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Bakugo lover's are going to love this chapter.
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A warm and sweet chapter. Hope you like it😁
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Third Person POV
The colossal Shackled Dome of chains clattered and retracted into the ground, revealing the arena, now an absolute wasteland of craters and molten rock. In the center stood the two finalists. Julius Novachrono was vibrating with a child-like, academic glee, firing off a stream of questions at a bewildered Michael, who still had his spear in hand.
"That is ENOUGH!"
Seraphiel Kira's amplified voice boomed across the coliseum, cutting Julius off mid-sentence. "With that," she announced, a proud, beaming smile on her face that she didn't even try to hide, "this concludes the final match, and our Magic Knight Entrance Examination!"
The applicants, who had just witnessed a battle that looked more like a war between gods, let out a shaky, collective breath.
"Now," Seraphiel continued, her voice all business, "as your names are called, step forward. If any squad is interested in taking you in, their Captain will raise their hand. You may then choose which squad to join."
A new, more personal kind of tension filled the air. This was the true test.
"Applicant number seven, Lord Valen!"
The arrogant noble from the second test, who had tried to hit on Acier, stepped forward, his face pale. He looked up at the captains. Not a single hand was raised. "No hands!" the proctor announced. Valen's face crumpled, and he stumbled away.
"Applicant number twelve!" A nervous-looking girl stepped up. "One hand! The Coral Peacocks!" The girl burst into tears of joy and ran toward Skyler Sorath, who gave a lazy, half-hearted wave.
"Applicant number thirty!" "Two hands! The Azure Deer and the Green Mantis!" The applicant, a boy with wind magic, looked torn between the elitist Alva and the terrifying Jackson. He eventually chose the Azure Deer.
"Applicant number forty-four, Jack!" The wild-haired applicant with Slash Magic swaggered forward, his sharp-toothed grin already in place, his eyes locked on only one captain. Instantly, Jackson Blade's hand shot up, his own manic grin mirroring Jack's. "YOU!" Jackson roared. "WITH THE BLADES! YOU'RE MINE!" Jack just cackled, a high-pitched, unsettling sound. "Ke ke ke! I like your energy!" "BAHAHAHA! A PERFECT MATCH!" Jackson bellowed, slamming his hand on his chair. "WELCOME TO THE GREEN MANTIS!"
(Fake noble: A noble who was a commoner, but due to huge influence in a certain feild, they are given the noble title, in Julius's case, his family's wealth.)
"Applicant number 108, Julius Novachrono!" A hush fell over the crowd. The prodigy who had fought the monster. Julius stepped forward, his earlier battle-focus gone, replaced by his cheerful, slightly ditzy smile. Whoosh. Whoosh. Whoosh. Whoosh. Whoosh. Whoosh. Whoosh. Whoosh. Whoosh. One by one, all nine hands went up in the air. The entire coliseum exploded. "ALL NINE!" "FOR A FAKE NOBLE!?" "WHO CARES! HE CONTROLS TIME!" Baron Krum of the Purple Orcas was visibly sweating, his hand raised high, his noble-supremacist views completely forgotten in the face of such overwhelming power. Seraphiel smiled. "Julius Novachrono. You have your choice of any squad." Julius put a finger on his chin, looking up at the balcony with genuine curiosity. "Hmm... This is a tough one... They all look so wonderful... Oh, I know!" He pointed, not at the Golden Dawn, not at the Crimson Lions, but at the most shocked-looking captain on the balcony: Alva of the Azure Deer. "I'll choose the Azure Deer!" The crowd, the captains, and especially Alva were stunned into silence. The elitist captain, who hadn't shown a flicker of interest in anyone but the highest royals, stared at him. "...Me?" Alva asked, her voice a flat monotone. "Why?" Julius gave her a brilliant, sunny smile. "I like the color!" The entire coliseum was dead silent for a full three seconds. Then, Jackson Blade lost it, his "BAHAHAHA!" echoing so loud it shook the rafters. Even Ignatius Vermillion was hiding his face, his shoulders shaking with laughter. Alva's eye twitched. She looked at this god-tier rookie who had just made his choice based on aesthetics. "...Very well," she said through gritted teeth. "Welcome... to the Azure Deer." Julius just beamed. "Thank you!"
"Applicant 130, Ignara Vermillion!" Again, the sound of nine hands shooting into the air. This was expected, but still a monumental achievement. Ignatius Vermillion leaned forward, a proud, fatherly smile on his face. She'll make me proud. The first Vermillion to have all nine offers. Ignara didn't even look at the other eight captains. She beamed and pointed right at Seraphiel. "I choose the Golden Dawn!" The smile vanished from Ignatius's face. "ABSOLUTELY NOT!" His fatherly pride was instantly replaced by a captain's fury. His entire body lit up with his fire-aura. "IGNARA! You are a VERMILLION! Your place is in the CRIMSON LIONS, as it has always been!" Ignara, completely unfazed by her father's "King of the Lions" routine, put her hands on her hips. "Nope! I'm going with Aunt Sera. Right, Aunt Sera?" She turned to Seraphiel and put on a pathetically sweet, innocent smile. Seraphiel, for her part, adopted a formal, almost cold expression as she turned to the raging Vermillion captain. "Captain Vermillion... is there an issue? The rules of the exam, which you agreed to, state the applicant has the choice." "She... but... she's... SERA, YOU CAN'T!" he roared, his fire flaring hotter. "Are you challenging the rules of the exam, Ignatius?" Seraphiel asked, her voice dangerously quiet. "Or, perhaps, are you challenging me to a duel for her? I'm not sure you'd win this time." Ignatius sputtered. He looked at his daughter's defiant, grinning face. He looked at Seraphiel's "I-win-and-you-know-it" smile. He looked at his own hand, still raised. He deflated. His fire-aura vanished. "Bwuh... Fine! Take her! See if I care!" He slumped back into his chair, pouting like a child. "Thanks, Dad! Love you!" Ignara yelled, before skipping over to stand behind Seraphiel's balcony.
"Applicant 131, Acier Silva!" Whoosh. All nine hands again. The crowd was almost numb to it. This was the monster trio. Lord Cael Silva stared at his daughter, his expression intense, his expectation clear. Acier, ever the picture of noble grace, gave a polite, shallow bow to the captains. "Thank you all for your generous offers. It is an honor I shall not forget." Her voice was serene, but it held the same unyielding strength as her magic. "I have made my decision. I would be honored to join... the Golden Dawn." Cael's body went rigid. His mana, a sharp, crystalline pressure, flared. He didn't shout like Ignatius. He was far more terrifying. "Acier." His voice was low. "The Silver Eagles is your birthright. It is your family's squad. You will lead it." Acier met her father's cold gaze without flinching. "Father. With all due respect, I have made my choice. I will serve the kingdom best alongside Captain Kira, Ignara, and Michael. My path is my own. And I promise when it is time, I will lead The Silver Eagles." A silent, frigid battle of wills raged between father and daughter. The air grew cold. Cael's eyes were sharp enough to cut diamonds. Acier's were as calm and unbreakable as steel. Finally, Cael broke the stare. He gave a single, sharp nod. "...Very well. Do not dishonor our name."
"I would never," Acier replied. She bowed once more, turned, and walked gracefully to stand beside a grinning Ignara.
"And finally," the proctor announced, his voice almost trembling.
"Applicant 132, Michael Kira!" Whoosh. All nine hands. For the fourth time in a row. The new generation was truly terrifying. Michael just smiled, a small, polite nod to the captains. "The Golden Dawn, of course." He started to walk.
"NO! WAIT! THAT'S NOT FAIR!" In a move that shocked everyone, Jackson Blade vaulted over the balcony railing and landed in the arena with a crash, his scarred face twisted in a manic, desperate grin. "YOU CAN'T! HE'S MINE!" The crowd freaked out. The support mages raised their wands, thinking it was an attack. "Jackson, you are a disgrace!"
Baron Krum sputtered. "Get back up here!" Jackson ignored him, stalking toward Michael. "Brat! Join the Green Mantis! We don't have rules! We just fight! Think of it! You and me, every single day! You'll love it!" He got within ten feet of Michael. "Jackson." Seraphiel's voice, amplified by magic, dropped thirty degrees and hit the arena with the force of a physical blow. Jackson froze. "He has made his choice," Seraphiel said, her voice a low, terrifying growl. "Get. Back. Up. Here. Now." "But... but... he's... I WANT HIM!" Jackson whined, all his menace vanishing, replaced by the petulant pout of a child. "Look at him! He's perfect! You can't just keep him for yourself just because you're his mom! That's nepotism!"
"I... what...?" Seraphiel was momentarily stunned. The other captains were just embarrassed. Alva looked disgusted. Ignatius and Skyler were openly laughing. Seraphiel pinched the bridge of her nose, letting out a long, long, put-upon sigh. "Jackson... fine. What if... what if he comes to your squad's base once every month?" Jackson's head perked up, his manic grin returning. "...Go on."
"You can fight him. You can teach him. You can do whatever you want," Seraphiel said. "HOWEVER," her voice turned to ice, and her aura flared, a promise of pure, radiant annihilation. "Make sure he is not harmed. If you try anything... weird... if you so much as give him a permanent scar, I will personally cut you into one thousand pieces. Am I clear?" Jackson barely heard the threat. "A month is a long time... but... DEAL!" He looked at Michael. "You hear that, brat! Once a month, you're all mine! It's a date between true men!..... That does not sound right.... Whatever, you get the point." Michael just shrugged, a small smile on his face. "Sounds fun."
"Jeez, Seraphiel, what do you think I am?" Jackson scoffed as he leaped back up to the balcony. "I won't break him. Much."
Seraphiel looked like she had the world's worst migraine, but she took a deep breath, her professional mask sliding back into place. "This," she announced, "concludes the Magic Knight Entrance Exam." She looked out over the remaining applicants. "For those not chosen, do not despair. The path of a Magic Knight is difficult. Train. Overcome your limits. And we will see you again next year." Her expression softened as she looked at the new recruits. "To all who passed, congratulations. You will now gather at the Wizard King's palace for an entrance speech and your official welcoming. Welcome to the Magic Knights!" The coliseum erupted in a final, thunderous applause. Michael, Acier, and Ignara met at the exit tunnel. "That," Acier said, smoothing her tunic, "was... a lot." "He likes the color!" Ignara burst out laughing, still stuck on Julius. "He's an absolute lunatic! I like him!" "Come on," Michael said, putting his hand in both of theirs. "Let's go home. I'm starving, and everyone's waiting."
The Kira Estate was buzzing with life. It wasn't just Michael's parents; it seemed all the great families were there. Ignatius Vermillion was present, along with his wife, and his eldest daughter Lysandra, who was holding her husband Ardan's arm. Cael Silva was there, along with his wife and a very young, very stern-looking Nozel, who was trying to imitate his father's posture. The trio entered the main hall, and before any of the adults could say "congratulations" or "welcome home," all three of them rushed towards little Mereoleona. "MICKY! IGGY! ACY!" The little lioness squeaked with happiness. The trio's intense, post-exam focus just melted. "There's our little lion!" Ignara shouted, scooping her up without breaking stride and tossing her high into the air, making the baby squeal with pure, unadulterated laughter. "Gah! Bah! More!" "My turn!" Michael said, taking her from Ignara and holding her high above his head. "Did you miss us, Leo? Did you protect the house while we were gone?" "Micky!" she giggled, abandoning her words and grabbing a fistful of his golden hair, pulling hard. "Ow, ow, ow, okay, you're strong!" he laughed, bringing her down as Acier stepped in to tickle her stomach. "You're getting so big, Mereo!" Acier said, her usual serenity replaced by a warm, loving smile. This was their ritual. Before greeting parents, before talking strategy, they always, always greeted the baby of the group first. Only then did they turn to their families. Rodric clapped Michael on the shoulder, his face a mask of fatherly pride. "Incredible, son. Just... incredible." Seraphiel simply pulled all three of them into a massive hug. "I'm so proud of all of you." Ignatius clapped Ignara on the back, hard enough to make her stumble. "Fine! You did well. But I expect you to visit the Lions' base once a week, you hear me!" Cael gave Acier a single, stiff nod. "Your performance was... acceptable." From Cael, that was the highest possible praise, and Acier beamed. The party was a joyous, loud affair. The trio, starving, piled plates high with food, recounting the exam. "...so I just stomped. And he went flying!" Michael explained, his mouth full. "And then he likes the color!" Ignara was still stuck on this, making Acier laugh so hard she almost choked. "And you should have seen her," Ignara said, pointing at Acier. "She just stared my dad down! 'Father, with all due respect...' Her face was priceless!" They were just kids, laughing, eating, and for the first time in months, completely relaxed.
Hours later, the party wound down, and a comfortable quiet settled over the estate. The trio, as if drawn by a silent string, found themselves climbing the many stairs to Michael's favorite spot: the very top of the Kira's central tower, overlooking the entire Royal Capital. They stood in the cool night air, the city lights twinkling below them like a second sky. "Wow," Acier said softly, leaning on the stone railing. "We did it. We're finally Magic Knights."
"It feels like just yesterday we were five years old on this very tower," Michael said, standing between them, "swearing we'd be the strongest."
"And now we are on the right path," Ignara grinned, bumping her shoulder against his. "We've come a long way," Acier added, her voice thick with emotion. Michael grew quiet. He looked at the city, then at the two girls he loved more than anything in the world. "We're not just kids anymore," he said, his voice serious."We're going to face real dangers. Wars, that ancient enemy Lucenor warned me about... We're not just kids anymore."
They both turned to him, their expressions growing serious, sensing the shift. "Michael, what is it?" Acier asked. "I've... I've wanted to do this for a while," Michael said, his own voice sounding thick. "I was just waiting for the right moment. For us to start our new lives together. Now that we are going to be involved in an environment where we can lose our lives anytime, I wanted to do this right now. Before it is too late." He reached into his pocket. His hands were shaking, just slightly. He held out two small, velvet boxes. Acier's hand flew to her mouth. Ignara's breath hitched. He opened them. Inside, each box held a ring. They weren't gaudy, royal gemstones, but elegant, powerful bands. One of Vermillion-red gold, chased with a sunburst pattern; the other of Silva-silver, forged in the shape of a protective, encircling wing. "I know we're young," Michael said, his voice cracking just once. "But I know what I want. I want this. I want us. I want to be with you both, always." He looked at Ignara, his golden eyes locking with her fiery ones. "I want to be your shield, to stand against anything that could ever hurt you." He looked at Acier, his gaze softening as he met her silver-blue eyes. "And I want to be your sword, to fight for you, and beside you." He took a deep breath, his voice becoming strong, filled with the power of his Vow. "I will always be there to protect you. I will be your shield, and I will be your sword. I swear this upon my family's name, and I swear this upon Lucenor." The air itself seemed to thrum. This was the highest and purest level of pact a wielder of a Soul Weapon could make. It was a Vow, binding and absolute.
Both girls were stunned, tears of pure, unadulterated happiness streaming down their faces. Ignara broke first. She let out a choked sob that was half a laugh. "You... you absolute idiot!" She grabbed the front of his shirt, yanking him down, and kissed him, hard. It was a desperate, passionate, claiming kiss, full of all the fire and relief and years of pent-up love she had. She pulled back, her fiery eyes shining, her forehead resting against his. "It's about time, bastard." She smiled, then looked past him at Acier. Acier was frozen, her hand over her mouth, her body trembling as she cried silent, happy tears. She was blushing bright red, looking completely overwhelmed. "Acier?" Michael asked, his voice gentle. She looked at him, at his soft, smiling, waiting face. Her shyness warred with her love, and her love won. She leaned in and kissed him. It was soft at first, a gentle, hesitant press of her lips against his. Then, feeling his lips respond, feeling the Vow settle in her heart, she deepened it, pouring all of her own quiet, deep, powerful love into it. It became a kiss just as passionate as Ignara's, a promise of steel and forever. They broke apart. The three of them stood there in the moonlight, a silent, profound moment passing between them. Then Ignara snorted, which made Michael chuckle. Acier broke into a watery giggle. They all started laughing, a pure, happy, triumphant laugh that echoed over the capital. "I love you!" Ignara shouted, jumping on him and wrapping her legs around his waist. "I love you so much!" Acier cried, jumping on him from the other side. Michael staggered but held them both, his arms wrapped tightly around their waists, holding them as they held him, spinning them around under the stars.
From another tower in the estate, the parents watched. "Damn," Seraphiel said, dabbing her eyes with a handkerchief. "I never thought my son could say stuff like that. Look at how he's grown up..." She turned and promptly burst into tears, sobbing into Rodric's shoulder. Rodric just sighed and patted her back, a fond smile on his face. "All good, Sera. All good." He was perfectly used to her emotional whiplash. The other adults chuckled warmly. "I'm so glad Ignara found someone she truly loves," her mother said, dabbing her own eyes. "Someone who can... well, handle her."
"And for Acier, too," Acier's mother agreed, her hand on her husband's arm. "He brings her out of her shell." Ignatius and Cael stood side-by-side, watching their daughters cling to the young man. They looked at each other, and as one, the two great, stern captains gave a single, approving "dad nod." Nearby, Lysandra leaned into her husband, Ardan, who was holding a sleeping Mereoleona. "That," Lysandra whispered in his ear, "got me feeling romantic. Let's... enjoy the night when we get home." Ardan, the stoic Vice-Captain, turned beet red. He sputtered, coughed awkwardly, and shifted the baby, his eyes darting around in a panic. The entire group saw it and broke into one last, genuine, warm laugh that filled the night.
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