A large board was now where the remaining students had all been.

On the board was a list of names, along with many sheets of paper pinned to each group of names.

One of the groups was now holding their papers, or rather, one member was, while the other three continued to look at the board.

Two of them with a neutral expression on their faces, and one with a look of joy.

Silvia: [You did thissss…without ussss even being here…]

Kōkatsu: [Yep! ’S great, right? Now we’re all on a team!]

Shiro: [We have zero idea what this trial has in store…It’s a real situation…and before we even got an understanding…you signed us up…]

Kōkatsu: [I mean, I asked for a week before we start. I got somethin’ I wanna do before that in case we’re able to so it’s not all bad!]

Nero: [There’s quite a large amount of papers here.]

Kōkatsu: [I mean, yeah, but that’s because there’s just a lot to do with this stuff. We’ll be done in no time!]

Shiro: [Hey, Kō?]

Kōkatsu: [Hmm? Yeah, sup?]

All of a sudden, Shiro punched Kōkatsu across the face.

Kōkatsu: [Gack!...Hey! The fuck’s that ‘bou–ack! Gah! Ah!]

A series of punches was coming from Shiro while Kōkatsu was on the ground. Along with Shiro’s fists, there had been a series of spear-like blows from Silvia’s hands.

Kōkatsu: [OKAY! OW! OKAY! I GET IT! I FUCKED UP! ACK! PLEASE JUST STOP! GUH! I SHOULD HAVE INFORMED THE THREE OF YA AND I DIDN’T–ACK–AND THAT’S ON ME!]

Nero had then walked up to the three girls, in an attempt to calm them down.

Nero: [Alright, let’s settle down. I think her apology is quite sufficient as is.]

Shiro and Silvia finally stopped their series of blows.

Silvia: [Wait.]

Nero: [Hm?]

Silvia then grabbed Kōkatsu by the collar of her kimono, releasing one more strike onto her chest.

Kōkatsu: [AH, RIGHT IN THE TIT!]

Silvia: [Alright, I am ssssatissssfied.]

Nero: [Good. Now let’s discuss our current state of things.]

The group walked over to a nearby table, Kōkatsu making it to the table last as she had been stumbling while moving.

Nero: [Firstly, today is technically speaking our free day. This will not be counted towards our week. Kōkatsu, I believe you mentioned you had a plan in mind for the time that we have.]

Kōkatsu: [With these new injuries, I might need two free days. Anyways, yeah, I got an idea. It’ll take roughly ‘bout the exact time of a week, maybe less, so we’re all good there. Only problem is a place to start that plan. Shiro, any chance ya got an anvil at yer place?]

Shiro: [Huh? Oh well, I have that along with a lot of equipment that you’d usually use with one…]

Kōkatsu: [Perfect. We’ll stay at Shiro’s place for the week and while we stay, I’ll work on that.]

Shiro: [Wait hold on–]

Nero: [I see. Alright, then that will be our starting area.]

Shiro turned to her left, to see Silvia with the widest grin she had ever seen, staring right back at her.

Nero: [Now, let’s lay out our tasks. Each of us has our own that we must complete within a month. Failure to do so will result in each of us losing out on our chance to pass.]

Shiro: [Wait, each of us?! Not whoever failed, but all of us?!]

Kōkatsu: [Remember what I said? ‘Bout how the gods haven’t had any change for a while? Ya see why now?]

Silvia: [A rather cruel method for determining godssss, I musssst ssssay.]

Nero: [Yes, but we must deal with what we must deal with. So, our tasks are as follows; Silvia will be handling a lost gem that belongs to the higher ups, I will be handling the Demon Lord of the Sands, Yoro.]

Kōkatsu: [What kinda title is Demon Lord of the Sands? Who the fuck does this Yoro think he is?]

Nero: [Odd names aside, then there’s your task, Kōkatsu, which is investigating the remnants of an old, broken down village.]

Kōkatsu: [Hah! I got the easiest one!]

Nero: [And then there’s Shiro, who will handle…Daroma the Dark?!]

The entire group had a shocked expression…all of them except Shiro.

Shiro: [Haha…weird title, right? So anyways who is this guy?]

Silvia: [Are you not aware?]

Shiro: [Huh? Uh…no. Should I be aware of something?]

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Kōkatsu: [That guy’s ruled over a large piece of land in the west for a while now. Anyone who has tried to take him down, or even negotiate, hasn’t come back alive.]

Shiro: [Hey, I know you’re tryna screw with me right now but it’s not gonna work! Right, Ner–]

Shiro stared at Nero, but the expression on his face had told her that everything she was hearing was true.

Shiro: [O-oh…]

Kōkatsu: [Don’t worry, we’ll all kick that guy’s ass together!]

Silvia: [If my friend endssss up dead, then I will take the basssstard to hell with me!]

Nero: [I’m glad we still have the courage to continue! Anyways, I will unfortunately have to leave Mena at the dorm–]

Mena: [BUT WHY?!]

Shiro, Kōkatsu & Silvia: [AH!]

The group had then noticed Mena, who was sitting beside Nero the entire time.

Kōkatsu: [Seriously, how does she keep fuckin’ doin’ that?]

Mena: [Brother! Please! I would like to join all of you on your journey!]

Nero: [I’m sorry, Mena. But we only have the four of us doing this trial. It’s far too dangerous to bring you along.]

Mena: [But…]

Nero: [I promise I’ll come back safe, okay?]

Mena: [...Fine. But you better come back with something cool! Like a souvenir or a sister-in-law for me!]

Nero began to blush at her suggestion, while the rest of the group laughed.

Kōkatsu: [Yahahaha! Oh man, I wish we could bring her!]

Nero: [W-well with all of that aside, I believe we have everything sorted. Shall we move to the port to head to Shiro’s place?]

Shiro: [Yeah, I guess so. Though I’m still not too keen on having a whole bunch at my house. Might end up scaring my mom, but it’s fine. Let’s go.]

With that, Nero said his farewells to Mena, and the quartet headed out to sea in order to reach Shiro’s house.

Little did Nero or Silvia know who was awaiting them once they had gotten there.

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Kōkatsu: [Ya really weren’t fuckin’ kiddin’! This place is nice as shit!]

The group was now traveling through the Babylon District of Mazokuni. Like Shiro had described it, the town was incredibly peaceful and quiet during the day.

It was not to say that there was no commotion happening throughout the town. It had certainly people moving around, working, speaking to one another. However, it was incredibly peaceful. So peaceful in fact, that it had seemed like there was no other place in the world that could top it.

Nero: [The scenery around truly is beautiful. I partially wish I lived here instead of my district when I was young.]

Kōkatsu: [Ya live around here too? Where at?]

Nero: [Me and my sister lived in the Onigashima District when we were small. There’s some mountains that you might be able to see in the distance. The town is located there.]

Kōkatsu: [Ain’t that a place from that one manga?]

Shiro: [Actually, it’s technically multiple. The town is in a lot of old folklore that humans had made. Although by now, that so-called folklore exists.]

Kōkatsu: [Huh. Ya learn somethin’ new everyday.]

Shiro: [We’re almost at my house by the way. It’s that big shrine-like building there.]

Shiro pointed towards a building that had pitch black wood supporting it. It was incredibly long in width, and in length, it had gone up to two stories high.

Kōkatsu: [What are ya, a monk? What’s with the house lookin’ like this. Actually…wait…come to think of it…I guess ya technically are since…]

Nero: [Hm? Since what?]

Nero’s question had then been interrupted by Shiro shouting.

Shiro: [Hey Mom! I’m home!]

Within the house, a distant voice could be heard.

???: [Coming.]

Silvia: [Ah. Now I will finally meet the woman who had married into the Fuloreen family. I am curioussss if they are of royalty assss well, or if they are of a lesssser known family.]

Shiro: [Oh shit.]

Nero: [What’s wrong, Shiro?]

Shiro: [I didn’t…I didn’t tell the two of you who she was…did I?]

Nero: [No, I don’t believe you did.]

Silvia: [You have not. I would know.]

Shiro: [Oh shit…ok…so try not to be too surprised alright? But to explain who–]

Before Shiro could finish, the shoji behind her slid open to reveal…

???: [I see. You have in fact returned, and with friends it seems.]

Nero: [Th-that woman is…]

Silvia: [Tha-tha-that’ssss….]

Kōkatsu: [Ya seriously weren’t fuckin’ kiddin’ around ‘bout this either, huh…]

Nero and Silvia were too stunned to truly speak. Even Kōkatsu had difficulty processing who she was standing before, even if she had already known.

Immediately, Nero had started to kneel, while Silvia put her hands and head to the ground in order to bow. Kōkatsu remained standing, but despite knowing the woman who was before her had been friendly, she was cautious and held the hilt of her swords.

???: [At ease. I do not require any sort of bowing or kneeling, especially for those who are friends of my daughter. I do, however…enjoy your reaction.]

The woman then pointed at Kōkatsu while still facing the direction of Shiro. Kōkatsu’s stance still did not change, nor did her face move in any way.

???: [You were able to notice what I am capable of quite well, and even when I pointed towards your direction, your aura did not change. You remained on guard at all times. You’re quite skilled…Miss…?]

Kōkatsu: [Kōkatsu. Kōkatsu the Almighty. ‘S the only name I have.]

???: [A fine name indeed. The two of you behind Shiro, what are your names if you do not mind?]

Silvia: [Ssssilvia Hemobi, ma’am.]

Nero: [My-my name is Nero Virtuoso, ma’am!]

???: [Virtuoso? Now that’s certainly a nostalgic last name. I haven’t heard that name in quite some time.]

Nero: [You-you know of my family?!]

???: [The man who was most likely your grandfather. I knew him. But that was many years ago, back when I was still the same age as all of you. Back when my eyes were still filled with light.]

Nero: [It-it is an honor to be in your presence, ma’am.]

???: [My only declaration is to stop this ma’am business immediately. I am merely Mrs.Fuloreen. Do you understand?]

Nero: [Yes, Miss Ai-I mean-Mrs.Fuloreen!]

Silvia: [Yessss, Mrssss.Fuloreen!]

Airi: [Good. And you, over there, do you understand as well?]

Kōkatsu: [Whether ya like it or not, I’m callin’ ya Airi.]

A smile then rose on Airi’s face.

Airi: [Shiro…]

Shiro: [Yes, mother?]

A naginata, triple her height, had started to form into Airi’s left hand via a small circle of matōki moving across the air. Much like she had done with her finger before, she pointed the naginata towards Kōkatsu while her colorless eyes remained facing Shiro’s direction.

Airi: [I like her. Try to keep her, alright?]

Shiro: [I’m fond of her as well. Don’t worry.]

Airi’s smile grew bigger. She then made the naginata disappear and turned around.

Airi: [We have two guest rooms and three guest beds, although one of the beds happens to be in Shiro’s room. It’s up to all of you to decide who will stay there. Except for the boy, not him. Other than that, make yourselves at home.]

Airi then walked back into the house, leaving the four of them standing outside.

Silvia: [The sssstrongesssst woman in the world….]

Nero: [...is your mother?!]

Shiro: [Sorry. I kinda meant to mention that earlier. Anyways let’s head inside shall we? A-assuming you’re not all still shocked. I mean we can wait a minute. Maybe a few. Not too many, hopefully.]

The group remained there for several minutes, still in shock from who they had seen.

Eventually, they made their way in, setting down their things and preparing for their stay here during the week.

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The sun was starting to set in the Babylon District.

Nero had left the house for a while to look around the town and see what it had in store.

Silvia had spent multiple hours viewing the photo books in the house on her guest bed.

Kōkatsu had gone into a nearby shack that was also owned by Airi after speaking to her.

And Shiro remained in the living room of the house, sitting down on the sofa while thinking about everything that had happened so far.

Airi: [I showed your friend where the blacksmithing tools are. She seemed rather excited to see it all.]

Airi had then entered the living room, and started to speak to Shiro.

Shiro: [Thanks. I’m not sure what she has in mind, but she said that she had something to do with all that stuff this week.]

Airi: [It’s not like I could see anything, but I was able to tell a difference with what she was doing more than any other blacksmith I’ve met. It’s as though she was imbuing the steel with matōki.]

Airi sat beside Shiro on the sofa.

Airi: [You’ve made some good friends, Shiro. I’m very proud of you. How has the school been?]

Shiro: [I’m at the fourth trial now…out of five…it’s odd, since not much has truly happened per say but…I’m happy.]

Airi: [That’s good. Do you think this is something you’d like to focus on?]

Shiro: [I wasn’t sure at first…but now…yeah, I kinda want to try my best and become a goddess. It felt like such a massive role at first, and it is, but after everything I’ve gone through…I don’t know how to describe it but it feels like a massive amount of weight was lifted off of me. I no longer feel as stressed about it as I was in the beginning.]

Airi: [I’m happy to hear this. I mentioned that trying is the first step to everything–]

Shiro: [Yeah, yeah, if I try and I like it I can continue and if not it’s whatever.]

Airi: [You’re mincing my words in a rather rude way there.]

Shiro: [When am I not a pain in the ass to you?]

The two of them then smiled.

Shiro: [Thanks, mom.]

Airi: [There is no need to thank me. I am merely a mother, acting as she should.]

Airi then got up, and started to leave the room.

Airi: [Stay as long as you need, Shiro. I have no problem accommodating four other people in this house.]

With that statement, she had left the room, and Shiro continued to smile, looking back in the direction her mother was headed in.

Shiro was unfamiliar with sleepovers, but perhaps with this trial, she’d learned what that feeling was like with the group of friends she now had.

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