---
Meanwhile, Noelle was looking at the scene of her friends in front of her. Magna continued, saying, "Your little problem is nothing at all, you idiot!"
Finral chimed in, "Anyway, it's okay! By the way, I found a shop that serves delicious food. Let's go together next time!"
Charmy said, "Before that, try this first! Here you go!"
Vanessa added, "You're really good! You just bought it, and you're controlling it so well. Let me teach you! Then there are the skills of a mature man."
Gauche exclaimed, "Let me tell you how cute my sister Marie is!"
Gordon muttered, "Please be my friend first!"
As Noelle watched her team members, she felt a warmth she hadn't experienced before. She remembered the times she felt lonely, how she held a special place in her heart, but now she was surrounded by friends who cared for her. She couldn't help but shed tears of joy as she felt she was part of something bigger.
At that moment, Asta slowly extended his hand toward Noelle, smiling, "Come on! Let's work hard together!"
Seeing this scene, Noelle's face turned red. Her heart softened, and after thinking for a moment, she slowly took Asta's hand, stood up, and said, "Please… take care of me!"
---
Meanwhile, Valen was heading deep into a part of the forest where he was used to retreating to be alone. He looked around and found a suitable place for training: towering trees, massive rocks, and a spacious area that allowed him to focus.
Standing in the middle of the empty clearing, Valen took a deep breath and began practicing "Sun Breathing." He felt the heat seep into his lungs, and with each exhale, he felt his muscles grow stronger and the amount of mana in his body increase.
After five minutes, Valen stopped, feeling he had reached his limit. "It's expected since it's my first time using Sun Breathing, but it went well."
Valen sat cross-legged and started thinking about his future plans. He needed a sword to activate the "Sun Breathing" techniques, which had now become magical spells. He looked at his magic book, which currently only had four spells.
"It seems the rest will turn into magical spells as I improve my Sun Breathing technique." He continued thinking about how to enhance his body and combat skills.
He also pondered the need to go to the capital to uncover the origin of the book "The Beginning of the Dark Age" and embark on missions to search for ancient relics and dungeons. There was a lot of work awaiting him.
Valen stood up and quickly headed back to the base. Upon entering, he found all his friends sitting together, their laughter filling the air. Valen ignored them and headed toward the kitchen, where Charmy was cooking.
Valen grabbed some food and water. Charmy looked at him and asked, "Valen, what are you doing?"
He replied, "I'm getting food because I'm about to start training."
Charmy, confused, asked, "Why so much food?"
"Because I won't return until there's a mission or a good reason."
Valen packed a bag full of food and headed to the armory, gathering several weapons he needed. Then, he headed out.
Suddenly, Yami spoke, "Where are you going? You're not planning to run away, are you?"
Valen looked at him seriously, "Do I seem like someone who would run away?"
Magna joked, "Yes."
Valen replied, "I'm going to train, and I won't return until there's a mission or a reason for me to come back."
Hearing about the training, Asta jumped next to Valen, shouting, "Let's go train!"
But Asta's head was quickly hit by Valen. "Don't shout, or I'll roast you on a slow fire."
Yet Asta's enthusiasm didn't waver as he kept jumping and shouting, "Yeah!" filled with excitement.
Valen sped off toward the training site, using "Sun Breathing" and enhancing his legs with mana to increase his speed, leaving Asta in his dust while the rest of the group watched Valen's speed in awe.
Yami took a puff from his cigarette and commented, "He's getting strong, that boy is full of surprises."
Everyone looked at Yami.
Magna asked, "Captain Yami, what do you mean?"
Yami looked at them and spoke calmly, "Well, you should all know this. After all, Valen is special."
Finral added, "We all know his flame magic is unique."
Yami responded, "No, I mean his magic overall is special. His magical power increases every day, even surpassing many noble families."
Everyone was shocked, but Asta was the only one whose eyes sparkled with stars.
"Valen has always been awesome. I must train before he and Yuno surpass me."
Immediately, Asta dashed off toward the training site.
Noelle was also shocked, realizing that meant Yami had a magical power greater than many noble families.
Vanessa asked, "But Captain, don't you think his power will go out of control, or that it will be hard for him to manage?"
Yami replied calmly, "That's why I said he's special. Do you know what he did on the test day? He challenged me and Fuegoleon."
That statement was a huge shock.
Finral exclaimed, "Yes, he was really crazy to challenge captains in front of everyone and almost killed a noble."
Yami added, "He also faced Fuegoleon's pressure. He wasn't scared but excited, and he even showed a magic circle, though it was distorted. But it won't be long before it's perfected."
Luck jumped in, "That's awesome! I want to fight him."
Vanessa remarked, "That's terrifying!"
Noelle asked, "So why didn't any other captains choose him?"
This was a question in everyone's minds.
Finral answered, "Hah, all of them did, but he refused and chose to join the Black Bulls."
Gauche asked, "Why?"
Yami replied quietly, "He wanted freedom. His dream requires freedom."
Vanessa asked, "What's his dream?"
Finral stood up and looked at everyone, opening his hand.
Everyone was puzzled.
Finral recited, "This is what he said:
'I want to know the truth. I want to understand all kinds of magic and all kinds of creatures, from humans to monsters and ancient races. I want to uncover the secrets of the past. I want to witness ancient times, reach new dimensions beyond the Clover Kingdom and this continent. I want to see what's beyond the sea, what's above the sky, and what's beneath the earth. With knowledge, a person can become complete. Don't I have the right to know the truth? Why do the nobles consider themselves above everyone while commoners are left at the bottom? Why wasn't I born a noble? Why is there strong magic and weak magic? In truth, there's no weak magic, only weak wizards who don't know how to use their magic. With a magical cleaver into new dimensions, I'll gain the power to become the greatest wizard in history!' He said it as his voice rose with his aura."
Magna commented, "He's really crazy!"
Luck added, "I want to fight him."
Vanessa remarked, "Won't that make him everyone's enemy?"
Yami responded, "That's why he's special. He's obsessed with his dream, but that's a good thing. Also, none of you can beat him. Do you know what that means?"
Yami's aura darkened, becoming ominous, and everyone felt something strange.
Yami stated, "It means you're going to start training. I don't want a bunch of weaklings. So, go out there and train, surpass your limits!"
Everyone went out for Yami to start their training.
Meanwhile, Valen knew nothing about this.
This was the butterfly effect, one that would turn the Black Bulls into the strongest squad faster than in the anime, as they would face stronger enemies.
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What do you think of the chapter?