Welcome to the next chapter.
Nirvash Neo; The past of Mereoleona and Venta shall be revealed as the story goes on, all I can is that it is going to be quite fun. Glad you liked the fight. Yeah, lets hope it does for Kirsch. Venta's devil might know of Liebe.
Darth Simp; I'm sure Kirsch will be yeah. Yeah, those two will have to fight at some point. I could see Venta trying to do something like that. Yeah, Karna and Yami's relationship is going to be fun to explore. I could see Venta bringing them there yeah, it would be a fun time. We'll see how Charlotte acts this chapter. I could see Nacht saying something like that. We'll see them in their own way congradulate him.
Valtryek sama; Yeah, that's the one that won. Maybe Yami will give him a real sword, or maybe he'll find one in a dungeon. Yeah, I'll have to think about it. Glad you liked their scenes. I'm sure Nacht would be alright with it yeah. Maybe Yami was told about it by someone, we'll see in the near future how he knows about it.
ShadowUzumaki55; Thanks! Glad you liked the fight. Yeah, he wasn't trying to seriously injure Kirsch. Nebra definitely was~ Hehe, yeah that was Dorothy for you~ Yami did yeah, he wouldn't give his squad away permanently. Venta is yeah, think of it as like a shared role. Kirsch does yeah, we'll see how he does in the future.
Kosmish; I have no idea yet, always open to suggestions.
Silverstein Ravenfang; Nebra's quite bold. Glad you liked the fight! Thanks very much!
Silver crow; Thanks! Yeah, it was Demon Blood Magic close second. Yeah, quite Mereoleona of him huh. Yeah, basically Venta was. Yeah, Mimosa will have them. Noelle did have a cute expression huh. Mimosa might have noticed yeah. Kirsch might have tried yeah. Julius and Venta have a nice relationship. Well maybe Venta's Gravity is a bit different from Dante's and has applications that Dante simply doesn't have. Nebra has done yeah, basically~ Dorothy did yeah, and Yami was all for the fight. Yeah, it seemed that a good few people thought that he was the Vice Captain. Yeah, Venta did his best huh. We'll see her with Venta this chapter. Kirsch did yeah. They could say that about Patolli's power. Yeah, the Demon versions of normal Magic does seem to be a quite big upgrade. Venta's Devil Magic will be very strong yeah. Yeah, they'd be pretty awesome Magic types. Why Fana seems interested in Venta will become apparent quite soon. That's all I can say. Yeah, if Venta wanted he could get to the Underwater Temple. Yeah, they'll learn a good bit from Venta. Yeah, it could be how Nebra gets her rank there. They could do yeah. Yeah, he could be quite like that with Karna. Yeah, it's a good point, maybe one day it will be brought up, I'd presume perhaps if both Captains agree to it, or something like that. Yeah, Venta's made enemies attacks slam into the ground before. He'll have some cool spells with both parts of his Magic set. Venta could be yeah. Thanks for the harem suggestions. Sylph could be like that, and have a form quite like that. They could give the heads up about them yeah. He does have to touch the persons Grimoire so we'll have to see if he can touch Venta's or not. The Captains doing that could be pretty funny.
Noelle fan; Yeah, he really did. Yeah, we'll see the girls say that as the story goes on. Thanks for the suggestions!
AUO; Yeah, maybe he does know about it. Yeah, he could wear some like that.
Guest 1; Thanks, glad you enjoyed it! Yeah, he'd use both of his Magic's in tandem with one another. We'll learn more about how he came to be in the Black Bulls in the first place. Mereoleona is going to be quite fun to write for. Yeah, he'd have to take it up a notch when the elves make their appearance.
Unlimited Fic Works; Yeah, Light and Gravity could bring some dangerous combinations together.
Guest 2; Haha, I could see Nozel doing something like that. Nozel does care for her, says some horrible stuff but yeah he apologizes and it's great seeing the development Nozel's been going through. Nozel saying that to Noelle about Venta would be funny to see. I could see Venta being able to teach Noelle how to use Mana Zone.
djinn; Thanks very much! Yeah, it's going to be fun to combine them.
Guest 3; Kirsch was quite shocked to see that. Glad you liked the fight. Venta's mindset is if they're on a battlefield then they're fair game. They know what they're doing, and if they aren't being forced to fight, then he'll treat them as any other opponent.
Guest 4; A team attack like that between Venta and Gauche would be cool.
kynan99; Thanks very much!
Andrew123456; That would be a cool name for his Devil.
Guest 5; I can understand that about Kirsch. Yeah, Venta and the Wizard King have good back and forth's together. I could see them trying to gain his attention by doing that. I'm sure that Nebra was internally having a bit of a meltdown when she said that. Haha, seems like a fair few people have seen Yami like that. Nozel can be tough to read but deep down he cares from what we've seen, Solid on the other hand...but yeah, Kirsch tried his hardest to fight Venta. I've got some cool ideas for Venta being able to combine his Magic's together. Thanks for the suggestions.
Guest 6; Yeah, seeing a fight like that go down would be pretty awesome to see, and I could see Patolli doing that. Thanks for the suggestions!
Yunos wife; I could see a few scenes like that going between Venta and Nozel. Thanks for the suggestions.
Guest 7; That would be cool between Venta and Fana, thanks for the suggestions.
FreakyFreek; Thanks for the votes.
Neonlight01; Noelle is yeah. She's doing her best. Kirsch fought his hardest but wasn't able to best Venta in the end. They surely are yeah. Kirsch did yeah.
Guest 8; That's a pretty cool one to play.
Guest 9; Yeah, that would be a cool idea for a One Piece story. Wind's always been a cool elemental power. Yeah, he could meet Perona around that time and join them during that part of the story, sounds pretty awesome to me!
venta fan; Yeah, it seems that he has done.
Guest 10; That does sound like a good name, thanks for the suggestion!
With those reviews out of the way, it's time to start the chapter!
The Congratulations!
Sally right now was doing something that she necessarily didn't really care for.
And that was gain new members for the Eye of the Midnight Sun.
Something that she really didn't wish to spend much time on, but because of her higher ups, one being Fana who was sat in the corner and just staring at her, she knew that she had to do it, so she looked over all of the people that she had gathered, ones with talent and ones that she thought would be the best to have in the group.
Clapping her hands together, she gained their attention.
"Right, so you've all made it to the final round of joining us, the Eye of the Midnight Sun! It's a huge honour and all that good stuff, so congrats!"
Sally said it with enthusiasm.
But all she got was empty noise right back at her.
She folded her arms, as Fana blinked several times, without saying a single word.
"Alright, now I'm not going to lie, most of you will probably die." Most of the people in the room had their jaw hit the floor while Fana gave an incredulous look. "Some will hopefully become my experiments. But don't worry, it isn't all bad, there's benefits to joining this squad."
"Such as?"
One asked, Sally stayed silent for a few moments.
"You get to become stronger...and other things that I've written out in these documents." Sally pulled some from a table, and gave it to each of the people around. "Read them and see why the Eye of the Midnight Sun is the group for you."
Fana sat there with a very curious expression on her face and thought "This is how a human tries to recruit other humans to the Eye of the Midnight Sun? I don't understand humans like her at all." as Sally continued pacing back and forth.
She then paused, and pointed at all of them.
"Now, this squad is one that has the capabilities of being truly strong, and if you join it, then you'll be adding to the greatness that is this group. So, questions? Comments?"
They all stayed silent.
For over a minute, they tried to process the information of what they had been told.
Then a man timidly held up his hand.
"W-Why would we join just to die?"
Sally stayed blank faced for a few moments.
Then she giggled to herself.
"I'm not saying all of you will, it's just you know, statistics say that most likely more than half of you will. But, maybe you could beat the odds."
They once more stayed silent.
But then they began to stand up and leave.
"Yeah, I'm not joining."
"I want to live."
"This sucks."
Sally stood there, and watched as they began to leave.
Her eyes turn to Fana who was just shaking her head.
"What? You asked me to find members, I tried my best, didn't I?"
"You told them they were going to die."
"Why lie? They could face death if they join this group."
Fana released a deep sigh.
"You really aren't good with people."
Sally huffs.
"Even if I am, you're good with a special kind of human, aren't you? So, gonna tell me about what your relationship with Venta-kun is?" Fana suddenly shot fire against a wall, causing it to burn away, Sally winced. "Guess you're not in the talking mood. So, you think the leader is going to be mad at me?" Fana just stared at her. "I'll take that as a yes..."
"Find members, and don't tell them they are going to die."
Sally laughed awkwardly.
"Yes...I'll try my best...but, can't someone else do it? I'll invent stuff for you..."
Fana's burning gaze fell upon the young woman.
Sally just stood there, and waited for what was going to come next.
Fana then exited the room, as Sally walked over towards a table, sitting down and took out a file.
Looking over the image of Venta that laid on the cover, she opened it, and began looking through some of the documents that she had, turning to the one that had some information on Venta and Fana.
"Now Fana-chan, what is your connection to Venta-kun huh? Where does fire and gravity meet one another?"
Sally mused to herself, while thinking about what she could do next.
Venta and Nero, walked out of the place that Julius had given them some details about. Holding what seemed to be a scepter in his hand, Venta looked over the jewels on it, and while feeling some power from them, he knew that they weren't true Magic Stones.
"It seems that these are like the Mage Stones that the Diamond Kingdom like to implement."
Nero nodded.
"Still, there are a good few of them, perhaps they could come in handy in other ways."
Nero suggested as the bright sunlight hit their eyes.
Leaving the dark cavern behind, Venta looked at the jewel covered scepter, and gaze into the different colors that they had.
"Yeah...you're right about that, they'd be useful somehow. If not to be used by people, and never like how the Diamond Kingdom uses them...still, I'm sorry Nero, I thought that this might be good to help with getting you back from the bird form you're in and into your original body."
Nero shook her head, as she flew from the top of his head, landing on his shoulder, and her soft feathers brushed against his cheek. It felt a mixture of comforting and kind at the same time as it being adorable in Venta's eyes.
"I'm sure you will do. And what about you?"
"What about me?"
"What are you going to do about those people, and that girl? The one that warned you back when they were giving out the Grimoire's. I felt that she had a good deal of Mana. To the point that she could cause trouble if we have to fight her, and if she's got some back up."
Venta wished that he had an answer.
But he really didn't have one at that time.
"I'm unsure yet. Though if she does show up, I've got some questions for her, and to see what her deal is. And why I feel as if...I don't know, I feel something is off, like there's stuff I am missing about her. Whatever it is, I'm sure that it will soon be shown."
As he spoke to Nero, his eyes cast back towards the area that they had just left.
For a few moments, Venta thought he sensed something there.
It felt like the girl that he met back when Asta and the others got their Grimoire's.
But, in the end it seemed that nothing was there.
"Strange, I can feel that girl sometimes being here. Yet, the only explanation I have is that they have someone on their team that has Spatial Magic and that's how she can warp to and from me like this. Otherwise, I'm not that sure."
"If she is, worst case scenario is that they want something you have, or you yourself. They might even be after your Devil."
"My Devil...I can understand why that would be. Still, I'd like to know what their objectives are, and the girl herself. Well, it isn't like we're going to get answers like this, come on Nero. Lets head back."
"Sure."
Venta charged the gravity around him, before he fired himself off high into the air together with his bird companion.
When arriving back at the Black Bulls for the evening, he began going inside, when suddenly he was bombarded with party poppers going off near and in his face.
Accompanied by a [CONGRATULATIONS!] coming from inside.
Venta blinked, and looked around, seeing all of the different members of the Black Bulls all stood and congratulating him.
He couldn't see them all, he noticed that Grey seemed to not be there, though he put that up due to shyness, and Gauche as well, seemed like he wasn't there either.
"Wow, I didn't expect all of this, thanks everyone. I'll do my best as the new Vice Captain!"
They kept cheering, something that Venta actually found to be quite sweet.
As they were, Gordon came walking over, and presented Venta with a very interesting present.
"I made this for my Vice Captain best friend."
Venta looked at the thing Gordon came him, and it was two voodoo looking dolls.
Venta remembered them from before, but these looked even more detailed, and all the more horrifying with various cuts running across them.
"That's...so nice, thank you Gordon-san."
Gordon slowly nods, as Vanessa looks over the sight before them, and murmurs "That's terrifying." while Yami stifles a laugh.
One member, a hyperactive boy named Luck suddenly jumped at him.
"Hey now that you're the Vice Captain, lets have even more battles!"
The young man tried to attack Venta, but he ducked and grabbed him around the waist, and suspended him in mid air with a gravity sphere around his body.
"Nice to see you as well Luck-san." While saying it, a young man by the name of Magna tried to do a sneak attack with a flaming bat. But Venta grabbed it, and crushed it with his gravity. "You too Magna-san."
"Ugggh! Come on!"
Venta chortled at the flaming young man.
"What's wrong?"
"Aah man, I thought for sure we'd get you!"
Luck just floated in the sphere, and gave a cheery wave, to Magna's chagrin.
But then the pair of boys laughed.
"Can't believe that we didn't know you weren't the Vice Captain before!"
Magna yelled, with Luck nodding.
"I always thought you were the Vice Captain."
Yami snickered to himself, as Charmy jumped up, and landed in Venta's arms.
"Venta-kun! Lets eat, I prepared the best feast!"
"That's so sweet of you Charmy-chan, lets all eat~"
With that, they sat down and began eating together.
While doing that, Luck's eyes went towards their Captain.
"So Captain, now that you've got a Vice Captain, you're free to fight right?"
"No, don't bother trying."
Luck laughed in his usual way while Vanessa overlooked the young man.
Deciding something within herself, she leaned closer to Venta's ear, and whispered "Meet you in your bedroom later." in a sultry sounding voice.
Venta lightly blushed at the tone, and glanced at Vanessa who gave a small but incredibly enticing wink.
Nero from Venta's hair heard what Vanessa had said, and gave a curious stare.
Later on in the evening, Venta walked off to his bedroom, and wondered what Vanessa had wished for.
When he got to his room, he opened the door, to see that Vanessa was already there.
Wearing her usual attire, which consisted of nothing but her undergarments, but with the look on her face, she showed a mixture of excitement and a sensual look at the same time.
"Finally arrived I see." Vanessa began, getting onto her knees, and perched over on the bed, giving an alluring look towards him. "I was waiting for you to come you know Venta-kun, because there's something that I wish to give you."
Venta blinked, as he was beckoned closer.
Shutting the door behind him, Vanessa moved closer and then allowed her hand to place itself on his chest.
"You want to give me something?"
Vanessa's lips tugged upwards.
"Yes, that's right. We've known one another for a good long time now, and you've been a really good thing in my life, one of the better things, and how much you've done for me as well, so I've thought that now would be a good chance to show you something."
"Show me..."
Before he could finish, she pulled closer and closer.
"That's right, I'll show you what I feel."
Her lips came in close, and pressed against his own.
Surprising him slightly, Vanessa felt him kiss her back to her happiness, as she felt his arms wrap around her.
Smiling into the kiss, Vanessa and Venta pulled themselves to the bed, with Vanessa getting on top, and her eyes meeting with his own.
Feeling his hand on her lower back, and his other hand wrapped firmly around her own, Vanessa smiled joyfully as they continued kissing one another.
Staying in their position for half a minute, Vanessa pulled back with a red face, and winked.
"I've been wanting to do that for a while, just needed an excuse~"
"An excuse huh..."
Vanessa lightly giggled.
"Consider it a present for becoming the Vice Captain...I really thought you already was the Vice Captain since as the Captain said you basically did Vice Captain duties, but whatever. Though now I don't have that excuse anymore, I've thought that we should just do it whenever~ Of course, if that's something...you'd want to do."
She added at the end, showcasing a cute side to her.
Venta gave a gentle smile, and leaned up, coming close to her face, Vanessa blushed as she felt his lips press against her cheek.
"Yeah...I'd want that Vanessa-san."
Vanessa gave a bright smile, as she pushed him down onto the bed.
She then allowed her lips, and his own to come into contact with one another's once more, as they enjoyed their time together.
The next day, breakfast had come around, so the Black Bulls present with Venta were only Yami, and Charmy. The rest were out on missions or still asleep. Even Vanessa was still unconscious for the time being.
"By the way Venta, you're going to the Prickly Queen today."
Venta paused eating and turned towards his Captain.
"To Charlotte-san huh. Well, if that's what's needed of me. Charlotte-san and I get along, and Sol-chan is always fiery so it is going to be a good experience between us today."
"Yeah, stay with her today, I've got something's for you to give her. But don't look in this bag, alright?"
Yami almost looked ashamed as he produced a bag.
Venta didn't even want to know what was going on inside of his head.
But at the same time, he was quite curious as to what was going on.
"Okay Captain."
"I'm serious, don't look."
Venta began feeling worried.
What did Yami have?
He almost was too worried to ask about it.
"A-Alright, I wont look."
Venta didn't know what was going on.
Yami was being unusually strange.
But just then, Nebra comes into the room.
Her eyes flicker with desire, as she crosses the distance between her and Venta.
She then made it to Venta, and as she placed her hand on his right shoulder, Yami's lips curled upwards.
"Darling...no, you're not my darling but you are! I don't even care what I call you darling." Venta blinked as Nebra composed herself. "Anyway, there you are. I've decided that today, we should go to the capital and spend time together. Of course, it would be a great way for you to have yourself seen. After the fact that you beat Kirsch in a fight, there's been quite a lot of talk about you and your promise. As expected of course."
Venta curiously stared at her.
"Well, that's great, but I've got to do something for my Captain today."
Nebra released a breath.
She didn't like the sound of this at all.
"What?"
"I have to go and deliver some stuff to Captain Charlotte-san."
Nebra's face turns sour at that moment.
"An errand such as that is given to someone with your talent?" Nebra's annoyed eyes turned towards Yami. "You, Captain of the Black Bulls." Yami didn't respond, Nebra twitched an eyebrow. "Black Bull Captain." Once more, he didn't answer, mostly to amuse himself, while Nebra didn't look pleased, and clicked her fingers at him. "Hello, have you suddenly gone deaf? Even as a Captain, you should recognize my royal status, so I'd like to request that you give this errand to one of the lesser Black Bulls. How about that pink haired girl? She seems to be quite...intriguing to others, so use her."
"No, it has to be Venta."
Nebra squinted her eyes at the man before her, who didn't seem to really be worried at all.
"B-But, this is supposed to be our time together!"
Nebra argued, losing some composure that she had.
Yami shrugged.
"That's the life of a Magic Knight. Plus, this Captain would be excited to see Venta, you yourself said that people have been talking about him. Hey, think of this as more exposure, the more he gets, the more you'd like it, right?"
Nebra paused and thought about what he said.
If Venta did get more in with the Captains…
Then she'd be able to make a case and have it backed up, and then she'd try and get Venta to join the Silver Eagles.
She couldn't deny that was a very good thought to her.
"W-Well, if that is the case, then I wont complain." Yami looked relieved. "Very well, I shall take my leave for the time being. Though darling, it would be wise to take sometime off. I shall help you as you rise through the ranks, and earn more respect. Think of me as your...what is the word...Manager? Along those lines, I'll be that."
"Eh...do I need that?"
Venta curiously asked.
Nebra nodded with a strong and dedicated expression on her face.
"Of course, I am someone that knows of noble and royal life. Your way of doing things works on a battlefield it is true. But if you wish to become someone that is able to stand on the same social class as those such as myself, and one day when you eventually become a Captain, then we'd be able to finally..."
Nebra paused herself, and placed her hands to her chest in a cute manner.
Venta wondered what she was thinking about.
But he shrugged, and continued on.
"Well, I'd one day probably like to do that yeah. But I also love being in the Black Bulls, so..."
"Then we will make a better squad, as one day my brother shall have to retire, and there's only a few logical people to replace him. And if not my brothers squad, then we can become a squad all of our own, wouldn't that be a good idea?"
Venta blinked, and wondered what he should say.
"Well..."
"Great, then I'll get to work on a plan."
Venta wasn't sure what plan she had.
But as she was going to leave, she noticed that Charmy was sat on his lap once more.
Something that she didn't like.
"Little girl, it is rather rude to sit on ones lap without permission."
Charmy blinked, and then looked towards Nebra who was giving off an air of superiority.
"La, are you talking to me?"
Nebra's eyebrow twitched.
"Yes, that's right. Vacate the lap immediately."
"Eeeeh? But I love sitting here!"
"W-Well, Venta-kun doesn't!"
Venta raised an eyebrow.
"No, she's okay to sit there."
Charmy pulled out her tongue at the royal woman, who didn't look pleased.
"See? I can sit here."
Nebra sharpened her brows.
"Even if Venta-kun allows it, it still shouldn't be something that you should suddenly do."
"La, but I like it though. My Princes lap is the best to eat food on."
Nebra growled.
"P-Prince?! Your Prince?! He is not your...okay, okay." Nebra took in a deep breath. "Even if you do, you shouldn't do it! B-Because other people might want to sit there!"
Yami understood now.
Venta also believed he understood what Nebra was getting at.
Charmy though tilted her head adorably.
"But who?"
The young woman breathed sharply in and exhaled out.
"I-It doesn't matter! Think about it next time!"
Nebra huffed, and turned away.
Soon, she walked at a steady pace, and left the building, leaving behind a few perplexed people.
A small time later, Venta had to go towards the Blue Rose to drop something off from Yami. Though Venta was suspicious of what it was, his Captain forbade him from looking into the bag that he had been given.
He really did wish to see, but he'd respect his Captain's wishes and continued on towards the area.
While he walked there, he was continuing to read a book that had some information about some Magic Stones possibly locations. He had crossed out several of them, since they didn't house any Magic Stones.
But some locations still seemed to be promising as he knew that they were largely unexplored.
As he did get there, the door was suddenly flung open and revealed Sol.
She came out with a high flying kick, but he ducked under the kick, laughing as he said "Hello to you too Sol-chan~" with Sol landing on the ground.
"That was good reaction, nothing less than I'd expect."
Venta waved his hand.
"Thanks, so is your Captain around?"
"No."
Venta sweat dropped as he used his Mana Sensing.
"But I can feel her inside."
"You must be mistaken. Sis doesn't need to see you today."
"Well, that's a conundrum because I need to visit her, and give her something from my Captain."
"Give it me, I'll give it to-"
"Sol, what are you doing?"
A commanding voice came from the inside of the building.
Stepping out, was a very beautiful woman.
The young woman is rather tall with upper-back length blonde hair that is braided as she usually keeps her hair tied back into a bun with only a single lone braid hanging down on the left side of her face while she has bangs swept to the left side, light blue eyes with visible long eyelashes and full pink lips.
Wearing armour that looked as if she was going into battle, and a stern expression on her face, this woman is called Charlotte Roselei, Captain of the Blue Rose.
The young woman's eyes displayed a cold nature to her.
However, within, something more was happening as her eyes looked over Venta.
She didn't reveal anything on her face.
But it was clear in her eyes that she was feeling something that she knew she couldn't reveal to anyone.
"Aah, Captain. There you are. I have something from my Captain."
"I tried to make him go Sis, I know that you don't like men around here!"
Sol defended, Charlotte waved her hand at her subordinate.
"It is fine in this case. And that was what you wished for Sol, I don't mind having some men here. Even if it is this boy."
Venta placed a hand on his chest.
"Even if it is me?"
"Even if it is you." She repeated, as she turned her face away. As she did, she suddenly began to become flustered, but she wouldn't show it as she inwardly thought about it. "Oooh my God, he's looking quite handsome today...no, Charlotte! I can't, but he's so kind, gentle, and has a sweet look to his eyes...calm down Charlotte, calm down!"
Chanting that over and over within her mind, Venta walked up to the side of her.
Tipping his body to meet on her level, the young woman's face turned robotically towards him, seeing how close he is to her, her face erupted in redness.
"Y-You're…" She paused, and turned her head once more. "Calm down Charlotte! Calm down! So close! Too close! In hugging range! Don't hug Charlotte! Don't hug!" Internally freaking out, she almost lost it when he casually tapped her on the shoulder. "W-What?"
"Eh, the bag. And a letter as well from my Captain."
With shaky hands, Charlotte accepted.
She looked at the contents of the bag, and then the letter.
[Hey Prickly Queen, there's what I owe you from two months ago, I'll get the rest to you sometime. Though, how about a deal? I give you Venta for a week, and you can do as you wish with him? In exchange for the debt to be paid off, it isn't a bad deal, is it? In fact, I said that he's yours for the day, so have fun. Maybe you'll finally find a husband, Venta's a good man for it, he's got a stable career. Have fun with him, and think about what I put. You can have him for a week, do as you like. From Yami.]
Charlotte stared at the letter, and read it to herself several times.
Each time, a scenario formed in her head.
Like Venta and Charlotte walking together across a beach, hand in hand.
Moving closer to each other.
Staring into one another's eyes.
And then going in for a kiss...
"M-Mine!?"
"What's yours?"
Venta asked, Charlotte placed a hand over her mouth, and her eyes shakily went back towards Venta who continued to smile in her direction.
"H-He's actually with me for today?! H-He has to do what I say?! Charlotte calm down! You can't...you can't do anything. It's okay, it's alright..." Charlotte tried to calm her wild heart as she stared at Venta who just smiled back. "S-So...your Captain said...you're with me today."
"W-With you Sis?! It can't happen!"
Sol gave an accusing point of her finger to Venta.
Venta glanced back at her and simply smiled, causing Sol to scowl and hide her face from him.
"That he is. It is fine, this one is competent enough. Follow me Venta."
Charlotte walked by Sol, who looked at Charlotte curiously.
She then turned towards Venta and pointed at him once more.
"Anything happens to Sis, and I am holding you personally responsible!"
"She is very strong, you know? Most people wont wanna mess with her."
"I know that! I'm just saying, she has a fragile heart, and she needs to be taken care of! Even if it is you, Sis is someone that I immensely care for!"
Charlotte felt her eyebrow twitch at how overprotective that Sol was being.
Venta though continued on in his stride and spoke in a relatively calm manner.
"Okay, I'll take care of her if that eases you, though I'm sure that she's very capable of taking care of herself."
"That's all I wanted to hear. I know you'll keep your word."
"Don't worry, we'll protect each other should something happen."
Charlotte's head whipped around towards Venta, and what he said rang in her head over and over again.
Her mind flashed to a scene of them in a loving embrace, as his fingers brushed against her face, gently whispering "As I said to Sol-chan, I'll take care of you Charlotte-chan if you take care of me~ So tell me what you want me to do~?" as he laid a gentle kiss on her right blushing cheek.
Snapping back out of her thoughts, she turned her eyes away from Venta, and clicked her fingers while keeping her red face away from Venta's eyes.
She took in several breaths to relax her fast moving heart.
It was difficult for her.
But she got it in the end, and she was all the more happy for doing it.
"Follow me Venta."
"Yes Captain."
Venta waved to Sol, and walked off together with Charlotte.
Sol watched through lidded eyes, wondering what was going to happen next with Venta.
For an hour, silence was between Charlotte and Venta. She didn't say even anything about what they were doing. But because Yami had given him over to Charlotte for the day, he didn't see the need to question it.
It seemed however, they were just walking around a noble realm town. They weren't doing anything in particular. If anything, it almost felt like a couple out on a walk together. Though they weren't exactly a couple, he was quite fond of Charlotte, even though he wasn't sure what she felt sometimes.
Venta was surprised that Sol hadn't followed them.
As he knew she usually did when others went out anywhere with Charlotte.
So he presumed it was because Sol did in fact trust Venta to make sure Charlotte was fine, though Venta knew Charlotte was very strong, and someone he respected as a Captain.
However, while walking, Charlotte suddenly spoke up.
"I have heard of your recent achievement in beating the Coral Peacocks Vice Captain."
Venta rubbed the back of his head sheepishly.
"Yeah, that was to due with him trying to stop Mimosa-san and I from being friends."
"I see. Well, regardless, the achievement is still admirable. Considering that he is royalty."
"You're so kind Captain, thanks very much~"
Charlotte, hearing the words he used, turned her head from him and placed a hand on her chest, trying to calm her heart once more.
"I wish he'd stop saying his words so sweetly, I don't think that I can take it much longer. And that smile as well...Charlotte, it's fine. Do not worry, you can get through this day without revealing anything within you. It is fine."
Trying to calm herself more and more, she thought of different things, other than Venta to get her through it all.
But the more she did, the more her mind was drawn back towards Venta and what she and he could do together.
How they could walk together, hand in hand.
Side by side.
Things that she never could reveal within herself.
"So Captain, if I may ask, do you need me to do anything for you?"
Charlotte jumped at his voice, as she was genuinely lost in thought before that moment.
Charlotte's eyes turned towards him.
Her face remained stoic, but on the inside she felt her heart rate increasing more and more by the moment.
"I wasn't expecting...your presence, and I am merely making my rounds for the day. Sometimes crime happens when you least suspect it, you should keep your eyes sharp."
"Yes of course Captain, you're very right. So tell me Charlotte-san, after we do your rounds, is there anything that I can do for you? You have me for the day, you might as well use me."
Charlotte bit her lower lip, a blush increasing on her face.
"U-Use him?! How can I use him?! I couldn't ask for anything I really want!" Charlotte breathed in and out sharply. "A-Actually, back at my headquarters, there is some work to do on the building. We had a recent attack..."
Venta saluted Charlotte who felt her bottom lip tremble all the more.
"Of course! Leave it to me Captain! I'll get the building back in tip top shape in no time!"
Charlotte nodded slowly, trying to control her breathing.
"Y-Yes, well your Magic is useful for that I suppose."
Charlotte mentally berated herself when she said that, wishing that she had said something more closer to what she actually wished to say, but she just couldn't do it in the end.
They continued walking, when a new presence revealed themselves to the pair of them.
It was another Captain in fact.
Jack from the Green Mantis Squad. Having a lean build, and loose medium length black hair. His golden eyes looked rather wild, as did the rough clothing that he wore.
Known for his love of battle, and for his crazy attitude when it came to certain things, Charlotte released a breath while Venta glanced towards her.
"Something wrong Captain?"
"I...I can't."
"You can't? What can't you do?"
He didn't get an answer as Jack came strolling over with a wild grin on his face.
"Hey there kid, got any money?"
Venta raised an eyebrow.
"Not until you pay off last month."
Jack twitched his eyebrows.
"Come on, I'm good for it!"
"He said no, leave."
Charlotte intervened, only for Jack to laugh to himself.
"Hahahaha! If it isn't the Prickly Queen herself! Though, from what I heard, it seems that you aren't so prickly around this boy huh?"
Charlotte's face dropped.
She felt cold inside as she stared at Jack harshly.
"...What does that mean?"
Jack stuck out his tongue to her growing annoyance.
"I know what I mean, it's so sweet that you're-"
"Silence at once!"
Charlotte lost some composure when she yelled it.
She didn't want anything to be revealed on how she felt.
She wasn't ready.
"Huh? What's wrong?" Jack mused as Venta glanced at Charlotte who kept a deadly eye on Jack. "Ooh, I get it. You don't want to say anything. It is fine, Yami told me anyway that you and this boy had time together, alone~"
Charlotte bit her lower lip, while Venta glanced at Charlotte.
She clearly didn't look comfortable with what Jack was saying so he spoke up.
"Captain Jack, please stop trying to embarrass Captain Charlotte-san."
"Aah, that's good of you. You make a great couple!"
"Pft!" Charlotte did a spit take. "T-The only lover I have is the battlefield!"
Jack however laughed it off, and began walking away.
"Usually I'd challenge you to a fight, but it seems you've got another battle you're currently in, good luck kid! Ooh, also the money-"
"No."
Venta rejected, Jack's eyebrows lowered.
"Oh...but, I'm good for it..."
"Captain, if you pay me back, then I can give you some."
"Eh...but, I could do other things! Got anyone you want me to slice up? I'll go and do that!"
"If you leave, I'll give you the money at a later date!"
Charlotte yelled out, desperately wishing that Jack would just go, and that she'd be able to keep her composure.
"Really? Great, then I'll be on my way~ Bye, have a nice date~"
Charlotte's mind went into overload.
A date…
She was on a date with Venta.
No, she couldn't be.
The fact that they were on a date, kept playing in her mind.
Over and over again.
But she always saw him as mature, and strong.
Even now, as Jack was laughing, he was trying to make Jack stop, being quite sensitive to her feelings.
Even if it wasn't the feelings she thought it would be.
As Jack left, Venta bowed his head.
"I'm sorry about him Captain, if he made you feel embarrassed or anything. He seems to not be able to hold back."
Charlotte placed a hand across her chest, shaking side to side.
"That is just who he is, it cannot be changed. But, I thank you for at least not giving into that man's demands. It is your money and you should spend it as you wish."
"Thanks, so now that we're finished. How about I spend some money and we get some ice cream?"
"I-Ice cream? Just us?"
Charlotte mused aloud, Venta nodded.
"Yes, wouldn't it be good? It's nice to relax once in a while after all~"
"Ice cream...relaxing..."
Charlotte's mind ran through scenarios where ice cream and relaxing could go hand in hand.
And she kept getting drawn back to one where she had ice cream accidentally on her cheek, and that Venta affectionately kissed it off, causing Charlotte in the real world to have her face turn bright red.
She then sat down on a bench nearby, hiding her face in her hands.
"You okay?"
Venta asked, Charlotte nodded with an "I need to sit down for a few moments." something Venta didn't argue with and found to be pretty cute if he did say so himself.
And after that, he spent a good, albeit mostly quiet, time together with Charlotte.
Walking her back to the squad, Venta and Charlotte stayed mostly quiet.
With the air turning bitter cold, he saw that she looked a little chilly.
"Captain, would you like my jacket?"
He offered her.
Charlotte's face turned a cute red color, her eyes meeting with his own as she thought "His jacket...his jacket...on me..." but didn't allow her thoughts to be shown on her face.
"N...No, that's not necessary."
"If you're sure, but if you do want it, I don't mind. The cold doesn't bother me~"
"I...I see. Though...Venta, it seems that I haven't...said my congratulations just yet."
"You don't have to."
Charlotte shook her head.
"No, it is only about time that recognition should be given. Besides, your Captain relies a good deal on you for financial support due to his gambling ways."
Venta let out a small laugh.
"Well, I don't mind since it's Captain Yami. He's done a lot for me so it's fine."
Charlotte paused, and looked towards his eyes as they arrived at the Blue Rose Squads headquarters.
Venta also paused, and looked at the blonde haired beauty before him.
"Even then...I think this was a long time coming. Becoming the Vice Captain, no doubt you will become a Captain one day."
Venta lightly smiled, as Charlotte felt her face turning a little red.
"Thank you Charlotte-san."
Charlotte gave a slight nod, as her thoughts turned to ones about Venta.
"This setting...this breeze, if I could have his jacket on...then maybe anything could be possible...even in this light, I can see quite a man...a kind gentle man...I could just say it now..."
As she thought about it, Sol suddenly shot through the doors, and knocked Charlotte forward, right into the arms of Venta.
"You're hugging Sis?"
Sol said with a curious stare.
Venta looked down at Charlotte as she peered up at him.
Feeling his arms around her, Charlotte's bottom lip quivered.
"Captain, you okay?"
His sweet voice caused Charlotte to go into a mental overlord.
It was...too good to her ears.
More than that, his arms around her.
The protective feelings she got from it.
Along with how close his body was to her own...
"Ventaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!"
She ended up letting out a scream, and shot inside of the building to the confusion of the others.
"What was that about?"
Sol shrugged.
"I actually don't know." Sol's eyes went towards Venta. "Heard you got promoted to Vice Captain! Though I'm confused, weren't you already?"
Venta laughed, rubbing the back of his head.
"A good few people thought I was huh."
"Well regardless, it's better if it is someone that is competent."
"Thanks very much Sol-chan."
Venta smiled, Sol gave a hard stare, but with slightly reddened cheeks.
"Wel-Well, you kept your promise about Sis, s-so that's good...a-and it seems that she had fun with you...d-did she?"
"We had fun yeah~"
As soon as he said that, Charlotte came running out, still yelling "Ventaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!" with Charlotte suddenly grabbing Sol, and shot back into the base of the Blue Rose.
Venta blinked several times.
Charlotte then came running back out, and yelled "Lets do it again sometime!" before the door violently shut, with Charlotte on the other side of the door, panting hard as she kept thinking about Venta hugging her, and the day that she had just had.
Placing her hands to her chest, she opened the door once more, and peaked out of it, seeing Venta still stood there.
"Good night Charlotte-san, thanks for the fun day."
Charlotte composed herself, and nodded.
"Yes, good night. Today...was enjoyable."
Charlotte closed the door behind her, and released a breath, wishing that she could say what was deep within her.
One day...
Perhaps she could do.
Staring for a few moments, Venta gave an amused look.
"That's Charlotte-san for you, she's really awkwardly cute~"
Nero came popping out of Venta's hair, and let out a yawn.
"She's loud. Did I miss something?"
"Just spent the day with Charlotte-san, it was quite fun. Anyway, lets head back~"
Venta chuckled at Nero's words as they walked off together.
After a few weeks of training, Venta was watching as Noelle raised the wand that he gave to her, and he himself was flying some stones through the air. They weren't going very fast, since she was still training her power.
But she was concentrating more and more.
Spheres of water formed at the tip of the wand, and she fired them off.
Compared to before, she was doing much better.
She was able to aim and fire them off, and for not being spells, they packed a decent punch behind them.
To the point Mimosa who was with them was rather shocked that this was the same Noelle.
That she was able to pinpoint targets so exactly that she could fire off the spells at good speed, and break through the rocks Venta controlled via his Gravity Magic.
"Haaah! Haaah! Haaaah!"
Noelle called again and again, releasing sphere after sphere.
While still having a bit to go yet, she was improving rapidly.
She was doing amazing in Mimosa's eyes.
Then as the stones vanished thanks to Noelle's more control over her magic, she paused, and turned to Venta who clapped his hands together.
"Very impressive Noelle-san. The speed, the control, and the power behind the attack, you're improving in leaps and bounds."
Noelle's cheeks began to turn red.
But then she stopped herself, and waved a hand through her hair.
"W-Well, thank you."
"You put in the hard work and effort Noelle-san. You've done a great job."
Noelle bit her lower lip in a cute manner as Mimosa came over with a big smile.
"Noelle! You've done so well! See? I told you Venta-san would be able to help you!"
Noelle laughed awkwardly as Mimosa hugged Noelle tightly.
"Y-Yes, I think...w-well, he...y-yes...he did."
Noelle tried to say something else.
But she couldn't think of anything, so she went with the truth.
Mimosa giggled.
"This should be a cause for a celebration!"
"You're right Mimosa-san, this is a big deal Noelle-san. You've really done fantastic. You should be proud of how far you've come so quickly."
Noelle looked down at herself, and thought about what had been said.
It felt odd to get praise at all.
But especially from Venta.
Mimosa, she was used to it, and very grateful.
But Venta…
It was different.
"We...Well, I guess that we could do yes."
"Great, then we should go! Venta-san has to leave tomorrow, and I'm sure needs to get ready."
Noelle blinked, as she looked towards Venta.
"Where are you going?"
"There's a few missions that I've got to complete, that's all. I'll be back within a few days. A Magic Knights life, always keeps you busy~"
Noelle nodded, while Mimosa glances towards her.
Seeing the young girls beginning to turn red, she wondered what that was truly about.
"W-Well, that does make sense..."
"So lets get going!"
Mimosa giggled, and together, they all left to have a good night of adventure and fun together.
Arriving back at the Black Bulls late at night, while thinking about going to bed, he walked into the entrance, and saw that everyone was already gone. Either to bed, or they weren't there. Whatever the case was, since it was late, he was going to be as quiet as possible.
However, when he thought everyone had gone, he did sense a presence that was hiding behind a couch.
He looked towards the couch and moved forward.
When he got there, he saw Charmy passed out on the couch. Before her, there was a plate of food. A little note that said "Venta-kun's." was on the right hand side of it.
That small action alone touched his heart, as he sat down and took the food.
Silently eating it, Charmy soon stirred, and lifted her head up adorably.
Her eyes went towards Venta.
"Venta-kun...you're back..."
Charmy cutely crawled over from the couch and ended up sitting on his lap. Cheery smiling, she leaned her body back while Venta continuously petted the top of her head.
"You didn't have to wait up for me Charmy-chan. But it really is sweet of you."
Charmy stretched her arms, and her big eyes turned up towards him as he smiled down at her.
"I have to...because you need to eat good meals too...if I didn't cook, then you'd not eat..."
Venta lightly laughed.
"You've got me there Charmy-chan."
"That's why...I'll stay up...when you are expected back..."
"That's really kind of you, I'll be sure to come back as early as I can from missions and other things, okay?"
"Yes!"
Charmy cheered as she laid her head back.
Soon, the small girl fell asleep, resting away on Venta's lap, as he continued eating the food that he had.
Once he was finished, he carried the small girl up to her room.
But when he placed her down onto her bed, her eyes shot open and she looked up towards him.
With the small light flickering behind him, Charmy placed her hands together.
"Venta-kun, good night~"
"Good night Charmy-chan, sleep well~"
Venta petted her head, and walked back towards his room.
As he did, he caught the sight of a young blue haired girl.
His eyes shifted towards her, as she bit her lower lip.
"Hey there Grey-chan, what's going on?"
"V-V-V-V-V-V-V-VENTA-K-K-K-KUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUN!"
She screeched out, it seemed that she hadn't expected to be seen so late at night.
"Something wrong Grey-chan?"
Grey shook her head side to side.
"N-N-Noooo! Everything's fineeeee!"
Venta thought that she was rather cute when she acted like that.
So he moved closer towards her.
"V-V-Venta-kuuuun!"
She suddenly called before he could speak up.
"Hmmm?"
Grey pushed forward, and cupped her hands together.
"W-When I t-transform, I feel...I feel more confident!"
"I know, and your acting skills, top notch."
Grey's lips curled upwards ever so slightly.
But she did look shy as she looked him over.
"C-Can I b-become like you? C-Confident in who I am…?"
"Of course, why couldn't you?"
"B-B-Because...y-you can fight and b-be strong..."
"So can you, Grey-chan. Your Magic is amazing, you can become anything you want to become. Just believe in yourself, you have what it takes. And if you ever need anything, just ask me, I'll do my best to support and help you do whatever you want."
Grey placed her hands on her chest, and showed a soft smile on her lips.
Feeling encouragement from him, it felt like she might be able to do it.
"V-Venta-kuuuun! A-Also...y-you became the Vice C-Captain! Congratulations!"
Venta smiled kindly.
"Thank you Grey-chan, I'll do my best as Vice Captain."
Grey nodded very shyly.
"I-I know...Venta-kun, I'm glad...y-you're the Vice Captain..."
"Hmmm? Why's that?"
"B-Because...I know you will...support everyone...like you do me."
Venta felt touched by all of the kind words he had received from many people.
Ranging from Vanessa, Charlotte, Sol, and even people like Grey.
"Thank you, I'll always support you Grey-chan."
Grey had her face turn slightly red, as she jumped back and hid behind a pillar.
But her head peaked out and she whispered "G-Good night..." so Venta waved.
"Good night Grey-chan. See you tomorrow."
Grey nodded, and ran off.
But as she did, Venta saw that she had a small smile on her face, something that Venta found to be quite cute.
A small time later on, Venta retired to his room for the night. He saw that Vanessa was already passed out, so he went over and laid down on it.
As he did, Vanessa stirred, and curled up against him. but stayed asleep, something Venta found to be quite cute.
Relaxing on his bed, Venta's eyes looked over a good number of documents and information that he had received in the hopes of being able to find the Magic Stones for Nero, but so far he couldn't see anything that would be able to help him.
Nero came out of his hair, and landed on his chest.
"Got anything?"
Venta placed one piece of paper down, shaking his head.
"No, it seems that this one doesn't have any either..."
"I appreciate how hard you're trying for me, many people might not do the same."
Venta reached his hand out, and petted the top of her head.
"Don't worry about it, I know the locations of a few of the stones, so we can them when we need them. Just need to find the rest of them yet..."
Before he could finish, he paused and looked at some information that he received.
Reading it again and again to himself, his lips tugged upwards.
"Wait, this might be it Nero."
Nero tilted her neck to the right.
"Really?"
Venta read it once more just to confirm, then gives a strong nod.
"This is the best shot that we have, unusual strong levels of Mana, remote location that not many would be in, and having seen our friends, the people that have tried to kill us, lurking around there. While we can't be sure that they're after the stones themselves, the fact that they seem to be seeking stuff that could give them power...it all adds up, doesn't it?"
Nero had to admit that he probably was right, and that this was going to be what they needed.
This was the thing that could help them gain what it was that they wished for.
"You're right, it could be what we're looking for."
"Then looks like we're going on another adventure together."
Nero watched as Venta jumped up, and began getting things ready.
As he did, Nero couldn't deny that his willingness to do so much for her, really was touching.
That together, they'd be able to accomplish the mission.
But more than that, she was glad that she really did have someone that she could call a true friend, someone that she really did care for.
End chapter!
So this chapter focused on introducing a few people, like Luck and Magna, even Charlotte who had some back and forth with Venta. Also, delving into some more character relationships, with Vanessa taking the plunge and taking what she wished for. Noelle and Mimosa are also becoming closer to Venta and learning even more. Venta even spent a little time with Grey and showed their interactions a little.
Then at the end, it seems that Venta might have found a Magic Stone, so we'll see what happens with that!
Well, until next time, thanks for reading!
Venta; Mimosa, Vanessa, Secre, Dorothy, Rebecca, Asta (fem), Yuno (fem), Noelle, Elf Fana, Mereoleona, Nebra, Sol, Sally, Grey, Charmy, Charlotte,