Prompt: An AU where Asta doesn't have a crush on Sister Lily, finds Noelle attractive, and Noelle is more forward with her feelings. This explores how their relationship unfolds differently while still retaining key similarities.
—
The Black Bulls' hideout was... a wreck. That was the first thing Asta thought as he stepped inside, looking around at the crumbling walls, scorched furniture, and the suspiciously large hole in the ceiling.
He'd imagined his squad would be a little... wild, but this was something else. He loved it already.
"Oi, new guy!" Magna swung an arm around his shoulder, laughing as he ruffled Asta's hair. "Welcome to the Black Bulls! We're gonna be great pals, I can tell!"
"Thanks!" Asta grinned, his excitement bubbling over. He didn't care that the Black Bulls had a reputation for being rowdy misfits—this was his squad now, and he was going to prove himself.
He felt someone's eyes on him and turned.
A girl stood near the staircase, arms crossed, her violet gaze flickering over him with something between curiosity and irritation. Silver hair cascaded in soft waves down her back, the glow of the torches reflecting off it like moonlight on water.
Whoa.
Asta blinked. She was... stunning.
Sure, he had met a few nobles during the entrance exam, but none of them looked like that. He didn't even know girls could look like that. He had been so focused on proving himself and training that he never really thought about attraction much, but for some reason, he was having a hard time looking away from her.
Then she scoffed and turned her head sharply.
"So this is the peasant who got into the squad…"
Asta blinked again, snapping out of whatever weird trance he'd fallen into.
"Ohhh, she's a feisty one," Magna muttered beside him, elbowing him in the ribs.
The girl—Noelle, if Asta remembered correctly from the introductions—frowned and shot Magna a sharp glare before flipping her hair over her shoulder.
"Whatever. It's not like it matters to me." She turned on her heel, heading toward the staircase.
Asta tilted his head, watching her go. He had no idea what her problem was, but she was still cute even when she was mad.
Wait, why was he thinking about that? Focus, Asta. You have goals.
But even as Magna dragged him into another round of loud Black Bull chaos, his mind kept drifting back to the silver-haired noble who walked like she had something to prove.
—
Noelle was going to kill someone.
Preferably her useless older siblings.
Her hands clenched into fists as she stormed through the Black Bulls' hideout. Their words still rang in her head, cruel and sharp, making her heart pound with frustration.
"You can't even control your magic? How embarrassing."
"You'll only bring shame to the Silva name."
"You don't deserve to be a Magic Knight."
She hated them. She hated that she could still hear them in her head even when they weren't there.
Fine. If they thought she was useless, then she would prove them wrong.
Noelle stormed outside, heading toward the open training grounds behind the hideout. She needed to practice. She needed to get better.
Her grimoire hovered in front of her as she called forth her magic, summoning a swirling sphere of water around her. She gritted her teeth, trying to shape it into a controlled spell.
But the moment she tried to guide it, the sphere burst.
The magic exploded outward, the force knocking her off her feet. Before she could react, the churning water swallowed her whole, sending her tumbling straight into the sky.
Panic seized her chest. She couldn't control it. She was going to drown in her own magic.
She struggled, but the water kept swirling, pulling her deeper—
A sharp pressure wrapped around her waist.
Then, suddenly, the world lurched.
Air. Wind rushed past her as something—no, someone—yanked her out of the water, holding her tightly as they fell.
They hit the ground hard, but the grip around her didn't loosen. Instead, she was cradled against something warm and solid, and her lungs gasped desperately for breath.
"Noelle!"
Her wide eyes locked onto the face of the boy holding her.
Asta.
His arms were wrapped around her waist, his chest rising and falling rapidly. His short, messy hair was soaked, droplets of water dripping from the edges of his bandana. His usually bright green eyes were dark with concern.
Her heart lurched.
She was not expecting to be rescued by a peasant—especially not one who had just joined the squad—but he had moved without hesitation, pulling her from the water before she could even cry for help.
She wasn't sure how to respond to that.
"…Are you okay?" Asta asked, scanning her for injuries.
His voice was steady but worried, and she hated how much it made something twist in her chest.
"I—I didn't ask you to save me," she huffed, crossing her arms.
Asta blinked, then grinned. "You're welcome!"
She gaped at him.
Was he stupid? That wasn't—ugh.
Her arms tightened around herself as she turned away, her face heating up. She hated that she had needed saving. She hated that it had been him.
But most of all…
She hated that he was still holding her.
Not that she wanted him to let go or anything. It was just…
Ugh.
She was a mess.
Asta finally set her down, standing up and offering her a hand.
She hesitated before taking it.
"You shouldn't push yourself so hard," he said.
Noelle tensed. "Why do you care?"
Asta tilted his head. "Why wouldn't I?"
She opened her mouth—then stopped.
She had no idea how to answer that.
—
After the training mishap, Noelle tried to keep her distance from Asta.
Not because she liked him or anything.
It was just that he was annoying.
Annoyingly cheerful, annoyingly strong, annoyingly oblivious.
And annoyingly kind.
He didn't mock her for her magic. He didn't belittle her. He didn't act like she was useless.
That was… different.
She wasn't sure what to do with it.
But the most infuriating thing about Asta was that every time she looked at him, she could still feel the way his arms had wrapped around her when he caught her.
And she hated that.
So, she did what any noblewoman with pride would do.
She avoided him.
Except, apparently, Asta didn't do being ignored.
"Noelle!"
Noelle flinched as Asta crashed down next to her at breakfast, grinning like an excited puppy.
"Wh-what do you want?" she demanded, scowling.
Asta beamed. "I wanna train with you!"
Noelle nearly choked on her tea. "W-what? Why?"
Asta shrugged. "Because we're both new, and I think it'd be awesome if we got stronger together!"
Noelle blinked.
Her mind scrambled for a way to push him away. To keep her distance. To pretend she wasn't affected by him.
But before she could think of anything, Asta grinned wider.
"And, you know… I think you're really strong."
Noelle's breath caught.
He said it so simply. So naturally. Like it was just a fact.
Her heart pounded.
She clenched her fists and turned away, heat creeping up her neck.
"…Fine," she muttered.
Asta fist-pumped the air. "Yes! Let's go!"
And just like that, avoiding him became impossible.
—
The Sosshi Village Mission
Noelle never thought she'd say this, but… she was actually glad she had partnered with Asta for their first mission.
Not that she'd admit it, of course.
The moment they arrived in Sosshi Village, the stench of rotting corpses and dried blood hung heavy in the air. The villagers were gaunt, their eyes sunken with anxiety and fear as they were herded and bound in the village square like cattle. Several taverns and homes had been reduced to rubble, and the culprits were obvious—bandits. Noelle almost sighed in relief, only for a shiver to crawl down her spine. This wasn't the work of mere criminals. A thick, eerie mist blanketed the destruction, obscuring the horrors beneath—magic, wielded to twist reality itself. And it reminded Noelle far too much of one of her greatest tormentors.
Asta clenched his fists. "Treating people like this?! That's messed up!"
His usual boundless energy darkened with something unfamiliar—anger.
Noelle had to agree.
The fight that followed was chaotic. The leader of the strange cultists who had a strange fetish for time and punctuality used iced-based magic to entangle Asta in chains of ice, his hooded underlings sneered, "What can a magicless brat do now?"
Noelle's heart skipped. She hated that insult.
Before she could react, Asta flexed, snapping the shackles like twigs before launching forward.
His sword carved through their spells like air, his raw strength overwhelming their attacks. And for the first time, Noelle saw it—his power wasn't just physical. It was sheer will.
But there was a problem.
The heretical leader was preparing a final attack, a spell strong enough to level half the village.
Noelle had to stop it.
Her grimoire glowed, and she summoned a wave of water, but—too strong! It wobbled, twisting out of her control.
Not now, not again—
Then, Asta's voice cut through her panic. "Noelle! You can do it!"
It wasn't mocking. It wasn't doubtful.
It was belief.
Her magic steadied.
A wave crashed down, extinguishing the enemy's attack just as Asta delivered the finishing blow.
The heretics fell, unconscious.
For a moment, there was only silence.
Then, the villagers erupted into cheers.
Asta grinned at her. "Told you you're strong!"
Noelle turned away, face burning.
She'd never admit it, but… hearing that felt better than it should.
—
The Dungeon Raid
Dungeons were death traps.
Noelle knew this, yet here she was, standing beside Asta and Luck as they pushed deeper inside.
The walls pulsed with ancient magic, the air thick with tension. They weren't the only ones here—mages from another kingdom had entered too.
"We have to hurry," Noelle said.
Luck grinned. "Or we could fight them first!"
Before she could protest, Luck vanished in a blur of lightning, hunting down the enemy.
Which left her alone. With Asta.
Again.
It wasn't bad, per se. She just… still wasn't used to how easily he made her stomach flip.
"Let's stick together," Asta said. "Dungeons are tricky."
She nodded.
And then the floor crumbled beneath them.
They barely had time to react before they plummeted into an underground chamber, landing with a thud.
Asta groaned, shaking off dust. "Ugh, traps are the worst—"
A magical construct roared.
Noelle spun, eyes widening as a massive stone guardian lumbered toward them.
"Asta, move!"
She fired a water lance, but it barely scratched the creature. Asta charged, his sword cutting into its core—only for another to emerge behind him.
Noelle's heart pounded.
They were surrounded.
"Asta!"
He twisted mid-air, barely dodging a swipe. "Noelle, I'll hold them off—"
No.
Not again.
Not when she could do something.
Magic swelled in her chest, her grimoire flipping open.
A sphere of water formed, swirling around them.
Protective. Steady.
Not out of control.
For the first time, Noelle's magic obeyed her.
Asta gaped. "Noelle…!"
The water pulsed, crashing outward—shattering the constructs in a single, controlled burst.
Noelle's breath came fast, her heart racing—not just from magic, but from the way Asta looked at her.
Like she was amazing.
"You—you did that!" he laughed, eyes bright.
Her fingers tightened around her grimoire.
She didn't hate that look at all.
—
The War Merits Conferment Ceremony
Noelle loathed formal noble gatherings.
And she especially loathed her siblings being there.
She could feel their gazes like knives, their whispers coiling around her like a curse.
"Embarrassing."
"How did she even become a Magic Knight?"
"Still useless, I bet."
Noelle clenched her fists, nails digging into her palms.
She thought she was used to it.
But it still hurt.
Then—
Asta stepped forward.
He stood in front of her, blocking their view.
Noelle's breath caught.
His back was broad, his stance unyielding.
And when he spoke, his voice was sharp with something she'd never heard from him before—anger.
"Noelle is incredible," he said, turning slightly to glance at her. "You should be proud of her."
A hush fell over the nobles.
Her siblings' expressions twisted—whether in shock or disgust, she didn't care.
Because all she could see was him.
Heat flooded her face.
Her chest ached.
She wasn't sure if she wanted to yell at him or—
"Come on, Noelle!" Asta grinned, grabbing her hand. "Let's go back to where people actually appreciate you!"
Noelle let him pull her away.
Her heart pounded.
She hated how much she liked the way his hand fit in hers.
And she really hated the idea of letting go.
—
Training in Raque
The ocean breeze was cool against Noelle's skin as she stood on the shores of Raque, staring at the endless expanse of water before her. The salty air filled her lungs, the rhythmic crash of waves strangely calming.
This was where she would master her magic.
She had to.
She clenched her fists. If she wanted to take everyone to the Seabed Temple, if she wanted to prove she was strong enough to fight alongside them… she needed to control her spells.
Asta jogged up beside her, grinning as he stretched his arms. "Alright! Let's get stronger together!"
Noelle scoffed. "This isn't about you."
"Well, duh," Asta said. "But I wanna help."
She folded her arms, her eyes narrowing. "Why?"
"Because I know you can do it."
Noelle's breath caught.
He always said it like it was a fact. Like it wasn't even a question.
She turned away, biting her lip. "…Fine. But don't get in my way."
Asta didn't.
He stood by the shore, watching as she summoned her water magic. Each time her spells wavered, each time they lost shape, she expected him to sigh or give up on her.
He never did.
Instead, he cheered. "You're getting better!"
Even when she failed.
Even when her water control exploded and sent waves crashing into the sky, soaking them both.
He just laughed.
"See? That was huge!"
Noelle glared at him, dripping wet. "That wasn't the point, idiot."
Asta just grinned.
And Noelle found herself smiling before she could stop it.
—
Asta's Broken Arms
Noelle hated this.
She hated seeing Asta lying in a hospital bed, his arms wrapped in thick bandages.
She hated the way he tried to smile through the pain.
She hated how helpless she felt.
Her hands curled into fists as she stood beside him. "You're so reckless."
Asta chuckled weakly. "I don't regret it. We saved everyone, right?"
Noelle swallowed hard. "But what about you?"
His smile faltered.
For a second, just a second, she saw it—doubt.
Fear.
Asta never let it show, but she knew.
She knew he was terrified.
She sat down beside him, gripping the sheets. "We'll fix this."
He blinked.
"I—" She hesitated, then steeled herself. "I will fix this."
Asta's green eyes widened.
Then, slowly, his expression softened.
"…Thanks, Noelle."
Noelle looked away, her face burning. "Don't misunderstand. I just— I can't have you falling behind. That's all."
Asta chuckled.
But when he whispered "I'm glad you're here" before falling asleep, Noelle's heart twisted.
She was glad too.
—
The Witch's Forest—Asta Almost Kills Her
The sky was dark with swirling clouds, the air thick with magic so heavy it was suffocating.
And Asta—
Asta was not himself.
His anti-magic pulsed violently, his body wreathed in darkness, his eyes wild and unseeing.
Noelle's breath hitched as he lunged, his sword swinging straight at her.
She barely dodged.
"Asta!" she cried. "Stop!"
He didn't hear her.
The Witch Queen's spell had twisted him, corrupted him.
The boy who had saved her. The boy who had believed in her.
And now he was going to kill her.
Noelle's heart pounded.
She should run.
She should attack.
But—
She wouldn't.
She couldn't.
Because this was Asta.
So instead, she stepped forward.
And when his blade came down, she didn't flinch.
She reached out.
The cold metal of his sword pressed against her shoulder, cutting shallowly—
But he stopped.
His body trembled, his breath ragged.
"…Noelle?"
Tears burned in her eyes. "Come back."
The darkness shuddered.
Asta gasped—then collapsed into her arms.
Noelle caught him, holding him tight.
And for the first time, she wasn't embarrassed at all.
—
The Star Festival
The streets of the Clover Kingdom were alive with celebration. Lanterns glowed softly, casting a golden light over the cobblestone roads. Stalls lined the streets, the scent of roasted meat and sweet dumplings filling the air. Laughter and chatter blended with the distant hum of fireworks crackling in the sky.
Noelle walked through the festival, her heart in turmoil.
It wasn't because of the noise. Or the crowd.
It was because of him.
Asta walked ahead of her, laughing as he stuffed his face with food, completely unaware of the mess he had made of her thoughts.
After everything—after training together, fighting together, almost dying together—Noelle couldn't deny it anymore.
She liked him.
Really liked him.
And she hated it.
Because Asta was Asta—kind, stubborn, impossibly dense Asta.
And she was… just Noelle.
A noble who could barely control her magic.
A girl who had spent so long pretending not to care, only to realize she did.
"Hey, Asta!"
Noelle snapped out of her thoughts as Kahono, the singing priestess from the Seabed Temple, grinned at Asta.
"You've been through a lot with Noelle, huh?" Kahono teased.
Asta blinked. "Well, yeah! Noelle's amazing!"
Noelle stiffened.
Kahono smirked. "Then… what do you think of her?"
Noelle choked on air.
Asta froze mid-bite. "Huh?"
Kahono leaned closer. "C'mon, Asta! You always talk about how great she is. So… do you like her?"
Noelle's entire body tensed.
Asta tilted his head, deep in thought. "Like her?"
Noelle wanted to die. Right there. In the middle of the festival.
She refused to look at him.
But then—
"…Yeah," Asta said simply.
Noelle's heart stopped.
"I do."
Silence.
Then—
Kahono beamed. "Awww, see? That wasn't so hard!"
Noelle felt lightheaded.
She turned sharply. "W-What—?! What do you—?!"
Asta blinked at her. "What's wrong, Noelle?"
Her face burned. "What's wrong? You just—you just said—"
Asta scratched his head, confused. "Well, yeah? You're incredible! You're strong, kind, and always trying to get stronger. Why wouldn't I like you?"
Noelle opened her mouth—then closed it.
What… was she supposed to do with that?
Did he even realize what he had just said?
Kahono giggled. "I'll leave you two alone~"
And then she ran.
Coward.
Noelle whirled back to Asta, her entire body burning.
"You—you idiot," she sputtered. "Do you even know what you just—"
Asta tilted his head. "…Did I say something weird?"
Noelle stared at him.
And then she gave up.
She exhaled sharply, shoulders dropping. "You're hopeless."
But her lips curled into a tiny smile.
Because even if he was dense, even if he didn't fully get it yet—
He meant it.
And that was enough.
For now.