Coco: Heyo~ Here is chapter 5. The chapter where Maryam chooses her squad and becomes a magic knight.

I hope you're ready for it~

As the sun began to set over the capital, Maryam let out a sigh. After many long hours, the final match was over. Meaning…

"That concludes the exam," William told the examinees. "When your number is called, please, step forward to learn your results."

"If a captain wants you on his or her squad, they will raise a hand." Charlotte added. "That means you're in. If you do not wish to join a squad, you may, of course, decline. If you are admitted into more than one squad, it is up to you to decide in which one you will join."

"However," Fuegoleon spoke up. "If no squad wants you, you will not be a magic knight."

"In which case, you must leave at once." Nozel finished.

Made sense to Maryam. They probably didn't want anyone causing a ruckus. Though she had a feeling some might. One of the officials started calling out numbers, and Maryam sighed since it'd be a while until it was her and the boys' turns. Neither one of them looked up to making conversation, so she guessed standing in silence was all she could do at the moment.

'I'm actually starting to feel a bit nervous,' She realized as she felt the smallest tremble in her hands. 'Well, at least the nerves waited until after the exam.'

She felt so calm during the entire thing. After all, she trusted in her abilities. Those two years Orsi made her wait, was spent training. So, while she hadn't been happy with the wait, she came prepared to this exam.

'But if for some reason I don't make it into a squad today, I won't give up,' Maryam thought as her hands clenched into fists. 'I didn't work so hard to be so casually brushed to the side and forgotten.'

Though she was more worried about Asta. She glanced over at said boy as he stood nervously between her and Yuno. He hadn't done well, in any of the tests except the last one. And everyone called his win a fluke. The people here didn't know Asta like her and Yuno do. They didn't realize how amazing he was, so it worried her that…that Asta might not be chosen. Maryam shook her head while giving her cheeks a light smack.

'I shouldn't worry like that,' she told herself. 'One of the captains up there have to have enough intuition to realize Asta's potential. And though perhaps in the not most flattering of ways, Asta still stood out during this exam. He'll be fine.'

She nodded to herself as she calmed her nerves down. She just had to have faith that they would all be joining the magic knights together. Though she doubted they'd be in the same squads.

'It'll be the first time the three of us have ever been separated since being brought together,' Maryam thought as she frowned. 'I don't know if I can handle losing all of my precious baby siblings so soon…Wait, I'm starting to sound as clingy as Father…ew.'

"Achoo!" Father Orsi sneezed as he was sitting down to eat with the others.

"Oh, Father, bless you," Lily said.

"Someone must be talking about you," Recca teased.

Orsi, who let out a sigh, frowned as he brought out a handkerchief to dab at his nose.

"It's probably Maryam or that rascal Asta," He grumbled. "Even while away, they speak ill of me."

He continued his grumbling as Nash looked off to the side wondering if the exam was over yet.

'I wonder…if they passed,' He thought to himself. 'Probably not that idiot Asta…but Yuno and Maryam probably.'

Asta let out a loud sneeze, which caused Yuno and Maryam to jump slightly. The two looked to their shorter companion as he rubbed his nose on his sleeve. An act that had Maryam frowning.

"Don't use your sleeve like that," she scolded.

"Sorry," Asta said. "Don't know where that came from…Maybe Sister Lily is talking about me! She probably misses me!"

Yuno and Maryam exchanged a glance though said nothing as Asta daydreamed about a certain nun.

"Number 163." The official called out gaining the three's attention.

Maryam took a deep breath before she walked forward to stand before the captains. She looked up and met their gazes head on despite the fact her heart was hammering away in her chest.

"Do we have any hands?" The official asked.

At first no one moved, which had Maryam's heart coming to a crashing halt. However, then the first hand rose. The hand belonging to Charlotte Roselei of the Blue Rose Knights. The next hand rose from Fuegoleon Vermillion. And then as the final hand rose...and it was from Yami. Maryam's eyes widened at the sight of three captains' hands raised for her. A bubble of emotion swelled in her chest.

'Three…' She thought. 'I was good enough to impress three of them. All that hard work really did pay off.'

Behind her, several examinees were shocked. So many others were turned away. Getting one hand had been hard enough, but this little commoner girl from Hage managed to get three raised hands.

"Number 163, please choose your squad." The official prompted.

Maryam cleared her throat as she stepped forward while placing her hand over her heart. She gave a small half-bow.

"Firstly, I would like to thank all three captains for their offers." Maryam said clearly. "I am more honored than I can express. Now as for my pick…"

Maryam looked up while turning her eyes to Yami. Though she was still mad at him, she'd be polite for now. Then make her intentions known at a later time.

"I would like to accept the offer from the Black Bulls." She said.

It was silent for a long moment before several of the other exams exclaimed their shock.

"She was offered a place amongst the Crimson Lions and the Blue Roses, but she picked that squad?!" Someone shouted.

"She's obviously out of her mind!" Another said.

Maryam ignored their comments as she moved out of the way, so things could continue. Up with the captains, Fuegoleon chuckled.

"It would seem as if we lost to you, Yami." Fuegoleon said.

Charlotte frowned averting her eyes. She didn't know why the girl would choose Yami's squad, but what done was done.

"Ha! It's just because I pissed her off!" Yami laughed. "Bet that brat has something planned."

He continued to laugh as Finral sighed and shook his head at Yami. Though the brunette wasn't going to complain with having a new cute girl in their squad. Down below, Maryam smiled as Asta gave her a big grin.

"That's great, Maryam!" He said.

"But why did you choose that squad?" Yuno inquired.

"I have my reasons," Maryam said with a secretive smile.

Yuno's brow quirked but before he could press the topic, his number was called.

"Number 164." The official called out.

Yuno gripped his necklace in his hand before he walked forward with his head held high. It was silent for a moment before hands started raising. And not just a few like they did for Maryam, but all the captains raised their hands. Maryam's eyes widened in shock as the examinees behind her and Asta all whispered in surprise. Maryam then smiled.

'Of course, they all want him,' Maryam thought. 'Yuno is amazing after all. He's definitely not the same little crybaby anymore. I'm so proud.'

Yuno took a moment to look at all the captains. Though he knew if he wanted the best path to become the Wizard King then he needed the best squad.

"It would be an honor to join the Golden Dawn." He said.

As William accepted Yuno's decision, Yuno stepped back to join Asta and Maryam. The latter giving him a big hug.

"I'm so happy for you, Yuno." She said as she pulled back.

Yuno gave a small smile in return before the two looked to Asta when his number was called next. As Asta stepped forward, Maryam felt her nerves returning tenfold. She held onto Yuno's arm who glanced down at her to see her worried face.

'Please, someone give him a chance,' Maryam thought as the official asked the captains to raise their hands if they wanted Asta. 'Asta is as amazing and is just as special as Yuno. One of them has to see that.'

Though as no hands went up, a cold feeling washed over Maryam. It was as she feared. None of them understood how great Asta was or how great he could be if given a chance.

"Number 165, no hands." The official said after a few seconds of silence.

'Asta, no.' Maryam thought sadly.

Asta lowered his head and as his body shook in frustration, Maryam's arms tightened around Yuno's. Even he was not happy with the outcome. The two then stiffened when some of the other examinees started to throw jeers at Asta. Demanding that he move and mocking him for what happened. Maryam whirled around about to give them a piece of her mind but was brought to a halt when Yami spoke up.

"It's not really a surprise, is it?" Yami asked.

Everyone turned to the man as Yami stood up from his seat. His eyes locked on Asta.

"No matter how great your skill in battle might be, no one wants to touch a power that mysterious." Yami continued. "People aren't fond of the unknown."

'Yeah, because people are small minded,' Maryam thought in frustration.

"It boils down to this, what the captains are looking for here is magic power." Yami continued. "That simple."

Once the words left his mouth, he let out a huge amount of mana that seemed to make the entire structure shake. Maryam wasn't the only one feeling uncomfortable by the sheer force of it as many of the other examinees were shifting around nervously. Yami then jumped down below with them, which brought that monstrous power even closer. Maryam knew this guy was a monster, but he's scarier than she thought.

"What would anyone ever want with you?" Yami questioned as he stood in front of Asta. "A kid with zero magic? Might as well face the facts. What you said before…that you took the exam because you want to become the Wizard King. You get what that means, right? If that's really your goal, you have to prove that you're better than all nine magic knight captains. And now standing here magicless and pathetic, can you really say you have what it takes? That you're strong enough to become the Wizard King?"

Maryam frowned in confusion. She didn't feel as if Yami was mocking Asta. More like he was challenging him, but she couldn't figure out why. Maryam looked to the shorter teen as Asta clenched his fists tightly.

"Yeah, fine, maybe I won't get to join a magic knight's squad today," Asta said. "But no matter what anyone says…and no matter how many times I might stumble, I won't give up! I will become the Wizard King!"

Things went silent after Asta's declaration as Yami's overwhelming magic power disappeared. The man stared at Asta for a few more seconds before a grin pulled across his face and he let out a loud laugh. Confusing almost everyone there.

"You know, Kid, I like you." Yami said as he pointed at Asta. "Come join our crew."

Maryam blinked once and then twice before a smile pulled across her face in happiness. Though as she understood what now was going on, Asta seemed confused.

"Huh?" Asta murmured.

"Quit gaping like a fish," Yami said. "I'm saying I'll let you into the Black Bulls."

Asta's eyes widened even more in disbelief as he stared up at Yami who was still grinning.

"By the way, you don't get to say no, got it?" Yami added with a sinister look in his eyes causing Asta to whimper. "It won't be a picnic. We're going to put you through the ringer until you don't recognize yourself, so get ready."

Yami let out another laugh as Asta was starting to become nervous about what the taller male had planned.

"Then once you're done, you go and become the Wizard King." Yami told Asta.

Maryam's smile widened while guessing she misjudged Yami a bit. He was an alright person.

"Right!" Asta said with his voice trembling with emotion.

As the exam finally came to an end, Maryam and Yuno met up with Asta as both of them smiled.

"Asta," Yuno said.

"You're Golden Dawn and we're Black Bulls," Asta said. "The real battle starts now, and try not to be jealous that Mary chose to be in the same squad as me."

He said this with a cheeky grin as Maryam chuckled and shook her head at the boy.

"Asta, don't try to make it sound like I chose you over Yuno." She said. "I joined the Black Bulls first."

Yuno threw Asta a smug look, which had Asta growling at him in return.

"I still have no idea why you did that by the way." Yuno said as he looked down at her and away from Asta. "You had offers to squads with better reputations. Asta, on the other hand, had no other choice since everyone else realized how weak he is."

"Hey!" Asta protested.

He then let out a grunt as he held onto stomach when it started making terrible noises. Yuno and Maryam looked at him in concern as he started to pale.

"AHHH!" Asta screamed as he turned tail and ran. "Man, I've got to poop! Is it that grilled violet snake I ate earlier coming back for revenge?!"

He continued shouting on his way to the bathroom as Yuno and Maryam both sweat-dropped.

"Does he really have to shout such disgusting things out loud?" Yuno wondered.

"Well, you know how our Asta is," Maryam said with a sigh.

She then blinked when a shadow fell over her. She and Yuno slowly turned around to see Yami standing there. And he was as scary as ever.

"There you are," Yami said as he reached out to grab Maryam by the back of her clothes to lift her up. "Where's that idiot brother of yours, huh?"

"Bathroom." Maryam replied simply even though she was dangling over the ground. "He's probably going to be a while."

Yami's frowned deepened before his eyes flickered to Yuno who was watching Maryam dangle.

"Well, say your goodbyes, Kid, cause I'm taking her with me." Yami said as he threw Maryam over his shoulder like she was some kind of sack; his hand still holding onto the back of her clothes.

"Bye, Yuno!" Maryam called out and waved to the boy. "Please, check on Asta for me before you join your captain, okay? Love you. Play nice with your new squad mates~"

Yuno just sighed as many people turned and stared at her as she was carted off. Though he did go in the direction of the bathrooms to check on Asta as she wanted.

After Yami took Maryam up to where the captains had been standing, he dropped her to the ground. She landed on her feet then looked up at Yami as he turned and stared down at her.

"So, Pipsqueak, what made you choose us, huh?" He asked. "Princess Briars and Captain Too Serious have better reps than us, which I'm sure you know."

"Oh yeah, I heard you Black Bulls are awful," Maryam said with a laugh.

Behind the pair, Finral sweat-dropped as he wondered too why the girl would choose them.

"But the answer, is simple really." Maryam said. "I like to set goals for myself. Getting my grimoire…learning how to handle my magic…becoming a magic knight. They're all steppingstones to my dream, which is become a great magic knight that can protect others and provide for my loved ones. Now, that I've surpassed those hurtles, it's time for the next one, which I decided is you."

She pointed at Yami whose brow quirked in question. She grinned up at him as her other hand rested on her waist.

"You kind of pissed me off earlier, and while I appreciate you seeing the potential in Asta when the other captains didn't, it doesn't change anything," Maryam said. "So, Yami Sukehiro, here's how it is. I joined the Black Bulls because I decided my next great hurtle is to surpass you! I'm going to become stronger than you not only so we can settle how things ended earlier, but because if I want to become a great magic knight, the only logical choice is to become better than a magic knight captain!"

It was silent after her little spiel as Finral looked at the girl as if she was crazy. Beside him, Gordon was mumbling something, but he went unheard. Yami then broke the silence as he let out a big laugh. Kind of like the one he made when Asta said he'd be Wizard King right to his face.

"So, that's how it is, huh?" Yami asked as some of his laughter subsided. "You kids from Hage are a bunch of weirdos. But fine, let's see if you can actually accomplish your goal, Pipsqueak. But if you disappointment, I'll have to kill ya."

"Sounds good to me." Maryam replied as she grinned.

'Maybe this girl is perfect Black Bull material.' Finral thought. 'She's a little different that's for sure.'

He then stiffened when the girl was suddenly in front of him with a smile on her face.

"Hey, we haven't formally met yet." She said kindly. "My name is Maryam. It's nice to meet you!"

Finral smiled at the girl in turn. He took her hand into his while giving a flirtatious wink.

"It's nice to meet you as well," he said. "Can I just say I'm happy to have a beauty such as yourself joining us?"

Maryam sort of just blinked at Finral as if not sure to respond. She then turned to look at Yami.

"Is he for real?" She not so quietly whispered.

Finral flinched at her question as if struck as Yami, who puffed out some smoke, snorted.

"Oh yeah," he said. "Thinks he's a real lady killer."

Maryam just hummed in response before moving onto Gordon. She smiled at him and shook his hand enthusiastically.

"Nice to meet you as well!" Maryam said. "I hope we can all get along!"

Gordon mumbled something in reply, but Maryam didn't quite catch it, which had her tilting her head in confusion.

'My new squad mates are a bit odd,' She decided. 'I wonder what the rest of them are like.'

She then turned her head at Asta's call and smiled and waved at the boy as he approached. Yami turned to him as well, but his wasn't smiling…not in the slightest.

"You've got a lot of nerve making me wait like that, Newbie," Yami said. "Just how long was this dump you took anyway?"

"Man, Captain, you wouldn't believe it!" Asta said then held his hands apart by a couple widths. "Seriously, like long! Yeah, and huge too!"

As Maryam frowned wondering why Asta would share that information, Yami reached out to shut him by picking him up by his head as he had done earlier.

"That's not what I meant when I asked how long it was!" Yami snapped. "Like I want to spend my time chatting about your turds, you moron! Go on, Finral."

Said mage opened his grimoire and opened what looked like a portal of some sorts. Maryam blinked at in in wonder as her brother kept struggling in Yami's grip behind her.

"Wow, how cool!" Asta said. "W-what is that?"

He then grunted in pain when Yami increased the pressure on his skull, which he could feel groaning in protest.

"Obviously, you can't fly on a broom," Yami said. "So, you're going to have to learn some kind of movement spell. Oh, right, you don't have any magic power! Bahaha!"

"Uh, excuse me, Captain Yami, this is a pretty sizeable gate to keep open for so long," Finral said. "Can you hurry up and go through already?"

Yami's laughter stopped abruptly as he turned to glare darkly over at Finral who flinched.

"It almost sounded like you were telling me what to do." Yami said. "Suck it up. Dig deep and push your limits."

He then threw Asta through the portal as Finral whimpered at his harsh words. Maryam tilted her head when Asta disappeared then blinked when Yami lifted her up next.

"You too, Pipsqueak," he said then tossed her. "Move your ass."

Maryam squealed at being thrown as she passed through the portal. Though unlike Asta who landed on his face, Maryam landed on her feet beside Asta who pushed himself partially off of the ground. They both looked up at the large, oddly shaped house as the others came through the portal behind them.

"Alright, the Black Bulls hideout." Asta said as Maryam helped him to his feet.

"Nice, huh?" Yami said. "We've got a snazzy place."

"Yep, crumbling bricks and all." Finral agreed.

Maryam didn't comment as she continued to look up at the hideout…her new home.

"As of today, it's going to be our place too," Asta said as he looked at Maryam with a grin.

He then ran forward to the front door with Maryam following at a slower pace beside Yami. Asta threw the door open and took a deep breath.

"I'm one of the newest members of this squad!" Asta declared. "Fresh from Hage village! Ast—!"

He never finished his sentence as an explosion went off that sent Asta flying backwards.

"Ah, Asta!" Maryam exclaimed in worry as Asta hit the ground.

As she stood there wondering if he was okay, Yami turned around unfazed and grinned at the two newest recruits.

"This is us," Yami said. "The worst of the worst magic knight squads. Welcome to the Black Bulls."

Maryam turned back to the building as more fire billowed out from the front door.

'Maybe I did pick the wrong squad,' She thought as she sweat-dropped. 'Well, no time for regrets now.'

She then sensed mana coming in their direction again, which is why she grabbed Asta, who was charging the place in his typical 'I'm not done yet' manner, to jerk him out of the way. He gasped when a fireball went whizzing right by them.

"Maybe you should let me go first, Asta," Maryam suggested as Asta clung to her with wide eyes.

"Yeah, uh, good thinking," he said as he released his hold on her.

Maryam pulled out her grimoire while using the same spell as before. The blazing tulip appeared again, but Yami took notice that it didn't appear as tiny as it had before. His brow quirked at this.

"Can you take care of the fire, Blazy?" Maryam asked as she patted the flower's petals fondly.

The flower nodded before moving forward to suck down all the fire that was between them and the door. It grew the more it consumed until the fire was finally gone. Maryam, who sent Blazy away, stepped forward into the building with her eyes taking in the chaos.

"Okay, now I'm real mad!" A loud boy with two-toned hair shouted to a blonde who was floating up in the air. "You ready to take me on?!"

"Not really!" The blonde called back. "But let's go!"

The two-toned hair boy shouted as he started hitting fireball after fireball at the blonde who dodged using what looked to be some kind of lightning magic. Maryam blinked thinking that maybe she shouldn't have sent Blazy away. Her eyes then fell on a half-naked woman that sat up on one of the couches, which had Maryam covering Asta's eyes.

"Oh, why is it so loud in here?" The woman grumbled. "Should have skipped those extra drinks. My head is killing me."

Maryam then looked to the small girl stuffing her face a few tables away before her eyes fell on a man, whose nose was bleeding as he stared into a mirror. His expression was blissful before turning to face those causing chaos behind him.

"Enough!" He shouted. "Shut up! Damn you!"

There was then a very large man in the back with smoke billowing from his mouth that Maryam just couldn't get a read on.

'And I thought Finral and Gordon were a bit weird,' She thought. 'But these guys…they're absolutely insane.'

Coco: The Black Bulls sure know how to make first impressions, don't they? Next chapter, Maryam will be going through her baptism alongside Asta. Not sure if I'll have Magna test her or not. Haven't made up my mind yet. The only other person who I think would be willing to play baptism is Luck though, and I'm not sure if I want to put Maryam through a death match with him just yet XD

Anyway, as always, I hope you guys remember to stay safe and keep being your beautiful selves. Until we meet again, my friends~