Lorne looked at Asta, who was still working hard below, and couldn't help but find it amusing.
Asta should have clearly known that he had no magic power left in his body, yet he still tried to fly with the magic broom.
He didn't know how to describe Asta, but he wasn't at all worried that Asta would be eliminated.
After all, no matter how poorly he performed, there was always Yami, the Captain who liked to recruit oddballs, who would be interested in Asta.
At this moment in the arena, Yuno's figure floated gracefully in the air. He rode his broom with such ease, as if he were on flat ground.
He noticed Lorne, who was leisurely lounging below, directly lying on his broom, his body slightly tilted, yet maintaining perfect stability.
This precision in controlling magic power intensified Yuno's fighting spirit.
He spun around, drawing a sharp arc in the air, and zipped past Lorne at high speed, stirring up a gust of wind.
There was a hint of provocation in his eyes, as if saying: 'Perhaps I'm not as good as you in combat right now, but when it comes to controlling techniques, I won't lose!'
However, facing Yuno's almost showy challenge, Lorne merely glanced up at him.
A faint smile played on his lips; he neither responded nor showed any intention of competing.
This disregard, instead, made Yuno feel like he had thrown a full-force punch into cotton, leaving him a bit helpless, but also further igniting his determination to catch up.
Soon, the first test ended.
The magic brooms that had been conjured transformed into countless emerald green light particles at the same time, slowly dissipating into the air, as if they had never appeared.
Next was the second item, the magic power test.
The third item, the magic power manipulation test.
The fourth item, the creative magic test.
The fifth item, the evolution magic test.
Each test proceeded in an orderly fashion, and Lorne's performance was consistently calm and collected, yet impeccable.
Asta also kept yelling "It's not over yet" while making strange efforts.
William Vangeance looked at the candidates below and announced:
"Then, the final test—"
Before he could finish his sentence, a loud voice full of fighting spirit boomed from the other side of the high platform!
"The final item, of course, is the practical combat test!"
The speaker was Fuegoleon Vermillion, the Captain of the Crimson Lion Kings Magic Knight Squad.
He rose from his seat, exuding an aura of majesty and dominance like a fierce lion.
"Fight!"
"You two will form a team and fight each other. Use your grimoire to attack your opponent."
"The job of a Magic Knight is to fight! Let me see your resolve and strength!"
His voice was like a war drum, beating in the hearts of every candidate, making many boil with excitement, but also causing many to feel apprehension.
After all, if they lost, it would likely greatly affect the results of the review.
"The rules are simple!"
William added, "You can choose your opponents yourselves for one-on-one duels! Until one side concedes, or is judged unable to continue fighting! Mages with recovery magic are on standby at the side of the arena."
As his words fell, the atmosphere of the entire arena instantly became even more tense.
The candidates began to eye each other, searching for suitable opponents.
Undoubtedly, a vacuum formed around Lorne and Yuno, the two geniuses who had shone brightly in the tests; no one dared to easily challenge them.
Just then, Yuno walked directly in front of Lorne.
"Lorne, let's fight again!" His gaze was firm and persistent.
From the very beginning, he had regarded Lorne as his greatest rival, and now was a great opportunity.
Lorne looked at him, but shook his head, smiling calmly, "Fighting me now won't benefit you."
"What do you mean?" Yuno frowned.
"Think about it," Lorne's tone carried a hint of persuasive guidance,
"If we face off now, no matter who wins or loses, it will dim the other's brilliance somewhat, affecting the final result!"
He paused, then added, "This is what's most beneficial for your future development. We'll have plenty of opportunities to compete later."
Yuno was silent for a moment. He had to admit that Lorne made a lot of sense.
Although he still yearned for a battle with a strong opponent, his more important goal was to become the Magic Emperor.
For this, his development after joining a Magic Knight Squad was very important.
"I understand."
Yuno gave Lorne a deep look, then turned and walked in another direction.
Having resolved Yuno's challenge, Lorne was content to be idle, preparing to find a corner to watch the show.
However, where there was joy, there was also sorrow.
When most people had already paired up and were ready to start their duels, one person still stood alone in the arena, unnoticed.
That person, of course, was Asta.
He had scored zero in all previous tests.
Who would choose someone who couldn't even fly a magic broom as an opponent?
If they won, it would be an unfair victory, and the Captains might even think they were bullying the weak, leaving a bad impression.
Lose? That was even more impossible, and even more humiliating!
Just then, a figure sauntered up to Asta, a supremely fake smile on his face.
"Hahaha!"
The newcomer was Sekke. He clapped Asta on the shoulder.
"Asta, team up with me!"
His eyes were full of contempt and calculation.
In his opinion, Asta was the perfect foil, delivered right to him!
A complete and utter failure!
By easily defeating him with flashy magic, he could perfectly showcase his own strength and effortless skill, which would definitely leave a deep impression on the Captains!
Asta, however, completely failed to see through this and even agreed with an excited expression.
Soon, their duel was arranged in the center of the arena.
Lorne watched Sekke in the arena, who had finally dropped his facade; the smile on his face seemed even more false.
"You don't need to try anymore!"
"Hahaha! Thank you so much for being my foil all this time."
"You should just go back to your backwater town and enjoy the rest of your useless life!"
He then took his stance, ready to fight!
"Then, let the match begin!"
As the referee gave the command, the smile on Sekke's face instantly turned twisted and smug.
"Don't hold back! Let's settle this, Asta! Hahaha!"
"Bronze Creation Magic — Bronze Protection Magic Orb!"
As his grimoire opened, magic power surged out instantly, rapidly condensing into a giant bronze-colored metallic sphere around his body!
The surface of the sphere also had several cannon-like protrusions, appearing to be both offensive and defensive.
Sekke was completely enveloped within it and looked up at the Magic Knight Captains on the high platform, trying to get them to notice his performance.
However, in reality, most of the Captains on the high platform were not very interested in this scene.
Lorne, however, watched the arena with great interest, a slight smile playing on his lips.
The show was about to begin.
He didn't know if Sekke was unlucky or lucky, picking one of the strongest among over five hundred people.
For Asta, who possessed anti-magic, this level of combat was basically a massacre.
"Alright! Here I come!"
Asta's tattered black five-leaf grimoire erupted with an ominous dark red glow at this moment!
Whoosh—!
A massive, ancient, rust-covered black greatsword was violently pulled out of the grimoire by him!
The demon-slayer sword!
His legs bent sharply, muscles instantly tensing, and the ground beneath his feet cracked due to the immense force!
The next second, his figure vanished from his original spot like an arrow shot from a bow!
So fast!
This was the first thought that flashed through everyone present's minds!
Sekke's smile froze. He only saw a black blur Flash Step (teleport) to his "Bronze Protection Magic Cannonball" at a speed difficult for the naked eye to catch!
Asta raised the massive demon-slayer sword high and, with all his might, brought it down fiercely!
"Clang—!!!!"
A deafening roar!
Under the terrified gazes of everyone, that rusty black greatsword, like a force of nature, sliced through Sekke's proud bronze magic!
The so-called sturdy defense, in front of the demon-slayer sword, was as fragile as paper!
The sword's edge broke through the defense, its momentum undiminished!
Sekke didn't even have time to react, only feeling an irresistible immense force hitting him, and he was directly knocked down.
Lying in a pile of rubble, he immediately fell unconscious.
One hit!
Just one hit!
The entire arena fell into a deathly silence.
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