Hirui No Nai

Part 4, Kaminari Nakama

Haradachi stared at the sign, reading the words over and over again. He whispered to Shippō, who was still in the bag.
"What is that sign?" Haradachi asked, turning around. Shippō peaked out of the bag, read the sign, and Harafachi turned around to see it again. Shippō spoke in a low volume.
"That's an audition for Magic Knight. The highest honor in the Kingdom" Shippō said, taking an interest.
"Do you think I could win?"
"Not likely, but probably if you could beat me, the mighty Shippō" Shippō said, trying to maintain his pride. Haradachi rolled his eyes, knowing that he wouldn't see. Haradachi walked through the archway, instantly coming into a long line. He peered past, only to see that the person signing and writing down information, was old, and wrote slowly. Haradachi groaned in displeasure.

It was around an hour later when Hashi finally got to the front of the line and signed in. There was a large group of people, some looked incredibly strong. Others looked very weak, pitiful even. Probably focused on magic abilities, or just looking to get pity-points. Shippō had been looking around too, then spotted someone of interest.
"Hey, Hashi. Let's hope that we don't go up against him" Shippō said quietly. Hashi turned around to see what Shippō had been looking at. He saw nothing but a big pile of muscle. At least a 7 foot tall male with hair that reached to the top of his spine. No shirt would fit him, his hand would be able to wrap around Hashi's head easily, and with the arm muscles, he would easily be capable of crushing Hashi's head. He quickly decided that he would try his best not to face him. Despite Hashi's fear, he found himself trying to figure out ways to bring that meat pile down. Hashi decided. He began to approach him, who in turn noticed Hashi.
"Want something?" He said to Hashi once he stopped walking.
"I think its best if I were to try socializing before the matches start" Hashi said. The tower of a man chuckled with a nod.
"I'm Kaminari. Kinda like the food. What's your name?" Kaminari asked.
"Hashi. Hashi Yuzuka"
"Why'd you decide to compete?"
"For the fun of it" Hashi said, smirking.
"Well, you do know that the winners get the chance to become a Gladio, right?"
"Wait.. What's a Gladio?" Hashi asked. His smirk faded.
"Hey.. Are you joking?" Kaminari asked, giving a look of shock and disappointment. Hashi shrugged in response. Kaminari sighed.
"Every five years, a competition is held. There are three winners of this competition, and will be put into the lowest ranks of the Knights. The Gladio" Kaminari said. Hashi listened, hoping that he would remember. Suddenly, all sounds were cut off by a terrible screech. It cut out after a few moments, then came a loud voice from the speakers.
"Sorry 'bout that. Anyways, the matches begin!" The voice yelled. He sounded like he could lose a few pounds.
Hashi readied himself. He prepared for battle.