Yuno's sharp gaze lingered on Asta. The boy in front of him was more than just a rival—he was a childhood friend, a comrade, and someone whose path would forever run parallel to his own.
"So, it was the Golden Dawn again. And that girl… I remember seeing her last time. That blond girl—turns out it was Mimosa Vermillion."
Noelle Silva stood stiffly at Asta's side, her eyes falling awkwardly on the graceful figure approaching them. Mimosa's presence always stirred something uneasy in her—guilt, comparison, and an unspoken rivalry.
"Noelle! And… Asta, right?" Mimosa greeted them warmly, walking over with her usual graceful demeanor. "We haven't seen each other since the last Royal Knights selection exam!"
"Noelle, you know her?" Asta asked, intrigued by Mimosa's elegant aura and genuine smile.
Noelle fumbled slightly. "...She's my cousin."
She left out the part where she had spent most of her life being unfavorably compared to Mimosa—Noelle, the disgrace of the Silva family, and Mimosa, the well-loved daughter of House Vermillion. But despite the expectations and family gossip, Mimosa had never looked down on her, and that made it even harder to know how to act around her.
"I'm Mimosa Vermillion. It's a pleasure to meet you officially." Mimosa turned her warm eyes to Asta, offering a polite nod.
She then tilted her head, genuinely concerned. "Noelle, I heard you joined the Black Bulls… they have a reputation for being, um… unconventional. Are you okay with them?"
"Hmph. You should be more worried about yourself, Mimosa," Noelle huffed, crossing her arms. "If you're this naive, it's a wonder Golden Dawn hasn't tossed you out."
"I-I'm fine," Mimosa replied sincerely. "Everyone in Golden Dawn is kind… well, mostly. But Noelle, how's your magic control coming along? I remember you struggled a lot back then…"
Noelle felt a dagger pierce her pride. She gritted her teeth.
"She didn't mean any harm…"
"I'm improving—step by step!" Noelle snapped, both proud and pained by her admission.
"That's wonderful!" Mimosa beamed. "Oh, by the way, during our last mission, we were awarded a star by the Wizard King!"
Klaus, standing stiffly beside Mimosa, gave a smug nod. "It was a recognition of our elite status."
Asta blinked and said, "Oh, we got one too!"
"You—what?!" Klaus sputtered. "A star? From Black Bull?! Impossible. Don't make jokes, peasant!"
"Four-eyed guy, is it so hard to believe we're also capable?" Asta shot back, casually jabbing.
"Who are you calling four-eyed?!"
"You, obviously."
Klaus was visibly fuming. "Is this how Black Bull trains its members?! Unruly and uncultured. Who even led your squad? Don't tell me they died in some trap magic and left you behind!"
Asta's expression turned serious. "He's fighting. Probably with enemy mages."
"Wait—are you saying your squadmate is already engaged with Diamond Kingdom mages?" Klaus frowned.
"Yeah. We came here to handle the same mission as you. We just have a… different style," Asta replied with a shrug.
"Hmph, clumsy excuse!" Klaus scoffed. "Mimosa, prove it!"
"Right. Plant Creation Magic: Magic Flower Guidepost!"
Mimosa summoned her spell, and a glowing flower blossomed in mid-air. From it, a detailed 3D map of the dungeon bloomed—walls, traps, chambers—and most importantly, dots of light showing current positions of people inside.
"Whoa!" Asta exclaimed. "That's amazing!"
"Here," Mimosa pointed, "there's movement—and one intense magic source clashing with another. It must be a Black Bull member engaged with a Diamond Kingdom mage."
"That's gotta be Luck," Asta muttered, scanning the glowing spots.
Klaus squinted. "I-Is this accurate?"
"Of course," Mimosa said, puffing her chest slightly. "This is one of my best spells."
Noelle smirked. "So, still think we're incapable?"
Klaus scoffed again. "Tch. Even so, your comrade is likely just bait. The real battle will happen deeper inside. That's where Golden Dawn will shine."
He turned. "Yuno, Mimosa. Let's move."
As they boarded Yuno's Wind Magic Ark, Klaus crossed his arms, muttering, "That boy… Asta. Why didn't I sense any magic from him?"
Mimosa blinked, recalling the moment. "You're right. My spell didn't register any mana from him."
"That's because he has no magic," Yuno finally spoke, his voice colder than usual. "He's the only person who ever defeated me in combat… and I've been chasing him ever since."
"What? That peasant?" Klaus was stunned. "He beat you?!"
"Yes," Mimosa nodded quietly. "Asta might not have mana, but… there's something different about him."
"Bah! No matter how much he trains, a body can't beat magic. That growth has a ceiling," Klaus huffed.
Yuno said nothing more. He had long since learned that people like Klaus only understood results—not potential.
****
Meanwhile, back in the Clover Kingdom…
"According to the latest intel," a cloaked agent knelt before the Wizard King Julius Novachrono, "Golden Dawn and Black Bull members have entered the ancient dungeon. The Diamond Kingdom's forces are confirmed to be inside."
"Diamond Kingdom, eh?" Julius grinned, spinning around in his chair. "Aggressive as always."
"Sir!" Marx interjected. "We sent mostly rookies. If the Diamond Kingdom gets their hands on ancient magic, it'll be catastrophic!"
"And who's leading the enemy side?" Julius asked curiously.
"The mage known as Lotus Whomalt. Codename: 'Lotus of Naraku.' A seasoned war mage."
The council erupted into murmurs.
"I fought Lotus before," Julius said with a twinkle in his eye. "Slippery guy, clever tactics."
"Wizard King, please take this seriously!" Marx groaned. "We sent Asta, Noelle, and Luck! They're still rookies!"
"But they're not ordinary rookies," Julius replied calmly. "Asta's anti-magic… Noelle's potential… Yuno's wind spirit… I'm more excited than worried."
Marx sighed. "You're the only one who can say that and mean it…"
****
Back at Black Bull's base…
"Those kids…" Vanessa Enoteca lounged on the couch, sipping wine lazily. "Asta, Noelle, even Luck… are they really okay?"
Yami glanced over his newspaper. "Luck's combat sense is sharp—he'll be fine. He's like a lightning rod. Draws enemies like a storm."
Magna poked his fireball. "That's the problem! That idiot's so fight-crazy, he'll forget he has backup and go solo!"
"Heh. That's why I sent him. Besides," Yami smirked, "if Asta can't handle that, he doesn't belong here."
****
Back inside the dungeon…
"Noelle, what do you think? Should we go after the treasure chamber or meet up with Luck first?" Asta asked.
Noelle frowned. "Luck isn't far, but we'll lose time…"
"No, we go to him," Asta said with conviction. "We don't have tracking magic, and he might need backup. We regroup first—then head for the treasure."
He clenched his fist. "This is getting exciting!"
Noelle rolled her eyes, but smiled despite herself. "Fine. Let's go."