Yami's gaze, and his meaningful smile, made Lorne's heart skip a beat.
He hadn't expected that a fleeting thought of his would be so keenly caught by that rough man.
This man, known as the "God of Destruction," possessed a perception ability through his "ki" that was far more terrifying than Lorne had imagined.
Fortunately, the other party seemed to find it merely interesting and had no intention of delving deeper.
Lorne secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
"You were too calm just now!"
Yuno walked over, a hint of lingering fear in his tone.
Even he had felt immense pressure from that terrifying aura just now.
But Lorne had remained unfazed the entire time, without a ripple of emotion on his face.
He, of course, knew this was a "famous scene," a crucial plot point for Asta's joining the squad, so nothing serious could truly happen.
However, there was no need, nor any way, to explain this to Yuno... On the other side, behind the arena.
Yami Sukehiro instantly transformed from the man radiating terrifying killing intent back into his usual listless, lazy self.
He simply had no interest in watching this selection exam.
"Squad Leader! Squad Leader!"
Finral, unable to contain his curiosity, leaned over and asked in a low voice:
"What were you looking at just now?"
His Squad Leader had been about to leave, then suddenly turned back to look at something unknown.
Yami didn't turn around, pulling another cigarette from his pocket and putting it in his mouth.
He didn't light it, just bit the filter with his teeth, a mischievous smile playing on his lips.
"Someone's taken a liking to you!"
"Eh?!"
Finral's eyes instantly lit up, and he became radiant. He quickly straightened his collar, a self-absorbed and expectant expression on his face.
"Really, Squad Leader?! Which lovely lady is it? Is she pretty? What's her figure like?"
"..."
Yami slowly turned his head, scrutinizing Finral from head to toe with an extremely peculiar gaze.
That look made Finral's heart pound, and the smile on his face gradually stiffened.
"S-Squad Leader... why are you looking at me like that...?"
"Hard to say..." Yami grinned, revealing a chilling smile.
...Center of the arena.
"Ouch, ouch, ouch... What terrible luck..."
Asta got up from the ground, rubbing his head and sighing over his recent unfortunate encounter.
Just then.
"Hoo-ha!"
A slightly frivolous voice sounded beside him.
Asta turned his head and saw a man giving him what he thought was a cool smile.
"Are you alright! What terrible luck to anger Squad Leader Yami of the Black Bulls right off the bat!"
The man pointed a finger at Asta and introduced himself proactively:
"I'm Sekke, Sekke Bronzazza! Nice to meet you! Hoo-ha!"
"I'm Asta! Nice to meet you!"
Although Asta found the man's catchphrase and laugh a bit strange, he still responded in a straightforward manner.
However, neither of them noticed Lorne nearby, who was looking at the man named Sekke with the gaze one would reserve for a clown.
"Clang—!"
"Clang—!"
Just then, a series of metallic footsteps echoed from the passage behind the high platform.
The sound seemed to carry some kind of magic, instantly silencing the entire noisy arena.
All the examinees' gazes were involuntarily drawn to it.
Under everyone's watchful eyes.
Seven figures slowly emerged from the shadows of the passage and ascended to the high platform.
Each of them wore magnificent cloaks embroidered with different insignia.
The seven Magic Knight Squad Leaders took their seats on the high platform, in the chairs symbolizing their leadership.
Immediately after, Golden Dawn Squad Leader William Vangeance and Black Bulls Squad Leader Yami Sukehiro also appeared on the high platform.
At this point, all nine Magic Knight Squad Leaders of the Clover Kingdom were in place!
"It's... the Magic Knight Squad Leaders!"
"Oh my! All nine Magic Knight Squad Leaders have appeared!"
After a brief silence, the crowd erupted into exclamations and discussions more fervent than ever before!
"Silver Eagles! Crimson Lion Kings! Veridian Mantis! Azure Deer!"
"And the strongest Golden Dawn!!"
"I wish I could join the Golden Dawn! Even the Silver Eagles would be great!"
The examinees' faces were flushed with excitement. They gazed up at the nine figures on the high platform, their eyes filled with fervent admiration and longing.
Those nine individuals represented the nation's top fighting power!
They were beings who stood at the pinnacle of all Magic Knights!
And they were... the closest to the Magic Emperor's throne!
Asta and Yuno likewise looked up at these legendary figures, their hearts shaken as never before.
A flame called aspiration burned fiercely in their chests.
"Those are... the Squad Leaders..."
Asta murmured, his fists unconsciously clenching.
"Hoo-ha! You're scared by their aura, aren't you!"
Sekke, seeing Asta's inexperienced look, showed a hint of superiority on his face and began to introduce them proactively.
His voice was neither too loud nor too soft, just enough for everyone around to hear.
"The one with the coldest expression is Nozel Silva, the Squad Leader of the Silver Eagles."
"Next to him is Fuegoleon Vermillion, the Squad Leader of the Crimson Lion Kings! Just like the squad name 'Crimson,' he uses creation magic of fire!"
"That fierce-looking one who seems like a bad guy is Jack the Ripper, the Squad Leader of the Veridian Mantis. His Severing Magic is said to cut through anything!"
"But mantises or whatever, forget it! Bugs just sound disgusting, hoo-ha!"
"Wow! Look! That's Lady Charlotte Roselei, the Squad Leader of the Azure Deer! She truly is a renowned beauty!"
Sekke's gaze lingered on Charlotte for a long time before he reluctantly moved it away.
"The Squad Leader of the Purple Orcas, Gueldre... Hmm, that's it."
His tone was flat, clearly indicating he had no affection for him.
Lorne knew perfectly well that this Squad Leader Gueldre was mercenary, had a poor reputation among all the Magic Knight Squads, and even frequently embezzled and resold national treasure-class magic tools.
"And the one always sleeping is Dorothy Unsworth, the Squad Leader of the Coral Peacocks. I heard she sleeps all day long!"
"Then there's Rill Boismortier, the Squad Leader of the Aqua Deer! Hoo-ha! I heard this Squad Leader is only 19 years old! The youngest Squad Leader in the Magic Knight Squads!"
"What?! N-Nineteen?!"
This information, like a bolt of lightning, instantly struck Asta.
He widened his eyes, pointed at Rill on the high platform, and excitedly shouted:
"Only four years older than us?! That means becoming the Magic Emperor won't take much longer!"
To Asta's bold pronouncement, Sekke actually responded with a laugh.
"Hoo-ha! Your ambition is truly grand!"
However, while he said that, he was probably inwardly scoffing wildly.
Finally, Sekke's gaze fell upon the masked man in the very center, and his tone became incredibly reverent.
"And that esteemed individual is the universally acknowledged strongest candidate for the next Magic Emperor! The man who leads the strongest Magic Knight Squad, the Golden Dawn — William Vangeance!"
Lorne quietly listened to Sekke's popular science lesson, given to curry favor, a subtle curve playing on his lips.
This guy named Sekke truly had more tricks up his sleeve than usual.
From the exam registration to the Devils Banishing Birds' mana measurement, this guy had probably been eyeing Asta.
He was so close to Yuno, who had a four-leaf grimoire, and apparently had very low mana.
So, he was now actively approaching Asta, this "soft target," to befriend him.
His purpose was self-evident.
It was nothing more than wanting to invite Asta to be his opponent in the final battle grouping.
By easily defeating Asta, he could highlight his own "excellence" and thus leave a deep impression on the Squad Leaders.
He was truly playing a good hand.
Lorne looked at Sekke's face, plastered with a fake smile, and had only one thought.
This guy was no longer just an ordinary experience package.
He was a moving experience package that would clean himself and actively jump into your bowl!
As everyone had their own thoughts, on the high platform, William Vangeance, the Squad Leader of the Golden Dawn, slowly stepped forward two paces.
The entire arena instantly fell silent.
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