[EDIT] Hi! It's Cosmos! Thanks for visiting my story! I just wanted to share a few disclaimers before you read.

There may be spoilers in the chapters. I will do my best to provide an idea of where the timeline is before the chapter but please forgive me if I don't. There may be a deviation here for the sake of the story.

Some dialogue from the anime may be used, especially when the focus is on Gordon, Julius or the Heart Kingdom.

I try to stick to the original character's personalities as much as possible, but I might taper off a little bit for, again- the sake of the story or dramatic effect.

There are many OCs in this story. For example: Anastasia, Lola and Annie are all OCs. Chances are if you don't know the character, they are an OC.

I am open to constructive feedback, and I want to hear from you! Leave a review, PM me, whatever you are comfortable with, I'd be happy to hear it.

I am open to collab! Check my profile for more info on that.

This is a work in progress, I will upload as the story progresses.

Rated M for Descriptions of Blood and other Body fluids, Violence, Explicit Language, Lemon/Lime and Trauma.

Timeline for this chapter, After the Royal Knights exam.

The Mixer

Today was payday, and as usual, Captain Yami gave the Black Bulls the day off to enjoy their earnings. The boisterous energy in the hideout was at an all-time high, with coins jingling and conversations buzzing around the room. Finral leaned against the wall, watching his comrades with an eager gleam in his eyes. He had a mixer lined up for the evening and was mentally assembling his team. Luck, who was in a heated exchange of fire and lightning with Magna, crossed his mind. Finral remembered the last time Luck came along—it had been surprisingly fun, but the chaos Luck brought had almost derailed the night.

"Maybe I'll let someone else take his place this time," Finral mused, his gaze drifting over the room.

"Hey, Magna!" Finral called out with a grin. "Happy payday! How about joining me at a mixer tonight? Could be fun, you know."

Magna, in his usual fiery manner, was launching fireballs at Luck, who dodged them with gleeful, manic laughter, his lightning magic sparking wildly in response.

Magna turned his head just enough to shoot a glare at Finral. "Do I look like I have time for a damn mixer!?"

From the couch, Vanessa stretched lazily, her long, slender legs crossing as she swirled a half-empty glass of wine. Her mischievous smirk cut through the room.

"Oh, come on, Virgin Yankee," she teased, her voice dripping with playfulness. "You're way overdue for a girlfriend at your age."

Magna's face flushed red, half from anger and half from embarrassment. "WHO THE HELL ARE YOU CALLING A VIRGIN YANK—" His furious shout was abruptly cut off as Luck, with a mischievous grin plastered on his face, sent a crackling bolt of electricity coursing through Magna's body.

"C'mon, Magna," Luck chimed in cheerfully, his voice almost childlike in its excitement. "It was fun last time! We got to fight some royals!"

Magna twitched, still recovering from the shock, his teeth gritted as he stared daggers at Luck. "That's not what a mixer is supposed to be about!"

From the shadows of the room, barely audible over the chaos, a soft voice mumbled. "I... I'd like to go too…"

It was Gordon, standing at a distance, his presence so quiet it was almost eerie. His eyes flickered with a strange intensity as he lurked from behind a wall.

"I'm sure you'll find someone who'll appreciate your... unique style," Finral said to Magna, his voice trailing off uncertainly as he struggled to find a tactful way to compliment the delinquent's rough appearance.

Magna's eyes narrowed, clearly not impressed with the half-hearted reassurance. "What the hell is that supposed to mean!?" he shouted, swinging his arm wildly at Luck, who dodged easily with that same mischievous grin, only fueling Magna's irritation.

Finral chuckled nervously but quickly shifted his focus to the next problem: deciding who else to bring to the mixer. He scanned the room, his eyes darting from one corner to the next, but most of the Black Bulls had already vanished to enjoy their payday freedom. Luck and Magna were bickering as usual, and Vanessa was sinking deeper into her wine-soaked relaxation. His options were rapidly dwindling.

That's when Finral noticed it—the faint presence lingering just at the edge of his vision. Every time he glanced around, there was Gordon, standing awkwardly in the background, mumbling incoherently as if he wanted to say something but couldn't quite get the words out. Finral's brow furrowed. It was slim pickings now. Then, an odd memory resurfaced—back at the Sea Temple, when Grey had transformed into Gordon to flirt with women, and to everyone's surprise, it had worked.

Finral sighed, half in defeat. "G-Gordon..." he hesitated, already feeling a twinge of regret. "Do you... want to come to the mixer?"

Gordon's face remained as blank and expressionless as ever, his pale skin and dark eyes giving off a ghostly aura. But Finral could sense the sudden shift in energy. Beneath that haunting exterior, Gordon was practically beaming, his eyes lighting up with an almost eerie enthusiasm. He nodded vigorously.

"Yes! I want to spend this precious time with friends and make new friends too... Do you think I could really get a girlfriend? Oh, this is going to be so much fun... I'm so excited..." Gordon mumbled, his voice barely above a whisper, but the stream of words kept flowing as he continued to talk to himself.

Finral's shoulders sagged. He turned away, pressing a hand to his temple as he rubbed it in circles, the weight of his choices—or rather, the lack thereof—bearing down on him. "What am I getting myself into?" he muttered under his breath, feeling a mixture of resignation and mild panic.

As the day gave way to the cool embrace of night, Finral opened a shimmering portal to their destination, the golden edges of the swirling magic casting a faint glow on their faces.

"Alright, remember, be gentlemen! Just like I taught you!" Finral said with a mix of hope and exasperation as the group stepped through.

"Yeah, yeah…" Magna muttered, arms behind his head in his usual carefree posture, clearly uninterested in playing the gentleman role.

Meanwhile, Gordon was a bundle of nervous energy. "Yes... smile... be myself... got it..." he mumbled under his breath, his hands clenched into tight fists as he pumped them up and down awkwardly, trying to work himself into the right mindset. His expression remained deadpan, but it was obvious that his internal monologue was running wild.

"And for the love of all things holy, try to speak up this time, Gordon!" Finral called out, his voice echoing through the magical portal as they vanished into the night.

As they stepped inside the bustling tavern, the lively hum of conversations and clinking glasses greeted them. Immediately to the right, the bar stretched along the wall, its polished wooden counter gleaming under the warm, ambient lighting. Barstools, each with a well-worn leather seat, surrounded the front of the bar, inviting patrons to sit and enjoy their drinks.

To the left was the rest of the tavern. The space was filled with small, round tables near the entrance, perfect for intimate gatherings. Subtle lighting hung from rustic chandeliers and wall sconces, casting a gentle, warm glow across the room. As their eyes traveled further into the tavern, they saw larger, rectangular tables towards the back, each surrounded by individual chairs, accommodating bigger parties and more animated groups.

The centerpiece of the back area was a grand, stone fireplace. Its crackling flames cast a cozy glow, adding to the welcoming atmosphere. The flickering light danced across the faces of the patrons seated nearby, creating an inviting nook for those seeking warmth and a touch of rustic charm. Near this fireplace, an empty table stood out, reserved for Finral's mixer. The spatial mage, who organized the gathering, had thoughtfully chosen this spot, knowing it would provide both comfort and privacy.

The tavern was alive with activity, a popular spot for mixers and social gatherings. Several mixers were in full swing, with groups of people laughing, chatting, or getting bored and getting to know one another. The staff moved swiftly through the crowd, balancing trays laden with mugs of frothy ale and platters of hearty food. Their efficiency and friendliness added to the tavern's vibrant energy, making it clear why this place was a favorite among locals and visitors alike.

"Wow, it's lively today!" Said Finral, his smile widening as he caught a glimpse of the empty table near the fireplace. "There's our table."

Magna took the seat nearest to the fire, Finral sat in the middle and Gordon at the end, by the darkest corner.

"This place is very nice." Gordon mumbled "I could see us having a nice dinner here with everyone together sharing stories. Oh, that would be so nice…"

"What's up Finral, did we get ditched?" Magna said, turning to the fire.

"Of course not! We're just early!"

The barkeep came over and greeted Finral, as he is a regular there. They ordered their beverages and finger foods before the rest of the mixer group arrived.

"How did you even find women who'd want to hang out with us?" the fire user asked, disbelief clear in his voice.

The Black Bulls were heavily known to be a bunch of misfits that nobody liked.

"It wasn't easy, believe me." Finral, chuckled softly. "But luck was on our side."

"Luck is a piece of shit" Magna said, jesting about his comrade.

"Not that luck," The spatial mage chuckled, leaning back in his chair, a nostalgic smile playing on his lips. "I met one of them by chance, when I was at the Healing Tower. She was part of the team that took care of me. Despite our reputation, she saw past the rumors and gave me a chance."

Magna crossed his arms, still skeptical. "And that was enough to get her and her friends to join us?"

The spatial mage nodded. "It took some convincing, but she believed in giving people a fair shot. She's kind-hearted and doesn't judge based on appearances or gossip. Once she agreed, her friends were more willing to give us a chance too."

Gordon listened quietly; his expression neutral as he observed the conversation. He tensed at attention slightly when Magna whistled.

"Well, I'll be damned. I guess there's hope for us after all."

The poison mage's mask faltered for a split second, a hint of surprise and then a subtle nod, acknowledging Magna's remark. He took a sip from his own drink, trying to appear nonchalant while inwardly adjusting to the banter.

The spatial mage smiled, his eyes glinting with determination. "Exactly. We might be misfits, but that doesn't mean we don't deserve good company and a chance to prove ourselves."

Shortly after, three women walked into the tavern and looked around.

"Ah, and there they are." Finral stood up and waved at them "Hello, beautiful ladies! Here we are!"

The woman in front exuded charm, dressed in an all-white, short-sleeved Victorian dress with a captivating asymmetrical hemline, short in the front and gracefully cascading just below her knees at the back. The dress crisscrossed her chest, revealing alluring cleavage. She wore a tightly laced brown corset that accentuated her waist, and her white thigh-high boots added a touch of modern flair to her classic attire. Her medium-length white hair framed her face in soft waves, and her purple eyes sparkled with warmth as she smiled widely, her expression radiant with joy. With a graceful wave, she beckoned the other two women to join her.

One of the women held onto her arm shyly, her demeanor demure and reserved. She wore a blue and white apron-style dress reminiscent of a Renaissance homemaker, the simplicity of her attire enhancing her natural beauty. Her brown hair was neatly tied back in a bun, and her flat shoes made her appear both practical and delicate.

The third woman radiated an air of mystery and sophistication in her red qipao-style dress, which hugged her figure elegantly. Black thigh-high stockings peeked out from beneath the dress, paired with red shoes adorned with intricate gold trim. Her long, silky black hair was secured with a gleaming gold hairpin, and her expression remained cool and disinterested, adding an enigmatic allure to her presence.

As the three women approached the table, they moved harmoniously. The first woman took a seat across from Gordon, her smile still bright. The second woman, with her shy demeanor, sat across from Finral, her eyes flickering with curiosity. The third woman, maintaining her air of detached elegance, seated herself across from Magna, her gaze unwavering.

'What's going on!? These women are crazy beautiful!?' Finral thought as he began to pull his usual trick, summoning wildflower bouquets out of his spatial magic to give to them.

"Wow, I'm getting a little nervous now" Gordon mumbled "They're all very attractive, I don't think we can compete, Finral-San…"

The woman across from him tried to lean in to hear what he was saying but he would mumble too low. Magna looked at them all silently and it suddenly hit him that they were there to court. He sat there silently, suddenly embarrassed, and unsure of what to say.

"W-welcome! Thank you, ladies, for gracing us with your beautiful presences. The Spatial mage stood up to hand out the bouquets "Please accept these from us and allow us to introduce ourselves!"

"Oooh, how pretty! Thank you!" Said the lady in white, touching each flower and observing the colors.

"Th-thank you very much" said the shy woman, accepting the bouquet with trembling hands.

"..." The qipao lady looked at the flowers, emotionless.

Finral waited for her to take the flowers from him, however as time ticked by and the table awkwardly stared at him, he settled to set them in front of her. He then strode back to his side, sat down, and pointed to Magna to start.

"Uh…I'm…Magna" He gritted his teeth and muttered.

Finral elbowed him and whispered loudly "Give them more!"

'This isn't manly…' Magna thought to himself, taking a deep breath 'If Luck can do it, So can I!'

Summoning his courage, He stood up, pointing his thumb at himself.

"Yo! I'm Magna," he declared, his voice louder than intended "I throw explosive fireballs at anyone who threatens me or my friends" He paused, then added with a nervous chuckle, "If you don't like it, you can leave right now!"

Finral's face dropped in dismay "I-I-ITS A JOKE! PLEASE DON'T LEAVE''

"As expected of Magna-San, he's so brave" Gordon nearly whispered "I have to be brave like that too when it's my turn…"

The lady in white clapped in amusement. The shy lady hid behind her flowers and the Qipao lady across from him stared, her expression blank.

Finral cleared his throat and shoved Magna down to sit. The fire user scowled at his comrade, then took a sip from his tankard.

"My name is Finral, I use spatial magic! Want to see the most beautiful gardens? What about the most serene oceans" He opened a portal "I can take you there in an instant!"

He posed, proud of his introduction. The ladies had the same reaction.

"Wow, that's pretty cool!" said the lady in white, then turned to her peers "Isn't it?"

The shy lady nodded, coming out from behind her bouquet.

'Now it's Gordon's turn' Finral thought as he willed him to do good 'Please don't scare them away.'

"Hello, I'm Gordon." The poison mage stiffened up as he spoke,

"MyfamilyisintheHexbusinessbutIspecializeinPoison magic" He spoke lower than ever and too quickly for anyone to understand, his nerves firing at an astounding rate.

"Iamsoexitedtobeherewithmybelovedfriendsandtomeet…."

'GORDON NOOOOOOOOOOO!' Finral thought as his face matched his distress, listening to his teammate ramble on 'That's it, we're done for!'

"Wait, wait hold on!" Said the woman in white, holding up a hand as if signaling him to stop.

Gordon stopped talking and looked at her. Finral laid his head on the table as if they had already failed.

"I'm sorry, but I can't really hear you." she said sympathetically.

"Ah, that's how he is." Scoffed Magna "You'll get used to it."

"I see." She placed a knuckle on her chin.

The thud of drinks being served at the table filled the awkward silence as the woman in white deliberated her next words.

"Well, since Finral spoke so highly of all of you before, I really want to get to know all of you. Is it okay if I could sit closer to hear you better?"

Finral exclaimed in shock. 'He has a chance to get closer to that cutie already!? I'm so envious!' He thought.

Gordon's eyes widened slightly in surprise. He then looked down and nodded slightly, pulling down his hat slightly to hide the slight blush that appeared on his cheeks. The woman in white stood up to move her chair, but the shy woman grabbed her arm, her eyes pleading with her not to move.

"Don't worry, Lola" She said softly "I'll be right here."

Lola, hesitant, removed her hands from her friend's arm and slightly nodded. The woman at the other end of the table looked at her apprehensively.

"My name is Anastasia. I use Cosmos magic. I work in the Healing Tower here in the capital" She said gently "It's a pleasure to meet you. Can you start again?"

The poison mage glanced sideways at the cosmos mage and spoke slower. He sensed a warmth emanating from her, like a comforting blanket on a chilly day. There was something vaguely familiar about her presence, and he found solace in that familiarity. She actively listened, nodding, and asking questions about his magic and its applications. Her genuine enthusiasm in discussing magic sparked a new light in the conversation, momentarily distracting the spatial mage from his envy. Instead, he recalled the Magic Emperor's own enthusiasm for magic and smiled at the parallel. Shaking off the thought, he turned to the shy woman beside him and encouraged her to introduce herself.

"M-my name is Lola…" She said, darting her eyes between her drink and Finral "I also work in the healing tower…but as a Baker."

"Ah, very nice! Yes, that's important!" Finral said "Everyone needs food to recover! We have someone like that too in our Magic Knights squad."

Lola smiled shyly and nodded.

Meanwhile Magna and the woman in qipao seemed to have a staring contest to see who would break first.

"So, what's your deal, eh?" He questioned; body still turned towards the fireplace.

"Annie" she said, shortly.

"Huh?" Magna leaned in with a scowl.

"I'm Annie" the woman said, arms crossed "I use needle magic. Also, in the Healing tower"

"So, you all work in the healing tower, eh? Looks like we are all on the same teams here. Our side is all Black Bulls, yours is all Healing Tower."

"Yes."

There was an awkward silence between Annie and Magna, each casting uneasy glances at the other, unsure of what to say next. Suddenly, Gordon's unsettling snickering broke the silence, a sound that was both eerie and strangely comforting to Anastasia. Her gentle laughter followed, a soft, melodic contrast to the poison mage's more sinister tone. Magna, catching sight of his frightening smile, felt his frustration bubble over. He banged his fist on the table, the loud thud drawing everyone's attention.

"Oi why do you look like that!? You're gonna scare them away!" he yelled, his voice a mix of annoyance and genuine concern.

"What are you talking about?" Anastasia said, mid laugh "Actually, I think it's kinda cute."

"ThatssomeantosayMagna. Thisismyface" Gordon Mumbled quickly.

Anastasia turned away, unable to contain her laughter. The men, caught up in their banter, paused to glance over at her. Her laughter was infectious, resonating with a celestial harmony and weaving through the atmosphere like gentle waves of mana. Lola and Annie exchanged looks, a mixture of admiration and a touch of envy, secretly wishing they could be as carefree as she was at that moment. Despite themselves, they couldn't help but smile, caught up in the contagion of her joy.

"Gentlemen, please!" Finral interjected "How's about a drink?"

He raised his glass, and everyone followed, one by one.

"Let's have a good night, shall we?"

"Salud~" Anastasia cheered.

"Imsohappytobeherewithallofmydearfriends." Gordon muttered.

"Alright, NOW we're talking!" Magna yelled.

After the cheers everyone carried about their conversations merrily. Save Magna and the disinterested Annie. She only responded with sounds, rather than engaging in hearty conversation.

"So, Anastasia," Gordon said "My hobby is dollmaking. I hope that isn't too scary. I Don't have many friends outside of the Black Bulls and I want to make one in your likeness. Is that okay?"

"Oooh dollmaking?" she said excitedly "Of course! Do you have any right now that I could see?"

Gordon released a chilling giggle, stood up and opened his cape, revealing his collection of Black Bull Dolls. Lola shrieked and hid behind Anastasia, whose mouth made a small "o," reflecting her curiosity.

"Put that embarrassing collection away!" Yelled Magna.

"Look at it! Here is Finral, Magna, Oh and my bestest friend Asta" He said excitedly, his volume higher than usual "And here, right next to the other girls will be YOU."

"Anastasia, this guy is totally scary!" Trembled Lola "How are you still talking to- eh!?"

Lola looked up at Anastasia to see her expression shift into fascination and a dawning realization. The baker noticed her friend discreetly biting her lip, a slight blush painted on her cheeks.

"I think ... He's a sweetheart" She said "He carries his friends close to him…almost as if to protect them. I like that."

The other boys stared in shock.

'Th-this girl is psycho too!' Finral thought in disbelief.

Annie suddenly stood up, slamming a fist on the table, grabbed the girls by the hand and led them to the bathroom.

"Please excuse us" she said curtly.

Gordon stopped in his tracks, straightened his cape, and sat back down properly. He hid his face under his hat, turning towards Finral.

"She...she said I'm a sweetheart" He mumbled, "Finral does that mean she likes me?"

Finral saw his face softer and more pleading than his usual emotionless expression and his pale complexion was now colored by a blush.

"Iveneverbeenlikedbyagirlbefore. Whatdoidopleasehelpmesempaiimnervous"

'This is ridiculous' Finral thoughts he was tugged by his comrade, 'How did someone like Gordon strike a gorgeous girl like her!? This is unacceptable, I can't lose to him."

Annie shoved the girls into the restroom and locked the door behind them. She stood above them, Lola cowering next to Anastasia and who smiled nervously.

"Now, now what's this about?" The cosmos mage asked.

"These guys are a bunch of buffoons." Annie snorted angrily, "Remind me why we are here again?"

"B-because we're single and g-getting old" Lola murmured.

"THAT'S NOT THE POINT!"

Lola squealed and hid under Anastasia's dress.

"Anastasia. You are one of the top healers in the tower. SECOND TO DR. OWEN. You shouldn't have to consort with someone who does Hexes and Poison of all things. Don't even get me started on that creepy makeup." Annie scoffed "Lola. That Finral guy is a total floozy. He gifted every single one of us rather than just you."

"B-but we don't know them" Lola stuttered, wanting to give the men the benefit of the doubt.

"AND I, An ACUPUNCTURIST who specializes in NEEDLE MAGIC IS STUCK WITH A FIREBALL THROWING DELINQUENT!"

"Annie hold on-" Anastasia said, reaching out to her friend.

"I HATE THIS! WHY CAN'T WE FIND GOOD GUYS!?" She panted from all the yelling, hair becoming disheveled.

"Hey, hey…. wait a minute. I think we're missing something here" The woman in white started as she tenderly placed her hands on Annie's shoulders.

"Look," She spoke with a calming tone as if she were speaking to one of her patients. "These guys do seem awkward. Maybe they don't get out much. Yes, Magna might seem like a crazy delinquent, but maybe he doesn't talk to women much. Sure, Finral seems like a womanizer, but maybe he's just trying to be nice. Yeah, Gordon is quite terrifying on the outside, but he's honest and kind. You just have to try and see past their covers and really try to get to know them. Trust me, they all have wonderful auras."

"Y-you are good at reading people Anase…" Lola said shyly, abbreviating her friend's name "and…you seem to really like that scary guy."

"Gah!" She blushed "W-well like I said, H-he's honest and kind a-a-a-and really interesting when you talk to him! H-he loves his friends and I wanna be his friend…"

The last part she said under her breath and began to twiddle her fingers.

"How much closer are you trying to get? You are already sitting right next to him. You ought to wear something darker than white to match your devious personality" Annie mumbled.

Finral sulked at the table, still trying to come up with a way to impress Lola, knowing that he had already lost Anastasia. Gordon continued to tug on the spatial mage's sleeve, begging for his advice on how to talk to a woman. Magna turned his attention to the food, eating and drinking merrily, commenting on how good the food was.

Sitting at the bar were three imposing figures, fixing their gaze on the bulls with a mixture of disdain and superiority. The leader of the trio, a stern-faced man with a silver crest emblazoned on his chest plate, sneered at their banter, annoyed that they would be in the presence of such beautiful ladies. He looked at his band, smirking evilly, faces colored by alcohol and they pompously strode over.

"Well, well, if it isn't the misfits of the mage world," The leader sneered, his voice dripping with condescension.

Magna paused, swallowed his meal, and slammed down a chicken bone, his jaw tightening in defiance. "What do you want, Royal?" he shot back, his tone laced with challenge.

The Spatial Mage stepped forward; his hands raised in a placating gesture. "Gentlemen, there's no need for trouble here. We're just enjoying a peaceful evening," he reasoned, trying to diffuse the tension.

Gordon remained stoic, his expression unreadable, but his eyes flickered with caution. He knew the reputation of these magic knights, known for their arrogance and prejudice against those they deemed beneath them.

Before anyone could speak further, one of the knights scoffed, "These rabble have no place here, mingling with decent folk- Let alone those gorgeous women. You'd do well to leave before you embarrass yourselves further."

The tension in the air crackled like static electricity, the challenge hanging palpably between the two groups. As Anastasia, Annie, and Lola returned from the restroom, they immediately sensed the tension. Their eyes fell upon the Bulls who were standing in a standoff with three haughty aristocrats.

Annie leaned in close to Anastasia and whispered, "What's going on here?"

For a moment, the cosmos mage took in the scene, then her eyes sparkled with mischief.

"Looks like our friends could use a little help," she murmured. "How about we teach these pompous knights a lesson?"

The needle mage and the baker exchanged glances; curiosity piqued. Anastasia quickly pulled them aside, huddling close as she laid out her plan.

"Annie, use your needle magic to unthread the bottoms of their pants. Lola, once their pants fall, light a small spark on their underwear. I'll summon Canis Minor to finish the job," She explained, her grin widening with each word.

Annie rolled her eyes for a moment, then nodded resolutely. "What a pain, let's do this."

Lola, though shy, couldn't help but smile at the thought of their plan. "Okay, I'm in."

The three women stealthily positioned themselves, Anastasia keeping a watchful eye on the confrontation. As Annie focused on the royal's trousers, her magic subtly unthreaded the seams, loosening them until they were just barely hanging on. Anastasia gave a silent signal, and Lola delicately flicked her fingers, igniting a tiny spark that caught the fabric of the aristocrats' underwear. The reaction was immediate. The trousers fell, and the men yelped in surprise as the sparks singed their undergarments. In the midst of their confusion, the cosmos mage summoned Canis Minor, a medium-sized dog made of shimmering stardust. The ethereal canine appeared, its celestial form radiating a soft glow. With a low snarl, it lunged at the knights, nipping at their heels, and sending them into a frantic scramble. The tavern erupted in laughter as the Royals stumbled over each other, trying to escape the biting star-dog. Anastasia, Annie, and Lola stood back, barely containing their giggles as they watched the spectacle unfold.

The bulls were taken aback at first, but then their expressions shifted to amusement and admiration as they noticed their partners cackling in the corner by the restroom, their grimoires open indicating that they were the culprits to the royals' embarrassment.

The Spatial Mage turned to Magna and whispered, "I guess we've got some pretty resourceful allies, huh?"

Magna chuckled, shaking his head. "Yeah, who would've thought?"

Gordon, his face remaining mostly expressionless, couldn't hide the slight upturn of his lips as he watched Anastasia, her eyes twinkling with delight. He felt a warmth spread through him, realizing just how much he appreciated her daring spirit, as it very much reminded him of his bestest friend Asta. As the Royals finally fled the tavern, chased by the persistent Canis Minor, the cosmos mage turned to her friends, her maniac laughter ringing out like a melody. Annie and Lola joined in the laughter, feeling a new sense of camaraderie and confidence. The group of misfits had not only stood their ground but had done so with flair, leaving an indelible mark on the rejoined the men, took their seats, and simultaneously chugged their drinks.

"Ahhh, refreshing!" The cosmos mage savored the taste and set down her cup.

"Th-this is pretty good" Lola timidly said, staring into the tankard.

"Nice choice" Said Annie, nodding with a small smile "Nothing tastes better than beer after showing up some Royals.

"We had it under control," Magna said, smirking as he remembered the scene and crossed arms "but that- was hilarious."

"Is that so?" Chided the acupuncturist "You might have burned this lovely tavern down with your fireballs. I think Lola can control her fire better than you."

Lola stiffened up at the remark and shook her head. Finral lit up as he started to see new hope in the mixer.

"I'm actually really impressed by your control, Lola" Finral remarked "It must be important when you're baking."

Lola's cheeks turned rosy as she looked down, shyly "Y-yes…It is."

Gordon looked at the ladies, happy to have them back and excited to spend time with his new friends.

"You remind me of my friend, Vanessa" He said to Anastasia "She also likes to drink and has that same reaction when she has good wine."

"Sounds like we would get along!" She said with a wide smile "I hope to meet her sometime! What about you, what do you like to drink?"

Gordon had wrapped both of his hands around his cup and looked into it to think. He's not much of a drinker to begin with, only drinking socially when there were gatherings with the bulls. While he struggled with an answer, Finral jumped in for a save.

"I agree! I think you would have fun with Vanessa. She's very lively!"

"You should have brought her then, instead of this guy" said Annie, pointing at Magna.

"Excuse me!? I can be lively!" He yelled.

Anastasia leaned on a palm with her elbow on the table and smiled merrily at the ladies who were finally engaging with the others. Then turned back to Gordon to check him out. He was still staring down at his tankard, thinking about how to answer her question, possibly afraid to give a wrong answer. She examined the details of his face. His chiseled jaw under black painted lips, his big nose, his deep red eyes surrounded by black. She found herself staring at his eyes, reading them as if trying to read his soul. He was indeed a gentle spirit who was burdened by misunderstandings, yet still resilient and kind. An herbal scent wafted her way as the poison mage lifted his head from his cup to answer her question. The mild, masculine, and earthy scent brought her out of her trance, causing her to inhale sharply.

"...Tea…" He spoke.

"S-sorry…" Anastasia raised her brows and briefly shook her head. "What did you say?"

"Black tea." He repeated "I only really drink alcoholic things with my friends, but I think I can say Black tea is my favorite drink."

"Ah…." She said, still distracted by the scent "C-can I ask you something?"

Gordon blinked in confusion and nodded.

"Is that…Patchouli?"

He sat back, almost shocked that she could smell his cologne, let alone guess what it was. Was she really that close? He even forgot that he was wearing it.

"Yes…and Rosewood" He responded, "It's homemade."

"That's…. amazing" She said dreamily "It smells very nice."

The poison mage held her eyes for a brief moment. In Anastasia's starry gaze, Gordon found something he had rarely encountered, acceptance without fear or judgment. For so long, he had grown accustomed to cautious glances and whispered rumors about his magic and appearance. But here, under the warmth of the cosmos mage's understanding gaze, he felt a knot tighten in his throat.

She didn't recoil from the red hue of his eyes or his permanent makeup, nor did she shy away from the dark aura that surrounded his magic. Instead, there was a gentle curiosity and an openness that spoke volumes. As she stared back into his eyes, Gordon sensed a wave of emotions he struggled to articulate, a mixture of relief, gratitude, and a flicker of something deeper stirring within him.

In that fleeting moment, amidst the chatter and laughter of their friends, Gordon felt a weight lift off his shoulders. His hand trembled slightly as he reached for his tankard, taking a sip to steady himself. He wanted to speak, to express the gratitude and awe he felt for Anastasia's genuine acceptance, but the words eluded him, drowned out by the intensity of emotions swirling within him. She's genuine and accepting, much like his Black Bull family and he couldn't bear to lose that.

"Anastasia…?" He finally said, breaking the eye contact.

"Yes?" She lifted her face from her palm, attentive.

"When this mixer is over…." He swallowed hard "May we still stay in contact?"

She watched him raise his head again, his pale face dusted with pink on the cheeks. She found herself blushing too, unsure if it was from the booze creeping up on her or a reaction to his question. She affectionately placed her hand on one of his that was cradling his cup and tilted her head.

"I would love that."

A smile crept up on Gordon's face, warmed by her sincerity.

"Besides" She said, reaching into a side pocket on her Grimoire holder "You, sir, have to make me a doll."

The cosmos mage pulled out a card with her information and gave it to him with a wink. He accepted it with both hands, his smile widening, terrifying others who saw it. He looked at it fondly as a giddy feeling crept up his chest. He did it! He successfully made a friend of someone outside of the Black Bulls.

"Way to go Gordon!" Finral said, shaking him by the shoulder.

'I AM SO DAMN ENVIOUS!" The spatial mage thought as he looked away, crying.

"Seriously?" Said Magna "That's a hell of an accomplishment! Good for you, Man!"

Anastasia giggled at the men celebrating and Annie rolled her eyes. Lola pulled her to her side.

"A-are you sure, Anase? He's totally scary!" She whispered "Just look at his smile! There's no telling what he's going to do to you!"

"Oh, honey…" Her best friend looked her in the eye and sultrily said "I am so looking forward to finding out."

THE MIXER- END