bulk Locke the the grim head: Thanks and Rhya does need to touch another grimoire to copy it's magic. Why else did he come so close to Yami's grimoire? And I agree with the shipping.
BanRedfox: I got plans for that, and I promise not to disappoint.
We open to a normal looking room where we find Asta was currently being held by Mimosa in a healing plant spell basket, which he had been in for about a days time to fully recover. Surrounding them were Yuno, Klaus, and Noelle watched with Nero sitting on top of the basket.
"Just a bit longer Asta and you'll be good as new." Mimosa said as she used her magic healing plant.
"That's good, I'm starting to get restless." Asta commented as he sat crossed legged in the basket with an iron nail in his mouth.
"And there, you're all done." Mimosa said as the basket feel apart.
"Finally." Asta said landing on his feet and stretching a bit. "It's good to be back on my feet, never know how much you miss walking until you can't for a while."
"Oh, quit you idiotic babbling." Noelle said, as she turned to the side with her eyes closed. Though she hid it, she was glad that he was alright.
"Don't be dramatic." Yuno commented as he placed a hand on his hip.
"Geez, that's kinda harsh. I just fully recovered, shouldn't I get more of a warm response?" Asta asked.
"Well, we were worried about you if you're doubting that." Klaus said as he turned his head and pushed his glasses up.
"I'm so glad you're alright, Asta." Mimosa said with a smile before giving him a surprise hug. "I can't help but worry about you."
This caused Noelle to jumped in shock, jealous that Mimosa was getting close to Asta, before shouting, "Alright that is enough of that!" she said as she pushed Asta way from Mimosa and into a wall, where he slid to the ground.
"Uh, what was that about?" he asked as he rubbed his head a bit.
This caused a bit of embarrassment to wash over Noelle's face before she quickly turned away with her eyes shut. Asta returned to his feet as Klaus decided to speak.
"Still, it fills me with shame that we couldn't have helped more." he said with a sigh. "But, we arrived too late."
"Though, word came extremely late." Yuno said with closed eyes.
"But at least we were able to assist afterwards." Mimosa said with a smile.
"Yeah, your Recovery Magic was a big help. Thanks." Asta said, giving his own smile as Nero landed on his head.
"Oh, it was nothing really." Mimosa replied as she waved her hand and looked away. "I can't take all the credit, Klaus did help a bit as well." she said as she knew that when Asta had to sleep, Klaus kept watch over him just in case something unknown happened.
"Ahem! Anyway, it's because of you all the children were returned safely and the one who took them, Neige, is being questioned as we speak at HQ." Klaus said, causing Asta to lose his smile. "Though, I don't think he can shed any light on the Eye of the Midnight Sun for us."
"Since he's shown to be remorseful and is dedicated to serve for his actions, he'll be volunteering here at the church until further notice." Mimosa said, bring Asta's smile back.
"Well, that's good. I was hoping it'd be something like that." Asta said before turning to Klaus.
"None the less, you did a fine job once more." he complimented.
"Well, if I was me,the enemy wouldn't have escaped as they did." Yuno said, wanting Asta to think he could've done a better job than him.
"That's no gonna matter since I'll catch them, no doubt!" Asta declared as he pointed to Yuno, who was standing behind Mimosa and Noelle. "Mark my words, you won't get a head of me yet. I'll just keep getting stronger!"
"Then I'll just have to do the same but more so." Yuon declared as Asta lowered his hands.
"Well, it doesn't matter cause I'll get even stronger than that! I'll keep working hard until someday, I'll become," Asta started until he and Yuno gained smiles as they both proclaimed, "the Wizard King!"
"Aw! Look at you two. The best of friends!" Mimosa said with a smile.
"Yeah." Asta and Yuno said as Yuno turned away and mumbled, "Ridiculous."
"Well, we best be on our way since Asta's fully healed now." Klaus said as he and Yuno began walking away.
"Yes, sir." Mimosa said as she followed before stopping. "Oh, I almost forgot to tell you, Sister Theresa has woken up." she told him as she turned back.
"Really?!" Asta said in surprise and glee that the old woman was okay.
"Yes, she and Gauche are speaking right now." Noelle said.
Asta wasted no time and quickly went to see the old nun/former Magic Knight. He arrived at the room Noelle told him of and opened the door without knocking.
"Sorry to intrude." he said with a small smile, seeing the nun in bed and Gauche and Marie, who turned to Asta, at the side.
"Oh, Asta! Yay!" Marie said as she ran to him and grabbed his arm.
Asta let out a laugh as he swung Marie around as she held onto his arm while flying of the ground. A watching Gauche became stiff like stone as he watched his sister laugh with joy as Asta stopped swinging her around.
"I was so worried, I thought you'd never get better!" Maire said with worry.
"Don't worry! Nothing gonna keep me down for good!" Asta said as he flexed his arms a bit.
"Oh yeah? You wanna bet?" Gauche said as he was feeling the need to kill Asta for getting close to his sister again.
"You still have a lot to growing to do." Sister Theresa commented as she watched from her bed.
"Sister, I'm glad to see your wounds are healing just fine." Asta said as he and Marie went to her bed.
"I may be old but I am far from fragile. I'm doing fine. By the way, I beat your a bit anxious to tell Sister Lily about your little adventures you've had up to now. I beat she'll be thrilled to here from you." the nun said to the boy.
"Oh yeah! I haven't written to her in a while and I'll be she'll be excited to here from me!" Asta said with a smile and turned around. "I bet everyone else will be amazed by all I've been through too."
The door then opened to to Noelle looking in the room.
"It's time for us to get back." she said, reminding Gauche and Asta it was time to leave.
"Alright but I have to do something first." Asta said with a smile.
Noelle was curious to what he needed to do before they left. Some time later, her answer came in the form of Asta speed eating multiple pot potato dishes to the Rebecca made. Her family and Noelle were watching with straight faces as he satisfied his hunger, even if he had eating breaks and munch on some iron between a few healings, the time between each was too long.
"I'm glad you like it, Asta. I figured you'd be hungry afterward but I felt I made to much." Rebecca said as she turned away a bit.
While Asta was gorging on the feast, Noelle and Nero were having some food themselves in the form of soup and seeds.
"Hm. I hate to say it but this is delicious." Noelle mumbled, jealous of Rebecca's skill in the kitchen.
"I'll kill you, kill you." Gauche said a few tables behind, still upset that his sister, who was sitting next to Asta, liked Asta more than him.
"Come on, Gauche. Join us." Marie said to him before turning back to Asta.
"Ah! That really hits the spot!" Asta said as he put down a bowl and picking up another.
On Asta's right, Noelle gazed at Asta with a frown on her face.
'So it's true. Men do prefer a woman that can cook.' She thought with some sadness.
"Asta!" Marco shouted, gaining Asta and Noelle's attention. "Thank you for lending me your robe." he finished as he held Asta's robe in his hands.
"Oh, thanks buddy." Asta said as he stopped eating for a moment. "And you kept it safe like I asked."
"You bet I did!" Marco replied with a smile.
As Nero continued to eat his seeds, Asta had placed his Black Bull robe back on while Noelle watched.
"Even if your robe is clean, I can't very well say the same for you. Looks like I'll have to be the one who makes sure you take care of yourself." she said as she looked away and commented on his odor.
Asta turned to her, a bit confused by this but for some reason felt warm inside because of it. As Asta replied to Noelle, Rebecca was starring at the two as they interacted.
'So, she's that one he talked about before. Well, I know I'm not a match for me but,' she thought while gaining a smile and walked forward. "Asta." she said, gaining his attention.
"What is..." his questions stopped short as Rebecca suddenly kissed him as his right cheek.
Noelle gasped in shock while Asta stood frozen for a moment.
'I can at least take this for myself.' Rebecca thought as removed her lips from Asta's cheek.
"Thank you so much for saving Luca and Marco, Asta." Rebecca said with blushing cheeks and a smile.
"Uh, no problem. It's just what a knight is suppose to do." Asta replied as he turned to her, blushing and putting a hand over the cheek she kissed.
As this happened, Noelle was still starring in shock over the fact the Rebecca was able to KISS Asta before her, even if it was a kiss on the cheek.
"Did...she...GAAHHHHH!" the jealous Silva let out into the sky.
-Time skip- a few hours later, Location- Black Bulls Base-
After finishing things up in Nean Village, Asta, Noelle, and Gauche returned to their base, where a surprise was waiting for Asta and his success back in Nean. A table in the dinning hall, filled to the brim with pies made by Charmy's Sheep Cooks.
"Alright, Rasta! To celebrate your victory and recovery, you'll be joining in the Black Bulls Annual Eating Contest and today's item of choice is Pot Potato Pies!" Magna said as he behind of a sitting Asta.
Both Asta and Charmy, who was sitting next to him, starred in awe at the pies before them, loving the smell of them and the sight of these delicious pies. Yami, who was watching just had a sort of smile as he stared at the table of pies.
"Alright!" Asta said with a salute as Charmy just let drool run out of her open mouth.
"Please let us start eating already. I'm starving!" Charmy said as he held up a knife and fork.
Back on her usual couch and in her underwear, Vanessa sat up straight with eyes closed and a slight drunk slur.
"Is this actually a tradition?" she asked as Luck walked in.
"Nope, it's not but hey, wanna spar with me, huh?" Luck exclaimed as he threw a few fists in the air. "I need to make up for lost effort since I missed the fight in Nean!"
As Luck said this, more and more Black Bulls joined the table.
"Only half a day has passed and I already miss my little angel." Gauche said as he stared at a picture of Marie while walking.
"Can I join in on this party for Asta?" Gordon mumbled low for anyone, only Asta, to here.
"Chuuu." Grey let out as he walked in.
"I think I'll pass, i'd rather not end up in a food coma." Finral said as he gazed wearily at the pies.
"I shall pass too. Such a completion is unsuited for royalty." Noelle said as she turned away from the pies.
Magna didn't seem to like this as he lost his smile and turned to them.
"You can't just back out! It's mandatory, so you gotta do it." Magna said as everyone took a seat at the table.
The order was Gauche, Magna (who hadn't sat down yet), Gordon, Asta, Charmy, Vanessa, Noelle, Luck, and Finral
Magna then turned to Yami, and Grey as he stood next to Yami, and said, "Please, be the judge of the contest, Yami sir!" he finished with a bow.
"Fine. Cut the chit chat and get to grubbin." Yami said, as Magna sat down at the table. "Ready, eat!" Yami proclaimed as Grey struck a gong that was behind him.
And so the contest started and was interesting to say the least as everyone had their different methods of eating. Asta was stuffing himself with the pies, having grown immune to the pot potatoes dry mouth affect after eating them all his liffe. Noelle went at a slower pace but complied about the dry mouth. Luck didn't even take a bit before his stomach suddenly expanded.
"How am I already full?" he asked himself as he look at his bloated stomach.
Finral, however wasn't even eating as he was stuffing every piece he pick up into a small spacial portal to his right.
"I see what you're doing, Finral! Stop using your magic to Luck up with your food!" Yami shouted as he instantly knew why Luck was getting so full so fast without eating. Finral jumped a bit before turning to Yami. "Busted! Uh, sir, I'm not that hungry right now but if there's a pretty woman to feed..." he let on as he rubbed the back of his head.
"Out!" Yami exclaimed, eliminating Finral form the contest.
Some were using creative tactics to try and win such as Magna as he got out his grimoire.
"Alright, Flame Magic. Explosive Reheating." Magna commanded as he set his pile of pies a blaze, leaving them all black and burnt.
The moment Magna ate just one piece of burnt pie, he groaned and fell to the ground.
"Thought it'd be better well done but I was wrong." he said before groaning some more.
Yami just looke at him as if he were stupid and judged, "You're out, too."
Meanwhile, Asta kept shoving pies into his mouth with no problem and had plenty of room left.
"I ain't full yet, so bring it on!" he said before grabbing another pie and shoving it in his mouth.
Asta was then taken away from his eating as he heard whispering coming from his pile of pies, he then moved one away and saw that Gordon was INSIDE his pile for some reason.
"Gordon, what are you doing in my pies?!" Asta Asked in shock.
Before he could answer, Yami gave judgement.
"That's just creepy, out!" he said, eliminating Gordon.
The other two that weren't eating were Gauche, who stared at his picture of his sister, and Grey, who just sat and did nothing.
"How can I eat if I can't see my precious little sister?" Gauche asked as he got a nosebleed, again.
"You two are out for not even eating!" Yami shouted.
"Chuuuu." Grey relied with the usual smoke.
Back with Noelle, the royal girl was currently holding her dry throat and reach for a glass of water.
"If I could just drink some water, I could continue." she raspily said with dry throat.
Her hope soon faded as the glass tipped over and spilled the water, causing her head to hit the table. To Noelle's right, Vanessa soon vomited and signaled her elimination.
"These losers tapped out long ago. So who do we have left?" Yami said as he turned to see Charmy and Asta still going strong and shoving pies down their gullets with Charmy in the lead due to a slightly small pile.
Magna got up from the floor, having gotten over his aching stomach, and went to see that action up close.
"It's an Charmy-Asta showdown!" he said as the two kept shoving more and more pie into their stomachs.
The air grew intense as both did everything they could to win with both having something of pride on the line. For Asta, it was his love of pot potatoes from his home of Hage Village and for Charmy, it was for her love of food in general and not being out done in a contest of such. The results followed a few minutes later with Charmy as the the victor of the contest and Asta laying on the ground with a full stomach.
"Better luck next time, young one." Charmy said as she enjoyed a cup of tea.
"AW MAN! I can't believe I lost in a contest of pot potatoes!" Asta shouted as he grabbed his head.
'No surprise.' Finral, Noelle, and Magna thought as they knew Charmy would be the winner regardless.
A second later, a small spacial portal opened and an owl flew threw, dropping a envelop into Yami's hands before flying out in another portal. This caught everyone's attention as Yami opened it and threw the envelop on the table, which allowed everyone to see the 3 leaf clover symbol.
"The crest, it's from the capital! What is it, sir?!" Asta said as he got up off the ground.
"If you keep quit, I'll tell ya. Huh, looks like it's from the Wizard King and he's asking for you, kid." Yami said as he silently read the letter.
"Me?!" Asta asked in shock.
"Also says there's gonna be a captains meeting tomorrow. Looks like he wants me to drag you along for the ride." Yami said as he put the letter down and turned to Asta.
"Really but what does he want with me?" Asta asked as he was curious to Julius' sudden summon.
"You think I know, kid?" Yami asked as he grabbed Asta and lifted him up to his face. "If you wanna find out, I guess you'll just have to come to the capital and find out!"
-Timeskip, the next morning. Location, Royal Capital-
The time for the meeting had come and Asta's answer to why he was summoned with Yami would soon be found as the two were currently standing outside of the meeting building where they were greeted by an associate of Julius, who possess a silver, bowl shaped haircut.
"Thank you for waiting and welcome, Black Bulls Captain, Yami Sukehiro, and Black Bulls Junior Knight, Asta." he said to the two.
"Um sorry but I don't know your name." Asta replied to the man.
"My apologies, we've never meet before now." the man replied with a kind smile. "My name is-"
"This is Mushroom Head, kid." Yami interrupted and answered, causing the man to stop and correct him.
"That is not my name and that was unkind and rude, sir. Ahem, my is actually Marx Fracois and I'm an the adviser to the Wizard King." he said as he regained himself after his correction.
"You're his adviser?! Wow, that's amazing!" Asta said in awe, discovering that Marx work alongside the most powerful wizard in the kingdom.
"Well, there's never a dull moment and please, thank you for not calling me 'Mushroom Head'" Marx replied to Asta, until Yami gained their attention.
"Well, it's been a nice chat, Mushroom Head, but mind tell me where the meeting is?" he asked while holding his cigarette, wanting to get this over with a go home as fast as he can.
"Sir, my name is Marx." Marx replied with a frown before answering the captain, "And the preparations for the offical meeting still need a bit of time, so please wait with the other captains inside." the adviser answer with a bit of sweat on his brow before turning to Asta and pulling a waning smile. "Now, Asta, if you would please follow me, I will show you the reason why you have been called."
Asta nodded and soon followed Marx inside the building as Yami went a different way to wait with the other captains. The adviser lead the iron dragon slayer down a spiraling stairwell with a floating magic lantern to light their path.
"I've come to understand you hand a outstanding showing the other day. It's very rare for the Wizard King to bestow 10 stars to a squad at once." Marx said, impressed that the actions Asta and the Black Bulls took in Nean Village.
"10 stars?! Amazing!" ASta said in excitment before regaining himself. "But where are we going though?" he asked as he looked around the empty and creepy stairwell.
"We are currently in a secret underground prison, only few people in the capital know of it's existence." Marx said as they continued to decent. "It's where we would the..."V.I.P.s" so to speak."
"V.I.P.s? You mean like the really dangerous ones?" Asta asked.
"Correct, like the Eye of the Midnight Sun for example. 2 of their members were captured for their invasion on the capital and are being kept here at this very moment." Marx said as he kept his face forward.
This surprised Asta as his arms flinched a bit and his eyes went wide.
"So, you've been keeping them here since the invasion ended?!" Asta exclaimed.
"Yes and the reason is that we've been trying to get vital information out of them but they've had Memory Protective Magic cast on them, so we haven't be able to get anything." Marx explained. "But, after hearing what you accomplished back in Nean Village, the Wizard King has an idea that might help us. He was fascinated when he found out you could break mental enchantments with your Iron Shadow Dragon mode and believes that could help us in getting passed the enchantment on them. That's wjy you were summoned here." Marx finished, explaining the reason why Asta was summon in the letter.
Asta was surprised once agaon by this as Marx continued to speak.
"The attack on the capital was too well coordinated and was able to counter nearly every more we made, and that wouldn't be possible unless there was a traitor among us. And this traitor would have to be of a high ranking if they were able to do it without detection., such as a Magic Knight Captain." Marx said as he gazed down, dreading the thought of a traitor in the Clover Kingdom.
Asta grit his teeth and growled, sweating at and hating the thought of someone, especially a captain, willing to betray their own home for any reason.
"A captain?!" Asta said in shock.
"We wish it isn't so as well, but that's way we need you. So we can be certain if it's false or not." Marx said as Asta gained a determine yet still nervous look on his face.
They continued down the stairwell until they were met with a double door made of metal and wood.
"We've arrived." Marx said as he stood to Asta's right side.
"Okay." Asta said, steeling himself for the prisoners.
Asta decided to be the one to open the door as he slowly pushed the left door opened and peak inside, where he was meet with the sight the Wizard King, Julis, standing in front of two people tied to metal posts, the members of the Midnight Sun as Asta could presume.
"Hi!" Julius greeted wit a wave of his hand. "Come on in, Asta. That was excellent work you did the other day."
"Th-Thank you, sir! I'll be sure to keep it up!" Asta replied as he and Marx entered the room.
"I look forward to it and I'm sorry if this is sudden. I know you must be tired from the event in Nean but I think you Iron Shadow Dragon mode is the only thing that could help in this." Julius said as he put his hand down. "Incidentally, I heard you fought the strongest members of the Midnight Sun and saw their unique magic!" Julius let out like an excited child as he ran to Asta. "Tell me, what were they like?!"
"Uh, well, they were strong. Stronger than anyone I've met besides you and the captains." Asta said as he was a bit uncomfortable with the close distance and excited nature of Julius.
"I would say! Copy Magic, magic that copies the spells of others, Beast Magic, one that I've never heard of, and Spirit Magic, so powerful and rare! It's all so marvelous. How I wished to have seen it for myself." Julius said, recalling the reports the Magic Knight Captains that fought the Third Eye delivered to him and imagining the magics.
"Uh, sorry?" Asta questionable apologized before Marx got inbetween him and Julius.
"Sir, please. Calm yourself." Marx requested, causing Julius to remember the objective at hand.
"Sorry, I got excited again." Julius said as he rubbed the back of his head. "But, since I assumed Marx explained everything to you, we need you to use your power. Can you do that?"
"Yes, sir! The Iron Dragon of the Black Bulls is at your service!" Asta shouted before quickly transformed into Iron Shadow Dragon mode.
"Yay!" Julius said, getting excited from seeing this form for the second time.
At the prisoner's posts, the grey haired woman on the left asked, "Why did they bring this brat here?"
On her right, was Geork, the member Asta fought with Noelle and Leopold back at the invasion, who had a cold sweat on his forehead.
"We're about to find out." he said. "That's the one who possess unique Dragon Magic, Catherine. my only guess is that their going to have him break the protective enchantment on our memories." Gerok finished as Asta walked towards them, his shadowy mist dancing around his finger tips as he got closer to them.
Catherine, the old woman, gasped in shock as Asta chuckled in giddiness in his demonic like form.
"No! No! Keep away, you swine! Keep away!" Catherine protested but her words fell to deaf ears.
With a quick flick of his hands. Asta's Shadow Magic flew into Geork and Catherine's ears and stayed for a few moments before pulling out and letting plumes of smoke rise from their heads, showing that the enchantment protecting their memories was no more.
"Alright, Marxy, you're up." Julius said as Marx pulled out a bright white grimoire.
"Sir. Memory Exchange Magic. Mémoire Absolue." Marx said as white, spiked domes appeared over the prisoners' heads.
From the domes, grew a white line that connected to a sphere further above the target, and along the connecting column are five horizontal planes, each on containing the memories of Geork and Catherine.
"What is this?" Asta asked as he watched in awe.
"A spell that lets us connect with their minds and shows all the truth in their memories. From this point, they have nothing left to hide." Marx said with determination as he, Asta, and Julius view the two Midnight Sun prisoners.
"Amazing!" Asta said with wide, white eyes, having still being in Iron Shadow Dragon mode.
"I know! With this spell, you can get any information without any problems!" Julius said in excitement
"Yeah!" Asta replied with gusto.
"If you don't mind I would like some silence to concentrate please." Marx said, annoyed by the noise.
"Sorry." Asta and Julius replied.
Marx gained a serious look as he gazed at Geork and Catherine, who had dulled eyes to show the spell had them in it's influence.
"Now, I'm going to ask you two some questions and you must answer honestly, understood?" Marx said.
"Yes, sir." they answered in low tones.
Asta stayed silent and watched with as Marx used a communication spell and contacted the waiting captains.
"Thank you all for you patience, everyone. The preparations are finished but the meeting will be taking place in another location." he said, much to the ire of Yami.
A few minutes later, all of the captains were assembled in the secret underground prison with Asta, Julius, Marx, and the Midnight Sun prisoners. This caused Asta to feel a bit nervous since it was only the second time since he's seen all of the captain, minus the comatose Fuegoleon, in one place. Jack the Ripper of the Praying Mantises, Rill Boismortier of the Azure Deer, Charlotte Roselei of the Blue Roses, Gueldre Poizot of the Purple Orcas, Nozel Silva of the Silver Eagles, Dorothy Unsworth of the Coral Peacocks, Yami Sukehiro of the Black Bulls, and William Vangeance of the Golden Dawns. He tried his best to not do anything foolish as a bit of sweat ran down the side of his face but the nervousness left for a moment as his captain, Yami, decided to ease the tension.
"So, this is where they took ya. Doin fine, kid?" he asked with a lite cigarette in his right hand.
"Uh, yes, sir. I'm fine." Asta said as he looked down, still a bit nervous being around 7 of the Clover Kingdom's powerful captains. "Thanks for your concern."
"What's with him? Does he need to take a dump?" Yami asked himself, curious to Asta's nervous behavior.
"Excuse me, sir, but if you don't mind, what is all this about?" asked William as he stared as Marx, Julius, Asta, and the two prisoners.
"Yes, those two behind you are of the Midnight Sun, yes? Have you learned something from them?" Charlotte asked as she looked at Geork and Catherine.
"Why yes, several things thanks to Asta and Marx. But the juiciest thing we go was this, it's come to light that one of you has been working with the Eye of the Midnight Sun." Julius said as he waved his finger and gave his usual smile, knowing that he just increased the gravity of the room.