Chapter 5: Asta vs Sekke
"Uhmmm... Asher, what is an eyesore?" Asta said cluelessly.
Asher's gaze bore into him with a mix of disbelief and exasperation, as if he were beholding the epitome of foolishness incarnate. Closing his eyes and Inhaling deeply, he felt a surge of frustration coursing through his veins, causing his hand to involuntarily clench into a tight fist.
"Forget it. Good luck."
"Oh, okay, Asher, good luck too!" Asta waved his hand.
As Asher glanced over at Asta, he couldn't help but feel a mix of frustration and fascination. It was baffling to him how someone seemingly lacking in intelligence could manage to survive in such a complex world. He pondered the potential untapped within Asta's brain, questioning why it remained dormant and unutilized. Shaking his head in resignation, Asher focused back on his own exam, recognizing that Asta's success or failure was not his responsibility. Yet, amidst the indifference, a spark of curiosity ignited within him as he found himself captivated by Asta's extraordinary anti-magic abilities. In spite of everything, Asher couldn't resist the urge to guide Asta, hoping to witness more of the intriguing potential hidden within him.
As the subsequent tests unfolded, it came as no surprise that Asher and Yuno effortlessly excelled, their exceptional aptitude for magic shining through. However, a lingering frustration grew within Asher as he witnessed Asta's continued struggle. The exams heavily relied on the manipulation of mana and the utilization of magic, leaving Asta at a severe disadvantage. This predicament not only tested Asher's patience but also evoked concern in Yuno, who worried about Asta's well-being.
Fuegoleon stood up and spoke to the examinees with his loud, powerful voice.
"Now for the last test. It's a 1vs1 match! Each of you should find your own opponent! Don't hold back! Fight to your heart's content since there will be healers to treat your injuries!"
As the final test approached, anticipation hung thick in the air. The much-anticipated 1v1 matches were poised to reveal the true prowess of the examinees, with their skills and strategies laid bare for scrutiny. A palpable tension gripped the participants as well as the examinees, their anxiety stemming from the weighty realization that a defeat could lose the interest of the esteemed Magic Knight captains in them. It was this fear of leaving a negative impression that fueled their nerves, driving them to summon every ounce of their abilities, ready to showcase their utmost competence in a bid to secure their standing among the ranks of the potential magic knight.
"Yo! Asta, do you mind if I be your opponent?" Sekke said with a friendly smile on his face.
"Really?! You want a loser like me to be your opponent?!" Asta said, a little grateful for what Sekke stated.
"Bah-hah! Of course, Asta! Aren't we friends? And you're not that bad!"
"Okay! Let's give it our all and have a fair fight so that we can achieve our goals!"
Both of them walked towards the center, but just before the match commenced, Sekke approached Asta, leaning in close to whisper something into his ear.
"You don't have to try harder anymore, you know?
"Huh?" said Asta in disbelief.
"I will have to thank you for making me look good earlier. Because of you, I can make a good impression on the captains. A filthy peasant like you doesn't have the right to be here. You should just go back to where you came from. To the boonies! Bah-hah!"
As the onlookers observed Sekke's choice of the seemingly feeble opponent, a collective sigh escaped their lips, accompanied by the disapproving shake of heads.
"Sekke choose the weak looking guy!"
"Sekke..."
Sekke and Asta stood face to face, the stark contrast between their expressions evident. Sekke maintained a smug, self-assured smirk on his face, his eyes brimming with disdainful mockery as they fixated on Asta. In contrast, Asta remained silent, his gaze fixed unwaveringly upon Sekke. It was in this moment that the true significance of Asher's warning finally dawned on him. The individual who had seemingly extended a hand of friendship revealed himself to be nothing more than a contemptible individual. Though Asta didn't fully comprehend the term "eyesore," he intuitively sensed that it carried negative connotations. Fueled by Asher's unwavering support and his own determination, Asta vowed to crush Sekke in this match, proving to everyone that underestimating him, a lowly peasant, would be a grave mistake.
"Don't hold back Asta, because I won't either! Bah-hah!" With that, Sekke cast a spell.
Bronze Magic: Sekke Magnum Cannonball
A translucent sphere materializes around Sekke, adorned with multiple sporadic peaks at various positions. Its surface is intricately embellished with an enchanting pattern, captivating to behold. Through his spell, Sekke steals a glance toward the location of the Magic Knight captain, exuding confidence in the belief that his formidable display of magic has left a lasting impression on the esteemed captains.
"For an examinee, that's quite impressive magic," Finral said, slightly impressed.
"Doesn't he look like a spiky bug from Mimo Amazon?" Yami said, not even feeling surprised and even point out the similarities of the spell to a bug.
Asher, who was watching from the side, couldn't help but feel ridiculous when he saw Sekke's spell.
"I can even destroy that disgusting spell with a flick of my finger. This is boring; I expect more. Asta will definitely become a magic knight. Perhaps under Black Bulls. He is loud; he deserves to be there." Asher didn't pay attention to the match anymore and just ate the cookies that Charlotte gave him.
"Now... make sure to struggle as much as you can to make things exciting!"
"Sure. Then here I come." Asta opens his grimoire and pulls out the demon slayer sword.
"AHHHHHH!"
"Eh?" Sekke Sekke was dumbfounded when he saw Asta in front of him.
Asta swiftly lunged towards Sekke, wielding his Demon Slayer sword with unwavering resolve. With a powerful strike, the sword effortlessly pierced through Sekke's previously formidable defense, connecting with its intended target. The sheer force of the impact sent Sekke hurtling towards the ground, his body crashing against the floor with a resounding thud. The sheer strength behind Asta's strike caused the ground beneath them to fracture and splinter, bearing the marks of the tremendous power unleashed in that single moment.
"..."
"EHHHH?!"
"I'm not joining the magic knight so that I can have a good time or avoid working hard! I'm here to work my butt off so that I can become the wizard king!"
A collective wave of astonishment washed over the spectators as they beheld the unexpected turn of events. The prevailing assumption, that the underdog would inevitably succumb to defeat, was shattered in an instant. Confusion filled the air as the realization settled in: Asta, the seemingly disadvantaged individual, emerged as the victor. The question lingered in everyone's minds; their disbelief was unimaginable. Just how could someone like Sekke, with all his apparent advantages, be defeated by Asta?
Yuno, on the other hand, smirked, feeling proud of his rival. He already expected that Asta would have won. There's no way Asta will fall here easily!
"Examinee #165 wins!"
Asher then began to move from his place and approach Yuno. He wants to fight him. He wants to know how much Yuno has grown in the past few months. After Yuno became a magic knight, he will definitely became even stronger since he could train properly and gain so many experiences.
"Yuno figh-" Before he could even finish his sentence, he was interrupted when someone suddenly talked to Yuno.
"You're Yuno, right? I'm Salim de Hapshass, and I would like to challenge you to a fight."
Asher's gaze narrowed, fixed on Salim with a mix of disdain and scorn. He couldn't fathom how someone so seemingly feeble would have the audacity to challenge an individual bearing a revered four-leaf clover grimoire. It reinforced Asher's belief that those who stood as eyesores were nothing more than foolish individuals, deluded by their own self-importance. Salim's unwarranted arrogance only served to solidify Asher's disdain, as he saw Salim as an eyesore beyond eyesores.
'I should have just watched with Auntie Charlotte.'
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone