No wasted words, no hesitation.
The moment Ethan Hayes and Yuno left Vangeance's office, they made their way directly to the training grounds of the Golden Dawn.
As the two walked side by side, their presence drew the attention of many Golden Dawn members.
The reason?
Yuno, the candidate who had all nine squad captains unanimously approve his entry during the Selection Exam.
Ethan, chosen directly by the Wizard King.
Both were possessors of the rare and legendary four-leaf clover grimoires.
In the history of the Magic Knights, no two rookies had ever shone as brightly as they did.
"Wait, are they heading to the training grounds?"
"Seriously? Are they about to fight?"
"Looks like there's a show worth watching! Let's follow them!"
While whispers buzzed around them, Ethan and Yuno remained silent, their focus burning inwardly.
Neither said a word, but their anticipation was mutual: Who is stronger?
Once at the training grounds, the duo found themselves in an area filled with other squad members busy with training.
However, Yuno quickly spotted an issue: the space wasn't big enough for what he had in mind.
"Senior Klaus, may I ask for your help in clearing the grounds for a sparring match with Ethan?"
Klaus, the bespectacled and proud noble of the Golden Dawn, paused, assessing the two young prodigies. He adjusted his glasses and sighed.
"Fine. Let this be my gift for your first day as a member of Golden Dawn."
In minutes, the training ground was emptied. All eyes were on Ethan and Yuno as they stood at the center, facing each other.
"Let's do this, Ethan!" Yuno declared, stepping into the open space with a fiery determination.
"Fine by me," Ethan replied calmly, following suit.
The Battle Begins
The crowd, including Klaus, watched intently. While Klaus had reservations about Yuno's commoner status, even he couldn't deny his fascination with Yuno's four-leaf grimoire.
Let's see what makes these two so special, Klaus thought.
Both Ethan and Yuno summoned their grimoires simultaneously, the green light radiating from their pages casting an awe-inspiring glow.
"Seventh Tier of Magic Power!"
The onlookers were stunned.
"This level of magic power… Seventh Tier already?!"
"Unbelievable! They've only had their grimoires for less than a year!"
While nobles and royals often displayed high-tier magic before obtaining grimoires, it was rare to see commoners—or anyone, for that matter—reach such a level so quickly.
"Wind Magic: Towering Tempest!"
"Wind Magic: Towering Tempest!"
Ethan and Yuno both activated the same spell, summoning massive cyclones around them.
"Seriously? They even think alike?" Ethan muttered under his breath, his lips curling into a smirk.
The mirrored spells weren't just a coincidence. They were both protecting themselves against one critical threat:
The speed of each other's signature spells.
Yuno didn't want to risk being overwhelmed by Ethan's Gale Phantom, a spell that had previously taken down an opponent in the blink of an eye.
Ethan, on the other hand, was wary of Yuno's Whirlwind Assault, a spell known for its precision and relentless speed.
With their defenses raised, the real battle began.
"Wind Creation Magic: Soaring White Hawks!"
Yuno leaped back, creating distance while summoning multiple white, wind-formed hawks. The birds shrieked as they darted toward Ethan, razor-sharp and merciless.
Ethan raised a hand, his grimoire glowing once more.
"Wind Creation Magic: Gale Grip!"
With a single motion, the hawks were crushed mid-flight, exploding into harmless gusts.
"That's it?" Ethan taunted, his grimoire flipping pages at a breakneck pace.
"Clover Magic: Blessing of the Wind God!"
A green aura enveloped Ethan, amplifying his magical energy. The spell wasn't offensive—it was an enhancement.
No incantations. No delays.
The spell's true power lay in its ability to reduce casting time to zero, allowing Ethan to unleash magic faster than his opponent could react.
Yuno narrowed his eyes. "Two can play at that game."
"Clover Magic: Blessing of the Wind God!"
The same green aura enveloped Yuno, leveling the playing field.
Spells began to fly in rapid succession.
"Wind Creation Magic: Storm Rain Blades!"
"Wind Creation Magic: Barrier of Gales!"
"Wind Creation Magic: Cyclone Strike!"
The audience stood frozen, awestruck.
The speed at which Ethan and Yuno traded attacks was unlike anything they had ever seen. It was as if the two had abandoned strategy and entered a pure contest of skill and reflexes.
This is the power of the four-leaf clover, Klaus thought, unable to look away.
The fight raged on, their magic clashing with unrelenting force. Each spell was faster and more precise than the last. The sheer intensity of their battle left everyone around them with only one thought:
"This… is what it means to be a true prodigy."