Author's note: The plot is all I own; remember to show your support every way you know how. Also, thank you music, you are my life saver and save me from the throes that are writer's block.

Asta's Perspective

'There's nothing like swimming in the river,' as he did slow laps in the river. It was like ice on his skin after being in the sun all day, and considering he had spent most of last night and most of this morning just sleeping in an active volcano being slightly burned by it, the cold of The icy river was such a nice feeling on his poor skin. Even if the river's current was a little rough and, at this point, he had been slammed into the rocks at least twice. The feeling was so nice; his overheated body was cooling down though there was a sting when he moved a certain way. It's better than feeling burnt alive, like when he would stand outside all day working out but wouldn't ever go to the shade, his skin would burn, start flaking, peeling, chafe and hurt something fierce. It's a miracle he could even walk the lack of shorts protected my knees just barely.

The cold water helped shed the most annoying layer of the burns on his skin, but even he could tell it's a lot worse than he first thought. Seeing pink in the river, realizing that he must be bleeding from his back and that I might be worse off than he thought.

'I may need to go to Doctor Owen, or a local doctor has to have healing salves for some of the burns that the water won't heal.'

Realizing that would be his best choice, especially? When his back was a lot more screwed up by the heat exposure than he thought, if the open stinging was anything to go by and the crackle of splitting skin he felt with every motion.

Charmy's Perspective

Nodding and looking at Noelle, who seemed to understand and seemed to take this seriously, I decided to get out the broom and take us to the market in the capital ourselves, knowing Noelle still didn't have a handle for control just yet. As her superior, it's one of the things I need to do.

I may have been tired, but I was able to hold on. The rest of The Black Bulls were expecting her to make a tasty dinner and make sure the pantry was filled for the month after everything that happened. They had been a bit barren the last few months between the major mission for the whole squad we had fallen behind in keeping the hideout in top form.

It may have been a weekday, but the market was bustling, and with a bunch of people, their stalls, and the crowds of kids laughing and playing down the paved road is where we find Noelle and Charmy walking in each hand, a huge basket ready to fill The Black Bulls pantry for the next few weeks at least. Charmy fighting off her urge to just sample everything. She knew she had to make an excellent example for her junior knight that she's watching. Even though her thoughts were slightly thinking about the revelations, she heard just this morning.

Usually, she wouldn't even think about it. None of it really crossing her mind or not being worth a second thought. But something about her story made everything about this kingdom a little more… And it made her realize she may need to watch an eye on Noelle, who she knew was really interested in finding out the information that all the adults got this morning. If she asked, she would do her best to clarify that it wasn't something she hears about from or anyone else, and I'm going to respect Andromeda's wishes. If she wanted the kids to know if she would've left them there. Honestly, it makes the things with the nobility and how they treat commoners even worse than I ever thought.

Right now, my task is to make sure our pantries are full, and my side objective to make sure that if I'm not around, there's a capable cook amongst all of the knights.

There's nothing worse than being sick already, only to get worst because you were poisoned by some chicken soup someone makes for you.

Considering once just once, Noelle tried to cook something and nearly destroyed the kitchen, so I've taken it upon myself as the best cook in The Black Bulls to teach her, to put her under my wing, and make her the best cook right under me. If I can't do that, then I have failed. And this just goes a long way with her magic training. After all, a cook is an artisan that has to work well under pressure and can keep a cool head even when everything around them is going wrong; they have to be able to do it; otherwise, they aren't the best chef there is. With a dash of confidence, she might get what she needs.

The reality is there's a benefit Noelle as much as it'll benefit me; there hasn't been anyone around that I want to teach to cook. Plus, it'll help me think of new ideas of treats I want to make for my prince of provisions. If I want to impress Yuno, I need to be creative and inventive and have an excuse to make a bunch of baked goods.

"Come on, my young pupil, there are yummy nummy ingredients to find! We have a pantry to fill!" Charmy was always upbeat and full of energy to find food dragging along a perplexed but equally interested Noelle.

"Now I get the feeling you want to learn how to cook, am I right, young, pupil?"

"Wait, how did you know?" Noelle seemed to feel her jaw fall. I nearly wanted to chuckle but held back because I didn't want to discourage her enthusiasm. Even if she's royalty, it's clear that she wants to be useful, and this one of the best ways to be for the whole squad since she doesn't clean very often.

"Comes with the territory. When people want to learn to cook, they got this eye about them. Sometimes they ask outright to learn from someone else; sometimes, their attitude gives them away." Charmy said with a shrug and a slight smile.

"It's probably Why Captain Yami teamed us up, to begin with!" Charmy smiled at Noelle, leading her to the farmers market, but the crowd was thick, way more people than you usually one a Wednesday morning.

"Learning to cook is patience and trusting in others, and yourself, so watch me and learn about what and how to buy ingredients. That just as vital as following a recipe. So, you not only don't get ripped off but make top-quality meals. As well as make sure that you get the quality you pay for. Nothing worse than something looking good on the outside, and it's rotten on the inside. Because you weren't taught how to figure out from a distance that their mold or rotted, you don't want to find out when you cut into a yummy cherry tomato.

"Some of the most reputable merchant stalls have used somewhat shady tactics to unload harmful ingredients or products in general." She said with a shrug, knowing that they were fair tactics there was no law about selling spoiled or rotten food. That it was your responsibility as the customer to know the difference.

"So, watch how I access the fruits and vegetables; alright, this is an essential skill in the best cooks, alright?"

Asta's Perspective

Getting dressed was tough since I had to bypass Gauche, who's cleaning the living room, and I was tracking water into the room. Even then, it started feeling every inch of skin on me felt tight, irritated, and slight burning, making the need to see a doctor more important. If for no other reason than to be able to move around with more manageable and more put everything else to bed.

But if I want to get stronger, I can't be covered in pain and heat burns. So the question is, I really do need treatment even if no one realizes how bad I got burned while I was in the volcano. Better to just suck it up and get treatment with a little bit of the pay I have. I'm

Not wanting to make anyone to worry, he quickly picked up his little pouch full of Yule and his Black Bulls' uniform. To get out of there before anyone could notice how baked red his face was from the heat exposure. The slight tinge of red on the back of his collar. Knowing that he had to get the royal castle and one of the last functioning rooms and knowing that he would have to bypass all the people shoveling debris.

Especially the prisoners who used to reside under the royal castle who were prominently cleaning up. After everything that happened, he didn't want to cause a scene or bring a lot of attention to himself. As he was just trying to get some medical attention without worrying about anybody else. But he knew that certain prisoners were only there because of him; he was not about to end up on another news page because someone started yelling at the top of their lungs. He had enough issues just trying to walk himself out of the hub headquarters, well not wincing and moaning in pain, but he's shrugged off pain before; it would not be news to walk himself out of here now.

Knowing I had a long walk ahead since I couldn't use a broom, I gritted my teeth and started running, moving past the pain and the agony of my splitting skin. A slight roar to me, and I took to the forest heading west for the castle. My goal of seeing the doctor the only thing that kept me from collapsing.

Remember that Doctor Owen has his own hall and side of the castle to himself with his back entrance. He decides faster was better than limiting the worse of his pain at the moment.

"Hello, how… mighty Oshiro, what the heck happened to you! ?!"

"I look that bad, Doctor Owen?" though he was still breathless, he didn't think he could be that bad, but he hadn't looked at himself before he left.

"You're redder than a tomato in the face. I can even see how bad your back is messed up Ankhseram's sake do I see bruising!? Get in bed now! You're staying overnight! I'll be giving Yami a piece of my mind later."

He nearly started to defend Captain Yami, the words on his lips. Until his body hit the bed, and then he knew no more, the bed was too comfy for him to do anything but sleep.

Doctor Owen's Perspective

Jason Owen's had treated a lot of patients in his life. But Asta, the son of the one patient, he felt he didn't help enough? After meeting in less than a month or two ago, he's been in my office way too many times. Writing a quick note for yummy knowing that the night captain would like to be updated about his squad members. It was clear to everyone involved that Asta was overdoing himself. He tried too hard and always pushed himself to a limit that would always put him in very severe or dear severe medical risk read. Realizing that not only was he the little baby boy had delivered, but I also have to watch let go.

There's also the fact then I had to investigate the medical mystery that was Asta, at least get some information for Andromeda. Considering the meeting that's taking place tomorrow right here. Asta had no magic, and that can't be right because he was born with it, and as I pulled out a secret cabinet with his and Yuno's birth certificate Based on the levels of magic that they exuded when they were born? It was clear to see that something was actually wrong with pasta, and I would have to try to see if I could access what it was while also healing his poor, beaten body the best they could before tomorrow. Giving me the time to really go over and check everything I could from my end.

Taking a long-suffering sigh sending a message to his wife with a secondary owl, knowing he was going to be sleeping in his office again. Noting that Asta seemed to pass out almost immediately after being told he would be here overnight, I already assumed he hadn't sleepy because of the haggard look on his face.

"Rest easy now, son." He said it aloud more for himself than for anything else. Knowing that he was getting some relief with sleep.

Well, at least it makes it easier to treat him and scan him without too many questions. He may not be a screamer like most of my patients. Then again, remembering when Andromeda went into labor, she grits and bore the pain and refused to make much noise giving birth to twins. I'm going to assume pain tolerance came from her directly. To make matters worse for him? He was one to run from treatment only to get more hurt a few days later. As he started to work his magic, per se, he knew it's the least he could do for the boy. Even if he would be working late to heal him. And knowing that would have to force a potion to make sure he sleeps for longer remembering one time in a particular time that he ran off after getting just one hour of sleep. From then, he learned to give something more substantial so he can actually heal completely. He already knew he had a long night ahead of him, and it just turned two in the afternoon.

Noelle's Perspective

I didn't know until this moment how much of a stringent chef Charmy was. Before now, I never really put much thought into her cooking and the way she took it so seriously. To be perfectly Frank, I saw her as gladder than anything else. Preferring food two really anything or taking everything very non-seriously. Not really valuing what she brought to the black bulls in the first place. I saw her in the same way I see Vanessa, very relaxed about her duties and not really taking anything more seriously than it needs to. At least until now, as Charmy took the time to detail out and really show me what I needed to know by now. Stating that it is the duty of everyone, regardless of station life in class, to understand how to cook something on their own. That anything can happen, especially when your part of the magic Knights squad; he could be left stranded, abandoned, or in a place, you've never been before; you need to be able to take care of yourself. That there may be a time where she needs to forage for her own food. And how she was, she supposed to tell the difference between what's edible and what's not? As she watches, her self-proclaimed mentor has a critical eye while late explaining her methods of determining the best quality ingredients and food. But the way she was carrying herself, the way she was accessing things. Honestly, really trying to describe it was watching a master chef at work, and I have absorbed it all because honestly, she was good at this, and if I want any shot at being better, I need to learn from others, and Charmy was taking time out to explain things, and I understood.

Especially when she was telling me what she was preparing for dinner today. She decided to cook something from when she was younger, Kicking Chicken with Season Mashed, Stir Fry Veggies, and for dessert, Three-Tier Death by Fudge. And we only just finished getting everything and finding ourselves back at the hideout.

"Come along, young pupil, we need to get started on dinner. You need to learn kitchen basics. Now follow me; it's time for you to understand how and clean your ingredients correctly."

After Charmy had her sheep cooks putting things into the pantry.

"We will do this with no magic, my young pupil." "You need to know how to this without shortcuts and have the tools I teach you to be instinctive." Now, as she started pulling out the vegetable. From where they have been stored in the cupboards.

"First, follow my instructions and then copy my actions, all right? If you have any questions, please ask? That's how we learn, all right?"

From then on, Charmy took the time to show me how to prep the vegetables explaining that washing them correctly that if it's done wrong, will ruin the whole meal. Primarily as she taught me that you have to peel potatoes unless you are baking them. Teaching me how to cut the vegetables evenly.

Also, Charmy was taking the time and the reason. She was meticulous and was very patient with me. You need to follow a recipe to the letter, and I'm finally learning from her. I feel for the first time even though there have been moments before like I'm being accepted truly and apart of the group, I know that I can talk to them, but I was worried in the back of my head that they were judging me that I wasn't to the prestige of the other royals like my family. But watching how Charmy took the time to teach me the ins and outs of cooking something correctly and when to time how much fire the food while it's cooking. Or how much is too much or too little seasoning something needs? I know. I just feel like I finally found something I didn't realize I needed until now.

Especially as she praised me and told me when I was doing something right and explained exactly when I was doing something wrong.

It was nice. Mostly when we all sat down, the sheep chef served around the table, slightly disappointed when I notice Asta wasn't there until captain Yami mentioned that he was getting apparently healed. The burns that he sustained on the volcano were worse than they seemed. He needed the night to recuperate.

But I was happy when everybody took part in the food and loved what Charmy and I made. Making me feel better that I had been able to do something right for once. That may be following and listening to Charmy is my best bet. Especially as she seemed to listen when after a question and didn't just start berating me. Maybe I can really become a better person like Secre asked me to be if I wanted to get asked his attention; that would be the best way to do it.

Yuno's Perspective

He sat in the room that had been assigned to him. It had been a long night after keeping his mana skin all night. He should be worn out since he basically didn't sleep all night, but his mind was whirling with everything he has gone through. He couldn't sleep no matter what he did. He laid in his bed, ignoring the opulent surrounding and really thinking about all the revelations he heard about this morning and everything that had happened with the elves.

You know, I honestly don't know how to feel about the revelation that the King is a lecherous pedophile and completely corrupt. Well, the corruption we knew and made peace with it in a way. You don't consider an area forsaken realm and give it no money and assume that the monarchy gives a damn about Their citizenry. It has to be corrupt.

It's not liked the commoners and nobles could overthrow the King and put a better monarch in his place. There just wasn't enough manpower. Everyone below royalty doesn't have the magic power to overthrow our King. So even considering a revolution would only end in your death.

And keeping in mind that he was willing to kill two kids who made snide comments about his rule? The King has made clear with his behavior and action that he is corrupt, and that was pretty clear to anyone who lived in the forsaken realm of the kingdom, and the disparity and difference of the way they are treated say everything about how much corruption was in the kingdom, and the King is just the one who thinks he's untouchable. Maybe he was in the way.

Thinking about everything the wizard king had to do to allow commoners to join the magic knights' squad and most magic knight squads aren't all called to where they are needed most. Only where they want to be seen helping some go and support everyone can, but some like The Purple Orcas initially and The Golden Dawn only helped the nobles and the royal family not care for anything else. I can't help but want to something. The golden dawn wasn't what I thought it was. I thought I was joining a squad that was the best of the best, but honestly, it was a squad of entitled assholes with two exceptions among its ranks, and that's my issue. Should I stay, or could I ask for a transfer to a different squad?

Would there be an uproar? Maybe but it's been on my mind ever since the big battle. At first, it was great to prove everyone wrong, and the pay is excellent but is it worth wondering when the next idiot will put a knife in my back, or the next time, I need to report sketchy actions of my squamate's but can't? How can I be on a squad where I only trust two of the other members? After hearing what that woman said and everything that was going on, I felt the conflict in my mind. The fact she fainted at the sight of me made my mind raced at the possibility, but I felt I need to wait and see if my guesses are off base. The timing of when Miss Andromeda got pregnant and left nearly sixteen years ago; her hair and eyes. She couldn't be. We couldn't be.

Soft knocking in the door, I lifted my head in the direction the sun was setting, and the room was starting to get darker, and my thoughts weren't getting more comfortable to get a handle on

"Yuno? We have been summoned to a meeting with the wizard king tomorrow afternoon."

"Alright, I will be up early to go to this meeting."

"We will be having dinner soon. I hope you join us, alright?"

"We'll see. Thank you, Lunette, and thank you for letting me know."

I just didn't want to face anyone when the reality is, I don't know if I wanted to stay on this squad any longer.

Final note: It was all over the place when it came to perspective, but I hope you enjoy I wanted all perspectives seen. Considering this only takes place just after the mirror call needed in chapter five. Plus, I wanted to give Noelle something she's never gotten before. She has never decided to bond with anyone. Think about it she rebuffs Mimosa. I get that the girl is kind of dim. But at the same time, she doesn't have any great female companionship or role models, so I decided to add that in to give her what she didn't get at home. Based on the flashback Nebra was a bitch to Noelle growing up when she needed a big sister to be kind to her the most? So, I really like this as a concept Noelle get positive reinforcement. Charmy is still her quirky self, but she's a lot more too. In many ways, they all have all the recent acknowledgment, and the constant crisis has changed them. Like the talk Magna and Finral gave Luck and Asta in chapter four. It shows that they have changed from the uncouth oddball squad into a well-worked unit. New characters are in the mix, but the same goes for them soon enough. As well the contemplation of Yuno, he was feeling adrift in the squad he's in. He wants to leave because the squad doesn't feel right.