Six Months Later
[Adam] "It's time."
Adam stood from his bed, dressing himself in preparation. "Today is the day," he shouted, tossing his hands into the sky freely.
"Wait, where is everybody... don't tell me I woke up late again."
He then rushed outside only to see that Asta and Yuno were already waiting for him.
[Asta] "Ahh, there you are, Adam. How come such a small person like you needs so much sleep? Where's all that energy going?"
[Yuno] "It's certainly not making him any taller."
Asta and Yuno joked, a vein popping up on Adam's head.
[Adam] "What was that, Asta... Yuno?! Bet you wouldn't say it again."
Yuno sighed, "Geez, you even act like a child."
[Adam] "You know what Yuno I've had it just about up to here with your cool guy act. It's time that I put you in your place."
Adam's grimoire floated from its holstered satchel, levitating just before him.
[Adam] "Now, Earth Creation Magic: Rock Storm!"
A barrage of rocks flew towards Yuno, each moving at incredible speeds, but none hit him as he countered with...
[Yuno] "Wind Creation Magic: Wind Blades Shower."
Small blades of wind appeared in the air, moving towards the rocks and shattering them into pieces upon contact.
"Was that all you got? Because if so, you don't stand a chance of becoming Wizard King, not as long as I'm around, that is."
[Village Kids] "Wow, Yuno's so cool."
[Asta] "Yeah, Yuno, don't forget about me either, because I'm the one who's going to actually become the Wizard King."
[Adam] "You two are delusional—because the next Wizard King will be me!"
...
The three of them, Yuno, Asta, and Adam, left Hage Village after saying their goodbyes. They began their long journey to the Clover Kingdom as a race, a friendly challenge between rivals.
Yuno and Adam flew, Yuno using his wind magic to fly effortlessly through the sky and Adam using earth magic to create a platform of stone he controlled with his mana, while Asta ran full speed ahead, somehow keeping on the trail of both Yuno and Adam.
After some time, a few days even, the trio finally arrived at their destination. Ecstatic to begin their new journey into a world of mages.
Walking through the Clover Kingdom, they found themselves entranced by all the shops and buildings, impossible to find back in the forsaken realm.
[Asta] "Wow! This place is unbelievable. And it's here where our journey finally begins."
Asta announced, before arriving at the magic knight exam checking desk.
Yuno stepped up first, handing his grimoire to the man and releasing an aura of surprise and shock at the sight of the four-leaf clover, which is supposed to indicate good luck and blessing of mana.
[Desk Man] "Right, you'll be number 164, alright."
He handed Yuno back his grimoire and directed him inside of the exam area.
"Next!"
[Asta] "Here is my grimoire. Cool, isn't it?"
Asta said, handing the man his grimoire, and a wide smile spread across his face.
[Desk Man] "Are you sure this is a real grimoire? It's so withered... well, anyways, you're going to be number 165."
"Next!"
"Huh? I said, Next."
[Adam] "I'm right here."
Adam murmured, using an earth platform to levitate above the counter.
[Desk Man] "Heh, are you sure you're fifteen, kid? You certainly don't look it."
[Adam] "Huh? What was that? Are you trying to be funny? I have a grimoire, don't I? Isn't that enough to prove my age?
[Desk Man] "Ugh, yes, I'm sorry I didn't mean to be rude."
[Adam] "It's alright—just don't let it happen again. Anyway, what about that kid before me? He sure was weird, and that grimoire he had was even stranger, wasn't it?
Adam spoke jokingly before handing the man his grimoire.
[Desk Man] 'Gee, he surely switched up fast. What a strange kid. In fact, the last two were pretty strange as well. ... Wait, is this—"
The man paused, his jaw dropping in surprise.
[Desk Man] "What! Two... there are two four-leaf clover grimoires at the entrance exams this year. These things are supposed to be rare, yet there are two of them here taking the exams on the very same day. I can tell things are going to be interesting this year."
The man smiled, returning Adam's grimoire.
"You're going to be number 166, alright."
Adam walked along to join the rest of the mages participating in the exams, waiting until it finally began, he and Asta shaking with uncontrollable excitement.
After what seemed like a few hours, the captains of the various squads entered the frame. Taking their respective seats below their squad banners.
[???] "All the captains are here, incredible."
[???] "There's the captain of the Golden Dawn—William Vangeance. I hear that they only accept nobles into their squad. The captain of the Silver Eagles—Nozel Silva. The captain of the Crimson Lions—Fuegoleon Vermillion. The captain of the Purple Orcas—Gueldre Poizot. The captain of the Coral Peacock—Dorothy Unsworth—for some reason she's always asleep. The captain of the Green Praying Mantis—Jack the Ripper—as his name implies, he likes to rip things apart. The captain of the Aqua Deer—Rill Boismortier—he's the youngest to ever receive the title of captain. And finally, the worst of them all, the captain of the Black Bulls—Yami Sukehiro. ha-ha!"
[Asta] "Huh, where's the Wizard King?"
[???] "You really think that the Wizard King would bother with something as trivial as this? He has more important things to attend to, of course, ha-ha."
[Asta] "Oh right, that makes sense. In any case, I'm Asta from Hage Village. What's your name?"
[Ha-Ha] "The name's Sekke, ha-ha."
[Asta] "Well hello, Mister Ha-Ha."
[Ha-Ha] "No! Not ha-ha, it's sekke, ha-ha."
[Asta] "Right, Sekke Ha-Ha."
[???] "I would like to thank you all for waiting here. It makes me proud that so many brave souls have stepped up to become protectors of this nation. Though not all of you will make it, I ask that you all give us your best."
The captain of the Golden Dawns—William Vageance—said, stepping forth, his presence emanating an aura of calm that demanded silence amid the knight candidates.
"You'll all be put through a series of tests for us captains to gauge your strengths and magic abilities. I hope that you put forth the effort and really showcase your abilities. Now let the magic knight exams begin!"
Captain Vengeance released a seed into the air that floated up into the sky, creating a storm cloud that spanned across the open roof, spawning the roots of a tree from its core.
The roots reached down to the candidates, forming into brooms.
"It is a must that a magic knight is able to fly on a broom, so if you can't even manage flight, you have no right being here."
[Adam] "This doesn't seem too hard, just hop on top and...."
Adam said, stepping on top of his broom, and effortlessly he was able to take flight while standing on top of it.
He didn't need to move slowly either—instead, he moved with incredible grace and agility, going as far as performing a handstand while flying. The other candidates looked on in awe, the magic knight captains noting his absurd talent.
Yuno, though not nearly as flashy, showed similar control over his flight, standing effortlessly on top, while the other candidates struggled to even fly sitting, and Asta... well, he couldn't manage to fly at all.
[Asta] "What? Why isn't it working?"
He questioned.
[Ha-Ha] "Just try to relax—it'll be difficult to control your mana when you're stressing so much."
Asta stopped taking in Ha-Ha's advice. Breathing in deep and releasing as if clearing his head completely, but even then there was nothing. He still could not manage to even lift off the ground, and that's when it hit him.
[Asta] "Do I really have no mana? Without it, could I even be capable of becoming Wizard King?"
But then, Asta peeked a glance at Adam and Yuno, using their brooms to fly effortlessly through the sky, and gaining back his resolve, he picked up the broom, even if deep down he knew he could never actually fly it.
[Asta] "No! I've already made it this far—I will not give up now, no matter what!"
...
Exam after exam passed by, Adam and Yuno marking top scores on each while Asta put up the worst performance out of all the candidates.
[William Vangeance] "We will be moving on to the final exams. It'll be one-on-one combat so we can get a feel for your fighting abilities. Now choose someone to spar with."
The candidates went into a small panic, freaking out over who to choose. Some wanted to fight the weakest so they could show off their abilities, while others wanted to fight the strongest to prove their strength.
Adam wandered through the area, eyes scanning the crowd for a worthy opponent—someone strong, someone who could match his own power. His attention quickly landed on Asta and Yuno. He considered choosing Asta, but the boy was already locked in battle. Yuno, too, seemed preoccupied, engaged in a challenge of his own. Just as Adam began to lose hope of finding a rival, a noble stepped forward and boldly challenged him to a fight.
[???] "You're a commoner, aren't you? Yet I must admit your abilities are refined for a peasant like yourself. So, I, Leon Vaelcrest, of the noble Vaelcrest household, challenge you to a duel, so don't let the captains down by losing so quickly to my brilliant crystal magic. Be my mop and make me shine, commoner, brighter than the crystals of the Vaelcrest house itself."
Adam looked on, amazed by the guy's arrogance, a light chuckle escaping his vocals.
[Adam] "I think I'll enjoy crushing your ego. The arrogant ones like yourself are perfect for breaking after all."
When the match before them ended, the two stepped up as the next contenders.
[???] "Wait, isn't that Leon Vaelcrest? He's actually taking the exams. I mean, you'd think someone of his talents would've just been drafted to the Golden Dawns already. How strange."
[???] "Really, that guy's fifteen or older? I mean, he's so tiny. What a runt, and he wants to fight Leon."
[Leon Vaelcrest] "You mop! Apologize now, and I might go a little easier on you. Otherwise I might crush your tiny body, runt!"
[Adam] "Heh, even you'd apologize I still wouldn't hold back on you. Arrogant fool."
[Leon Vaelcrest] "I'll show you who the arrogant one is... You brat!"
The two of their mana's began to leak out, clashing at eachother, causing the air to grow thick, like breathing it was the same as suffocating without it.
[Announcer] "Let the match begin!"
[Leon] "Remember you choose this fate. Crystal Creation Magic: Prism LanceBarrage!"
Leon summoned his grimoire, dozens of Lances forming behind him, his hand outstreached towards Adam.
"Feel the power of a noble."
He said, unleashing his mana pressure onto Adam.
[???] "Woah, this guy's mana it's insane."
[Nozel Silva] "His mana is comparable to a royal's."
[Leon] "You haven't even grabbed your grimoire yet. What? Are you too scared to move?!"
An arrogant, egotistical expression appeared on Leon's face.
"Didn't I tell you to make me shine, you mop!"
The crystal lance behind Leon, were launched towards Adam, moving incredible fast through the air.
[Adam] "You know I always get mad when Yuno acts like I'm doing right now, so nonchalant. But, when I'm in the prescene of such an weakling, it's hard not to keep a cool head."
Adam reached out his own hand, his grimoire moving to float in front of him without command. And then suddenly, the entire arena became enveloped with the feel of mana, Leon's crystal lances stopping in their tracks.
[Leon] "You're mana, don't tell me you have more than me, a noble of the highest class, this shouldn't be when you're nothing more than a mop!"
[???] "What is this mana, I can feel it everywhere."
[Yami Sukehiro] 'This kids Ki it's all around this place... I can't get a proper read on it.'
[William Vageance] "There's just so much mana, it feels like it's apart of nature itself."
[Fugolean Vermillion] "This years candidates are impressive, two kids, one a peasant, the other a noble, though both possess mana pools equal to a royal's, and then there's this kid, his mana feels almost limitless or is it just that bottomless."
[Nozel Silva] "Is he really a commoner?"
[Adam] "Earth Creation Magic: Rock Storm!"
Adam summoned a large array of rocks to counter, Leon's crystal Lances, he launched them towards the lances and upon contact the attacks shattered into bits.
[Yuno] "That attack, it was stronger than before, they shouldn't have been able to shatter those crystal lances. That's just expected of one of my rivals."
[Asta] "Just as impressive as always, Adam."
[Leon] "What?! Impossible, your puny rocks were able to match my crystal lances, no way!"
Leon's arrogant expression become one of anger and frustration.
"You know what peasant, I'm actually impressed, you're stronger than I gave you credit for, strong enough for me to showcase my ultimate technique. Crystal Creation Magic: Imperial Crystal Lance: Summit!"
A massive Lance made of crystal formed above Leon, and dozens of smaller ones of similar constitue appeared around it.
[???] "He's able to use such a powerful spell already, how powerful is this guy."
[Rill Boismortier] "Wow amazing, this is really giving me inspiration for my next piece."
[William Vageance] "Such control and finess over his Mana, and at his age too, that's quite impressive. The Vaelcrest family have truly manifested a gem with this one."
[Jack the Ripper] "Ugh, should we maybe stop him?"
[Fugolean Vermillion] "Not yet, I would like to see how the little one will be able to deal with this attack."
[Adam] "Woah! I'll be honest here, enough of that nonchalant stuff, this spell is insane, how could you even perform such a complex spell, when you're so young?"
Adam said, a small grin creeping on his face.
"Though unfortunately for you I think I have a counter. Earth Creation Magic: Geb Fist Barrage!"
From the ground arose an arrangement of fist made from the earth itself the size of tree trunks, their knuckles jagged like mountain cliffs, and Adam launched them towards Leon's lances as a counter to the amazing spell.
[Leon] "But how? How is this possible, I possess the immensely durable crystal magic, mere earth magic shouldn't be able to scratch it, none the less destroy them completely. So tell me mop, how did you do it!"
Leon shouted his anger no longer restrained, his emotions on full display for everyone to witness.
[Adam] "That's a good question, but unfortunately I don't know. I've always been stronger than normal ever since I was young. And it seems my magic is the same way, unnaturally strong. Maybe it's because..."
Adam paused fixing his glance on Yuno and Asta.
"I am destined to become the next Wizard King! Earth Restraining Magic: Restrainment of Nature."
Stone entrapped Leon's limbs making them unable to move an inch, leaving his body stretched in star shape.
[Leon] "Die peasant! Die! Crystal Magic—"
[Fugolean Vermillion] "That's enough! You've lost this fight, but don't take it as a faliure instead take it with pride, being able to fight such a skilled and powerful mage is an honor. Besides in the condition you're currently in you wouldn't be able to cast another spell other than your restrainments, all your mana has drained from your last spell. So just give it up and try again another time."
Leon couldn't deny the facts, he'd lost, completely. All the work, all the training, he went through for this moment, amounted to nothing.
[???] "And that marks the end of this years magic exams, one by one you'll be called up by the numbers you were given. Your success here will be determined wether any captains decide to invite you into their squad indicated by raising their hand. If you receive no hands then you fail but are welcome to try again next year, if multiple captains raise their hands then you get to choose which squad you want to go to, but if only one captain raises their hand then you can either choose to join that squad or go home."
...
The candidates stepped up called by number, either being recruited to a magic knight squad or having no choice but to go home.
[Announcer] "Number 164!"
The annoucer called, and Yuno stepped forth, to everyones suprise, or no ones surprise none of the captains hesitated to raise their hand. But in the end, Yuno decided to pick the squad with best oppritunity to become Wizard King, the Golden Dawns.
[Announcer] "Next, number 165!"
Next, Asta stepped forth, a magicless boy boasting immense physical strength though weilding no magic he possess a five star grimoire with the unique attribute of anti-magic, and also he receives no raised hands.
[Yami Sukehiro] "Well that's no, suprise. If the source of your powers are unknown then no one wants anything to do with it. In the end the only thing desired from a magic knight is strong magical prowess."
Yami said before leaping down into the arena, face to face with Asta while releasing the pressure of his mana onto everyone.
[Asta] "This is the magical pressure of a magic knight captain?"
[Yami Sukehiro] "You said earlier that you wanted to become the Wizard King, didn't you. Now that I'm here standing before you do you still have the nerve to say you're going to become the Wizard King."
Regaining resolve Asta broke free of his fear from Yami's incredible magic prescene.
[Asta] "No matter how many times I'm knocked down I'll never stop! I will become the Wizard King, because my magic is never giving up!"
Yami's magic pressure faded, and his demeanor became more calm and nonserious.
[Yami] "Hahaha! You're funny kid, I'll let you join the Black Bulls, and just so you know you don't get to decline. I'll make life horrible for you in the Black Bulls, then someday become the Wizard King."
[Asta] "I won't let you down sir!"
[Announcer] "Next, number 166!"
The crowd went silent as Adam walked to the center, everyone already knowing what to expect. All captains raised their hands in recognition of Adams powers and abilities, but despite being able to pick any squad, he didn't choose the best squad like Yuno, or join the worst squad with his friend Asta but insted, took a different path of his own, choosing to join the Silver Eagles.
Everyone was a bit surprised at his choice, he could've picked the Golden Dawn, the best squad with the most opprotunities but rather he choose to pick the squad with the most arrogant captain of them all, undeniable the squad that'll give him the hardest path for growth.
...