The Witch's Forest lay northeast of the Clover Kingdom, bordering the Diamond Kingdom.
A mysterious land filled with enchantments that no man could resist.
Witches.
Generations of them had lived here, protected by their ancient ruler—the Witch Queen, a being who had lived for untold centuries. She was both their leader and their mother.
Tonight, the moon hid behind dark clouds. Shadows fell thick across the trees, and the forest shrouded in black looked especially eerie.
"Uh… isn't it a bit rude to show up this late?"
Adam scratched his head. If he walked in now, he'd definitely be treated as an intruder.
"Whatever. For Asta's sake, I'll just… reluctantly go in and take a look," he said, sounding perfectly righteous.
Still, this place was so desolate it was hard to rest properly. Might as well go in, see the sights, maybe get a free meal out of it.
The moment Adam stepped into the Witch's Forest, the Witch Queen—thousands of meters away—immediately sensed it.
"A rat has entered… no," her voice echoed coldly through her chamber, eyes locked on a blood-red crystal orb, "a demon has arrived."
Through the crystal, she saw Adam striding confidently through the forest, his vast magic power masked beneath a calm surface.
"So you've come here with ill intent," she murmured. "Very well. Let's test you—with my clay dolls and apprentices first."
Inside the Forest
The Witch's Forest hid an entire world within. The witches' homes rested high above the ground, built upon colossal trees that seemed to pierce the heavens.
No wonder it's called the Witch's Forest, Adam thought. They actually live in the damn trees.
"The air here is really fresh," he muttered, taking in the scent of herbs and magic.
Experience told him that the most important figure—whether king, noble, or witch queen—always lived at the center of their domain.
So, naturally, he began heading straight for the forest's heart.
Then—something caught his eye.
A clay doll with a tuft of green grass for hair floated toward him, glowing faintly blue in the dark.
"Are you one of the forest's patrols?" Adam asked. "Tell your queen she has a guest."
The doll hovered before him, its pale eyes flashing red. Purple energy gathered in its mouth, ready to fire.
"Dragon Blast!"
Adam raised his right hand, unleashing a massive beam of condensed energy. It struck the clay doll head-on, exploding in a burst of force that shattered it into pieces.
"Intruder!"
The explosion echoed through the forest, waking the witches.
They poured out of their homes, mounted their brooms, and flew toward the intruder like a flock of angry crows.
"Who are you to cause trouble in the Witch's Forest?!" shouted a blonde witch, pointing her wand at him. "You filthy man, you're not welcome here! Get out!"
Adam sighed. "Tell me where your queen is. I just need to talk to her—"
He didn't even finish before the witches fired beams of magic light at him, dozens of them at once.
"You're all beautiful," he said with a smirk, raising an eyebrow, "but your manners could use some work. Guess I'll have to teach you some discipline—on behalf of your queen."
The witches' combined attacks converged into a massive beam of multicolored energy that came crashing down toward Adam.
"Electric Eyes: Intimidation!"
Bang!
Twin beams shot from Adam's eyes, colliding with their combined spell in midair. The explosion rocked the forest, tearing through the air and lighting up the sky.
"Let's turn it up a notch," Adam grinned, his expression darkening with excitement. "Don't run away now, little witches!"
"Water Magic: Fluid Flight!"
His body shimmered, transforming into flowing water as he surged upward toward them.
"Ah! A monster!" one witch screamed, spinning her broom to flee.
Their earlier confidence vanished in seconds. The witches froze, unsure whether to fight or flee. When one finally turned tail, the rest followed in panic.
The blonde witch, desperate to maintain control, shouted, "Don't panic! The Queen is watching! He's just bluffing—he won't have enough power for another attack like that!"
"Oh really?"
Adam's voice came from behind her. The witch turned slowly—and froze. Standing before her was a towering figure made entirely of water, glowing faintly blue in the moonlight.
"Water Orb!"
Bang!
A burst of water engulfed her, and the others soon followed in a chaotic wave of splashes and screams.
Adam laughed wildly. "Wet punishment! Feels like a pool party, doesn't it?"
He spun, chasing down the panicking witches with relentless water magic. Between the Chicken Talisman's Power and his Water Demon Form, they never stood a chance.
Just as he was enjoying himself, a cold, regal voice boomed through the forest.
"That's enough, rude intruder! Still your heart—my crows will guide you here!"
The Witch Queen's patience had finally snapped.
Adam chuckled and released the witch he'd been holding. She stumbled away, cheeks burning red and tears in her eyes.
"Guess I got a little carried away," he said with a shrug.
A black cloud of crows swept down, circling around him. In seconds, they lifted him into the air and carried him through the forest.
Adam's eyes sparkled with curiosity. "I'm so excited! I can't wait to see what a centuries-old Witch Queen looks like!"
Meanwhile – The Black Bulls' Hideout
By a small river outside the Black Bulls' base, Asta sat on a rock, his face somber. The rest of the Bulls watched from behind a large boulder, whispering.
"Is Asta gonna be okay?" Magna asked, frowning.
"Hang in there, kid," Luck said quietly.
"That damn Adam," Vanessa muttered, arms crossed. "Always trying to act like a hero. When he gets back, I'm kicking his ass."
Everyone huddled close, watching silently.
Then Asta suddenly stood. The sadness vanished from his face, replaced by determination.
"It's not over yet!" he shouted.
He clenched his fists. "I still have to surpass Yuno. I'll become the Wizard King. I don't have time to be depressed!"
"And that bastard Adam… I'll surpass him too. I won't let him treat me like a kid anymore!"
He shook his head, clearing away all doubts.
"Never give up!"
Instead of sulking, Asta dropped into a squat and started exercising, pushing his body harder.
"This guy…" Finral said softly, tears welling up.
The rest of the Bulls watched, moved.
That night, they made a silent decision—every single one of them would find a way to help Asta's arms recover.
In the Black Bulls, family meant never giving up on each other.
The Witch Queen's Palace
Back in the Witch's Forest, Adam arrived at the Queen's domain.
"Your palace isn't as fancy as I expected," he said bluntly.
The crows dropped him off before a large castle made of twisted branches and stone. It wasn't grand, but it pulsed with an ancient, eerie magic.
Inside, the floor was lined with a blood-red carpet. At the far end of the room sat the Witch Queen—a woman in a green dress and tall pointed hat, her gaze sharp and commanding.
"I wonder what brings such a rude visitor to my forest at this hour?" she asked coldly.
Adam's stomach rumbled.
Grrr…
He rubbed his belly awkwardly. "Uh… could we maybe start with dinner first? I didn't eat."
"WHAT?!" The Witch Queen screamed, her entire body trembling.