The atmosphere in the stadium shifted instantly as the first phase concluded. The remaining candidates stood on the wide, grassy field, their breath hitching in their throats as they waited for what came next. High above them, the Elite Ten moved back to their designated seats. The sight of the most powerful leaders in the SHIELD sitting in those high-backed chairs was enough to make anyone's heart race.
From the announcer's booth, the Lead Exam Coordinator (L.E.C.) leaned into the microphone.
"The second phase of the exam—Team Strength—will be commencing now," the L.E.C. announced, his voice booming across the stadium. He was reading from a set of notes that Raizen had personally handed him just moments before. On the balcony, Raizen sat with his legs crossed, a visible, mischievous smile playing on his lips as he watched the crowd below.
"There are currently 413 of you left," the L.E.C. continued. "Now, I want all of you to form a group of five, with one identified leader."
The instruction hit the crowd like a physical blow. A wave of confusion rippled through the hundreds of candidates. People began talking all at once, their voices rising into a chaotic roar as they tried to make sense of the math. The noise became so loud that the L.E.C. had to shout through the mic to regain their attention.
"I know all of you are confused!" he yelled. "With only 413 of you left, simple logic dictates that there will either be someone left out or an incomplete group. If your group is incomplete, that group will be failed and sent home immediately!"
The field went cold. A collective gasp escaped the crowd.
"Failing because of an incomplete group? That's bullshit!" one man shouted, his face reddening with anger.
"He's right!" another cried out. "We came here to take an exam, not to make friends!"
The uproar grew, the candidates refusing to give the L.E.C. a chance to explain. The situation was spiraling toward a riot until Ayumu, Rank #1 of the SHIELD, stood up from his chair. He reached over and grabbed a nearby microphone.
"Everyone, shut up," Ayumu said.
His voice wasn't loud, but it carried a weight that seemed to crush the air out of the stadium. The entire field went dead silent. Nobody dared to breathe.
"I understand you think a punishment for a 'wrong pairing' makes no sense, but there is a reason we did this," Ayumu continued, his gaze sweeping over the masses. "A good leader of a team should be able to recruit—not just smartly and sharply, but fast. You must give out reasons why people should join you. Use talking, or even gaslighting if you must, but a good leader must be able to recruit anyone, if not everyone. That is what makes a strong party. If you are incapable of building that trust and leadership, then it is best that you leave now."
A voice shot out from the crowd, desperate and defiant. "So why does the whole team get cut? If the leader fails to recruit, why shouldn't only the leader fail?"
Ayumu didn't hesitate. "Understand this: if the leader fails to gather five people, the entire group fails. Why? Because if the leader of a party goes down, you go down as well. The leader is the strongest, the most respected—the person the party has placed their hope, trust, and faith in. If you choose to crown a leader, and that leader fails, you perish alongside him. That is why a party goes out of commission for a long time when a leader dies. Now, I suggest you choose your leaders wisely."
Ayumu sat back down, leaving the crowd in a stunned, thoughtful silence.
Jiro, the Rank #9 Elite, sat nearby with his hands resting on his large tablet weapon. He leaned toward Ayumu with a smirk. "That was smooth, but unnecessary. Now that they know the reason, they'll be prepared. Couldn't we have just waited until after the selection and told them as the failures were being kicked out?"
Kaoru let out a long sigh, looking at Jiro with disappointment. "You really are messed up in the head, aren't you?"
The L.E.C. took back control of the broadcast. "Thank you, Mr. Ayumu, for that explanation. Now we continue. Before you start selecting your five players, you must go to the stands over there."
He pointed toward a section of the field where long tables had been set up. On the big screens, the candidates could see slots built into the tables.
"Inside are papers that will reveal your assigned weapon class: Blade, Blaster, or Special Attack. This is important to know before you form a team, because every team must comprise two Blades, two Blasters, and one Special Weapon. Mind you, Special Weapons are hard to find, so I expect many of you to drop out. Oh, and to add: there is no exchanging of weapons. If you select a Blade but wanted a Blaster, you must remain a Blade. This will teach you combat class variety and reliance on teamwork. Let luck decide. You may go in now to draw your slots!"
The announcement triggered a stampede. Candidates ran toward the stands in a blind panic, desperate to get their choice of weapon.
Zen stood back, slowly shaking his head at the sight. "I don't see the point of running," he muttered. "They're still going to give you a paper based on where your locker room number was placed. Right, Ren?"
Zen looked around, but Ren wasn't standing next to him anymore. Aiko pointed toward the chaotic mob, and Zen followed her finger. There was Ren, right in the thick of the crowd, using his strength to push and throw grown men out of his way in a completely pointless rush. Zen pinched the bridge of his nose in frustration as the L.E.C. sighed over the intercom, telling everyone to wait in line until their number was called.
Minutes later, the dust settled. Ren, Zen, and Aiko walked back onto the field, each holding a small slip of paper in their hands.
Zen turned to the other two, his expression serious. "Okay, he didn't say what specific weapon the leader should have. So, no matter what I get, I'm the leader."
Ren nodded quickly. He knew Zen's tactical mind was their best shot. Aiko nodded in agreement as well. The three of them stood in a small circle, their hearts pounding as they prepared to open their papers.
"Please be Blade, please be Blade..." Ren whispered like a prayer. He peeled the paper open and saw the word BLADE printed in bold letters. He let out a small cheer. "Yes!"
He looked over at Zen, who was wearing a casual, confident smile. "What did you get?"
Zen turned his paper around. "Blaster. Thank goodness."
Ren then turned his attention to Aiko. "And you?"
Aiko showed her paper as well. "Blaster too."
Ren wasn't sure how to react at first. "And... is that a good thing?"
Aiko nodded. "Yeah. My brother made me learn blasters since he uses a sword."
Ren's face lit up with a grin. "That's great! We already have three players right here. Two more to go!"
Suddenly, a loud bell rang out—the signal for the recruitment period to begin. The field turned into a madhouse of people rushing around, shouting their weapon classes.
Zen looked at Ren with a deep frown of confusion. "What do you mean 'three'? There's only two of us."
Ren's smile dropped. He looked at Zen, his brow furrowed in anger. "What's your problem, asshole? Normally you're a jerk, but you're acting like a bigger one today."
Zen stared back, his gaze cold. "I'm the leader, so my advice is final. She's not joining us. I have my reasons."
Ren scoffs, stepping closer to his brother. "Yeah? What is it? You just hate her?"
Zen's expression shifted, looking momentarily unsure of himself. "Well... that's not the reason."
"So you do admit you hate her!" Ren shouted, shocked.
Aiko let out a weary sigh, stepping between them. "Look, guys, we don't have time for this. If Zen doesn't want me on his team, that's fine. Good luck, Ren."
She began to turn away, but Ren reached out and grabbed her hand, stopping her. "You aren't going anywhere! Zen, what is going on? Just let her in!"
Zen let out a long, frustrated sigh. "I don't have any problem letting her in. As a matter of fact, she would make for a good addition, logically speaking. But I can't."
"Why?" Ren demanded.
Zen didn't answer with words. Instead, he simply pointed toward the center of the field. Ren and Aiko turned to look, and their eyes widened. A huge crowd of people was already gathering, and dozens of desperate recruiting leaders were staring directly at Aiko, preparing to swarm her.
"Because of them," Zen said quietly.
Ren finally understood. By being a capable Blaster, Aiko was a prime target, and their group was about to be caught in the middle of a recruitment war.