Coco: Hey, guys, I know it's been a while since I published anything. My old laptop crapped out suddenly and I lost...everything. I wanted to cry. Took a while to get a new laptop and even then, I felt a bit too depressed to write. But I'm starting to get back into it. Sorry for making you guys wait so long. I hope you can forgive me.

I have a few other story updates I'm working on, so hopefully you'll be seeing more from me soon enough.

Now, shall we get started?

Noelle sat in the common area of the Black Bull base with a blanket wrapped around her. Asta was sitting in a chair across from her while sneezing. Noelle felt a bit bad since it was her fault the boy was soaked. Not that she would be apologizing to him anytime soon. Even if he did save her. She then shivered, which had her tightening the blanket around her.

She gasped in surprise when a towel was dropped over her head. She used one hand to move it back out of her face with her eyes widening when she saw it was Maryam who had brought her the towel.

The girl, who had a tray balanced in one hand and another towel in the other, hadn't said much when she saw Noelle on the ground crying. The younger girl thought Maryam might scoff at her for looking so pathetic after acting so haughty earlier. However, Maryam just sighed before telling Noelle and Asta to head inside. She even instructed Magna to get blankets for the two youngest members. Now, she was giving them towels to dry off with.

"You need to dry out your hair," Maryam told Noelle as she was placing the tray, which held tea on the table. "Or you'll probably catch a cold."

She then put a towel over Asta's head while rubbing the towel over the boy's hair herself. The boy leaned towards her touch as Noelle watched. Once Asta's hair seemed dry enough, she handed the boy some tea.

"Here, drink up." She instructed him gently. "Then go change into dry clothes. Bring me back the wet ones and I'll wash them."

"Okay!" Asta said. "Thanks, Mary."

Maryam smiled at Asta before turning back to Noelle who stiffened. She expected hostility. Especially when Maryam sighed. Though Noelle was surprised once again when Maryam carefully undid Noelle's pigtails.

"What did I just say about drying out your hair?" Maryam asked sounding like a scolding mother. "Do you want to get sick?"

Noelle didn't have time to reply as Maryam started drying out her silver locks. Her touch was tender and careful as if Maryam was taking extra care not to hurt Noelle.

'Her touch is so soft,' Noelle thought.

Once Maryam finished towel drying Noelle's hair, the blonde handed Noelle a cup of tea like she had done with Asta.

"I want you to do the same as I told Asta," Maryam said as she took the towels in her arms. "Take a warm bath if you still feel cold. After I get started on your clothes, I'll start preparing dinner. I hope you'll be joining us at the dinner table this time."

Noelle just stared up at Maryam as the girl picked up the tray to take away as well.

"…why…why are you being so nice to me?" Noelle asked. "I was rude to you earlier."

"Yes, you were," Maryam agreed bluntly, which caused Noelle to flinch. "However, we're squad mates now. Asta and I made an agreement with our brother that once we left the orphanage and joined a magic knights' squad that we'd treat our squad mates like family. After all, we learned as orphans that blood ties don't make a family. It's the bonds you share. Though we got off on a bad start, I'm going to keep my promise with my brothers. You're my family now, Noelle, so I'll keep looking after you."

Noelle's eyes widened once more as her hands tightened around the cup in her hands.

"Even when you're being a brat." Maryam added as she passed by Noelle while ruffling younger girl's hair as she went.

She started heading towards the kitchen as Yami was yelling at her to get her ass in gear to start making dinner.

"Hold your horses, Captain!" Maryam called out.

"Just do as your told, Pipsqueak!" Yami shouted back in return.

As Maryam grumbled and walked away, Noelle felt herself smiling slightly while looking at her reflection in the teacup.

Maryam hummed to herself as she helped Asta with some of the morning chores. She still had time before the others started getting up, so she wouldn't have to start cooking yet. Charmy said she'd be helping too this morning, which gave Maryam more time to help Asta. Speaking of the boy, she noticed he seemed a bit nervous as he was taking the laundry out of the wash.

"Asta, is something wrong?" Maryam asked.

"Well, it's almost time to wake the Captain." Asta replied. "I have a feeling it's not going to be easy…or safe."

Maryam hummed in understanding as she tucked one basket of clothes under her arm and balanced another on her head.

"I'll wake him if you want," Maryam replied. "After I help you get the clothes to the lines, I'll leave hanging the clothes to you, so I can wake the captain."

Asta looked at his sister thankfully as the two walked to where the clothes lines were. Once all the clothes were outside, Maryam wiped her hands off on her apron.

"You'll be okay on your own, right?" Maryam asked.

"Of course!" Asta said with a nod as he picked up the first article of clothing.

When he saw it was a bra, blood burst from his nose as he fell backwards. Maryam shook her head in amusement before she went to wake Yami. She walked down the halls of the base noticing a few things seemed moved around again. She had to wonder why the base moved on its own. Though guessed if the others weren't worried about it then there was no reason for her to. Maryam reached Yami's door while knocking on the door.

"Captain Yami, it's time to get up." She called.

She didn't receive a reply, which had her frowning. She knocked on the door again though this time a bit louder.

"Captain, you need to get up." She said. "You're the one who asked for a wakeup call, remember?"

The only reply she was given was a death threat from a very grumpy captain of the Black Bulls. She rolled her eyes at the threat as she was getting used to the man threatening to kill her. Taking a page out of his book, Maryam kicked the door as hard as she could. And while it did sling open, it didn't shatter like the doors do when he kicks them. The door slamming open had Yami quickly sitting up in bed.

"What the hell?" He grunted as he scratched the back of his head. "You got a death wish, Pipsqueak?"

The little blonde had the gall to smile innocently at him in return as she clasped her hands in front of her.

"I'm just following orders, Captain." She told him. "You asked for a wakeup call, and I came to deliver."

Yami's brow twitched in aggravation at her cheekiness as he moved to sit on the edge of his bed.

"Alright, alright, I'm up." He said then waved her off. "Now, get out of here before I do decide to kill you."

"Love you too, Captain," Maryam replied sarcastically.

She then left the captain to get up on his own. She didn't even bother to close the door, so the man would have to get up even if just to shut his door.

"Annoying brat." Yami grumbled as he stood up.

He then looked to the letter on his nightstand, which he had read over last night.

"Oh yeah," he said. "I forgot about you."

He then picked up a cigarette to light. After taking a drag, he sent the smoke back out through his nose.

"Who should I send?" He wondered out loud as he thought about the mission request sent to them.

Maryam sat at the table enjoying breakfast with everyone despite the fact they were all being noisy. The noise only getting worst when Asta asked Magna what magic knights do. Maryam drowned them out even as the others started throwing in their own two cents. Though the lively atmosphere was silenced when Yami made his usual entrance by kicking in the door. A serious air hung around Yami as he looked over at his subordinates. His eyes landed on Maryam.

"Maryam, come here." He said motioning her over to him. "Magna, you get ready to leave too."

"Yes, Yami, sir." Magna said as he stood.

Maryam stood up as well as she wondered what Yami could want from her and Magna.

"What's going on?" Asta asked around the large ham that Charmy was trying to shove down his throat.

Though the words more sounded like 'waf gon' omf' considering his entire mouth was full.

"It's a mission." Magna said. "At least for Yami and me. Don't know why he's asking for Maryam though."

Said girl stopped in front of the captain who was staring down at her with a hard stare.

"It's time for your first mission." Yami said surprising her as he handed her a folded piece of paper. "Time to get your feet wet. It's nothing too serious. Just getting rid of some bandits. Finral, you'll be going with her."

"Huh?! What?!" Finral asked looking shocked.

He couldn't believe it. Dealing with bandits shouldn't be a mission for a new member. And he wasn't exactly a combat magic knight. His magic was better for a supporting role.

"Did I stutter?" Yami asked as he turned to glare at Finral.

Finral paled and shook his head even if he did still disagree with this whole thing. It would be his job to make sure the mission was complete and to get Maryam back. A pretty tall order if you asked him. Maryam, whose slightly shaking hands crumpled the ends of the paper, felt a bit nervous about her first mission. Her nervous thoughts were interrupted, however, when Yami put his hand on top of her head.

"You'll be fine," he said.

At first Maryam thought he was being encouraging until his hand started constricting around her head tightly, painfully.

"Cause if you choke and flub up, I'll put your through hell." Yami said darkly. "I don't care if you get into a rough patch. Push past your limits and you should survive at least."

Maryam tried to get the man to let go of her as Asta watched the whole thing. He felt jealous that Maryam was going on her first mission without him. He wanted to go too.

"Can't I go too, Captain Yami?!" Asta asked as he jumped up from his seat.

"No," Yami said bluntly as he finally let go of Maryam. "You two can't be attached to the hip all the time. Besides, your sister can handle this, and she'll have Finral as back up."

Asta sat down looking bummed as Finral begrudgingly stood to get ready for the mission.

"Leave as soon as possible," Yami ordered the two women. "As for the rest of you, Magna and I are leaving for our own mission. Don't break anything or destroy the place while we're gone."

The others called back an affirmative as Maryam followed Finral, who took the paper with the mission details on it from Maryam, outside where he'd make them a portal—if he had actually been to the village before. Maryam turned back to smile and wave at Asta before she followed Finral out the door. Asta leaned against the table frowning as he watched his sister leave.

"Are you worried about her?" Noelle questioned.

"No…Mary can handle herself." Asta replied.

Despite saying that, Asta was worried. Though he just had to remind himself that Maryam was strong. She didn't train those two years for nothing.

"Okay, here we are." Finral said as he stepped out of the portal with Maryam. "It's a good thing I've been to this village before, or it would have taken longer to get here."

He had just been passing through the area, but it was still marked with his magic, which allowed them to portal to the location. Saved them time and gave them a longer timespan to prepare to fight the bandits.

"Fisk Village is just over that hill." He said pointing towards the hill a few yards down the path he brought them to. "According to the mission details that the captain gave us, these bandits attack around the same time every day. We're to meet with the village mayor who will give us more specifics."

Maryam nodded in understanding as she followed Finral. She was still feeling a bit nervous but at the same time she was excited.

'It's time,' Maryam thought as she touched her grimoire.

They reached the village soon enough with many people turning at the sight of them. While some seemed relieved to see them, others looked disappointed.

"That's who they sent?" Maryam heard a woman whisper to another.

"Does the kingdom care so little about our strife that they'd send those troublemakers?" An elderly man scoffed.

"Ruffians like them are more likely to join the bandits than help." Someone else sneered.

Maryam frowned at the harsh whispers though kept her mouth shut as Finral gave a nervous chuckle. Maryam had a feeling that being a Black Bull might mean not getting a warm welcome, but she didn't expect that kind of hostility.

"Warm welcome, huh?" He asked with a sheepish smile on his face.

Maryam just hummed in reply while guessing they just better hurry to wherever the mayor might be located. Walking around here and getting glared at wasn't preparing them for the fight to come. With that decision made, Maryam turned to a young couple who was glaring at them like everyone else.

"Excuse me," she began. "We're looking for the mayor of the village. Would you mind pointing us in the right direction?"

As the woman frowned at Maryam, the man simply pointed towards the large building on the square. Despite their off-putting attitude, Maryam, who kept her manners in mind, smiled and thanked the couple. They only glared in return as the two magic knights moved on. As the two neared the building, the door opened with an elderly woman stepping out. Unlike the many of the villagers who had seemed upset at them for being here, the woman smiled kindly at them.

"Welcome, Members of the Black Bulls." She said. "And thank you for coming."

"Of course, happy to be here." Finral said though he looked a bit nervous. "My name is Finral Roulacase and this is my associate Maryam."

Maryam stood up a bit straighter as Finral gestured to her. The elderly woman's smile softened as she looked at Maryam.

"It's nice to meet you both though I wish it was under better circumstances." She said. "I am Kieran, and I am the mayor of the village. Please, come in."

She gestured for the two to come inside her home and away from the glaring eyes of the villagers. Once they were behind closed doors, Kieran sighed.

"I must apologize for their behavior." She told the magic knights. "They were hoping for someone of the Silver Eagles or perhaps the Crimson Lions to come to our aid. However, I find magic knight squads made mostly of nobility don't care much for the troubles of us common folk. I suppose I could have chosen the Green Mantises, but I find the way their captain acts to be distasteful."

Maryam sweat-dropped wondering how bad the Green Mantis squad captain was for Yami to be the better option of the two. Though she then frowned when she thought about Kieran's other words…about how squads made of nobility don't seem to care about commoners or the problems they face.

"You Black Bulls have quite the reputation of being scoundrels." Kieran said with a chuckle. "However, I'd take common scoundrels over uncaring nobles any day."

"I know our reputation isn't the best, Mayor Kieran, but I promise you that we'll help you and your village." Maryam said utmost sincerity. "You can count on us!"

Finral sent a small, subtle frown at Maryam wishing she wouldn't make such promises. This wasn't going to be an easy mission. He still wasn't convinced they'd be able to complete it. Kieran smiled at the younger female while reaching out to take Maryam's hand to give it a kind squeeze.

"I'm sure we're in good hands with you on the job, dear girl." Kieran said. "Now, I wish we had more time for pleasantries. However, it's getting close the time when the strike."

Finral tried not to gulp when hearing this before he cleared his throat by coughing into his hand.

"And what is it they usually take, Mayor?" He questioned. "Are their certain resources they seem to be after?"

"They seem to take just whatever they fancy each time they come here," Kieran said. "If we do not give them what they think is enough, they'll hurt the villagers to teach us a lesson."

Maryam frowned when hearing this as her hands clenched into fists. She couldn't imagine what kind of fear these villagers lived with every day. The pain they must have been going through. Though what made her angry was that someone would abuse their own strength against those who couldn't fight back.

"Their leader—Fenris—has the magical ability over darkness." Kieran continued. "We usually know they are here when he cloaks the town in a dome of darkness."

As soon as the words left her mouth, the sunlight that had been coming through the windows was suddenly gone. The three looked towards the window to see a black substance growing over the town and blocking out the sun.

"They're here," Kieran said sounding concerned.

Finral frowned while guessing they had no time to prepare after all. He had hoped they could come up with some kind of strategy before they had to face these bandits. One of them even had similar magic to Yami. Made him worried about how strong this Fenris was. Finral then gasped when Maryam went straight to the door without hesitation and opened it up.

"M-Maryam, what are you doing?!" He asked as he grabbed her arm. "We can't just go out there to face them recklessly."

Maryam turned back to look at him and he was surprised to see such a look of determination on her face. The nervousness he had seen before they left the base was completely gone.

"I'm not going to fight them recklessly." Maryam said. "We have very little information on them and only know one of their magical abilities. I'm going to go out there as a distraction and goad them into a fight. As I'm making them use their magic on me, you can assess them from the sidelines while also protecting the villagers from any wayward magic. Maybe with both of us watching and analyzing them, we can come up with a plan to beat them. Or maybe I'll just singlehandedly kick their butts."

She said this with a wink and cheeky smile as she gave a thumbs up to Finral who looked at her in disbelief.

"You're crazy." He said.

"It's a good thing I'm part of the Black Bulls then, huh?" She replied with her smile widening. "Everything will be fine. With you giving me support, there's no way I'll lose."

Finral's eyes widened even more at her words of confidence in him. He subconsciously released her arm due to his surprise, which let Maryam continue out the door.

"I might be new to the squad, but I've been training with my magic for the last two years," Maryam said. "So, let me show you just what I'm really capable of, o' senior of mine."

Finral watched Maryam walk away as she went to face the bandits. There was no hesitation in her steps and no fear in her eyes. It was like she believed wholeheartedly that things were going to turn out alright.

"H-hey, wait up!" He called before hurrying after her.

He caught up with her easy enough while feeling the fear build up as he took in the darkened surroundings. Though the sun was being blocked out due to the black dome covering the village, there was still some light. It was almost like nighttime had come early to Fisk Village. As the two magic knights walked through the middle of town, Finral noticed how the villagers hurried to whatever buildings were closest to hide. He gulped wishing he could join them.

He then froze when seeing seven men on horseback at the end of the village. All were large, ragged looking men whose evil smirks could put Yami's to shame. Maryam stopped a few yards away from these men with Finral stopping beside of her. At first nothing was said, before the man at the front of the group laughed.

"So, Kieran finally reached out for help, did she?" He questioned. "Even after my warnings of what would happen to her if she did."

Maryam narrowed her eyes at this man—the one she pieced together to be Fenris—as he smiled condescendingly at her and Finral.

"And what does she get when she calls for aid? Two pipsqueaks from the worst magic knight squad in all the kingdom," He continued with another bout of laughter leaving between his lips. "Does the capital really care so little for its commoners out here in the boonies?"

His men laughed at his words as if this was all some big kind of joke to them. Though Finral really couldn't blame them. He didn't understand why the captain chose him and Maryam for this mission. It was a terrible choice. Even with Maryam's confidence they were going to be alright—a confidence that had filled him with a little bit of reassurance earlier—he felt as if things were going to end poorly.

"If your so confident that we're of no threat to you then why don't you go ahead and end us instead of waste our time listening to you run your mouth?" Maryam asked.

Finral gasped in horror as he looked at Maryam wondering why she had to goad the leader of these bandits. Said man frowned at Maryam as she jutted her chin out definitely in return.

"You're a cheeky brat." Fenris sneered. "I admire your bravery, but you're foolish if you think you and your companion stand a chance against a single member of our group let alone all of us."

Maryam just smirked as she took out her grimoire, which floated to her side. It glowed its usual dark eerie color as the pages within turned.

"Why don't we test out that theory?" She asked. "Is one Maryam of the Black Bulls capable of defeating seven lowlife louts from the sticks?"

Her words brought an angry expression from Fenris who then nodded for a couple of his men to go forward. As two of them dismounted from their horses, Finral paled.

"Finral, it's okay," Maryam said when seeing his look. "Just stick to the sidelines and give me your support. As long as we have each other's backs, we'll win."

Finral looked to Maryam's sure expression as he wondered how she could be so confident that they'd win. He also didn't know why she was putting so much faith in him. All he's done is show fear and worry since they were assigned this mission. He's supposed to be her senior, but she's ready to shoulder the hardest part of this mission for his sake. And she's doing it without an ounce of judgement in her eyes. Finral groaned as he ran his hand through his hair.

"Fine," he said. "But you better not die out here or anything! The captain will kill me if you do."

He shuddered just thinking about it. Maryam laughed slightly at his worrying as she returned her attention on her approaching opponents.

"I'll keep that in mind." Maryam said. "But you shouldn't worry so much. I'm the person who's going to surpass our captain someday, so there's no way I'm losing here."

Finral sighed while giving her one final look before moving out of the way of the upcoming fight. The two bandits in front of Maryam unleashed their grimoires, which had Maryam standing at the ready.

"Take this and reflect on your poor decisions, magic knight runt," One of them said as he raised his hand with wind collecting around it. "Wind Magic: Spiraling Cyclone! Now die, brat!"

The attack went flying towards Maryam who held out her hand to prepare her counterattack. And as the vines shot out of the ground to shield her, the fight between the Black Bulls and the bandits began.