In the streets of the advanced capital, particularly at the headquarters of the main council, the activity never ceased inside the vast halls. Employees moved swiftly between electronic display screens, each immersed in their precise and focused work. Some were busy programming complex systems, while others worked on modifying the design of mazes and preparing the venues for the competition, racing against time to ensure everything was meticulously arranged. Every corner and screen reflected a part of this world brimming with secrets, where creativity met technology, and everyone awaited the moment the anticipated challenge would begin.

The "Emperor's Shadows" competition was exclusively reserved for the Ministries of Defense and Interior. No one outside these institutions was permitted to approach it. Every four years, only one individual was chosen to earn this enigmatic title, becoming part of the secret Shadows Unit—those whose faces are never seen and whose voices are never heard. The winner was neither rewarded with fame nor wealth but instead disappeared from the public eye, erased from all records, starting a new life in the shadows where secrets and enigmas converged in service of the Emperor.

The sound of whistles echoed across the Tsugomori Military Base, signaling the start of the morning drill. First-year soldiers quickly gathered in disciplined formation, perfectly aligned in the center of the vast square. The air was thick with anticipation as they marched briskly to their designated positions, each aware of their precise role within the strict military system.

At the front of one of the rows stood a young woman in her twenties, her features sharp and her gaze cold, standing upright with unwavering posture. The commander approached her and demanded in a firm voice, "You, soldier! State your name!"

The woman saluted smartly before responding in a stern and resolute tone, "My name is Saiki, from the 'Kujin' unit, Fifth Battalion, first-year cadet, sir!"

The commander, intrigued, replied, "Kujin unit? You must have some special attributes."

He extended his hand toward the military tag resting on her uniform, reading her full name and serial number. His eyes widened slightly as he examined the tag, then he asked with a tone of curiosity, "You're Saiki, the daughter of the former Air Force Commander?"

With unwavering composure, Saiki answered, "Yes, sir."

The commander scrutinized her intently, studying her features before stepping back and addressing the rest of the soldiers, his tone now carrying a hint of interest: "That's intriguing."

His expression quickly returned to its usual sternness as he shifted his focus to the other soldiers. However, a fleeting look of sorrow crossed Saiki's eyes as memories of her father resurfaced unexpectedly. She shook her head slightly, trying to banish those painful recollections threatening to invade her thoughts once more. Refocusing her gaze on the square ahead, she steeled herself for the challenges awaiting her.

The enormous electronic screens in the square lit up, announcing the start of the "Emperor's Shadows Game." The commander raised his gruff voice and declared firmly:

"As you know, every four years, a competition is held to claim the title of 'Emperor's Shadow.' This title grants you the honor of joining the Shadows Unit, an elite force assigned to secret missions, including those directly involving the Emperor himself."

Saiki's eyes gleamed, her body already surging with adrenaline. She whispered to herself, "This is your ultimate goal, Saiki. You have to win... for your father." Her expression sharpened, her focus intensifying. She observed every move the commanders made, every word they uttered, every detail that could prove useful in the future.

The commander continued, "You will be divided into four groups, each supervised by a leader. At the beginning of the game, you'll work as a team to pass the initial tests. However, throughout this process, we will assess your performance based on intelligence, physical abilities, quick decision-making under pressure, and your behavior with fellow cadets in the base. Those who score the highest points will advance to the next phase. You may use your special abilities in specific circumstances only. Under no condition are they to be used outside the base, not even if the kingdom is engulfed in flames! Do you understand?"

The soldiers replied in unison, their voices resolute: "Yes, sir!"

The commander nodded with satisfaction. "Excellent. Now, you will be assigned to leaders and divided into teams of seven."

Four additional leaders emerged from the hall, taking their positions in the center of the square. One of them stepped forward, immediately capturing Saiki's attention with his dark brown eyes, disheveled jet-black hair, and the tattoo adorning his neck, boldly displayed without any attempt to hide it.

He approached her and said, "You're Saiki, correct?"

She replied calmly, "Yes, sir."

With a faint smile, he added, "Excellent. You're in my team."

He gestured for her and the other six soldiers to follow him, and they trailed behind him with steady steps toward an unknown destination. Saiki's eyes darted cautiously, scanning every corner of this new place they had entered. The towering walls and the surrounding equipment exuded an air of mystery and seriousness, as if whispering to them that what lay ahead would not be easy.

Her gaze shifted to the young leader walking ahead of them, his steady steps, broad back, and evident confidence commanding attention. She murmured to herself, "He must be a legend. How did someone his age rise to the rank of commander?"

Her thoughts were interrupted as they reached their destination.

They stopped in a spacious hall surrounded by thick walls that imbued the place with an aura of strength and authority. To the right was a fully equipped wrestling arena, while the left was adorned with heavy punching bags. In front of them lay an array of equipment used for physical training, hinting that this space was designed to prepare soldiers at the highest level.

Saiki's eyes sparkled with excitement as she took in the sight of the military training hall. The sound of soldiers' footsteps filled the air, mingling with the scent of sweat and effort. A renewed passion surged through her, as if every corner of this place was calling her to test her strength and abilities. Deep within, she felt a profound determination. She was certain she would prove to everyone—and to herself most of all—that she was capable of achieving the impossible. Time was not on her side, but her resolve was stronger than any obstacle.

Her focus was fixed on every movement and detail in the hall. Soldiers were training around her—some lifting weights, others sprinting on treadmills. Saiki felt the strength coursing through her veins, her anxieties about the future melting away little by little. Yet, she knew that reaching the top required more than just physical strength. She had to prove her endurance—both mentally and physically. This wasn't just the beginning of a workout; it was the start of a true personal challenge. There was no room for mistakes or retreat.

The commander called out to her in a firm voice, "Saiki, come here."

She approached the commander steadily, though her heart pounded fiercely. She tried her best to mask her tension. From the signals around her, it was clear that the commander had been watching her closely since the start of the session.

"Do you think you're ready for the next challenge?" he asked, his tone serious, his eyes fixed on her.

She replied with a resolute tone, striving to maintain her composure, "Yes, sir. I am ready."

He nodded slightly before saying, "The exercises you'll face today will be a true test of your endurance. This time, it won't be like anything you've experienced before. There will be surprises, and you must be prepared for them."

He said no more, but his gaze was enough to make her feel the weight of the responsibility. He knew she was under pressure but intended to push her to her absolute limits.

Saiki swallowed hard and nodded once again. "I won't let you down, sir."

The commander ordered, "Start immediately. Don't waste a second."

This time, the training was unlike anything Saiki had encountered before. Instead of focusing solely on physical strength, it posed a greater challenge—one that involved intelligence and the ability to adapt to unpredictable situations. The hall was divided into multiple stations, each presenting a task that required different skills: quick thinking, endurance, and coordination between mind and body.

As Saiki advanced toward the first station, a growing tension weighed on her. She knew every step could be crucial in determining whether she would pass this test or not. Yet, that relentless inner drive burned within her, propelling her forward despite the odds.

There was no time for hesitation, and in that moment, she realized that this training wasn't merely a test of her strength but of her spirit—her ability to face the unknown with courage.

This challenge was her first step toward acceptance into the "Emperor's Shadow" competition, making failure an unthinkable option. The competition was a dream she had long pursued, a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to prove herself to everyone. She knew failure here would shatter all her hopes of achieving her goals and that there would be no second chance if she faltered now.

With every step she took, the noise around her faded into silence, leaving only her thoughts and the task ahead. Her focus narrowed entirely on the next challenge before her, shutting out everything but the goal she sought to achieve.

"There's no room for error," she whispered to herself. "I'm here to win, no matter the cost."

This wasn't merely a test of physical strength but a trial of her willpower—her unyielding spirit that refused to surrender. The competition was her only chance to change everything, and she was ready to pay any price to reach the finish line.