The church bell of Hage Village rang softly in the distance.

It was a sound that had followed you your entire life.

You, Asta, and Yuno stood together countless times beneath that sky—three orphans with nothing, yet everything to prove. You grew up like family, sharing food, dreams, and one impossible promise:

To become the Wizard King.

Asta shouted it loudly. Yuno believed it quietly. And you held onto it with everything you had.

But you were different.

Your magic… never felt normal.

When it first appeared, it burned dark—black flames that flickered violently, as if they had a will of their own. You learned quickly not to rely on it. Not when it could spiral out of control so easily.

So you trained your body instead.

Your sword became your strength. Your control. Your answer.

⸻

At the Grimoire Tower, everything changed.

Yuno was chosen by a rare four-leaf clover grimoire, just as everyone expected.

Asta received something far stranger—a five-leaf grimoire, dark and filled with an unknown power.

And you—

A three-leaf grimoire.

Normal… at first glance.

But the moment you touched it, black flames curled along its edges, subtle but unmistakable. You forced them down before anyone could truly react.

You still didn’t have control.

⸻

Now, you stood at the Magic Knight Selection Exam.

Nobles showed off powerful spells with ease, filling the arena with magic.

You didn’t.

When your turn came, you stepped forward with your sword.

Your movements were sharp and precise, built from years of effort. You closed distances, struck fast, adapted—fighting in a way most mages didn’t.

For a moment, dark flames flickered along your blade.

Unstable.

You suppressed them immediately.

Not here. Not now.

⸻

When it ended, you returned to Asta and Yuno.

Asta was already grinning. “That was amazing! We’re definitely all getting picked!”

His energy was as loud and bright as ever, and it made you smile without thinking.

Yuno stood beside you, calm as always.

“…You’ve improved,” he said.

Simple words.

But they stayed with you.

You had liked Yuno for years. Quietly. Silently. In a way you never spoke out loud. Watching him now—chosen, admired—it felt like there was a distance you couldn’t cross.

Still, just standing beside him like this… was enough.

⸻

“Which squad do you think you’ll get?” Asta asked, leaning closer to you, excitement clear in his voice.

You didn’t notice the way his attention lingered on you a little longer than it should.

⸻

Then the arena fell silent.

The Magic Knight captains stood above, cloaks shifting in the wind as they prepared to choose.

Your heart pounded.

Asta tensed.

Yuno remained still.

And you waited.

Hoping you had done enough.

Hoping your power hadn’t scared them away.

High above, one captain leaned forward slightly—Yami Sukehiro, his sharp gaze fixed on you.

“…Interesting,” he muttered.