Daichi stepped forward, his eyes scanning the room filled with fighters of all backgrounds. The air was thick with tension—some stood with arms crossed, radiating confidence, while others shifted nervously, their fingers twitching at their sides. This was no ordinary registration; it was the first battlefield.
The green-haired woman behind the desk flipped through a stack of papers, barely glancing up. "Name?"
"Daichi Girubō."
At that, a few heads turned. Some whispers passed between the fighters nearby. Daichi didn't react, but he felt the weight of their gazes.
The woman smirked. "Girubō, huh? You must be Akihiko's little brother."
Daichi met her gaze. "That's right."
The woman tapped her pen against the desk, as if sizing him up. "You might've passed the first test, but don't think for a second that name alone will get you far. This tower doesn't care who you are—only how strong you prove yourself to be."
Daichi didn't flinch, but instead smiled. "That's good! I want to make sure everyone knows that I am going to be the next champion anyways!"
The green-haired woman laughed and slid a metallic badge across the desk "Good answer. Welcome to the tower, Newcomer #472. In three hours there will be a practice match, so be ready."
Daichi took the badge and thanked the green haired woman before he gathered to the waiting room. Once he waits in line he notices a crowd in front of him.
"Everyone, listen!" A large man called out, gathering everyone's attention as he pointed to a tall teenager with jet-black, slightly unkempt hair, the sides tapering down past his cheekbones in pointed tufts. His brown eyes held an annoyed expression. "This is Makoto Shushin from our elite martial arts school! He was #1 in our school, and best of all, he's going to be your future tower champion!"
"That can't be true! The new champion is going to be me!" Daichi declared.
Makoto smirked, unfazed. The room fell silent as all eyes locked onto the two, the tension between them crackling like a live wire.