Kyandi: Greetings, lovelies!

Araceli: We came back as soon as we could.

Kyandi: Yes we did, and in this chapter we're going to start building up to a secret about Araceli that not even she knew.

Araceli: Don't give away anything.

Kyandi: I'm not. We'll see if anyone can guess what it is before it's revealed.

Araceli: I want to say I doubt it, but you have smart readers.

Kyandi: That I do. With that, everyone enjoy and review.

Araceli: Kyandi-sama does not own Black Clover.

Chapter 4 Empathy

Upon passing her "baptism", Vanessa showed Araceli around the base. The building was just as strange inside as it was on the outside. Vanessa explained that the building constantly shifted, so the halls were different, day to day. Araceli found that fascinating, unconcerned about being able to find her way around the hideout.

The dining hall was large, the main bath nice, and, to Araceli's amusement, the girls' rooms were guarded by more trap magic designed to keep males out than she had ever seen in her whole life. It made her laugh, but it also made her wonder how many guys had tried to sneak a peek before the trap magic was laid.

Along the way, they ran into Magna and Asta, Vanessa leaving her with the two with a promise to show her to her room later. Araceli followed the two as they walked the halls.

It was then that they came across a young girl with silver hair and a Black Bulls' robe.

"So this is where you were, huh?" Magna jabbed a thumb at the silvernette. "Hey, Asta, Celi, meet your comrade. She's the other new members."

"Oh, hello," Araceli greeted.

Asta held out his hand to the girl. "I'm Asta from Hage! Let's compete with each other and do our best!"

Araceli wished she could say she was surprised when the girl slapped Asta's hand aside, but she could see the contempt in the look on the other girl's face. It came through in her tone as well. "Don't address me casually. Little insect with your paltry magic. I am Noelle Silva." Noelle tossed one silver pigtail over her shoulder. "A member of this country's royal family."

Araceli didn't really react to that news, but Asta fell to his knees, bowing to her. "I do beg your pardon! A little insect like myself should never have presumed to...hey..." Asta jumped up. "Who's a little insect!? As knights, we're on the same level! Royalty's got nothing to do with it!"

"It has everything to do with it," Noelle replied, Araceli watching silently from the sidelines. "I see that it will take more than words to make you foolish peasants understand...I'll have to let the difference in our magic powers convince you!"

Araceli stared wide eyed, blinking in surprise, when Noelle unleashed a water based magic attack with the intention of taking out Asta, but, instead, the attack took a ninety degree turn and hit Magna instead.

Magna, now dripping wet, glared at Noelle. "Damn it! You've guts, that's for sure."

Noelle stayed true to her high-and-mighty attitude. "It's your fault for standing there. Who gave you permission to be there?"

Araceli could actually understand Magna's annoyance as he raised his voice. "Why you little...I'm a senior member here!"

"Well, I'm royalty." Noelle shot back.

"I don't care if you're royalty or the little sister of the captain of the Silver Eagles! Captain Yami's the only guy who'd take on a shrew like you!"

Araceli's eyes went to Noelle's face as she looked down at the robe she wore. Then Noelle took it off and threw it on the ground as she turned to walk away. "I wouldn't be in this group if you paid me."

"You little...!" Magna pointed a finger at her. "Heeeeey! Whaddaya think you're doing!? And where's my apology, huh? Huh!?"

Araceli watched Noelle leave. Since Magna was going to show Asta to his room, Araceli left them, saying she'd find one of the girls to show her where her room was. Once they left, however...she went looking for Noelle. She found her trying to do target practice, only for her magic to never hit the target. Noelle was shaky, as if she had been practicing nonstop for hours.

"Keep that up and you'll pass out." Noelle jumped when Araceli spoke, rounding to find Araceli behind her, smile on her face. "Hi."

"Wh-what are you doing here?!"

Araceli stepped into the clearing, looking around at all the holes all over the place. "You have a spectacular amount of magical power. It made you easy to track."

Noelle was stunned, staring at her. "W-why?"

Araceli's smile was wide as she turned to Noelle. "I'm Araceli Cruxia. You can call me Celi."

Noelle blinked in surprise. "Cruxia? You're from the noble family, Cruxia?"

Araceli's smile turned awkward. "Not by blood. Why don't we sit and have a chat?"

Noelle relented, the two girls finding a place to sit. Noelle looked at her. "What did you mean?"

"I use the name Cruxia because that is the family name of the man who raised me. See, I'm an orphan. Julian Cruxia took me in and raised me as his own."

"So you're a commoner."

Araceli laughed. "I'm not sure. My mother was our age when she had me. Only fifteen. She, uh...she died giving birth to me." Araceli watched the shock take over Noelle's face. "You understand that, don't you."

"H...how did you know?"

Araceli grinned, holding a finger up to her lips. "I'm going to tell you a secret only a few people know. I have a very keen ability to sense mana around me."

"And?"

"And...mana is a funny thing. If you can sense it well enough, you can even began to pick up on what others feel." Araceli's expression turned sad. "Mana lives in everything. It's no surprise that it can transport feelings. Those with more magical power are easier to sense. The moment I told you what happened to my mother, I felt the mix of guilt, shame and sadness that you felt. I knew then. In short...I'm an empath."

Noelle stared at her, shocked by the revelation. "Why tell me this?"

Araceli laid a hand on hers, smiling. "I told you because I could feel every emotion you felt while you were talking to Asta and Magna."

Mortification hit Noelle hard. "Are you going to mock me now?"

"Oh, heavens no!" Araceli's instant reply surprised her. "There's nothing to mock. No one is perfect, Noelle. Not even royals. So you have a hard time controlling your magic...so what."

Araceli could feel her disbelief and gave her a reassuring smile. Noelle just didn't know what to say to that. "Really?"

"Of course!" Araceli leaned back to stare up at the sky above them. "The expectations of others are a hard thing to live with. Even hard to live up to. Especially when you have the guilt on your shoulders that you and I have."

Noelle's expression softened. "you feel guilty, too?"

"Some days." Araceli heaved a sigh. "Some days I feel incredibly guilty, but then I remind myself that if I dwell in such feelings then it's just putting her sacrifice to shame. Julian likes to tell me all about my mother and how much she loved and wanted me. I'm sure your mother was the same way."

Noelle looked down at her feet. "I'm not so sure."

Araceli could feel the storm of emotions that waged war in Noelle. She couldn't begin to imagine what Noelle had gone through as a child, but the hollow ache of loneliness and sorrow had Araceli reaching out to draw Noelle into a hug.

"It's alright. You're not alone, I promise." Araceli's hug had Noelle sagging against her, tears welling up in her eyes. "I'll be your friend, confidant, whatever. You'll never have to worry about mocking or anything else with me, this I swear."

Noelle hugged Araceli back, feeling accepted for the first time in her life. And it came from a stranger. Araceli stroked her hair, letting her get the tears out without having to say a word. When she had gotten it all out, Noelle sighed.

"Thank you, Celi."

"Of course." Araceli pulled back from the hug and smiled brightly at her. "Trust me, I'm not the only one that will accept you as your are. The others here will too...if you give them a chance."

"You believe so?"

Araceli nodded. "I do." She felt the uncertainty lash through the other girl. "Well, if nothing else, my door is always open. I'll be here if you ever need anything."

For the first time since meeting her, Noelle smiled as she wiped the tears from her eyes. "Thank you."

A new friend made, they headed inside, Vanessa showing Araceli to her new room. The other girls had cleaned it up and furnished it for her. It was a decent size room with a window seat, plush bed, vanity and desk. Araceli thanked the girls and set about unpacking her bag. Once everything was in its new place, she sat down at her desk to write two letters. One to Julian to tell him everything and the other to Yuno. Once she was done, she called it a night.

Araceli was awoken the next morning to a sudden surge of magical power. She bolted up in bed, her white hair puffing out around her head. She knew instantly that it was Noelle. Not even pausing to change out of her frilly nightgown, Araceli rushed outside. She was greeted by the sight of a large sphere of water overhead, Noelle trapped in its center. The others soon joined her.

Yami braced his hands on his hips. "Her magic's gone out of control."

"Now that's some serious magic!" Magna remarked. "We better do something about that or else!"

"We can't really use attack magic with her at the heart of it all," Araceli mused. "She could get hurt."

It was then that a whip of water smashed into the ground, sending Asta flying at them from out of nowhere. Yami didn't even blink as he easily caught Asta. "Oh, hey. Perfect timing, glad you dropped in. Go do something about that."

"Wait, no, what?" Asta seemed confused. "What am I supposed to do about that!? It's not like I can fly up...there..." Asta trailed off as Yami drew his arm back, preparing to launch Asta into the sky.

"Surpass your limits. Right here. Right now."

Araceli shaded her eyes, leaning back as Yami rocketed Asta straight at the sphere of water. Asta didn't have any time to think, just drew his sword and cut the massive orb in half, dispelling it and freeing Noelle. The two fell to the ground, only Finral and his magic saving them from a dangerous fall.

"Noelle!" Araceli ran over to Noelle, falling to her knees beside her to check on her. "Are you alright?"

Noelle clenched her fists, sure the other would make fun of her. To her surprise, Asta was impressed. "Hey, you! That's some freakin' awesome magic you've got! You're amazing!"

"Huh?" Noelle looked up at him.

"Dang it! I don't have any magic, so I'm jealous! If you train until you can control it, you'll be unstoppable! I'll have to train hard so I don't look like a loser."

Magna snorted. "What, you couldn't control your magic? That's it? Should've told us sooner, you royal failure. We're the Black Bulls. A whole group of failures. That little flaw of yours ain't a big deal, idiot."

Noelle glanced at Araceli as the others agreed, readily accepting Noelle, flaws and all. Araceli gave her a wink. It brought tears to Noelle's eyes that Araceli had been right.

"Like I said...you just had to give them a chance."

Noelle nodded, just as happy as both Araceli and Asta to have found a place for them to fit in.

Even it that place was a group of failures.

END

Kyandi: I couldn't imagine how painful it had to be for Noelle growing up.

Araceli: It is difficult growing up without a mother. Especially if everyone blames you for her death.

Kyandi: Yeah, but we'll get more into that later.

Araceli: Yes, we will.

Kyandi: For now, it's breakfast time here and I need substances.

Araceli: Time to go?

Kyandi: Yes. Everyone, please enjoy and review.

Araceli: We'll return as quickly as we can.

Kyandi: Bye-bye!