Arc 8

The Royal Knights Arc (編) is the 8th arc of Yūki Tabata's Black Clover.

The Royal Knights Exam
The vice-captain of the Violet Orca, Zax Lugner, is confronted by a rogue mage. As the rogue insults the Order of the Magic Knights, Zax says that he will have to punish the rogue for his comments and launches a spell. The rogue easily defeats Zax and takes his robe while also insulting Zax. The rogue then heads towards the venue, hoping that someone will leave more of an impression on him.

At the venue for the Royal Knights selection exam, some of the magic knights notice members of the Golden Dawn and comment about how many of the Golden Dawn members will pass that exam. Asta then meets up with Klaus Lunette, Mimosa Vermilion, and Yuno and starts to talk to them. Asta also tells Yuno that he will be the one to pass the exam, and Leopold Vermilion comes over and joins in on the conversation. Finral Roulacase then comments about how he is nervous but the others do not recognize him since he has changed his hair. As Finral, Asta, Magna Swing, and Luck Voltia start to talk about Finral's character, Noelle Silva comments about how they are embarrassing to be around. Suddenly Noelle notices her brother Solido, but remembers what Mereoleona Vermilion told her and how she will show everyone how much she has grown.

As the Magic Emperor thanks all the Magic Knights for coming, Julius Nova Chrono also tells them that they will be starting the exam. Augustus Kira Clover XIII tells Julius that he will explain the exam since he is royalty. Augustus tells the Magic Knights that that exam will be a team competition of a crystal destruction tournament. Augustus also tells what they will have to do in order to win against the other teams. As Augustus tries to explain why they chose this method for the exam, Julius takes over and fully explains that reason why they chose this method. Marx then shows the Magic Knights the teams, and Mimosa is shocked to find out that she is on Asta's team. Asta wonders who the last member of their team is, Zax Lugner, when the rogue suddenly appears besides Julius. As Asta wonders who the rogue is, the rogue says that his name is Zax Lugner. While "Zax" tries to explain why he was late, Marx attacks but "Zax" easily dodges it. As the Magic Knights all yell at "Zax" for disrespecting Julius, he replies by saying that he has no respect for the Magic Emperor. "Zax" shakes Asta's hand, palming him a stinkbug that releases an intense smell. As the others wonder why "Zax" came to this exam, he reveals that he came to mock them. Members of Violet Orca wonder if the man really is Zax Lugner because no one has seen him in a while.

Asta says that he cannot work with "Zax", but Julius replies that all the teams have been selected. Yuno, Noelle, and En Ringarde are on Team P, and Yuno and Noelle both think about how they are on the same team. Magna, Sol Marron, and Kirsch Vermilion are on Team C, and Magna and Sol start arguing with each other. Klaus, Luck, and Paulie Angel are on Team K, and Klaus thinks about why he is teamed with Luck, who just hopes they can work together. Finral, Leopold, and Jamon Caseus are on Team E, and Finral wonders if this team will work. Solido, Alecdra Sandler, and Dmitri Print are on Team O, and Solido comments about how powerful they are but Alecdra just says that Solido should not act on his own.

The Tournament Begins
Julius tells everyone that they will be heading to the exam site, and leaves that to Kobu, who creates a portal to the exam site. Once they reach the site, Julius and Marx reveal the tournament bracket. Noelle and Solido notice that they will be facing each other in the first round, and Finral thinks about how he will have to win one round just to face his brother. Asta thinks about how he will have to win every match to face Yuno in the finals, and also plans to win the whole thing. Julius tells everyone that they can attack however they want without killing the others, and that they have high-class healers on standby.

The First Round Matches
The first round begins with Team A vs. Team B. Team A is angry at "Zax" for his disrespect towards the Magic Emperor and will not forgive him. Asta gets excited, but "Zax" insults Asta for not thinking things through. He also says that they should get the scope of the land and that they should share what they are capable of doing with each other. Asta and Mimosa agree with him, and Mimosa reveals what she along with Asta are capable of doing. She then asks what "Zax" is capable of, but suddenly their crystal is attacked. Mimosa tries to get the crystal to safety but the other team still manages to land a blow on the crystal. Mimosa thinks about how the other team is using long-range attacks, and Asta wonders how the other team is capable of doing that. On the other side, Rick Cornell is using Crystal Scope to locate the target while Curtis Warren uses Strong Bow to launch Forte Gris' Burst Javelins. Asta says that they have to work together, but notices that "Zax" is lying down and wonders what is wrong with him. Asta tries to motivate "Zax" to get up, but "Zax" replies that he pulled an all-nighter and falls asleep.

Rick informs his teammates that "Zax" has fallen asleep, and Forte is angered at "Zax" for his arrogance. Curtis comments that Team B will not win if they do not act and that they will finish this match here and now. On Team B's side, Mimosa uses a spell to locate where Team A is and informs Asta that there is another attack coming. Asta gets into position and manages to cut the attack and protect their crystal. Mimosa notices that "Zax" is still asleep and suggests that they should forget about him. She adds that they should work together to get to where Team A's crystal is and destroy it. Asta agrees, and both head towards Team A's location while protecting their crystal. The spectating Magic Knights wonder what the pair are doing, and Yuno thinks about how Asta does not plan on losing in the first round. Noelle thinks about how this is unexpected for Asta and Mimosa, while Klaus says that both Asta and Mimosa can handle this.

As Asta and Mimosa get closer to where Team A is, Rick sees them and informs his teammates of this and that their might be a person on Team B who can locate them. As Asta and Mimosa manage to get close to Team A's location, Curtis tells Forte to calm down since their crystal is fine while Team B's is in shambles. As Mimosa uses a spell to fire a beam at Team A's crystal, Curtis uses a spell to block that spell. As Asta is amazed at what Mimosa is capable of, Mimosa says that she will lead the way to their counterattack. Curtis suggest that they get close and surround the two but Forte reveals that Asta can use Anti-magic and that its incredible is close combat. Curtis then suggest another plan and the two split up. As Asta wonders which one has the crystal, Mimosa reveals that Curtis is the one with the crystal. As Asta prepares to attack Curtis, Curtis starts to prepare his strongest spell. Mimosa notices that the other two has surrounded them and are also preparing powerful spells. Mimosa thinks about how their crystal is done for if those attack hit and that Asta won't be able to cut them all with their current position. As Asta heads towards Curtis, he suddenly activates a trap that paralyzes him. Mimosa is shocked by this and how this is the Royal Knight Exam. Curtis then gives the signal and all three launch their spells.

As the spell close in, Mimosa thinks about how she won't be able to defend their crystal when Trap Magic circle activates and reflects the spell back at the casters. After the spells hit their casters, Mimosa wonders what had happened when the rogue walks over and compliments Curtis for being able to protect his crystal but also insults him for the condition that he and the crystal are in. As Curtis says that he won lose to a guy like the rogue, which the rogue explains what a magic knight should be able to do and then prepares to destroy Team A's crystal. Suddenly the rogue changes his mind, which confuses Curtis but the rogue says that he was kidding and destroys the crystal. The officials announce that Team B has won the match.

As the crowd and officials talk about what had happened during the match, the healers heal Team A while Mimosa heals Asta. As the rogue walks over and compliments on Asta and Mimosa teamwork, which Asta gets up and confronts the rogue about his attitude. As Asta and the rogue argue, Asta is suddenly hit with a puff of ash in his eyes after holding onto the rogue collar. Mimosa thinks about what the rogue was able to accomplish during the match and then asks when the rogue had time to set it all up, which the rogue replies that he will keep that a secret. As Asta starts to yell at the rogue, Magna comes over with his team and tells Asta to leave since its his team's turn to fight. As Magna and Sol suddenly get into an argument but is suddenly stopped when Asta asks who is their third teammate. Asta is then shocked when the Magna's third teammates Kirsch Vermilion shows up in a flamboyant way, which Mimosa reveals that Kirsch is her older brother.

As Kirsch comments about being born beautiful in a world with so much non beautiful people, which Magna and Sol tells him to shut up. Kirsch responds by how he understand that they are jealous of him and that they should be more like him. As Kirsch notices Mimosa and starts to talk to him, but Mimosa just insults him. As Mimosa and Kirsch talk to each other, Kirsch suddenly notices Asta. Asta greets Kirsch, but Kirsch just insults Asta and explains how Asta is weak. Asta easily just brushes it off, but Kirsch just insults Asta in his own way again which Mimosa tells her brother to win his match since they will defeat him in the next match.

As the second fight begins, Klaus explains who Kirsch is and what he is capable of. Magna starts off the fight by firing long range shot at the enemy and then charges towards the enemy but is confronted by an enemy spell. As Magna takes on the spell, Kirsch suddenly shows up and explains how Magna should use his magic to the fullest. Sol then charges towards the enemy's crystal on her spell but is caught within the enemy's restraining spell. Kirsch also shows up and explains how Sol should use her spell to confuse and attack the enemy. Kirsch also tells his teammates that he will protect the crystal but an enemy shows up and launches a spell at their crystal. Kirsch easily uses a spell to block the spell and cover the entire battlefield with cherry blossoms. Kirsch also creates a path for his teammates to Team D's crystal which both Sol and Magna launch spell that destroy the crystal. The officials announce that Team C are the winners of the match.

Team C ends the match with a pose which Kirsch comes about how his beauty is the greatest sin of them all, which Sol and Magna thinks about how is was annoying that they were pulled into Kirsch's pace. Kirsch then asks what crowd what they thought about his beautiful fighting method, which Klaus just explains what Kirsch did during the fight and how only someone with a monstrous amount of mana like Kirsch could do that. As Asta expresses how amazing Kirsch was, which Kirsch just insults Asta with a metaphor that Asta doesn't understand.

As the third fight begins, both Jamon and Leopold suggest that their magic be the center of the match. As Jamon and Leopold argue with each other, Finral interrupt and asks to leave the offense to him. Leopold says that that is interesting and to see how well Finral can masterfully use them. As Team E battles against Team F, a member of Team F thinks about how Team E can use perfectly timed counter attack because of the spatial magic user. Suddenly Jamon appear behind Team F's crystal and attacks it with a spell. Jamon also wonders why he hasn't heard of a spatial magic user this good before. Leopold thinks about how he will use his full power and manages to destroy team F's crystal, after appearing from a crystal from above. The officials announces that Team E are the wins are the match. After the match, Langris listens as the crowds talks about how it will be difficult to take on Finral and how amazing the Black Bulls have been this year. Jamon then suggests to his teammates that have a meal which Leopold suggest to see who eats the most but Finral says that he is not up for it right now.

As the fourth match begins, Sekke starts to freak out after witnessing how strong the others are and even wonders why he was sent to the exam. Fragil notices Sekke and asks if he is alright while also asking if he is also strong. Sekke starts to act cool and explains that he doesn't like to show off. Sekke also suggests that he blast around the battlefield on his Sekke Shooting Star, which Langris says that that is a pretty good idea. On Team H's side, a member of the team finishes putting up a barrier around their crystal when he notices that Team G is coming. As another member of Team H thinks they are fools for about to hit his trap magic, another members notices that Langris is one of the one coming. Langris easily manages to destroy the Team G's crystal, which the officials announces that Team H are the winners. As the crowd are shocked and amazed at what had happened, Langris simple walks up to his brother and insult his style of magic. Langris also warns Finral to not get caught in his magic since that would make their parents along with that person sad. Finral replies that that won't happen since he with defeat Langris, which Langris respond by saying that Finral is acting all high and mighty for a big brother.

As Team E are chowing down on some food, Charmy suddenly show up ask for some food too which Jamon gladly gives her some. Noelle asks Charmy why she is here, which Charmy responds that she came to cheer on the person she like while also looking at Yuno. As the fifth match is about to begin, people wonders who X is since even their teammates don't know who that person is. Suddenly a person says that he is x and undoes his disguise revealing that he is the captain Lil to everyone's shock. As the other participants wonder why a captain is here, which Lil wonders if captains weren't allowed to join. Julius announces that captains can enter the tournament and that this is everyone's chance to defeat a captain, which everyone agrees with. Lil says that he won't be beat since he came to raise the reputation of his squad, which a man came out and praises Lil for his enthusiasm along with tells everyone to look after Lil with a scary face. As Lil and Asta greet each other, the man notices and greets Asta while serving him tea along with revealing that he is Lil's butler Walter. As Asta drinks the tea, he notices that the tea is high class and that he doesn't understand it. As Walter starts to talk about that past, Lil tells him to stop it and that they should get the next match started.

As the fifth match starts Lil says that he is going to paint a masterpiece, while the other team thinks about how they are going to see what Lil can do. Suddenly Lil is caught in Team F's trap which two of Team F's member are shocked by this. Another member tells his teammates to not let their guard down and that the match will be theirs if they take Lil down. One member then uses a spell to increase his teammates power, which the other two launches spells at Lil. As Lil notices the spells, Lil thinks about how the creative spark is swelling up and takes out his palette and paint brush. Walter thinks back about how Lil locked himself in his room after obtaining his grimoire, and how he had help Lil come out and join the magic knights. As Lil uses a spell to counter the two spell launched at him, Walter thinks about how Lil magic can generate any element. As everyone is shocked by this, Walter praises Lil while thinks about how Lil's creativity is infinite. Lil then compliments his opponents but it will take something more for him to create his masterpiece. As Team J's crystal is destroyed, Team I is declared the winners. A member of Team I comments about how they only won because of Lil, but wonder what Lil is doing since Lil is analyzing his painting and how he can make it better. Lili's teammates thinks about how they will have to make sure that Lil stays focus, while comments about how Lil talent is when he doesn't focus the more all the people around him work harder.

As the officials announce that the sixth match is about to begins and that Team I should leave the battlefield, which Lil teammates drag him off the field. Luck expresses how its his turn to fight, which Klaus tells Luck to take this seriously and to not act on his own. Their teammate Paulie Angel wonders if this team will work, but tells her teammates that they should put on the greatest performance ever. As Klaus wonders about about Paulie, Luck suggest that they share information and come up with a plan. Klaus reveals that they will have to watch out for Team L's Rob Vitesse.

As the sixth match begins, the participants watch as both team battle in the center of the battlefield. Klaus manages to block a spell from destroying their crystal but another member suddenly appears and launches a spell at Team K's crystal. Luck manages to save the crystal which Magna reveal that Luck has evolved by adding pages to his grimoire. Luck launches spells at Team L's crystal but it doesn't destroy the crystal. As the other participants are amazed by Luck power, which Magna reveals that he and Luck have gotten stronger over the months of training. Klaus thinks about how Luck has gotten stronger but he has gotten stronger too and uses a spell to destroy another spell. Luck suggests that he and Klaus should have a fight after the match which Klaus responds by telling Luck to focus on the match. Klaus notices that Rob has enter the battle and that Team L's crystal is behind him. Klaus says that they are going to break through Team L and break their crystal, which Paulie uses her magic to take Team K crystal and flies above the others. Paulie uses a spell to distract Team L and pushes Luck past Team L when Klaus launches him into the air. As Luck thinks about how he is having so much fun, but suddenly rob appears before Team L's crystal. Luck then increases his power and manages to defeat Rob while destroying Team L's crystal. As Team K are announced as the winners, Team K each high five each other. Luck then comments about how his next opponent will be more fun, while Lil says that he will be able to paint an even better masterpiece with his next opponent.

As the seventh match happens, Team M manages to win the match. The officials announce that they will be moving onto the final match of the first round, which Asta and Charmy get excited since its both Noelle and Yuno's team's turn. Team P's third member, En Ringarde, tells Noelle and Yuno that if they work together and do their best then they will win, which Yuno and Noelle wonder if En will be okay. Noelle tells Yuno not to go crazy since he grew up with Asta, which Yuno asks if Noelle will be alright since she can't use her mana properly. Suddenly Noelle and Yuno start an arguement, which Asta and En tries to calm them down. Suddenly Solido walks up to Team P and starts to mock Noelle for being weak. Noelle then remembers when Solido would pick on her for being weak when they were children. Alecdra tells Solido that they are head out, which Solido tells Noelle to run as he walks away. Alexdra stares at Yuno before leaving with his teammates.

As the eighth match begins, Asta and Charmy cheer on Yuno and Noelle. Yuno suggests to his teammates that he will take the lead while they support him, but Noelle says that he will take the lead while En says that he will support them. Yuno notices that Alecdra and Yuno has arrived in a flash. Solido explains how they had gotten their so fast and that they will finish them in a flash, which Yuno says that Team O has closed in right away but their crystal is at their original spot. Yuno tries to counter Team O's charge, but Team O dodges and Dmitri uses a spell to attack Team P. Noelle puts up a barrier to block the spell, which Solido says that Noelle had managed to learn some defensive spells. Alecdra uses a spell to absorb Noelle's water barrier, which Yuno grabs Noelle and their crystal and escapes while En escapes in a different direction. Yuno says that he will create an opening and head to where Team O's crystal is but Noelle asks her to let her go. Alecdra puts up a barrier to block Noelle and Yuno, but Yuno creates an opening and uses a spell to help Noelle get to where Team O's crystal is. Yuno thinks about how Noelle can do it since she has fought her way here with Asta and that he will feel better if he protect the crystal himself. Noelle thinks about how Solido will follow her, which Solido chases after her. Alecdra tells Solido to not act on his own, which Yuno says that his opponent will be him. Alecdra thinks about how Yuno had defeated one of the Diamond Kingdom's eight shining generals on his own, and how Yuno proclaimed that he will become the captain of the Golden Dawn. Alecdra says that Yuno is arrogant for trying to protect his crystal while battling him, which Yuno says that he wants to take on Alecdra when he is serious.

Alecdra remembers how Captain Vengeance saved him when he was wounded on the battlefield, and how he has dedicated himself to making the Golden Dawn the best of them all. Alecdra also thinks about how Yuno is making a mockery of Captain Vengeance even through Captain Vengeance has high expectations for Yuno. Alecdra tells Yuno to not get carried away just because he has obtained the spirit magic, which Sylph responds that it was Yuno strength that made her choose him and that they should attack Alecdra but Yuno tells Sylph to get back.

Elsewhere, Solido is attacking Noelle while continuing to chase after her when Dmitri shows up saying that this isn't part of their plan which Solido responds for Dmitri to not give him orders. Dmitri decides to help Solido out but a mushroom suddenly appears on his shoulder and he crashes to the ground. Dmitri notices that En is coming their way on top of a giant mushroom, which En explains what he had done and how he it there to help out Noelle. Noelle manages to get to Team O's crystal but Solido get in front of their crystal and blocks Noelle. Solido starts to mock Noelle for not being able to destroy the crystal which a mushroom suddenly appears on Noelle's shoulder. As Noelle start to freak out, En reveals what the mushroom is about and explains how he can't forgive what Solido said to Noelle since he is also an older brother. Solido hears this can says that Noelle won't be able to defeat him while also attacking Noelle. Noelle says that Solido won't understand how she feels, and that she doesn't need Solido's acknowledgement since she has already been acknowledged by people who are stronger them him. Noelle also says that she used to be afraid of Solido's magic but now it feel so thin and flimsy, which Solido gets angry and releases him mana.

At Yuno's location, Alecdra says that Yuno's won't be able to defeat his magic with his spirit magic and that he will be the one to make Captain Vengeance's dream a reality. Yuno easily manages to destroy Alecdra's spell, and says that he doesn't care about other people's dreams but his own. At Noelle's location, Solido is panicking after seeing Noelle's spell. Solido is in disbelief after seeing the spell, which Noelle asks if he doesn't mind if she strike him with this spell. Solido tells Noelle to do is since he thinks that their is no way that Noelle's spell will hit him. Noelle launches the spell, and it manages to defeat Solido while also destroying Team O's crystal. As the officials announce that Team P are the winners, Noelle tells her unconscious brother that she is not weak anymore.

As Alecdra and Solido are in shock that they were defeated, Yuno comments about how the elite fall to pieces when they stumble and fall. As Yuno is complimented for his victory, Charmy offers him some food which Yuno accepts in order to replenish his energy. Asta also compliments Noelle for her victory, which Noelle reveals that she had held back and also thinks about how she is going to get into the Royal Knights since she can still use her strongest spell because of her training. En also compliments Noelle, which Noelle comments about how En personality has changed from when En has used his mushroom to communicate with her. Julius tells the participants how amazing the matches were and says that they will be moving onto the next round of matches. Suddenly the battlefield changes shape, which Julius reveals that they wants to see what the participants are capable of within different situations.

The Second Round Matches
Kirsch comments about how is doesn't matter since his beauty will not change. Kirsch also says that he will wipe the world clean of filth while looking at Team B, which Mimosa replies that Kirsch is the one that should prepare himself. Magna tells Asta to not hold back since he will be giving it his all, which Asta agrees too and says that he will be doing the same. The rogue thinks about how he will be up against a member of royalty and tells his teammates that they should show Team C their great teamwork. Asta comments about how the rogue was uneasy when the stage shifted and that the rogue has probably set traps all over the place. The rogue thinks about how Asta can sense Ki and reveals that he had set trap all over the place yesterday after finding out the location of the exam even through the location was highly confidential. As Asta says that that if not fair, the rogue counters by saying that their was no rules that says that he couldn't do that. Asta then asks where the trap are, which the rogue says that he wouldn't reveals that trap location encase the enemy finds out that location of the traps. The rogue also says that he will do this his own ways, which Asta says that he will do the same but each start to insult each other.

As Julius announces that start Team B vs. Team C's match, Kirsch comments about how Mimosa has lost herself while being around filth and that he will help release her. Kirsch then uses a spell to cover the entire battlefield while commenting about how the filth should repent within his magic, which Mimosa notices that their are not openings within Kirsch's spell and the rogue thinks about how he can't move recklessly and should wait for the enemies to get into his traps. Asta says that their is only one answer and puts his sword in front of himself. Asta suddenly covers himself in Anti-magic, which Mimosa and the rogue are shocked by this. Asta then uses a spell to dispel all the magic on the battlefield, which everyone is shocked by this. After finishing dispelling all the magic, Asta comments about how they should work together and fight. The rogue then insults Asta, while Kirsch comments about how what Asta did was not beautiful.

The rogue confronts Asta about how he dispelled all of his traps, which Asta replies that the rogue will have to think up a plan for them to win. The rogue suggests that Asta use his abilities again to win, but Asta reveals that he can't use it for some time. Asta also says that he wants to win this fight as a team and explains why they are fighting in this exam to begin with. The rogue remembers what someone had told him about the magic knights and listens as Asta explains who they are up against. The rogue replies that he doesn't want a friendly match with royalty and that he will use Asta for his own objectives, which Asta says that he is fine with that as long as they work together. The rogue then explains what he is capable of doing and what he can capable of doing as the moment, while also asking what they should use.

As Team C's location Kirsch is commenting about how his magic was sullied by Asta, which Magna says that he knew that Asta was getting stronger. Magna also says to not underestimate commoners since he is one also, which Kirsch is surprised by this. Kirsch says that he won't be tainted while heading out to take care of Team B and telling Sol and Magna to take care of the crystal. While heading to face Team B, Kirsch thinks about how all commoners are filth because of their meager magic power and how he could never stand on the same stage as commoners. Kirsch then senses where Mimosa and the rogue are but wonders where Asta is since he can't sense him.

Suddenly Asta appears in front of Kirsch, Kirsch uses a spell to attack Asta with. Asta tries to defend himself against the spell, but it easily gets through his defenses. Asta quickly escapes to a cave, but Kirsch senses that its a trap when he notices trap magic on the ground. Kirsch then uses a spell to dispel the traps and heading into the cave. As Kirsch prepares to attack Asta, he suddenly falls into a pitfall and wonder why since he had gotten rid of all the traps. The rogue explains that they built the trap without magic, which Kirsch is shocked that he had fallen into this kind of trap. Kirsch says that he can just fly out of the trap, but notices that Asta is above him. Kirsch tries to attack Asta but Asta's swords dispel his magic. Asta then crashes into Kirsch and defeats him.

Fights

 * Team A vs. Team B
 * Team C vs. Team D
 * Team E vs. Team F
 * Team G vs. Team H
 * Team I vs. Team J
 * Team K vs. Team L
 * Team O vs. Team P
 * Team B vs. Team C

Events

 * Royal Knights Selection Exam