From the high vantage point of the elite balcony, the ten leaders looked down as the recruitment phase turned into a frenzy. They could see a dense crowd of aggressive leaders surrounding Aiko, putting immense pressure on her to join them.
Kuro leaned back and let out a long, heavy sigh. "This was inevitable. I knew the second the L.E.C. made that announcement that this would happen. We should have kept the fact that she was related to you a secret from the public. Announcing it only added unnecessary pressure and made her a target."
Ayumu gave a slow, solemn nod. "I know. It wasn't my intention for it to be broadcasted like that. I have no idea who gave the L.E.C. the order to announce her name, but the damage is already done. We just have to see how she handles it now."
Back on the field, the situation was becoming suffocating for Aiko.
"So, Aiko, what's your weapon type?" one leader barked, trying to shove his way to the front.
Another pushed past him, shouting directly into her face. "I need a Blaster and a Special Ability. If you're either of those, come with me now! If you're a Blade, I don't even mind kicking one of my current teammates out to make a spot for you!"
"Hey, I'm recruiting an all-female squad! You should join us!" another voice chimed in. The voices grew louder and more demanding, overlapping into a wall of noise. Aiko stepped back slowly, her heart racing, forcing a nervous laugh as she tried to maintain her composure. Suddenly, a massive, burly guy reached out and grabbed her hand firmly.
"Hey, I said you're joining my team," he growled, stepping into her personal space.
Before he could pull her away, Ren leaped into the air, closing the distance in a flash. He delivered a brutal headbutt square onto the man's nose. The impact sent the giant stumbling backward, clutching his face as blood began to pour between his fingers.
"Who the hell do you think you're touching, you fat pig?" Ren snarled, landing firmly on his feet.
The large man scrambled up, his eyes bloodshot with rage as he wiped his bloody nose. "You're going to pay for that, brat!" he roared, charging at Ren like a bull. Ren tensed his muscles, bracing for the collision, but before the two could clash, Zen stepped calmly between them.
With a single hand, Zen caught the man's charge, holding him back with terrifying ease.
"Hey! Let me go! I said let me go!" the huge guy commanded, his face turning purple as he tried and failed to overpower Zen's grip.
"With pleasure," Zen said coldly. He released his grip and immediately delivered a crushing kick to the man's stomach. The force of the blow sent the attacker flying backward through the air. Zen then turned his gaze toward the other predatory leaders. As his cold, sharp glare swept over them, they visibly cowered.
"Aiko is already a member of my team," Zen stated, his voice low and dangerous. "Trying to recruit her now means you're trying to screw me over. Well? Are you?" He cracked his knuckles with a sickening pop. The surrounding leaders didn't wait for a second invitation; they shook their heads frantically and fled the scene. From his watchtower, Ayumu allowed a small, satisfied smile to touch his lips.
Zen breathed out heavily as the crowd cleared. Aiko walked toward him, looking relieved. "Thank you," she said softly.
Zen stared at her, his expression devoid of any warmth. "I didn't do it to help you. I did it to help myself. If you want to show appreciation, then make yourself useful. Do you hear me?"
Aiko didn't seem deterred by his coldness; she snapped a playful salute and smiled. "Yes, Leader, sir!"
Ren stomped over, looking annoyed. "Hey, asshole! Who told you that you could steal my fight like that? I had that pig exactly where I wanted him!"
Zen glanced at him and gave a small, mocking grin. "Is that so? Because from where I was standing, it looked like you needed help."
Ren's face flushed with anger, but before he could argue, the L.E.C.'s voice boomed over the speakers again. "You have fifteen minutes left to finalize your teammates! Those who have completed their groups, please step off the field!"
Zen's eyes widened in shock as he realized how little time remained. "Shit, I need to hurry!" He scanned the remaining crowd desperately. His eyes landed on an unsure-looking guy who was currently being bullied by another leader. The guy was holding a paper that clearly displayed the 'Blade' icon. Zen moved in instantly.
"Just join my team! You don't have much time left!" the other leader was shouting, trying to pressure the man.
The unsure candidate, whose name tag read Hoshizaki, shook his head. "No. You were here last year with me, and the year before that. If I join you, I'll just fail again."
The leader scowled. "You think you have a choice? No winner would ever pick a wimp like you as a Blade choice. I'm doing you a favor, so shut up and join already!"
"He has a choice," Zen said, stepping into the fray. "And he said no."
The frustrated leader turned on Zen. "Who the hell are you, brat?"
Zen stared at him with dead eyes. "I'm the kid who just sent someone flying a few minutes ago. I'd be happy to demonstrate how I did it."
Zen took a threatening step forward, and the leader immediately backed off, hands raised. "Fine! I don't want him anyway. This is a waste of time!" he spat, walking away.
Hoshizaki bowed slightly to Zen. "Thank you. And... please, if it isn't too much to ask, can I join your group?"
Zen looked him up and down, feeling a bit confused. The guy looked incredibly young, almost like a child. How old is this kid? Zen thought.
"How old are you?" Zen asked bluntly.
Hoshizaki blinked. "Umm... I'm twenty-two years old."
Zen felt a jolt of shock. Four years older than me?
Hoshizaki looked down at his feet. "I don't blame you for asking. You're probably wondering what a wimp like me is doing at the SHIELD exam. But I know something awaits me inside the portals. I try to run from it, but I can't. Let me join your team. I promise I won't disappoint you. My weapon choice is Blade, by the way."
Zen stared at him, unimpressed. "You are a wimp, yes. That much is obvious." An emotional arrow seemed to pierce Hoshizaki's heart at the blunt comment. Zen continued, "But whether you get stronger or stay useful is entirely up to you. You're in. As a member of my team, I can assure you that you won't fail."
Zen turned and began walking back toward Ren and Aiko. Hoshizaki, his eyes filled with sudden admiration, followed close behind.
When they arrived back at the meeting spot, Zen signaled to the others. "I got an additional member. He's a Blade. The only one we're missing now is a Special Ability user."
Aiko looked worried as she checked the numbers. "The coordinator said Special Abilities are rare. There are forty teams on the field, which leaves..." She paused, doing the math.
"213 candidates left on the field," Zen finished for her.
Hoshizaki checked his watch. "We only have five minutes left. Are you sure we can find a Special Ability before the time runs out?"
Ren gritted his teeth. The thought of failing simply because they couldn't find one more player was maddening. He couldn't take the quiet tension anymore. Ren took a deep breath and yelled at the top of his lungs, his voice echoing like thunder across the entire stadium.
"IF YOU PULLED A SPECIAL ABILITY, GET YOUR ASS OVER HERE!"
Up on the balcony, the Elites were visibly startled. They looked down, impressed by the sheer volume and guts of the boy.
"Would you look at that," Yoruma mused.
Tatsuro frowned, covering one ear. "He's annoying."
Raizen laughed heartily. "Like you're one to talk!"
Back on the field, Zen was scowling at his brother. "What the hell is your problem? No normal person yells like that!"
"Guys, we have one minute left!" Aiko cried out, her eyes fixed on the clock. They all fell silent, the weight of imminent failure pressing down on them.
Suddenly, a young girl ran toward them. "Brother!" she shouted, yanking on Hoshizaki's hand.
Hoshizaki sighed, looking stressed. "What now? This isn't the time, sis!"
The girl, Tsukiko, spoke with a bright, mischievous smile. "You said we wouldn't be on the same team, but look! I'm going to be on yours after all!"
Hoshizaki shook his head. "Hell no. Just go find another team, okay? We're busy here."
Tsukiko pouted and prepared to leave, but Zen suddenly reached out and grabbed her hand. "What weapon choice are you?"
Tsukiko looked at him and beamed. "I'm Special Attack! I heard someone screaming that they needed one, and then I saw my brother over here, so I couldn't refuse!"
Ren, Zen, and Aiko all turned their heads in unison to look at Hoshizaki. Without a word, all three of them delivered a simultaneous, hard knock to the top of his head for nearly losing them their chance.
"You're in," Zen said, pulling Tsukiko toward the exit. "But we don't have time! We have to get off this field right now or it won't count!"
The five of them broke into a sprint, racing toward the boundary line. They crossed it just as the loud bell rang, signaling the end of the selection phase. Their team was complete.