Narrator: Threatened by a ruthless demon, humanity was on the brink of destruction. All seemed lost until a lone mage stepped forward and took up the fight. After his triumph, he was hailed as the Wizard King, and his story became legend.

The Black Bulls attended the yearly Star Festival with their rival Magic Knight Squads and to everyone's surprise, the Black Bulls finished second only to the Golden Dawn in the Squad Rankings thanks in large part to their rookie trio of Asta, Tyrus and Clover Kingdom royalty Noelle Silva. What was even more surprising was during his speech to the people, the egotistical King Clover made a momentous and life-shattering announcement.

King Clover: WE HAVE LOCATED THE EYE OF THE MIDNIGHT SUN'S HIDEOUT!

Yes, the same terrorist organization that had rained hellfire upon the kingdom, nearly took the life of Crimson Lion Captain Fuegoleon Vermillion and being all aroun menaces to daily life had finally been found out.

King Clover: So far in our drawn out and fearsome battle against them, we've been behind them one step consistently no matter how hard our Magic Knights have tried.... but that ends here and now! You the citizens will be pleased to know that we're knee deep in planning a full scale counterattack in ridding the world of the devastation that is Eye of the Midnight Sun. And to do so we're going to pick out the absolute cream of the crop from our Magic Knight Squads, thus allowing us to form an elite task force of the best of the best imaginable! AND THAT UNIT..... SHALL BE CALLED.... THE ROYALLLLLL KNIGHTSSSSS!

King Clover: In a week's time, I shall administer a hellacious, rigorous and limit-shattering exam to the members of all NINE MAGIC KNIGHT SQUADS! ONLY THOSE WHO PASS THE TEST WILL BE PERMITTED TO JOIN MY ROYAL KNIGHTS! AND THEN... WE WILL TAKE THE FIGHT TO THE ACCURSED EYE OF THE MIDNIGHT SUN! Now listen carefully my Magic Knights in attendance, I ask that you all offer up your grimoires in service to your country!

ROYAL KNIGHTS! ROYAL KNIGHTS! THEY CAN DO IT!

As the three brothers planned their next move, getting into this elite task force, trouble was already brewing within the Kingdom walls.

Mereoleona: DAMN YOU, YOU FUCKING WEAK LITTLE IMBECILE!

BOOOOOOOM BOOOOOOM BOOOOM!

Tyrus: Oh, Oh ho nah!

Mereoleona: The Crimson Lions.... IN FIFTH PLACE?! HOW COULD YOU HUMILIATE US IN THAT WAY! I HAVE THREE QUARTERS OF A MIND TO ANNIHILATE ALL OF YOU AND BURN YOU ASUNDER, SO I CAN I SAVE MYSELF THE EMBARASSMENT DURING NEXT YEAR'S CEREMONY!

Asta: Yikes, she's scary!

In their front view stood Mereoleona Vermillion having just clobbered her baby brother Leopold, and to say she was pissed? MASSIVE UNDERSTATEMENT.

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Mereoleona: GIVE ME ONE GOOD EXCUSE AS TO WHY I SHOULD BURN YOU ALL TO HELL, REVIVE YOU ALL AND REPEAT THE PROCESS THREE TIMES OVER!

Tyrus: Tyrus, whatever you do.. don't encroach or else you'll be next.... and if you do, sacrifice Asta's loudmouthed ass first.

Mereoleona: Every single year, The Crimson Lion Kings have consistently placed in first, second or third place. There has been no in-between! And now you all have forced to endure the greatest shame known to man or woman, the disgrace of... COMING IN FIFTH PLACE BECAUSE OF MY FRATER STULTUM BEING OUT OF COMMISSION! YOU FECKLESS, LITTLE INFANTS!

Asta: Question, what's a "frater stultum"?

Tyrus: It means idiot brother.... but nothing about Captain Fuegoleon dares represent that.

Asta: WAIT A SECOND, ARE YOU TRYIN' TO TELL ME THAT TERRIFYING SHE BEAST.... IS RELATED TO CAPTAIN FUEGOLEON AND LEO?! THEY'RE SIBLINGS!!!!

Yuno: Well, yeah.

Mereoleona: THAT BROTHER OF MINE HAS ALWAYS BEEN A DUNDERHEAD! HOW COULD HE DARE PRODUCE SUCH A PACK OF COWARDS UNDER HIS STEAD?! AND THEY SAY HE'S ON THE SHORTLIST OF CANDIDATES FOR THE NEXT WIZARD KING! I SPIT ON THAT! AND NOW I HAVE TO DEAL WITH THE INEVIABLE TASK OF HAVING TO WHIP YOU SPINELESS BASTARDS INTO SHAPE WHILE HE'S OFF TAKING A FUCKING NAP! FUEGO'S NOT FIT TO BE YOUR DAMN CAPTAIN!

Leo then made the biggest but honorable mistake he could at that moment, interrupting his oldest sibling.

Leo: That's not true, sister! Our brother was the finest captain we could ask for-

THAT'S RIGHT CAPTAIN FUEGOLEON WAS THE PERFECT EXAMPLE OF THE PERSON THAT EVERY KIND OF MAGIC KNIGHT SQUAD CAPTAIN SHOULD ASPIRE TO BE! HE CARED ABOUT EVERY MEMBER OF THIS SQUAD AND THE CLOVER KINGDOM AND WAS WILLING TO DIE FOR IT, IF YOU ASK ME HE'S THE GREATEST MAGIC KNIGHT TO EVER LIVE ASIDE FROM THE FIRST WIZARD KING!

Leo: That's why I refuse to let you talk about Fuegoleon anyway you see fit, Sister-

BOOOMMMMMMM!

Mereoleona: SHUT THE FUCK UP! IF YOU FEEL SO STRONGLY ABOUT IT, HOW ABOUT GIVING ME MORE ACTION ON THE BATTLEFIELD INSTEAD OF CRYING LIKE SOME SORRY ASS BITCHES!

Their eyes all flash as she stirs confidence into them while continually running them down.

Mereoleona: Show me you're the strongest team led by its strongest captain, instead of talking about it pridefully. THAT NUMBSKULL WOULDN'T DARE DIE, HIS BODY AND SPIRIT ARE TOO STUBBORN TO EVEN CONSIDER IT! THAT WOULD MEAN ABANDONING HIS COUNTRY IN THE MIDDLE OF HIS SERVICE AS WELL AS YOU, THE CRIMSON LION KINGS! So until he returns to full strength, I want every single one of you to walk with pride lighting your asses on fire and show the world the full glory of our mighty and intimidating ranks. SHOW THEM THAT THE CRIMSON LION KINGS ARE NOT TO BE TRIFLED WITH! It is my job to work you all to the bone while my little brother's out of commission and that's exactly what I planned on doing. DON'T YOU EVEN THINK ABOUT LETTING ME DOWN!

MA'AM YES MA'AM!

Asta: MAN, DID YOU HEAR THAT TY AND YUNO! SHE IS ON ABSOLUTE FIRE!

Tyrus: Quite literally at that, I can feel it all the way over here.

Yuno: Tell me about it.

Asta: I wanna join, I wonder what magic she's about to make them do?!

Mereoleona calms down, her flames dying but the intensity in her voice still very much there.

Mereoleona: Now then, off to the hot springs training camp. DOUBLE TIME, YOU MORONS!

Murmurs of confusion amongst the group as well the duo of Black Bulls and lone Golden Dawn ripple throughout the cave.

Asta: Hot springs.....

Tyrus: For training? That sounds more like a vacation if anything....

Yuno: Unbelievable.

Asta: ARE YOU KIDDING YUNO, THAT SOUNDS LIKE THE FUNNEST TIME LIKE EVER!

Yuno: Not to mention the easiest.

Mereoleona: I heard that.

GROAAR.

Suddenly a massive lion paw comes down right on top of Asta's head and had it not been for any crazy lumbar and neck exercises, he would have certainly had a couple of broken veterbrae, as he stares death right in the eyes.

Mereoleona: You're comin' with us, kid. Any hesitation can be met with bodily harm and the slight chance of death.

Asta: HOW'S THAT WORK?! ARE YOU TRYNA TO K-K-KIDNAP ME OR SOMETHIN'?! I mean not that I wouldn't love whatever training you're about to go through but I don't know how Captain Yami would feel about that!

Leo: HEY, ASTA! AND YOU BROUGHT TYRUS ALONG!

Tyrus: How are you even alive, dude? Let alone without a broken nose?!

Leo: VERMILLION STRENGTH! You two going to join along with our squad and become my official rivals?

Asta: I THOUGHT WE WERE ALREADY PAST THAT?!

Tyrus: In any event, have fun with... all of this Asta. No doubt you'll be even more jacked than usual when ya come back to the hideout.

Yuno: And this doesn't involve me, see you later.

Asta: WAIT, WAIT YOU TWO AREN'T SERIOUSLY LEAVING ME WITH HER, ARE YOU?!

Then two more paws rain down..... grabbing the ice and wind mage rookies and twisting their heads just like Asta.

Mereoleona: ALL three of you.

Tyrus: Shit.... not good.

Yuno: Uh-oh!

Kuraokami: OI, FLAME LADY I DEMAND YOU LET GO OF THE YOUNG MASTER IMMEDIATELY!

Bell: AND THE SAME WITH MY YUNO! HE'S NOT INTERESTED IN YOUR DUMB LITTLE SPA TRIP OR WHATEVER-

Mereoleona: SHUT UP! AND IT'S A NOT SPA TRIP.

She fires off two medium flame balls sending Kami and Bell flying as Yuno tries to calm the spirits down.

Yuno: Look Bell, just wave the white flag, try to stay out of this one. You'll only make her more heated.

Tyrus: Same with ya big guy. As cold as I am right now, her flames are hitting somethin' different right now.

Bell: 'Kay if you say so, Yuno.

Kuraokami: You got it, Young Master.

Leo: Wise choice, you three! Because once my older sister sinks her claws into you, it's useless to fight against her. She doesn't care for war or anything of the sort like politics. That's why she never took center stage with Fuegoleon and I along with House Silva and House Clover. But when she does fight it's a completely different story.... she's arguably stronger than our brother! She's often been called by her opponents and those she spars with the Uncrowned, Undefeated Lioness.... MEREOLEONA VERMILLION!

Mereoleona: And since you were the breakouts this year. I think I'll call you Rookies One, Two and Three! Now let's hit the hot springs and see what this trio of commoners is truly made of.

Asta: I don't know why but I got a very bad feelin' about all of this!

Meanwhile as Asta, Tyrus and Yuno suffering kicked off, Yami began laughing his ass off and with good reason. The other Magic Knight Captains were in disbelief with how they placed in the squad rankings as the Black Bulls Captain continued to shed tears of laughter inside of a bar in the Royal Capital.

Yami: WHOOOOOO, I DON'T KNOW ABOUT Y'ALL BUT THAT LAST DRINK TASTED LIKE VICTORY! It sure feels amazing to outrank every Magic Knight Squad in this bar here right now!

So Yami did what any reasonable Captain would do to celebrate clinching second place as his squad usually finished last every Star Festival. He bragged and bragged.

Sol: Are you feeling sober now, Char?

Charlotte: Call me, Captain, Sol. Captain!

Sol: You got it, Char!

Yami: AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

Jack: Don't get all cocky just because you actually placed second for the first time since you became a Squad Captain, Yami Suckyhiro!

Nozel: I agree with the commoner, you're lucky I didn't have half a mind to snatch that ice mage when he chose your squad and I lent you my sister.

Yami: OH HO, you lent me Noelle?! That's rich, considering she was ready to leave my squad and go rogue. Now she's just ready prove your stupid ass wrong, Braids! As for Tyrus, eh, again your fault bet you won't look down on commoners again! Must be a savage blow to your pride, knowing you got beat by the squad who annually comes in last. PFFFTTT-

Nozel grits his teeth as he releases his grimoire, glowing a brilliant blue and silver.

Yami: OH YOU WANNA DO THIS-

Nozel: Mercury Magic, Silver Spears-

Just before the spell could come out, a drink comes by the Silver Eagles Captain.

Nozel: Hm?

Bartender: My apologies, good sir. But as you know there's a strict no offensive magic fighting policy here, please accept this drink as a token to your patronage.

Nozel: Oh dear, I wasn't aware. A thousand pardons, sir. Hah, delicious! I'll take another one if you don't mind.

Kaiser: The barkeeper is right, Nozel. We should enjoy drinking here and not trying to kill one another over some silly rankings. Besides it's quite unbecoming of a Squad Captain to miss the event, Yami.

Yami: PFFFTTTT, HAHA! YOUR HAIRDO MIGHT BE EVEN STUPIDER THAN BRAIDS'S, GRANVORKA! I MEAN WHAT DO YOU EVEN CALL THAT THING, EGGHEAD?!

Kaiser: THAT IS IT, I'LL MAKE YOU EAT THOSE WORDS, DEGENERATE!

Bartender: My apologies, good sir. But as you know from what I told the last gentleman, there's a strict no offensive magic fighting policy here. Please accept this drink as a token to your patronage.

Kaiser: Dear me, it must have slipped my mind! I hope you can forgive me and I do thank you for this drink.

He too much like Nozel takes a sip of the complimentary drink and is amazed at how simplified the recipe yet how delicious it graces the new Purple Orcas captain tastebuds as Jack rips into them.

Jack: You clown seriously aren't going to stand up to this baboon?! And for your own dignity at that! LOOKS LIKE IT'S MY TURN THEN BOYS!

The bartender slides Jack himself a glass who notes the tasty undertones of his drink, temporarily discarding his hatred for Yami.

Jack: Keh-keh, I guess I'll let it slide this time around, Suckyhiro.

Yami begins to get pissed all of sudden. Usually all of his one-liners would hit like fireworks but now Nozel and Jack wanted act all civilized with the foreigner captain.

Yami: Hey, why in the hell is everyone being so reasonable all of a fucking sudden?! Bartender has to be puttin' something mad sketchy in yall's drinks for you to be cuttin' up this way.

Rill: CAPTAIN YAMI! I really look up to you and not because you're taller than me or anything and sure I finished late this one time and look how busted up I let myself get up and you were in dead last like FOREVER!!!! And you never once lost your cool, that's gotta be superhuman or something! You're so cool, so thick-skinned and confident!

Dorothy just grumbles a whole lot of nothing which aggravates Yami.

Yami: For the last time, I don't understand anything ya tryin' to say to me damn it! AND OPEN YOUR FREAKIN' EYES ALREADY!

Jack: KEH-KEH! You just wait until next year, Yami.

Nozel: The Silver Eagles will not fall in third place again, foreigner! That much I promise you.

Yami: OH COME YOU CAN'T BE LEAVIN ALREADY! THE PARTY'S JUS GETTING STARTED, AHAHAHAHAHA!

Mereoleona: You sure laughing way too much for a one time winner.

The temperature in the bar suddenly cranks up as Yami sees who it is.

Yami: Oh, hey Sisgoleon? Never took you for a bar-hopper.

Mereoleona: And who are you to call me "Sisgoleon"? I don't even want to know where you got that name from.

Yami: You're Fuegoleon and that other little kid Leo's sister, aren't ya? I assumed that was right-

Mereoleona: You honestly believe a lineage as proud as my family's would start with "Sisgoleon". That the parents would name their offspring so haphazardly?

Yami: You don't? Think about it, just slap a name in front of "Goleon" and that's the end of that.

Mereoleona: And you're just as dense as ever... no wonder Nozel has so many sleepless nights dealing with you, you enormous idiot.

Tyrus: OUCH OUCH! WOOD IN MY HEAD!

Asta: COULD YOU BE A LITTLE GENTLER!

Yuno: OW!

BOIIIIINNNNG!

Asta: Oh hey Captain Yami.

Tyrus: Whatever you do, try not to laugh at our plight right now.

But he failed the request.

Yami: BAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! DAMN KIDS, WHAT DID YOU DO TO PISS OFF SISGOLEON, SHE'S GOT A FIRM GRIP ON YA HEADS! I NEED THE WHOLE STORY, MY LITTLE ROOKIES!

Asta: Ahh, it's kinda a long story!

ROOOOOOARRR!

Mereoleona: You're coming too.

Yami: Eh?!

Mereoleona: It's one thing to be late, but you didn't even try to show for the damn ceremony, Yami!

Yami: Wait, we can talk about this 'Goleon!

Mereleona: Maybe the worst Black Bull of them all needs discipline after all.

Yami: Discipline? But I'm already the captain, I dish it out, not take it!

Charlotte, now sobered takes the moment to revel in her paramour's misery.

Charlotte: Sorry, Yami but it serves you right. My adorable brute.

ROAR!

Mereoleona: You too!

Sol: You're not taking my Char anywhere!

Mereoleona: And who is this?

Sol: I don't know what's going on here, but I'd follow you to the ends of the galaxy, Char!

Charlotte: It's Captain, Sol. And please stop, you're making it worse.

Noelle: Tyrus, AHA, so this is where you've been hiding! Come on, stop being a moron, you and Asta come say goodbye to Kahono and Kiato. They've been waiting all night for you two! It's not like you two were the reason we came in second so get out of all egotisitcal celebrating out of your head!

Tyrus: Normally, I would but I'm kinda of a jam right now Noelle. A very flammable one at that.

Noelle: What're you droning on about- OH no.....

Mereoleona deviously turns the other way to see her fellow royal bashing her squadmate.

Noelle: Lady M-M-Mereoleona.... I didn't k-k-know that was you there! Been way too long and you're in phenomenal shape as always, I do bid a grand good night and all that, carry on! YEAH!

She tries getting away but it's all in vain as a fire claw comes raining down on Silva hair.

Mereoleona: Wait a minute.... Lady Noelle?

Noelle: Y-Yes, Ma'am?

Mereoleona: You're coming too!

Noelle threw a temper tantrum out of sheer fear and with good reason.

Noelle: WAIT, WAIT, YOU CAN'T BE SERIOUS! I JUST GOT HERE AND HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH THEIR NONSENSE!

Asta: YEAH AND HOW MANY FIERY CAT PAWS CAN YOU MAKE?! THIS IS INSANE!

Tyrus: Not to mention scorching, I'm surprised I haven't gone bald yet!

Yuno: But why me? It's not fair.

Tyrus: Oh can it, Yuno. You were with Asta and I, you've reached the limit on asking stupid questions.

Mereoleona: Stop being a baby, you're a royal, have some dignity Noelle.

Noelle: Hey, do you have any idea where she's taking us?

Tyrus: Well she did say something about taking the Crimson Lion Kings training to a place with hot springs.

Noelle: Uh.... hot spring.

She immediately fantasizes about Tyrus all alone in a desolate but peaceful hot spring as he soaks his entire body in the cool yet warm water first of his noticeable six-pack sticking out.

Tyrus: Oh hey there, Noelle? Wanna join me, I don't mind. If you get my back, I'll be sure to get yours and I... won't... miss.... a... single... spot.

She begins to overheat and before she knew she found herself back in the real world slapping the taste out of his mouth.

Noelle: YOU'RE SUCH A PERVERT!

Tyrus: WHAT DID I EVEN DO?!

Mereoleona: All of you settle down, now!

AGGHHHH, HEYYYY, STOP IT, MOVE OVER YOU DUNDERHEAD! ONLY I GET TO TOUCH CHAR'S SUPPLE SKIN! BOOOM!

Bartender: Thank you.... for your patronage.

He begins to fizz out, revealing it to be a ruse as in disguise yet again it's Julius.

Julius: Well now, how about that? With Mereoleona roaming around in her brother's stead, things are about to get a lot more interesting!

BOOOOOOOOM! FIIIIIIIZ! CRACKLEEEEE! THOOOOOOOOOMMMMM!

Tyrus: Yeah.... so where's the hot spring because. Yeah, you didn't mention there'd be a goddamn active volcano!

Mereoleona: WHAT'S THE HOLDUP, GET TO WORK YOU HELPLESS LITTLE LAMBS! ARE YOU EXPECTING ME TO BE YOUR TOUR GUIDE! Yultim Volcano is a strong magic region, deep underground lies a volcanic belt laced with mana and causes endless lava overflow.

Everyone behind her gasps as the temperatures begin to overwhelm them.

Mereoleona: Normal humans can't set a single foot in this place. But if you somehow manage to reach the top of Yultim, you'll be greeted with the most fantastic and revitalizing hot spring you have set your eyes on. How's that, are any of you getting excited?! COME, LET US ALL HEAD FOR THE SUMMIT!

Asta: I wouldn't say excited!

Sol: NO WAY, THIS PLACE IS A DEATH TRAP! But then again-

Charlotte: Sol.... you are permitted to wash my back, my trusted Magic Knight comrade.

Was all the motivation the Char-obssessed Sol needed.

Charlotte: Look Sol there was no reason for you to even tag along with us, I'd understand if you wish to back out now.

Sol: You kiddin' me, I say I'd follow you anywhere, so let's get crackin' Char!

Charlotte: Call me, Captain.

Sol: Roger that, Char!

Leo: I SAY WE MAKE IT A RACE TO SEE WHO CAN MAKE IT TO THE TOP OF THE SUMMIT FIRST, WHAT DO YOU SAY ASTA?

Asta: SURE I CAN STAND TO BLOW OFF SOME STEAM, YOU'RE ON! WHAT ABOUT YOU, TY, YUNO?

Tyrus: You must've hit your head. Did you forget my whole deal is ice magic, I'm taking my time in this hellhole.

Yuno: I'm with Tyrus.

Leo: Killjoys....

Tyrus: Wanna repeat that?

Asta: Yeah... but you get used to it, OOOOOOWWWW!

Mereoleona: QUIT WASTING TIME AND MOVE YOUR ASSES, DOUBLE TIME!

With them falling down a ravine, the rest of the party follows doing their best to combat the raging temperatures.

Asta: ALRIGHT, TIME TO TAKE IT UP A NOTCH!

Leo: OUR MAGIC SHOULD- WHAT THE?! What's with this awful heat, the mana in this place is going berserk!

Crimson Lion Kings: I-I'm SUFFOCATING!

Leopold: It's so hard to breathe! Like my chest is on fire and my sweat glands are working on exploding! And on top of that, my sister expects all of us to climb to the summit of the mountain! There's just no way!

Suddenly Charlotte and Yami burst forth the former cloaked in a teal essence and the latter purple barrier of sorts as they raced each other through sorts of perilous antics.

Yami: If I duck out of this, Sisgoleon's just gonna be on my ass again. I'd prefer that never happens again!

Charlotte: Why did she insist on bringing me, it's a good thing I'm starting to sober up now of all times. Failure here means I'm a disgrace to all the little girls out there that wish to become Magic Knights!

WOW THE CAPTAINS ARE UNBELIEVABLY STRONG!

Tyrus: How the hell are they even doing it is the better question, I'm not doubting their strength but to bull rush an entire strong magic region like this?!

Leo: I THINK I KNOW! CAPTAINS CHARLOTTE AND YAMI, THEY'RE USING MANA SKIN!

Tyrus: Mana Skin? What the hell is that?!

To some extent or another, all Magic Knights use their magic power to enhance their physical abilities in situations such as combat or even training. But the height of this skill is a fundamental spell known as Mana Skin. Even in unstable conditions belonging to that of a strong magic region, Yami and Charlotte themselves are able to emit a constant stream of magic power that encases their body in the aforementioned spell, protecting them from any damage they would've taken otherwise.

Crimson Lion Kings: What, that's such a basic spell, every Magic Knight should know how to use it! Yeah but not everyone can wield it as effectively as the Captains, we'll never make-

Leo: YES WE WILL, MEN! ALL WE HAVE TO DO IS FEEL IT OUT AS WE GO SLOWLY ADAPT TO THE MANA HERE! Then we make our ways up to the summit however we can before our magic power runs dry!

He gets his own Mana Skin.

Leo: We've gone soft since Fuegoleon was put on the shelf, so think of this as a way to put things right as he would have! TO RETRAIN OURSELVES, ARE YOU ALL READY!

As Bell began to complain Yuno thought to himself.

Yuno: Mana Skin, right?

He turns off all of the outside noise, from the volcano exploding, Bell's whining and the Crimson Lion Kings shouting as he to inhaled and exhaled. And just like that....

Bell: Ahh, that's better!

Tyrus: Hey... what took you so long?

He snaps both his brother and the Wind Spirit out of their inner thoughts, bringing them back to the real world as Yuno takes in Tyrus who unike in his fight with Asta was now encased in a brilliant silver skin.

Tyrus: Kami and I'll race you two up there.

Yuno: Why do that when we know I'd win?

Tyrus: Oh, them's fighting words, Sky-Boy!

They jump into the air after the Captains much to Asta's dismay.

Asta: HEY, TY, YUNO! WHAT'RE YOU DOING?!

Tyrus: Um, going to the Hot Spring.

Yuno: So hurry or the two of us are going to be dizzy before you even get there!

Leo: And we're off too!

Asta: Not you too, Leo!

Leo: DAMNIT TYRUS, YOU BETTER WAIT FOR ME!

Tyrus: Better learn how to fly then, Vermillion! NEHHHHH!

Even Sol got into the action, dashing as her lust for Charlotte kicked into overdrive!

Yami slices through boulder after boulder as he finally starts to realize why he hogtied into coming up to the Yultim Strong Magic Region.

Yami: I get it now.... Sisgoleon, you cunning shrew. You brought Prickly Princess and I up here so we could be examples for the Crimson Lion Kings. Especially Charlotte, her magic is an awful fit for a place like this and yet, she's crushing it so far.

He looks down at his Black Bull rookie as well as Yuno as they cut down their own boulders.

Yami: And the little Golden Dawn prodigy is about their age and that'll get my rookies and her subordinates feeling more competitive. Huh, you actually thought things through for once you Female Luck. Not too shabby if I say so myself.

I THOUGHT I TOLD YOU ALL TO QUIT DAWDLING.... I'M GONNA START KILLING-

Yami: Or maybe she's just naturally mean, I can never really tell with her anymore.

Noelle: Mana Skin... not exactly an easy thing to pull and yet Tyrus and that Golden Dawn kid Yuno as well as Captain Yami and Charlotte made it look so easy! But I still have a hard time controlling my magic power. AND MY WATER MAGIC IS PRACTICALLY ADVANTEGOUS FOR CONDITIONS LIKE THESE!

She puts her hands on her knees as the heat starts to overwhelm her.

Noelle: It had been so long since I'd last seen Mereoleona and she drags me to a place like this. Way to say hello! She must really hate me....

Mereoleona: You want to repeat what you were thinking, Noelle?

Noelle: NOPE, NOPE! Just happy thoughts!

Mereoleona: Then are you ready to climb?

Noelle stays silent only meeping for a second as the eldest Vermillion roars.

Mereoleona: I ASKED YOU IF YOU WERE READY TO CLIMB, NOELLE!

Noelle: I AM!

Mereoleona: Ha. You used to be a little girl who feared she'd hurt somebody because she couldn't control her magic power. But you also feared you older siblings, but based on the change in your mana I can tell that's clearly changed.

Noelle: What?

Mereoleona: It's not just your appearance either, you also resemble her a tad on the inside too.

The youngest Silva bugs out when she hears the words pour out of Mereoleona's mouth.

Mereoleona: She was a very powerful Magic Knight, and possessed an incredibly strong and fair heart as well. She was unlike anyone I had met in my life beforehand.

A flashback plays in the new Captain's head. A woman similar to Noelle in apperance is bedridden though not because of illness but for a much more positive reason, she was pregnant. Mereoleona stands by with flowers, a younger Fuegoleon by her side as he began to tear up as well.

Acier: Thank you for the beautiful flowers, Fuegoleon and Mereoleona.

Mereoleona: It's no trouble. I heard you're due to give birth any day now.

Acier: Yes.

Mereoleona: And afterwards, are you considering returning the battlefield, once you're cleared that is?

Fuegoleon begins to shed more tears, he certainly knew it was more than likely than for Acier Silva, the nicknamed "Steel War Princess" to hang her combat gear after many years of service as she was to due give birth to her and husband's fourth child in a matter of days but Mereoleona wasn't having any of it.

Mereoleona: This is no time for crying, Fuego!

Acier: Hm, hm. I see the children have already told you, Young Fuegoleon. I have given that a lot of thought and while nothing satisfies me more than protecting the Clover Kingdom and all of its people from the Noble Realm to the Forsaken Realms.

As the other three of her children wait on the outside, Mereoleona offers up the flowers to her fierce rival, passionate friend and long-time mentor.

Mereoleona: Lady Acier, the Magic Knights need you to return to your post as soon as possible once you've recovered. I honestly can't understand why'd you put your life in such danger!

Acier: I know I don't need to remind you, Mereoleona. But once the Magic Knights decide to enter the fray, they will never stop fighting in order to protect what is nearest and dearest to them. Even if it means risking their own lives in the process.

She grabs her hand and places it over her swollen belly and hears the heartbeat of the unborn Noelle causing her to widen her eyes in shock.

Acier: You see, being with child is no different. When a woman is carrying a baby she is also fighting a life or death battle all the time and will do whatever is neccesary of her to protect her unborn child. Even if it mean she must sacrifice her life to ensure her offspring lives a long and bountiful life. That's what being a mother is all about, Mereoleona.

Mereoleona: There's nothing stronger than determined and that was your mother down to the exact letter.

Noelle: Ah.....

She taps her forehead while smirking.

Mereoleona: If you have even a scosh of that determination to reach the top, then there's no mountain in existence that can stunt your growth or development into being one of greatest and strongest Magic Knights to have ever existed.

Noelle: Yes Ma'am!

Asta struggled as he continued to trudge forward. His entire inner body and spirit were being set ablaze.

Asta: Everyone's gone.... They all left me in the dust, not that I can't blame them. This place is burning my body and spirit to the point where I can't even move.

He swings the Demon Dweller sword around as he faints.

Asta: The heat is too intense and I can't even use my sword to cut through it. I guess I can't get up there after all!

Mereoleona: Then quit.

He looks to see her, a look both parts disappointment and disgust etched into her face as Mereoleona looks at the pitiful sight.

Mereoleona: It was a fool's errand for someone without any magic to even attempt to climb this mountain let alone scale it in the first place. And here I was thinking Rookie Number Two might actually have something going for him! Now I see you've only gotten this far because luck and fortune have favored you thus far on your journey. At least you have that, even if you cannot overcome this trial you might end up being the next Wizard King through nothing but sheer luck of the draw. Do yourself a favor, and climb on down kid before you wind up hurting yourself or dying.

Asta thinks about the promise he, Tyrus and Yuno made before they left for the Clover Kingdom.....

Asta: I'm... not leaving! WHAT.... I WANT.....

Just uh wondering. HOW DO WE BECOME THE NEXT WIZARD KING, SIR?!

Asta: What WE want most out of the world, isn't something you can just get by sheer luck!

It's about results...

Mereoleona: OH? Then you better moving before you pass out, kid!

A noble heart alone cannot hope to protect just anyone, and the trust of the people isn't granted nor given, that has to be earned. You want to know what you need to do to gain the title of Wizard King?

Mereoleona: I don't see how a mere joker who doesn't even know himself can achieve greatness!

Get the results, prove that you are the strongest.

Asta: I'LL REACH THE TOP DAMN IT! OUR DREAM DEPENDS ON IT, YOU WANT THE RESULTS THEN GODDAMNIT YOU GOT IT!

F.W.C. 5,391 WORDS.

END OF CHAPTER Fifty-Six/LVI