In the heart of the Clover Kingdom's royal city, the Magic Knights' entrance exam was underway, the grand venue brimming with young hopefuls who had come from every corner of the kingdom. They each bore the same dream—to become Magic Knights, guardians of the realm, and to bring pride to their homes.

The crowd was alive with energy, filled with chatter and excited whispers, as young mages from towns, villages, and even remote regions craned their necks, eagerly awaiting their chance.

"This place is incredible! It's like I'm finally here, after all that training!" one mage said, nervously wiping his brow.

"Just being here is a huge deal," another murmured, looking around at the towering walls and grand banners of the royal exam arena.

All around, mages whispered in awe about the Magic Knights themselves—nine prestigious squads that directly served the Wizard King. They were protectors, heroes who faced down dark threats and dangers with unyielding resolve. Each squad had its unique reputation, some known for honor, others for ferocity, and even the more infamous Black Bulls. But no matter the squad, the Knights were respected and admired by all.

"Phew, I'm getting nervous just thinking about it!" one boy admitted, clenching his fists to steady himself.

"Hey, watch it—ouch!" a young girl exclaimed as small black birds swooped around her. "What's up with these birds?"

The air around the candidates was soon thick with the flurry of small, dark creatures—Anti-Birds, specifically bred to detect magic. They swooped low, darting at those with weaker magical energy, pecking and ruffling their clothes as if sensing their lack of power.

"Oh, great, it's those Anti-Birds. They only hang around places like this during the exams," one candidate muttered, swatting the air. "The less magic power you've got, the more they'll go after you."

At that moment, someone pointed across the crowd, their gaze fixed on a striking figure standing calm and unruffled. Unlike the rest, not a single Anti-Bird dared approach him.

"Hey, look at that guy," one mage said, gesturing.

The figure had an undeniable presence, standing tall with a composed expression. His hair was a deep shade of forest green, tousled yet refined, while his eyes held a sharp, intense focus that seemed to radiate power. His build was athletic but not overly bulky, projecting strength and control. He wore a simple robe, yet his aura made him stand out among the hundreds gathered there.

"No birds are even going near him," another mage whispered, in awe.

"Oh, it's him—the one they're all talking about from the boonies, who got chosen by the Four-Leaf Clover grimoire."

"What? Four-Leaf Clover?" murmurs of disbelief and envy rippled through the crowd. The Four-Leaf Clover was a mark of extraordinary talent, a grimoire of legends.

Not too far away, another boy was struggling as Anti-Birds swarmed him like a dark, flapping cloud. He wore a wild grin despite the chaos, his short, spiky hair catching the light as he tried to brush the birds away.

"Heh, one of us is going to become the Wizard King!" he announced, glancing over at the calm figure. "Our legend starts here, right, Yuno?"

"What?" someone nearby scoffed. "Become Wizard King? This guy?"

The boy, Asta, grinned even wider, the Anti-Birds still diving at him relentlessly. "I'll show you what six months of training can do!" he declared, yelping as a bird pecked him. "Ow! Ow! What's up with these freakin' birds?"

"Look at him. That's bad, even for someone from the boonies!" someone laughed nearby as Asta ran in circles, trying to escape the birds.

In his frenzy, Asta bumped into a towering figure, his wild energy instantly stopping as he looked up in shock. The man was enormous, built like a wall of muscle with an intense, almost dangerous aura that radiated authority and raw strength.

"Oops, sorry for bumping into you!" Asta said quickly, trying to smile.

The man looked down, his brows drawing together in a way that made the air around him seem heavier. "You wanna die?" he growled, his voice low and menacing. His eyes were sharp and predatory, his neck thick and his physique intimidating. Asta felt like he was staring at a beast rather than a human.

'What the heck, who is this guy?' Asta thought, beads of sweat forming on his forehead. 'He's got crazy eyes, and he's like a mountain! Is he really the same age as us?'

Asta forced a grin, muttering to himself, "Just… be friendly."

"Whoa, you look really old for a kid," Asta said, his voice shaky but genuine.

The crowd went dead silent, everyone around them gaping at Asta's words. No one dared talk to this man like that.

"Looks like you're ready to die!" the man roared, his expression fierce as he clenched his fists.

Just then, a young man with messy, light brown hair and a laid-back demeanor appeared, sighing as he approached. "Ah, there you are, Yami-san," he said, looking tired. "What're you doing down here?"

"Just about to wring this kid's neck," Yami grumbled, picking Asta up by his collar with one hand, lifting him effortlessly.

The young man chuckled nervously, rubbing the back of his neck. "Uh, please don't, Yami-san. A Magic Knight Captain shouldn't be killing examinees. And why are you down here with them, anyway?"

Yami released a frustrated growl, letting Asta down roughly. "I was looking for that guy, Zoro. He always gets lost, and he always causes a scene when he shows up."

The young man sighed, mumbling under his breath, "Like you're one to talk… You two are exactly the same."

"Oh, hey! Is that…?" someone from the crowd whispered, eyeing the young man standing beside Yami.

"Finral Roulacase? The spatial magic user!" another candidate gasped. "He's famous for… well, hitting on women so much that it gets in the way of his work."

A murmur spread as people also noticed a shadowy figure standing close to Finral. "And that's Gordon Agrippa, the Incantation Magic expert!" someone else whispered, eyeing the mysterious figure's dark clothing and quiet demeanor.

The group continued to gather attention as people began to whisper about Yami himself. "The Lord of Destruction, Yami Sukehiro, captain of the Black Bulls!" one candidate said in awe.

"They say the Black Bulls cause more damage than anyone else, even with all their accomplishments."

"They've even got that guy with them—the one people call the most dangerous of them all."

"They say he's so strong that he even went toe-to-toe with the Wizard King once," a voice trembled, adding to the atmosphere of awe and fear.

Asta, still dazed, managed to think to himself, 'Great, just great. I got myself mixed up with a group of lunatics!'

Just then, a powerful voice boomed over the arena. "Thank you for waiting, invited examinees!" The loud announcement interrupted all conversations as the entire crowd looked up.

The nine Captains of the Magic Knight squads emerged, each in full regalia, their unique presences striking awe into the crowd. Excited cheers filled the air as the candidates erupted with admiration.

"Whoa! The captains of the Silver Eagles and the Crimson Lions!" someone shouted, eyes wide with awe.

Each captain was known to possess the strength of over a hundred mages, and from among them would eventually come the next Wizard King. They each had their own strengths and legends.

"Looks like they started without us," Finral murmured, feeling anxious.

"Appreciate your saved life," Yami muttered to Asta. "Or I'll take it myself later."

From the stage, a captain with a golden mask and a noble bearing stepped forward, his presence calm and confident. "I will be in charge of the exams today," he said, his voice gentle yet powerful.

"It's Captain William Vangeance of the Golden Dawn!" a voice said in awe.

"He's the top candidate to be the next Wizard King!"

The captain opened his grimoire with a smooth gesture. "Magic Tree, descend!" he commanded. The air shimmered as thick tree roots formed in mid-air, weaving down to create broomsticks for each examinee.

"The first test is to fly on these brooms. A mage who can control their power should be able to fly with ease. Those who can't fly… well, there may be no future for you as a Magic Knight."

As if on cue, a powerful voice rang out from the entrance. "Oh, is that so, William? You sure are getting arrogant," the voice boomed. "I can't use any magic, but I sure as hell can beat your ass."

Heads turned as a tall, broad-shouldered man strode into the venue, his presence commanding immediate attention. He wore a traditional yukata draped loosely over his frame, giving him a casual yet intimidating look. His green hair was messy, yet he wore it confidently, and he had three swords strapped to his side. His scarred face showed years of battle experience, and his expression was one of a man who feared nothing. 

He ruffled his hair, eyes scanning the venue with an indifferent but sharp gaze, taking in the stunned expressions around him.

"Are these the new recruits?" he smirked, sizing up the crowd. "Why don't you fight me? Let's see if any of you have what it takes to stand in a real fight."

The crowd felt an overwhelming pressure descend upon them as Zoro's Conqueror's Haki flared. The force pressed down like a tangible weight, leaving several examinees trembling. The weakest among them dropped to their knees, unable to withstand the intensity of his spirit.

The captains watched, each reacting in their own way. Yami pressed his palm against his forehead, muttering, "This guy's still causing trouble. Why am I not surprised?"

William Vangeance, the Golden Dawn captain, broke into a sweat, the calm in his eyes slightly faltering. "His power… It's as formidable as ever," he said quietly.

Captain Nozel Silva watched with a respectful nod. Although he typically looked down on commoners, even he could not ignore Zoro's strength.

Dorothy Unsworth, usually asleep, was wide awake, her gaze fixed on Zoro with a rare, affectionate smile.

Fuegoleon Vermillion's face lit up with enthusiasm as he laughed, fists clenched. "hahahaha he is causing trouble as always."

Jack the Ripper grinned, his tongue flicking over his teeth. "I want to see what those insides look like," he muttered, clearly excited.

Rill Boismortier, the youngest captain, was nearly bouncing in his seat. "Whoa, its so much fun!" he thought, already dreaming of a vibrant painting inspired by the scene.

Among the examinees, the crowd's reaction split. Those who recognized Zoro fell silent, fear flashing in their eyes, as they remembered tales of his strength. Those who didn't simply stared in awe, wondering who he was and why he carried such a terrifying presence.

"He's the one who fought an entire squad alone during the invasion," someone whispered, voice shaking.

"They say he's even stronger than some of the captains," another murmured, looking terrified.

Meanwhile, Zoro's challenge lingered in the air. "Ha! Are these the new recruits? Why don't you fight me?" he grinned, his eyes glinting with excitement as he looked around, his aura flaring.

Just then, a booming voice broke the tension. "What are you doing, moss head?" Yami barked from his seat. "Stop scaring everyone and come up here!"

Zoro's Haki faded as he turned, a casual grin spreading across his face. "Oh, Yami! There you are. I was looking for you," he said, scratching the back of his head. "These streets are confusing as hell."

The crowd exhaled in relief as Zoro withdrew his Haki. The candidates who had fallen slowly stood back up, their faces pale.

Asta, watching from the sidelines, stared up at Zoro in awe. "Whoa… he doesn't have any magic power either, but he's that strong?"

Beside him, Yuno observed Zoro with narrowed eyes, feeling the sheer weight of his power.

Asta clenched his fists, a spark of determination in his eyes. "If he can stand here without magic, then so can I!" He grinned, his confidence surging as he looked around the venue.