The medical teams worked through the afternoon treating students for conditions they couldn't properly explain.
"Pressure-induced trauma," I heard one healer mutter as she treated a girl who'd collapsed during the standoff. "But from what? There were no recorded environmental changes."
Arena repair crews were already working to fix cracks that shouldn't have existed, while Academy officials tried to pretend that reality hadn't briefly bent around two guild leaders having a disagreement.
"Structural integrity compromised," reported a maintenance supervisor. "Reinforcement spells that have lasted three centuries just... failed."
I sat in the recovery area, still trying to process what I'd witnessed. The casual way Hazama had dismissed power that could level buildings. The recognition in Izuma's eyes when he'd backed down. The implications of techniques that "shouldn't exist" and betrayals I couldn't understand.
"Kaito!" Mina appeared beside me, having somehow convinced the Academy staff to let her through. "Are you okay? What was that thing you did with the fire? And why did everyone start collapsing?"
"I don't know," I said honestly. "I really don't know."
Before she could ask more questions, Administrator Tanaka's voice echoed across the recovery area.
"All candidates report to Assembly Ground for guild recruitment announcements. Medical clearance not required for attendance."
The walk back to the arena felt surreal. Other students moved like they were still processing trauma, while Academy officials maintained the kind of forced normalcy that fooled no one.
"Before we begin recruitment announcements," Administrator Tanaka said once we'd assembled, "I want to clarify how guild selection actually works."
She gestured toward the six guild leaders, who had returned to their observation positions as if nothing extraordinary had happened.
"Guild recruitment is entirely at captain discretion. Multiple guilds may select the same candidate. Candidates with multiple offers choose their preferred assignment. Performance in combat trials is only one factor—guilds evaluate potential, compatibility, and long-term development possibilities."
That was news to me. I'd assumed winning or losing determined everything.
"Additionally," she continued, "candidates who did not advance in trials may still receive guild offers based on observed capabilities and strategic value."
She paused to let that sink in.
"Now, regarding our regional guild structure. All six guilds serve the same fundamental purpose - protecting Shinrin Region through mission completion."
She gestured toward the guild leaders as she continued.
"Each guild accepts requests from villages, trading organizations, and regional leadership. Akuma suppression, village protection, trade route security, investigation missions - all guilds handle the same types of work."
That made more sense than the specialized system I'd been imagining.
"The differences between guilds lie in their reputation, methods, and track record rather than specific operational focus."
She gestured toward the six guild leaders without elaborating further on their individual reputations.
"Guild selections will now be announced," Administrator Tanaka continued. "Candidates with multiple offers will have until sunset to declare their choice."
"Kenji Nakamura," she began, "has received offers from Crimson Fang, Iron Crown, and Storm Hawks guilds."
A murmur of appreciation rippled through the assembled students. Three offers, including the most prestigious guild in the region. Kenji looked pleased but not entirely surprised.
"Satoru Ishida has received an offer from Storm Hawks Guild."
Satoru nodded with satisfaction. His tactical dominance during combat trials had clearly impressed Captain Kurogami.
"Rina Matsuda has received offers from Silver Moon and Azure Blade guilds."
Rina smiled, apparently happy with options that aligned with her analytical approach to combat.
"Daichi Yamamoto has received an offer from Iron Crown Guild."
Despite losing his match, Daichi's solid defensive capabilities had caught Izuma's attention. He looked relieved and grateful.
"Saki Windrunner has received offers from Silver Moon, Azure Blade, and Storm Hawks guilds."
Three offers for someone who'd demonstrated exceptional capability during our match. Well deserved.
"Hana Mizusawa has received an offer from Azure Blade Guild."
"Taro Hashimoto has received an offer from Storm Hawks Guild."
"Mei Watanabe has received an offer from Silver Moon Guild."
That accounted for seven of the eight candidates from our Academy group. I waited for my name, trying not to let nervousness show.
"Kaito Hayashi..." Administrator Tanaka paused, consulting her notes with an expression I couldn't read. "Has received an offer from Broken Chain Guild."
Silence.
Not polite attention or murmured approval, but actual silence. I could see other students exchanging glances that ranged from confusion to what might have been pity.
One offer. From the mysterious guild that nobody understood and many people avoided.
"That concludes recruitment announcements," Administrator Tanaka said quickly. "Candidates with multiple offers have until sunset to declare their preferences. Single offers are considered automatically accepted unless declined within the same timeframe."
As students began discussing their options and congratulating each other, I found myself standing alone with a single piece of paper bearing Broken Chain's emblem.
"Congratulations," Rina said, approaching with genuine warmth despite her own success. "Guild recruitment is an achievement regardless of which organization extends the offer."
"Thanks," I managed, though I wasn't sure how to feel about it.
"Broken Chain is... interesting," Daichi added diplomatically. "Their reputation is unusual, but they must have seen something valuable in your capabilities."
Something valuable. Or something dangerous. After the confrontation between Hazama and Izuma, I wasn't sure there was a difference.
"Hey, Kaito!" Kenji approached, looking genuinely pleased despite his multiple offers. "That was an incredible technique you used during your match. No wonder you caught guild attention."
"Yeah," I said, not mentioning that the technique had nearly killed Saki and apparently carried implications involving betrayal and forbidden knowledge.
"I'm choosing Crimson Fang," he continued. "Captain Tenshin said my ability to adapt under pressure showed potential for their elite operations."
"That's amazing," I said, meaning it. Kenji deserved recognition for his skills.
As the afternoon progressed, the other candidates announced their choices. Rina selected Silver Moon, attracted by their strategic focus. Saki chose Azure Blade after apparently deciding their tactical coordination aligned with her combat style.
By sunset, everyone had made their decisions except me.
Not because I was choosing between multiple options, but because I was trying to understand what accepting Broken Chain's offer actually meant.
"Having second thoughts?" Captain Hazama asked, appearing beside me as I stood at the edge of the Assembly Ground.
Before I could even answer, he clapped me on the shoulder with a grin.
"Congratulations! You're officially a member of Broken Chain Guild. Welcome aboard!"
My eyes went completely white, pupils shrinking to tiny dots. "WHAT?! Don't I get a choice?!"
"Choice?" Hazama tilted his head like the concept was foreign to him. "Why would you need a choice? I already decided."
"THAT'S NOT HOW RECRUITMENT WORKS!"
"Sure it is," Hazama said cheerfully. "I pick, you join. Simple!"
"Captain Hazama..."
A new voice interrupted - tired, defeated, carrying the weight of someone who'd given up on life. A man in his late twenties approached us, and I could actually see tears streaming down his face.
"This is Jane," Hazama said brightly. "He'll explain everything!"
Jane looked at me with the expression of someone delivering tragic news. "I'm so sorry," he said, voice cracking with emotion. "So, so sorry this happened to you."
"What?"
"You're trapped now," Jane continued, wiping his eyes. "Just like me. I've been trying to quit for three years, but he won't let me leave!"
"I can't quit?!" My voice cracked.
"He says I'm 'too valuable to lose,'" Jane sobbed. "But really we just don't have enough members! There's only like four of us total!"
"FOUR?!"
"Sometimes three when someone's on a long mission," Jane added helpfully through his tears. "And Captain Hazama doesn't really count because he just lounges around all day!"
"I provide leadership through delegation," Hazama corrected with dignity.
"YOU PROVIDE NOTHING!" Jane wailed. "I do all the paperwork! All the mission reports! All the actual work while you nap in random places!"
"See?" Hazama grinned at me. "He's very dedicated. That's why I can't let him go."
I stared at this insane situation - a guild leader who recruited people without asking, and a grown man crying because he couldn't escape his job.
"This is kidnapping," I said weakly.
"It's opportunity!" Hazama replied cheerfully. "Jane, show him the orientation materials!"
Jane sniffled and pulled out a single, crumpled piece of paper. "This is our entire orientation packet," he said miserably. "It just says 'Good luck, try not to die, ask Jane if you have questions.'"
"THAT'S IT?!"
"Welcome to Broken Chain!" Hazama said, spreading his arms wide like he was presenting something wonderful. "Where every day is an adventure, and Jane handles all the boring stuff!"
"Captain, please," Jane begged, grabbing Hazama's sleeve. "Just this once, let someone choose a different guild! I'm already overworked! My hair is falling out from stress!"
"Your hair looks fine," Hazama said dismissively.
"I'M TWENTY-ONE AND GOING GRAY!"
Looking at Jane's tear-streaked face and Hazama's cheerful obliviousness, I realized I'd just been conscripted into the most dysfunctional organization in the region.
"Do I... do I at least get training?" I asked weakly.
"Oh sure!" Hazama said. "Jane will handle that too. He's great at multitasking!"
"I DON'T KNOW HOW TO TRAIN PEOPLE!" Jane screamed.
"You'll figure it out!" Hazama replied with confidence that was absolutely not shared by anyone else present.
As Jane continued sobbing and Hazama maintained his cheerful obliviousness to the disaster he'd created, I realized my Academy trials were definitely over.
And my real nightmare was just beginning.
I thought about Mina, about protecting people, about becoming strong enough to matter in a world where guild leaders wielded power that belonged in legends.
"I accept," I said.
"Good," Hazama said, standing up and stretching like he'd just woken from a nap. "Welcome to Broken Chain Guild, Kaito Hayashi. Try not to die during orientation."
As he walked away, I realized I'd just committed to joining an organization that nobody understood, led by someone whose true capabilities defied explanation.
My Academy trials were over.
The real adventure was just beginning.