It was a few weeks after Shilo had told William and Patry (unknowingly) about her past. She and William had been getting closer as of late, and would often do tasks together around their Squads Headquarters. He and Patry had also begun training again, but the scarred Teenager couldn't help but wonder when he was going to be given his first mission as a Magic Knight. Yes, he understood that with everything that had happened to him and Patry over the last few Months, that his Captain might want to give him something easier to do in order to give his Elven Brother some time to rest and recover, but even Patry was beginning to get board with the paperwork, chores and boar-hunting missions that Julius was giving William. So one day, he suggested just asking the Time Mage straight up for a better Mission. 'Are you sure we're up for that Patry? We don't really have that much experience yet' the World Tree Mage asked, feeling slightly nervous. "You'll be fine, I promise. You've gotten much stronger since you started training. I'm sure that something a bit tougher than boar-hunting wouldn't be too much trouble for you to do. And if something happens that you really can't handle on your own, then I can take over instead. But really William, you need much more experience than what you're getting right now.
So go and ask Dad what he thinks. The worst case scenario for you in this case is that he says no to a tougher mission, in which case, you won't have to worry either way, okay?" Patry suggested. William thought it over, before nodding, 'you're right Patry, we have a much bigger mission to complete, and we only have so much time to prepare for it. The more experience I get as a Magic Knight, the stronger we'll both get! I'm sorry for being so nervous about this, I just know that the last time we went too far from the Capital, we were kidnapped. But I have to have more faith in my own strength! I am a Magic Knight after all, and I can't stay stuck in a rut forever! I'll never be able to protect anyone that way!' he thought with more confidence than he would have just a few years ago. "You've grown up a lot William. Both Dad and I are so proud of you" Patry replied happily. 'Heh, heh, it's all thanks to you and Julius. If I hadn't met you all those years ago, I might even be dead right now' he replied, slightly sheepish. "Thank you. Now, let's go! This is our first mission after all, and it wouldn't do to be late!" the Elf exclaimed cheerfully. And so, William headed to Julius's office in the Grey Deer Headquarters.
Soon he reached it. The 16-year-old human couldn't help but be nervous, he hadn't gone on a mission before due to circumstances beyond their control. Just what would he be asked to do? Quickly straightening his clothes and Grey Deer Robe, William took a deep breath and knocked on the door, "come in!" Julius called. The teenager opened the door and stepped in, making sure to adjust his mindset from 'Father' to 'Captain' as he did so. The blond Magic Knight Captain smiled at his soon-to-be adopted Son, he'd already gotten the documents, now he just had to wait for the right time. It was going to be William's Birthday in a few weeks time, so he'd decided to wait until then and surprise the young man with it. "Ah, William, there you are, thank you for being so punctual" Julius said cheerfully. The white-haired human smiled slightly, "it was no problem Sir. I was told you had a mission for me?" he asked. "Yes, that's right. A new dungeon has appeared near the boarder we share with the Diamond Kingdom, and as we need someone to investigate it before any Diamond Mages can reach it, I volunteered you. I know you might be a bit nervous, but I have complete faith in you William. And you have an advantage that most other Knights don't have. You're not alone. I'm not saying to rely on Patry for everything, but if things DO go South, you at least have your own back-up if it becomes necessary. Understand?" Julius sked.
The World Tree Mage nodded, "I understand Captain. But if I may ask, if I do find this dungeon, how am I supposed to bring the treasure back here Sir?" William asked. "For now, just find it and mark the area. Do a bit of exploring if you want, maybe bring back something, if it's extremely rare and valuable, but above all, be careful. Even if I do know that your incredibly strong, that doesn't mean that others might not be stronger. Don't forget, Diamond is a very Military-oriented Nation, so stay on your guard. Alright?" Julius asked. William nodded, saluting, "I understand Captain. I'll do my best to complete the Mission successfully". The blond Magic Knight smiled, "I know you will. Now, get going" he ordered seriously.
Black Clover
As William travelled across the Kingdom towards the Border between Clover and Diamond, he and Patry talked. 'So, what do you think we'll find in the Dungeon Patry?' the scarred Teenager asked. "I'm afraid I don't know. I've never been inside one before. But from our studies, there are all kinds of priceless treasures, magical artifacts, and sometimes even Spells. I wonder if we might be able to get stronger if we do end up finding some new Spells in their" Patry replied thoughtfully. 'Maybe. Heh, I'm actually getting excited now' William thought back. "That's the Spirit! We don't know that anything bad will happen, so there's no use getting nervous. Besides, you're really strong on your own William, it's only your nerves getting the best of you right now. Both Dad and I believe in you- after all, you're one of my little Brothers" the Elf replied. 'I won't be younger than you forever. In a few Months we'll be the same age Patry' William pointed out. "I know, but I'll still see you as one of my younger brothers anyway. Because I love you like you are. It's the same with Yuno. Even though we aren't blood-related, that doesn't matter to me. As far as I'm concerned, the two of you are my little brothers no matter what.
And besides, for all we know, Bethany's Spell might not have suspended my Soul and this is just how I see myself. I could be 504 and not even realise it because I still see myself as a 17-year-old. Which makes me very much your older brother William" Patry replied. The World Tree Mage smiled, finding that he didn't really mind that thought so much either way, 'okay fine, you win. Now, let's complete this Mission and make our Dad proud!' he thought back without any bite.
Black Clover
The inside of the Dungeon was pitch black. William couldn't see a thing as he walked, "it's so dark in here. And there are torches too, but I have no way to light them. I kind of wish that Fuegoleon had been sent out with us for this Mission" the masked teenager complained. "Want me to take over? At least until we find somewhere brighter?" Patry asked. But William shook his head, "no, it's okay. After all, I can't rely on you for everything. Thank you for offering, but I want to do this Mission by myself" he replied. The Elf couldn't help but feel happy for his friend, 'he's really grown-up, huh?' he thought to himself. Although he was also just the slightest bit sad too, 'I've been with William for nearly 11 years now. It's been a really long time, but now it seems like it was so short. He already doesn't need me as much as he did before. I know that, thanks to Bethany's Spell, we'll always be together, but still. I wonder if this is a bit like how a parent feels when their child doesn't need their attention all the time anymore'. Suddenly a rumbling sound caught their attention.
Looking down, William found that he'd stepped on a trick stone, "oh shit" he muttered, as the ceiling dropped on top of him.
Black Clover
Before he could be squashed, the Grey Deer Mage, pulled out his Grimoire, "World Tree Magic: Protective Foliage!" he cried. A dense cover of leaves surrounded the Teenager, stopping both of them from becoming pancakes. "Woah, what Spell was that, I've never seen it before!?" Patry exclaimed. "It's a new one I just gained, Protective Foliage creates a barrier of leaves that are as hard as steel that I can use as a shield" William explained, crawling out from under his barrier and the drop-down ceiling. "Cool! Your reaction time has really improved a lot William!" the Light Mage exclaimed, impressed. "Heh, thanks Patry, I've been training a lot" the masked Teenager replied, grinning. Then they continued on their way through the Dungeon.
Black Clover
In the depths of the very Dungeon that the Grey Deer Member was trekking through, a different kind of being became aware of him. She smiled happily, "at last, a person who will be worthy of me has appeared" she said.
To Be Continued