SailorStar9: After getting Chapter 31 out, this is Chapter 32 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 32: The Life of a Certain Man

"Snow Magic: Unclimbed Ice Wall!" Flagil blocked out Leopard's fire beam, only for Leopard's attack to force its way through the ice wall and smash Team G's crystal.

"Team G wins." the referee announced. "Team G's crystal is also destroyed, but Team E's crystal was destroyed first."

"Thank goodness." Flagil sighed in relief. "Langris must've gotten to it first."

"Damn it." Leopard cursed. "We lost. I wasn't concentrating enough. Does that mean I'm still nowhere near my brother's level?"

"This ominous magic..." Flagil instantly sensed the shift in magic aura.

"It's coming from where Finral is from." Hamon realized.

"What in the world is happening?" Leopard wondered.

With Langris...

"Maybe you've been on the roll lately, but you're still Black Bull flunkies." Langris was unfazed. "What do you think you can do against the Vice Captain of the Golden Dawn?"

"Who the hell cares about status when we're trying to protect our precious friend?" Asta snapped.

"Precious friend?" Langris mocked.

"That's enough." Julius cut in. "Those who go easy on their companions in a fight can't be trusted. But those who try to kill their companions have problems that run much deeper than trust."

"He's in bad shape." Owen immediately went to work. "Leave him to me. Water Healing Magic: Qualle Operation."

"Enchant Magic: Healer's Boon." Rhiannon boosted Owen's healing abilities.

"Companion?" Langris echoed. "That useless fool brings shame upon the Magic Knights."

"Let's kill him after all." Luck's bloodlust was perked.

"Finral's nicer than anybody." Asta argued. "That's what makes him a true Magic Knight. No matter how tough you are, you're no Magic Knight."

"I'm not a Magic Knight?" Langris glared. "I guess making it this far has gone to your head. You sure talk big for a Black Bull newbie. Wizard King, Lady Freyja, before the next teams conduct their match, would you let me battle them? Actually, let's just start. Let the semi-finals begin. You little..." he snarled when Asta sliced his magic bullet into half.

"Sir, aren't you going to stop them?" Marx asked, worriedly.

"In actual combat, no one says 'stop' or 'start'." Julius reminded. "So, keep going." he gave the combatants the go-ahead.

"You were with him then." Langris recalled seeing Asta with Finral in Kiten. "I disliked you from teh first time we met. You belong to the worst possible Magic Knight Squad, Asta of the Black Bulls."

"That's my line, you jerk." Asta glared. "Vice Captain Langris Vaude of the Golden Dawn."

"Time Restraining Magic: Chrono Stasis." Julius acted, stopping both Asta and Langris in mid-attack. "You two can hear me, yes? Although I'd like for you two to fight as if this were real combat, it is still a match. Sit tight for a moment until preparations for the match are completed. Prepare for the semi-finals. Get the crystals ready. Also, bring the other members of Team B and Team G here. The semi-final round between Team B and Team G." he addressed the gathered opposing teams. "We've already set up your crystals at your starting positions. Let me just remind you that this is a match. Whichever team can destroy the other team's crystal first wins. It's not about killing your opponent. I wish you luck." he teleported both teams to their starting points.

"Mimosa, Xerx, I'm sorry about this." Asta apologized. "I didn't mean for this to happen, but I want to beat him. Please, help me. Let's go after the enemy's crystal while protecting our own, like we did in the first stage. Mimosa, can you pull the crystal? I need you to back me up, Xerx."

Seeing Team B dash straight for them, Langris took on the challenge head-on, releasing his 'Archangel Shootdown' barrage and Asta nullifying most of the energy wave.

"Plant Healing Magic: Princess-Healing Flower Robe." Mimosa was on healing duty.

"It's only a matter of time before your recovery spells aren't fast enough." Langris released another wave of 'Archangel Shootdown'. "Before that happens, take back what you said. That cowardly loser isn't a Magic Knight. I won. That makes me the true Magic Knight."

"You didn't even hesitate to abandon the people." Asta fired back. Give me a break. Finral has always used his magic to help others."

"So what, you naive little brat?" Langris snarled. "That's all he can do. He was never strong enough to defeat his enemies. The one who wins in the end is the one who's right about everything."

"Is that right?" Asta stopped in his tracks. "In that case, I'm right about everything. Because I'm going to win for Finral's sake, too."

"Asta, anymore of this and your body will break down before the crystal does." Mimosa reminded.

"Not yet." Asta barked. "It's all you, Xerx!" he shouted.

Xerx moved in, casting a spell circle at the incoming 'Archangel Shootdown'.

SailorStar9: Now that's done, read and review.