After the chaos at the Grimoire Ceremony and the battle against the rogue mage, Asta felt an overwhelming mix of excitement and fear. The dark, worn grimoire in his hand, which had chosen him as its bearer, was now his sole connection to the magic that he could wield. It wasn't the traditional magic everyone else had—no fire, no lightning, no dazzling spells. Instead, it was **anti-magic**, the ability to nullify and erase other spells, a power that few understood and even fewer respected.
With his new grimoire in hand, Asta and Yuno were back in Hage Village, recovering from the incident. Yuno, still processing his own rare four-leaf grimoire, stood quietly, gazing at the grimoire as if it held the answers to everything.
"Asta," Yuno called, his voice calm but serious. "I'm going to the capital to join the **Golden Dawn**. It's the best Magic Knight squad, and I know I can make a difference there."
Asta, always the one to challenge any obstacle, grinned wide. "What, you think you'll leave me behind just like that? I'm going to the capital too, and I'll be a Magic Knight just like you!"
Yuno narrowed his eyes, but a slight smile tugged at the corners of his lips. "Then we'll both aim for the Wizard King."
But before they could make any more plans, the arrival of a messenger interrupted their conversation. The man, dressed in the official uniform of the Magic Knights, carried a parchment in his hand.
"Listen up!" he called out, waving the paper. "You two are invited to the Magic Knights' entrance exam! Come to the capital at once! Those who wish to join a squad of Magic Knights must prove their worth in the exam."
With hearts full of determination, Asta and Yuno set out for the capital. The city was magnificent—tall spires of stone and marble reached for the sky, and magic flowed through the streets like an invisible river, a constant reminder of the kingdom's power.
At the exam, hundreds of candidates gathered, each eager to join one of the prestigious Magic Knight squads. The candidates were sorted by the various squads—Golden Dawn, Crimson Lion, Silver Eagle, and many others—but Asta barely took notice of them. All he could focus on was the goal before him: to prove he belonged.
Asta stood in the center of the square, his black grimoire clutched tightly in his hands. Around him, the other participants began summoning powerful magic, creating dazzling displays of fire, lightning, and earth. Asta, on the other hand, had no flashy magic to display. He could only rely on his strength and determination.
The exam began with a series of magical challenges designed to test the participants' raw power. First, a series of combat dummies appeared, each more difficult than the last. While most mages effortlessly dismantled their targets with magic, Asta charged in headfirst, using nothing but his sword to cut through the enchanted wooden figures. Each swing was fueled by sheer strength, and though the dummies broke apart under his strikes, Asta's technique was far from refined.
"You're wasting your time!" shouted a voice from behind. It was **Sekke Bronzazza**, a boastful candidate with a smug grin plastered across his face. "You don't even have magic! There's no way you can pass this exam."
Asta gritted his teeth but didn't respond. Instead, he continued hacking through the dummies with relentless vigor, his muscles burning with every swing.
At the end of the first trial, Asta stood exhausted but proud. His grimoire, while silent, seemed to hum with energy, as though it recognized his perseverance. He had passed the first trial, but the real test was yet to come.
The Black Bulls
The second trial required the candidates to engage in mock battles with experienced Magic Knights. Asta faced a fierce opponent—**Magna Swing**, a member of the Black Bulls. Magna's fire magic erupted in torrents, creating a series of flaming projectiles that shot directly at Asta. But Asta didn't flinch. With a swift motion, he raised his sword, slashing through the flames with his anti-magic blade. The fire dispersed in an instant, leaving Magna stunned.
"What the hell?! You're not normal," Magna muttered, his eyes wide.
Despite his lack of magic, Asta had proven that his strength was enough to hold his ground. When the battle ended, the judges were divided, but one thing was clear: Asta had shown potential.
Finally, the day of reckoning arrived. The squads were preparing to announce the candidates they would take in, and Asta anxiously awaited his fate. He was certain that no prestigious squad would take him in; after all, he had no magic.
But then, a rough voice boomed from behind him.
"You, kid. You're the one I'm looking for."
Asta turned around to see **Yami Sukehiro**, the captain of the Black Bulls, a gruff, tattooed man with an intimidating presence. His dark eyes locked onto Asta's.
"Yami-sama?" Asta blinked in confusion. "You want me to join the Black Bulls?"
"That's right," Yami said with a grin. "The Black Bulls aren't exactly the brightest or the most polished, but we get the job done. I like your fire, kid. You've got guts, and that's what counts. You're in."
And just like that, Asta had found his place. The Black Bulls—an infamous squad of misfit mages—was now his home. Yuno had joined the prestigious Golden Dawn, but Asta wasn't worried. He had his own path to walk, and with the Black Bulls by his side, he was ready to chase his dream of becoming the Wizard King.