Chapter 7 Part 1. A Warm Day
next week blows by, Asta and Liebe is doing pushups in the forest a bit away from the hideout and Asta's counting is heard through the forest.
Perched on a tree branch in her cat form, Millie stares at the sky like usual ("It is actually quite peaceful here, and the Black Bulls are so warm and welcoming and,") Millie reflects, her mind wandering to the memories of Mozo village. The village rests at the base of a hill, surrounded by vast valleys, distant mountains visible on the horizon, and a gently flowing river at its front. A welcoming road emerges from the forest, leading to a bridge that spans the river before winding its way into the heart of the village
Millie's gazes into the forest. Sunlight gracefully dances through the leaves, casting a serene and peaceful atmosphere. The contrast between the well-lit expanse and the darker, closely-knit trees captures her attention.
In the shadows, she sees a shadowy figure, silent and distant, fixated on her. With a deep breath and a deliberate blink, Millie returns her gaze to the sky once more.
'10 000!' he yells and breathes. 'my you are all ready done' Magna asks. 'yep, Magna I sure am' Asta replies.
Liebe lays down next to him panting heavy he didn't do a fraction of Astas work out but is strongly winded laying there looking at the blue sky between the opening in the trees.
Magna looks up at Millie sitting on the branch staring at the sky. 'huh, it is kind of weird' Magna says.
'huh what?' he asks. 'the way she sits and stares at the sky like that it is like she is waiting for something to come' Magna says and Asta looks at Millie on the branch as he opens his water bottle.
'you really think so' Asta asks. 'uh yeah' Magna replies and Asta puts the flask to his face and stops.
'Uh, are you ok?' Magna asks looking at Astas stunned face. 'yeah I just, well it felt like something ran through me' he says.
'okeeey..., Like what?' Magna asks. 'I am not sure it was like my body got dosed with water' he explains. 'uh, that does not sound normal, I hope it isn't anything bad' Magna utter.
'I don't... think so' he says and looks as his hands. 'My muscle fatigue is gone' Asta says.
'huh what? How did that happen?' Magna asks
'I have no idea' he says.
Millie turns to the two 'it is nothing to be concerned about Master, it is just a result of the contract becoming permanent' she explains. 'what seriously, my body feels brand new, man I can do another round now!' he says excited.
'seriously' Liebe asks. 'come on Liebe you can stand another round' he says. 'no way' Liebe replies sitting up crossing his arms.
'all right' Asta shrugs his shoulders and gets into position.
'hey you guys, you need to come quick' Luck says excited.
'uh all right, what is going on?'.
'come on you guys must come' Luck says excited. 'fine, but this better not be a trick. or I will fry you alive' Magna says and luck laughs as they walk to the front of the hide out.
'well are you guys ready' Vanessa asks.
'ready for what' Asta asks.
Vanessa smiles as the rest of the black bulls goes outside and Yami being the last one turns his face up.
'Okey Henry we are ready!' he exclaims and a window opens near the top of the base and a figure in light blue pj's with long messy hair with birds flying around him and some play with his hair.
'Right' he utter and takes out his grimoar as it flips to a page. 'Re-combination magic, raging black bull charge style' he slowly speaks as Millie lands on Astas shoulder the building begin to shake.
(there is no way) she thinks to herself as the different parts of the building move around and in a couple of seconds it is formed into a structure that resembles a bull on all four..
'uh Captain what is the reason for all this?' Asta asks.
'Huh, to head out ofcorse' Yami replies.
'head out, are we going somewhere?' Asta asks once more.
'yepp to rock-way beach' he says and points ahead into the forest.
'huh Whaaat?' he exclaims, and moments later they are all on top off the now sprinting building.
'we've been working hard lately so it is about time we get to do something else' he tells everyone.
Noelle blushes thinking about their destination. 'I will use my mirror to show Mari the beach again. Yes that will sure to bring a smile on her face. Yes she will love me' Goach thinks out loud as blood streams down from his nose looking at the photograph of his sister.
'no way, heck yeah! Rock-way-beach here we come' Asta shout with anticipation.
'oh it is going to be embarrassing but I will do my best' Grey fusses. 'yey beach trip whit all my friends' Gordon says his voice barely audible.
'Beach, Beach, Beach!' Magna, Luck, Asta and Finral scream together in unison during the travel.
Meanwhile Nero is stands looking into the distance while Vanessa and Noelle chat with each other. She looks up high and sees a black smudge high in the sky where the wings are barely made out.
Rock-way beach is a popular tourist and vacation destination for magic knights, nobility and even royalty, due to the warm mana currents in the area making it warm year around.
Perched atop the Black Bulls' hideout, now transformed into a modest beach house, Millie absorbs the vibrant activity of the Black Bulls below as they diligently prepare for the day. Millie turns her gaze looking at the treeline where she sees the silhouette looking at her from a distance.
Millie redirects her focus to the expansive sea. Its rhythmic waves play a soothing melody, offering a moment of tranquility amidst the preparations. With the sea providing a calming backdrop, Millie lifts her gaze to the sky as she unfurls her wings and takes off.
Meanwhile the group is in their swim wear and looks at the white sand beach.
'Heck yeah ready to take on the day everyone!' Asta yells.
'sure are, lets go!' Magna yells looking at the ocean play along the shore.
'wait a minute what are you guys up to anyways' Noelle asks. 'we are going to get training' Asta yells and begins to run in the sand.
'on your day off...' Noelle asks. 'yes just think of how much more training I can get done' Asta says.
'And just think of how much stronger I will get once I am as big as Yami' Magna says.
'yeah and just think how much more fun it will be to fight' Luck laughs.
'right now let us go' Asta shout and begin to run with Magna and Luck in Toe.
Noelle blushes and thinks it over and she walks inside of the hideout that Henry has shuffled into something that is more like a beach house.
'Come Gray let us enjoy the sun' Vanessa says and looks at the girl covering her face with blue hair and a white simple bikini with a white cloth tied on the side of her hip.
Noelle comes out in her swim suit with gems and walks over to Vanessa 'oh so you decided to put yours on after all' She says.
'Yes well, it just got really warm so. And that is all' she says and blushes while flicking her hair behind her shoulder and takes a seat and she strikes up a conversation with Vanessa and Grey.
it doesn't take long before the beach attracts more people.
Asta runs along with his friends 'There we go! Feel the burn everyone!' he yells, casting a glance behind him. 'come on you guys, you can do better than that-' Smack!
He finds himself in the sand looking at the sky.
'hey careful' a man says with a blue shirt and grey shorts and brown hair. 'you all right there buddy' he asks.
Asta gets up and looks at the big pile of planks that were just put down. 'yea, I am fine, I guess I didn't see where I was going. sorry' he says, dusting the sand off him.
'what is all this for anyways' he asks.
'huh?, it is for today's event' the man says and points to a banner hanging by the beach entrance.
'fair sea competition' Asta reads. 'huh what is that' Magna asks catching up to him and Luck stops next to him.
'well it is an event with different competitions to do in the water, first is a boat race then a swimming competition, fishing competition, and lastly, a sand building competition' he says. 'wow, cool and that is today, no wonder there are so many people gathering so early' Luck says.
'yep, there is a lot to do and get ready for' the man says.
And the gang look around and see people carrying boxes and fishing rods.
'That sounds like a lot of fun'
'yeh it does uh, is it open for anyone to enter' Magna asks.
'sure it is, you will just have to register yourself by the cabin looking building over there, you should probably decide on teams and team names before entering' the man explains.
'that is awesome, should we join' Asta asks.
'heck yeah we should! let us get the rest of the black bulls' Magna says and they run back to the black bulls base.
'Captain Yami sir we would like to join the eh...' Asta stops dumb founded as Yami comes out of the bathroom with nothing but a loincloth.
'the Fair Sea Competition yes ofcorse we will join' he says and grabs the fishing rod next to the door. And puts on a fishing hat and puts another on Astas head.
'wait you knew!' Asta says surprised.
'ofcorse I knew. Why else do you guys think I had us go to the beach today' Yami laughs.
'whaaat!' Asta exclaims. 'now get the girls and get into teams' he tells them.
Moments later all the black bulls stand before Yami in front of the base.
'A fishing competition? Yeah I will catch so many fish nummys' Charmy says barely containing he Gluttonous intent as she slightly drools.
'How will we be doing this Captain' Vanessa asks. As they look at the fishing equipment and they each get one rod and one hat each.
'no clue but we can be up to 8 on each team so...' Yami thinks it over.
'how about the girls vs the guys' Luck offers.
'what no way that is lame, besides there are two more guys here than there are girls here you know' Noelle states.
'That is a great idea let us do that' Yami says. 'wait we are 2 people short for the teams to be even' Vanessa says.
'Fine, Finral you go and be on the girls team' Yami orders.
'What, why me' Finral exclaims.
'That will be perfect' Asta says.
'you can't be serious' Finral defends.
'yes Finral already is halfway a girl so' Luck says.
'HEY!' Finral spits back.
'wait we still need one for it to be equal teams' Noelle adds.
'hmmm, Asta'
'yes Yami?'
'Get your fur-ball, it should make the teams even' Yami tells him.
'right good thinking' he says and looks around himself. 'uh where is she' he asks.
'I don't know' Nero tells them.
'she shouldn't be too far away I bet' Vanessa adds.
'Right' Asta utter and takes a deep breath 'MILLLIIEEEE! he shouts and everyone covers their ears'.
'please find a better way to call on her' Vanessa tells him as the moment falls quiet.
…
'uh nothing happened' Magna utter.
'As if shouting like that will have her magically appear-' Noelle utter as wind swings by and the sand is pulled up and everyone covers their eyes.
'I wasn't expecting a sand-storm!' Magna exclaims.
'What may I help you with Master Asta' they hear a soft calm and accommodating voice say and they all open their eyes as everything settles.
Asta smiles and puts a fishing hat on Millie's head.
'that was so quick' Noelle says in awe.
'we will be entering the fair sea competition today and you get to be on the girls team' he tells her and hands her a fishing rod. Millie turns her gaze too the girls with each their fishing equipment.
'understood sir' Millie softly respond.
'great time to get us registered, and to get going!' Asta yells. 'heck yeah' they boys shout together. 'I guess we are doing this then' Noelle says sighs.
'come on, it will be fun' Vanessa says and walks after the boys and the girls follow along.
'I hope this doesn't turn into something with too many people or this will be way too embarrassing for me to handle' Gray fusses moving along with the group.
'I still don't get why I have to be on the girls team' Finral mumbles. 'is there a problem' Vanessa/Noelle/Nero says at the same time and give him a scowl 'oh ofcorse not everything if fine' Finral says waving his hands in front of himself.
'oh and not a single indecent thought during this competition either' Noelle tells him. 'Got it I swear' Finral panics.
(this will be hell, I have to stay on a the same boat as so many beauties. I don't know if I can handle it. No Finral you only have eyes for Lady Finesse) his mind screams.
They get up to the booth and register both teams. 'all right and your team names' the man asks.
'that is right we haven't' Asta utters 'we will be called the buff seamen' Yami says and slam the table.
'uh are you sure about that name sir' the guy in the booth asks. 'huh ofcorse I am sure' he says back.
'heck yeah it is the perfect name' Magna exclaims. 'it is so lame though' Noelle utter.
'huu! It is the perfect name, we are buff, we are at the sea and we are men' Magna defends.
'see this guy gets it' Yami says with his cigarette in his mouth.
'right' the guy in the booth says and writes the team name and its members down.
'all right and for the lady's' he asks. 'how about the pink uhh' Vanessa looks around and looks at Nero 'the pink birds' Vanessa says. 'I am cool with that' Nero says.
Girls team (Pink Birds)
Noelle
Vanessa
Grey
Nero
Final
Charmy
Millie
Guys team (Buff SeaMen)
Asta
Goach
Luck
Magna
Yami
Gordon
Liebe
'Great now the event will start at noon so you still have a couple of hours until then' the man explains. 'right got it' Asta exclaims.
'what will we even do until then?' Noelle asks. 'well we could use the time to get some practice in' Vanessa offers. 'I guess' Noelle respond. 'what do you think Nero?
'sure' she respond.
'yes if it means that we will look less embarrassing by noon then I am in too' Gray says and Millie follows the girls.
'okey see you girls later' Asta yells waving them off. 'Right. Girls' Finral mutter but stiffens a he feels death glares pointed at his back.
(I am confused) Millie thinks to herself watching their interactins and she looks at the fishing rod in her hand (''I have never fished before, how will this go'') she thinks to herself.
'maybe we should get some practice in too' Luck says.
'right it can't hurt, alright I am so excited' Asta says and looks at Gordon and Goach who seems to not care at all.
'are you guys not interested at all?' Asta exclaims.
'huh why would I be, I am basically forced into this' Goach says.
'and I actually have some studying to do' Gordon whispers.
'come on guys this are to be fun!' Magna utter.
'Heck yeah it will Magna' Asta exclaims loudly.
'Let us find a place to practice then, right Yami' Magna asks looking to the leader.
'practice? I am plenty good at this. I will be taking a dump. See you later' he tells them and heads for the hideout which is now their beach house.
'uh, I guess we will have to go without him then' Asta says.
'right' Manga replies and looks at his squad mates.
'you guys do what you want, I will be busy worshiping my sister' Goach says looking at the photo of his sister.
'right...'
later they find a place with some space to practise their throw arm.
'all right let me just get the line here and' CRASH! SPLASH! 'hey what was that for Lightning boy!' he exclaims.
'you don't need to train Magna'
'huh what are you talking about? this was your Idea punk'
'Hahaha. yeah but you will only embarrass yourself' Luck teases.
'okey that is it, I will fry you up now' Magna says getting out of the water and igniting a fire in his hand.
'haha sure you can hit me?'
'just you wait an see' he exclaims.
Meanwhile...
In a classy nice house with a big porch underneath a parasol on a beach chair is a woman leaning back enjoying the sun in her purple bikini with elegant flower patterns going along its edges.
Her long grey hair with purple stripes flows and curls at the edges..
she takes a sip of her iced drink. 'Ah this is just perfect' she utter and looks over to a guy sitting with grey messy hair and purple lines looking out to the beach.
'what is with the frown?'
'You know I didn't want to come here today'
'well you never want to come along with us lately anyways. But you are here so why not just relax and enjoy the sun'
'yeh no thanks...' he says getting up.
'if you leave father will be pissed, especially since'
'he will be mad at me regardless, but he is too busy to really care, I mean he had me dragged along here so he can keep an eye on me but he went to the resort with his buddies'
'well he wouldn't have to drag you along if you did as you were told but you had to make a scene at the magic knights headquarters the other day. Honestly your shenanigans is ruining our family's reputation' she utter adjusting her seat.
'I am ruining the reputation? How about what you are doing?'
'excuse me?'
'tsk, you know what I am talking about. sprouting around like a little tramp'
her face grows red 'excuse me, those rumors are completely false and you know it'
'are they really?'
'you better watch your mouth Haze' she warns.
'tsk I am off' he utter and walks off the balcony. 'fine but you better stay by the beach if you run off again I will tell dad on you!'
'what will you tell him? That you let me go?' he tells her.
'ofcorse not' she utter.
'nah you are too crafty for that, see you tonight' he says with a cocky grin.
'just be back in time' she snarls and sits back to relax.
(I guess I better do behave, I haven't seen my father so angry in a long time...) his mind thinks as his gaze turns to the sea as he walks.
'huh' he ducks from a fireball and looks ahead. 'woah HEY!' Haze exclaims as he witness the fire and lightning mage mess around. (uuuh, they are not paying attention at all...)
Crash!
'now what!?' he looks behind him to see a teen with medium length blond hair combed backwards and held together with a black headband. He shoots up to his feet and dusts off his clothes which consists of a grey shirt with a dark grey vest with a wide V-shaped collar on top of it. He also wears white trousers and a pair of black high boots that have a pair of tan belts on each of them. In addition, he wears a tan belt that is connected to a pouch that he uses to carry his grimoire. The pouch is placed on his left-hand side. On top of everything, Sekke wears a magenta coat with long sleeves.
'well that was interesting. Ha ha' he exclaims.
'uh?..'
'Haha, hello there do not get the wrong idea there I meant to do that on purpose you see, oh and the name is Sekke by the way, Sekke Bronzazza' the blond exclaims, as his left cheek is stained with a red hand mark.
(why is he explaining himself?)
Haze stands there dumbfounded before he sense something and ducks. 'hu QWCH!' Sekke exclaims while taking on the fireball.
'woah I have felt this flame before somewhere... uh oh no not them again' he utter.
'who?' Haze asks.
'hu? Oh the black bulls ofcorse they are always making some sort of racket, a noble such as yourself has no need to mingle with them I can assure you' Sekke states and Haze looks at his hand where his ring in with the family crest which is in the shape of a butterfly on each side of a sharp edged purple gem.
(this guy is obviously a bafoon but... somehow he caught the mark on my ring)
'you actually caught my status?' he asks while looking at sekke keeping his boasting pose.
'That is right, A high ranking magic knight such as myself can obviously tell that you are of house Warrent'
'that I am uuuh'
'Haha! I was correct huha, as it is to be expected from such a high ranking magic knight as my self I am quite knowledgeable as you can tell. I am certain that you have heard of me, yes I am even beloved by the king himself, and I have worked so hard lately that he rewarded me a break which is the reason for being here instead of the kings side hu-ha!' he boasts before turning his attention back to Haze.
'heard of you? ... uh, who... are you?'
Sekke' face drops for a short second.
'surley you have heard of the great Sekke Buronzazza, believe it or not I am a 1th class senior magic knight and the kings most trusted right hand man' he boasts.
'uh... right, why are you talking to me again?' Haze asks.
'hu? Well I thought I best introduce myself since I nearly flew into you. Ha Ha'
'right... so it woah' he ducks as another barrage of fireballs flies by and Sekke barely dodges them.
(These guys really are out of control, I have heard the black bulls were rowdy but this) Haze thinks to him self.
he looks at them and Asta while holding his fishing rod looks over to them and waves. 'Oh hey HaHA! how have you been?'.
'Great, Just Fantastic, I have been so busy lately Ha Ha!'
(okey his tone of voice makes it obvious that he is lying, what kind of bafoon is this guy)
'now as for you how are things with your squad Asta? I hear the bulls star count has started out pretty slow this year, I surely thought you would be cranking up stars like crazy after coming back' Sekke Boasts.
'huh, yeah every squad has started out slow this year since, every squad is so focused on rebuilding efforts, uh by the way who is your friend?'
'huh, oh this is Warrent , we aren't really friends we only just met' he explains.
'oh, I see well hello uh?'
'Haze Warrent, and you are?'
'oh the name is Asta nice to meet you, uh are you guys joining the sea fair competition too?'
'That I am you see some high ranking noble has hired yours truly to partake in today's competitions' Sekke says.
(I thought this guy said he just had the day off? It makes my hunch that he was liar earlier are true)
'sweet, we will get to compete against each other, that hasn't happened since the royal knight exam' Asta remembers.
'oh that is correct, oh how time has flown Ha Ha' Sekkes voice faltering a little.
'it sure has, so are you here to practice too'
'hu-hu?' Sekke utters 'oh no I have already had a big training session just this morning' Sekke boasts.
(okey that is a lie too)
'really? That is awesome. We will have a great competition then'
'hu, right'
'and what about you Haze?'
'huh nope, I won't do something that boring. You losers have fun'
'hey what is with the attitude?' Asta exclaims which has Luck and Magnas attention. 'uh what is going on here Asta' Magna asks after ducking Lucks lightning as he slows down and looks at everyone. 'huh?' he utter.
'the attitude? I just have little time for boring games and affairs of today' he says lazily.
'wait I think I recognize you' Magna utter. 'that is right aren't' you the guy who keeps messing around the magic knights HQ? Luck asks.
'huh now that you mention it, yes that is right you are the guy who went sulking about' Asta adds.
'so what is up there little buddy looking to join a magic knight squad or something' Magna asks with slight mockery but the question has Haze slightly narrow his eyes.
'I might join a magic knight squad some day'
'ah so you are looking to get in well look no further you might get into the black bulls like us' Magna adds.
'what why would anyone want to join this squad of rejects? Everyone knows you are the worst squad in the kingdom. Despite the black bulls recent attempts to try and have people think otherwise, it is obvious from just this that this squad has little to no talent, I mean between the 3 of you there is so little mana coming from you I am certain Yami let you join out of pity, either that or he is really weak himself'
'hey how dare you talk about captain yami that way, and if you are so certain that we are all so weak why don't we prove you wrong right here and now?' Asta spits.
'tsk there won't be any point, I am not into whacking around a bunch of weaklings just for kicks good bye' he scuffs and heads away.
'Hey get back here! you think that you can just lay on the insults and walk away!'
'yeah that makes no sense' Magna spits.
'it will seem that I am doing just that' Haze says still walking just putting up his hand in goodbye.
'HEY!'
'just let him be Asta, guys like that will only waist you energy'
'I actually agree with Magna here with guys like that there really are little to no point' Luck adds.
'I guess you are right... so ready to practice the throw arm?' he asks.
'heck yeah we are let us go!' they shout and goes back to their day.
'Right I remember I should be on my way as well'
Meanwhile...
