Asta and Yuno were walking in the forest, their faces filled with excitement - at least Asta was.
"Magic Knights's exam is coming soon. I can't wait to pass the exam and become the Magic Emperor!"
"If you can pass," Yuno replied, "And I am the one who will become the Magic Emperor."
The two debated the issue for a few minutes and then continued on their way.
"Do you think the Magic Emperor will show up? I want to see him in person, not on the screen."
"He hasn't shown up in the exams in the past few years, so I doubt he will come this time," Yuno replied calmly, although deep down he also hoped to see the legendary figure.
A few days later, this year's Magic Knights group entrance examination officially began. Asta and Yuno stood in the center of the arena, surrounded by other contestants. At this time, they had arrived at Noble District located at Kikka.
Yuno remained calm, while Asta looked around with bright eyes. He looked up at the ten seats in the stands.
The nine group leaders have already taken their seats, but only the middle and highest seat is empty.
"Wow, are those the group leaders? Their magic power is so strong!" Asta exclaimed, even though he himself had no magic power.
At this moment, all the group leaders suddenly stood up.
"Welcome the Magic Emperor!"
The whole place fell silent instantly. Then, a figure appeared out of thin air on the highest seat.
Ian was wearing the iconic Magic Emperor robe, overlooking the young man below. His eyes swept across the audience, and finally rested on Asta.
"He's here! It's really the Magic Emperor!" Asta shouted excitedly, attracting sideways glances from the people around him.
Ian raised his hand to signal everyone to be quiet.
"Welcome to the Magic Knights entrance exam. Before the exam begins, I have a few words to say."
His voice was not loud, but it reached everyone's ears clearly.
"In this country, strength is everything. No matter you are a noble or a commoner, as long as you have strength, you can gain glory and status. I am the best proof."
"Show me your strength, show your determination. Let me see if you are qualified to protect this country."
A brief opening White Queen, the exam officially begins.
Like the original work, Asta performed poorly in the first few tests and was ridiculed by everyone. But Yuno shined and was regarded as a genius.
However, Ian paid no attention to these. His attention was completely focused on Asta's worn-out Five-leaf Clover Grimoire.
"Anti-Magic, what an interesting power," Ian muttered to himself.
When the last practical test began, Asta finally showed his value.
He pulled out the Demon-Slayer Sword and defeated his opponent with one blow.
Seeing this scene, the smile on Ian's lips became even thicker.
After the exam, it's time for the selection process.
Yuno was selected by all the group leaders without any suspense, and finally joined "Golden Dawn".
When it was Asta's turn, the whole place was silent. Not a single group leader raised his hand.
Asta lowered his head and trembled slightly.
Just then, a deep voice broke the silence.
"Yami, if you don't raise your hand, I will snatch this child away."
Everyone looked at the high platform in shock. The person speaking was none other than Magic Emperor Ian.
Yami·Jie Da blew out a smoke ring and scratched his head. "It's really troublesome. Now that the boss has spoken..."
He raised his hand. "Come to my team, boy. If you want to die."
Asta raised his head suddenly, his eyes filled with tears. "Yes! Thank you!"
Just as the dust settled, Ian suddenly disappeared from the high platform and appeared in front of Asta in an instant.
This sudden change shocked everyone.
"Master Magic Emperor?" Asta looked nervously at the idol who was so close.
Ian didn't speak, just stretched out his hand and gently pressed on Asta's shoulder.
"Tell me, boy. Why do you want to become the Magic Emperor?"
"To prove that even civilians, even without magic power, can become the strongest people! To let everyone live a good life!" Asta shouted loudly.
Ian looked at his clear and firm eyes and nodded.
"Very good. Remember your original intention."
Then, he leaned close to Asta's ear and said in a voice that only the two of them could hear:
"Your mother loves you very much. She had to abandon you to protect you."
Asta was stunned, and his pupils shrank suddenly. "You... what did you say?"
"Richita(Richita), is that your name?"
"Richita... is that her name?" Asta muttered to himself, tears welling up again.
"Don't worry. You will see her soon. You will join Black Bulls. Do you have any problem with this arrangement?"
"No... no, sir," Asta replied in confusion and shock.
The moment Asta said these words, a sudden change occurred.
Countless golden chains appeared out of thin air and wrapped tightly around Ian. But the next second, these chains began to break apart, turning into little golden lights and dissipating in the air.
A terrifying magical pressure that changed the color of the world, accompanied by the voice of Ian, instantly swept across the entire kingdom.
"Hahaha, I'm finally free! Damn Cosmic Will, one day, you will bear my anger!"
The voice of Ian echoed in Noble District, Commoner Realm, and even reached the distant Forsaken Realm. All citizens of the Clover Kingdom could hear the ecstasy and rage mixed in that voice.
Many people realized that things were about to change. The bound monster finally broke free from its shackles, and nothing could stop him anymore.
Although many people have long known that this day will come, they also pray that this day will never come.
After laughing wildly for a few seconds, Ian stopped smiling, looked down at Asta, and patted his shoulder again.
"Boy, it seems that you are the straw that breaks the camel's back. To thank you, let me test your strength."
As soon as he finished speaking, the atmosphere in the entire arena solidified instantly.
All the group leaders stood up with solemn expressions. They knew that once the Magic Emperor became serious, the consequences would be disastrous.
"Are you ready?" Ian asked with a smile, but that smile looked extremely scary in Asta's eyes.
Before Asta could react, Ian's finger was already pointing at him.
"Gravity Magic: Thousand times of pressure."
Boom!
The ground beneath Asta collapsed instantly, but he clenched his teeth and held on tightly to keep his body from falling. Anti-Magic's sword frantically emitted black energy, trying to counteract this terrifying gravity.
"Oh? You can actually stand? What about this?"
Ian increases the magic output.
This time, Asta could no longer hold on, and knelt down on one knee, spitting out a mouthful of blood.
"Asta!" Yuno wanted to rush over, but was blocked by an invisible wall.
"Don't interfere, Yuno. This is the Magic Emperor's test for him," William held Yuno's shoulders and said in a deep voice.
Just when Asta was about to lose consciousness, Demons in his body finally responded.
A black energy shot up into the sky, half of Asta's body was covered in black armor, and one eye turned red.
"Is this Devil Power? It's interesting," Ian regained its gravity.
Asta gasped for air and collapsed on the ground.
"Pass. You are qualified to survive in this cruel world," Ian dropped these words and turned to look at Yami.
"Take him away. Train him well and don't let him die."
"I know, boss," Yami picked up the unconscious Asta and left with the members of Black Bulls.
Ian stood in the middle of the empty arena, feeling the magic power rushing through his body and the sense of relief after the curse that had suffocated him for decades was completely gone.
"Now, the game has just begun."
He looked into the distance, which was the direction of the Spade Kingdom.
"Lucius, since I can't go to the future to find you, then I will bring the future to the present."
He raised his hand and Grimoire opened automatically.
"Time Magic: Future Vision."
This time, there are no obstacles.