Hao Fan rolled his eyes, suppressing the overwhelming aura he'd briefly released. Arms crossed over his chest, he lifted his chin with quiet arrogance, unconcerned by the stares that followed.
Unbeknownst to him, a man leaning on the railing above, a cigarette dangling from his lips, was watching with interest.
"The breath of a strong one, huh?" murmured the man in the white tank top, whose unkempt look made him seem more like a retired farmer than a Magic Knight captain. It was none other than Yami Sukehiro, captain of the Black Bulls. He hadn't even planned on attending the recruitment exam—too dull, too predictable. But now? Now there was someone interesting.
Yami gave a small grunt and headed for the second floor of the examination hall, joining the eight other Magic Knight captains seated above.
From below, Hao Fan's eyes swept across the eccentric lineup of captains.
"What kind of fashion disaster is this?" he muttered. "Are we recruiting mages or auditioning for a costume drama?"
There was the intense, sharp-eyed Nozel Silva, captain of Silver Eagles, hair slicked like a majestic hawk. Beside him sat the stoic Fuegoleon Vermillion, the noble-looking captain of the Crimson Lions.
Then there was Jack the Ripper—Hao Fan squinted. "Looks like a sleep-deprived snake charmer. Someone tell him Halloween's over."
Next was the striking figure of Charlotte Roselei, the Blue Rose captain, elegant yet armored like a medieval knight in a mask of cold steel. Hao Fan stared a moment longer—she was beautiful, but intimidating.
Next came the flamboyant Kaiser Granvorka, head of the Purple Orcas, wrapped in a swirling violet cloak. "Is that... Superman cosplay?"
Then there was Dorothy Unsworth, the sleepy Coral Peacock captain, dozing off even as she walked to her seat. Hao Fan blinked. "Huh. She's cute, but… did she just fall asleep standing?"
Then came the Green Mantis captain, Rill Boismortier, youthful and energetic—too energetic. "This kid's a captain? I'd be embarrassed joining a squad led by a gremlin."
Next was William Vangeance, enigmatic leader of the Golden Dawn, with his signature half-mask and flowing robes, radiating magic and mystery. Hao Fan frowned. "So that's the top dog, huh? Weird fashion sense, but strong."
And finally—Yami. Slouching, smoking, and scratching his butt. "That guy looks like he just came out of a bar fight," Hao Fan muttered. "Yet they say he's stronger than Golden Dawn's captain. Guess being scruffy's the new flex."
He gave a final judgment: "These captains are real pieces of work. If I didn't know better, I'd think I wandered into a cosplay convention."
"Huha! You're shocked, right?" A blond boy in a wine-red suit strode up to Hao Fan with a smug grin. "These captains sure are amazing. Anyway, name's Sai Kai! You look nervous, but don't worry—I'll carry you through."
Hao Fan blinked. "...How did you know I was nervous?"
"Uh…" Sai Kai froze, momentarily stunned as if he'd swallowed a bug. He had missed Hao Fan's earlier display of power, having arrived late and assumed Hao Fan was just another weakling.
Meanwhile, murmurs buzzed through the crowd. Some candidates who'd witnessed Hao Fan's aura earlier exchanged knowing glances.
"Dead man walking."
"He actually provoked that guy?"
"Someone call the healer early…"
Sai Kai felt their stares and grew uneasy. He checked his outfit. Nothing wrong. Why were they looking at him like a clown?
Suddenly, William Vangeance stepped forward, his mana coiling like a god descending. The masked captain spread open his magic grimoire. A dazzling green light exploded from the pages, and a deep voice echoed:
"World Tree Magic: Great Tree Descent!"
Clouds churned above, blotting out the sun. From the heavens descended a massive, radiant tree, its branches stretching wide enough to cover the entire testing grounds. A strong gust of wind followed, and the air grew thick with mana.
Candidates gasped in awe. Even seasoned knights would tremble at the sheer scale of the spell.
"Amazing," Hao Fan murmured. His clothes fluttered in the wind, but he stood unshaken, eyes calm. While others gawped, he simply analyzed. Powerful... but mages in this world rely too much on mana. They're vulnerable up close. All flash, no grit.
He clenched his fists. I don't have magic, but I have something better—discipline. And a blade that cuts through illusions.
As the tree settled, its branches stretched toward every candidate, conjuring standardized brooms out of gray-yellow bark.
"First test: Flight," Vangeance announced. "You will control these brooms and demonstrate your ability to manipulate mana."
Groans filled the air.
"Flight? I just got my grimoire yesterday!"
"I don't wanna break my neck!"
Vangeance's voice remained calm. "A mage in tune with their mana can fly by instinct. Focus. Let it flow."
One by one, candidates took off. Some wobbled, some barely lifted an inch. Others hugged the brooms like drowning men clinging to driftwood.
Then came Yuno—cool, composed, elegant as ever. He soared effortlessly above the crowd, wind swirling behind him.
"Is that the four-leaf grimoire kid?"
"Look at that control... Amazing."
Even the captains nodded in appreciation.
Meanwhile…
"…You've got to be kidding me," Hao Fan muttered, clutching the broom like it was a wooden stick of shame. His mana-less body refused to respond. He stood out like a rock in a pond of floating ducks.
Above him, Sai Kai floated in circles, smug as ever. "Just relax, man! See? It's easy!"
You really want to die, huh? Hao Fan thought darkly.
Mocking laughter erupted nearby. The same two noble brats from before were now showing off like circus clowns.
"A savage like you wouldn't understand elegance!"
"You can't even fly, peasant!"
Hao Fan slowly raised his head, a pleasant smile plastered on his face.
"Oh? Fly higher then. Ten meters, maybe?"
"Ha! Watch and learn!"
The two nobles rocketed upward, performing twirls in the air.
Sai Kai hovered above Hao Fan, still chirping. "Flying really builds confidence, doesn't it?"
Hao Fan's hand flashed. Three kunai appeared in his fingers.
"Shadow Shuriken Technique."
The kunai spun through the air like phantoms—aiming not at their bodies, but at their shadows.
For a brief half-second, all three froze—magic flow cut off.
"AaaaAAHHHH—!"
They plummeted.
"OH GOD, WE'RE GONNA DIE!"
"WHY DID WE FLY SO HIGH!?"
Only at the last second did exam staff intervene with spatial magic, cushioning their fall.
Still, one of the nobles landed face-first into the ground and wet his pants. He quit on the spot, wailing.
Sai Kai sat frozen, white as a sheet.
Hao Fan walked over, casually brushing imaginary dust from his shoulder.
"Do you still feel confident?" he asked softly.
Sai Kai nodded in terror.
"Good."