The one-sided battle between Brian and the unfortunate nobleman ended with a completely one-sided result in Brian's favor.
Standing in the middle of the square, Brian coldly looked down at the pathetic figure of the nobleman. He had been so terrified by Brian that he had wet his pants; his body trembled, and he couldn't move, only able to let out pitiful groans as his entire body and heart were squeezed by the man before him.
Others witnessing the nobleman's pathetic state couldn't help but frown. Some grimaced, feeling he had disgraced them and the nobility, while others felt a sense of satisfaction that Brian's actions had finally brought retribution upon the arrogant nobleman after his long period of contempt.
"Do you feel it? The look you usually use to look down on those weaker than you."
Hearing Brian's words, the nobleman glanced at the others, his head spinning slowly like a malfunctioning Golem.
A feeling of helplessness, a chill running down his spine. Never in his life had he felt so weak and powerless.
Their eyes showed contempt, disdain, mockery at the suffering of others, even amusement at finding something 'interesting' and 'funny'. He could read their emotions, seeing their eyes narrow for various reasons.
"A… ah… aah…!"
No longer able to maintain his composure, the nobleman let out heavy, inaudible gasps. His reason couldn't help but stop to protect his shattered heart and self-respect, completely destroyed by others.
"Yes, that's it. You felt it, didn't you?"
Brian raised his hand slightly, magic slowly flowing into his arm, and instantly a small stone formed in his palm.
"The feeling of powerlessness and fear when being bullied by those stronger than you."
With those words, Brian threw the small stone he held straight at the nobleman's head. The force he used wasn't enough to cause serious injury, but it was enough to knock him unconscious on the first hit.
By knocking the nobleman unconscious, Brian had also ended his fight with him.
Having finished with the nobleman, Brian calmly walked over to where Yuno was standing. He leaned against the wall, unconcerned about the stares directed at him.
No one had spoken since Brian began to thoroughly humiliate the unfortunate nobleman, not even the nine Commanders who had observed the entire event.
A commoner defeated and humiliated a nobleman, but what was noteworthy was that no one immediately spoke up to cause trouble for Brian afterward.
"Continue the test…"
William offered no further comment on Brian's actions, allowing the dueling test to continue.
This deliberate disregard puzzled many, but under William's personal influence, coupled with the silence of the other Commanders, no one dared question it further.
The contestants quickly found opponents they considered suitable, and the test proceeded as normal.
The nobleman Brian had just knocked unconscious was magically carried out of the square by the staff; no one wanted to touch him at this moment.
Brian didn't care whether this guy would ask his family for revenge or not, because after today, even if that nobleman had ten times the courage, he wouldn't dare come looking for trouble with him.
While watching the others compete, Yuno asked Brian a few questions he was curious about.
"Brian, is it a good idea to bring that up?"
"You mean the possibility that we might be illegitimate children of a noble?"
"Hmm…"
Since childhood, Brian had mentioned many times that he and Yuno might be illegitimate children of some noble family, and this wasn't entirely unfounded.
The proof was the enormous amount of magic power they possessed. If their parents were just commoners, it would be impossible for them to possess such a large amount of magic power.
Even nobles like Salim and the unfortunate nobleman Brian defeated didn't possess the same amount of magical power as these two, so there's no way their parents could be commoners.
The only logical explanation is that they are illegitimate children of some noble family.
In a world like Black Clover, where magic and sorcery dictate everything, that makes even more sense.
"It's not impossible to tell others about this."
Brian glanced up at the nine Commanders observing the contestants below, and Yuno noticed this subtle detail.
"Not everyone is stupid. They're probably suspicious of our origins."
The class disparity in Clover is enormous, deeply ingrained in the nation's society throughout its history and development to this day.
It's impossible for someone of commoner origin to suddenly possess such immense magical power, surpassing even that of the nobility. Magical power is hereditary; only the children of nobles could possibly possess such power.
"They might have already sent people to investigate us," Brian said, his eyes shifting to Captain William of the Golden Dawn. Although William didn't say anything, Brian knew he was the one who had observed him and Yuno most closely among the nine.
William had undoubtedly decided that they would be chosen for his team, which explained his intense scrutiny.
Yuno looked at Brian without saying anything. He hadn't yet asked Brian why he had deliberately insulted that nobleman in front of the Commanders, but anyway, it didn't really affect the two of them much.
After a while, when the other contestants had finished their combat tests, the moment they had been waiting for finally arrived—the decisive moment that would determine whether they could become Magic Knights.
"Now the selection process will begin. When your number is called, please step forward."
William spoke, his gaze sweeping over the contestants standing below in the square. He glanced briefly at Brian and Yuno, "The Captains who want you to join their Squad will raise their hands. If you are chosen, you will officially become a Magic Knight. If more than one person chooses you, you can decide which Squad you want to join. If no Captain raises their hand, you will be considered eliminated."
The contestants then focused on listening for their names to be called out, each one nervous, wondering which Squad they would be chosen for, or simply whether they would become a Magic Knight.
During the selection process, several were chosen by the Captains, all of whom had performed well in the previous tests. Of course, most contestants were eliminated for not meeting the standards set by the Captains.
"Number 164!"
After more than a hundred contestants, it was finally Yuno's turn. Upon hearing his number, he resolutely stepped forward, head held high, awaiting his result.
To everyone's astonishment, all the Captains raised their hands, ready to recruit him into their Squads.
"Impossible…"
"That guy was chosen by all the Captains…!"
No one expected such an outstanding individual this year. And as all the Captains waited for Yuno's answer, he briefly turned his head to look at Brian, then gave a smile as if to say, 'I'm going first' to his close friend.
"I choose Golden Dawn!"
Thus, Yuno, one of the two most outstanding contestants this year, joined Golden Dawn.
Although they missed out on a promising newcomer, the Captains' expressions didn't reveal too much regret. Because besides Yuno, there was still one more person they were targeting for recruitment.
"Number 165!"
Hearing his number, Brian calmly walked forward. Although his actions weren't the best, his strength and potential for development were clearly demonstrated.
This time, just like Yuno, all the Captains raised their hands to recruit Brian into their Squad.
With Yuno's case as an example, the others weren't too surprised by Brian's impressive result. But what surprised everyone was that Brian calmly asked the Captains questions before making his choice.
"May I ask you a few questions? Mainly to help you make a more accurate decision."
"Of course."
William calmly replied to Brian, without any arrogance or superiority, and the other Captains nodded in agreement.
"You're welcome to ask us any questions. As long as it helps you choose the Squad you want."
As soon as William said this, Brian immediately turned his gaze towards the Captains with undisguised enthusiasm.
Although he had already made his choice before participating in this year's Magic Knight selection exam, it was still important to put on a show.
"Among the Captains here, which one is the one with a close-combat fighting style?"