Asta and Yuno, after exploring the capital, reach the meeting point for the magic exam. Magical birds flutter around them in the arena, attracted by those whose magic is weak. Yuno attracts none, while Asta finds himself mobbed. He accidentally bumps into another participant who didn't have any birds around him. The big, burly mage grabs Asta to give him a beating, but his two comrades come looking for him: Finral Roulacase and Gordon Agrippa. As for the one Asta had been messing with, it was Captain Yami Sukehiro! Sekke Bronzaza, another competitor, feigns sympathy with Asta to mock him. Then come the Mage Knights: Fuegoleon Vermilion, captain of the Flaming Lion, Jack the Ripper, captain of the Emerald Mantis, Charlotte Roselei, captain of the Blue Rose, Gueldre Poizot, captain of the Magenta Orca, Dorothy Ansoit, captain of the Coral Peacock, Rill Boismortier, captain of the Turquoise Stag, William Vangeance, captain of the Golden Dawn. The latter is the most likely candidate for the next title of Wizard King.

Vangeance announces the start of the trials. Each candidate will ultimately be chosen by one or more Mage Knight company captains. Failure to do so would mean failure in the competition. The participants are subjected to various magic exercises. Asta fails in any of them. The final test consists of duels, with the participants each choosing their opponent. Sekke offers Asta the chance to compete with him, which he happily accepts. Sekke then reveals to him that he completely despises him and intends to humiliate him to gain attention. Asta draws his magic sword, swoops down on him, destroys his magic barrier, and knocks him unconscious. The Mage Knights are perplexed by Asta's martial performance, while the other candidates believe it was simply a fluke...

You passed the tests quite well. You were now looking for an opponent. You met Yuno's gaze. After a few seconds, you approached each other, immediately attracting attention. Murmurs erupted among the ranks of aspiring mage knights, and the captains took an interest in you both. However, Yuno was struck by the difference in strength between you. You were obviously experienced, and he feared he wouldn't be able to show his full capabilities if you were his opponent. So he walked past you in deathly silence. Mentally, he vowed to fight you as soon as he had the strength. You followed the boy with your gaze, one eyebrow raised. The murmurs, so heated a few moments earlier, had fallen silent, replaced by a palpable tension. The captains, whose interest had been piqued by your potential confrontation, continued to watch you with sharp eyes. Far from being frustrated, an imperceptible smile tugged at the corners of your lips. You knew the meeting was only a postponement. You had sensed immense potential in him, a strength just waiting to blossom. His choice not to face you now wasn't a sign of cowardice, but of prudence. Such wisdom, in an aspirant of his age, was rare. Yuno seemed to have a long-term vision. He wasn't seeking immediate victory, but ultimate victory. Your gaze swept the arena, noting the disappointment of some, the incomprehension of others. You fraternized with Asta. The contrast between the two childhood friend couldn't be greater...

Two paths. Two rivals. One already so powerful he could afford to be cautious, the other so determined that he compensated for his lack of mana with an iron will. The competition was shaping up to be more interesting than you expected. After the ceremony, Yuno joined the Golden Dawn Company, and Asta joined the Black Bull's. As for you, you were free to choose whichever guild you wanted, since you had also made an excellent impression on the captains...

Yuno managed to corner you before you and he left for your respective headquarters. Again, you stared at each other. He had acted without thinking and felt somewhat embarrassed. It was something Asta could do—minus the shame. He sighed, his hand against the wall, right next to your head, slowly turning into a fist...