The sun rose like fire over the Royal Capital, casting golden light across the castle's examination grounds. The plaza was filled with anticipation, nervous chatter, and the raw pressure of hundreds of young mages preparing for the Magic Knight Entrance Exam.
For most, this was the beginning of their future.
For Kael, it was another pivotal point in the storyline—one he'd once read, but now lived.
He stood quietly among the crowd, arms crossed, crimson eyes steady beneath his white bangs. He could feel it in the air: the anxiety of commoners, the arrogance of nobles, and the heavy expectations weighing on everyone.
> [Main Event Synced: Magic Knight Exam – Canon Divergence Potential High]
The system alert echoed in his mind like a drumbeat.
---
Old Friends, New Competition
Asta and Yuno stood beside him, both dressed in basic formal wear. Asta vibrated with energy.
"This is it!" Asta said, grinning. "Our shot to prove we're Magic Knight material!"
Yuno, calm as always, simply nodded. "Don't fall behind."
Kael smiled faintly. "Don't worry. I don't plan to."
From the noble circle, a few sneering voices drifted their way.
"Hmph. Another batch of filth trying to reach beyond their station."
"Look at that white-haired freak. Crimson eyes? Probably cursed."
Kael ignored them, but Asta clenched his fists. "Say that again, noble trash!"
"Don't waste your breath," Kael said, his tone calm but cold. "We'll speak with strength."
---
The Captains Arrive
Drums thundered. Flags waved. And the Magic Knight Captains descended onto the balcony above the arena.
Kael's eyes passed over them: Fuegoleon, Nozel, Charlotte, Jack the Ripper, Dorothy, Kaiser, and finally—
Yami Sukehiro, arms folded, bored out of his mind.
He caught Kael's eye and gave a nod.
The final captain stepped forward—William Vangeance, leader of the Golden Dawn.
"Welcome, aspiring mages," William's voice echoed. "Today, you will demonstrate not just power, but control, perception, and resolve. Give it your all—and may fate guide your path."
---
Trial One: Magic Projection
The first trial was a show of raw magic.
"Begin by creating a magical construct that reflects your affinity," one of the instructors called.
Candidates unleashed their spells: flame tigers, water serpents, thunderbirds, and more.
Kael closed his eyes. Sylphiel. Lyra. Let's do something subtle.
Golden and green energy swirled at his fingertips. He formed a shifting, radiant lotus—each petal made of wind-light fusion, spinning in midair like clockwork.
Gasps rippled through the spectators.
"Is that... a dual-element fusion?"
"Impossible! That level of control—"
Kael retracted the spell with a snap, letting it vanish into sparkles.
Nozel narrowed his eyes. Fuegoleon smiled thoughtfully.
---
Trial Two: Target Destruction
Next came moving targets—enchanted stone birds with flight patterns and defensive barriers.
Asta shattered his with raw strength and anti-magic. Yuno eliminated his with a single wind lance.
Kael flicked a finger.
A spear of compressed light and wind pierced five targets in one elegant arc, curving as if alive.
Mimosa, watching from the sidelines with other nobles, clapped without thinking. "He's amazing…"
Secre, perched in raven form atop a high beam, narrowed her eyes. "He's not using even half his power."
---
Trial Three: Combat Duels
"Contestants will be matched randomly to duel one another," the announcer called.
Kael stepped onto the dueling platform and found himself facing a smug noble from House Graven.
"You're that orphan with weird eyes. This'll be easy."
Kael simply nodded. "Come at me."
The noble summoned a barrage of earth spears. Kael sidestepped fluidly, never drawing a weapon.
A flash of light. The noble's casting arm was pinned to the ground by a spear of wind-forged mana.
The match ended in seconds.
Yami leaned toward Fuegoleon. "That kid's definitely something."
---
Trial Four: Endurance Gauntlet
Only a dozen candidates remained.
This final trial tested stamina and resolve. Magical beasts conjured by the proctors would attack in waves.
Asta fought like a madman, punching through wolves and golems with his demon blade.
Kael danced through them, weaving constructs, flashing teleportation bursts, shielding Asta when needed. At one point, he fused wind into his step and light into his strikes, becoming a blur of brilliance.
Yuno calmly eliminated threats with efficient gusts.
At the end, Kael stood untouched. His mana, balanced by two spirits, barely dipped.
> [System Sync: Combat Mastery +1 | Wind-Light Fusion Efficiency Increased]
---
The Selection Ceremony
As the trials ended, the captains stepped forward to select recruits.
Yuno was instantly chosen by William Vangeance for Golden Dawn.
Asta, after the captains hesitated, was taken in by Yami—who grinned like a predator.
And then Kael stepped up.
Before the names were called, Yami interrupted.
"I want him."
Fuegoleon raised an eyebrow. "You're quick to claim."
Yami shrugged. "He's got that killer instinct."
Lyra's voice spoke quietly in Kael's mind. "Your choices matter here."
Kael looked up.
"I respectfully choose... the Black Bulls."
A murmur ran through the crowd.
Noelle smiled.
Mimosa seemed surprised, but then smiled softly too.
---
That Night
In the quiet of the guest house, Kael stared up at the stars from the roof.
A familiar flutter of wings landed beside him—Secre in her raven form.
"You're not like the others," she said, shifting into her human form.
Kael blinked but nodded. "Neither are you."
Secre sat beside him. "You've hidden your full power. You're not even close to your limit."
He turned to her. "I'm saving it for the battles that matter."
She stared at him for a long moment before softly saying, "Good. Don't waste it on fools."