The Magic Knights Entrance Exam in the Clover Kingdom is held once a year. At this time of year, talented youths from all over the country flock to the exam venue to participate in this important event.
The exam does not require much in terms of entry conditions; as long as they feel they have the capability and strength to become a Magic Knight, anyone can register to participate.
After completing the exam, if a candidate performs well and leaves a relatively good impression on the Captains of the Magic Knight Squads, that person will be selected by a Captain for their squad, officially becoming a Magic Knight of the Clover Kingdom.
The number of people who successfully become Magic Knights each year is not large, but even if they are not chosen by the Captains, candidates can register to take the exam again the following year.
After six months of diligent magic practice, Brian and Yuno bid farewell to everyone at the church in Hage village and set out to attend this year's Magic Knights Entrance Exam.
They did not spend too much time traveling from a remote land like Hage village to the exam venue; it only took the two of them two days to arrive, moving while stopping to see famous landmarks along the way.
"It's really bustling..." Brian walked the streets with Yuno, "We haven't visited the city for a while. The last time we came to places like this was two years ago; what did we do then?"
"Buying gifts for everyone at the church," Yuno replied, "I remember that time you also knocked out a drunkard to help keep a shop from being vandalized. Thanks to that, the kind shop owner gave us a bit of a discount."
"Ah right, I remember now."
Chatting idly as they walked, Brian and Yuno quickly experienced the fast pace of life in the kingdom's major cities. Both of them had lived in a peaceful countryside like Hage village for fifteen years; compared to the atmosphere of the countryside, this urban area clearly carried a completely opposite vibe.
Occasionally, the two of them would go to towns near Hage village to have fun, but clearly, they still preferred the tranquility of the countryside over a noisy place like this.
After taking a stroll around the city, Brian and Yuno eventually felt they had nothing left to do to kill time, so they decided to head to the Magic Knights Entrance Exam venue a bit early.
The venue for this year's exam was the same as every year; the two quickly found their way to the central square in the city, which Brian felt looked not much different from a Roman Colosseum.
"We are here to register for this year's entrance exam."
Going to the registration desk, Brian and Yuno quickly reported their names to the registrar and received an identification number for each person before entering the square.
"Hey, it's those two, right?"
"It's them, the two who were chosen by the four-leaf clover Grimoires."
"Tsh, just two hicks...!"
As more candidates arrived to register and entered the square, the whispers and chatter among them grew accordingly.
The news of Brian and Yuno receiving four-leaf clover Grimoires had created a huge resonance within the square. They received all sorts of comments and gazes directed at them from the others.
From admiration to envy, all kinds of emotions were felt by the two through the words of the crowd.
An ordinary person might have been made arrogant or annoyed by these NPCs, but Brian and Yuno seemed unaffected, maintaining a relaxed attitude.
"Yuno, what do you think of that blonde girl?" Brian stood leaning against the wall, tilting his head to ask Yuno in a voice only the two of them could hear, "The one looking toward us with sparkling eyes. Oh boy, she turned away."
"Nothing at all," Yuno replied emotionlessly, his gaze scanning the square to observe the other candidates, uninterested in the topic Brian had just raised, "You should mind your own business."
"Come on, don't be so cold."
Brian patted Yuno's shoulder, directing his best friend's attention to a group of girls standing together. There were several small groups like that in the square; some girls stood individually, and looking at their clothes, they included people from both commoner and noble backgrounds. The common point among them was that they were all looking toward the two of them.
"Those girls are likely planning to get to know us. Look at how hard they're trying to act graceful; I'm sure they're already plotting how to 'accidentally' run into us after the exam."
The appearances of both Brian and Yuno were extremely outstanding compared to the other boys, and that wasn't even counting the fact that both of them were chosen by four-leaf clover Grimoires; it was natural for them to be popular with the girls.
"I don't care."
"The girls will be very sad. Their prince is not interested in male-female relationships."
"Hey, you bastard. Don't say misleading things like that."
Brian was given a sharp nudge in the leg by Yuno, though it didn't hurt much. The two of them rarely spoke about girls, but it wasn't that they lacked interest or had an unusual orientation; it was just that there were other things they cared more about.
"I think I'll find a suitable girl," Brian said suddenly, which made Yuno suddenly interested in knowing what his best friend was planning.
"Really? I thought your standards were very high."
Yuno finally looked toward the other girls standing in the square; his gaze made them let out an 'ah' and turn away in excitement.
Although he didn't know what Brian's taste was like, Yuno was certain these girls wouldn't catch his eye.
"It's true that my standards for choosing a partner are a bit high, but it's not like there isn't anyone who fits those standards."
"Hmm, who do you have your eye on?"
"Probably one. But it seems I still haven't found her."
Just as Yuno was about to say something else, a flock of birds appeared from out of nowhere throughout the square. Each bird flew near someone they felt like, and everyone had a few birds flying around them, except for Brian and Yuno.
"Good grief, what's with these birds...?"
"They're landing on me; so cute."
The candidates surrounded by the birds had various expressions; Brian and Yuno didn't get this chance, so they just stood by and watched.
"Sifting through the candidates before the exam has even started?"
Brian knew what these birds were; they were Anti-birds attracted by mana. The less mana a person had, the closer these birds would fly to them, and the greater the number, the less mana the person they noticed possessed.
While the other candidates were having trouble with the birds, Brian noticed a burly black-haired man walking with two others following behind.
"Here it is..." Brian whispered; it seemed his waiting time was up. The Magic Knights Entrance Exam was about to begin right now.