"Please. You chose Golden Dawn — the squad closest to the Wizard King. It's obvious."
Yuno remained silent.
"Tell me about your childhood. What made you this strong?"
"I was raised at the church in Hage Village. The place where the First Wizard King defeated the demon."
Shalim smirked. "Then let's visit Hage! Consider it a detour for safety."
Klaus objected. "It's off-route."
"It's safer this way," Shalim said, masking his true intent — to draw out Asta by threatening their shared home.
****
Dark clouds swirled overhead.
"This feels off..." Mimosa said.
Yuno flew ahead to investigate — only to be attacked by five cloaked mages launching fireballs and wind magic.
"There's an ambush!"
Vanessa, watching from afar, tensed. "Should we jump in?"
"No need," Asta said calmly. "Yuno can handle this. He's the only beast in the forest who can rival me."
They watched as Yuno, calm and precise, knocked back the attackers one by one.
"But something's off…" Asta muttered. "If Shalim was the target, why didn't those mages even glance at him?"
Vanessa and Noelle nodded, realizing the implications.
****
Return to the Base
Back at the Black Bulls' hideout, Yami Sukehiro — captain of the squad — lounged on the sofa.
"So, ya brats enjoy your trip? Spend your money wisely?"
Asta grinned. "Every coin was spent with purpose."
He gave Noelle a quick glance — she still held the wand he gave her, though she tried to act indifferent.
"And what about you, little princess?" Yami asked.
Noelle turned away, cheeks pink. "Hmph. None of your business…"
Yami smirked. "Hah. Young love, huh?"
****
Yami smiled warmly as the Black Bull members trickled back into their base after a chaotic day.
"Didn't buy anything, but it was a fun trip," Noelle muttered, arms crossed and nose turned up in typical tsundere fashion.
"We're back too, Captain! Brought some snacks to share!" Chami beamed, holding a quarter of her food stash like it was a treasure.
"Damn it... When did so many monsters start showing up at the casino..." Magna groaned, dragging his feet, a scowl carved into his face.
"I'm back! My angel loved the outfit I picked for her!" Gauche said with hearts in his eyes, clearly thinking of his little sister, Marie.
As each member entered, the Black Bull headquarters transformed from quiet into its usual, borderline-chaotic liveliness. This kind of energy—full of bickering, laughter, and companionship—was something Captain Yami treasured. To him, it was only after facing the battlefield that moments like these could feel so satisfying.
But there was one rule…
"YOU IDIOTS! How many times do I have to tell you—STOP DESTROYING PUBLIC PROPERTY!"
CRASH!
Yami roared, slamming his fist into the wall—ironically damaging it himself. Magna, who had just put a fresh hole in the wall from his own antics, looked away sheepishly.
"It's a war zone in here..." Noelle muttered, trying to keep her cool. Then she turned toward Asta, clearly flustered. "Asta, do you... want to eat together?"
"R-Really?!"
Asta's eyes lit up like stars. This was Noelle's first time inviting him to dinner—it felt almost like... a date.
They both headed for the cafeteria, hoping for a quiet moment.
But when they opened the door...
"Chami?!"
There she was, munching down with her usual ferocity, oblivious to their stunned expressions.
"She's really... dedicated," Asta mumbled, half-impressed, half-resigned.
Noelle, though a little disappointed, was relieved too—she was nervous about dining with Asta alone.
"Asta! Noelle! You're hungry too? Come on in, there's plenty!" Chami chirped, waving a drumstick.
"Okay then. Let me show you how I eat when I'm fired up with the flames of youth!" Asta grinned, walking over and sitting across from her.
"Oh? You wanna challenge me?" Chami's eyes gleamed with fire. "You're on!"
"I didn't say that exactly... but sure! Youth means accepting all challenges head-on!"
Everyone nearby instinctively braced. That confident glint in Asta's eye was dangerous. Whenever he smiled like that, someone was about to get outwitted.
"Bet on it?" Chami asked, folding her arms.
"If I lose, half my pay goes to buying you snacks."
"Deal! But what if I lose?"
"I haven't decided yet... but it won't be anything weird."
The two faced off. Noelle raised her hand awkwardly. "I'll be the referee."
"Let's go!" Chami summoned her Cotton Magic, and three adorable sheep chefs immediately began roasting two whole wild boars.
"3... 2... 1... Start!"
Chami tore into the boar with her signature speed-eating technique. But Asta—
"Ninja Style: Voracious Devour!"
He grabbed a knife from one of the sheep chefs and, using pure physical skill and insane chakra-like strength, sliced the meat mid-air, devouring it with rhythmic precision. Each cut bounced the meat up again, keeping it in motion as he sliced and chomped.
Noelle stared, mouth slightly agape. "How... is eating that complicated?"
Within minutes, Asta finished his entire roast boar.
"Victory!"
"Unfair!" Chami pouted, still chewing through her second leg. "You used sword skills to eat!"
"Training is everywhere," Asta replied, smirking. "Even in food battles."
"Fine, you win! What do you want from me?"
Asta leaned closer and whispered something into Chami's ear.
WHACK!
She turned beet red and bolted out of the room. Noelle blinked in confusion. "What did you say to her?"
"Oh, I asked if she'd kiss me... or convince you to kiss me."
"YOU IDIOT!"
Noelle's face flushed crimson, and she ran after Chami in a flustered rage. Asta just laughed, watching them go.
"Messing with girls is more dangerous than fighting devils," he chuckled.
****
The next day, the atmosphere at the base shifted when word arrived from the capital.
"Golden Dawn earned another star?" Yami grumbled through a puff of smoke.
"Yuno really doesn't hold back..." Asta muttered, both proud and challenged. His rival had taken down a notorious dark mage on his first mission. They now trailed by three stars again.
"Don't feel bad," Vanessa said. "At least we've got you, Asta. You're the most promising rookie we've ever had."
"But I don't even have magic..." Asta whispered. Still, deep down, he burned to prove himself.
Suddenly, a messenger burst into the room.
"Captain Yami! A large magical structure just appeared on the border between the Clover and Diamond Kingdoms!"
Yami's brow twitched. "A dungeon?"
"Yes! A magic palace!"
****
The earth trembled. In a forgotten valley along the border, a massive structure erupted from the soil—an ancient, arcane palace, radiating powerful magic.
The Magic Emperor, Julius Novachrono, received the report and smiled.
"Send Black Bull. And those two... I want to see what kind of sparks they'll make."
"Yes, sir!"
****
Back at Black Bull HQ, Yami addressed his team.
"This is a royal-level mission. A newly discovered dungeon has surfaced on the border. The Magic Emperor himself assigned it—to us."
"A dungeon?! With ancient relics and spells?!" Magna shouted. "We're gonna strike gold!"
"There's also deadly traps," Luck added cheerfully.
"Protecting the Clover Kingdom's interests is top priority. We can't let the Diamond Kingdom get there first."
Yami took a drag from his cigarette and glanced at Asta.
"Magic Emperor wants you to go personally."
"Me?" Asta blinked.
"You and Noelle. And Lark will lead the team."
"Wait, the Magic Emperor himself chose us?" Noelle gasped.
"Damn right," Yami smirked. "Now get going. And don't die."