Magic of Hard Work and Never Giving Up
"What?! Are you for real?" Asta was shocked to hear what Laphicet just told him. And being loud like before.
"I know it's hard to believe given how much he's been hanging around you and being all "Nice", I'm afraid that's his only reason." Laphicet said.
"Oh man, I can't believe that guy would use me like that. It makes me so mad!" Asta was angered.
"Which is why you're going to show him you're not weak, that you do have what it takes to become a Magic Knight!" Laphicet smiled with a fist on Asta's chest.
"Oh, you better believe I'm going to show him what I'm capable and that I have what I takes to become the Wizard King!" Asta was determined to get through this exam and become a Magic Knight.
"That's the spirit." Laphicet smiled.
"Hey Sekke, I hope you're ready for the biggest fight because I'm not going to hold anything back!" Asta walked up to Sekke.
"That's wonderful to hear. I look forward to seeing what you can do." Sekke said.
Laphicet can definitely tell that Sekke isn't the nice guy as he claims to be and he can tell how this fight is gonna go down, he just has to hope that he'll be able to do his best in his own fight.
"We're ready for the first bout. Let's go." The referee announced.
"We're coming!" Asta said as he and Sekke make their way to center of the arena.
"Be honest with me, Yuno. Does Asta even stand the slightest chance since he doesn't have any magic power at all, he has failed the other tests and the captains all saw that too." Rinwell asked Yuno for his opinion.
"He'll win, definitely." Yuno answered simply.
"The fuck…?! You're serious?" Rinwell was shocked to hear that.
"I've known Asta since we were raised together in the same village. He's never been the type of guy to give up, no matter how hard things get nor how many times the world tries to make him give up, Asta will keep getting back up and strikes back stronger than ever with his determination and willpower. He has also been training himself nonstop with his physical body to make himself strong enough to stand against other wizards." Yuno explained about Asta's way of life.
"Wow, you really believe Asta can do the impossible." Rinwell was amazed at how much faith he has in Asta.
"I do, which is why I need to work harder too, getting stronger to make my way to meet him all the way to the top where we will decide which one of us will become the Wizard King." Yuno smiled.
"(It's crazy, most who are born with no magic power are regarded as freaks and outcasts, but this is completely different with Asta.)" Rinwell thought looked at Asta with a serious yet gentle look on his face.
"(He's determined to live and become a Magic Knight.)" Rinwell thought was amazed.
"(Makes me wonder what Laphicet's reason to become a Magic Knight.)" Rinwell thought looked over to Laphicet.
"You got this, Asta." Laphicet whispered.
"Time to show everyone what I can do, including you." Asta said to Sekke.
"Stop trying so hard. It's almost getting painful to watch." Sekke laughed as he places a hand on his shoulder and laughs a little.
"You're just a grubby little gutter rat who's way out of his dept." Sekke insulted, now revealing his true colors.
"I guess I should thank you for sticking around and making me look good. Once I'm chosen by a squad, I plan to kick up my heels and enjoy the ride. It's going to be so much fun." Sekke smirked.
"Just like Laphicet said, you really were just trying to use me." Asta said, surprising Sekke.
"He said that you were only pretending to be nice to me just to make yourself look better while doing the exams. Just to score yourself a place in a squad, and it you just confirmed it." Asta explained.
"I see, so the little brat is smarter than he looks." Sekke glanced at Laphicet.
"But it doesn't matter if you know or not. You're still going to lose like the waste of space that you are." Sekke smirked.
"Now. Let's get this over with, shall we? Then you can scurry on home to the garbage heap you came from and get back to whatever pitiful excuse for a life you have left." Sekke insulted as he walks away from Asta.
"You'll be surprised of how giant things come in very small packages." Asta said.
"Asta is going to win this." Laphicet said.
"Hold on, you actually believe in that weak idiot?" One boy with red hair asked in shock.
"I do, you'll see it for yourself." Laphicet nodded.
"Alright, seems like Laphicet has taken an interest in this Asta boy. Let see what he brings to the table." Magilou said, going to watch this match very carefully.
"Now, begin." The referee signaled the start of the match.
"Hope you don't mind that I won't be pulling any punches. Let's do this, Asta!" Sekke said with his Grimoire out and surrounded himself inside a magic barrier with little cannons from all sides.
"Is that his magic?" Rinwell asked.
"Bronze Creation Magic: Sekke Magnum Cannon Ball!" Sekke smirked.
"A defensive spell that can also do offense. That's creative, I'll give him that. But the name itself suck as shit…" Rinwell commented on Sekke's magic spell.
"(What do you think of this, captains? The bronze magic power I've crafted is dual purpose. It protects me and attacks with magic bullets. It will fend off his pathetic attacks showing off my skills at defense. Then, the second he's exhausted, I'll go on the offensive and shoot.)" Sekke thought bragged about his magic and his plan to beat Asta.
"That seems like some fairly high-level magic for an examinee." Finral was impressed with that guy's magic.
"He looks like an insect, though. A big, spiny pillbug." Yami commented.
"Come on, don't get shy on me now." Sekke taunted mockingly.
"(Good. Watching him struggle should liven things up.)" Sekke thought believed this could be a little entertaining for the crowd and the captains.
Laphicet, Yuno, and Rinwell can see that Sekke is underestimating Asta as they're about to see what he's going to do.
"Okay. Here we go." Asta said with his Grimoire out.
With the mighty strength in his legs, Asta sprints straight for Sekke while getting out his big black sword from the Grimoire.
"(He's quick. Fast Movement Magic?)" William thought shocked to see how fast that boy was moving.
"(No magical enhancements here. This kid is just in crazy good shape.)" Yami thought impressed with the kid's strength.
Asta appeared in front of the dome and swings his big black sword down against Sekke easily breaking through the magic defense and slamming the ass-jerk down into the ground causing cracks and a little shockwave.
"WHAAAT?!" The examinees were shocked, including Rinwell.
Yuno and Laphicet are the only ones smiling that Asta was able to show that Sekke jerk that he is much stronger than he mocked him to be weak, and now has paid the price for his arrogance.
"Unlike you, Sekke, I'm not joining the Magic Knights just so I can slack off and have a little fun. I got a much bigger goal." Asta said to the knocked-out Sekke as he places his sword on his shoulder.
"I'm gonna be the Wizard King." Asta declared his goal out loud.
"(That Grimoire.)" William thought noticed something about that Grimoire that feels familiar.
"Hey." Yami smirked, really liking this kid already.
"Holy shit lord! That kid is something else, it's almost like he has the power to cut through magic itself and yet he doesn't have any drop of magic at all." Magilou was surprised.
"No way! He really did that… All without any magic power at all!" Rinwell was shocked that she almost fell on her knees.
"(He's not the one who will defeat you, Asta. I am.)" Yuno thought smiled, glad to see Asta can finally show everyone what he can do.
"Is that a magic sword?" One guy asked.
"So, he's not just some poor reject from the sticks. What's his deal?" Another guy was absolutely shocked to see this kid win with just one move.
"Who is he?"
"And that stuff he said… About the Wizard King…"
"That's right, you heard me. I'm gonna become the Wizard King, you got it?! Is there a problem with that?" Asta yelled seriously.
Hearing him talk about becoming the Wizard King is pathetic coming from a poor kid just because he got one lucky shot in, mocking him for being an idiot to not know the reality.
"You guys are the ones who's pathetic." Laphicet said, getting some of their attention.
"If you guys laugh at someone who is dead serious about his dreams, then you all are the weakest ones." Laphicet stated harshly.
That sets off some angry moods on some of the examinees as they yell at Laphicet, but he didn't care as he looks at Asta with his kind smile.
Then some medical wizards came in to help take Sekke away from the center of the arena.
"Huh. Creation Magic, I'd wager." Finral guessed.
"Impressive moves." Gordon commented whispering.
"Based on the other tests, I would've never expected him to have that much magic power." Finral said to his captain.
"Yeah, well… Ha. He didn't use magic power. I mean, it's not so much that didn't use it. More like he doesn't have it." Yami pointed out which only confuses Finral.
"(Matter of fact, I didn't pick up on any mana before.)" Yami thought recalled how he grabbed that kid's head when he bumped into him earlier before the exam started.
"(But he sayin's he's gonna be the Wizard King? Huh. We got ourselves a real odd duck here.)" Yami thought believed this kid could be something worthwhile.
"Hey Captain Jack, did you see the way that kid easily cut through that other kid's magic barrier with just a swing of his sword? And that speed, I say that was pure strength." The guy standing next to Jack pointed out.
"Big deal, I can cut through no problem." Jack stated.
"True, but the kid did it without any magical powers and that sword of his… It's special, really special, like it has the power to cut through magic itself." The man mentioned.
"This is the first time you've seen very interested in someone, much less a kid." Jack said.
"I know a good potential swordsman when I see one. And who knows, maybe he could even cut your magic as well." The man smirked.
"Oh, now that is interesting. You best be right about that." Jack laughed a little.
"I bet my life on it or else I would throw away the name of Rokurou Rangetsu." Rokurou staked his name for that with a smirk.
Rokurou Rangetsu has mid-length, spiky and black hair which covers the right portion of his face (specifically to cover his right eye). His hair is tied into a low-ponytail and each strand of hair flicks out. The right side of his face is covered with markings that had appeared after the Scarlet Moon and continues lower down on his body. He wears black legwarmers, pale-lilac samurai pants and woven robes. Another layer of a dark purple robe is worn over and tied around his waist. The purple layer of clothing has orange as its inverted colour. He wears a chest-plate guard and presumably something of the similar sort for his arms, which is finished off by a thick, plated shoulder-guard. He has a strap attached to his torso which he hangs his sword on the back of. Rokurou also wears traditional sandal footwear for that of samurais, with straps and socks. He also wears the green vest of the Green Mantis squad.
"Well then, let see Yami can top that." Jack glanced smirking at Yami.
"Huh, Captain Yami, I think Captain Jack is looking this way at you." Finral alerted.
"Oh, is he now?" Yami looked back at Jack with a slight glare. Guessing that it might be about the first fight and the kid who won.
"Asta, that was awesome! You really showed Sekke what you're made of!" Laphicet complimented to Asta.
"Thanks, and thanks for warning me about Sekke. That asshole was definitely not friendly." Asta said.
"Hey, what are friends for." Laphicet smiled.
"So, you're serious about the Wizard King? That's the greatest and highest level of honor to represent the kingdom, just below the King himself." Laphicet asked.
"You bet I am, it's something I decided a long time ago in order to help the church I was raised in live a better life and to show everyone that I have what is takes!" Asta explained his reasons.
"(Such a strong noble reason, it makes me want to support him.)" Laphicet thought smiled.
"That sword of yours, it came from your Grimoire. Does it have any special abilities?" Laphicet asked curiously, looking at the big sword.
"Not sure, all I know it's part of my Grimoire and I think I can cut through magic which is pretty cool." Asta explained on what he does know.
"Cutting through magic, that would mean you have some kind of… Anti-Magic power." Laphicet theorized.
"Whoa, that sounds so cool!" Asta was impressed with the name.
"Next pair, please step up." The referee called out.
"Hey kid, you're battling me." One noble girl demanded at Laphicet as she walks past him.
"Oh, looks like you're next." Asta said.
"Looks like it. Wish me luck." Laphicet readied himself.
"Hey, Laphicet. My Magic is never giving up." Asta said his famous words.
Laphicet didn't know why exactly, but he can feel himself being hyped up even more and burning with confidence and determination to win this match.
"Hurry up, we don't have all day." The noble girl demanded and Laphicet get into position.
"Now, begin." The referee signaled the start of the second match.
(Music: Star Light Star Bright, nano)
"Unlike Sekke, I'm not going to waste my time by standing around." The noble girl glared at Laphicet as her Grimoire glows gold.
"Gold Creation Magic: Golden Bullets!" The noble girl fired bullets made of gold.
Laphicet isn't worried about the projectiles coming at him and he forms a silver flaming wall that protected him from the attack, then sends the flaming wall right at her.
"Shit!" The noble girl quickly jumps out of the way.
"A unique fire magic user, a silver flame one." Fuegolen was interested in this one.
"Gold Magic: Spike Eruption!" The noble girl sends in a wave of golden spikes at Laphicet.
"Silver Flame Magic: Frigid Pillar!" Laphicet slammed his hand onto the ground and spikes of silver flames came at the gold attack.
Both attacks clash at each other that they appear to be even, but Laphicet smirks as he puts in a little more mana for his attack to break through and lands on the noble girl.
"What the fuck… How exactly is fire able to break through gold? It doesn't make any sense?" The noble girl asked angrily.
"My magic doesn't just break through your gold; it also creates an intense heat that your gold couldn't withstand." Laphicet pointed at the battlefield to show the melted gold turning into little puddles.
"Wow, Laphicet's fire is even hotter to melt gold!" Rinwell was impressed.
"You little shit… You're just a commoner, you don't deserve to be a Magic Knight." The noble girl gritted her teeth and starts channeling her mana for one strong spell.
"Gold Creation Magic: Golden Harsh Judgement Fist!" The noble girl launched a big golden gauntlet fist to pound him into the ground.
"Silver Flame Creation Magic: Hell Trident!" Laphicet conjured his fire into a giant trident with the two sides being like bat-like wings.
The two attacks clash at each other like the last ones causing a strong wind coming from them as the noble girl appears to be pushing him back.
"Come on, Laphicet! Don't let that bitch win here! You have your own dream, don't you?" Asta cheered for Laphicet.
"Just give up!" The noble girl shouted.
"Sorry, but… Giving up isn't what I do!" Laphicet shouted back and starts unleashing more of his power, causing his attack to push the golden gauntlet back while slowly melting through until it went through heading for the noble girl who gasped in fear and got hit with an explosion.
The smoke cleared away showing the noble girl is on the ground unconscious and her clothes are covered in burn marks.
"I win!" Laphicet jumped with joy.
"Wow, that was amazing! I just suddenly felt a new inspiration of art bursting inside of me!" Rill excitedly.
KO a new chapter is done and hope you all enjoy it!
Asta and Laphicet certainly showed everyone what they are capable of which should make some good impressions on the captains, and bet you guys were surprised that I have Rokuro being a Magic Knight for the Green Mantis squad.
KO comment, favorite, and follow through of how this story will go!