Asta shot into the air, his body glowing with green anti-magic as he gripped his Demon Slayer Sword, which pulsed with red energy. With a battle cry, he brought the sword down on the water sphere, slicing through it like butter. Water exploded outward in a rainstorm of magic and mist.
Noelle coughed as air rushed back into her lungs, eyes wide as she looked up into the face of her unlikely savior. The boy who had once seemed like a reckless idiot—was now cradling her like a true knight.
"I told you I'd catch you when you fall," Asta said with a grin.
"Do you remember what I said?"
Noelle's face flushed a brilliant pink.
"N-No! I don't!" she stammered, but she didn't move from his arms.
Once they landed, Asta gently set her down and looked at her seriously.
"Noelle… have you ever thought of casting magic differently? Like using a wand or a focus for precision?"
Noelle blinked.
"Differently?"
"Yeah," Asta said, nodding. "Some knights can't throw a dart straight to save their life—but give them a crossbow with a sight, and suddenly, they're sharpshooters."
Her eyes widened in realization. Most nobles channeled magic with their hands alone, but there were other ways. Wands, staves—tools for control. Precision. Maybe her failure wasn't her power—it was her method.
Before she could reply, Yami's booming voice interrupted:
"Hey lovebirds, you done cuddling or what?"
Noelle jumped away from Asta like she'd been burned, her face now nearly purple with embarrassment.
"A-Absurd! Don't say weird things!"
Vanessa chuckled warmly.
"You're soaked through, but I'm glad you're okay, Noelle."
Magna grinned and slapped her gently on the back.
"Tch. What's the big deal? Everyone in the Black Bulls has flaws. One can't hit a target, another drinks too much, another obsesses over his little sister."
"Gordon muttered with a creepy smile from the shadows, while Gauche sparkled at the mention of his sister.
"Exactly," Magna said with a laugh. "You fit right in. No one's perfect here, but we've got each other's backs. That's what matters."
For the first time, Noelle looked around at them and saw not a ragtag group of misfits—but a family. A strange, loud, weird family… but one that accepted her.
"If you're looking for comfort food," Finral offered slyly, "there's a noodle place in town. I know Asta would love to take you."
"Stop saying weird things!" Noelle shrieked.
Charming Charmi held out a snack with a wide grin, and Vanessa draped an arm over Noelle's shoulder.
"You've got a lot of magic, girl. I'll teach you how to control it better. And if you want," she added with a teasing wink, "I'll even show you the secrets of being a skilled mature woman."
"Vanessa!"
Noelle's protest was loud, but the laughter that followed was genuine.
For the first time, she felt like she belonged—not as a royal, not as a failure—but as Noelle Silva, a Black Bull.
"What the hell are 'mature women's skills' supposed to be!? And what do you mean I'm not pretty enough!?"
Noelle huffed indignantly, her silver hair swishing as she lifted her chin. Her cheeks puffed in annoyance, but her pride in her looks remained unshaken.
****
Black Bulls' Hideout
"Haha!"
Noelle's little outburst drew laughter from the rest of the Black Bulls. Even the usually intimidating Black Bull base seemed a little warmer as the two newcomers blended in.
"Noelle," Asta said with a big grin, stepping forward and raising his hand. "We're in this together now, right? Let's show them what real magic knights can do!"
Smack!
Noelle slapped her hand into his, firm and sure. She didn't need to say anything else—just feeling the warmth of Asta's rough, calloused palm was enough to fill her chest with a comforting fire.
"…Please take care of me," she whispered, eyes shimmering slightly. From this day forward, she had a partner—someone to fight beside, someone who wouldn't look down on her.
****
The days that followed were quiet—until their first mission finally arrived.
"You ready, Noelle?" Asta beamed as he pulled out his massive Demon-Slayer Sword, the dark blade nearly as tall as he was. "It's time to show what we're made of!"
"Don't make it sound like we're going to war or something," Noelle scoffed, arms crossed. "Besides, whatever it is, it had better be worthy of my royal status."
Magna Swing chuckled from where he slouched on the couch beside Captain Yami, who was enjoying a shoulder massage from Finral. "Well, your royal highness, I got just the mission for ya."
He held up a scroll dramatically.
"This mission's from Saussy Village. Your job—get this—is to hunt down a bunch of wild boars causing havoc in the fields."
"…Seriously?"
Asta nearly tripped, sword clanging to the ground.
Noelle's jaw dropped. "You've got to be kidding! I'm a noble! A Silva! My first mission isn't fighting off Diamond Kingdom mages—it's... it's pest control!?"
"Hey, don't look down on it!" Magna barked, scowling. "Those wild boars are like furry battering rams! They'll trash your ribs if you aren't careful!"
"Tch. Wild boars or not, they're just pigs on legs. I'll roast one for you later, Noelle," Asta said with a wink.
"Who asked for your pork!?"
Still… Noelle turned her head, pretending to pout, but inside she was a little excited. It was her first real outing as a magic knight—and with Asta by her side, no less.
****
Later…
"Guess I don't need to give a whole speech about teamwork and trust." Captain Yami stood up and cracked his neck. "You two are good kids. Magna, make sure they don't die."
"Yes sir! I'll take real good care of 'em!"
After a low bow to Yami, Magna turned to the duo. "Alright, kids, time to move out!"
"Uh, how are we getting to Sauusy Village?" Noelle asked. "It's far from here."
"I thought we could use Finral's spatial magic," Magna said, dragging Finral toward the trio.
Finral, flustered and sipping tea, immediately shook his head. "Nope, no can do. I've never been to that village. Can't open a gate unless I know the location."
"Ugh, great…" Magna scratched his head. "Looks like we're flying there."
Noelle blinked. "Wait—I don't know how to fly yet!"
"I don't even have magic!" Asta chimed in cheerfully. "So flying's a no-go for me, too!"
"What kind of monsters are you two!?" Magna shouted, jaw dropping. "You can't ride a broom? That's basic magic knight training!"
Noelle flipped her hair. "I can't control my magic properly yet, idiot."
"I don't have any magic to begin with, idiot!"
Asta imitated Noelle's tone, earning a death glare from her.
"Don't mock me, peasant!"
"All right, all right, that's enough flirting—er, I mean arguing!" Magna snapped. "I'll fly us there myself! But I swear, you guys are the weirdest rookies I've ever seen…"
"Thank you so much for the trouble," Noelle said sweetly, then added with a smug look, "I guess not everyone can be as graceful as royalty."
"Why you—! Acting all high and mighty again!"
"I'm not acting superior. You're just acting inferior."
"…Damn, that's actually kinda deep."
Asta stared at her in awe. "She's like, accidentally wise…"