Chapter 1: Dungeon Orders
Black Bulls Base — Morning
The usual ruckus of the Black Bulls' base was already in full swing as the smell of burnt toast, mana smoke, and something distinctly chemical hung in the air. Luck was bouncing off the walls, literally. Vanessa was lounging on the couch with a wine bottle balanced precariously on her chest, and Magna was in the middle of an argument with Charmy over whose turn it was to cook.
And amidst all this chaos, Captain Yami stood in front of the mission board, scratching his chin.
"Alright, you idiots. Shut up for a second."
The room went still. Mostly.
Asta turned from his one-sided bench press session with a dumbbell bigger than his head. Noelle looked up from her magic scrolls. I stood near the edge of the room, arms folded, watching.
Yami lit a cigarette and took a drag.
"We've got a job. Dungeon popped up near the Diamond Kingdom border. Clover's claiming it first."
Asta jumped to his feet. "Awesome, a dungeon—wait, what's a dungeon?"
Several heads turned. Noelle facepalmed.
"Seriously?" Magna groaned.
"It's a magic structure. Dangerous. Traps, treasures, ancient spells," I explained flatly, eyeing Asta like he had just grown a second head. "It's also a big deal."
Yami pointed to the mission board. "This ain't your average run-around. And get this—the Wizard King requested Asta specifically."
"Me!?" Asta practically exploded with excitement.
"Don't get cocky. You're going with a squad. Rookie team. Loyce, you're leading it."
I blinked. "Understood."
"Also," Yami added, walking over to the board, slapping two stars onto our tally, "We earned some stars from that mess in Sosshi."
"Stars?" Asta asked.
Noelle sighed. "They're how the kingdom ranks squads. The more you earn, the better your reputation and resources."
Yami smirked. "We're at three. Only sixty-seven behind Golden Dawn."
"It would've been worse," I muttered. "We used to be negative."
The squad blinked, momentarily silent.
"Yeah, yeah, the Wizard King forgave our debt," Yami waved it off. "Don't ruin the moment."
Luck started clapping. "Yay! Money again!"
Loyce's Thoughts — Internal Dialogue
"Loyce," Azazel murmured in my mind, that familiar low vibration brushing against the edges of my consciousness. "There's something I need to tell you."
"Make it quick."
"I've been tracking Lucius. He isn't inside Julius anymore. He's active somewhere in Clover."
I froze mentally. "...Separated completely?"
"Yes. Which means he's loose. And dangerous."
"Can you trace him?"
"Only if he comes within a hundred meters of you."
"That's useless."
"You're not ready to face him yet. Not magically. Not politically. Not even emotionally."
"...You don't need to remind me."
Black Bulls Base — Portal Room
"Loyce! Portal's open!" Finral called, one hand holding the edge of a spatial rift.
I blinked out of my mental conversation. "Why did you open it if I wasn't ready?"
"Captain's orders! Now get in!"
I stepped through, finding Asta and Noelle already waiting on a grassy hill—one Finral had apparently used for failed dates. I didn't comment.
"How's it feel, getting your first real mission?" I asked.
Asta pumped his fist. "Amazing!"
"Does the boar hunt not count?" Noelle asked.
"Unofficial. This one goes on your record," I replied.
She crossed her arms. "And you said you'd help me train. It's been days."
"Vice captain. I have duties. I'm not your full-time coach." I gestured forward. "Follow me. I know where it is."
"You mean I know where it is," Azazel corrected.
I ignored him.
Dungeon Entrance
We arrived at the cliffside entrance. Asta marveled at the looming structure embedded into stone.
"Alright. Follow my lead. Asta, you're on trap-smashing duty. Noelle, conserve mana."
[Sun Magic: Miniature Dawn]
A small golden sun hovered in my palm, illuminating the passage ahead.
The first corridor was littered with floor traps, some magical, others mechanical. I pointed them out, and Asta cleaved through them with his anti-magic blade like they were paper.
Deeper in, the hall opened to a domed chamber. Faded murals lined the walls. I stepped forward.
[Sun Magic: Divine Staff of Knowledge]
A golden staff burst into existence and planted itself into the stone, sending luminous threads in all directions. Mana signatures pinged across my mind.
"This is the treasure chamber," I said. "We hold it until safe extraction."
Noelle looked around nervously. "How long?"
"Golden Dawn's in the dungeon too."
"Wait, WHAT!?" Asta's head whipped around.
He was already imagining Yuno, I could tell.
"Also," I added, "Diamond Kingdom mages are in here."
Asta's expression lit up. Noelle went pale.
"FINALLY!" Asta shouted. "Time to prove myself!"
At that exact moment, three familiar figures stepped into the room.
Golden cloaks. Regal posture. Klaus in front. Mimosa behind him. And Yuno, quiet and unreadable, at the center.
Klaus narrowed his eyes. "Seems the Black Bulls beat us here."
Yuno's gaze met mine. For a second—just a flicker—something unspoken passed between us.
He doesn't remember yet. But his soul does.
I looked away.
"Let the real fun begin," I muttered.