Chapter 75: Graveyard of Dreams

"I've returned, guys…" Lars chuckled sheepishly as he walked through the doors of the common room.

To his surprise, for midday, it was surprisingly quiet in the Coral Peacocks base. Lars looked throughout the base, searching every room for people until eventually, he sensed some mind energy emanating from Kirsch's office.

Tentatively opening the door, he found the vice captain manipulating some cherry blossoms into different shapes, making them fly across the room with no apparent intention. Dorothy was sitting in the corner of his office on a large armchair that looked suspiciously like it had come from her Glamour World, peacefully snoozing.

"Good afternoon, Kirsch," Lars said, leaning lazily against the wall.

"Lars, my friend! I'm sure you're happy to be back in my beautiful presence once again. I thought your little hot spring excursion ended a few days ago, however?" Kirsch said, raising an eyebrow dramatically and flicking his hair, causing some stray cherry blossoms on his desk to scatter around the room.

"I went out to do some individual training," Lars replied matter-of-factly. "My spells still need refinement, and the Royal Knights Selection Exam is in a few days."

Lars exchanged a glance with Kirsch as Dorothy shifted in her chair, muttering something unintelligible in her sleep. The room was filled with the faint aroma of cherry blossoms, an ambiance Kirsch likely considered "perfectly curated."

"Well, Lars," Kirsch began, his voice as theatrical as ever, "it's commendable that you're taking your training so seriously. After all, we can't all be blessed with the natural beauty and brilliance I possess. But tell me, how is it faring with your sister? Frida, wasn't it? Your little… sibling rivalry is quite the story around here."

Lars sighed, his gaze dropping to the floor. "Frida is… Frida. She's always been stronger, faster, better. I'm not even sure if I'll ever catch up to her. She sees me as a failure. Always has."

Kirsch tilted his head thoughtfully, for once showing a rare moment of sincerity. "Your sister's strength isn't everything, Lars. I may be the epitome of perfection, but even I know that strength doesn't always win battles—strategy, wit, and conviction do. You're not a failure; you're simply walking your own path. She may not see it now, but in time, she will."

Lars blinked, surprised at the uncharacteristically wise advice. "That's… actually insightful, Kirsch."

"Of course, it is," Kirsch said, his usual flamboyance returning in full force as he flourished his hands. "Now, go make sure my brilliance wasn't wasted on you. Reflect, meditate, and perhaps bask in your vice captain's glory before you leave."

Lars chuckled, shaking his head. "Thanks, Kirsch. I mean it."

With that, he excused himself and stepped out into the afternoon sun. The warmth of the day was soothing as he made his way to a clearing he'd claimed for his training sessions. The grass was flattened in spots, the evidence of countless sparring sessions, and the faint scorch marks on the rocks bore witness to his fiery determination.

Lars adjusted his grip on his glaive, his sharp gaze locked onto the group of mercenaries. The leader, a burly man with a scar running across his cheek, stepped forward. His armor clinked softly with every move, and his eyes held a mixture of weariness and determination.

"Lars Mertens," the man called, his voice firm but not without hesitation. "Your father, Ellion Mertens, demands your return to the household. We are instructed to bring you back, preferably unharmed."

Lars tightened his jaw, his knuckles whitening around his glaive. "I've told him before, and I'll tell you now—I'm never going back. Whatever he's planning, whatever control he thinks he has over me, it's over."

The leader frowned, shifting uncomfortably. "This isn't a negotiation. You come with us quietly, or we'll have to—"

"Try me," Lars interrupted, his voice laced with icy defiance. His mana flared, rippling through the clearing as the tension thickened.

The mercenaries hesitated for a fraction of a second, but it was enough for Lars to take the initiative. With a deft movement, he planted the glaive into the ground and activated Mana Zone. The air around him crackled with condensed magical energy, and the terrain itself seemed to shift under his command.

The first mercenary lunged with a sword imbued with fire magic, but Lars was already in motion. He sidestepped gracefully, his glaive sweeping upward in a fluid arc to deflect the strike. Infinite Thought Shield materialized around him, blocking an incoming volley of wind projectiles from another assailant.

The battle intensified. The mercenaries, though skilled, were unprepared for Lars' mastery of the battlefield. One of them attempted to ensnare him with Earth Magic, the ground beneath him erupting into jagged spikes, but Lars leaped into the air, using Mana Zone to manipulate his telekinesis and propel himself higher. From his elevated position, he slashed downward with his glaive, Telekinetic Sweep shattering the spikes and knocked the earth mage off balance.

As he landed, the leader barked an order. "Don't hold back! Subdue him now!"

The mercenaries regrouped, their spells coordinated and fierce. Fireballs, wind blades, and earth constructs surged toward Lars in a relentless onslaught. He pivoted and spun his glaive, his movements a seamless blend of offense and defense. With every swing, his weapon seemed to cut through not just the spells but the confidence of his attackers.

Lars pressed forward, his attacks precise and unyielding. A mercenary with lightning-imbued daggers charged at him, hoping to exploit a blind spot. Lars countered with a swift horizontal slash, the glaive's blade crackling with mana as it deflected the daggers and sent the assailant sprawling.

But then, the air shifted. A sharp, metallic hum pierced the cacophony of battle, drawing Lars' attention to the leader. In his hand was a small, rune-etched device glowing with a sinister light.

"This isn't over," the leader said grimly. "Ellion Mertens sends his regards."

Before Lars could react, the device emitted a pulse of mana that rippled through the clearing. The mercenaries froze for a moment, their eyes flickering with hesitation before their expressions turned cold and determined.

"Kill him," Ellion's voice commanded, resonating from the device.

Lars' chest tightened with fury. He had expected many things, but for his own father to order his death—this level of betrayal burned deeper than he anticipated.

"So, that's how far he's willing to go," Lars muttered, his grip on his glaive tightening. "Fine. Let's finish this."

The mercenaries unleashed a coordinated barrage of lethal spells, their hesitation replaced by ruthless precision. Fire and wind combined into a scorching whirlwind, while jagged pillars of earth erupted from the ground in an attempt to trap him.

Lars' Mana Zone flared brighter, the air around him humming with power. He spun his glaive in a wide arc, summoning a shimmering barrier of energy that deflected the whirlwind and shattered the earthen pillars. His focus sharpened as he calculated his next move, weaving through the attacks with agility and precision.

One mercenary attempted to flank him, a spear glowing with lightning aimed at his side. Lars sidestepped at the last moment, sweeping his glaive upward to disarm the attacker. He followed through with a swift kick, sending the mercenary sprawling.

The remaining opponents pressed on, but their efforts were futile against Lars' relentless assault. He moved with purpose, each strike of his glaive fueled by a mixture of rage and determination. When the final mercenary fell, the clearing was silent save for Lars' heavy breathing.

He stood amidst the debris of the battle, his glaive glowing faintly in the fading light. "Tell my father," he said coldly to the unconscious leader, "that I'm not his pawn. If he wants to face me, he can come himself."

Lars took a deep breath, his anger simmering beneath the surface. The battle had disrupted his training, but it had also steeled his resolve. He sheathed his glaive and resumed his drills, his movements sharper and more deliberate than before.

"I'll be ready," Lars murmured to himself. "For Frida, for Ellion, for anyone who dares stand in my way."

…

"Seems like I've visited this place a lot since I became a Magic Knight," Lars mused to Sharya, who shrugged.

"Kikka does that to you. It's a good place to visit, to be fair," the brunette replied, resting her hands behind her head in a manner reminiscent of Kian.

"And the food is simply delightful!" Ezequiel replied, the big man letting out a hearty laugh that echoed across the surprisingly empty streets.

"Of course food is the only thing on your mind," Amaryllis sighed.

"Hey, has anyone seen Ximena? She hasn't been at the base since the festival," Russell said, twirling his rapier.

"She said she'd be back as soon as the exam was," Theresa replied.

"Knowing Ximena, that's never going to happen," Elijah said. "She can't be on time for anything."

"You can't talk, brother," Malakai replied. "You weren't even on time for your own birth."

Everyone laughed as Elijah scratched his head sheepishly.

The group walked through Kikka's bustling streets, now eerily calm as the anticipation of the Royal Knights Selection Exam loomed overhead. Lars glanced at the towering silhouette of the Magic Knights Colosseum in the distance. Its imposing arches and intricate carvings reflected the prestige and the pressure of what lay ahead.

His hand instinctively brushed the shaft of his glaive as his thoughts turned inward.

This place has been a graveyard for my hopes more than once. Let's see if I can rewrite my story this time.

The Coral Peacocks arrived at the grand gates of the colosseum, joining the growing crowd of Magic Knights from various squads. The air buzzed with mana and unspoken rivalry, the calm before the storm of competition.

"Finally, the colosseum," Russell said, stretching his arms. "Feels like a battlefield already."

"It's more like a marketplace for arrogance," Amaryllis replied, her arms crossed.

"Speaking of arrogance…" Theresa muttered, tilting her head toward a rapidly approaching figure.

"Ah, my dear teammates, have no fear—your finest member has arrived!" declared a confident voice.

Ximena burst onto the scene, her blonde hair tied back in a loose ponytail, her ornate grimoire glowing faintly at her side. Her stride was bold, her smirk even bolder.

"The greatest Earth Magic user in the entire kingdom has deigned to join you at last," she said, striking a dramatic pose.

Russell's eye twitched. "You're late, as usual."

Ximena waved him off dismissively. "Punctuality is for the mundane. Besides, I'm here now, so you can stop worrying about the team's success."

"Success? With you? I'd rather trust Ezequiel's taste in restaurants," Russell shot back, earning a round of stifled laughter from the group.

Before Ximena could retort, Lilian appeared beside her with unsettling silence. She tilted her head, her innocent expression clashing with the sharp glint in her prism-colored eyes. "You know, Ximena, you might be the 'greatest Earth Magic user,' but if you keep talking, I might have to send you into the ground just to prove it."

Ximena blinked, momentarily taken aback, before letting out an awkward laugh. "Ah, Lilian, you're such a jokester!"

The group erupted into laughter, Ximena's bravado momentarily deflated.

"Lilian really doesn't miss," Sharya said, grinning.

As the group dispersed into smaller clusters, Lars' gaze was drawn to a familiar figure standing amidst the crowd. His sister, Frida, exuded her usual composed elegance, her crystalline grimoire shimmering at her side. Their eyes met, and the tension between them was palpable even amidst the bustling crowd.

"Lars," Frida greeted coolly, her sharp tone cutting through the chatter.

"Frida," Lars replied evenly, his glaive resting on his shoulder.

"This colosseum has been a graveyard for your ambitions before," Frida said, her lips curling into a faint smirk. "And it will be again. Mark my words, this is where your hopes will finally crumble."

Lars felt a flicker of anger rise but quickly tamped it down. "Funny," he retorted, his voice steady. "I was thinking the same thing about you."

Frida's smirk faltered, but before she could respond, Lars turned and walked away, leaving her standing amidst the crowd. The amethyst mage snarled and returned to her squad.

"Hey, Lars!" a familiar voice called.

He looked up to see Zoe, Cade, and Cara approaching, their expressions a mix of excitement and determination. Zoe was wearing the same fit she had at the escort mission, and Cade just wore the ordinary Green Mantis uniform. His eyes, however, immediately fell to Cara.

She was wearing a sleek, form-fitting outfit that contrasted sharply with the playful and messy clothes he remembered from their earlier days. Her usual red and orange hues had transformed into a more refined palette, with a deep crimson vest adorned with intricate gold stitching, matching the fiery locks that cascaded down her back in waves. The outfit was complemented by a set of black pants with silver accents, creating an elegant yet functional look that enhanced her confident stance.

Lars blinked in surprise, momentarily taken aback by how mature she looked now. Gone were the days of carefree tunics and oversized cardigans. She was no longer the mischievous girl he had once known.

Cara caught his surprised expression and grinned widely, her orange streaked hair catching the sunlight. "What, don't I look the part?" she teased, hands on her hips as she spun around to show off her new attire. "Guess I've outgrown the 'kiddish' look, huh?" Her carefree response only made Lars laugh, though a part of him couldn't help but admire how much she had changed.

"Looks like the gang's all here," Lars said, his tone lighter.

"We have a job to do, Mertens," Zoe replied, though her tone was not as harsh as it had been when she had last worn that outfit.

The group gathered in the colosseum's central arena, and the atmosphere was thick with tension as everyone anticipated the beginning of the Royal Knights Selection Exam. The crowd of Magic Knights was restless, with murmurs circulating about who would succeed and who would fall. Lars adjusted his glaive, focusing on the competition ahead, but his mind was still heavy from his earlier exchange with Frida.

As the excitement reached its peak, a figure suddenly appeared in the center of the arena: none other than the Wizard King, Julius Novachrono. His ever-present smile and eccentric aura instantly captivated the crowd.

"Thank you, everyone, for showing up today," Julius said with his usual warm grin. "It's always a pleasure to see so many talented Magic Knights gathered in one place!"

The crowd erupted in cheers, but before Julius could continue, King Augustus made his grand entrance, cutting through the air with an imposing presence. His royal attire shimmered under the sun, and he stood proudly beside the Wizard King, exuding an air of self-importance.

"I will take over the proceedings from here!" Augustus declared, his voice loud and commanding, drawing the attention of everyone present. "This event will not only test your magical ability but also your strategic thinking. I shall make this a competition worth remembering!"

He paused, clearly enjoying the drama of the moment. "The exam will consist of a team competition. Teams will face off in a crystal destruction battle tournament. The team that destroys their opponent's crystal while protecting their own will move forward. This will test both your offense and defense skills."

The audience reacted with mixed excitement, but Julius stepped forward with a more relaxed expression. "While King Augustus has made the rules clear, allow me to clarify what we're truly looking for." He waved a hand, and a magical projection of the exam field appeared behind him. "We will be looking for Magic Knights with the greatest potential to protect the Kingdom. Not only in strength, but in teamwork and leadership."

There was a brief silence before Julius revealed the teams. Lars stood with his teammates, waiting with bated breath to hear their fates.

Team M
Lars Mertens
Cara Castro
Cade Lynx
Zoe Halcourt

"Looks like we'll have to wait until another day to settle the beef," Lars smirked.

"Four celestial hosts on one team?! Aw yeah, we're gonna crush the competition!" Cara exclaimed, drawing the attention of many people there. Zoe quickly put her hands over the fiery girl's mouth, but she herself was thinking the same thing.

Cade, being the realist, quickly brought the two girls down to earth. "We've never actually fought together, however. The only thing we have in common is that we're celestial hosts. Not to mention, Zoe still starts blushing everytime I look at her."

The ink magic user used her military cap to cover her face. Cade's assessment was spot on.

"We'll work on it," Lars smirked.

Team O
Klaus Lunettes
Luck Voltia
Puli Angel
Frida Mertens

I'm paired with the self centred Cheery Berserker Luck Voltia, and Frida, who's always naturally terrifying? Klaus thought, sweat running down his brow as he looked at Luck who was on his left, and Frida who approached him on his right.

"Hey," Luck said, drawing the attention of Klaus. "Let's do our best to work together!" He extended a hand to the steel magic user, who, surprised, adjusted his glasses and nodded, shaking Luck's hand. Suddenly, he was hit with a small electric shock, making his hair stand on end as he yelped, staggering back.

"Aw yeah! This is gonna be fu-" Luck exclaimed, but then was stopped by a crystal hand on his shoulder. He turned around, and saw Frida's disdainful expression looking down on him.

"Behaviour like that won't fly with me," she said, her eyes piercing the lightning mage, who broke out into a cold sweat. "You're powerful, so I'll tolerate you, but don't get in my way. Understand?"

Luck tentatively nodded. Frida's expression softened. I don't know why, she thought, but he doesn't seem so bad.

"If we can beat our first obstacle, we can head to the quarters and start thinking about beating that brother of mine into a pulp," Frida said, addressing both the Black Bull and the Golden Dawn mage. "So let us work efficiently and quickly."

Team K
Solid Silva
Alecdora Sandler
Amaryllis Armstrong
Irina Halloway

"I'm not the biggest fan of yours," Solid said, turning to Alecdora, "but you have power, so I suppose I can live with it."

"Just don't try to go running off by yourself again," Aledora scoffed.

The two's heads turned as they saw Amaryllis approaching them.

"Great, a witch is one of our team members," Solid smirked disdainfully.

"I'm more capable than you may think. Please do not underestimate me," Amaryllis simply replied.

"You'll have to prove it on the battlefield, witch girl," Alecdora declared, turning to scrutinise her. The black haired witch's expression did not change.

"That's never been a problem for me," she replied.

Team E
Leopold Vermillion
Hamon Caesaus
Ximena Laird
Finral Roualcase

As Leopold looked up at the projection, he staggered as a small girl by the name of Ximena Laird slung an arm around her, her grin large.

"Vermillion boy! Are you ready to help me, the greatest earth magic user in the world, propel this team to greater heights?" Ximena asked, her voice catching the attention of more than a few people.

Leopold was a bit confused, but he had spirit, and replied, "We'll win the whole thing, Coral Peacocks girl!"

"Good! Because failure is not an option!" she declared. "You may be fodder, but you are above average fodder, so help me win this!"

Leopold's enthused expression shifted at being called fodder. "Who even are you, anyway…" he muttered.

Team L
Yuno
Noelle Silva
En Ringard
Kian Voss

"So I'm with Nozel's youngest sister, eh?" Kian smirked. "And that one newcomer from the Golden Dawn. This should be interesting. And we're in the same bracket as Lars as well…"

Kian, suddenly spotting Noelle, rushed over to her, skidding to a halt in front of her. "Good morning, Lady Noelle. It looks like we'll be working together."

"K-Kian?" Noelle said, a slight blush appearing on her cheeks. "It's… good to see you again."

"How's the Magic Knight life been treating you? And I hope any of your siblings haven't been bothering you."

"It's been good," Noelle replied, a small smile starting to inch its way across her face. "A new experience, but it's been good."

"Life hits you like that sometimes," Kian replied. "And if your siblings give you any trouble, rely on your squad - or me, for that matter. I've been itching to beat Solid into the ground. Look's like we're up against him first, actually."

Team B
Asta
Xerx Lugner
Mimosa Vermillion
Lucia Moreau

"So I'm with the Black Bulls boy," Lucia mused. "And Mimosa! Oh, she's such a darling."

On the other side of the colosseum, Asta looked up at the projection. "I'm on a team with Mimosa!" he exclaimed. "And… Xerx Lugner?"

Suddenly, the chatter in the colosseum was interrupted as a figure emerged, sauntering confidently across the arena floor. The man's crimson hair flared upward like licking flames, drawing all eyes toward him. His pale complexion and a series of black leather straps that wrapped around his lower face gave him an ominous appearance. The straps, some studded, left openings for his nostrils and mouth, where sharpened teeth gleamed as he grinned smugly. His attire was equally disheveled—he wore a black shirt that barely covered his shoulders, arms, and upper back, and a Purple Orcas robe slung carelessly over one shoulder. Metal studs gleamed above his right eyebrow and below his lips, adding to his rebellious aura. Slinging an arm around the Wizard King with an exaggerated show of camaraderie, he addressed the crowd with a mock bow.

"Apologies for being late," he said with a voice dripping with nonchalance. "But I figured if the Wizard King can forgive me, so can the rest of you."

Asta blinked in confusion, pointing toward the man. "Uh… who is this guy?"

The rogue's grin widened as he waved dismissively. "Name's Xerx Lugner, kid. Pleasure to meet you—well, not really."

Before he could elaborate on his tardiness, Marx lunged forward, launching an attack in irritation. Xerx dodged effortlessly, laughing as he landed a safe distance away.

"Relax! Is this how you treat a teammate?" Xerx teased, his sharpened teeth glinting in the sunlight.

The gathered Magic Knights erupted in outrage. "Show some respect to the Wizard King!" one shouted.

"Respect?" Xerx replied, feigning thoughtfulness. "Sorry, I don't hand that out freely."

Ignoring their glares, Xerx approached Asta, extending a hand with exaggerated friendliness. "Well, kid, since we're on the same team…"

Asta hesitated but shook Xerx's hand. He immediately felt something skitter across his palm and recoiled, yelping. "What the—?! A stinkbug?"

"Consider it a bonding gift," Xerx said with a chuckle.

Asta frowned, glaring at the rogue. "Are you even planning to get along with us?"

"Absolutely not," Xerx replied flatly, crossing his arms. "And don't get any funny ideas about teamwork. I'm just here to watch the rest of you clowns embarrass yourselves."

"You're not even trying to join the Royal Knights?" Asta asked, confused.

"Nah," Xerx said, his voice laced with sarcasm. "I came to mock everyone. That's my whole plan."

Whispers broke out among the Purple Orcas. "Is this guy really Xerx Lugner?" one asked. "No one's seen him in ages. It's all been rumors…"

Nearby, Fransiska Granvorka frowned nervously. She recognized instantly that this man wasn't Xerx Lugner. She glanced toward the Wizard King, her brow furrowing in confusion, but her natural timidity held her back from voicing her doubts. What game was Julius playing?

Asta, still looking flustered, turned to the Wizard King. "Are you seriously letting this guy on my team?!"

Julius smiled as he addressed the crowd. "All teams have been confirmed. Let the matches begin!"

Julius clapped his hands, his warm, commanding voice cutting through the chatter. "Alright, everyone! Now that the teams have been announced, it's time to head to the exam site. I'll leave that in the capable hands of Cob Portaport."

From the side of the arena, Cob Portaport, a round man with a portly figure and a perpetually jovial expression, stepped forward. His Magic Knight robe looked a size too small, but his confident demeanor made up for it. With a dramatic flourish, he raised his hands, and a shimmering portal materialized in the air, swirling with hues of blue and silver.

"There we are! Step right up and don't dawdle," Cob announced cheerfully, motioning toward the portal. "The sooner you're through, the sooner we start!"

The knights began to file through, their anticipation palpable. Lars stood beside Cara, Cade, and Zoe, exchanging glances with his team.

"Well, let's not keep destiny waiting," Lars said with a smirk, stepping toward the portal.

"Crush the competition, remember?" Cara reminded him, her fiery enthusiasm unabated.

"Yeah, yeah, let's hope it's not each other we're crushing," Cade muttered, following closely behind.

A/N: yeah i changed the format of the royal knights selection exam - very fun