The next day at the Shin'o Academy training grounds, the sun filtered through thin clouds, casting dappled shadows across the earth.
Groups of students emerged from the examination hall, huddling together in small clusters as they whispered and compared their answers.
Having completed the day's theoretical testing, Hasumi Ren stretched his arms wide.
Since cultural knowledge didn't drop attribute shards, Ren had actually put in the effort to study properly.
Fortunately, with a star student like Nanao around, joining her study sessions had made the review process effortless and efficient.
"How did the exam go?"
Nanao looked at Ren's relaxed expression.
"Easy as pie."
"Don't be careless. This is only a small portion of the final grade. The comprehensive Zankensoki assessment over the next two days is what really matters. I remember your combat scores have never been particularly high."
"Uh-huh."
"You... you never train hard enough. You're halfway about everything you do. What if you fail the squad entrance exam in the future?"
"I won't fail. Don't worry."
Ren maintained his usual easygoing attitude, making Nanao feel as though she were punching a cloud.
While Ren's combat scores weren't high, he had remarkably never once dropped out of the elite class. That consistency was actually quite strange.
This often led Nanao to wonder: if this guy actually had a diligent personality and trained hard, would he become incredibly powerful?
Nanao tried to imagine it—a version of Hasumi Ren with peerless strength, standing at the top of the elite class with every division fighting to recruit him.
If he were really like that, given his exceptional looks, there would surely be a crowd of girls surrounding him at all times...
Nanao shook her head, clearing those stray thoughts from her mind.
She glanced at the white-haired slacker beside her, who was walking with his arms crossed and a lazy gait, and then she tightened her grip on her bag.
Actually, him being like this isn't bad either.
"Tomorrow's Kidō test is still Shakkahō. It's a standard item, but this year's curriculum is supposed to include some higher-level Kidō."
"I noticed your Shunpo seems to have improved. Maybe you can use your mobility to pull up your score this year."
"Kendo and Hakuda are practical assessments, but you always lose so quickly and surrender after just a few exchanges..."
Nanao nagged incessantly as Ren occasionally chimed in with a few words. The two strolled through the crowd in this manner.
"Hasumi-senpai!"
A cheerful greeting rang out. Ren and Nanao turned toward the voice.
"Oh, it's the Shiba kid."
"Haha, what's with 'Shiba kid'? Just call me Kaien."
Shiba Kaien was currently dressed in his academy uniform, carrying a bundle as he jogged over with a grin.
"Ise-senpai is here too."
"Yes. Hello, Shiba-kun."
Shiba Kaien looked significantly older than her, so being called 'senpai' felt a bit awkward.
However, out of politeness, Nanao returned the greeting formally.
"Have you finished your enrollment? We'll be classmates from now on. I look forward to working with you."
"Haha, yeah, me too! Speaking of which, Hasumi-senpai, I don't know what's gotten into my sister Kukaku, but she's been re~ally into Ichiraku Ramen lately."
Kaien leaned in with a mischievous look, lightly nudging Ren's arm with his elbow.
"Oh? Is that so? That's a good thing..."
Ren raised an eyebrow.
The next moment, he felt a sudden chill emanating from beside him.
'This is bad...'
Kaien clearly failed to notice the shift in the atmosphere and continued laughing.
"Isn't it? That girl has been running to the ramen shop every other day. I was wondering when she started loving ramen so much. Then I heard her say it was a recommendation from you, senpai."
Ren felt the temperature beside him drop several more degrees.
'Enough, that's enough! Just stop already, you oblivious idiot...'
Kaien seemed to ignore the signals Ren was desperately sending with his eyes, enthusiastically throwing an arm around Ren's shoulder.
"Now that I think about it, Kukaku has been a wild child since she was little. I've never seen her pay this much attention to a guy before..."
"Ahem!"
Ren began to cough violently, trying to cut Kaien off.
But it was too late.
Beside them, Nanao pushed up her glasses, her voice terrifyingly calm.
"Oh? So Shiba-san is that interested in Ren's business?"
"You bet!"
Kaien acted as if he were completely blind to the danger, his face still beaming.
"I was thinking, Hasumi-senpai, if you have time today, why don't we grab dinner? I'm sure Kukaku would be thrilled to have you there..."
Kaien looked at Ren's face, which was a mask of utter despair, then at Nanao's darkening expression. Finally, he seemed to realize something was wrong.
"Ah, uh..."
He scratched his head. "It sounds like... like Kukaku is calling me. You two senpai must be busy, so I won't bother you any longer. I'm off!"
With that, he waved to them and vanished in the blink of an eye.
Ren and Nanao were left standing there, the air between them seemingly frozen solid.
"Nanao..."
Ren spoke tentatively.
"Yes?"
Nanao looked up. Her expression was one of absolute, terrifying serenity—a calmness Ren had never seen before.
"Why the serious face..."
"Ren!"
An energetic voice called out from the distance.
Ren and Nanao turned simultaneously to see Shiba Kukaku running toward them.
She was in casual clothes today, her long black hair flying behind her and a brilliant smile on her face.
"Eh? That's weird. I thought I saw Big Bro here. Where is he? Oh, Little Nanao is here too."
Kukaku reached them, glancing between Ren and Nanao, sensing the subtle tension in the air.
"What's up? Why do you both look so serious?"
"It's nothing."
Nanao quickly resumed her usual cool expression, answering flatly.
"Kukaku, why are you here?"
Ren looked at Kukaku, trying to change the mood.
"To find you!"
Kukaku said with a laugh.
"Big Bro came to pick up his enrollment supplies today, so I tagged along. It might not be as easy to just walk in here later on."
"I heard you had tests today, so I thought I might run into you at the gate. I actually found you!"
Kukaku stepped closer. Her breath was a bit heavy from running, and a fine sheen of sweat glistened on her forehead.
Nanao stared blankly at the valley that rose and fell with every breath right in front of her.
'W-What is this?'
In the next second, Nanao's eyes turned sharp as a hawk's. From the corner of her eye, she glared at Ren, who looked like he was sitting on pins and needles.
If Ren's gaze shifted even slightly, she would strike without hesitation.
'If those eyes are going to descend into the abyss of degeneracy without even knowing it, I'll personally...'
Fortunately, Ren's gaze was wandering aimlessly, carefully avoiding the minefield.
Kukaku seemed oblivious to the strange atmosphere as she leaned in toward Ren, her eyes shining with joy.
"Hey, Ren, do you have some time later?"