Morning arrived, the sunlight breaking through the clouds and illuminating the bustling training grounds of the academy. Shunjiro felt the weight of anticipation as he joined the crowd of recruits. Today marked the beginning of their assignments under the leaders who had chosen them. When Shunjiro arrived at the meeting spot, he spotted Sora leaning against a nearby wall, looking as confident as ever. Sora acknowledged him with a nod and a smirk. “About time you showed up,” Sora teased. “Not everyone’s a morning person like you,” Shunjiro shot back, grinning. He appreciated Sora’s easygoing demeanor, which helped him relax in tense moments like these. Among the gathered recruits was a familiar face: Jayiden, whose beastly features were hard to forget. His wolf-like ears and tail twitched as he scanned the area, and his wild, untamed hair gave him an imposing yet approachable aura. Shunjiro had noticed him during the entrance exams, where Jayiden’s raw physicality had left a strong impression. There was also another recruit Shunjiro didn’t recognize, a broad-shouldered young man with sharp, calculating eyes and an athletic stance. Before Shunjiro could introduce himself, Kaito approached. His commanding presence immediately drew everyone’s attention. “Good morning,” Kaito began, his voice steady and authoritative. “Welcome to your first day under my guidance. You’re here because I see the potential for greatness in each of you. Over the next week, you’ll train harder than you ever have before. You’ll push past your limits, uncover your strengths, and confront your weaknesses. By the end, you’ll have a better understanding of what it takes to be a true warrior.” Shunjiro felt a thrill of determination surge through him. He clenched his fists, already picturing the rigorous training that awaited them. Kaito’s gaze swept across the group. “You’ll train with me for four days. On the fifth day, you’ll face me in combat.” The group collectively tensed at his words. Shunjiro’s mind raced. Fighting Kaito? On day five? He realized he had a long way to go in a short amount of time, but he welcomed the challenge. This wasn’t just an opportunity to prove himself, it was a chance to grow stronger. The broad-shouldered recruit spoke up, his tone laced with skepticism. “Four days of training, and then we fight you? That seems… intense.” Kaito gave him a small smile. “It is, Tetsuo. But intensity is the point. You’ll never improve by staying comfortable. Embrace the challenge, and you might surprise yourself.” Shunjiro stole a glance at Tetsuo, who nodded, seemingly satisfied with the explanation. The name clicked for Shunjiro, Tetsuo had been one of the standout performers in the exams, someone others had already started talking about. Still, Shunjiro couldn’t shake the absence of Yoshinori from his mind. When Kaito paused, Shunjiro hesitated before asking, “Why isn’t Yoshinori here?” Kaito’s expression softened. “Yoshinori was chosen by Hiroto before he even entered the room. That should tell you something about his potential.” Shunjiro nodded. He wasn’t surprised. Yoshinori was incredible, smart, skilled, and capable of thinking several steps ahead in battle. If anyone deserved to be picked by someone as formidable as Hiroto, it was him. The rest of the group settled into a determined silence. They had their work cut out for them, and everyone seemed to understand that. Elsewhere, Itsuki was standing with her own group, nervously fidgeting as they waited for their leader to arrive. Unlike Shunjiro, Itsuki didn’t recognize anyone in her group. When Yumi finally appeared, she greeted them with a shy, barely audible voice. “Um… good morning, everyone,” Yumi said, her hands clasped in front of her. She avoided direct eye contact, and her voice wavered slightly. The group could tell it was difficult for her to address them, but she pressed on. “I’ve chosen you all because I see great potential in your healing abilities. Our task for the week is to assist a village that has been struck by disease.” Itsuki perked up at this. Healing was her passion, and the thought of helping others filled her with a sense of purpose. Yumi continued, “We can’t fully cure the disease with our abilities, it’s beyond what healing magic can accomplish. But we can slow its progression and alleviate symptoms. This mission is about doing what we can with what we have.” The group listened intently, and despite Yumi’s quiet demeanor, they could sense her determination. She explained that it would take two days to reach the village, where they would spend the rest of the week providing aid. The trial would conclude on the last day. Itsuki couldn’t help but admire Yumi. Even though she struggled to speak in front of them, her resolve was evident. Itsuki silently vowed to do her best to support her team. In another part of the academy, Akira’s group was already assembling. Yuki stood confidently among them, alongside Ryota, Lars, and one other. Akira wasted no time. “This week, we’ll be raiding dungeons,” Akira announced, her tone brisk and businesslike. “Each dungeon will test different aspects of your abilities, combat, strategy, teamwork. I expect you to perform at your best. If you can’t keep up, you’ll be left behind.” The group exchanged nervous glances, but Yuki seemed unfazed. She met Akira’s gaze with a smile, eager to prove herself. Meanwhile, Hiroto’s group gathered around him at the quest board. Yoshinori was among them, standing off to the side. He didn’t recognize anyone else in the group, which made him feel even more out of place. As an introvert, he found it hard to engage with others, but he listened carefully as Hiroto explained their task. “You’ll be picking a quest from this board,” Hiroto said. “It’s up to you to decide which one suits your abilities. Think carefully before you choose, this is your chance to show me what you’re capable of.” Yoshinori studied the board, already formulating strategies for the different quests listed. Though he didn’t speak much, his mind was always working, analyzing and planning. As the groups began their respective journeys, Shunjiro found himself brimming with anticipation. The training, the trials, the camaraderie, all of it was new and exciting. For the first time, he felt like he was truly part of something bigger than himself. And as the week unfolded, Shunjiro vowed to give everything he had, knowing that each step brought him closer to the adventurer, and the man he wanted to become.