What was meant to be a pleasant, peaceful morning, forenoon turned in to sudden panic.
"Wh-what do you mean, he's not at the Golden Dawn?!"
"I haven't seen him anywhere," replied Yuno.
"Ma-maybe he's training, have you seen him around the forest?!" suggested the flower-mage.
The wind user shook his head in disappointment, "I already patrolled there this morning. I found nothing. It's not like Asta to miss breakfast either."
The two mages held a gloomy look, "I was with Asta yesterday before he left. He told me he had somewhere to be and will be back by morning. But if what you're telling me is true, then where on earth could he have gone."
"That's what I'm trying to figure out as well, Mimosa."
A cloud of confusion cast over the two mages. They were both deeply concerned about their squadmates whereabouts. The only lead they had was what Asta told Mimosa yesterday; where could he have run off to, they asked themselves.
"Well, where ever he might be. This is Asta we're talking about. He can handle himself," assured Yuno, "He'll probably be back later today. Sorry for alarming you, Mimosa."
"N-no i-its fine. Really!" insisted the flower-mage, "You're right. I'm sure we have nothing to worry about. He's probably on a super-secret mission."
"I guess so. Well, I hope that's just the case. I'll leave you to it then, Mimosa. I'll be going now."
"Yuno, wait."
"What is it, Mimosa?"
The flower mage grinned, "When you came into my room. I addressed you quite casually. I'll see you later, Vice-Captain Yuno."
The response sparked a grateful smile from the wind user, "You don't need to call me that, Mimosa. You can, just me, Yuno."
It was big news when the title of the vice-captain was placed on Yuno's shoulders. Who knew coming from the trenches as Yuno did, he could achieve such greatness. He was well on his way to becoming the next wizard king.
"But make sure you tell, Klause, to address me accordingly. Otherwise, he's gonna get it."
"I will," Mimosa laughed, "I know you wanted to keep this a secret, so don't worry, only a handful of us know about this. Me, Klaus and Captain Vangance himself."
"Yeah, I wanna tell Asta myself," Yuno replied, "The look on his face when he finds out will be priceless."
The pair joked a little more before the wind mage finally made his way. There was a feeling of gratitude for Yuno's achievement, but also an element of uncertainty regarding the Anti-magic user. Both struggled to keep a straight face without thinking about him.
However, as Yuno suggested, there was probably nothing to worry about, and they both left it like that.
6 hrs later
Coming back from her patrol, Mimosa set her sights to go find Asta. She was eager to see him, especially after last night; things could finally go back to normal.
"Hmmm... I can't seem to see him in the corridor."
...
"That's weird. Asta's not in the cafeteria today either. Arent, they serving his favourite food?" she wondered, "It's unlikely, but he might have taken it to his room."
...
*Knock*
*Knock*
"Hey Asta, it's me, Mimosa. Just wondering if you have some time to talk... Ummm... Asta, are you there."
On the contrary, it seemed no one was there. Mimosa twisted the door knop and, to her surprise, the door was already open. However, Asta was nowhere to be seen.
"Just where on earth have you went to Asta."
The flower mage became paranoid. Mimosa sat on the side of the bed and immediately started snooping around the swordsman's room in hopes to find a lead. Yet there was no Luck. All she could ascertain was cloths and other useless objects.
"Hey, what's this?!"
However, there was something that did peak her interests. "Hey, th-these are Asta's pants," the Golden Dawns face reddened as a flurry of embarrassment coursed through her system.
"OH MY GOD! THIS IS SO EMBARRASSING"
...
"What are you doing, Mimosa?"
Face blooming with nothing but shame, the flower mage jumped behind the bed. "I-its not what it looks like."
"Relax, Mimosa. It's only me."
"Yuno!" said Mimosa with a relieved look on her face.
"What are you doing in Asta's room."
"Oh... um... I-I. We-well you see..."
Through Mimosa's wasn't stuttering, Yuno wasn't oblivious to anything", Has Asta still not come back yet?"
Mimosa shook her head in grief, "No... I thought he would be back later today. But I still haven't seen him. I checked the main corridor, the cafeteria, even the spot where he normally trains. It's like he's vanished."
Yuno rubbed his chin in confusion. Now he was starting to get more agitated by the second. "Well, if we're at a loss here, then all I could say that he's still on his mission. I'll check in with the Captain to make sure."
"Oh, please let me ask him, Yuno," the flower mage insisted.
"Um... sure knock yourself. Captain Vangance should be in his office, so you're quick..."
Without hesitation, Mimosa raced out of Asta's room and directly set her sights towards her Captains office.
She blew past many of her squadmates before finally making it to her Captains office.
*knock*
*knock*
Mimosa remained anxious. She never once made a direct request to see the Captain in person. It would usually be the other way around. However, this was something the flower mage had to get off her chest. She had to know Asta's whereabouts.
Door opens.
"Oh, Mimosa, pardon me. I wasn't expecting visitors."
"Please forgive me, Captain Vangance. Apologies for intruding on you on short notice."
"The pleasure is all mine." he replied, "So what do I owe the pleasure of seeing you today, Mimosa."
"Well, Captain Vagnace, I was wondering if you knew the potential whereabouts of Asta. He's been missing today. I assume he's on a super-secret mission."
"Mission?" replied Vangance with a bewildered look on his face, "I don't remember sending him out on anything. Even if it was top secret. I would be the first to know."
"So-so you don't know where he is?" said Mimosa.
"I'm afraid not, sorry," he replied, "How long has he been gone for."
"Well, he's technically been gone since yesterday and hasn't arrived since. As his girl-fri, I mean friend, you can understand how concerned I am."
Mimosa was feeling puzzled but was now starting to get desperate. Just where on earth have you went to Asta, she asked herself.
"Worry not, Mimosa. I'm sure that there is a very logical explanation for Astas disappearance. I'll see to it that I put a word to the magic knight council. Perhaps they can give me some insight into his location. In the meantime," resting his palms on the flower mages shoulders, "try not to bother yourself with it too much."
As difficult as it was, Mimosa still couldn't help but think about Asta at this moment. Even with her Captain's reassurance, she grew more worried by the second.
"I understand, Captain Vangance. Apologies for intruding on you."
"The pleasure is all mine, Mimosa. Thank you for informing me on this matter. Don't worry, I'm sure Asta will be back very soon. Its gonna take a lot to take him down. This is Asta we're talking about."
Those were the exact same words Yuno said a couple of hours. However, nothing materialised after that. The flower-mage nodded before retreating out of her Captains office.
Mimosa only had one thought in her mind, and that was to find her beloved swordsman at all costs. She refused to wait any longer.
She dashed through the corridor, evading everything in her path.
"Mimosa!"
Suddenly a familiar call entered the eardrums of the flower-mage.
"Yuno!" turning her head.
"I noticed you were in a hurry. Did you ask Captain vangance where Asta is?" he asked.
Mimosa shook her head in distress, "Even the Captain doesn't know where he is. He plans on getting in touch with the magic knight council. But I'm not prepared to wait. Asta could be in trouble as far as I know."
The flower-mage clenched her fists, holding a tense look about her. "I'm... I'm going to find Asta."
As far as Yuno was concerned, he never saw Mimosa this anxious before.
"Are you going out all by yourself?"
"Yes, I am. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm gonna be heading out."
"You're not going, Mimosa," sparking a bewildered look on the royal.
"And why is that"
"Not, without me, you're not."
"Yuno," smiled the Vermilion.
"Come on, let's find Asta. I know the first place where to look."
...
...
After the two mages flew out of the hideout, they speedily made it to their point of destination.
"The Black Bulls?"
As it turned out, Yuno point of contact was Asta's former squad. Perhaps they knew some insight on his whereabouts, or he may be already there.
"Yeah, if he's not found in the Golden Dawn, the obvious place might be the Black Bulls."
"I doubt he's here. I was the last person to see Asta," she shunned, "Why wouldn't he just tell me he went there. He wouldn't lie to me."
Remembering past events, Yuno scratched the back of his head, "You'd be surprised."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
The wind user ignored his squadmate as he knocked on to Black Bulls residence. There they patiently waited until someone opened the door.
Door opens
What came before the two Golden Dawns was the thread mage Vannessa.
"Yuno, Mimosa... isnt that a suprise."
The pair smiled as they greeted the Black Bull.
"So what do I owe the pleasure? You guys wanna come inside? We got plenty of room. Also, Charmys preparing something tasty tonight."
"Love to. But sorry, were quite busy right now," insisted Yuno.
"Oh, come on, even someone like you needs to relax sometimes," suddenly Vanessa used her thread to wrap up the Golden Dawns before pulling them into the hideout.
"What do you think you're doing, Vanessa?!"
"Oh, just relax and take a seat," placing throwing the two mages on to a sofa.
The thread mage sat on the opposite side as she poured three piping cups of tea. "Would any you like any sugars?"
"No, no, that won't be necessary," said Yuno as he unwrapped himself and Mimosa out of the thread.
"Come on, Yuno. We are their quests now, technically. I'll take two, please", requested the flower-mage.
The wind mage sighed, "Fine then. Just give me one."
"No problem, darling ", dropping the pairs sweeteners.
Yuno looked at his tea and immediately noticed the beautiful brown texture. It looked a lot more appealing than the ones at the Golden Dawn; he took a sip.
"Hmmm, delicious."
"You like it, hah? It's my secret recipe," Vannesa giggled, "Now that we're all settled. Why don't you kids tell me what's on you're mind."
"Gladly," Mimosa replied, "We're actually here on something urgent. Asta hasn't been back at the Golden Dawn since yesterday. Do you have an idea of where he might be?"
The Thread mage choked on her tea
*cough*
*cough*
"Sorry, no. I can't say I have."
"Is he not here at the Black Bulls?" asked Yuno.
"No, I've would've none about it he was. Sorry, slow down. You're saying he's not at the Golden Dawn."
"No, and we looked all around campus," said worried Vermilion, "I've checked everywhere for him: his favourite training stop, even the capital. It's like he's vanished in thin air."
"Did he tell you where he was gonna go? Have you tried looking there?"
"He didn't say where he would runoff. But told me hell be back following day."
The thread mage rubbed her head in frustration. Her look of cheerfulness turned in to a look of anger. "You should've asked him where exactly he's going! He has a history of..." remembering past events, "Never mind. If what you're saying is true. Then we have no time to lose."
As the trio discussed a list of locations, a familiar figure was on the other end of the room. Listening to the whole conversation.
"Asta's missing?! Those Golden Dawn idiots. How could they lose Asta of people."
"Sorry for eavesdropping on your conversation. But I couldn't just stand there and listen."
"Noelle!" Vanessa yelled, "Perfect timing, we were just in the middle of investigating Asta's whereabouts. Any idea's where he might be?"
Instead of giving a straight answer, the water mage held a firm look on the two Golden Dawn members. "How could you let this happen," she said, "How on earth did you end up losing him like that?!"
Mimosa sighed in guilt, "It's not like we wanted this to happen. We looked everywhere for him, and now he's nowhere to be seen. Also don't even think about having a go at us, Noelle. We're Asta's friends and just as worried as you are."
The water-mage blushed before a pouted look emerged. "Oh, you are so lucky you're royalty," Noelle clenching her fist, "Look I'm, not here to pick a fight with you. If he's not in the Golden Dawn or anywhere in the Clover kingdom. Then I think it's safe to assume that he's somewhere outside of the capital."
"During the commotion, I didn't consider the possibilities of that," said the Flower mage
"Believe me, Mimosa. Asta's one for pulling fast ones," remembering past events.
"Which places do you have in mind, Noelle?" asked Yuno.
"Well, it's not so much as a stretch, but he could be in the heart kingdom. I know he enjoys training over there. I'm sure Leo Petchkha's bound to know where he is. Also, I think its best to check your old village."
"Good idea," replied the wind mage, "Mimosa, come with me to harch village. Noelle and Vanessa, you guys can look into the heart kingdom."
"Then it's settled", thread mage clapping her hands. What seemed distressing for one moment, there was a sudden optimism in the air. With both squads working together, there was no doubt in Vanessa's mind, they would be able to find their beloved swordsman.
"We may be overthinking it. There is still a possibility Asta comes back tomorrow. But you can never be too careful."
The two groups nodded before making a hasty retreat out of the Black Bulls hideout. The pairs heading in separate directions holding a mixture of anxiousness but also hope.
In the back of their minds, perhaps they were just being paranoid. Maybe Asta was never in any danger, to begin with. But it was better to be safe than sorry.
"That was some quick thinking from you back there, Noelle."
"Oh, umm... Yeah, sure, I guess."
"I think it was wonderful you would show that much urgency for your boyfriend like that."
"Bo-boy friend," choking on a fly.
*cough*
*cough*
"Yeah, your boyfriend... you looked so worried. It was almost as if you were gonna cry," Vanessa laughed.
Noelle's face reddened, "Y-you, got it all wrong. Asta is an asset to the clover kingdom. It would be a shame if something happened to him."
"Sure it is..."
"Its the truth," Noelle hissed.
"Well, in that case, I guess Asta's market then."
"Wh-what do you mean by that?!"
The thread mage giggled, "You should've been there the last time Asta was at the Black Bulls. We hugged each other, but he ended motorboating my chest. He was so adorable."
Noelle clenched her fists as steam burst through her ears, "You better not try anything funny if we find him, Vanessa!"
"Awwww, you afraid I might steal your hubby."
"It's not like that!" shouted the water mage.
"Hahaha, it's ok, don't worry. Your secret is safe with me," thread mage winked.
Not for the first time, the Royal blushed once again. Despite everything that had happened, she always held a soft spot for Asta. Regardless if she loved him or not, she wasn't prepared to lose such an influential figure in her life just yet.
"Vanessa, all I care about now is Asta's well being. Who knows what kind of trouble he's got himself in to. If we're not too careful, then..."
"Oh relax, Noelle", Vanessa interrupted, "I'm worried just as much as you. But remember Asta's, only been gone for about a day. I'm sure hell be back in the coming days."
The reassurance from Vanessa sparked a tiny grin on the Royal Silva.
"I hope so. To be honest, I'm only going to make up for some lost time. Its a bit complicated to explain why I didn't see Asta when we had that barbeque. I'm so stupid... AHHH, WHY AM I TELLING YOU ALL THIS! JUST FOCUS ON THE MISSION."
"Someones in love."
"SHUT UP!"
After fleeing the borders of the clover-kingdom both sets of mages safely landed at their destination. The Black Bulls made it to the heart kingdom, whilst the Golden Dawn travelled to harch village.
The organisations were in a hurry, so they wasted no time in asking for Asta's whereabouts.
"So you see, Sister Lilly, that's why we're here. Do you have any idea where Asta might be?"
"I'm soo sorry Yuno, I'm afraid I haven't seen him at all," she replied.
"You seriously haven't seen him," asked Mimosa.
"I'm afraid not. I'm so sorry. What I can do is ask the other villagers if they've him. I'll spread the word."
"Thank you," Yuno replied.
Unfortunately, the Golden Dawns were unable to locate their squadmates whereabouts. All they could do now was pray the other team had better Luck.
Heart Kingdom
"Nope, sorry, Noelle. I haven't seen Asta at the heart kingdom." said the heart queen, "I would've detected him since he has devil magic."
The water mage slammed her fist in frustration, "DAM IT ALL! Dam it Asta where could you be? It's like you vanished off the face of the earth."
"Oh, please don't get angry," said Leo tripping over her self "Ouch, that hurt... I'm sure Asta's fine. He's only been gone for about a day right, I'm sure he'll be back tomorrow."
"I sure hope so," said Vanessa crossing her arms.
Despite not having the same relationship with Asta, Leo couldn't help but empathise with the Black Bulls. The look on their face said it all. She couldn't imagine all the stress and anxiety that they were going through.
"Looks like there's a lot of tension. Would you two be interested in going to our hot spring?"
As painful as it was, the pair didn't feel like relaxing at this moment.
"Thanks, Leo petchkha. But I don't feel like loafing off right now. It's getting dark anyway, so it's probably best we be going. Let's go, Vanessa."
"Oh, I'm sure we can stay for a little while."
"Vanessa!"
"Oh, alright, alright." said the thread mage with a disappointed look, "Please inform us if you find anything, Leo."
"Why of course, I'll contact you straight away if I find anything."
As with the Golden Dawns, the Black Bulls also had no luck. They dusted themselves off before heading to the randevu point.
"So any luck?" asked Noelle.
"Afraid not," Yuno replied, "We checked everywhere around the village, but no one seems to know where he is. What about you?"
"Nothing," said Vanessa shaking her head, "Not even Leo petchkha could track him down."
The four mages sighed before hanging their heads in frustration. Despite their best efforts, there was not much more they could do.
Mimosa seemed to be the one that was most upset "Looks like it's getting dark now," noticed the flower-mage, "Least we could do now is check in on the Golden Dawn. He might've already made his in their now."
*Ring*
*Ring*
*Ring*
"What's that ringing sound?" asked Noelle.
"Oh sorry, Noelle," said Mimosa "That's my communication device. We at Golden Dawn use it to communicate with each other in case of an emergency. I tried calling Asta on it, but he left his back at the hideout... Sh, Sh... Its the Captain calling."
*Answers the call*
"Good evening Captain Vangance."
"And good evening to you too, Mimosa. I assume you are currently on the hunt for Asta."
"Oh, um... Why yes, I am," she blushed, "We all are actually. I'm currently with Yuno, as well as Noelle and Vanessa, from the Black Bulls. We've all been looking long and hard for Asta but we haven't found a trace. Have you found anything, Captain Vangance?"
"No, afraid not. I scheduled a meeting with magic knight capital to discuss the matter. Even the wizard king as no clue where he is. However, worry not. We are investigating the matter intensively. Will find him one way or another. In the meantime, please come back to the hideout. It would be a shame if we lost any more talented knights."
"Yes Sir absolutely."
"I shall you soon."
*Call ends*
Night had risen, and the day ended in the worst possible way. A cloud of anxiety and fear hovered over the mages as they began to make their way back to their hideouts.
"You heard the Captain, if Asta's not here by tomorrow, will continue the search again," ordered Yuno, "I have a really bad feeling about this."
...
The morning had come, and Mimosa speedily got ready as she raced out of her room. She had backs under her eyes as she couldn't sleep. She couldn't sleep, knowing Asta could be so much trouble. The flower-mage hurried to his room, praying he made a safe return. However, after bursting into his room.
"No... no, it cant be." Mimosa fell to her knees. Her eyes started to water uncontrollably.
"Where have you have gone, Asta?" struggling to whip her tears, "I'm so worried about you. Please, please come back home. I miss you so much. Don't make me wait any longer, please Asta."
Forehead against the floor, tearing in sadness. It only took a second to comprehend, but Asta's room was just how she originally left it.
"Asta where are you?!"