Just as the dark spatial sphere was about to fall, lightning, flames, and a jet-black blade were placed at Langris's neck.
"Huh?"
Luck, Magna, and Asta arrived at the battlefield, thanks to Charmy's Cotton Magic, to stop someone's insane actions.
"Try to make another move, I dare you?"
"I'll disregard the match... and kill you, you hear?"
Asta gripped the hilt and pressed the blade forward: "The outcome is decided, Vice-Captain of the Golden Dawn. You're not acting like yourself right now..."
"Ha? Why are you stopping me? You Black Bulls Squad nobodies?"
"Oh my ~ While someone who holds back when sparring with comrades isn't trustworthy, someone who wants to kill their comrade isn't just a matter of trustworthiness!"
Magic Emperor Julius arrived at the scene with Owen, the Kingdom's chief recovery Mage. Without further ado, Owen summoned a jellyfish to begin healing Finral.
The Black Bulls Squad withdrew their magic and released Langris.
Asta stepped forward directly: "Finral-senpai always said you were a gentle person after he saw you in Qitan. He said it was his fault that you bore the family pressure, and he was worried you'd become so confrontational..."
"Only Finral-senpai, who is gentler than anyone, is a true Magic Knight. Someone like you, no matter how strong, isn't a Magic Knight!"
These same words made Langris recall what he had overheard Finnes Calmreiz, his family's arranged marriage partner, say to Finral: "...Mr. Finral is a wonderful Mage..."
"What are you saying?"
"Did winning so far make you arrogant? You're just a rookie from the Black Bulls Squad, but your mouth is quite sharp!"
Langris impatiently turned to Magic Emperor Julius and said, "Magic Emperor, since we're all in the winner's bracket, please let them compete against me first?"
"Time Binding Magic: Time-Stop Illusion."
Watching Asta and Langris, who were on the verge of erupting, Magic Emperor Julius froze them in place.
"Although you want to fight a real battle, this is an assessment. Please wait a little longer."
————————————
Magic Emperor Julius allowed the semifinals to start first. After Sacai, who had been transported to the Black Bulls Squad' base by Spatial Magic, was found, both sides officially began their battle.
Bai En stood on the viewing platform, watching the battle between Asta's team and Langris's team. After a brief exchange, a black and red intertwined figure, like a long rainbow, sliced through Langris's team's magic crystal.
However, under the protection of Nancy and Zora, Asta's team's magic crystal remained unbroken, so Asta's Group B ultimately advanced to the finals.
Watching Zora lecturing the Mages below, Bai En pondered some things, 'Did they win? That's a bit unexpected.'
'I vaguely remember Asta's Devil form can only be used twice a day, but now... this relaxed appearance, has his physique improved due to the breathing technique, increasing the number of times he can use Devil form?'
'That's good, it won't be too boring before the finals.'
'Of course, I still have to defeat Yuno first...'
The match continued, starting the second round, the first match of the second group, with Bai En, Gosen, and Mimosa against Luck, Klaus, and Puli Angel of the Blue Rose.
Having witnessed Bai En's performance in the previous match, Luck communicated with his teammates and decided to launch a surprise attack. The three of them did not leave their area; instead, they combined Steel Magic, Lightning Magic, and Wing Magic to form a giant crossbow.
Magic power continuously condensed and refined.
Steel Magic formed the body of the crossbow, Lightning Magic became the arrow, and Wing Magic was used for acceleration. Luck's team prepared to win with one super-speed, super-attack magic strike.
The idea was beautiful, but... reality is always cruel.
After the roaring Lightning Arrow was shot.
Just as the three thought their combined magic, "Divine Roar Arrow," could pierce through anything, the giant Lightning Arrow, within five meters of Bai En, was constantly annihilated and transformed, scattering into countless snow-white fragments... This was chaotic flowing magic power.
Gosen and Mimosa released two attack spells to draw the attention of Luck's team, while Xiao Tong struck sharply, cutting through their protected magic crystal with one slash.
The last team to win in the second round was Yuno's team, so the match was largely complete. Currently, the team of Asta, Zora, and Nancy has advanced to the finals.
Bai En, Gosen, and Mimosa, and Yuno, Noelle, and En Ringard's teams will compete for the final spot in the finals.
During the intermission.
King A. Kira Globa XIII, holding a scepter and sitting on his throne, gazed at the Magic Knights members below. 'Ah, ah ~ None of them seem to have me in their eyes at all. I haven't even said 'start,' and the battle has already begun, honestly!'
'That person from the remote countryside... what was his name? Asta? Asta? Never mind the name, he actually defeated the Vice-Captain of the Golden Dawn and advanced to the finals?'
'He blatantly criticized me at the Star Festival. I absolutely cannot let him win. That guy from the Golden Dawn... and the Black Bulls Squad are in cahoots...'
'Wait, wasn't that Mage from the Aqua Deer Squad the Mage who protected me during the attack on the Royal Capital?!'
King A. Kira Globa XIII, who considered himself powerful and noble, only recognized Bai En now.
'If that's the case...'
"Ahem." King A. Kira Globa XIII coughed heavily twice, "Julius!"
The King's words naturally drew the attention of those around him.
Julius turned slightly, "What is it, Your Majesty?"
"I'm a bit tired. How about we finish today's Royal Knights Squad selection assessment quickly?"
"This..."
Before Julius could object, King A. Kira Globa XIII continued, "There are only three teams left. It wouldn't be impossible to put them all in one match, would it? The remaining final match will be a free-for-all attack and defense among the three teams."
"The team whose magic crystal remains unbroken wins the final victory, what do you think?"
"That sounds fine, but it might affect Group B, who have fought two matches..."
King A. Kira Globa XIII looked displeased: "Are you refusing my suggestion as King?"
"How could I?"
Julius smiled, "Since it's the King's suggestion, then we shall ask the members of the teams. If they all agree, then the final match will be a free-for-all among three teams, but if they refuse..."
King A. Kira Globa XIII waved his hand impatiently, "I understand."
When this news reached Asta and the others, almost without much thought, all three teams unanimously agreed.
"Rest time extended by 1 hour. After changing the actual terrain, the final match will be a free-for-all among three teams!"
"The team whose magic crystal remains unbroken or is relatively intact within the time limit wins!"
...