The training ground crackled with tension, the air thick with the sting of anticipation. Noon loomed like a guillotine, and the clock ticked relentlessly.
Miki swallowed hard, her palms glowing faintly with healer magic. She was exhausted, but she wasn't backing down.
Miki said, "I… I'll do my best. For the team."
Baka cracked his knuckles, his stance loose, the beer bottle still dangling carelessly from his fingers.
"Ready? Start!" Baka barked.
Seig charged first, flames sparking from his fists, their red-orange glow illuminating his focused expression. He launched a fiery punch directly at Baka's chest.
Baka sidestepped with an effortless blur, his movements too fast to follow, then grabbed Seig's wrist. With a fluid motion, he flipped Seig hard onto his back, the thud of impact shaking the ground.
Baka, sipping his beer, said, "Too slow, bucket boy."
Athuria stepped forward, eyes cold, her hands glowing with ice magic. Sharp, glittering icicles surged around her, raining down in a deadly barrage.
Baka twirled his katana in the air like it weighed nothing, slicing through the icicles with precision. The shards shattered into sparkling dust.
"Not bad, Princess. But predictable," Baka remarked.
Miki hesitated, then hurled a glowing orb of healer magic, hoping to distract or provide a small buff. Her hands shook from the strain.
Baka caught the orb in his palm, and it fizzled out harmlessly.
"Nice try, shy one. Gotta be faster and smarter," Baka said.
The trio regrouped, chests heaving as they exchanged determined glances. Seig's temper was reaching a boiling point.
"This guy's impossible! We can't even touch him!" Seig shouted.
Aturia's sharp gaze silenced him.
"Stop whining and think. He's testing our teamwork, not just our strength," Athuria responded coldly.
Miki nodded, voice soft but steady.
"We all need to come together and think as a team… for once," Miki said.
Seig blinked, Miki's calm words slicing through his rage like cool water. She's right… I need to keep my cool, just like Big Sis Lily always says. He inhaled sharply, his anger transforming into focus.
"Fine. Got a plan, Ice Princess?" Seig asked.
Aturia's lips twitched—almost a smile.
"Follow my lead. Miki, support us. Seig, don't burn everything down," Athuria commanded.
With a snap, Aturia slammed her palms to the ground, and a massive ice wall erupted from the earth, turning the battlefield into a slippery, frozen arena. Ice spikes shot up from below, forcing Baka to leap and dodge mid-air as his footing vanished.
Miki's magic surged outward, glowing brighter as she poured boosting energy into her teammates buffing their Mana. Their movements became sharper, their flames hotter, their ice colder.
Seig focused, reigning in his temper. No wild explosions,Just control as He spat a steady, controlled fireball in long bursts, his hand steady as he hurled it at Baka, taking advantage of the split-second opening.
Baka grinned, twisting aside effortlessly—but the continuous precise aim of fire raining down slowed him just enough.
Aturia lunged, her ice-coated fist grazing Baka's arm. The keys on his belt jangled. Baka twisted away, kicking Athuria back, and Seig dove in next, flame-coated fist swinging.
Baka caught his arm again, pinning him to the ground, katana pressed to his throat.
"You're getting there. But your attacks still aren't in coordination," Baka observed.
From the distance, Miki kept channeling her magic to support both of them and keep them going but her own mana draining faster with every breath. Sweat poured from her face, her legs trembling, but her resolve never faltered.
"You two are almost there! Don't give up!" Miki called out faintly. "...because I'm not going to give up either…"
Seig's heart pounded. Miki's unwavering support ignited something deeper in him—pure determination. He rose, his flames flickering steady now, a quiet rage burning in his emerald eyes.
"We're not done, Baka Sensei. I'm not… No, we're not going back to the academy empty-handed!" Seig declared.
Aturia stood as well, her ice magic frosting her environment with energy. She nodded firmly.
"For once, I agree with the loser," Aturia said.
She conjured two ice daggers, their edges sharp and glimmering in the frozen arena.
The clock ticked mercilessly toward noon. Team 7 shared a single glance—silent understanding between them. This wasn't just about the keys anymore. It was about proving they belonged as Rank 3 Magic Knights.
Baka smirked, finally dropping his beer bottle as It shattered on the icy ground.
"Okay then… you three finally have my full attention. Come at me with everything you've got. Remember—push past your limits," Baka said, his tone shifting from playful to serious.
Meanwhile, far away in Camelot's kingdom royal hall, Mrs. Lily paced anxiously, her hair catching the light. King Julius the fourth King of Knights of Camelot sat calmly on his throne signing a lot of paperwork,as a silent and calm safe aura filled the room.
Lily bowed clenched her fists, frustration mounting.
"Long live the king"
King Julius looked up from his paper work" Mrs Lilly what's the matter does there seem to be a problem?
Lily "Not at all my king I'm just a little bit worried about the Rank 1 Sensei that was assigned to team E. But most importantly I'm more worried about Seig. If he fails this test, he'll lose everything. The Dragon King—Acnologia—inside him… it's too dangerous," Lily said, her voice tense.
Julius' eyes darkened, his usual calm slipping for a moment.
"The Dragon King is exactly why he needs Baka. No one else can handle that power—or teach him to control it. I know he's like a little brother to you… but trust me. He's going to be fine," Julius reassured her.
Back on the field, sparks of fire and ice lit the air. Seig and Aturia were spent, mana depleted, bodies screaming in pain and bruises all over with Frost bites and burns.
Miki (inner) "Baka Sensei is still focused on Seig and Aturia he's gotten distracted now it's a good time to try out that technique i learned at home.
Miki gathered every last drop of Mana she had left as she was observing for any inanimate objects around Baka Sensei proximity she then noticed and concentrated on a leaf that was falling down gently in Baka sensei proximity "Substitution Technique as she said calmly" and in the blink of eye she switched places with the leaf mid air.
Baka, Seig and Aturia were shocked and taken by surprise mid fight as Miki used her left over mana to buff her strength landing a critical punch on Baka Sensei head catching him off guard for a minute but that was all the time Seig and Aturia needed, as the keys slipped off from Baka Sensei hand.
Seig and Aturia each snatched one mid-fall.
While Miki landed roughly on the ground.
"Congratulations. You three did it," Baka said smirking happily.
Miki collapsed to her knees, out of breath, her body shuddering.
"But… I didn't get any key… so that means I failed…" Miki said, tears welling in her eyes.
"No way! Miki isn't going back to the academy!" Seig exclaimed as he stepped up.
Aturia stood with a emotionless expression with a bit hesitation "Seig's right,It was because of her that we got these keys. If you're sending anyone back… it should be me. For not trusting my teammates."
Baka's intimidating presence loomed over them as his aura intensified the entire air around them. The trio shuddered, panic flashing unable to move in fear.
"You two really have the audacity to stand up for your teammate?" Baka said, his voice low and threatening.
Seig and Aturia "Yes of course we will
He raised his hand. Seig and Athuria closed their eyes, bracing for the worst—
—but he gently patted their heads instead.
Baka smiled, a rare, genuine grin.
"In that case… all three of you pass," he said.