"N-no, I won't!" Sekai was startled by the sudden voice and almost fell to the ground.
"There are a few promising talents this year, but what's up with that silver-haired youth? Even with the worst aptitude, one should be able to float slightly while riding a broom, right? What's the meaning of standing still in place?" The Crimson Lion King Squad Captain looked at Asta and said, puzzled.
"Feeling that he can't do it, so he gave up from the start?" The Verdant Mantis Squad Captain said calmly, "People who don't even dare to struggle like this are very common, aren't they?"
"He also seems to be from Hage Village, but I didn't expect the gap to be so obvious." The Purple Orca Squad Captain said.
"Hmph! Eliminated in the first round?"
"I thought he was some incredible figure when he showed that aura just now! He can't even do the most basic flying!"
"If I were him, I would have run out in shame long ago; he actually has the nerve to stand there!"
The youths around Asta all showed mean expressions at this time. Perhaps because they had shown the most humble smiles when Asta revealed his aura just now, they were now doing their best to mock him as they saw him about to be eliminated, as if doing so could regain the face they had lost when they were afraid of Asta.
"The words you brats are saying are really annoying. Does flying around in the sky like monkeys really make you that proud?"
Asta slightly tilted his face up, his amber eyes filled with an indescribable aura of nobility. This was a nobility that came from the soul. His body was already extremely straight, and at this moment, standing proudly on the spot, he was as exceptional as an ancient deity!
When these words were spoken, many people immediately felt ashamed of themselves.
The youths who were originally proudly showing off their talent for manipulating magic power flushed red. Now that Asta had pointed it out, they felt that their behavior just now was really like monkeys vying for favor in front of their master. Many candidates had already unconsciously landed, as if they felt it was embarrassing to fly for even one more moment.
"This kid... he should be the one who's embarrassed, so why does it look like the ones who can fly are the ones who are embarrassed instead?" The Golden Dawn captain said, unable to laugh or cry.
"How did a word like'standing out from the crowd' suddenly pop into my head? And how is this aura of noble lineage even stronger than that of the royal descendants?"
The Silver-Winged Vulture Squad Captain said speechlessly.
"Haha, this really is an interesting brat."
The Black Bulls Squad Captain's eyes showed great interest.
"Such an eccentric person fits the style of your Black Bulls perfectly. No wonder you like him."
The Verdant Mantis Squad Captain teased.
"Tch... bugs..."
The Black Bulls Squad Captain curled his lip. While the squad captains were bickering on the stage, the group of youths below was also bickering with Asta.
"You trash who got eliminated in the first round, what right do you have to call us monkeys?"
A youth landed and said angrily.
"Based on your IQ, calling you a monkey is giving you too much credit. Who said I would be eliminated?"
Asta raised an eyebrow and sneered.
"This... isn't it obvious? You didn't even pass the first test, so naturally, you'll be eliminated!"
The youth was a bit dazed by Asta's retort. Could it be that he had misunderstood?
"Think carefully about what the Golden Dawn Squad Captain said earlier. He said we would undergo several tests, and then the captains would judge who is suitable for their Magic Knight Squad based on our performance across these rounds. In other words, this isn't like playing a game where you get eliminated if you fail one level; it's a comprehensive evaluation. Otherwise, some people might not have outstanding mana control, but have deep mana reserves or special magic. Wouldn't that bury talent?"
Asta sneered.
"That actually sounds like it makes sense?"
The other youths who had previously thought like the boy—that failing one test meant elimination—suddenly realized; so that's how this exam worked!
"Very rational, but it ultimately cannot cover up the low-class status and poor aptitude for mana manipulation."
The Silver-Winged Vulture Squad Captain said indifferently. This sentence was equivalent to closing the door of the Silver-Winged Vulture to Asta. No matter how brilliant Asta's performance was in other areas later, it wouldn't change!
"It's better not to make a decision so early. Isn't that youth who inherited the clover grimoire also a lower-class person?"
The Purple Orca Squad Captain said.
"How can these two be mentioned in the same breath? That clover grimoire is enough to change that youth's destiny."
After the Silver-Winged Vulture Squad Captain finished speaking, their sharp gaze seemed to have discovered something. They politely excused themselves and then walked down.