"I like this kind of introduction. Finral, please introduce the team members."
Yami Sukehiro looked around lazily but then noticed someone was missing. "Wait... where's Finral?"
"Captain... you punched him out of the room a minute ago," Gordon whispered softly—so softly that only someone with sharp hearing like Asta could catch it.
"Hah? That guy's too soft," Yami grunted. "Alright, Magna! You're up. 6Make it short and don't waste my time."
"You got it, Cap'n!" Magna grinned, pushing up his tinted glasses with pride. He turned to Asta and the others dramatically. "Let's start with me! I'm Magna Swing—your senior! So show some respect!"
Then he gestured toward a curvy woman lounging nearby. "That's Vanessa Enoteca. All you need to know is she's a drunk witch with zero shame."
"Say that again, you four-eyed punk!" Vanessa fired back, raising her wine gourd. "You're just a virgin delinquent with an ego problem!"
"WHO ARE YOU CALLING A VIRGIN?!" Magna exploded, veins popping.
As they bickered, Yami's voice boomed over them: "Did I say this was open mic night?"
"Sorry, Cap'n!" Magna instantly bowed, shooting a glare at Vanessa before continuing. "This tiny one here is Charmy Pappitson. All she does is eat!"
"You're the tiny one, you jerk," Charmy mumbled, cheeks puffed with bread. "No more snacks for you!"
"And that gloomy guy over there, that's Gordon Agrippa. I think he said something, but honestly, who even hears him?"
"...Does no one ever hear me...?" Gordon whispered sadly, face shadowed.
"I'm next, right?!" Luck Voltia buzzed in, sparks dancing around his body as he got right in Asta's face. "Let's fight! I bet you're strong!"
"Um… you really like fighting, huh?" Asta said nervously.
"He's basically a lightning Gaara with ADHD," Magna muttered. "Just don't get caught alone with him unless you want to spar for your life."
"Next up is Gauche Adlai," Magna said, pointing at a man holding a picture. "All you need to know is he's obsessed with his little sister Marie. Like, really obsessed."
"She's an angel," Gauche said, eyes dreamy as he held up the photo. "If you even look at her the wrong way, I'll kill you."
Asta sweatdropped. "She's like… seven?"
"Oh, and that shy one by the door? That's Grey. She's, uh… complicated."
Grey blushed and instantly turned into a giant, muscular version of herself, looking like a bouncer.
Just then, the wall collapsed and Finral Roulacase stumbled in, brushing off dust. "I'm fine, I'm—ow, my face..."
"Right, almost forgot. This is Finral," Magna added. "He's a transport mage and a massive flirt. If there are pretty girls nearby, hide them."
"Hey, that's not fair—!" Finral began, but Magna ignored him.
"And finally—our fearless, chain-smoking captain: Yami Sukehiro! Don't ask questions, don't get on his nerves, and above all else, don't break the toilet."
Magna turned to Yami with pride. "How was that, Cap'n?"
"Meh. Passable."
Yami exhaled a smoke ring and looked at Asta. "Anyway, we've got a bunch of weirdos in this squad. But don't worry about that. Just don't die, and we'll get along fine."
****
"Alright, newbie," Magna said with a cocky grin. "Time for your official welcome—Black Bull-style!"
Luck was already bouncing beside Asta, fists clenched. "Yeah! Fight! Fight!"
"Eh? Already?" Asta blinked.
Yami blew a smoke ring. "Yeah. Survive a round with Magna, and you're officially in. Try not to die."
Magna cracked his knuckles and pulled out his grimoire, pages fluttering. "Hmph. You're from Hage Village, right? Probably barely got any magic. Dunno what trick you pulled to impress the Captain, but let's see how long you last."
Asta narrowed his eyes. "Can I fight back? I'll go easy."
"Easy?" Magna's nostrils flared. "Kid, I'm gonna hit you so hard your ancestors feel it!"
"Then I won't hold back either."
The squad moved to the open field outside the base. Magna summoned a flaming bat of magical energy—his signature Exploding Fireball Magic: Fireball Creation.
"Here it comes!" Magna grinned. "Dodge this, punk!"
Asta focused, gripping his Demon Slayer sword tightly. I can't use magic... but I don't need to.
With a sudden burst of speed, Asta dashed forward, slicing clean through the fireball, its magic dispelled instantly by his anti-magic blade.
"Huh?!" Magna's jaw dropped. "No way—what is that sword?!"
"He really cut through it!" Luck's eyes sparkled.
"...Damn," Yami muttered. "Guess this shrimp's got potential after all."
Asta grinned. "Did I pass the test?"
Magna gawked. "Wha—uh—I mean, yeah, I guess you're in... but next time, I'm going full out!"
Vanessa smirked. "Looks like we've got another nutjob."
"Welcome to the Black Bulls," Finral said, dusting himself off.
Gauche muttered, "Just stay away from Marie."
Gordon whispered something unintelligible but seemed happy.
Charmy tossed Asta a muffin. "Good job."
Asta looked around at the oddball crew and smiled. "Looks like I'm gonna like it here."
****
"Wait a moment."
Asta narrowed his eyes. It would be easy to defeat Magna outright, but that would be boring. Instead, he decided to make the most of this opportunity.
"What? Are you scared now? It's not too late to kneel and beg for mercy!" Magna grinned, mistaking Asta's pause for hesitation.
"You misunderstood." Asta smiled calmly. "I just wanted to ask—what kind of jobs do newcomers usually do in the Black Bulls?"
"Ah, that?" Magna scratched his head. "Well, you know... the usual—cleaning up the base, serving tea and snacks, doing everyone's laundry, feeding Captain Yami's crazy demon cat, Henry's magical needs... basic grunt work."
Just as Asta suspected. The typical pecking order. But Asta was never one to accept unfair treatment quietly.
"Just as I thought. Then let's make a bet." Asta's eyes gleamed. "If I win, you'll take over all the newbie chores for the next month. But if I lose, I'll give you my salary for the next three months."
Magna's eyes lit up with stars. Three months of rookie salary? That could fund my gambling habit!
"You're serious?" Magna said suspiciously, unable to believe his luck.
"Unless you're scared."
"Tch, as if! You all heard him, right?" Magna turned to the others. "He's the one who proposed the bet! I'm just doing my part as a senior!"
Asta smiled. He knew exactly how this would go.
****
The rest of the Black Bulls had gathered to watch.
"I've got a bad feeling about this," Finral muttered. "Magna has no clue how fast Asta is..."
Captain Yami grinned from the shadows, casually puffing on his cigarette. "Heh... this'll be fun."
"Magna's way too close to him," Vanessa observed, sipping wine from her gourd.
"What's the big deal? Fifteen meters is safe range for fire-type attacks," she added.
"Not for someone like Asta," Finral sighed. "He's got no magic power but absurd physical strength... and he moves like lightning."
Luck's eyes sparkled. "Ooooh, I want to fight him next!!"
Charming didn't care. She was too busy munching on snacks. "I hope the cute one doesn't get burned... I like feeding him later."