Black Clover: The Chaos Legacy

William's voice carried over the arena with clarity, his calm demeanor somehow making his words all the more weighty. "We will now have you all go through a series of tests. The nine of us will evaluate your performance during these tests, and, based on that, we will decide whether or not to select you for our squads."

He paused, giving the gravity of his statement time to sink in. The tension in the air was palpable as everyone exchanged nervous glances. Well, almost everyone. I wasn't particularly worried. After all, I thought with a smirk, 'If I can't make it into the Magic Knights, then no one else here stands a chance.'

Luna's playful voice chimed in my head, "You're right, Master. Your talent is unmatched."

I could almost feel her grinning as she teased me. 'But on the off chance things go south... there's always the Eye of the Midnight Sun,' I thought, half-joking.

To my surprise, Luna responded to my musing with a surprisingly serious tone. "If you do join, Master, it might change everything. Maybe the elves would win the war instead losing to the devil."

The thought lingered in my mind for a moment, the possibilities branching out like paths on a map. Though it was just a backup plan—a highly unlikely one—it was hard to ignore the potential chaos such a choice would cause. Still, I hoped it wouldn't come to that.

As my thoughts wandered, William's voice brought me back to the present. "For the first exam," he announced, "we will have you get on those broomsticks and fly."

He gestured to a nearby Golden Dawn member, who stepped forward and effortlessly demonstrated how to channel magic into the broom to achieve flight. The broom hovered smoothly in the air, gliding with precision as if it were an extension of the mage's body.

William continued, "Any mage who has even a basic grasp of magic control can do this instinctively. It's the most fundamental method of travel for a mage. If you cannot fly on a broom, then I'm afraid there is no future for you in the Magic Knights."

He let the words hang in the air, and I could feel the anxiety ripple through the crowd. Some participants were already gripping their brooms tightly, trying to psych themselves up for the task. Others muttered nervously, their confidence visibly shaken.

After a moment, William gave the final command. "All right. Now begin!"

With William's command, everyone sprang into action, attempting to fly with their brooms. Chaos unfolded across the field as varying levels of skill—or lack thereof—became immediately apparent.

Some participants managed to fly with relative ease, their brooms hovering steadily as they wobbled through the air. Others weren't so fortunate. A few were flung from their brooms the moment they lifted off, while some lost control and ended up dangling upside down, clutching their broomsticks for dear life. The truly unlucky ones shot up too fast, their pained expressions making it clear that their balls had taken the brunt of the ride. As for the women in similar situations, although they didn't share the same pain, their faces flushed bright red from the awkward but oddly pleasurable sensation down there.

(A/N: I spent a few minutes deciding whether to put this here or not. In the end my degenerate thoughts won.)

Amidst the pleasure and chaos, one person stood out—Yuno. The moment he mounted his broom, it seemed as though he had been born for this. Not only did he fly with perfect ease, but he stood confidently on the broom as it glided through the air, showcasing an incredible level of magic control. Compared to him, even the best of the other participants seemed like amateurs.

As murmurs of awe filled the air, I felt the eyes of the captains shift toward me. Their gazes were heavy, filled with curiosity and expectation. I stood on the ground, internally debating whether to keep a low profile or embrace the spotlight. But as their attention lingered, my resolve hardened.

'Screw being low-key,' I thought with a grin. 'I want to enjoy this world. And as the future God of Chaos, how could I stay in low-key? Time to show them what I'm made of.'

Hearing my thoughts, Luna—who had somehow appeared perched on my shoulders without me noticing—giggled. "You go show them, Master."

I tilted my head slightly to glance at her, momentarily taken aback. Her sudden appearance wasn't something I'd planned for, and from the looks of it, neither had anyone else. The captains' eyes widened in surprise as they spotted her, and murmurs rippled through the crowd of contestants.

Even Luna couldn't resist teasing me. "I'm helping you, Master," she said playfully, clearly aware of the attention her presence was drawing.

I shook my head with a sigh and muttered, "Fine, your choice."

With that, I tossed my broom into the air, catching everyone off guard. Before it could descend, I activated Reinforcement Magic on my legs and leaped high into the air. Mid-jump, I flipped gracefully, landing squarely on the broom in one fluid motion. Balancing effortlessly on the narrow stick, I began to fly with ease, controlling the broom as though it were an extension of my body.

Gasps echoed around the field, and a flurry of voices erupted.

"Those two are incredible!" one person exclaimed. "As expected of the genius with the four-leaf clover and the first wielder of a six-leaf grimoire!"

Another participant gawked at Luna and blurted out, "What is that creature on his shoulder?"

A noble nearby, his voice dripping with disbelief, yelled, "A... spirit?! How could someone from the boonies be chosen by a spirit?"

As the crowd buzzed with speculation and admiration, a sudden commotion broke the rhythm. Everyone turned toward the source of the noise—Asta.

The poor guy was still stuck on the ground, grunting and groaning in frustration. His broom remained stubbornly inert, not even twitching despite his best efforts. No matter how bad someone's mana control was, they should at least be able to float, but Asta's magicless state meant he was entirely helpless.

Laughter erupted across the field, participants and spectators alike finding amusement in his predicament. Even some of the captains exchanged puzzled glances, their expressions ranging from confusion to mild amusement. Asta's determined grunts and flailing only added fuel to the fire, and the jeers grew louder.

Through it all, Asta's voice rang out, defiant and unyielding. "I'll show all of you! Just wait and see!"

Soon, the first exam came to an end, and the second exam began. This was a magical ability test where we had to attack a wall using only our magic—grimoires were prohibited. When my turn came, I effortlessly shattered the wall into fine dust with a single attack, drawing murmurs of amazement from the spectators. Asta, unfortunately, failed here too. After all, he couldn't use magic without his grimoire.

The next challenge was the Magical Ability Control Exam, where we had to hit a floating, randomly moving target in the air. It was designed to test precision and control. For me, it was laughably easy. The moment the target appeared, I shredded it before it even had a chance to move, leaving everyone in stunned silence. Asta struggled again, his inability to use magic evident as he missed completely.

Following that was the Creation Magic Exam, where contestants had to create objects using their magic. When it was my turn, I decided to go all out. With a wave of my hand, I crafted an astonishingly lifelike replica of Luna entirely out of magic. It didn't just sit there either—I made it move around under my command, as if it had a life of its own. Gasps echoed through the area, and Luna, sitting on my shoulder, was so overjoyed that she kissed my cheek before blushing and vanishing in embarrassment when she realized everyone had seen her. Even the Magic Knight Captains nodded their approval at my performance.

The Development Magic Exam came next, which required contestants to grow a seed into a sapling using their magic. I decided to push it further. I didn't just grow a sapling—I transformed it into a magnificent tree. Its ethereal trunk shimmered, its branches spread majestically, and its colorful leaves glowed faintly as though infused with light. When I stopped supplying magic, the tree continued to stand, thriving on its own. The captains exchanged impressed glances at my demonstration.

Finally, it was time for the last exam. William stepped forward and announced, "All right, time for the next exam. This will be the final one—you will engage in actual combat."

Fuegoleon stood up and bellowed, his voice ringing through the arena, "You will be battling! Each of you will pair up and fight against your partner. You may use your grimoires to attack."

The crowd erupted into whispers, the nervous energy among the participants palpable. Some were trembling, others grinning confidently. Fuegoleon continued, "Fighting is our duty. Show us your true abilities!"

William took over, his tone calm but firm. "As soon as one of you yields or becomes unable to fight, the match will end. Healing mages are on standby, so fight with all your might."

Fuegoleon added with a fiery determination in his voice, "So fight to your heart's content!"

Hearing the announcement, Asta looked like he'd lost his soul, muttering, "Come on, I need to find someone to fight me. Someone strong enough to impress the captains. All this while, I've only been yelling..." His energy seemed completely deflated.

Then Sekke approached him with a smirk and said, "Asta, you can be my opponent."

Asta's eyes welled up as he knelt dramatically, exclaiming, "Sekke, are you really willing to fight a loser like me? You're such a great guy!"

Sekke flicked his hair with exaggerated flair, laughing, "Bah-ha!"

The referee descended and called out, "All right, first contestants, step up!"

With that, Asta and Sekke moved forward while the rest of us stepped back to the edge of the arena to watch. Asta, ever the enthusiast, exclaimed, "Let's both give it our all and fight fair so we can achieve our goals!"

Sekke, however, leaned in close and placed a hand on Asta's shoulder, whispering in a mocking tone, "Heh, heh, heh. You don't really have to try so hard anymore, you filthy rat that wandered into the wrong place. Thanks for making me look even better so far. I'll get into the Magic Knights, live a great life, and enjoy myself. Got it, you miserable peasant?"

Then, as if twisting the knife further, Sekke added, "Now hurry back to your village in the boonies and enjoy your crappy little life." He walked off, laughing to himself.

Seeing Sekke target the weakest participant for an easy win, some of the other contestants muttered in dissatisfaction, but there was no changing it now.

The referee raised his hand and gave the signal. "Begin!"

Sekke immediately summoned his grimoire, shouting, "No holding back, all right? Let's do this, Asta! Bah-ha!" With that, he activated his spell, [Bronze Creation Magic: Sekke Magnum Cannonball]! A thick shell of bronze magic surrounded him, forming a sphere with cannon-like protrusions sticking out. From within the protective barrier, Sekke taunted, "Don't hold back! I'm ready for ya!"

Asta, ever determined, summoned his grimoire as well. "Sure thing!" he replied with an unwavering grin.

Without hesitation, Asta dashed toward Sekke at blinding speed, the sheer force of his movement cracking the ground beneath his feet. Even the captains couldn't hide their surprise as they watched him close the distance in an instant.

As soon as he was within range, Asta summoned his massive Anti-Magic sword from his grimoire and swung it down with a single, devastating slash. The moment the sword met Sekke's magical barrier, it shattered like fragile glass, the remnants of the spell disintegrating in the air. The strike carried through, slamming into Sekke's shoulder with such force that he was sent sprawling to the floor, unconscious. The ground beneath them cracked under the impact, leaving the crowd frozen in shock and awe.

Asta rested the sword on his shoulder and declared, "I'm not joining the Magic Knights to have a good time and avoid working hard." His voice boomed across the arena, commanding everyone's attention. "I'm here to work my butt off and become the Wizard King!"

Beside me, Yuno watched with a small smile, muttering under his breath, "I'm the one that's going to defeat you, Asta."

The other contestants erupted into chatter, their earlier contempt replaced with amazement.

"Is that sword... his magic?" one participant whispered.

"Wasn't he just some loser from the boonies?" another exclaimed.

"And did he just say something about being the Wizard King?" someone else added.

Asta turned to the crowd, his fiery determination blazing in his eyes, and shouted, "Shadd up, all of you! I said I'm going to be the Wizard King! Do you all have a problem with that?"

His voice silenced the arena, leaving everyone stunned by his overwhelming energy and unshakable resolve.

After Asta's declaration, the silence was soon broken as everyone burst out laughing again. Mockery and contempt filled the air as they ridiculed his dream. "He thinks he can be the Wizard King?" someone jeered. "What a joke!" another added.

Asta clenched his fists but held his ground, his determination unwavering despite the insults. Meanwhile, the healing mages arrived to carry the unconscious Sekke away.

As the matches continued, other participants stepped up for their battles. At the moment, it was a duel between two royals. The intensity of their fight drew everyone's attention, with whispers spreading through the crowd about the power and talent of royals.

"Look at their magic control!" someone whispered.

"That's the difference between commoners and royals," another remarked.

I stopped paying attention after a while, my interest waning. To pass the time, I teased Luna, who alternated between playful pouts and laughter. Since neither Yuno nor I had been assigned an opponent yet, we were left standing around bored.

Then someone approached Yuno. "Yuno, was it? You look like you're having a hard time finding an opponent. Why don't you pair up with me?"

Yuno didn't respond immediately, but he straightened from his relaxed stance and silently walked toward the arena alongside the challenger.

The crowd immediately buzzed with recognition.

"Isn't that Salim?"

"Yeah, from the famous Hapshass family!"

Salim smirked as he walked beside Yuno. "You may have been chosen by a four-leaf clover, but I'll show you just how far below you are in both strength and status compared to nobles. Ah yes, and wealth, too," he sneered, clearly enjoying his own taunts.

Yuno, however, didn't react at all, his calm demeanor unshaken as he stepped into position.

The referee raised his hand. "Begin!"

Salim flashed a condescending smile. "You should know it's an honor for you to fight the great Salim de Hapshass. You can tell this tale for the rest of your life once you return to the village."

Hearing this, I couldn't help but chuckle. "Maybe in the future, he will be honored about this fight. It's quite the flex to say he fought a four-leaf grimoire wielder."

Luna giggled beside me, amused by my sarcasm.

Salim summoned his grimoire and declared with exaggerated flair, [Lightning Magic: God of Lightning Rising Salim]!

A small ball of blue-white lightning materialized in front of him, crackling and growing in size as Salim poured more mana into it. Yuno, sensing the threat, summoned his grimoire as well, preparing to counter.

"I'll even pay for your trip back home," Salim mocked, laughing as his mana surged.

Though Salim's magic might have seemed impressive to the others, to me, it was a mere spark compared to the vast ocean of mana I possessed. Since obtaining my grimoire, my mana had been growing at an absurd rate. In just six months, it had multiplied nearly a hundredfold. According to Luna, I was still in the "growing stage," and once my mana reached its peak, it would be nearly infinite.

Back in the arena, Salim fired the Lightning Ball with a triumphant shout. It roared through the air, heading straight for Yuno.

Finally, Yuno made his move. He raised his hand and cast [Wind Magic: Towering Tornado]!

A massive tornado erupted, swirling with ferocious winds as it collided with the Lightning Ball. The clash was brief—the tornado easily overpowered the lightning, tearing it apart in seconds. But the spell didn't stop there. The powerful winds sucked Salim off his feet and into the vortex, spinning him around mercilessly.

"Ahhh! Stop this thing!" Salim's screams echoed through the arena as he was tossed around like a ragdoll.

When the Lightning Ball was completely destroyed, Yuno dissipated the tornado, releasing Salim, who crashed unceremoniously to the ground. The impact knocked him unconscious, his grimoire falling beside him.

The arena erupted in a chorus of astonished gasps and cheers.

"He defeated a noble in an instant!" someone exclaimed.

"Amazing!" another added.

Yuno stood calmly amidst the uproar, his expression unchanged as he turned and walked back to the edge of the arena.

A few more battles followed, but none were as noteworthy. Eventually, it was my turn. My opponent stepped forward—a noble, just like Salim.

"Let's see what the famed commoner with the strange grimoire can do," the noble sneered, stepping forward with an air of confidence. His name was Damian Frostvale, a rising star from the noble Frostvale family, renowned for their mastery over Ice Magic. His silvery-blue hair shimmered under the sunlight, and his elegant attire, trimmed with fur and frost-like embroidery, reflected his noble status.

The crowd began murmuring as soon as he stepped forward.

"Damian Frostvale… he's one of the Frostvale family's prodigies!"

"His Ice Magic is supposed to be top-tier. This will be interesting."

Damian looked me up and down, his lips curling into a smirk. "Chosen by a spirit, huh? Let's see if you're actually worthy of such an honor or if it was wasted on a mere commoner."

I stretched my arms casually, giving him a faint smile. "Let's get this over with," I said, stepping into the arena.

Whispers erupted from the crowd as I walked forward.

"Ryo's finally up!"

"Do you think he's really as strong as they say?"

"Damian isn't going to hold back. This might get intense."

Damian chuckled, his condescension clear. "I'll make this quick. But don't worry, I'll try not to embarrass you too much. After all, I wouldn't want the spirit you're so proud of to regret choosing you."

I raised an eyebrow, still not bothering to respond to his provocation.

"Begin!" the referee announced.

Damian wasted no time, summoning his grimoire. The silvery-blue tome floated in front of him, its pages glowing faintly as an icy mist spread across the arena floor.

"You should feel honored to witness the power of a noble, peasant. [Ice Magic: Frozen Spires]!" he declared.

Jagged spikes of ice erupted from the ground, their frosted surfaces glinting dangerously as they grew larger and larger, spreading toward me in a dazzling display of power.

The crowd gasped in awe.

"That's advanced Ice Magic!"

"Damian's not pulling any punches!"

Damian smirked, clearly satisfied with the reaction. "What's the matter? Too scared to even move? Or is this the limit of a so-called spirit-chosen commoner?"

I stood motionless, my arms still crossed. Luna's amused voice echoed "Master, do you plan to just stand there and let him prattle on?"

"Patience," I replied, watching as the icy spires continued to advance.

Damian's smirk began to falter slightly as I made no effort to react. "You're either too brave or too stupid. Let's see how long you can keep up that act!"

I exhaled softly, letting my mana rise.

The atmosphere shifted instantly.

A tidal wave of mana erupted from me, crashing across the arena like an unstoppable force of nature. The ground beneath me cracked and shattered as the sheer intensity of my mana rippled outward, sending shockwaves through the air. The icy spires, which had been advancing confidently, froze in place—then shattered into countless fragments under the pressure.

The air grew suffocating, heavy, and oppressive, as though the entire arena had been plunged into the depths of an ocean. Even the walls of the colosseum trembled violently, groaning under the pressure as though they might shatter at any moment if this continued.

The crowd fell deathly silent.

"What… what is this?!" someone stammered, their voice trembling.

"This mana… it's monstrous!"

Even the Magic Knight captains were visibly shaken. Fuegoleon's eyes narrowed, his expression one of intense focus. "Such overwhelming mana… and it's completely controlled."

Yami leaned back slightly, crossing his arms. "He's not just a kid. That's raw, terrifying power."

Damian, who had been standing confidently moments ago, fell to his knees. His grimoire wavered, its glow fading as his spell dissolved into nothingness. He clutched his chest, struggling to breathe under the crushing weight of my mana.

"You… you're not human," he whispered, his voice barely audible. His eyes rolled back, and he collapsed, unconscious. His grimoire fell beside him with a dull thud.

The mana pressure didn't stop. A low groan from nearby caught my attention. The referee, standing far too close, staggered backward. His knees buckled as he, too, succumbed to the oppressive force, collapsing to the ground unconscious.

The arena was in chaos.

"The referee's down too!"

"This isn't just mana pressure—it's a whole different level of magic!"

"So Weak!" I let out a soft sigh and willed my mana to recede. Instantly, the suffocating weight lifted, the trembling walls steadied, and the crushing pressure dissipated, leaving behind cracked stone, shattered ice, and a heavy, stunned silence.

Luna chuckled softly "Master, you really overdid it this time. Even the poor referee couldn't handle it."

I shrugged, walking over to the center of the arena. I glanced toward the captains' seating area, locking eyes with Fuegoleon.

"Captain Fuegoleon," I said, my voice calm but carrying across the silent arena. "Do you mind announcing the winner? The referee seems… unavailable."

The tension broke slightly as Yami laughed, clapping his hands together. "This kid's got guts. I like him."

Fuegoleon rose to his feet, his gaze steady and voice resolute as he announced, "The winner is Ryo." His words carried an undeniable authority, but there was also a faint, approving smile tugging at the corners of his lips.

The crowd exploded into whispers once again.

"No spells… just mana pressure?!"

"That's insane! He didn't even try!"

"Who is this guy?!"

I turned, walking back to my spot as the healing mages hurried to tend to Damian and the referee.

Luna commented "Master, you're making quite the impression today."

I smirked faintly. "Good. Let them remember it."

Following my battle, the rest of the matches continued. Most of them were uneventful, and honestly, watching them felt like a chore. Bored out of my mind, I turned my attention to Luna, perched on my shoulder, and began teasing her playfully. My antics didn't go unnoticed—several envious glances were shot my way from both guys and girls. I couldn't help but smirk at their reactions.

By the time the matches finally ended, it was already afternoon, and we were given a break for lunch in the capital. After grabbing a quick meal, we all returned to the arena, where William stood up and addressed the crowd.

"And this concludes the exams. Now, candidates whose numbers are called, please step forward," William announced, his voice steady and formal.

Charlotte rose gracefully from her seat and added, "I'll repeat the selection process once again. The squad captains will raise their hands if they are interested in having you join their squads. The candidate will then decide whether to accept or decline. If more than one captain raises their hand, the candidate may choose which squad to join."

Fuegoleon, seated confidently, continued the explanation. "However, if no captain raises their hand, it means you are not qualified to join the Magic Knights."

Nozel leaned back slightly in his chair, speaking with a sharp tone. "And in that case, you are to leave immediately."

The weight of their words hung heavily in the air. A staff member then stepped forward onto the platform to begin the announcements.

"Candidate #1, step forward," the announcer called.

A young man responded nervously, "Yes, sir!" and stepped forward. After a brief moment of tense silence, no captain raised their hand.

The announcer's voice cut through the quiet. "Candidate #1, no offers. Candidate #2, step forward."

And so it continued, one after another. Only a small handful of the candidates—just five out of the first 163 before us were chosen by the Magic Knight captains. The majority left the arena with their heads hung low in rejection.

Even Asta, ever the bundle of energy, began to look nervous. For the first time, I saw the tension on his face. Yuno's usual stoicism also cracked just slightly, showing a hint of apprehension. As for me, I wasn't too concerned, but I couldn't help running through my backup plans in case things didn't go my way.

Sensing my unease, Luna leaned closer and whispered softly, "Don't worry, Master. You'll definitely be chosen. Even if you aren't, I'll follow you wherever you go."

Her unwavering support brought a smile to my face. I was so tempted to give her a deep kiss for cheering me up, but I restrained myself—this wasn't the place for that kind of display. Instead, I gently patted her head and replied, "Thank you, Luna-chan!."

Finally, the announcer's voice broke through my thoughts. "Candidate #164, step forward."

Hearing this, Yuno took a deep breath and placed his hand on the pendant around his neck, as if seeking some comfort to steady his shaking mind. After a brief moment of silence, he stepped forward with a firm resolve. "Yes, sir," he said, his voice steady despite the tension in the air.

The tension in the arena thickened as the announcer's voice rang out, "All who wish to offer, please raise your hand." The silence that followed was almost suffocating. It didn't last long, though, as William's hand was the first to rise, followed by Nozel, Fuegoleon, and all the other squad captains. The room went still for a moment as the participants gawked in astonishment.

"All the captains raised their hands?!" one participant exclaimed in disbelief.

"That's so amazing!" a girl whispered, eyes wide.

"I thought only royalty and nobles could join the Golden Dawn and the Silver Eagles..." another voice trailed off, shocked by the rare display of unity among the captains.

Asta, never one to hide his emotions, was trembling with excitement beside me. "All the captains! As expected of my rival, Yuno!" he cheered, his voice brimming with pride.

Yuno, however, stood for a moment in deep thought. After a brief silence, he spoke up, his voice steady. "Please allow me to join the Golden Dawn."

At his words, the arena erupted in a chorus of surprised gasps and murmurs. It was clear to everyone that Yuno's decision had sealed his fate—he was joining the most prestigious squad in the kingdom. The announcer's voice echoed through the arena once more, cutting through the chatter.

"Candidate #164, the Golden Dawn," he called, his tone official. "Next, Candidate #165, step forward."

Asta was next. He stood up, his expression a mixture of determination and anxiety. "I'm ready!" he said, his voice shaky but loud. He stepped into the spotlight, walking to the center of the arena.

The announcer's voice was a steady cadence. "All who wish to offer, please raise your hand."

Time seemed to stretch on as the moments passed, with no hands rising. The room felt like it had been frozen in place. Asta's smile faltered as the silence dragged on, and the tension in the air began to press in on him. A minute passed, and the announcer's voice rang out again, this time with an unsettling finality.

"Candidate #165, no offers."

The words hit Asta like a physical blow. He stood there, frozen for a second as the reality of the rejection settled in. His eyes narrowed in frustration, but there was no hint of giving up. With gritted teeth, he muttered under his breath, "Not yet... I am not done yet."

The other participants began to murmur among themselves, their impatience growing. Some shot angry glances at Asta, irritated by his stubbornness. The air grew thick with the tension of their discontent.

It was then that Yami, who had been quietly observing from his seat, stood up. His presence was enough to silence the murmurs in an instant. His eyes, sharp and calculating, scanned the room before he spoke.

"Well, that's no surprise," Yami said, his voice cutting through the heavy atmosphere. "No matter how high your combat skills are, if the source of your power is unknown, no one will want any part of that trouble. After all, in the end, the most expected thing from a Magic Knight is their magical powers."

After finishing his words, Yami released a sudden wave of mana, pressuring all the contestants in the arena. The air became suffocating, and the ground beneath him trembled slightly from the intensity. Most of the contestants were frozen in fear, trembling under the weight of his mana. For me, though, it was nothing more than a gentle breeze—barely noticeable. I stood still, unaffected, as if nothing had happened. This subtle display did not go unnoticed by the captains, who exchanged glances.

However, the spotlight remained on Asta. Yami leaped down from the platform, landing heavily in the arena. His every step was deliberate, his presence commanding as he walked toward Asta, all the while maintaining his oppressive mana pressure. When he stopped in front of Asta, the difference in their size and aura made the boy look even smaller.

Yami's voice was sharp and unrelenting. "And since you have no magic powers whatsoever, no one wants you. This is the harsh reality. You've been clamoring since you entered that you will be the Wizard King, right? That means surpassing us nine captains here, doesn't it? Well, how about now?" He leaned in closer, his gaze piercing. "With me standing right in front of you, do you still have the nerve to say that you'll become the Wizard King?"

Even under the immense pressure, Asta clenched his fists, his entire body trembling. But his eyes remained locked on Yami, unwavering. He took a deep breath and, with a voice full of determination, shouted, "Even if I can't join the Magic Knights today... no matter how many times I fall... no matter what anyone says... one day... I will become the Wizard King!!!"

Hearing this, I couldn't help but smile. Even Yuno, usually so stoic, allowed a small smirk to escape. Yami stared at Asta for a long moment, his expression unreadable. Then, without warning, he withdrew his mana, letting the oppressive atmosphere vanish in an instant, and burst into laughter.

"Hahahahaha! You're a funny kid!" Yami said, pointing at Asta with a grin. "Above all, you're interesting. Join my squad, kid."

Asta froze, completely stunned by the sudden turn of events. He blinked blankly at Yami, his brain clearly struggling to process what he'd just heard. "Huh?!"

Yami smirked and crossed his arms. "I'm telling you I'll let you join the Black Bulls."

Before Asta could say anything, Yami's expression darkened, and he glared at him menacingly. "By the way, you don't have the right to refuse."

The sheer intensity of Yami's glare caused Asta to flinch. "What?!"

Yami continued, his grin returning. "I'll give you such a terrible time in the Black Bulls that you'll be torn to shreds. So be ready for it." He paused for a moment, then softened slightly. "And then someday, become the Wizard King and prove everyone wrong."

Moved by Yami's words, Asta's expression shifted to one of determination. He clenched his fists and shouted, "Yes, Sir!"

The announcer's voice echoed through the arena, breaking the moment. "Candidate #165, the Black Bulls. Now, Candidate #166, step forward."

I nodded and stepped forward confidently. "Yes!" I declared, standing tall at the center of the arena.

The announcer called out, "All who wish to offer, please raise your hand."

Once again, every captain raised their hand without hesitation. Gasps and murmurs erupted from the crowd as they witnessed yet another unprecedented moment. "All the captains raised their hands again?!" someone exclaimed.

I took a moment to consider my options, feeling the weight of the decision. My eyes briefly scanned the captains, each of them watching me with keen interest. After a short pause, I made my choice. "I would like to join the Crimson Lions."

The arena fell into stunned silence for a brief moment before erupting into noise again. The crowd couldn't believe it—I had given up the opportunity to join the Golden Dawn, the most prestigious squad.

Fuegoleon's face broke into a proud smile. He nodded firmly, acknowledging my choice. 

As the day drew to a close and the golden hues of sunset painted the sky, the final participant stepped forward. The announcer's voice rang out, "Candidate #514, step forward." A young girl cautiously made her way to the center of the arena. Without hesitation, Charlotte raised her hand. The girl's face lit up with joy, and the announcer declared, "Candidate #514, Blue Rose."

With that, the Magic Knights Entrance Exam officially came to an end. Those who hadn't been chosen gathered their belongings and slowly walked out of the colosseum, heads hanging low. Outside, the crowd of spectators tried their best to console the rejected participants. Words of encouragement filled the air: "Good work," "Don't worry about it," and "Try again next year."

Inside, the squad captains huddled together, discussing the results and future plans. Meanwhile, Asta, Yuno, and I made our way outside. The three of us stood together, knowing this was the last time we'd be able to talk like this for a while. After today, our paths were diverging. Unless fate or a mission brought us together, we would rarely cross paths.

I broke the silence. "I guess this is it. We're each going down our own paths now."

Asta and Yuno nodded solemnly. Then Asta, ever the bundle of energy, grinned and said, "Yuno, you're Golden, I'm a Bull, and Ryo's a Lion." He turned to Yuno, his grin growing wider. "This is where our battle truly begins! Even though I might be in the 'worst squad,' I'll still catch up to you, Yuno. Just you wait!"

He raised his fist, brimming with determination. "Let's do our best!"

Yuno smiled faintly but warmly and bumped his fist against Asta's. I followed suit, raising my own fist and joining them. "Let's do our best for our dreams."

"Yeah," Yuno agreed, his voice calm but resolute.

"Let's do our best!" Asta shouted.

But just as the moment reached its emotional peak, it was hilariously undercut by the loud grumble of Asta's stomach. His face turned red, and he clutched his stomach dramatically. "Ahhh! Nature's calling quite loudly! Was it the grilled purple snake I ate earlier to psyche myself up?!" Without waiting for a reply, he bolted toward the washroom, yelling, "Ahhhh!!!"

Yuno and I exchanged a look, trying to hold back laughter. Eventually, a small chuckle escaped both of us. We followed him toward the washroom, intending to wait nearby.

As we approached, I spotted Sekke moving suspiciously toward the same area. His demeanor was off—shifty and secretive. My smile faded as I narrowed my eyes. My instincts kicked in immediately, and I summoned a Chaos Bolt in my palm, the swirling energy crackling menacingly.

Noticing my change in attitude, Yuno also picked up on something being wrong. He summoned his grimoire and followed me closely. When we entered the washroom, we found Sekke summoning a Poison Lizard spell, the malicious mana radiating from it as he prepared to unleash it on the unsuspecting Asta.

Before Sekke could make his move, Yuno acted swiftly, his grimoire glowing as he cast [Wind Creation Magic: Swift White Hawk]. The summoned hawk dived with incredible speed, snatching the poison lizard in its talons before shattering it into harmless fragments.

"What do you think you're doing?" Yuno demanded, his sharp tone cutting through the air.

Sekke froze in place when he noticed us, his eyes darting between my Six-Leaf Clover grimoire and Yuno's Four-Leaf Clover grimoire. His confidence shattered, and he stammered, "B-Bah-Hah! I wasn't doing anything serious! Just giving him a little scare, you know... as a parting gift. A... uh... friendly competition to see who gets further in the Magic Knights first."

Yuno's expression didn't waver. "Then scram. You're no match for Asta."

Sekke gulped hard, realizing he'd been let off the hook. He nodded frantically and backed away, muttering, "Y-Yes, of course!" before rushing out of the washroom in a panic.

Yuno dismissed his grimoire with a sigh, seemingly content to let Sekke go. But I had other plans. My Chaos Bolt had been ready from the start, and I wasn't about to let such a cowardly snake slither away without consequence. After all, if Yuno or I hadn't been here, this world might have lost Asta—an anomaly in this magic-driven world, who would go on to protect the kingdom and the entire world countless times in the future.

Without a word, I released the bolt. It streaked through the air like a homing missile, following Sekke, whom I magnanimously allowed a head start. In the next instant, the bolt struck him square in the back, its chaotic energy surging through him with terrifying precision.

The results were swift and absolute. Sekke collapsed to the ground, his body limp and unresponsive. His mana core shattered completely, cutting him off from magic for the rest of his life. His grimoire disintegrated into the air, its once-proud pages reduced to dust that scattered with the wind. Physically, his body was ruined beyond repair—his mana pathways annihilated in a way no healer could ever mend.

Luna's voice resonated softly in my mind, her tone calm yet laced with an icy edge. "It's done, Master. No trace of the attack will remain. Even if they investigate, not a single clue will be found. This is my guarantee."

After that, I casually dismissed my grimoire as if nothing had happened. Soon, we heard the sound of a flush, and Asta emerged from the cubicle, looking relieved. He stretched and muttered, "Hah! That feels so much better. Now I have no regrets… or dump left in me."

When he spotted us, he grinned and walked over. "Alright then, let's do our best!" he said enthusiastically to Yuno.

Yuno and I both nodded. Shortly after, we exited the bathroom together and were met with a commotion. A small crowd had gathered around Sekke, who was lying on the ground. Healing mages were frantically working on him, but their efforts seemed to have no effect.

Yuno frowned and asked, "What happened to him?"

I casually rested my hands behind my head, feigning innocence as I spoke matter-of-factly, "Probably karma hit him faster than a truck. Seriously, Asta, you really need to raise your standards when it comes to judging friends. Did you know that while you were in the bathroom, this guy actually tried to poison you? If Yuno and I hadn't stepped in, you could've been the one lying there right now."

Yuno nodded solemnly, while Luna chimed in, "Yes, Master is absolutely right! You need to be more cautious, you judgmental idiot, Asta!"

Asta shot back, "Hey! Who are you calling an idiot, you little winged know-it-all?!"

Watching them bicker made me laugh. Luna could be surprisingly childish when she wanted to be.

Yuno, however, was fixated on something else. "Wait… what do you mean by a truck?" he asked, looking genuinely confused.

I instantly brushed it off, responding with a straight face, "Oh! Luna told me about that. It's this ancient magical guide from a long time ago. Apparently, it was super powerful and could even kill the Wizard King in one hit. The old guys thought it was too dangerous, so they destroyed all records it. If it weren't for Luna, I wouldn't even know about it."

(A/N: A truly reasonable explanation don't you guys think?)

Yuno seemed to accept my explanation and gave a small nod, though his expression was still thoughtful.

Noticing the darkening sky, I decided to wrap things up. "Alright, it's getting late. We've all got places to be. I'm off to meet my captain. See you soon, Asta, Yuno."

Both of them nodded and bid farewell as Luna and I made our way toward our rendezvous point. Meanwhile, Asta and Yuno went their separate ways, each of us embarking on the next chapter of our journey.

A/N: Honestly, I didn't expect it to be this long, but here we are—over 6,800 words. I hope you all enjoyed this chapter as much as I enjoyed writing it. This marks the end of Volume One as well, and I just want to say a huge thank you for all your support up until now. Your comments and encouragement really kept me going. I truly appreciate every single one of you, and I hope I can count on your continued support in the future volumes too. See you all in the next one!