Magic Knight Selection Areana...
As the minutes ticked by,
Asta's determination refused to waver.
He grit his teeth, sweat pouring down his face, arms trembling from effort.
"Come on... just a little… more!!"
He shouted, leaping onto the broom again.
But no matter how hard he tried, the broom wouldn't budge.
Around him, the arena was filled with laughs and whispers.
Some of the examinees who had managed to fly scoffed at him openly.
"What a joke…"
"Is he seriously trying that hard just to float?"
Others who were still struggling themselves looked away, relieved they weren't the only failures.
But Asta didn't care.
He didn't look at them.
He didn't even hear them.
All he could see was that broom.
All he could think of… was his dream.
"Wizard King… I will become the Wizard King…!"
He kept pushing—
Again and again—
Until the final whistle blew.
The first test ended.
Everyone had managed to fly—
Some barely, some with flair.
Everyone… except Asta.
Still panting, hands on his knees, Asta looked up—
Not with defeat, but with fire still burning in his eyes.
Magic Control Test Begins...
The next stage was swiftly prepared.
Dozens of floating targets rose into the air across the field—
Some stationary, others darting unpredictably.
Fuegoleon Vermilion announced the rules.
"For the second test, you will demonstrate your control over your magic. Hit as many targets as you can. Precision and finesse will be considered above raw power."
Yuno stepped forward first.
Without a word, his grimoire opened, pages fluttering.
A swirl of wind gathered around him as he raised his hand.
FWOOSH!
Multiple wind arrows shot from above his shoulder—
Fast, sharp, and precise.
Each arrow struck a different target.
Even the moving ones didn't stand a chance.
Thud. Thud.
Thud. Thud.
"____"
A perfect score.
The arena grew silent for a beat—
"____"
"____"
"____"
Then exploded with applause.
The captains exchanged glances.
"Hmph, impressive,"
Murmured Nozel.
"That boy's control is nearly royal-level,"
Said Jack, surprisingly interested.
Following Yuno, other examinees began their turns—
Displaying flames, water, vines, crystals, and lightning—
Striking targets with various levels of success.
Some impressed.
Others cracked under pressure.
But the test continued…
And Asta stood at the back, silently watching, waiting for his chance—
Knowing that once again, he was at a disadvantage.
Because he had no magic to control.
As the magic control test progressed,
The captains began murmuring among themselves, eyes subtly shifting toward one boy who hadn't taken the field yet.
"That one... the boy with no magic,"
Muttered Nozel, frowning slightly.
"Not a drop. I can't sense anything from him,"
Jack the Ripper said, his voice edged with annoyance.
"Is he even serious?"
"It's almost laughable,"
Kaiser added, arms crossed.
"How did someone like that even get past the first check?"
A few others nodded silently, confused by the presence of such an unusual candidate.
Ben, seated in the royal booth with calm composure, overheard their comments and chuckled softly.
Chuckle~
"He's getting attention, alright... though not quite like Yuno."
Ben said, his eyes glinting with amusement.
"But I wouldn't write him off just yet,"
He added, taking a slow sip from the goblet on the table.
"You'll all be surprised—soon enough."
Captain Charlotte, sitting beside him, gave a small nod.
Nod~
Her eyes lingered on Asta a little longer than the others.
"I know him,"
She said quietly.
"Yuno too. We've met before… back when I accompanied our King to the orphanage."
Ben smiled gently at the memory,
But Charlotte wasn't done.
"____"
"He trained hard—even back then,"
She added, a faint pride touching her tone.
"He couldn't use magic, but he kept going until he collapsed,"
Charlotte recalled.
"There was never a moment he slacked off."
Sol, seated a row behind her, leaned forward with a grin.
"Yup! I trained them!"
she said, pounding a fist into her palm.
"That kid! I trained with him during my last visit to the orphanage with sis. He's tougher than he looks. No magic, but that guy could wrestle a bear."
Ben laughed under his breath, looking toward Asta, who now stood at the edge of the field—
His eyes focused, his fists clenched.
"Keep watching,"
Ben murmured to the others.
"The show's just getting started."
Soon,
When Asta's name was finally called,
A hush fell over part of the arena.
The captains leaned in, curious.
Even after a test,
He had yet to show even a flicker of magic.
Asta stepped forward, his expression intense.
His fists were clenched so tightly his knuckles turned white.
He inhaled deeply and raised his grimoire…
Nothing happened.
He strained, teeth gritted, pouring every ounce of his willpower into summoning just a drop of mana.
His body trembled from the effort—
But not even a flicker came.
"____"
Silence.
"____"
"____"
"____"
A few chuckles echoed from other examinees.
Chuckle~
"He still can't use magic..."
"What's he doing here anyway?"
But Asta didn't listen.
He stood tall, breathing heavily, determination burning in his eyes.
Even without magic, he refused to back down.
The instructors exchanged glances and moved on, announcing the third trial—
The Creativity Test.
Yuno stepped up first.
With a wave of his hand and a flick of his wrist, his grimoire floated beside him, glowing softly.
He whispered something under his breath, and the air around him shifted violently.
A roaring storm emerged from above, a swirling spiral of wind forming a miniature cyclone in the center of the arena.
The air shimmered with magical pressure, and his cape fluttered dramatically behind him.
The crowd gasped.
Even some captains arched their brows.
The rest of the examinees followed, each showing off their unique magics—
Flames shaped like dragons, floating water sculptures, illusions dancing midair.
It was a festival of magical artistry.
Spectator Booth...
Back in the spectator booth,
A soft laugh escaped Captain Dorothy Unsworth.
She lifted a delicate hand to cover her mouth, a teasing smile playing on her lips.
Hehe~
"So dramatic… but no matter how flashy they get, I'm still not impressed,"
She said sweetly, eyes twinkling.
"Not after last year's creativity test…"
Her words sent a jolt through Charlotte, who sat just one seat away.
"____"
She blinked rapidly, her face suddenly warming.
"D-Dorothy…"
Charlotte mumbled.
Too late.
Dorothy turned to her fully now, mischief radiating from her eyes.
"You do remember, don't you?"
she giggled.
Giggle~
"When Ben used those emerald-green crystals to create a life-sized sculpture of you? So lifelike… and in battle pose, too."
Charlotte's face turned crimson.
She avoided everyone's gaze, clearing her throat and adjusting her gloves needlessly.
"I told him not to do that…"
She muttered under her breath.
Ben, overhearing all of it, smirked as he leaned slightly toward her.
Smirk~
"I only sculpt what inspires me,"
He said quietly.
Charlotte's eyes darted to him—
Then quickly away.
Around them, the test continued,
But a new warmth lingered between them—
Visible only to the few who knew where to look.
A bell rang, echoing across the wide, open arena.
The atmosphere shifted immediately—
Less festive, more tense.
Captain Charlotte Roselei stepped forward from the spectator balcony, her tone firm and authoritative as her voice rang out:
"The fourth and final test… is combat."
She paused, allowing the weight of her words to settle over the examinees.
"You are to choose your own opponent. You'll be given a short time to make your selection. Victory isn't everything—we will be watching your judgment, control, and instincts closely."
With that, she stepped back, arms crossed, watching the arena closely.
A moment of stillness,
"_____"
"_____"
"_____"
Then a wave of chatter surged through the crowd.
Contestants began moving, eyes darting, forming quick opinions.
One by one, they started picking partners—
Friends, rivals, easy targets—
Whatever increased their chances.
But something quickly became obvious.
No one dared challenge Yuno.
Most avoided even looking at him.
The storm spell he had summoned in the last round was still fresh in their minds.
Whispers followed him like a shadow.
"Not him. He's too strong."
"I want to get picked by a captain—not crushed."
At the same time,
Asta stood awkwardly in the middle of the group.
"____"
He walked toward a few people—
Some turned away, others ignored him entirely.
"Hey, want to spar—?"
"Ah, no thanks."
He tried again.
"Need a partner?"
"Go ask someone else."
It was like he was invisible.
No—worse.
He was dismissed.
Just as Asta was starting to clench his fists, wondering if he'd even get a match, a voice called out behind him—
Pleasant and cheerful.
"Yo! You lookin' for a partner?"
Asta turned.
A grinning young man with a puffed-up chest and strangely slicked-back hair gave him a thumbs up.
Grin~
"Name's Sekke Bronzazza,"
He said proudly, pointing to himself with both thumbs.
"I think we'd make a great match for the duel, huh?"
Asta blinked.
"Really? You sure?"
Sekke laughed.
"Absolutely! You've got heart, and I like that. Let's show these people what we've got!"
Relieved, Asta nodded enthusiastically.
"Yeah! Let's do this!"
In the stands, Ben let out a soft laugh as he leaned toward Yami and Charlotte.
Chuckle~
"Looks like Asta found someone."
Charlotte narrowed her eyes slightly, watching Sekke.
"Hmm. That one's either very confident… or very stupid."
Ben smirked.
Smirk~
"Oh, I've got a feeling Sekke's about to learn something important."
Yami chuckled, arms behind his head.
Chuckle~
"Can't wait to see it."
**********************************************************************************************************************************************************
(Author's POV)
(A/N)Thanks for reading the chapter!
Please give a review on this Fanfic.
Don't forget to send your power stones!!!