The imposing outer walls of the Clover Kingdom's capital stretched endlessly in both directions, their weathered stone testament to centuries of protection and prosperity. Kenji walked steadily along the well-worn path leading to the main gates, his footsteps joining the rhythm of countless travelers who had made this same journey before him.
As he approached the checkpoint where guards processed entry into the city, his mind wandered back over the past month since leaving Yuwei and the others in Sylvanelle. The time had passed quickly, but he'd made the most of every moment.
He hadn't lingered long with them after making sure Johnny was settled—just a couple of days spent exploring the town, sampling local cuisine, and watching the three kids bond over shared meals and Cyan's impromptu concerts in the town square. Leaving Johnny in Yuwei's capable hands had felt right, especially seeing how quickly the boy had brightened around his new companions.
The journey from Sylvanelle to the capital had been exactly what Kenji had hoped for when he first left Hage Village. He'd taken his time, stopping in every town that caught his interest, drinking in taverns well above his official age (though his appearance and confident demeanor rarely drew questions), and charming his way through conversations with locals and travelers alike.
But the journey hadn't been purely hedonistic. Throughout his travels, he'd continued his work of helping where he could—clearing out bandit camps that threatened trade routes, assisting with mana beast problems that local hunters couldn't handle, and generally making himself useful to the common folk. Each act of heroism had strengthened the growing network of trust that powered his abilities, and he could feel his reserves continuing to expand.
There had been one particularly memorable encounter just two towns before the capital. A young boy with distinctive purple hair had caught his attention—not for his appearance alone, but for his remarkable resilience. Kenji had been enjoying a drink at a local tavern when he'd heard commotion in the street outside.
Through the window, he'd watched four older boys—clearly from wealthy families judging by their clothes and arrogant bearing—cornering the purple-haired kid in an alley. What followed had been both brutal and impressive. The wealthy boys had beaten the kid down repeatedly, but each time he'd gotten back up, spitting blood and staring at them with dead eyes defiantly.
Kenji had been halfway to intervening when the tide turned. Despite being outnumbered and outmatched, the purple-haired boy had launched into a vicious counterattack, his small fists moving with surprising speed and precision. One by one, his tormentors had fallen until he stood victorious, battered but unbowed.
Intrigued, Kenji approached the kid afterward. The boy's eyes had held a familiar darkness—the kind that came from seeing too much hardship too young.
"Good fight," Kenji had said simply. "What's your name?"
"Why do you care?" the boy had replied, wariness evident in his voice.
Instead of taking offense, Kenji smiled. "Because anyone who can take a beating like that and still come out swinging has potential. What do you want to do with your life?"
The conversation that followed had revealed a young man driven by rage at the inequalities he'd witnessed. An orphan from the streets, he'd spoken with barely contained fury about wanting to eliminate the "trash" from the world—those who used their power to hurt the defenseless.
Something about the boy's conviction had resonated with Kenji. Without fully understanding why, he'd reached into his pouch and pulled out a bag of coins—money he'd "liberated" from some particularly unpleasant slavers a few weeks prior.
"When you're older, come find me in the capital," he'd said, pressing the bag into the startled boy's hands. "If you still feel the same way about cleaning up this world's trash, maybe we can work something out."
Then walking away the boy asked his name and without turning around he answered "you can call me Kenji" and gave a lazy salute with his back to the boy.
The memory brought a small smile to Kenji's face as he approached the checkpoint. That encounter had felt significant somehow, though he couldn't quite put his finger on why.
"Next!"
The bored voice of a guard snapped him back to the present. Kenji found himself facing a Magic Knight from the Green Praying Mantis squadron, identifiable by the distinctive green cloak with the mantis emblem on the right shoulder. The guard looked thoroughly uninterested in his duties.
"What's your purpose for entering the capital?" the guard asked in a monotone voice that suggested he'd repeated the question thousands of times.
"Taking the Magic Knights exam," Kenji replied straightforwardly. "Should be tomorrow, if I'm not mistaken."
The guard's eyes flicked up and down, taking in Kenji's travel-worn appearance and simple clothes. After a moment of assessment, he shrugged.
"You're good to go. Exam's in a couple of hours, not tomorrow."
Kenji blinked in surprise. "Today? I thought—"
But the guard had already lost interest, waving him through with a dismissive gesture.
Well, damn, Kenji thought as he passed through the gates. Good thing I decided to arrive today instead of cutting it closer. That could have been bad.
The moment he stepped into the capital proper, Kenji paused to take it all in. The outer ring bustled with activity—merchants hawking their wares, children playing in the streets, and the general chaos of a thriving city. But it was the sight rising above it all that truly took his breath away.
The castle.
Perched atop the highest point of the city's inner ring, it was a massive structure of gleaming white stone and soaring towers. Banners fluttered from its ramparts, and even from this distance, Kenji could see the tiny figures of guards patrolling its walls.
"Haha, that place is huge," he muttered to himself, craning his neck to take in the full scope of the building. "I can't believe I'm seeing a real functioning castle right now. This is surreal."
After a moment of awe, he began walking through the outer ring streets of Kikka, his mind already shifting to practical concerns. If I remember correctly, the exams should be held in that giant colosseum over there. He looked toward a towering structure in the distance, its curved walls and arched openings unmistakably marking it as an arena. I should double-check just to be sure.
His stomach chose that moment to rumble loudly, earning him a few amused glances from passersby.
And eat something, he added mentally with a grin. I wonder what kinds of food they have here. Must be good—this is the richest city in the kingdom, after all.
Following his nose toward what appeared to be the food district, Kenji was immediately assaulted by a symphony of aromas. Open-air grills sent up clouds of savory smoke, dessert vendors displayed elaborate confections that looked almost too beautiful to eat, and fresh fruit stands offered produce of items he had not tried before.
His excitement grew with each step. After six months of traveling and sampling regional cuisines, the prospect of experiencing the capital's culinary offerings felt like the perfect way to end his journey.
At the first stand he encountered, a burly man with the build of a laborer but clothes that suggested prosperity was tending to a massive lamb rotating slowly over an open flame. The smell was intoxicating.
"Hey, boss," Kenji called out with a friendly grin. "Can you get me a nice cut of that lamb and put it on a skewer?"
The vendor looked up from his work, sizing up the young traveler with experienced eyes. His voice carried the gruffness of someone who worked with his hands, but there was no unfriendliness in it.
"Sure thing. That'll be 15 yul. Just give me a second and I'll grab it for you."
Quite a bit more expensive here in the capital, Kenji mused, pulling out his coin pouch. Still, after months of "liberating" funds from bandits and slavers, he wasn't exactly hurting for money.
The vendor worked with practiced efficiency, carving off a generous portion of the perfectly roasted meat and skewering it with herbs and vegetables. When he handed it over, the aroma alone was almost worth the price.
"Thanks," Kenji said, taking his first bite and savoring the explosion of flavors. "Would you mind telling me how to get to the colosseum?"
The man's eyes sharpened with interest. "You here for the Magic Knights exam, boy?"
"Yup, just arrived not too long ago. Don't know my way around very well."
A knowing smile crossed the vendor's weathered face. "Just walk straight up that main road there." He pointed toward a wide avenue that stretched toward the inner city. "The colosseum's straight ahead on that road, not far up. It's right before the entrance to the second layer—Tota city. Hard to miss."
"Thanks again," Kenji said, raising his skewer in a small salute as he turned to head in the indicated direction.
"Good luck, kid!" the vendor called after him. "Hope you make it!"
Kenji gave a wave of acknowledgment, his spirits lifted by the man's genuine well-wishes.
What followed was perhaps the most glorious hour of eating in Kenji's young life. He sampled everything he could find—exotic spiced meats from distant provinces, delicate pastries that melted on his tongue, fruits that burst with flavors he couldn't identify, and desserts that were almost too elaborate to consume. By the time he'd worked his way through the district, he was thoroughly satisfied and considerably lighter in the coin purse.
Worth every yul, he decided, patting his stomach contentedly.
The walk to the colosseum took him through increasingly impressive neighborhoods. The buildings grew taller and more elaborate, the streets wider and cleaner. Even the people seemed to carry themselves differently here—with the confidence that came from prosperity and proximity to power.
The colosseum itself was everything he'd expected and more. The massive structure dominated the landscape looking like it was dropped directly from ancient Rome in his old world.
What caught his attention immediately was the long line of people already forming outside one of the entrances—mostly young people around his age, with a mix of commoners and what appeared to be minor nobles. The truly rich examinees probably take the entrance from Tota.
The crowd around the entrance was festive, with families and friends cheering on the prospective examinees. Street performers had set up nearby, adding music and entertainment to the atmosphere. It felt more like a festival than a military recruitment event.
Well, Kenji thought, observing the scene, I guess I'm officially on the clock now. Might as well give them a show.
With a casual snap of his fingers, the transformation began.
To the shock and amazement of everyone nearby, the simply dressed young man suddenly changed before their eyes. His black hair shifted to brilliant white, his brown eyes became a striking whitish-blue behind elegant square glasses, and his travel clothes transformed into an immaculate white suit complete with polished shoes and a distinctive silver X-shaped tie clip.
The crowd around him erupted in surprised murmurs and exclamations, people pointing and staring at the dramatic display. Some backed away in confusion, while others pressed closer for a better look.
Kenji smiled slightly at their reactions, adjusting his glasses with one hand while the other rested casually in his pocket. There we go.
Ignoring the continued stares and whispered conversations, he made his way to the back of the line. The wait gave him time to observe his fellow examinees—a mix of nervous energy, overconfidence, and grim determination. Some chatted excitedly with friends or family, while others stood in focused silence.
When he finally reached the front of the line, a harried-looking receptionist was finishing up with the candidate ahead of him.
"All right, all set. You're number 126, please proceed to the left through those gates there. Next, please."
Kenji stepped forward, and the receptionist looked up with the practiced smile of someone who'd processed hundreds of applications that day.
"Morning, sir. Can I get your name and where you're from?"
"Kenji from Hage Village," he replied with his own easy smile.
The receptionist's pen paused mid-stroke. She looked up at him again, taking in his expensive-looking attire with obvious confusion.
"Did you say... from Hage?" she asked slowly, clearly not believing someone dressed so well could come from the forsaken realm.
"Yup," Kenji confirmed with a slight knowing smirk. "Something wrong?"
The receptionist shook her head quickly. "N-no, never mind. Could I see your grimoire, please?"
Kenji reached to his side and produced his grimoire—a pristine white tome that seemed to emanate its own soft light. Four leaves adorned its cover, with a large X running through the familiar clover symbol.
The moment the receptionist saw it, her eyes went wide and her voice rose to a near-shout.
"A-A four-leaf grimoire!"
The effect was immediate and dramatic. Every conversation in the area stopped. Heads turned, voices fell silent, and then the whispers began.
"Did she say a four-leaf grimoire?"
"Who's that guy?"
"Is he a noble?"
"Hey, look at that grimoire!"
"Unbelievable!"
"Oh wow!"
Kenji nodded calmly amid the growing commotion. "Yup."
The receptionist's hands shook slightly as she processed his information, a white glow emanating from her palm as she scanned the grimoire with what appeared to be some kind of identification magic. When she finished, she placed a glowing stamp on his wrist—number 127—and looked up at him with something approaching flattery.
"Right, you're number 127. Please proceed to the left through those gates. And... good luck." saying the last part shyly.
"Thanks," Kenji said, taking his grimoire back and securing it in the holster on his hip. With a polite nod to the still-staring crowd, he turned and walked toward the indicated entrance.
Passing through the gates, he was momentarily blinded by the sudden transition from shadow to brilliant sunlight. When his eyes adjusted, he found himself standing in one of the most impressive spaces he'd ever seen.
The interior of the colosseum was a masterwork of ancient architecture. Massive stone tiers rose in perfect circles around the central arena, each level supported by graceful arches that spoke of both beauty and incredible engineering. Sunlight streamed through openings at the top, creating dramatic patterns of light and shadow that shifted as clouds passed overhead.
Banners hung from the upper levels, displaying the crests of various Magic Knight squadrons—the Black Bull, Golden Dawn, Silver Eagles, and others he recognized from his memories of the anime. The arena floor itself was a mix of packed earth and stone platforms, clearly designed to withstand the magical battles it would soon witness.
But what truly caught his attention was the sea of examinees already gathered in the pit of the colosseum. Over a hundred young people milled about, some stretching and preparing, others chatting nervously, and a few meditating in quiet corners.
Kenji made his way toward a relatively empty area near one of the stone pillars. As he walked, he noticed several things that made him smile internally.
First were the anti-magic birds—small creatures that flitted around the examinees, drawn to sources of magical energy. They were clearly agitating some of the candidates, who swatted at them or tried to shoo them away. The birds seemed to be avoiding certain areas entirely, which told Kenji something interesting about the magical power levels present.
Second was the notable absence of any birds around his own position. As he settled against a pillar, he glanced down at his wrist where the examination number glowed softly—10,512. The high number made him smile with satisfaction.
No wonder they're not coming over here, he thought. I should have the reserves of a vice-captain at the moment.
But even as he felt proud of his progress, a slight frown creased his features. As his trust point total had grown over the years, he'd noticed an unsettling trend. The individual effect of each new trust point seemed to be diminishing. What would once have provided a small but noticeable boost to his magical reserves now felt like drops in an increasingly large bucket.
From having close to young Yuno's reserves at 5,000 points—which should have put me around a 5th to 3rd class senior Magic Knight level—I've only jumped to what feels like a 2nd class senior Magic Knight after doubling my total.
The implications were troubling. At this rate, unless something changes, I'll probably need around 15,000 points just to break into the lower spectrum of a Grand Magic Knight's mana level. How troublesome.
Still, he shook off the concern. It shouldn't be too difficult after becoming a Magic Knight to earn more points. Even just passing the exam and walking around in the uniform should increase my value to people. I wonder how much it will take to reach the reserves of people like the elves or those devils that appeared near the end of the anime.
Deciding the power scaling was a problem for future Kenji to solve, he turned his attention to scanning the crowd for familiar faces.
It didn't take long to spot them.
There, about fifty feet away, was a blonde boy roughly his own age with distinctively unruly hair and a manic grin plastered across his face. He looked like he was barely containing himself from exploding with excitement.
That must be that lightning guy from the anime, Kenji mused. Wasn't he some kind of battle junkie or something?
Not far from the lightning enthusiast was another familiar figure—a delinquent-looking boy with a perpetual scowl. His posture screamed impatience, and he kept shifting his weight from foot to foot as if ready to fight someone at any moment.
Probably just nerves, Kenji decided, though the boy's aggressive stance suggested it might be more than that.
His gaze continued sweeping the crowd until it landed on someone who made him do a double-take. A boy with rigid posture and thick glasses stood apart from most of the other examinees, an air of attempted refinement surrounding him like a poorly fitted cloak.
Isn't that the guy from the Golden Dawn? What was his name again... Klaus? Something like that. Whatever, not really important right now.
But it was the final figure that truly caught his attention and made him pause.
A girl with beautifully tanned skin stood near the center of the arena, wearing white shorts that rode high on her long legs and a white top that was clearly struggling to contain her impressive... assets. Her short black hair framed striking blue eyes, and she appeared to be a year or two older than himself.
"Damn," Kenji muttered under his breath, momentarily lost in appreciation.
As if sensing his gaze, the girl looked in his direction. Their eyes met across the crowded arena, and she tilted her head with curious interest. Kenji responded with a slight nod before looking away, not wanting to appear overly forward.
Just as he was about to return his attention to the crowd, fireworks suddenly exploded across the sky above the colosseum. The brilliant display of colors and light announced that the examination was officially beginning.
Here we go, Kenji thought, straightening up and preparing himself for whatever challenges lay ahead. Time to see what the Magic Knights have to offer.
The crowd began to quiet as figures appeared on the elevated platforms around the arena—the Magic Knight captains who would be judging today's examinees. Even from a distance, Kenji could feel the immense magical pressure radiating from them.
This is really happening, he realized, a mixture of excitement and anticipation coursing through him. After everything—leaving Hage, training with Yuwei, traveling across the kingdom, meeting Johnny and the others—it all leads to this moment.
As the examination was officially about to commence, Kenji couldn't help but smile. Whatever came next, he was ready for it.
The real adventure was about to begin.
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haha get excited we've made it. Help you enjoyed the chapter.