Magic Parliament Chairman's Office
Inside a meticulously organized office, a pale-skinned man sat at a grand wooden desk. His combed-back black hair had a single lock that hung defiantly over his forehead, and just beneath his lower lip was a small black dot that seemed to punctuate his otherwise unyielding demeanor. In his hand, he held a quill, rhythmically dipping it into an inkpot as he worked through an imposing mountain of paperwork.
He signed off on some documents, annotated others, and shuffled them into piles—one for further review, another for rejection. His face betrayed no emotion, neither pleasure nor displeasure, as he repeated the monotonous cycle like a perfectly calibrated machine.
This was Damnatio Kira, chairman of the Clover Kingdom's Magic Parliament. Cold, calculating, and uncompromising, he lived by the doctrine of absolute justice. Evil was to be condemned without hesitation, even if it meant severing familial ties. After all, this was the man who once tried to sentence his own father for a crime so heinous it was whispered about in hushed tones. He failed, but that did little to deter him.
If Damnatio had had his way, Lux Kira would no longer walk this earth. Instead, his headless corpse would've been left for the wolves.
Such a shame.
Halfway through his paperwork—a miracle in itself—Damnatio's head jerked up at the sound of three sharp knocks on his office door.
"Sir!" A muffled voice called from the other side, interrupting the steady rhythm of his pen strokes.
"Speak," Damnatio demanded, his voice as cold as ever.
"You have a guest here, seeking your audience."
Damnatio clicked his tongue in irritation, shaking his head. "I'm busy. If it's truly urgent, tell them to return in two hours. My schedule will be free then." Though only for five minutes.
Damnatio's time was precious, the very foundation of the kingdom's judicial system resting on his shoulders. Even granting someone five minutes—a concession stolen from his rare breaks—was more generosity than most could hope for.
But the voice on the other side hesitated, the silence thick enough to make Damnatio raise a brow. Before he could snap out another command, the voice returned, this time tinged with awkwardness.
"Sir... it's Lord Silva."
Damnatio froze. Few people could command his immediate attention, but a royal patriarch and Magic Knight captain was not someone he could keep waiting. Besides, Nozel wasn't the kind of man to waste time on trifles. If he'd come here personally, it had to be something significant.
Pushing aside his irritation, Damnatio straightened the papers on his desk before standing and folding his arms behind his back. "Let him in."
The door swung open. Damnatio's sharp gaze, however, faltered as the figure stepping into the room wasn't Nozel. Instead, it was Sebastian Silva—the previous Lord Silva.
The mistake was understandable. Only members of House Silva addressed Sebastian as "Old Master." Outsiders, including Damnatio's subordinates, used the more formal "Lord Silva" to avoid offending someone of his stature. Even so, Damnatio couldn't help but feel a flicker of irritation at the lack of clarity.
Sebastian, unbothered by the misunderstanding, closed the door gently behind him. Without ceremony, he dragged a chair to the desk, seating himself across from Damnatio.
For once, Damnatio was caught off guard. His mouth opened, but no words came out. He mirrored Sebastian's movement, sitting down, his posture tense as silence stretched between them.
Sebastian, for his part, wore a soft, almost disarming smile, his gaze drifting lazily from the walls to the window behind Damnatio.
Breaking the silence, Damnatio leaned forward slightly. "If you have something to say, Lord Silva, say it now." His tone was firm, cutting through the atmosphere like a blade. Pleasantries and idle chatter had no place here.
Sebastian's smile widened, yet he remained silent, his eyes flickering with a glimmer of mischief. Damnatio's gaze darkened. Wordlessly, he tapped the corner of his desk. A faint glow radiated from the surface as runic sigils and magical lines erupted, weaving through the room until it was encased in a foggy, impenetrable barrier.
"You may speak now," Damnatio said, his voice low and serious. "No one will hear us."
Sebastian's smile turned almost predatory. "Damnatio, how would you like to help me deal with an impending terrorist attack on our capital?"
Damnatio blinked, his expression hardening further. He'd anticipated many things from this visit, but this... this was not one of them.
A Week Later, The Royal Capital
With Secre perched on his head, Asta and Noelle walked stiffly side by side through the bustling streets of the royal capital, heading toward the Magic Knight headquarters to report on their recent dungeon mission. The air between them was heavy with unspoken tension—complicated, awkward, and distinctly uncomfortable. They weren't officially a couple, not yet, but you could argue they'd already had their first fight.
The dungeon mission had gone sideways in spectacular fashion after they ran into Diamond Kingdom forces. Among them was a particularly unsettling man with purple hair who wielded mineral magic. Though they had emerged victorious in the end, the mission could hardly be called a success. The dungeon collapsed before they could secure most of its treasures, leaving them with only a handful of artifacts and riches.
Still, Asta and Yuno had each walked away with something… special. They didn't know it yet, but those items were about to change their lives.
Even so, they should've been proud of themselves. Defeating a surgically enhanced Diamond Kingdom warrior and Adjutant General Hellfire Lotus was no small feat. But for Asta, pride was the furthest thing from his mind.
Noelle had been gravely injured during the battle, impaled by the mineral magic user. It had been a near-death experience, and she was only alive now thanks to Mimosa's quick healing magic. The memory of it haunted Asta. He'd wanted to kill the man who had hurt her—badly. But he wisely kept that thought to himself.
What he couldn't keep to himself was his constant fussing over Noelle's health and recovery, even though he was just as badly—or worse—injured.
If Asta had been in perfect condition, his concern might have warmed Noelle's heart. But seeing him hover over her like that while he was barely holding himself together, wrapped head-to-toe in bandages and riddled with wounds, made her blood boil. To her, it felt like Asta was saying it was fine for him to suffer, to get hurt, or even die, but Noelle wasn't allowed to so much as bleed.
It reminded her of the worst of noble and royal traditions—treating women like fragile glass slippers, pretty to look at but never meant to endure any hardship. To a descendant of a proud line of Magic Knights, that kind of thinking was an insult to her pride.
Asta had always told her they were partners, that they'd have each other's backs no matter what. But the way he acted after the battle—treating her as if she should fight from a distance, or better yet, stay off the battlefield entirely—felt like a betrayal of those words. Noelle wasn't about to let that slide.
She'd told him as much when they got back to the base. She let him know, in no uncertain terms, that as a Magic Knight, she wasn't going to run away. She would keep fighting, keep getting hurt, and push herself to her limits—just like he did. If Asta couldn't accept that, then maybe he didn't really understand what it meant to be her partner.
To Noelle, Asta was being a hypocrite. He wanted them to train together, to grow stronger side by side, but then acted like he was the only one who should bear the brunt of the pain and danger. Like she should just stand in the background, shielded from all harm, while reaping the benefits of his sacrifices.
She didn't want that kind of partnership. She didn't want to be some damsel in distress, a fragile princess he kept safe at the cost of his own well-being. She wanted to fight alongside him, to share in his struggles as much as his triumphs. And more than that, she hated how little he seemed to value himself. He looked after everyone else, but why couldn't he treasure his own life and health the way he treasured theirs?
When she confronted him, Asta apologized. But instead of making her feel better, it had only made her angrier. She could tell his apology was for her, but what she really wanted was for him to apologize to himself.
Of course, Asta didn't understand that. Which is why, as they walked through the royal capital now, there was an invisible gap between them—an emotional chasm neither quite knew how to bridge.
Both of them felt it, the tension simmering just below the surface. Both were trying, in their own ways, to figure out how to fix it.
It's just the two of us… maybe after the report, we should grab a meal. I'll try to explain myself better, Noelle thought, her cheeks flushing slightly at the idea.
Meanwhile, Asta's eyes darted around the streets, scanning the shops they passed. Where's the flower shop? I need to find lavenders and hyacinths.
He wasn't planning to buy them for Noelle—not directly, anyway. Asta had another goal in mind. I need to visit her mother's grave while we're here in the capital.
And… I should probably ask what flowers mean, "I'm sorry."
Breaking the week-long silence between them, he hesitantly tapped Noelle on the shoulder. "Noelle."
Noelle stiffened at the unexpected contact, glancing sideways at him with a nervous gulp. "Y-yeah?"
"Look, it's the Golden Dawn!" Asta pointed ahead, drawing Noelle's attention. She followed the direction of his finger just in time to see the trio—Klaus, Yuno, and Mimosa—turn to face them.
Klaus's eyes lit up with sudden excitement as he dashed forward, darting between Yuno and Mimosa. Grabbing Asta by the shoulders, Klaus gave him a once-over, his gaze intensely scrutinizing.
"Asta! We haven't seen you in a week!" Klaus exclaimed, his tone more concerned than cheerful. "Are your injuries healed already?!"
Asta beamed, his eyes sparkling like a kid on Christmas morning. "Yeah! I slept a ton and ate a ton, so I'm good as new!" He threw a fist pump into the air for emphasis.
Yuno gave his foster brother a flat, unimpressed stare. "What are you, a little kid?"
Unbothered, Asta ignored him and instead waved enthusiastically at Mimosa. "It's all thanks to your magic! Thank you, Mimosa, for saving Noelle and me!"
Mimosa flinched at the acknowledgment. Instead of responding, she turned abruptly, hiding her face and walking away.
"Huh?" Asta froze, completely thrown off. "Why'd she run away?"
Yuno deadpanned, his tone completely serious. "Maybe she was shocked by how short your arm is."
Asta's face twitched. Sensitive about his height, he lunged at Yuno, yelling, "Yuno, you jerk! What the heck?!"
The foster brothers descended into their usual heated exchange, trading insults that escalated quickly. Klaus tried desperately to mediate, acting like a worried mother. "Now, now, boys, let's get along!"
The sight was oddly comical, with Yuno maintaining a smug grin, effortlessly hitting Asta with disses that struck deep. Asta grew more frustrated with every jab, his attempts to fire back landing far off the mark.
Noelle, meanwhile, watched the spectacle with a blank stare. Insects. Shaking her head, she turned away and went to check on Mimosa, who was still standing a short distance away.
"What's wrong, Mimosa?" Despite her usual aloof demeanor, Noelle couldn't help but feel a soft spot for her cousin.
After their grandmother's passing and with Mereoleona rarely around, Mimosa had been one of the few consistent and comforting presences in Noelle's life. And, after saving her life just a week ago, Noelle owed her cousin at least this much.
Mimosa had her back turned, her hands covering her flushed face. "Noelle… what should I do?!" she stammered.
Noelle raised a brow. "Hmm?" She waited as Mimosa turned to face her, revealing a deep blush and sweat trailing down her face.
"When I see Asta, my chest starts to hurt," Mimosa said, her voice trembling as she fidgeted nervously. "Ever since that day, he's all I've been thinking about. W-what's wrong with me?!"
Noelle blinked, caught completely off guard. Her mouth opened to respond, but no words came out.
Mimosa's blush deepened as she placed her hands over her racing heart. "Noelle… is this… love? What if I confess to him and he turns me down? Do you think he hates me now because I ran away?"
For a moment, Noelle stood frozen, her expression blank. Then, slowly, she smiled. But it wasn't a warm, reassuring smile. It was the kind of smile Yami would recognize instantly as something Nacht wore during moments of barely restrained fury.
"Mimosa," Noelle said sweetly, tilting her head slightly. "Care to explain what you're talking about?"
Mimosa grew flustered, shaking her head as she clutched her cheeks. "I-I don't know what to do! He's so kind, but what if—"
Noelle's thoughts turned into a chaotic whirlwind. Why this thieving, homewrecking, busty b—!
She bit her lip, panic bubbling in her chest. Mimosa was also royalty, just like her. If she confessed and Asta reciprocated, he could still pursue his dream of becoming the Ture King without issue. Noelle's stomach churned at the thought. Did Asta even need her?
Noelle clenched her fists, insecurity gnawing at her. After their fight, she wasn't so sure how Asta felt about her anymore. But she wasn't about to let Mimosa find out.
With the same closed-eye smile masking her inner turmoil, Noelle turned on her heel and strode back toward the boys. Ignoring Klaus and Yuno entirely, she stopped directly in front of Asta, crossing her arms.
"Bakasta!"
Asta froze, stiffening like a soldier called to attention. "Y-yeah?" He gulped nervously, his eyes darting around. Is she still mad about before? Did I mess up again?!
Noelle took a deep breath, her piercing gaze locking onto him. "Have you figured out why I was so angry with you yet?"
Her words made Klaus, Mimosa, and Yuno blink in surprise. They exchanged curious glances, each wondering what had happened.
Klaus and Mimosa were left blank-faced, but Yuno narrowed his eyes subtly. While he usually seemed indifferent to other people's emotions, Yuno had an uncanny knack for reading the atmosphere—especially when it came to Asta.
Back in the dungeon, Yuno had sensed the strange tension between Asta and Noelle. It had only grown more apparent after the mission.
This can't be what I think it is… right? Yuno's outward expression remained stoic, but inwardly, he was a swirling mix of incredulity and pride. There's no way this blockhead got over Sister Lily.
Despite himself, Yuno felt the urge to shed a single tear of joy. Has my bro finally grown up?
Still, he wasn't entirely convinced. For all he knew, Asta's feelings might be one-sided—or worse, purely platonic. Asta was the type to treat his friends like family, after all.
Asta rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly, shifting under Noelle's intense gaze. Gradually, he steadied himself, drawing a deep breath before answering with his true feelings. He wasn't searching for the response he thought she wanted but speaking straight from the heart.
"I was kind of being a two-faced jerk, and I'm sorry about that!" Asta shouted, his voice brimming with conviction. He clenched his fist tightly. "I'll never treat you like that again!" Like you're some helpless weakling who needs constant protection. "I want to fight with you by my side—not in front of me or behind me!"
Noelle's eyes widened, her breath hitching as Asta pressed on, his voice steady but earnest.
"But even so! If you get hurt, even if I'm barely standing, you'll always have my full attention, whether you like it or not! So… if you want me to take care of myself, just keep getting stronger, so the only person who ever needs saving is me!"
A slow grin crept across Yuno's face.
Klaus and Mimosa exchanged baffled glances, metaphorical question marks practically floating over their heads. What in the world is going on?
Passing spectators murmured in hushed tones, some blushing. Ah, young love these days… tsk, tsk.
Normally, Noelle might have turned as red as a tomato, but in that moment, her focus was entirely on Asta. Her lips trembled before curving into a soft, genuine smile.
"I can live with that," she said, folding her arms behind her back and leaning forward slightly. Her voice softened, almost teasing. "Hey, Bakasta, you want to know something?"
"W-what?" Asta stammered, his face heating up, though he didn't pull away.
"The answer to your question."
Asta furrowed his brows in confusion. "What question? What are you—" He froze as the realization hit him like a bolt. The question she never answered. Will you marry me? Yes or no?
"Ohhhhhh…" His jaw slackened, and Noelle giggled at his reaction.
Straightening her posture, she reached out and pinched his nose. "The answer is…" She trailed off, drawing it out intentionally, savoring the anticipation.
Thump! Thump! Thump! Thump! Thump!
Noelle's smile deepened, radiant and beautiful, as she leaned closer and whispered, "The answer's yes."
Asta's heart stopped for a moment. Without hesitation, he wrapped his strong, compact arms around her and pulled her into a tight embrace.
"I'll make you happy," he murmured into her ear. "You'll never regret this decision."
Noelle trembled slightly before nuzzling into his shoulder, her face pressed against his neck. "Mm-hmm."
A single tear trickled down Yuno's cheek—a rare tear of joy. However, it didn't last. Yuno, ever the competitor, suddenly realized that Asta—the guy constantly mocked for having zero appeal—had entered a serious relationship before him.
While he was genuinely glad Asta had moved past his doomed infatuation with Sister Lily, there was still a pang of resentment. They should both stay single!
Meanwhile, Klaus turned bright red, finally piecing together what had just transpired.
At the Magic Knights' headquarters, Nozel Silva stood stiffly, waiting for the Wizard King to arrive for the War Merits Conferment Ceremony. His brow furrowed slightly, an inexplicable sense of loss washing over him. What just happened?
Back at Castle Silva, Sebastian knelt before an ornately sculpted grave, his gaze lifting skyward as he placed a single purple hyacinth at its base. He sighed softly before turning and walking away. [1]
Mimosa, on the other hand, felt her heart shatter into a million pieces. That feeling didn't last long, though. From Asta's shoulder, Noelle glanced up at her cousin, her pink eyes now swirling with a chilling intensity. Her lips moved, forming four inaudible but unmistakable words:
He. Is. Mine. Understand?
Mimosa's blood ran cold. A shiver raced down her spine as she nodded vigorously, cold sweat beading on her forehead. Message received. Crystal clear.
When Asta and Noelle finally (and reluctantly) separated, the group resumed their walk toward the headquarters. Yet something had shifted. It no longer felt like a cohesive party of five—six, counting Secre.
Instead, Yuno, Klaus, and Mimosa trudged in silence, their energy notably distant from Asta and Noelle, who remained fully absorbed in each other.
As they reached the entrance, they stopped abruptly.
A tall man with striking blond hair, a pointed star-shaped mark on his forehead, and a red fur-lined coat stood waiting, a gentle smile on his face.
"Hey there!" he greeted with a casual wave. "Come on in, young people."
The group froze. Then, as if on cue, Klaus, Mimosa, Asta, and Noelle dropped to their knees.
"S-Sir! I never imagined we'd meet you in person!" Klaus stammered, his voice trembling with awe.
In contrast, Yuno remained standing, arms crossed, an unbothered expression on his face.
Klaus gawked, pointing furiously. "You fool! Don't just stand there—show him respect!"
Yuno blinked, unmoved. Why should I—
Before he could finish the thought, Klaus shouted, "You're in the presence of the current Wizard King, Lord Julius Novachrono!"
Wait, this guy is the Wizard King?! Yuno's eyes widened as he quickly moved to salute. But then his gaze shifted to Asta.
As peasants from the Forsaken Realm, it wasn't unusual for them not to recognize the Wizard King by sight. Yet Asta was bowing deeply, showing true reverence, not simply mimicking those around him.
Yuno's brow furrowed. How did you know?
Asta caught his gaze and smirked. "Heh." His smug expression all but screamed, Take that, Yuno you jerk! Now who's the idiot?
A vein pulsed on Yuno's forehead. He was pissed.
Magic Knight's Headquarters:
"And that concludes the Distinguished Service Ceremony!" Julius declared from his throne, his voice warm and encouraging. A smile lit his face. "Well done, all of you."
He paused, scanning the room, his sharp eyes briefly meeting theirs before he nodded. "All right. We've set up a simple reception, so I hope you'll enjoy yourselves!"
Julius closed his eyes, his smile turning playful. "Oh, I almost forgot. We have some special guests with us today. Make sure to get to know each other well!"
With a light laugh, he stood, hoping to ease the tension in the air. But his effort was in vain. The participants ignored him, their attention snapping toward the "guests" instead.
Mimosa and Klaus were already glistening with nervous sweat.
Noelle stood rigid, desperately clinging to her composure. Please, just let me get through this. Don't look at me. Don't humiliate me in front of Asta. Her silent prayers were on repeat.
Asta and Yuno, in contrast, wore blank, unreadable expressions.
Moments later, the reception room buzzed with activity. Groups formed around the elegant tables, each laden with exquisite platters.
One table was claimed by the Blue Rose Knights, another by the Golden Dawn. Behind them stood the Silver Eagles, and beside them the Crimson Lions.
At a fifth table, the "guests"—a mix of Golden Dawn and Black Bulls—gathered awkwardly.
Klaus stood stiffly, the wine in his hand untouched. His nerves were on edge. They're watching us… assessing us… waiting for a mistake.
The Wizard King had left not long ago, his departure brief and uneventful. His absence only added to the unease. If someone made a move now, they'd be on their own.
Yuno, as always, appeared calm, sipping water without a care. Mimosa, however, seemed too brokenhearted to notice the tension.
Asta, on the other hand, had been eagerly piling his plate when he noticed Noelle standing beside him, her hands trembling.
Concern flashed across his face as he leaned in, his voice low. "What's wrong?"
Noelle stiffened, her eyes darting to the side. After a moment, she forced a weak smile. "Nothing. I'm just not hungry," she whispered.
Asta frowned but didn't push. Instead, he gave a small nod, his eyes narrowing as they flicked toward the Silver Eagle table.
Noelle's siblings.
Sebastian hadn't just sent Asta study materials. Included in the package was a letter—a painfully detailed account of Noelle's childhood, of the torment she'd endured at the hands of her family.
Reading it had made Asta's blood boil.
Family should never treat family like that! Noelle had nothing to do with her mother's death!
His gaze lingered on two of her siblings, Nebra and Solid, their smug expressions making his fists clench. They shot Noelle hateful glares, each one chipping away at her composure.
Nebra. Solid. Asta's jaw tightened. He wanted to march over there and knock those smug looks right off their faces. Punch them. Over and over and over and—
Then there was Nozel, the eldest.
Sebastian's letter had painted Nozel as a man trapped by duty, a brother forced to play the villain for reasons Asta couldn't care less about.
Even if it's an act, if he tries anything with Noelle… he'll regret it.
But Asta wasn't reckless. Not now. He'd stay quiet, stay composed—for Noelle's sake. Picking a fight here would only draw unwanted trouble, trouble that Noelle and their friends didn't need.
Besides, according to Sebastian, Nozel was supposed to keep Solid and Nebra in line, at least for now. Asta wasn't about to jeopardize that by acting out of anger.
For now, he'd watch. He'd wait. But if they crossed the line, they'd learn just how far he was willing to go to protect the people he cared about.
But even when Asta tried to avoid trouble, it always found him.
"Vulgar peasant!"
The room's chatter died instantly. All eyes turned toward the voice—a tall, lean man with sharp green hair and an arrogant stride. Alecdora Sandler.
He sneered as he approached Asta, giving him a once-over like he was inspecting dirt on his boot. "Why would the Wizard King invite lowborn scum like you?"
Pinching his nose as if Asta carried a foul stench, Alecdora scoffed. "I don't sense even a flicker of magic from you. That dungeon capture? Sheer luck, no doubt. Now—" He pointed toward the grand double doors. "Begone, cursed misfit!"
The room grew tense. Yuno stared blankly, his expression unreadable. Mimosa and Klaus broke into nervous sweats.
And Asta?
Unfazed. He simply chomped into a heap of meat on his plate. "Wow, look at him tear into me. Good thing I'm used to it!" he said cheerfully between bites.
How magnanimous, Mimosa and Klaus thought in awe.
Yuno remained as impassive as ever.
But not everyone shared their calm.
Noelle twitched at Alecdora's words. The trembling and panic that had plagued her earlier vanished. Her face grew eerily blank, but her eyes… they swirled with something darker.
"Huh?"
All attention shifted to her.
Noelle Silva, the Black Bulls' timid royal, had just become the center of the room.
Alecdora's smirk faltered.
"What did you just say, insect?"
A thick silence engulfed the room. Even her siblings stared in disbelief.
Alecdora blinked before his expression darkened, fury radiating from him. "What did you just say to me, you Black Bulls gutter trash? I am a Senior Magic Knight. Show me respect!"
Asta frowned, stepping forward. But before he could act, a hand pressed firmly on his shoulder.
"Noelle?" He glanced back, confused.
Her eyes locked onto his, deadly serious. With a single finger, she pressed against his lips, silencing him.
"Get back, Asta." Her voice was cold, brooking no argument.
Asta gulped and nodded, stepping back. Even he knew when not to mess with Noelle.
Turning back to Alecdora, Noelle crossed her arms. "Apologize to Asta right now, insect."
Alecdora stared down at her, scoffing. "Or what?"
"Or, you can die." Her words, calm and precise, sent shivers down the spines of everyone listening.
Mimosa and Leopold blinked, rubbing their eyes. Is this… Noelle?
Meanwhile, Nebra and Solid were seething. If it weren't for Nozel's strict orders, they would've already intervened to "correct" their rebellious sister.
Nozel, standing nearby, began subtly circulating his mana, ready to step in if things escalated further.
Across the room, Charlotte and Sol exchanged glances. Noelle's boldness left an impression. She'd make a fine addition to the Blue Rose.
Asta, however, was simply smitten. She's amazing.
Alecdora threw his head back in an eerie, chilling laugh. "Ha ha ha! You? Threatening me?" He leaned in, his voice a harsh whisper loud enough for the entire hall. "The failure of House Silva dares challenge me? Do you have a death wish?"
Asta clenched his fists but stayed rooted. Trust her. They had made a promise: when Noelle had the confidence to stand up for herself, Asta would trust her to handle things. He'd be her backup, not her shield—unless she needed him.
Nebra and Solid exchanged gleeful glances.
Yes, Alecdora. Break her, Solid thought, his heart racing with anticipation. Put her in her place.
Alecdora straightened, taking a few deliberate steps back into the center of the dining hall. He spread his arms wide, an arrogant smile plastered across his face.
"Fine. You've grown cocky after one success. Let me teach you your place." His voice dripped with mockery. "Hit me with your best shot. I won't even move."
Alecdora chuckled darkly, his eyes gleaming with disdain.
A failure who can't control their magic will always be a failure.
Noelle smiled—a cold, unsettling smile—as she reached for a wand at her side.
Alecdora's sneer deepened. "Pathetic. Trash like you even needs a wand to control your magic. You're nothing!"
Ignoring him, Noelle's grimoire floated out of her satchel, its pages flipping rapidly. She raised her wand, aiming it directly at Alecdora.
"Fine," she said, her voice echoing with authority. "Just don't go crying to the gods after I send you to meet them!"
The air in the room shifted as Noelle's mana surged, filling the space with an oppressive, swirling energy. A massive sphere of water began forming at the tip of her wand, growing larger by the second.
Is she planning to flood the entire hall?
Nozel, watching from the Silver Eagles' table, tensed. His instinct was to stop her, but instead, he quickly encased himself and his siblings in a dome of mercury, leaving small gaps to observe.
"Leo, get behind me," Fuegoleon ordered, preparing to intervene if necessary.
"Stand back, Sis!" Sol grinned as she slammed her hands to the ground, summoning a thick wall of earth in front of her.
"Call me Captain, Sol," Charlotte corrected, though her tone lacked its usual sharpness. She stood behind the wall, keeping a watchful eye on Noelle.
Elsewhere, Shiren Tium of the Golden Dawn wordlessly erected a stone barrier, while Hamon Caesus stood behind it, calmly munching on a skewer.
Oddly enough, the only ones who didn't react defensively were Noelle's group and Alecdora himself, who smugly activated basic reinforcement magic.
Klaus couldn't hold back anymore.
"Sir, if I could just say one—"
"You may not, Klaus!" Alecdora snapped, cutting him off. "With your mediocre skills, you should be ashamed to even be here. Begging for mercy on behalf of failures? Pathetic!"
Klaus froze, blinking in disbelief. That's… not what I was going to say.
Mimosa glared silently, her hands twitching. She was beyond done with Alecdora's arrogance. You're getting exactly what you deserve.
Yuno sighed, his stoic demeanor unchanging. "That's not what Klaus was trying to say," he began, drawing attention. "She can control her magic now—"
"Sea Dragon's Waterball!"
Before Yuno could finish, Noelle cast her spell.
The massive sphere of water shot forward like a cannon, a thunderous pop reverberating as it left her wand. It crossed the room in an instant. Alecdora's pupils widened in shock, his smirk vanishing as the realization struck.
He didn't have time to raise a defense.
The waterball slammed into him with devastating force, sending him hurtling backward. He crashed through the brick wall behind him, his body crumpling as a sickening crunch echoed. He flew into the next room, only stopping when his momentum met another wall, leaving a deep indent.
The sound of bones snapping made everyone wince. Blood seeped from Alecdora's back and head, pooling beneath him.
Mimosa sighed but moved through the rubble without hesitation, already preparing her magic to heal him.
Nobody paid her any attention.
All eyes were on Noelle.
Her siblings stared, jaws slack. Nozel's mercury shield dissolved as his concentration broke.
The silence was deafening.
Noelle flicked her pigtails, scanning the room with a deadly glare. Her gaze stopped on her siblings, her wand still raised.
"Anyone else here have a problem with my Asta?!" she shouted, her voice laced with fury.
Asta froze, feeling a sudden chill run down his spine.
Nebra and Solid instinctively took a step back, sweat beading on their foreheads. They hid behind Nozel, who could only blink in response.
Once.
Twice.
Thrice.
Four times.
Each blink held a different emotion.
Shock—at Noelle's sheer display of power.
Pride—at her newfound confidence and strength.
Apprehension—at the intensity of her anger, now directed at him.
And finally, confusion.
Did she just say… my Asta?
Meanwhile, Asta stood frozen, heart pounding.
Yes, he was definitely very in love right now.
Author's Notes:
[1] Purple hyacinths represent deep regret, sorrow, or a desire for forgiveness