Akari opened the heavy door, and they entered the training ground, with Shiro standing silently by her side.
The training ground was a massive, open-air structure built like a stadium. The main fighting arena—where the rank evaluation would be held—was a wide, circular space of packed earth in the center. Surrounding it were tiered seating areas, packed with adventurers who had come to watch. As Akari and Shiro entered, they crossed the edge of the arena floor, their boots crunching on the coarse sand, and headed toward the spectator sections. Above the main entry door was a private balcony reserved for guild officials and special guests.
From that balcony, a man waved down at Akari. Shiro had never seen him before, but Akari seemed to recognize him immediately.
Without a word, they changed course and made their way toward the balcony stairs. Just like back in Kaisen City, whispers began to ripple through the crowd as they passed.
???: Is that Lady Asahina? It is, right?
???: Yes, it's her. She's as beautiful as ever. And who's that boy next to her?
???: They're coming this way. Quiet.
A group of female adventurers, here to watch the examinations, fell silent as Akari and Shiro passed. As they did, Shiro lowered his head slightly in a polite, wordless greeting before following Akari up the steps.
???: Th-that boy... is he an adventurer? Wow, he's so beautiful.
???: Is he Lady Shirazuki's someone?
???: They both fit perfectly together. And that boy looks young. Does Lady Akari like younger boys?
The male adventurers nearby had a different perspective.
???: Ah, who the hell is that brat? Walking near Lady Asahina like that?
???: I've never seen him before. Maybe he's Lady Asahina's—
???: NEVER.
Ignoring the murmurs, Akari and Shiro reached the balcony without issue—most of these people were all talk and no action. As Akari reached the balcony door, another adventurer stationed there quickly opened it for her, and she stepped through.
But when Shiro tried to enter, the guard stationed at the door extended an arm, blocking his path.
Guard: Where do you think you're going? You aren't invited here. Get lost, boy.
Akari stopped mid-stride inside the balcony. Without turning around, her voice was calm but carried clear authority.
Akari: Let him through. He came with me.
The guard looked at Akari with an anxious expression.
Guard: B-but, Lady as—
A new, calm voice cut into the conversation.
???: Didn't you hear what she said? Let him through.
The guard immediately pulled his arm back and pressed himself against the wall. Akari glanced to see who had spoken.
Akari: Thank you for letting him stay here with me.
???: If that person is important to an S-Class adventurer, then he's important to us, too.
Akari looked at Shiro and gestured for him to come up quickly. Shiro stepped past the chastised guard and stopped beside her.
Akari: Haku, I don't think you've ever heard of him. But this is the Guild Master of the Adamant Vanguard. The master of the biggest guild in all the kingdoms.
The Guild Master raised his hand toward Shiro for a handshake. Shiro accepted it, his grip firm.
Guild master: Pretty strong, I see.
Akari: I'm sorry, but he doesn't talk with people much. And I don't think you know this, Guild Master, but this boy here is my one and only little brother.
She then looked at Shiro.
Akari: Haku, introduce yourself.
Shiro stayed silent for a few seconds, then spoke only because Akari told him to.
Shiro: Shiro Asahina. Seventeen years old.
He finished his introduction with just those words. A deep silence fell over the three of them afterward. Then, the Guild Master broke the ice.
guild master: Ho ho. Only name and age? I can really see some similarity in you two already. Well, not to mention your main similarity.
Akari: What was that?
Akari asked the question with pure curiosity. Their hair color was different, and their eye color was totally off-script. But even with that, everyone believed they were brother and sister. So Akari was over-eager to know why. Shiro was wondering the same thing.
guild master: Well, considering how beautiful you two are, I already guessed you might be close.
Just until now, both Akari and Shiro thought the people around them were total idiots for believing they were siblings. But in reality, they were the idiots for not realizing that obvious similarity.
Akari: Is that so...
guild master: Well, enough chit-chat. Let's go sit down.
Even after the Guild Master himself pointed it out, neither Shiro nor Akari fully grasped it. Well, that could count as another similarity between them—being total airheads about how others perceived them. The only time this airheadedness vanished was when Shiro and Akari were talking to each other.
All three walked over to seats that offered a perfect view of the arena. Akari quickly took a corner seat because she didn't like sitting in the middle. And because Akari sat in the corner, Shiro sat next to her—he didn't like anyone else sitting near her.
Akari: Itadori hasn't come here yet, Guild Master?
Guild Master: Oh, is he the other one coming? Well, that's a somewhat troublesome person to handle.
Just as the Guild Master left those words hanging in the air—
???: Troublesome? Me?
The voice came from behind them. Akari quickly turned around and saw, just like on the third floor, Itadori—the Seven-Star adventurer from the Celestine Empire—emerging from the air itself as if stepping out of a shadow.
He walked over casually and leaned near the Guild Master.
Itadori: Am I troublesome to handle, Guild Master?
As he asked that question, he drifted to the side and sat down next to Shiro, who didn't even react to his presence. Itadori then turned toward Shiro.
Itadori: You are our newest S-Class adventurer's younger brother. Am I right?
Shiro acted as if he hadn't heard him, not wasting time answering the question. Akari thought to herself, Didn't even dare to look at him. Ha ha. That's my brother for you. Gotta keep your pride no matter what.
Itadori: Hmm. No response. Then answer this.
Itadori leaned toward Shiro and asked:
Itadori: You know I was there. Didn't you?
That question made both Akari and the Guild Master look at Shiro. Even Akari had been surprised when Itadori just appeared. But Shiro was the only one who hadn't turned around. And he'd done this last time, too. Almost like he knew where Itadori was and when he was going to reveal himself.
Finally, Shiro responded to his question. Staring straight ahead at the empty arena, he answered.
Shiro: The fact you're saying I know where you were is wrong. There's no way for me to know the place you were or when you were going to appear. But I can say this for certain.
Shiro's voice was different from before. This wasn't how he talked with Akari, and it wasn't how he talked at the academy, either. Now, his tone sounded more demanding, more assured.
Shiro: I felt you were hiding there.
Itadori: Oh ho.
Itadori peeked toward Akari in that same moment and said:
Itadori: He's got some guts, telling me I was hiding. That's some high-tier sister pride he's carrying.
Itadori settled into his seat properly, crossing one leg over the other, and leaned forward a little.
Itadori: Well, something tells me I'll see something good happen today, too.