Coco: Heyo~ How are you guys doing tonight? Or maybe it's day where you're currently at. Either way, I hope you guys are doing well and ready for this new chapter.

Shall we just go ahead and get started?

"So, is it my turn or what?" Maryam asked Magna.

The older mage didn't reply, which had Maryam's brow quirking in question. She was about to poke him when his hand suddenly lashed out to grab Asta roughly by the shoulder. The shorter male gulped nervously as he looked at Magna whose face was too shadowed for Asta to make out his expression. Though he could imagine that Magna was pissed.

"What the hell did you just do, you crazy little runt?" Magna practically snarled. "I'm alright thanks to your sister, but that doesn't change the fact that I was nearly offed by my own magic. Why you little!"

He grabbed Asta with both hands now, and Maryam frowned thinking she'd have to break them up. However, she and Asta were both shocked when Magna gave a laugh and lifted his head with a smile on his face.

"You're really good!" Magna said as he patted Asta roughly on the back enthusiastically. "Here I thought you were just going to block my magic, and you fired it back at me! You know, I think I kinda like ya, little Rasta."

"It's—uh—Asta," Asta corrected through painful grunts.

Magna just gave another laugh, which had Asta wondering if the older teen even heard Asta correcting him.

"Sorry about calling you a magic poor hick earlier." Magna continued. "Hell, to be honest, I'm from the sticks myself. Rayaka Village—just up from Hage."

"No way!" Asta said. "Really? Rayaka is way out in the middle of nowhere."

Maryam nodded in agreement, which had Magna playfully snorting at the pair of them.

"Yeah, sure." Magna said. "Says the kid from Hage. Haha!"

Asta gave a laugh as well though it sounded a bit sheepish as he rubbed the back of his head.

"Oh, and uh, just so you know," Asta began. "It's not that I have low magic power…I actually have none at all."

"What was that?!" Magna asked with his tone turning angry again.

As Asta flinched at his change of tone, Maryam shook her head. This guy…she couldn't tell when he was angry and when he wasn't.

"You've got no magic power?" Magna questioned. "And you were still able to turn my magic against me?"

"Uh, yeah, I guess so." Asta said nervously.

"Well, that's even more amazing then." Magna said as he was back to smiling. "You're not just some runt. You're a real man."

Asta looked at Magna with wide eyes, but Maryam was becoming impatient as she stepped up.

"Yes, my little brother is amazing." Maryam said with a nod. "Now, what about my turn?"

Magna laughed at her eagerness as he gave her a friendly pat on the shoulder. A complete contrast to how he was acting towards her earlier. Though she was starting to think his behavior from earlier was an act to just give them a hard time.

"You don't have to do the baptism." Magna said. "I wasn't planning to fight you from the beginning. Since you're a woman and all, I want to take it easy on you."

As Maryam's eyes widened in shock and her right eyebrow started twitching, the others came to congratulate Asta. All speaking in a rush to give praise or ask him questions. Though Finral shushed them to move things along and give Asta his robe, which the boy cried about. Maryam, who normally would be in the middle of congratulating her brother, didn't hear any of that, however, as the twitching became worse. Soon it all became too much to deal with.

"There is no way I can accept that!" Maryam finally shouted thus causing everyone to shut up.

As the others looked at her in confusion, Asta sweat-dropped while knowing exactly why Maryam was mad. Maryam turned to Magna and shoved her finger in the boy's face.

"I might be a girl, but I don't need anyone taking it easy on me!" Maryam said. "I'm a magic knight just like you, so don't hold back just became you have something dangling between your legs and I don't!"

Asta's mouth gapped in shock at her words while certain Orsi would faint if he heard what she was saying and that Sister Lily would be appalled. Maryam usually tried to censor herself around the church. Especially around the younger kids, but around Asta and Yuno or others, she could sometimes come off as more brazen. Specifically, when she was mad. Their squad mates all just kind of stared at her too as if unsure what to say. The one to break the silence was Yami who snorted.

"You really want a baptism that bad, Pipsqueak?" He asked.

Said girl whirled around to look at the captain to nod her head rapidly in reply.

"Yes, sir!" Maryam said. "Even if it isn't against Magna, I want to go through the same fight as Asta did."

Yami hummed as he placed a new cigarette between his lips. After he lit it, he looked back to Maryam.

"Fine," Yami said. "We'll skip over that stupid stamina test and get right to the fight. It's getting close to time for me to get some shut eye, understand?"

Maryam nodded her head. She knew she probably wouldn't get even half as much done in any stamina test that Asta did anyway. Yami let out a thoughtful hum as he scanned the members of the squad. His eyes landed Gauche.

"Gauche, you fight her." Yami ordered.

Gauche looked up from his picture of Marie to frown at Yami before frowning at Maryam.

"I'd rather keep looking at my angel," Gauche said. "Not bother with that runt."

Maryam frowned at the boy in return. Though before an argument could start, Yami glared at Gauche.

"Don't care," Yami said. "Now, get your ass moving before I kill you."

Though the frown remained, Gauche paled and didn't argue any further as he moved with Maryam to a safe distance away from the others.

"Yeah, Mary, you got this!" Asta cheered.

He then sat down on the couch with the others who were interested to see what might happen.

"Aw, I really wanted to fight someone." Luck said. "I would have made it a bloodbath."

He laughed as he said this, which had Asta leaning away from the blonde worriedly.

"Gees, you really need to chill." Magna said while rolling his eyes. "Now, let's see what she's got!"

He said this with a grin as he leaned back into the couch with his arms crossed over his chest.

"Let's get this over with," Gauche said as his grimoire floated at his side. "I need to get back to watching over my angel as she sleeps."

Maryam gave the taller mage a deadpanned looked as she opened her own grimoire.

"You do know that is creepy on so many levels, right?" Maryam retorted. "But whatever. Now, your move, o' senior of mine."

Gauche narrowed his eyes wondering what the girl had in mind. Well, whatever it was, Gauche planned to end things quickly. Mirrors of various shapes and sizes appeared around Maryam as Asta's eyes widened in shock at the number of them.

"Wow, he's going to use that?" Magna asked. "He's not holding back, is he?"

Finral frowned then brought out his grimoire in case anything bad were to happen to Maryam. Said girl was looking at the mirrors curiously as her fingers gave a slight twitch at her side in anticipation.

"Mirror Magic: Reflect Refrain!" Gauche cast his spell.

Several beams of magic came at Maryam through the mirrors and even bouncing off other mirrors to create more beams. Maryam didn't even move or utter a single word, but vines shot out of the ground and cocooned around the blonde. They tightened around her like a shell and while some were damaged, they held strong around Maryam. Yami's brow quirked at the move.

"Huh, did she even cast a spell?" Vanessa asked.

"I didn't hear her cast one." Luck said with a laugh.

Asta just watched in awe as the vines then retaliated by unwinding and lashing out at the mirrors, which they destroyed within seconds. They then headed for Gauche who pulled out another mirror. The vines surprising changed course in a split second, which surprised the older mage. They went around his mirror and came at him from either side. They wrapped around him quickly.

"She did it!" Asta said.

"I wouldn't be too sure," Finral said.

Asta looked at the spatial mage in confusion then gasped when Gauche appeared behind Maryam with a mirror ready to strike her. Asta went to call out a warning, but it was too late.

"Reflect Ray!" Gauche said as a blast of magic came from the mirror.

Despite coming at her from her blind side, Maryam was saved by more vines appearing like a shield. However, instead of just blocking the attack, the vines wrapped around it and crushed it into pieces.

"What the heck?" Gauche said then grunted when the vines hit him head on next.

He hit the ground and rolled across it before the vines, which followed after him wrapped him up. They tightened painfully around him, which had him wincing. No one said anything at first as Asta looked between the two with wide eyes.

"Did…did she really get him this time?" Asta wondered.

As if to answer his question, the first Gauche she captured poofed out of existence, which had Maryam turning to the real one.

"You have interesting magic," Maryam said with a smile. "I didn't think my strangler ficus would be able to keep up with you."

Gauche just glared at the girl as he tried to struggle against the vines. He even tried to use his mana since his grimoire was still in his possession. However, this caused the vines to tighten even more.

"I wouldn't do that if I were you," Maryam said. "This type of plant feeds off mana, which also includes those who have mana like us. The more mana you try to use, the faster they tighten and try to eat. If you use too much, they'll get so tight your bones will break. Then once they drain you dry, they'll drop your mangled body to the ground."

Gauche immediately stopped struggling as his glare turned even darker. Maryam took this as he gave up, so Maryam had her vines place him gently on the ground before closing her grimoire. Though instead of disappearing like her other spell does when the book closes, the vines crept back underground and out of sight.

"Thanks for the experience." Maryam said as she walked over to Gauche. "We should do it again sometimes."

She held out her hand for a shake, but he only looked down at it in distain before pulling out a photo of his sister.

"Tch, as if," Gauche said. "I have more important things to do with my time. Like, watch my sweet goddess."

Maryam sweat-dropped as she wondered if that guy could get even creepier. She shrugged in the end though. He was her squad mate now, which meant a friend. So, she better try to get along with him and the others as well. Speaking of which, Maryam gasped in surprise as they were soon circling her.

"That was awesome!" Luck said. "Now, fight me! Come on!"

Before she could reply, Magna grabbed her by the shoulders to turn her, so she was facing him.

"How did you do that?" Magna asked. "I didn't even hear you use a single spell! I mean simpler spells you don't have to, but that seemed kind of advanced for a newbie."

"Oh, the spell is activated as soon as my grimoire is opened as long as I'm not using a different spell," Maryam explained. "And I'm not really new to magic since I trained for two years before taking the exam."

Though before she could go into more detail to explain how the vines worked exactly, Charmy pushed her way to the front and got between Maryam and Magna while holding out half of a donut.

"Here have some of this as an award!" Charmy said. "You'll love it, I promise!"

Maryam accepted the treat with a thank you before taking a bite. Her eyes widening at how yummy it was.

'So, this is what sweets not made of tatoes tastes like,' She thought. 'I'll have to try and send some back to Sister Lily and the kids.'

Maryam then looked to Magna who gave her a wide grin and held out a Black Bulls' robe to her.

"Now, will you take this?" He asked with a chuckle. "Or are you going to throw another fit?"

Maryam, who snorted at his jab at her earlier outburst, didn't reply right away, but soon smiled as she reached out to take the robe.

"Gladly." She said. "Thanks."

"Good," Magna said. "Now, can I have my glasses back?"

He pointed to the ones she had placed on her nose and hadn't given back to him since he dropped them during his fight with Asta.

"Hmm…no, I think I'll keep them," Maryam said. "I probably look cooler in them anyway."

As the others laughed, Magna made a grab for his glasses. Maryam, who quickly threw on her robe, laughed and ducked away thus starting a game of chase with the older mage. As she ran, she felt her smile widen.

'I think I was wrong earlier,' she thought as Magna shouted at her to come back. 'I believe I made the right choice coming here. I'll just have to get used to my new eccentric friends.'

Maryam tilted her head as she stared at the room that Vanessa had shown to her. It wasn't anything extremely extravagant. It had just enough room to fit a small bed, a desk with a chair, an end table, and a small place for her belongings. Though despite being tiny, it was beautiful in Maryam's eyes.

'My very own room,' She thought as she felt her eyes tear up.

"I know it isn't much," Vanessa said. "But I made sure to clean it with Charmy's help in case we got a new female member. We cleaned another room that's bigger than this one, but the other new member took it. Sorry."

Maryam briefly wondered about this new member that's been mentioned twice now, but soon decided she'd meet them eventually as she smiled at Vanessa.

"No, this is wonderful." She assured Vanessa. "I lived so long sharing a room with six kids, so having my own room is a dream come true. Thank you for cleaning it for me."

Vanessa smiled at the younger girl who seemed truly pleased with the room given to her.

"No problem," Vanessa said. "There's also some paper and writing utensils already on the desk. I'm sure you'd like to write to your family back home, yeah?"

"Yes, that sounds lovely, thank you." Maryam said with nod.

'This girl's personality seems to have done a complete 180,' Vanessa thought in amusement.

She then told Maryam goodnight, so that the girl could settle into her new room. Maryam stepped inside the dimly lit space with her smile widening.

'I can actually make this place my own,' She thought as she placed her bag down next to the desk. 'But decorating will have to wait. Most of the money I'll being earning will be going back home after all.'

Maryam then started humming to herself as she sat down at the desk where paper and quill were indeed waiting for her. She picked up the quill to dip it in the ink that was sat beside it.

'Better start writing my letter to the others,' She thought as she continued to hum. 'I bet they'll all be surprised to hear Asta passed the exam.'

As she began writing, she wondered how Yuno was doing and if his new squad was nice and welcoming.

The next morning came around and before the sun's rays could be seen over the horizon, Maryam was up and moving around. Though she was no longer at the church, she wouldn't be losing her old routine anytime soon. No matter how late she went to bed, she always woke just before the sun. That way she could help Sister Lily prepare dinner and lay out the younger kids' clothes for the day. She made sure they were washed and dressed before finally taking them down to where Lily would be finishing breakfast.

Maryam didn't have those kinds of responsibilities here. Though she was sure new members had plenty of chores they had to do. For now, she explored the hideout to see what her new home was like. She did notice a few odd things like that the halls she and Vanessa used yesterday to get to the women's quarters, were different. One was thinner. Another one had turn in it that it didn't have before. She brushed it off thinking that maybe she just didn't remember it right. She had only gone through them once after all.

After doing a little exploring, she had found herself in the dining hall. She looked around the large space curiously before her eyes landed on Charmy, who was already stuffing her face.

"Good morning, Charmy," Maryam greeted.

The girl paused long enough to look over at the blonde who stepped farther into the room.

"Goomf Mormhing!" Charmy replied around the food in her mouth.

As she continued to munch away, Maryam spotted a doorway near the back of the dining hall. She peeked inside to see a kitchen inside, which caught her interest. She did like to cook for the others back at the church, and while she wasn't as creative as Sister Lily when it came to the dishes, she could create with tatoes and only a few bits and pieces, she would like to think she was a good cook.

'Maybe this is my chance to start trying to make new things,' She thought. 'And anything that turns out well, I'll have to write down, so I can make for the others back home when I visit.'

She smiled at the thought before glancing back at Charmy who was still happily munching.

"Charmy, is anyone allowed to use the kitchen, or just certain members?" Maryam asked.

The shorter female looked to Maryam while quickly swallowing the food in her mouth.

"Usually we cook using my magic," Charmy said. "Other times those who can cook take turns in the kitchen. So, anyone can use it. Why? Do you plan to make something yummy?"

She looked excitedly at Maryam as she spoke, which had the blonde smiling slightly.

"I would like to try at least," Maryam said.

This seemed to please Charmy who jumped down from her seat to hurry over to Maryam. She grabbed the younger girl by the hand then tugged her into the kitchen,

"I'll show you where the ingredients are." Charmy said. "I even have a garden out back! You'll find lots of tasty veggies and fruits back there."

As she rambled, Maryam's smile grew. Charmy was just too cute not to like and seeing how excited she was about Maryam cooking, and Maryam inwardly cooing.

'She's so adorable,' Maryam thought. 'I'll have to do my best to make her something she'll really like.'

Maryam hummed as she worked while she was cooking on the stove. Charmy had showed her where to get what she needed. And she decided to keep it simple this time as she was making omelets with vegetables from Charmy's garden and bacon. She smiled since things were going well. Those she made already were turning out nice and fluffy, and she hoped Charmy liked them.

After she made her fifth one, she decided to take some out of Charmy before she would start the next batch. Charmy looked like a big eater, and she hoped the others might soon show up to have breakfast as well.

"Charmy, are you ready for some omelets?" Maryam asked as she came out of the kitchen.

"Oh yeah!" Charmy said excitedly. "Bring on the food!"

Maryam laughed at her enthusiasm as she placed the two plates she had brought down on the table. The omelets were large in size, and at the sight of them Charmy started to drool.

"They look so good." She said then quickly cut into one.

Maryam watched closely to see how Charmy would react as the ravenette popped some food into her mouth. Charmy let out a happy squeal as she placed her hand on her cheek.

"So yummy~" She squealed.

Maryam's smile widened as her cheeks flushed in happiness. She was glad Charmy, who was shoveling more food in her mouth, was pleased with the omelets. She was about to return to cooking when someone walking into the dining hall brought her to a pause. She looked to see a girl who seemed her age or younger with silvery-white hair and purple eyes. She was very pretty, and her clothes seemed finely made. She seemed at a higher class than even the nobles that Maryam has seemed so far.

'She couldn't be a royal, could she?' Maryam thought as she got a bad feeling.

Maryam shook those thoughts to the side, however. Even if the girl was royal or noble or whatever, it didn't mean the two would automatically be at odds. Maryam, who assumed this girl was the other new member since they didn't meet last night, gave the girl a smile.

"Good morning," she said as she was wiping her hands off on her borrowed apron. "I'm afraid we haven't met yet. My name is Maryam. Would you like to come in for breakfast? I'm making omelets."

The younger girl didn't reply at first before she flipped her hair over her shoulder and gave a scoff.

"You must be joking," she said in a haughty tone. "Me? Eat food prepared by some lowly commoner? I don't even have to taste it to know whatever you're making is trash."

Maryam just blinked at the girl for a moment before her eyes narrowed and her expression shifted into something a bit unreadable.

"I am of royal blood," The girl continued. "My name is Noelle Silva. And you are just an insect who should realize not to address me so casually. Know your place."

Maryam said nothing at first before she suddenly started chuckling softly. Though those chuckles soon turned into full laughter, which seemed to throw Noelle off guard.

"Y…you actually think your royal title means anything to me?" Maryam asked between her laughter. "I don't give a damn what family you came from."

Her words obviously pissed off Noelle, but Maryam, who turned away to return to her cooking, couldn't care less if she upset some royal. Especially a self-entitled one like Noelle seems to be.

"Just who do you think you are?" Noelle demanded. "I am royalty. Perhaps you'd like to see just how beneath me you are, commoner."

She held out her hand with her magic gathering, but she faltered when Maryam turned back around with the humor from before being gone from her face. Her expression turned cold, and her brown eyes turned dark…almost looking black.

'Wh…what is with her mana?' Noelle thought as a bit of sweat collected around her brow. 'It's not at a royal's level, but it feels…it feels oppressing.'

Her expression faltered slightly as Maryam slowly narrowed her eyes at Noelle.

"I would rethink that if I were you," Maryam said. "If you attack me, I won't let you off easy like I was trying to do by brushing off your rudeness, Royal. It's only my second day here, so I'd hate to get in trouble for hurting a squad mate."

She held up her hand with a ball of dark-purplish mana forming above it. The threat she was presenting was very real, and it wasn't the reaction that Noelle was expecting.

"So, are you going to run along? Or do we need to take things outside?" Maryam questioned.

Coco: Oh-ho~ We have some drama brewing, don't we? I wonder how things are going to turn around. Guess we'll be finding out next time, huh? As always, I hope you all enjoyed the chapter just as much as I enjoyed writing. And though I said it'd probably be a long time before I made a decision on whether I'd be pairing Maryam with anyone or not, I have made my decision after getting caught up with the anime (I'm going to go back and start the manga from the beginning and read it to the current chapter as well). And my decision is that I'm going to pair her with Leopold. I just love him so much and I feel like the two would make a great pair. I was close to picking Klaus since I thought they'd have a nice dynamic as well, but my love for Leopold won out. So, officially this is an OC/Leopold story. Though romance isn't a big thing I'm focusing on in this story, so it isn't going to take the front seat on what I have planned for the future. But I still hope you guys like the route I've decided to take.

Now, as always, I hope you guys are staying safe and continuing to be your beautiful selves! And I hope to see you all again soon for the next chapter. Until then, everybody~