Elizabeth's authoritative voice echoed through the arena, signaling the commencement of the Magic Knight entrance test. Astrea found himself puzzled; why was a vice captain addressing them instead of one of the eight revered captains? A fellow contestant sensed his curiosity and volunteered an explanation, "That's the vice captain of the Existforger Knighthood, and the other vice captain hails from the CoreFury Knighthood. These two knighthoods are unmatched in strength. Even if the remaining eight knighthoods united, they would still be no match for the captains of ExistForger and CoreFury, namely Captain Lucifer Al Faust and Captain Licht Al Vaude."
Astrea couldn't resist his curiosity and asked, "Are they truly that formidable?"
Klaus responded cryptically, "Astrea, if you focus, you'll come to understand." Astrea narrowed his attention and felt an overwhelming surge of magic power emanating from the captains, far surpassing his expectations. The vice captains, in contrast, seemed significantly less imposing.
Elizabeth proceeded, "For your first trial, a speed test awaits. You shall race to determine the fastest among you."
Without hesitation, Astrea employed his spin magic, Aero Glide, surging ahead of his competitors. In his mind, Klaus strategized, "I'm expending all the kinetic energy I've diligently saved throughout our journey for this race."
Klaus unleashed his formidable magic, channeling it into a powerful "Absorption Magic Kinetic Surge ".
Incredibly, Klaus completed the grueling 500-meter race in a mere 20 seconds, leaving him drenched in sweat. The onlookers, including some of the captains, were astounded by his speed and precision. Astrea simply declared with pride, "That's my rival."
With Klaus securing first place, Astrea took second, while a demon girl named Anew Returner secured third place.
The second round of the test delved into theoretical knowledge of magic knight protocol and tactics. Astrea ranked 50th among the 750 participants, securing his passage. Anew Returner claimed the top spot, with Klaus comfortably placing fifth.
The third round, a concentration test, required contestants to craft objects using their magic. The more intricate and detailed the creations, the higher the points awarded. The results remained concealed.
The final trial entailed forming teams of two to battle criminals captured by the knights. The captains oversaw the matches, ensuring contestant safety. Most of these criminals were mere bandits or thieves. As matches unfolded, Astrea and Klaus joined forces to confront a colossal adversary named Gartoroi, who wielded formidable rock magic.
Observing the intense match beside Elizabeth, Celestio muttered to her, "Vice captain, this criminal isn't in our database."
Elizabeth responded, "Of course not. He's a paid killer, an elite one at that Who was executed about 20 years ago. And for some reason, he's set his sights on a magic knight contestant."
Celestio suggested, "Shouldn't we intervene and halt the match immediately?"
Elizabeth contemplated, "If this killer is here to target a prospective magic knight, there must be something extraordinary about the contestant. Let's allow events to unfold."
Gartoroi unleashed his stone magic, "Boulder Bash," sending Astrea and Klaus reeling into a corner. Astrea turned to Klaus, inquiring, "How much of that attack did you absorb?"
Klaus replied confidently, "All of it, and then some." He launched his "Abaorptio Magic Kinetic Strike," but Gartoroi's stone magic protected him, allowing him to withstand the attack. Strangely, Gartoroi seemed singularly focused on Astrea.
Astrea proposed, "Klaus, I have a plan. Are you interested?"
Klaus retorted, "Don't tell me it's 'Piercing Storms.'"
Astrea confirmed, "Exactly." He unleashed his "Spin Magic Surging Tornado," while Klaus absorbed the tornado's velocity, maintaining his kinetic strikes, replenishing them from the storm's energy. Celestio watched the match and remarked, "Impressive. They seem to be holding their own."
Elizabeth nodded and said, "I knew they would."
As their initial strategy proved ineffective, Klaus suggested, "How about we take it up a notch?"
Astrea agreed, channeling "Spin Magic Hurricane Surge." The hurricane's velocity allowed Klaus to absorb even more kinetic energy, intensifying his attacks. Together, they unleashed "Spin X Absorption Magic Piercing Hurricane," causing Gartoroi's stone armor to crack and eventually shatter.
Gartoroi felt the excruciating pain from Klaus's relentless barrage, but somehow he managed to regain his footing. Astrea signaled, "Plan B."
Klaus charged head-on with the remnants of his kinetic energy, while Astrea attacked from behind, employing "Spin Magic Twister Meteor" to shatter Gartoroi's spine. Finally, Gartoroi collapsed to the ground, but not before administering a magic drug to himself, casting uncertainty over the outcome.