The training ground crackled with tension, the air thick with the sting of anticipation. The clock ticked mercilessly toward noon.
Captain Baka "Ready? Start!"
Sieg charged first, flames sparking from his fists. He launched a fiery punch directly at Baka but Baka sidestepped effortlessly and then grabbed Sieg's wrist.
With a swift motion, he flipped Sieg hard onto his back, the thud of impact shaking the ground.
Captain Baka "Too slow."
Aturia stood behind him and stretched out her hand, creating dozens of icicles that hovered in the air around her.
With a flick of her hand, the icicles zipped toward their target. But Baka simply twirled his katana like a propeller, deflecting every shard until they shattered into sparkling dust.
Captain Baka "Not bad."
Sieg: "Take this... Fire Magic: Fireball!"
Sieg took a deep breath and exhaled a burst of flames, shaping it into a fireball.
The fireball flew toward Baka, but the flames flickered and extinguished before they could reach him.
Captain Baka: "Nice output but poor magic control."
Sieg "Tch... Damnit!"
Sieg: "Aturia, use your ice magic to freeze the ground so he can't move!"
Aturia: "Shut up, Sieg. You don't tell me what to do. I'm taking that key myself."
She created ice daggers in both hands before rushing toward Baka, aiming to take one of the keys in close combat.
She swung one dagger at his shoulder.
Baka leaned to the side, effortlessly dodging the attack.
Aturia quickly followed with the second dagger, aiming for his waist.
Baka blocked it with the sheath of his katana.
Aturia gritted her teeth and pushed forward, striking repeatedly with both daggers.
Baka calmly deflected every attack, barely moving from his spot.
Suddenly, Aturia spotted an opening and reached for the key hanging from his belt.
But just as her fingers were about to touch it, Baka caught her by the throat.
Aturia's eyes widened.
Aturia "What—?"
Baka lifted her slightly off the ground
Aturia dropped her daggers and tried desperately to release his grip.
In the blink of an eye, Baka moved toward Sieg.
Sieg didn't even see him coming.
Baka grabbed Sieg by the throat with his other hand.
Captain Baka "Got you too."
With both of them in his grasp, Baka slammed them into the ground.
BAM!!!
Aturia and Sieg crashed down simultaneously.
Baka dusted his hands, walked over to a rock and sat down.
Captain Baka "You three better hurry, time is almost up."
Miki had stayed behind throughout the fight, watching nervously as Sieg and Aturia confronted Baka.
The moment they were both slammed to the ground, she rushed toward her teammates, worried evidently on her face.
She immediately placed her hands on their bruises, using her healing magic to mend them.
Miki "Are you two okay?"
Sieg rubbed his head "I'm okay thanks Miki."
Aturia "This is your fault, Sieg!"
Sieg "What?! You were the one who ignored my plan!"
Aturia "Your plan was terrible!"
Sieg "It would've worked if you listened!"
Miki "Can you two please stop arguing?"
Miki helped both of them to their feet as the trio turned their attention toward their captain.
Baka was still sitting on the rock, casually picking his ear as if nothing had happened.
Aturia "This guy is impossible! We can't even touch him!"
Miki "I think he's testing our teamwork, not just our individual strength.
Sieg: "We all need to come together and think as a team for once. Do you agree, Aturia?"
Aturia: "Alright, I agree. Teamwork makes the dream work, I guess."
She said it sarcastically.
Aturia "Anyone got a plan?"
Sieg grinned "Follow my lead"
They walked forward
Captain Baka "Oh still enthusiastic are we?"
Sieg "We are not done Captain Baka, We're going to prove to you why we are Magic Knights.
Aturia "For once i agree with the loser"
Miki "Yeah we are going to keep on fighting.
The clock ticked mercilessly toward noon. Team E shared a single glance—silent understanding between them. This wasn't just about the keys anymore. It was about proving they belonged as Rank 3 Magic Knights.
Baka smirked as he stood up
Captain Baka "Okay then… you three finally have my full attention. Come at me with everything you've got.
Meanwhile in Camelot's Royal Audience Chamber Miss Lily sat anxiously on the chair as someone stepped forward.
The Fourth king of knights sat calmly and he held his walking stick firmly in his hands.
King Julius "I heard you wanted to see me, what seems to be the problem Mrs Lilly"
Lily stood up and bowed.
Lily "Not at all my king there's no problem, I'm just a little bit worried about the Rank 1 Captain that was assigned to team E. I'm just worried his teaching methods may be too brutal for the rookies especially Sieg given his conditions.
Julius eyes darkened, his usual calm slipping for a moment.
King Julius "That is exactly why I assigned Baka to that team. His harsh training exposes their weaknesses and forces them to grow, cooperate, and rely on each other. I know you're just worried about your nephew… but trust me he's going to be fine.
Julius reassured her.
King Julius "Also on more important matters does your nephew know?
Lily "No he hasn't figured it out yet. But when he awakened his affinity while protecting me his magic energy was enormous although i think it was just a one time thing.
King Julius "Good that means the seal is still strong and working. The less the boy knows, the safer everyone in the kingdom will be."
Lily "Yeah... I guess that's right."
King Julius "Now if you'd excuse me i have other matters to attend to."
Meanwhile back at the arena:
Sieg and Aturia rushed forward together.
Aturia moved first, sliding across the ground as she created a trail of ice beneath her feet.
Aturia "I'll keep him distracted. You attack from behind."
Sieg "Got it!"
Aturia raised both hands.
Aturia "Ice Magic: Ice Spears!"
Several ice spears formed in the air and shot toward Baka from different directions.
Baka smirked.
Captain Baka "Much better."
He didn't draw his katana.
Instead, he stepped between the incoming ice spears, knocking some aside with his bare hands while twisting his body to avoid the others.
Aturia "Now, Sieg!"
Sieg rushed in from behind, flames gathering around his fist.
Sieg "Fire Magic: Flame Punch!"
Baka turned at the last second.
He raised his sheathed katana and blocked Sieg's flaming fist with the sheath.
BOOM!!!
The impact pushed Baka back half a step.
Sieg's eyes widened.
Sieg "I actually moved him!"
Baka glanced at the sheath of his katana.
Captain Baka "Not bad."
Sieg grinned.
Sieg "Then take this!"
He threw another punch, but this time the flames around his fist suddenly grew much larger.
Sieg "HAAAH!"
The flames erupted wildly around his arm.
Aturia's eyes widened.
Aturia "Sieg! Control your magic energy!"
Sieg "I'm trying!"
The flames suddenly flared out of control, forcing Sieg to pull his arm back.
Baka immediately took advantage of the opening.
He stepped forward and struck Sieg in the stomach with the sheath of his katana.
THUD!!!
Sieg "Gah!"
Sieg was sent stumbling backward.
Aturia rushed in.
Aturia "Don't underestimate us!"
She swung an ice-covered fist toward Baka.
Baka caught her wrist.
Aturia "What—?"
He pulled her forward and lightly tapped her forehead with two fingers.
THUNK!
Aturia stumbled backward, holding her forehead.
Aturia "Ow!"
Baka smirked.
Captain Baka "You two are starting to understand teamwork."
He rested the sheathed katana on his shoulder.
Captain Baka "But your timing still sucks."
Sieg wiped his mouth and stood back up.
Sieg "Then we'll fix it."
Aturia glanced at him.
Aturia "This time, control your flames."
Sieg nodded.
Sieg "And you don't rush ahead."
Aturia "Don't push your luck."
The two charged again.
Baka's smirk widened.
Captain Baka "Kids these days..."
He lowered his stance.
Captain Baka "Come on, then."
Miki thought "Baka Sensei is still focused on Sieg and Aturia he's gotten distracted, It's a good time to try out that technique I've been learning.
Miki closed her eyes gathering and concentrating magic energy around her.
She opened her eyes and lowered her stance placing a hand on her dagger strapped behind her back.
Sieg desperately grabbed onto Baka's right arm tightly
And Aturia did the same grabbing Baka left arm
Captain Baka chuckled "What are you kids up to?
Miki "There's an opening now is my chance. She took a step forward.
FWOOM!!!
CLANK!!!
Suddenly the keys that were strapped on Baka belt were jangling in the air
Miki collapsed on the ground
Captain Baka "A flash step technique huh? Impressive Miki"
The keys flew mid air as Sieg and Aturia immediately released Baka arms and snatched the keys.
Sieg looked at the key in his hand as he grinned happily
Sieg "We did it we got the keys... BELIEVE IT!!"
Aturia looked at the keys in her hand keeping a stoic expression
Aturia "Yeah i guess we did.
Sieg jumped up and down happily
Sieg "Which means no one is forfeiting their badge.
Captain Baka "Hold on a minute didn't you remember what i said, I said two out of three of you gets the keys the other one that didn't have to forfeit their badge.
Sieg happiness died immediately
Captain Baka "So that means Miki has to forfeit her badge since she didn't get her hands on a key.
Miki stood up to her knees, out of breath, her body shuddering.
Miki "But… I didn't get any key… so that means I failed…" Miki said, tears welling in her eyes."
Sieg "No way! Miki isn't forfeiting her badge." Sieg exclaimed as he stepped up.
Aturia "Sieg's right, It was because of her that we got these keys. If you're sending anyone back… it should be me. For not trusting my teammates."
Baka's intimidating presence loomed over them as his aura intensified the entire air around them.
Then suddenly
BOOM!!!
An intense, dense and heavy magic filled the surrounding forcing Sieg and Aturia to drop on their knees.
The trio shuddered, panic flashing in their eyes unable to move from the pressure.
Captain Baka "You two really have the audacity to stand up for your teammate?" Baka said, his tone was low and threatening.
Sieg and Aturia "Yes of course we will"
Baka raised his hand. Sieg and Aturia closed their eyes expecting something terrible to happen.
Then—
Pat. Pat
They felt a gentle pat on their heads.
They opened their and looked at their Captain confused.
Captain Baka "In that case... all three of you passed. He said with a genuine smile.