Magna clapped his hands loudly.
"From today on, you're officially members of the Magic Knights—the Black Bulls. Don't disgrace the squad. Prove yourselves from here on out."
Asta and Sylvar answered at the same time, loud and clear. "Yes!"
Magna nodded in satisfaction. "Good! Since you've got spirit, I'll give you a special tour of the Black Bulls' Super Fortress Base!"
He led them through the cafeteria, the massive communal bath, and the beast room.
Along the way, they encountered a silver-haired girl.
Magna clearly recognized her and spoke in an odd tone. "So you're here after all."
He turned to the two newcomers. "Asta, Sylvar—this is another rookie who joined this year. She's also from your exam batch."
Asta stepped forward enthusiastically. "Let's do our best together!"
He reached out his hand.
Sylvar said nothing and stayed slightly to the side.
The silver-haired girl slapped Asta's hand away and looked at him with open disdain. "Don't speak to me so casually, you magicless insect born in poverty. I am Noelle Silva, a member of this kingdom's royal family."
Asta froze for a split second, instinctively kneeling in shock—then immediately jumped back up.
"Who are you calling an insect?! We're in the same generation of Magic Knights! What does being royalty have to do with anything?!"
Sylvar inwardly sighed.
Troublesome.
Best to keep distance. This kind of person always brought unnecessary disaster.
He quietly took a few steps back.
Noelle scoffed. "Ignorant commoner. Can't you even understand simple words? Fine—maybe the difference in magic power will make it clear."
Water condensed in her hand and launched toward Asta.
Asta raised his arms instinctively.
The water ball missed him entirely.
It smashed straight into Magna.
"…Hey."
Magna's face darkened instantly. "You've got some nerve, princess."
Noelle replied as if it were obvious. "You were standing in the wrong place. That's your fault."
Magna's magic flared faintly around him. "Watch your mouth. I'm your senior."
"I'm royalty," Noelle shot back.
The argument escalated rapidly.
In the end, Noelle, red-faced and humiliated, tore off the Black Bulls cloak from her shoulders and stormed away.
"I'm withdrawing my application! Anyone who wants to join this trashy squad can have it!"
Magna stared at her retreating back, baffled. "What the hell was that about…?"
After cooling off, Magna resumed the tour.
Eventually, each of them was assigned a room.
The next morning.
Sylvar woke to loud noise outside.
That voice… Asta?
He stepped out and found the interior of the base subtly rearranged.
So the castle really does move rooms around.
If I ever meet the mage controlling this place, I'm asking him to stop.
Outside, Asta was staring at Noelle lying on the ground, eyes shining.
"That magic power is incredible! I'm jealous! If you train properly, you'll be unstoppable! I'll work hard too—I won't lose to you!"
Magna scratched his head. "So that's it. You just can't control your magic. I said it yesterday—you useless royals. The Black Bulls are a collection of people with flaws. Compared to us, your problem's nothing."
Encouraged by the others, Noelle's face reddened. Tears welled up in her eyes.
Asta reached out and helped her up. "Please take care of me."
At breakfast, Asta asked innocently, "Senior Magna… what exactly do the Magic Knights do?"
Magna immediately launched into an impassioned speech.
Sylvar listened quietly and summarized it internally.
Protect the Clover Kingdom.
The other members chimed in with their own opinions—most of them… questionable.
Serious people were clearly rare here.
After breakfast, a mission was assigned.
"Suoxi Village. Subjugation of wild boars."
After arguing, Asta, Noelle, and Magna learned the reason.
Captain Yami lost at gambling.
Actually, both Magna and Yami lost.
The punishment fell on the rookies.
Pure exploitation of new labor.
Sylvar wisely kept that thought to himself.
Just as Asta and Noelle started complaining, Yami appeared behind them with a dark expression.
"Go. Or die. Pick one."
"Go," Asta and Noelle replied immediately.
With Finral absent, there was no spatial transport.
Asta couldn't fly.
Noelle couldn't control her magic.
Sylvar could fly—but couldn't carry anyone.
Magna sighed. "I'll take you on my super broom."
A bizarre broom appeared—skull ornament, red seat, aggressive design.
"So cool!" Asta exclaimed.
"So tacky," Noelle said flatly.
Magna nearly exploded.
He turned to Sylvar. "Tell me. Is it handsome?"
Sylvar nodded calmly. "Of course. Royals just don't appreciate craftsmanship. Makes sense."
Magna was still fuming but took off anyway.
While flying, Sylvar reviewed his abilities.
Yin Seal.
Grimoire sealing.
Chain magic.
Barrier techniques.
Storage sealing.
Temporary magic borrowing.
Still limited. Still risky.
Then he considered the enemies.
Space. Ice. Fog. Water.
Space was the priority.
If possible… he needed that magic.
They arrived near Suoxi Village.
The "wild boars" were flaming beasts.
Terrible naming.
Sylvar restrained them with chains.
Asta knocked them unconscious.
Noelle watched helplessly.
After two were defeated, Sylvar rose into the air.
The village ahead was shrouded in dense fog.
Something was wrong.
He rushed to Magna. "Senior—something happened in the village."
Magna flew up, saw the fog, and cursed. "Damn it."
They rushed to the village entrance.
"This weather's awful," Asta said.
"That's magic, idiot," Magna snapped.
Inside, villagers were gathered in the square. Ice spears hung above them like execution blades.
A faceless man checked his pocket watch.
"Execution."
Magna fired immediately, shattering the ice.
Sylvar formed chains around the villagers as a defensive screen—imperfect, but enough.
"The Magic Knights saved us!"
An injured old man collapsed.
"Grandpa's prayers came true," a child cried.
Magna spotted the wounded village chief. "Hey! Hang in there!"
Sylvar spoke coldly. "They won't hesitate to kill. Stay sharp."
The man glanced at his watch again.
"You interrupted my schedule. Execution in three seconds."
A massive ice lance formed.
Asta stepped forward.
One swing.
The magic shattered.
Asta glared at them. "Why are you doing this?! Who are you?!"
The cloaked figures murmured.
"How did they breach the fog barrier?"
The man nodded slightly. "I see. His sword negates magic."
He raised his hand again. "Black Bulls. Eliminate them in five minutes. Retrieve the target."
Asta charged forward.
And the battle truly began.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Author's Notes:
https://www.patreon.com/cw/RagingBladeSeer
If you're enjoying the series and want to read ahead (or just help keep it going), consider checking it out — every bit of support means a lot. Thanks for sticking around and being part of the journey!
Supporting my patreon will help me out a lot, and will also give you 15 chapters ahead!
(the support helps me out with school as well)