The training ground crackled with tension, the air thick with the sting of anticipation. Noon loomed like a guillotine, and the clock ticked relentlessly.
Miki swallowed hard, her palms glowing faintly with healer magic. She was exhausted, but she wasn't backing down.
Miki said, "I… I'll do my best. For the team."
Baka cracked his knuckles, his stance loose, the beer bottle still dangling carelessly from his fingers.
"Ready? Start!" Baka barked.
Seig charged first, flames sparking from his fists, their red-orange glow illuminating his focused expression. He launched a fiery punch directly at Baka's chest.
Baka sidestepped with an effortless blur, his movements too fast to follow, then grabbed Seig's wrist. With a fluid motion, he flipped Seig hard onto his back, the thud of impact shaking the ground.
Baka, sipping his beer, said, "Too slow, bucket boy."
Athuria stepped forward, eyes cold, her hands glowing with ice magic. Sharp, glittering icicles surged around her, raining down in a deadly barrage.
Baka twirled his katana in the air like it weighed nothing, slicing through the icicles with precision. The shards shattered into sparkling dust.
"Not bad, Princess. But predictable," Baka remarked.
Miki hesitated, then hurled a glowing orb of healer magic, hoping to distract or provide a small buff. Her hands shook from the strain.
Baka caught the orb in his palm, and it fizzled out harmlessly.
"Nice try, shy one. Gotta be faster and smarter," Baka said.
The trio regrouped, chests heaving as they exchanged determined glances. Seig's temper was reaching a boiling point.
"This guy's impossible! We can't even touch him!" Seig shouted.
Athuria's sharp gaze silenced him.
"Stop whining and think. He's testing our teamwork, not just our strength," Athuria responded coldly.
Miki nodded, voice soft but steady.
"We all need to come together and think as a team… for once," Miki said.
Seig blinked, Miki's calm words slicing through his rage like cool water. She's right… I need to keep my cool, just like Big Sis Lily always says. He inhaled sharply, his anger transforming into focus.
"Fine. Got a plan, Ice Princess?" Seig asked.
Athuria's lips twitched—almost a smile.
"Follow my lead. Miki, support us. Seig, don't burn everything down," Athuria commanded.
With a snap, Athuria slammed her palms to the ground, and a massive ice wall erupted from the earth, turning the battlefield into a slippery, frozen arena. Ice spikes shot up from below, forcing Baka to leap and dodge mid-air as his footing vanished.
Miki's magic surged outward, glowing brighter as she poured healing energy into her teammates. Their movements became sharper, their flames hotter, their ice colder.
Seig focused, reigning in his temper. No wild explosions. Just control. He summoned a steady, controlled fireball, his hand steady as he hurled it at Baka, taking advantage of the split-second opening.
Baka grinned, twisting aside effortlessly—but the fireball slowed him just enough.
Athuria lunged, her ice-coated fist grazing Baka's arm. The keys on his belt jangled. Baka twisted away, kicking Athuria back, and Seig dove in next, flame-coated fist swinging.
Baka caught his arm again, pinning him to the ground, katana pressed to his throat.
"You're getting there. But your attacks still aren't in coordination," Baka observed.
From the distance, Miki kept channeling—her healer glow blazing brighter, her mana draining faster with every breath. Sweat poured from her face, her legs trembling, but her resolve never faltered.
"You two are almost there! Don't give up!" Miki called out faintly. "...because I'm not going to give up either…"
Seig's heart pounded. Miki's unwavering support ignited something deeper in him—pure determination. He rose, his flames flickering steady now, a quiet rage burning in his emerald eyes.
"We're not done, Baka Sensei. I'm not… No, we're not going back to the academy empty-handed!" Seig declared.
Athuria stood as well, her ice magic crackling with energy. She nodded firmly.
"For once, I agree with the loser," Athuria said.
She conjured two ice daggers, their edges sharp and glimmering in the frozen arena.
The clock ticked mercilessly toward noon. Team 7 shared a single glance—silent understanding between them. This wasn't just about the keys anymore. It was about proving they belonged as Rank 3 Magic Knights.
Seig clenched his dragon-head badge tighter, the dream of becoming the King of Knights burning brighter in his emerald eyes. Athuria's icy resolve pulsed with her own ambition. And Miki? She had her quiet, determined will—to heal, to make a difference, no matter the cost.
Baka smirked, finally dropping his beer bottle. It shattered on the ground.
"Okay then… you three finally have my full attention. Come at me with everything you've got. Remember—push past your limits," Baka said, his tone shifting from playful to serious.
Meanwhile, far away in Camelot's royal hall, Mrs. Lily paced anxiously, her silver hair catching the light. King Julius IV sat calmly, his red robe flowing, faint time magic humming around him.
Lily clenched her fists, frustration mounting.
"A former criminal training kids? I'm more worried about Seig. If he fails this test, he'll lose everything. The Dragon King—Acnologia—inside him… it's too dangerous," Lily said, her voice tense.
Julius' eyes darkened, his usual calm slipping for a moment.
"The Dragon King is exactly why he needs Baka. No one else can handle that power—or teach him to control it. I know he's like a little brother to you… but trust me. He's going to be fine," Julius reassured her.
Back on the field, sparks of fire and ice lit the air. Seig and Athuria were spent, mana depleted, bodies screaming.
Miki gathered every last drop. With a cry, she unleashed Healing Impact—a radiant burst that didn't heal, but surged outward like a shockwave.
The keys flew off Baka's belt, spinning through the air.
Seig and Athuria each snatched one mid-fall.
Baka crossed his arms, smirking.
"Congratulations. You two did it," Baka said.
Miki collapsed to her knees, out of breath, her body shuddering.
"But… I didn't get any key… so that means I failed…" Miki said, tears welling in her eyes.
"No way! Miki isn't going back to the academy!" Seig exclaimed.
Athuria stood with a sharp glare. "Seig's right. It was because of her that we got these keys. If you're sending anyone back… it should be me. For not trusting my teammates."
Baka's intimidating presence loomed over them. The trio shuddered, panic flashing.
"You two really have the audacity to stand up for your teammate?" Baka said, his voice low and threatening.
He raised his hand. Seig and Athuria closed their eyes, bracing for the worst—
—but he gently patted their heads instead.
Baka smiled, a rare, genuine grin.
"In that case… all three of you pass," he said.