Sol pressed his face lightly to the window, eyes wide. "Whoa…" he whispered, his breath fogging the glass.
A few rows behind, a calm voice cut through the murmurs of the other students.
"It's not that impressive."
Sol turned his head, immediately recognizing the speaker.
Kenta—better known by his crew name, King—leaned back in his seat, arms crossed, expression unreadable beneath the shadow of his hood. His black jacket bore the unmistakable white insignia of K1NGS across the back.
"Tch. Don't act so cool, King," Sol teased, grinning. "We all know you're just as hyped as the rest of us."
King cracked an eye open, then let it close again. "I'm not here to be excited. I'm here to win."
Sol's smile faded slightly. "You really think the trials will be that serious?"
"Of course they will," King said without hesitation. "Midnight Sun doesn't accept weaklings. If you're not ready to fight like your life depends on it… you'll just be crushed."
A tense silence settled between them for a moment. Sol stared ahead, then chuckled softly.
"You haven't changed at all, huh?"
King opened both eyes this time, watching him.
"What do you mean?"
"You're still the same guy who trained alone after everyone left. The one who carried us through those missions back in second year." Sol leaned back. "You act cold, but deep down… you care about all of us. You just don't say it."
King didn't respond. But for a brief second, a flicker of something passed over his face.
Maybe a memory.
Maybe regret.
Then he looked away.
"Hmph. Don't get sentimental on me now."
Sol smirked. "Too late."
As the bus came to a halt and the doors hissed open, students began filing out with a mix of nerves and excitement. King rose to his feet with quiet precision, his presence as commanding as ever.
Sol followed, stepping down beside him into the bright light of the guild's outer courtyard.
"Let's see what the strongest guild in Japan is made of," King muttered.
Sol stretched once more, eyes gleaming.
"Let's shake the world, partner."
Together, they walked toward the gates—one a flame, the other a crown—both ready for the storm ahead.
The plaza before the Midnight Sun Guild buzzed with tension and excitement. Dozens of students from across Tokyo had arrived, their eyes shining with ambition and nerves. But none stood out more than the towering figures at the head of the guild's marble stairs.
Shidou Shiranui, leader of the Midnight Sun Guild, stood tall in a sleek black coat that seemed to ripple with power. His cold gaze swept over the crowd like a blade. Beside him stood two of the most feared names in the hero world:
Jasmine Katsuragi, with her flowing silver hair and sharp eyes, radiated elegance and danger in equal measure.
Tanaka Kai, bulky and broad-shouldered, rested a massive weapon on his back like it weighed nothing.
Then came Moru Ito, a calm S-Rank with mysterious eyes that never blinked too long.
Whispers erupted among the students.
"Is that really Jasmine Katsuragi?"
"She defeated a whole A-rank guild solo…"
"That's Tanaka Kai! The Iron Wall of Osaka!"
Sol's jaw dropped in awe. "Wow… S-Rank heroes…"
But before the awe could settle, a mocking voice rang out from behind.
"Hey! What are you losers doing here?"
Sol turned sharply. A group of students in dark red uniforms swaggered into the courtyard, smug grins plastered on their faces.
"Tch," Ryker muttered under his breath, already recognizing the voice.
Haruto Kenaki led the group, flanked by none other than Arata Kenaki, his equally arrogant cousin. They were unmistakably from Midoriyama High School, Horizon Academy's most bitter rivals.
"Hello, losers," Arata sneered, looking around at the Horizon students as if they were insects.
A tense silence fell across the plaza. Some students exchanged glances; others clenched their fists.
"That's Midoriyama High…" Sol muttered, narrowing his eyes.
Even Shidou Shiranui seemed to take note, his voice calm but firm.
"So, you're here for the trials too," he said, watching the Midoriyama students with faint interest.
Arata stepped forward with exaggerated confidence. "Yeah. We're here to win. And trust me, we will. These guys? They're nothing but weaklings."
Several Horizon students looked ready to charge forward, but King raised a hand, stopping them with a single glance.
Ryker stood still, unfazed.
"The trial hasn't even started," he said coldly. "You already talking like you've won?"
Arata smirked. "We're just giving you a heads-up before we crush your little dreams."
Jasmine Katsuragi raised an eyebrow, while Tanaka Kai crossed his arms, unimpressed by the show of ego.
Shidou looked between the two schools with sharp eyes, then spoke.
"Midnight Sun only accepts the worthy. We don't care which school you're from. Prove yourself or leave."
Silence followed.
Then Sol stepped forward beside Ryker, grinning.
"Guess we'll see who's still standing when this is over."
The massive stone arena roared to life as hundreds of eyes focused on the field below. The Trial had begun.
Shidou Shiranui, standing high on the central platform, raised his hand to silence the crowd.
"This year's trial is simple," he declared. "Heroes versus students. Survive. Fight. Prove you're worthy of the guild."
Gasps echoed across the arena.
"Wait… Heroes vs. students?" Sol Yoshida's eyes widened. "This is insane!"
But Shidou only gave a cold nod. "You wish to stand among the strongest? Then defeat the ones who already are."
The gates opened.
Battle 1: Sol Yoshida vs. Tanaka Kai
Sol rolled his shoulders and stepped forward, sunlight gleaming on his red combat gear. His white hair swayed slightly as he cracked his knuckles. His eyes burned—not with arrogance, but with raw determination.
Across the arena, Tanaka Kai walked out like a force of nature. His physique was iron-carved, towering with presence. The S-Rank badge glimmered on his chest.
"Sol Yoshida," Kai said flatly, "I heard you're the top fighter of Horizon's second years."
Sol grinned, heat already radiating from his skin.
"I don't plan to lose. Not today."
"Begin!"
Sol moved first.
With a loud blast, his fists ignited in torrents of flame. He launched himself forward, unleashing a barrage of fire punches, the ground beneath him cracking with every step.
"Fire Torrent Barrage!"
Kai calmly dodged the flurry, weaving through the attacks with mechanical precision. The flames danced around him but never touched.
Sol growled and jumped, twisting in the air, foot blazing.
"Blazing Kick!"
Kai raised his arm and caught Sol's leg in mid-air.
"You're fast. But not enough."
CRACK!
Kai swung Sol down like a hammer into the arena floor. The ground shattered, a shockwave rippling outward. Sol winced, back arching from the impact.
But he didn't stay down.
He grabbed Kai's wrist—his eyes glowed bright red.
"Don't underestimate me."
A pulse of heat surged out, forcing Kai to release him.
Sol backflipped, landing on one knee, then rushed in again.
Kai narrowed his eyes. "You've got heart, kid."
They clashed again—fire vs. force.
Each of Sol's attacks pushed Kai a little further. Each block from Kai slowed, just a fraction. Until—
BOOM!
Sol landed a punch square into Kai's chest, sending the older man skidding back a few steps.
The crowd gasped.
But Kai… laughed.
"Now that's more like it."
And then, with a surge of energy, Kai vanished.
Sol barely saw the movement before a fist buried into his stomach.
WHAM!
The force sent him flying back across the arena, crashing into the far wall. Smoke and dust exploded into the air.
Silence.
Then Sol stood up—blood at the edge of his lips, but smiling.
"I… can still fight."
Kai nodded, respecting him.
"Enough," said Shidou Shiranui from the stands. "We've seen his strength."
"Winner: Tanaka Kai!"