"Ahhh!!!"
"Captain Dorothy!"
"Lord William!"
As Wizard King Julius Novachrono introduced them, waves of cheers rose higher and higher above the crowd.
"Wait… aren't two captains missing?"
"Yeah, you're right. What happened?"
"..."
Yuuki swept his gaze across the platform and confirmed it—two captains were indeed absent.
One was Charlotte Roselei, and the other was Yami Sukehiro.
Just like in the original timeline, Charlotte was too drunk to show up, while Yami had most likely forgotten the event entirely.
Sensing the awkwardness, Julius cleared his throat lightly and shifted the topic with a somewhat stiff smile.
"Everyone, please refocus your attention. Next, we will announce the rankings of the Magic Knight Squads."
"In first place—Golden Dawn, with a total of 125 stars, far surpassing last year's 96."
"This year, Golden Dawn has once again shown us a dazzling performance. Now, please welcome the squad member who earned the most stars!"
Julius laughed heartily and waved his arm.
A magic scroll materialized in midair, displaying the name Golden Dawn along with their star count.
"The prodigious newcomer who commands the Wind Spirit Sylph—Yuno!"
With a cold expression, Yuno stepped past the assembled squad captains and walked to the front of the stage.
Julius's voice continued.
"Next, we announce second place."
Below the stage, Rebecca stared at Yuno in surprise.
At the same time, speculation erupted among the crowd as people eagerly guessed the second-ranked squad.
"As usual, it should be the Crimson Lion Kings, right?"
"No, they took a huge hit after Captain Fuegoleon Vermillion was injured."
"..."
"Then it must be the Silver Eagles!"
"I was hoping for the Blue Rose Knights, but why isn't Lady Charlotte here?"
Hearing the voices from all sides, Yuuki glanced at Rebecca with interest.
"Which squad do you think it is?" he asked.
Rebecca thought for a moment.
"Based on previous years, the Crimson Lion Kings are most likely. If not them, then the Silver Eagles have a strong chance."
Almost the instant she finished speaking—
"Second place is Black Bulls, with 101 stars!"
Julius's voice, tinged with amusement, echoed across the plaza.
In that instant, the atmosphere exploded.
Rebecca's mouth fell slightly open in disbelief.
Although the Black Bulls were the friendliest toward them, it was an undeniable fact that they had always ranked near the bottom in past years.
Suddenly, Rebecca realized something and turned toward Yuuki, who wore a knowing smile.
So he had already anticipated this.
No wonder Yuuki had insisted on coming—this was about Asta and Yuno.
Thinking back to the three of them growing up together, and how Asta and Yuno had trusted Yuuki without hesitation during the battle at Leonis Town…
Rebecca smiled softly.
It seemed that only when Asta and Yuno were involved did Yuuki ever show reactions that matched his actual age.
"It's understandable that you're all shocked," Julius continued.
"After all, last year the Black Bulls had a record-breaking minus fifty stars."
"But this year is different. They've made astounding progress, leaping all the way to second place. And among them, the most outstanding newcomer—"
Julius paused, clearly troubled by the fact that none of the Black Bulls were present.
Suddenly—
With a loud shout, a black figure flew through the air and was unceremoniously tossed onto the stage.
It was Asta.
"Truly impressive," Yuuki murmured, watching Asta and Yuno stand beneath the gaze of the entire capital.
As someone who had grown up with them, Yuuki understood better than anyone how much hardship the two had endured to reach this point.
Even for Yuno, whose talent was exceptional, the effort he'd poured in was beyond imagination.
People only saw Yuno's natural gifts, overlooking the fact that he had grown up in the remote Hage Village, lacking knowledge, resources, and guidance.
Only effort far beyond that of ordinary people could allow him to stand out in a squad like Golden Dawn.
"It's a shame Sister Lily and Father Orsi can't see this," Yuuki thought with a gentle smile.
"Otherwise, they'd be so happy… Father would probably be wiping away tears again."
On the stage—
Asta and Yuno looked at each other, then smiled at the same time.
"You came, Asta," Yuno said softly.
"Yeah, Yuno," Asta replied with a grin. Then his voice carried a trace of regret.
"If only Yuuki were up here too… then the three of us would be together."
"He's down there," Yuno said, the corner of his mouth lifting.
"Oh, right. That guy came to the festival too," Asta laughed, scratching his head.
"I wonder if he's jealous seeing us on stage."
"Whether he is or not, I don't know," Yuno replied calmly.
"But I do know this—he's already stronger than both of us. Have you challenged him?"
"No," Asta admitted without hesitation.
"I know I'd lose."
"But I won't give up!"
He clenched his fist, his fighting spirit blazing.
"Neither will I," Yuno said, nodding.
From a distance, the crowd assumed the tension between the two was due to rivalry between Golden Dawn and Black Bulls.
Only the captains standing behind them caught fragments of their conversation.
When the name Yuuki was mentioned, their expressions varied.
Especially Nozel Silva.
Though his face remained cold, his hands clenched tightly within his sleeves.
Being blasted away by Yuuki was a humiliation he could never forget.
If not for Julius keeping him in check, Nozel would have challenged Yuuki long ago. He firmly believed he had simply been careless last time.
Once the matter of the Eye of the Midnight Sun was resolved, he would settle things with Yuuki—once and for all.
In contrast to the other captains' mixed reactions, Mereoleona Vermillion merely glanced at Asta and Yuno with mild interest.
(End of Chapter)
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