0713MM: Hey guys! I welcome you to the 52nd chapter of The Silver Valkyrie! I do not own Black Clover, nor its characters, nor the OCs that are used in this chapter. The OCs and spells used in this chapter belong to guardian of the aura Aurasoul and Warmachine375. Chapter start!^^
Chapter 52
"Alright, that's enough for now. You can take a break." The Diamond Kingdom soldiers being trained under Koji sighed in relief as they went to stretch as there mentor left to go take his own break.
"Finally." Anna sighed. "He's just as bad as you, Evanora."
"What?" Evanora remarked with a frown. "I'm not that bad."
"Yes you are." Both Andreas and Tantalus deadpanned.
"Hey." Evanora lightly pouted. "But anyway, what do you plan to do on your break Anna?"
"I know what I'm doing." Tantalus spoke up as he pulled a fried chicken sandwich from practically nowhere. "I'm gonna feast!"
"Don't you ever not eat?" Andreas sighed.
"What? You know I have Giant Magic naturally and Food Magic artificially." Tantalus remarked as he ate half the sandwich in 1 bite. "I can't help it!"
"What do I plan to do?" Anna repeated, placing a hand on her chin. After about a minute, a lightbulb in her head went off. "Ah, I know! Have you noticed that when Koji is teaching us, his grimoire isn't out."
"What's the big deal? Mars can fight without his grimoire out too." Tantalus pointed out.
"True." Anna agreed. "However, unlike with Mars, Koji hasn't shown his grimoire once."
"And what's the problem?" Andreas questioned.
"Well, I just find it odd." Anna remarked.
"It could just be his preference. He did admit he's a private person." Andreas pointed out.
"That is true." Anna agreed. "But I'm just curious about it."
"Why's that?" Evanora asked. "You think he got the same treatment that Mars, Fana, Andreas, and Tantalus did?"
"I highly doubt it given this tribe's protectiveness to its citizens." Andreas frowned. "Are you sure this isn't just you wanting to prank him for all the times he's teased you in training."
"No!"
"Yes." Tantalus finished the rest of his sandwich in one gulp.
"Oi!" Anna pouted. "Okay, yes! You got me!"
"Figures." Andreas sighed. "How do you even plan to go about this?"
"How?" Anna questioned before grinning. "Oh, I have an idea. I've just gotta talk to Asta and Noelle."
The 3 blinked looking at one another curiously.
"No way."
"Come on Koji!"
"Forget it."
"It's just one afternoon."
"Not to your devious little clone!" Koji was deadpanning at Asta and Noelle, who looked at him with Aci in Noelle's arms. Aci looked up at Koji and babbled happily at him.
"Please Koji?" Asta asked. "Me and Noelle want to do some minor training exercises with her Mother for a few hours. Shirley is taking care of James and Cordelia during that time."
"Why not ask Ren and Yuno? Lord knows they should have the practice early." Koj frowned.
"As should you." Noelle countered lightly. "You and Secre are an item right now, so why not, hmm?"
"It won't be a while yet with me and Secre. With those 2 however, it's only a matter of time with Yuno and we all know it." Koji deadpanned, which they couldn't help but agree.
"Oh, that's true." Asta and Noelle agreed.
"Alright, we'll tell you this." Noelle spoke. "If you babysit Aci this one time, we'll ask Ren and Yuno next time. Alright?" Koji looked at them for a moment glancing at Aci and then sighed.
"I will not be held responsible for her natural mayhem she got from your husband. I hope you know that." He replied.
"I know." Noelle chuckled lightly.
"Oi!" Asta gaped.
"Alright, come here you little gremlin." Koji grunted, taking Aci from Noelle. Aci babbled at Koji and waved her tiny hands up at him.
"Aww, she's excited.~" Noelle cooed at her daughter. "You be good for Koji, alright Aci? Me and your Father will be doing some training with your Grandmother for a little while."
"Don't tell her something she won't do." Koji deadpanned.
"We know she can be a bit much, yes." Asta agreed. "But you'll be alright Koji."
"You should hope so." Koji replied. "Best come with me now little gremlin."
"Ahaha!" Aci laughed as Noelle and Asta ruffled the small hairs on her head. Koji walked back inside his hut with a huff closing the door behind him as he carried Aci.
"So how are we doing this training, Mother?" Noelle asked her Mother, who led the 2 to an open area within the Elysia Elf Tribe.
"I wanted to train with you 2." Queen Acier answered her youngest child's question, turning around to face the 2. "And to see how far you 2 have come and grown as being a part of the Magic Knights."
"Wait." Asta began, slowly catching on to what the Clover Kingdom Queen was saying. "Are you saying that you want to spar with us?"
"I am, yes Asta." Queen Acier smiled lightly. "This isn't just for you 2, but for me as well. I hope you 2 don't mind."
"Not at all, Mother." Noelle smiled.
"Great!" Queen Acier grinned as she soon went into a battle ready stance. "Then come at me with all you got you 2!" As soon as she said that, she silently casted Steel Creation Magic: Valkyrie Armor. Asta and Noelle looked at each other, then back Queen Acier.
This'll actually give me a chance to test out the Angel Power form Raguel has been helping me learn. Noelle thought.
"You ready Noelle?" Asta asked her. Noelle looked over at Asta and nodded in confirmation.
"I'm ready, yes Asta." Noelle replied, smiling lightly.
"Good to hear!" Queen Acier retorted, beckoning to her daughter and son-in-law with her left hand. "Now, come at me with all that you have!" Just like with her Mother, Noelle silently casted her Water Creation Magic: Valkyrie Armor, while Asta got his sword out of his Star Magic 4 leaf clover grimoire. Both now battle ready. Asta took a step forward, then vanished via Star Magic: Conjunction. Queen Acier looked around, but quickly turned her attention to Noelle, who flew straight at her at high speed. However…
"Steel Magic: Steel Bullet Squall!" Queen Acier declared. Noelle gaped and quickly evaded the widespread spell. Asta reappeared behind Queen Acier and swung his sword at her. The tip of said sword glowed a bright gold.
"Star Magic: Astra!" Asta declared. At his command, 5 very slashes came out of his sword and flew towards Queen Acier at incredible speed; even cutting through Steel Magic: Steel Bullet Squall. Queen Acier, half turning, raised her free arm up and a wall made of liquified steel appeared in front of her to block the incoming slashes.
"Steel Creation Magic: Full Steel Fortress!"
"Ah dammit!" Asta cursed as his attack got canceled out. He gaped as Queen Acier thrusted her liquified steel lance towards him, to which he teleported out of harm's way. Noelle continued to fly around to try and get a hit in on her Mother.
"Water Creation Magic: Sea Dragon Claws!" Noelle declared. Her free hand turned into a water dragon's claw and she sent a slash of water towards her Mother while also flying at high speed to go for an impale at the lower chest area in an effort to incapacitate her. Queen Acier soon returned her attention to Noelle and began to spin around like a ballerina.
"Steel Magic: Steel Shooter!" Noelle easily evaded the Steel Magic slashes her Mother launched at her and continued on the offensive. Just as her watery lance nearly reached Queen Acier, her Mother blocked her lance strike with her own liquified steel one.
"Not bad, Noelle dear." Queen Acier complimented her daughter.
"Thanks Mom." Noelle remarked. "But don't think that you're going to get the upper hand."
"Hoh?" Queen Acier wondered aloud.
"Water Creation Magic: Point Blank Sea Dragon's Roar!" Noelle declared. Off of the tip of her Valkyrie Armor's lance came out a sea dragon's head and it flew towards Queen Acier. Queen Acier smiled lightly and evaded it just in time, then, casting Steel Magic: Hard Fist Strike, punched the spell; thus shattered it. At the same time, Asta reappeared, his sword glowing and imbued with Star Magic mana.
"Star Magic: Polaris!" A concentrated beam of Star Magic mana fired off the tip of Asta's sword and fired at Queen Acier. Due to Queen Acier's ki sensory, she evaded Asta's attack at the last second. At the same, she silently casted Steel Creation Magic: Gungnir Spear so she could use it and her Valkyrie Armor's lance to block both Noelle's Valkyrie Armor lance and Asta's sword slash at the same time.
Tch! No good! Asta thought.
"You 2 have been improving! I can tell!" Queen Acier smiled.
"Thanks Lady Aci-I mean, Mom!" Asta grinned. "Now let's see how you handle this!" Asta was the first to break the blade lock, followed by Noelle. "Star Magic: Arcturus!" Several Star Magic beams fired out of Asta's sword and flew towards Queen Acier at high speed.
"The spell he used against Ren a couple months back…!" Noelle breathed. Queen Acier looked up and smiled lightly, her 2nd liquified steel lance vanished as her left fist became imbued by her Steel Magic.
"Steel Magic: Hard Fist Strike!" At her declaration, her left fist collided with Star Magic: Arcturus; thus causing an explosion of magical energy. Both Asta and Noelle had to cover their faces with their right arms, to prevent themselves from getting blinded from said magical explosion.
Ren was humming happily as she walked, Yuno was training with Rhya and she decided to check over her tribe when she noticed a group of the children looking up in awe, making her look. Curious, and walked up to them.
"Ren! Ren look!" A young elf girl pointed up at the sky excitedly while tugging at Ren's right hand's wrist gently. "Fireworks!"
"Fireworks?" Ren questioned, looking up. She sees several sparks in the sky, followed by flashing lights that look like fireworks explosions.
"Uh, is that Acier with Asta and Noelle?" Fay blinked, also looking.
"Judging by those mana signatures, yeah I think so." Ren nodded.
"Though the little kids don't see it that way." Carbuncle remarked, rising up from a bush. "But you can't blame them for thinking it's fireworks. From here, it kinda does look like it."
"Very true." Fay agreed. "Guess that means Asta and Noelle got someone to watch little Aci."
"That wild little thing." Carbuncle laughed lightly. "She not only somehow got out of the guest hut her family's using, but managed to find and climb into my bed earlier in the week."
"I pray for the one babysitting her now." Ren chuckled.
"It's your second-in-command of the tribe." Carbuncle deadpanned. Ren and Fay blinked at this.
"Oh he ain't gonna last long." Fay snickered.
"Yeah, he won't." Carbuncle couldn't help but laugh.
"Oh dear. I wonder how he's dealing." Ren chuckled.
"Wanna check up on him?" Carbuncle suggested.
"And see the fun? Sure." Fay grinned.
"Then we'll go and see." Carbuncle remarked. "Ren can stay here and keep an eye on those 3." She points up at the sky, referring to Asta, Noelle, and Queen Acier.
"Sure. Just to make sure they don't go overboard." Ren replied as she watched. Carbuncle smiled lightly, then grabbed Fay and strided off towards Koji's hut.
"Calm down you little hyperactive sugar ball!" Koji grunted chasing after a giggling crawling Aci all over his hut.
"Ahahaha!" Aci laughed playfully, now climbing on the ceiling.
"How are you even doing that?!" Koji couldn't help but question. Aci just continued to laugh and leapt back down to the ground, though she almost knocked a chandelier out of its hooks in the process.
"Alright that's it." Koji grunted. Wrapping Moon Magic on his feet Koji leaped up and quickly grabbed Aci making her squeal before he landed with a huff.
"Finally got you." He sighed, running a hand through his hair. Not long after he did, he heard his door open.
"Having fun?" Fay grinned.
"Oh hush." Koji sighed, cradling Aci. "Honestly Asta and Noelle owe me big for this."
"Well, they did tell you this is the one time you have to watch the energetic munchkin." Carbuncle told him.
"And it's gonna be the only time. For crying out loud, this kid can climb ceilings!" Koji scowled. At this news, Carbuncle blinked.
"Wait….what?!" Carbuncle gaped. "How?!"
"I don't know." Koji groaned.
"Only reason I can guess. She's Asta's kid." Fay shrugged.
"Truth." Carbuncle agreed. "Asta and Noelle should be done with training soon. Regardless, should we go get them for you so they can take Aci off your hands?"
"When they're done. I'd rather not interrupt them if I can." Koji sighed, rocking Aci in his arms. Aci giggling as he did so.
"Fair enough." Carbuncle agreed.
"But man, she must've been all over the place." Fay remarked, looking around.
"You have no idea." Koji grunted.
"I can tell." Carbuncle noted as she looked around the hut. "It looks like a tiny bomb went off."
"Yeah, I can't even find my grimoire. Thank god I can use magic without it." Koji groaned. Aci giggled and began to climb all over Koji.
"Oh wow…!" Carbuncle breathed. "How much energy does this baby even have? Most would be tired after something like that."
"Again this is Asta's kid." Fay reminded her. "No surprise."
"Gosh darn it you little!" Koji grunted, trying to catch Aci. Aci just laughed playfully and sat on his head.
"Geez this kid." Koji grunted, grabbing her off his head.
"Should I try putting her to sleep?" Carbuncle suggested. Before Carbuncle could respond, Aci looked at Carbuncle, making the metallic spirit blink. In a second or so, Aci was now on top of Carbuncle. "Ack!"
"I give up with this kid." Fay sweatdropped.
"She defies reason." Koji deadpanned.
"Isn't that her Dad in a nutshell?" Carbuncle asked, trying to get Aci off of her.
"And we're stuck dealing with it." Koji sighed, grabbing Aci. "Come here you little fiend."
"Mm!~" Aci babbled as Koji picked her up.
"Yes, yes." Koji hummed, cradling her and tickling her feet. This of course caused the little tyke to laugh a bit louder. Carbuncle, while watching, couldn't help but smile.
"You'd be a great parent, Koji. "She told him. "Though I wonder: What magic do you think this little one will have?" Koji twitched at the good parent comment before he shrugged.
"Who knows. I mean one parent has Water Magic while the other just got back his magic which turned out to be Star Magic." Koji replied. "At this point it could be anything."
"True." Carbuncle agreed. "And if Undine wasn't in an oath with the Heart Kingdom, she could contract with any of them. Should any of them have Water Magic, of course."
"She wouldn't do it either way." Fay shrugged. "This contract of hers dates back to the very first Queen of Hearts who she got along with. As such, her contract stems down the line to the Royal Family of the Heart Kingdom until finally reaching Lolopechka who she is very fond of. I'm pretty sure she's content in Heart as is."
"I know Fay." Carbuncle replied. "Hence why I said if she didn't have the oath with the Heart Kingdom."
"Either way, I highly doubt she'd contract with just anyone. She seems picky." Koji smirked.
"Ba ba ba!" Aci babbled. Carbuncle heard the baby and she pouted.
"I am not as picky as Undine, you little tyke!"
"You know what she's saying?" Koji questioned. Carbuncle turned to Koji and nodded.
"I do." Carbuncle answered. "She said "Just like you!". You as in me."
"Ok how the heck can you understand baby babble?" Koji questioned.
"Before all the craziness, I was around my former master's kids a lot." She replied before shrugging. "I guess I just learned how to understand baby talk. Surprised Fay hasn't."
"It's not that I don't, I just don't bother bringing it up since I can help around as is." Fay shrugged.
Spirits. Koji thought with a sweatdrop.
"My, you guys are amazing!" Queen Acier smiled after the smoke cleared from her punching Asta's Star Magic spell with her own Steel Magic spell.
"Thanks!" Asta grinned, flying back.
"But I think it's about time that I got a little serious, hmm?" Queen Acier smiled lightly as mana began to surround her.
"What is she doing?" Asta wondered. Noelle also became slightly confused before her eyes widened slightly.
"This sensation…! Asta we got to spread out for the time being!" Noelle called out to her husband.
Steel Magic Mana Zone: Steel Valhalla! Queen Acier thought. Noelle cursed in frustration and realization at what her Mother just casted.
"We're doomed aren't we?!" Asta yelped to his wife. Noelle was about to answer, but she gasped as her Mother appeared from supposedly nowhere and punched her hard. Hard enough to separate Noelle from her own Valkyrie Armor spell. As a result, Noelle went flying backwards in the air several feet. She put her hand to her mouth as she coughed up some blood.
"A-Ack…!" Noelle coughed. "That…..That really fucking hurt…..!" She wiped her mouth with her arm, only to see blood on her shirt's sleeve.
"Noelle!" Asta gasped, flying over to her.
"I'll be okay Asta!" Noelle told him. "Just keep it up and continue! I'll rejoin in a sec!" Asta looked worried, but nodded and then quickly flew toward Acier. While Asta did that, Noelle looked down at her grimoire as it began to turn its pages; glowing a whitish-hue.
"Raguel, it's time I gave this its real test." Noelle spoke to her Angel. An apparition of Raguel appeared next to her and nodded.
"Yes, I agree." He remarked. "Go for it." Noelle nodded as Raguel's apparition disappeared. Not long after that, Noelle became engulfed into a pillar of white light. Acier and Asta looked up, shocked. Once the light died out they gaped speechless to see Noelle's hair now glowing a metallic silver, her eyes glowing bluish pink, a pair of beautiful white wings on her back, and a white light emanating from her.
"Wha, wha, whaaaa….?!" Asta gaped flustered.
"Angel Power: 50%!" Noelle declared.
"Angel Union…" Ren breathed before smiling. "Stunning. Though Asta might be broken."
"Got that damn right." Koji remarked, walking over while holding Aci.
"Wow…." Fay huffed, impressed. "It's been so long since I've seen that."
"Me too." Carbuncle agreed.
"Ma Ma!" Aci giggled, waving her tiny hands up towards her Mother, luckily not realizing that her Mother looked a little different. Carbuncle looked over at Aci and smiled lightly.
"Yes, that is your Mother." Carbuncle replied.
"Ah Asta is floundering up there." Koji replied.
"He is?" Carbuncle asked, looking up again. "Oh. So he is."
"Ah that Asta is totally enamored by his wife." Ren giggled. Aci just laughed in Koji's arms as Asta found himself falling down the ground, eventually crashing down into it.
"Ow…!" Asta groaned. "What….. What happened…..?" He looked over to see Fay and Carbuncle giggling, his youngest daughter in Koji's arms laughing, and Koji deadpanning down at him.
"You fell over seeing your wife." Koji deadpanned, holding a laughing Aci.
"Da Da!" Aci giggled.
"You okay Asta?" Queen Acier smiled, stifling her laughter and floated down, Noelle next to her.
"Not likely. He's gaping at Noelle again." Ren smiled.
"Am not!" Asta shot back.
"Are too." Koji, Fay, and Carbuncle grinned. Queen Acier laughed, while Noelle shook her head in amusement.
"Da Da!" Aci laughed again.
"Well, can you get back up at least?" Queen Acier asked him, lightly laughing. "Or will you be too distracted by Noelle dear to spar effectively?~"
"Yes." Everyone said.
"Oi!" Asta groaned loudly.
"Can't deny the truth Asta~." Ren teased with a giggle. Asta turned to Ren and got up.
"Oh yeah?! Well, you'd break if you ever saw Yuno in his Devil Power form!" Asta countered.
"Wait, have you?" Koji asked Ren. The elf leader opened her mouth, closing it thoughtfully.
"Well I technically did see it, but I never focused on it. Because every time he uses it, I'm busy fighting for my life." She shrugged. "So I never really paid attention."
"Ok Asta we got a new mission." Koji said firmly.
"Oh? What's that?" Asta asked. "I'd like to finish up my and Noelle's sparring session against Lady Acier."
"You're not getting any-! Ah not again!" Koji groaned, Aci crawling over his back. "Get back here!"
"Ahaha!" Aci giggled. "Mm!~" Asta, Noelle, Queen Acier, Ren, and the 2 spirits watched as Aci began crawling on the grass.
"Come on you!" Koji tried catching Aci as she crawled.
"Alright Koji." Noelle raised her right hand up. "You've done enough. Asta, mind if you take Aci back to our guest hut?"
"Right!" Asta grinned, catching Aci and picking her up gently, then flew off.
"Your daughter is a small menace." Koji sighed. "Now I gotta find my grimoire thanks to her."
"Oh? You mean this?"They looked up to see Anna holding up a black woven grimoire holder with a grin.
"Ah I see where this is going." Koji sweatdrop.
"What do you mean?" Noelle asked in slight confusion, now reverted back to normal, since the sparring with Asta and against her Mother was over. At least for the time being.
"What's going on?" Queen Acier asked, turning to Anna, then back at Koji.
"If you were that curious about my grimoire, you could've just asked instead of having a ploy to persuade these 2 to have me babysit their mischief maker." Koji replied, motioning to Asta and Noelle. Anna merely shrugged and crossed her arms.
"Well, I figured you wouldn't want to share it or anything about it if I simply asked." Anna remarked. "Hence why I went for this little ploy to begin with."
"Koji." Ren frowned.
"Aah it's fine Ren. It was gonna be let out one of these days." Koji shrugged.
"Wait." Noelle began, pointing at the grimoire. "It looks just like…!"
"Mars and Fana's grimoires, yes." Evanora finished Noelle's statement, revealing herself by walking out from behind a tree. Koji's grimoire was a cross of dusty blue moon and sparkling red sun with the cover bearing a red sun with a blue crescent moon inside it and bearing at the center was a blue diamond.
"A Diamond…!?" Asta gaped, looking at Koji, shocked as soon as he returned. "Then you're-!"
"A human-elf hybrid from the Diamond Kingdom." Koji nodded. "And a user of Moon and Sun Magic." The others, minus Ren and Fay, looked at Koji shocked as he held out his hand for a shocked Anna to hand back his grimoire as he flipped the pages inside.
"I rarely if not ever use my Sun Magic. It's very potent and burns heavily. So I just stick with my Moon Magic instead." He explained. "And thanks to my mana reserves, I don't really need to have my grimoire out to use a spell."
"Right." Noelle nodded.
"But wait a second if you're from the Diamond Kingdom does this mean there's an Elf tribe there?" Anna questioned, but was shocked by Koji's laughter.
"Hahahaha! Ah no nothing like that." Koji laughed, closing his grimoire. "No, see my father a human-elf hybrid and my mother a full blooded elf were in actuality captured and taken by Diamond soldiers nearly a century ago."
"Whaaa?!" Asta gaped. Queen Acier, Evanora, and Anna looked at each other in concern.
"Koji…" Queen Acier spoke softly.
"My father was the byproduct of a vagabounding elf and a Diamond citizen. Once he was born, the elf took him to the tribe to properly raise him since the Diamond citizen couldn't just up and leave the family. There he was raised and soon enough met my mother and they decided to travel together and ended up having me near the edge of the Diamond Kingdom." Koji explained. "But not even a month after I was born, Diamond Soldiers found and captured us. Their scientist in that time was just as crazy as Morris. Though I personally see Morris as crazier. He was fascinated by the Elf race and how we were loved by the mana and even more so by hybrids like me and father. So he would experiment on my parents at the promise he wouldn't do anything to me. Of course, that was a lie. By the time I was around 4 or 5, my parents were killed in the experiments and I became his new test subject. He was very fascinated by my Sun and Moon Magic. He took great enjoyment in those twisted experiments to make me burst with both magic elements. By the time I was around 14, he was finally bored of me. So he decided to allow the King to sell me to some noble family from another kingdom as a pet. By that time, I was numb to just about everything I had no hope, no dream, no desire. I was an empty husk. But I had a saving grace. For they had us travel near the border of the Heart and Diamond Kingdoms. And what did I happen to witness next? An elf with a sword swinging it like there was no tomorrow like a literal warrior of god with the wings of light to prove it. She defeated my captors and broke me from my cage and with a hand out to me told me: 'Come on, it's safe now. You won't be hurt ever again.' And here I am today." Everyone could only look at Koji in horror at his story while Ren frowned.
"I was lucky. If I hadn't been exploring near the borders that day. Who knows what would've happened to you." She replied.
"Ah no harm no foul. Because I'm here now." Koji grinned. He then looked and gaped to see everyone crying to his shock.
"What's wrong with you guys?" He gaped. Then he felt himself get hugged by Queens Acier and Evanora.
"Wha?!" He yelped.
"After going through something so….so horrendous…. Can you really blame us for wanting to hug you?" Queen Acier asked him.
"Yeah…" Queen Evanora spoke softly. "I know I wasn't alive at the time, but still…."
"Ah come on, none of that. It was nearly a century ago. I'm pretty much over it at this point." Koji assured them with a kind smile, patting their backs.
"B-But why is your grimoire…" Anna choked.
"Ah well. While my father never knew his human parent, he still had a bit of pride in his human half, including of the land he originated from. He wanted the same thing for me and always hoped for me to get a Diamond grimoire. I wanted to honor his wishes, so Ren and her old man helped me sneak into a grimoire tower in Diamond and I got my grimoire there." Koji explained with a sheepish smile, and yelped to see them crying more. "Oh what now?!"
"Th-That's…!" Noelle stammered. "Oh what's the word?"
"Kind of Ren and her dad to do that?" Asta suggested.
"Heh. We understood the feeling. It was the same way for me and grandmother who wished for me to take a Clover grimoire." Ren smiled softly. "In a way, I understood the sentiment. So it was only natural father and I helped."
"But naturally outsiders would wonder why an elf in the lands of the Heart Kingdom would have a Diamond grimoire. So I always keep it in my pouch when I'm out of the tribe or when we have guests." Koji shrugged. "Though I figured with the circumstances, I don't see an issue in letting my grimoire out now." At this point, the 2 Queens now let go of Koji via the hug they gave him and stepped back.
"Like I said, I'm not too bothered with that part of my past not. It was nearly a century ago and the tribe has been my home for a long time." Koji smiled. "So I'm not sad about it or anything."
"I'm happy to hear it Koji." Queen Acier lightly smiled. "Though you know what this means now, right? Well, for some of us, anyway. Not sure if the rest of us would be willing to do it." Asta and Noelle, as well as Queen Evanora and Anna looked at the Clover Kingdom Queen.
"What are you saying Mom?" Noelle asked.
"I'm saying this." Queen Acier started. "For the lack of a better word, Koji will have a lot more sparring partners now."
"Wait what?" Koji blinked.
"Yeah!" Queen Acier smiled lightly. "I mean, who wouldn't want to fight someone who has both Sun and Moon Magic?~"
"Oh no no no no. I was not kidding when I say my Sun Magic is very potent and burns heavily." Koji sweatdropped. "That's not training magic. That's ready to massacure magic."
"It really is though. The same can be said with his Moon Magic. For crying out loud he's been going easy on the Diamonds for months now." Ren admitted.
"I'm sorry, what?" The Diamonds questioned.
"Dammit Ren…!" Koji groaned.
"You were going easy on us?!" Anna grit her teeth. "We Diamonds hate that! If you're going to train us or spar us, at least go all out with the preferred magic you're using! Going easy on us doesn't help improvement!"
"If I went full out on any of you, I'll accidentally kill someone." Koji deadpanned, making them gap.
"He's my right hand for more than one reason." Ren hummed. "If you think I can compete with Acier Silva and the Wizard King, you should see Koji fight one of them."
"Lemme guess." Queen Evanora began. "He mops the floor with them like they're nothing."
"This one and I sparred without rest for a good week." Koji stated, motioning to himself and Ren. "We had to stop by Dryad, who was worried we'd pass out. Not from mana exhaustion, but mana depletion. Which is highly worse than exhaustion. Plus my training tires all of you out as is."
"We've lived for nearly a century. Our training is different. And to train all of you, we would need to create training regiments that would fit and be compatible with your magic, fighting, and battling styles and techniques. Doing anything too unfamiliar will only decrease the chances of improvement and learning process especially when mages of each kingdom go through different techniques, magic types, and battling prowess by their environment and learning process." Ren explained.
"... You guys are teachers or something?" Asta gaped, feeling his brain steaming.
"Oh dear. I think you guys overloaded Asta with too much information." Noelle sweatdropped. "Come on Asta. Let's go back to our guest hut so you can cool down from the overdose of information."
"You… Really thought this to be a system." Anna blinked, speechless.
"We're training you to make sure you survive. Pride is worthless if you're dead." Koji stated.
"True." Queen Evanora agreed.
"So now that has been cleared up, time to resume training again." Koji replied with a clap of his hands.
"One more question Koji." Queen Evanora spoke.
"Hmm?" Koji asked.
"Have you ever thought of visiting Diamond again?" Queen Evanora asked with a gentle smile. Koji blinked surprised by the question.
"...Eh?" He blinked.
"It's up to you." Queen Evanora remarked. "Just know that the door is always open if you want to visit. Unlike your first time in it, it's now much better off."
"Mmhmm!" Anna grinned. "Because Evanora defeated the Witch Queen, the Witches Forest and the Diamond Kingdom have merged."
"Huh." Koji remarked.
"You know you could go Koji." Ren remarked, making Koji look at his oldest friend and leader. "You are a quarter Diamond. It would only be natural if you'd want to visit one of your homelands." Koji scratched his cheek almost in sheepish thought.
"I'll… I'll consider it." He admitted. "But for now, let's focus on training you guys."
"Right." Queen Evanora nodded. Then she rolled her eyes, noticing from the corner of her eye that Tantalus was still eating. "Tantalus! Food break's over! Back to work!" The large Shining General was either ignoring her or didn't hear her, as he continued to stuff his face. Evanora groaned and turned her attention back to Koji.
"Do you have a megaphone on you?" She asked.
"No need. I think I know the guy enough to know what to do." Koji assured, before taking a deep breath. "Oi! Tantalus! Get your behind ready for training, or you won't be getting dinner tonight!" This got him to stand up in shock.
"Whaaaaa?!" Tantalus half whined. "That's not cool!"
"Did I stutter? Start marching soldiers!" Koji called, making Tantalus yelp and march off. This got the rest of the Diamond Kingdoms soldiers to start marching as well.
"Wow. You really know how to get them moving." Fay remarked.
"Once you know how they tick, you know how to make them move." Koji shrugged.
"Hehe very true." Queen Acier smiled, turning to Ren. "Well since Noelle and Asta are gone, Ren, do you think-"
"Acier Shirley Silva Clover!" Now they all blinked by the sudden use of Acier's name. Queen Acier on the other hand, felt herself nervously sweatdrop.
"Yes Mother?" Queen Acier asked. They all looked to see Shirley Silva almost pouting as she strided up to them.
"I'm feeling a mild sense of deja vu." Ren sweatdropped.
"Young lady I got a bone to pick with you." Shirley huffed.
"What is it?" Queen Acier questioned.
"Why in the four kingdoms did you not tell me Nozel was finally getting married?!" Shirley demanded.
"Whaaa?! He's getting married?!" Queen Acier gaped, only to see the light glare and arm crossing of her Mother. She sheepishly laughed and rubbed her right arm. "Uh I mean…I forgot to tell you due to all the training that's been happening. You know, preparing for the war against the Zogratis's."
"... You didn't know either, did you?" Shirley deadpanned. Queen Acier sweatdropped and shook her head.
"No I didn't." Queen Acier admitted. "You know how Nozel is, Mother."
"Nozel and Courtney are secretly tying the knot? At this point, nothing surprises me anymore." Ren sighed.
0713MM: And that's Chapter 52! I apologize for the very long wait on this chapter getting finished and posted. (And for how short it is compared to the other chapters.) To put it plainly, a lot happened in the past few months. But hey! Chapter 52 is done just in time for Christmas! So whoo! I and my co-writer, guardian of the aura Aurasoul, have something planned for Chapter 53 (I believe the ending of this chapter gives it away for next chapter XD). After that...well, you'll see. Until, then Merry Christmas everyone!^^