Morning light poured through the train windows in long ribbons of gold.
Kairo sat quietly by the window, his chin resting against his hand as endless forests and distant mountains drifted past like a living painting. Beside him, Neyo had long surrendered to sleep, his head leaning against Kairo's shoulder, breathing softly with the kind of peace only he seemed capable of finding anywhere.
Across from them, Rina sat with effortless composure, a book resting open in her hands. Every now and then, she turned a page without looking up, the gentle rustle blending with the steady rhythm of steel wheels rolling across the tracks.
Clack...
Clack...
Clack...
Kairo's eyes lingered on the passing scenery.
Then, without warning, his thoughts drifted back to the night before.
...........
Previous night...
The evening air had been calm, Rina stood on the porch outside their home while Kairo and Neyo listened quietly beneath the warm glow of a lantern.
"You've both chosen to walk this path," she said, closing her arms loosely across her chest. "So there are things you should understand before we leave."
Her voice carried neither excitement nor fear—only experience.
"A Missionary isn't simply someone who fights."
She looked between them.
"We exist because ordinary people deserve to live ordinary lives."
Silence settled for a moment before she continued.
"The first thing every Missionary learns is the Missionary Code."
Her expression softened.
"Human life comes before your own."
The words lingered in the quiet night.
"It sounds simple," Rina continued, "but it's the heaviest responsibility you'll ever carry. Sometimes you'll have to protect people you've never met. Sometimes you'll have to risk your life for someone who may never even know your name."
Neyo scratched the back of his head.
"...That's a pretty serious rule."
"It is," Rina replied with a small smile. "And that's why not everyone becomes a Missionary."
She looked toward the stars.
"You'll meet people from every corner of the world. Different regions. Different beliefs. Different households. Some will become your allies... others may become your enemies."
"The Recruitment Programme is held once every two years," she continued. "Each examination takes place in a different location."
"This year's examination..."
She paused.
"...is being held in Root-Veil."
Even Kairo recognized the name.
One of the largest natural regions in the world.
Rina's eyes returned to them.
"Before anyone can even participate, they must first be recommended by an active Missionary."
She smiled gently.
"My recommendation is what opened the door for both of you."
Neyo's expression brightened immediately.
"So, we already passed the first test."
"The first step," Rina corrected. "Nothing more."
She closed her eyes for a brief moment before adding,
"When we arrive... you'll each be given one final choice."
Neither boy spoke.
The words hung in the air like a question waiting for tomorrow.
The steady rhythm of the train pulled Kairo back to the present, his reflection shimmered faintly across the glass.
A final choice...
He quietly wondered what Rina had meant.
Outside, the scenery slowly began to change.
Rolling plains gave way to vast stretches of emerald woodland. Towering trees spread across the horizon, weaving together into an immense forest that seemed to breathe with the wind itself. Rivers shimmered beneath the morning sun, while distant hills rose gently beyond the endless canopy.
Kairo had never been to Root-Veil before.
He knew it only through stories.
A nature-oriented region renowned across society for possessing one of the largest and most dangerous forest ecosystems in the known world. Though Root-Veil itself was a thriving city, its identity had always been inseparable from the immense wilderness surrounding it—an ancient landscape where nature flourished on a scale few places could rival.
Even from the train, Kairo felt something different as he stared through the window.
Somewhere beyond those endless forests lay Root-Veil—the city where the Missionary Recruitment would begin, and where countless futures had taken shape... while just as many had quietly come to an end.
Few hours later....
Morning sunlight spilled across the wide stone plaza as streams of young applicants climbed the broad steps leading toward the heart of Root-Veil.
Standing above them, all was the Induction Vault.
Carved directly into a towering wall of white limestone overlooking the capital, the monumental hall blended seamlessly with the mountain itself. Massive stone pillars framed its entrance, while pine trees swayed gently along the surrounding cliffs, their scent drifting through the crisp morning air.
Inside, the hall smelled of fresh ink and polished pine oil.
Rows upon rows of modest pine tables stretched across the tool-cut stone floor, each attended by stern Guild Masters recording names and distributing examination slots. Hundreds of hopeful youths from every corner of society filled the chamber, their voices merging into a constant murmur of excitement, anxiety, and anticipation.
Kairo slowed his steps.
His eyes quietly swept across the enormous hall.
"So, this is where it begins..." he thought.
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Beside him, Neyo wore the opposite expression.
His head turned in every direction, unable to hide his excitement.
"There are way more people than I expected..."
Rina smiled faintly at the two of them.
"Stay here for a moment."
She held out a reassuring hand.
"I'll register both of your names."
Without waiting for an answer, she made her way toward one of the registration tables, disappearing into the steadily moving crowd.
The boys remained where they stood.
For several quiet moments, they simply watched the sea of unfamiliar faces.
Then...
Bump...
Someone's shoulder slammed into Neyo's.
Neyo stumbled half a step before turning immediately.
"Hey! Watch where you're—"
His words stopped.
The boy who had bumped into him had already taken a few steps before pausing.
Slowly...
He turned around.
Their eyes met.
Silence.
Recognition struck both of them at exactly the same moment.
"...Huh?"
"...You?"
Both boys raised a finger at each other simultaneously.
"You!"
Kairo blinked before tilting his head toward the newcomer.
"...Renjirō?"
The red-haired boy stared at the two of them in disbelief.
"What are you two doing here?"
Kairo answered with a question of his own.
"What are you doing here?"
Renjirō folded his arms proudly across his chest.
"What else would I be doing?"
He jabbed a thumb proudly toward himself.
"I'm here to carry the Enshōga legacy on my shoulders!"
He struck a dramatic pose.
"The future of my household begins with me!"
Kairo stared at him for a long second.
"...That doesn't make any sense."
Renjirō frowned.
"Whether it makes sense or not, I'm here."
He lifted his chin with exaggerated confidence.
"And that's all that matters."
Neyo sighed.
"...Yeah, that's definitely Renjirō."
Before anyone could continue arguing, a familiar voice called from behind them.
"There you are."
The three boys turned.
Rina walked toward them carrying two slots.
She stopped beside Kairo before noticing the unfamiliar face standing with them.
"Oh?"
Her gentle eyes shifted toward Renjirō.
"Is this your friend?"
Neyo nodded immediately.
"Yeah."
He pointed toward the red-haired boy.
"This is Renjirō. We all attended the certification programme together."
"I see."
Rina smiled warmly.
"It's nice to meet you, Renjirō."
For a brief moment...
Renjirō simply stared.
His mouth hung slightly open.
His face had gone completely blank.
"..."
Kairo frowned.
"...Dude, you look weird?"
Renjirō blinked once.
Twice.
Then, almost as if remembering who he was supposed to be, he suddenly straightened his back and cleared his throat.
"Ahem."
He stepped forward with exaggerated dignity before offering a respectful bow.
"My name is Renjirō of the Enshōga Household."
"It is an honor to meet such a beautiful lady."
Kairo and Neyo slowly turned to look at him.
Neither of them spoke.
Their expressions said enough.
...What is he doing?
A faint blush rose across Rina's cheeks.
She covered her smile politely.
"Thank you."
"It is nice to meet you as well."
Before Renjirō could embarrass himself any further, Rina handed the wooden slots to Kairo and Neyo.
"These are your registration passes."
She gestured toward the rows of seats near the front of the hall.
"Go ahead and find any available seats. The orientation will begin shortly."
Both boys nodded.
Just then...
Renjirō's eyes suddenly widened.
"...Ah!"
He slapped his forehead.
"My slot!"
He spun toward the registration tables.
"I haven't even picked mine up yet!"
Already backing away into the crowd, he pointed at the two boys.
"I'll catch up with you later!"
Without waiting for a reply, he disappeared into the sea of applicants.
Neyo watched him vanish before letting out a small laugh.
"...He's exactly the same."
Kairo quietly shook his head.
"Yeah."
Somehow...
Seeing a familiar face in such an unfamiliar place made the enormous hall feel just a little less intimidating.
Together, the two boys tightened their grip on their slots and made their way toward the front rows, where countless futures were about to begin.
Few minutes later....
The quiet murmur of hundreds of conversations gradually faded.
Kairo and Neyo sat side by side near the front of the immense hall, their wooden registration slots resting in their hands as more participants streamed through the towering entrance behind them.
One after another, the seats filled, some applicants laughed confidently with friends, others remained alone, silently studying the unfamiliar faces surrounding them.
A heavy series of footsteps echoed across the stone floor.
The conversations stopped almost at once.
Four men emerged from a corridor at the front of the chamber.
They wore the unmistakable uniform of the Vanguard.
Long, double-breasted greatcoats of deep ocean blue flowed past their shins with disciplined precision. High, rigid collars framed their shoulders, giving each of them an imposing silhouette, while fitted cerulean vests rested beneath the open fronts of their coats, secured neatly by twin silver-buckled belts.
Their uniforms carried authority before a single word was spoken.
Kairo studied them quietly.
That uniform...
It looked remarkably similar to Finn's.
The design shared the same foundation, though Finn has the red design attire rather than ocean blue and lacked the elaborate distinctions these officers carried. His clothing seemed designed for active field duty.
These belonged to something higher.
The hall doors opened once again
A lone woman entered.
She appeared to be in her fifties.
Short gray hair rested neatly above a stern face, while a black eyepatch covered her left eye. Despite her age, her posture remained perfectly upright, her athletic frame moving with the confidence of someone who had commanded countless operations.
Every step echoed through the chamber.
She reached the center of the platform.
Without speaking, she allowed her single visible eye to travel slowly across the hundreds of young faces before her.
No one dared interrupt the silence.
Then she spoke.
"My name is Adaora Noboshi."
Her voice resonated throughout the enormous hall with effortless authority.
"I serve as the Head Director of this year's Missionary Recruitment Programme."
No applause followed.
Only silence.
Adaora folded her hands behind her back.
"Each of you has journeyed here carrying your own reason."
"Some seek purpose."
"Some seek honor."
"Some seek strength."
"And some simply seek a future."
Her gaze remained unwavering.
"Whatever your reason may be..."
"...your examination begins the moment you step beyond these walls."
She slowly raised one hand toward the four colossal stone doors positioned at each corner of the Induction Vault.
Only now did many participants fully notice them.
Each doorway was carved directly into the limestone itself and marked with a single engraved compass direction.
North.
South.
East.
West.
"The Dead Forest of Root-Veil has been divided into four operational regions."
"North Territory."
"South Territory."
"East Territory."
"And West Territory."
She allowed the recruits a moment to absorb the scale of what lay ahead.
"The region assigned to each of you has already been engraved inside your registration slot."
Instinctively, many participants lowered their eyes toward the wooden pieces in their hands.
"When instructed, you will enter through these stone doors corresponding to your assigned region."
Adaora continued.
"Within each region exist numerous territories."
"Any participant may claim an unoccupied territory."
"Once claimed, it becomes your responsibility to defend it."
A faint ripple passed through the audience.
"Each territory offers advantages."
"Food."
"Medical supplies."
"Shelter."
"Maps."
"Intelligence regarding neighboring territories that you may raid."
"Strategic information that may improve your chances of survival."
She paused.
"You are free to claim as many territories as you are capable of holding."
Several participants exchanged excited glances.
"Ownership of territory may change."
"Through negotiation."
"Through alliance."
"Through conflict."
"Through strategy."
"...or through deception."
The room grew noticeably quieter.
"There are no restrictions on how you choose to survive."
"Operate alone."
"Build a group."
"Defend your position."
"Raid another."
"The choice belongs entirely to you."
Someone near the back swallowed nervously.
Another tightened their grip on the edge of their seat.
Adaora's expression never changed.
"The examination will last..."
"...seven days."
Those three words settled over the hall with unexpected weight.
Seven days inside the largest and most dangerous forest in the known world.
Even Neyo's confident smile faded.
Before anyone could gather their thoughts, Adaora spoke again.
"Now..."
She looked toward the wooden paper slots held by every participant.
"Open your registration slot."
A chorus of wooden clasps echoed throughout the chamber.
Kairo carefully lifted the cover, beside him, Neyo did the same.
Inside rested a neatly folded document.
Above it, burned clearly into the wood, was a single word.
EAST.
"So that's my region..." Neyo murmured.
Adaora waited until every participant had opened theirs.
Only then did she continue.
"The document before you..."
"...is not merely a registration form."
The hall fell completely silent.
"It is a Life-and-Death Contract."
The words struck the room like a hammer.
For several long seconds... No one moved.
Then whispers erupted from every direction.
"A death contract...?"
"They're serious?"
"Isn't this supposed to be just an examination..."
A girl covered her mouth.
Another participant stared blankly at the paper in his hands.
Someone instinctively looked toward the exit.
Adaora remained unmoved.
"Participation in the Missionary Recruitment Programme is entirely voluntary."
"No one standing within this hall has been forced to come here."
Her voice remained calm.
"The Dead Forest does not recognize ambition."
"It does not recognize talent."
"And it does not grant mercy."
"If you choose to sign..."
"...you acknowledge the possibility of severe injury."
She paused.
"...disappearance."
Another pause.
"...or death."
The chamber felt colder.
"If those terms are unacceptable..."
"You may leave now."
"No shame will follow your decision."
Her gaze swept across the hundreds of stunned faces.
"But once you place your name upon that contract..."
"...there will be no turning back."
Kairo lowered his eyes.
His fingers tightened slightly around the wooden slot as he silently read the document before him.
For the first time since leaving Star Sand...
The weight of the path he and Neyo had chosen became undeniably real.
To be continued...