Asta's Adventure

A week had passed since they arrived in the city. After visiting the Black Market, they hadn't been doing much, and David even decided they would stay in the city for a month. When the time was nearly up, they decided to go to the Colosseum, where the entrance exams for the Magic Knights were being held — an event where people had the chance to be recruited into the Magic Knight squads.

"Well, it's something like this," David began to explain. "When you get your grimoire, you come here to honor the other squads and give them the opportunity to recruit you into their ranks."

Hearing this, Asta looked a little embarrassed.

"Oh, come on, I'm not that amazing," he said, scratching the back of his head awkwardly.

"Well..." David drawled, recalling how Asta had fought mana beasts tirelessly every day in the Grand Magic Zone, defeating creatures that even experienced Magic Knights would struggle with.

"By the way, why exactly are we here?" Asta asked. "I can't take part without a grimoire."

"You'll just watch," David replied. "You'll get an idea of what's waiting for you next year. Trust me, it'll be cool. Plus, we'll see all the squad captains of the Magic Knights — the strongest people in our kingdom after the Wizard King."

"Wow! I can't wait to see them!" Asta exclaimed, his eyes sparkling with excitement.

When they approached the Colosseum, they were met with the sight of a massive line of people crowding at the entrance. Many were nobles, but there were plenty of commoners as well. Seeing them, Asta couldn't hold back his enthusiasm:

"Everyone looks so cool!"

"Alright, Asta, let's go," David said.

"Huh? Oh, okay," Asta replied, and they started walking toward the entrance, bypassing the line.

This immediately caused an uproar, with people shouting at them for cutting in line. Most of the complaints came from nobles, who looked at Asta with disdain.

"Do you feel it too?" one noble whispered. "This peasant's mana level is ridiculously low."

"What are you talking about? He doesn't have any mana at all," another sneered.

"Of course, that's typical among commoners," added a third, their tone dripping with condescension.

Similar remarks echoed repeatedly.

David was furious, thinking that Asta must be even angrier. But when he looked at Asta's face, he saw that he was simply smiling, as if he couldn't hear the insults at all.

"Hey, Asta, are you alright after hearing all that?" David finally asked, unable to hold back.

Asta's response shocked him:

"Huh? What are you talking about? Sorry, I was just thinking about seeing the captains."

"I-is that so..." David stammered.

Letting the matter go, they finally reached the registrar. The old man looked up at them and barked:

"Get in line, or I won't let you through to the exams!"

"Oh, no, sir, we're just here as spectators. We only came to watch," David explained.

"Huh?" The old man glanced over David from head to toe, failing to see anything noble in his simple attire (David preferred to dress plainly, not like a noble). With a dismissive tone, he added:

"Sorry, but only nobles can sit in the spectators' section."

Before he could finish, David handed him a piece of paper.

After reading it, the old man looked back at David and then at Asta. His demeanor shifted instantly, and he spoke with respect:

"You may proceed."