Valen began reading the introduction to the book.
"Since the beginning of the universe, on a barren land, a small bud appeared. Over time, this bud continued to grow until it became the first tree in the universe, known as the Sacred Tree. This tree possessed a special intelligence, and because of it, life began in this universe. However, the universe remained empty despite the presence of living beings, as they lacked intelligent beings.
Until the day a twin born from the power of the Sacred Tree appeared. The twins were very similar, except one had golden hair, while the other had black hair. As time passed, the children grew and exhibited unique magical abilities; the first possessed light magic, while the second wielded dark magic.
Their rivalry was constant, and there was always a balance between them. Until the day came when they had to fight for the rule of the world. The first wanted a peaceful world, while the second sought destruction. Thus began the battle between light and darkness, igniting a war between good and evil, marking the beginning of an era of hatred."
When Valen flipped to the next page, it was blank. He began flipping through the pages quickly, but to no avail; all the pages were empty.
Valen said in a tone of anger and disbelief, "Are you kidding me? How can the book be empty?"
In a fit of rage, Valen burned the book with his magic, leaving nothing but ash. As he prepared to gather the ash and throw it out the window, a surge of magical energy suddenly flowed from the ashes, causing his spellbook to float in the air and absorb the magical energy. The book opened, and he began flipping through the pages, revealing a drawing of a giant tree with seven circles, one of which bore the symbol of a serpent of fire. Valen recognized this serpent.
"Ragnarok, the world-devouring serpent from Norse mythology in my past life."
Valen didn't understand what this meant and felt that things were getting more complicated. He said with an expression filled with frustration, "For heaven's sake, isn't this supposed to be just an anime? Why are things getting complicated?"
He tried to comprehend the situation but couldn't grasp anything. After a long contemplation, his face became serious, and his eyes sharp.
Valen said firmly, "This is a challenge, and since my goal is to uncover the truth, I will discover everything about the Dark Era, no matter the cost. Even if the whole world is against me, even if the ruler and demons descend, I will know and understand the truth."
---
After a restless night's sleep, dawn arrived the next day.
At this time, Magna reappeared and took Valen and Asta to visit the stronghold, where he informed them that the stronghold often changes its shape and layout. He then led them to see the cafeteria, the bathroom, the restroom, and the beast house (and assigned guard duties to Valen and Asta).
They then went to see the library and the game room, and the day ended in this way.
At the end of the day, Asta and Valen were brought to the entrance of the stronghold by Magna, where they stopped.
At this time, a girl with twin braids wearing a black bull cloak slowly walked toward them.
As she saw him, Asta walked towards her curiously and whispered, "The Black Bulls' cloak, that means…"
Upon hearing Asta's words, Magna smiled and said, "Asta! Valin! This is another member who joined at the same time as you both, another member who joined the squad this year!"
As soon as Magna said that, Asta showed great happiness.
"Same period? That sounds awesome!"
Asta excitedly extended his hand towards the girl and said, "Hello! I'm Asta from Hage Village. Let's work hard together! I hope you'll take care of me!"
But the girl scowled and slapped Asta's hand away.
"Slap!"
She said disdainfully, "Don't talk to me so casually, you poor boy without magic!"
Valin felt annoyed despite knowing Noel's importance in the Black Bulls, but he didn't like her bad attitude.
Asta, on the other hand, was stunned.
"Poor?"
Even Magna felt angry at the girl's words.
"Disgraceful?"
The girl looked at them with pride and coldness: "I am Noel Silva, from the royal family of this kingdom!"
Upon hearing that, Asta was astonished.
"Royal family?!"
As for Valin, he felt contempt towards nobles and royal families and then showed a sneer.
"Royal family? Ha! You nobles always act like you're the best in the world. Don't you find that disgusting?"
Since he got his grimoire until now, Valin's opinion of those arrogant people hadn't changed.
To him, everything was ridiculous. "I'm a noble, I'm from the royal family, and everyone should serve me unconditionally. If you don't obey, I'll kill you like dogs."
Valin felt disgusted when he recalled the faces of those people.
However, he didn't speak further. But before he could react, Asta knelt before Noel and bowed.
"I can't believe it! The person with no magic doesn't know his limits."
When Noel saw Asta bowing, her arrogance increased, and she waved her hand, saying calmly, "As long as you understand!"
But Valin couldn't hold himself back and said, "Asta, why are you bowing to her? Didn't you say you want to become the Magic Emperor? Then you shouldn't bow to anyone."
Then Valin approached Noel and smiled mockingly, saying quietly, "I don't like being looked down upon by someone who is beneath me."
A terrifying pressure descended on Noel, making her fall to the ground, gasping for breath.
Valin mocked her: "You say you're from the royal family? If that's the case, why aren't you in your brother's team but in the worst team? You're just a waste; you don't deserve to be from a royal family, let alone a magic knight."
Noel felt fear and terror from the young man in front of her, sensing that he knew her true weakness. She tried to raise her head, but she saw red eyes blazing with fire looking at her as she looked at commoners and those beneath her.
Those eyes looked at her like a bug that could be crushed at any moment.
Suddenly, Asta placed his hand on Valin's shoulder and spoke:
"Valin, that's enough. After all, she is our teammate too."
Valin looked at Asta and smiled:
"Asta, you're really a nice person, but your kindness might lead to your downfall. So, show some ruthlessness so everyone respects you."
Then his smile turned into a serious face.
Asta smiled back:
"It's okay, Valin; I'm used to the mockery."
Valin almost fell in shock from Asta's words, but he smiled again and said:
"Asta, really, you'll never change."
Asta shouted enthusiastically:
"Yes, I won't change, because I will become the Magic Emperor!"
Valin shook his head at Asta's words, then eased the pressure on Noel, who had retreated back.
Noel stood up with difficulty, and despite the fearful look in her eyes, she remembered her royal status and her arrogance returned.
Asta spoke loudly:
"I'm telling you we entered the Magic Knights at the same time, and that has nothing to do with you being from the royal family!"
Upon hearing Asta's words, Magna said beside him:
"Yes! Asta, tell her well; it doesn't matter what your identity is!"
Noel replied sharply:
"Yes, it matters!"
Magna and Asta questioned in astonishment:
"What do you mean it matters?"
Noel smiled sarcastically and said:
"Humph! You ignorant ones, if you don't understand with words, I'll make you feel the difference in magical power between us!"
Noel quickly raised her hand, forming a blue water sphere in her palm.
Valin was slightly surprised by the scene, then smiled with contempt and approached Asta and Magna. He looked at Noel with disdain and said:
"Oh? You want to show us the difference in magical power between you and us? You mean… preparing for a fight?"
As soon as Valin finished speaking, countless fireballs suddenly surrounded him and merged together, transforming into a giant purple lightning snake coiling around his back, staring at Noel with its blood-red mouth wide open.
At that moment, Noel felt a tremendous pressure as if the whole world was weighing down on her. But when she remembered her royal status, she forgot this fear.
Coldly, she said:
"You should think carefully before challenging me!"
Then she shot a large water ball towards Valin.
Valin smiled contemptuously and slowly raised his hand, saying mockingly:
"Is this all you have?"
The fire snake approached him, opening its mouth, ready to swallow the water ball. But at the last moment, the ball suddenly changed direction and headed towards Magna.
Valin was shocked by what happened, and the ball succeeded in hitting Magna, who was unprepared. A sound of "Ah!" echoed as Magna was thrown toward the wall, crashing into it with force.
After witnessing this unexpected scene, both Valin and Asta stood in shock, unable to speak. As for Noel, she turned her head coldly and said:
"Humph!"
Magna struggled to get up, holding his eyes in pain, and shouted angrily:
"You rude witch! How dare you attack your superiors!"
But Noel replied with a cold justification:
"That's because you weren't in the right place! Did you get permission to stand there? How dare you do that?"
Asta exclaimed in astonishment:
"Huh?!"
Even Valin couldn't help but laugh and said:
"Actually… she has a point, hahaha."
But Noel's words only fueled Magna's anger further. He shouted at Noel angrily:
"I don't care if you're from the royal family or the sister of the captain of the Silver Wings! Captain Yami is the one who accepted your presence here, so you should thank him! I only spared you because you're a woman, you rude girl!"
--