A mage clad in the Diamond Kingdom's battle robes collapsed to the ground with a thud, his grimoire clattering beside him—rendered useless against the storm of lightning.
"Hmph… That's it?"
Luck Voltia stood amidst a scattered circle of defeated mages, sparks crackling at his fingertips. "This is boring… Where's the real fight?"
Despite the number of opponents—seven, maybe eight—none had even forced him to warm up. But the figure sitting casually on the ruins ahead, his robe swaying with the breeze, wasn't like the others. His magic was different… heavy.
"You must be the leader," Luck said, eyes narrowing. "I hope you won't disappoint me."
Across from him, Lotus Whomalt—a high-ranking mage of the Diamond Kingdom—gave a weary sigh, rubbing his temple with exaggerated drama. "The power of youth… always so eager. But rushing in without thinking only gets you killed."
Lotus' usual languid demeanor gave nothing away, but his eyes, keen and calculating, measured Luck carefully. The kid was dangerous—not just raw power, but speed. Terrifying speed. He hadn't seen someone wrap their body in elemental magic so efficiently in a long time.
"Lightning attribute… enhanced mobility and precision," Lotus muttered, smiling thinly. "What a troublesome opponent."
Luck grinned, his sharp emerald-blue eyes gleaming with unrestrained excitement. "What's your magic, old man? Smoke, right? That's so shady—it's perfect!"
But Lotus raised a finger. "Why fight? We're both here for the Treasure Hall, aren't we? Maybe a truce would be more—"
He didn't finish.
A flash of electricity erupted beneath Luck's feet as he lunged forward in a blur of blue-white light, aiming a brutal kick directly at Lotus' skull.
"So fast!"
Even as he activated his Smoke Magic: Smoke Creation Magic - Smoke Curtain, Lotus barely avoided a clean hit, but he felt the sting—a graze on his cheek. That's not a boy. That's a beast.
"You're faster than I expected." Lotus reappeared within the smoke, his calm voice echoing eerily. "No wonder the Clover Kingdom's Black Bulls are such a menace."
But Luck wasn't listening. His focus was razor-sharp, eyes scanning for the faintest movement through the swirling haze.
"Smoke Magic, huh? Obstructive, suppressive, non-lethal when needed… but deadly when applied right. Tch. What a drag."
Lotus continued from within the smoke, voice laced with dry humor. "You know, I really don't enjoy hurting kids. I have daughters about your age, actually."
Luck's body tensed mid-air. The magic around him suddenly shifted—sluggish, almost like the air thickened into molasses. His breathing became labored.
"You've already stepped into my smoke field. I call it… Smoke Magic: Invading Yanting. Weakens the body with every breath."
Luck gritted his teeth, sparks flickering erratically across his arms and legs. "I... won't go down... not yet!"
He tried to push forward, but his limbs began to shake.
"You're strong, boy," Lotus said, his tone surprisingly gentle. "But strength alone isn't enough. You have to know when to retreat."
Just as he raised his hand to finish the job—
A shrill roar sliced through the air like a dragon's cry.
A burst of anti-magic surged through the battlefield, cutting through the smoke like a blade through butter. The cross-shaped cloud prison around Luck shattered in an instant.
Lotus's eyes widened. "What…?! That pressure—!"
A figure stepped forward, massive sword raised over his shoulder, his presence undeniable.
Asta.
"Luck! You're not alone, remember? You've got teammates."
Asta's voice was steady, filled with the weight of battle. His black sword pulsed with anti-magic, disrupting the smoke-based trap effortlessly.
Noelle Silva arrived seconds later, her silver hair shimmering with her Water Magic: Valkyrie Dress, her wand raised and ready.
Luck staggered slightly but caught himself. His manic grin slowly returned.
"Tch. Took you long enough, Asta."
Lotus took a cautious step back, eyes narrowing. "Another Black Bull… and a Magic Knight with anti-magic, no less. I suppose this is where the real fun begins."
"You talk a lot for someone losing control of the fight," Asta said calmly. His Black Asta form hadn't activated yet, but the mana in the air grew tenser. "You want to hurt my friends? Then you deal with me."
Lotus chuckled nervously. "I was hoping to avoid a direct clash, but it seems I've attracted the worst kind of attention."
"You were trying to wear Luck down slowly," Noelle said coldly, her water armor glinting with menace. "Coward."
"Smoke is meant to suffocate before it burns," Lotus replied. "But I admit—I miscalculated."
Luck's magic pulsed again, breaking free from the last traces of weakening smoke. "Let's go, Asta. I'm fired up!"
Asta grinned. "Let's end this together."
"You can't escape, because you are my prey! And I don't need teammates—I'll finish you off myself!"
Luck suddenly raised his head. But his eyes—those eyes—were no longer the cheerful, sparky blue they usually were. They had darkened, wild and feral, like a beast locked onto its quarry.
"L-Luck…" Noelle faltered, stepping back.
Asta, who had been leaning casually nearby, instinctively stepped between her and Luck. Even he was a bit startled. This was beyond battle mania—this was pure obsession.
"The guy who wants to isolate himself again… really can't be stopped once he's like this." Asta sighed, clicking his tongue.
Luck's inner demons were always intense—but this time, it felt personal.
"Tch, persistent brat," Naraku's Lotus muttered, retreating as he transformed into a dark, writhing cloud of smoke.
"I have to win with my own strength!" Luck shouted, eyes flashing like lightning. "If I can't, then I'll lose the only thing that mattered to me—my mother's love! And if I lose that... I have nothing left!!"
He lunged like a wild beast, cloaked in crackling lightning. His movements were fast, violent, and unrestrained—far from the controlled combat of a seasoned Magic Knight. Despite his immense mana, his unhinged state made him sloppy, swinging with emotion instead of precision.
Naraku's Lotus danced around him with ease, melting into the smoke. "You're fast, kid, but you're nothing but a rabid mutt like this."
"Asta, should we… really just stand here?" Noelle whispered, biting her lip. "He's our teammate…"
"Of course not!" Asta shouted, eyes sharp as he unsheathed the Demon Slayer Sword. "We don't leave our squad behind!"
With a thunderous burst of speed, Asta charged in. His anti-magic blade cut through the air like a meteor.
Naraku's Lotus, still fading in and out of the smoke, suddenly stiffened. "That speed… faster than even the lightning kid?! What is this?! No… it's not magic. It's… physical enhancement?!!"
He recoiled, face twisting in disbelief. "Who the hell trains their body in this magic-saturated world?! This kid is a complete freak!"
"I don't need your help!" Luck snarled, sparks exploding from his body. He turned his beast-like gaze to Asta. "I promised my mother I'd win with my own strength!"
"You do what you want," Asta answered calmly. "But I'll do what I want, too! And I want to fight with you. That's what comrades do!"
His words echoed like a lightning strike.
Luck blinked, staggered. A strange warmth bloomed in his chest. He saw them—Yami, Magna, Finral, Vanessa, Charmy, Gordon… and now Noelle, Asta.
Family.