A/N: There is a longer author note at the end. Now I hope you enjoy the longest and last chapter :)
Noelle couldn't believe that today was the day they would get their grimoire. For every mage this day was the most important one in their lives and Noelle could feel her nervousness rise when she stood in the grimoire tower with Asta and Yuno. Asta seemed more excited than nervous and if Yuno was nervous he didn't show it. When the grimoire began searching for their owner Noelle felt her heart beat faster when a beautiful white grimoire with golden patterns flew over to her. Gently she accepted it and for a moment she just let herself soak in the feeling of having her grimoire. Almost lovingly she touched the golden three-leaf clover on the front. Finally she was a full mage with a grimoire that was like a second heart.
The young royal was so engrossed in her thoughts that she only realized that Asta hadn't received a grimoire when he spoke up.
"Where is my grimoire?"
Looking around Noelle saw that all grimoire had flown to their owner and Asta still didn't have his. All her gentle words and Yuno's more tough approach didn't help reassure Asta and Noelle felt her heart sink for him. It just couldn't be that Asta didn't get a grimoire. All his dreams would be shattered and Noelle couldn't bear that thought. It broke her heart to see Asta like that and she hoped that there was a possibility that it was a mistake and Asta would get a grimoire. However to her surprise Asta wasn't devastated and he still challenged Yuno to become the magic emperor.
When they were on their way back home none of them saw the attack coming, but in hindsight Noelle thought that Yuno's four-leaf clover had gotten so much attention and was so special that they should have seen it coming that he could be a target. When the powerful mage even defeated Yuno and Noelle's magic, she felt powerless. The situation seemed hopeless and even Asta seemed to give up. However when she thought his spirit was broke he surprised her again. He was convinced that he would become the magic emperor with a grimoire or without one and in this moment Noelle witnessed something special.
Noelle had been right, there was no way Asta, with all his determination to become the magic emperor, didn't receive a grimoire. Just in the moment everything seemed hopeless a black grimoire appeared in front of Asta and when he summoned a black sword Noelle was reminded of his old sword turning into a black blade four years ago. Since then Asta's strange powers hadn't shown up, but now when it was important they showed themselves again. Just like four years ago the sword sliced through the enemy's magic and left her breathless. This power was special, just like Asta was.
When the enemy was defeated Asta turned to them, the biggest smile on his face that Noelle had ever seen.
"I have my grimoire."
"I'm so happy for you, Asta." Noelle returned his smile and embraced him. It was probably more affection than she should show, especially in front of Yuno, but in this moment she didn't care. She was just so happy for him.
When she pulled away from him, Asta faced Yuno.
"One of us will become the magic emperor."
"We'll fight to see who will become the wizard king. Whatever it takes." With a bump of their fists they both renewed their promise.
Noelle watched them smiling. The next months they would train hard to get stronger and then they would take the exam and become a member of a squad of the magic knights. Asta and Yuno had their dream and she had hers to prove her family wrong. She would become a strong mage and one day stand by Asta's side as the equally strong queen of the magic emperor.
The months after that were spend training and before Noelle knew it her last training with her sensei came around. With it Noelle felt an overwhelming sadness that she wouldn't see her sensei for a long time. Sure, she would visit Hage when she had time, but not seeing her sensei, who had helped her so much, ever day would be hard.
"I'll miss our training." Noelle said quietly when they were finished and faced her sensei. "I can't tell you how thankful I'm that you were my sensei. No one ever believed in my magic powers, but you made me believe in myself."
"You were the one to do all the work, Noelle. I was only helping you see what a powerful mage you can be." Her sensei smile gently at her.
"Thank you so much for everything you have done for me." Without her permission a tear slipped down her cheeks, followed by a few more.
"You don't have to thank me. I know you'll do your best in the exam and don't forget to visit me when you're in Hage again." Another tearful goodbye that wasn't easy for Noelle, but she knew that just like when her maid left she would see her sensei again.
After Noelle made her sensei promise that he would see her off she went back home to shower and eat dinner. However it seemed that the day wasn't quite over for her yet. After she had help Osafi with the dishes Asta walked up to her.
"Noelle, can we talk alone for a moment?" Never before had Noelle seen him so nervous. When she nodded and he took her hand in his to lead her away she could even feel him shaking. His behavior made her nervous as well.
The last few months had been eventful enough and tomorrow they would go the capital for the exam, so what could be so important that he was reacting like that? For a moment her heart hoped that maybe he would confess to her, but she stopped herself. That was surely just wishful thinking. It was true that they had gotten much closer, they even slept in each others arms every night, but Asta surely didn't see her that way.
When Asta stopped walking and she almost crashed into him she snapped out of her thoughts. Looking around she realized that they were on top of the demon skull. With the sun setting over Hage and the orange glow it was almost romantic. Again she willed her heart to not be so hopeful, but her eyes widened when Asta spoke up.
"I know I'm dense, Yuno tells me that all the time, but I realized something. Maybe you don't feel that way about me and that's fine. We'll stay best friends no matter what, right?" More than confused Noelle nodded. It seemed that her reaction must have made Asta even more nervous because he blushed. "I think I'm messing this up and I'm sorry, but this is the first time I confess my feelings. I'll make it quick so I don't mess this up even more. Noelle, I'm in love with you."
Noelle felt her heart stop for a moment before it beat wildly in her chest. At first she thought she was dreaming, after all this wouldn't be the first time she woke up and was disappointed that it wasn't reality. However when his words reached her heart she couldn't help but make the next step in their relationship. They had shared kisses on the cheek or forehead, but now Noelle wanted to have a real first kiss.
Laying her arms around Asta's neck she pulled him closer and gently kissed him. It took Asta a moment before he realized what was happening, but then she felt him kiss her back just as softly.
"I'm in love with you too." Noelle whispered blushing when they pulled away from each other.
They stayed in each others arms for another moment while they watched the sun set. This was all Noelle ever hoped to happen and with Asta by her side she was sure that they would reach their dreams together. This night the two slept again in each others arms, but this time they were both sure that they loved each other.
The next day Noelle and Asta woke up early to start their journey to the capital. It would take them several days to get there, but with Asta and Yuno by her side Noelle was sure that it wouldn't get boring. With her new family and sensei seeing them off and wishing them the best of luck Noelle was confident that despite all the hardships with her magic power she had a chance to pass the exam.
Three days later when they reached the capital Noelle felt nostalgic. It had been five years since she had been here and seeing the city in front of her she could easily say that she loved Hage more. Then again being here gave her an opportunity she had been waiting for. Not only could she become a member of a squad of the magic knights, but she also could see her maid again. Voicing her wish to go and visit her maid before they registered Asta immediately wanted to go with her and Yuno agreed as well.
"You can do that and I'll look for the place where we can register for the exam. Let's meet here again in two hours." Yuno suggested and they split up.
Thankfully her maid had given her the address the last time they had seen each other and it was surprisingly easy to find. When Noelle knocked on the door it was her maid who opened it. It took her only a minute before she realized who stood there and then she smiled brightly.
"Noelle, Asta you came to visit me." With that she pulled them into the house and offered them tea. "So tell me how you have been."
"We're here for the exam." Asta told her excitedly before he added blushing. "And more important Noelle is my girlfriend now."
The young royal blushed at Asta's confession, but faced her maid with a smile and nodded in confirmation. The woman's eyes lightened up at that and both found themselves in a bone crushing hug of her.
"I'm so happy for you two. I knew you would end up together, but both of you were so obvious to it."
When she let go of them she looked seriously at Asta.
"I might not be Noelle's real mother, but all threats still apply. Hurt her and I'll make sure you will regret it."
"I promise you that I'll never hurt her and I'll protect her with my life. When I'm the magic emperor she will be my queen."
"Was that a proposal?" The maid asked amused.
"Let's talk about this in a few years, why don't we. Now how have you been? How is your mother?" Noelle said quickly before Asta could answer.
If she was honest with herself Noelle was happy that Asta already planned their future together, but it wasn't something she wanted to discuss now in front of her maid. However she already had dreamed about being by Asta's side and when they were both old enough she would become his queen.
The time with her maid was quickly up and they had to meet Yuno and register for the exam. With a final gentle smile her maid wished them the best of luck for the exam and Noelle couldn't be happier to have seen her maid again.
Half an hour later they were in the stadium where the exams took place. During the registration she had already heard a few people whisper about her and her nervousness rose. It was her first time back in the capital in five years and it seemed that her disappearance had started rumors. She tried not to listen to them and ignore the glances she could feel on her back, but it was hard. However it came even worse for her when Nozel made an appearance before the exam started.
"I didn't think a failure like you would come here."
Asta, who was standing next to her, immediately wanted to step in front of her, but Noelle stopped him.
"It's alright, I can handle it." She smiled reassuringly at Asta, before she turned to her brother, her expression just as cold as his. "As far as I'm aware I'm not part of House Silva anymore, so what I do is none of your concern." With that she took Asta's hand and walked away.
Noelle half expected Nozel to hold her back or even worse attack them, but none of that happened. He was probably either to stunned to react or didn't want to cause a scene with so many high royal knights around. Maybe it was a little bit of both, but Noelle could care less.
"Are you okay?" Asta's gentle voice pulled her out of her thoughts.
"As far as I can be. Let's just focus on the exam, alright?" She finally stopped walking and turn to him.
"Okay, just remember, you're amazing and I love you." He gently squeeze her hand.
"Thanks Asta, I love you too." With that she gave him a soft kiss.
Taking a deep breath both of them went into the arena, ready to take the exam. It turned out to be more difficult than expected and despite that Noelle tried to be confident she was nervous. Her magic control was much better, but when they had to fly on a broom she failed. However she won the one-one fight against her opponent in a few seconds due to her huge magic power. All in all she could tell that her performance was mixed.
Noelle got even more nervous when she saw how many candidates didn't receive the opportunity to join a squad. It didn't surprise Noelle when she saw that Yuno was by far the most sought-after, but what shocked her were the reactions, or rather the lack of them, for Asta. When it was his turn to be judge no one wanted him to join their squad and Noelle could already feel her heart sinking. However Asta wouldn't be Asta if he didn't protest until the captain of the Black Bulls gave him a chance. Relieved Noelle smiled at him before he left the arena. After that it took quite some time until it was her turn.
When it was her time to get judge she was more than nervous. What if no squad wanted to have her? Hesitantly stepping forward she looked at the squad captains. At first there was silence after they were asked if they wanted to have Noelle in their squad, but then captain Yami, Charlotte and Fuegoleon raised their hand. Noelle couldn't keep her eyes from widening. She had thought that she would be lucky if even one would be generous enough to let her join their squad, but that three captains wanted her was overwhelming.
"Can I say something before she decides?" Yami, the captain of the Black Bulls, spoke up and effectively broke into her thought. "We heard that you're a failure. Your brother even banned you from the family. But you're perfect for us, we're all failures."
Noelle almost laughed at that. Five years ago the word 'failure' had brought her so much pain, but Yami was using it almost proudly. The Black Bulls surely were a special squad. She had heard rumors about the squad members, but she knew just too well how wrong rumors could be, after all there were quite a few about her. Hearing Yami's words and knowing that Asta was already accepted in the Black Bulls made her decision easy.
"I'll join the Black Bulls." She announced smiling and with a confidence she had never felt before. She would prove everyone that thought she was weak wrong and along with Asta she would become the best.
When the ceremony was over she met Asta and he embraced her the minute he saw her. Noelle was still a little shy when it came to showing her affection for him in public, but in this moment she didn't care. They were both in the same squad and had made their first step to become magic knights. Not caring who saw she kissed him gently and smiled into the kiss when he returned it with lovingly. When he pulled away from her he smiled brightly.
"Come on Noelle, let's meet our squad."
With that Asta took her hand in his and pulled her with him to their new squad. It was just like five years ago when she had met him. She was stumbling after him blushing, but something had change. Now he was not only a boy but the young man she loved and who loved her.
A/N: A big thanks to everyone who followed or favorited my story. A special thanks to my reviewers, you can't believe how happy your kind words made me. It really means a lot that people took the time to review, so a really big thanks to you. A few asked if I could continue the story into the actual series. For now I don't know if I'll write a sequel to this, because I don't want to just retell what happened in the actual series. However if I get a good idea how I could continue with my own style without so much retelling, I'll might write a sequel. Thanks again for your time :)