After all the introductions, Yami exhaled a puff of smoke and said, "Technically, there's still one more step, but these two brats are fine—let's just skip it."
That's when Charles remembered—one of the reasons the Black Bulls were the least desirable squad for applicants was their infamous initiation trial.
Wearing that black cloak wasn't as easy as it looked.
Early on, quite a few had joined the Black Bulls… only to end up in the royal capital's hospital by the next day. When asked about their experience, they'd grit their teeth in fury and say they'd rather quit being Magic Knights than stay another minute there.
The Black Bulls' trial wasn't complicated—it mainly involved grueling physical tests (the kind that could kill you) and combat trials (with zero restraint).
No one knew if Yami had come up with it himself, but it had become a tradition whenever new recruits joined.
In truth, there was a positive side to it: a full-force fight allowed members to quickly understand each other, and those who passed integrated more easily.
The real problem was expecting this group of misfits to show restraint… Which meant unexpected injuries were all but expected.
Magna was clearly agitated. "Tch! Did you brats sweet-talk Captain Yami or something? Don't think you can just stroll in here that easy! This cloak right here—it's the symbol of the Black Bulls' pride! You think I'm just gonna hand it over?!"
"I want it!" Asta's gaping mouth looked like a hand was trying to grab the cloak itself.
"You want it that bad?!" Magna barked. "Then you'll have to pass my trial!"
Yami laughed heartily. "You just couldn't wait to rough up the newbies, huh? Gotta hand it to you, you've got spirit! But don't take these two lightly, Magna—you might regret it."
Everyone turned to stare, surprised by Yami's words. Magna might not be the strongest in the squad, but he was still a seasoned Magic Knight. And yet Yami was putting more faith in these newcomers?
Asta, ever pumped, declared, "Got it! I'll pass your trial and earn that cloak!"
Charles, more composed, said, "A trial, huh? A fight against a senior? Forgive me for being blunt, but… your flame magic is a bad match for me. It wouldn't be a very interesting battle."
"…What?!"
Veins popped out on Magna's forehead. "Are you looking down on me, punk?! Fine, I'll fry you alive!"
His grimoire flipped open, and he pulled out his signature flame bat. A massive fireball ignited in front of him.
"DIEEEE!"
Magna swung with full force, launching the fireball straight at Charles.
Charles ducked slightly and said calmly, "I'm not underestimating you. On the contrary—I've always respected you, Magna-senpai."
After all, the Black Bulls had some of the strongest members in the entire Magic Knight Order.
They had rare Dark Magic (Yami), possessed Demons (Nacht), Fate-altering Thread Magic (Vanessa), Law-bending Transformation (Grey), and even anti-magic (Asta).
Among such monsters, one member stood out as the most "normal": Magna Swing.
Born a commoner, lacking noble magic reserves, and with no unique talents, Magna had once been considered average, even below the norm.
But he had incredible willpower, and under Zora's guidance, developed a fighting style all his own.
Eventually, he would defeat Dante Zogratis, a top-tier Devil Host—proof that sheer grit could overcome raw power.
So when Charles said he respected Magna, he wasn't lying. But his point about their magic being mismatched was also true.
The massive fireball Magna had launched halted right before Charles's face.
Then, to everyone's shock, it began to shrink… and a slurping sound echoed in the room.
"He… he ate the fireball?!"
Eyes widened. Even Magna froze, stunned by what he was seeing.
"Thanks for the meal. That flame was filled with willpower—it tasted great," Charles said, wiping his mouth and flashing a thumbs-up.
"The dragon's lungs store flame. The dragon's scales dissolve flame. Flame wraps around the dragon's claws. It bestows a dragon's body. The magic I wield was passed down from a dragon—Dragon Slayer Magic, meant to kill dragons."
Stunned, Magna could only stammer, "That's amazing… I really did pick the wrong guy to fight."
Charles could tell he meant it. There was no envy in Magna's voice—only admiration, like a true man.
Yami roared with laughter. "Awesome magic! I told you the kid was special, didn't I?!"
Everyone nodded, agreeing with Yami.
Vanessa asked, "But dragons are like… legendary creatures, right? Your magic came from a dragon? That's incredible!"
Charles smiled. If he'd said this to anyone else, they would've laughed in his face. Maybe even called him crazy.
Only in the Black Bulls would people just accept it.
"I never told you this, did I?" Charles said. "Before the age of ten… I was raised by a dragon."
"WHAAAT?!"
Everyone stared, stunned—but no one doubted him.
Asta looked shocked. "Wait, Charles… you're a dragon's kid?! I had no idea!"
Charles laughed. "You never asked."
"Oh yeah… I guess I never did!" Asta said with a grin.
Magna turned to Asta. "I acknowledge Charles. But you, shorty—you're a different story. I can't sense a drop of mana from you. If you want that cloak, you'd better prepare yourself. You could die out there."
Asta grinned, full of energy. "Got it! I'm ready!"
His grimoire opened and he pulled out the Demon-Slayer Sword, ready for whatever came next.
"Alright then. I'm not holding back!" Magna sheathed his bat and summoned a bigger fireball.
"Fire Magic – Exploding Kill Cannonball!"
With a baseball-style windup, he hurled the fireball at Asta—faster than any bat-swing.
Asta remembered the entrance exam and instinctively raised his sword.
WHAM!
The fireball rebounded off the sword's flat edge and slammed into Magna, detonating in an explosion.
"You little punk! I almost got cooked by my own magic!"
Thankfully, Magna was tough. He managed to pull back some of his power at the last second and emerged only slightly singed.
He marched up to Asta and grabbed his shoulders.
"You little—!"
"Scary, scary, scary!" Asta trembled in fear.
But Magna didn't look angry at all. Instead, he burst out laughing.
"Nice job, short stack! You not only blocked my spell—you bounced it back! Hahaha!"
"I'm Asta!" Asta barked.
Magna ignored the correction. "Sorry I made fun of you for having no magic earlier."
Asta scratched his head. "Well, I don't have low mana… I just have none at all."
Magna looked serious. "You managed to repel my magic without mana. That's even cooler."
Everyone gathered around them. Charles could feel that their enthusiasm had grown warmer… more sincere.
Magna tossed them each a cloak.
"These are yours now!"
Charles draped his Black Bulls cloak over his shoulders without hesitation.
"Starting today," Magna announced, "you two are official members of the Black Bulls!"
The squad broke out into cheers of celebration.