A two weeks has passed since Colt had joined the Bulls and he's started to get into the swing of things with his chores, but things were about to change.

Colt had finished his chores for the day, so he decided to spend some time in his room and practiced one of his spells in private. "Thievery Magic: Casing Eye." Colt closed his eyes as the spell activated and in front of him appeared an eyeball, his grimoire also began to glow and a small cube appeared above his grimoire, as the eye turned around the cube became a detailed replica of Colts room. The eye left the room and the structure above the grimoire began to grow with corridors and rooms starting to appear from where the eye had been. The real impressive part about the spell is that wherever the eye went, Colt could see through like it was his own eyes. He continued to zoom around the base, collecting the details and marking people the eye spots which became red marks on the model which also replicated nearby sounds. As he was zipping around at one stage the eye stopped, no matter what he tried the eye wouldn't move until it turned around and he saw his Captains face closer than he's ever seen startling him. "YOW!"

"I take it from that girlish squeal that you can see and possibly here this rookie, anyway when you're done get to the common room you got a package." Asta let go of the eye and walked down the corridor.

Colt collected himself and made his way to the common room curious about what the package could be. When arrived at the common room he found Captain Asta doing push ups with Magna and Jack on his back and Deckard playing cards with Magna and Finral while Mads was on the couch reading book while chatting with Marie. Asta noticed Colt entering the room. "Hey rookie package is over there." Colt saw a box with a note on it on the bar. Colt picked up the package and was stunned when he read the note… it was from his parents. Colt could only remember his parents in a negative manner, looking at him similarly to how others saw him as a thief because of his magic, because of the way people saw him he even cost his family business because they didn't want to be associated with a thief. This caused some friction between Colt and his parents, the last time he saw them they barely even looked at him as he left for the magic knight exams. Now he has a package from the very same people. Colt opened the note written by his mother.

"Colt,

Let me start by saying that your father and are sorry for how we acted around you, and just how proud of you we are of joining the Black Bulls. I swear you father started literally glowing with pride after hearing the good news. I understand if you can't accept our apology, I hope in time we can earn your forgiveness as your parents. I hope you will participate in the Novachrono Tournament in a couple of months I'd like to see my boy show what he's capable of to everyone. I hope you're making friends among the Bulls and remember to listen to your superiors especially your Captain I've heard nothing but good things about Asta I even remember seeing him in action in his younger days and you couldn't ask for a better squad leader I also heard that Ryko and Sara are Magic Knights so try to contact them every now and again, always remember that if things get tough or if you just decide to come home to see us your father and I will always accept you with open arms.

Love Mum and Dad

P.S.

After I heard you were accepted by the Bulls I couldn't help but make you something, so I made you this scarf and vest to match your Black Bull robe I even added my own special embroidery to help keep you safe on missions. It'll also keep them from being damaged, so you won't have to worry about getting them fixed, just remember its power is derived from your own magic power so don't overuse it.

Colt opened the box and saw the long scarf and the thin vest that matched his Black Bull robe with the bull symbol embroidered on the ends of the scarf and the right chest of the vest. Colt almost shed a tear as he put on his mothers' gift. "Wow, those are cool." Colt leaned over and noticed Marie over his shoulder. "Gift from you're mother?"

"Yeah, she's actually a really skilled, half of my wardrobe was made by my mum, she's actually really skilled at embroidery."

"I can see that."

"Actually, I mean…"

"Hey newbie nice threads." Colt and Marie turned to Magna still on Astas back "Now you won't catch cold when you go out to play. Hehehe."

Colt turned to Marie with a smirk on his face. "Watch this. That's real funny Magna, you got me good, though shouldn't expect anything less than the Squad Clown."

Magna turned his head to Colt. "What did you say Rookie."

"Oh, was I wrong because I thought the whole grown man doing the whole street punk thing was just a comedy bit."

"Mouthing off to an experienced mage is a bad idea kid, especially one with a grudge five feet AWAY!" Magna threw a fire ball at Colt.

Colt took his scarf and held it up between him and the fireball. The scarf was then surrounded by a field of magic that reflected the fireball which hit Magna of Astas back and into a wall. Colt smiled at Marie "That's two for two."

Asta was mid push up when Magna was blown off. "Oh, embroidery. From the looks of it your mother uses, some kind of defensive spatial magic.?"

"Yes sir, she infuses her magic into clothing using embroidery and makes what she likes to call 'Fabric Armour' she's very good, I think even the Wizard King uses her services."

"You know, I use forging techniques to make some of my weapons."

Marie raised her hand. "Sorry, embroidery, forging what is this all about?"

Asta stood as he began to explain. "what we are talking about Marie is some ways to make magic items. There are some magic items that are built with a specific purpose in mind, like wands and cloaks, but others are items that have been infused with other people's magic or a particular spell. For example, using embroidery my mother infuses defensive spatial magic into my scarf turning it into more of a shield."

Asta chimed in. "Same goes for my weapons by melting metal and mixing my anti-magic I'm able to forge new weapons, it's really the only way for me to acquire new weapons, so far I've made knives, swords, an axe and even a small canon."

With this newly acquired knowledge of the Captain, Colts curiosity of the man grew. "So you can't use your magic without a weapon sir."

Unfortunately, a messenger owl came in and out of the base. "Sorry kid no time for chit chat, grab Deckard and the other rookie it's time for your first mission."

Deckard and Mads came into the common room and lined up with Colt. Asta stood before. "Okay folks here's the deal, there's an mining village called Terin south of Kiten called that almost borders the Diamond Kingdoms, every now and then they normally deal with thieves stealing the minerals themselves but from time to time they need the aid of magic knights, this particular thief is proving to be tricky for the villages normal guards which is bizarre due to the fact he hasn't been subtle it's reported that he has been using explosive magic but no one has actually seen it."

"Excuse me Sir." Deckard Interrupted "If they haven't seen the thief, how are they certain that he uses explosive magic?"

"Because the thief acts during the night and explosions are heard and by the time the guards arrive massive chunks of rocks are left dislodged and smouldering hence explosives. So, the mission is pretty cut and dry, apprehend the thief and attempt to find out where the ore he has already stolen has gone and who he was working for if any. Unfortunately, Finral has never been there, but he'll port you to Kiten and from there fly to Terin."

"Yes Sir." All three stood there saluting.

.

.

.

"Well what are you waiting for get moving."

Deckard, Mads, and Colt made it Kiten easily enough and then took off to Terim. To kill the silence Colt began asking questions about his captain starting with where he left off from before about Astas magic weapons. "Well Captain Asta can't actually use magic, somehow he acquired the five-leaf clover which contained the power of anti-magic."

"yeah I know that part already but what's the deal with the weapons?"

"oh alright, well that's because his weapons are what channels his powers, what sources it even. He also needs it to become what people call Black Asta where he becomes like a demon or something."

Mads chimed in this time. "But at the entrance exam when the Captain decided to intimidate Colt for shits and giggles, he didn't need it then, he wasn't even holding his knife."

"I'm glad you asked that rookie that's a story that took place before I even joined so I'm shaky on the details, but from what I heard from Magna Captain Asta's first sword called the Demon Slayer Sword was large enough to act as a shield, one day on a mission years ago when facing a powerful enemy Asta attempted to block the magic, I'm not sure how though but the attack managed to shatter the sword right in his face causing shrapnel of the sword to become embedded in his body."

Both Colt and Mads mouth were agape. "Holy shit."

"Oh Yeah, they won the battle but Asta was gravely injured. Captain Yami and the Wizard King got some of the best healers they could find including Old Man Owen and he's the best, but it was touch and go for weeks because healing magic couldn't work on the fragments themselves, and he went through months of rehab to get back his mobility but they could never get all the shrapnel, but because of the constant contact of the anti-magic he can become the demon form at will."

"So, there was a silver lining." Colt remarked

"Well yeah but even for the Captain the idea that his only source of power can be vulnerable was a bit of a hit to the guy, he became worried and a bit possessive over his weapons and it affected his work that is until he learned blacksmithing and forging new weapons and also learning how to repair his weapons which also upped his danger level."

"How's that?"

"He really enjoys blacksmithing, I have no idea how many knives alone he's got on him at any given time, I think I saw him with one under his headband once. But not just knives, he's got all forms of weapons, armours and this giant thick shield that I saw once take a triple combo spell and didn't even get a dent. Combination of a strong design and anti-magic. Also, he's got so many hidden weapons and mechanisms in his armours it's nuts I have no idea how he does it, he's even called The Black Armory seriously it's scary."

"Wow that's cool. Next question, what exactly is a five-leaf clover?"

They proceeded to Terim with Deckard telling everything he knew about Asta, the devil within his grimoire, how it belonged to the elf named Licht until he became the demon killed by the first wizard king, even Astas origins with the Captain of the Golden Dawn Yuno and Captain of the Silver Sea Dragons Noell. But despite everything he told him Colt and Mads both felt like he was holding something back, but before they could press the issue, Terim came into sight so they will have to wait.

They landed and made their way to the local inn. Mads and Colt were enjoying their meal while Deckard was talking to the bar tender trying to get some intel on their mission. Colt tried to strike up some conversation with Mads. "So… how are things?"

Mads just stared at him. "That really the best conversation starter you got?"

"…Sorry."

They just went back to silence until Deckard got back. "So, here's what we are going to do. It's a simple stake out and secure, magic knight 101 really we wright until dark and patrol around the mines keeping our eyes and ears open for anyone, there isn't any night shift for the workers so the place will be deserted, and thankfully it's a clear full moon tonight so we'll have some decent natural light to spot the guy, here take these and put them in your ear."

Deckard gave them small metal balls about the size of an ear hole. Colt have never seen them before. "What are these?"

"Those my dear rookie, are Magic Knight Standard Issue Communication Earbuds. Put them in your ear and they make a magical connection with your voice that communicates your words to the other buds that are connected. We'll be separated around the mine, but I'll be in you ear the entire time."

Both rookies looked at their superior, then each other and in unison. "Fantastic."

Mads and Deckard walked around the outside of the tunnels at the mine separately due to the size of the site, while Colt was using his Casing Eye spell to map out the tunnels and the surrounding area. Each one kept an ear out for anything that sounds like an explosion. "Everyone still good?"

Mads replied. "Same as the last time you asked Deckard, and the time before that, and the time before…"

"Okay rookie that's enough attitude. Seriously you need to be more social."

Mads was about to retort until…

BOOM!

Colt was first to respond. "Guys that explosion came from the east side of the mine, I'm sending the eye, looks like Deckard is closer."

"Got it rookie on the move, as soon as you get an accurate fix make your way there and use the strings to drain the guys magic, Mads and I will try to bring him down in the meantime."

"Yes sir."

"Mads you on the move?"

"Just try and stop me."

Deckard heard a second explosion closer than before, he knew he was getting closer. From the sounds of it he was out in the open rather than the tunnels. "Sir it's Colt. I've got him marked take a left."

"Got it."

Deckard came to a mound near the walls of the mine with a very large, fat, bald man punching the wall. "Hey there big fella."

The Big Man turned around revealing his tattered clothing, a scruffy beard and large bizarre armour on his arm that looked like something that Asta would make covered with gears and pipes which he was using to punch the wall. "Who the hell are you."

"Me? I'm just a guy, out for a walk, though I have gotten a few noise complaints from the local villagers who you are driving insane with your little project here so I'm going to have to ask you to stop."

"Yeah buddy that isn't happening any time soon, cos I got a job to do and unlike you I ain't an idiot. I recognize that robe. You're a Magic Knight and I don't appreciate folks like you poking your fat nose into my business."

"Hey, we may have to start getting violent here but leave my nose out of this, my nose has never done anything to you."

"That a threat?"

"Hey, you insulted my nose."

"Will you shut up."

"I get that a lot, but you see the thing is I myself am a gambler, and one thing I have learned it's much easier to cheat when you annoy the other players so much that they become so focused on my face because they're yelling at me or they got their face in their hands, and they just notice the cards up my sleaves or in this case… snake on the wall."

"Serpent Magic: Striking Asp." Mads jumped from the top of the wall with both of her hands were encased by snakes, she managed to get both her hands on The Big Mans armoured arm when he blocked the attack. Still standing on The Big Mans arm, Mads was smiling. "Sorry pal but this attack uses a venom of my choice that burns its way through armour."

"Oh no, how terrible for me if only my arm was made of metal. Oh wait." Mads eyes started to fill with horror over what he was saying while a smile crept on his face. "My arm is actually metal." The Big Man slammed Mads against the wall and grabbed her by the neck with his regular arm.

"Mads! Card Magic: Playing Suit: Ten Spade Arrow!" Ten glowing cards flowed from Deckard's grimoire that formed into glowing arrows where the heads were the same symbol as a spade symbol on a playing cards which launched at The Big Man who turned and pointed his metal arm at the arrows.

"Boom." Some gear cogs spun, and pistons pumped in his arm which caused a focused explosion from The Big Mans metal palm which enveloped the arrows scorching them and the flame making its way to Deckard.

"Card Magic: Player Suit: Shield Ace of Hearts." A large heart blocked the flame. The Big Man threw Mads towards Deckard who managed to catch her before she hit the ground, but by catching her, he didn't notice that The Big Man had thrown a grenade at the pair. "Oh shit."

"Thievery Magic: Thieving Strings." Colt wrapped Deckard and Mads in strings and pulled them down the mound which allowed them to evade the shrapnel and caltrops from the grenade. "Jeez what's with this guy and explosions."

"The explosions not the scary part rookie."

Mads was coughing from a bruised throat but managed to say. "If what I've seen is scary what is then?"

"He hasn't used his grimoire, I didn't even see a grimoire if that side pocket is filled with grenades."

Colt was getting ready to go back out. "So, what do we do."

"It's makes sense that the explosion from his hand comes from magic, and with all that stuff stuck on him it must make it easier to mask his magic."

"Even now in a fight?"

"I've met people that can mask their magic almost subconsciously from years of practice, masking magic during a fight makes it harder to predict movement from conventional mages. I knew I should taken up the Captains offer to learn ki but I had an easy game to get to."

"So, what's the plan?"

"Keep that eye of yours out and wait for the moment where you can sneak out and bind him in strings and take his magic then I'll take him down and I'll buy you both dinner."

Mads grabbed Deckards arm. "What about me?"

"Mads you're hurt you have to stay down for now, wait until you recover enough, if something goes wrong, we may need the backup." Mads let go of Deckard understanding the situation. "Okay rookie lets move."

Deckard moved from out the mound and started firing arrows at The Big Man who tried blasting more focused explosions at Deckard who managed to either evade or block with a shield. Deckard had his full attention and when The Big Man let loose another blast Colt took the opportunity. "Thievery magic: Thieving String Stolen Mana." Colt managed to bind The Big Man in his strings and pulled the metal arm downward aiming at his leg.

"Nice one roo…" Deckard noticed a horrified look on Colts face. "What is it."

"Deckard you were wrong, very wrong."

"What are you talking about?"

"Deckard this man isn't masking his magic. THIS MAN HAS NO MAGIC AT ALL."

Deckard eyes went wide. The Big Man looked right at him.

"Okay then Magic Knights. How about we get serious."