Kyandi: Welcome back, all!

Araceli: I come off as if I'm already at the end of my character arch?

Kyandi: That's only because your background and full story hasn't been revealed yet. Trust me, people...she has a lot she needs to build on.

Araceli: Oh, right...that.

Kyandi: Hush. That's quite a ways down the plot.

Araceli: Right, my lips are sealed.

Kyandi: Good. Then let's get too it. This is a longer chapter.

Araceli: Sounds like a good idea.

Kyandi: Everyone, enjoy and review.

Araceli: Kyandi-sama does not own Black Clover.

Chapter 6 Black Sheep

"You guys had a real tough time out there!"

Upon returning to the Black Bulls base, they told Yami all about what had happened on their mission. Yami laughed loudly at hearing how tough they'd had it.

"Whatever..." Yami waved it off. "Good job, you idiots."

Vanessa yawned. "The Magic Investigation Department is examining what the criminals left behind, but they haven't gotten any important info out of it. That pocket watch he left was valuable. Considering that, and how they acted...they might be extremists or dissidents from the Noble Realm."

"Well, it doesn't matter," Yami happily showed them a gold star in his hand. "In recognition of your actions, the Wizard King has awarded us a star!"

"A star!? What's a star?" Asta asked.

"The nine Magic Knight squads compete to see how many stars they can collect. It's an honor thing," Vanessa told him. "The Golden Dawn's at the top right now. They've got seventy."

Araceli was shocked, and highly amused, to find that the Black Bulls had negative thirty stars. On top of being rewarded a star, it was also payday. Araceli took her wages to be stored away. Vanessa, Noelle and Asta started discussing a trip to the castle town to go shopping.

"I'd like to g - "

"Hold up, pint size," Yami dropped a hand on Araceli's head, cutting her off. "You're not going anywhere. You're coming on a mission with me, Finral and Magna."

Araceli blinked up at him. "Me, sir? But why me?"

"Because you were requested. We'll explain along the way."

Araceli didn't get the chance to argue as Yami dragged her after him. Finral and Magna followed as Araceli called for her friends to have fun. Once they had gotten their brooms and were in the air, Yami finally explained to her the mission ahead of them. The location surprised Araceli.

Araceli stared at Yami from her broom. "Bernat Village. We're heading to my home village?"

"Exactly. Apparently, a group has been repeatedly attacking the village. Your village is responsible for the spice and perfumes favored by King Kira, so he named this mission top priority and assigned Crimson Lions to it," Finral told her.

"Then why are we going?" Araceli asked.

"Since you know the area, you were requested," Yami replied.

"Captain Yami wasn't going to let you go alone," Finral added.

"You are still a newbie," Magna added.

"I see..." All three men looked at Araceli who seemed deep in thought. They had expected her to be happy with the chance to go home, but she seemed more nervous than anything. "Well...I'll do my best."

"Is something wrong, Celi?" Finral asked.

"Hmm?" Araceli looked up at him, blinked and shook her head. She put a smile on her face. "I'm just worried. There aren't really any fighters in the village. It makes me worry for the villagers and for my adopted father, Julian."

Finral perked up. "Adopted father?"

Araceli nodded, her eyes fixing into the distance. "My mother died giving birth to me. Julian was a dear friend of hers. He took me in when she passed."

"What about your old man?" Magna asked.

Araceli shrugged her shoulders. "I don't know. I don't know anything about him except that he and my mother were my age when she got pregnant with me."

"Really?!"

Araceli smiled at the shock that shot through Finral and Magna both. "It doesn't matter to me. Julian is my father. He's the one that raised me after all. Julian is the one that grows and makes the spices and herbs that the village is known for."

"Well, we'll be meeting up with those from the Crimson Lions outside the village," Yami told them.

"Alright."

The trip to the village didn't take too long by broom. They landed by the road leading into the settlement where four members of the Crimson Lions already waited. Two of these members were the captain, Feugoleon, and his younger brother, Leo.

Araceli touched down lightly and flinched when Leo was almost instantly in her face. "Hey! Your hair really is white!"

One of her hands went to her hair quickly in an insecure manner, her fingers pressing down against the lightly wavy locks. "Uh, yes, it is."

"Leo," Feugoleon called his brother sternly before turning to Yami. "You didn't have to come with her, Yami."

"And leave her alone with you and yours? Nah!" Yami dropped a hand on Araceli's head, giving her hair a ruffle that had her hunching her shoulders. "I gotta keep an eye on my new recruits."

"Then why did you send Asta, Noelle and I on our last mission with only Magna as back up?" Araceli asked.

"Shut it, kid." Yami gripped her head tightly.

Despite the pain, she smiled brightly up at her captain as she tried to pry his thick fingers from her scalp. Feugoleon watched her, his expression thoughtful. Feeling the curiosity and suspicion that rolled off the man, Araceli peered up at him through the locks of white hair that Yami had knocked into her eyes. She met his eyes, but Feugoleon quickly turned his attention to Yami.

"We should speak to the village head first. Araceli - "

"Please, Captain, you can just call me Celi," Araceli interrupted.

Feugoleon smiled at her but shook his head. "Surely your mother likes your name as it is."

"I wouldn't know. She died the day I was born." When his shock and guilt hit her through the mana, she smiled up at him. "It's alright, Captain. You don't need to feel guilty. I have long since come to terms with her absence in my life." Araceli moved past them, turning to look back at them. "I'll show you to the village's town hall."

She turned to lead the way down the road into town. The main street into town was bustling and busy, many people moving about. The moment Araceli appeared...people fled. Whispers rose, people calling Araceli "demon child" while everyone gave her a wide birth.

Seeing this, Finral leaned close to Araceli. "What did you do?"

"Oh, uh...I was born." Araceli kept her eyes forward, a smile on her face that wasn't anywhere close to her usual cheerful smile.

"What?! What's that got to do with anything?" Magna demanded.

"There's an old story in these parts about a race of people with white hair and pointy ears. They were said to be demons and the cause of the demon that the first Wizard King defeated." Araceli reached up to flatten her white hair over the slightly pointed tips of her ears. "Being born looking like this...people have always treated me like this. The form of my magic didn't help matters. It's part of the reason why my adopted father and I lived at the top of the mountain verse down here in the village."

"What!? That's ridiculous!" Finral exclaimed, throwing a glare at a woman who spat "demon" at Araceli as she passed.

Magna, angry, rounded on the woman. "You gotta a problem!?"

Araceli laid a hand on his arm, keeping him from doing anything else while the woman ran away. She smiled sweetly at Magna, grateful for his anger on her behalf. "I'm glad you care so much, but don't worry about it."

"Don't worry about it!?" Magna repeated, annoyed.

"But, Celi, you've done nothing to deserve this kind of treatment!" Finral added.

Even Yami agreed. "He's right, kid."

Araceli shrugged her shoulders, ignoring as a couple of kids ran by, yelling that the demon had returned. "You said it yourself, Captain...people don't accept what they can't understand. I can't force them to change their minds, so why bother caring? They're scared, I understand that, but I'm not going to waste anymore of my time worrying about something I can't change. I know who I am and those who really matter do too, so who cares what they say?" Araceli gave them a bright smile, truly meaning her words. "My friends like me and that's all I need. So, just ignore them."

She gave Magna's arm a pat and turned to continue down the street. She had meant her words, but they had all caught her wording. She had said she wasn't going to waste anymore of her time, meaning she had wasted plenty already. Araceli could feel their doubt in her words, but she merely continued down the road. Even when mothers yanked their children away, hissing insults at her, Araceli never let her smile waver or her head drop. It was as if the girl truly didn't hear the things the villagers said about her.

She lead the way to the head of the road where a tall building rose. "This is town hall. You'll find the village head in his office on the second floor."

Leo looked at her in confusion. "You aren't going to show the way in?"

A sheepish smile curled her lips as she pressed her finger tips together. "I think it would be best if I stayed out here. The village head, Logan, has a...particularly strong dislike of me. The last time I stepped in there, he had a priest come bless the building. And that was after he threw a cross at me." Araceli rubbed just below her ribs as if the memory caused her to ache. "I still have the scar."

"Really!? These people are horrible!" Finral snapped.

Araceli merely laughed in the face of his anger. "Scared people do stupid things, Finral. Not all of them are like that. Anyways," She quickly changed the subject, looking up at the building. "If you go straight up the stairs once you enter, it's hard to miss his office. I'll wait here. If you know what's good for you...don't mention me and don't respond to anything he says about me. It'll just cause you undue problems."

With the note of sternness in her voice, they did as she wished, heading inside. They followed her directions, finding the village head's office with ease. The man in question was an old, pudgy man with gray hair and a face constantly set in a look like he had just smelled something awful. He stood when they walked in.

"You must be the Magic Knights sent to help us. I'm Logan Vesp, the village head," he introduced himself. His eyes moved to Yami, Finral and Magna. "So...you're the squad that foolishly took in the demon spawn, huh." The man scoffed in disgust as he sat behind his desk. "Did you have to bring that...thing with you? We just got rid of it."

"Thing? It?!" Leo, Finral and Magna all grew angry, Finral bristling with his ire as he spoke. "Her name is Araceli and she's not some monster for you to look down on!"

Logan waved him off. "That creature has been a plague on this village since the day it was born. Famine, failed crops, bandits...we never suffered any of that as much as we have since she was born. Then she brought a demon into the village! Do your job and hurry and get that demon spawn away from here."

None of them could believe this man. Araceli was the sweetest thing they had ever met and this man treated her like a low monster. They couldn't say or do anything though, because Araceli didn't want them to.

Logan tossed a rolled up map across the desk. "The locations of each attack are marked. The demon spawn will know everything else you need."

Simple as that and they were dismissed.

Araceli was sitting outside on a barrel, waiting when they came out. Their annoyance and anger hit her strong. She smiled sweetly when they neared her. As if she already knew what had happened, she hopped off the barrel. Clasping her hands behind her back, her nose wrinkled mischievously. "I told you not to talk about me. Say any even remotely good thing about me and he digs his heels in even more."

"How can you laugh about how they treat you?" Leo demanded.

"I told you, words won't change them. Why waste the effort?" She gave her shoulders a shrug. "I'm fine as I am. Come, I'll show the way to the inn."

Araceli turned, heading off down the street. Yami simply fell into step alongside her, handing her the map they had been given. "The old man said this is marked with all the points of attack."

Araceli took the map, opening it to look over the map. "Hmm...looks like they've never reached the heart of the village. That's unusual."

"How so?" Feugoleon asked.

"This village has had it's share of bandit attacks before." Araceli scanned the map. "Each time, they've taken hostages from the edge of the village and quickly made their way to the center of the village. These attacks...it doesn't follow the same pattern."

"You're pretty knowledgeable about his," Leo remarked.

"Yes, well..." Araceli smiled sheepishly. "I've been on the hostage end of a good portion of those attacks."

"What?! Just what kind of trouble do you cause your father!?" Finral demanded.

"Tee-hee," Araceli smiled at him, Finral deflating. "Honestly, though, it was less my looking for trouble and more along the fact that I use to stick to the edge of the village while Julian did his work here on the main street."

Araceli turned back to look at the map, but something else caught her eyes, bringing her to a stop. All of them followed her eyes to a gold painted cart loaded down with crates. As they watched, an older man rounded the back end, a clip board in his hands. Chestnut hair was swept back from his worn face, a single patch of gray showing at his left temple. His blue eyes were fixed on the papers on the clipboard as he directed some men to unload the cart.

The moment she saw him, Araceli lip up, handing the map back to Yami. "Julian!"

Araceli took off happily, the man looking up as she came charging at him. He instantly shoved the clipboard into another man's hands, much as Araceli had down with the map, before he ran to meet her. "Araceli!"

A happy cheer left Araceli as he scooped her up, spinning her around on the spot. Coming to a stop, still holding her off her feet, the man hugged her tight, both grinning widely while the others approached.

"I've missed you!" Araceli was saying as she was sat back on her feet.

"And I you. I've missed this adorable face of yours." The man squished her face between his hands. "Have your cheeks gotten chubbier? They must feed you well."

"Rude!" Araceli grinned before she turned to Yami. "Captain Yami, this is my father, Julian. Julian, this is my captain, Yami, two of my superiors in my squad, Finral and Magna, Captain Feugoleon from the Crimson Lions, his brother Leo, and two of their squad members, Hal and Saxson."

Julian Cruxia smiled, laying a hand on his daughter's head. "It's a pleasure to meet you. Thank you so much for taking care of my little imp. I hope she hasn't caused you too much heartache."

"Again...rude." Araceli said as much, but there was a happy smile on her face.

"She's a good kid," Yami replied. "If not weird."

"Which is why I said I hope she hasn't caused you too much heartache. She means well, but she attracts trouble." Julian smiled fondly down at his daughter.

"It's not on purpose," Araceli insisted.

Julian raised an eyebrow down at her. "I beg to differ." Araceli's smile only grew. "Are you lot on the way to the inn?"

"We were," Feugoleon confirmed.

"Well, then, allow me to lead the way," Julian wrapped an arm around Araceli's shoulders, leading her off to the side. His eyes, for a moment, lingered on the two captains before he turned. "I must have read your letters a hundred times. Your squad sounds like quite an interesting place."

Araceli grinned. "It is! The other two newbies of my squad and myself were awarded a star on our first mission."

Julian's grin turned proud, both father and daughter ignoring the looks and comments directed their way.

Now they knew where Araceli got it from.

"Truly? That's amazing! I'm so proud of you, my little magelet!" Julian praised her as he planted a kiss on the top of her head.

Yami, Finral and Magna had never seen Araceli so happy and the girl always seemed to be cheerful. She happily spoke to her father as the neared a tall building with a sigh showing that it was the inn. A man was outside, sweeping the porch.

Julian raised a hand in greeting. "Fallon!"

The man looked up. Upon seeing Julian and Araceli, a wide grin curled his lips. "Well, well! If it isn't Ara!"

Araceli greeted the man who, unlike the rest of the village, actually seemed to like her. He gave her a hug as he set the broom aside. "So, you got called here to handle our mess?"

"I wouldn't say it like that," Araceli replied.

"No, you wouldn't. Julian raised you with too good of manners," Fallon retorted.

Araceli smiled, turning to get introductions out of the way. "This is the inn's owner, Fallon."

Fallon smiled at the other Magic Knights. "Thank you for your help. Speaking of help..." Fallon turned to Julian, lowering his voice where passing villagers couldn't hear. "If Ara's here, Julian, you should take her to the fields."

"Oh, right." Julian looked down at his daughter. "Would you mind doing your old father a favor, magelet?"

"It'll give me time to prepare rooms for you and your comrades," Fallon added.

"Of course. You know I'll help if I'm able," Araceli agreed. She turned to her captain. "I shouldn't be long if you want to wait here, Captain Yami."

"Nah, I'll go with you."

Araceli nodded. Leaving Feugoleon's two squad members behind, the two captains, Leo, Finral and Magna followed as Julian led Araceli out of the village and to one of the surrounding fields. They found that a few of the fields had been burned to a crisp, destroying the crops that had been growing there.

Araceli crouched at the edge of one field, scooping her fingers through the chard dirt. "They did quite the job on the crops."

"They did," Julian agreed, looking down at her. "Can you fix it?"

Araceli quietly shifted through the ashes. "Well, they completely burned the surface, but there's still live plant life underneath. I think I can fix this."

"Oh, good!" Julian sighed in relief.

Feugoleon eyed Araceli as she stood, dusting off her hands. "How do you plan to help? You do not have plant magic."

"No, I don't." Araceli pulled her grimoire out of its holster. "But Harlequin does. Harlequin, I need you."

The grimoire sprang open, flipping pages before landing on the page that Harlequin sprung from. "Yes, Mistress?"

Araceli smiled at the tiny creature. "Harlequin, do you think you could revive these fields? Some bad people burned the fields and the village needs the crops."

The fairy floated down to the ground, examining the torched earth. "It shouldn't be a problem. The roots are still alive and well."

"Please and thank you," Araceli thanked the fairy before it took off over the fields. He started at the farthest corner and worked his way across the fields, glittery dust raining down from him. Everywhere the dust touched, green plant life sprang up. "He should be able to return the crops to their former glory."

"Thank you, magelet," Julian told her.

Araceli held a finger up to her lips. "Just don't let the village find out that it was me. They would torch the fields again."

"Interesting," Feugoleon looked down at Araceli, his purple eyes meeting hers. "I was under the impression that you could only call forth devils."

A low chuckle left Araceli. "Not at all. Mythic Magic allows me to summon forth all kinds of mystical creatures. Belphegor was just the first one. I have him, Lilith who is a succubus, Harlequin here who is a fairy, and my newest summons, Adelais, who is a griffin."

Feugoleon stared at her smiling face. "It would seem I misjudged your magic. For that, I apologize."

Araceli blinked in surprise before waving him off. "There's no need to apologize, Captain. The past is the past."

"Mistress! I could use some help!"

Araceli turned then, trotting across the field to join the fairy. Julian turned to look at Feugoleon. "You look like you want to argue with her." Feugoleon shifted his eyes to the other man. "Just leave it at that. Trust me when I tell you...she's already forgotten any and all offense."

All eyes shifted to Araceli as she spoke with the fairy. Julian smiled proudly as he watched her with her summons.

"What do you mean?" Feugoleon asked.

"Araceli is a very simple child. She might seem air-headed to most, but it's simply because she really doesn't care enough to take any offense to heart. Almost as soon as you have said or done something hurtful, she moves on." Julian sighed. "She's far too forgiving in my opinion, but she has too much of her mother in her."

Feugoleon eyed Julian. "Her mother is gone, correct?"

A sad sigh left Julian. "Yes. She died the day Araceli was born. I got a healer, but there was nothing he could do to save her by then. She was a...special young lady. She was only Araceli's age at the time and she had no family, so I took her in to help her. We became fast friends."

"And her birth father?" Feugoleon asked.

Julian's eyes turned to him. From the way he paused, Feugoleon had a feeling that his next words were a lie. "No one knows who he is. Her mother never said."

Even Yami could tell that it was a lie. None of them could say a thing as Araceli came trotting back to them. "All done!"

The fields beyond were back to their previous green state. It was like they had never been burned. Julian dropped the topic, walking back towards the village with an arm wrapped protectively around Araceli's shoulders.

When they returned to the inn, Fallon called for Araceli to help him in the kitchen, leaving her comrades in the dining room with Julian. Julian took a seat, turning to Yami. "So, tell me...how's my little girl been doing?"

"She's a strange kid, but hard working," Yami replied, taking a seat at the table.

Julian chuckled. "She's always been an odd one."

"So we noticed. She doesn't react at all when the villagers so openly shun her," Finral remarked.

"Ah, yes...that." Julian heaved a sigh. "I would like to say that that was my influence, but she's taken my lessons of being true to herself, and taken them to extremes. Not only does she not begrudge the villagers for their idiotic superstitions, she even defends them to her own detriment."

"How so?" Feugoleon asked.

Julian's eyes drifted towards the bar that looked into the kitchen. They could just see Araceli as she laughed at something Fallon had said. "Have any of you seen the scar on her back?"

"It's kind of hard to miss with the clothes she wears," Manga remarked.

"Yes, well...she's very proud of that scar," Julian heaved a sigh. "I think it's stupid, but she doesn't."

"How'd she get it?" Leo asked.

"You've met Logan, the village head, correct?" Julian asked.

"Yeah. Piece of work, that one," Yami remarked.

"Agreed." Julian shook his head. "Logan's grandson and his friends have bullied my daughter from the time they could walk. It was part of the reason why I would leave her on the edge of the village when I had to come to the village for work."

"Were you aware that she ended up being taken hostage by bandits because of that?" Finral asked.

"Yes...after the fact. Araceli has a bad habit of not telling others things if she believes it will upset them. It wasn't until the last time it happened that I finally learned of it and then...I almost lost her." Julian rubbed a hand over his face. "I left her outside the village that day, as normal. Logan's grandson, Hendrick, and his friends were picking on her when bandits showed up."

"They took the children hostage?" Feugoleon asked.

"Not quite," Julian leaned back in his seat. "Those bandits attacked the children. They just wanted to hurt someone. Araceli...she threw herself in front of Hendrick and his friends, taking a blast meant for them. I almost lost my daughter that day and all those children and their parents could do was spit on her selfless act. And she still tries to defend them until this day."

The story gave them a very clear view of the type of person Araceli was. To be honest, it sacred them that the girl would go so far for people who had tormented her her whole life.

"To make it worse, when I asked her why she had done it, she replied with, "Because they were scared". I wanted to wring her little neck." Julian's frustration was clear. "She's always been incredibly tuned into others' emotions. She's an empath and can sense mana to such a degree that she can feel the emotions of others through their mana. She can't stand still when she feels the fear and pain of others."

"That's the first I've heard this," Finral remarked.

"She doesn't tell many because she doesn't want them to feel like she's invading their privacy. My little empath...she's always more concerned with the well being of others. She can feel their hatred of her so strongly, but she still defends them with a smile on her face. I don't know where she gets it from because I didn't teach her that."

"How old was she when she got the scar?" Feugoleon asked.

"Six. Can you imagine? Six years old and already more mature and thoughtful than most adults. It frustrates me so much, but...she's still my pride and joy." Julian watched Araceli with a conflicted smile on his face. "She decided to be a Magic Knight because she wants to help others to not feel fear. Of course, she says its a selfish reason because it was born of her desire to not feel others' fear and sadness."

"That doesn't sound selfish at all," Feugoleon replied.

"I believe so, too, but you can't tell my stubborn daughter that." Julian shook his head. "She seems to be doing well, though. I'm glad."

Yami leaned back in his seat, lighting a cigarette. "You were worried?"

"Of course. It takes a special kind of person to accept someone like Araceli. Magic, personality and all." Julian smiled at Yami. "I'm glad she met a captain like that. Whether she says so or not, I know she was always a lonely child. She puts on a smile for those around her, but I could see the longing she had for friends. I can't tell you how happy she was when she got her grimoire and out popped Belphegor. I tell you, I've never laughed so much as I did upon seeing the shock on that devil's face when she hugged him out of glee."

"She hugged him!?" Finral asked in astonishment.

"That she did." Julian's nose wrinkled in amusement. "For better or worse, those two are bonded for life. Araceli was thrilled to know that she would have someone there with her through thick and thin. I'm not sure how he felt about it at first, but Belphegor has grown quite protective of her since."

Yami was sure the devil was protective. If the relationship between him and Araceli was anything like the one between the only other devil host he knew and his devils, then Araceli and her magical bond with Belphegor was the only way he stayed in their world. Without her, he would be banished back to the underworld where all devils recided.

"Have you met any of her other summons, aside from Belphegor and Harlequin?" Julian asked.

"Uh...a succubus," Finral answered.

"Ah, Lilith. Unique creature, that one. She can change her appearance and has a fondness for Araceli's. I had quite the time telling the two apart when she first arrived. Lilith had the habit of taking Araceli's form and then scaring the villagers when they would bully her, believing she was Araceli." Julian grinned at the memory. "Another one that's protective of my daughter. Instead of being a master, Araceli chose to be a friend. I think they have responded in kind."

"Who responded in what kind?" Araceli popped up beside Julian, looking between them all. "You aren't talking about me behind my back again, are you, Julian?"

Julian's hands went up in a show of surrender. "I would never do such a thing. You have my solemn word, on my honor as a father."

"What honor?" Araceli wrinkled her nose playfully at Julian. "You tease me relentlessly, just as any father does. That's not honor, it's just mean!"

"No, my dear daughter, that is a father's love." Julian tapped the tip of Araceli's nose.

They could now see where Araceli got part of her happy personality from. Biological daughter or not, Julian had raised Araceli with all the love and care of a true father.

It was this that would make the events of the next day so tough to handle.

END

Kyandi: I feel bad for putting you through that.

Araceli: You went through something similar, didn't you?

Kyandi: Yes. My freshman year in high school. I don't know what my older sister said to everyone, but the whole school, faculty and students, treated me like trash. It got so bad that I had to change schools.

Araceli: It really is a horrible feeling.

Kyandi: It is, but for all of those who have been through something like that, you are not alone and there are people out there who love and care for you.

Araceli: Just remember to try to smile every day.

Kyandi: A smile a day can keep the dark clouds away.

Araceli: Might seem stupid, but it works.

Kyandi: Yes, it does. So everyone, be your best you, ignore haters, and enjoy and review.

Araceli: We will return as soon as we can.

Kyandi: Bye-bye!