Chapter 1 part 2 Meeting
Bonk! Splash!
"What was that?" he asks as he turns his body to look aside from the boxes and down to the ground. He sees a girl on all fours in a puddle, where her buttocks are visible. "Uh-oh, I am so sorry. I didn't see you there," he says.
The person silently stands up, turns, and looks at Asta. "No, it was my fault for standing in the middle of the road the way I did. I must have spaced out," she says and picks up her map from the puddle. The water is dissolving the map. "Oh no, I can't read the map like this," she says, looking at the smoldered pieces that are left of it.
"Again, sorry. Uh, were you trying to get somewhere?" he asks, and the girl looks at him and the devil on his shoulder, who narrows his eyes and disappears. "Well, yes, I was trying to get to Mozo Village, but... I am bad with directions," she blushes and pulls a lock of her black flowing hair behind her ear.
Asta looks into her silver eyes that glow for a second. "Uh," he says, unsure if what he saw was real or not.
"Eh," Asta looks at her in skinny black tights and a soft black, long sleeved, deep V-neck shirt that just covers her chest, where a hazel brown brooch hangs. Around her waist is a blood-red belt with something that looks like a cog with a red gem in the middle holding it in place.
"Hey, how about I help you get there? Mozo Village isn't that far from here," he tells her.
"Oh, please, sir, do not trouble yourself on my account," she says softly.
"It is no trouble at all. It is the least I can do after sending you into that puddle," he tells her.
"I... uh," she looks around before folding her hands neatly together and bows gracefully. "I could use the help. Thank you, sir," she tells him, and he sees her black gloves on her hands.
"Great, the name is Asta," he says and rearranges the boxes to free his hand to greet her.
"Asta? My name is Millie Millenty. Pleasure to meet you, sir," she says softly, taking his hand in a handshake and respectfully bows. She looks at him and notices the bird on his head, who narrows her eyes, and she looks at his robe that is black with a yellow head of a bull on it, representing the Black Bulls.
"Great, I am going to deliver these boxes, and then I will help you get there," he tells her. "Right," she says softly.
Asta's eyes go to her neck and notice the crimson ribbon holding a crimson bell. On each side of the bell are two halves of the same tooth that seems to have been perfectly split in two.
The clouds are getting thicker again as they continue, and she walks a step behind him.
He casts a glance at her. ("Her KI is so subtle and quiet. I can barely sense her even while concentrating,") he thinks to himself, watching her walk as she keeps her gaze on the side of the road.
Asta looks ahead when she turns her head towards him.
"If I may ask, sir, about your robe... Are you a Magic Knight?" her voice gentle.
"That is right. I am a member of the Black Bulls," he tells her. "I see, uh, what is it like?" she asks, making conversation.
"It is amazing. We go on missions and help out wherever we can, and we get to fight bad guys. We also get to see a lot of different places in this kingdom," he tells her excitedly. "I see. It sounds like you have had quite a few adventures already," she says warmly.
"I have, and each adventure has made me stronger in some way. And I am getting results, and I will keep getting results," he tells her excitedly.
"Results...? Why do you wish to get so many results?" she asks him. "Because I am going to be the Wizard King," he tells her with a bright smile and beaming eyes.
"You wish to become the Wizard King? The strongest mage in the land?" she asks. "Yep, and that spot is going to be mine someday. Just wait and see," he tells her, and she looks up at the cloudy sky.
("Someone without magic, a Magic Knight, huh?... Is this land... changing?") she wonders to herself.
"Something the matter?" he asks.
"Oh no sir, I just... It sounds like a big goal to have," she says gently.
"It is, but that won't stop me. I will become the Wizard King," he says, driven.
He stops as she stops.
"Sir, why do you wish to become that strong?" she asks, and he looks at the confused look on her face. "So I can prove that even a commoner with zero magic can do it," he tells her. "Zero magic?" she asks.
"Yep," he says and turns to get a better look at her. "You seem to be waiting for me to say something, sir," she asks.
"I am kind of waiting for you to say it is impossible or something," he tells her.
"Why would I say that? Strength comes in many forms. Your squad leader must have known that when he accepted you," she tells him.
"Well, yes, I think so... Captain Yami is so awesome," he says excitedly.
"I am still curious," she asks.
"Huh, what is it?"
"'Is proving yourself the only reason for getting that strong?".
"Well, it started as the only reason, but it has more and more become about keeping everyone safe," he tells her.
She gives him a warm smile. "I see, then you will get stronger. I am sure," she tells him.
"Heck yeah, I will," he says and keeps walking, and she follows.
"Here it is," he says, and they stand at the base of a set of stone stairs. They start to climb.
At the top, they see a two-story house made from stone, and only three rooms are lit in the house.
"Here it is. Just wait here. I will be right back," he says, leaving her by the steps.
She looks around and sees a bench between two white rose bushes that overlooks the view of the valley.
She walks over to it and sits down while looking at the view of the moonlit valley. She breathes in the gust of clear wind and takes in her surroundings.
She looks down at her arm.
She taps into her magic, and a clock appears on her arm, counting down the seconds, days, and there is a place for months and years too. "Only a month left... that is not a lot of time," she whispers to herself and looks at the valley before her.