Author's Note: Hope you all enjoyed the last chapter and thank you to all those who reviewed.

"…" Character P.O.V.

'…' Character thought.

"…" Spells.

"…" Animal P.O.V.

'…' Animal thought.

[…] Over-voice.

Now then on with the new chapter.

Chapter 27: We Can Get Stronger

All across the Noble Realm the sound of citizens screaming could be heard and five pillars of smoke could be seen as well.

[Northwestern District]

"Wind Creation Magic: Swift White Hawk!" Yuno shouts as he summons his hawk made of wind and has it attack seven corpses at once. "Wind Creation Magic: Wind Blades Shower!" He shouts as his blades of wind impale and destroy four more corpses. "The corpses just keep coming. Problem is they're not the true enemy." He says to himself.

"Almost done." Alecdora says watching his Sand Armor Guard destroy four corpses.

"There you go, you're as good as new." Mimosa says to one of the citizens in her Dream Healing Flower Basket with a smile. 'I sure hope Asta is doing okay.' She thought worried about her crush.

[Western District]

"Ho ha ha ha! There's just no end to them." Hamon says with a laugh as Klaus' Steel Castle Armored Wall appears in front of him blocking a hoard of corpses as giant stones crush them.

"They almost had you there." Klaus says standing beside Siren.

"But lucky for me you came to the rescue. I'll treat you both to a gelato later as a thank you." Hamon says with a laugh.

[Eastern District]

"Yeah! Go, go, go, go, go!" Sol shouts cheering on her golem continues to bash the corpses with its giant fists.

"The loveliest flowers are those with thorns." Charlotte says as her Corpse-Hunting Briar Tree entangle more corpses.

[Central District]

"Sea God's Mist Spider Binding-Thread!" Nebra shouts as she launches a black web-shaped thread composed of black misty water towards fifteen corpses.

"Water Creation Magic: Holy Water Assassination Bullet!" Solid yells firing his water bullet at eight corpses causing a big explosion of water.

'Solid maybe more aggressive but Nebra is clearly stronger. Not just in magic power alone but she also seems to have gotten physical stronger as well.' Nozel thought as he silently watched his two younger siblings and judges the difference between them.

[Northern District]

"Here you go Jimmy, this little brat is your prey. Enjoy!" The mystery mage says to the corpse known as Jimmy.

"Oh come on! How many of these freaking god-ugly corpses are you going to keep springing on us? It's damn tiring so chill out!" Asta shouts but then notices the wound on his check was getting larger as it continued to bleed. 'This wound…it's getting bigger.' He thought.

"Excellent, it seems you're finally starting to notice the special effects of Jimmy's curse shells." The mystery man explains the effects of the floating orbs around Jimmy. "You'll find even a simple scrap stop bleeding. So I'd be careful if I were you. Jimmy!" He shouts as the monster roars as it sent the orbs around it towards Asta.

'The big sword is too slow.' Asta thought as he impaled his broadsword into the ground as his left arm returns to normal. 'I'll have to try the other sword but first…Ice Dragon Slayer Mode.' He thought changing up his magic and places his hand over his wound. "Ice Dragon's Healing Hand." He says as a patch of ice seals over the wound and keeps the bleeding contained. 'Great, it worked. But who knows for how long.' He thought as pulls out his second Anti-Magic sword and begins slashing the incoming orbs.

"You may have sealed up your wound but that magic and anti-magic of yours is such a nuisance. Still Jimmy has enough curse power to swat you like the fly you are." The mystery man says.

"We'll see about that." Asta growls baring his fangs.

"But, first things first…" The mystery man mutters catching Asta's attention. "Jimmy, take care of that pest he's protecting!" He shouts as the corpse sends its orbs towards the little girl.

The girl cried in fear and cover her face with her arms as the orbs drew closer until Asta appeared in front of her and sliced the cursed shells to bits. Asta then inhales a deep breath and releases a gust of cold air that freezes the remaining orbs causing them to shatter once they've hit the ground.

'Damn this kid is annoying. First, I saw sparks flying off him, so he has a lightning attribute, then he used some kind of metal or iron attribute, and now he's using ice? Just how can he possess so many different attributes?' The mystery man wonders.

"You leave her out of this, you bastard!" Asta growls.

"Oh yes, the noble Magic Knights, gladly risking themselves to safeguard the people." The mystery man says as Jimmy fires more cursed orbs towards them.

"Ice Dragon's Crushing Fang!" Asta yells as he slices the incoming orbs with the ice spikes on his elbows at a rapid pace while also using his sword as well.

"Ha ha ha ha ha! Why are you even bothering with her?" The mystery man asks as a stray orb manages to slip past Asta's slashes and hit him in the side. "There, see? Defending all these so-called innocence will only get you killed, you self-righteous fool!" He shouts like a madman.

"Please, I'm scared." The little girl cries.

"There, there." Nero says trying to sooth the shaking girl by rubbing her head with his wings. "Don't worry, Asta's not going to let anything happen to you." He says.

"The little brat's going to die anyway, soon or later. So what the point in protecting her?!" The mystery man asks.

"I don't need a reason to save someone's life! I'll protect her even if there's nothing to gain from it!" Asta roars.

"You will, huh? Really? All right then, if that's how you feel…you can stand there and swing your sword and ice spikes around until your bleed to death, moron!" The mystery man yells as Asta continues freezing and destroying the cursed shells.

Meanwhile Noelle used her magic to destroy a few more corpses as she looks out the corner of her eye and notices Asta was in a bit of a bind trying to defeat the mystery mage's puppet and protecting the girl at the same time.

"Asta's in trouble." Noelle says concern for her crush. 'I have to help him.' She thought preparing to assist her crush/squad mate until she notices ten more corpses about to attack her. "Ah!" She shrieks as her grimoire turns its pages. "Sea Dragon's…" She begins to say as she transformers part of her body into a swirling mass of water slicers. "Shredding Fin!" She yells slices the corpses like a saw.

"Impressive. Fire Magic: Spiral Flame!" Leo shouts destroying more corpses as Noelle pants heavily from nearly being attacked and notices Fuegoleon walking towards her.

"Captain Fuegol-" Noelle begins to say.

"Concentrate!" Fuegoleon shouts at her with a chop to the head.

"Oh! Ow! What'd you do that for?!" Noelle asks rubbing the top of her head to sooth the pain.

"Because you lost your focus which nearly lead to you being severely injured." Fuegoleon says sternly as Noelle remains silent. "There is not time for such things on the battlefield!" he yells as fire surrounds his body making him more intimidating. "One bad decision out here could mean lives lost! Focus on one objective before moving on to the next! Forget your insecurities! You stand her today as a member of the Magic Knights! If you joined the order of your own accord you must be determined to grow stronger!" Fuegoleon says letting his words sink into Noelle. "You are not weak, young lady, no matter what your brothers say you are incredible strong. You were given an amazing power that makes you unique in your own way." He says with a smirk on his face.

'That's right. Before I meet Asta the words of my brothers always kept me from being able to prove myself. Even though he was fifteen years late, he's proved to be a natural born prodigy with it as if he's had it his whole life. Plus he knows how and when the right time for his magic is and isn't. Since then I wanted to get closer to him and because of that I became a Dragon Slayer and as Dragon Slayers he and I will continue to grow stronger!' Noelle thought as her magic power began growing.

Asta continues to slice and dice the orbs but the blood he lost from his second wound was starting to affect him since he didn't have an opening to seal it up.

"Are you okay?" The little girl asks.

"Calm down. Everything will be alright." Nero says. 'At least I hope so. Asta's slowing down because of that wound on his waist. Asta may have a lot of stamina but even he is still human. He needs to catch a break and soon.' He thought.

"The weak will die weak while the strong will grow stronger!" The mystery man yells as Jimmy fires more curse shells.

Asta destroys all the curse shells but one managed to strike him on the other side of his waist. This opening allowed two shells to slip over Asta and head straight for the girl and Nero.

'Oh no! I'm too late!' Asta thought knowing he wouldn't make it in time to save her.

"Sea Dragon's Nest!" A voice shouts as a small water dome is created around the little girl and Nero.

"Say what…?!" The mystery man asks looking to his left to see Noelle with her left arm held outward towards the girl. "And who the hell are you?!" He asks in an irritated tone.

"Noelle/Noelle!" Asta and Nero shout happy to see her.

"What mess have you gotten yourself into now? I can't leave my boys alone for five minutes without you getting into trouble and Nero following after you." Noelle says scolding them. "So how about a thank you for the use of my Sea Dragon Slayer Magic?" She asks.

"Thank you." Asta simply says wave his sword once at her.

'Why am I being scolded? All I did was follow my partner which you would have done the same thing.' Nero thought.

"If you can move freely, he'll never be able to stop you." Noelle says walking over to Asta and the girl. "But before you do let me take care of these wounds." She says as her grimoire flipped its pages. "Sea Dragon's Aura Spirit." She says Asta was surrounded by light blue aura that negated the curse shell's effects on his body causing the bleed to stop. "There you go." She says with a smile.

"Amazing! You manage to negate those orbs effect's." Asta says in awe.

"Of course, Sea Dragon's Aura Spirit is a supportive spell that allow me to negate the effects of any spell or curse on my body or my targets. I just haven't had a chance to use it before until now." Noelle explains.

"Another Lost Magic user? You're brats…both of you!" The mystery man shouts gaining their attention as he summons more corpses on either side of Jimmy. "Now you die!" He yells as the corpses close in on the two slayers from either side until they were burnt to ash by Leo.

"Don't worry, Asta, you're new rival's got your back. Now go give that brute a taste of your blade! Get out there and show me what you can do!" Leo shouts.

"Thanks for the assist, Leo, and I'm glad to see you made it as well." Asta says and then charges towards Jimmy.

"There's no need to thank me. I told you I would join you when I could." Leo says with a grin.

"It's my turn now! I'm gonna take this guy down!" Asta yells grabbing his anti-magic broadsword and continues his charge at Jimmy who launches more curse shells.

Asta holds both his sword parallel to each other and begins spinning rapidly on his feet like a mini twister, slashing the orbs and moving closer towards Jimmy.

"UOOOORR! RRAAAH!" Asta roar as his swords make contact with Jimmy. "Now fly!" He shouts following through with his swing, sending Jimmy up high into the air. "Your finished now!" He yells as his Dragon Slayer grimoire flips its pages. "Dragon Slayer's Secret Art: Sub Zero: Explosive Icicle Bomb of the Ice Dragon!" He shouts creating a huge bomb like ball with his hands and hurls it at Jimmy causing him to explode from the insane amount of ice damage he took.

"He did it!" Noelle shouts with a smile on her face.

"That was amazing!" The girl cheers, still inside of Noelle's water dome with Nero still on her head.

"It truly was." Nero says nodding in agreement.

"I don't think I've ever seen such an un-mage-like fighting style! You're just fascinating! Bwa ha ha ha ha!" Leo says laughing again.

"Well done." Fuegoleon says with a smile as he observed from a distance.

"Huh?! Impossible! How can a simple slash of swords and a ball of ice bring Jimmy down? It's not possible!" The mystery man complains, now believing his creation could fall so easily.

"Your sidekick is done. This time you're gonna have to come after me yourself!" Asta shouts.

"Oooh! Think you got me be now do you? No way, boy!" The mystery man shouts as electricity burst from the ground. "Come forth, Alfred!" He yells as a new puppet emerges from the portal.

The corpse known as Alfred has the appearance of a man covered in bandages without any legs. It's arms are restricted inside a black straightjacket. The corpse also wears pants of similar designs and a tattered cloth around its neck. A pair of eye-shaped ornaments are also attached to its face.

"Now say hi to No.2 – Alfred. Go and get him Alfred, he's all yours!" The mystery man says.

Alfred seemed to understand as it unleashed a large blast of lightning, drawing the attention of every Magic Knight that was still fighting off the zombies.

[Northwestern District]

"Oh no. Asta." Yuno says as he watched the lightning strike.

"Oh Asta. I hope you're okay." Mimosa says looking at the lightning strike as well feeling worry for her love interest.

[Central District]

'That came from Noelle and that boy, Asta's, location. I hope they're alright.' Nebra thought continuing to destroy corpses left and right with her brothers.

Author's Note: Hope you all enjoyed this chapter. Things are starting to pick up in the Clover Kingdom's capital. Stay tune to find out what happens.

How did you enjoy Nozel's judging Nebra and Solid? How about Noelle's new spells and the lesson she received from Fuegoleon?

Please review and tell me what you think.