Kazuki adjusted the overly formal jacket he was forced to wear, tugging at the golden trim and tightening the strange belt-loop sash thing that seemed decorative but unnecessary.
"Does this summit thing really need me to look like a rejected prince?" he grumbled, stepping off the carriage.
"You're technically a national hero now," Tala replied, brushing some lint off her new robes. "You can't show up to a High Guild event looking like a laundry explosion."
"I like my laundry explosion look," Kazuki muttered. "It was cozy."
The gates to Yamataki's Grand Hall loomed ahead—arched in obsidian stone, etched with floating gold kanji that spelled:
Rising Stars of the Era – Let the Chosen Shine
Kazuki squinted. "Can I shine without doing anything?"
"Doubt it," Senzou hissed, slithering beside him in ceremonial silver armor that somehow still looked smug. "Trouble follows you like perfume."
Smile, the slime, was stacked on Yukimaru's head like a jiggly hat, absorbing the ambiance with soft giggles.
✦
Inside the Summit Hall
Adventurers of all ranks, nobles with absurd hats, and guild leaders dripping in enchantments filled the marble hall. Giant floating orbs projected scenes of past great battles, legendary monster hunts, and one clip of Aurelis striking a perfect flaming arc into a wyvern's heart.
"He paid someone to edit that clip," Tala whispered.
Kazuki stared at the floating buffet table instead.
Mini roasted phoenix wings. Candied spiritfruit. Was that… grilled sky-eel?
Focus, he told himself.
Food first.
Everything else later.
✦
Enter the Rival
Aurelis stood near the head table, looking like the perfect hero: golden armor gleaming, sword resting beside him, cape dramatically windblown even indoors.
When he saw Kazuki stroll in—half-dressed, already reaching for pastries—his brow twitched.
"Of course."
Their eyes met.
A silent flash of tension passed.
Kazuki waved awkwardly. "Hey! Long time no—"
"You're late," Aurelis said coldly.
"Was I? I thought the invite said 3pm?"
"It did," Tala muttered behind him. "It's currently 5:17."
Kazuki blinked. "Oh. I got distracted. Smile found a glowing mushroom on the road and we followed it."
Smile jiggled happily.
Aurelis's jaw tightened.
"You are an embarrassment to the title of Hero."
Kazuki paused. "That seems harsh."
"I trained for ten years to earn my place here. You… trip on your own feet and obliterate beasts by sneezing."
"Well… to be fair, I only sneezed that one time."
Aurelis pointed his blade. "I challenge you to a formal duel. In front of the Guild Masters."
Kazuki blinked. "What?!"
"You insulted me and this gathering by your tardiness and lack of discipline."
"I just wanted a sky-eel snack, man."
✦
Suddenly, System Alert:
[You have been challenged to a Formal Duel by: Aurelis, Rank A Hero]
‣ Accept? [Y/N]
Kazuki turned to Tala. "What happens if I say no?"
"You'll be branded a coward. Maybe banned from the summit."
He looked to Senzou. "Is this one of those… 'you-can't-accidentally-win' duels?"
"No," Senzou replied grimly. "He will try to cut you in half."
Kazuki sighed.
He pressed [Y].
✦
The Duel Arena
The center of the Summit Hall shifted, platforms of stone rising to form a perfectly balanced dueling ring. Protective barriers shimmered to keep collateral damage from reaching the guests.
Aurelis stood like a polished blade—focused, sharp, and flawless.
Kazuki stood like a guy who still had bread in his pocket and didn't know what half of his coat did.
A gong sounded.
Aurelis dashed forward.
Kazuki yelped and rolled sideways.
BOOM.
The ground behind him cracked where Aurelis's slash landed. Flames spiraled up.
"Holy dragonfruit—!"
Aurelis struck again. And again. A flurry of perfect forms, each infused with refined Fire Mana.
Kazuki dodged, stumbled, slipped on his own coat hem—
—and tripped.
Right into a defensive pillar.
Mana circuits overloaded.
A shockwave burst from the arena floor.
CRASH—BOOM—ZAP!
The shockwave blasted upward, ricocheting off a mana reflector and ricocheting directly into Aurelis's foot.
BZZZZT.
Aurelis froze.
His armor, enchanted to absorb magic, miscalculated the accidental lightning mana input.
POP.
His boots exploded.
He flipped backward, landing in a dramatic heap, pants singed, hair sparking.
Silence.
Then—
DING!
[Victory: Kazuki! Winner by Technical Knockout]
✦
The Hall – Five Minutes Later
"I didn't mean to win," Kazuki muttered for the fifth time as healers helped Aurelis recover in the background.
Tala was facepalming.
Senzou was laughing openly.
"Flawless," the cobra said. "An excellent technique: 'The Rolling Oops Counterstrike.' I must study it."
Smile bounced with delight.
A High Guildmaster approached. "Young man, that was… unconventional. But effective."
"Uhh… thank you?"
He handed Kazuki a silver pin shaped like a sunburst.
"You've been formally recognized as a Rising Star. Welcome to the Heroic Path."
Kazuki stared at the pin. "Does this come with snack privileges?"
✦
System Notification – Title Earned!
[Rising Star of Yamataki Guild]
‣ Status: Rising Chaos
‣ Benefits: Access to elite quests, private training fields, and VIP meal tokens
‣ Drawbacks: Duels may increase 500%
Aurelis' Reaction:
Staring at a scorch mark on his cloak – "Again… He wins again…"