Asta's Adventure

Upon hearing Asta's words, the captains began glancing around, searching for his grimoire. When they realized it wasn't there, those who had initially shown interest in him visibly looked disappointed.

"But I'll get my grimoire soon! I'll definitely participate in the next Magic Knights Entrance Exam!" Asta declared confidently.

"You'll join my squad, right?" Yami suddenly interjected. "You still owe me 100 gold! And by the way, you embarrassed my squad. Debts need to be paid!"

"Shut up, Yami," Jack cut in. "The kid will decide for himself. As for the rest, it's your own fault."

"He's right, Yami," Fuegoleon chimed in. "The young man will choose his squad independently."

"Is Fuegoleon Vermillion really considering taking a peasant into his squad? How far the Vermillion family has fallen!" Nozel sneered, though his words were interrupted by whispered comments between Yami and Asta.

"What's with his hair? How does he style it like that?" Asta whispered.

"I wish I knew," Yami replied. "Does he think that look is cool?"

"Maybe he spends hours in front of a mirror? Or maybe he has servants help him?" Asta added.

"Servants? Lame. But if he does it himself… that'd be something to see," Yami muttered.

Hearing this, Nozel seethed with rage internally but tried to keep his composure.

"You idiots, I can hear you!" he hissed, turning his gaze away from Asta and Yami to look at Fuegoleon, who had turned away but was visibly shaking, struggling not to laugh.

At that moment, Asta noticed the sword hanging at Yami's side.

"Wow! Is that yours? Are you a swordsman?" Asta asked, his eyes sparkling.

"The best in the Clover Kingdom," Yami replied with a smirk, watching Asta closely.

Asta quickly gathered the dismantled weapons lying around and, holding a sword in his hands, asked, "Can I spar with you?"

"You can, but only if you join my squad," Yami replied nonchalantly.

"Really?" Asta said with a defeated look. Then he remembered: "In the Black Bulls, I'd be treated like family, just like David said. Why not?"

After thinking it over, Asta spoke again to Yami. "I'll join your squad if you spar with me."

"Nah, too lazy. Let's do it next year," Yami replied lazily.

All of Asta's energy drained away instantly. He stared at the captain in disbelief but, realizing it was pointless to argue, returned to the stands and sat beside David.

"Hah! The Black Bulls? That's exactly where a peasant belongs," Solid sneered. "They even offered him a place in the Crimson Lion Kings, but it's obvious he's a backwater nobody—he declined!"

Meanwhile, the exam had begun. As Asta watched, he started to learn a lot about the process.

"So, the first test next year is going to involve a broom and mana control. I might as well admit defeat now," he muttered thoughtfully.

However, the exam seemed unbearably dull to him.

"Why is everyone so weak?" he asked in frustration. "They're always boasting about their power, especially the nobles. But I'm not impressed."

"Well, that's how it is," David replied. "Out of a hundred, maybe one is worth considering. Sometimes, no one gets selected."

"Hmm… I see. But among these people, I don't sense anyone truly strong. Alright, let's keep watching."

At that moment, Rill approached them.

"Hey! You're Asta, right?" he said, extending a hand for a handshake.

Asta immediately shook his hand.

"I don't see anyone special here, so I decided to leave early. But I wanted to talk to you first."

"Wait! How old are you? You look really young," Asta asked, surprised.

"Me? I'm 18," Rill said proudly.

"And you're already a captain?" Asta exclaimed.

"Yup!" Rill confirmed with pride. "I'm one of the best! But being a captain is hard…" he added, lowering his voice. "You can't have a normal conversation with those weirdos," he said, pointing at the other captains.

"Hmm, yeah. They are pretty strange," Asta agreed.

As if hearing his words, Yami shouted, "Who are you calling strange?! I don't want to hear that from you!"

Sitting back down, Yami grumbled something under his breath.

"Well, you're right," Rill continued. "They're strange. So, want to be friends? I want to talk to someone closer to my age."

"Friends with a captain? Sure!"

"Awesome!" Rill said excitedly, and the two began chatting animatedly.