Kael awoke to the scent of herbs and the soft rustle of pages turning.
He was lying in a cot, bandaged, beneath a wide skylight with sunlight filtering through pale curtains. The walls were lined with bookshelves and a single desk, where a stern-looking healer sat scribbling in a thick leather journal.
"You're lucky," she said without looking up. "Another hour out there and you'd have collapsed into a mana coma."
Kael tried to sit up. Pain lanced through his back.
She stood quickly, pressing him back down. "Easy. You burned through too much mana walking here. And whatever's bound to your grimoire… is volatile."
That caught his attention. He looked to the small table beside him. The *six-leaf grimoire* sat there, closed and silent.
"It chose you, didn't it?" the healer asked, her voice softer now. "I don't know what that thing is… but it's powerful. Dangerous, even. If you're going to carry it, you better learn to control it."
Kael said nothing. Just nodded.
—
Two days later, he was on his feet again—worn, but steady. The news came quickly: the *Magic Knights Entrance Exam* would be held at the *coliseum* the next morning.
He had no money, no formal training, no sponsor. But he had his grimoire. And something darker inside him: *purpose*.
He would join the Magic Knights.
He would become strong enough that no one could ever take his home away again.
—
*The Coliseum*
Kael stood at the edge of the massive arena with hundreds of other applicants. The stadium echoed with nervous chatter, confidence, and laughter. Most wore fine robes or enchanted gear. Kael wore patched-up clothes and the same torn cloak from his journey.
He stood alone.
Until two voices nearby drew his attention.
"Yuno! Yuno! Look at this place! We're really gonna become Magic Knights!"
A short, muscular boy with silver hair practically bounced in place beside a taller, calm-eyed teen holding a four-leaf grimoire. Kael recognized them from the infirmary stories: *Asta and Yuno*, the rising stars from Hage Village.
Yuno glanced around and briefly locked eyes with Kael.
Their gazes met—just for a moment.
Then Yuno turned back to Asta. Kael looked away.
—
The first exam was *broom flight*.
Kael had never flown before.
Many others soared instantly—laughing, spinning, showing off. Asta failed completely, comically crashing to the ground.
Kael climbed onto the broom and focused. Wind magic. That was what he'd always had, even if weak.
He let mana flow. It surged like a wave barely under control.
The broom lifted.
It shook, wavered, but didn't fall. He rose several feet into the air and glided once around the arena. Quiet. Steady.
It wasn't flashy—but it was enough.
—
Next was *target destruction*.
Kael opened his grimoire. A page fluttered to life.
"*Chaotic Gale: Split Fang.*"
A distorted wind, laced with shimmering shards of raw mana, shot from his hand and *shredded the target* clean in half.
It drew gasps—not because of the spell's power, but because of the *strangeness* of the mana. It didn't feel natural. It bent around itself, unstable yet obedient.
The captains watching from above leaned forward.
Asta laughed somewhere nearby. "Whoa! That was awesome!"
Yuno glanced at Kael again.
But no one approached him.
Kael preferred it that way.
—
*Sparring came last.*
Kael was matched against a noble brat who smirked at his tattered appearance.
"This'll be over fast, peasant."
Kael didn't speak.
The bell rang.
The noble fired a sharp *fire lance* spell—
Kael moved like smoke.
He raised his hand. His grimoire glowed.
"*Reversal: Split Mirror.*"
The fire lance twisted midair and slammed *back into its caster*, exploding at his feet.
The boy dropped with a shout. Not seriously hurt—but thoroughly humiliated.
Silence rippled through the crowd.
Kael exhaled quietly.
He'd passed all tests.
Now came the choosing.
—
The Magic Knight Captains stood above.
Names were called.
Yuno received multiple offers. He chose the *Golden Dawn*.
Asta, after a tense pause, was shockingly chosen by *Yami of the Black Bulls*.
Cheers erupted.
Kael stood still.
No one raised their hand.
Seconds passed. A few murmurs rippled.
Then… a voice rang out.
Calm. Female.
"I'll take him."
Kael turned.
*Dorothy Unsworth*, captain of the *Coral Peacocks*, lifted one hand lazily—still asleep, somehow, but smiling.
The crowd was stunned.
Kael bowed respectfully, then walked quietly toward his new squad.
Asta grinned at him as he passed. "Hey, good job out there, mystery guy!"
Kael gave him a small nod.
Yuno said nothing, but his eyes lingered.
Kael then left the collesium and walked straight to the house of the woman who helped him.
"You got into the coral peacocks,that's nice" she said
"Yeah, thanks for everything you've done for me" Kael said
"No worries,just...be careful kid" she said as she sent him off with a smile
"Roger that" he said as he walked towards the coral peacocks base