Not knowing what had transpired, Yuki dashed forward, then suddenly the hand on the clock became unstuck and the golden gate started to flash and open all the way.
"Are you ready, participants, for the Aether Trials? Yeah! Onwards to many surprises!"
As they walked through the door, they were alone. Yuki looked at nothing, but then, right before him, a door appeared with the inscription:
"One's true self must be seen, not to others but to your own mind. That's the dream. So that is all. Stop trying to read and see your true self so shiny and gleam.
So shiny and gleam. Yuki thought this over, thinking what could this mean: one's true self… then inner core… who truly am I?
"Are you struggling, kid?" Mr. Rabbit said.
"No, I know the concept. I'm struggling on what to say."
"Well, from my interaction over this fine day with you, I think the type of person you are is… you."
"What? How does that—"
"Let me finish. You're taking this test even though you know nothing about it, which is a huge disadvantage. You were dealt a bad hand by your family, but even so, you still came."
"I guess… you're right. I'm me."
With that, the door opened, and Yuki stepped through.
There, Yuki sees the other participants, looking at a time on the wall. As it hits zero, the man from before introduces himself:
"To those who don't know, I'm the cool examiner, Felix. And at the very beginning of the trials, we already lost 30 people. What a bunch of dummies, am I right?"
Yuki puzzled for a second, thought this statement over: if he wasn't true to himself, he would have failed. But that doesn't make sense. How did he go to that white space? How did that door know his innermost self?
"Yo, buddy, I just don't get it. Yo, buddy, it's mind-boggling."
In that instant, a loud scream could be heard.
"Are you deaf?!"
"Ahh, sorry. Are you talking to me?"
"Get your head out your ass. You look like you're in dreamland."
"Excuse me, I… sorry. Why are you speaking with me?"
"I don't know. Maybe the reason why I'm talking to you is because I want to know your name. Yeah, that's it. What's your name?"
"My name… it's Yuki."
"Well, Yuki, telling me your name wasn't smart."
"What do you mean by that?"
"Oh, look, Yuki, it's starting up again. To all 170 participants, please head to the main hall as directed."
Through the halls, jewels could be seen—beautiful. Yuki had seen many jewels in his house, but none of this quality. As in the main hall, the Aether Blade kept stock of all the precious jewels and weapons they find on their exploits.
"Now we start phase 2: the Will Assimilation Process. So that really was phase one. Yeah, what do you think, Yuki? How would you survive here if you don't even know your Will? Your… what Will? What makes you you?"
"By the way, what's your name?"
"I told you and you didn't tell me, which is a little rude. And also, what did you mean by that?"
"Questions on questions, my new friend. To answer your first question: I do not know. And your second… you shall find out soon."
"How do you not know your own name?"
"Never knew."
"So what do I call you?"
"This has never happened to me before, so I don't know."
Popping up out of his pendant, Mr. Rabbit says, "How about… Idiot?"
A laugh from Yuki could be heard.
"Who said that?"
"I did. A rabbit."
"Wow, and it talks. You don't see that every day."
Well, I guess you're right. This is Mr. Rabbit."
"Mr. Rabbit, look at your name!"
"Mr. Rabbit, shut it, you loser."
Now smiling and laughing with all his might, Yuki knew what name to give this man:
"I know… Smiley. Yeah, I'm sure Smiley. SMILEY YOU SAY I… I like it."