A man entered the private viewing area, handed the Guild Master a scroll, and quietly left. Then, the messenger descended to the main fighting ground.
Guild Master: Let's take a look. Hmmm...
After a few moments, the Guild Master closed the scroll and set it aside.
Guild Master: Today doesn't seem too promising. There are four B-Class adventurers fighting for A-Class, and two A-Class adventurers fighting for AA-Class.
Akari let out a huge sigh after hearing that.
Akari: Is there even a point for us being here?
Then she quickly snapped out of it, remembering the real reason she had come—so Shiro could watch the matches.
The first rank examination began. But to Akari and Itadori, all of these fights were nothing but a waste of time. They sat there for a while, and about half of the scheduled fights had already finished. The only notable outcome was that none of the applicants had managed to advance a rank. It was thoroughly disappointing.
Akari remembered Shiro was with her and turned to see how he was doing—if he was actually interested or just sleeping. To her surprise, Shiro was watching the fights, but his eyes were half-lidded. No matter how hard she looked, there was no way for Akari to tell if Shiro was actually interested.
Akari let out another big sigh.
Akari: It's boring, isn't it? We never should have come here in the first place.
Shiro looked at her and replied.
Shiro: What are you saying? Watching these fights made me realize I'm stronger than an A-Class adventurer, but that wasn't the main thing.
Akari Still bored as ever, and regret that she say shiro to come with her to there.
Akari: Then what is it?
Shiro: As long as I spend my time with you, it doesn't matter what we do.
That answer took Akari by surprise. She looked at Shiro quickly, but he was already looking forward, acting like he hadn't said anything. Akari kept her cool, acting the same as ever, too. But it made her feel a little more motivated to watch the fights.
Eventually, all the scheduled fights finished. Only one A-Class adventurer managed to advance to AA-Class. With that, both Akari and Shiro stretched their arms, ready to leave. They glanced at how the Guild Master and Itadori were doing, and the sight wasn't encouraging.
The Guild Master was trying his hardest not to fall asleep, and Itadori was already asleep. Both Akari and Shiro had a little smile on their lips after seeing that. Just then, a knock on the door suddenly sounded, startling the Guild Master awake.
A man entered, whispered something to the Guild Master's secretary, and left. The Guild Master suddenly looked as if he had been reborn, his fatigue gone. That sudden shift caught both Akari and Shiro's attention.
Akari: Did something happen, Guild Master?
Akari asked, wanting to know.
Guild Master: Well, an AA-Class adventurer has requested a rank examination... for S-Class. And for that, he has requested to battle an S-Class.
That got Akari hyped up, too. Because of the rarity of S-Class adventurers and the sheer guts required to make such a request, this was surely a rare event.
Akari: Sorry, Guild Master. But I can't participate in that.
The Guild Master looked sad, letting out a sigh.
Guild Master: Well, then we'll have to put an end to th— And just before he could finish saying it, Itadori spoke up in his usual lazy tone.
Itadori: Guild Master. Why aren't you asking that question from me, too?
The sudden interjection surprised the Guild Master, but Akari had expected it. And so had Shiro.
Guild Master: So, will you?
Itadori: I will.
Itadori stood up from his seat and looked at Akari.
Itadori: Sometimes you've gotta let loose a little, Asahina. If you stay too tight, you'll lose your edge.
Akari sat perfectly straight in her seat.
Akari: Please, don't worry about me. I have confidence in my skills.
Then Itadori looked at Shiro, who was still looking forward.
Itadori: Boy. Be ready. I'll give you a fight that won't be boring to watch.
Shiro spoke with the same confidence he'd had before.
Shiro: Looking forward to it.
Itadori smiled, then walked right in front of Shiro and merged with the air, vanishing.
A man walked to the center of the arena.
???: For the last rank battle today, an AA-Class adventurer named Todo will be going against an S-Class adventurer who happened to be here to watch the examinations!
Just as the announcer said those words, the crowd around the arena started screaming loudly, pure hype filling the air. As said before, this was an extremely rare event.
???: Is Lady Asahina the one fighting?
???: I wonder what her Art Style is? She's never used it publicly, right?
???: Well, today we might find out!
Whispers and speculations spread among the adventurers gathered around the arena.
Announcer: Well, Adventurer Todo, please enter the arena!
A grown man wearing shining silver armor entered the arena. He looked middle-aged and well-built, with two katanas sheathed at his sides.
Announcer: Adventurer Todo is a dual katana user, an AA-Class adventurer himself. And now, for the opponent he will fight—please enter the arena!
Akari: A dual user. Don't see them often.
Shiro: What's a dual user?
Akari looked at Shiro with excitement.
Akari: I'm glad you asked! Dual katana users are just like normal people, but normally, people can only use one katana because that's the most adaptable and best weapon for fighting, and the fastest to channel mana through. That man is using two, so in the simplest words, his firepower is simply double.
Just as Akari finished explaining, Itadori stepped into the arena from the entry door. Everyone was surprised by his appearance. They had all expected Akari Asahina to show up, but the Seven-Star adventurer appearing was never expected. No one dared to utter a word.
Announcer: Well then—
Itadori: Leave.
Itadori gave the man a command, a single order. Upon hearing it, the announcer quickly left the arena and retreated to the spectator area. Everyone felt the power, the aura an S-Class adventurer carried. Some fell to their knees unconsciously. The AA-Class adventurer, Todo, immediately switched to a defensive stance.
Then, suddenly, Itadori raised his hand toward the one-way glass in front of the private balcony where Shiro, Akari, and the Guild Master were seated. The glass, which prevented the outside from seeing inside, suddenly became transparent, revealing the people within.
Itadori: I don't think you know this, but the reason I accepted this duel was for a personal request from the boy sitting up there. And I think you've already guessed the boy has a deep connection with Akari Asahina.
The crowd began murmuring louder.
???: Deep connection?
???: What is he talking about?
Itadori: This battle will serve as a private lesson for that boy. And that boy is none other than the younger brother of S-Class adventurer Akari Asahina—Shiro Asahina.
The whole place was taken by surprise.
???: Eh? Younger brother?
???: Lady Asahina has a younger brother?
???: He's as beautiful as Lady Asahina!
???: So that cute boy wasn't her partner?
Even with all the talking, neither Shiro nor Akari tried to hide themselves. Akari kept her pride as an S-Class adventurer, and Shiro kept his pride as the brother of an S-Class adventurer. They stayed in their seats, just as before.
Itadori turned toward the AA-Class adventurer.
Itadori: Don't get me wrong. I have no respect for you or the power you claim to have.
Just then, Todo flashed toward Itadori, who was standing defenseless in the arena without even his katana.
Todo: Oh, so—
The moment he closed the distance in a second, he unleashed a downward slash. The ground beneath them cracked. A big cloud of dust covered the area. As the smoke cleared, people saw what had happened.
Itadori was already standing behind Todo, holding his katana in his hand. It was almost as if Todo had swung at nothing.
Itadori: It seems like using my katana be too much for you. And using it even after this would only cause more disrespect to you. So, let's do this.
Saying that, Itadori threw his katana far away. Then he cracked his knuckles and stretched his arm.
Itadori: Don't hold back a bit. Use your full power.
Itadori closed the distance between them again, getting so close to Todo's face it was almost uncomfortable.
Itadori: I'll go bare-handed, just for you.