Chapter 2 part 1 A Village in need

The morning sun greets the land as dawn breaks. Raindrops fall from branches and leaves, dotting the ground with puddles and making the world shimmer in the sunlight. Birds chirp in the forest, welcoming the new day. In the early hours at the Black Bulls' hideout, an unusual quietness hangs in the air.

'AAAAAAAAAAARG!' Asta yells as he runs a mop over the floors, starting his morning chores.

Liebe jerks awake. 'Damn it, idiot! Has he ever heard of sleeping in?' he groans to himself, his mind recalling something, and he turns his eyes toward a branch. 'She's gone,' he mutters to himself.

Asta dusts the library and cleans the laundry, being loud the entire time. 'AAAA HECK YEAH!' he yells, running outside for a morning run.

Sometime later, Millie, in her cat form, wanders through the forest, drawn by the sound of counting. '3486, 3487, 3488, 3489,' she sits down by a tree, watching as Asta hangs from a branch, doing crunches. Millie spots a black bird flying above, which lands on a branch nearby. 'How much longer are you planning on staying out here?' she asks.

'Until I reach 10,000,' Asta replies, continuing to count. Millie climbs the tree and settles on a branch, resting. Later, she is startled awake by a noise and yawns heavily, turning her head towards the counting. She sees Asta doing push-ups on the ground. '9997, 9998, 9999, 10,000! Heck yeah!' Asta shouts as he gets up. 'Time to head back!' he says, walking towards the hideout. Nero flies over to him and perches on his head, while Millie follows a few steps behind.

They arrive at the entrance of the Black Bulls' hideout. A loud crash echoes from inside. 'I said knock it off!' a girl's voice shouts, and the door bursts open, sending Magna flying out with a stream of water hitting his face. He lands in the dirt. 'Hey! What was that for, missy!' Magna spits back, annoyed, adjusting his purple glasses and running his hand through his black and grey mohawk. He stands up, wearing black pants and a sweater.

'You were being too noisy. Seriously, can't we ever get one morning in peace?' the same female voice exclaims in frustration. A girl with silver hair in pigtails, each adorned with a pink bow, emerges. She flicks her hair behind her shoulder and fixes her pink eyes on Magna, who is dusting himself off.

'Ha, ha, Magna got flung outside!' a chipper boy chimes in, sporting messy blond hair and blue eyes. 'You too, Luck. If you're going to be loud this early, do it outside,' the girl says, walking inside. 'That is no fun, Noelle. It's way easier to get Magna when he least expects it,' Luck replies. 'Oh, you're gonna get it now, punk!' Magna declares, igniting a flame in his hand.

'Ha, ha, just try and hit me,' Luck retorts, releasing lightning from his body, forming bright blue lightning boots and gauntlets. 'You asked for it!' Magna says, retrieving his grimoire. 'Hahaha,' Luck laughs excitedly. Asta smiles. 'They're eager today,' he observes, grinning at his spirited squadmates.

'Alright, say your prayers,' Magna yells, and he and Luck engage in a battle in front of the hideout. 'Well, I'll be taking a bath now,' Asta says, and Nero flies off his head. 'Alright, sir,' Millie replies quietly, walking over to the nearest tree and observing the playful commotion. Magna hurls fireballs everywhere, trying to catch Luck, who dodges and laughs.

Millie climbs a tree branch, rings her bell, and produces a book that she starts reading.

Meanwhile, Asta is ready and eases his naked self into the communal bath. Liebe appears on his shoulder, assuming his full size and joining Asta in the bath. They sit and soak for a while. Asta looks at Liebe, who seems lost in thought. 'Is something on your mind?' he asks his devil.

'... Do you seriously trust that one?' Liebe questions. 'Huh, you mean Millie?' Asta asks. Liebe glances away briefly before looking at Asta. 'You're really going to trust someone you've just met?' he inquires again. 'Well, yeah. I can't put my finger on it, but I've got a good feeling about her,' Asta says, looking at Liebe's uncertain expression.

'Do you... not like her?' Asta asks. 'Tsk, it's like she's hiding something. Something big,' Liebe explains. 'Something big, huh?' Asta ponders, 'Well, whatever it is, I'm sure we can handle it.' He reassures.

'We?! It was your choice to take her in!' Liebe protests. 'Yeah, I guess,' Asta replies. 'What do you mean by "yeah, I guess"? You've gotta be kidding me,' Liebe persists. 'Look, if she tries anything, I'll stop it. I doubt that she will, though,' Asta asserts, but Liebe still isn't convinced. 'It's fine. Besides, I trusted you,' Asta reminds.

Liebe smiles. 'You still shouldn't have. It was the nuttiest thing in the world,' he says, gazing at the white mark around his wrist, a result of the equal contract he shares with Asta. 'But I'm glad you did,' Liebe adds, and Asta smiles as they begin to chat for a while.

Outside, Millie continues to read her book while occasionally glancing at the ongoing battle between Luck and Magna. Asta eventually walks to the front of the hideout and observes his friends basking in the sunlight.

Yami emerges from the main entrance. 'Alright, gang, we've got a few missions for you knuckleheads. So listen up,' he addresses them all. 'Right, sir Yami,' Asta says eagerly. 'Alright, Finnral, Magna, Asta, and Noelle, you guys are going to Horgo Village to help with the rebuilding,' Yami assigns.

'Right, sir. We'll get it done,' Asta responds excitedly. 'What? Really, but...' Finral begins to protest. 'Something wrong?' Yami asks, daring Finral to challenge his orders. 'What, of course not,' Finral quickly replies, adjusting his green jacket and brown pants.

'It can't be helped; a lot got torn up during the war with the devils,' Noelle explains as she adjusts her hair. 'Don't worry, guys. I'll have the food ready for when you get back,' a little girl with black hair and green eyes says while stuffing her face with meat.

Millie stretches and jumps down from the tree in her cat form. The rest of the Black Bulls receive their assignments, and Finral opens a bright portal that they walk through.

On the other side of the portal, they arrive at the forest's edge, overlooking a valley with the village below. They begin the descent to the village. 'The ground around here looks messy; I wonder why,' Finral remarks. 'I agree, it looks wetter than it should be,' Magna comments. 'Yes, it's weird,' Finral agrees, walking behind Asta and glancing at both his shoulders.

'Say, Asta, what's the deal with the cat?' Finral inquires. 'Yes, I was wondering that too,' Noelle adds. 'Oh, right, I forgot. This is Millie. I found her during my mission last night. She's a fa-' Asta begins, but Magna interrupts. 'Why does she have two tails?' he questions. 'Well, she' they all turn their attention to a villager who approaches them.

'Oh, Magic Knights. You guys must be here about the aid request,' a lady with blue hair and light blue eyes says. 'That's right, ma'am. Just show us what needs to be done, and we'll take care of it,' Asta assures her, his voice loud. Millie looks at Finral, who seems to struggle with something.

'Of course, this way. My uncle can show you what's needed until the village chief returns from his trip to meet with another village,' the lady explains, adjusting her blue dress and white apron. She leads them to a blue-haired man with green eyes. 'Right, the aid. Well, thank you all for coming,' he says and gestures towards a pile of debris that used to be a building. 'Here it is, the beginning of what we'll need help with,' the man explains before leaving.

'Wow, Finral, she's really pretty. I'm surprised you managed to keep your composure,' Noelle teases. 'Thank you. It's so hard,' he replies, relaxing a little. 'You're hopeless,' Noelle teases further. 'You go, Finral! That's great!' Asta cheers, and they high-five. 'Thanks, friend,' Finral responds, and they share a smile.

'Idiots,' Noelle mutters, and Liebe chuckles from Asta's shoulder. They assist by moving materials, heavy rocks, and ruined wood.

Sometime later, Millie lays down on a porch while the others work. She lifts her head as she hears someone mention the Magic Knights some distance away. She spots an elderly man talking to a few villagers, then watches as the elderly man with a grey shirt, blue pants, and brown shoes approaches the group with another man.

The man has broad shoulders, brown hair, and eyes. 'Hello, fellas. I see you're already hard at work,' he greets them in a friendly tone. 'We sure are,' Asta replies eagerly. 'Yes, my name is Gerrald, the chief of this little village. As of right now, we actually have a different matter that's in more need of attention,' he explains. 'Like what?' Magna inquires. 'Well, Berran here can show you, if he pleases,' Gerrald says. 'Of course,' Berran agrees. 'Now, if you could all follow me,' he continues, and the group exchanges glances before complying, walking along with him.