Kneeling behind a bush, Oriana and Sugawara observed the group of five mages that invaded their training camp. They didn't seem too strong and their mana didn't feel too threatening, but they still had to keep them away from everyone back in the gyms.

"You didn't happen to bring your grimoire?" Suga whispered.

"No, I don't carry it anymore."

In the first few months, Oriana wasn't able to get rid of her grimoire. It was an unexplainable feel of protection that made her more at ease. As she grew comfortable with her new lifestyle, she stopped carrying the book everywhere. Now she thinks about it just laying on a shelf, mixed in with all her ordinary books. Sugawara was the same, feeling safe in Miyagi, he never had to use magic at all and definitely didn't expect to need it in the training camp.

"You would think someone would've come for us by now." one of them complained.

"Yeah, we're just wasting mana like this." another one said. "Maybe she isn't here after all."

"She has to be!"

"We're basically after a dead girl. This is useless. Let's just tell the client we killed her and leave it at that."

Oriana clenched her fist around Suga's arm, gulping her fright down her throat.

They were after her. She should have known, the Black Bulls have made many enemies over the years. In many missions she would encounter rascals and capture criminals. Nevertheless, Oriana was still surprised. She was certain that no one besides the Black Bulls knew she was even alive. Although, now that she thinks about it, she is reminded that some of the Black Bulls have really big mouths and Asta is one loud kid. A casual conversation between the members was enough for someone on the outside to find out.

With a controlled sigh, she whispered,

"Let's stay put." she bit the inside of her cheek, in hopes her theory was right. "If they haven't spotted us yet, then I'm assuming it's because their mana senses aren't that great. They almost hit me with an attack before, but I'm positive that was fluke."

"What if they try and attack our friends?"

"Then, we intervene in any way we can. Let's hope these idiots just give up their mission."

After ten minutes, the impatient bunch decided to head home. One of them opened a spatial portal and after they left the local, Oriana and Suga couldn't feel anymore mana around. Oriana's bottom hit the floor once again, she let out a sigh of relief, dropping her shoulders. Suga joined her in the dirt.

"I can't believe our luck." Suga said leaning backwards.

Oriana opened her eyes and stared into space. Clenching her fists, she had come to a decision and unfortunately, there was no way around it.

"We have to start carrying our grimoires again. For everyone's safety."

When the duo went back to the corresponding gyms, the groups bombarded them with questions. Beforehand, Oriana and Sugawara forged a simple narrative on how they hadn't found anything besides a couple of trash cans on the floor. Somehow, they had to convince them that the explosive blasts were nothing out of the ordinary, which was not easy especially when in the middle of nowhere. They both also spent time taking the leaves out of Oriana's long hair from when she had fallen while evading the second blast.

The following days passed with no more accidents. Both Oriana and Sugawara felt uneasy with the possibility of another hijacking while they didn't have their grimoires. There was barely anything they could do without them, which meant immense trouble. They were both exhausted as they slept with an eye open, always alert to any trace of mana that wasn't each other's.

It was the last day of the training camp and the last game between Karasuno and Fukurodani was on a roll. The mages tried their best to concentrate on the game in front of them, but they couldn't get immersed in it. Nevertheless, the cheers for the Karasuno team never faltered.

"One more!" Oriana screamed on Daichi 's turn to serve.

"Aren't you supposed to be helping the managers?" Enoshita questioned.

"They said I deserve a break!" she answered in her defense making Enoshita chuckle.

In the end, even with the tutoring of the last days and getting into shape thanks to all the diving drills and running up and down the hill, Karasuno still lost their last game, resulting in one last punishment for the poor boys. The Fukurodani team was cheering their ace and his passion was shining brighter than just a few moments ago, when he decided to tell his setter not to send him any more balls. Oriana was trying not to laugh at his behaviour. It was hard for her to believe Bokuto was a third year, leave alone the ace and captain of the team.

"We lost to the very end." Daichi approached Oriana, his arms wrapping her shoulders from the back and resting his chin on her head.

"I don't think that's true at all." she began, Daichi now looking down on her with a raised brow. "Yes, it's true you guys lost most of your games, but it's also true that you got most of this training camp. I'm no expert, but anyone could see the difference in your plays and team rhythm between the first day and today."

"You really got all that just from watching?"

Oriana turned to Daichi, still inside of his embrace.

"You think I don't pay attention?" she smirked.

"I just didn't know how much attention you were paying." he led one of his hands to the top of Oriana's head, pulling her close to leave a gentle kiss in her forehead.

"Well, I guess it's time for your surprise now." Oriana said.

"Oh, the barbecue? We already know about that."

"What? How come?" Oriana gave a step back.

"I overheard the coaches talking about it, sorry about that." Daichi's voice faltered in his guilt.

"Seriously? We worked so hard..."

With an amused look, Daichi grabbed Oriana's hand and walked her out of the gym, joining everyone already outside.

"It won't change anything. We still appreciate all your hard work. I'm serious."

As usual, Daichi always knew what to say to lift Oriana's spirit. She still would've liked to see his surprised face, but enjoying the food with him and their friends was something she's been looking forward to.

The delicious smell of barbecue was filling the air and everyone was ready to tackle when the coaches were done with their speech. While talking with Hinata, Lev and Kenma, Oriana got to witness another of Daichi's dad moments as he was trying to feed Tsukishima more food than he could eat, as Kuroo and Bokuto joined the chaos. In the distance, she also saw Nishinoya's, Tanaka's and Yamamoto's protective behaviour over Kiyoko. She waved Sugawara and Kai over to her, so they could observe and laugh at the players' reactions to those three boys' weird dance and faces. Eventually, Kenma joined in the mockery. It really looked like some sort of demonic ritual.

"How did you get those scars, Oriana?" Hinata asked suddenly, noticing the scratches on Oriana's arm from the first night's episode.

Oriana bit the inside of her cheek, thinking of a convincing reason, until she noticed that she didn't need one at all.

"Battling aliens." Oriana answered, looking as serious as possible, looking Hinata in the eyes.

"That's true. After the battle, Oriana and I got drunk to celebrate and she fell off the bar table. The scars are from her landing on a broken bottle." Sugawara said.

"Suga! I thought we agreed to lie a little because my answer sounds cooler!" Oriana exclaimed.

"I mean, You still battled aliens." Suga shrugged.

"Wait, are you guys serious?" Lev asked histerically. "You even got drunk after? Aren't you underage?"

"That's what you are focusing on?" Kenma noted.

"It was a fierce battle, shame you guys missed it." Oriana said.

"But that's amazing Oriana! Tell me more about it!" Hinata begged.

Oriana and Sugawara shared a look and couldn't help but snicker at the young boy's innocence.

The training camp in Tokyo was over. It was not long before the Spring Preliminaries and the last battle for the third years, all the way to Nationals. Or so they hoped.