As Yami's words faded, Magna, who looked like a punk, eagerly jumped out, a look of anticipation on his face.
"Did you hear that?"
With his hands in his pockets, he tilted his head and surveyed Asta and Ryoma from head to toe, a provocative smirk on his lips.
"Captain said he's going to properly train you guys—"
He drew out his words, extended a finger, and unceremoniously pointed in Asta's direction.
"Then I'll do the honors."
Magna's tone was full of contempt, even more so when he looked at Asta.
"Especially this shorty who barely has any mana, how did he even get into the Magic Knight Squad? And the Black Bulls? What a joke!"
He then turned his gaze to Ryoma. Although Ryoma's mana fluctuations were far more normal than Asta's, that overly calm face was somehow irritating to behold.
"Listen up, rookies!"
Magna completely ignored Asta's reaction. He tugged at the black cloak he was wearing, fully revealing the Black Bull emblem printed on it.
"Want to wear this?"
Magna's eyes, hidden behind sunglasses, showed undisguised pride.
"The Black Bulls' cloak—not just anyone can wear it."
"Ohhhh!"
Asta's eyes instantly turned star-shaped, fixed intently on the cloak, drool almost flowing from his mouth.
"A Magic Knight Squad's cloak… it's so cool!"
Ryoma stood by, watching this almost 'idiotic' conversation, and silently sighed in his heart.
Sure enough.
This was a standard, almost cliché, initiation trial segment straight out of a shonen manga.
He felt a bit out of place with the vibe of these two.
"Hmph, you want it, huh?"
Magna sneered, "Then we'll have to see if you're worthy."
He locked his target on Asta, who was reacting the most intensely.
"Let's start with you, kid."
"Receive the Black Bulls' initiation ceremony."
Asta stared intently at the cloak, his entire body burning with fighting spirit.
Ryoma subtly took half a step back, trying to reduce his presence.
He turned to Yami, a perfectly measured look of helplessness on his face. "Um… Captain, I don't need to participate in this passionate segment, do I? After all, fighting and killing and such, it's such a hassle."
Yami glanced at him sideways, grunting from his nose. "Ha? What did you say?"
He slowly raised his hand, and dark magic once again began to gather.
"Want to experience being blown away by me ahead of time?"
"…I didn't say anything." Ryoma immediately shut his mouth.
He didn't want things to get even more troublesome.
Just then, a figure, accompanied by crackling electric light, instantly flashed in front of Ryoma.
"This is great."
Luck's radiant smile was almost pressed against Ryoma's nose, his eyes sparkling with excitement.
"In that case, your opponent is me. Let's fight! Let's start now!"
Ryoma expressionlessly extended a finger, pressing it against Luck's constantly approaching forehead.
He said calmly, "There's always a first come, first served. Wait until that idiot finishes."
Luck instantly wilted for a moment, but quickly perked up again.
"Eh! Alright, it's a deal then."
Luck flashed back into the crowd, but his battle-filled gaze remained fixed on Ryoma.
Ryoma's heart was unperturbed. Since he had to fight sooner or later anyway, it didn't matter.
Moreover, Luck's strength was good, probably close to or already at stage 2.
In the open space outside the base, Magna stood with his arms crossed, giving Asta a series of instructions.
Like doing 5000 sit-ups and 5000 push-ups.
"Ah?!"
Vanessa rubbed her still hazy eyes. "He's starting that non-existent baptism again."
Ryoma yawned, feeling it was a complete waste of time.
What was even more outrageous was that Asta actually foolishly followed through.
Besides a physical anomaly like Asta, how many people could finish this physical routine?
Magna's lips twitched. He had only intended to make things difficult for the rookie, but he didn't expect the other party to actually complete it without changing his expression.
"Next, the real trial!"
Magna's body suddenly ignited with scorching flame.
"What you need to do is very simple. Just take my magic."
"I don't care if you use magic, or anything else, any method will do, just defend against or dodge my attack magic."
He grinned, and his grimoire glowed red, condensing a fireball.
Whoosh!
The fireball, carrying a scorching heatwave, shot towards Asta at an astonishing speed.
Asta's pupils sharply constricted.
So fast!
He suddenly rolled to the side in an undignified manner, and although his posture was clumsy, he dodged the fireball.
Boom!
The fireball slammed into the ground behind him, blasting a charred crater.
Asta took the opportunity to pull a rusty greatsword from his grimoire and assume a stance.
"Oh? Not bad reflexes, huh?"
Magna was somewhat surprised, but the movements of his hands did not stop.
"Then, how about this?"
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!
One fireball after another, like a machine gun, furiously assaulted Asta.
For a moment, the entire area was filled with Asta's frantic dodging, jumping up and down in a disheveled manner, and continuous explosions.
Ryoma's gaze remained fixed on Asta. Although he looked disheveled, each of his dodges was perfectly timed.
"He's got a few tricks. But the real show is yet to come."
Magna stopped his attack. He raised both hands high, and vast fire began to gather frantically. A magic orb, larger and more violent than any previous fireball, slowly formed above his head.
The scorching heat distorted the surrounding air.
Magna roared, slamming the giant fireball fiercely towards Asta.
In that instant, Asta felt all the hairs on his body stand on end.
Can't dodge!
Too fast! Too wide an area!
His mind went blank, and the shadow of death enveloped his heart.
Just at this critical moment, Asta instinctively gripped his demon-slayer sword.
The body's instincts surpassed the speed of thought.
Facing the giant fireball that was enough to burn him to ashes, he fiercely blocked it with the flat of his sword, actually deflecting the fireball right back where it came from.
"What?!"
Beneath Magna's sunglasses were eyes filled with disbelief.
He had no time to react at all, and could only watch helplessly as his magic flew directly towards him.
Rumble!
A deafening roar exploded in front of the Black Bulls' base.
A violent fiery shockwave mixed with smoke and dust swept across the entire area.
The entire world seemed to fall silent at this moment. The smoke and dust slowly dispersed.
A figure emerged from the flames, his pompadour hairstyle already messy and smoking black.
It was Magna.
Not only was he not angry, but… he was smiling.
He walked step by step to Asta, baring his teeth in a brilliant smile.
"Haha… Hahahaha!"
"Interesting! So interesting!"
Magna extended his fist, repeatedly pounding Asta's back.
"That was awesome! What a spectacular fight!"
A flash of lightning, and Luck instantly appeared on the other side of the field, pointing at Ryoma with a clear target. He licked his lips, his smile more radiant than ever before, battle intent boiling.
"Then let's start the second initiation ceremony!"
"Come and try to kill me!"