(Y/n), Asta, and Leopold were fending off the new mages as Noelle stayed by Fuegoleon. But Asta and Leopold were still weakened from earlier, so they got caught slipping and were struck by a wind spell. This knocked them out, and (Y/n) was the only one standing.

Noelle:"Asta! Leopold! Please say something!"

Mage 1:"Hmph! Even with that anti-magic sword, it's nothing when he can't overcome all of us!"

Noelle:"(Y/n)!"

(Y/n):"Keep talking all you want. My friends put up a better fight than Rades over there!"

Rades:"What did you say?!"

(Y/n):"You heard me, coward! You started crying and throwing a fit when you got captured, and when Fuegoleon looked at your grimoire! Asta and Leopold fought their hearts out. And I'll do the same! So bring it on!"

Rades:"Grrr! Shut that brat up!"

In an instant, (Y/n) appeared by Rades and decked him across the face and made him crash into a pile of fallen wraiths. The other mages were in shock as Noelle gasped.

(Y/n):"What's the matter? I thought your power was phenomenal!"

Mage 2:"Take this!"

A series of roots burst from the ground and tried to crash into (Y/n), who raised one leg and smirked.

(Y/n):"Blaze Kick!"

His foot was engulfed in flames, and he kicked the roots so hard they exploded into ash.

Mage 1:"Take this!"

He shot out wind spirals that put down Asta and Leopold, but (Y/n)'s grimoire flipped pages and he shot out his hand and released a spell that froze the wind completely into solid ice.

Mage 1:"Ice magic?! But you just used a fire spell!"

(Y/n):"That's the thing about me... I'm not chained down by a single magic type. I've got plenty up my sleeves. So I've got plenty of ways to get some good hits in for Fuegoleon! Discharge!"

He released a massive burst of electricity that hit all the mages for great damage.

Rades:"What?! No! Where was this kid hiding?! No one told me about him!"

Mage 3:"Ooh! So many magics! I want to dissect him up, too!"

(Y/n):"Come on, punks! Didn't you want to kill us?!"

The mages backed up, and (Y/n) got ready to attack once again, but something crashed down by him. Everyone gasped and saw that it was the Magic Knights that were teleported away.

Noelle:"You're back!"

Mimosa immediately ran over to Fuegoleon and did her best to heal him as Klaus checked on Asta.

Klaus:"How could someone bring down some strong fighters such as these three? Just who are they?!"

Nozel:"We'll find out soon enough!"

He launched a barrage of magic at them, but one of the mages used her magic to create a giant salamander and used a magic item to boost its attributes to absorb the magic attack.

Nozel:"Impossible!"

Mage 3:"Ooh, one more thing!"

The salamander stepped on Asta and trapped him a strange bubble as it floated over to them.

Nozel:"What are you planning on doing with him?!"

Mage 3:"It's a secret~"

Mage 1:"Remember this Magic Knights, we are the Eye of the Midnight Sun! And we will bring the Clover Kingdom to its knees!"

They started to teleport away, and everyone stood around and did nothing except for (Y/n). He ran right at them as everyone called out to him.

Nozel:"Where are you going?!"

(Y/n):"Don't know and don't care! I'm getting Asta back safe and sound! I won't let these creeps escape!"

He jumped in at the last minute as they all teleported away.

Noelle:"Asta! (Y/n)! They took them! We have to save them!"

Klaus:"Noelle! We can't. I'm sorry, but there's no way to locate their destination."

Noelle:"Yes, but...!"

Nozel:"No! Right now, our top priority is reinforcing the capital's defenses. There's no guarantee that those were the only enemies. We don't have the time or the magic to spend on someone like them."

Noelle looked down and then turned her attention to Mimosa.

Mimosa: This can't be... Someone like Fuegoleon... Ended up like this?! Leopold too...! And Asta! (Y/n), please be safe and bring Asta back! "With my magic, first aid is the best I can do! He needs to be taken to the medical ward for more advanced healing magic or else...!"

Solid:"Pfft! Some captain! That's just pathetic! The Vermillion clan sure isn't what it used to be. Makes me embarrassed to be a royal!"

Noelle:"Solid... How could you say that?!"

Nozel:"We are Magic Knights! Unless we win, our existence is pointless."

Noelle:"Nozel..."

Solid:"He's right! This is gonna trash the reputation of the Crimson Lion Kings, too!"

Nozel:"However, Solid... As we were not even present at the fight, we are less than he is. Strengthen the defenses so the damage spreads no farther! And quit your childish remarks!"

He gasped and nodded as the Magic Knights began to put a plan in motion to strengthen the kingdom and find any stragglers. Noelle looked up at the sky as she worried for her teammates.

The mages that attacked the capital made it to a undisclosed location where (Y/n) fell to the ground several feet away from them. They were too preoccupied with Rades that they failed to notice him. They began walking inside their base with Asta trapped in the bubble. (Y/n) got up and carefully approached the entrance.

(Y/n):"Oi!"

They all turned around and saw him standing on the top of the stairs.

Rades:"You again! Did you really jump in after us?!"

(Y/n):"Damn right, I did! I'm here for my friend! So, hand over Asta right now!"

Rades:"Damnit! Sally, take care of him!"

Sally:"Ooh! It's the multi-magic boy! I wanna experiment with him, too! Ooh it's gonna be so much fun! You want to help me with my experiments, right? Right?!"

(Y/n): This chick is insane! I wish Finral was here to take my place!

?:"Excuse me, but may I cut in?"

Everyone heard a voice speak up from inside the hideout and gasped when they saw the Wizard King step out from the shadows.

Julius:"I hope you all had a fun time at the capital. Though I don't appreciate you leaving without cleaning up your mess."

In an instant, he appeared closer to them and used a spell to blast two mages. They were killed, and nothing remained of them. Everyone was in shock, and Julius spoke.

Julius:"Don't tell me you're ready to kill without being prepared to be killed yourself. How about this, the first one to surrender gets spared? Are there any volunteers?"

All:"NOT A CHANCE!!!"

They all blasted him with various spells, but he was moving so sporadically that they couldn't hit him. In an instant, he captured the remaining four mages. Because of this, Asta was free to move and stared at the Wizard King in awe.

Julius:"Asta, good to see you again. And your friend too. Hello, (Y/n)!"

(Y/n):"H-Hello sir..."

Julius:"Asta, remember this day. If you're aiming to be the Wizard King, then this is only a small fraction of power you're going to have to surpass."

He held his hand out for Asta to help him stand. Asta, however, was shaking after seeing how strong Julius was. He punched the floor before forcing himself to stand so he didn't seem weak.

Julius:"Come join us, (Y/n)."

He nodded and jogged down the stairs and stood by Asta.

Julius:"There's some questions I'd like to ask you all."

He walked ahead, and the two boys followed before they saw a big stone slab with jewels embedded in them. He asked what they were and what the writing was on it as well. Although they couldn't respond while being trapped in his spell. That's when Julius felt someone approaching.

A giant flash of blinding light was shone within the hideout. Asta and (Y/n) looked away and covered their eyes for good measure as Julius narrowed his eyes and readied a spell. When the light died down, the mysterious person left alongside some of the mages that were captured.

Julius:"Light magic faster than own magic... Could he be their leader? And it seems he got away with his companions. At least we still have one."

Soon, his assistant contacted him and told him to head immediately to the medical ward.

Alecdora:"We've strengthened the magic barrier, repaired the communication spells and mustered more Magic Knights. Whe should be all right now."

Mimosa:"Fuegoleon... Leo..."

Alecdora:"This magic... It's...?!"

WSSH!

Everyone looked over to see the Wizard King, Asta being carried under his arm, a captured mage, and (Y/n) standing idly by.

Julius:"Yo! Good work, everyone."

Klaus:"The Wizard King! And Asta! And (Y/n)!"

Asta:"Looks like the gang's all here!"

Klaus:"Asta! You're okay!"

Asta:"Aww! Didn't realize I had you so worried, Four Eyes."

(Y/n):"Come on, Klaus, I had Asta's back, so you shouldn't be so worried. Remember the dungeon?"

Noelle:"Either way, you two idiots could still learn not to be so reckless!" Thank goodness he's okay!

Mimosa then rushed past Klaus and Noelle and sent them flying as she ran to (Y/n).

Mimosa:"(Y/n)! I was really worried!"

She jumped at him and hugged his neck tightly, which surprised him.

Noelle: WHAAAAATTTT??!!

Mimosa then blushed and let go.

Mimosa:"Oh! I-I beg your pardon!"

(Y/n):"Don't worry about it, Mimosa."

He chuckled lightly as Noelle started growling at them.

* * *

Julius:"I see. Losing someone like Fuegoleon would be a major blow to the Magic Knights. I'm afraid I miscalculated. I should have stayed within the capital."

Charlotte:"No sir... It was due to our inexperience. Also, it seems the pendant Fuegoleon wore has been taken. Was that what they were after? Who on earth are they?"

Julius:"Hm... From what they say, they seem to be a terrorist group with a grudge against the kingdom, but... Things might look a bit more complicated than that." The jewels embedded in that stone slab... Was Fuegoleon's pendant one of those? There were still several open spaces. What will happen when the jewels are all in place? They might have gone after Fuegoleon because he had that jewel, but... The greater possibility may be that his strength and ideals would have kept them from their goals.

He continued to think within his head before looking at the Magic Knights before him.

Julius:"People look to the Magic Knights for one thing - The peace of the kingdom. In order to preserve that, we'll keep fighting with everything we have."

Nozel then started to walk away, which left Asta surprised.

Nozel: Pitiful... What an atrocious spectacle! I must never let this happen again! "Fuegoleon, I will find the scum did this to you... And bury them myself!"

Julius:"Interesting. They say to never wake a sleeping lion, but perhaps the enemy has awakened an eagle instead."

Hamon:"Either way, I'd rather not end up feeling this useless again."

Sol:"You said it!"

Charlotte:"We will get stronger as well!"

Leopold:"I'm the one... Who's going to get strongest!"

Mimosa:"Leo! You need to rest!"

Leopold:"(Y/n)! Asta! I'm glad we all pulled through! You're my rivals. We faced death together and survived, and so... I expect you to get stronger, too!"

Leopold lit his thumb on fire and planted it on his forehead and left a diamond mark similar to what Fuegoleon had.

Leopold:"This is the mark of my oath! (Y/n), you say you want to be the strongest Black Bull, right?!"

(Y/n):"Yeah...?"

Leopold:"Then I'll be the strongest Crimson Lion! And then Asta, I'll become the next Wizard King! Do you hear me?!"

(Y/n):"I hear you loud and clear."

Asta:"Same here! But who the heck are you again?"

He nearly fell over in shock as everyone laughed before forcing Asta and (Y/n) to call him Leo as a sign of their newfound friendship. In the medical ward, Fuegoleon could be seen with a small smile on his face.

The Wizard King concluded that the attack on the capital had been the work of anti-Clover terrorists. And declared his intent to continue resolutely opposing them. The king's supporters pressed him regarding responsibility for the damage. Even so, he had great support among the people, and expectations for the Magic Knights' activity rose.

The enemy's invasion was enabled by the disappearance of some of the mages who maintained the capital's magic barrier. Was it the enemy to blame? Or did the mages leave of their own volition?

This fact was not made public, but the Wizard King was sure of it. There was a traitor among the capital's mages! (Y/n) and the others were leaving the capital when a small girl ran up to Asta and Noelle with a basket of cupcakes. She gifted it to them and happily ran back. Charmy seemingly appeared out of nowhere and took some for herself.

(Y/n):"Wait, Charmy, how did you get here?"

Charmy:"Like this..."

She created cotton around herself, and it shrunk in size before it flew into the back of (Y/n)'s robe. Across the street was Yuno, Mimosa, and Klaus. Asta was angrily yelling at Yuno, who sent out a magic spell that Asta easily dispelled. But the leftover force was still great as a heavy wind blew everywhere. Asta kept yelling as Klaus was surprised by Yuno's sudden growth in power.

Noelle rolled her eyes at Asta as Charmy laid out on the floor in awe after the display of Yuno's power. (Y/n) stood with his arms crossed and laughed at Asta. Mimosa looked at (Y/n) and blushed after seeing his smile.

Mimosa: (Y/n)! Next time we meet, I'll be strong enough to fight alongside you! And then... And then...

Asta:"Heh, we'll have our duel. After we both get stronger!"

The Black Bulls soon returned home as happy as can be. Asta and Charmy especially. Asta was promoted to junior Magic Knight third-class. Charmy was a first-class junior Magic Knight. Magna and Luck were in shock. Magna especially.

Magna:"Well, at least (Y/n) is still at the bottom with me!"

(Y/n):"About that..."

Magna:"What ranking did you get?!"

(Y/n):"A fifth-class-"

Magna:"Phew! Same as me."

(Y/n):"Intermediate Magic Knight..."

Magna:"ARE YOU SERIOUS?!"

Yami:"Yeah. The kid stopped one of the rouge mages, went around saving people from those weird wraith things, fought a 6 on 1 while Asta and that fire kid were down, and then willingly chased after Asta when he got kidnapped."

Magna:"What the hell...?"

Asta:"Don't think this changes anything (Y/n)! I'll catch up to you soon!"

(Y/n):"Better hurry it up then."

They shared a smirk before bumping fists with each other.

Asta:"Still though, Captain Fuegoleon..."

Yami:"Fuegoleon? What about him? That hot-blooded king of the hard-noses won't die easy. He'll probably just level up and come right back."

Asta:"Yeah! You're right! Then I'll get to training and level up, too! Come on (Y/n)!"

Yami:"Nuh-uh! You two knuckleheads gotta rest up. Otherwise, you might worsen your injuries and kill yourself."

Asta:"Oh. Gotcha."

Asta shrugged at (Y/n) before the two decided to head back to their rooms to rest up.

End of page 10.