill her ambitions. Zenon even sarcastically apologized for comparing her to her sister but did not hesitate to brutalize the girl and almost recapture her though she was rescued by Shadow and she witnessed Zenon's death at the latter's hand.

Cid Kagenō / Shadow
Cid was one of Zenon's students for a short while. Zenon saw Cid as the perfect patsy to take the blame for his crime in kidnapping Alexia.

When Zenon encountered Cid as Shadow, Zenon completely underestimated the leader of Shadow Garden resulting in him be on the receiving end of an extensive and hilarious one-sided fight. Being beaten, belittled and humiliated by Shadow caused Zenon to lose all composure and gave in to his rage. Zenon met his end by Shadow's "I Am Atomic" attacked.