Back in the arena, Magna took out his signature weapon—a flaming red magic baseball bat, conjured from his Grimoire.
"Hmph! Since you're so generous with your money, I guess I'll give you a proper show before I destroy you!"
Fireballs began to swirl and form above Magna's head—his Fireball Magic: Exploding Fireball Pitch!
"I advise you to go all out from the start," Asta warned, his voice steady. "You'll regret it if you don't."
Magna sneered. "We'll see who's regretting"
In an instant, Magna twisted his body and swung the fiery bat at the floating fireball, sending it rocketing toward Asta.
But—
WHOOSH!
Asta vanished.
"What the hell?! Where'd he go!?"
Magna's eyes widened in panic. Before he could react, a huge shadow loomed behind him. Asta stood there, already behind him, Anti-Magic Sword poised at his shoulder.
"You lose," Asta said simply, not even swinging.
Magna blinked, stunned. He could feel the weight of Asta's sword grazing his shoulder. It would've been over in a heartbeat if the boy had struck.
"Y-you gotta be kidding me..."
He dropped his bat.
The onlookers erupted.
"No way! Magna lost in under ten seconds!"
"He really is insane," Finral muttered.
Yami chuckled. "Heh. This kid'll be fun."
Vanessa hiccupped, impressed. "Well, damn. Rookie's got legs."
Luck was already bouncing with excitement. "My turn next!!"
****
Magna slumped to his knees, face flushed red.
I lost. To a rookie... in front of everyone! What a disgrace! I was supposed to be the one giving the baptism... and he flipped it on me...
"You're not bad, Magna," Asta offered with a grin. "But next time, don't underestimate someone just because they're new."
"Grrrr... you better clean the toilets spotless for me next time!" Magna snapped back, trying to save face.
"Uh-uh." Asta waved a finger. "You agreed to the bet. That means you're doing my chores now."
Magna howled in disbelief, while the rest of the Black Bulls laughed, cheering at the chaos.
"You actually won?"
Vanessa blinked in disbelief, her wine glass nearly slipping from her hand. Her crimson eyes widened, then softened in awe. Magna, though hot-headed and impulsive, wasn't weak. For him to lose in mere seconds—
"Whoa! That was insane!"
Charmy almost choked on her snack. "It was over before I even finished chewing!"
Luck's eyes sparkled with electricity. "Captain, this guy's awesome! Was that some kind of speed spell? He was as fast as my lightning magic!"
"No, he has no magic power," Yami said bluntly, exhaling smoke from his cigarette. "That's just his raw strength."
"What? No magic?"
Vanessa's jaw dropped. Physical enhancement techniques were nearly obsolete. After all, in a world where magic reigned, relying solely on the body was reckless—practically suicidal.
"Exactly," Finral said, sounding half in awe, half exasperated. "If someone like him had any magic at all, he'd be unstoppable."
"But... he doesn't." Vanessa's tone was filled with reluctant admiration. "He made it this far just with hard work?"
Yami nodded.
Charmy's eyes welled with unexpected pity. "That's... kind of sad. He's like a shooting star—bright, but maybe only for a moment."
"Don't count him out yet," Yami said with a grin. "That kid's the real deal. I've got a good feeling about his future."
Asta walked up to Magna, who was still frozen in place from the defeat.
"If you're still not convinced, I'm down for a rematch."
Magna snapped out of it and forced a grin. "Nah. I may be hot-headed, but I know when I've lost fair and square." He slapped Asta on the back. "You've got my approval now. Welcome to the Black Bulls, rookie!"
Asta chuckled. "Thanks, man. Honestly, if you'd fought from the air or used some of your tricks earlier, it might've been different."
Magna blinked, then laughed loudly. "You even admit your own weakness? You've got guts, kid. I like that!"
Asta grinned. "If we're going to be comrades, we've got to trust each other, right?"
Magna looked at him with new respect. "You're alright, squirt."
"Men are so weird," Vanessa murmured, watching them. "But I kind of like it."
Asta thought, not for the first time: Friendship between guys really is something else. Once it's forged, it sticks for life.
"You were so cool just now, little rookie!"
Vanessa practically draped herself over Asta, flushed from wine and excitement. She meant to stop just shy of touching him, but her aim was off—and Asta caught her.
"Heh, thanks, Miss Vanessa," Asta said, awkwardly patting her shoulder before she stood back up, winking playfully.
"Let's fight next!" Luck bounced around him eagerly. "I want to see that big sword again!"
"Maybe later," Asta said, sweatdropping. Luck's energy was relentless.
"You want a snack?"
Charmy held up a half-eaten pastry. "Too bad, I'm keeping it!"
Asta laughed. "That's okay. I'm not big on sweets anyway."
"More for me!"
"Alright, alright, settle down!" Finral said, clapping his hands. "Let's at least give the kid his uniform before we suffocate him with enthusiasm."
Magna stepped forward, holding a folded Black Bulls robe. "This is yours now. Don't go losing it!"
Vanessa flicked her wand, gently guiding the cloak onto Asta's shoulders. "Lookin' good, rookie."
"You clean up okay," Magna added, "but don't get cocky just 'cause you look cool."
"I'd say the same to you," Asta shot back, smirking.
The group burst into laughter, the atmosphere in the hideout suddenly warmer, more alive.
Meanwhile, high above on the terrace, a pink-eyed girl watched the scene below.
"So that's the new one?" she muttered. "Hmph. He beat Magna? Must've been a fluke."
Noelle Silva scoffed and turned away, disappearing from view.
"Magna," Yami called from the stairs, yawning. "Show him around tomorrow. I'm beat."
"Got it, Captain!"
That night, Magna showed Asta to a tiny, cramped room.
"This is where the youngest member sleeps. It's tradition. My room's bigger—twice the size."
"Oh," Asta said flatly, unimpressed. "Sleep well, Magna."
"W-Wait, don't just brush me off!"
But Asta was already shutting the door.
Inside, Asta sat on the bed, his thoughts focused. Today was just the start. But if I got this tired fighting a squad member, I've got a long way to go.
****
The sun hadn't even risen when Magna barged into Asta's room.
"Haha! Time to wake up, rookie! No way you're gonna sleep in—"
He stopped dead.
The bed was empty, perfectly made.
"Huh? Where'd he go?!"
Outside the hideout, in a quiet clearing near the forest, Asta was already training. He had made makeshift dummies out of logs and stones, punching them repeatedly until sweat soaked his shirt.
Despite his strength, Asta knew better than anyone—if he didn't push himself harder than everyone else, he'd fall behind.
Even if I don't have magic… I'll still become the Wizard King!
He took a deep breath, wiped his brow, and tightened his grip on his Demon-Slayer Sword.
"Let's go again."