Black clover: celestial king

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The day had finally come.

After years of training, experimenting with my magic, and pushing myself beyond my limits, I was finally heading to the Magic Knight Selection Exam.

There was no turning back now.

And honestly? I wasn't nervous. Not really.

I had worked too hard to doubt myself now. Aurora Magic was versatile, powerful, and—most importantly—mine. There wasn't anyone else with this kind of magic, and I intended to show just how far I could take it.

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The road to the capital was long, but I wasn't the only one making the journey.

A few miles ahead, I spotted a small convoy of carriages moving at a steady pace. At the front, riding on horseback, was a young noble with flaming red hair, his posture straight and commanding.

I frowned.

He looked… familiar.

Not in an "I've met him before" way, but in a "This guy's existence feels important" kind of way.

I kept my distance but walked along the same road, just close enough to overhear the conversation between him and his attendants.

One of the riders beside him spoke.

"Lord Fuegoleon, we should arrive in the capital within a few hours. Are you prepared for the Selection Exam?"

I froze mid-step.

Fuegoleon?

Fuegoleon Vermillion?

I knew that name. The future Captain of the Crimson Lion Kings, one of the strongest fire mages in the kingdom. But something felt… off.

He was taking the exam this year?

I had always assumed we were around the same age, but that meant…

He's older than me.

It was a small realization, but it confirmed something I had never stopped to think about before.

I wasn't just a year ahead of the original story. I was several years ahead.

The events I knew—the characters I had expected to meet—none of that would happen for a long time.

I exhaled slowly.

Well.

That changes things.

---

By the time I reached the Clover Kingdom's capital, the streets were bustling with life.

Merchants shouted out their deals, street performers put on shows, and groups of hopeful examinees filled the roads leading to the Colosseum, where the exam would be held.

Some looked confident. Others looked like they were about to pass out from anxiety.

Me?

I was just hungry.

So, I stopped at a food stall, ordered something that smelled edible, and took a seat to eat.

That's when I noticed a group of arrogant-looking nobles gathered nearby, sneering at the commoners around them.

"Disgraceful," one of them muttered. "They let just anyone take the exam these days."

I rolled my eyes. Typical. Nobles acting superior was just part of the background noise at this point.

Still, it was entertaining watching them whisper among themselves like they were plotting something important.

With my meal finished, I made my way toward the Colosseum.

---

When I arrived, the sheer size of the Colosseum was breathtaking.

Massive stone walls surrounded the arena, with stands towering above for spectators. Hundreds of examinees had already gathered, waiting for the event to begin.

And at the far end, standing above us all, were the Magic Knight Captains.

But here's the thing.

None of them were the ones I knew.

No Fuegoleon Vermillion as Captain of the Crimson Lions.

No Nozel Silva.

No Jack the Ripper.

And, of course, no Yami Sukehiro or William Vangeance—because the Black Bulls and Golden Dawn didn't even exist yet.

Instead, new faces stood before us, each radiating powerful mana.

The Captains:

1. Garrick Stroud – Captain of the Blazing Raptors

A towering man with ashen-gray hair and piercing orange eyes. His aura burned like a wildfire, and I could feel the heat from where I stood.

Likely a fire or heat-based mage, but his presence alone was enough to make people sweat.

2. Vera Nachtweiss – Captain of the Moonlight Moths

A calm, cold-eyed woman dressed in silver and violet robes. Her long, dark blue hair swayed as she studied the examinees with a detached gaze.

Definitely a magic focused on illusions, space, or the moon itself. Her mana had a mysterious quality, like a shadow cast under moonlight.

3. Darius Galehart – Captain of the Tempest Hounds

A man with wild silver hair and a sharp grin, standing lazily with his arms crossed. His presence felt like a storm, restless and unpredictable.

His magic? Wind or storm-based, no doubt.

4. Rodrick Vance – Captain of the Titan's Forge

A massive, bald man with dark brown skin and arms thicker than tree trunks. His stance was solid, unshakable.

Definitely earth-based magic—or something related to metal.

5. Selene Fontaine – Captain of the Silver Vultures

A woman with flowing silver hair, standing with an air of regal confidence.

Considering the name, water or mercury-based magic seemed like a possibility.

Each of them had a presence that was overwhelming, but more importantly, they were completely different from what I had expected.

And that meant…

I couldn't rely on any prior knowledge of the Magic Knights.

Everything from this point on was uncharted territory.

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Stepping Forward

The atmosphere grew tense as the captains continued observing us. Some examinees shrank under their gazes, others stood straighter, trying to impress them.

I took a deep breath.

This was it.

I stepped forward, joining the hundreds of hopefuls in the arena.

The Magic Knight Selection Exam had begun.

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