SailorStar9: After getting Chapter 1 out, this is Chapter 2 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 2: The Road to the Wizard King

With the Captains...

"Could it be some kind of creation magic?" Finral wondered. "Judging from the other parts of the exam, it doesn't seem like he had that much magic power."

"He's not using magic." Yami refuted. Actually, maybe it's not that he's not using magic. It's that he doesn't have any magical power. Come to think of it, I didn't sense any mana from him. And yet he wants to be the Wizard King? Looks like we got a strange one on our hands.

In the battle arena...

"Yuno, wasn't it?" Salim approached his 'victim'. "You seem to have a hard time finding an opponent. Why don't you pair up with me?"

Yuno accepted the challenge and headed to the arena.

"You may be chosen by the four-leaf, but you are no noble." Salim was confident. "I'll show you just how far below us nobles you are, both in status and power. And of course, in wealth, too."

"Begin." the referee started the match.

"You should know that's it's an honor just to be able to fight the great Salim de Hapshass." Salim remarked. "You can tell the tale for the rest of your life when you go back to your village. I'll at least treat you to a noble's ultimate attack: the God of Lightning Rising Salim. I'll even pay for your trip back home." he then sent the ball of lightning towards Yuno.

"Wind Magic: Towering Tornado." Yuno countered, blocking the lightning sphere. The powerful gust of wind even blew Salim out of the arena.

Later that evening...

"This concludes the exam." William informed the participants. "Now, candidates whose numbers are called, please step forward."

"The Squad Captains will raise their hands if they would like you to join their Squads." Charlotte took over. "The candidates will decide if they would like to accept or decline. And if they are chosen by more than one Captain, they may choose which Squad they'd like to join."

"But if no one raises their hand, that candidate will not join the Magic Knights." Fuegoleon reminded.

"And you will leave immediately." Nozel declared.

"Candidate#1, step forward." the referee instructed. "Number 32, no offers." he continued down the candidate list number 40, no offers. Number 45, no offers. Number 67, no offers. Number 71, Purple Orcas. Number 78."

"I will welcome him." Fuegoleon raised his hand.

"The Crimson Lion Kings." the referee declared. "Number 99, the Coral Peacocks." he noticed Dorothy raising her hand. "Number 116, no offers. Number 141, no offers. Next, #164. All who wish to offer, please raise your hand." he requested, Yuno stepping forward and all nine Squad Captains raised their hands in unison.

"Please allow me to join the Golden Dawn." Yuno requested.

"Next, #165." the referee continued. "All who wish to offer, please raise your hand." "Number 165, no offers."

"Not yet." Asta stood firm. "I'm not done yet."

"That's no surprise." Yami spoke up. "No matter how high your combat skills are, if the source of your power is unknown, no one wants anything to do with it. In the end, the only thing desired from a Magic Knight is their magical power." he flared up his Mana Skin, the sheer pressure causing the arena to rock and the former citizen of Hino Country jumped down to meet Asta face-to-face. "And since you have no magical power, no one wants you. That's the cruel reality. You said earlier that you wanted to become the Wizard King, right? Which means you have to surpass the nine Captains here. Now that I'm standing before you, do you still have the nerve to say that you're going to be the Wizard King, even without any magical power?"

"Even if I can't join the Magic Knights today, no matter how many times I fail, no matter what anyone says to me, I'll still become the Wizard King someday." Asta declared.

"You're funny, kid." Yami burst out laughing. "Join my Squad. I'm telling you that I'll let you join the Black Bulls. By the way, declining isn't an option." he glared. "That alright with you, Hime-sama?" He turned to Rhiannon.

"Do as you wish." Rhiannon gave the Dark Magic user the go-ahead.

"I'll make life miserable for you in the Black Bulls that you'll be torn to shreds, so be ready to that." Yami turned back to his new recruit. "And then, someday, become the Wizard King."

Behind her screen...

I'm leaving Asta-nii to you, Captain Yami. Rhiannon smiled, before noticing the anti-bird perched on the stadium roof.

Much later...

"Number 512, no offers." the referee ended the roll call. "This concludes the Magic Knights Entrance Exam."

That night...

Rhiannon was soaking in her bathtub when Secre, in her anti-bird form, landed on the windowsill. "It's been a while, Secre." she greeted the Seal Mage who then fluttered to land on her outstretched finger. "You're sticking to Asta-nii then. Take care of him."

SailorStar9: Now that's done, read and review.