"Ha-ha! Is your head feeling alright?" A voice came from behind them.
"Uh, yeah," Asta replied, both he and Stella turning to face the newcomer.
Confronting Yami, Captain of the Black Bulls, like that? I can't say I envy either of you," he pointed at them, a smirk tugging at the corners of his mouth.
"Who are you?" Stella asked, furrowing her brow in curiosity.
"Oh, I'm Sekke, by the way. Sekke Bronzazza," he introduced himself, winking cheekily as he spoke.
Stella couldn't suppress a cringe at that exaggerated wink.
"Yeah, same here. I'm Asta," he said, offering a wide, enthusiastic grin.
"I'm Stella," she added, her tone a mix of wariness and intrigue.
After their introductions, the time for the exam to begin had arrived. All the Magic Knight squad captains appeared, taking their seats as judges for the event.
Asta and Stella stood with Sekke as he gestured dramatically, introducing each captain that emerged to the audience.
"That's Nozel Silva, the Captain of the Silver Eagles," Sekke announced, his voice full of showmanship as Nozel strode confidently to his seat.
"He has quite an interesting look," Stella remarked, observing Nozel's striking features.
"Yeah, how does he see with that thing over his face?" Asta pondered, staring at the braided strands of hair that hung in front of Nozel's eyes and nose.
Fuegoleon Vermillion, Captain of the Crimson Lion Kings, was next. "As his name suggests, he's a flame creation magic user," Sekke continued, his tone filled with reverence.
"Flame magic, huh?" Stella mused, her eyes sparkling with interest.
He went on to introduce the other captains: Jack the Ripper, Captain of the Green Praying Mantises, and Charlotte Roselei, Captain of the Blue Rose Knights. When he reached the captain of the Purple Orcas, Gueldre Poizot, and Dorthy Unsworth, the captain of the Coral Peacocks,
Stella's brows knitted together in confusion. "Wait, why is she asleep?" Stella wondered, eyeing the clearly sleepwalking captain.
"All she does is sleep," Sekke replied, shrugging lightly.
"How'd she become a squad captain then?" Asta asked, genuine curiosity seeping into his tone.
"She must have some sort of amazing ability," Stella hypothesized, her eyes darting back to Dorthy.
Then came the captain of the squad Stella had been most eager to hear about especially since the robe she was wearing apparently belonged to the same squad before the name had changed. "Rill Boismortier, Captain of the Aqua Deer," Sekke declared, pride evident in his voice.
"He looks really young to be a captain," Asta said, a hint of disbelief in his tone.
"A bit young; Captain Rill is nineteen years old," Sekke clarified.
"Really? And he's already a squad captain? That's amazing!" Stella exclaimed, her admiration palpable.
"He's just four years older than I am. Yeah, I'll be the Wizard King before I know it," Asta proclaimed, his eyes sparkling with determination.
"Ha-ha! The Wizard King? Now that's dreaming pretty big," Sekke chuckled, his gaze shifting with a mix of amusement and disbelief.
Stella observed Sekke's interactions with her and Asta, feeling a twinge of unease. There was something about him she didn't quite like.
"As for the person next in line..." Sekke began, but the crowd of participants erupted into cheers as the next captain arrived.
"If you take a look up there, you'll see the frontrunner—Captain of the Golden Dawn, Captain William Vengeance," Sekke announced, his voice rising above the din.
"That mask of his is interesting," Stella remarked, her eyes narrowing thoughtfully. "I wonder who made it."
Lastly, the captain from the Black Bulls made his entrance and took his seat. Stella's thoughts swirled, still wondering if he had something to ask her earlier or if it had all been nothing at all.
...
"What about the Wizard King?" Asta asked, scanning the surroundings as if expecting the legendary figure to appear and watch the examination.
Stella's curiosity was piqued; after all, it was only natural to wonder about the leader at the pinnacle of every squad.
"Like he would bother with something as pedestrian as an exam," Sekke scoffed, shrugging his shoulders dismissively.
"Still, it would've been cool if he showed up," Stella replied wistfully.
Just then, the captain of the Golden Dawn stepped forward, commanding the crowd's attention with an air of authority. "Thank you for waiting," he said, his voice firm yet inviting. "I will be administering this year's entrance exam." He opened his own Grimoire, and the atmosphere shifted greatly.
"Magic Trees, descend!" he declared, and as he spoke, the arena darkened. A vibrant green hue radiated from his Grimoire, swirling around like a living creature. Dark clouds twisted into formation above, and a powerful gust of wind swept through the air. In awe, the contestants watched as a colossal tree emerged from the sky, its branches sprouting broomsticks that gracefully descended, landing directly before each participant.
Stella reached out, her heart racing, as one of the broomsticks hovered near her, its polished wood glimmering invitingly.
"The time has come—let the entrance exam begin!" William announced, his voice booming with enthusiasm. "In just a few moments, we will commence the first of a series of tests. The nine Magic Knight captains will serve as your judges. At the conclusion of the exam, we will select those individuals we wish to join our squads. If chosen, you are in. If more than one captain selects you, you will have the privilege to choose your squad. However, if none of you are chosen, it means you are deemed unqualified to join the Magic Knights," he explained, his expression stern yet encouraging.
As the weight of William's words sank in, a realization struck Stella. Though they had come so far together, the thought of potential separation made her stomach twist. A wave of anxiety washed over her; she wanted to stick with either Yuno or Asta—they were the only two she felt truly comfortable with in this intense environment.
She clenched her robes tightly, trying to suppress the anxious fluttering in her chest.
"Now, for the first test: You must use the brooms you have been given to fly," William instructed, his tone brisk and commanding. "A mage who can truly harness their magic power can achieve flight instinctively; it is our most fundamental means of transportation. If you cannot fly, you are wasting our time. Enough talk—now, begin!" he commanded.
With that cue, the contestants launched into action, each striving to control their magic and soar upon their brooms.
Stella gripped her broom and settled onto it cautiously. She closed her eyes momentarily, drawing upon her mana and infusing it into the wood. With a rush of exhilaration, she felt herself lift into the air, a smile breaking across her face as she realized she was doing it.
To her surprise, her gaze turned to Yuno, who effortlessly glided through the air, standing nonchalantly on his broom as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
"You make it look so easy," Stella said, soaring beside Yuno, her expression a mix of admiration and disbelief.
"It is that easy," Yuno replied with a confident smile, his eyes gleaming with determination.
Stella shook her head, struggling to wrap her mind around his nonchalance. "I don't even know why I'm surprised. I mean, you did get the four le—" But her words faltered when, in a sudden twist of fate, she lost control of her broom and found herself flipping upside down, the ground rushing toward her in terrifying proximity. Panic seized her heart as she teetered on the brink of disaster.
Before she could even scream, Yuno's steady presence was there, swiftly catching her with an instinctive flick of his wrist. His own broom remained steady beneath him, a testament to his skill.
Stella's heart raced, a mix of fear and gratitude coursing through her. She had almost fallen to her doom, and yet here he was, her savior. Embarrassment crept in, however, as she realized the judgmental gazes of the Magic Knight Captains were likely upon her, ready to deduct points for her blunder.
"Thank you," she managed to say, flipping her broom upright with a sheepish grin.
"Try not to be so clumsy," Yuno scolded gently, his voice steady but laced with concern.
"Sorry," she mumbled, rubbing the back of her head, warmth flooding her cheeks.
Just then, their attention was drawn to Asta, who was the only one struggling to even lift his broom off the ground, a determined yet comical sight that left even some of the Magic Knight Squad Captains exchanging puzzled glances.
"Oh no, I hope Asta will be able to make it through the rest of the exam," Stella fretted, her brow furrowing with worry.
"He'll be just fine. You just focus on getting yourself into a squad, alright?" Yuno reassured her, a calm confidence radiating from him.
"Alright," Stella nodded, steeling herself as she prepared for the rest of the exam.
...
Afterwards, they went through the remaining stages of the examination, moving from the Magic power test to the final and climactic phase: combat.
"Now onto the final test—a display of combat skill," announced Willam, his voice ringing with authority and anticipation.
One of the other captains, specifically the one in charge of the Crimson Lions, stood up, his muscles tensed with confidence. "Prepare to duel," he declared, his gaze sweeping across the gathered trainees. "You will break into pairs and fight each other. Use your grimoires to attack and defend," he continued, his tone firm and commanding.
"As Knights, battle is our business. We want to see everything you're capable of," he added, his eyes flashing with excitement.
"The test will conclude when one combatant surrenders or is unable to continue," Willam explained, his voice steady, yet filled with a hint of encouragement.
"We have Mages wielding recovery magic standing by for the injured. So don't hold anything back," the captains concluded, giving everyone a moment to find a partner.
Stella scanned the arena, her heart racing as she sought a partner. She felt a growing sense of panic as it seemed everyone else had already paired off. Her gaze fell on Asta, who appeared to be the first match, squaring off against Sekke in the center of the circle.
"Asta, you can do it!" Stella cheered, her voice ringing with hope as he and Sekke prepared for their duel, the crowd buzzing with excitement around them.
As the match began, Sekke made the first move, his voice booming with confidence. "Bronze Creation Magic: Sekke's Magnum Cannonball!" He announced, and a translucent, blue-hued cannonball flickered into existence around him, a testament to his power.
But before he could unleash his attack, Asta drew his sword with a swift motion, determination etched on his face. In a blinding flash, he struck with precision, penetrating Sekke's barrier and driving him into the ground with a thundering impact that cracked the earth beneath them, leaving the spectators in shocked silence.
Stella and Yuno stood at the edge of the arena, pride swelling in their chests as they exchanged triumphant smiles over Asta's unexpected victory.
After a fierce clash between the nobles, Yuno found himself facing a challenge. With an enigmatic calm, he summoned the power of his grimoire, and in an instant, the air around him crackled with energy. A swirling tornado materialized, vibrant and menacing, spiraling upward as if it were alive. In one breathtaking motion, he unleashed it upon the noble who had dared to confront him. The onlookers gasped, their eyes wide with disbelief and admiration, as the noble was effortlessly swept away.
...
The arena buzzed with energy as combatants were going toe to toe with one another. Stella stood at the edge, her heart racing with anticipation. She had watched Asta and Yuno compete, both showcasing their incredible abilities, and now it was her turn. Yet, as she scanned the crowd for a potential sparring partner, a wave of uncertainty washed over her. She had hoped to pair with someone who would challenge her, someone who would help her grow stronger, but everyone seemed preoccupied or already engaged in battle.
Just as she was about to give up, a hand suddenly gripped her shoulder. Startled, she turned around to face a tall figure, his presence commanding and slightly intimidating. His dark purple hair that falls in messy waves around his face, and piercing grey eyes seemed to size her up as if she were nothing more than a piece of meat.
"Hey there," he said, a smirk playing on his lips. "Spar with me."
Stella raised an eyebrow, trying to keep her composure. "And you are...?"
"Alaric," he replied, his tone dripping with arrogance. "I figured you'd make for an easy opponent. Seems fitting for a peasant like you."
Her heart sinks at his words. He clearly underestimated her, viewing her as just another peasent from the boonies—a girl who didn't belong in the arena. She clenched her fists, anger bubbling beneath the surface. "I'm not just a peasant," she shot back, her voice steady. "I'm here to prove myself just like everyone else."
Alaric let out a derisive laugh. "Prove yourself? You really think you can compete with the likes of us? You should know your place." He stepped back, gesturing to the arena. "But fine, let's see what you've got. I'll go easy on you... for now." "Besides, you're nothing but a little girl."
Stella's resolve hardened. She had faced many challenges in her life, and she wouldn't back down now, especially not in front of someone who thought he was better than her just because of his social class. "I won't go easy on you either," she replied firmly, meeting his gaze head-on.
With a nod, Alaric took his stance, and Stella mirrored him, her heart pounding in her chest. The crowd around them began to gather, whispers spreading as they sensed the impending clash.
"Ready?" Alaric called, a taunting smile still plastered on his face.
"Ready," Stella replied, focusing on the magic swirling within her. She felt the familiar warmth, the energy that coursed through her veins, ready to be unleashed.
"Begin!" shouted the referee, and Alaric lunged forward, launching a flurry of magic-infused punches.
Stella quickly dodged, her training kicking in as she moved with surprising agility.
"Not bad!" Alaric called out, a hint of surprise in his voice. "But let's see how you handle this!"
He conjured a blast of fire, sending it hurtling towards her. Stella's instincts kicked in, and she summoned her celestial just in time to deflect the attack. The force of the magic rattled her, but she stood firm, determination blazing in her eyes.
"Is that all you've got?" she challenged, her voice steady despite the adrenaline coursing through her.
Alaric's smirk faltered slightly, but he quickly regained his composure. "Not even close. Let me show you what true power can do!"
As the two of them clashed, the crowd erupted into a cacophony of cheers and shouts, but Stella's thoughts were singularly focused on one goal: proving to Alaric that she could win. He launched a torrent of flame attacks from various angles, each wave crackling with intensity. With her shield raised, Stella managed to defend herself, but she knew she couldn't remain on the defensive forever. The time had come to summon one of her familiars.
"Flame Whip Divide!" Alaric announced, and the whip he conjured split into multiple tendrils, darting in all directions. The fiery arcs danced menacingly, leaving Stella with no choice but to absorb the scorching blows that seared her skin.
Grimacing in pain, she felt the familiar warmth of Luna's healing ability kick in, mending her wounds almost as quickly as they were inflicted. The captains, observing the fierce duel from the sidelines, exchanged glances, impressed by her defensive ability.
"She's quite skilled at defending herself, but can she go on offense?" Finarl of the Black Bulls remarked, crossing his arms with a cocked eyebrow.
"She can use self recovery magic too. I hope she can be our new friend." Gordon mumbled to himself.
"We'll just have to keep watching," Yami replied, taking a drag from his cigarette, his eyes narrowed in anticipation.
"Celestial Creation Magic: Distorio Temprios!" Stella cried out, her voice steady despite the chaos. Alaric's flames flickered and pulsed like static, scattering erratically as they lost their cohesion.
I must catch him off guard, she thought, her mind racing. This spell allows me to divert an opponent's attack, but if I could harness it to ascend into the air, perhaps I could create an opening. To do that, Luna's mana would be crucial.
Her heart raced as the uncertainty loomed; this spell could be unpredictable, but she needed to take the risk.
"Come on, is that all you can do? Just defend?" Alaric taunted, his smirk laced with malice as he unleashed another wave of flames.
Stella ignored his mocking, feeling the insistent pull of determination urging her to end the confrontation.
"With this spell, I will claim victory!" he declared, his voice booming. "Hellfire Storm!" Flames rained down from the sky like a fiery meteor shower, engulfing the arena in a mesmerizing yet terrifying blaze, leaving the crowd and the captains awestruck.
"There's no way she can survive this," murmured some of the contestants, eyes wide with fear.
"I have to act now. Summon Luna, and then shift my tactics!" she thought frantically, flipping through her grimoire. "Lumen Crustaceum!" she shouted, and with a radiant glow, Luna materialized above her in her luminous crab form, floating gracefully.
"A tiny crab? What can she possibly do with that?" hissed some contestants, their laughter echoing in the arena.
But the captains' expressions hinted at fascination. "Interesting," murmured William, intrigued by Stella's audacity.
"Aether Amplifica!" Stella commanded, and Luna's pearlescent shell shimmered a brilliant blue, enveloping Stella in a protective glow. As the flames cascaded down like an infernal tide, Stella's form glitched out of existence, the sheer force of the magic propelling her in the blink of an eye.
It happened so rapidly that some contestants blinked in shock as the flames spread dangerously, their hearts racing.
"Where did she go?" the crowd whispered, their worry palpable.
"Don't tell me he incinerated her!" another contestant gasped.
"Hmph," Alaric sniffed, dismissing the concern. "Pathetic," he sneered, believing he had left her utterly defeated.
Even some of the captains appeared uneasy. "Is she dead?" Rill speculated, his brow furrowed.
"Not at all," Nozel replied, his gaze scanning the arena.
"Look up there!" Charlotte exclaimed, pointing toward the sky.
"Now, Aurum Vellus Evocatio!" Stella commanded, her grimoire glowing with radiant light.
In an instant, a striking figure materialized, adorned with large, curved horns that resembled those of a ram. His hair, thick and curly, cascaded like wool, colored a rich golden-brown that faded to white at the tips. His piercing amber eyes—horizontal and rectangular—added to his otherworldly appearance, while his warm tan skin bore subtle patterns reminiscent of wool fibers. Aries's pointed ears, covered with fine golden fur, twitched in anticipation.
"Is that a ram?" the captains wondered, but before they could finish, Aries transformed into a translucent sword, igniting with a celestial flame.
Seeing that Alaric had let his guard down, she seized the moment. With precision, she struck him with the sword, the impact resonating through the arena like a crack of thunder, sending him crashing to the ground, instantly incapacitated.
A stunned silence enveloped the crowd.
As the match concluded, Stella fell to her knees, completely breathless. "How'd you like that, you jerk?" She panted, about to collapse, when Yuno rushed forward to catch her.
"Thank you, Aries," she said as her sword vanished. Thanks, Yuno, she smiled.
"Way to go," Asta said, as Yuno helped out the center of the arena so the next match can begin.
...
After being examined by a recovery mage, Stella was instructed to rest for the remainder of the matches. Once the final battle concluded and evening shadows began to stretch across the arena, she reunited with Asta and Yuno as they prepared to select candidates for the magic knight squads.
"This concludes the exam. Candidates whose numbers are called, please step forward," the announcer declared, his voice echoing across the gathering.
"The squad captains will raise their hands if they wish to recruit you," explained Charlotte, the captain of the Blue Rose Knights, her tone steady but encouraging. "You can then decide whether to accept or decline their offer. If more than one captain raises their hand for you, it is your choice which squad you wish to join."
"But remember," Captain Fuegoleon interjected with an authoritative nod, "if no hands are raised for a candidate, they will not join the Magic Knights."
As the numbers were called, starting with one and continuing toward seventy, a heavy silence enveloped the arena; none of the candidates were chosen by the squad captains.
"I think I'm starting to feel really nauseous," Stella admitted, panic flickering in her eyes.
"You'll be fine, you'll be picked for sure!" Asta assured her, his voice brightening with confidence.
"Thank you," she murmured, her gaze drifting toward Yuno. Even though his expression remained calm, she noticed the subtle tension in his clenched pendant, betraying his inner turmoil.
As the numbers dwindled, a few candidates were chosen, but not nearly enough. Then came the moment Yuno had waited for. He stepped forward before the assembly of magic knight captains, resolve etched on his face.
"All who wish to offer, raise your hands!" the announcer urged.
Stella watched in awe as every captain raised their hands, even the leaders of the Golden Dawn and the Silver Eagles—who were notoriously selective, often only accepting nobles and 's heart swelled with pride, her eyes gleaming with happiness, especially for Asta. "All of them want him! Nothing less from my rival!" Asta exclaimed, a broad grin spreading across his face.
"Please allow me to join the Golden Dawn," Yuno declared, and gasps of admiration rippled through the crowd, spellbound by his bold decision.
Finally, it was Asta's turn. "You got this!" Stella called out supportively before he stepped forward, determination radiating from him.
"Right," he nodded, standing confidently before the captains. "I'm ready!" he shouted, his voice ringing clear.
But as he awaited a response, the captains remained silent, their hands still.
"Oh no..." Stella's heart sank, dread pooling in her stomach as she watched the other candidates begin to shout for Asta to move aside. Just then, the captain of the Black Bulls, Yami, rose to speak.
Chuckling at Asta's fierce determination to become the Wizard King, Yami declared, "I want you to join my squad," encouraging him further with the promise that he could one day claim the title of Wizard King.
With smiles breaking across their faces, both Yuno and Stella watched the scene unfold, relief washing over them. "Thank goodness," Stella breathed. But then, reality hit her—her number was next.
"Number 166, please step forward," the announcer called.
Taking a deep breath, Stella stepped before the captains, her mind racing. She silently hoped for one of the hands from the Golden Dawn or the Black Bulls to rise; she couldn't bear the thought of being separated from Asta or Yuno.
"All who wish to offer, raise your hand!" the announcer proclaimed with conviction.
Stella's eyes widened as she scanned the captains, heart pounding, searching for the hands that would determine her fate.
Four hands shot up among the nine:
The Captain of the Blue Rose Knights,
The Captain of the Coral Peacocks,
The Captain of the Black Bulls,
The Captain of the Aqua Deer.
"Which squad would you like to join?" the announcer asked, his gaze fixed expectantly on her.