A year had flown by in the blink of an eye. Xavier and I were finally 13, old enough to qualify for the Elite Exams. The day we had been training for had arrived. My nerves were a mess, but Xavier, as always, radiated confidence. He kept saying things like, "We've got this, Akari. All those hours training with Sora? This is going to be a breeze."
I didn't share his optimism, but I knew one thing: I wasn't going to back down. Not after everything we'd gone through to get here.
The first exam was straightforward—a written portion. They tested everything from basic academics to strategy and decision-making. It wasn't hard, especially with all the hours of studying Xavier and I had endured under Sora's watchful eye. We both passed with ease.
The second test, however, was far more interesting. It was about discovering which type of weapon we specialized in. The instructors explained that there were two main categories: Bladed Specialists, who excelled with weapons like swords and knives, and Firearm Specialists, who mastered the use of guns and other ranged weapons.
I already had a feeling about where I'd fall, but the process was still intense. We were guided into separate testing rooms based on our instincts and preferences, and we had to try out various weapons to see what felt natural.
When I held a katana for the first time, something just… clicked. The weight, the balance—it felt like an extension of my body. I swung it experimentally, and the instructor watching me nodded approvingly.
"Katana," he said, jotting something down on his clipboard. "Anything else?"
I moved to the double-sided sword next. It was heavier, but I liked the challenge. After a few swings, I realized how much I enjoyed the precision it demanded. Then, I picked up the throwing knives. They were small, sleek, and required sharp focus.
"These three," I told the instructor confidently.
He gave a small smile. "Bladed Specialist, without a doubt."
When I regrouped with Xavier later, he was holding a lightweight pistol in one hand and an assault rifle slung over his shoulder.
"I'm a Firearm Specialist," he said with a smirk. "They said I was smart to pick light weapons because of my speed. Guess that training paid off, huh?"
I rolled my eyes. "Don't get cocky."
He grinned. "You love it."
---
The third test was where things got serious: a combat trial. It was a single 4-vs-4 match, with teams divided by specialization—Bladed Specialists against Firearm Specialists. The rules were clear: only one round, and the losing team would fail the exam entirely.
When I was assigned to my group, my heart skipped a beat. Among the three other Bladed Specialists was someone I hadn't seen in what felt like forever.
Kai—or Kaito.
He was taller now, at least a head above me, but his features hadn't changed much. His black hair still fell into his red eyes, and his expression was as sharp as ever. I couldn't help but feel a strange mix of emotions. Seeing him again brought back memories of my old life, before everything changed.
"Kai?" I said hesitantly, unsure if he even remembered me.
He turned to me, his eyes widening slightly. "Akari? Is that really you?"
I nodded, a small smile creeping onto my face. "It's been a while."
His expression softened, and for a moment, he looked almost relieved. "Yeah, it has."
Before we could say more, the instructor called for our attention, explaining the rules of the combat trial.
"Each team will compete in a single round. The losing team will be eliminated from the exam. Teamwork and strategy are key. Use your training well."
When the matchups were announced, I realized my team would be facing a completely random group of Firearm Specialists. None of them were Xavier, but they still looked formidable. One of them was a towering boy who seemed like he could bench press an entire table, while another was a girl with sharp eyes and steady hands that screamed "expert sniper."
Kai took the lead in our huddle. His sharp mind was already at work, analyzing the situation.
"They'll try to keep us at range," he said. "We need to close the gap as quickly as possible. Akari, are you fast?"
"Well, I'm not slow if that's what you're asking." I said in a joking tone.
"Great, then you get in close as fast as possiple." Kai said
"Got it"
The whistle blew, and the match started.
I darted forward, zigzagging to make myself a harder target. Shots rang out from the Firearm Specialists, but none of them hit me as I closed the distance. Kai and the others moved in from the sides, their blades gleaming under the bright lights of the arena.
It was chaos. The Firearm Specialists were quick, but our strategy worked. We disrupted their formations and forced them into close combat, where our blades had the advantage.
The towering boy tried to pin me down with rapid fire, but I used my throwing knives to disarm him, darting away before he could recover. Meanwhile, Kai was a blur of movement, his sword clashing with an opponent's weapon as he fought with precision and grace.
When the final whistle blew, the Firearm Specialists were down, and we stood victorious.
Kai let out a deep breath, his face breaking into a rare grin. "We did it."
I nodded, a small smile breaking through my exhaustion. "Yeah, we did."
As we regrouped with the rest of the candidates, I spotted Xavier across the arena. He gave me a thumbs-up, his signature smirk in place.
This was only the beginning. The real challenges were yet to come.