The one-hour wait didn't feel long at all; on the contrary, amidst casual chats and rest, it slipped away like dust held between fingers, vanishing in the blink of an eye.
After several rounds of matches, it was already noon. The sun hung at its highest point in the sky, casting golden rays in scattered beams all around.
The competition venue had undergone a major transformation. Compared to the complex environment of the second comprehensive round, there were now many small hollows and low hills, with clear lakes beyond the land.
On the spacious viewing platform, as three silver-white spatial gates appeared, everyone knew that the finals of the Royal Knights Squad selection had begun!
Although no one knew why the King had changed the rules to propose a three-team free-for-all, in terms of both visual appeal and anticipation, a three-team battle was clearly far more exciting than a 1v1 duel.
What's more... even the Mages from Team B, who had fought two consecutive matches, agreed to this rule, so what right did others have to object?
With an hour of rest and the help of the Chief Healer Mage, the Mages about to enter the battle were clearly in excellent condition.
A chattering commotion began to rise.
"Asta, you can do it!"
Magna and Luck, who had lost their matches, began to cheer for their teammates who had made it to the finals. "Noelle over there too, get fired up and let's see who wins!"
"Oh, I understand, Senior Magna, Senior Luck, I'll win with your beliefs," Asta replied, clenching his fists.
Noelle deftly tossed her unruly silver twin pigtails behind her, lifting her head to reveal her snow-white swan neck, and responded with a touch of tsundere, "Of course, you don't need to tell me that."
"But... since you're cheering for me, thanks."
Sesk clapped Gosen vigorously on the shoulder, a smile on his face as he twisted it hard: "Then... I wish you a championship by lying down?"
"Huh? What do you mean by 'championship by lying down'? It was clearly all thanks to my strength, alright? Don't talk nonsense, didn't you see my performance in the second match? If I hadn't attracted the attention of those guys, how could we have won so easily?"
"Honestly," Gosen argued, feeling indignant.
"Well, then why don't you sit this match out and see if the outcome is the same without you?" Sesk suggested mischievously.
"How can I do that? The match can't even start without me." Gosen sounded quite righteous. He waved his hand, changing the subject: "By the way, didn't Captain Rill also sign up for this Royal Knights Squad selection? Why haven't I seen him?"
"You don't know yet?" Sesk asked back mysteriously.
"Know what?"
"Never mind, you can ask Captain Rill yourself when you get back. Focus on the match, oh ~ it's about to start, hurry and enter the spatial gate for teleportation." Sesk looked at the open silver spatial gate and kindly reminded him.
"Huh? Still not telling me, how boring."
Gosen pouted and walked towards the central spatial teleportation gate, where Bai En and Mimosa were already waiting.
Once the three teams were gathered in front of their respective spatial gates, they sized each other up, followed by a few trivial exchanges between the three sides.
"I didn't expect you, Asta, after fighting two consecutive matches, to still dare to agree to the King's proposed three-team free-for-all assessment. Tsk tsk... what should I say about you?" Bai En casually provoked Asta, "What, can you use that state with the black wings again?"
"Of course," Asta said with a grin, "I can use that state four times a day now, you know. As for why I agreed to the free-for-all, the reason is simple: after all, I'm going to become the Wizard King..."
"So I must defeat you and Yuno. This is a great opportunity, and I won't give it up!"
"Is that so?" Bai En murmured.
"Impossible!"
Yuno, in the team on the far right of the three, suddenly interjected, his gaze fixed on them, somewhat sharp: "The winner this time will be me, and the one to become the Wizard King will also be me. I will win everything here."
"Everyone ~ the match is about to begin, please pass through the spatial gates to the competition venue and prepare ~" a Mage in a dark blue magic robe beside them reminded.
"Okay." x 3
Asta glanced at Bai En and Yuno, 'I've finally waited for this opportunity. Let me show you my current power. I will definitely win!'
People streamed through the silver-white spatial gates one after another.
On the slightly damp grass, ripples appeared as Bai En, Mimosa, and Gosen emerged. Around them was a large black mound covered in moss, with shrubs and weeds growing everywhere.
Bai En gazed into the distance and said to Mimosa and Gosen beside him, "This assessment's opponents are a bit more troublesome than the previous two, so I'll take on the task of protecting the magic crystal."
"You two can use this time to freely coordinate and raid the opponent's magic crystal. Just make sure to protect yourselves."
"Eh? Is that so?" Mimosa asked, placing her hands on her chest, a little worried, "Won't you have a problem by yourself?"
"If Senior Gosen and I guard the magic crystal, wouldn't you be more at ease?"
Bai En smiled: "Don't worry, it'll be fine. I'm very confident that you two can win first, even if they manage to break the magic crystal in my hand, especially you, Senior Gosen. It's your time to shine."
"Hmph hmph!" Gosen gave himself a thumbs-up and loudly declared, "Leave it to me! I still have some trump cards I haven't used yet."
With that said, Mimosa and Gosen left the area and began to advance towards the enemy's magic crystal.
Not long after they left, Bai En suddenly looked up, narrowing his eyes at the clear blue sky. A black shadow, like an ant, silently hovered above. White wind wisps flowed chaotically in the air, and the newcomer was Yuno.
"As expected, he came for me first."
"This is good too. After dealing with you, I'll fight Asta. Winning then would be fairer."
A fierce gust of wind rushed down from the sky. The white swirling wind resembled a giant silkworm cocoon, and the strong winds stirred the weeds and bushes on the ground. Bai En's black hair also became somewhat disheveled in the wind, and his clothes flapped excitedly.
"Don't mess with my hairstyle, Yuno!"
Xiao Tong, quietly hovering on Bai En's shoulder, grasped the Magic Conversion floating beside her. Her small hand waved the Magic Conversion, and inexplicably, a trembling white light emanated from the sword.
A straight-bladed longsword appeared in Bai En's hand. The slender blade gleamed with a cold light; it was 'Face Cutter,' a kitchen utensil possessing the property of sharpness.
The wind-formed cocoon exploded as it neared the ground, scattering wind wisps and subtly spreading to both sides.
Suddenly, Yuno in the air dodged to the side. Through his magic perception, he could clearly feel a linear white light slash through his previous position, but visually, it was a completely transparent slash, utterly invisible...