After discharging from Harrys shop first thing in the morning, Asta had made it his main priority to obtain closure between him and his former teammates. The old man sparked new life into the swordsman as he stepped foot outside the Black Market, on his way to the hideout.

"Oh Harry..." said Asta looking back "Thanks again, you've been really helpful."

"Not a problem, it's the least I can do. Heres your way to the Black Bulls" opening up a spacial magic portal. "Asta, did you remember to bring it?"

"Of course I didn't forget," pulling out a small wooden case "I'm gonna need this if I have any chance with them... Truth is I'm not expecting much, I just want them to know I still care about them."

"I'm sure they will see eye to eye Asta," said Harry "Now off you go before it gets dark"

"Right" The young knight waved graciously before hopping through the portal and landing right outside Black Bull's headquarters. He was incredibly nervous... shacking even. He had been running away from his squadmates for so long, but it was now time to face them head-on. He took a deep breath.

*Knock* *Knock*

...

*Knock* *Knock*

"Dam, it no answer... maybe I should come back later..." door opens.

The young knight froze as the sudden appearance of a former Black Bull member left him immobilised. What came out was a figure with long pink hair, witches hat and cleavage around her body. It was non-other than the gorgeous Vanessa at the front lines.

"Asta? Wh-what are you doing here? You know you're not allowed to be here." The Anti-Magic user was left stuttering in his tracks, unable to engage nor get a clear word out. "What's the matter? Cat got your tongue. Did you come here to gloat about your new squad? Heck, you probably already made a ton of new friends... well if you came here to show off you can forget it!" slamming the door on to his face.

"N-no that's not it Vanessa, truth is I... PLEASE OPEN VANESSA I JUST WANA TALK" repeated banging on the door.

Took a while, but persistence was paying off as the thread mage gave in and opened the door once again.

"Please just listen to me Vanessa," he cried

"You know what... I don't want to hear it," Vanessa interrupted "You got nothing to say to me or any of the other members of the Black Bulls. What you did was really shady, so just leave Asta" slowly closing the door.

"NO WAIT!" shouted Asta launching his foot between the door "Ouch... No wait please, listen I won't be too long I promise. I just wanna talk. I feel really bad for what I did before ok...an-and I want to make it up to you," Innocent look on his face "I won't be too long I promise, I'll be out of your hair in no time."

As much she wanted to wrap him up in thread and toss him to the outskirts of the kingdom, seeing Asta was always a joyous moment. The young knight's personality was infectious, loud demeanour and cheerful attitude; Vanessa always has a smile on her face every time she meets him.

"Ok fine... make it quick, I don't want you staying for too lon.."

"THANKS!" yelled Asta as he zoomed past the thread mage and galloped into the main room of the hideout.

The Anti-Magic user was striving forward with tons of enthusiasm, but that had quickly diminished after realising no one was there.

"Sorry about that Asta, I should've told you, but no ones actually here right now."

"Seriously? No ones here" he said.

"Yeah sorry... I think it's just me and Noelle at the hideout today. Yami assigned the rest of the guys on missions, so I don't know when they'll come back."

"Oh ah... Noelle's here," guilty look on his face.

Sensing Asta's change in mood, the thread mage rested both her hands on the young knight's shoulders. She had empathy for the swordsman, she understood that this was a very emotionally draining task for him. Likewise, she made it her mission to make him every bit comfortable, even if it was for a short time. "Come on Asta make it quick, if you need me to pass on a message, just say the word."

Thankful just slightly shocked, Asta was not expecting such a warm reception from Vanessa. "Oh thanks, Vanessa that means a lot honestly, but the thing is I need everyone to be here, they all have to see this."

"What is it everyone needs to see?" she wondered.

Within a flash, Asta pulled out a small wooden case. He opened the case and out came an array of objects bursting out from the small box. The items hovered in the air for a few seconds before landing safely on to a base mat.

"Wh-what is this Asta?!" Vanessa gasped.

"Their gifts... Their gifts for everyone at the Black Bulls" said the Asta smiling graciously.

The thread mage was bewildered, seeing the short knight come out and bring gifts wasn't even the last thing she expected. It had occurred that Asta might come out with a stunt, however, the current affairs were unanticipated. "Se-seriously you got al this for us?"

"Yeah, of course! I know I messed up big time... and this probably doesn't make up for what I did before by all means. But I just want to say, I'm really sorry... Hang on."

The Anti-Magic user crouched down as set his sites on retrieving Vanessa's gift. "Here you go, I know you've been eyeing this, every time I go to the Black market with you, I hope you like it." picking up and passing the thread mage a small tub.

It few seconds to analyse what was in her hand but it soon hit her.

"Oh Asta... honey you shouldn't have," wrapping her arm around the swordsman's shoulders "This was the moisturiser cream, I've been saving up for months. I was actually on my way to pick it up myself. How did you pull this off," she asked.

"Haaaa! You like it? Cool hah, let's just say I know a guy," he replied.

As it turns out Asta's newly found friend Harry had many connections within the Black market, so many he was able to get all the gifts at extremely cheap and affordable prices. The small box Asta had used to hold all the items was an object Harry had constructed; it gave the user the ability to carry an array of items in such a tiny container.

"Asta I do-I don't know what to say. The way things turned out, I thought that was the end of our relationship. But here you are now." The pair locked eyes before the thread mage opened the tub of moisturiser and gently applied it on around her face, to Asta's surprise the cream was doing much more than he bargained for. Believing it was just something petty girls wanted, it started to erase all the spots and added a gentle glow on her face. Skin looked healthier and much smoother, it was the exact results, Vanessa was crying out for.

"How do I look?" she asked.

"Wow, Vanessa you look beautiful," causing the thread mage to blush.

"Oh, why thank you, Asta"

"You're welcome... ah, I know this won't make u..."

"Its ok Asta, I forgive you," placing her index finger on to the short knight's lips "regardless if you brought me the cream or not, I'm not one to hold a grudge. I was always gonna forgive you, you're a good friend and what happened on that day won't change that."

The pair locked eyes again but their fond interaction was cut short after loud knocks started coming from the door. Vanessa sensed familiar mana in the air and it was none other than the rest of her fellow Black Bull members.

"Crap, are they already here?" gasped Vanessa.

The door opened and in came the few Black Bull members, Luck, Finral, Magna and Zora all coming back from their respected missions.

Unsurprisingly whole room stood shell shocked, the site of the anti-magic user left Finral and Zora frozen in their tracks, whilst Magna and Luck were ready for a combo spell. Asta felt helpless however, he reassured himself that this was the way to go. This was exactly what he wanted to do, he'd been running away from his former teammates for so long but now it's his turn to chase them.

"What are you doing here Asta?" growled Finral.

"Vanessa don't tell me you let this two-timing jerk into our hideout," said Zora looking unimpressed.

Luck and Magna ignored the interaction and quickly launched a combo spell straight at the Anti-Magic user.

Asta predicting the outburst pulled out the way, and swiftly dodged the pairs venomous attack, causing them to charge straight through and create a massive whole inside the Black Bulls hideout.

"Oops that's another hole in the wall, Yamis gonna be pissed off now Magna," laughed Luck.

"YOU STUPID IDIOT!" said Manga punching the lightning mage "YOUR TIMING WAS SO OFF!"

The reckless mages continued to Bickle and argue before Vanessa had tied them up using her thread magic.

"You idiots, I'm gonna make sure Yami knows who put this hole in the wall," yelled Vanessa.

"Oh yeah! I'm gonna make sure I tell the Captain that you let outsiders into our hideout, shameless witch" replied Magna.

"WHAT DID YOU SAY!"

Finral who had seen enough speedily teleported himself right in the middle of the two ruffled mages. Sensing malicious intend coming from the two he knew he had to quickly weather the storm. "Now, now let's not do anything that will regret you two. Let us talk this one out ok," he ordered.

The spacial magic-user plea was short-lived as he was tossed in his tracks and electrocuted by Lucks lighting magic. "Uh oh did I go too far?" he wondered

Zora who sighed in annoyance quickly turned his attention to the swordsman. Glaring with disgust, he pulled out his hand readying himself for a magic attack. "Alright short stuff, you gonna tell me why you're here, or I'm I gonna have to beat it out you. I mean the best case scenario you can leave, I don't want to see a punk like you."

Harsh words but Asta could understand where the trap mage was coming from. The reality was always there, his actions had breached the limits of all his squadmates including Zora he knew he had to win, just him but everyone. "Look, Zora I-I didn't come here to fight."

"Then what did you come here for," he shouted.

"I came here to talk," Asta despatched from the confrontation and quietly headed over to the array of gifts he brought for his former squadmates. During all the commotion Zora wasn't even aware of all the objects. What were they he wondered?

"Here, th-this is for you," said Asta as picked up and held Zora gift facing him.

What was in front of the taller knight was a small package that was carefully ceiled and wrapped up. Despite having a drop of curiosity, he was immensely unimpressed with the swordsman intentions.

"Come on, are you gonna take or what?" Asta asked.

"What? You think you can just walk in here and come spoil us with presents, thinking will forgive you after what you. Fat chance... As far as I'm concerned you're trash and this thing you're giving me is also trash."

Vanessa, who had empathy with her former squadmate couldn't bear to listen to the conversation any longer. She understood this was a very painful encounter for him, and yes it was unforgivable of what he did. However, this was a really gutsy move on his behalf, and she appreciated the effort massively. "Just hold on there Zora..."

"No Vanessa," interpreted Asta "He's right... he's right. Truth is I don't even expect you guys to forgive me, in fact, this was the exact reaction I was expecting. I didn't think id make it this far in all honesty, I was surprised you let me in Vanessa," looking very fondly at thread mage "I know what I did was wrong and I know these gifts cant do anything to change that, but I just want you to know that I... I'm really sorry."

Nearly on the verge of tears, Asta could sense from judging Zora's key, he got the message loud and clear. Even if it was just a tiny drop, he knew he had won him over. "Here let me show you what I got." Encouraged, the Anti-Magic user quickly unwrapped the gift and carefully handed it over to the trap-magic user with grace."I didn't know what you wanted, so I just you something you needed."

What was before Zora made his eyes widen, it was a small picture frame crafted in wood with corners plated in pure gold. "I noticed before I left, your picture frame of your father was a little banged up, so I got you a new one. That pictures really important to you, so I thought a better frame was essential... oh and eh, it looks expensive, but worry about it... but let's just say I know a guy," said Asta scratching the back of his head.

Zora remained tight-lipped, he refused to express any emotion nor look at the Anti-magic in the eye... that was until something had clicked. Glancing at the brand new picture frame an image of his farther had popped up inside his head. Understanding his old man's ethos and values, he knew he'd be dishonouring him. He was a kind man, he would look for his teammates regardless of the ethnicity or class. He would never hold a grouch, he always forgives and forgets no matter what the case. Zara would always look at the bright side of everything and Zora remembered that.

"Fine... just this once," snatching his new picture frame "Ill take your stupid gift... But I'm only taking it because I need a new one, you got that, I still haven't got over what you did." he hissed

"I wouldn't have it any other way Zora, thank you so much," said Asta as he graciously smiled.

Before he knew it the young knight was suddenly bombarded and jumped on to by Luck, who was eager to find out what his present holds. "OOOOOH ASTA! If I forgive you, can I get my present?" he yelled.

"Oh eh, yeah sure Luck. See that small box over there it's yours."

Within a flash, the lightening user jumped up and found himself holding his gift brought by his former teammate.

Magna who was also very curious about he got, his attention was just simply drawn by what his crazy battle of a friend had attained. "Hey Asta what did you get Luck?" he asked.

"Oh, it's basically..." before the new member of the Golden Dawn could finish his sentence, he spun swiftly as he reflected a devastating lightning attack on to the wall, the impact was so big it caused an even bigger whole than the last.

Magna fuming with the retaliation he threw himself forward as he gripped the lightening mage by the collar and slammed him into the ground. "YOU STUPID DUMB ARSE, WHAT YOU TRYING TO DO, KILL US!?"

"Haha, that didn't even hurt," replied Luck

"WHAT DID YOU SAY?" yelled Magna as he tightened his grip.

"Umm, Magna probably best not the best time to be picking a fight with Luck right now."

"Whys that?" questioned the fire mage.

"Oh, because it looks like Luck already took the pills I got him. I don't really have a name for them but think of them as battle pills. They can increase one's strength, stamina, endurance and most importantly magic ability. They'll be really helpful for when you go on missions. They last for 6 hrs at a time, so use them wisely." Asta explained

"Hey, Magna look there's one for you too," said Luck

The fire mage snatched the case with no sensitisation, swallowing the pill and within moments finding himself with enhanced energy and strength. A body fueled with strength, flames reaching its peak, Magna never felt more powerful than ever before "Wow Asta this is quite the stuff, alright Luck lets have it. You and me, one on one."

"YEAAAAAAAH! LET'S GO!" replied the excited lightning mage.

The two hot-headed mages distanced themselves holding a battle stance. Raising their fists and focusing all their energy into a single point. Magna and Luck would always argue with each other, not just with themselves but with other members of their squad. In the end, confrontations would always have the same outcome, and the scene with Asta was no different. The two mages launched themselves forward for direct impact, before turning their heads towards their old squad member "Thanks Asta, I forgive you," said Luck and Magna singly.

"NO! YOU'RE GONNA MAKE ANOTHER WHOLE IN THE WALL!" Vanessa shouted.

Before the two battle mages could touch fists, they had found themselves being caught in a spatial magic portal, resulting into them being teleported in the outskirts of the hideout.

Everyone was shocked but more so relieved, they couldn't afford to add any more damage to the hideout. What just happened they wondered?

"No way there making another hole on my watch" As it turned out, it was non-other than Finral who had woken up from his slumber and quickly teleported the two chaotic mages far away from the hideout. Despite being burnt to a crisp and barely able to walk he was curious what the commotion was all about. "Gifts?!" he heard.

"Nice one Finral, without you the whole house would've come down!" yelled the Anti-magic user.

"Oh its-its no big deal, I wasn't gonna let Yami see the mess that we made... So ah..." looking at the swordsman so fondly.

"So Asta what did you get me?" asking so eagerly

"Oh, I got you this perfume Finral. Its got a nice scent to it, maybe the girls will like it" replied Asta as he rested the gift on Finral's hands.

The spatial magic-user grabbed his present with a huge smile on his face. Happy with his gift, but more so importantly having the chance to interact with his life long friend. "Thanks Asta, I really do appreciate it. I'll cherish this and I'll tell you if it works as well," he laughed.

"Happy to hear it Finral and sorry for what I did."

This was a very pleasing moment for the spatial magic-user, flashbacks of recent memories were swirling through his head. The missions, the silly date knights that they had, all of which were very sincere and left Finral overwhelmed with joy.

"No its fine, truth is I'm actually happy you came back. I was also gonna write to you while you were at the Golden Dawn believe it or not."

"Oh really!" replied a blushing swordsman.

"Yeah, I was gonna ask you to keep it private because I didn't know how the rest of the Black Bulls would react. But since everyone's warming up to you, nows the perfect time. We may not be related by blood, youll always be like a brother to me"

The two mages locked eyes before coming close and giving each other tight hug. Finral did say Asta was like a younger brother to him, he already had problems with one, and to have it with another was unthinkable.

"Thanks guys, you all are the best. I promise I won't do anything stupid again... I'm so sorry for what I did," cried Asta.

"You don't need to say anything else Asta, I forgive you," said Finral as he continued to wrap his arms around the Anti-magic user.

Vanessa looked on fondly, thrilled with the way things had turned out. The concerns she had left were all the damages done to the hideout, but before that.

"Wow Asta you went all out, didn't you? I'm sure everyone's gonna love the gifts that you sent them," picking up a small box that caught her eye "Hmmm wonder whose this for," she asked herself.

"NO DONT TOUCH THAT!" shouted Asta as he snatched the small box away from the thread-magic user. "Sorry Vanessa, I don't want anything happening to this one." the young swordsman opened the case slightly to check for any damages that might have occurred. "Few... everything's fine" he assured himself.

"Oh, is it a special gift," asked Vanessa with a surprised look on her face "Whose it for?"

"It's for..."

Before the response could finish, his focus was quickly drawn by a female mage walking down the stairs. She had long silver hair and ponytails on each end, it was non-other than the only royalty member from house Silva. The pair locked eyes, Asta was happy. Finally, a chance to make things right he told himself.

However, for her it was a much different story; the mear sight of Asta brought back terrible memories as she turned around and charged up the stairs where she came from.

"NOELLE WAIT!"