THE SELECTION

This is different—far different from the place he was raised into. Old and towering structures lingered everywhere, and hovering these structures there serves a visible barrier-like dome that covers the entire area. It was created for the yearly occasion on the land—the selection. Along with it roads and paths leading to directions branched over the streets and corners of the city. On the north, with the stream of houses owned by the people green fields lay after it, and surrounding the mainland was the tranquil woods that were a passage for visitors on land. But even if establishments have been placed, it can't deny the fact that it was long worn by history itself, far from complete modernization yet was still the most stabilized place on the entire land.

Raijin continued walking while gazing at the sky crappers. Stalls that sell different kinds of weapons are scattered through the area. "An exploration wouldn't hurt a bit, right?" he muttered to himself smiling as he pursued in walking.

He had passed every store and has eyed them carefully. His feet had stopped abruptly catching a glance of an item that has piqued his attention. It was a quill pen; wielding a beautiful tint of crimson that's almost on par with his locks. The young man rushed immediately towards the object and if his grandfather were to witness his careless acts, he would get an earful of his reprimands.

Out of confusion and shock, there was a sudden force that pushed him to the ground causing him to lose his balance as the people started gathering around him creating a commotion. He felt the sharp ache on his back coming from the impact. "Ouch... what was that?" There was a pang of dizziness that he had stopped mid-way to his sentence realizing what had taken place when his eyes landed on a girl beside him—she was splattered on the ground not taking a single glance to what surrounded her. "I'm sorry, are you okay?"

Offering his hand to help her stand, the young lady didn't take the chance to accept it. Instead, she stood up on her own ignoring his words and walking past him without a single glance nor a simple nod.

"Oh wait! I-" Raijin let out a sigh as he watched the umber-haired girl fade into the crowd. Raijin wanted to usher his apologies and yet he doesn't want to cause another ruckus by chasing after her—since according to General Yozou, several nobles reside on the land, and some are not expected to be genial because of their status. He thought that maybe, that girl was one.

The young man resumed his path towards the quill pen until a sudden buzz of a listening device was heard throughout the area making him pause abruptly on his steps. "This is Voigt division from the headquarters. Ladies and Gentlemen, welcome to Riagi. We would like our dear participants for the selection to register themselves at the administration building. That's all, good luck"

There was a gush of nervousness starting to crawl on his whole as if the people around him could hear the loud beating of his heart. Along with the tension, his mind began to wonder where the administration building was. If there was something he forgot to ask General Yozou, it was the map for Riagi.

A couple of hours have passed but Raijin had pursued his objective walking through the entire area in search of the said building, disregarding the quill pen he wanted to purchase. "Am I lost?" he said to himself as minutes rushed by each drop of time. He could feel his exhaustion by searching that the stamina he had reserved solely for the selection was quite worn out. "Maybe this one" he uttered, in between pants.

Approaching the person not far from him, his hands reached for the shoulders of someone. He spoke, politely. "Excuse me, but is this the administration building?"

The figure who bears the same height along with Raijin, turned around to face him. "Yes, it is" he replied, his lips were formed into a gentle smile.

Raijin was met by cyan eyes encompassing with the golden locks of the person's blond hair—almost covering half of his forehead. He stood with formality and poise that made his appearance scream out a tenor of someone who had made several young ladies cry their hearts out.

"Are you perhaps a prince?" Raijin said, followed by a frown. "Seriously what's with the guys I've met, they're all head turners. It's unfair…" One more force could almost push him on the verge of complaining through the heavens for he was disappointed by how he wasn't gifted when it comes to fairness. Or so he thought.

The blond stranger offered him his hand for a shake. "I'm Kazahana Fujihiro" he introduced, still not brushing the politeness of his smile.

As if there was a light bulb that appeared on his head, Raijin faced him wearing a surprised expression. "A-are you perhaps, related to General Kazahana?"

The other young man remained a friendly grin at him, "She's my elder sister"

"A-ah! My apologies, I didn't mean to ask you stupid things, sir. Forgive me." he apologized to the person as if his life depended on it.

"Please don't. It's okay" There was a hint of embarrassment on Fujihiro's face because of the ruckus that Raijin had made.

He raised his head from the shame and has finally taken the courage and opportunity to introduce himself. "I'm Ikazuchi Raijin. Nice to meet you, sir!"

"Drop the formalities, just call me Hiro. Nice to meet you Rai" sealing their introduction with a handshake Raijin can't help but feel delighted of hearing his nickname. "Why don't we register together? You're going to participate in the selection too, aren't you?"

With a nod of agreement, together they started to enter the building.

"Thank you for participating! Here's your pass"

"Thanks!" Raijin raised the card pass for the selection. Finally, after battles and pieces of training, he is a step away from being a soldier of wisdom to fulfill his duty and ambition as an Ikazuchi and as someone who desires nothing but tranquility through the land.

"Is everything settled?"

"Yeah" returning his glance at his friend, he returned a smile in the mixture of nervousness and anticipation.

"Then let's have our fill first before the first stage starts" Hiro offered. "Rai?" he called out, noticing the young man's attention seemed to focus somewhere else. "Rai on earth. Are you there?"

"Hiro, that's-" Gazing not far from their direction, Raijin's eyes caught a glimpse of a familiar figure.

"Who? Your girlfriend?" Hiro asked.

"No. There's no way, I have no time for things like that"

"Same here" Hiro responded followed by a small laugh.

"I owe her an apology" he took a step approaching where the girl was.

"Ah. The red-haired boring-looking guy again"

Raijin was taken aback by the sudden remark of the young lady, the words that were supposed to come out of his mouth suddenly changed. "Who are you calling boring?! And what was that little laugh, Hiro?!"

"I didn't do anything, Rai," Hiro said, turning his face to the other side to hide his guilt.

With a last glance, the girl turned her back towards the two of them. Minding her own business, she began walking and the voice of Raijin called out to her, making her stop with her tracks—letting out a deep breath and calmly facing them once again.

"Since you look like you don't have someone you're with, Hiro said he'll treat us with some food!" Raijin gave the other boy a nudge, signaling him to play along.

"I didn't say such-" Raijin's hand immediately flew on Hiro's mouth, showing an uneasy smile to the young lady.

While the girl has perceived it as something of an invitation to what her 'imagination' had understood the words. "No thanks," she turned her back to them. For it was strange to her that people would ask if they could invite her into meals and such.

"Are you sure? But you're alone, isn't it nice to eat with friends?"

It was some sort of a striking light to the female. She faced them again; the seemingly calm demeanor that she wears was now replaced by an aggressive and yet... somewhat endearing expression. "W-who are you calling alone!? I am not alone. I-I actually...have friends! Don't compare me to the likes of you, to begin with" behind those words, there was a tint of crimson flashed on her cheeks as her sudden outburst had caused the people around to begin murmuring things.

"That's why calling someone alone or lonely is not a good idea, Rai" Hiro whispered to him, shaking his head in disagreement.

"I heard that! Half cooked guy"

"H-half cooked..." this time, it was Hiro who was taken aback—the remark striking a nerve at him. His once gentle and warm smile turned into a sarcastic one as shadow lingered through his darkened expression.

"Now, now. Hiro calm down" Raijin uttered, standing between the two to create a blockade between them who seem to form a flash of lightning across each other's eyes. "You also calm down-"

"Shut up tomato head"

Raijin who stood speechless with the sudden remark faced the boy beside him saying: "You know what Hiro. Let's do this together"

"Agreed"

With no one stopping the three of them. They started to bicker at each other just like children who are battling over a toy.

And the minute of squabble left them exhausted and as soon as they stopped with the petty argument another announcement was heard. "Participants, we will start after 10 minutes. Please wait in the waiting room for further instructions" The three youngsters glanced at each other, taking their passes out and proceeding together on the way to the room.

"Hitomi Mitsuka," The girl said, leaving the two young men to stare in surprise by the sudden introduction.

"Is she glaring at us?" Raijin whispered to Hiro.

Hiro chuckled in response. "I'm Kazahana Fujihiro, glad to meet you Mitsuka"

"Ikazuchi Raijin here"

Mitsuka resumed walking, managing to ignore what she heard as they reached the door of the room.

Hiro reached for the handle, opening the door for them to enter. He was the first to set foot inside followed by Mitsuka and Raijin.

They searched the whole area. Figures of unfamiliar faces stood around the room seeming to mind their businesses—not even turning their heads to the ones who had just arrived. Others are on their own pace reading the textbooks given by the administrators, while some are casually engulfed in practicing with their weapons.

A sudden pull took the two boys to be startled. They ushered their complaints to the young lady as she continued to drag them both on the corner where there are only a few nearby.

"What is it, Mitsuka?" asked Raijin, caressing his slightly aching arm because of the sudden pull.

"Let's all split up" Mitsuka answered in a low voice that only the three of them could hear.

"I agree," Hiro followed. His eyes were staring deeply at the ground being lost in thought.

Unable to catch up with the idea of the two. Raijin gazed at them in confusion. No matter how precise he thinks of it, his mind still shows a big question mark.

Hiro, being the one who notice this, faced him wearing a solemn expression. "Haven't you observed Rai? They might be keeping their mouth shut but the selection might've started the time we've entered this room or even the building" he expanded, making sure of his surroundings that nobody had heard of what he said.

"Huh?" Mitsuka looked at both of them, also on the verge of confusion.

Hiro returned her gaze with a hint of puzzlement and disbelief. 'Did she just say that because she doesn't want to be with us?' Hiro thought.

"Hiro, if that's true then should we really-" raised Raijin.

"That's not what I mean! Can't you see?! Everyone's glaring at us because we're with the famous and so-called Kazahana prince" Mitsuka said keeping her eyes to them.

Raijin turned his head to look at the entirety of the room. He didn't notice it at first because his mind is currently occupied with the thought of the first trial. Hiro who was beside him only showed his usual smile with the remark.

"You're right Mitsuka. We have General Kazahana's brother and they might think that we're having our easy way"

Hiro gave out a deep exhale. "Well, if that's the case we should-"

"I don't care about what they think" Raijin uttered just before Hiro could finish his phrase.

Though Fujihiro had disliked it. Disliked the feeling of being persuaded by words. And yet this time, it was not a sense of persuasion but something—something in where there is nothing but a welcoming approach to Raijin. On his side, and for the first and short moment he can be who he is, where no one would see him as the General's brother but he only as a person.

"It matters to me. I don't want attention" Mitsuka said. The two boys darted a doubtful glance to her. "What?" she asked as they kept their gazes at her.

"Nothing. I thought lonely people wanted some-" It was too late when Raijin had realized that something had impacted his head causing him to let out a cry of pain. "For a girl, you sure are strong Mitsu-" and with that, it happened again. The once unfixed scarlet hair of his was now even messier because of the young lady. After taking her embarrassment out of Raijin, Mitsuka stood up and walked past them leaving the two together.

"All participants, please enter the door on the leftmost side of the room. We will now commend the first trial stage of the selection. I wish lord Giansh's wisdom on your side"

Everyone took the instruction with the utmost respect as they started to move onto the designated area—bearing in their minds the objective of what their hearts truly desire. Raijin and Hiro were the last ones to move.

"Let's do our best, Rai" with a smile, Hiro raised his fist in front of him.

"Yeah," Raijin replied, returning his smile with a fist bomb.

More than strange—strange to what the first trial's location is. A deserted place with no structures and an air of dust is lingering everywhere in the area as if it was a vast endless plain of hot sand. The sun shone brightly through it.

A stinging chill crept over Raijin, realizing that he was the only person in the area. Not even a single soul was seen. Even if he tries to call for everyone, there was no answer. Did his mixed excitement had caused him to open the wrong door? But if that were the case, Hiro should be near him.

His thoughts snapped in a quick echo of a beeping sound followed by a voice.

"Participants, welcome to the selection. Let's proceed with our trial rules and objectives"

Raijin reached for the chushin hanging on his neck clasping it tightly as he uttered his silent prayer. "Pops, I'm here now. I know it would be quite unfair for the others, but may I ask for your guidance?" There was nothing but relief, after muttering those words—as if the old man had heard his wishes and the sudden surge of motivation to win and pass the trial had once again filled him.

"The selection would be divided into three trial stages: each trial, there would be different rules and objectives to follow. For the first trial stage, all kinds of weapons or weaponry devices and energy distribution to your power would be prohibited for use"

Raijin had almost staggered onto his feet. As he doesn't have anything that could be of use rather than his power and the chushin. Doubts about how he would survive the stage clouded his thoughts but even if it's slowly hunting him and testing his will, he refused to lower his resolve. The determination he had is still far from fading. And yet, until when?

"This is a test of your knowledge and how you can pull through a tight situation. We will provide the necessary equipment for the trial. Until then, the participants are not allowed to use their weapons or weaponry devices and powers"

After the statement, there was a sense of vertigo rippling on Raijin that he didn't remain in his balance because a sudden shaking had occurred through the area. He was puzzled, unable to comprehend what was taking place at the moment—whether it's the selection's go signal or perhaps an enemy invasion? But as soon as the shaking halted, his thoughts cleared up in relief. The shaking resulted in an ironed table emerging before him. Rope, matchsticks, lighter, one wooden stick, and a pocket knife were scattered on top.

His hands reached for them to examine each object and proceeded to carry each one of them. The rope on his right shoulder blade while the rest was placed inside his pocket and in hand. The brief moment of silence and gushing of the wind had been disrupted as another shaking has begun again. And Raijin was met by a wide structure consisting of hedges appearing before him. The once empty deserted domain was now incorporated in a multicursal maze.

His eyes glinted in astonishment, seeming like a child who had brought his awes in a majestic course of magic. He took a step forward to see the horizontal and vertical walls before him. It was more than strange—having the maze be placed by an area that consists of nothing but dry sand. The picture of its beauty would encompass greatly if its relaxing shade of green could be of a match.

"Every participant has their labyrinth assigned. And each one has a different kind of maze. There are over 354 candidates for the selection. The first 70 to pass the first stage trial would move on to the next. To complete the challenge, you need to obtain an item placed inside the mazes" the announcer paused for a while clearing her throat. "Before we begin, I need to remind everyone that five of the eight generals are currently watching right now. They're also here to give their regards to all of you"

A smile was plastered through Raijin's face as he heard the announcement. The figure of a man appeared on his thoughts as determination and hope have once given him the sudden urge to advance through the trial. "General Yozou, please watch me" he muttered. The said officials started to give their responses.

"Eighth General Corvinus speaking, may luck be on your side"

"Win." was the only word that the 7th General Nephus uttered. Followed by a familiar voice of a person which echoed through the area.

"Greetings! Girls and boys! I know this is such trouble. But all of us will be waiting outside for your victory. Make sure to just—Oi!! I'm not yet done speaking!"

Raijin gave out a small laugh, hearing the words.

"Lucien! You bastard give me the mic-"

"Don't stress yourself on the trials. It's General Voigt, I'll also be here wishing you all the best"

"Now then let us please hear from General Kazahana," said the announcer.

For a moment, he remembered Hiro. Raijin thought, that may be; it was nice that the comfort of someone who's part of your home would give you his or her regards before entering the battlefield and of that a competition. And how he had prayed to experience that feeling to the extent of his heart again.

"Be guided by the rules...and succeed" a calm and authoritative voice of a lady spoke.

"So being prim and proper are in the blood. Lucky them" Raijin said, letting out a sigh. He gazed through the maze that seemed to have a boundless set of obscure walls as his resolve and unwavering determination were strengthened in the thought of what he was fighting for. A loud siren surrounded the area.

"Participants, let the first trial begin"