Following the Golden Dawn captain's spell, branches that looked messy but were actually orderly flew out from the tree. When each branch extended to a candidate's side, it automatically created a grayish-yellow broom at its tip.
"The first exam, begin!"
"I require you to ride these brooms and fly!" The Golden Dawn captain said, the corners of his mouth curling up. These brooms were all created by him, which largely ensured the fairness of the exam and prevented some candidates from privately carrying brooms with cheating functions.
"Is it going to be this difficult right from the start?"
"Oh my god! Oh my god! I just got my grimoire, okay!"
"I really don't know if I'll fall off!"
As soon as the Golden Dawn captain finished speaking, several candidates changed expressions. Although flying around on a broom was the most basic skill for a Mage, for beginners like them, it was still a field they had never touched!
"This item tests your control over magic power. Mages who can freely manipulate magic power can do it by feeling, so there is no need to panic."
After the Golden Dawn captain finished speaking, many candidates were already eager to try. After all, even the man closest to the Magic Emperor had said so, so what else did they have to be afraid of!
"Ah~~~~" A youth with a ponytail shakily left the ground on his broom, but then lost his balance and almost fell off, scaring him so much that he hugged the broom like a monkey, not daring to move.
At the same time, the nine Magic Knight Squad captains began to watch the scene. After all, one could judge a person's aptitude by how steadily these candidates flew their brooms.
"Is this the feeling of doing as one pleases?"
Yuno was naturally gifted. While most people were still shakily hugging their brooms, afraid to fly, he was already able to stand proudly on his broom and fly freely. This scene naturally caught the eyes of the nine Magic Knight Squad captains.
"Is this the youth chosen by the Clover? Indeed outstanding." The nine Magic Knight Squad captains gave this evaluation almost simultaneously. Yuno was the object of their key attention this time; he was a rare, promising talent.
"As expected, are you targeting me from the start!" Asta held the broom, his face dark, feeling like it was as difficult as trying to get a sow to climb a tree.
"Haha! It turns out flying is so simple; you just need to relax!" When Sekai floated above Asta, he shared flying tips with apparent enthusiasm. He used this kind of bland technique to gain favor countless times, often tricking those cute, naive youths into doing things for him.
"Shut up!" Asta crossed his arms, his expression becoming increasingly displeased. Now, the entire field of candidates had taken off one after another, which made him look very... unique! Yes, unique, not weird!
"Hahaha, flying is the simplest thing; for a Mage not to know how to fly is just too pathetic!"
"As expected of a beast from a remote region, what's the point of having a body full of savage hostility? In the end, you'll still have to look up to us!"
The two noble youths who had mocked Asta before were now riding their brooms, showing off around Asta as if performing a magic trick.
"Showing off, are you? I'll let you know what despair is!" Asta raised his head, a harmonious smile on his face. "Can you two fly any higher?"
"Aha?"
"Easy!"
The two noble youths acted as if they had heard a joke and raised their brooms. Previously, they had been worried about falling, so they didn't dare fly too high, but this time, provoked by Asta, they instantly flew to a distance of ten meters above the ground.
"Very good, next, tremble in despair." Asta smirked and took out three Kunai. As for why there were three Kunai, the extra one was naturally prepared for Sekai, who was also showing off.
"Shadow Shuriken!" Asta flicked his wrist, and the three Kunai hit the shadows of the two noble youths and Sekai without distinction.
"Huh?" The three felt their bodies stiffen simultaneously. Although it was only for 0.5 seconds, it was enough to sever the connection between their magic power and their brooms. Then, the three of them fell from their brooms, screaming.
"Mom, save me!"
At this moment, the two noble youths were about to cry. What kind of sin had they committed? They were flying so high, and now that they were falling, they were definitely going to die!
"What's going on?"
Sekai was the unluckiest. Originally, Asta couldn't be bothered to pay attention to him, but since he was ready to make a move, he just took care of him along the way.
"Suddenly falling from the broom? It seems their control over magic power is not enough."
The staff members in the shadows cast magic to save them just before they hit the ground. Every year, there were candidates with unstable magic control who fell, and they were used to it. However, although the three were saved, their faces were white with fear. One of the two noble youths even wet his pants and immediately withdrew from the exam in shame.
"Hoo--haha! That scared the hell out of me just now."
Sekai was still shaken, feeling his legs go weak. You know, his life, which hadn't even begun to head toward glory, had almost come to an end...
"Still dare to show off?" Asta said coldly from the side.