The arena buzzed with excitement. Rows of nobles, knights, and observers filled the circular colosseum, their voices rising in a cacophony of awe and judgment. Above them, banners of each Magic Knight squad waved proudly—symbols of power, prestige, and legacy.
Kael stood quietly in the outer staging area, dressed in the simple robes of a commoner. His white hair fell in sharp contrast to the dark fabric, and his crimson eyes remained steady as others whispered around him.
"Who's that guy? He's not from any noble house."
"Maybe a street orphan like Asta."
"No way. Look at his aura—something about him feels... wrong. Or maybe too calm?"
Kael ignored them all.
He wasn't here to impress them.
He was here to shake the foundation of this world.
---
The Royal Magic Knight Entrance Exam—Round One: Combat Evaluation
The announcer's voice echoed across the arena. "Let the first evaluation begin! All examinees will be paired to showcase their magic in battle. Skill, strategy, and strength will be judged!"
Kael watched as familiar names were called: Luck, Magna, Mimosa, Alecdora… Yuno and Asta were paired against random opponents too. Then—
> "Kael vs. Heath Grice!"
Kael's eyes narrowed slightly.
> Heath? Wasn't he a terrorist in the original story? He was supposed to appear later, during the ice mage attack on Saussy Village... Why is he here now?
System pinged.
> [Alert – Divergence Detected]
Timeline Shift: Minor Villain Appears Early. Event Instability: 27%
Combat Bonus Activated: +3 Reflex, +2 Prediction
Kael exhaled and stepped into the ring.
Across from him, Heath grinned viciously, frost forming around his hands.
"A little rat like you won't last five seconds," he snarled.
Kael tilted his head. "Funny. That's exactly how long I planned to give you."
---
The Duel Begins
Frost shot forward in jagged spikes, meant to impale and maim. Heath was clearly trying to end it quickly.
Kael didn't move at first.
Then—a flicker of motion.
He stepped to the side, air rippling from the speed.
> [System Skill Triggered – Edge Reversal]
With a gesture, Kael summoned his imaginary weapon—a blade crafted entirely from thought and chakra-infused mana. Unlike normal magic, it shimmered with multiple elements, the edge changing color as it sliced.
He vanished.
And reappeared behind Heath, blade at the man's neck.
A heartbeat passed.
Then Heath's frost armor shattered.
A gasp swept the crowd.
Heath collapsed to one knee, frost bleeding from his mouth.
"Y-you… how did you—?"
Kael didn't answer. His eyes were cold, but calm.
The announcer was frozen for a moment before he finally shouted, "Victor: Kael!"
Cheers erupted. But they didn't sound quite right.
They were confused. Uncertain.
This wasn't like Asta's loud, blunt power or Yuno's elegance.
Kael's win was silent, precise, and terrifying.
> An unseen spark—striking faster than anyone could react.
---
Observation Booth – Noble Seating
Several captains whispered to one another.
Fuegoleon Vermillion nodded slowly. "That boy… doesn't fight like a child. His movements are unnatural. Precise."
Nozel Silva narrowed his eyes. "His mana is restrained. Deliberate. It's as though he's hiding half his power."
Yami lit a cigarette, eyes narrowing with interest. "Now that's the kind of guy I like. Got the vibe of someone who's seen some real crap."
Charlotte said nothing, but her eyes lingered on Kael's back.
> Who are you really, boy?
---
Elsewhere – Waiting Area
Mimosa Vermillion watched Kael return from his match, curious.
He passed her with a quiet nod.
She blinked, flustered at how calm and composed he was.
> His eyes… crimson like fire. But his presence… it's gentle, isn't it?
Charmy peeked out from her snack basket a few feet away. "Oooh, I like him! He smells like something sweet and spicy!"
Vanessa, who had wandered in from the spectator seats and was now half-drunkenly leaning against the wall, smiled. "Cute and deadly. Dangerous combo."
---
Later That Night – Resting Quarters
Asta was vibrating with excitement. "Did you see me?! I sliced through that guy's wind wall with raw strength!"
Kael smiled faintly. "Yeah. You were loud as usual."
Yuno chuckled. "You made the nobles faint from yelling."
Asta grinned proudly. "Worth it!"
Kael looked out the window, his reflection staring back at him in the moonlight.
> [System Update – Checkpoint Synced]
– Combat Bonus: +3 Body, +4 Skill
– New Trait Unlocked: Suppressive Aura – Weak-minded enemies hesitate to attack when outclassed
– Relationship Progress: +1 (Mimosa), +1 (Charmy), +1 (Vanessa)
> The world had started to notice him. But it was only the beginning.
There were sparks in every encounter, moments no one else saw—connections forming, fate twisting.
> This world once existed in ink and memory.
Now it lived and breathed around him.
And he was becoming its storm.