The Apprentice of Curses

by AH2003

Sucks at summary, This is a Heavy Au as some characters may be Oc

3. Chapter 3

Six Years Later

Asta wandered the Royal Capital, marveling at the bustling city when, suddenly, he bumped into someone.

"Ouch! Sorry about that!" he exclaimed.

Just then, a hand grabbed his head, and Asta looked up to see a woman with fierce blue eyes and long, wavy vermilion-colored hair.

"Umm, miss, can you let go? I'm really sorry," Asta apologized.

"Huh? What did you say, kid?" the woman replied, her fiery aura flaring.

Asta felt the intense heat rising. With a determined expression, he grabbed her hand and pulled himself down with his strength.

The woman released him. "Hoo, you've got a strong grip, kid."

"Sorry about that, miss," Asta said.

"How old are you, kid?" she asked.

"I'm 13," he replied.

"13, huh? Perfect," she grinned. "You've got a lot of mana, but how strong are you?"

Asta blinked. "Ehh?"

"Just tell me, idiot."

Asta sighed. "I guess... strong enough."

"Good! Maybe you'll be a good rival for my brother."

"Huh?"

"Yeah, I come home after years of being away, and I find my brother is taking it easy on my youngest sibling. I told him, 'You need to throw him into the wild!'"

Asta nodded. "I always train in the jungle and hunt dangerous monsters whenever I get the chance."

The woman grinned. "You've got the right idea. There's nothing better than a big hunt and basking in natural mana. How are kids supposed to get stronger if you don't throw them in the deep end?"

"Maybe not that hard," Asta said.

"You say that, but I bet you've never climbed a giant chasm, huh?"

Asta blinked, then answered, "Well, I had to once after—"

"Don't care. I made my point!" she interrupted.

Asta nodded again. "It was nice talking to you, but I have to meet my teacher."

"Teacher?"

"Yeah, he's teaching me Curse and Healing Magic. We're looking for the Black Bulls' hideout. Do you know where it is?"

"That idiot's base? Yeah, I can tell you, but if I do, you have to fight me."

"Ehh, fight you?" Asta said, surprised.

"Yeah. I want to see if you can beat my brother and motivate him to train harder."

Asta nodded. "Let's find my teacher first. By the way, what's your name?"

"Mereoleona Vermillion. Call me Mereoleona, brat."

A while later...

The three of them knocked on the Black Bulls' hideout door. A delinquent-looking man opened it, eyeing them curiously.

"What do you want?" he grumbled.

Asta smiled. "Can you bring out Gordon? His father is here to see him." He pointed to Nathan.

"Ehh, father?" The man blinked, then called out for Gordon.

Soon, a man who looked very similar to Nathan emerged, muttering as he approached.

Asta scanned the surroundings, feeling a familiar mana. He spotted a familiar sword. "Sensei, is that you?"

Yami lowered his newspaper and glanced over. "Do I know you, kid?"

"It's me, Asta! You taught me how to use Dark Magic... like, nine years ago."

"Ah, whatever." Yami waved it off and went back to his newspaper, much to Asta's amusement. The antics of his old mentor were as chaotic as ever.

Just then, Mereoleona placed a hand on Asta's shoulder, grinning. "Come on, kid, time for our fight!"

"Right now?" Asta raised an eyebrow.

"Yeah, let's get this over with so those two idiots can talk," Mereoleona said, nodding toward Nathan and Gordon, who were still deep in conversation.

Asta turned to see a blonde-haired kid jump in between them. "Oh, oh! Can I fight you two?"

Asta blinked. "Who are you?"

The blonde smiled, full of energy. "My name's Luck. I like to fight!"

Mereoleona shrugged. "Sure, come at me, brat."

Asta stepped back, watching as the kid charged toward Mereoleona. She effortlessly punched him away, sending him flying.

"Too slow, brat. You need to do better," Mereoleona said, her tone as harsh as ever.

Luck got back up, giggling. "You're strong!" He summoned his grimoire, and lightning erupted around him, forming Boost and Claws. He charged again.

Soon, the Black Bulls, including Yami, came outside to see what was happening.

Sumi sighed. "That idiot's getting destroyed by Sisgoleon."

Asta turned to her. "Sumi-sensei, how strong is she?"

Sumi shrugged. "I don't know, but she's at least Captain-level or stronger."

A few minutes later, Mereoleona punched Luck again, sending him flying with an explosion of fire. Finral opened a portal to catch him as he fell near Yami, who grabbed him midair.

"Okay, Luck, that's enough," Yami said, shaking his head.

Luck smiled up at him. "She's strong. I want to beat her! I want to get stronger!"

Asta smiled. "You've got great magic, but you need to think about creating an armor or assimilating your mana."

Luck blinked. "Armor sounds cool! But what do you mean, assimilate?"

Asta stepped forward, raising his hand as darkness swirled around him. "Look closely." He activated Mana Zone and used his experience assimilating Megicula's power to absorb the dark magic into his body. His hair and skin turned dark as his magic surged.

Mereoleona grinned. "Hoo, what's that, brat?"

Asta unsheathed his sword, now coated in darkness. "Let's fight."

The two clashed at incredible speeds, fire and dark magic colliding in a series of explosive bursts.

Later...

Asta lay on the ground, panting as his spell ended. "Okay, let's stop."

Mereoleona grinned. "We're just getting started, brat!" But she was now sitting on a pool of darkness, her mana being drained and replenished by Asta.

"I know, but the forest can't take much more. It's already burned enough," Asta said, his voice steady but tired.

Mereoleona looked around. "Hmm, fine. But only because the Wizard King might force me to join the Crimson Lions as Vice Captain."

Just then, Luck appeared in front of Asta, grinning. "Ne-ne, can you teach me to do that? It was super awesome!"

Asta sweat-dropped. "Well, you assimilate your magic into your body after creating a lot of it. That's the basic principle."

Mereoleona raised an eyebrow. "It's like Mana Zone, huh?"

Asta nodded. "Exactly. You can use Mana Zone to increase your magic and then assimilate it into your body to boost your power. I based it on Mana Zone, Reinforcement Magic, and Absorption-type Curses."

Mereoleona smiled. "Well, you're strong, brat. Can't wait to see what you'll do after you get your grimoire. Where do you live?"

"In Hage Village," Asta replied.

"Really? That far?" Mereoleona chuckled. "Well, I might visit in a year. So train hard until then. Also, I noticed you used Mana Zone earlier."

Asta nodded. "I used it to boost my magic. I was about to fight you, so I needed all the mana I could get."

Mereoleona grinned. "Next time, don't hesitate to use curses as well, brat."

Just then, a crowd of people surrounded Asta, praising him.

"That was awesome, kid!" one person shouted.

"So powerful, that guy!" another yelled.

"You did great! Want a reward?" someone else asked.

Sumi sighed. "Alright, that's enough."

The crowd quieted.

Sumi turned to Asta. "Kid, wanna join the Black Bulls?"

Asta shook his head. "I don't, but I can't right now."

Sumi shrugged, tossing him a squad robe. "Here. Come back anytime you want to meet the squad."

Asta looked at the robe and smiled. "I will, sensei."

Luck grinned. "We can fight every day, then. I was getting bored annoying Magna."

Magna huffed. "Hey, don't say that. I can easily beat you."

Luck grinned. "Is that so? Then why don't we fight?"

Magna nodded. "It's on!"

Sumi slapped both of them on the back of the head. "Quit it, idiots! Our base is destroyed enough."

Asta grinned. "If I may, why don't you both train in Mana Control, Mana Skin, Mana Zone, and Reinforcement Magic? That way, when you fight each other, it won't be so destructive."

Sumi nodded. "Good idea. From now on, you'll only fight in close combat using Mana Skin and Reinforcement Magic. If by some miracle you learn Mana Zone, then use it to increase your power. No more setting the base on fire or electrocuting everyone."

Luck and Magna nodded, eager to learn.

Asta smiled. "Good luck, I guess."

Sumi looked at the antics of her squad, a smile tugging at the corner of her lips. She was impressed by Asta's power and his techniques. Mereoleona's strength, too, was something she admired. "Seems I need to surpass my own limits again and push these idiots to surpass theirs. Things are getting more interesting."

A while later...

Asta was happy to see Gordon had agreed to train with Nathan to learn Recovery Magic to help his friends. Yami had given him permission to go.

Mereoleona approached Asta again. "Hey, kid, I'm leaving. You better train hard."

Just then, a pink-haired woman in a scantily clad dress smiled at him, wrapping her arm around his neck. "Say, kid, are you planning to be a curse mage?"

Asta nodded. "Yes, actually. A curse recovery mage. And I plan to find new ways to use curses."

Mereoleona looked at him with interest. "What new ways, brat?"

Asta blinked. "Well, I want to incorporate it into assimilation magic, so I can create an armor that absorbs mana from the environment—and maybe even enemy spells. Like Trap Magic does, I want to use it to power up myself or refill my reserves so I don't pass out when my mana runs out. I could even absorb Healing Magic to keep my body in fighting condition."

Mereoleona nodded thoughtfully. "Hmm, that's an interesting idea. I'll be watching, brat."

One Year Later

Asta was in the Grimoire Tower. His supposed 15th birthday had passed yesterday, and he was here hoping to get his Grimoire. He had heard that any 15-year-old could get their Grimoire just by walking into the tower. Beside him were six notorious bandits, all women. They had once been part of the Blue Rose Squad, but after their junior took the position of captain and started allowing boys to join as errand boys, a huge fight broke out. The six women then fled the capital and became bandits who targeted men specifically. Now, all of them were tied up over a large complex rune array.

Megicula, the former Devil, spoke. "Let's begin."

As she formed a barrier around the tower, Asta cast his magic: "Forbidden Spatial Magic X Soul Magic: Sacrificial Heart Femcantation." The six women screamed as their bodies transformed. After a while, they were reduced to husks of black mass. Suddenly, a magic circle formed on the ground, and a dark mass flowed out. It soon took shape as a beating heart.

Asta then took his sword and sliced into the six women, ripping and crushing their hearts. He placed their bodies onto another magic circle and placed the devil's heart on top. He channeled 80% of Megicula's power, after which Megicula took over and cast her spell: "Anatomy Magic X Soul Magic: Incarnation of the Devil." The six bodies glowed and morphed, combining together to form a new body in the real world with Megicula's heart inside. Asta de-transformed as Megicula transferred her soul into the new body.

She looked at her pitch-black body. "It worked."

Asta stared, blushing. "Um, can you wear some clothes or form those weird tentacles?"

Megicula smiled. "Why? Not happy with my body, Asta?"

"It's... um, a bit awkward. I've never seen a naked lady before."

"Fine." Tentacles sprouted from her body as she looked at him. "Now, awaken." Asta then gained a blank look, his soul falling asleep while the second one awoke. He raised his arm, and a bright light glowed. Asta looked up to see a Grimoire with a silver and grey front cover, and a golden four-leaf clover. Various words were written on it.

Asta grabbed the Grimoire as Megicula activated her curse and whispered, "Fall into despair and let rage flow." He felt rage and despair flood his mind as various scenarios and visions passed through him. The Grimoire darkened, and its clover turned pitch black, gaining a fifth leaf. Megicula took it.

She touched Asta and intoned, "Soul Magic: Zenith Operation." She then transferred the power of the half-demon, half-devil into Asta and merged it with the second soul. The Grimoire flew out of her hand and glowed brightly, changing into a thick, seven-Grimoire fused version, triple its length and breadth. Megicula destroyed the half-demon, half-devil magicless soul.

Megicula smiled. "Come back now."

Asta blinked and looked at her. "Did it work?"

"Yes. Now, let me use my magic. Soul Magic: Zenith Operation." Asta blanked out as the two purified devil souls were transferred and permanently merged into his soul. Afterward, the two devil souls were destroyed.

Asta looked at her. "Something feels off, but also right."

Megicula nodded and explained, "Those magics were artificial in you, but now they are natural. It's like how a hybrid can have two magic attributes."

"Huh."

"Lesson for later. Now, seal me in this Grimoire."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, also put out your hand."

Asta did as instructed, and a bright blue light glowed. He looked to see a very thick Grimoire, which appeared to be five Grimoires combined into one. Its front cover was blue, with various words on it, and a grey-colored four-leaf clover in the center. The Grimoire was triple its usual size in length and breadth. Asta tried to cast curse warding magic and dark magic, and the Grimoire split into grey, dark red, and dark purple sections.

He then looked at the five-leaf clover and tried to use soul and spatial magic. The Grimoire split into dark silver, greyish white, and greyish blue.

Megicula then returned her soul to her original body. Asta touched the Grimoire with the five-leaf clover and used his magic: "Sealing Magic: Heavenly Gate." The body containing Megicula's heart glowed and was sealed into the Grimoire. Asta sealed the Grimoire into his hand and then sealed his other Grimoire into his head.

The Next Evening

Asta entered the orphanage and saw Yuno there. "Where were you? We were supposed to spar today."

"Oh, sorry about that. I went to check something."

"Check what?"

Asta unsealed his Grimoire. Yuno blinked.

"How? I thought we had to wait until March, and why is it so large and thick?"

"Not really. I heard that anyone who missed the Grimoire ceremony could go to the tower to get their Grimoire after they turn 15. It worked for me. Do you want to go?"

"Let's fight first. No using Grimoire. All out."

Asta nodded.

After Ten Minutes

Yuno was on the ground, defeated. Asta had used his dark magic to nullify all of Yuno's magic and then beat him in close combat. Despite all the training Yuno had put into his physical power and hand-to-hand combat, Asta still overpowered him.

Asta looked at him. "What now?"

Yuno shook his head. "No, I have to be at least as strong as you. I'll attend in March. Until then, I'll train more."

Asta nodded. "Ok, good luck."

The Next Day, Asta entered the Black Bulls' hideout and saw no one was there. "Is anyone here? Hello?"

"Oe, kid, stop screaming for crying out loud," Sumi said as she stepped down the stairs, wearing her usual outfit: a black sleeveless kimono over a white shirt, brown pants, and black shoes.

"Sensei, where are the rest?"

"They're off to Sisgoleon's hellish training."

"Ehh, Sisgoleon is here?"

"Yeah, Julius-san punished her by making her a member of the Black Bulls and third in command. She forces everyone to train and surpass their limits every day. Right now, they're in the volcano training."

"How much stronger is she now?"

"Very much. She's really excited to fight you."

Asta sighed. "Hey, Yami-sensei, can you train me to help defeat her?"

Sumi looked at him. "Hmm, sure. For 500 Yuls."

"Ehh, you're charging me?"

"Sure am."

"Fine, I'll pay you."

Sumi nodded. "Good, now let's go train in Ki."

Asta looked at her. "What's Ki?"

"For a detailed explanation, 500 Yuls more."

"Ok, so what is it?"

"Ki is the flow of life energy within the body. How people look at you, the sound of their breathing, their smell, the motions of their muscles, and the vague sense that they are there. Ki is the blanket term for all the different types of life energy the human body emits. In battle, I read my enemy's Ki and predict their next move, then make mine. It's why most attacks never hit me."

Asta nodded.

"Ok, kid, now put on a blindfold."

Asta pulled his headband over his eyes.

"Now block my attack," Sumi said as she jumped behind Asta and let out a slash of blunt darkness. Asta tried to block it, but it hit him in the leg.

Sumi then chopped his head.

Asta rubbed his head. "Ouch, what was that for?"

"You can't fool me, kid. You reacted to the sound. That ain't Ki, idiot. You need to use all five senses and sense it with your whole body. If you don't do it right, I'll kill you."

"Ehh, with my body?"

"Yeah, you can't just rely on your ears and eyes. Visualize something halfway between instinct and prediction. If you don't do it right, I'll kill you."

"That's insane."

"Surpass your limits, kid! You want to be strong? You have to surpass your limits, leave them behind, crush them to ashes. Now get ready."

Asta nodded.

Sumi floated and sneaked to his side, waiting.

Asta calmed down, cleared his mind, and concentrated hard.

Sumi then let out a slash, but was surprised when Asta cut her spell in half.

Asta looked at her. "Did I do it?"

Sumi deadpanned. "The hell, kid? You actually did it? Sheesh, talk about being creepy, you weirdo."

"What?"

"Whatever, kid. Get ready. Practice more, or I'll be throwing rocks and boulders at you."

"Ehh, but why?"

"Because, if you concentrate hard enough, you can also sense the Ki of natural objects. You need to be able to sense the environment in a fight."

"Hai."

"Enough talk, let's practice. Also, don't teach anyone Ki. I'll only train you until the day after tomorrow if you cook for me."

Three Days Later, Asta looked at the guys, who were back, along with Mereoleona, who looked at him. "Oe, Gaki, you back to challenge me?"

He shook his head. "Nope, just training. So what happened to them?" He looked at all the tired members of the Black Bulls.

Mereoleona snarled. "They're pathetic, but over the last year, I managed to whip them into an acceptable level."

Asta nodded. "So what are you guys learning from Sisgoleon?"

Just then, Luck stood up. "I managed to learn Mana Zone, and we're learning your magic."

Magna groaned. "Oe, that was supposed to be a secret."

Asta raised an eyebrow. "How did you even know about its intricacies?"

Mereoleona shrugged. "Gordon had the research paper, and I read it. I couldn't understand it, so I took them to the Royal Library and my family library to break it down."

"I see. Well then, how about I train you guys in using my magic?"

"Hoo, and what do you want in return, brat?"

"I want to raise my Mana Skin and Mana Zone to levels few can only dream of."

"Bahahaha, that's fine, brat."

Asta nodded. "Also, get them books on healing magic and curse magic. It's time to study. If you don't have the aptitude, we'll force the spell out with hard work."

Mereoleona grinned and nodded. Suddenly, all the Black Bulls felt a chill run down their spines.

Sumi looked at them, wondering if her squad would survive being trained by two people who trained so hard it made her think they were crazy and made her limit-breaking training look like child's play.

Asta then went up to Finral. "Finral, can you take me to Hage?"

"Sure, but the kids can't move."

He looked around and spotted two new faces. "Yami-sensei, who is the red-haired boy and that blue-haired girl?"

Sumi looked at him. "He's the new—well, old—member. His name is Zora Ideale. I found him a few months ago and offered him a spot in the Black Bulls whenever he liked, kinda like you. The blue-haired chick is Grey."

Mereoleona nodded. "When I was told to compile paperwork of each member of the Black Bulls, I found four missing: the Vice-Captain, you, and this guy, so I picked him up."

Vanessa looked up. "I thought Finral was the Vice-Captain since he always does the paperwork and has been with Yami the longest. Or is it Henry?"

Mereoleona grinned. "Find out on your own. No, Henry is not the Vice-Captain, even though he's the first member."

Asta blinked. "Henry? Who is he? And who is Grey?"

Finral looked at him. "She's the huge guy who was smoking and turned into you to talk to you."

Asta's eyes bulged out. "EHHHH? What?"

Finral nodded. "Yup, we were surprised too, especially learning about her magic."

"Her magic isn't transformation, right?"

Mereoleona shook her head. "Nah, this little birdy has transmutation magic. She can disassemble substances and reassemble them into other substances, even magic attacks."

Asta's eyes widened. "Seriously? That's OP. I mean, holy hell. If she masters it, she's practically untouchable, especially combined with Mana Zone to transmute attacks from all directions. But how did you find out her real magic?"

Mereoleona smiled. "I suspected something was off when she turned lava into stone during one of the training trips to Yutim Volcano. When I returned a few days later, it was still there, meaning it had been permanently altered. So I put her through the ringer and found out she could turn my fire into other substances as well. Then, one mission, they were attacked by a Diamond Kingdom mage who injured Gauche, stabbing him in the chest. She healed him after that. Sumi brought in Owen, who checked on Gauche and told us that instead of healing, his tissues had been reassembled. Owen speculated that Grey's magic wasn't really transformation magic. After many tests, we found her magic was transmutation."

Asta nodded. "So who is Henry?"

Sumi then told him the story about how she met Henry and who he was.

He nodded. "Ok, now that I'm training, can I get a position where they have to listen to me?"

Sumi shrugged. "You can be Chief Instructor."

Asta nodded. "Well then, Mana Zone, Forbidden Curse-Warding Magic: Cursed Regeneration." Suddenly, all the Black Bulls members looked as markings appeared on their bodies.

Sumi looked at him. "The hell, kid? And what's up with your ridiculously large Grimoire?"

Asta shrugged. "It's like this. When I got it, anyway, I gave you all Cursed Regeneration so we can train without the fear of snapping our muscles, and my healing magic can restore your stamina as well. Great, right?"

All of them, except for Sumi, Mereoleona, Nacht, and Henry, paled, knowing it meant more intense and harder training for longer.

Asta raised his hand. "Dark Healing Magic: Holy Resurrecting Darkness." Darkness spread across the fallen members' bodies, and soon, they got back up.

They all looked in shock and awe as Asta smiled. "I'm an expert in both curse and recovery magic. Don't be so surprised. Also, Finral, can you open a portal to Hage?"

Finral did as instructed, and Asta joined the Black Bulls, telling Nathan that he would still get lessons from him through portal transportation tri-weekly.

After that, Asta met Henry and found that since he had immense mana levels, he could keep Henry company. Megicula used her anatomy curse recovery magic to create a curse that altered Henry's body to be less frail. Asta also used curse warding magic and Megicula's power to permanently alter his body to be more durable, allowing him to withstand more training.

The Next Day, Asta placed a huge stack of books in front of everyone.

Magna looked at him, puzzled. "Umm, what are these for?"

Asta smiled. "Training. Now, choose a type of magic you want to specialize in—or are already specializing in. Actually, tell me what spells you guys use."

They all began to explain. After a while, Charmy stood up.

"Oh, I have two types of magic now!"

Asta blinked. "Huh?"

Vanessa nodded. "Yeah, a year ago, Mereoleona-san knocked the food out of Charmy's hand and told her no food while training. She went berserk, then grew taller. Her sheep turned into a giant wolf, and we found out she has two types of magic—Cotton Magic and Food Magic. Can you believe it?"

Asta nodded. "Yeah, actually, I have three types of magic."

WHAT?!

Asta summoned his Grimoire. "It's probably why my Grimoire is so large. It has spells for Sealing Magic, Curse-Warding Magic, and Dark Magic. I mean, I have all three as magic attributes—not just forms. Here, check it out."

Everyone stared in disbelief as they saw Asta had three types of magic.

Asta smiled. "Well then, Zora, if he agrees, can be our teacher in Trap Magic. Each person's magic is different. Even using the same form of magic can require adjustments. For example, Zora's magic circle for Trap Magic won't work for me with the same array, and my curses may not suit your magic attributes."

Zora scoffed. "Yeah, no thanks. I don't want to be a teacher."

Asta shrugged. "Alright, then I'll teach you guys Rune Arrays. You can form your own style of magic if you're interested."