Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

It was cold.

Colder than anything she had ever known.

Rain poured from the sky in an endless sheet, sharp as needles against her skin. The earth beneath her was slick with mud, and the world around her was silent. No wind. No rustling leaves. No distant calls of animals. Just the steady rhythm of falling rain.

She didn’t know where she was. Didn’t know who she was.

But she was alive.

And something inside her—something deep, instinctive, and desperate—told her that she had to move.

Her body ached, stiff and bruised, but she forced herself upright.

One step. Then another.

The darkness swallowed her as she staggered forward, her breaths coming in quick, shaky gasps. She had no memory of how she got here. No sense of where she was going. But the pull in her chest was undeniable.

Get up.

You have to get up.

She didn’t understand the voice.

But she listened anyway.

The forest seemed endless. The ground shifted beneath her, slick with water and roots she couldn’t see.

She slipped, caught herself, and kept going. Then—through the trees—

Light.

It flickered in the distance, warm and inviting.

She reached for it.

Her foot caught on something—she didn’t even see what. She crashed forward, her hands sinking into the mud. She gritted her teeth, fingers clawing at the earth, trying to push herself up.

But her arms shook too hard.

Her legs refused to move.

She couldn’t stop here.

Silent tears streamed down her face, though she made no sound.

Get up. You have to—

Warm hands touched her.

Strong arms lifted her from the ground, pulling her close to a steady, solid warmth. She was too weak to struggle, too exhausted to question it. The steady thump of a heartbeat against her ear was the last thing she felt before everything went dark.

When she woke, it was to warmth.

A blanket tucked around her. The scent of something clean. A soft crackle of fire.

Her body still ached, but it was different now—less like she was dying, more like she had survived.

A woman sat beside her, smiling gently.

"You’re safe now," she said. "You’re at the church in Hage."

The girl only blinked back.

The woman—Sister Lily—offered her water. She took it without hesitation, but when she tried to say something—anything—nothing came out.

She frowned, pressing a hand to her throat.

Sister Lily’s expression softened. "It’s alright," she reassured. "You don’t have to speak yet."

Yet.

Like it was temporary.

Like she might one day wake up and find her voice waiting for her.

She wasn’t so sure.

The next time she woke, she wasn’t alone.

There were two boys sitting beside her bed, staring at her.

The first one had dark hair and a serious expression, arms crossed. The other—smaller, louder—grinned so widely it took up most of his face.

"Hey!" the loud one said. "I’m Asta! What’s your name?"

She stared at him.

"Where are you from?"

Silence.

"What kind of magic do you have?"

"Asta." The other boy smacked him on the back of the head. "Sister Lily just said she’s still recovering."

Asta pouted. "Ow Yuno! I was just asking!"

"I don't think she knows," Sister Lily said as she reappeared, setting a bowl of soup on the table. "We haven’t gotten that far."

Curls covered her eyes as she dipped her head so her gaze could trace scarred fingers.

It was true. She didn’t know.

Asta frowned, arms crossed. "Well, she needs a name!"

Sister Lily hesitated.

"I’ll name her!" Asta declared, puffing out his chest. "Since I’m gonna be Wizard King someday, I should name her until she remembers her own!"

The girl tilted her head.

Asta thought hard, then snapped his fingers. "She was found in the rain, so her name should be Rain!"

Yuno sighed. "That’s too simple."

Asta huffed. "Fine! What do you think?"

"Aella," Yuno said. "It means stormwind."

Asta wrinkled his nose. "That’s kinda cool, I guess."

Together, they turned to her.

"Rain Aella," Asta said proudly. "That’s you now."

She didn’t protest.

And so, her life at the church began.

The sun sat high over the church as Asta launched himself at Yuno for what had to be the tenth time that morning. Rain sat in the shade, knees drawn up, watching as Yuno barely lifted a hand—just a flicker of wind magic, and Asta was sent sprawling into the dirt.

"Yuno, you jerk!" Asta groaned, sitting up and dusting himself off. His grin never faded. "I’m gonna beat you next time!"

Yuno didn’t respond. He just looked at Asta with the same quiet confidence he always had, then turned his gaze to Rain.

She stared back, feeling the pulse of his mana through the air. Steady. Calm. Like the roots of an old tree.

Asta’s mana was nonexistent—like a void, and yet there was a buzzing energy that surrounded his every movement.

Hers was... nothing. Just silence.

She knew that wasn’t normal. But if Asta could dream of becoming the Wizard King without magic, maybe—

No.

She wouldn’t let herself think about it.

Several years had passed and her voice never did return, but that didn’t matter. Asta talked enough for the both of them anyway.

Rain sat quietly on the porch, her legs tucked underneath her, elbows resting on her knees. The soft creak of the old wood beneath her was a comfort, a steady reminder of the years she’d spent here. Her brown-gold eyes traced the familiar scene unfolding before her.

Asta was, predictably, standing atop a broken fence, his balance as wild as his energy. One foot teetered on the splintered beam, his fists clenched, and a bright grin spread across his face. "Sister Lily! Marry me!" he yelled, his voice carrying on the breeze.

Rain didn’t move. She knew what was coming next.

A soft thwack, followed by the unmistakable sound of Asta crashing into the dirt. She stifled a smile.

"No," Sister Lily’s voice floated over, exasperated yet familiar.

Asta bounced back to his feet, unfazed. "Why not?!" he demanded, brushing dirt from his clothes.

"Because you're only fifteen," Sister Lily replied, the calmness in her voice only making Asta more insistent.

Rain's eyes drifted to Yuno, leaning casually against the church wall, his expression unreadable. He sighed, clearly weary of the constant back-and-forth. "You can't even use magic, Asta. Give it up."

Asta’s face lit up with that stubborn determination Rain knew so well. "But I'm going to be the Wizard King!" he declared, arms flung wide, as if the title itself would make everything fall into place.

Rain couldn’t help but shake her head slightly, her lips curling at the corners. Asta’s confidence was endless, even in the face of the most impossible odds.

"Yuno! I challenge you to a fight! Right here, right now!" Asta’s voice rang out with unyielding challenge.

Yuno didn’t even flinch. With a barely audible sigh, he stepped aside. Asta lunged forward with all his might—only to be sent flying by a gust of wind magic.

Rain didn’t need to move from her spot. She had seen this too many times to feel any surprise. Yuno was the steady force, always calm and composed, his magic flowing effortlessly. Asta, on the other hand, was pure chaos—brash, loud, and full of fire, despite the absence of the very thing most people relied on: mana.

Still, Rain admired him. He never gave up. He never stopped fighting, training, and pushing, even when his body screamed for rest. There was something in him that refused to be anything but what he dreamed of becoming, and it was that resolve that made him stand out.

Her gaze flicked back to Asta, now dusting himself off after the wind had tossed him aside. He was already grinning again, ready to jump back into the fray.

For a moment, she wondered if maybe, just maybe, that dream of his wasn’t as impossible as it seemed.

But the thought didn’t last long. She turned her attention back to the porch, the air heavy with the scent of the earth after rain. She had a feeling that, no matter what happened, she’d be standing by Asta and Yuno, watching them chase their dreams, even when the odds were stacked against them.

Her lips pressed into a quiet smile. There was no place she’d rather be than right here, for as long as fate allowed her to be.

The Grimoire Acceptance Ceremony was held in a crumbling tower, filled with the buzzing excitement of young mages ready to take their first step toward greatness.

Rain didn’t like crowds. Too many people, too much mana. It was like walking through a storm she couldn’t escape, energy crackling in the air, settling into every space it could reach. She kept her hood drawn low, her head down, her breath steady.

She didn’t need a grimoire. She didn’t even want one.

But Asta did.

He bounced on his heels beside her, vibrating with excitement. "Just you wait! I’m gonna get the coolest grimoire ever!"

Yuno sighed, but there was amusement in his eyes. "Just stand still."

Grimoires began to descend, floating down into waiting hands. Some thick, some thin, each carrying a presence that made Rain's skin prickle. When Yuno's appeared, the whole room seemed to still.

A four-leaf grimoire. The mark of someone destined for greatness.

Rain barely had time to process it before Asta stepped forward.

And nothing happened.

Whispers spread through the crowd like wildfire.

"He didn’t get one."

"Of course not. A magicless fool like him?"

Rain clenched her fists. Her scars ached.

Asta stood there, frozen.

Then, he laughed. Loud. Forced. "Ha! Maybe it’s just a mistake! I mean—" His voice cracked, but he kept smiling. "Maybe I’ll get mine later!"

The crowd didn’t stop laughing.

Yuno didn’t say anything. He only turned, eyes unreadable, and walked away.

Asta’s shoulders shook. He turned his back on the ceremony and left without another word.

Rain followed him.

Night fell, and the air was thick with the scent of damp earth and pine.

Rain found Asta in the ruins beyond the village, throwing punches at a tree, his breath ragged. Each strike was harder than the last.

She sat beside him, knees drawn up.

He didn’t look at her. "I don’t get it," he muttered. His voice was hoarse. "I trained. I worked harder than anyone. And I still—"

His fists clenched. His shoulders trembled.

Rain exhaled slowly, reaching out. Her fingers hovered over his knuckles before settling gently over them.

Asta stilled.

Then, the cry split the night—desperate, choked, and familiar.

"ASTA!"

Yuno.

The air crackled with mana, sharp and violent. Rain was on her feet before Asta could react, sprinting toward the sound. The ruins loomed around them as they found Yuno bound in dark chains, his grimoire dangling from the hands of a man cloaked in shadow.

Asta's breath hitched. "Yuno!"

The man sneered. "Looks like some more rat’s have come." His chains slithered forward, snapping toward them with dark intent.

Rain felt it before Asta moved. The heat of his fury. The way his energy surged, even without magic.

Asta charged. "I WON’T LET YOU TAKE YUNO’S DREAM!"

The chains met him head-on. They struck hard, knocking him to the ground. He coughed, tried to rise, but his legs shook.

Rain stepped forward. She could feel the mana within the chains, pulsing, thick and heavy like sludge.

Useless. She was useless.

She gritted her teeth.

No.

The word never left her lips, but it echoed in her mind.

She darted forward, slipping past the chains, movements silent as she closed the distance.

The man’s smug grin faded as she reached for him.

Her fingers brushed his skin.

A jolt shot through her body.

Mana.

Not her own—his. Pouring into her like liquid fire.

Her breath caught. Her body locked up.

The shock was enough for Revchi to strike, sending her flying back. She hit the ground hard, gasping as the world spun.

"Rain!"

Yuno’s voice cut through the haze.

Asta pushed himself up, shaking. "g-get away…from them."

Rain tried to rise, but her limbs were heavy, her mind reeling from the blow.

The creep laughed. "And what are you gonna do, kid? You have nothing."

Asta’s breath came hard as the air shifted.

Asta gasped, his body tense, his head snapping up. Rain’s skin prickled as mana swirled around them—dark and endless, coiling like a serpent.

A grimoire appeared, battered and blackened. A five-leaf clover marking its cover.

The book snapped open, and from within, a massive sword emerged, dark and heavy, dripping with energy that repelled magic itself.

Rain felt it the second Asta grasped the hilt. The strange absence.

Anti-Magic.

The chains came at him again, but this time, he swung the sword with all his strength—shattering them instantly.

The chain mage staggered back, eyes wide.

"What… What the hell is that grimoire?!"

Asta didn’t answer. He didn’t have to.

With a final swing, he knocked the rogue mage to the ground, panting, the weight of his newfound power settling into his grip.

Asta’s chest heaved. He turned to the others, grin returning. "Guess I got a grimoire after all!"

Yuno, still catching his breath, looked at him for a long moment. Then, he smiled—just slightly.

"You really are my rival."

Asta’s grin widened. "Damn right I am!"

Rain exhaled, slow and steady.

Asta had his power now. His way forward.

And now so did she.

Chapter Text

The church doors creaked open behind them, their weight shifting with the morning breeze. Rain stood just behind Asta and Yuno, watching as Sister Lily stepped onto the stone steps, hands clasped together. She smiled, but there was something heavy in it.

“Take care of yourselves,” she said, voice warm but thick with worry.

Father Orsi crossed his arms with a sigh. “You better not cause any trouble in the city.” His eyes flicked pointedly to Asta.

Rain didn’t need to see Asta’s face to know he was grinning. “Come on, Father! You know me—”

“That’s exactly why I’m saying it.” Father rubbed his forehead, like Asta had already given him a headache.

Asta just laughed, tossing an arm around Yuno’s shoulders.

Yuno promptly shoved him off without a word. “Don’t worry! We’ll be Magic Knights in no time!”

Rain glanced toward Nash, who had been lingering near the door with his arms crossed. He met her eyes for half a second before looking away, shifting his weight like he wanted to say something but wouldn’t.

Asta, of course, barreled through the pause without noticing. “Nash, you better keep everyone in line while I’m gone, got it?”

Nash huffed. “Like you were ever the one keeping things in line.” But there was no real bite in it.

Sister Lily stepped closer, reaching out to take Asta’s hands in hers. “Stay safe,” she said, softer now. Her gaze flicked toward Rain and Yuno, making sure the words reached them too.

Father Orsi sighed, his expression settling into something more serious. “Asta, if things don’t work out, you can always come back here.”

Asta tensed, just for a moment. Then he squared his shoulders, puffing out his chest. “What are you saying? Of course, I won’t have to come back!” He jabbed a finger at Yuno. “Tell that to Yuno too!”

Father Orsi waved a hand. “He’ll be fine.”

Asta gawked at him, betrayed. “What does that mean?!”

Yuno sighed, exasperated.

Rain’s fingers brushed the edge of the church door. A quiet goodbye. The building had been home for as long as she could remember, and now they were leaving, maybe for good. The thought twisted something deep inside her, but she pushed it down.

Sister Lily smiled, her expression soft with something close to pride.

Then Asta turned sharply, practically bouncing on his heels. “Come on, slowpokes! The Wizard King isn’t gonna wait for us!”

Yuno exhaled through his nose. “Don’t get too far ahead.”

Rain fell into step beside him, glancing toward the horizon. The village gates looked bigger today, more imposing, like they knew they were leaving for good. She felt Yuno’s gaze on her, something unreadable in his eyes.

“Ready for this?” he asked.

She nodded.

The weight of leaving settled in her chest, heavy but not unbearable. Because no matter where they were going, she wasn’t alone.

And that was enough.

The streets of Kikka were alive, bursting with movement and color in a way Rain had never experienced before. The air was thick with the scent of roasting nuts, sizzling meat, and fresh bread, mixing with the faint tang of metal from a nearby smithy. Voices overlapped—merchants calling out their wares, children laughing, customers haggling. It was a steady hum of life, a stark contrast to the quiet predictability of Hage.

Rain kept close to Asta and Yuno, her sharp eyes darting across the crowd. The press of people was a little overwhelming, but the energy of the town was exhilarating.

"Whoa, this is awesome!" Asta practically vibrated with excitement, spinning in place to take in everything at once.

Rain’s lips twitched in amusement.

He wasn’t wrong.

"They're fresh!" someone called from a stall, scooping golden-brown nuts from a pan. The vendor tossed them in a rhythmic motion, the rich scent curling into the air like an invitation.

"One sec. It's almost done roasting."

Asta inhaled deeply, practically drooling. "That looks so good!"

Rain felt her own stomach tighten with hunger. They’d barely eaten since leaving Hage, and the warmth of the roasting nuts was tempting.

Ahead, a weapons stall caught her eye—lined with gleaming staves, enchanted items, and swords of various sizes. Her gaze lingered on a polished silver dagger, its hilt inlaid with something that shimmered faintly. Even from here, she could feel the pulse of mana radiating from the weapons.

"Wow! They have so many different kinds of staves and items!"

"But they're so expensive!"

Rain didn’t need to check the prices to know they were far out of reach.

Asta’s excitement shifted as he caught sight of something beyond the marketplace.

"Is that where the Wizard King is?" he asked, staring up at the enormous castle looming in the distance.

Yuno followed his gaze. "And probably the king, too."

Asta grinned, hands on his hips. "So that means that'll be my castle someday!"

"You mean mine," Yuno corrected, his voice flat.

Asta scoffed, puffing up his chest. "Don't worry. I'll let you live there, too."

"That's my line."

Rain let out a quiet huff of amusement, glancing between them.

Some things never change .

A sudden wail cut through the marketplace, yanking her attention away. A young boy stood near a fruit stall, rubbing at teary eyes. A woman, likely his mother, knelt in front of him, ruffling his hair gently.

"There, there. Don't cry," she murmured. "Let's hurry back and get ready to open up the shop."

Something about the scene tightened Rain’s chest. Reminded her of everyone back at the church.

She could almost see them—Sister Lily wiping flour from her hands, Nash scowling as he swept the floors, Father Orsi rubbing his temples after another one of Asta’s outbursts.

It was strange, feeling the weight of their absence now.

"I'm sure Sister and the others are lonely now that I'm gone," Asta said, stretching his arms over his head.

"Not a chance," Yuno shot back without hesitation.

Rain smirked.

He wasn’t wrong.

Asta had been loud enough to fill the entire church.

Without him, it was probably the quietest it had been in years.

The closer they got to the entrance exam site, the more people crowded the streets. Rain kept her steps light, staying just behind Asta and Yuno as they moved through the bustling city. 

The air smelled of roasted meat, baked bread, and something unfamiliar—something earthy with a strange tang.

"So where do they hold the Entrance Exam, anyway?" Asta asked, practically bouncing on his heels.

"Probably over there," Yuno said, nodding ahead.

Before Rain could glance in that direction, Yuno stopped and turned towards his rival.

"What is that?"

She turned in time to see Asta holding up a skewer of something dark and glossy, the juices dripping onto his fingers.

"Grilled purple snake!" Asta declared proudly. "It was super cheap!"

Rain wrinkled her nose, the scent finally registering—charred and oily, with an odd metallic undertone. She wasn’t sure if it was the smell or the way the meat curled unnaturally on the skewer, but her stomach immediately rejected the idea.

"Anyone want some grilled purple snakes that I just happened to catch somewhere or other?" Asta waggled the skewer between them, a wide grin on his face.

Rain barely had time to shake her head before Yuno shot him down.

"No."

Asta pouted but didn’t let it deter him. "It's super nutritious and will give you lots of energy!"

"Not a chance." Yuno brushed past him, already heading toward the exam site. "Let's go. This way."

Rain followed, casting one last glance at the snake meat before catching up.

The streets narrowed slightly as they neared the towering structure where the exam would take place. The atmosphere was charged, filled with murmurs of anticipation. Vendors and passersby had gathered, their voices carrying over the crowd.

"Do your best on the exam!" someone called, waving encouragingly.

"You are the Clover Kingdom's hope!" another chimed in.

"The future of the kingdom is in your hands! Stay focused!"

Rain scoffed internally. She doubted these people really cared who passed. It was all grand words and expectations—ones that didn’t apply to someone like her. 

Still, Asta raised a fist in excitement.

"I'll do my best!" he yelled back.

Rain glanced at Yuno, who remained as unreadable as ever. But his shoulders were squared, his stride steady. She could tell he was taking this seriously, absorbing everything even if he didn’t show it.

The exam line moved quickly. Those ahead of them stepped forward one by one, stating their names and villages before being assigned a number. Rain took in the variety of participants—some nervous, some overconfident, most watching the others with thinly veiled competition.

She barely had time to process it all before the exam official’s voice rang out.

"You're #163. All right, next."

Yuno stepped forward. "I'm Yuno from Hage Village."

Rain kept her expression neutral, but she could already hear the change in the official’s tone as he repeated Yuno’s name.

"Yuno from Hage… Could I see your grimoire?"

Yuno wordlessly held it up, the deep green leather catching the light. Even from a distance, the unmistakable four-leaf clover shimmered in the center. A hush settled over the nearby participants.

"A f-four-leaf clover…"

The murmurs started immediately.

"So that's who everyone's talking about."

"Hey, that grimoire…"

"Is it really a four-leaf clover?!"

Rain exhaled slowly through her nose. It was expected, but the sudden shift in attention still made her tense. She cast a glance at Asta, but he was too busy grinning to notice the stares.

"You're #164. All right, next."

Asta practically lunged forward. "I'm Asta, also from 

Hage Village! Here's my grimoire!"

The official took one look at the worn, tattered book and wrinkled his nose. "This is pretty filthy. Are you sure this is a real grimoire?”

Rain pressed her lips together, holding back a snort.

Asta scowled. 

"Huh? Of course it is! Take a good look!" He held it up, flipping the pages with exaggerated motions. "See? See?"

"All right, all right…" The official waved him off, clearly uninterested. "You're #165."

Asta grinned, pumping his fist. "Got it!"

Rain let out a quiet breath, rolling her shoulders before stepping forward. It was her turn.

Rain pulled out her pre-written note just as the official glanced up, his quill scratching against parchment. He barely spared her a glance before speaking.

"Name and village?"

She held out the slip of paper with her name and home town.

The official waited a beat, then frowned. "Did you hear me? State your name and village."

Her brow furrowed, watching in disbelief as he ignored her only form of communication, his expression shifting from mild impatience to irritation.

"Is this some kind of joke?" His gaze flicked past her to Asta and Yuno. "Can she not speak?"

Asta immediately stepped forward, hands on his hips. "If you had read the note you wouldn't be asking that! Her name is Rain Aella, and she's from Hage Village, same as us!"

The official's frown deepened as he scanned his records. "And her grimoire?"

Silence. Rain kept her face unreadable, but she could feel her cheeks start to heat—others were starting to notice. The exam-takers nearby glanced her way, whispering among themselves.

The official sighed in exasperation. "No grimoire? Then what are you doing here? The entrance exam is for mages. If you don't have a grimoire, you can’t be considered a magic knight candidate."

"Hey! That’s not fair!" Asta barked, stepping closer. "Nowhere in the rules does it say you have to have a grimoire to take the exam!"

The official pinched the bridge of his nose. "It’s implied. This exam is for those who have received a grimoire and can demonstrate their magical abilities. If she doesn’t have one, what’s the point?"

"The point," Asta shot back, "is that she made it all the way here, just like the rest of us! She deserves a chance!"

The official let out a long, tired sigh. "Look, kid, I don't make the rules—"

"You enforce them, don’t you?"

Yuno's voice was calm, but the weight of his words cut through the rising tension. The official stiffened slightly, clearly recognizing him now.

"If you enforce the rules," Yuno continued, "then you should follow them precisely. Nowhere does it state that an examinee must have a grimoire to participate. It would be a mistake to deny her on an assumption."

The official opened his mouth, hesitated, then scowled. His fingers tightened around his quill.

Asta grinned triumphantly. "So? What’s it gonna be?"

The man let out an irritated huff before scribbling something down. "Fine. But don’t waste my time if she can't do anything." He glared at Rain. "You’re #166. Next!"

Rain took the slip without reaction, but beneath her calm exterior, something like relief curled in her chest. She turned, stepping back toward Asta and Yuno as the next examinee took their place.

"Well, that was annoying," Asta muttered.

Yuno glanced at Rain. "You okay?"

She nodded once.

"Good," Asta said with a grin. "Now let's go show 'em what Hage Village is made of!"

Rain followed them forward, her fingers tightening slightly around the numbered slip. She had made it past the first barrier—but she had a feeling this was only the beginning.

Chapter Text

The moment they stepped into the exam grounds, Rain felt something shift. A strange weight settled over the space, pressing against her skin like a heavy fog. Then, without warning—

Flap.

Something small and fast brushed against her arm. She barely had time to react before another dark shape darted past her face, and then another.

All around, tiny black birds were swarming through the air, circling the examinees like vultures.

"Hey, ow! What the heck are these birds?!" Asta yelped, swatting wildly as several latched onto his clothes and hair.

"The infamous anti-birds of the exam venue," someone muttered nearby.

"Really? These things?"

"The weaker your magical powers, the more these guys flock to you."

Rain stilled, watching as the birds spiraled through the air, weaving between the examinees. Asta was completely engulfed, cursing and flailing as they clung to him like he was the last tree in a storm.

As a small weight settled on her shoulder, she glanced down at herself—several birds had already settled on her shoulders, arms, even atop her head. Unlike Asta’s, though, hers didn’t peck or claw. They merely sat there, unbothered by the chaos, their small eyes watching the scene with detached curiosity.

She let out a slow breath.

The birds weren’t aggressive—just drawn to something she didn’t have.

Magic.

She glanced around. Most of the examinees had a bird or two pestering them, but some—

Her gaze landed on Yuno.

Not a single bird touched him. They gave him a wide berth, as if he were an island in the chaos. Around her, other examinees began to notice too.

"Hey, look at that guy."

"None of the birds are going to him."

"Hey! It's the guy from earlier."

"From earlier?"

"He's from some remote village called Hage, yet he's got a four-leaf grimoire!"

"What—? A four-leaf? Seriously?"

Murmurs of shock and curiosity spread through the crowd like ripples in water. Yuno didn’t react. His gaze was steady, focused on something far ahead.

Asta, still tangled in a mess of flapping wings, threw an arm around Yuno’s shoulders. "One of us is gonna become the Wizard King! Our legend’s beginning now, Yuno!"

But Yuno’s gaze was fixed elsewhere, brow slightly furrowed.

Before Rain could follow his line of sight, Asta's voice drifted to her ears as he finally shook off the last bird. 

“Oh! They finally flew off somewhere. Hey, sorry for bumping into you—”

"I'll kill you, brat."

The casual venom in those words made her breath hitch.

Asta, only slightly fazed, blinked up at the speaker—massive, thick-necked, with sharp, scrutinizing eyes. A man who radiated the kind of danger that made most people step back.

But Asta, as always, had a different reaction.

"Man, you look old! You must've had a hard life!"

Rain’s stomach dropped.

He did not just say that.

The air shifted before she could react. A massive hand shot out, grasping Asta by the head and lifting him clean off the ground.

"It appears you’re ready to die."

Asta struggled against the grip, hands clawing at the wrist that held him. Rain’s breath quickened, her heartbeat a frantic drum in her ears. 

The crowd murmured, some amused, others uneasy as she glanced toward where Yuno had last been—gone.

Her pulse spiked.

Great.

Breathing out sharply, she shoved forward, weaving between onlookers until she reached them. Without hesitation, she grabbed the man’s wrist.

The moment her fingers met his skin, her senses reeled.

His mana curled and shifted beneath her touch, thick as oil, slithering like something alive. It wasn’t overwhelming in sheer volume, but it was deep—vast—a weight that coiled around her, suffocating, waiting.

The man stilled.

His grip on Asta didn’t tighten, didn’t loosen, but his attention snapped toward her. Their eyes met. His gaze sharpened, assessing.

"And what the hell do you think you’re doing, pipsqueak?"

Rain forced herself to hold his stare, even as her instincts screamed at her to move. A slow smirk tugged at his lips. Then, before she could react, he let go of Asta—only to grab her instead.

The ground disappeared.

Her breath hitched as she was lifted, weightless, his grip firm but not crushing. Unlike Asta, she wasn’t struggling against unbearable pressure—just the sheer indignity of being held like a stray cat.

Asta groaned, still rubbing his head. Before he could fully process what had happened, magic pulsed through the air. A portal shimmered open above them, and a figure dropped onto a ledge—brown-haired, relaxed posture, entirely too at ease.

Beside him stood another man, quiet, features lost in shadows and muttered words.

"Oh, there he is!" the brown-haired one said cheerfully. "What are you doing down there?"

"I'm about to end this little twerp’s life."

Rain blue screened at the threat as the newcomer turned his attention to her. His gaze flicking over her for half a second before grinning.

"Hey, you’re cute."

…What?

The word made no sense.

Irrelevant.

The entire situation was incomprehensible, and she had bigger problems to deal with…

Such as not dying 

She blinked once, stored the statement away for later analysis, and moved on.

Asta, however, whipped around to stare at the guy like he’d had grown a second head.

The crowd muttered—

"Isn’t that Finral Roulacase? The spatial magic user?"

"And that’s Gordon Agrippa… The incantation magic expert."

Rain flicked a glance at the tall, silent man. He looked…well…monochrome.

She didn’t have time to analyze further because Finral was now trying to de-escalate the situation.

"Whoa, cut it out! A Magic Knights Squad Captain shouldn’t kill an exam candidate. Come on, Captain Yami!"

Yami. That name—

Rain’s thoughts halted.

Captain?

“Why are you even down there anyway?”

Yami exhaled a slow cloud of smoke, looking entirely unconcerned. "I went to take a dump and got lost."

She stared at him.

That was a joke, right? Right?

The next thing she knew, he was counting down.

"Ten… Nine… Eight…"

Rain tensed as Asta stuttered nervously

"Hey, what are you counting down for?!"

"The end of her life," Yami said simply, smoke curling from the cigarette between his lips.

Rain barely had time to process that before Asta lunged—only to be kicked across the exam grounds.

He slammed into the stone wall, dust curling from the impact.

The crowd erupted.

"Holy—"

"That really is the Black Bulls' captain!"

Rain barely heard them, still dangling in Yami’s grasp.

He wasn’t hurting her. But he was at letting her go either.

”Five… Four… Three… Two…”

Her breath came shallow. Her pulse hammered.

What was she supposed to do?

"One."

She tensed, closing her eyes.

"Come on, the exam is about to start!"

She cracked them open as the man holding her clicked his tongue before finally let go. 

Rain hit the ground with a stumble, hands bracing against the stone.

"Guess you get to live a little longer, brat," Yami muttered.

He exhaled another slow puff of smoke, gaze flickering toward her for a split second before he turned away.

"Better take good care of the life you just got back. Or I’ll kill you."

With that, he walked off, leaving Rain to process the fact that she had just been held hostage by a Magic Knight Captain.

Rain barely had time to gather herself before a familiar voice snapped her out of it.

"Rain! You okay?"

She turned just as Asta popped back up, grinning like he hadn’t just been kicked across the exam grounds.

There wasn’t a scratch on him—

Of course there wasn’t.

That was Asta for you.

Before she could nod, another voice cut in.

“Bah-ha! You okay?”

A boy strolled up to them, all easy confidence and a grin that felt just a little too self-assured.

Asta rubbed the back of his head. "Y-Yeah…"

“Must’ve been rough, having Captain Yami of the Black Bulls in your face like that.” The boy let out another laugh. “Oh, I'm Sekke. Sekke Bronzazza. Nice to meet you. Bah-ha!”

“I’m Asta! Nice to meet you!”

Rain gave Sekke a once-over. His posture screamed overconfidence, but something about his smile didn’t quite sit right.

Sizing them up? Maybe.

He wasn’t openly hostile, though, so she kept her reaction neutral.

Movement at the far end of the exam grounds caught her eye. A row of figures stood elevated above the crowd, each exuding a weighty presence that even she could feel.

Murmurs rippled through the examinees.

"That's the Captain of the Silver Eagles, Nozel Silva!"

Rain's gaze flicked to the silver-haired man, his uniform pristine, his posture straight as a blade. The way he held himself—unshakable, untouchable—felt familiar.

Noble.

Even if she hadn’t heard the whispers, she would’ve guessed.

Asta, however, focused on something entirely different.

"That's... one of the captains of the Magic Knight Squads. That’s some hairstyle! Isn’t it hard to see with that thing in his face?”

Rain huffed quietly.

Priorities, Asta.

The captains were introduced one by one, their reputations preceding them.

Fuegoleon Vermillion, Captain of the Crimson Lion Kings. His name alone suggested power, and the flame magic curling around his presence confirmed it.

Jack the Ripper, Captain of the Green Praying Mantises.

“What’s a praying mantis?” Asta muttered.

Sekke gave him a sidelong glance. “You know, a mantis. Like the bug. Apparently, his severing magic could split the earth in two!”

Asta’s eyes widened. “Whoa, that’s awesome! But I don’t wanna be a mantis. Bugs are super lame.”

Rain barely held back a smirk. 

The next introduction pulled her attention.

“Captain of the Blue Rose Knights, Charlotte Roselei.”

Asta let out a sigh. “She’s so beautiful.”

Rain agreed—there was something striking about her.

But before she could nod, Asta added, “Yeah, but Sister Lily’s prettier.”

Rain exhaled slowly.

Of course.

Gueldre Poizot of the Purple Orcas was next. Rain barely spared him a glance.

Something about him felt… off.

Then came Dorothy Unsworth of the Coral Peacocks. She appeared to be asleep.

“Is she walking in her sleep?!” Asta blurted.

“Apparently, all she does is sleep.”

“Then how’d she become a captain?”

Rain hummed, considering.

Good question.

Someone nearby answered first. “She probably has an amazing power you’d never expect her to possess.”

Rain made a mental note of that.

Then came Rill Boismortier, Captain of the Aqua Deer. Unlike the others, he looked young.

“Nineteen?!” Asta gawked. “He’s only four years older than me?”

That realization seemed to hit him all at once.

“The path to becoming the Wizard King might be shorter than I thought!”

Sekke laughed again. “Bah-ha! Wizard King, eh? That’s a pretty big dream.”

Asta wasn't fazed by the comment, grining confidently. 

“But for the next Wizard King…”

The air around them shifted. The murmurs grew heavier, laced with something close to reverence.

The final captain stepped forward.

“Well, that will probably be the captain of the most powerful Magic Knight Squad, the Golden Dawn—William Vangeance.”

Even from afar, Rain could feel his presence. Mana around him buzzed with life, though there was something in its shadow she faintly picked up on.

“The members of his squad have utmost faith in him. In the last battle, it was Captain William who took the enemy general’s head.”

Sekke hummed. “If only I could get into the Golden Dawn… The Silver Eagles would be great, too!”

Someone scoffed nearby. “You idiot. Only royal and noble elites make it into the Golden Dawn and Silver Eagles.”

Rain barely heard them. Her eyes lingered on the captains, watching the way they moved, how they held themselves. Strength radiated from them—unshakable, undeniable.

Her fingers curled slightly.

This was it. These were the people who would decide who became a magic knight, and who would leave in failure.

Chapter Text

Yami’s POV:

Yami sighed, shifting his weight as he leaned back in his chair. These damn tests were always a drag. He could already feel a headache forming from the self-righteous chatter of some of the others.

“Pain in the ass... Can’t we just get this over with?” he grumbled, arms crossed as he glanced around at the gathered captains.

Fuegoleon gave him that same stern look he always did. “This is an important exam that will decide the futures of these youths.”

Nozel barely spared him a glance, his usual aloofness in place. “We need you to take this a bit more seriously.”

Yami huffed, scratching the back of his head. “Yeah, yeah, Mr. Serious.”

He tuned out the rest of their back-and-forth, barely paying attention as they droned on about the potential recruits. His mind drifted back to earlier—to that girl.

Rain, that’s what the mana-less boy called her, didn’t he?

He wasn’t the type to overthink things, but something about her felt… off. Her ki had been strange, unreadable in a way that set his instincts on edge.

He could swear she had no mana at all. But then, when she grabbed him—just for a second—he felt something. A pull. Like she was unconsciously tugging at his own mana.

And when he looked down at her after that? There had been a flicker, just for a moment. Mana that wasn’t there before.

How strange.

Yami frowned, exhaling smoke from his nostrils.

He didn’t like things that didn’t add up. But whatever the hell was going on with her, he’d figure it out eventually.

For now, he just had to survive this without losing his damn mind.

Rain’s POV:

Rain stood still among the shifting crowd, her gaze locked onto the raised platform where the Magic Knight captains sat.

The anticipation in the air was suffocating, buzzing with raw energy from the hopeful mages surrounding her.

Beside her, Asta was practically vibrating, his eyes darting around, searching.

"Where’s the Wizard King?" he blurted out.

A scoff came from behind them.

"Bah-ha! The Wizard King wouldn’t bother coming down to the exam," a taller recruit said, smirking. "It’s a miracle in itself that all the captains have gathered in one place."

Rain barely acknowledged him, her focus shifting upward. The captains loomed over them, each exuding their own overwhelming presence.

Her gaze flickered to the man from before—Yami, the Black Bulls' captain. He was slouched in his seat, arms crossed, a cigarette hanging lazily from his lips. Yet, she could feel his sharp attention beneath the act of disinterest.

She pushed that thought aside as another figure stepped forward—the one at the center.

His posture was composed, his movements deliberate, commanding attention without effort.

William Vangeance, captain of the Golden Dawn.

"Candidates."

His voice was smooth, steady. Power rolled off him like a whisper through the wind.

"Sorry to keep you waiting. I will be conducting this exam…Magic tree, descend!"

The ground trembled slightly as massive roots spiraled down from the sky, weaving into an intricate structure.

Gasps rippled through the crowd, some in awe, others in envy. Rain stared, her fingers twitching at her sides. There was something ancient in the way his magic moved, something beyond just raw strength.

"That’s amazing," someone murmured.

Rain didn’t disagree. If the Wizard King stood above all others, then this was the man closest to reaching him.

"We will now begin the Magic Knights Entrance Exam."

A ripple of tension spread through the gathered recruits, the weight of what was to come settling over them.

"We will now have you all take several tests. The nine of us will evaluate your performance, and then we will select the candidates that we would like to add to our squads. If chosen, you will join that squad. If you're chosen by more than one squad, you may choose the squad you would like to join. On the other hand, those who are not chosen by any captain are not qualified to join the Magic Knights."

Rain didn’t react, but she could feel Asta’s determination burning beside her even before he spoke.

"I'm gonna get into the Magic Knights, no matter what!"

His voice rang out, cutting through the murmurs of the other candidates.

Rain glanced at him from the corner of her eye. No hesitation. No doubt. Just pure, unwavering belief.

She exhaled slowly, centering herself.

"For the first exam, we will have you get on those brooms and fly."

A flicker of unease passed through the crowd.

"But that’s…" someone muttered.

Asta’s excitement dimmed, his hands tightening into fists. Rain didn’t need to look at him to know why.

"I've never done that before," another recruit admitted.

Rain’s hands curled at her sides. She already knew how this would go.

"Mages who can control their magical powers should be able to do this instinctively. It is the most basic way for mages to travel."

The statement was clear. This wasn’t just a test; it was a threshold.

"If you cannot fly on a broom, you shouldn't even be here." The masked captain stated before raising his hand.

The signal was given.

"All right, begin."

The crowd moved at once, hands snatching up brooms, mana flaring to life.

Some recruits lifted off effortlessly, soaring into the air with ease. Others wobbled, barely hovering, struggling to stay afloat.

Rain didn’t move.

Beside her, Asta hesitated too, gripping his broom like he could will it to work. But she already knew. She didn’t need to see it to understand.

Neither of them would leave the ground.

Because neither of them had any mana.

Rain stood on the edge of the clearing, watching Asta's failed attempts to get off the ground. The contestants around them started murmuring, their voices laced with amusement.

"Talk about pathetic."

"Guess we're down one rival already."

"What is he even doing here?"

Her eyes flickered briefly to Asta, who was still gripping his broom desperately. He wasn’t giving up, but the growing frustration on his face was clear.

"Come on, this should be easy. Loosen up a little bit. Just like this," Sekke said, demonstrating as he floated up with ease.

But it was no use. Asta’s broom didn’t budge. He groaned in frustration. "I still can’t float..."

She took up her broom, the smooth wood in her hands. As soon as she gripped it, she felt something strange—a warmth that seemed to pulse through the broom. It almost felt like the broom itself was made from pure mana, radiating a soft, charged energy.

Taking a deep breath, Rain reached for something inside herself.

She just needed to connect, to find whatever was hiding just below the surface.

She focused, stretching her senses.

Then, like a jolt of electricity, the broom shot into the air. Rain gasped, her eyes wide with surprise, but she quickly steadied herself.

She gripped the broom tighter, forcing herself to focus as the ground fell away beneath her.

She glanced around, her heart pounding in her chest. The other candidates were still floating in the air, some looking uncertain.

"Rain?"

The voice was clear, cutting through the sky. Rain’s eyes snapped to the side, meeting Yuno’s surprised stare.

She blinked and then gave him a bashful wave, nearly losing her balance and grabbing onto the broom with both hands to steady herself.

Looking down, she saw Asta and the others gaping up at her.

"No way!"

"Didn’t she have no mana?!"

"What in the world?"

The warmth from the broom spread through her body, making her skin tingle as if she were absorbing sunlight itself.

Eventually, as if drawn by an unseen force, she and the others who had made it into the air drifted down, slowly descending toward the next stage of the exam.

Rain glanced around, trying to calm her racing heart. The moment she touched the ground, she breathed deeply, feeling the residual warmth from the broom fade from her skin.

The Magic ability exam was target focused, each candidate needing to strike it with their class of mana.

Asta let out a frustrated yell as he struggled.

"Bah-ha! It's okay. Just relax!" Sekke continued his cheer, but Rain could sense the mocking tone hiding beneath his words.

Rain ignored him, looking at Yuno. His focus was unwavering as he prepared for his turn. She saw him wipe out the target with a gust of wind magic, effortlessly.

Rain’s brow furrowed. 

How did she do that before?

Her hands shook slightly as she tried to recreate the feeling she had experienced with the broom. She remembered the warmth, the way the magic had surged through her. 

Had she unknowingly taken mana from Captain Yami earlier? Maybe that was why she could fly.

But did that mean she took some from Captain Vangeance too when she held onto the broom?

She closed her eyes and focused. She imagined the warmth gathering in her palms, trying to summon the energy she had felt earlier. 

Slowly, the heat built. She forced it forward, palm outstretched toward the target. The heat radiated along her skin, and just before it became too uncomfortable to hold, she released it.

The blast was immediate.

A shockwave of energy exploded outward, the force ruffling her clothes and sending a sharp crack through the air.

Rain blinked, her heart hammering. She opened her eyes, watching in awe as the target was shattered, pieces flying in all directions. The other candidates stood frozen, gaping at her.

The whispers began almost instantly.

"Was that light magic?"

"Whoa! So much power!"

"She didn’t even take out her grimoire! That’s insane!"

Rain stood there, her hands still tingling from the burst of energy, as she looked up toward the stands.

There…

She’d felt it. A surge of mana, powerful and distinct.

She turned her head, locking eyes with the masked captain. 

His expression was surprised, leaning foward slightly until he noticed her gaze and quickly shifted back to his calm, composed demeanor. 

Still, Rain could sense the undercurrent of something else beneath that confusion—

Worry?

For a moment, she considered what that meant before hands shaking her shoulders pierced through her thoughts.

"Holy shit, Rain!" Asta’s voice screeched, full of excitement. "When did you start being able to do that?" His eyes were wide with surprise, and she could see the spark of admiration in them.

Rain just shrugged, ducking her head as the next event was announced.

The remaining exams passed in a blur.

Yuno passed with ease, his wind magic cutting through each challenge with precision. 

Asta, as expected, stumbled through each one. 

But Rain, somehow, kept pushing through. Every event was a struggle, but each time, she found herself just barely scraping through. 

She wasn't sure how, but the mana from the captains seemed to give her the edge she needed.

Finally, the voice of Captain Vangeance rang out once more.

"All right. The next exam shall be the last one. You will engage in actual combat."

Rain stood at the edge of the battlefield, the murmurs of the other candidates buzzing around her.

"If we lose, it'll severely affect our evaluations."

"Picking the right opponent will be key."

Her fingers twitched at her sides.

She needed to get this right.

Every test so far had been a gamble, an experiment to see how much she could pull from the mana around her without knowing exactly how it worked.

She had gotten by—just barely—but this was different. This was combat.

"Fighting is our duty. Show us your true abilities!" William announced.

Rain’s chest tightened.

True abilities… She wasn’t even sure what hers were.

"As soon as one of you yields or becomes unable to fight, the exam will be over," the captain continued. "There will be mages who can use healing magic on standby. So fight to your heart's content!"

Asta let out a strangled noise. "C-Crap! All I've been doing so far is yelling!" 

He was already scrambling for a way to stand out. His only chance was to fight someone strong and prove himself through sheer determination.

Rain had been about to step forward, thinking she could at least give him a decent match, when another voice cut in.

"Bah-ha! Fight me, Asta."

Her gaze snapped to Sekke, his usual smug grin plastered across his face.

Asta blinked in surprise. "Sekke! You're willing to fight a loser like me?"

"But of course! Bah-ha! You're such a great guy!"

Rain narrowed her eyes. There was something off. Sekke’s words were too easy, too sweet. But beneath them, she could feel it—the subtle weight of bloodlust, the cruel edge hiding behind his grin.

She almost stepped in. Almost.

But she didn’t.

Because Asta needed this.

This was his moment to prove himself. And he would.

So she stayed back, her hands curled into fists as she watched.

"First combatants, come forward!"

"Yes, sir!"

"Bah-ha!"

Asta stood across from Sekke, still smiling despite the uncertainty. "Let's both give it our all and fight fair, so we can achieve our goals!"

Sekke’s grin sharpened as he dropped the act entirely. "You don't have to try so hard anymore."

Rain stiffened.

"You filthy little rat that wandered into the wrong place," Sekke sneered. "Thank you for making me look even better so far."

Asta’s expression faltered, caught off guard by the sudden shift.

"I'll get into the Magic Knights and do my best for the both of us, and have a great time. Got it, you miserable peasant?" Sekke continued, his voice dripping with condescension. "Hurry back to your village in the boonies and continue enjoying your crappy little life. Bah-ha!"

Rain’s jaw clenched, but she forced herself to stay still.

Asta didn’t need her stepping in. He needed to do this himself.

"Begin!"

Sekke moved first, slamming his grimoire open.

"Bronze Creation Magic: Sekke Magnum Cannonball!"

A large, bronze sphere formed around him, covered in thick plating. Rain could sense the magic reinforcing it, strengthening its defenses.

"How do you like my magic?" Sekke taunted. "It's bronzified and protects me as it shoots out magical bullets. It's offense and defense all in one!"

Rain exhaled through her nose, unimpressed.

"It'll block all of your lame attacks, which will show off my defensive powers, and then I'll finish you off once you've worn yourself out. There's no need to hold back. Come at me! Bah-ha!"

Asta stood still for a moment. Then, with a slow smile, he lifted his massive sword.

"Sure thing."

Sekke’s laughter faltered.

"Huh?"

Then Asta moved.

The sword swung in a wide arc, cutting through the air with effortless power. It met Sekke’s bronze armor and—

—sliced through it like paper.

Sekke barely had time to react before he was sent flying, his spell shattered in an instant. The crowd gasped.

Rain grinned.

"I'm not joining the Magic Knights so I can have a good time and avoid working hard," Asta declared, his voice steady. "I'm here to work my butt off and become the Wizard King!"

A surge of pride filled Rain’s chest as she watched the stunned silence settle over the field. He had done it. He had proved himself.

Now, it was Yuno’s turn.

Rain shifted her weight, arms crossed as she watched Yuno step forward. The murmur of the crowd buzzed in her ears, but she kept her attention on the unfolding match.

"Yuno, wasn't it?"

A noble boy stepped up, his posture relaxed, but there was an arrogance in the way he carried himself.

"You seem to be having a hard time finding an opponent. Why don't you pair up with me?"

Whispers broke out across the field.

"Isn't that... Salim?"

"From the famous Hapshass family?"

Rain’s grip tightened on her sleeves. She had no doubt Yuno would win, but nobles had a reputation of being strong.

Salim sneered. "You may have been chosen by the four-leaf, but you are no noble." His voice dripped with condescension. "I'll show you just how far below us nobles you are, both in status and power. Oh, and of course, in wealth, too."

Rain exhaled sharply through her nose.

Like wealth mattered on the battlefield.

The referee raised his hand.

"Begin!"

Salim smirked, flipping open his grimoire. "You should know that it's an honor just to be able to fight the great Salim de Hapshass."

Yuno didn't react.

"You can tell the tale for the rest of your life when you go back to your village," Salim continued, raising his hand. "I'll at least treat you to a noble's ultimate attack: The Holy Lightning Rising Salim!"

A crackle of magic filled the air, but before it could even form—

Yuno sighed.

His grimoire flipped open, and wind surged outward.

"Wind Magic: Towering Tornado."

The air howled. Dust and dirt kicked up in a blinding spiral, cutting off the battlefield from view. Rain felt the shift in mana—Yuno wasn’t even trying.

When the dust settled, Salim was crumpled on the ground, completely unconscious.

The crowd erupted in disbelief.

"Salim, a noble, was defeated in an instant!"

"Y-You can't be serious!"

Rain barely held back a laugh. She caught Yuno’s eye from across the field and gave him a grin.

He had made it.

Now, it was up to her.

Chapter Text

Contestant 166, make your way to the arena,” the referee announced.

Rain froze. Her heart skipped a beat as her eyes widened in panic.

Oh no.

She’d been so focused on the previous matches that she’d completely spaced on finding a partner.

Her gaze darted between the other candidates. A cold knot tightening in her chest as she realized—everyone was already paired up.

“Contestant 166, are you here?”

Gritting her teeth, Rain forced her feet to move, her body stiff as she climbed the stairs to the raised platform. Her fists clenched at her sides, head ducked to avoid the eyes of the entire stadium.

“Kid,” the referee said, eyeing her with a crease of confusion, “did you not get a partner?”

Rain hunched in on herself, nodding in a silent acknowledgment. The referee looked around, searching for any other available applicants.

“Well,” he muttered, rubbing the back of his neck, “looks like we might have miscounted. I guess if someone didn’t mind going twice…”

A sudden crash interrupted him, shaking the ground beneath their feet.

Dust exploded from the far end of the arena, a thick cloud swallowing the corner in a haze of grit.

The audience murmured, shifting in their seats.

Rain’s eyes narrowed, ignoring their whispers as she zeroed in on the disturbance.

Just as the smoke began to clear a hulking silhouette cut through the cloud scattering the particles. 

Red eyes gleamed from within the dust. A broad figure loomed, cigarette smoke curling in lazy tendrils. A katana rested against his shoulder as he stepped forward with a familiar, relaxed grin.  

Oh…why him. 

The referee stuttered as none other than Captain Yami of the Black Bulls stepped forward to stand across from them.

“The referee stumbled over his words. “S-sir? May I help you?”

Yami’s glare turned on him, the force of it enough to make the man squeak in fright.

“Huh?!” Yami flicked his cigarette away, the embers glowing briefly before he turned his attention to the flustered referee. “You got rocks in your head? Didn’t you say she needed a partner?”

Gasps rippled through the crowd.

“N-no way…”

“That’s a joke, right?”

“He can seriously be planning to fight that girl?! She’s what, ten years old?!”

Rain blanched at the last comment. 

She was a perfectly average-sized thirteen-year-old! 

The ref flailed. "C-Captain Yami, sir, surely that wouldn’t be a fair fight!" He looked desperately toward the other captains for support.  

Rain’s gaze followed.  

The reactions were… mixed.  

Several captains looked exasperated, some indifferent. The braid guy barely glanced their way, while the bug captain—why did he look excited?

Ignoring the others, Rain focused on the one who mattered most—William Vangeance.  

He leaned forward slightly, studying her with something akin to consideration.  

"Captain Yami," his voice rang out, measured and calm, "are you sure about this?"  

Yami scoffed, taking another slow drag of his cigarette.

“What, you think I don’t know how to hold back, Mr. Golden Boy?” Yami pointed the tip of his katana at him, his voice thick with annoyance. “I ain’t gonna kill the twirp. Just gonna find out her potential.”

Rain felt her stomach flip. Somehow, she wasn’t reassured.  

"‘Sides," he added, stretching his arms behind his head, "if she pushes past her limits, she won’t die… probably.”

Rain’s muscles went rigid.

Did he just say probably?!

Desperation made her glance at the lead captain, hoping for some intervention. But instead, she saw him sigh and raise his hand, his lips twitching upwards as if resigned.

“Alright then,” he said, waving to the referee, “continue as scheduled. Captain Yami will stand in as Contestant 166’s competitor.”

Rain’s jaw dropped, her stomach lurching in horror.

Well…crap. 

The referee hesitated for a moment before acknowledging the change, calling for both Rain and Captain Yami to move to opposite sides of the arena.

Rain's legs trembled beneath her as Yami casually rolled his shoulders, snuffing out his cigarette before lighting another one with the same indifferent air.

How does this man not have lung cancer?

Alright, stay calm.

She breathed deeply, trying to steady the thrum of panic in her chest. She was about to go head-to-head with a Magic Knight Captain. The odds were stacked against her. Her mana reserves were completely drained from the previous tests—so she was limited on options.

Her eyes darted across his form, scanning his laid-back stance. Every inch of his body was massive, solid muscle, and there was no obvious weakness she could exploit. His size alone was more than triple hers, and despite it, she had a nagging feeling that his speed would match his strength. 

His katana, as long as it was, doubled his reach. 

She would have to be quick if she planned on ducking past it. Her best shot was to survive long enough for him to run out of mana, or—if she could close the gap—try to get a hold on him and steal some mana.

But that was a big if.

Her thoughts were interrupted by Yami’s sharp grin.

“Alright, kid. Time to show me what you’re made of!”

A whistle blew and the world blurred as she lunged, dirt kicking up behind her. 

Yami’s blade shimmered with black wisps of shadow, a dangerous aura swirling around him.

“Pretty ballsy,” he chuckled, his voice loud and mocking. “That won’t be enough to beat me though.” 

Rain saw the moment his shoulder twitched.

She dove low, sliding under the swing of his katana and reaching for his exposed side. 

But Yami’s sharp eyes tracked her movement effortlessly. 

His massive form twisted on a dime, and before she knew it, her breath was knocked out of her, sending her flying back.

She hit the ground hard, tasting metal on her gums as her stomach burned from the force of the blow.

His speed was overwhelming. She couldn’t even track his movements before she was eating dust.

“You're a slippery one, I’ll give ya that,” Yami boomed, his voice carrying across the arena. “But I know what you’re trying to do…”

He took another drag of his cigarette, resting the tip of his katana on his shoulder.

“You won’t land a hand on me.”

Rain grit her bloodstained teeth, her fists tightening as she pushed herself back to her feet. The sting of the bruises sharp as she growled.

“Don’t fool yourself, kid. You won’t pass unless you start getting serious.”He declared pointing the tip of his katana at her, voice laced with taunting confidence. 

Dust coated her from head to toe.

“Now would be a good time to bring out your grimoire,” Yami teased, his eyes glinting with challenge. “It’s time you show me your true potential.”

Rain’s jaw clenched. 

He hadn’t figured it out. 

Or maybe he just thought she was slacking off.

She inhaled deeply, clenching her fists.  

He didn’t get it.  

He thought she was holding back.  

Fine… whatever.

She wasn’t about to waste time trying to make him understand.

Without warning, she shot forward again, her body low and ready. This time, Yami’s eyes narrowed, tracking her movements.

As she closed the distance, she feigned another duck, but instead, she spun on her toes, slipping under his legs before popping up in his blind spot.

Her hand stretched forward—fingers just barely brushing the fabric of his cloak—

Shadows exploded from it.

Rain gasped as the force pushed her back, sending her crashing to the ground. Her breath left her, and her body skidded roughly across the stone.

Pain flared through her ribs, head colliding against the stone with a crack.

Nausea flooded her senses as she dug her fingers into the ground, pushing herself up before stumbling.

Her heart pounded, adrenaline thrumming through her veins.

“Hey now! That was a close one!” Yami’s voice boomed, his cheerful laugh ringing in the air as he stood tall, cigarette now lying discarded at his feet.

She’d made him drop it.

At least that was something.

“Can’t say I’ve ever been forced to rely on my mana in a hand-to-hand combat before,” he said, a fire dancing in his eyes. “Well done, kid. Now let’s see how far you can push past those limits.”

Shadows began pooling around the tip of his katana, the spike in mana making the air grow cold, heavy with his power.

Rain’s breath came in ragged gasps, her head throbbing as nausea churned in her stomach. The clarity of her vision wavered, fuzzy specks swirling in the corners of her eyes as the pain from her body radiated through her limbs. 

She could barely stay upright.

Come on.

Get up!

It’s not over yet!!!

The sheer weight of his power blanketed the arena as her limbs trembled.  

She couldn’t clear her vision.

The world tilted as her legs buckled, knees colliding harshly against the ground.

Blood roared in her ears as her vision darkened, and she felt herself float.

Asta…Yuno…sorry…

For failing to stay by your side.

…

…

…

As Rain came to, muffled sobs reached her ears, distant yet clear. Her mind raced, trying to process what was happening, the darkness fading into a confusing mess of sensations.

What happened? 

Who was crying, and why?

A voice interrupted her spiraling thoughts. “Now, now. Enough of the waterworks, you have a job to do.” The tone was drawn out and unimpressed.

The sobs didn’t stop. They seemed to grow more desperate, their tremors audible in the silence. 

“P-please…” The voice cracked, soft and pitiful, as if the speaker knew that even the smallest sound could make the situation worse.

Another sigh. It was long and heavy, a sign of irritation more than sympathy. 

The sobbing briefly went quiet, only to be replaced by a breathless wheeze that sent a chill racing through Rain’s body.

Pressure began to coil around her neck, sharp and suffocating. Her heart raced in panic, a flutter of dread sweeping through her limbs.

What the hell was happening? 

Why does it feel like she just made a huge mistake?

A man’s voice hummed in her ear, barely a whisper but loud enough to send shivers down her spine.

“Disappointing.” The word felt like a curse, his disdain cutting through her dread.

Rain’s muscles locked up, her entire body stiffening as pure terror flooded her nerves, turning her blood to ice.

“It seems like you still don’t understand your place...” His voice darkened, and the pressure around her throat tightened, choking off her breath.

The words were a warning, but they were too late. 

The sensation of oxygen slipping away was overwhelming. 

Her fingers clawed desperately at the invisible grip around her neck, but there was no escape.

“Let’s fix that, shall we?”

Her vision blurred, and a piercing pain began to pulse through her head. The pressure didn’t ease, her body growing weaker as the lack of oxygen stole her strength. 

She felt lightheaded, her pulse ringing in her ears.

She must have blacked out for a moment, because the sting against her cheek shocked her back into reality.

“There,” the voice crooned with sickening sweetness, “that should help you adjust to your new role.”

Rain tried to speak, to form words, but only rasping coughs escaped her scorched throat, the effort enough to bring tears to her eyes.

“Power is what drives this world,” the voice continued, cruel fingers tracing her cheek with soft, deliberate strokes. “Without it… your existence is meaningless.”

A sharp pain burned across her scalp as a hand fisted in her hair, forcing her to look up.

Rain’s breath hitched, her body tensing, as the voice turned cold. 

“Now,” he said, his words an indisputable command, “prove to me you understand your purpose.”

Before she could respond, a massive surge of power barreled toward her. Her instincts kicked in, and she raised her palms just as it collided with her.

…

…

…

Rain’s eyes snapped open with a gasp, the sudden brightness making her head throb painfully. 

She winced, her body still in a daze, her arms instinctively extended.

Glancing up from her knees she watched shadows race towards her, ready to send her flying.

She stood firm as the shadows brushed against her palms, sending a cold shiver up her spine before they simply—bent.

Dispersing with a blast of wind, the tendrils whipped around her form, swirling violently before sinking into her skin.

Confusion erupted from the audience, shouts and exclamations ringing out before the arena fell into silence.

Slowly, Rain pushed herself up, her limbs no longer shaking. 

A strange, unfamiliar power surged through her, grounding her, and making her feel strong in ways she couldn’t explain. 

She lifted her gaze, her eyes locking with the man across from her.

Yami’s expression was a mix of astonishment and raw excitement, his grin almost feral as he bared his teeth.

 “Hahaha!” He threw his head back, the sound of his laughter booming in the arena. “Now that’s what I was looking for!”

He lifted his blade, and Rain wasted no time, charging toward him once again.

This time, as she reached him, she pivoted, forcing the mana coursing through her into her legs. 

Shadows exploded from her limbs, propelling her forward as she connected with his side.

The impact was like hitting a brick wall.

Her body screamed in protest, but she refused to stop. 

Not yet!!

You're not done yet!

She pushed every last ounce of mana she had left into the movement.

Her eyes widened as Yami’s solid form began to slip, his grin widening as if he had expected this. But just as she felt like she had him, the world spun. 

Her body hit the ground with a thud, the air knocked from her lungs.

Her face pressed against the cold stone, something heavy pinning her down—too heavy for her to move. 

She struggled, but the weight pressed harder, forcing the breath from her chest.

An amused chuckle drifted from above her, the faint smell of tobacco reaching her nose.

“Alrighty, squirt. That’s enough now.” Yami’s voice was light, almost casual, as he commanded the end of their fight.

She panted in the dirt, her body aching, every muscle screaming for relief.

“You did good, but you still have a lot to learn.”

The pressure on her back finally lifted, and she rolled, now facing the sky. 

She took in a shaky breath, trying to calm her racing heart, the adrenaline still pumping through her veins.

With a groan, she pushed herself up, her fists pressing against the stone as she stood, unsteady and worn.

“Contestant 166 has passed!” The voice of the referee rang out, and a wave of relief flooded her veins. But her body felt like lead, every part of her aching from the intense fight.

She stumbled off the platform, only just catching sight of a black robe exiting the arena.

She’d passed. 

But what the hell was that memory?

Chapter Text

Rain’s heart pounded as Captain Vangeance’s booming voice filled the arena.

“This concludes the exam. Now… Candidates whose numbers are called, please step forward.”

A hush fell over the crowd, every hopeful candidate holding their breath. Rain watched, her stomach twisting as the instructions continued.

“The squad captains will raise their hands if they would like you to join their squads. The candidates will decide if they would like to accept or decline, and if you are chosen by more than one captain, you may choose which squad you’d like to join. But if no one raises their hands, that candidate will not join the Magic Knights. And you will leave immediately.”

Every word hammered home the stakes, and Rain could feel the nervous shifting of bodies around her. 

One by one, names were called—

Candidate #1, then #32, #40, #45, #67—with little more than muted murmurs when no offers were made. 

Rain’s gaze slid over the list as whispers broke out. 

“Wow, someone finally raised their hand,” someone marveled.

 “Awesome.” 

Then came more numbers: 

71 went to the Purple Orcas; 

“Number 78—”

“I shall welcome him,” the Crimson Lion Kings declared, snagging that contestant. 

“Number 99, the Coral Peacocks.” 

“Number 116… no offers.” 

“Damn it!” 

“Number 141… no offers.”

“Next, #164.”

A familiar, calm voice answered.

“Yes, sir!” 

Rain’s heart swelled as she recognized Yuno. He stood tall, composed—so much more than his quiet demeanor let on. Though his clenched fists betrayed a hint of nerves.

“All who wish to offer, please raise your hand,” the referee announced.

Rain watched in awe as hand after hand—one, then another—rose from the captains. In a moment, every single captain had raised theirs. 

The arena erupted in exclamations.

“What?”

“Seriously?”

“All of the captains… raised their hands?!”

“That’s amazing.”

“I thought only royalty and nobles could join the Golden Dawn.”

 “Even the Silver Eagles? Seriously?”

 “But he’s a kid from the boonies!”

Rain couldn’t help but grin.

“Nothing less from my rival!” 

Rain smiled softly as she listened to Asta’s hushed remark. 

Then Yuno spoke, his voice calm yet resolute.

“I’ll take the best path to becoming the Wizard King. Please allow me to join the Golden Dawn.”

Then came the call for next contestant.

“Number 165…”

Her eyes darted over to Asta. He was psyching himself up, his nervous energy palpable.

“No offers,” the referee announced after a tense pause.

Asta froze, his smile vanishing as disbelief and shock flickered across his face. 

Rain gritted her teeth. 

He had worked harder than anyone to be here, it couldn’t all end like this. 

Mocking comments flew from the sidelines, each one stoking the fire in her chest.

“Go on, scram! You’re holding up the line!” they jeered.

Asta’s voice broke out in protest, “Not yet… I’m not done yet!”

“You're a disgrace!” another voice spat.

Rain’s heart ached as she watched him fumble, his hand clenching at his side.

“Well, that’s no surprise,” a deep voice rang out.

Rain’s eyes narrowed as the imposing figure of the Black Bulls captain stepped forward, his tone laced with bitter amusement.

Yami sighed, taking another drag of his cigarette. His gaze swept over the crowd before locking onto Asta. 

“No matter how high your combat skills are, if the source of your power is unknown, no one wants anything to do with it.”

He paused, his eyes flickering in Rain’s direction for just a moment before focusing back on the struggling boy. “In the end, the only thing desired from a Magic Knight is their magical powers.”

Immediately, a heavy pressure seemed to descend upon the arena, as if the very air had grown dense. 

Murmurs turned into shocked exclamations.

This is… the magical power of a Magic Knights Squad captain? 

“And since you have no magical powers, no one wants you. That’s the cruel reality.”

Asta’s hands trembled visibly as he met Yami’s unyielding glare. Rain could see the fight in him—his determination battling his despair.

“You said earlier that you wanted to become the Wizard King, didn’t you?” Yami scoffed, stepping directly in front of Asta. 

“Which means you’re going to surpass the nine captains here, right? Now that I’m standing before you, do you still have the nerve to say that you’re going to be the Wizard King, even without any magical powers?”

Asta’s voice wavered, but he met Yami’s gaze with fierce determination. “E-Even if I can’t join the Magic Knights today… No matter how many times I fall, no matter what anyone says to me, I’m still going to become the Wizard King someday!”

The entire stadium fell into a heavy silence as his declaration hung in the air, every candidate holding their breath. 

Then, as if the tension could no longer be contained, a loud, bellowing laugh broke out from none other than the Black Bulls captain himself.

“You're funny, kid. Join my squad.”

Rain’s breath caught in her throat as Asta’s eyes widened in shock at the sudden shift.

“I’m telling you that I’ll let you join the Black Bulls,” Yami continued, his grin softening into something serious, almost predatory. “By the way, declining isn’t an option. I’ll make life so miserable for you in the Black Bulls that you’ll be torn to shreds—so be ready for that.”

A stunned murmur rippled through the crowd. 

“What?!” Asta echoed in disbelief.

“And then, someday, become the Wizard King.”

At those words, Asta’s expression transformed; the spark in his eyes reignited as he straightened up and grinned widely. 

“Yes, sir!” he declared with renewed conviction.

Rain sighed with a mixture of relief and pride. 

In that moment, watching her friends—the family she’d chosen—secure their places among the strongest mages, she felt a fierce warmth fill her chest. 

The referee cleared his throat awkwardly.
“Alright then, n-next is number 166!”

Rain’s heart jumped as she inhaled shakily, her feet carrying her toward the platform where Asta and Yuno had already stood. 

Every eye in the arena—especially those of the Magic Knight captains—seemed to bore into her. 

She couldn’t deny the nervous tremor in her limbs.

She had fared decently in the tests, but the pattern was unmistakable: the choices favored the ordinary, the traditional. 

Being different, being someone who didn’t fit the mold, wouldn't help her odds.

Steeling herself, she lifted her chin and squared her shoulders as the referee called for a show of hands. 

Holding her breath, she waited. 

For three long, excruciating seconds, no one moved.

Please…please let me stand by their side.

Then, as if on cue, a hand rose—the Crimson Lions had spoken. 

Soon, the bug-captain’s hand joined in, followed by one raised hand after another. 

Whispers of disbelief and admiration rippled through the crowd. 

By the time Rain could process what was happening, seven of the nine captains had raised their hands—only the Purple Orcas and the Silver Eagles remaining silent.

Rain blinked in disbelief, her eyes flitting from one captain to the next. 

She’d never imagined she’d be forced to choose like this. In truth, she’d expected to be lucky to receive a single offer—and then accept it without question.

Now, her gaze was drawn to two figures in particular: Yami of the Black Bulls and Captain Vangence of the Golden Dawn.

Which of her brothers should she choose to fight alongside?

Yuno, or Asta? 

Which path would serve her best?

Locking eyes with the masked captain, she felt an uneasy shiver. 

There was something strange about his participation—why would he, of all people, want someone like her? 

The question echoed in her mind as the referee’s voice broke through her swirling thoughts.

“Contestant 166, have you made your choice?” he prompted, voice laced with slight impatience.

Rain shook her head, trying to clear the fog of anxiety. 

Then, trusting the instincts she didn’t fully understand, she nodded. 

Slowly, almost imperceptibly, she lifted her arm and pointed upward—directing her choice toward the captain who had both threatened and spared her in one day.

Yami’s grin was almost feral with self-satisfaction.

“Contestant 166 has joined the Black Bulls.”

A heavy sigh escaped Rain as she stepped off the platform, relieved to be out of the spotlight. 

The arena’s energy buzzed around her, but all she could feel was the quiet beating of her heart and a cautious hope for the future.

“And with that, concludes the Magic Knight exam of the year!”

For better or worse, she was in. And now, the real journey would begin.

Williams POV:

William felt Patolli’s irritation ripple through his mind as the girl stepped off the platform to join the anti-magic boy headed for the Black Bulls. 

In the quiet space of his thoughts, the Elf’s voice resonated with a measured disdain

“How unfortunate. I was hoping to have her by our side when the time came. I’m sure she would have been useful to our plans.”

A slow, almost reluctant hum of agreement escaped William’s lips. 

He’d never doubted the side he’d chosen, yet something about taking advantage of children made him hesitate—a flicker of uncertainty he’d quickly smothered beneath his disciplined exterior.

Before he could settle into his contemplations, a firm hand clapped against his shoulder, jostling him from his private world. 

He glanced up into the mischievous eyes of his co-captain.

“Hey! No hard feelings, right, golden boy?” Yami’s smirk was familiar, edged with mocking warmth as he teased. 

William’s lips turned up in a brief, wry smile.

“None whatsoever, Captain Yami,” he replied evenly, rising to meet Yami’s gaze head-on. “After all, an ability as unique as hers—I’m excited to see how she grows under your squad’s… unique tutelage.”

A low scoff from Yami, laced with mirth, drifted into William’s consciousness. 

The exchange felt like an old ritual—bitter banter dressed in camaraderie. 

“Yeah, yeah,” Yami continued as he took a languid drag of his cigarette. “Well, you didn’t do so bad yourself snagging that wind boy. He’s got some power in him, that’s for sure!”

William chuckled quietly in agreement, the sound mingling with the ambient murmur of the arena. 

He briefly recalled how close his own selection had been to the girl and the young Ani-magic user. 

Perhaps, they hadn’t lost all their leverage after all.

With a backward wave, William watched Yami stride off to meet up with his squad, the echo of his laughter fading into the din of the departing crowd. 

In the shared silence of his thoughts, Patolli’s voice hummed softly—a constant presence in their collective consciousness.

“I wonder where that girl is from, anyway.”

The question lingered in William’s mind as he began walking back toward his own squad.

Chapter Text

“You've got some nerve making me wait.” Yami growled, arms crossed. “How long does it take you to take a dump?”

Asta, as always, answered without hesitation. “Actually, it was really something! It was long and hu—”

Rain grimaced.

Why? Why did he always do this?

Yami’s face darkened, his temple twitching.

“That’s not what I meant! Who the hell asked you to start talking about your turds, you moron?!”

Asta flinched under the scolding. “Sorry…”

Yami exhaled sharply, clearly deciding to move on rather than waste more energy. “Let’s go, Finral.”

“Right-o.” The brunet affirmed, flipping open his grimoire.

“What’s that?” Asta peered curiously at the glowing portal forming behind him.

Yami sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. “Since you can’t fly, you’re gonna have to learn some transport magic, too.”

Rain raised an eyebrow, waiting for Yami to connect the dots.

A beat passed.

“Oh, wait. You don’t have any magical powers!”

Yami groaned, flicking his cigarette butt carelessly. A few embers landed on Asta’s shoulder.

“Ow! What the heck?!” Asta yelped, patting out the glowing ash.

“Er, sorry to bug you, Yami,” Finral cut in, his voice tight, “but it’s a bit hard to keep a gate this size open, so could you, uh… move it along?”

Yami turned his glare on him. “Who do you think you’re ordering around?”

Finral paled. “N-No one?”

“Tough it out and surpass your limits.”

Rain blinked.

What?!

Before she could fully process that, Yami grabbed Asta by the back of his shirt and launched him straight through the portal.

“Off you go.”

Asta barely had time to shout before vanishing into the swirling magic.

Rain sighed. She was too tired for this. She didn’t even attempt to resist as Yami picked her up, tucking her under his arm like a sack of potatoes, and stepped through the portal himself.

She was so tired…

“Ow…” Asta groaned somewhere nearby.

Through the haze of exhaustion, Rain cracked one eye open.

A massive, run-down building loomed ahead.

“This is the Black Bulls’ base?” Asta sounded equal parts disbelieving and unimpressed.

Yami snorted. “Well? Pretty magnificent, isn’t it?”

Asta blinked dumbly. “It’s actually kinda… run-down.”

Yami chuckled. “Welcome to the Black Bulls.”

Rain barely registered the sound of a door crashing open before a loud, boisterous voice rang out—one that immediately made her headache worse.

“I’m Asta from Hage Village! I’ll be joining the Black Bulls to—”

He cut off abruptly.

Curious, Rain lifted her head slightly to see what had stunned him.

Oh.

Oh, dear.

Yami smirked, clearly enjoying the moment. “Welcome to the absolute worst Magic Knights Squad, the Black Bulls.”

Despite his words, there was something almost proud in his tone.

The moment they stepped inside, chaos swallowed them whole.

Shouting, laughter, and the sound of objects crashing filled the air. Asta barely had time to take in the scene before he was assaulted by snippets of overlapping conversations:

"That’s some mouth you’ve got!"

"I’m not done yet!"

"Now I’m pissed! You’d better be prepared!"

"I’m not… but let’s do this!"

"Die!"

"Whee!"

"What’s all the ruckus?"

"Ugh, I drank way too much. My head hurts."

"You’re as adorable as an angel again today, my little sister Marie."

"Keep it down, you morons!"

"They’re at it again."

"Hey, that’s dangerous!"

Rain, still held under Yami’s arm, smirked deliriously. Asta, meanwhile, swallowed nervously, shoulders tensing as he stepped forward to try again.

“I’m Asta from Hage Village! It’s a pleasure to meet all of you! I’m gonna be the Wizard King!”

No one listened.

Instead, the chaos bulldozed right over his introduction.

"That pudding you were saving sure was delicious."

"That’s going to be your last supper!"

"That’s enough, you two!"

"What if this ruckus you curs are causing wakes up my little sister, you dumbasses?"

"Oh, shut up, sister-lover!"

"I remember up to when I started a drinking contest with some old guy."

"Thanks!"

Asta twitched.

Rain, however, glanced around, trying to match the voices to the faces around them.

"This is for my pudding!" A short, round girl stood on a table, face covered in food as she cursed out another member.

"Would you guys shut up? You’re not helping my headache!" An older woman with a pointy hat looked absolutely wasted as she lounged on a battered couch.

"Shut up, you booze-swilling hussy!" A guy with spiky hair and sunglasses shot back.

*"What’d you call me?!" The witch sat up sharply. "You virgin delinquent!"

"Wh-Wh-Wh-Who’re you calling a virgin delinquent?!" Spiky-hair stammered, face turning bright red as his hand ignited with fire.

"Uh-oh! If you look away, I’m going to kill you." A blond kid launched himself at him, lightning arcing dangerously as his target dodged.

"Just try and kill me!"

"I told you guys to shut up!" The witch groaned.

"In the name of my angelic sister, Marie, I will kill you all!" A lanky guy declared, nose bleeding concerningly—though no one else seemed worried.

Then, above it all, came a dangerously calm voice.

“All of you… stop breaking everything!!!”

Rain barely had time to register the shift before Yami slammed his fist against the wall beside them. The impact sent dust and debris flying.

He just destroyed the wall!

She would’ve laughed if she wasn’t so shocked.

The room went silent instantly.

And then—

“Captain!”

The entire squad rushed toward them, their energy completely shifted from chaotic brawling to pure enthusiasm.

"Thanks for all your hard work, Mister Yami!"

"Captain, this is really good! I’ll give you half!"

"Do you have a moment, Captain?"

"Welcome back, Captain! Come on, have a seat and drink with me!"

"Mister Yami, did anyone get too uppity with you? If they did, I’ll kill them!"

"Captain! Spar with me today! Come on! With everything you’ve got!"

"C’mon, just ignore these brats and drink with me."

"Hey, hey, eat this. Isn’t it delicious?"

"I’m sorry. I’ve reached my limit. Can I go see my sister now?"

Yami chuckled, shaking his head at their antics. “I see, I see. So you guys love me that much, huh?”

A chill ran down Rain’s spine.

“But you need to shut up.”

In an instant, the squad knelt in front of him, hands in their laps like obedient children.

"Sorry." They chorused.

Yami sighed, glancing over his squad. “I brought new mem—” He cut himself off, frowning. “Where’d he go?”

A wheezing voice from the side answered.

“Over here. Save me.”

Yami groaned as he spotted Asta, who was currently pinned beneath a much larger squad member.

“Why are you fooling around over there?”

“I-I’m not,” Asta gasped as the man sheepishly moved off of him.

Yami rolled his eyes. “This little shrimp is one of our new members.”

Immediately, whispers broke out.

"New members?"

"What was your name again?"

Asta grinned, undeterred. “I’m Asta from Hage Village! It’s nice to meet all of you!”

"Hage? Seriously?"

"Talk about out in the sticks."

Yami turned to Finral. “Hey, introduce him to the others.”

Finral sighed, sounding exhausted. “Oh, right. Well, you’ve already met him, but…” He gestured toward a pale man standing off to the side. “This is Gordon Agrippa.”

Asta leaned in. “Huh?”

“Nice to meet you,” Gordon mumbled.

Asta blinked. “What?”

Finral coughed awkwardly. “Yeah, no one ever hears him.”

“And over here,” Finral pointed to the drunk witch, “is Vanessa Enoteca. She'll get in your face when she's drunk, but she's a good person.”

Vanessa flushed, standing up and getting right in Finral’s face, “I won’t get in anyone's face.”

Before she could argue further, she suddenly slung an arm around Asta’s shoulders, grinning. “Hage... Isn’t that a small village out in the boonies?”

“Yes!” Asta answered eagerly, eyes wide with excitement.

Vanessa leaned in closer, her breath warm against his cheek. “To come from the boonies and join the Magic Knights… You must’ve worked really hard, little boy. How about I reward you with a special treat?”

Asta’s face turned beet red, and he began waving his hands in front of him like he could push her away, “I-I wish I could accept that! But I already have a goddess named Sister Lily in my heart!”

Finral cleared his throat, awkwardly shifting, “Let’s continue with the introductions.”

“I’m next!” The electric boy hopped on his toes, practically bouncing with energy.

“This is Luck Voltia,” Finral sighed, clearly worn out by his antics, “He loves to fight and is obsessed with battle, but he’s a good guy.”

“Nice to meet ya!” Luck grinned, grabbing Asta’s hands with an eager gleam in his eyes. “Do you like to fight?”

“S-Sure…” Asta stuttered, clearly wary.

“I love to fight!” Luck cheered. Asta’s gaze flicked to Rain, silently pleading for help.

Rain could only shrug from where she hung.

She wasn’t about to get involved in that.

Asta’s panic grew as Luck’s grin widened, “Wanna fight? Wanna fight?”

“Huh? What?” Asta shouted, surprised and anxious. 

“look!” Another man had sidled up to Asta, holding something in his hands. Asta’s eyes widened.

“This is my little sister, Marie,” the man said with a dreamy sigh, stars practically shining in his eyes. “She’s an angel.” His expression darkened, and his tone grew icy, “Listen well. If you lay a finger on Marie, I’ll kill you.”

Asta’s eyes widened, quickly glancing at Finral, hoping for an explanation.

“This is Gauche Adlai,” Finral said, exasperated, “He’s a bit too obsessed with his little sister, but he’s a good guy.”

Asta nodded dumbly, trying to process the strange atmosphere around him. He quickly followed Finral, hoping the introductions would end soon.

“This is Charmy Pappitson,” Finral continued, pointing to the small girl who was already stuffing her face with something covered in frosting, “She eats way too much, but she’s a good person.”

“Nice to meet you!” Charmy mumbled with her mouth full, clearly uninterested in much beyond her food.

“This is Grey,” Finral said, pointing to the large man who had unintentionally sat on Asta earlier, “I don’t really get him, but he’s a good guy.”

“H-Hi…” Asta managed, but he was met with an incomprehensible sigh from Grey.

“And then there’s Magna Swing,” Finral finished the introductions with a grin, “He’s a delinquent, but he’s a good guy.” He pointed to himself. “And I’m Finral Roulacase. I’m super popular.”

“And last but not least,” Finral said, turning with a flourish, “the captain of the Black Bulls—Yami Sukehiro!”

Asta gulped nervously, but then tried his best to smile. “Th-Thank you for having me!” He rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly as he shouted out the greeting

“Hey kid, the height and the volume of your voice are all out of proportion,” came Yami’s gruff voice from behind him. 

Asta froze, startled.

“Yes, sir!” Asta shouted back, oblivious to the underlying insult.

“Shut up,” Yami growled, his gaze cold.

“Sorry, sir,” Asta mumbled in a small voice, all confidence now gone.

“Anyway,” Yami muttered, turning back to the group, “Put him to work, but don’t kill him.”

Magna laughed, a bit too loudly. “Did you hear that? Mister Yami said to put you to work. I’ll gladly put you to work.”

Asta looked at the guy, confusion written all over his face.

“A weak-looking shrimp like you from Hage, huh?” Magna scoffed, clearly sizing him up. “I barely sense any mana from you. And you’re a new member of the Black Bulls?”

Asta nodded, a bit confused but still determined. 

“I don’t know what a hick like you with no magical powers did to get on Mister Yami’s good side,” Magna continued, pulling out a piece of black fabric, “but…” He raised an eyebrow, “You want one of these Black Bulls robes?”

“A Magic Knight robe? S-So cool!” Asta’s eyes widened, his excitement spilling out uncontrollably.

“Isn’t it?” Magna affirmed with a grin. “You want one?”

“I do!” Asta practically shouted, starry-eyed.

Magna chuckled, clearly enjoying this. “Oh, yeah? You want it that badly, huh? In that case…” He paused for dramatic effect. “You’re going to have to convince me, Mister Yami’s #1 man.”

Asta blinked, confusion clouding his face.

“Time for your initiation into the Black Bulls,” Magna said with a smirk.

“Huh?”

“Hey, hick from Hage!” Magna shouted, breaking the moment. “If you want one of these robes, you’re gonna have to pass the trial I’m about to give you!”

Asta’s eyes lit up, and without a second of hesitation, he shot back, “Got it!” He pumped his fist, completely missing the exchange around him.

“Ugh, he’s making up initiation rituals again.” The drunk witch moaned, slumping against the wall.

“I wanna do it, too!” Luck shouted, practically bouncing on his toes.

“You can do it! You can do it! You can do it!” Charmy cheered, her hands raised in a show of support.

“My angel…” Gauche muttered, his gaze hazed at the mention of his sister.

Magna ignored the side chatter, his voice cutting through the air. 

“Let’s start this thing!” He pointed dramatically at Asta, “First, show me just how much guts and stamina you’ve got! Five thousand sit-ups!”

“Got it!” Asta shouted back, diving into action without missing a beat.

“Five thousand push-ups!” Magna’s challenge echoed through the room.

“Ow!” Asta groaned, He rolled across the ground, gritting his teeth, “Not yet! I’m not finished!”

“You can do it! You can do it! You can do it!” Charmy’s voice rang out, louder than the others, as she cheered from the sidelines.

“My angel…” Gauche repeated, voice creepily soft.

“That kid’s not bad, though this is pointless.” Vanessa sighed, arms crossed as she leaned back.

“Not that it matters since magic is everything in this world, but he’s got a crazy amount of energy.” Finral agreed, giving a begrudging nod.

“How’s that?!” Asta shouted, sweat dripping down his face, but there was a glint of triumph in his eyes.

“I guess you’ve got some guts.” Magna conceded, giving him a reluctant nod.

Asta jumped up with excitement, his voice bubbling over. “Did I convince you? Can I have my robe now?”

“Not yet!” Magna denied with a sly grin, shaking his head. “You’re a hick from the boonies! It’s not gonna be that easy!”

“There’s one more test.” Magna’s eyes gleamed with anticipation. “The final trial.”

Asta blinked, confused but eager. 

“The final…?”

“You can use magic or whatever else you want... to either block or dodge my attack magic!” Magna cracked his knuckles, rolling up his sleeves as he pulled out his grimoire. “If you can handle this, you’re officially one of us Black Bulls.”

“G-Got it! I’ll do my best!” Asta shouted, his determination unshaken.

“Hold up your grimoire, you stupid shrimp!” Magna barked, voice sharp.

“Yes, sir!” Asta scrambled to comply, his heart pounding in his chest as whispers started to circulate around the room.

“Whoa! What’s that?”

“It’s huge!”

Magna raised an eyebrow, eyeing Asta carefully. “You ready?”

“Bring it on, sir!” Asta shouted back, voice full of bravado.

Rain watched with a mixture of concern as Magna launched a fireball at her brother, the concern quickly shifting to pride as he cut right through it. 

Shocked, the others around her murmured in surprise.

“Not bad!” Magna whistled, impressed, “But the real test... starts now!”

Without warning, a swirling inferno began to form in Magna’s palm, and Rain could feel the heat even from where she stood.

It’s so hot.

“Flame Magic: Exploding... Fireball! Die!” Magna shouted, launching the fireball straight at Asta.

For a split second, Asta looked panicked, but then his resolve hardened. 

He turned his blade, positioning it just right as the fiery explosion barreled toward him.

With a deep breath, Asta swung, hitting the attack with the flat of his sword, sending the fireball ricocheting back toward Magna.

“He hit it! He hit it!” Charmy cheered, clapping her hands excitedly.

“Wow.” Vanessa applauded, clearly impressed.

“It’s been a while since we didn’t have to save a new recruit’s hide.” Finral stated, his voice tinged with surprise.

“He wasn’t able to cut it, but he still managed to hit it.” Luck muttered, his excitement evident in his voice.

“That sword can cut through magic as well as repel it. How interesting.” Yami’s voice was low, almost thoughtful.

“I had no idea!” Asta admitted, bashful as he wiped the sweat from his brow. “I knew it could cut through magic, but I didn’t know I could hit it, too!”

“This sword is awesome!” Asta continued, beaming. “But man, I thought I was gonna die!” He collapsed backward, letting out a puff of air, “That was too close!”

“Is he… planning to kill a new recruit?” Finral muttered, his gaze shifting nervously to where Magna had been moments before.

Wait, was he dead?

“You little bastard.” A gruff voice muttered from the smoking soil. “I was able to nullify it in time, so I’m fine, but I almost got killed by my own magic. You little bastard!”

Asta froze, terror flooding through him before Magna’s laughter echoed from the smoldering ground.

“You’re not half bad!” Magna grinned, slapping Asta on the shoulder. “Not only did you block my magic, you sent it right back at me!”

Rain couldn’t help but grin sleepily at the banter, the adrenaline still buzzing in her veins.

“I like you, Shrimpsta!” Magna laughed, clearly amused by Asta’s tenacity.

“I-It's Asta!” Asta corrected, his face flushing in embarrassment as the group laughed.

“Sorry I made fun of you for being a backwoods hick with little magical power.” Magna suddenly apologized, his expression softening. “I’m actually from out in the country myself. Rayaka Village, just above Hage.”

“Whoa, seriously?” Asta’s eyes widened in surprise. “Rayaka Village? That’s way out in the sticks!”

“Like you can talk!” Magna shot back, smirking.

“Actually, it’s not that I have little magical power,” Asta admitted, his voice quiet but steady. “I don’t have any at all.”

“Huh?” Magna’s jaw dropped. “You don’t have any magical power? And yet you were able to hit my attack back at me?”

“Y-Yeah…” Asta stammered, nerves creeping in again.

“That's even more awesome!” Magna cheered. “So that means you're a real man!” He gave Asta a hearty clap on the back, making the younger boy stumble. “Nice! You’re really interesting!”

“All right, let’s start the second initiation!” Luck declared, shadow boxing as he bounced on his feet. Asta’s eyes widened, realizing what was coming.

“Come again?” he asked, his voice faint.

“Let’s try and kill each other!” Luck repeated, his grin wide.

“You looked great out there, little boy.” Vanessa clapped him on the shoulder, her approval genuine.

“Uh, thanks…” Asta stuttered, still processing everything that had just happened.

“Here. Try it. It’s yummy. Okay?” Charmy thrust another pastry into his hands.

“Oh, thanks,” Asta said, bewildered but grateful.

Magna tossed the Black Bulls robe at Asta’s hands, his smirk still in place. “This is yours, Asta.”

“Go ahead, try it on.” Magna gave him an approving nod, “Looks good on you. Don’t you think so, Mister Yami?”

Yami’s deadpan gaze swept over Asta. “He looks pretty bland.”

“And now,” Magna announced, “you’re officially a member of the Magic Knights Squad, the Black Bulls!”

He gave Asta a thumbs-up, his voice gruff but pleased. “You better work hard not to shame Mister Yami or the Black Bulls!”

“Thanks! It’s a pleasure to work with all of you!” Asta grinned with excitement.

“Shut up,” Yami grumbled, his voice low.

“Sorry!” Asta winced, shrinking back. “I’ll be more careful next time!”

“The captain just told you to shut up!” Magna added, shaking his head in mock disbelief.

Yami took another long drag from his cigarette, exhaling slowly before clearing his throat to draw attention. “Speaking of recruits, we’ve got two more.”

Rain groaned softly as she was shifted, a frustrated huff escaping her as she was forced to stand on her feet. 

The world spun for a moment, and the blood rushed to her head, barely keeping her upright as all eyes landed on her.

“This is Rain,” Yami said nonchalantly. “And there’s one more recruit somewhere around here.”

Rain took a step back, the group surrounding her in a sudden rush, their voices colliding in a chaotic buzz of questions, each one shouting to be heard over the others.

“Whoa, I didn’t even notice you there. You really are tiny,” Magna said bluntly.

“Hey! I’m Luck! Let’s fight!”

“Here, have a treat,” Charmy tried to shove something into her hands.

“No girl is cuter than my Marie,” the nosebleed guy muttered, eyes glued to his photo.

“Here, kid, have a drink on me, it'll help ya grow,” someone mumbled as a bottle was pushed into Rain's hands.

Without thinking, Rain reached out blindly for the bottle, only to be snatched away before she could take it.

“Nope!” Yami growled, grabbing Rain by the scruff of her shirt and lifting her up again, holding her there with an exasperated sigh. 

“All of you are a damn pain, you know that?” he grumbled, setting her back down at his side. 

His gaze shifted back to the group. “Let’s just get this over with so I can get some sleep.”

“This is Rain,” Yami continued, his tone flat. “She’s from Hage Village. Pretty sure the girl is mute, so don’t expect much conversation.”

He pointed at the electric boy from earlier. “You’ve caused enough property damage for one night, your fight is on hold.”

His finger moved toward Charmy. “Kid’s tiny. Don’t choke her to death with the portions you can normally scarf down. I just got her, and Golden Boy would kill me if she was damaged on her first night in the squad.”

Finally, his glare landed on Vanessa. “For God’s sake, woman, the kid is only thirteen. Stop trying to give minors alcohol.”

Before Magna could speak up, Yami cut him off. 

“And that’s another thing,” he paused. “Just give her the robe. You two are on completely different levels.”

Magna looked almost smug, at least until Yami continued. 

“If you thought Anti-Mana Boy was tough, she’d wipe the floor with you.” He let that sink in. “This is the recruit who went one-on-one with me in the arena.”

The room fell into stunned silence.

“Now that that’s done, Vanessa, show the newbies to their rooms. I’m hitting the sack,” Yami said, letting out a wide yawn as he waved a lazy goodbye and headed off.

The group remained frozen for a beat, then, in an instant, Rain was swarmed again.

“No way! You went against Yami?!” Luck shouted, his eyes wide with excitement. “We’ve gotta fight now! Come on, come on!”

“Wow,” Vanessa whistled, clearly impressed. “To survive against a captain? That’s badass, pipsqueak.”

“You must be starving after all that,” Charmy fretted, stuffing a whole pie into Rain’s hands. “Here, take this as a late-night snack.”

Rain blinked in surprise, staring at the pie. 

What the hell?

How had she even hidden it?

Once they’d waved goodbye to the rest of the team, Vanessa led Rain to the girls' wing while Magna pulled Asta toward the boys’.

“Here ya are, kid. Your room,” Vanessa said, gesturing to the simple space.

Rain’s eyes widened as she took in the small room—a bed, a dresser, and a desk in the corner. 

Her own room.

She couldn’t recall a time when she hadn’t shared space with any of the other kids at the church. 

It felt... lonely. 

She shook her head, giving a small nod of thanks to Vanessa, who reminded her to come get her if she needed anything.

Soon, it was just her.

Rain collapsed onto the mattress, sinking into its softness with a sigh. 

What a day.

She closed her eyes, her mind fading as exhaustion pulled her under.

She was officially a Black Bull, and tomorrow, her journey as a Magic Knight would begin.

Chapter Text

Rain woke to the distant sound of voices, groggy and disoriented. 

Her body still ached from the exams, but the moment she sat up she forced herself towards the door.

Pulling it open, Her gaze swept across the hallway, before she froze.

Was this pillar here yesterday?

The Black Bulls’ base was… different. She had spent enough time memorizing its structure last night, yet now there was a massive stone pillar in the middle of the hall that she was almost certain wasn’t there before.

"Hey, newbie," a familiar voice called out. "Did you sleep well?"

Rain turned to find Magna standing nearby, arms crossed, a cocky grin on his face.

She pointed toward the pillar, tilting her head.

Magna followed her gesture and shrugged. "What about it?"

Asta came stumbling out of his room, stretching. "Morning! Whoa—was that thing there before?"

Rain nodded.

Finally, someone else noticed.

Magna waved a dismissive hand. "Yeah, don’t worry about that. The base changes shape all the time."

Asta gawked. "What?!"

Rain stiffened.

That’s not normal!

"You’ll get used to it," Magna added. "Anyway, time for a tour!"

He threw his arm around Asta’s shoulders and jerked his thumb toward the hallway. "You’re in for a treat! I’ll personally show you around the Black Bulls’ super cool base!"

"Got it, Mr. Sunglasses!" Asta beamed.

"Moron! It’s The Great Magna!"

"Moron! The Great Magna!"

"You don’t need the 'moron' part!"

Rain sighed and followed, already regretting this.

The tour was… chaotic.

Magna dragged them from room to room with boundless energy, introducing every part of the base as if it were a grand castle.

"This is the cafeteria! What do you think? It’s stupidly huge!"

Asta’s eyes sparkled. "Yeah! It’s really big!"

Rain nodded, though she was more focused on the sheer amount of food piled onto the tables.

How many people eat here?

"This is the bath," Magna continued, pushing Asta forward. "Come on, let’s go in!"

Rain stopped immediately at the entrance, listening to the conversation that filtered through the door.

They really just left her there, didn't they.

She could feel the heat seeping from under the door, no doubt Asta was struggling being inside.

"It’s hot!" his voice yelped from the other side. 

Magna scoffed. "This kind of heat is nothing to a member of the Black Bulls! What, you’re getting out already?"

"N-No, not yet!" Asta‘ determined shout rang out. "I’m not done yet!"

Rain, still standing at the entrance, took a step back. 

Only Asta would make a challenge out of being boiled alive.

By the time she caught back up with Asta and Magna, they were standing in front of another hallway.

Magna grinned, jerking his thumb toward the door. "Over there are all the girls’ rooms. If any of us guys go in, you’ll be killed by trap magic."

Asta flinched mid-step. "What?!"

Magna smirked. "Exactly."

Rain crossed her arms.

That’s the most reasonable thing she’d heard all day.

"And this is…" Magna paused dramatically. "The toilet!"

As the door was flung open Rain’s breath caught in her throat, and her face burned.

Dark eyes glared at them from the cloud of smoke surrounding the room.

"I’ll kill you." Yami stated coldly.

In shock, magma let the door fall closed before grabbing Astas collar and sprinting down the opposite halfway.

“Sorry sir!!!” Rain could hear the echo ring out as they turned the corner.

Following suit she turned on her heel and fled after them.

The next stop was insanity.

The door slammed open to reveal a room filled with glowing eyes, sharp claws, and a chorus of low growls.

"This is the beasts’ room!" Magna announced proudly.

Rain took a sharp step back.

"This is Captain Yami’s hobby," Magna explained.

Asta straightened. "Y-Yes?"

Magna grinned. "I’ll let you have the duty of taking care of all the animals!"

Asta paled.

"It’s a very honorable role," Magna continued. "I really don’t want to let you have it, but I will."

Asta swallowed. "R-Right…"

Rain stayed very still, hoping to avoid being assigned anything in this room.

The tour continued at a breakneck pace, past the library, the playroom, and through halls Rain was sure hadn’t existed minutes ago.

Then—

Crash!

Magna ran headfirst into someone, knocking them both to the ground.

Rain peered past him. A girl sat on the floor, clad in a Black Bulls robe.

Magna groaned, rubbing his head. "Hey, Asta. That’s your colleague. She’s the other new recruit this year!"

Asta gasped, his eyes sparkling. "Huh? My colleague?! I love the sound of that!"

He rushed forward, practically bouncing with excitement. "Hey! I’m Asta, from Hage Village! Let’s do our best together! It’s nice to meet you!"

The girl lifted her chin. Her violet eyes locked onto Asta, and in an instant, Rain knew—she was nobility.

"I didn’t give you permission to speak to me."

Asta blinked. "Huh?"

Her gaze was cold, her tone dripping with disdain. "I barely sense any mana from you, you lowly insect."

Rain frowned. Oh boy.

Asta sputtered. "L-Lowly?!"

"My name is Noelle Silva," the girl continued. "I belong to the royal family of this kingdom."

Asta gawked. "R-R-Royal family?!"

Rain sighed. This was going to be fun.

The tension in the common room was thick.

Asta stood firm, fists clenched, facing down Noelle as she crossed her arms. Her violet eyes held nothing but disdain.

"We’re supposed to be colleagues as Magic Knights!" Asta declared. "Who cares if you’re royalty?!"

Magna smirked, throwing an arm over Asta’s shoulder. "That’s right! Status means nothing!"

Noelle scoffed. "Of course it does."

Asta reeled back. "How do you figure?!"

Noelle lifted her chin. "Are foolish peasants unable to understand this with words alone?"

Rain stiffened as mana pulsed around them.

"I guess I’ll have to show you the difference between us," Noelle said, raising a hand.

Rain barely had time to process before a surge of water magic formed around her.

Too fast—!

Asta tensed, but before he could react, ge spell was launched.

It spell curved and slammed into Magna, drenching him completely..

"You little brat!" Magna barked as water dripped from his hair. "You’ve got some nerve! What do you think you’re doing to your senior?!"

Noelle didn’t even flinch. She flicked a speck of dust off her sleeve. "You were just standing in the wrong spot."

Magna’s jaw dropped. "What?!"

Noelle gave him a cold stare. "Who gave you permission to stand there?"

Asta bristled. "Hey, wait a second! I don’t care if you’re royalty or the Silver Eagles’ captain’s little sister!"

Noelle’s eyes darkened.

Manga crossed his arms in agreement. "He's right! I mean, the only person who’d accept a spoiled brat like you is Captain Yami!"

Noelle’s fingers twitched.

"Be more thankful, you moron!" she growled.

Magna’s eyes narrowed. "I held back because you’re a girl, but now I’m gonna have to initiate you too, damn it!"

Rain tensed.

Noelle’s shoulders stiffened. Then—

"Like I want to be in this pathetic squad."

The words cut through the air, sharp and cold.

Rain caught the flicker in Noelle’s expression—the hesitation, the doubt.

It was gone in an instant.

"You little—" Magna took a step forward, but a voice stopped him.

"Hey! What the hell do you think you’re doing?!"

Yami stood nearby, watching with his usual disinterest.

Noelle turned, her face set in an impassive mask. She reached for the Black Bulls robe slung over her shoulder and held it up.

And then—

She dropped it.

"I don’t need that filthy thing," she said, voice light but biting.

Silence filled the room.

"This is the absolute worst Magic Knights Squad," Noelle continued. "And it’s not where royalty like myself belongs."

Magna’s expression darkened.

"You bastard!" He stomped forward, jabbing a finger at her. "Apologize to the robe and to Captain Yami!"

Noelle didn’t move.

Magna growled. "Apologize! Apologize! Apologize, damn it! You moron!"

Asta clenched his fists. His gaze lingered on the robe, crumpled on the floor—the robe they had all worked so hard to earn.

Rain’s throat tightened. 

Noelle turned on her heel and left.

Noelle POV:

Outside, the night air was crisp.

Noelle leaned against the outer wall of the base, gripping her arms tightly.

Why?

Why wouldn’t it go the way she wanted?

Her magic. Her power. It had never obeyed her.

She clenched her fists, her nails digging into her palms.

"Apparently, the youngest of the Silva family can’t even control her magic."

Noelle’s breath hitched.

"What’s with that flimsy little grimoire?"

The words echoed in her skull, looping endlessly.

"Are you really royalty?"

Memories surged forward—harsh laughter, disdainful gazes, her siblings’ cutting words.

"It disgusts me that you’re my little sister."

She gasped, pressing her hands over her ears.

"I will not have someone as shameful as you in the Silver Eagles."

"Why couldn’t you have died instead of our mother?"

Noelle shuddered.

She wasn’t a failure.

She wasn’t.

She just—

Her chest tightened.

"I’ll make them acknowledge me!"

The moment the thought formed, her magic pulsed—wild, unstable.

A sudden surge of water erupted from her grimoire, twisting into a sphere, growing larger, out of control.

Noelle’s eyes widened.

No—!

The spell exploded outward, a massive torrent of water sweeping across the courtyard.

Rain’s POV:

The ground trembled.

Rain spun toward the disturbance, eyes widening as a swirling mass of water engulfed the area.

Noelle stood at the center, frozen, her magic spiraling beyond her control.

"What the hell?" Magna took a step back, shielding his face from the mist.

Finral paled. "This is insane. Her magic is completely out of control!"

Asta clenched his fists. "We have to help her!"

Magna’s expression tightened. "If we attack it with magic, she might not make it out alive."

Finral hesitated. "I… I can’t use my spatial magic to get near that!"

Yami scratched his head, watching the chaos unfold. "Right. If only we had someone who could nullify magic…"

A beat of silence.

Then, all eyes turned to Asta.

"Oh no," Finral muttered.

Yami grinned. "You came flying by at the perfect time."

Asta blinked. "Huh?"

Yami clapped a heavy hand on his back. "Go take care of that."

Asta paled. "Take care of that?!"

Yami nodded.

Rain glanced between them, her stomach twisting.

He’s going to throw him, isn’t he?

Asta stammered. "Wait. How am I supposed to get over there, though? I can’t fly—"

"Quit yer yapping."

Asta barely had time to react before Yami grabbed him by the collar.

"Now’s the time when you need to go beyond your limits!"

With one smooth motion, he hurled Asta straight into the storm.

Asta screamed.

Rain winced.

Magna watched the airborne boy sail through the air. "Well. He’s dead."

Asta crashed into the spell, slicing straight through the raging magic.

A moment of silence.

Then—

"I’M ALIVE!"

Rain exhaled.

Noelle blinked in shock as Asta stood before her, drenched but grinning.

"You..." Noelle’s voice wavered. "You failure..."

Asta pointed at her. "You have some insane magical power! That’s so awesome!"

Noelle stiffened.

"I don’t have any magic, so I’m jealous, damn it!" Asta continued. "If you train so you can learn to control it, you’ll be invincible, Noelle!"

Noelle’s lips parted slightly.

"Insec—" The insult died on her tongue.

Asta crossed his arms. "I’m gonna keep doing my best so I won’t lose either!"

Noelle swallowed hard.

Behind them, Magna huffed. "Really? You just couldn’t control your magic?"

Finral sighed. "You should’ve told us earlier, you royal failure."

Noelle’s shoulders tensed.

Then—

"We’re the Black Bulls," Magna added. "We’re a whole group of failures."

Noelle’s eyes widened.

"No one cares if you have a flaw or two, you idiot," Magna said, smirking.

A pause. Then—

Vanessa clapped Noelle on the shoulder. "Anyway, thank goodness you’re safe."

A moment of silence.

Then, quietly—hesitantly—

Noelle reached out.

Rain watched as her fingers curled around the edge of the robe she had thrown away.

She pulled it close.

Asta grinned. "Let’s do our best together!"

Rain exhaled.

Welcome home, Noelle.

Chapter Text

Morning came early for Magic Knights.

Rain barely had time to blink the sleep from her eyes before the base stirred to life around her.

Cleaning.

Laundry.

Chaos.

Asta’s sudden squeak of embarrassment caught her attention. She glanced over—only to find him standing stiffly, holding a lacy red bra at arm’s length.

Rain’s brows creased in concern.

Oh no.

"My heart belongs to Sister Lily!" Asta screamed as he flung the bra into the laundry pile with a dramatic flourish.

Rain sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose.

Most likely Vanessa’s.

She wasn’t sure if the woman would care, but for Asta’s sake, she hoped he never had to find out.

Animal care. That was another responsibility.

"Sit!" Asta commanded, holding out a treat.

For a moment, it worked. The creature obeyed, settling obediently at his feet. Asta grinned, triumphant.

Then it lunged.

Rain barely had time to react before he was tackled, limbs flailing as sharp teeth snapped far too close to his head.

She rushed forward, grabbing the back of his robe and yanking him free just as the beast lunged again.

"You must endure!" Magna called out from the side, laughing as Asta scrambled back. "Even if you’re almost eaten by a beast!"

Rain shot him a look.

That’s not normal!

Rain hesitated behind Asta as he knocked on the door.

"Captain Yami…" Asta called, completely ignoring her attempts to pull him away from the entry.

"Captain…"

Rain shook her head.

He’s going to get us killed.

"You must wake up Captain Yami every morning," Magna had said the other day. For some reason.

Asta knocked again. "Captain! It’s morning!"

Silence.

Asta frowned. "Captain—"

A deep, low growl echoed from the other side.

"Don’t wake me up. I’ll kill you."

Rain barely had time to register the words before Asta grabbed her wrist and ran.

"Sorry about that!" he called over his shoulder as they bolted down the hallway.

Rain sighed as she rifled through the fridge.

Nothing but meat. Again.

Asta, still rubbing sleep from his eyes, turned toward Noelle. "Hey, why don’t you help me with the cleaning and stuff?"

Noelle scoffed. "Cleaning? But I’m royalty."

Asta blinked. "But you’re a newbie just like me."

Noelle waved a delicate hand. "I’ve never cleaned or done laundry in my life."

Rain narrowed her eyes.

That was… not something to brag about.

"That’s not a good thing!" Asta gaped.

Noelle simply flipped her hair. "Why are you speaking to me like that?"

Asta barely had time to react before a ball of water flew straight at him. He yelped, dodging just in time.

Rain sighed. 

Asta turned toward Magna, brows furrowing. "So… what do Magic Knights actually do?"

Magna nearly choked. "You’re seriously asking that?!"

Rain raised a brow.

That was a fair question.

Magna smacked a hand against his chest. "We protect the kingdom and handle security! It’s the most manly job in the world, you dumbass!"

Asta scratched his head. "Wait. But how has anything we’ve done today been any different from what I was doing back at the church?"

Rain giggled quietly.

He wasn’t wrong.

"It’s the greatest job ever!" Magna continued. "Why’d you even join if you didn’t know anything?"

Asta straightened. "Because I’m going to become the Wizard King!"

Across the room, Charmy groaned, clutching her stomach. "I’m gonna barf everything back up!"

She said this while shoving another mouthful of food into her face.

Rain blinked.

"They sure are lively first thing in the morning," Vanessa yawned, stumbling into the mess hall.

Finral collapsed into a chair beside her. "Being energetic is the best. Can I have some of that energy?"

Rain doubted he actually wanted it.

Charmy continued eating. 

Magna slammed his fist against the table. "Damn it, show them what Magic Knights do, you drunk witch!"

Vanessa waved him off. "Well… we keep the citizens safe. Something like that."

Noelle sniffed. "You might even be assigned to protect nobles."

Asta’s eyes sparkled. "I see!"

Luck grinned. "It’s super fun! You get to fight criminals and beat them up all you want without getting in trouble!"

Rain frowned.

That… doesn’t sound entirely legal.

Gauche sighed dreamily. "Most importantly, it’s a wonderful job that my angelic sister respects me for having. I can buy her anything she wants with my pay."

Rain fought the urge to take a step back. That was… unsettling.

Asta turned to Finral next. "What about you?"

Finral smirked. "It’s the best job in the world. I get to save girls and be popular."

“How about you Charmy?” Asta prompted 

Charmy slammed her hands onto the table. "I’m out of food!" Causing Rain to startle as Charmy’s grimoire snapped open.

"Cotton Creation Magic: Sheep Cooks!"

In an instant, a mountain of food appeared before them.

Rain blinked.

Everyone immediately started eating.

"Thank you for the food!" they chorused.

Charmy swallowed another bite and finally answered Asta’s question. "As long as you’re a Magic Knight, you can eat plenty of food!"

Rain rubbed her temple. This squad is insane.

Just as she was about to dig in herself Yami strode in. 

"Let’s go, Magna."

Magna shot up. "Yes, sir!"

Noelle frowned. "What’s going on?"

Asta leaned forward eagerly. "A Magic Knights’ mission?"

Magna grinned. "That’s right. A real mission."

Asta practically bounced on his feet. "C-Can I come with—"

"No," Yami cut in. "We can’t bring any kids along. This is a very important mission for adults."

Asta deflated instantly.

Yami turned toward the rest of the squad. "All right, we’re off."

Magna pointed at them. "Hey! Don’t break everything while we’re gone!"

"Okay! Have fun!" Vanessa slurred.

"Captain! Will you fight me when you come back?!" Luck called out.

"Come back soon," Gordon mumbled.

"Come back by dinner!" Charmy shouted between mouthfuls.

"Can I go see Marie soon?" Gauche pleaded.

Rain sighed as the squad devolved into more chaos.

Asta crossed his arms, staring after Yami and Magna as they left.

For the first time, the base felt… quieter.

Captain Yami and Magna had looked so serious.

Rain frowned.

What kind of mission could it be?

"Captain Yami and Magna…" Asta mused, stretching his arms. "I wonder if they finished their mission?"

Rain nodded absentmindedly, though she had no idea what kind of mission they had even been sent on.

Then—

Boisterous laughter rang out from the hallway.

Rain stiffened. 

"What?" Asta frowned.

“That old man actually had a royal straight flush!”

Rain froze. 

That was Yami’s voice.

“Who would’ve thought? He’s amazing!” Magna’s voice followed. “We’re no match for Old Man Seihi!”

Rain turned toward the entrance—

And immediately regretted it.

Yami and Magna strolled into the room completely naked.

Noelle screamed.

Rain covered her eyes.

Oh god, oh god, she wished she was blind instead of mute.

“Hey, Stupidsta, Rain, Lady Noelle! We’re back!” Magna’s voice rang out, far too cheerful for a man who had just entered a room without clothes.

Rain refused to look. She absolutely refused to look.

A pair of hands covered hers.

Rain’s left eye twitched. As if she needed help keeping her own eyes shut. She debated whether it was worth gouging them out just to erase this memory from existence.

Why was this squad so weird?!

"Why the hell are you guys naked?!" Asta shrieked.

Rain could hear Magna laughing, completely unfazed.

"Be happy!" he declared. "You two are going on your first mission!"

Rain’s hands twitched. She was still recovering from the trauma them walking in, and now they were just dropping a mission on them like nothing happened?

Magna paused dramatically. "As Magic Knights!"

Rain sighed heavily.

"Our first mission…" Asta repeated in awe.

"...as Magic Knights," Noelle echoed, though far less enthusiastically.

"What is it?!" Asta asked eagerly.

Noelle scoffed. "It had better be something worthy of me as a royal."

“Yeah, you should be honored,” Yami drawled, yawning. “You’ll be hunting wild boars in Saussy Village.”

Rain blinked.

Wild… boars?

Noelle’s face scrunched in disgust. “What in the world is this lame mission?”

Magna immediately bristled. “What are you calling lame?!”

"I can beat a wild boar with my bare hands!" Asta declared, flexing his arms.

Rain exhaled through her nose. Of course he thinks that.

"Don't you dare underestimate wild boars!" Magna snapped. "They come charging outta nowhere!"

"Haven't you ever heard the phrase rushing into things?!" Yami groaned, rolling his shoulders. "We both ended up losing to the mayor of Saussy Village."

Rain’s brows lifted slightly.

Huh?

Asta’s voice pitched in disbelief. "C-Captain Yami and Magna lost?"

"Just how strong is he?!"

"It was cards." Yami deadpanned.

Rain heard Asta huff, sounding completely betrayed.

"Cards?!" he reiterated.

"He basically stripped us of all we had," Magna admitted. “And six months’ worth of pay, too.”

Rain furrowed her brows.

Why are they bragging about this?

“And we ended up promising him we’d do anything if we lost,” Yami added, stretching lazily. "So he asked us to take care of some wild boars for him."

the hands covering her own removed themselves, and Rain cautiously cracked her eyes open.

Thank god.

The two had finally wrapped towels around their waists.

Magna crossed his arms. "Apparently, a herd showed up near the village and started ruining the fields."

Noelle raised a brow. “Hi, question. That has nothing to do with us, right?”

"Yeah! You two are the ones who lost!" Asta pointed out. "Then—"

"You idiots!" Magna snapped. "You're asking Mister Yami to clean up his own mistakes?!"

Rain blinked. 

"We're the ones who clean up Mister Yami's mistakes!" Magna declared.

Rain frowned deeply. 

Why does that sound like the worst job in the world?

Yami cracked his neck and exhaled smoke. "Are you gonna go, or are you gonna die?"

Rain shuddered.

Asta’s arms flailed. "We'll go!"

Even though this was just wild boars, he still looked determined.

Noelle, however, wasn’t convinced.

She shifted uncomfortably. "I was just wondering if I should go, since… since I can’t control my magic."

Rain turned her gaze toward her.

She wasn’t wrong to be concerned.

Magna, however, did not share that concern.

"You idiot!" he barked.

Rain flinched.

"You’ll be able to fix that in no time with some missions under your belt!" Magna said, looking far too pleased with himself.

And then—

He smirked. "And I’ll be sure to clean up any of you newbies’ mistakes." He pounded a fist against his chest. "Since I’m your senior."

Asta’s eyes teared up. "Magna, you're such a manly man!"

"Stop it, Stupidsta," Magna huffed, rubbing the back of his neck. "You’re makin’ me blush."

Rain groaned, pinching the bridge of her nose.

Why did she have to be here for this?

Noelle sighed, rolling her eyes. "...If you insist, I guess I could accompany you."

Asta grinned. "Thank you very much!"

Then he paused.

"Wait. Why are you always looking down on us?!"

"I'm not," Noelle replied smoothly. "It's just that you're always below me."

Rain sighed deeply.

This was going to be a long trip.

"So..." Magna crossed his arms, standing in front of Finral with an expectant look. "Use your spatial magic to get us to Saussy Village."

Finral blinked. "Saussy Village?"

Magna nodded.

"Yeah, not happening."

Magna's eye twitched. "What do you mean, you jerk?!"

Finral sighed dramatically, as if it was so exhausting to have to explain himself. "Well, I can only travel to faraway places if I’ve marked them with my magic."

Rain tilted her head.

Oh.

"Meaning," Finral continued lazily, "I can’t go to places I’ve never been before."

Noelle scoffed. "You’re so useless."

Finral placed a hand over his heart, looking genuinely wounded. "That was uncalled for."

Magna groaned. "Guess we don’t have a choice. We’ll go by broomstick." He turned toward the door.

Asta took a step forward. "Magna, sir!"

"Yeah, Asta?"

"I can’t fly on a broomstick!" Asta admitted, his voice full of shame.

"Sir," Noelle added stiffly.

"Yeah?"

"I can’t either."

Rain sighed internally.

Magna froze. "What?! Are you two serious?!"

His eyes snapped toward Rain.

"What about you, huh? Can you fly?"

Rain shrugged.

Magna groaned, dragging his hands down his face.

"Why can’t you morons do something so basic?!"

Asta crossed his arms. "Well, I don’t have any magic!"

"Why are you bragging about that?!" Magna barked.

Noelle flipped her hair. "I can’t control my magic, so of course I can’t fly. You fool."

"And why do you sound so high and mighty?!" Magna snapped.

Magna rubbed his temples. "Guess I don’t have a choice."

He smirked. "I’ll give you all a ride on my baby."

Rain raised an eyebrow. 

Baby?

Magna paused dramatically.

"Her name is… Crazy Cyclone!"

Asta gasped in awe. "S-So cool!"

Magna grinned. "I know, right?! Isn’t she a beaut?"

Noelle crossed her arms. "Lame."

Magna gasped. "What?! Are you not able to comprehend her majestic form?"

"So lame."

Magna scowled. "Let's go!"

Rain sighed as she climbed on behind the others, already regretting this.

"Are you gonna be all right?!" Asta yelped as the contraption shuddered violently under their combined weight.

"A man never goes back on his word!" Magna shouted. "Here we go!"

Rain gasped sharply as they shot forward, wind roaring past her ears.

"How do you like that?!" Magna boasted. "Crazy Cyclone can even handle four riders!"

Rain didn’t know if that was impressive or concerning.

"Hey! Fly a bit more steady!" Asta yelped.

"Then move closer to me!" Magna growled. 

"You can’t be serious, you mohawked delinquent!" Noelle huffed as she tried to shift away.

Rain found herself squished between the water user and Asta.

"Who are you calling a mohawked delinquent?!" Magna barked.

"This is amazing, Magna! We’re one with the wind!" Asta declared dreamily.

"And if you don’t want to die, get a little closer, Stupidsta!"

"Yes, sir!"

Rain barely had time to react before Noelle shoved herself back—

"Hey! Who said you could touch me?!" Noelle shrieked.

Asta barely kept them both on the broom.

Rain wheezed as she was nearly knocked off.

"What the hell are you two doing?!" Magna snapped.

Rain sighed as the bickering continued.

This was going to be a long trip.

Chapter Text

"A wild boar’s after me! And it’s huge!"

Asta’s panicked voice echoed through the trees, sending birds scattering into the sky.

Rain turned just as the undergrowth exploded, dirt and leaves flying as a massive beast charged forward.

She barely had time to register its size before Asta came barreling past, zigzagging frantically to avoid being trampled.

"Uh… is that even a wild boar?" Noelle muttered, staring in disbelief.

Magna squinted at the beast’s unnatural speed. "Ain’t that thing using magic?"

"It’s super fast," Noelle added, gripping her wand. "Shouldn’t we rescue him?"

Magna yawned.

Rain’s brows twitched.

With zero urgency, Magna stretched, flopped onto the ground, and folded his arms behind his head. "Nah. I’m takin’ a break. My magic’s drained after flyin’ you three all the way here."

Rain gave him a pointed look. Unbelievable.

"But—!" Noelle started.

"If you’re so worried, why don’t you go save him?" Magna smirked, waggling his eyebrows suggestively.

Rain frowned.

Was there something going on between them?

Noelle scoffed, flipping her hair. "Why me?"

Before Magna could retort, Asta’s triumphant yell rang out.

"I got you now!"

His massive sword slammed into the beast’s side, sending it crashing to the ground.

Rain blinked. That was fast.

"Finally got ‘im!" Asta grinned, planting a foot on the defeated boar.

Magna sat up lazily. "Great job, Asta!" he praised, as if he hadn’t been lying around two seconds ago.

Rain exhaled through her nose.

"But it ain’t over yet," Magna added.

Her gaze flicked toward the growing pile of defeated boars.

Magna whistled. "What a haul."

"You’re pretty amazing," he admitted.

Asta puffed out his chest. "Three or four wild boars ain’t nothin’!"

Noelle crossed her arms. "You just have some freakish brute strength."

Rain eyed her, then Asta. Yeah. Something is definitely going on there.

Magna smirked. "This should make Old Man Seihi happy." He cracked his knuckles. "Let’s have ourselves a wild boar party."

The four of them walked in comfortable silence, Magna leading the way.

Apparently, the mayor would be sending someone to help haul in their kills.

"The mayor of Saussy Village—Seihi," Noelle mused. "You know him?"

Magna nodded. "Yeah, I’ve known him for a long time."

Rain glanced at him as his tone softened.

"I’m from Rayaka Village, just past here," he continued, his voice tinged with nostalgia. "I used to be a bit of a handful as a kid—"

"Used to be?" Asta interjected.

"Like you aren’t now?" Noelle scoffed.

Magna ignored them.

"I got a big head after getting my grimoire," he admitted. "Thought I was hot shit. Marched into Saussy Village, thinkin’ I’d take over."

Rain raised an eyebrow.

Magna smirked. "Old Man Seihi whooped my ass every time."

Ah. That made more sense.

Asta’s eyes sparkled. "He must be strong!"

Magna let out a short chuckle. "Found out later the old man had enough magic to be a Magic Knight back in the day."

He exhaled, rolling his shoulders. "He’s the one who told me to take the entrance exam."

Rain listened quietly as his voice softened.

"When I passed, he was happier for me than anyone."

She found herself relaxing. 

He must be a good person.

Then Magna snorted. "Course, he also took me for every last coin I had."

Asta burst into laughter.

"But he’s the one who showed me what a real man should be," Magna admitted, rubbing the back of his head. "I wanted to be like him—the person I respect most, aside from Captain Yami."

Rain barely had time to process the warmth in his words before—

The air shifted.

A wave of cold rolled over them.

Rain’s body tensed.

Something was wrong.

The village…

It was completely shrouded in mist.

A heavy, unnatural fog stretched across the streets, rolling in thick waves that swallowed entire buildings.

"Wow. The weather sucks here," Asta muttered, shaking his head.

Rain tensed. Idiot.

"You moron! That’s magic!" Noelle snapped.

"What?!"

Magna gritted his teeth. "A mist spell strong enough to cover an entire village…"

Rain’s hands curled into tight fists.

Something was very wrong.

"None of the villagers have magic like this," Magna muttered. "And this isn’t Old Man Seihi’s magic either."

A slow chill crept down Rain’s spine.

"Hey!" Magna snapped, turning to Asta.

"Yes, sir?"

"Cut through the mist with your sword."

Asta blinked. "Huh?"

Magna rolled his eyes. "It’s magic, dumbass. Your sword can cut through it."

"Ohhh! Right!" Asta flipped open his grimoire. With a powerful swing, his massive sword sliced through the mist.

The spell broke.

The fog dissipated instantly, peeling away to reveal the village beneath.

Magna exhaled sharply. "Let’s go."

They ran.

The streets were eerily silent.

“Take a right.”

“Got it!”

“Now a left.”

“Right!”

“…You mean left,” Magna corrected with a sigh.

Rain barely heard them.

Her senses were fixed ahead.

Something bad was waiting for them.

The presence of powerful magic was thick in the air—suffocating.

Then—

A voice.

Cold. Uncaring.

"This is your execution."

Magic flared.

"Explosive Scattershot!" Magna roared, sending fireballs hurtling toward incoming ice spikes.

The spells collided, bursting into a shockwave of steam.

Rain skidded to a stop, her eyes snapping to the group of mages standing opposite them.

“The Magic Knights…”

“They’ve come to save us!”

Magna and the others rushed to a cluster of villagers, huddled around a fallen figure.

Asta inhaled sharply. "The mayor…"

Rain’s stomach twisted.

A young boy knelt beside an old man’s unmoving hand.

"He tried to protect us…" The boy’s voice cracked. "Grandpa… they came. The Magic Knights… your prayers were answered."

Too late.

Rain swallowed hard.

If she had sensed the mana disturbance earlier, could they have—

A voice cut through her thoughts.

Mocking.

"How dare you put me behind schedule?"

Rain’s head snapped up.

A man stood before them—

Tall, slender, calculating.

His sharp eyes were locked onto a pocket watch in his hand, his expression bored. Short gray hair, slicked back, revealed a thin scar running from his forehead down to his cheek.

Mist curled around another mage’s hands.

"You fools think you can challenge Lord Heath?"

Rain’s breath hitched.

Heath…

So this was their leader.

Heath snapped his watch shut.

"You’ll all be executed in ten seconds."

Magna’s fists shook. "You bastard…!"

Asta stepped forward, sword clenched. "How could you do something so cruel?"

Heath didn’t even look at him.

Instead, he spoke flatly, as if reciting something long rehearsed.

"This world is split into several regions…"

Rain stiffened.

"The Forsaken Realm… The Common Realm… The Noble Realm…"

Her stomach twisted.

"Most of those who inhabit the Forsaken Realm are an inferior race that can only use enough magic for daily tasks," Heath continued, his voice devoid of emotion.

Rain’s fists clenched.

Inferior race?

"They’re basically mindless beasts," Heath mused. "I was only trying to get rid of the pests that might waste my valuable time."

Asta’s glare darkened. "You—"

"The four of you must have enough magical power to join the Magic Knights," Heath went on, unbothered. "That’s the only reason you care about protecting them, isn’t it?

But be honest with yourselves.

To you, they look like lowly beasts too, do they not?"

Asta’s jaw tightened.

"Living in the upper realms must be real nice," he bit out. "I bet you’ve got a cushy life. If you’re so jealous, why don’t you just go live there?"

Heath sighed dramatically. "It’s not that easy."

"Why not?"

"Only those with powerful magic are accepted," Magna muttered, eyes narrowed. "They look down on everyone else."

Rain’s nails bit into her palms.

Even though they were all human…

Asta’s voice cut through the tension.

"Huh… Then after I join the Magic Knights and become the Wizard King, I’ll get rid of those prejudices!" His grip on his sword tightened. "I’ll make our village even stronger!"

Magna blinked in surprise before letting out a sharp breath. His lips curled into a small, grateful smile.

"Heh… Thanks, Asta."

Noelle scoffed, crossing her arms. "If he could do that, we wouldn’t be struggling in the first place."

"What did you say, you brat?!" Magna snapped. "I’m older than you!"

"As for Asta, he barely made the Magic Knights," Noelle huffed. "You seriously think he’ll be the Wizard King? He doesn’t even have magic!"

"Hey!" Asta shouted.

Magna’s expression darkened.

His gaze snapped back to Heath.

"The people you called beasts…" he said quietly, voice trembling with fury. "…are lives I have to protect."

Heath remained unfazed.

"I see. So these frail little beasts actually matter to you."

His grimoire flipped open.

"Ice and Mist Compound Magic: Endless Ice Cage."

Jagged spikes of ice erupted from the ground, encasing Asta in a thick, freezing prison.

Rain hissed.

"Do you think you can protect these beasts now?" Heath said smugly.

"Asta!" Noelle shouted.

Asta gritted his teeth, swung his sword—

The ice bars shattered instantly.

Heath’s eyes narrowed. "Not only can you negate magic…" he muttered, studying Asta’s sword. "You can repel it as well."

More jagged ice spikes shot from the ground, lining up in a deadly row.

"The blades of ice will come one after another," Heath warned, his voice calm. "Now, just try and protect them."

Asta snarled. "Damn you!"

Rain barely had a moment to breathe before the next wave hit.

"It’s gonna take everything Asta and I have to protect the villagers," Magna muttered, panting. His flames flickered weakly. "Not to mention, my powers are reaching their limit…"

Rain’s sharp gaze flicked toward their enemies.

Four mages—each at least Magic Knight level.

And that guy’s still hiding his true power…

"MAGNA!"

Noelle’s cry cut through the air.

Rain gasped as a shard of ice slammed into Magna’s chest.

The fire mage choked, his body launched backward.

Ice spread across his skin.

Asta let out a furious shout.

Rain’s vision tunneled.

Her hands relaxed.

One step.

Then another.

She moved past Asta, her focus fixed on Heath.

"Rain?" Asta panted.

She lifted a hand, silencing him.

Her focus never wavered.

This man…

Was going down.

"Look at that power!"

A villager’s awed gasp barely registered in Rain’s ears.

A water shield had formed behind her, shimmering in the air.

Noelle.

Good.

That meant Rain didn’t have to protect them while she finished this fight.

Her focus locked onto Heath.

For the first time since the battle began, his expression flickered with surprise—eyes darting toward the powerful magic Noelle had unleashed. But as the ice beneath Rain’s feet crunched, he sobered up, assessing her carefully.

She didn’t have mana.

Not yet.

But that wouldn’t be a problem for long.

She just had to focus. Do exactly what she did in the arena.

Heath stepped back. Just slightly.

A mistake.

Rain’s eyes narrowed—and he realized what he had done.

"You four had enough magic to join the Magic Knights, did you not?" Heath muttered, almost to himself.

"I don’t have any magic!" Asta growled from behind Rain. "But I’m still gonna kick your ass!"

A blur of movement—Asta launched forward, swinging his sword at Heath with full force.

Rain’s stomach dropped.

Heath smirked.

"Lord Heath!" One of his subordinates shouted.

But it was already happening.

A flick of the man’s wrist—

A patch of ice formed directly beneath Asta’s foot.

Rain’s breath caught as Asta’s footing vanished—

He crashed hard, the air knocked out of his lungs.

"Stupidsta!" Magna shouted.

Rain clenched her fists.

He broke his momentum by making him slip…?

"Though your sword can negate magic," Heath mused, stepping forward, "it appears that you’re just a normal human after all."

His smirk widened.

"Now, it’s my turn. May you sleep… for eternity."

A deadly pulse of mana built around Heath’s hand.

Rain lunged.

She slid between Asta and the attack, arms raised—

Cold.

The temperature plummeted as the ice attack gathered in Heath’s palm, sharp shards glistening with lethal intent.

It launched.

Rain’s skin burned from the proximity—

She barely had time to react before it hit.

A strange hunger rang through her bones.

The moment the ice touched her palms, something snapped.

A deafening crack—

Then—

The ice exploded.

Shards burst outward in a glittering cloud of frost, swirling before seeping into her skin.

Rain stiffened.

Her muscles locked, the cold spreading through her body like liquid steel.

The surplus of mana in her veins was overwhelming.

Powerful.

She exhaled, pushing past the strange weight settling inside her.

Heath was staring.

Shocked.

Then—

His expression twisted.

"You lot seem to greatly enjoy wasting my time," he snarled.

Another attack.

Rain barely moved before dispersing it again.

Heath’s eyes sharpened.

"Fascinating."

The word was low, just for her.

"You can steal mana… and without a grimoire, no less."

A chill that had nothing to do with the ice ran down Rain’s spine.

His gaze darkened—not with anger, but something worse.

Possession.

Like he’d just found a shiny, new sword.

"What a handy ability," he murmured. "No wonder Master was interested in you."

Rain’s breath hitched.

Master?

Heath raised a hand.

"If I bring you to him," he mused, "I’m sure he’d be incredibly pleased."

Then, with a cruel smirk—

"What a useful little pet you’d be."

Rain froze.

Her head throbbed.

A crushing wave of agony crashed through her skull—

She barely registered the way her knees buckled.

Shit—not again

She didn’t have time for this.

"RAIN!!!"

Noelle’s voice—Magna’s voice—

But the pain was overpowering.

Somewhere, Heath muttered another spell—

"I’m not done yet!" A familiar voice cried out.

A clang of steel against ice.

Asta.

"I’m surprised you’re still alive," Heath sighed, as if inconvenienced. "You’re quite resilient. However…"

"You won’t be able to swing that sword with those wounds."

Asta gritted his teeth, struggling to stay standing. "Not yet! I’m not done yet!"

Heath’s expression hardened. "Stop. Don’t make me waste any more time."

A burst of ice—

Only to shatter as Rain pulled herself together enough to throw his own attack back at him.

Heath barely had time to react before a wall of ice formed between them, blocking the hit.

"You have no chance of winning," he snapped. "Why won’t you give up?"

Asta, panting, pushed himself upright.

"If I give up…" he rasped, "who’s going to protect them?"

Rain glanced at him sharply.

Wounds scattered across his body.

He’s losing too much blood.

She clenched her fists.

They needed to end this.

Asta exhaled shakily. "I’ve realized something."

"It’s not just because of our promise. I’m going to become the Wizard King…"

His eyes blazed.

"So I can protect everyone!"

Heath scoffed. "What a foolish dream."

His watch snapped shut.

"Unfortunately, you’ll be dead in one minute."

A voice cut through the tension.

"That’s not happening, you dumbass!"

Three heads turned.

Magna, panting, stood with his hands raised. A small water sphere surrounded the villagers behind him.

"If you wanna kill him," Magna growled, "you’re gonna have to get through me, his senior, first!"

"Magna!"

"You fool," Heath muttered. "You’ve only hastened your death."

His fingers twitched. "Thirty seconds."

Magna smirked. "Bring it on."

He lifted his palm.

"Time for an initiation, Asta."

A flame sparked in his hand.

"Flame Magic: Prison Death Scattershot!"

A flurry of fireballs burst forward.

Heath’s expression didn’t change.

A flick of his wrist—an ice wall rose, dousing the attack instantly.

"So this is your final spell?" he muttered.

His watch clicked shut.

"Time’s up."

A blur erupted from the mist.

Asta.

"Magic Reflection!"

His sword swung—

One last fireball still lingered in the smoke—

Asta’s blade connected.

The explosion sent Heath and his subordinates crashing to the ground.

"You’d better thank me, you mohawked delinquent."

Rain grinned as Noelle’s smug remark reached her ears.

Her gaze flicked back toward Heath—

The ice mage stood scowling, flames still licking at his robes as he struggled against the remnants of Magna’s attack.

Then—

A glint of metal.

He never saw Asta’s sword coming.

With a final, crushing blow, Asta’s blade connected—sending Heath sprawling.

A stunned silence filled the air—

Cheers erupted.

The villagers' voices rang out in relief, their cries mixing with the crackle of fading flames.

Rain sighed, rubbing her temples as Magna strode forward toward their fallen enemies.

"Flame Binding Magic: Flame Bondage Formation!"

Fire flared to life, weaving around the defeated mages like glowing chains—tight, unyielding, but not burning.

Rain exhaled, finally relaxing as she watched the magic settle into place.

Magna smirked. "That oughta hold ‘em."

"I guess you’re more talented than you look," Noelle mused, arms crossed. "Have some praise."

Magna’s eye twitched. "Shut up! I’m your senior!"

"Then why are you below me?"

Rain sighed. Here they go again.

"Magna!"

Asta’s voice broke through the bickering, and Rain turned to see him practically bouncing over, excitement still buzzing in his limbs. 

She followed, just a step behind.

"What are you doing?!” Magna shot a glare toward Noelle, “You need to follow through properly!"

With an exasperated huff, Noelle dropped her spell—and the water barrier collapsed.

Drenched.

The fire mage stood dripping, water streaming off him in pathetic rivulets.

Not just him.

The villagers caught in the splash were just as soaked.

Rain winced. 

That had to be freezing.

"You’ve still got a ways to go, Lady Noelle!" Magna chuckled—his good humor returning quickly.

Rain watched as his expression darkened.

"More importantly…" His eyes flicked toward the surroundings. "It looks like one got away."

Rain stiffened.

Magna cursed under his breath. "Ugh, I blew it! Damn it!"

Asta’s voice cut through the frustration, causing the three to turn as the boy approached the captive group.

"How’d you like that? Some lowly commoners just won."

And then without warning—-he dropped

"Asta!"

She barely processed Magna’s shout of warning before Asta crumpled.

Rain’s stomach dropped.

Her legs moved before she thought.

Rain sprinted forward, dropping to her knees beside him—

Wait…

She blinked.

…He was asleep.

Unbelievable.

She let out a slow exhale, pressing a palm over her face.

"Honestly…"

"He’s stupid, loud, and a lowly commoner…" Noelle scoffed, standing just beside her.

But Rain heard it.

The fondness beneath the words.

Magna snorted, shaking his head. "But he’s sort of amazing."

Rain barely had time to nod before—

A blur of feathers shot past her vision.

Her eyes widened as the anti-bird landed right on Asta’s unruly hair.

…a bird?

A peck.

Asta jerked awake with a screech.

"You finally awake, you jerk?" Magna huffed, arms crossed.

Rain turned her gaze toward the captives—watching as they slowly stirred, their bodies sluggish from exhaustion and injuries.

Magna rolled his shoulders. "I’m gonna rest a bit, then escort you three to the Royal Capital on my Crazy Cyclone."

Asta brushed off the bird, grumbling under his breath before shifting his focus.

He strode toward Heath and the remaining mages.

His expression hardened.

"Spend the rest of your life atoning for what you did to those villagers, you bastards."

A beat of silence.

Then—

A shift.

Rain tensed, instinct kicking in as she moved.

She reached out—grabbing Asta and the others, yanking them back—

Nothing came.

Heath exhaled slowly.

"So my magic is sealed," he muttered.

Rain didn’t ease up.

"You’re going to spill everything to the Magic Knights," Asta said, crossing his arms. "Including who you guys are and what your motives are!"

Heath let out a small, humorless chuckle.

"I refuse."

His eyes slid closed.

"It appears the end has come."

Rain moved.

A sharp pulse of mana shot through the air.

"Ice Magic: Ice Burial."

Ice exploded outward.

Villagers screamed.

Rain barely had time to react before—

Pain.

A sharp, cold spike tore through her leg.

She hissed, breath catching in her throat as the world blurred for just a second.

"Rain!!!"

Three voices—Noelle, Magna, Asta—rang out behind her.

She lifted a hand in reassurance.

Her vision swam, but she forced herself to focus.

Slowly, she glanced down—

A jagged piece of ice was lodged in her calf, slick with red.

Rain gritted her teeth, fingers curling around the frozen shard—

And pulled.

White-hot agony.

The icicle slid free, blood spilling against the ground.

Her breath hitched.

"There was a magic item inside him?" Magna’s voice was shocked.

Rain exhaled sharply. That made sense.

How else could Heath have performed magic while still bound?

"Talk about resolve," Noelle muttered, frowning. "Is there someone he was that loyal to?"

Asta pressed a cloth against Rain’s leg, his movements hurried but careful.

"You idiot!" Magna rounded on her. "What the hell were you thinking, taking the brunt of that much magic?!"

Rain shrugged unapologetically.

Magna groaned loudly, rubbing his hands down his face in frustration.

Blood loss made Rain feel light. Floaty.

"He went through all that…" Asta muttered, staring at Heath’s unmoving form.

His fists clenched.

"What was he after, anyway?"

A small voice broke through the air.

"Grandpa…"

Rain turned.

Nick stood there—still clutching the mayor’s limp hand.

Magna strode forward, a hand landing gently on the boy’s shoulder.

"Let’s go home, Nick."

The sun hung low over the horizon, casting long golden rays across the hilltop.

A freshly dug grave lay before them.

"Grandpa really loved the view from here."

Nick’s voice was small.

Magna hummed, crouching beside him. "I heard Old Man Seihi was the only one to stand up to those guys."

"Your grandpa was a real man." Asta grinned.

Nick hiccuped, swiping at his eyes. "He was happy… Even though it was just gambling, he still beat some Magic Knights."

Magna’s lips twitched. "Yeah."

A pause.

Then—

"Hey… do you think I can become a Magic Knight, too?"

Nick’s voice was small, hesitant.

His wide eyes flicked to them—

Four ragged, exhausted Magic Knights.

A loud delinquent, a mana-less idealist, a noble water mage with no control, and a thirteen-year-old amnesiac with no grimoire.

Rain grinned tiredly.

If nobodies like them made it, anyone could .

At least—

In the Black Bulls.

"Of course!" Asta beamed, hands on his hips. "Nothing’s impossible! Your future is something you decide for yourself!"

Nick’s eyes widened slightly.

"Not only am I a commoner," Asta continued, "but I’ve got no magic powers, and I still made it in!"

Rain snorted softly.

He really shouldn’t say that so proudly…

"But you’ve gotta work super extra hard!" Asta declared.

Magna grinned, clapping a firm hand on the boy’s shoulder. "Give it your all!"

Nick sniffled, rubbing at his eyes.

Then—

"Yeah!"

His small fist pumped the air, determination replacing his tears.

Asta grinned.

"By the time you join the Magic Knights, I’m gonna be working even harder—doing even more missions—"

He pointed dramatically to the sky.

"And I’ll be even closer to becoming the Wizard King!"

Noelle groaned loudly.

"Jeez. There you go talking nonsense again…"

Rain bit back a chuckle.

"But you need to dream big," Magna nodded sagely, tossing an arm around Asta’s shoulders. "That’s what it means to be a man!"

Asta’s chest puffed up proudly.

Rain rolled her eyes.

"I’ll be waiting for you, kid!" Magna called back as they turned to leave.

Nick smiled brightly, waving.

"Right!"

Rain flinched as a sharp screech rang through the air.

Rain barely had time to turn before—

"Ow, ow, ow, ow!"

Asta flailed wildly, the anti-bird from before relentlessly pecking his head.

"What do you have against my head, you stupid bird?!" he squawked, trying to swat it away. "You wanna fight?!"

Rain blinked.

Something shimmered between the bird’s beak.

Her gaze narrowed.

…Is that a stone?

Magna hummed, watching the small object glint in the dimming light.

"Oh, that’s a charm the mayor had."

The bird pecked harder, undeterred by Asta’s flailing.

"Hey, that’s really important!" Asta yelped, reaching to grab it.

"Let go! Give it back!"

Nick, having finished his goodbyes, wiped his sleeve across his tear-streaked face.

"You can have it," he said softly.

Asta blinked.

Nick smiled a little. "Apparently, that bird really likes it. It’s the least I can do to repay you guys for saving us."

Asta hesitated.

"O-Okay…"

The bird finally released the charm—

Then immediately went back to attacking Asta’s head.

"Ow, ow, ow, ow, ow, ow, ow, ow!"

Rain covered her mouth to hide her grin.

Magna scowled. "What’s that bird's problem with your head?!"

Asta flapped his arms uselessly. "I don’t know!!"

Magna cracked his knuckles glaring at the feathered creature.

"I’m gonna barbecue you."

The bird paused.

Then—

With a sharp caw, it took off—

Only to dive-bomb its next target.

Magna’s eyes widened.

"Wait, what—?!"

"Ow, ow, ow, ow, ow, ow, ow, ow!"

The fire mage swung wildly as the anti-bird relentlessly pecked him next.

"The heck are you doing, you jerk?!"

Rain smiled tiredly.

She really did pick the right squad.

Chapter Text

"Sounds like you guys went through hell!"

Yami chuckled, exhaling a cloud of smoke as Magna finished his report.

Rain frowned.

Why does he sound so happy about that?

Someone died.

"Hey, Captain, I don’t think this is a laughing matter," Noelle muttered awkwardly.

"Being depressed isn’t gonna bring Old Man Seihi back, right?" Yami huffed, taking another slow drag of his cigarette.

Rain felt a small jolt as Magna straightened beside her.

"Yes, sir! It’s just as you say, sir!"

His voice boomed, but there was something off in the way it rang out.

"Old Man Seihi liked to see everyone happy and energetic."

Magna’s grin stretched too wide.

"Come on! You guys should be laughing too!" he declared.

Asta hesitated, then forced out a loud, awkward HA HA HA!

Rain’s shoulders tensed.

Magna was forcing himself to smile.

"Come on, you too, Lady Noe!"

Noelle shifted uncomfortably. Rain could tell she felt just as uneasy watching the fire mage laugh through his grief.

"All right, that’s enough of that," Yami cut in.

Relief washed over Rain.

"What happened to Old Man Seihi really is a shame, but you three were able to protect the villagers. Be proud of that."

Yami leaned back, arms crossed.

"Well done. Great job, you idiots."

Rain smirked.

That’s one way to end a sad moment.

Magna lifted his hand in a sharp motion, pressing it to his chest in a familiar salute.

Rain’s eyes flicked to him curiously.

Some sort of ritual?

"Yes, sir!"

"Thanks," Noelle murmured under her breath.

Asta blinked at Magna’s hand movement. "What’s that?"

Magna gaped. "You moron! You don’t even know the Magic Knights’ salute?!"

He held up three fingers, slamming his palm against his chest.

"Take a good look! These three fingers symbolize the leaves of a clover."

Rain tilted her head.

Asta mimicked the motion, slamming his own hand against his chest—maybe a little too hard.

"Like this, sir?!"

"Well done!" Magna nodded approvingly.

A door slammed open.

"We’re back," Vanessa called, stepping in with Finral.

"Great job, you four," Finral greeted with an easy smile.

Rain stepped aside as Asta bounced forward to meet them.

"Captain, we went to the Magic Investigation Department," Vanessa said, turning to Yami.

"Good. Did you find anything out?"

"Like who the heck’s behind all this?!" Magna growled, cracking his knuckles. "I’ll find their hideout and raid it! And I’ll beat the crap out of the guy who got away, too!"

Finral hesitated.

"Well, you see… They investigated the item he left behind, but they still don’t have a clue."

Magna’s eye twitched.

"How useless can they be?!"

A lone fireball flared at his fingertips—

Ricocheting wildly.

Rain ducked instinctively, grabbing Asta as the projectile curved in his direction.

Noelle hurriedly summoned a waterball—

Only to fling it in the wrong direction.

BOOM!

Two separate walls exploded from the combined impact.

"You fools!"

Yami’s growl sent a shiver down their spines.

"Stop breaking stuff!"

"Sorry!"

Rain sighed.

He was the one breaking things too, though.

"But that pocket watch is pretty nice," Noelle commented, eyeing the recovered item.

"Yes," Vanessa nodded. "And from what you said about how they were acting, they were all of very high status."

"So they’re royalty or nobles," Finral concluded.

"Oh, who’s this little guy? He’s adorable," Vanessa cooed, noticing the anti-bird perched on Asta’s head.

Asta scowled. "How is it adorable?!"

"I-It is adorable!" Noelle insisted.

"Ow, ow, ow, ow, ow!"

Asta yelped as the bird started pecking him again.

Rain grinned.

"You little— Hey, come here, you ugly bird! I’ll turn you into fried chicken!"

"I won’t let you turn him into fried chicken!" Noelle shot back, offended.

"Say your prayers!"

"Don’t you dare!"

Rain rubbed her temples.

"Are you two trying to break the building?!"

Yami’s booming voice immediately shut them up.

"We’re sorry!"

He let out a heavy sigh.

"All right, listen up. It doesn’t matter if the ones behind this are royalty or nobility. We’re gonna let the Investigation Department handle it, and we’ll wait for their report."

Rain’s fingers twitched.

That didn’t sit right with her.

But Yami’s next words cut off her thoughts.

"More importantly, I’ve got some good news."

The squad perked up.

"Good news?"

"Wanna hear it?" Yami waggled his eyebrows.

"Of course!" Asta grinned.

"Your actions have been acknowledged by the Wizard King himself!"

Rain’s breath caught.

The Wizard King?!

"You’ve been given a star."

Yami smirked through his exhaled smoke.

"Whoa, seriously?!" Magna cheered. "All right!"

"Heck yeah!" Asta pumped his fist. "We got a star!!!"

Rain huffed a quiet laugh.

Like her, he probably didn’t even know what that meant.

"Congrats," Vanessa whistled, impressed.

"So, what are stars?" Asta immediately asked.

Magna spun on him.

"Don’t get excited if you don’t even know what they are!"

Rain smirked.

"Stars are awarded by the Wizard King based on our performance," Magna explained.

"What are they good for?" Noelle prompted.

"Well… They’re like an honor."

"Honor?!" Asta’s eyes practically sparkled.

"That’s right, Asta! Honor!" Magna puffed out his chest.

"It’s a badge of honor for a man!"

Noelle frowned. "There are two women here."

"It’s a badge of honor for a man and a woman!" Magna corrected.

Rain sighed. 

Well he at least tried

Yami took another slow drag.

"The Golden Dawn is currently at the top with seventy stars."

Seventy?!

Rain blinked in mild disbelief.

"What about us? How many do the Black Bulls have?" Asta bounced eagerly.

Yami smirked.

"We finally have a nice, even negative thirty."

Rain froze.

"Negative?!"

"What?!" Asta screeched.

"We’re finally only a hundred away from the Golden Dawn."

A hundred?!

Rain rubbed her temples as she heard Noelle muble in disbelief.

"Should I really be in this squad?"

Rain smirked.

"One other thing."

Yami reached into his coat and pulled out a small, bulging bag—tossing it lazily onto the table.

"Here’s your pay for this month."

Rain blinked.

"Huh?"

Asta grabbed the pouch, untying it with wide eyes.

"It’s money! There’s at least 200,000 yuls here!"

Magna practically threw himself to the floor, bowing at Yami’s feet.

"Thank you, Captain!"

Rain raised an eyebrow.

That’s… a little excessive.

"Thanks, Captain! I’m gonna eat lots of yummy things with this!"

Charmy snatched her share, clutching it like it was the most precious thing in the world.

"Yeah, eat up," Yami chuckled.

Luck sidled up next, grinning as he dangled his bag in front of their captain.

"Hey, Captain! How much would it take for you to fight me?"

Yami didn’t even glance at him.

"I won’t."

"Aw, come on!"

Luck pouted as the captain completely ignored him.

Nearby, Gauche sat cross-legged, rubbing his chin in deep thought.

"I was thinking about buying new clothes for my goddess, my little sister, Marie."

Rain stiffened.

His gaze suddenly landed on her.

"What do you think would look best on her?"

Rain stared.

…Why was he asking her?

She shrugged uncomfortably.

Gauche hummed, completely missing her discomfort.

"Tomorrow’s gonna be a day off, so don’t let it go to waste," Yami said, stretching his arms behind his head.

Finral perked up immediately.

"I’m gonna go on tons of dates!"

Yami waved a hand dismissively. "Do whatever you want."

"Thanks!" Vanessa winked.

"Thank you for everything, Captain," Gordon mumbled quietly.

Vanessa turned to the group with a thoughtful hum.

"We should all go out somewhere and have fun. What do you guys think?"

Rain glanced at Noelle.

She looked curious.

"This isn’t much," Noelle scoffed, staring at the money.

"You moron!" Asta yelped, horrified. "You could buy at least ten years’ worth of tatoes with this money!"

Noelle frowned.

"Tatoes? What are those?"

"Potatoes from Hage Village," Magna explained, "that taste bland and have a questionable texture."

Noelle wrinkled her nose. "That sounds awful."

"They aren’t! Sister Lily can make anything taste good!" Asta declared proudly.

Finral blinked. "And who’s that?"

Rain suppressed a knowing smile.

Just wait until he finds out.

"The woman I’m going to marry someday!"

A beat of silence.

Noelle’s head snapped up.

"What?!"

Her face flushed instantly.

"But aren’t sisters women of the cloth?" Finral questioned, puzzled. "I don’t think they can get married."

"I-It’ll work out somehow! I’ll go beyond all limitations!"

"You’re stupid," Noelle gritted out.

Before Asta could argue, Vanessa’s smooth voice cut in.

"Congrats on your first payday!"

Rain smirked. Smooth timing.

Vanessa turned toward Noelle.

"What do you plan to do with it?"

"I haven’t decided," Noelle admitted.

"What about you, little boy?"

Vanessa swung an arm around Asta’s shoulders.

"I-I’m going to send some money back to the church in Hage," Asta stammered, blushing slightly.

Rain hummed quietly.

That sounded just like him.

"That’s a great idea, Asta!" Magna grinned. "That’s the manly thing to do!"

Asta brightened. "Right?! Do you send money back, too?"

Magna grinned wider.

"Of course I do! But…"

He waggled his eyebrows.

"Only after I’ve increased it a hundredfold!"

"You never learn, do you?" Finral sighed.

"A man’s gotta take risks!"

"By ‘man,’ you must mean ‘moron.’" Noelle sniped.

Vanessa turned back to Asta.

"Sending some money back is fine, but don’t send all of it."

Asta hesitated.

"Sh-Should I? But… what should I use it for?"

Vanessa smiled.

"Let’s go shopping in Castle Town tomorrow."

Asta blinked.

"You, too," she added, glancing at Noelle and Rain.

Rain’s lips twitched.

Shopping?

"I’ll take you all."

Noelle perked up instantly.

Rain hesitated.

Her gaze flickered toward Vanessa.

Was she… trying to setup date for Asta and Noelle?

She studied the woman carefully.

Had she invited her because she didn't want to be suspicious, or just so Rain wouldn’t feel left out?

Her thoughts swirled.

Either way—

Noelle was clearly looking forward to it.

Rain should let them enjoy that.

Her fingers twitched slightly.

Besides—

Her smile faltered slightly.

She needed some time to think.

To process what happened at Saussy Village.

Her chest tightened.

She had froze.

Those memories. The same thing that happened in the Magic Knights' exam.

If Asta—if any of them—had died because of that moment of weakness…

Rain shook herself.

No.

She wouldn’t let it happen again.

She blinked, realizing Vanessa was watching her.

Concern flickered in her gaze.

Rain quickly waved her off, nodding for them to go on without her.

With a casual backwards wave, she turned and headed toward where her room should be.

…Though with the base shifting constantly, who knew where that was?

She missed the worried looks exchanged behind her.

Her mind was already elsewhere.

She had more important things to focus on.

She had to get to the bottom of this.

The last thing she needed—

Was another episode in the middle of a battle.

The silence of her room was suffocating.

Rain sat stiffly on the edge of her bed, fingers clenched into the fabric of her blanket.

She knew she wouldn’t be able to sleep.

Her mind was too loud.

It always got like this—when the distractions faded, when she was left alone with her thoughts.

And now…

Now, she couldn’t stop thinking about him.

"No wonder Master was interested in you."

Her stomach twisted.

Who was he talking about?

What Master?

Why did those words… feel familiar?

Like an echo of something she’d already heard before.

Something she didn’t want to remember.

Her fingers dug deeper into the blanket, her breathing unsteady.

She wasn’t new to this feeling—this sharp, creeping unease that curled around her ribs like a vice.

It had been there during the Magic Knights exam.

When she’d blacked out.

When she’d felt the cold, suffocating pressure close around her throat—

"Disappointing."

Her pulse jumped.

That voice—that presence—it had felt so familiar.

Like a long-forgotten nightmare slipping through the cracks in her mind.

A choked sob had echoed in her memory.

Not her own.

Someone else.

Someone begging.

"P-please..."

Her head throbbed, and she clenched her teeth, curling in on herself.

She was forgetting something important.

No—

Something had been taken from her.

Like a puzzle with missing pieces, her memories were scattered, nothing fitting together the way it should.

She could feel the edges of something—something dark, something that made her chest tighten with panic.

"It seems like you still don’t understand your place…"

Her breath hitched as the phantom feeling of fingers tangled in her hair, forcing her head up, burned across her scalp.

Her own voice—hoarse, raw—pleading for air.

"Now… prove to me you understand your purpose."

Her fingers dug into her arms.

Why couldn’t she remember?

Why did it feel like something inside her was screaming for her to wake up?

Think.

She just had to think.

But no matter how hard she tried to reach for it, the memories slipped through her grasp like sand through her fingers.

Her breathing was uneven now, sharp and shallow.

Her magic wasn’t the only thing broken about her.

Her vision blurred, something wet gliding down her cheek.

She couldn’t remember.

She never could.

It was like her mind had cut away the ending.

Just like every other piece of her past.

Just like whatever came before waking up in that damn forest all those years ago.

Her hands trembled.

She dug her nails into her palms, grounding herself in the present.

She was fine.

It was over.

It didn’t matter.

It shouldn’t matter.

…Then why did Heath’s words shake her so much?

Why had she frozen at the word pet?

Like a trigger buried so deep in her mind that even she hadn’t realized it was there.

Like something she had spent years—a lifetime—trying to forget.

A bitter scoff left her lips.

Forget what?

She didn’t even know what she was supposed to be remembering.

And that…

That was the worst part.

She clenched her jaw, hating herself for it.

For freezing.

For feeling that fear coil in her stomach.

For letting a few words make her head pound and her vision blur.

For being so weak.

Her chest tightened.

Would it keep happening?

Would she keep losing control at the worst possible moments?

What if next time, she couldn’t snap out of it?

What if next time, someone died because she wasn’t strong enough to stop it?

…What if she wasn’t strong enough to stop it?

A sickening weight settled in her gut.

What was she supposed to do?

How was she supposed to fix something when she didn’t even know what was broken?

Her grip loosened.

Her hands fell to her lap, empty and useless.

The exhaustion was pressing down on her now.

Dragging her deeper.

She hadn’t figured anything out.

She hadn’t found any answers.

Just more questions.

More pieces of a life she couldn’t remember.

She pressed her forehead against her knees, eyes burning.

Her own mind was a puzzle she couldn’t solve.

And the worst part?

She didn’t even know where to start.

The weight of it all pulled her under, dragging her into restless sleep.

But even in sleep—

The voice followed her.

"Power is what drives this world… Without it, your existence is meaningless."

A chill ran through her unconscious mind.

Chapter Text

"Hey, Magna. Let's fight. No holding back."

Luck’s voice rang across the base, breaking the comfortable lull that had settled over the group.

Rain lounged on the stone floor, half-listening as she watched Asta continue his relentless workout in the center of the room.

"Nine hundred eighty-two…"

"Nine hundred eighty-three…"

The scene hadn’t changed for the past forty-five minutes—Asta hammering through push-ups, Magna perched on his back for extra weight, and the rest of them gradually gathering around in a loose circle.

Rain exhaled slowly.

Magna scoffed, shoveling another bite of food into his mouth.

"No way, you battle-obsessed freak."

Luck tilted his head, his smile widening.

"Oh, come on. Let's do it," he coaxed. "Or else I might be forced to eat your flan."

Rain’s lips twitched.

The fire mage froze.

"Keep your grubby hands off my food—!"

"Nine hundred eighty-seven…"

Luck’s grin widened. "Will you fight me, then? Will you?!"

"No."

"Nine hundred ninety…"

Rain let the noise fade into the background, turning her attention to Noelle, who was still fixated on the tiny bird perched on Asta’s head.

"Silvantus Schnauzer," she muttered under her breath.

Rain arched a brow.

They’d been trying to name it for the past hour.

"I think something else would be better," Vanessa slurred, swirling her drink. "Like ‘Wine.’"

"Nine hundred ninety-four…"

"I will allow you to borrow a single letter from the name of my goddess, my little sister Marie." Gouache crossed his arms, nodding solemnly. 

He paused dramatically.

"I will let you take the 'M.' Be grateful."

Rain rolled her eyes.

How generous.

"Nine hundred ninety-nine…"

"One thousand!"

Asta collapsed onto the floor, panting.

"Make it something cooler!" Magna chimed in. "Call him ‘Magnam Fire!’"

Noelle scowled. "Lame."

"You have no taste, Lady Noe!"

"More like you don’t."

Rain sighed, tuning them out.

"Thinking of names looks like fun," Gordon muttered from the shadows. "I thought of one, too… I wonder if they’ll ask."

Rain smiled faintly.

He really was a lot softer than people gave him credit for.

"Can I fatten that bird up?" Charmy suddenly mused between bites.

Rain exhaled, pressing her palm against her forehead.

Charmy was seated at a completely different table, devouring an impressive mountain of food.

"He looks really yummy."

"Absolutely not!" Noelle snapped.

Charmy hummed, unbothered. "Do you think it’ll lay eggs?"

Rain gave her a flat look.

Asta wiped the sweat from his forehead and perked up.

"This guy's Birdyboy!"

Noelle scowled. "Silvantus Schnauzer."

Rain groaned, flopping onto her back.

"Birdyboy!"

"Silvantus Schnauzer!"

Here they go again…

"Birdyboy!"

Ow! Ow! Ow! Ow! Ow!

Rain cracked one eye open just in time to see the bird aggressively pecking Asta’s head.

"The heck was that for, Birdyboy?!"

"There, you see?" Noelle smirked. "You prefer Silvantus Schnauzer, don’t you?"

"He likes Magnam Fire!" Magna shouted.

"M," Gauche insisted.

"Wine!" Vanessa countered.

Luck perked up. "Why not Nero?"

The entire group paused.

"Nero?"

Luck nodded, pleased.

"It means ‘black.’ Cool right?”

The bird ruffled its feathers smugly.

Rain gave a lazy thumbs-up.

Definitely better than the other options.

Before anyone could argue, a portal snapped open, a wave of thick smoke rolling out as Yami stepped through with a scowl.

"All right, listen up, guys."

Asta sat bolt upright.

"Mister Yami! Hello!" Magna called— only to immediately shut up under Yami’s glare.

"We’re back, everyone," Finral added as the group crowded around.

"Welcome back!"

"What did they want at the castle?"

"If it’s a mission, I want to go!"

Yami exhaled a cloud of smoke.

"I have an announcement."

The room fell silent.

"They discovered a new dungeon."

A beat.

Then—

"A new dungeon?! Are you serious?!" Magna practically jumped out of his seat.

"Wow!!!" Asta’s eyes sparkled.

Then—

His expression dimmed.

"…What the heck is a dungeon?"

Rain smirked.

Of course.

Magna looked personally offended.

"Are you serious?! You got all excited, and you don’t even know what it is?"

"I just went with the flow!" Asta defended.

"Talk about predictable…" Magna groaned. "Listen up, Dungeons 101. They’re kinda like ancient tombs that contain relics from back then. Sometimes they have info about powerful ancient magic or super rare magical items."

Rain hummed in interest.

"One thing though," Luck interjected cheerfully.

"They try to kill you."

…Ah.

That made more sense.

"The people back then set insane magical traps," Luck continued. "So the Magic Knights investigate them to keep people from dying. And to make sure no one steals the good stuff."

"So basically," Vanessa summarized, "it’s like a treasure hunt… where you could die at any moment."

Great.

Rain exhaled slowly as Yami nodded.

"And it’s in a dicey location," he added. "Popped up near our enemy’s border."

Asta tilted his head.

"Enemy?"

"The Diamond Kingdom."

Rain’s stomach tightened slightly.

"We need to take care of this mission fast," Yami muttered. "Got to keep the Diamond King’s paws off the good stuff."

His expression darkened slightly.

"In the past, people have found items in dungeons that could change civilizations. Someone even learned how to use ultimate magic."

Asta leaped up.

"ME! ME! PLEASE LET ME GO!"

Yami took a long drag of his cigarette.

"Yeah, how the hell are you gonna do that with no magic?"

"You never know!" Asta grumbled.

Yami exhaled smoke.

"Magic power or not, you are going," he said bluntly. "Wasn’t my call this time, though, so don’t thank me."

Rain frowned.

If it wasn’t Yami’s decision…

"…Who chose him?" Noelle asked.

"The Wizard King."

Silence.

Then—

"Huh?"

"Huh?!"

Rain winced as Asta screeched.

"The Wizard King?!"

Magna gawked. "What the heck?! Did you bump into him or something?!"

"No, never!" Asta yelped.

Yami shrugged.

"Noelle. Rain. You’re going too."

…

What?

Rain’s head snapped up.

"Everything counts as experience," Yami said lazily. "Oh, and Luck? You’re in charge."

Luck beamed.

"Really?"

"Sure. You’ll lose your touch if you stay cooped up."

Rain sighed.

Of course it would be Luck.

This was going to be just as insane as their last mission.

Asta hauled her to her feet as the group gathered near Finral’s portal.

"Be careful out there," Vanessa called.

"Asta! Rain! Lady Noe! Give it your all!" Magna shouted.

"Got it!" Asta grinned.

Noelle huffed. "I guess I don’t have a choice."

Rain exhaled slowly as they stepped through the portal.

The air was warm, the scent of wildflowers lingering in the breeze.

"The sunset is beautiful from here," Finral mused. "Highly recommend for dates."

Rain sighed.

They hadn’t asked.

"I'll have some nummies ready for you when you get back!"

Rain jumped as Charmy’s head suddenly popped through the portal, her small hands grabbing hold of Finral’s collar.

"Wha—?! Hey, wait—!"

Before he could protest, she yanked him backward, sending him stumbling out of sight as Rain blinked.

Did that just happen?

"Okay! Get it done, you four." Yami’s voice drifted through the lingering energy of the magic gate before it fully collapsed on itself.

A quiet settled between them.

Then—

"Let’s see… it’s this way!"

Luck grinned, already marching ahead with Asta on his tail.

Rain exhaled slowly, casting a glance toward Noelle.

The noble girl looked about as thrilled as she felt.

Here they go.

"They could've just dropped us off right in front of the dungeon."

Noelle’s grumbling pulled Rain from her thoughts.

They’d only been walking for fifteen minutes.

"Nope," Luck grinned, leading the way. "Finral can only teleport to places he's been before."

"Whoa!" He suddenly vaulted onto a fallen log, eyes gleaming with excitement. "Looks like he got us really close, though!"

Rain followed his gaze, taking in the gaping mouth of the dungeon ahead.

The entrance yawned open like the throat of some ancient beast, the air inside thick with the weight of dense, uncharted mana.

A strange tightness settled in her chest.

"Right! Let’s do this!" Luck barely paused before darting into the tunnel.

…So much for watching the newbies.

"Let's go!" Asta grinned, adjusting his sword as a sharp flutter of wings sounded as Nero settled into his usual spot atop Asta’s head.

 He cast the bird a confused glance. "Hey, why the heck did you come, anyway?"

Rain sighed.

Walking into the darkness, that sinking feeling didn’t go away.

The air inside was cool and damp, the stone walls slick with condensation.

"It's so dark in here," Noelle muttered, clutching onto Asta’s arm.

"Hey, can you stop clinging to me? It's hard to walk."

"Wh-Who's clinging?" Noelle yelped, quickly pulling away.

Rain smirked.

Even in the pitch-black darkness, she could hear the fluster in the noble’s voice.

"Ow!" Asta yelped.

The faint glow from their lantern flickered—then died as he hit the ground.

A beat of silence.

"I can't see anything!" Noelle screeched.

"Ow… Hey, could you not step on my foot?" Asta groaned.

Rain blinked, her senses adjusting to the shift.

Okay. Noelle and Asta were somewhere to the left.

And Luck—

Someone grabbed her hand.

Rain startled.

But the gentle pull forward told her exactly who it was.

Ah.

There he is.

She let Luck guide her through the dark, rolling her eyes at the continued bickering behind them.

"Honestly, you have some nerve."

"It’s your fault for tripping and running into me!"

"How dare you? I’m royalty!"

"So what?!"

"Insect."

Rain squinted ahead, spotting the faintest sliver of light filtering through the cracks above.

She squeezed Luck’s hand and pulled him toward it.

"Huh… oh!" His eyes brightened. "Is this it?"

He dropped her hand and placed both palms against the stone, helping her push.

With a deep groan, the slab shifted—

Light poured in.

"W-Wow!"

Asta’s awe-struck whisper mirrored the feeling gripping Rain’s chest.

They stepped forward, blinking against the glow as their eyes adjusted.

The dungeon stretched before them, vast and breathtaking.

Towering stairways and pyramids rose from shimmering pools of enchanted water. Mana-rich streams flowed upwards, defying gravity in glistening ribbons. Light refracted off the cascading falls, painting the air with shifting hues.

The sheer pulse of magic in the space was overwhelming—warm and ancient, wrapping around her bones like an embrace.

Rain exhaled slowly.

For a moment… just a moment…

She let herself bask in it.

"What the heck’s going on with this place?" Asta gawked. "This is the coolest thing I’ve ever seen—it’s all sparkly!"

"Looks like the space is warped because of magic." Luck grinned, practically vibrating. "There’s way more mana floating around here than outside!"

"Yes," Noelle agreed, voice hushed with awe. "I’ve never been anywhere so steeped in mana before."

"Really?" Asta blinked. "You mean you can actually feel all this?"

Noelle gave him a look. "Are you saying you can’t?"

"Not at all."

"Amazing." The noble tilted her head, intrigued. "I guess people without magic really are different."

Rain winced.

That was… the worst thing to say.

"Shut up!" Asta’s mood plummeted. He collapsed to his knees, fists trembling. "It’s not fair! I wanna feel mana too!"

Rain sighed.

"I want mana!" Asta whined, pointing at Noelle. "Do you know how lucky you royals are?! You have a ridiculous amount of mana! In my body, I don't even have a single drop!"

"I'm empty! Just a hollow shell!"

Tears poured down his face.

"Ahh! Why me?! Huh?!"

He slammed his hands against the stone floor.

A faint glow pulsed beneath his palms.

Rain’s stomach dropped.

Not good.

"Huh? What's that?"

Asta stopped crying, blinking down at the glowing circle.

The ground trembled.

A wall of jagged stone erupted from the floor.

"Whoaa!"

He shrieked, scrambling backward as Noelle gasped.

"Is that trap magic?!"

Asta fumbled for his grimoire.

With a yell, his sword cleaved through the attack, sending rock crumbling to dust.

Rain’s pulse thundered.

Well.

That could’ve killed them.

"Try to be more careful!" Noelle snapped. "You almost got us all killed!"

"My bad! Sorry!"

Luck perked up, eyes locked onto a specific spot ahead.

"Hey, take a look at this, Asta. Right there."

Rain peered over his shoulder but didn’t see anything unusual.

"Where?"

"Closer… closer. There."

Luck clapped Asta on the back.

A trap lit up beneath him.

"AAAAHHH!"

Asta barely managed to swing his sword in time, slicing through the summoned spikes.

"What the hell was that for?!"

Luck burst into laughter.

"That was so much fun to watch!"

"WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU PLAYING AT?!" Noelle shrieked.

Rain rubbed her temples.

They were going to die down here.

Luck hummed, bouncing lightly on his feet. "Oh, there's another one."

He leaped forward.

Glowing sigils appeared wherever he landed.

"Hup!"

"Whee!"

"And another one!"

Rain barely dodged a burst of fire as Noelle screeched.

Rain winced as heat surged around her, flames bursting from the dungeon floor in a sudden, violent eruption.

Oh, crap.

Extending her hands, she breathed deeply, focusing.

The fire's wild energy warped, curling like mist before seeping into her skin.

It buzzed beneath her ribs, foreign yet familiar.

Unnatural.

“This is so much fun!”

Luck’s laughter echoed through the cavern as he glanced her way, grinning wide. "Isn't this exciting?"

Rain felt a smile tug at her lips.

His energy was just too infectious.

"Don't encourage this, Rain!!!"

Asta and Noelle screeched in unison as yet another water trap burst overhead, soaking them both.

Rain held back a laugh.

"Man… your anti-magic weapon is amazing." Luck turned to Asta, eyes sharp with interest after pausing his bouncing, "I wonder if that's why the Wizard King chose you."

Asta blinked. "Huh?"

Luck’s grin widened.

"I'd love to fight you for real in about two to three years."

He leaned in close, electric energy sparking at his fingertips.

Asta sweatdropped, stumbling back. "Uh—I'll pass!"

Luck laughed, stepping away. "All you have to do is keep that sword at the ready, and this dungeon won't be any problem."

Asta nodded hurriedly, clearly just relieved to have him not in his face anymore. "Got it!"

Rain tilted her head, watching Luck curiously as he suddenly stilled.

His grin faded—just slightly.

His eyes slid shut.

A faint pulse of mana rippled outward.

She felt it brush against her skin, stretching, reaching, like an unseen force scanning their surroundings.

Was he… using his mana to detect something?

Her eyes flicked upward as Luck’s focus snapped to the left.

He’d found something.

She followed his gaze, brows furrowing.

What exactly had he sensed—?

"Lightning Creation Magic—"

Electricity crackled at his feet.

"Holy Lightning Boots!"

Rain’s stomach dropped.

Oh, no.

He was about to leave them, wasn’t he?

"Sorry, guys!"

Luck grinned, crouching slightly as static buzzed around him.

"Something important just came up! I gotta get going!"

And then—

He launched himself into the air.

"Hey! Where are you—?!"

Noelle barely had time to protest before he disappeared from sight.

The three of them stood frozen, gaping at the space he’d just occupied.

"Wh-What in the world is he thinking?!" Noelle sputtered.

"S-So cool!" Asta breathed, eyes sparkling.

Rain huffed, shaking her head.

"Honestly... He's unbelievable." Noelle crossed her arms, still fuming. "Captain Yami clearly told him to keep an eye on us, and he just left!"  

Rain sighed. Honestly? She wasn't even surprised. Luck abandoning them to chase a fight? Predictable.  

"Don't worry," Asta said with his usual unwavering confidence. "We've got nothing to worry about. No matter what kind of traps might spring up, I'll slice through them with my sword!"  

Noelle huffed. "Must be nice being as carefree as you."  

Rain gave a pointed look as Asta puffed his chest.  

"This dungeon ain't nothin'!" he declared. "I'm going to beat Yuno and become the Wizard King, after all!"  

"Again with that?" Noelle sounded exasperated. Rain rested her chin in her palm. Always the same with him.

She wondered what Mr. Serious was up to right now...  

"Yuno?" Noelle tilted her head at Asta’s declaration.  

Asta perked up. "Yeah! I haven't told you about him before?" He looked almost offended at the thought. "He's a childhood friend Rain and I grew up with in Hage Village."  

Rain smiled at the memory. The three of them—herself, Asta, and Yuno—running through fields, racing toward the future.  

"We took the Magic Knights Entrance Exam together," Asta continued proudly. "And he got into the Golden Dawn!"  

"That's amazing, isn't it?"  

Noelle’s expression shifted slightly. "He got into the Golden Dawn… without being a noble?"  

Rain watched with mild interest.  

"Yeah! He's amazing!" Asta’s admiration was clear as they continued walking. "But he isn't going to beat me, not a chance!"  

"Come on, let's go!" Asta sprinted ahead, pointing toward a stone bridge. "Looks like we can cross over there. Let's hurry!"  

Rain moved to follow—then paused.

Noelle had stopped walking. A light flush dusted her cheeks.  

Rain tilted her head.

What —?  

"Oh!" Noelle startled, shaking herself. "Sorry! It's nothing! Nothing at all!"  

Rain arched an eyebrow. Nothing, huh? A slow, mischievous grin curled at her lips.  

"Let's hurry!" Asta’s call snapped them back to focus, and the two girls rushed forward—only for Noelle’s foot to land on a glowing green crest.  

A trap.  

"Oh no, it’s a trap!"  

Noelle barely had time to scream before vines burst from the ground, wrapping around her legs and torso.  

"Noelle!"  

Rain and Asta rushed toward her. A sickly purple mist curled from the cavern floor, and Rain’s stomach twisted. This wasn’t normal magic.  

"S-Such powerful magic…" Noelle’s voice trembled as the vines pulled her higher.  

Asta didn’t hesitate. "Hold on, Noelle!" His sword swung in a blur, cutting through the vines. Noelle let out a startled shriek, plummeting toward the ground—  

Rain launched herself forward, arms outstretched.  

She caught her midair, grunting as she absorbed the weight of the fall. Her joints ached from the impact, but she ignored it, lowering Noelle gently onto her feet.  

Noelle stared at her. Violet irises wide, dazed. Her cheeks turned pink.

Was she… embarrassed?  

Rain offered a small, reassuring smile. The noble girl only turned redder.

Huh. Weird.  

"Quick, Noelle, get away!" Asta’s warning made Rain snap her attention back to the threat—just in time to see more vines lash out, dragging Asta toward the creature's gaping maw.  

Acidic mist curled between jagged fangs. Floating skulls churned in the sludge.  

Rain moved before she could think. Her palm slammed onto the beast’s slimy skin—and she pulled.  

A horrific screech tore through the cavern. The creature withered, its magic draining into her body.  

A single vine whipped toward her in a desperate last attack—Rain tensed, preparing to take the hit—  

A sharp gust of wind sliced through the air. The vine fell limp. The monster collapsed.  

Rain’s eyes flicked up. That magic… It was precise. Controlled. Familiar.  

Realization clicked into place.

A slow, knowing grin spread across her lips. She pushed stray curls from her face, glancing toward the direction the spell had come from.  

Yuno was here.

Chapter Text

Yuno.

Rain grinned as she spotted him standing above them, emerging from a cavern with his usual calm demeanor.  

Her eyes flickered to his side as two more mana signatures followed him, emerging from the cavern just as the wind mage jumped down to their level.

"Yuno!" A sharp voice rang out, cutting through the moment.  

Rain's amusement faded as she turned her gaze to the source—an older man with neatly combed blue hair and thin glasses perched on the bridge of his nose. His expression twisted with disapproval as he strode forward, his rigid posture practically radiating superiority.  

"Why did you go out of your way to save these people?" he demanded.  

Excuse him?!

Rain’s jaw clenched as she caught the subtle flinch from Noelle beside her. The condescension in his tone was unbearable, as if simply acknowledging their presence was beneath him.  

"We've been charged with exploring this dungeon and securing its contents," the Golden Dawn Knight continued, each word dripping with self-importance. "Our primary objective is to reach the treasure hall with all possible haste. We have no time to involve ourselves with such rabble as these."  

"Jeez. Who the hell is Four Eyes the Rude over here?" Asta muttered, cocking his head toward Yuno, who sighed heavily.  

"My superior," Yuno replied flatly.  

"Excuse me?" The man bristled, clearly offended. "And you think that I'm rude? Don't say that again, brat. I am a noble, and you will treat me with respect."  

Rain barely held back a scoff. 

Of course he was a noble. That tracks. 

"Fancy running into you here, Noelle."  

Rain turned her attention to the new voice—a young woman with rich gold hair and warm, honey-colored eyes. 

She approached with an effortless grace, smiling sweetly at the water mage.  

"We haven’t seen each other since last year’s royal banquet, isn’t that right?"  

"You know each other?" Asta asked, tilting his head.  

"Yes, just a bit," Noelle admitted reluctantly.  

"Actually, I’m Noelle’s cousin" the blonde clarified with an airy laugh.  

Rain glanced between them, noting the way Noelle’s body tensed ever so slightly. 

Her usual fire was dampened, an unreadable expression crossing her face.  

Oh.  

She really did not like this girl.  

"From what I’ve heard, the Black Bulls can be a rather unrefined squad at times," the girl continued, eyes filled with concern. "Are you doing all right with them?"  

Yikes. 

"I think that’s what I should be asking you, Mimosa." Noelle’s voice was sharp, her posture rigid. "Can you actually keep up with the elite members of the Golden Dawn?"  

Rain winced.  

"For sure!" Mimosa chirped, completely unfazed. "Everyone is just so incredibly kind. I can wield my magic with no qualms at all, knowing I have their support." She tilted her head. "Oh, how thoughtless of me. You've always had to struggle so much with controlling your magic. Has that gotten any better?"  

A heavy silence fell over them.  

Did she just—?  

Rain, Asta, and Noelle all stared, utterly blindsided by how casually she had just insulted her own cousin.  

"Yes," Noelle gritted out, her jaw tight. "It’s coming along fine. Thank you."  

"Great!" Mimosa smiled brightly. "It’s so wonderful that we’re both finding our footing as Magic Knights. The Wizard King even gave us a star for our last mission!"  

Rain exchanged a look with Asta, who grinned widely before turning to Yuno with a smug expression.  

"What a coincidence!" he boasted. "We got a star for our last mission, too!"  

Yuno blinked, clearly caught off guard.  

"You’re a liar," Glasses snapped, his tone instantly souring. "Brand new, slipshod Black Bulls? It’s inconceivable that you could earn a star so easily."  

Rain’s eyes narrowed.  

Rude.

"Well, we did, so there," Asta shot back, sticking out his tongue. "And our total is up to negative thirty now."  

"Not a chance," the noble scoffed. "Why you’re even being sent on this mission is absurd enough."  

"Guess the Wizard King didn’t think so," Asta said smugly. "’Cause he’s the one who sent me!"  

"Yet another bald-faced lie."  

"It is not a lie!"  

Rain sighed, letting the argument fade into background noise as she stepped closer to Yuno.  

The wind mage raised a brow as she came to a stop beside him, eyeing her curiously.  

She didn’t bother saying anything. Instead, she bumped her forehead lightly against his shoulder, nuzzling into the fabric of his uniform.  

A quiet chuckle escaped him, and a warm hand settled atop her curls, ruffling them gently.  

She’d missed this.

"Now that I think of it," the noble sneered, dragging Rain’s attention back to the conversation, "I was told that there were going to be four of you."  

Rain huffed, straightening up.  

"So where is your last member? What, did they run away and leave you here to explore the dungeon on your own?" His smirk widened. "Was that it? Or perhaps they fell victim to a trap, huh?” 

Rain clenched her fists. 

As if. The only way Luck was caught in a trap was if he wanted to be.  

"So where is he, then?"  

The silence stretched, none of them dignifying him with a response.  

"Whatever the case," the noble scoffed, "he’s a coward who left his newest colleagues behind. A typical Black Bull. How disgusting. Your whole squad brings shame to the Magic Knights."  

That was it.  

Rain took a step forward, ready to rip this guy apart—  

A firm hand caught her shoulder.  

She turned her head, meeting Yuno’s golden gaze. He shook his head slightly, a silent warning.  

Play nice, Yami’s voice echoed in her mind.  

…Right.  

"Okay, now you’ve really done it, pal!" Asta snapped. "The Black Bulls are gonna conquer this dungeon so fast you won’t even know what hit you!"  

Rain smirked.

Leave it to Asta to say exactly what she was thinking.  

"Just you watch! Golden Dumb! Golden Dim! No Squad with the Weird-Haired Boss!"  

A snicker slipped from Yuno, quiet but unmistakable.  

"I’ve heard enough!" Glasses barked. "First, you insult our intelligence, and then our captain?" His face twisted with fury. "How dare you mock our leader, the incomparable Captain Vangeance?!"  

So much for staying out of it.  

"You will pay! Besides, your captain is the one who walks around flashing his overinflated muscles and smoking like a chimney!"  

"What? Are you crazy? Or maybe you’re just jealous ‘cause Yami’s manlier than you!"  

"I am a senior Magic Knight! And a noble! Show some respect!"  

"Begging your pardon, sir. I’m so sorry," Asta said in the fakest voice possible.  

"Damn you!"  

"This is foul—no, foul doesn’t even begin to cover—ugh, enough of this idiocy," the noble snapped, rubbing his temples. "I’ll show you the difference between the top Magic Knight squad in the kingdom and the one that doesn’t deserve the name. Mimosa!"  

"Sir!"  

Mimosa extended her hand. "Plant Creation Magic: Flower Guidepost!"  

Rain watched as mana shimmered, forming a glowing flower. From its petals, glowing vines unfurled into a perfect map of the dungeon.  

Whoa.  

“Okay, I’ve got the dungeon’s layout. I should be able to find the Treasure Hall.” She confirmed.

“Good. Yuno.”

The blue-haired noble turned, fixing his sharp gaze on Yuno, who responded with his usual calm.

“Yes, sir.”

Rain caught the slight shift in her brother’s posture—the subtle way his fingers curled as his grimoire snapped open, pages fluttering in the rush of mana. A gust of wind swirled around him before condensing into a cyclone at his feet.

Then, in an instant, they were gone.

Rain squinted against the sudden burst of wind as the trio shot off toward the treasure hall, disappearing down a corridor faster than her eyes could track.

“Good work, Yuno,” Rain turned as Asta mumbled, his voice softer than usual.

There was a flicker of pride in his eyes just before he grinned, shaking off whatever thoughts had crossed his mind as excitement settled on his expression.

Turning toward his squad mates the teen pulled his sword from its grimoire, raising it as he practically bounced on his toes.

“Yeah! Let’s go! You guys coming?”

Rain sighed, a tired smile tugging at her lips as Asta took off like a bolt of energy, his excitement as contagious as ever.

She glanced back at Noelle before jogging after him, falling into step beside him.

“Hey, wait!” The water mage’s voice rang out behind them as she hurried to catch up, her breath slightly uneven.

Rain smirked to herself as she glanced at Asta’s familiar determined expression.

Just like old times.

A competition to see who would reach the treasure hall first.

“Great. Now what do we do?” Noelle groaned as they wandered down another barren hallway. “It's not as if any of us are equipped to use exploration magic, you know.”

Well, that wasn’t exactly true.

Rain took a deep breath, branching out her senses.

Ever since Saussy Village, she’d been practicing sensing magic energy from longer and longer distances. She couldn’t pinpoint the exact type of magic at a given location, but she was getting better at distinguishing mana levels.

A smirk tugged at her lips as she recalled her latest success—identifying individual mana signatures. It required active focus, but once she’d spent enough time around someone, recognizing them became easy.

By constantly attuning herself to the mana levels around her, she could pick up on unique energy patterns at a much faster rate.

Let’s just say dodging beast-feeding duty by avoiding the largest mana signature in the compound—aka Yami—had become a breeze since she figured that trick out.

“We just check out every path until we find the right one,” Asta cut through her thoughts, confidently choosing the left side of a tunnel split.

Rain frowned. There were powerful spikes of mana just above them—strong, erratic pulses that felt unnatural. Was it people, or just the dungeon’s magic at work?

“What? Are you insane?” Noelle groaned, rubbing a hand down her face. “Oh yeah, that's right, you are. This ingenious idea of yours isn't going to get us anywhere but lost.”

Rain snickered, deciding to drop her attempt at tracking. With how saturated the dungeon was with magic, it would take too much effort to single out a specific location.

“Next, we take a right,” Asta declared before confidently striding ahead—only to vanish with a startled screech.

“Asta!” Noelle yelped, rushing forward.

Rain skidded to a stop at the chamber’s entrance, her stomach twisting at the sight before her.

Oh. No.

Asta was floating, limbs flailing as he tried to right himself in the air. Gravity had completely abandoned this part of the dungeon.

Turning quickly to warn Noelle—she barely had time to react before the water mage crashed into her from behind.

Rain let out a choked wheeze as both of them were thrown forward, weightlessness taking hold.

Well, shit.

A cold, weightless sensation coiled around her stomach as she twisted mid-air, trying to orient herself. Her limbs refused to cooperate, legs kicking uselessly as she fought to regain control.

"What’s with this place?" Noelle shrieked, voice high with panic. "The gravity’s gone haywire!"

Rain grimaced, flipping herself upright. Nearby, Asta was also struggling, though Nero—who remained nestled in his hair—seemed utterly unbothered.

"Come on, Nero. Wake up," Asta grumbled, flailing his arms.

Rain barely had time to process the ridiculousness of the situation before something moved beneath them.

A soft clanking noise echoed through the chamber.

Rain’s eyes widened as she caught sight of a treasure chest.…

With legs…

Walking around…

What the hell?!?!

“Look at that! It’s treasure!” Asta practically sparkled, his arms paddling through the air as he swam toward it.

“It definitely is not,” Noelle deadpanned. “Only a complete idiot wouldn’t see that.”

Ignoring her, Asta latched onto the box, straddling it like a prize. “Gotcha now.”

"Stop! Don’t open it!" Noelle shouted, frantically trying to kick her way toward him.

"My sweet treasure chest," Asta cooed, running his hands over the lid. "What’s inside of you?"

Rain barely had time to brace herself before he threw it open.

A thick, wet squelch filled the air.

Rain’s stomach churned.

Inside the chest were organs—beating, pulsing slabs of flesh, grotesquely piled together. The unnatural movement of the muscle fibers made her skin crawl.

Her throat burned with nausea.

"What did you just make me look at, you jerk?!" Noelle shrieked, slamming her fist into Asta’s arm.

"It’s not like I knew what was in there!" he yelped, raising his hands defensively.

Rain sighed as the two continued bickering, pushing the droning noise to the back of her mind.

The mana here was dense—thick and pressing, curling around her skin like unseen tendrils.

The further they walked, the harder it was to ignore.

Heading towards another opening, she could feel a buzzing sensation setting her nerves on edge.

"Now we’re talking! No hidden traps along this path," Asta cheered, completely unaware of the pressure building. "Come on!"

Rain furrowed her brows.

It just kept getting thicker.

Asta moved to step forward, in lead once more, when Noelle suddenly stopped.

Rain snapped out her hand to grab the edge of his sleeve, turning his attention to the water mage’s considering expression.

"What's up?" Asta blinked, tilting his head as he spoke up for the both of them.

Noelle hesitated. "All this magic power… There’s a battle somewhere." Her voice was quieter, almost cautious. "That’s where Luck went."

Asta tensed. "Who’s he fighting?"

Noelle shook her head. "Likely someone from the Diamond Kingdom."

The words sent an icy chill down Rain’s spine.

The Diamond Kingdom.

Her fingers twitched.

There had been rumors—stories about Diamond Kingdom mages taking children with strong mana for experiments. 

Sister Lily had kept Yuno and the other orphans close back then, whispering reassurances Rain hadn’t fully understood at the time.

And now they were here?

Something slithered at the edges of her consciousness.

What a useful little pet you’d be.

Rain inhaled sharply, fingers curling into fists.

She shook her head.

No time for that.

The likelihood of both groups being connected was slim.

She couldn’t afford to lose focus.

"Then we should go help Luck," Asta said, his voice firm.

"Should we?" Noelle frowned. "Luck likes fighting. We could leave it to him, couldn't we?"

Rain clenched her jaw.

No.

Something about leaving Luck behind felt wrong.

"Besides," Noelle continued, "if there are mages from the Diamond Kingdom here, you can bet they’ll be headed for the Treasure Hall. And protecting it is supposed to be our priority."

Another spike of mana crackled from above.

If that was luck, whoever he was fighting was strong.

Rain squeezed back Asta’s hand, gaining his attention. 

Glancing at her curiously she took the moment to slip out of his grip a take a deep breath, pushing her senses outward once more.

The dungeon unfolded in her mind—veins of mana weaving through the walls like a vast, intricate web.

She traced the threads.

Focused.

There.

A dense cluster of magic—a battle.

She found them.

Her eyes snapped open, certainty settling in her bones.

Without a word, she moved.

"Rain!" Noelle called after her, startled.

She didn’t stop.

Two sets of footsteps followed.

Good.

They were running out of time.

Chapter Text

Its so strong.

Rain’s feet pounded against the stone, her pulse hammering in time with each step. The mana in the air was suffocating, pressing down on her lungs like thick fog, but she pushed forward.

Almost there.

Almost there.

And then—

There!

Breaking from the tunnel, she skidded to a stop, breath catching at the sight before her.

Luck was struggling, his form barely visible beneath a thick shroud of smoke. The dark tendrils twisted and coiled around him like living shadows, slithering through the air as if they had minds of their own. And standing opposite him, wreathed in that same sinister magic, was the enemy—a Diamond Kingdom mage.

Cold dread settled in Rain’s gut.

Luck wasn’t moving.

The mage lifted his hand, his voice as smooth as oil. "Here, boy. I can take all your worries away…"

Time slowed.

Rain’s instincts roared to life as she lunged forward, shoving herself between them just as the man's palm flicked outward.

A burst of black spears shot through the air.

She threw up her arms, bracing—

Sharp, biting pain exploded across her forearms as the spears struck.

Her breath hitched, eyes widening as the dark magic shuddered and broke apart the moment it touched her skin, dispersing in eerie, curling wisps before sinking into her body.

A shockwave of unnatural energy rushed through her veins, twisting and curling beneath her skin like a foreign presence. She gasped, forcing herself to stand firm as her entire body buzzed with stolen mana.

That… had been close.

Teeth gritted, she glared up at the mage, fury burning in her chest.

The Diamond Kingdom mage took a step back, eyes slightly widening at her display—before he let out an amused chuckle.

"Another spirited youth come to join us, I see."

Rain barely heard Asta skidding to a stop beside her.

"What are you doing, you imbecile?!" Asta hissed, gripping his sword tightly.

The mage turned to him, tilting his head as if they were nothing more than mildly interesting. "Well, hello there. And who are you?"

Asta’s glare darkened. "Who am I?" His knuckles whitened around his sword’s hilt. "I’m Luck’s friend!"

Rain snarled.

No one hurt their squadmates. No one.

The mage chuckled, casting a glance over his shoulder as Noelle stumbled into the clearing, panting. "Ooh, your friends are coming out to play, too. How delightful."

A faint, strained whisper reached her ears.

"Stay… back…"

Rain’s gaze snapped to Luck, her stomach dropping at the sheer exhaustion in his expression.

"I don’t need friends to help me win." His voice wavered. "I’ll use the power only I possess."

She hissed at the declaration.

No way in hell was he well anought to fight this guy alone.

"Please, Luck, let us help," Noelle pleaded, voice thick with concern.

Luck’s shoulders tensed. "I have to do it by myself…" he muttered. "Or I’ll never earn my mom’s acceptance."

Rain’s heart stilled.

That explained it.

That desperate need to win, to prove something, the reckless way he threw himself into fights without regard for his own safety.

Something cold coiled in her chest.

Before she could dwell on it, the Diamond Kingdom mage sighed, clearly losing patience.

"Tiresome."

With a flick of his wrist, another barrage of spears launched toward them.

Asta moved first.

His sword slammed through the magic, shattering it in one powerful swing.

The mage whistled. "Not bad."

Rain barely had time to register the words before Luck exploded from the smoke, lightning crackling around him as he launched a fierce kick.

He was too slow.

The mage twisted effortlessly, dodging with almost inhuman speed.

Rain’s eyes narrowed.

He’s fast.

Not just physically. Something was enhancing his movements.

Was he using his own mana as a buffer? Was fighting in his own smoke making him faster?

"I’ll do it. I’ll win." Luck’s voice was desperate, his attacks turning frantic.

But Rain could see it.

Luck wasn’t attacking with strategy. He was attacking to prove something.

And it wasn’t working.

Rain’s stomach lurched as she caught the flicker of movement—

New black spears.

Forming behind him.

Shit.

She lunged.

She wasn’t going to make it.

LUCK—!!

A metallic shing cut through the battlefield—

The spears shattered.

Asta.

Thank god.

Her brother panted from where he’d intercepted the attack, sweat dripping down his brow. "You go ahead and do what you gotta do, Luck." His voice was unwavering. "But so will I."

Luck whirled. "I have to beat him on my own—"

"Sorry, but that just isn’t happening." Asta snapped, slicing through another smoke cloud without missing a beat. "I’m not done."

"I don’t know what you think of me," Asta continued, his voice ringing with conviction. "And it doesn’t matter. Do whatever you want. But you’re our friend. So let us help."

Luck froze.

For the first time since they arrived, uncertainty flickered across his face.

His fingers twitched.

Then—

His lips wobbled.

A single, watery laugh escaped.

He looked between them, wide-eyed—before a grin broke across his face, his expression softening.

"You’re right." He sniffled, rubbing at his eyes with the back of his wrist. "It does sound a lot more fun to fight together."

He turned to Rain and Asta.

"Shall we?"

Rain grinned.

"Let do this," Asta agreed.

The Diamond Kingdom mage sighed, catching their attention as he shook his head.

"Well, this isn’t a good turn of events," he mused. "If that’s how it’s going to be, I suppose it’s time to get serious."

A shiver crawled up Rain’s spine.

His mana was shifting.

"Smoke Creation Magic: Prison of the Fallen King."

Thick, black smoke erupted around them, curling upward in a suffocating dome.

No way out.

The mage’s voice drifted through the haze. "Poor, foolish little children. There’s no escaping now."

Rain gritted her teeth as the air grew thinner.

"The thing about the Black Bulls," Asta’s voice boomed into the darkness, "is we don’t lose to anyone!"

Rain extended her senses.

The mana around them was dense— but the caster was nearby.

She just needed to find him.

Fast.

Asta’s sword slashed through the smoke—but it reformed instantly.

"I’m cutting and cutting and cutting—" he groaned, "but it’s just not cutting it!"

Rain felt it too.

Her vision was blurring.

Was the oxygen running out?

"Anyone else feeling kinda dizzy?" Noelle wheezed.

If they stayed here much longer, they'd wind up suffocating. Fighting in this enclosed space with the smoke thickening around them was a losing battle. At this rate, their only chance was to take down the spellcaster fast.

Rain shifted her stance, her lungs burning as she struggled to pull in enough oxygen. The smoke was relentless, curling in her throat like a noose. 

She turned to Luck, hoping—praying—that their so-called leader had a better read on this than she did.

Luck’s gaze was distant for a moment, his usual grin absent as his sharp eyes darted through the smoke, calculating. 

Her vision flickered as dark specks crept at the edges, but she forced herself to stay present.

The mood around them shifted as Luck’s head lifted, lips curling into a familiar, dangerous smile. His electric-blue eyes gleamed, crackling with the first hints of lightning dancing at his fingertips.

Rain mimicked his grin.

Oh. They had a plan now.

Lotus POV:

"I may not be as young as you three, but I can do this all day." Lotus called out, his voice light and mocking as he floated effortlessly through his thick smoke screen.

The swirling mist cloaked the battlefield in an oppressive haze, obscuring sight, sound, even the faintest breath of wind. It was his domain.

Of course, it would help if he could actually see his opponents.

Not that it mattered.

He didn't need his eyes—his magic allowed him to feel everything. The way mana pulsed and fluctuated in the fog, how each of their signatures moved through the space. They were frantic. Desperate. Lashing out blindly.

Predictable.

A sharp inhale—then he dodged, smoothly evading a burst of lightning that cut through the mist. Too easy.

"Don't get any foolish ideas," he called out lazily, sidestepping another attack with minimal effort. "I can sense your magic power. Sneak attacks won’t work on me."

A barrage of spells followed, whizzing through the air. Sloppy. Rushed.

Lotus smirked as he weaved through them. "Whoa there. Wow. And—fire," he drawled, dodging a plume of flames. "Getting desperate, are we?"

The attacks didn’t slow.

"Ah," he sighed, shaking his head. "I’m afraid that won’t be enough. It won’t clear the smoke, either. All you’re doing now is wasting your power."

He almost felt bad for them.

Almost.

"I suppose it all comes down to experience," he mused, easily gliding through the battlefield. "I’ve likely been in more battles than all of you combined—"

A flicker.

Lotus’s eyes widened—

What the—?!

The impact exploded through his ribs, sending a white-hot pain lancing through his body before he even registered what happened.

A solid force slammed him against the stone wall, the breath ripped from his lungs. The force of the impact left his ears ringing, dust choking the air.

He gasped, wheezing as sharp, stabbing pain radiated from his chest. His hand twitched—instinctively reaching for his side—

Blood.

Thick. Warm.

He let out a shaky laugh, breathless. "Dear me…" he coughed, the metallic taste thick on his tongue. "What have you done to me? Feeble old man that I am."

His left arm throbbed in protest as he tried to push himself upright.

"Well, that's not good." His voice remained casual, but his mind was already assessing the damage. "Arm appears to be broken. And a handful of ribs, I'd wager."

He glanced up through the lingering dust—

Ah. There they were.

The sword-wielding brat stood at the front, blade still humming with residual force. Fierce. Unwavering.

Even with all his experience, Lotus had never encountered someone quite like this. A warrior with no mana who could still take down a seasoned mage.

How utterly bizarre.

But—his gaze flickered to the others. His teammates flanking him, standing firm.

And then—to her.

The dark-haired girl at their side.

Lotus’s breath hitched.

His eyes narrowed.

His vision swam, but he could see it.

Mana.

Not just any mana—his mana.

She had stolen it.

The realization sent a slow, creeping chill through him.

Impossible.

A magic knight without a grimoire who could take and wield the mana of others?

How… fascinating.

He squinted, analyzing her closely despite the pain. Her stance—steady. Her breathing—controlled. But her eyes…

Her eyes burned with fury.

There was no fear.

No hesitation.

Only rage.

Lotus shuddered.

This girl—she wasn’t just some rookie.

She was something else entirely.

A rare talent.

One that could be—dangerous.

Or useful.

If only she weren’t an enemy.

He sighed.

What he wouldn’t give to have a talent like that under his command.

But—not today.

His gaze dropped to his battered state. No way he was winning this fight now.

If he was going to be taken prisoner… he’d rather die.

Or—

He could run.

His grimoire snapped open at his whisper, smoke curling at his feet, thickening, shifting—

A train emerged from the fog, its engine roaring to life.

Lotus exhaled, lips curling into a smirk.

"Sorry, kids." His voice was almost cheerful. "But I don’t lose battles I can walk away from."

And with that—he vanished into the smoke.

Rain POV:

The plan Luck had come up with was simple but surprisingly effective.

First, he cornered the mage, forcing him into a tight position with relentless, rapid-fire lightning attacks. Every movement, every strike, was calculated—herding their opponent exactly where they needed him to be.

Then, in a fraction of a second—so fast the mage wouldn't have time to react—Noelle launched Asta straight into the thickest part of the smoke, using the exact trajectory Rain dictated.

It was Luck who had pointed it out earlier—how Rain could use the smoke magic just like their opponent.

She had stolen some of his mana in the fight, and as long as she still held onto that power, she could navigate through his magic with pinpoint accuracy. She could sense every flicker of mana within the smog, see through the dense haze in a way the others couldn’t.

And Asta—magicless, invisible to mana detection—was the perfect ambush.

That had been the winning move.

Rain exhaled, watching as the smoke train rumbled into the distance, its engine roaring as it sped away—taking their opponent with it.

"Wait up!" Luck shouted, already launching himself forward, a grin splitting his face. "I'm right on your tail!"

Only for another spear to shoot from the departing smoke.

Luck twisted at the last second, dodging the attack but landing hard on the ground.

"Agh." He sighed, pushing himself up with a slight wince as the train grew smaller in the distance. "Aw, we lost him."

"You're not getting away!" Asta shouted, preparing to chase after it.

Rain didn’t move.

She didn’t need to.

Before Asta could take off, Noelle grabbed the back of his shirt, yanking him back with an exhausted glare.

"Stupid smoke," the sword wielder muttered, still halted from the water mage’s grip as he watched the train then the corner.

Noelle looked worse for wear, arms shaking slightly as she shot a glare toward the two boys.

"You guys are way too fast."

Rain let out a slow breath, shaking off the last remnants of smoke clinging to her skin. The fight was over.

Chasing after that guy wasn’t worth it. Not now.

"I was really looking forward to finishing that fight with the old guy," Luck admitted, stretching his arms out with an easy grin. "But that's not the mission."

Rain blinked.

Wait, what?

"Let's forget him and get to the treasure hall."

Asta whirled around, staring at Luck like he’d just grown a second head.

"Wait, you're turning down a fight?" he screeched.

"Yeah." Luck nodded, completely serious. "Let’s get moving. There's treasure to find."

Oh, wow.

That was… shockingly responsible coming from him.

Rain had barely processed the shift in character when—

A sudden, powerful surge of mana erupted somewhere deeper in the dungeon.

She stiffened, head snapping toward the direction of the magic.

It was enormous.

Whoever it belonged to was **strong—**easily stronger than the guy they just fought.

Luck tensed beside her.

"Whoa… so much magic power."

Rain swallowed hard.

That wasn’t normal.

And knowing her luck…

Her gaze drifted to boy who's namesake was such, grin speed along his features.

Yeah. Of course.

That’s exactly where they were headed next.

With an eager bounce in his step, Luck strode toward a nearby staircase, eyes gleaming with anticipation.

Rain groaned, pressing her fingers to her temple.

Please

Just one mission where she doesn't almost die.

That’s all she wanted

Noelle let out a long-suffering sigh.

Asta grinned.

Rain huffed and followed them up the stairs.

She just wanted to sleep.

Chapter Text

The sight that met them upon entering the Treasure Hall was grim.  

Rain’s breath hitched as she fought to slow her racing heart.  

Her gaze snapped to Yuno, standing in the center of the battlefield, chest rising and falling with controlled but rapid breaths.

His eyes were wide, locked onto Asta, who stood panting in front of him, sword raised, shoulders tight with tension.  

He was ok…

Asta had made it in time.  

Yuno was alive.  

That fact alone should have been enough to ground her, but the residual fear clung to her skin like static, prickling and suffocating.  

Because they had been so, so close to losing him.  

By the time they had burst into the room, a massive sword had already been descending toward their brother—too fast, too sudden for them to do anything but watch in horror.  

For a single, frozen moment, Rain thought they were too late.  

She had felt her stomach plummet, her lungs seize.  

But Asta hadn’t hesitated.  

He had slammed his sword up just in time, cutting through the attack with brute force. Deflecting it.  

If he had been even half a second slower…  

"Everyone doing all right?" Noelle panted beside her.  

Rain forced herself to blink, tearing her eyes away from her brothers to assess the rest of the battlefield.  

It wasn’t looking good.  

Mr. Glasses was encased in ice up to his chest, his arms frozen against his sides, his face twisted in pain.  

Flower Girl—Mimosa, Rain recalled—was sprawled on a bed of glowing vines, her breathing weak and labored, petals shimmering around her like some kind of living shield.  

Surprisingly, the only one still standing was Yuno.  

But that would have been a very different story if Asta hadn’t stepped in.  

Rain exhaled sharply, trying to shake off the lingering unease as her eyes locked onto the enemy.  

Asta’s voice cut through the tense air.  

"Hey, you." He growled, stepping forward. "Freaky-looking pale dude."  

Rain narrowed her eyes.  

Pale skin, his forehead and chest embedded with diamond-like markings, giving him an almost otherworldly appearance. His eyes were a dusty rose, sharp and piercing. His spiked hair jutted out wildly—just as sharp as the ice spears he wielded.  

The mana rolling off of him was dense.

Cold.

Overpowering.  

She could feel it from across the room, heavy and suffocating.  

"Keep your hands off this guy," Asta snarled, dragging Rain back into the moment.  

"Yuno isn't yours to fight." His grip tightened on his sword. "He's my rival! Got it?!"  

A faint huff of amusement came from their left.  

"You must be kidding," a familiar voice muttered dryly.  

Rain turned her head, watching as Yuno exhaled heavily, shaking his head in clear exasperation.  

Asta whirled on him, eyes flashing.  

"I can’t believe this. I finally catch up to you, and you're two seconds away from being killed?!" His voice rose incredulously. "Were you just gonna let that sucker beat you?!"  

Yuno rolled his eyes, unimpressed. "Mind your own business, Asta. I was this close to taking him down."  

Rain snorted.  

Yeah, right.  

He had been seconds away from getting flattened.  

"That’s a lie, and you know it!" Asta jabbed his sword toward him. "You're a wreck! You were totally about to die!"  

"No." Yuno tilted his chin up. "I was about to launch a very damaging counterattack."  

"Lies. Lies, lies."  

"I was waiting for the right moment."  

"This is just like you, you know."  

Rain chuckled under her breath.  

They really hadn’t changed at all.  

Her amusement only grew when she glanced at the others.  

Mr. Glasses looked absolutely done with everything.  

Mimosa let out a weak sigh, barely conscious, but still visibly amused.  

"Are you done interfering?" Yuno droned, his tone bored.  

"Excuse me?!" Asta screeched, turning on him again.  

"You can go now." Yuno waved him off dismissively, as if Asta wasn’t still standing there with his sword raised.  

Asta gaped at him. "Are you insane?!"  

Then—he pivoted back toward their actual enemy, who had been watching them with an almost amused curiosity.  

"Okay, I'll tell you what." Asta lowered his stance, eyes glinting.  

"We'll fight to see who brings this guy down."  

Rain felt a slow, thrill-filled grin spread across her face.  

Yuno hummed, matching his smirk. "Whatever it takes."  

His gaze flicked toward Rain as she stepped up beside them, rolling her shoulders, cracking her knuckles.  

The tension in her chest unraveled, replaced by something hot and eager.  

The pulse of magic in the air. The certainty of the battle ahead. The way their enemy was watching them now, sizing them up.  

A low, excited hum vibrated in her bones.  

This was going to be fun.  

Rain tilted her head, grinning ferally.  

Let’s do this.

“No, this is absurd.” The blue-haired mage gaped at them, his glasses slipping down the bridge of his nose. His voice wavered, teetering between disbelief and growing panic. “Three members of the Golden Dawn couldn't take him! You need to fall back!!!”

Rain barely spared him a glance.

She was too busy watching the way the Diamond Mage’s expression finally shifted—his brows twitching, a flicker of something dark crossing his rose-colored eyes.

Annoyance.

He was finally starting to register them as a threat.

The next attack came without warning.

The temperature plummeted, and Rain’s instincts screamed as ice spears surged toward them, jagged and deadly.

Her muscles coiled, ready to move—

And then something blurred past her.

A sharp, electric crackle erupted against the frost, colliding midair in an explosion of shimmering shards.

Frost rained down around them, the air humming with residual electricity.

“Fragile, huh?” Luck’s voice was positively giddy.

He stood atop a pile of shimmering shards, lightning dancing at his fingertips, his grin sharp enough to cut.

“That’s the mage infamous for savagely beating his exam opponent…” the Golden Dawn mage muttered, eyes widening as he took in the newcomer. “The Cherry Berserker… He’s the third mage sent from the Black Bulls.”

Rain exhaled through her nose, shooting a glance at the unnecessary commentary.

The man groaned, head dropping forward. “I’m being rescued by that ragtag bunch of lunatic misfits.”

Rain fought the urge to roll her eyes. 

Seriously, dude, get a grip.

Movement from the corner of her eye caught her attention.

Noelle was making her way to her cousin, crouching beside her.

Rain’s shoulders eased slightly as Mimosa’s eyes fluttered open, the two exchanging quiet words. A moment later, a shimmering dome of water rose around the bed of flowers, reinforcing the protective barrier.

Good. That was one less thing to worry about.

"Are you the person who did this to the Golden Dawn?" Asta's voice was low, edged with restrained fury.

Their enemy barely spared him a glance, his expression unreadable.

"And what is it to you if I did?" His tone was eerily detached, as if the lives he had crushed meant nothing. "It is the strong who remain while the weak fade away. Simple as that."

Rain's fingers curled into fists.

"The battlefield is a place of power," the ice mage continued, voice devoid of emotion. "There is no room for the weak."

His crimson eyes burned, unfeeling yet intense, as if he truly believed his words were absolute.

"That's why I was born."

A pause.

"To destroy those like you."

Rain felt a flicker of something sharp twist in her chest. The absolute finality in his tone sent a wave of disgust crawling up her spine.

Who the hell was this guy?

"Yeah, is that so?" Yuno muttered, unimpressed.

Asta, on the other hand, stepped forward without hesitation. "Well, go on then!" His voice rang out, unwavering. "Destroy us!"

Rain and Yuno moved in sync, stepping into position at his sides.

The Diamond Mage exhaled through his nose. “I fully intend to.”

Then his gaze flicked back to Asta, scrutinizing him with something between curiosity and disdain.

“But first,” he said, “tell me, boy. What kind of magic do you wield?”

The air grew colder.

Rain tightened her grip on the energy coursing through her veins, keeping herself grounded against the pressure of his mana.

Beside her, Asta lifted his chin, his glare unwavering.

“Actually,” he said, his voice unwavering, “I’m somebody who was born without a single drop of magic power.”

Silence.

The Diamond Mage’s reaction was immediate.

His entire body went rigid, his face twisting—not in amusement, not in disbelief.

In pure, unfiltered shock.

“What?” The word was a whisper, hoarse and brittle.

Asta’s gaze didn’t waver.

“But I’m still going to be the Wizard King.”

His voice rang through the hall, steady, unshaken.

“I’ll fight. I’ll bleed. I’ll give it everything I have—” His stance widened. “And I’ll prove that I can do it.”

Rain watched intently, gaze locked on their opponent.

A flicker of something passed across the Diamond mage’s face—disbelief, confusion, something almost like grief—before it all twisted into pure, unbridled rage.

“Ridiculous…you’re in my way,” he growled, voice dangerously low.

Rain shifted lower into a crouch, heart hammering.

“Begone, pebble.”

Mana spiked. The air turned frosty.

Rain kicked off the ground.

Get close, strike hard.

She didn’t need to glance to her sides to know Asta and Yuno moved with her.

It was instinct.

As natural as breathing.

“Sure, I might be a pebble,” Asta shouted, voice cutting through the battlefield like a war cry. “But if that’s the case, then I’m going to be the pebble that shatters the giant!”

Rain’s lips curled into a fierce grin.

They wouldn’t lose.