They returned to the arena and joined the crowd, watching the final few team battles unfold. Shunjiro practically bounced with excitement. “I still can’t believe we beat Sora!” he grinned. “Our teamwork is unmatched!” He turned to Itsuki. “I swear, when you healed me, it gave me a buff or something. I felt way stronger after.” Itsuki tilted her head, puzzled. “A buff? What do you mean?” “I don’t know,” Shunjiro said, scratching his cheek. “It was like… your healing calmed my energy. Made it easier to control.” Yoshinori chimed in. “Interesting. Maybe your spiritual energy has a passive ability, restoration and enhancement. You could be strengthening spiritual energy along with healing it.” “I didn’t know I could do that…” Itsuki murmured. Shunjiro gave her a bright smile. “Well, you did. You’re amazing. Seriously, thank you.” Itsuki blushed, quickly looking away. “I-It’s nothing…” Shunjiro turned back to Yoshinori. “And we actually beat Sora! That jerk totally had it coming.” As if summoned, a voice behind them cut in. “What was that?” Shunjiro flinched, spinning around. Sora Ayanami stood there, arms crossed and eyebrow raised. “Oh, uh… nothing,” Shunjiro said quickly, then paused. “Actually, yeah. I’m glad we beat you.” Sora scoffed. “Let’s get one thing straight. You didn’t beat me. Yoshinori did. I was down because of him.” Shunjiro held firm. “It was a team battle. We took your flag. That’s a win.” “If I’d stayed behind to guard it,” Sora smirked, “you wouldn’t have come close. I’ve already adapted to everything you can throw at me. You’re not touching me again.” He paused, then gave them a wry grin. “Still… you won. So congratulations. I guess I’m your rival now, Shrimp.” As he turned to walk off, Sora suddenly stopped and wrinkled his nose. “Hold up… what’s that smell?” Shunjiro’s face instantly turned beet red. “N-Nothing!” Sora slowly looked over at him, realization dawning. “Wait… did Ryota throw up on you?!” The silver-haired boy doubled over laughing. “No way! That’s hilarious!” He walked away, still cackling. Itsuki looked at Shunjiro with sympathy. Yoshinori let out a rare chuckle. Shunjiro spun around. “Wait, did you just laugh? Not you too!” And then Itsuki burst out laughing too. Shunjiro groaned. “Why does this always happen to me?!”  Shunjiro then remembered something… something from earlier in the day. He’d seen a familiar figure in the crowd during his one-on-one match with Sora. Not just any figure, Takeshi. His brother. His pulse spiked. Without warning, he broke into a jog, weaving between the recruits and onlookers. “Takeshi!” he called out, his voice rising with urgency as he scanned the sea of faces, his stomach twisting. I know I saw him… I did. Behind him, Itsuki noticed his sudden shift.  “Shunjiro? Where are you going?” she asked, startled, breaking into a run to follow. She caught up with him at the edge of a bustling clearing filled with spectators. Shunjiro stood frozen, his eyes darting across the crowd, wild with hope and desperation. There was something fragile in the way his shoulders tensed, like a thread pulled too tight. “Shunjiro?” Itsuki repeated, softer this time. She reached out and gently touched his shoulder. “Hey… what’s wrong?” He swallowed hard. “I-I thought I saw my brother earlier,” he admitted, eyes still scanning, voice low and strained. “During my fight… I swear it was him. But now… I can’t find him. Maybe I just imagined it.” Her expression softened instantly, her hand remaining on his shoulder, steadying him. “If you really think he was here,” she said gently, “maybe he left before you noticed.” She hesitated, then added quietly, “I know what it feels like… to search for someone you can’t quite reach.” Shunjiro’s chest ached at her words. He glanced at her. Really looked, and saw it: the flicker of pain behind her usual warmth. A silent, shared ache. “Yeah,” he murmured. “It’s so frustrating. I just want to see him, you know?” He cast a final, lingering glance across the crowd. The hope dimmed. “I guess I was wrong this time.” Itsuki gave his shoulder a reassuring squeeze. “If there’s anything I can do to help you find him… just say the word.” Shunjiro’s eyes stung for a moment, caught off guard by the tenderness in her voice. “Thank you, Itsuki,” he said softly. Footsteps crunched in the dirt behind them. Yoshinori emerged from the crowd, his expression as unreadable as ever but with a crease of curiosity on his brow. “What’s going on?” he asked, eyes flicking between them. Shunjiro straightened quickly, self-conscious. “Ah, it’s nothing major,” he said with a forced chuckle. “I just… thought I saw someone from my past. Turns out it wasn’t him.” He offered a thin smile. “Don’t worry about me.” Yoshinori studied him for a beat longer than necessary, clearly not buying it, but choosing not to press. “If you say so,” he replied simply. He paused like he might say something more, then pivoted instead. “We should regroup. Exams aren’t over yet.” Shunjiro nodded, his smile becoming a little more genuine. “Right. And uh… thanks, by the way. For beating Sora. I… kinda owe you for that.” “Don’t mention it,” Yoshinori said with a light shrug. But just before he turned, Shunjiro caught it, a flicker of warmth in those normally guarded blue eyes. A thread of respect. They returned to the grand arena, where the Gilded Blades and even the King of Radiance stood in anticipation. The once-bustling coliseum, now bathed in the golden hues of the setting sun, shimmered with a quiet tension. Shadows stretched long across the arena floor, and a hush swept through the crowd, thick with expectation. Shunjiro’s heart pounded in his chest, each thump loud in his ears like a distant war drum. Standing among the other candidates, his nerves tightened like a noose. All around him, eager eyes and steel-set jaws. Everyone looked so confident, so sure of themselves. He swallowed hard. Do I really belong here? Ahead of them stood the Gilded Blades, the kingdom’s most elite warriors. Each one a living legend. They were selecting twenty of them to move on to the next stage. Shunjiro glanced sideways at the other recruits. Straight backs. Sharp eyes. Determined faces. He curled his hands into fists. Hold it together… His eyes drifted to Yoshinori, calm, composed, unreadable as always. The lightning user looked like nothing could shake him. Even now, standing on the brink of their future, he seemed unbothered. He’s definitely getting picked first… Shunjiro thought, envy and admiration twisting inside him. I just hope I don’t get left behind. As if summoned by fate, the first name rang out: “Yoshinori Raikawa.” Applause erupted. A few even whistled. Shunjiro’s eyes lit up and he clapped furiously, pride swelling in his chest. “Hey, Yoshinori! First pick? That’s amazing!” he called, slapping his friend’s back. Yoshinori gave a casual shrug, his voice typically flat. “Thanks, I guess.” Then came the second name: “Sora Ayanami.” The silver-haired prodigy walked forward with a cocky grin, basking in the adoration, and annoyance of the crowd. Shunjiro groaned. “Of course it’s Sora,” he muttered. “That jerk…” Sora cast a smug glance over his shoulder, as if daring the others to match his brilliance. Shunjiro rolled his eyes so hard they almost got stuck. The names continued, each one chipping away at Shunjiro’s confidence like a sculptor striking marble. Candidate after candidate stepped forward, their dreams solidifying, while his felt like sand slipping through his fingers. Then like a glimmer of light,  “Itsuki Nozomi.” Shunjiro lit up. “Itsuki! Congrats!” he beamed, throwing a thumbs-up. She turned to him with a bright smile, her cheeks flushed. “Thanks, Shunjiro! You too, good luck!” That smile gave him just enough warmth to stay standing, even as hope flickered low. The pool of remaining names was shrinking fast. Shunjiro’s breaths came shorter. Finally, one last name to be called. The crowd went still. Kaito Ishiro, the leader of the Gilded Blades, stepped forward with a mischievous glint in his eye. His voice rang out like a crack of thunder through the tense air. “Well, here goes nothing-” he said, smirking. “How about the kid who got barfed on?” A ripple of laughter swept the arena. Shunjiro froze. All eyes turned to him. His face flushed red. No way… did he just mean… me? He blinked, stunned. “Me?” he barely whispered. Kaito chuckled. “Yes, you. Hurry it up, or I’ll change my mind.” For a moment, Shunjiro couldn’t move. He sat frozen in disbelief. But then it hit him. His legs shot up beneath him, and he stumbled forward with wide eyes. “I… I’m picked?!” Cheers, chuckles, and a few surprised gasps followed him as he rushed to Kaito’s side. Kaito clapped a firm hand on his shoulder, his grin softening. “Congrats, kid. Let’s see what you’ve got.” Shunjiro’s chest swelled with emotion. He blinked fast, refusing to cry in front of all these people. “I won’t let you down,” he said, voice shaking with emotion, but full of heart. He turned to look at the others still waiting, some relieved, some crushed. Not long ago, that had been him. This is just the beginning, he told himself, a fire lighting in his chest. Whatever comes next… I’ll rise to meet it. And as he took his place among Kaito’s chosen five, Shunjiro vowed to never let this flame go out. The first phase of the exams had finally come to an end. Inside the grand stone-walled food hall of the Radiance Castle, the 20 fifteen-year-olds who had passed the initial trial stood shoulder to shoulder in a neat line, tension thrumming in the air. Ornate chandeliers glowed overhead, casting golden light on the polished floors as servants quietly finished laying out trays of steaming food and drink. But none of the recruits dared to break formation. They were waiting. A hush fell over the hall the moment the heavy doors at the top of the stairs creaked open. The five elite warriors of the kingdom, the legendary Gilded Blades descended in unison. At the center stood Kaito Ishiro, his blue cloak rippling behind him, black hair catching the light with every step. His blue eyes scanned the room, sharp yet calm, commanding attention without a word. As the five came to a halt at the base of the stairs, Kaito stepped forward. The moment his boot hit the stone, the room went silent. “Congratulations to all of you,” Kaito began, his voice clear, smooth, and filled with quiet authority. “You’ve proven yourselves worthy by surviving the trials, and now you stand at the threshold of something far greater. From this day forward… your lives will never be the same.” A quiet murmur rippled through the line. Shunjiro clenched his fists at his sides, doing his best to breathe steadily. The adrenaline of the exams still lingered, but Kaito’s words were grounding him, pulling his mind into the present. Kaito swept a hand toward the long banquet tables, his tone lifting slightly. “Tonight, you’ll stay here in Radiance Castle as honored guests. A feast has been prepared, and your rooms are ready. But more than comfort, this evening marks a beginning. The beginning of your path… as true adventurers.” Shunjiro felt a nervous flutter in his stomach. He straightened his posture, suddenly aware of every breath. This is it… the moment I’ve been waiting for. “But before that,” Kaito continued, glancing at his fellow Gilded Blades, “you’ll each meet with us in private. You’ll share your aspirations, your strengths, your goals, and what drives you. By the end of the evening, each of us will personally choose four recruits to join our squads. That means five teams, each led by one of the Gilded Blades. Teams of five, one leader, four recruits.” Gasps echoed lightly across the room. A few exchanged glances. Shunjiro blinked, his heart skipping a beat. Wait… they’re not just assigning us? We get chosen? “Some of you may already have an idea of who you’d like to follow,” Kaito said, lips quirking into a sly smile. “Others may not even know our names yet. That’s fine. What matters is that you show us who you are, what kind of adventurer you want to become.” Yoshinori, standing a few spots down from Shunjiro, gave a small nod to himself. Meanwhile, Ryota was fidgeting in place, barely able to contain his excitement. Aiko cracked her knuckles. Sora smirked, already certain he’d be a top pick. And beside Shunjiro, Itsuki offered a soft smile of encouragement. Shunjiro swallowed hard. Come on, you’ve made it this far. You can’t fall behind now. Kaito took one final look across the room. “So relax. Eat. Rest. Because tomorrow, your real test begins.” Then, with a motion of his hand, the tension broke. The line dissolved into movement. Recruits moved toward the food, murmuring excitedly amongst themselves. Laughter began to creep back into the room, and the aroma of roasted meats and fresh bread finally reached Shunjiro’s senses. But his mind was still spinning. His stomach gave an audible gurgle, and he reflexively clutched it. “Okay, yeah… food first,” he muttered, half-laughing to himself as the tension from the earlier speech began to ebb. Shunjiro took a modest serving, some sliced roast, potatoes, and bread and looked around the vast food hall, scanning for a familiar face. His eyes landed on Yoshinori, seated alone at a table near the far wall. The tall, composed boy was methodically slicing into his food, posture straight, eyes distant. Despite the buzz of laughter and chatter all around, Yoshinori seemed quietly untouched by it all, immersed in his own thoughts. Next to Shunjiro, Itsuki grabbed a warm roll and caught the direction of his gaze. “Yoshinori?” she asked gently. Shunjiro nodded. “He’s by himself. Let’s go check on him.” They weaved through the sea of chatting recruits and servers until they reached Yoshinori’s table. As they approached, he looked up, mildly surprised, but not annoyed. Before Yoshinori could say anything, Shunjiro lifted his plate with a crooked grin. “Mind if we join you?” Yoshinori blinked, then gave a slight shrug. “Suit yourselves.” His voice, as always, was cool and neutral, but not unkind. The two took their seats across from him, and for a moment, all three settled into a comfortable silence, chewing thoughtfully. Then, Itsuki broke the silence. “Pretty intense speech, huh?” she said, glancing from one boy to the other. “Definitely,” Shunjiro replied, cutting into his roast. “Gilded Blades leading squads of five? That’s crazy. It’s exciting but also kinda terrifying.” Yoshinori tapped his fork on the edge of his plate. “Five people, five personalities. Could be chaos,” he said. “Unless the leader’s the type who can wrangle all that.” Itsuki nodded. “True. I think it depends on chemistry too. You get a group that understands each other, it can work.” Shunjiro leaned forward a bit. “And we’ve already been through so much together. If we can handle exams, we can handle a squad.” Yoshinori didn’t answer right away. Then: “Maybe,” he murmured, taking a sip of water. But even as he kept his expression unreadable, there was a flicker of agreement behind his eyes. Shunjiro could sense it, he wasn’t dismissing the idea, just thinking it through in that usual quiet, strategic way. The conversation faded briefly, giving space for the clinking of utensils and the low hum of other conversations. But Shunjiro couldn’t help it, his gaze wandered, watching the other confident-looking recruits joking and sharing stories. He didn’t realize he was fidgeting until Yoshinori spoke again. “You’re overthinking it, Shunjiro.” Shunjiro blinked, caught off-guard. “Huh?” Yoshinori smirked, just barely. “You’ve got that look. The one where you’re already spiraling, imagining every single thing that could go wrong.” Shunjiro flushed, mouth half-open. “I do not.” “You do,” Yoshinori said flatly, but his tone held a teasing edge. Itsuki giggled into her cup. “It’s kinda true.” Shunjiro let out a dramatic sigh and rolled his eyes. “Great. First I’m barf boy, now I’m anxiety boy.” “Barf boy suits you,” Yoshinori said dryly, taking another bite. “Has a nice ring to it.” Shunjiro gave him a playful nudge with his elbow. “I hate you.” “Mmhm.” They all laughed, and for a moment, the stress of the coming evaluations faded into the background. They talked about which Gilded Blade looked the most intense and everyone agreed it was either Hiroto or Akira. They also talked about what kind of leader they hoped for, and gossip about other recruits, like how Ryuji tried to flirt with a noble girl and tripped over a table leg mid-sentence. Then, a servant entered the hall with a small scroll in hand. “Shunjiro Tenzai,” the man announced. All noise at their table stopped. Shunjiro’s stomach twisted, but it wasn’t fear this time. It was anticipation. He stood slowly, setting his plate down and wiping his hands on his pants. Itsuki smiled at him encouragingly. “Good luck, Shunjiro.” Yoshinori gave a small nod. “Try not to trip on your way in.” Shunjiro smirked. “Wow, such support. Warms the heart.” He turned and made his way toward the servant, heart pounding, his steps echoing in his ears. As he reached the door, he stole one last glance back. Itsuki and Yoshinori watched him, smiling. He smiled back as he stepped into the grand chamber. The thick doors closed behind him with a dull echo, sealing him inside the weighty silence. The air felt heavier here, dense with power, decisions, and the echoes of a thousand past conversations that had shaped destinies. At the end of the long, polished table sat five figures cloaked in quiet authority. Their eyes locked onto him the moment he entered, their expressions unreadable, yet undeniably imposing. Kaito Ishiro sat at the center. To his right were Hiroto Makabe and Yumi Kurosawa, and to his left, Akira Namiki and Mei Hoshino. Together, they formed the Gilded Blades, legends in the Kingdom of Radiance. Their presence made his footsteps falter slightly. But Shunjiro drew a slow breath, straightened his spine, and forced his legs to move. He approached the far end of the table, each step echoing louder than the last, and took his seat with careful precision. Beneath the table, his fingers curled into fists to stop them from shaking. Kaito leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table. His voice broke the silence, steady, calm, and commanding. “What is it you want to do with your life, Shunjiro?” The question was simple, but it hit deeper than expected. Not just what did he want to do, but why was he really here? He swallowed hard, then spoke. “I want to become an adventurer,” he said, his voice steadier than he felt. “And… I want to reunite with my older brother.” A stillness settled across the room. No one interrupted. Their eyes stayed on him, waiting, measuring. Kaito leaned back in his chair, his fingers steepled. “And what do you bring to the table?” he asked. “What makes you stand out among the others?” Shunjiro hesitated. He didn’t have Sora’s confidence, Yoshinori’s intellect, or Itsuki’s natural grace. His spiritual energy had never felt impressive to him, if anything, it had always felt dormant. But he couldn’t let that define him now. He raised his chin, voice low but gaining strength with every word. “I may not have incredible power… and my spiritual energy isn’t exactly impressive.” He paused. “But there’s one thing I have that no one else out there does.” Kaito tilted his head, interest piqued. “And what’s that?” “Determination,” Shunjiro said, his eyes blazing. “I won’t stop. No matter how many times I fall, I’ll get back up. Again and again. I’ll prove to the world, and to myself that I can become an SSS-rank adventurer. No… I will become one.” The words rang out like a vow, pulsing with raw conviction. The Gilded Blades said nothing at first. Even Akira, known for her icy stoicism, seemed momentarily taken aback by his fire. Then Hiroto chuckled. Loud and unrestrained, the sound cut through the air like a blade of warmth. “I like this kid,” he said, leaning back with a wide grin. “He’s got guts. We need more of that.” Yumi spoke next, her voice soft and hesitant, but sincere. “I… I think he has p-potential,” she said, cheeks flushing pink. “He could… maybe… become a great leader one day…” Akira’s gaze narrowed, arms folded tightly across her chest. “I don’t see it yet,” she said bluntly, her words clipped and precise. “But… prove me wrong.” Her eyes locked with his. “I’ll be watching closely.” Mei gave a small smile, warm and knowing. “You have spirit, Shunjiro. That’s something we can work with. That’s how all great adventurers start.” Kaito had been silent, watching and listening to the exchange. Now, he straightened in his chair. “During the dummy test,” he said, his voice carrying weight, “you scored the highest strength of spiritual energy out of every recruit in this year’s exams.” Shunjiro blinked. His breath caught. “There have only been four others in the history of these exams to score an S or higher,” Kaito went on. “That includes me… and King Shadis.” Shunjiro’s eyes widened in disbelief. He couldn’t make sense of it. Him? With the highest score? “I-how?” Kaito wasn’t finished. “With that being said,” Kaito continued, standing slowly, “I want you to join me.” His tone turned from authoritative to something more personal. “Let’s uncover where that hidden power came from and let’s use it. I choose you, Shunjiro.” For a moment, time stopped. The words struck like a thunderclap. Shunjiro’s eyes burned, but he held himself steady. Slowly, a grin cracked across his face. He rose and bowed deeply at the waist, his voice thick with emotion. “Thank you, Kaito. And thank you to all of you. I won’t let you down. I’ll prove myself to the world.” Hiroto laughed again. “Well, don’t keep us waiting too long. Go send in the next one, yeah?” Shunjiro nodded, still stunned, his heart pounding. He turned and walked to the door, each step lighter than the last. As the heavy doors creaked open behind him, he couldn’t help glancing back once. The Gilded Blades sat quietly, the judgment now passed. His journey had truly begun. As Shunjiro walked down the grand staircase, the weight he’d carried all day seemed to melt from his shoulders. For the first time in what felt like forever, his heart felt light, filled with purpose and pride. Each step echoed softly in the corridor below, and when he reached the final step, he nearly collided with someone standing near the base. She was radiant. A girl with long, flowing blonde hair and brilliant blue eyes stood with perfect posture, her hands folded delicately in front of her. A noble air clung to her, graceful yet unassuming. She smiled gently as their eyes met. “Hello,” she said, her voice smooth and melodic, almost like a song. “I’m Yuki Kyosei. You must be Shunjiro Tenzai.” Shunjiro blinked, startled by her presence, and the fact that she somehow already knew who he was. “Y-Yeah, that’s me,” he replied quickly, rubbing the back of his neck. “Nice to meet you, Ms. Kyosei.” Her warm smile widened just a touch. “No need to be so formal. Just Yuki is fine.” As they waited for the next recruit to be called, Shunjiro glanced over at her, still slightly dazed by everything that had just happened. “So… uh, have you already gone in?” he asked. Yuki nodded, her blue eyes shimmering in the soft torchlight. “Yes. I was chosen by Akira Namiki.” Shunjiro’s eyes widened in surprise. “Whoa, seriously? Akira?” He let out a low whistle. “That’s… impressive. She seems like one of the toughest ones.” “She is,” Yuki replied with a small smile. “She asked me hard questions, and didn’t smile once. But I think she respected my answers.” She paused, then added with quiet pride, “I’m honored she chose me.” Shunjiro nodded, clearly impressed. “You must’ve made a strong impression.” Yuki gave him a sideways look, teasing. “Maybe. I think she likes people who don’t back down.” She tucked a strand of blonde hair behind her ear and glanced at him curiously. “So,” she began with a gentle smile, “who picked you?” Shunjiro blinked, still a bit stunned from everything that had just happened. “Oh uh, Kaito. Kaito Ishiro.” Yuki’s eyes lit up. “Really? That’s amazing,” she said, genuinely impressed. “He doesn’t choose people lightly.” Shunjiro scratched the back of his head, sheepish. “Yeah… he kinda called me the ‘kid who got barfed on’ in front of everyone, so I wasn’t really expecting it.” Yuki giggled, covering her mouth. “Sounds like something he’d say,” she said warmly. “But if he chose you, then it means he sees something special.” Shunjiro’s face flushed slightly. “I hope so.” Before he could say something else, she added out of nowhere, “I like your eyes.” Shunjiro froze. “My… eyes?” he stammered. “They’re intense,” she said, her voice playful but sincere. “Like you’re always deep in thought. It’s kind of captivating.” Shunjiro’s face turned beet red. Compliments were one thing, but from someone like her? “I uh… thanks,” he mumbled, looking away. “No one’s ever said that before…” Sensing his embarrassment, he quickly gestured toward the food hall. “Do you, uh… wanna sit with me and my friends? They’re over at our table, Itsuki and Yoshinori.” Yuki’s smile softened, and she nodded. “I’d like that.” They walked side by side through the hall, the tension in Shunjiro’s chest gradually easing as Yuki’s calm presence soothed his nerves. But when they reached the table, they were met with an unexpected surprise. Sora Ayanami was already there, sitting across from Itsuki and chatting with his usual cocky charm. The silver-haired teen glanced up, noticed Shunjiro approaching, and grinned wickedly. “Well, well,” Sora said, leaning back in his chair with a smug glint in his eye. “Shrimpy finally made it back. Who picked you, huh?” Shunjiro straightened slightly, still recovering from Yuki’s compliment. “Kaito,” he answered plainly. Sora’s grin fell. “Just great. That means we’ll be on the same team.” He shot a sideways glance at Yuki. “Looks like the fun just keeps coming.” Shunjiro groaned inwardly. Of all people… Yuki chuckled quietly beside him. “Seems like you two have a bit of a rivalry.” Shunjiro sighed. “You have no idea.” From a nearby table, Lars Tanabe and Ryota Masuda sat hunched over their plates, casting occasional glances at Yuki as she chatted with Shunjiro’s group. Ryota took a loud bite of chicken, then groaned. “I still can’t believe she ditched us,” he muttered with a pout. Lars raised an eyebrow. “You’re seriously still mad about that?” “She was supposed to be with us, Lars,” Ryota insisted. “We were supposed to be the dream team!” “You mean your dream team,” Lars said dryly, stabbing at his food. “But whatever. If you’re gonna whine, go talk to her.” Ryota grinned. “Bet. Let’s go sit with them.” Before Lars could argue, Ryota was already on his feet. With a sigh and a muttered, “Unbelievable,” Lars followed him. The energy at Shunjiro’s table was warm and relaxed. Yuki was smiling, Itsuki was giggling at something Sora said, and Shunjiro looked like he was finally settling into the evening. Then Ryota and Lars pulled up chairs. “What’s up, everyone?” Ryota said, flashing a goofy grin as he slid in next to Yuki. Yuki blinked. “Ryota? Lars?” Lars crossed his arms. “We were just wondering why someone didn’t team up with us for the exam.” Yuki gave him a calm, practiced smile. “I’ve known you two since we were kids. I already know how you operate. I wanted to meet new people, get out of my comfort zone a bit.” Ryota slumped in his chair. “We lost without you, you know.” Sora smirked. “No, you lost because you couldn’t protect the flag.” Ryota shot up. “You weren’t even there!” “And thank goodness for that,” Sora snapped back. “If I had been the one to protect the flag, we’d have won.” “Would not!” “Would too!” “You’re all talk, spiky hair!” “Say that again, walking embarrassment!” The table erupted into bickering as Yuki, Ryota, Lars, and Sora volleyed jabs at each other. Across the table, Shunjiro, Itsuki, and Yoshinori shared a glance and burst out laughing. “Bro, what are you laughing at?” Ryota barked. Before Shunjiro could answer, Lars smirked and jabbed Ryota in the side. “Quiet down, Ryota, before Shunjiro makes you puke again.” Shunjiro groaned, dragging a hand down his face. “I am never going to live that down, huh?” “Nope,” Itsuki said, giggling behind her hand. The argument soon devolved into laughter, the tension of the exams melting into friendly chaos. For the first time all day, the hall buzzed not with nerves, but with the easy comfort of new friendships forming. That night, the 20 new adventurers settled into their rooms inside the castle walls. Some went to bed excited, others anxious, but all of them knew one thing: The real adventure was just beginning.