There’s a tournament between the nobles to find out who’s the best to take the job as the Prince’s personal Knight. There was an arena prepared for the very important day and today it’s filled with viewers. Some are already betting who from the list of participants will win, others getting high by alcohol whilst hyping up the crowd. Not often do events like these get held, so it’s a huge deal for the locals and for tourists a great - unexpected to them - attraction! As the King announces it’s time to begin the people go quiet awaiting for the fights.

The people watched intently, others sung chants trying to boost the morales of their chosen favourites. Each round ended with a round of applause, respecting both the winner and the loser due to the fact they were skilled swordsmen and not everyone could be as good as them. They were one of the best around.

During the first part of the eliminations a mysterious person appeared that had their body covered, but they were indeed on the list of opponents, no one unexpected. Their fighting skills seemed superior to all the ones the crowd had seen before, which made everyone watch intently in anticipation for what the enigma will do next. To their surprise the mysterious person made it to the last rounds of the tournament with ease, mostly toying with their opponent for some content to give to the people as they watched silently, holding their breaths.

Now, to basically no one’s surprise, this person won the final duel and when asked to reveal themselves to the crowd by the King they didn’t hesitate. When revealed the crowd was absolutely shocked. They knew this guy standing down there, it was the infamous Akito Shinonome! Just the normal commoner that was once denied the position of a knight and then ridiculed publicly for his audacity. It was said that no commoner, only a man of nobility can step into the role of a Knight and here was that same mocked and belittled man that took down all the famous swordsmen in the Kingdom!

The King was baffled, because he too was one that laughed at the ginger for ever even trying to apply as a knight, but now he’s left stunned and speechless. Prince Toya watched the whole scene unfold with an emotionless expression, but secretly interested in this person. Somehow Toya had never heard of this man before, while almost everyone here recognises him.

Before the King could say something about this turn of events Akito had already dropped his sword and was heading out, seemingly uninterested. He was here to only make a statement, not fight for the actual stakes.

———

Days after the tournament the whispers and rumours about that day never stopped. People would glance over to Akito as he simply was minding his business doing his routines. Then a Knight happened to jump out of nowhere - luckily not an enemy - and tackle the ginger, not allowing him to escape and with some help of a few others that were sent they dragged him to the castle. Now Akito stood right before the King unsure about what’s all the fuss about. To his surprise Toya came a few seconds later and spoke directly to him.

Toya: "Hello there, dear Akito Shinonome. I had seen you at the tournament a few days ago and you have peaked my interest. Say, why did you go through all that to then just leave? You left before either I or my Father, the King, could say a word."