SailorStar9: After getting Chapter 2 out, this is Chapter 3 of this fic. (Sighs) Guys and girls, is it too hard for you to leave a review, instead of just putting this fic up on your favorited list and story alerts?
Disclaimers: I own nothing, except for the plot bunny and my OC.
Chapter 3: Assembly at the Royal Capital
In the dining hall of the Black Bull headquarters...
"What? "Asta exclaimed. "I was asleep for a week?"
"Honestly, how many days were you planning on sleeping?" Noelle complained.
"Noelle was so worried about you that she kept checking on you." Vanessa teased.
"I wasn't worried." the youngest Silva flustered. "I was just wondering what we were going to do if he didn't wake up."
"Pretty sure that's called being worried." Finral ribbed.
"Thanks, Noelle." Asta smiled.
"I was worried, too." Gorgon mumbled. "But I'm glad you all came back safely."
"Getting rest is important, too." Magna pointed out. "Because that's how much energy you used up conquering that dungeon."
"Everyone, the Sheep Cooks made breakfast." Charmy called out. "Captain, good morning." she greeted Yami who had kicked the door in.
"You finally awake, kid?" Yami took his seat. "I guess you didn't die. Good work, even though you always come back banged up. Apparently, Magic Knights Headquarters want a report on that dungeon. So if you can walk, pay them a visit. You'll probably cause trouble if you went, so you're not going, Luck." he instantly noticed the Lightning user's excited face. "Instead, there's a fighting mission, so go on that with Magna. There's no way you can go." he threw cold water on Charmy's expectations. "All you ever do is eat."
In the royal capital...
"This is awesome." Asta was astounded by the majesty of the palace, standing at the entrance with Noelle. "Hello." he noticed Yuno, Klaus, and Mimosa in front of them. "If it isn't the members of the Golden Dawn."
"Your Majesty." Klaus immediately knelt before Julius who was standing at the top of the staircase to personally welcome the group. "I never expected you to welcome me yourself."
"Who's that flashy old guy?" Asta was confused.
"You fool." Klaus snapped. "That's the current Wizard King, Julius Novachrono."
"What?" Asta gawked, both he and Yuno were on their knees seconds later.
In one of the watch towers...
"Well done acquiring this." Julius flipped opened Yuno's Grimoire to review the new spell. "This magic is most probably the most important relic in that dungeon."
"You can read that?" Yuno gaped.
"Somewhat." Julius replied. "I see." his eyes sparkled in excitement. "Would you try using this magic?" he returned the four-leaf Grimoire back to its owner.
"I'm sorry." Yuno answered. "I think it activated in the dungeon once, but I haven't been able to use it since."
Slyph, the Wind Spirit of the Four Great attributes and one of Freyja's Four Guardians. Julius mused. Apparently, she's chosen him in this era. "All I can say now is that this spell will grow with you and, one day, become an extraordinary power." he informed. "Take good care of it."
"Wizard King, my Grimoire has some weird scribbles on it, too." Asta opened to the page containing his new spell. "Please look at it."
"This is..." Julius frowned. "Something I can't read at all. I've never seen this writing in any documents."
"This thing pops out of it, too." Asta pulled out the Demon-Dweller Sword. "Take a look."
"A second anti-magic sword." Julius was intrigued. "Can I touch that?"
"Go right ahead." Asta handed the blade over.
"It's so heavy." Julius gaped, shocked by the weight of the sword. My magic power... is being absorbed. He realized. "You can have this back now. This is beyond my abilities." he admitted. "It appears you're able to wield it because you have no magic. You all did splendidly. Good work."
"Do you have a moment?" Asta voiced.
"What is it?" Julius blinked.
"How..." Asta started.
"Do you become the Wizard King?" both he and Yuno chorused.
"So, you both want to be the Wizard King." Julius burst out laughing. "Any Magic Knight should have that aspiration."
"It's rude to ask the Wizard King directly." Klaus chided. "The Wizard King must be proud and have the trust of the people..."
"No," Julius corrected. "It's merit. You can't protect others with pride, and the trust of others come from merit. There is only one thing people want from the Wizard King; merit that proves that they are the best. Gain merit; continuously gaining merit is everything. Anyone who can't do that can never stand at the top."
"Bring it on." Asta and Yuno accepted the challenge.
"Now then, we're actually holding a decoration ceremony for the Magic Knights who've been awarded an outstanding number of stars today." Julius informed the group. "It's a ceremony where we award those who have done exceptionally well and honor them. I would love for all of you to join us."
In the ceremony hall...
"Now then, let the decoration ceremony begin." Julius pushed open the door to reveal Fuegoleon and Leopold Vermillion, Charlotte, Sol, the other three Silva siblings, Alecdora, Siren, and Hamon standing in two parallel lines. "With seven stars earned, Leopold Vermillion of the Crimson Lion Kings, I grant you the title of Intermediate Magic Knight, Second Class. You use the same flame as your older brother, the Captain of the Crimson Lion Kings. Your power is overwhelming. A word of advice from the Goddess Freyja: Make sure you do not go overboard. With six stars earned, Sol Marron of the Blue Rose Knights I grant you the title of Intermediate Magic Knight, Third Class. You're as dynamic as the men, and your creative earth magic is amazing. But you might be a bit too much of a free spirit. With six stars earned, Solid Silva of the Silver Eagles, I grant you the title Intermediate Magic Knight, Third Class. The maneuverability of your magic is amazing. Some advice from the Goddess Freyja: You can be even more amazing if you stopped showing off your powers and cooperated with others. With nine stars earned, Nebra Silva of the Silver Eagles I grant you the title of Senior Magic Knight, Fifth Class. The skillful illusions you create with your mist magic are splendid. The Goddess Freyja would like to remain you to make sure not to play with your opponent more than necessary or you might be bitten in return. With seven stars earned, Hamon Caseus of the Golden Dawn, I grant you the title of Intermediate Magic Knight, Second Class. Just by looking at you, the enemy would never expect your glass magic and I bet they're completely boggled. With eight stars earned, Siren Tium of the Golden Dawn, I grant you the title of Intermediate Magic Knight, First Class. Unlike your eloquent magic, you're a very quiet fellow, so you're better off if you spoke your mind more. With eleven stars earned, Alecdora Sandler of the Golden Dawn, I grant you the title Senior Magic Knight, Second Class. You amaze me with your diligence and flexible magic. You can probably relax a little more once in a while. The Golden Dawn has earned a total of 71 stars. They are the clear leaders. I hope the rest of the Squads do their best to not fall behind. Well done, all of you. Now then, there's a simple reception set up for you, so go enjoy yourselves. I've invited some special guests today. Make sure you get to know each other very well."
"Wizard King, about that matter, one of Freyja-sama's..." Marx whispered.
"Something came up, so I have to excuse myself." Julius excused himself. "Have fun."
In the reception hall...
"All those stares are beginning to hurt." Klaus noted, the group were gathered around their own table.
"Vulgar peasant." Alecdora scowled at Asta's eating habits. "Why did the Wizard King invite such lowborn scum?"
"I can't sense any magic from him." Nebra scoffed. "Them capturing that dungeon must've been sheer luck."
"The way he eats is disgusting." Hamon piped in.
"It's unnatural for him to be here." Solid snorted. "Filthy rat."
"You also have a peasant in your Squad." Leopold reminded the three Golden Dawn Knights. "The peasant who's forgotten his place since everyone fawn over him because of the four-leaf Grimoire he has. I could've handled capturing that dungeon even better."
"That's quite confident, crimson brat." Alecdora fired back. "It's not like we expect anything from that peasant. We are the ones who embody Vangeance-sama and the Golden Dawn's ideals. That goes for you as well, Klaus. Aren't you shamed, being here with your lack of skill? And Minosa. I heard that you were wounded early on in the dungeon and left the frontline. To think that you're royalty of the Vemillion line is laughable."
"The most useless fool here is you." Solid walked towards Noelle. "Wouldn't you agree, Noelle?" he then doused his drink over his younger sister's head. "You can't even control your magic. You're sure an embarrassment."
"You've been basically exiled from the Silva family." Nebra mocked. "I'm surprised you have the nerve to return to the Noble Realm."
"You got a big head from one achievement." Nozel added. "Did you come here intending to bring shame upon the Silva name? You do not belong here. Begone, failure that killed our mother."
"Haven't I reminded you time and again to remind your siblings not to bring your family squabbles to public events, Captain Nozel?" a firm voice rebuked.
"You're..." Asta and Yuno gasped, both boys recognizing the flower bracelet around the younger woman's wrist.
"Why is she..." Nozel, Fuegoleon and Charlotte were taken aback.
"That's enough, you scoundrel." Alecdora activated his Sand-Armored Guard. "You shouldn't even be allowed to talk."
"Alecdora, stop!" Fuegoleon shouted, attempting to stop the sand user, only to have Rhiannon dispel the golem was instantly dispelled with a wave of a hand. "She is..."
"I am still waiting for your answer, Captain Nozel." Rhiannon stated sternly, flaring Freyja's overwhelming Mana Skin.
"My deepest apologies for allowing you to witness such a disgraceful display, Freyja-sama." Nozel knelt before the revealed Goddess.
"Rhiannon is..." Asta breathed. "Freyja?"
SailorStar9: Now that's done, read and review.