SailorStar9: After getting Chapter 23 out, this is Chapter 24 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 24: Royal Knights Selection Exam
Sometime later...
"Thank you for gathering today." Julius addressed the assembled Magic Knights. "Now, let us begin the Royal Knights Selection Exam."
"I shall explain the details of the exam." Augustus stepped forward. "The exam will consist of a team competition: a magic crystal destruction battle tournament. The rules are simple. Protect your own team's crystal, which will be placed in your arena and destroy the other team's crystal. The first team to do this wins. If no team is able to destroy a crystal within the 30-minute time limit, the one that has done the most damage to its target wins. We've chosen this format because..."
"In the battles against the Eye of the Midnight Sun, several teams will have to work together." Rhiannon took over. "We figured this would be the best way to measure the cooperation and strategy skills you'll request at times like that, rather than using brute force. Now, allow us to announce the teams." with a snap of her fingers, she summoned the team listing.
"My bad." taking on Xerx Lugner's name, Zora Ideale voiced. "I'm a little late. But I bet our gracious Freyja-hime will forgive me for being a tiny bit late." he jumped down from the wall and lanced beside Rhiannon.
"Welcome back." Rhiannon smiled.
"I just happened to run into a little old lady in distress. I helped her, since I'm a Magic Knight, so I ended up being a little late." Zora explained.
"Is the old lady alright?" Rhiannon inquired.
"She's doing great." Zora responded.
"Step away, you cur." Marx growled.
"Come on now." Zora chided, dodging Marx's attack. "That's not very nice. What's the big idea?"
"That would be my line." Marx fired back. "Xerx Lugner? But that's... Freyja-sama?" he blinked when Rhiannon raised a hand to cut him off.
"Looks like he gave himself a rather drastic makeover after that long expedition." Julius mused.
"Asta-nii and that man's son." Rhiannon noted. "An interesting team-up."
"Let's head to the main stage." Julius declared. "Cob, I'm counting on you."
"Yes sir." Cob Portaport saluted and opened up a portal.
At the battle arena...
"This is the stage for the crystal destruction tournament?" Asta gawked at the seemingly boundary-less area.
"The battlefield has a wide range of different areas." Julius explained. "Use them to display your powers to the fullest. Here's the tournament chart, which we determined by lottery in advance. Battle wins and losses won't directly affect whether you pass or fail. That said, the more you win, the more you'll be able to show your true skills. Since you have the chance, I hope you all strive to win. Right now, we're about to begin Round One. You may attack your opponents."
"However, it goes without saying to make sure you guys don't kill each other." Rhiannon cautioned. "That being said, we've a high-level recovery mage on standby, so fight to your hearts' content. Long time no see, Charmy." she greeted the half dwarf who had made herself comfortable on her lap, the reborn Goddess was seated on her highchair as they waited for the first round to begin.
SailorStar9: Now that's done, read and review.
