"How cruel..."
Some low-born candidates couldn't help but feel a sense of shared grief upon seeing this. Joining a Magic Knight Squad through the exam was their only way to change their destiny, but this path was clearly a one-way street!
"The road is wide, but without the spirit of 'I shall go forward even if there are thousands of people against me,' it is difficult to achieve anything."
Asta watched the various reactions of the candidates around him with indifference. In this world, the lower the threshold of something appeared to be, the harder it would be to reach the pinnacle. Whether it was Might Guy or Rock Lee practicing Taijutsu in the Hokage world, or Naruto with the Nine-Tailed sealed within him, all of them had endured the cold and warmth of the human world. By going against the tide, they burned their youth and passion, finally achieving things others dared not even imagine!
In short, if you want to obtain something you shouldn't, you must put in the effort you shouldn't!
If you fail, don't ask others; ask yourself first if your effort was thorough enough, crazy enough!
This final recruitment selection proceeded quickly because each candidate only had three seconds, and whether it was joy or sorrow, it was decided within those three seconds.
Soon, the staff called Yuno's number.
"Candidate No. 164, step forward!"
As the staff called his name, Yuno, who had always appeared calm, couldn't help but clutch the pendant on his chest. Humans fear the unknown; he, too, felt the fear of the unknown regarding his future.
"Finally, it's the turn of the boy chosen by the clover grimoire."
"Except for losing to that silver-haired boy at the end, all his exam results were at the top. Surely someone will pick him, right?"
As Yuno walked out, the candidates reached a small climax, for Yuno was undoubtedly the most dazzling performer among all those present!
"Captains who are interested, please raise your hand!"
After the staff finished speaking, whether it was the sleepy Coral Peacock Squad Captain, the Black Bulls Squad Captain known as the leader of the thugs, the Verdant Mantis Squad Captain who looked like Orochimaru's grandson, or the Silver Eagles and Golden Dawn Squad Captains who only recruited nobles and royalty, all nine captains on the second-floor balcony raised their hands without hesitation.
"Everyone raised their hands!"
This scene, which shocked the entire venue, happened only now. The best-performing noble boy earlier had only been chosen by three Magic Knight Squad Captains, yet Yuno, born as a commoner, was being madly fought over by all the Magic Knight Squad Captains!
"Even the Golden Dawn and Silver Eagles raised their hands! My god, he has truly leaped over the dragon gate in an instant!"
"I'm so envious!"
The candidates behind were so envious their eyes were about to pop out. Comparing people is truly infuriating. Many candidates who left the exam in hatred only hoped for one captain to raise their hand, even if it was the notorious Black Bulls, they would be ten thousand times willing, but reality was as cruel as winter!
"Next, candidate chooses!"
As the staff's voice faded, Yuno, after his initial surprise, had already made up his mind.
"I choose the Golden Dawn!"
Yuno said firmly. He wanted to become the Magic Emperor!
The Golden Dawn Squad Captain curled his lips, unsurprised by this result. The other captains felt some regret, for the gap between squads starts with outstanding talent. One could imagine how amazing this boy with the clover grimoire would become!
"Candidate No. 165, step forward!"
After Yuno stepped down, the scene finally ushered in the biggest climax. A boy who failed every test but won against the most highly regarded candidate with the posture of a demon god—Asta was undoubtedly the most eye-catching existence at this moment!
"Where will he choose?"
Yuno couldn't help but guess as he brushed past Asta.
"This Hage Village is truly lucky. How did two abnormal boys come out of it at once? Surely he will be picked by everyone too, right?"
The candidates were instantly unsettled. Two geniuses being picked by everyone at once made them feel very inferior, but some boys felt fortunate, as this year was destined to be legendary!
Asta walked in front of the crowd with a calm gaze, his back straight and determined, without a trace of panic.
"Is he not nervous at all?"
"If you had beaten the top seed, you wouldn't be nervous either!"
The candidates chattered, but only Asta knew the real reason.
"My life is in my own hands!"
These simple four words were the life creed Asta believed in. Whether it was Rock Lee or Asta, this kind of thing existed in their bones. When a boy walks forward unwaveringly, facing the doubts of those around him, the mockery of companions, the betrayal of friends and relatives, the shackles of fate will cease to exist, and the whole world will tremble for his struggle!
So, don't talk about a Magic Knight Squad exam; even if the difficulty were greater, Asta wouldn't be nervous, because he was full of confidence in his future!