➨Someone thinks you're betraying the entire Kingdom.

That didn't leave your mind as you were observing the near death match. How did they even come to that conclusion? Was it really just because your father was from the Spade Kingdom? Or because you just so happened to have puppet magic?   

Watching Mimosa's team go against Langris was the most nerve wracking thing this entire event had to offer. That didn't make the storm in your mind any better. It was just bad stacked ontop of worse.

You wanted to just jump down there and do something to help them. Anything. But it was being treated like an extension of a game. This isn't a damn game. Somebody could die. Langris was hurling spatial magic at them left and right, and Xerx was just taking it. Blocking everything.

He wasn't half bad at all. Just reckless. That's the only true thing you could note about the way Xerx fights. Is that enough to beat him though? Langris is truly enraged– or even empowered– by something.

Something that isn't his.

The magic circle that Xerx was using to block everything didn't even stop every attack. 3 of them were able to slip through. "What the hell?" Your eyes widened. "He's going to die!"

"No, look." Yuno jutted his chin back down. There was a magic circle placed around his body... something that must've been there way before this whole thing even started.  It was literally wrapped around him.

"Is he insane? Does he have any idea how much mana he's wasting by doing that?"

"He probably does. Maybe that's why he was trying to save so much of it in the earlier battles."

You paused. That's right. He did say he was going to take a nap earlier. Even during his first battle he did. So it was to not drain anymore energy?

Like you said earlier. Reckless.

It was a restless fifteen minutes. The battle didn't even last twenty minutes. But in that time span, both crystals were destroyed simultaneously. Much like your last battle, except this time it was actually picture perfect on the breaking point. Whereas yours was a millisecond off.

Langris was passed out on the floor, and if you were a jackass, you would've leaped from the stands and kicked him. Hate is a strong word, but there's something akin to that in your heart for Langris. He better hope he's possessed because that is a lot better than having your vice captain be a brutal murderer on his own volition.

But you did rush over when both the teams made their way back up. Everybody looked extremely shaken and worn down. Mimosa was letting out an exhausted breath, looking like she was ready to topple over.

"Mimosa!" You shouted her name and draped your arms over her shoulders. "Are you alright?"

She leaned back into your embrace. "I'm fine. Just a little tired. Plus, Asta is in way worse shape than I am right now."

Asta was actually halfway fainted into Magna's arms. She's right, he looks awful. "Is he going to the infirmary?"

Nodding. "Yeah, I'm going to go down with him too. I want to make sure that everything goes smoothly."

Uh-huh... so she says. You're sure that's one reason.

Klaus was right behind you. "And you're positive that you're okay as well? Don't skip out on any treatment you may need."

She waved her hands in front of her with a soft smile. "You two worry way too much. I'm okay, promise. You must forget that I wasn't the only one out there. I didn't take that bad of any hits actually."

"Well, you and Asta were the only ones I really cared for so–"

Another voice cut in. "Oh that's just rude."

You slowly turned to the voice. "My bad. Are you okay?" But your tone showed little compassion in it.

"Not after you just insulted me." Xerx crossed his arms and looked in the opposite direction. "I'm hurt."

"Don't care." You waved him off. "Anyway. Mimosa if you need anything or if anything goes wrong you can call us."

She bid both you guys a temporary goodbye and followed Asta down to where he was being brought. The current battle came to a close, and Yuno's team was up next. "Alright now, don't let us down."

"Like you did?" He sneered.

"Excuse me, but Klaus lost too." You pointed out.

Klaus brought his hand up to stop the argument that was about to break out. "In my defense I did not foresee that attack getting thrown back at us. Captain Rill is a formidable opponent."

"He wiped y'all out with one attack. I went down swinging."

"Call it how you wish, Y/N." He pushed his glasses up on his nose.

Yuno ended up regrouping with the rest of his teammates so he could prepare for the last battle. He didn't say much afterwards, which means he must be in his little zone or whatever. With him and Mimosa gone, it was just you and Klaus observing with the Black Bulls.

You weren't acquainted with all of them. Just Asta, Magna, Noelle and Luck whom you met for the first time during a dungeon raid when you tagged along with Klaus, Mimosa and Yuno. They were pretty nice though and didn't seem to have a true problem with anybody. It's just that everybody had an issue with them.

Actually, they were really fun to be around. The way they treated each other was differently compared to what the Golden Dawn does. They're frequently called the band of misfits, but there was nothing truly wrong about that in your eyes. Perhaps it's because you share some similarities with them.

"Anyway, are you ready to watch the finale?" Klaus stood by your side. He didn't seem annoyed at all that he was eliminated. Well, he did make it pretty damn far.

You were extremely ready. Something in your mind told you that Yuno was going to win regardless, but you didn't want to jinx anything. "Yeah. I'm excited to see what he's going to throw out."

"He's been working extremely hard. So if he falls short of anything but extraordinary I am going to be quite disappointed."

That he did.

Yuno's performance was above extraordinary. He rarely ever uses the Sylph's powers but this time he did. His whole body was covered in this soft green radiance. Yuno was a whole different kid out there; his talent is undeniable.

The display between him and Rill left you breathless and jaw dropped. There was a tingle settling along your skin and it just brought a large smile onto your face. You cheered loudly and shouted his name. You're positive he heard you though because he caught your gaze and then turned away.

"Holy shit he did it." You shook Klaus by the shoulders violently. "They did it. His whole team did really amazing."

That they did. You've heard rumors that Noelle couldn't even control her magic at all. Somehow she just whooped everybody's ass and made it to the final battle though. You were happy for her too.

–––

The Wizard King was currently making his last announcement of the day. You weren't really listening to it until he said something that stuck out to you.

"Don't worry though because everyone still has a chance to make it to the Royal Knights no matter how far you made it."

So what the hell was the purpose of all of this? Maybe just to get a general idea of who to choose from? That made sense, so you didn't ask out loud.

When everyone was dismissed Klaus said he was going down to grab Mimosa who was still in the infirmary with Yuno. You told him you'd wait for them before leaving, and separated.

Cob was letting people through his gate back to... wherever they were going back to. As you watched the people leave, there was someone who didn't take the gate route, and was walking off by his lonesome. The redhead had his hands in his pockets, slouching while he moved.

Something told you to let him go, but you didn't listen to it. Instead, you chose to catch up with him. Calling out to him, half expecting him to stop, but he didn't. Most likely he ignored you. He should be grateful that somebody even wants to talk to him. So what's his problem?

"Hey!"

"What?"

He finally stopped, but he didn't turn or give you the respect of looking at you. So you forced your presence in front of him. You wanted to see the guy up close when he wasn't a straightforward rival. The one that worked alongside Mimosa and Asta and even blocked Langris' brutal attacks.

"How'd you hold that magic circle around you?" You asked him.

His brows furrowed. "Skill and talent."

"But does that not drain your reserves out quickly?"

"It does, but so what? It gets the job done when needed." He said. "It's a last resort and I wouldn't do it all the time. I actually thought someone would hit me a little sooner than they did."

So he put bets on it being dispelled in a short time span. Which probably is why he seemed so tired. More than you think he'd be at least from the time you've known him.

"You didn't do bad. I thought you were going to get yourself killed."

He started walking past you again. "Please. I'm not that reckless."

Then the question you wanted to know was pressing in your mind again. "What's your name?"

He came to a halt. His head tilted slightly, turning a sharp eye at you. "And why would I tell a royal my name?"

So he really thinks you're still royalty. It was fun to feel the phantom crown on your head. So you straighten your posture so it wouldn't fall. "Well I can't keep calling you Xerx."

"Who said you had to talk to me at all?"

"I just want to know the name of a future Royal Knight." You say. With the way he looks at you like you've sprouted an extra head you can tell he doesn't quite comprehend. "There's no way you didn't make it."

"So you think I'm so amazing that I'm going to–"

"Didn't say that." You quickly cut him off. "But after your magic tricks, I think you have a fair shot and you defintely passed."

He was quiet for a moment before speaking again. "So do you think you passed?"

Well actually I'm pretty sure that the Wizard King thinks I'm betraying the Kingdom. Is what you wanted to tell him. "Who knows? I sort of hope I didn't."

"So why did you take the damn test?"

"Why did you?" You threw the question back onto him.

He grumbled something under his breath. "Fun."

"Same."

There was another beat of silence that passed. He didn't seem verbally interested in anything you had to say at the moment. "If you tell me your name I'll tell you one thing about me."

He chuckled. "Are you so high and mighty that you assume that I care about your personal fun facts?"

"I think you do." You smirked, waiting for him to take the bait.

He crossed his arms. "Alright I'll bite. Tell me something and if it's good enough you get a name."

Maybe you wouldn't expose anything too deep. But something that's equivalent to a name. You mentally took off the crown you were wearing and set it aside. It's not like it was yours anyway.

"I'm not royalty. I'm just a regular...commoner. I guess so at least." You admitted. "I moved around a lot, so I guess I'm not from any specific town at all."

He raised a brow. "Wait. So you're just... normal? No fancy title or anything?"

"Nope, just my name."

"And what was that again?"

"I'm not telling you anything else until you tell me yours." You don't see why he was hiding it so hard. The test was over anyway.

He's probably processing if what you told him was worthy of getting something out of him. Then he turned his back to you. "Zora."

"Huh?"

"Zora." he said a little louder. "You wanted to know so damn badly. Now don't ask me again."

This time, you didn't try to stop him and let him go. "Y/N."

He didn't say goodbye or anything, just left. You wanted to know if he was even in a Magic Knight Squad, but you guess that's a topic for a later date.

"Y/N, are you ready to go?" Klaus called from somewhere behind you.

That you were. You're tired and exhausted. That's too much to handle all at once. You couldn't wait to pass out in bed.

–––

The next day came and went. Everybody stuck to themselves or quietly trickled about. You didn't see many people besides Mimosa. Yuno was most likely sleeping all day and Klaus off giving somebody a lecture they didn't want to hear.

Surprisingly, you didn't see Vangeance all day either. Not that you needed him, but he usually is present here and there. Today he was just... absent. You knew he had to do something with security forces too, so maybe that took up his time.

Then you thought about Langris who also wasn't around. Those two might be together. Though he might be unconscious still, Vengeance might've gone to visit him.

–––

The day after that was when results were supposed to be coming out. Everybody was on edge, but you were lounging across a couch while Klaus paced back and forth. Actually, you had wanted to go out, but he told you to stay put until the results came out.

"Can you stop making all that movement?" You lifted your head up. "Calm down."

"How are you even breathing in a steady pattern right now?" He pushed his glasses up. "I'm a wreck!"

"We can tell." Yuno added on.

The four of you were in the common area. A couple of stragglers who hadn't participated also waited to see the good news. Most people knew that everyone from the Golden Dawn who participated had a valid shot. Except... you.

But even you knew that, so it didn't matter much.

Suddenly a loud banging was coming from the door of your base. Nobody knew why someone would try to barge in like that and was put on guard. But someone took the initiative to actually open it instead of keeping your visitor waiting.

On the other side was someone you've seen before. Fuegoleon sister. She marched right through, and scanned everybody immediately. Nobody spoke while she did. Or... asked why she was here in the first place.

"Is your captain here?" Her voice boomed out. Everybody shook their heads no. "Well. I sort of figured he wasn't. Thought I'd try to drop by when he was."

"Are you looking for him?" Mimosa asked her.

"Not exactly. It's just that I wanted him to be present." She sighed. "Whatever!" That's when hands made of flames jutted out from behind her and towards the members. One gripped onto Hamon's head. Another onto Klaus. Yuno. Mimosa. Siren. Then one sizzled ontop of yours.

For what?

"Um, what's going on?" You looked around. The people who were ground were stumbling in a mix of confusion as she dragged you guys out of the headquarters. You didn't know what you could've done to get in her ill graces.

"Mereoleona, where are we going?!" Mimosa's voice rang from ahead of you.

She stopped walking which almost sent everybody crashing into each other. Mereleona folded her arms as she looked over the mini group she just kidnapped.

"You haven't figured it out? You guys passed the Royal Knights Selection Exam."