Eminence X In X Shadow

I Thought We Were Going To Beacon?

"Talk"

'Thought'
___________
"Please take your number."

A small green creature stood before Claire and Cid Kageno, handing each of them a badge - numbered 406 for the big sister and 407 for the little brother, which they both promptly pinned to their shirts.

"The Hunter Exam should begin momentarily, I recommend resting and preparing before then."

The frog man gave a polite bow before turning away and starting to walk off, leaving the siblings alone together.

"Hmph, I'll go check our competition and gather some information, stay here, don't talk to anyone or cause trouble."

After saying all that, Claire walked off on her own and into the crowd of people, leaving behind her young brother, who just boredly watched as she did so.

"... So you're here too, Alpha?"

Cid glanced behind himself and saw a hooded blonde elf, standing a few feet away, and acting as if she were just another random person in the exam, even having a number badge as well, which read "10".

"I wasn't aware you would be here, Lord Shadow."

However, the hidden elf, who was now known as Alpha, replied to her in a hushed tone so that no one else would be able to hear their conversation.

"My big sis wanted me to do better in life, so she brought me here, thinking this exam thing will do just that, though I don't know why she would think that."

Cid seemed very uninterested in the whole thing, even slightly confused as to why this 'Hunter Exam' was so important to so many people

"You mean, you never heard of the Hunter Exam before? Despite your immense knowledge and wisdom?"

Alpha was honestly surprised to hear his Lord didn't know something, as someone as great as him, it was really hard to believe.

"I only pay attention and do research on things that are actually important to me."

'Like trying to see if I can do underwater poses that won't make me look stupid as Shadow.'

When Cid gave his answer as to why, his follower couldn't help but suddenly flinch and then wear a bit of a conflicted expression.

'So he thinks participating in the Exam is a waste of time then, huh?...'

Alpha couldn't help but feel like they messed up by coming here, for them to do something that their Lord deemed as pointless, it somewhat hurt their pride as His loyal followers, who tried their best to live up to His expectations and earn His approval by following His ways of doing things.

"But since I'm here, why don't you tell me what's up with this place, hm?"

Cid decided to fully turn around and give the hidden elf his full attention; she couldn't help but snap out of her thoughts and look at him with wide eyes.

"M-Me Lord Shadow?!"

Alpha was left a bit surprised, as it was rare for him to ask her for help with anything.

"Of course, you seemed to know a lot, besides, I can always rely on you to help me with something I have trouble with."

Cid gave her a small but kind smile as he said this, which made her blush softly and glance away shyly.

'A-Always rely on?...~'

Alpha's heart warmed up, for the first time ever being saved by Shadow, it had always been her dream, as well as many others saved by him, to be of any use to him, to repay his kindness with her own and to show that she was always someone who he could rely on.