The capital unfolded before them as they passed through its gates, the scale of it immediately setting it apart from everything Asta had known. Streets stretched wide and layered, filled with movement, voices blending into a constant rhythm as people passed in every direction. Shops lined the paths, and unfamiliar objects stood along the sides—crystaltopped posts, mounted fixtures, and small constructs that pulsed faintly with magic even in the daylight, quietly embedded into everyday life.
But what drew his attention the most stood at the center.
The castle.
It rose above the entire capital, built along elevated ground, its massive structure layered upward with towering walls and sharp spires that seemed to reach into the sky itself. From where he stood, it dominated everything, not just in size, but in presence. It wasn't just a building—it was the core of the kingdom.
Asta's eyes lingered on it for a moment.
So that's where they are…
Seeing it like this felt different from memory. This wasn't something distant anymore.
It was real.
They didn't slow down.
The exam grounds were already filled by the time they arrived, a wide open space crowded with candidates. Some stood confidently, others spoke in groups, while a few remained silent, watching everything around them. The air carried a quiet tension, not loud, but heavy enough to be felt.
A staff member stepped forward as they entered, gesturing briefly.
"Grimoire."
Asta stepped forward and held out his grimoire with his hand. The examiner placed a hand over it, magic reacting briefly before settling.
"…161."
Asta gave a small nod and stepped aside.
Beside him, Yuno had already finished.
They stepped further into the field.
And then—
the birds appeared.
Small magical creatures drifted through the air, moving across the crowd in loose patterns before gradually settling. They circled above candidates, then descended toward those with weaker magic, gathering closer to them as if drawn naturally.
Asta watched them for a moment.
Then they came.
Several birds gathered around him, settling along his shoulders and arms, some hovering close, others circling just above. Their presence was heavier than most others nearby, drawn by what little they could sense.
Around him, a few voices rose.
"…That many?"
"…How does someone like that even end up here for the Magic Knight exam?"
"…Is this for real?"
Asta didn't respond.
He simply closed his eyes.
Yeah… figures.
There was nothing to do about it.
So he didn't try.
Asta felt someone step in close, a hand coming toward his shoulder, followed by a rough voice telling him to move. He shifted immediately, turning his body to dodge, but the movement adjusted midway. The hand changed direction before he could fully get away and came down straight onto his head, gripping it firmly.
"How do you think you're getting away that easily?"
Asta's eyes opened, his gaze lifting slightly as he looked up at the man in front of him.
…So it still happens.
He had thought that if he stayed calm, didn't move around, didn't draw attention, he could avoid this kind of situation. In the original flow of things, it happened because he ran into it. This time, he hadn't done anything.
And still—
it came to him.
Guess it doesn't matter what I do… trouble finds its way anyway.
"I was just moving," Asta said, his voice steady.
Yami tilted his head slightly, his grip tightening without any visible effort, pressing down harder.
"…What was that?"
The pressure increased, not crushing, but heavy enough to make the intent clear.
Asta didn't hesitate.
His hand came up instantly, gripping Yami's wrist, and he pushed upward with all his strength. The movement was direct, without technique, just raw force applied cleanly.
The hand lifted.
Not easily.
But it lifted.
For a brief moment, the pressure broke.
Yami's expression shifted, his eyes narrowing as he looked at Asta properly this time.
"…Oh?"
Asta stepped back, creating space, his stance firm, his breathing steady as if nothing had happened.
Yami didn't move immediately. His gaze stayed fixed on him, interest replacing the earlier indifference, as if reassessing what he had just felt.
"…You've got some strength."
The air around him changed slightly, subtle but noticeable, as if something heavier was about to press down. His grip shifted again, preparing to come down once more—this time with more intent behind it.
Before it could happen, space twisted beside him.
A circular portal opened, and Finral stepped out casually, glancing around before focusing on Yami.
"Captain… what are you doing in the middle of the candidates?"
From the side, another figure approached, his presence quiet, almost blending into the background.
"…Captain… this isn't your place…"
Gordon's voice came softly as he looked between them.
Yami clicked his tongue, the pressure around him disappearing as quickly as it had formed.
"…Tch."
He turned away, as if losing interest.
"I was just going to take a dump and got lost."
Finral sighed, rubbing the back of his head.
"…Of course you did."
Yami waved it off and started walking away.
"Get lost."
Before anything else could happen, the sky lit up.
A loud burst echoed above them as magic flared high in the air, spreading like fireworks across the sky, bright and impossible to ignore. The entire arena shifted instantly as attention turned upward.
single signal that marked the start of the exam.
The entire field shifted instantly as every candidate looked up, the noise settling into focused silence.
Yami paused for a moment, glancing back over his shoulder at Asta, a faint smirk forming.
"…Interesting. Let's see how you do."
With that, he turned and walked away.
The atmosphere tightened.
From the upper entrances surrounding the arena, figures began to appear one by one, stepping into view with quiet authority. Each presence carried weight, enough to silence the remaining whispers across the field.
Magic Knight Captains.
They took their positions above, overlooking the entire arena.
Then—
one figure stepped forward first.
The Golden Dawn captain.
His presence alone shifted the air, calm yet commanding as he looked over the gathered candidates.
"The Magic Knight Entrance Exam… begins now."