[Common Region] Kikka

[Bloodedge]

A brand new occurrence would follow the calling of the next participant's number. The girl who combated a holder of the four-leaf clover grimoire was next on the list, and she would receive more than just a couple of offers from the Magic Knights. The leaders of Blue Rose and Green Mantis had their hands raised, and the same could be said of the Azure Deer and Crimson Lion leaders. As if four out of nine squads was not enough, she would also be offered the raised hand of Siegfried Vangeance, leader of the Golden Dawn - one of the most illustrious and elite squads throughout the history of the Magic Knights. One could note that Siegfried's was not a hand which rose often, if at all. Some even speculated that squads such as Golden Dawn only accepted nobles and royalty.

[Apollymi]

"Sugoi," the girl managed. She didn't think she would get more than one or two offers if she got any at all. From what she knew about the Magic Knights, the Blue Rose was run by a woman who enjoyed the company of other women so she was likely to get an invite there so long as she didn't show any sign of cowardice. The leader of the Green Mantis was said to be a nature lover but also a lover of great beauty so it was likely the look of her magic which earned her that attention. The other two though were elite among squads for different reasons. The Crimson Lions tended to favor strong people and the Azure Deer was much the same. The Golden Dawn was said to specifically be for nobles and royalty, an illustrious group which was a difficult one to get into. She didn't expect to catch the attention of their leader at all, regardless of how he chose his members. As such she could hardly turn down the opportunity. "Arigatou Gozaimasu, I'll join the Golden Dawn," she said taking a bow and knowing she'd probably find herself in good company or at the very least among people who could help her get better properly. With her decision made she stepped to the side and the next number would be called. "Number 367!"

[Bloodedge]

"Hmph," Siegfried murmured. He wore a smile that was prideful and satisfied. It was obvious to him that others saw the potential in this new Magic Knight as well, but it would be Golden Dawn who saw this growth. The next number called was a prize to be won beginning at registration. 367 was the number assigned to the boy who wielded the four-leaf clover on his grimoire. Siegfried's hand rose a second time this day, and only the second time in the last two entrance exams. As he expected, though, his was not the only hand to rise when the boy named Asher stepped forward. The Captains of Azure Deer, Black Bull, and Crimson Lion also raised their hands, all having every intention of claiming the boy with the rare four-leaf clover, as well as the less rare - but seldom seen still - light affinity.

[Apollymi]

At the forward approach of the boy who was holder of both light magic and a book with a four leaf clover, the hands of several other Captains raised as well. The leader of the Green Mantis, Purple Orcas, Blue Rose, and Coral Peacock all rose in the air as well. Strangely, so did the hand of the leader of the Silver Eagles, upon seeing how many other hands as raised as well she became discontent, she'd known this would happen as well. There was a stirring from those left below who looked on in astonishment as this young man basically got to pick which group he would go to, on merit alone. But this would not be all there was to talk about, "All of you should put your hands down, especially you, Cross." these words came from the normally stoic and silent leader of the Silver Eagles. This woman in her white and blue robes soon stood with staff at her side her hand extended to the lad below with a warm smile on her face. "Don't mind them Asher, you belong with us," she said a uniquely open offer to a lad. The Silver Eagles seemed to be even more exclusive than the Golden Dawn as her hand hadn't risen at all over the course of this day. Regardless of this, she had more than a single reason for wanting this lad, and it had nothing to do with his powers and everything to do with the realization of a single goal she'd had since she was quite young.

[Bloodedge]

It came as no surprise to many of the Captains that none of them stood alone in this choice. The surprise of this moment came when the leader of the Silver Eagles spoke after everyone's hands rose. One other Captain in particular was addressed by the woman, and it was none other than the Crimson Lions' Captain. "Especially me, eh? Well that's just downright..." As he spoke, Cross wondered what could have possibly driven this woman to speak in such a way over her choice. Looking down at the young man in question, though, he realized something that had been stirring for many years now. "... Rude. You're owed your choice, I suppose. Silver Eagles will struggle against the rest of us, so let's all give Sibylla a handicap this time," he said to the other Captains while his own hand lowered. Cross himself understood what was going on here, and the other three males were given all the understanding they needed when he backed down. Their hands began lowering as well, with the Golden Dawn's Captain speaking again. "Yare yare. Sibylla's wrath is something I'd rather avoid. Who'd have thought it would also get to you, Cross?"

Meanwhile, Asher looked on in awe. Coming into this exam, he had no clue he would actually make it into the Magic Knights, much less have every Captain on the roster accept him into their respective squads. There was even more to experience beyond this, as one Captain out of the nine spoke to deter the others from their efforts, then spoke to Asher directly to tell him he belonged with her squad. Frankly, Asher didn't know how to feel about this. Something about this woman's countenance was warming. He felt as if he wanted to reach out and take her hand then and there, and what's more... he was now watching other Captains lower their hands one by one.

[Apollymi]

All of the female Captains looked at each other and along with Cross it would be the Captain of the Purple Orcas who next lowered her hand. Being the sort of person she was, she had some fairly close ties with every person that could be counted as a witch, she knew of the personal goals of one Sibylla Silva and acknowledged fully what the white haired woman thought herself to find. "Iie, it isn't so much her wrath Sieg, it's something else entirely..." she mentioned. This caused a scoff from the leader of Blue Rose but she also put her hand down, as it was obvious there was something more afoot here than a simple squad choice. The same could be said for both the leader of the Coral Peacocks and the Green Mantis the latter of whom stared between the pair and figured out the missing link by the whispers of the vines near her ears. "Sou ka," she murmured while letting go of this.

Sibylla for her part, had been searching ceaselessly for this lad for his entire life, she could hardly believe he was standing before her. She absolutely wouldn't be losing him to one of the other Squad Leaders this day. The boy seemed to be thinking it over, he'd had quite the few accomplishments this day some known and some unknown. All nine Captains wanting a single person was almost unheard of bar a few exceptional cases, but having one speak out directly was also just as unheard of. In Sibylla's case this was likely doubly true considering that she also didn't speak very much at all to begin with. He'd gained acknowledgement beyond the standard, and now the Captains had all but backed down, even so, Sibylla wouldn't force this lad, to come with her if he didn't want to. Still she thought to make her stand on this abundantly clear and did so with a few words, leaving her hand outstretched. "All of us acknowledge you fully and every Captain wants you for their squad, but..." she said calmly. "I'll leave with you, or with no one."

[Bloodedge]

Several moments passed, eventually resulting in every Captain other than Sibylla lowering their hands. Still, she stood strong and spoke to the confused boy. Did she desire him as a member this badly, that she would shun the advances of the others? Could he truly be that much more use to a single squad than any others? Either way, she claimed that she would either leave with him as a member of her squad, or with nobody from the exam. Asher was shocked to hear this, and still didn't understand why, but... she still left him with a choice, even with such high stakes for herself. And, still... he felt he should be taking her side for some reason. "H-... Hai. I'll join the Silver Eagles..."

[Apollymi]

The longer this seemed to go on the higher the stakes were. This particular group of individuals in the late 360 people in the exams total of 399 candidates seemed to all be something extraordinary. Strangely enough, Sibylla Silva seemed to want this lad more than any other individual and her stance was that she'd leave this exam with him or with no one at all. It was such strong conviction that many of the others were taken aback by its directness. Several of the Captains who didn't know exactly why she'd do something like this, were also stunned, but Sibylla waited for the moment of truth. Her heart thundered within her chest, but the look of warm welcome didn't leave her face and then suddenly relief. The lad said he'd join the Silver Eagles, which sent Sibylla into a state of pure elation. "Hai!" this was one of the happiest moments of this Captain's life and none would really know why that was the case immediately. With the boy having made a decision, she hopped down from where she'd been perched to join him. "I know this probably doesn't make sense to you right now, but it will soon." she said to the boy. She had other business to attend to within the Noble Capital and she'd be taking this lad along. "Come along, Asher..." the young woman mentioned, aiming to leave with this boy in tow. She was quite serious about this moment and fully intended to leave with or without this boy at the moment his decision was made. This spectacle now over another number would be called. "Number 368!" This call would be for the boy bearing the Ice Magic from the last battle of the day.

[Bloodedge]

The surprises were seemingly unending today. After he accepted the invitation to the Silver Eagles, Asher was met directly by the Captain herself. She claimed the things which confused him at present would make sense eventually. She was his boss now, so he had to at least put forth enough faith to trust her in this. As such, he followed along when she prodded him to, apparently getting a head start on his new lifestyle before the exam was concluded.

Up next was Gray, a boy who stepped forward with absolute dismay all over his countenance. His head hung low, and a dark cloud pouring rain and cackling thunder and lightning loomed over him as he trudged along. 'Had my spot taken. Had to follow ridiculous strong guys in the fight. Lost the fight. Now I have to follow this...' he thought. At this point, all he could hope for was acceptance, which he looked up for desperately. 'Somebody. Anybody. I'm even one short now, just raise a hand!' Luckily for him, a hand began to rise. Tobirama Senju of the Azure Deer lifted his hand, and before there was even the chance for another, before Tobirama's hand even finished rising, Gray was yelling. "I accept!" he said.

[Apollymi]

Up next the lad known as Gray was about to be chosen and it seemed that he felt some intense form of anxiety surrounding his being accepted. So much so that he jumped the gun and accepted the first hand he saw raise which belonged to the leader of the Azure Deer. This excited utterance made a laugh come from the leader of the Blue Rose who had glanced from the corner of her eye and seen the soon to be lifted hands of the leaders of Purple Orcas and Coral Peacock as well. "Hahahahahaha!~ Well shit I guess I'd be gun shy too after seeing something like that~" she said knowing that at least three would have picked him regardless of what he thought about himself. Hell, she was thinking about giving him a try just for the ability to diversify the girls of her group but alas that wasn't very important. Numbers would continue to be called until the very end and everyone who made squads would find themselves grouped up together, aside from the one person who'd joined the Silver Eagles as they'd already departed.

[Bloodedge]

Several days after the Magic Knights Entrance Exam, the ashen-haired Senior Magic Knight of the Silver Eagles passed through a wall at the end of an alleyway in Kikka. The result of this was an arrival to a place known of by most, but acknowledged by few: the black market. The street that housed the black market was as busy as always, but many thought it strange to see someone wearing the garments of an Elite Magic Knight in this, of all places. All eyes were on this man, namely Hawks Vaude, the moment he set foot in the black market alley. This prompted him to speak with intentions of his words reaching the woman he figured would be close behind. "Hm. Probably should've changed first, huh..."

[Apollymi]

There was indeed a purple haired young woman in close proximity to this man. And she had basically been dragged along to this place as well. That being said she huffed gently thinking of the best way to respond to Hawks. "I figured you understood what would it would mean to just come straight here, Vaude-senpai. Obviously, we could have gone about this in a more covertly, but..." she looked around and all eyes were indeed on him and a few glances came her way as well because she too was dressed as an elite but in a slightly less obvious way. "If they know we're here they might to something obvious and make a mistake. Or... they could go into hiding and we'll be able to find them by finding out who is missing," she suggested two methods in which they could progress their goals without having to change anything about them right at the moment. Kajun Faycott was considered to be more than a bit clever and as such had earned her title as an Elite, but she wasn't without power as well, which would likely become obvious overtime. "At the very least, someone should be fairly forth coming with information should we ask the right questions, Vaude-senpai," she said after having a glance around and making eye contact with a single merchant who was trying exceedingly hard not to draw attention to himself. His wares apparently consisted of several dozen jewels which seemed to be of varying degrees of expensiveness. He drew Kajun's attention simply by trying not to look at them when everyone else was gawking, and she took the initiative to nudge Hawks in the man's direction as they walked.

[Bloodedge]

"Uhh... No. Didn't think about it at all. Once we got the tip on where to look for these guys, I only thought about coming straight here," Hawks said to his partner for this job. Any cover they could have used had been blown by the time Hawks set foot in this area, so that didn't really matter anymore, but Kajun did have a point. The pair of them could easily fish out the oddball in the room, as it were, and find something from that. The only fault in this plan he could think of was...

"Almost everybody is up to something in the black market." Though he may have been over-exaggerating a little, Hawks' statement was true for most inhabitants of this street. However, he couldn't use this clause to dispute Kajun's assertion, as there was no telling what the chances were of their specific target being the oddball they found. At least one person with strange behavior was quickly noticed by Kajun, and brought to Hawks' attention as a result. Hawks honed in on this before making his move, approaching the sketchy merchant... though in the end, he stopped instead in front of a consumer at that very merchant's stall. Once in contact with this other person, he offered his query. "Oi... the biggest crime syndicate around here. What do you know about 'em?" he asked, both loudly and clearly enough for numerous others nearby to hear him.

[Apollymi]

It took all of Kajun's restraint not to palm her face. Their Captain often sent her out on missions with random individuals, but this man in particular was never really one to think about much of anything before doing it. In fact, her exit from the Silver Eagles base of operations spoke massively to this point. "It is possible to act, without every aspect of the situation being a matter of urgency, Vaude-senpai..." she said not knowing if this man simply didn't know how to slow down, or if it was simply his way of dealing with everything in life. Regardless of their differences in opinion and action, there was the very real matter at hand which was the fact that they were in the Black Market and currently looking for a very specific group of people.

Soon enough she'd spotted someone who might be good to use for information, and the jeweler seemed to be suddenly distraught but remained silent. He was a stout man, with black hair and a large crooked nose. Otherwise he'd seem mostly unremarkable, but he was now sweating profusely as he watched is young customer get accosted by an Elite Magic Knight. "I don't know nothing, about anything..." the customer said. "I'm trying to conduct business here..." he said with a weary eye going towards his customer of choice. This was a young man didn't really know how to react, this would only be added to by Kajun though in a much more subtle way. "All of these were stolen from nobles' houses. I'm sure you wouldn't want to be caught with them in your possession, and blamed for their theft personally, sir." Kajun's words made the man's eyes go wide and he immediately scurried off. Whatever this jeweler was involved in he wanted nothing to do with it. "My customer!" the man seemed aghast, but Kajun had a bit more to say. "You'll end up jailed or worse if you don't simply answer his questions," she finished which made the man sigh. "Fine, just... lower your voices... I guess. Would it be too much to ask to make it look like I'm not cooperating at least?" he asked of Vaude, wondering if the young man would understand why he couldn't just speak calmly with two obvious elites of the Magic Knights.

[Bloodedge]

"I know you don't." This was Hawks' statement to the escaping customer, prior to his attention returning to the merchant himself. He understood how impossible the chances were of someone in a theft ring coming to the black market to obtain their items. Surely the thieves themselves would aim to sell off their goods before being caught with them, and what better place was there to do it? Well enough, Kajun pinned the jewelry of this merchant as items belonging to nobles in the Clover Kingdom. "That's a lot of jail time, mate. Probably not as bad as it'd be if we handled you our own way, though..." As the vendor pleaded for cooperation to make this exchange look less obvious to the public of the black market, Hawks stepped forward and leaned against the table between him and the stout male. His right hand was slammed against the table, while his left hand remained on his hip. A rather wicked grin was upon his face as he replied to this male, taking on a persona befitting the venue, if only to play this interrogation more aggressively. "And give you enough time for the sweat to wear off while you think up a whole web of lies? Nah! We're in the black market, though... where nobody could say anything if we beat the ever-loving shit out of you for withholding information. So, how do we parlay? I say right here, right now, you tell me and this nice lady everything you know... and we don't flatten that giant sniffer of yours. Sound fair?"