SailorStar9: After getting Chapter 20 out, this is Chapter 21 of this fic. (Sighs) Guys and girls, is it too hard for you to leave a review, instead of just putting this fic up on your favorited list and story alerts?
Disclaimers: I own nothing, except for the plot bunny and my OC.
Chapter 21: Two New Stars
Sometime later...
"Everyone, thank you for gathering today." on stage, Julius announced over the microphone.
"It's the Wizard King." a citizen pointed. "And is that..."
"Freyja-sama?" the woman beside him gasped.
"This year, I'll be announcing the Magic Knights Squads' achievements myself." Julius declared. "After the results are announced, the King will also make an appearance, so please look forward to that. Now that, as you all know, our Clover Kingdom has been battling invasion attempts from both the Diamond and Spade Kingdoms, as well as a new terrorist group called the Eye of the Midnight Sun. The royal capital was attacked and many lives were lost. Lady Freyja and myself even considered canceling the Star Festival this year. But it's because of all these events that we wanted to commend the courageous men and women who fought against them and decided to hold the festival. Now then, let's welcome them, our nine Magic Knights Squads Captains whom we hold in the highest esteem." on cue, the Captains, minus Yami and Charlotte, stepped into the light. "The Captain of the Silver Eagles, Nozel Silva. Captain of the Green Praying Mantises, Jack the Ripper. Captain of the Coral Peacock, Dorothy Unsworth. Captain of the Aqua Deer, Rill Boismortier. The new Captain of the Crimson Lion Kings, Mereoleona Vermillion. The new Captain of the Purple Orcas, Kaiser Granvorka. And last but not least, the Captain of the Golden Dawn, William Vangeance."
"And even after we repeatedly reminded them to be on time." Rhiannon sighed. "I know it's normal for Yami, but Charlotte..."
"Anyway, let's announce the ranking." Julius continued. "In first place, the Golden Dawn." he declared and pulled out the entire list of achievements. "The number of stars they accumulated is an astounding 125. That's a huge jump from their record of 96 from last year. The Golden Dawn did excellent work yet again this year. Now, let's have the member who made the biggest contribution of stars take the stage. The promising newcomer attended by Sylph, the Wind Spirit, Yuno. Next in second place, the Black Bulls. They managed to accumulate 101 stars." again, the entire list of achievements was pulled out.
"I truly understand everyone's surprise." Rhiannon took over. "Considering the Black Bulls made their unprecedented record last year by getting a negative 50 stars. However, this year is different. Thye had advanced by leaps and bounds to this far up the ranks. One of their most impressive members is their newcomer... even though their Captain isn't even present. Can any member of the Black Bulls respond?"
"Hime-sama's calling you, kid." Yami pulled the Black Bulls' uniform over Asta's head and tossed him onto the stage.
Reacting quickly, Asta pulled out the Demon-Slayer Sword to cushion his fall.
"Asta, looks like you guys got a lot of stars." Yuno remarked. "Don't let it get into your head, though."
"Look who's talking." Asta fired back. "Your Squad won and even broke your last record. I'm gonna get twice the amount of stars you do the next time."
"Then, I'll get double that." Yuno stated.
"Then, I'll get five times that." Asta retorted.
"That was quite an entrance." Julius cut in before the sibling squabble could escalate. "This is the rookie who worked the hardest out of the Black Bulls this past year, Asta. Yuno and Asta placed first and second in obtaining stars among all the rookies. They're the new rising stars. In only six months since they joined the Magic Knights, they've both built up magnificent records. On top of that, they're childhood friends and they're both sixteen."
"I wonder what noble families they're from." a spectator wondered.
"Apparently, they're both peasants from the boonies." Sekke revealed. "Not to mention Asta doesn't have any magic."
"What's with these people." Sylph pouted.
"Sylph, I'll release your restrains for a while." a silently fuming Rhiannon informed the Wind Spirit. "Yuno-nii, you know what to do."
"You read my mind, Rhiannon." Yuno agreed. "Bell, full power."
"I wouldn't have it any other way." Sylph grinned and powered up, adding to Yuno's already impressive mana.
"Asta, doesn't this remind you of the training we did when we were little?" Yuno reminded. Turning to the Anti-Magic user, he charged up a 'Gale White Bow' and fired the wind-powered arrow, Asta countering with the 'Demon-Slayer Sword' and completely nullifying the attack.
"Now that you've seen their powers, if any of you still doubt their achievements, please come forward." Julius voiced. "It's true that they are both peasants, but they've worked harder than anyone to get here. Proud citizens of the Clover Kingdom, a round of applause for these two new Magic Knights. And let us overcome our differences in status, band together and lead our country to victory. Now that you're all fired up, I'll announce the remaining ranking. In third place, the Silver Eagles; they earned 95 stars. In fourth place, the Blue Rose Knights; they earned 83 stars. In fifth place, the Crimson Lion Kings; they earned 76 stars. In sixth place, the Green Praying Mantis; they earned 69 stars. In seventh place, the Coral Peacocks; they earned 67 stars. In eighth place, the Purple Orcas; they earned 51 stars. In ninth place, the Aqua Deer; they earned 49 stars. This concludes the announcement of the Magic Knights Squads achievements."
"To all the Squads, please continue your heard work next year." Rhiannon encouraged. "Now that the achievement announcement is over, this is the moment everyone has been waiting for: the arrival of our beloved King of the Clover Kingdom."
"Now, my citizens, revere me." King Augustus Kira Clover XIII made his appearance and posed. "My wonderful citizens, how are you doing today? I am the King of the Clover Kingdom, Augustus Kira Clover the 13th. Revere me more, would you?" he demanded, displeased with the lackluster response. "I am the King! The King! I'm the most important person in this whole Kingdom. Behold this sublime mana that's been passed down from generations. My thoughts, my appearance, everything about me is righteous. I am greater than any Wizard King."
"Augustus-heika, please calm down." Rhiannon whispered.
"My loyal citizens, I have an announcement to make." Augustus composed himself. "The Eye of the Midnight Sun's hideout has been located. Until now, they've attacked us many times and they had the upper hand in every battle. But things are different now. We are going to launch an all-out attack on the enemy. To that end, I have decided to gather an even more select group from the Magic Knights to form the ultimate hand-picked unit. They will be called the Royal Knights. A week from now, I will hold an exam for all Magic Knights. Only those who pass this exam will be allowed to join my Royal Knights. And then, we will destroy the Eye of the Midnight Sun. Magic Knights, offer up your Grimoires in service to this Kingdom."
After the ceremony...
"Becoming Royal Knights will be a step closer to becoming Wizard King." Rhiannon told her two adoptive brothers. "Remember, as amazing as you two are, you're still rookies. Plenty of tough veterans are going to show up at the selection tests; much tougher than those you've encountered."
"If we fail, it just means that we weren't up to the task." Yuno stated.
"You absolute imbeciles!" the three adoptive siblings walked in onto Mereoleona's rant on her Squad. "The Crimson Lion Kings placed fifth? What kind of travesty is this? Do you want me to kill you all right here, right now before you even have a chance to die on a mission?"
"We just stumbled onto a major bloodbath?" Asta gawked.
"Ara,Mereoleona-shisho." Rhiannon blinked.
SailorStar9: Now that's done, read and review.
