"I thought you were supposed to watch over us," Noelle said, her voice sharp as she stared at me with those piercing, royal eyes.
'Jeez, don't make me feel bad,' I thought, shifting uncomfortably.
"Hey, Loyce sir, do you know Yuno?" Asta asked, his usual enthusiasm cutting through the tension.
'Not surprising he asked. I do look like Yuno, after all.'
"No, I've only seen him during the Magic Knight Entrance Exam," I replied casually, though my thoughts betrayed the truth. 'The book said we're twins… if I remember right.'
"How come you look like him?" Asta pressed.
"I dunno, just happened that way." I adjusted the fur mantle draped over my shoulders, already regretting the fashion choice. 'Man, this thing is stupid hot.'
"Anyway, Magna's the one responsible for this mess, so he should be the one to clean it up."
"Wait, what about us?" Asta protested. "We didn't cause this mess either!"
"Yeah, I want to know why I have to go too," Noelle added, arms crossed in that classic, noble defiance.
"Because Yami and I said so. Besides," I added, brushing my hair back, "I've got business in Sosshi. If anything serious happens, just shoot up a flare—I'll be there to bail you out."
Again, I fidgeted with the mantle. 'Seriously, whose idea was this damn thing? I look like a king, and it feels like I'm wrapped in a sauna.'
"Got it?" I said finally.
"Yes sir!" Asta stood at attention and saluted—with his entire hand to his forehead.
I blinked. "Do you not know how to salute properly?"
Raising my hand, I demonstrated the proper gesture—three fingers over the chest. 'Gotta show some authority. I'm not trying to end up like Finral… though I'm still not sure why I care. Authority feels kinda pointless. Still, what was that salute from Asta?'
"This is how you do it," I explained. "Now go find Magna and tell him to take you both."
Later—
"Hey, Luck, come with me." I stepped into the base after convincing Magna he definitely didn't have the day off today.
"Are we going to spar?" Luck asked, eyes gleaming, that perpetual grin of his never fading.
"No, but there might be a fight. You in?"
He nodded, vibrating with anticipation. I grabbed a broom and headed for the door.
"If you want to miss out, don't follow me. Oh—and leave your robe behind."
Ten seconds later—
"What the hell are you doing on my broom, Luck?"
"Figured I'd hitch a ride. Hahaha!"
"Do I look like Finral to you?"
"You're both taller than me, so you two are the—"
"Luck. Shut up before I send you back and make you miss the fight."
—Sosshi Village—
"Hello, I'm looking for a man named Seihi."
An old man stood framed in the doorway of the village hall, scrutinizing me. Gray hair, short mustache, goatee—just as described in the book.
"That would be me, young man."
"There's something I'd like to discuss in private."
He looked me up and down before nodding slowly. "Very well. Come in."
The inside was simple. Humble. A dining area with chairs that creaked as we sat.
"I have reason to believe your village is in danger," I said bluntly, sliding a folded document across the table. "This is evidence I've collected over the last year and a half. The Midnight Sun is planning an attack."
His face darkened as he scanned the document. "And why should I believe you?"
Reasonable question. I expected it.
"I'm Loyce. Vice Captain of the Black Bulls. If you cooperate, I can keep your people safe."
He looked me over again, eyes narrowing. "And how do I know you're truly a Black Bull?"
"I thought you might ask."
I raised one hand and summoned a tiny sun on my fingertip. It flickered gently—harmless, but unmistakable.
His eyes widened. "The Fallen Angel of the Black Bulls…"
Luck burst out laughing behind me, of course. Again.
'Damn it. That nickname's gonna follow me to my grave.'
"That's right," I said. "And with all this talking, I'd say the attack is just about to begin."
Seihi paled. "You knew this and waited until now to warn me?!"
"I had my reasons," I replied. "I hope you understand."
He clearly didn't—but we didn't have time to argue.
I turned for the door. "Stay inside. You'll just draw attention otherwise."
Of course, I knew he wouldn't listen.
Luck joined me outside. The air held its breath.
"Should be any second now," I muttered. "Don't ask questions till it's over. Got it?"
Luck grinned wide. "Got it."
Seihi's voice came from behind. "I will not sit idle while my village burns."
I smirked. "Knew you wouldn't."
Figures soared into view overhead, robed in black and gold. Midnight Sun operatives. Luck cracked his knuckles.
"Well, Luck. Tear into 'em."
I didn't need to say more. He was gone in a blur of lightning.
'Alright, Luck, you're not the only one itching for this.'
[Sun Creation Magic: Angelic Armor]
Golden light burst around me, forming armor with radiant wings. I launched skyward, striking down a mage with one brutal kick.
But my true target—
'Where is Heath Grice?'
Third-Person POV
"Found you," Loyce said, a predator's grin on his face. 'Time to end this.'
"This is unexpected," Heath muttered, pulling out a silver pocket watch. 'So they were monitoring us… Loyce. That man could ruin everything.'
[Sun Magic: Solar Majesty]
A sun formed behind Loyce, glowing fiercely as it pulled in ambient mana—and everything else. Weaker mages fell from their brooms, screaming.
Seihi's group picked off the survivors on the ground.
"You stole some of my opponents," Luck said, slamming a mage into the dirt with his gauntlet.
"Only the boring ones. Wouldn't want you getting bored."
But Loyce's smile faded. 'Solar Majesty eats through mana like crazy. Can't cast much else while it's active… Damn not having a grimoire.'
Luck laughed and dove back into battle. Loyce, however, kept his eyes on Heath.
[Ice Magic: Ice Hand]
A massive hand surged forward to catch Loyce.
'Won't cut it… but wait—he wants to test my power?'
[Enhance Solar Majesty]
The hand dissolved instantly, mana consumed. Loyce winced. Blood began dripping from his nose.
'Mana loss... No, this is worse. This is backlash.'
Heath's eyes lit up. 'He's strong… but not invincible.'
"Lend me your strength!" Heath shouted to his followers.
One rushed Loyce.
[Sun Magic: Cruel Sun]
A sphere of flame vaporized the poor soul before he ever reached his target.
[Compound Magic: Tempest Surge]
Mist. Wind. Shards of ice warping through space.
Loyce barreled through, shielding himself with raw heat. A single cut appeared on his cheek.
Then came the punch—Mach speed, straight to Heath's gut.
Heath hit the ground hard—but survived.
Loyce was already above him. Another strike. Near fatal.
"I don't take pleasure in this. But neither of us has restraining magic."
Heath could only stare up, paralyzed. "You are crueler than I expected."
"What's crueler than necessity?"
Three more enemies descended.
Loyce's armor reformed—thinner, helmetless, sword in hand.
'No mana left… but I'll push past my limit.'
But then—arrows, fire, and water.
Magna, Asta, and Noelle had arrived.
"You alright, Loy?!" Magna called.
"I did this to myself," Loyce said with a smirk, wiping blood from his mouth.
"Hah! You beat yourself up more than your enemies do!"
"I've got enough mana for one more Cru—" He faltered. Blood now from his mouth.
"Yeah, sure you do."
"You're… broke… so don't try… making a bet."
Magna rolled his eyes. "Ungrateful little—"
"Yeah, yeah. Thanks, Magna," Loyce said, genuine this time.
"And me, commoner?" Noelle said, flipping her hair.
"I'm more surprised you hit him. But yeah—thanks."
'Same,' Noelle thought.
"This was kinda boring. I wanna fight you now," Luck said, hovering above.
"As I am now, even the weak ones could beat me."
"Oh, that's a lie."
"Let's wrap it up."
"Man," Asta sighed, "I missed my time to shine."
Loyce made his way over to Seihi.
"Thank you. Though—there's someone you might want to talk to." He pointed to Magna. 'Might help smooth things over, considering I tore half their rooftops up.'
Turning from the conversation, he looked toward Asta and Noelle.
'Why do I keep thinking of them as the rookies?'
"So, Asta—we haven't been properly introduced," Loyce said, extending a hand with a tired, but knowing grin.