---
Yami: "Really, this kid is talented. He showed a magic circle, even though it's distorted, but that's special in itself. However, he's more arrogant than someone I know," he said as he looked at the Silver Eagle captain.
Fuegoleon: "Yes, he should join the Crimson Lion Kings squad."
Yami: "I don't think you'll succeed. This kid doesn't like restrictions, and I think he doesn't like nobles either, just as many nobles don't like commoners."
Fuegoleon remained silent, but he didn't give up. This boy and his fire magic were strong.
While Fuegoleon was lost in thought, Yami was thinking about Valin, especially the last sentence he said and his reaction when Fuegoleon unleashed his aura. Instead of being afraid, Valin was excited and wanted to fight, but he suppressed his desire.
Yami patted Fuegoleon's shoulder and said, "Don't think too much. This kid is looking for something he won't find in any other squad. He should join the Black Bulls."
After saying this, Yami returned to his place, while Fuegoleon followed, wanting to ask him what he was talking about, but Yami didn't respond.
Everyone snapped out of their shock.
The captain of the Golden Dawn stood up and announced the continuation of the trials.
Dusk was approaching, and all the present candidates had completed the battle.
The nine Magic Knight captains stood side by side in a single line.
"The exam is over! The candidates whose numbers are called, step forward," said the captain of the Golden Dawn in a deep voice.
"Candidate number 1, step forward!"
"No hand raised!"
"Candidate number 2, step forward!"
"No hand raised!"
······
No one raised their hand until they reached candidate number 100, and the pressure began to mount on the candidates.
Everyone was anxious about their fate, wondering if they would end up like the previous candidates.
"Candidate number 164!"
"Yes!" Yuno stepped forward.
"Who wants him in their squad? Please raise your hand!"
"Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!"
At the same moment, the nine captains raised their hands.
Everyone was stunned.
"Actually, the nine captains raised their hands at the same time!"
"Yes, all of them raised their hands. It's amazing."
"It's no surprise. He's a genius chosen by a four-leaf clover!"
"However, don't the Golden Dawn and Silver Wing Eagles only accept nobles and royalty?"
"Who knows!"
Yuno looked at the nine captains around him. To become the Wizard King, he chose the best path, the Golden Dawn, the kingdom's strongest Magic Knight squad.
"I want to join the Golden Dawn!" said Yuno.
The captain of the Golden Dawn smiled slightly, as if everything was going as he had expected.
For this year's candidates, he admired only two: Yuno and Valin.
The rest did not pique his interest.
Asta, as in the anime, joined the Black Bulls, and now it was Valin's turn.
"Next candidate, number 264."
Valin stepped forward when he heard his number being called.
"Who wants him in their squad? Please raise your hand!"
"Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!"
Once again, all nine Magic Knight captains raised their hands at the same time.
Everyone was shocked once again!
"It's amazing, all the captains raised their hands again."
"Yes, it seems the nobles are going to take a blow this time."
"It's truly astonishing! The captains raised their hands twice, and the most important part is that both are from border villages."
Valin looked at the nine captains in front of him. Honestly, he hadn't expected all the captains to raise their hands. But he made his choice.
Valin: "I want to join the Black Bulls."
After saying his words, silence fell for a moment.
"This boy..."
The captain of the Golden Dawn frowned. He couldn't understand it. The Golden Dawn were the strongest Magic Knights, so why did Valin choose the Black Bulls, a squad whose negative results outweighed its merits?
"Really! Did I hear that correctly? He gave up the opportunity to join the Golden Dawn? And also the Silver Wing Eagles. He chose the explosive Black Bulls squad."
"This guy… He wasted a rare opportunity."
"If the captains raised their hands for me, I'd definitely choose the Golden Dawn."
"What a real shame."
At that moment, when Yami heard that Valin had chosen to join the Black Bulls, he thought he heard it wrong.
"Did this kid just say he wants to join our squad?" Yami asked his team members.
"Yes, a good seed fell from the sky! We're really lucky. I thought he'd choose the Golden Dawn."
The captain of the Golden Dawn asked Valin: "Are you sure?"
Yami interrupted him: "Hold on, hold on. What do you want to do? The kid said his words, and he can't take them back."
The captain of the Golden Dawn laughed and said: "Alright, fine."
Suddenly, Fuegoleon stood up and spoke.
Fuegoleon: "Why did you choose the Black Bulls? There's the Golden Dawn, the Silver Eagles, and the Crimson Lion Kings. Join us, and you'll learn more about fire magic."
Yami: "Huh? Are you trying to steal a member from my squad?"
Valin: "Actually, I chose the Black Bulls after learning about the nature of this squad. It suits my goal."
Everyone looked at Valin, wondering why he chose the worst squad.
Valin: "Every squad has distinguished Magic Knights, but there's something in the Black Bulls that sets it apart: no nobles. Yes, that's one reason. The second is the freedom. And the third, they're like a family. All these conditions provide me with the path to achieve my goal."
The captain of the Golden Dawn asked curiously: "And what is your goal?"
Everyone was curious, knowing that Yuno wanted to become the Wizard King, so what was Valin's goal?
Valin smiled and spread his arms: "I want to know the truth. I want to learn all kinds of magic and all kinds of creatures, from humans to monsters and ancient races. I want to uncover the secrets of the past. I want to witness the ancient eras. I want to reach new dimensions beyond Clover Kingdom and this continent. I want to see what's beyond the sea, above the sky, and below the earth. With true knowledge, one can become complete. Don't I have the right to know the truth? Why do nobles consider themselves above everyone else while commoners are left at the bottom? Why wasn't I born a noble? Why are there strong and weak magics? In reality, there's no weak magic, only a wizard who doesn't know how to use his magic. With knowledge, I'll develop my magic to new dimensions and gain the strength to become the greatest fire mage in history."
With each word Valin said, his voice grew more passionate, and his aura intensified.
The nine captains were shocked by this grand goal. It was bigger than anyone else's, even Asta and Yuno.
Yami: "Good dream, but tough. Can you achieve it?"
Valin: "It may seem like a tough dream, but I'll keep walking until the end and make it real. Because I am Valin... and I will be the greatest fire mage."
---
The sky had darkened, and the Magic Knights entry exam had come to an end.
"Next time, if we get the chance, I want to fight you," Yuno said slowly as he walked beside Valin.
Valin nodded slightly and said: "Alright, next time we'll fight. I want to see your progress."
"I have to get stronger to defeat you and surpass you because I want to become the Wizard King," Yuno added.
Valin shook his head: "No, I'm not interested in becoming the Wizard King."
Yuno smiled a little and said: "That's true. No wonder you gave up the best path and chose the Black Bulls."
"Hey, kid, time to go." Yami yelled from the side to Valin.
"Okay," Valin answered, then turned to Yuno and said: "Alright, let's talk when we get the chance! I have to go now."
After finishing his words, Valin headed towards Yami.
After that, Asta returned from the bathroom and bid farewell to Yuno.
"Let's go, Finral," Yami said.
Finral, one of the Black Bulls members, had spatial magic.
He was born into the Vaude family, a family of aggressive spatial mages, and his younger brother was the vice-captain of the Golden Dawn. Because of his non-violent personality, he was seen as a disgrace to the family, and he chose to run away.
He prefers women over achieving feats.
"Alright!" Finral responded, opened his grimoire, and emitted a blue light.
The next moment, he waved his hand, and a circle of silver light appeared.
Yami threw Asta as in the anime.
Valin slowly followed Yami inside.
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