Summary: Mora, Yuno, Klaus, and Mimosa join Asta and Noelle to deliver their mission report.
Mora had woken up and found herself on the bed. She turned her head to see Yuno holding a tray of breakfast in his hands as Ares and Athena floated above him.
"Yuno?" Mora spoke.
"Mora!" Ares and Athena cried as they flew and hugged Mora's face.
"Ares. Athena." Mora said. "How long was I out?"
"For a week." Yuno replied.
Mora's eyes widened in shock.
"What?! I was asleep for a whole week?!" Mora exclaimed.
"We have been so worried about you since the dungeon mission ended." Athena said.
"Especially Yuno." Ares chuckled. "He has been checking in on you every single day."
"I was only worrying about her, nothing more." Yuno said as he looked away with a slight blush.
"Thanks, Yuno." Mora smiled. "How very sweet of you."
"So, how are you feeling?" Athena asked.
"I'm perfectly healed, that's for sure." Mora replied. "I'm glad Yuno brought food because I'm really hungry."
Yuno placed the breakfast tray on Mora's lap. Mora's eyes lit up as she drooled over her plate of syrup-covered pancakes.
Then, Vangeance entered Mora's bedroom just as Mora was in the middle of eating her pancakes.
"Glad to see you up and about, Mora." Vangeance spoke.
"Oh, Captain Vangeance." Mora said.
"Good morning, sir." Yuno said.
"Congratulations on your mission in the dungeon." Vangeance said as he walked up to Mora, Ares, Athena, and Yuno. "Now that Mora is up, I'm sending you two along with Mimosa and Klaus to Knights Headquarters."
"Knights Headquarters?" Mora and Yuno repeated as they exchanged confused faces.
"That's right." Vangeance said. "The Knight Headquarters wants a report on what happened in the dungeon. Once Mora finishes her breakfast, you can make it there in time."
Outside, the Golden Dawns arrived at the Royal Capital and headed their way to the Knights Headquarters. Ares rested on Mora's head while Athena floated next between her and Mimosa.
"I'm so glad you're feeling okay, Mora." Mimosa said. "You really had us worried."
"I know. But I really owe you one, Mimosa." Mora said. "Thanks for healing me up."
"Oh, yeah, no problem." Mimosa smiled.
"Is your wound all healed up?" Klaus asked as he placed his hand on Mora's shoulder.
"My stomach still hurts a little bit, but overall I'm good." Mora replied. "At least, I got a good week of sleep."
Mimosa, Mora, Yuno, and Klaus kept walking down the street. Mimosa halted when she heard the sound of a loud familiar voice coming from behind. She and her squadmates turned around to see Asta and Noelle walking towards them.
"Oh, it's them." Mimosa said.
"Why if it isn't the members of the Golden Dawn. Hello there." Asta greeted.
"Hey, we haven't seen you since the dungeon, Asta." Klaus said. "I assume that you've come to make a report too?"
"Yup." Asta said. He then looked at Mimosa. "Oh, hey, Mimosa. Thanks so much for patching Mora up. You're amazing."
Mimosa ran away.
"Hmm? What's wrong? Why'd she run away?" Asta wondered in confusion.
"She was probably shocked to see how much shorter your arm is than she imagined it would be, so..." Yuno said.
Asta moved to strike his fists at Yuno, who placed his hand on Asta's face and stopped him from getting closer to him.
"And what the hell's that supposed to mean, huh?" Asta snapped.
"See?" Yuno said.
"Seriously!" Asta groaned.
"Just give up." Yuno said.
Noelle and Mora approached Mimosa.
"Uh, what's wrong, Mimosa?" Noelle asked.
Mimosa took deep breaths.
"Yeah, you all right?" Mora asked.
When Mimosa turned around, Noelle and Mora saw a deep blush planting on her face.
"I don't know what to do. Please, help me. It's, um, Asta." Mimosa replied. "Whenever I see him, I get this weird feeling in my chest. Since that day in the dungeon, he's all I ever seem to think about. It's awful. I don't know what's gotten into me."
"What?!" Noelle exclaimed.
"Wait a minute! You mean to tell us that you're crushing on Asta?" Mora asked with wide eyes.
"Yes." Mimosa answered. "And then the way that I just ran from him. Do you think he's going to hate me now?"
"What could you possibly see in him?" Noelle asked with blushed cheeks. "He's a low-born, little-brained, loud-mouthed runt."
"I think those things are all just part of his charm, honestly. Mimosa chuckled. "So much life in such a compact package. Could this be…?"
"No, no, no! Not that muscle-bound freak." Noelle said with a distraught face. Wait, hold on. Why am I so worked up about this? No, not a chance. Me and him? Never!
Noelle and Mimosa moaned.
It's official. Mora thought with a sigh. Asta got both girls fawning over him.
Noelle and Mimosa's moaning caught the boys' attention.
"Hmm? What's all the moaning about?" Klaus asked.
"Huh. Maybe their heads are hurting?" Asta said.
The Golden Dawns and the Black Bulls finally arrived towards the Magic Knight Headquarters.
"Knight Headquarters ought to be just through here." Klaus said.
"Guess there are some things even you don't know, huh, Four Eyes?" Asta asked.
"Even we Four Eyes can't know everything." Klaus yelled.
Wait a minute. He's not gonna snap at Asta for calling him Four Eyes? That was unexpected. Mora thought.
I guess somewhere along the line he accepted his new nickname. Yuno thought.
Wow, look how much better he's treating Asta. Mimosa thought.
"Anyway, we don't often come of Headquarters, so it's easy to forget." Klaus said.
Klaus then walked ahead. But he halted with a wide-eyed gasp. Noelle and Mimosa also gasped with wide eyes. Standing on the platform near the steps before them was a tall, middle-aged man. He has short messy blond hair, purple eyes, and a blue six-pointed star on the left side of his forehead. He wore a long one-sleeved red robe with white fur that covered his entire body. Underneath his red robe, he wore a white shirt that has a high collar and black fur at the end of the long sleeves with intricate gold and purple-colored designs, brown pants, and a pair of high brown boots. He also wore a gold necklace and a couple of medals. A gold medal with a green cross was positioned on the left side of his chest while the shield with gold and red colors was positioned on his right side.
"No, is that really…?" Klaus said. He immediately kneeled to the ground. "I never dreamed you would greet us personally, sir."
Noelle and Mimosa both bowed to one knee.
But only Asta, Yuno, Mora, Athena, and Ares remained confused.
"He's flashy. Who do you think this guy is?" Asta asked as he turned his head to Yuno, Mora, Athena, and Ares.
"Beats me." Mora answered with a shrug.
"You idiot!" Klaus shouted. "This is none other than the current Wizard King, Sir Julius Novachrono!"
Asta screamed in utter shock as Yuno, Mora, Athena, and Ares gasped with wide, surprising eyes. Klaus placed his hand at the back of Asta's head and forced him to bow. Yuno, Mora, Athena, and Ares bowed too.
I can't believe it. Mora thought.
It's actually him. Yuno thought.
The Wizard King! Asta thought.
At the top of the Magic Knight Headquarters, Julius gathered the Golden Dawns and the Black Bulls inside an empty tower. He began examining the new writing on the page of Yuno's grimoire.
"I'm pleased you were able to obtain this." Julius said. "This magic is very powerful. It could easily be that dungeon's greatest relic."
"You can really read it, sir?" Yuno said with a shocked expression.
"A little of it, yes." Julius replied.
"The greatest relic in here? Go, us!" Asta exclaimed.
"Hmm, let's see here." Julius said as he looked closely at the writing with a beaming face.
Such excitement. Klaus thought. So, the rumors of the Wizard King being an unparalleled magic geek were true.
Julius then approached Yuno.
"What do you say? Will you cast this spell for me, pretty please? I'd love to see it!" Julius pleaded.
"I'm sorry, sir." Yuno replied. "I believe it somehow activated once while we were in the dungeon. But I haven't been able to use it again."
"Oh, I see. Well, too bad." Julius said with a disappointed face.
Julius looked at the writing curiously.
Sylph, spirit of wind, one of the four major elements. Julius thought. So, he's the one she's chosen for this era.
Julius then handed Yuno's grimoire back to him.
"I'm glad that you found this." Julius said. "All that I can tell you now is that this spell will grow as you do. I believe it will be a tremendous help to you someday. Make sure you take good care of her."
"Sir." Yuno said as he looked at his grimoire.
Asta suddenly popped forward and held his opened grimoire.
"Wizard King, sir!" Asta said. "Some weird writings showed up in my grimoire, too! Please take a look!"
"Don't be impertinent." Klaus scolded.
Julius looked closely at the written pages on Asta's grimoire.
"Hmm, this looks like…"Julius said.
"Like what?" Asta asked.
"Something I can't read." Julius replied.
Asta groaned with disappointment as he comically fell to the ground.
"Huh. I've never seen writing like that anywhere." Julius said.
Asta then pulled out his new anti-sword out of his grimoire.
"And this comes out of it." Asta said. "What do you think, sir?"
"Ooh, a second Anti-Magic Sword? That's excellent!" Julius said with an intrigued expression.
Asta chuckled and turned to Yuno, who gave him a blank look on his face.
"Mine's working just fine." Asta said.
"Oh, the power of Anti-Magic." Julius said with ecstatic eyes. "May I… do you think that I can hold it?"
"Go for it." Asta replied as he offered his anti-sword to the Wizard King.
"Thank you so…" Julius said as he grabbed the anti-sword. But when he tried to hold it, the anti-sword immediately dropped to the ground. "Whoa, man!"
"Are you okay, Wizard King?!" Asta asked frantically.
"I'm amazed you can swing this thing around." Julius said. He gasped when he looked down to see his own mana engulfed around the anti-sword. My magic power. It's being sucked away.
Then, Julius masked the situation with a chuckling smile.
"Now I understand. Thanks for letting me take a look. Here you go," Julius said as he gave the anti-sword back to Asta. "I think you'd better hold onto it. You may be the only one who can. It's too much for me to handle, but you can wield it because you have no magic power."
"I don't understand. How'd you know that I don't have any magic?" Asta asked. "And about what my sword can do?"
"Well, you know, that's an excellent question." Julius said.
Julius didn't answer Asta's question and moved on to Mora.
"And may I see your grimoire?" Julius asked.
"Oh, sure." Mora said. What a way to dodge a question.
As Mora summoned her grimoire, Julius's eyes immediately caught the sight of Ares and Athena hovering over Mora's shoulders.
"No way! Are they your spirits? They're so cool!" Julius said as his eyes slowly sparkled. "Were they in the dungeon too?"
"Not exactly. I met them when I got my grimoire." Mora explained.
Julius's eyes sparkled even more.
"Are you serious?! That's incredible! You're so lucky! What are their names? Can they show me some of their magic? Can they? Can they?" Julius pleaded with a beaming face.
Ares and Athena exchanged sweatdropped faces.
Is this guy really the Wizard King? Ares and Athena questioned.
"I'm sure they don't mind." Mora said. "Ares, Athena, show the Wizard King what you can do."
Ares and Athena rose up above everyone. They lifted their arms upwards and formed a spiraling stream of fire above them.
Amazing. They may not be the Salamander, spirit of fire, but I never would've thought that this girl was chosen by these powerful spirits. Julius thought.
Once Ares and Athena finished their fiery magic demonstration, they descended next to Mora.
"Remarkable." Julius said. "Oh, and your grimoire?"
Mora handed her grimoire to Julius.
"Oh, wow." Julius said in awe as he looked at the writing through the pages. "These spells are spectacularly strong." He looked up back at Mora. "Your magic will continue to grow stronger as well as your spirits. Take good care of them."
Julius then handed Mora's grimoire back to her.
"Thank you." Mora said.
"Anyway, well done. You did a marvelous job out there. Much appreciated." Julius congratulated.
"Uh, I just…Can I…can I…can I maybe ask you something, sir?" Asta asked in a stutter.
"Sure, what is it?" Julius asked.
"I was just wondering. " Asta asked.
Asta and Yuno took a step forward.
"How can I become the Wizard King?" Asta and Yuno asked at the same time.
Julius looked at Asta and Yuno with a serious face, but he then let out a laugh.
"I see, so the two of you are looking to become the Wizard King, are you? Not surprising, given that you are Magic Knights." Julius said. He looked at Mora. "How about you? Do you wish to become the Wizard King? Or Wizard Queen, if I may correct myself?"
"Oh, no. Not really." Mora answered. "I want to become a Magic Knight Captain someday."
"I see." Julius said.
"You two must realize how rude it is to ask a question like that so directly." Klaus scolded. "Now, listen, the Wizard King must be noble of heart and have the implicit trust of all of his..."
"No, Klaus." Julius said with a serious expression. "It's about results. A noble heart alone cannot protect anyone, and the trust of the people is earned, not granted. You want to know what you need to do to gain the title Wizard King? Get results. Prove that you're the strongest. Do what it takes. Devote yourself to getting results. That's all there is. Anyone who's not capable of that cannot hope to stand at the summit."
"Exactly what I wanted to hear." Asta and Yuno said with determination.
"You got it." Mora nodded with a determined expression.
Not bad, William, Yami. Julius thought with a smile. I like the look in your newbies' eyes.
Then, Julius laughed.
"Now, I hope you're ready for something special, because today we've gathered those Knights with an exceptional number of stars for the Distinguished Service Ceremony." Julius said.
"The Dis…what now?" Asta asked.
"The Distinguished Service Ceremony. We give awards and commendations to those who have performed extraordinarily well." Julius explained.
"Oh." Asta said.
"I would appreciate it if you would join us for it." Julius said.
"Huh?" Asta, Yuno, Mora, Klaus, Mimosa, and Noelle said altogether.
Julius began escorting Asta, Yuno, Mora, Ares, Athena, Klaus, Mimosa, and Noelle through the hallway where there were hooded mages lined on both sides upon the Wizard King's presence.
"This Distinguished Service Ceremony sounds fancy." Asta said. "I wonder what it's going to be like."
Why us? I have a bad feeling about this. Noelle thought anxiously.
I hadn't expected this turn of events. Klaus thought.
Everyone came to a stop at the large double doors.
"Here we are." Julius said.
The double doors started to open up.
"The question is can you achieve greater results than what these Knights have?" Julius said as he looked back at the young Magic Knights.
When the double doors opened wide, three Magic Knight Captains and their respective Magic Knights were standing and waiting for the Wizard King's arrival inside the ceremony hall. Out of the Magic Knights, Mora only recognized Fuegoleon and Leopold. But she did notice that Captain Vangeance was nowhere to be found.
Noelle, Yuno, Mora, Ares, Athena, Asta, Klaus, and Mimosa stood in place just as Julius then began walking his way to the altar before facing all of the Magic Knights.
"All right, let the Distinguished Service Ceremony begin." Julius said.
The Clover Kingdom's Magic Knights are given ranks based upon the caliber of their performance. With the Wizard King at the top, the ranks were divided into five, from First to Fifth Class. Knights gain ranks through exemplary performance. They must obtain the required number of stars before the annual Distinguished Service Ceremony, when the Wizard King will bestow new ranks accordingly.
"With a total of seven stars, from the Crimson Lion Kings squad, Leopold Vermillion, step forward." Julius said.
Leopold approached Julius.
"I hereby bestow upon you the rank of Intermediate, Second Class." Julius commented as he presented Leopold with an award. "Like your brother, Captain of the Crimson Lion Kings, your use of Fire Magic can be a bit overwhelming. You may wanna consider toning it down a little."
"There's no room for mercy when you're fighting against evil, sir." Leopold said.
When Leopold turned around, he sent out a small smile to Mora, who cringed with a sweatdrop.
"Next, with a total of six stars, from the Blue Rose Knights, Sol Marron." Julius said.
A female Blue Rose Magic Knight stepped forward. She has a tall body with brown skin, short ruffled black hair, and green eyes. She wore a white tube top that exposes her cleavage and midriff, white shorts with o-rings connected to white detached pants that feature large slits on her inner thighs and reach slightly past her knees, white arm warmers that cover her elbows, a black belt on her waist, white flat shoes, and a Blue Rose robe.
"I grant you the rank of Intermediate Magic Knight, Third Class." Julius commented as he presented Sol with an award. "Your vitality, a match for any man's, is amazing, as is your unique Earth Magic. But perhaps you have a bit too much freedom."
"The only person who can tie me down is Charlotte." Sol said. "Um, I mean, my captain."
"Now, with a total of six stars, hailing from the Silver Eagles, I call Solid Silva." Julius said.
A male Silver Eagle Magic Knight stepped forward. He has a tall, slender build with long silver-colored hair tied in a Dutch braid hairstyle with loose, messy fringe at the top and blue eyes. He wore a long-sleeved white tunic with frilly edges on his neck area held together by a gold locket, matching white that extends slightly below his knees, a two-headed dark brown belt around his waist, a pair of light brown sandals, and a Silver Eagle robe.
"I grant you the rank of Intermediate Magic Knight, Third Class. You exhibit great skill in controlling your magic, but it would be better if you could work with those around you rather than showing off your own powers." Julius commented.
"I'll keep that in mind going forward." Solid said.
"With a total of nine stars, from the Silver Eagles, is Nebra Silva." Julius said.
A female Silver Eagle Magic Knight stepped forward. She has a tall, slender build with slightly wavy silver-white hair that is left loose at the lower back and swept back in tousled spikes at the sides and top along with her bangs, and pink eyes. She wore a loose-fitting top with a high collar that is held in place by a gold band, a flowing light purple angled skirt, a pair of strappy, light brown flat-heeled sandals, and her Silver Eagles robe.
"I grant you the rank of Senior Magic Knight, Fifth Class. The illusions that you create with your Mist Magic are truly incredible. But you have a habit of using them to toy with your foe more than necessary. It may backfire someday." Julius commented.
"Thank you for the advice. I'll take it to heart." Nebra said.
"With a total of seven stars, hailing from the Golden Dawn, Hamon Caseus." Julius said.
A male Golden Dawn Magic Knight stepped forward. He has a chubby build with blond hair that is brushed back with some strands spun and sticking upwards, and gray eyes. He wore a long-sleeved white shirt with a high collar and red fabric on the middle, a black sash around his waist, casual white pants, a pair of high black boots, and his Golden Dawn robe.
"I hereby grant you the rank of Intermediate Magic Knight, Second Class. Looking at you, one wouldn't think you'd wield Glass Magic. I imagine that often confuses your enemies." Julius commented.
"Yes, sir, it does. Thank you." Hamon said.
"Next, with a total of eight stars, also from the Golden Dawn, Siren Tium." Julius said.
A large male Golden Dawn Magic Knight stepped forward. He has a strongly built body with blond hair that is brushed back and braided, and narrow green eyes with no eyebrows. He wore a long-sleeved white shirt with a high collar and red fabric on the middle, a black sash around his waist, casual white pants, a pair of high black boots, and his Golden Dawn robe.
"I grant you the rank of Intermediate Magic Knight, First Class. Behind your eloquent magic is a reticent mage, who rarely speaks his own mind. I encourage you to make your thoughts and opinions known more often." Julius commented.
"Sir." Siren said plainly.
"And now, with a total of eleven stars, from the Golden Dawn, Alecdora Sandler." Julius said.
Alecdora stepped forward.
"I grant you the rank of Senior Magic Knight, Fourth Class. I commend you for both your flexible magic and your diligent demeanor. However, you might consider relaxing occasionally." Julius commented.
"Welcome words, sir. Thank you." Alecdora said.
"Your efforts have helped bring the Golden Dawn's total to 71 stars. A commanding lead." Julius said to the three Golden Dawn members. His eyes looked back at the rest of the Magic Knights and their Captains. "The rest of you will have to work hard not to be left behind. Well, that concludes the formal bit. We've also prepared a simple banquet to celebrate the occasion, so please enjoy yourselves. And you may not have noticed, but I invited some special guests."
All the Magic Knights and their Captains instantly turned their heads to Noelle, Yuno, Mora, Asta, Klaus, and Mimosa.
"I hope that you'll mix and mingle with them as well." Julius added.
"Pardon, Sir." Marx said as he rushed over to Julius.
Marx started whispering in Julius's ear.
"I'm sorry, but something's come up. You'll have to excuse me. Have an excellent time, now." Julius said to the Magic Knights.
At the celebratory banquet, all the Magic Knights and their respective Captains gathered around the tables to eat delicious meals and drink cool refreshments.
Yuno offered Mora a glass of water, which Mora smiled as she took it. Athena rested on Mora's right shoulder while Ares began eating his plate of food.
"Their contempt is almost palpable." Klaus said with a scoff as he was holding a glass of juice. "How are we supposed to enjoy this?"
Klaus, Yuno, and Mora noticed that everyone was sending intense glares at them.
"Just look at them. Why would the Wizard King subject us to this kind of treatment? The man himself couldn't even stick around to witness it." Klaus added.
Mora's eyes moved to Noelle, who looked silently uneasy when Solid and Nebra chuckled at her.
"What is this?!" Asta beamed as he was eating his plate of food. "I've never had anything like this!"
"Though it doesn't seem to have affected him much." Klaus said. "As unashamed as ever."
"I wouldn't say unashamed, more uncivilized." Yuno said.
"All the way." Mora agreed.
Mimosa approached Asta.
"Uh, excuse me." Mimosa spoke with a blushed face. "I was thinking, if you don't mind, maybe I'd join you."
"Oh, sure, Mimosa." Asta said. "So, you've been eyeing this meat, too, huh?"
"Oh, yes. It looks quite delicious." Mimosa said.
"Filthy, gluttonous commoner." Alecdora mumbled. "Why would the Wizard King invite such a vulgar guest?"
"I can't sense any magic power in him." Nebra added. "If he did clear that dungeon, I'm sure it was purely by luck."
"What a positively atrocious eater." Hamon said with a laugh.
"It's much like having a rat in the throne room." Solid said. "His presence here is unnatural."
The rest of the Magic Knights laughed.
"Hmm. You guys really don't pull their punches, huh? Oh, well, nothing that I'm not used to." Asta remarked with a stuffed mouth.
It doesn't even seem to bother him! Klaus, Mimosa, and Mora thought as they and Yuno stared at Asta.
Leopold approached Alecdora, Siren, and Hamon.
"If I remember correctly, you've got two commoners in your squad too." Leopold spoke. "Everyone thinks that they're a big deal because of their four-leaf clover grimoire. But they're commoners, through and through."
Alecdora turned around to look at Yuno and Mora, who looked at their Golden Dawn member as they overheard their conservation.
Leopold glanced at Mora and smiled at her with a wink. Mora sweatdropped with a cringe, while Yuno narrowed his eyes at Leopold.
"They might've pulled off the dungeon-crawling mission, but I have no doubt that I would have done a better job." Leopold continued.
"Well, Crimson Lion cub, aren't you full of yourself?" Alecdora said. "Their work may be sub-par, but it's not as if we expect much of a commoner. True, they're Golden Dawns, but it is we nobles who embody the ideals of our squad and captain."
Asta stopped eating and looked over Yuno, who scoffed with a glare.
And here we go. Mora sighed as she rolled her eyes.
"Now, with all due respect…" Klaus spoked as he stepped forward.
"And what about you, Klaus?" Alecdora interrupted as he turned to glare at Klaus. "A man of your caliber ought to be ashamed to be seen in the company of those commoners." He then turned to Mimosa. "As for you, Mimosa, I hear that you were promptly wounded in the dungeon and removed from the front lines. Your ineptitude is making Royal House Vermillion a laughingstock."
"I-I'm sorry. I didn't mean to." Mimosa said timidly.
"No, she performed admirably!" Klaus yelled.
Solid picked up a glass of water in his hand.
"Come, Alecdora. We all know who the most inept person here is." Solid said with a chuckle. He walked towards Noelle, who was holding a plate in her hands. "And it's not poor, little Mimosa. Right, Noelle?"
Solid then poured his drink of water all over Noelle's head.
Mora's eyes widened in shock as Ares and Athena looked on with equally shocked faces.
"Why, Solid?" Noelle said as she slowly turned to face Solid. "Why would you do that?"
"And to your own sister!" Klaus shouted.
Mimosa covered her mouth with a shocked face while Asta and Yuno looked shocked as well.
"You can't even control your magic properly." Solid said. "Could there be any greater disgrace than you?"
"You were as good as banished from House Silva for being an abject failure." Nebra added. "How dare you come waltzing back into the Noble Realm as if you belong?"
"Nebra, please stop this." Noelle pleaded.
"You let a single success go to your head, and now you've come here to sully the Silva name with your presence." Nozel said.
"But we were invited." Noelle said.
"This is no place for a pathetic creature like you. Now leave." Nozel said. "Wasn't killing our mother enough?"
Asta and Mora's faces immediately changed into an intense glare.
Noelle ran off with sobbing tears, but Asta grabbed her arm. Noelle stopped running and looked at Asta.
"You don't need to run away from people like this, Noelle." Asta said.
"But I…" Noelle.
"He's right!"
A fireball suddenly launched straight towards Solid and Nebra, hitting both of them on impact. But Solid extinguished the flames with his Water Magic.
"How dare you!" Nebra shouted.
"Who did that?!" Solid yelled.
"That would be me, you pompous bastards!"
All the Magic Knights turned their heads to the sound of that angry voice. Their eyes lit up in a complete mix of shock and surprise when Ares floated next to Noelle. Athena also floated next to Noelle as well.
"I won't allow your insults to torment this girl!" Ares barked angrily. "So what, she has trouble with her magic! She's your sister and families are supposed to help each other!"
"And practice makes perfect." Athena added. "You say she can't control her magic, but that's not how we saw it back at the dungeon. She has shown great potential in strength and intelligence through her magic."
"Ares... Athena..." Noelle muttered.
The entire Magic Knights began muttering with surprised expressions.
"I-I can't believe it."
"Are you seeing what I'm seeing?"
"Are those...fire spirits?"
"Like the Salamander?"
"No doubt these spirits belong to you or your brother, Fuegoleon." Nozel said, moving his eyes to the Crimson Lion Captain.
"Actually, Ares and Athena are my spirits." Mora answered as she walked up and stood next to Noelle. "They're right, by the way. No matter how hard she struggles, we'll always help her, royal or not. That's what a true Magic Knight would do."
"Mora?" Noelle said.
Then, Asta jumped onto the table.
Only Mimosa and Klaus gasped in shock.
"You were invited here by the Wizard King, so I figured that you had to be pretty amazing. But you're just like all the rest of them, aren't you?" Asta shouted, looking down at Solid, Nebra, and Nozel.
Noelle's eyes widened with an open mouth.
"Commoner! Rat! Disgrace! Failure! Do you think I care if I fit in with you people? Watch because I will…!" Asta continued.
Suddenly, a large cyclone of sand erupted underneath Asta and engulfed him.
"That's enough out of you, little rat." Alecdora said. "We will not be spoken to in such a manner by your kind. Be quiet."
But Asta sliced right through the sand and eliminated the spell with his anti-sword.
"Not a chance!" Asta shouted.
"How dare you!" Alecdora said.
"Now, you better listen up because I wasn't done talking!" Asta said. He pointed his anti-sword at the Silva siblings. "I'm gonna get results like no one has before. I'll do whatever it takes to become the Wizard King and prove you wrong!"
Review and enjoy.