Asta closed his eyes and took a deep breath. Thanks to the strange magical store he'd accessed (through some unexplainable spatial magic, of course), he'd exchanged for four classic ninjutsu: Sharingan (Shangoudama level), Shadow Shuriken Technique, Clone Jutsu, and Transformation Jutsu.
"Clone Jutsu!"
A puff of smoke erupted beside him, and a dull-eyed version of himself appeared. The clone was easy to spot as fake—expressionless like a puppet—but in a pinch, it made decent cover.
"Transformation Jutsu!"
Another cloud of smoke, and Asta changed into a silver-haired girl with elegant features and striking pink eyes—Noelle Silva, the most dazzling girl he'd glimpsed during the Magic Knights Entrance Exam.
"I wonder where she went. Did she get recruited by the Silver Eagles or...?"
Regret flickered in Asta's eyes before he reverted to his normal form. Even though he didn't yet have the power to stand toe-to-toe with the captains of the Magic Knights, he was confident in his assassination potential—disguise via transformation, distraction with shadow shuriken, sudden attacks enhanced by physical training, and eventually, the overwhelming force of his anti-magic sword techniques.
He grinned. Even captains weren't out of the question—if the timing was right.
After a thorough warm-up and a few hundred push-ups to greet the dawn, Asta returned to the base, drenched in sweat.
****
"Where the hell is that brat? The bathroom? But I checked twice!" Magna grumbled, stomping through the halls. "Or… don't tell me he did his business in the woods?!"
Just as he was about to head out, Asta returned, sweaty but chipper.
"Morning, Magna! Newcomers start cleaning early, right?"
"Stupid brat, just do your job and stop gloating about it! And where were you anyway?"
"Just went for a run in the forest."
Magna eyed him up and down, noting the soaked clothes. "You were training?! This early?"
"Yup."
"…No wonder you're such a musclehead."
He scratched his head, now genuinely impressed. In the Clover Kingdom, magical talent usually determined everything. But Asta—who had no magic at all—was already pushing himself harder than most mages. That kind of grit was something Magna respected deep down.
"Well, come on then. Today, I'm showing you around the Black Bulls' base."
"Sounds great! But first—shower?"
"Ugh, fine! But follow my lead."
****
They arrived at the bathhouse inside the Black Bull base—a large, luxurious room, clearly out of proportion with the rest of the rundown building.
Magna stripped down and plunged into the bath with a satisfied groan. "Haaahhh! Nothing like a hot bath at 50 degrees to wake you up!"
Asta stayed at the side, rinsing off.
"Come on already! Don't tell me you're scared of a little heat?"
"Magnar," Asta replied casually, "didn't Vanessa say you're still a virgin?"
"YOU WANNA MAKE FUN OF ME NOW?! YOU'RE FIFTEEN!"
"I'm just looking out for you. Hot baths like this can lower fertility, you know? Science."
"WHAT?! YOU'RE LYING!"
"You can keep soaking if you want. Your future kids might not appreciate it though."
Magna bolted out of the bath like he'd seen a ghost.
****
After dressing, Magna took Asta on a chaotic tour of the base.
"Next, the cafeteria. It's huge, right?"
"It's as big as the church I grew up in," Asta muttered, amazed.
"That's 'cause the Black Bulls are legendary!"
"And yet we've only got like six people..."
"Shut up and enjoy the view!"
Then came the beast room.
"Captain Yami insists on this one. He keeps all sorts of weird pets here. They bite."
"…Pass."
"Next, the library! One shelf. That's it."
"Bigger than I expected for the Black Bulls," Asta quipped.
Then they approached the toilet.
"Listen, this isn't Hage Village. If you poop outside, you'll be exiled."
Magna opened the door—
"KILL YOU, MAGNA!!"
It was Captain Yami, glaring up from the toilet, newspaper in hand, veins bulging.
"AAAH! I'M SORRY!" Magna slammed the door shut and ran like his life depended on it.
"Ahem! Moving on! Uh... the women's dormitory!"
"Sacred place," Asta nodded, wide-eyed.
"Yup. And rigged with trap magic. One wrong step, and you're skewered."
"Sounds fun."
"Don't even think about it."
****
Then, at the end of the hallway, a familiar figure appeared: a girl with silver hair in a ponytail and elegant posture. Her pink eyes glared at them coldly.
Asta froze. It was Noelle Silva—the very girl he'd transformed into earlier.
Just like that moment when you spot the prettiest girl in class on your first day and realize she's your desk partner.
Magna leaned in. "That's Noelle. She joined the same time as you."
Noelle walked past without pausing, tossing a sneer at Asta. "Don't stare at me, you magicless peasant."
Asta grinned, unbothered. "So, you're not a people person?"
"I'm a royal, peasant. I don't associate with commoners."
"Then what if you suddenly tripped and fell into my arms?"
Magna nearly choked. "Ohoho! Dead man walking..."
Noelle stopped in her tracks. "Fall into your arms? You wish!"
"Hey, it could happen."
"Over my noble corpse!"
"Who can tell for sure?"
Asta chuckled, the corner of his lips quirking upward. The early morning sunlight poured through the hallway windows, catching on Noelle's silver hair, making her look almost ethereal. But the peaceful moment didn't last long.
With a sudden motion, Asta pulled out his Demon Slayer Sword from his grimoire — the massive black blade instantly humming with anti-magic energy.
"Are you trying to pick a fight?!" Noelle gasped, taking a cautious step back. Her pride as a royal and a Magic Knight warred with the lingering image of Asta fighting bravely with Magna. Still, she didn't back down. Her eyes gleamed, though misted faintly with frustration and pride.
"Hey! Don't wave that giant sword around indoors, idiot!" Magna yelped from the side, clutching his head. "You're gonna wreck the place again!"
With a loud boom, Asta swung the Demon Slayer Sword—not at Noelle, but at the ceiling just behind her. The stone cracked loudly, and gravel rained down from above.
"AHHH!" Noelle shrieked, startled. Her instincts kicked in and she lunged forward, straight into Asta's arms.
Asta blinked. "Whoa!"
He instinctively caught her, shielding her from the falling debris with the flat of his blade. She was light, warm, and trembling slightly.
"You okay?" he asked, genuinely concerned.
Noelle froze in his arms, then shoved him away with flushed cheeks. "I-I didn't ask for your help! And don't you dare get handsy with me, commoner!"
Asta scratched the back of his head, confused. "Huh? But… you literally jumped into my arms."
"That was—!!" she spluttered, her face turning redder. "That was just—just reflex! Don't get the wrong idea!"
Magna, watching the entire scene, burst out laughing. "Pffft! Looks like the princess fell right into the peasant's trap!"
"SHUT UP!" Noelle snapped, her water magic flaring uncontrollably at the tips of her fingers.
"Whoa there! Don't flood the hallway again!" Magna warned, dodging behind a pillar.
Asta just smiled, relaxed as ever. "You're welcome, Noelle. Even if you won't say thank you."
Noelle turned away with a "Hmph!" but her ears were pink.