Review Responses:
Magic126: Wow, have you really read it that many times? I feel all tingly in my chest. ^-^ Thank you for the compliments! I hope you continue enjoying Coddiwomple!
LoneTaker: Ah, that quote couldn't be anymore correct in the instance of Langris and Delphia's relation.
AmericanNidiot: Pft, you said it. XD Couldn't have been anymore true. The second the kid had his debut I already knew I didn't like him.
NOW ON WITH THE STORY!
Black Clover Trivia #7: Vanessa's last name Enoteca, is Italian for "Wine Bar."
"What do you have to say for yourselves?"
"We're really sorry!"
Delphia's eye twitched as she glared at her squadmates. Every. Single. Time. Without fail! They end up destroying something while she's away! This time it was a whole tavern because they thought it would be a good idea to celebrate the rookies' first mission assigned by the Wizard King even if the team had yet to return from the said mission.
What's worse was that one broken glass, caused by an accidental stumble on one of the other patron's parts, led to a full out brawl because of Yami. This in turn caused a domino effect amongst the other Black Bull members present, so not only do they have to pay for the damages but the medical fees of those injured as well!
"Your monthly payments will be halved until all debts are paid."
The group kneeling before her gaped before they scrambled up onto their feet in protest.
"Eh! But Phia, how will I buy more booze~"
"I need that money to buy presents for Marie-"
"M-my food!"
"Haaa?! I need that for poker night!"
"Oi oi! I have other debts to pay! You want me to go broke!"
The aura around Delphia darkened, her eyes narrowing dangerously as she tilted her head back.
"Ah, is that so?"
The group froze, rapidly paling at the deadly calm tone their vice captain's voice took. A shiver ran down their spines in trepidation as violet hair shadowed cyan eyes.
"It seems I've been too lenient with you all if you believe you can protest this."
From the sidelines, Finral gulped, mentally patting himself for at least trying to reign them in. It was only those actions that stopped him from being on the receiving end of Delphia's anger.
[TAROT*CARDS]
Delphia watched dispassionately as the troublesome group was forced to complete the necessary paperwork for the damages they had made. Their sullen moods were worsened when she had informed them each of their additional punishments.
Gauche's communication rights had been revoked until his next visitation for his sister. Charmy was restricted to the food available within the base. All bars, casinos and liquor stores have been noted to ban Magna, Vanessa and Yami until notified otherwise by herself and herself only.
Plopping herself on one of the couches, she closed her eyes in hopes of calming the rising headache. She bit back a gasp as her magic coursed through her unexpectedly. Folding over herself, she grabbed her hair in pain as flashes of visions passed her eyes, much too quickly for her to decipher.
"W-what is this?!" She gritted her teeth.
"P-Phia! Hey, hang in there!"
She hardly noticed the hands gripping her shoulders as she tried to ignore the pain and work out what her magic was trying to show her. Before she succumbed to the agony, the only things she could make out were ruins, a sword, and what she could only describe as a demon.
[TAROT*CARDS]
Her head was heavy as she awoke, subconsciously noting that she was in the magic knights medical ward. She winced, grabbing her aching head as she pulled herself up.
"Oh good, you're awake," She blinked blearily at the white-coated man watching her by the foot of the cot, "How are you feeling, Delphia?"
"Like the time Mereoleona threw me into a grand magic zone for three days telling me to survive, but ten times worse." She deadpanned, wincing as another throb of pain erupted. "How long have I been here, Owen?"
The light-haired man nodded as he looked over Delphia's charts, jotting down some notes and observations.
"It's been almost a week." He informed.
Delphia's eyes widened, snapping her head up in disbelief. "A week!" She groaned, clutching her head.
Owen nodded, taking a seat. "Besides the sudden drain in your mana reserves, I couldn't find anything wrong." The man frowned, eyes concerned as he surveyed the young woman, "Delphia, even in the last battle your magic had not reacted in such a violent manner. What did you see?"
Delphia stared down at her hands her, mind recalling the vague images that continued to replay themselves even in her temporary coma. She gritted her teeth, fists clenched in frustration.
"I need to speak with Lord Julius."
"Delphia..."
Owen's eyes widened as she spoke, clutching his clipboard. He could only watch his patient woefully, her shoulders slumped as if the weight of the world had suddenly been placed on her shoulders.
[TAROT*CARDS]
"I'm back..." Delphia called out lazily, her body still in a state of fatigue despite her near weeklong rest.
The Black Bulls gaped at her entrance before cheering and welcoming her back enthusiastically, much like they do for Yami. Finral rushed up to her first, his squadmates right on his heels. Cupping her face, he frowned at the pallor of her face and the bags under her eyes.
"Phia, are you alright?" He asked, putting his playboy act aside for once in his concern for his friend.
"I just need some proper rest," She assured the spatial user, squeezing one of his hands in appreciation, "Thank you for the concern, Finral."
Finral sighed, knowing that Delphia wouldn't say more. She would assure them of her health, but she wouldn't share her burdens with them like they wish she would. Finral bumped his forehead against Delphia's, eyes understanding despite the frown on his face.
"We're here, you know." He murmured.
Delphia only responded with a minuscule movement of her lips, but he could see the gratefulness in lidded eyes.
"Oh, my~ How bold Finral~" The two blinked, their gaze moving to the teasing witch, "Should we give you two some privacy?"
It took Finral less than a second to understand Vanessa's tease as he suddenly flushed to the roots of his hair and scrambled away from Delphia. Delphia blinked in confusion, tilting her head as she watched Finral sputter about. She quirked a brow as he waved his hands, trying to spit out a coherent sentence.
Shaking her head, her eyes brightened as she caught sight of the Black Bulls' lightning user.
"Ah, Luck, how was the mission?" She inquired.
The blond laughed as he bounded forward, punching the air.
"Haha~ there were these two strong guys, vice-captain!"
Delphia blinked, motioning for the boy to continue.
"They were from the Diamond Kingdom, but we were able to take them down! Hey, do you think the Golden Dawn knights would mind if I went over to ask that Yuno guy for a fight?" Luck grinned, bouncing in his place.
Delphia sighed at the lack of information Luck had given her. The boy's mind was stuck on the battle and one of Golden Dawn's newest recruit if the look in his eyes was anything to go by. She'll have to rely on Noelle and Asta for a proper report for the time being.
Though if she was honest to herself, she'd have to go back and get Luck to give her a proper report for there was no doubt that he had left the rookies to explore the dungeon for themselves while he went off to fight the Diamond Mages.
"Where are the rookies?" Delphia asked, having not seen Noelle or Asta yet.
"Lady Rotta!" Noelle cheered, having caught sight of her as she entered the lounge, "You're back!"
"Noelle," The woman greeted, patting the teen's head much to the girl's pleasure, "How was your mission?"
The Silva puffed her chest out in pride, flicking her hair back. "Nothing royalty couldn't handle," She reported smugly, "Bakasta is still knocked out from all the damage he got from fighting that one Diamond mage."
Delphia nodded in thanks, mentally jotting down notes.
"Had you all gone to the headquarters' medical ward to check your wounds?"
"Yes! That's actually when we found out about your own condition." Noelle frowned, "Are you alright, Lady Rotta?"
"Much better, actually." Delphia patted Noelle before she suddenly paused.
Noelle tilted her head in confusion as Delphia stared at her almost warily.
"Lady Rotta?"
"... did Nozel or Fuegoleon hear about my stay at headquarters?"
Noelle could only answer with a nervous laugh, sweatdropping at how Delphia's shoulder slumped in a defeated manner.
"N-nozel-niisama said you were to report to the manor as soon as I had the chance to tell you."
Delphia straightened at the order, nodding resolutely as she made her way to go to her office. Like hell was she going to face his mother henning. Right now, there were probably piles of paperwork to go through. Speaking of paperwork, she spun on her heel to glare down at the troublesome group.
"No one had gone against my punishments while I was out, right?"
Vanessa and Yami tensed up, sweating. Magna and Charmy knew to not cross Delphia's words even if she was out of commission. Despite his dislike of anything but his sister, Gauche did respect Delphia enough to follow through with her orders. That fact was more because Delphia had a soft spot for children and tended to add to his monthly payments from her own pockets so he could spoil Marie.
Vanessa laughed nervously, hiding a bottle of wine she had bought earlier that day behind her back, though her actions would prove useless due to the flush of her cheeks, a clear indication that she was drunk.
On the other hand, Yami tried to escape with the excuse of needing the bathroom, only to be tugged back. Looking over his shoulder, he shivered as cyan eyes glared at him.
"Ah... I guess the punishments weren't enough for you two. You should have told me if that were the case," Delphia glared, "I was going to let you off if you had listened to me, but it seems you two need to be taught a lesson."
"Gauche, Magna, Charmy," The said trio perked up, sharing a hopeful look, "Your punishments have been repealed, but the payment deductions still stand."
Charmy and Magna cheered, while Gauche nodded his head in acknowledgment. Delphia rolled her eyes at his piercing, determined stare.
"I trust you not to ruin anything when you retrieve your mirror from my office."
With an eager nod, the sis-con ran off so he could finally speak with his lovely Marie.
"Noelle, follow me. I'll need to hear your full report on the dungeon."
[TAROT*CARDS]
With their resident loudmouth out of commission, the hideout had actually taken a wholly serene atmosphere. There weren't any missions to be assigned, and with the return of their vice-captain, the Black Bulls had decided to keep things as stress-free as possible to give Delphia room to focus on the paperwork she was behind on.
Of course, the illusion of serenity could not last forever, for it was only the next day when Asta's yells once more echoed throughout the base.
Delphia could only sigh as she was broken out of her zen-like state. She yawned, stretching and groaning in satisfaction as a few kinks unravelled.
Around her, the rest of the Black Bulls informed Asta what he had missed since he had passed out on his mission.
"I was asleep for a week?" Asta gaped.
"Honestly, how many days were you planning on sleeping?" Noelle scoffed.
Vanessa chuckled at the royal's tsundere act, "Noelle was so worried about you that she kept checking on you."
"I-I wasn't worried... I was just wondering what we were going to do if he didn't wake up."
"Pretty sure that's what's called being worried." Finral quipped.
"Getting rest is important, too," Magna lectured, "because that's how much energy you used up conquering the dungeon."
"But it had been a week..." Noelle argued.
"Noelle, for someone like Asta who has no mana, rest is his best way to regain his energy and heal." Delphia explained, "Many mages don't realize that our mana actually helps increase our healing factors and reinforce our bodies, so an attack like Asta's wouldn't have kept us out for as long as it did with him."
The rookies awed at the new information.
"AH! MANA CAN DO THAT! I WANT IT!" The ash-blond cried out in frustration.
"How are you feeling?" Luck wondered, "Is the hole in your stomach closed up yet? Can you fight me now? Can you?"
"Luck."
The lightning user pouted at Delphia's unsaid order but complied.
"It's not completely closed up yet. In fact, my stomach's so empty," Asta groaned, slumping over the dining table, "I'm starving..."
"Everyone! The Sheep Cooks made breakfast!" Charmy announced, carrying a massive tray of food with her sheets following behind her.
Delphia nodded her thanks to Finral as he quickly made up a small platter for her to nibble on knowing how distracted she got when she had reports to read.
The group greeted their captain as he came crashing in, destroying the door as usual. Finral squeaked, head snapping to Delphia who only twitched in response before returning her focus on her papers, much to the spatial user's relief. Yami and Vanessa were still on thin ice for going against their punishments after all.
"You finally awake, kid?" Yami mused, taking his own seat at the table, "I guess you didn't die."
"I-I'm alive!"
"Good work, even though you always come back banged up."
"Thanks."
"Oh, yeah. Apparently, Magic Knights Headquarters wants a report on the dungeon, so if you can walk, pay them a visit."
Delphia blinked, having not been given any notice of such a thing.
"Huh?"
"A report?"
"Delphia. You have reports to give in. Go with them."
Delphia yawned but nodded, eyes drooping slightly.
"Finral grab her papers."
The spatial user would have protested on a normal occasion, but seeing the evident exhaustion on Delphia's face, he quickly summoned a portal to follow his orders.
"Usual place, Phia?"
Delphia hummed and nodded, moving to rest her head against Luck's. Pulling the battle freak into her arms, she took in the scent of iron and ozone, feeling slightly charmed in the way Luck moved so she could rest more comfortably against him.
"Hey hey Phia~ After you sleep we should totally fight!"
"Not now Luck. You have a combat mission with Magna to go on." Delphia murmured.
"Combat mission?" Luck's eyes sparkled, "Let's do our best, Magna!"
"Huh? Creepy!" Magna shivered at Luck's sudden affection for teamwork, "Are you really Luck? Are you sure you're not Grey in disguise?"
Delphia hid a lazy smile in Luck's hair, her eyes glowing behind her lids as she saw Luck's growing potential, having finally passed a great hurdle in his development.
As Yami denied the other member's attendance, Delphia allowed herself to relax in the presence of her chaotic squad. Even with her cloudy visions, she knew that everything will turn out just fine as long as she had the Black Bulls by her side.
It's been a while. How have you all been? Anyone keel over in boredom yet?
Looks like things are getting pretty tough on our resident fortune teller. But hey, she's officially meeting Yuno in the next chapter! Leave your thoughts in the comments! I love to hear them! Thank you to all them new readers. I hope you all continue enjoying Coddiwomple!
Also, does anyone have any good anime to watch? Nothing super long. More like the 25 eps per season types.
UPDATED: 04/06/20
