Black Clover: The Chaos Legacy

A/N: Hey guys, Author here. The flu was way worse than I thought, but I'm finally starting to feel better now. I'll try to get back to regular updates from tomorrow. Hope you enjoy the chapter!

That evening, after the ceremony, we returned home and celebrated with a feast. It was a lively experience, and the reactions to Asta's grimoire were unforgettable. The entire village was in high spirits.

On the way back, the three of us hunted some wild animals—both for food and to test the improvements brought by our grimoires, including a few spells we had unlocked. The whole village joined in the feast, excited over Yuno's 4-Leaf Clover, something they'd only ever heard about in legends.

Asta and I didn't receive the same attention. The villagers were too focused on Yuno's grimoire, since no one could see the clovers on Asta's unless they looked closely. And as for mine? A 6-Leaf Clover wasn't even something they'd heard of.

As a small village on the outskirts of the Clover Kingdom, their knowledge was limited, but we still got praised as the future of Hage Village—even Asta. After a long night of feasting and laughter, everyone dispersed, full and content.

The next morning, we began our preparations. Our goal was clear: pass the Magic Knights Entrance Exam and become Magic Knights.

After breakfast, we each headed to our usual training spots. Asta and I both trained in the forest near the demon skull, which was large enough for us to practice separately.

I didn't know what Asta planned, but I began my training with advanced spells after completing my daily workout. My solid foundation made learning surprisingly easy. Even Luna was impressed.

"Master, it's still surprising to see how quickly you're mastering these advanced spells," Luna said, perched on my shoulder. Her golden eyes shimmered with pride and approval as she observed me.

I smirked, feeling a little smug. "What can I say? I guess I'm just a genius."

Luna giggled, her voice light and teasing. "Genius or not, I might need to start writing down every time you say that, Master. At this rate, I'll fill a whole book."

I chuckled, brushing off her playful jab. "Go ahead. It'll just be a long record of my brilliance."

She flicked me lightly on the forehead with her tiny hand. "A long list of your delusions, more like."

I rubbed the spot, smirking. "Call it what you want. Progress is progress."

Luna chuckled, but her teasing was a reminder that I'd been pushing myself hard. I decided it was time to switch gears. Training mindlessly isn't my thing—I prefer to strike a balance between work and rest to keep sharp. With two advanced spells under my belt for the day, I figured it wouldn't hurt to check on Asta and see how he was doing.

As I approached his training spot, the clanging of metal echoed through the forest. It was loud and chaotic, like someone wildly hammering at a stubborn nail. When I reached the clearing, I found Asta swinging his massive sword at a boulder.

*Clang*. His strike rebounded, sending him stumbling back.

"Why won't this work?!" Asta muttered, glaring at the unyielding rock. He adjusted his grip and charged forward again, his stance more aggressive than effective.

This time, his swing hit the mark but ricocheted off with an awkward vibration. The sword was too heavy, and his footing gave out completely.

"Looks like the rock's winning," I teased, leaning casually against a tree.

Asta flinched and whipped around, and yelled. "Ryo! Don't just sneak up on me like that!"

"Don't worry, musclehead. It's not like anyone else is here to see you getting bodied by a rock."

He glared but couldn't argue. With a dramatic sigh, he slumped against the boulder, his sword resting beside him. "I don't get it. I've got the strength to lift this thing—why can't I control it?"

I walked over, picking up a fallen branch. "It's not about swinging harder. You've got to figure out the right angle and timing. Strength isn't enough if your stance is all over the place."

Asta tilted his head. "Do you even know what you're talking about?"

"Uh…" I scratched the back of my head, glancing at the massive sword. "Not really. But hey, I'm a fast learner."

I grabbed the branch and tried to mimic Asta's swings. It felt awkward—off balance and clunky. Luna floated beside me, giggling. "Master, you look like you're trying to swat a fly with a tree trunk."

"Thanks for the encouragement," I muttered, glaring at her.

Asta stood up, his interest piqued. "Okay, so you don't know either. What's your plan now, smart guy?"

I smirked, tossing the branch aside. "Simple. Trial and error. We'll figure it out together."

The next hour was… chaotic, to say the least. Asta and I took turns trying different stances and swing angles, correcting each other whenever something seemed off. Neither of us had a clue what we were doing, but we kept at it, determined to make some kind of progress.

By the time we managed to chip a piece off the boulder, we were both drenched in sweat and gasping for air. Asta raised his sword triumphantly. "We did it! Take that, stupid rock!"

I dropped onto the ground, wiping my forehead. "Yeah, great. Now we just have to hope that rock doesn't have a bigger sibling waiting for revenge."

Our stomachs growled in unison, breaking the moment. Luna, who had been watching the entire debacle with mild amusement, finally spoke up. "Perhaps it's time for lunch?"

I nodded, getting to my feet. "Good idea. Let's hunt something—preferably something that doesn't fight back as hard as that rock."

We ventured deeper into the forest, spotting a group of wild boars grazing near a stream. Asta wanted to charge in immediately, but I managed to convince him to use a bit of strategy.

"Okay, you distract them with your loud personality, and I'll hit them from the side," I said, smirking.

"Hey!" Asta protested but followed the plan anyway.

With a mix of his brute strength and my magic-enhanced speed, we managed to take down two of the boars. Back at our training spot, we started a fire and roasted the meat over the flames.

"Nothing beats fresh barbecue after a workout!" Asta said, grinning as he tore into a juicy piece.

I nodded, savoring the rich flavor. "At least we're good at hunting if nothing else."

Asta laughed, food crumbs on his face. For a moment, everything felt calm and normal—a rare break from the chaos of our lives.

Our training continued like this for a month. It became a routine—early mornings filled with grueling physical exercises, followed by mastering Chaos Magic and unlocking more advanced spells. By now, I had even started dabbling in higher-tier spells.

The funny part? My training ground had basically turned into a "Grand Magic Zone" with all the chaos energy lingering in the air. According to Luna, it wasn't quite at that level yet, but she figured that by the time I set off for the Capital, it might genuinely qualify—and probably as one of the most dangerous zones in existence. The sheer density of Chaos Magic here would cause mana backlash for anyone who wasn't me and in worst case the backlash is strong enough to make them explode from the inside. Truly who ever enters that area in the future will die a gruesome death. The one where even the body is not left behind.

Once my magic training wrapped up each day, I'd head over to Asta to learn about swordsmanship. Yep, I started learning too. And it all began one evening while I was watching Asta try to slice a boulder with his oversized sword.

Sitting by the fire, I casually said to Luna, "Man, I wish I had a sword too."

To my surprise, my grimoire started glowing and slipped out of its scabbard. It floated in front of me and, before my wide eyes, transformed into a sword. I blinked in disbelief as the weapon solidified.

Turning to Luna for answers, I saw her biting her lip, trying to hold back laughter. The moment she couldn't contain herself, she burst out laughing.

"Really, Luna?" I muttered, my expression unimpressed.

Still giggling, she teased, "Master, you're full of surprises—even for yourself."

Smirking, I got an idea. With a thought, I commanded her to return to her full size, which I'd learned I could do as her master. The moment she did, I leaned in and kissed her fiercely, catching her off guard.

When I pulled back, her lips were red, and she pouted, her voice trembling with playful tears. "Master, you bully!" she whined, retreating behind me.

Her reaction didn't go unnoticed. Asta, clueless as ever, stopped mid-swing and asked, "What were you both doing?"

Rubbing the back of my head, I sighed helplessly while Luna blushed and peeked out from behind my shoulder. ", kids shouldn't concern themselves with adult matters," I said awkwardly.

Without missing a beat, Asta shot back, "Aren't you a kid too?"

The corner of my mouth twitched. "You brat!" I growled, grabbing my new sword and rushing at him.

What followed was a chaotic lesson in swordsmanship, one where I taught Asta by whacking him a few times under Luna's amused laughter. By the end, Asta lay sprawled on the ground, stars spinning around his head.

"So comfortable," I muttered, enjoying the sight of his exhaustion.

Afterward, Luna and I sat down by the fire. She fed me barbecue, and I leaned back, savoring the peaceful moment. Even in the chaos of our lives, moments like these made it all worth it.

After that day, I started learning swordsmanship too. It didn't take long to realize that my grimoire's weapon could shapeshift into any form I wanted, but I decided to stick with a katana. I'd always admired the way Yami wielded his blade, so it felt like a fitting choice. Who knows? Maybe one day, I could pull off something like [Chaos Magic: Dimension Slash].

Since then, my routine shifted. After completing my magic training, I spent the afternoons sparring with Asta—just swords, no magic involved. Surprisingly, the katana wasn't a creation of pure magic, which meant Asta's anti-magic didn't affect it. It didn't work on my Chaos Magic either.

When I brought this up, Luna clarified it with her usual matter-of-fact tone. "Master, Chaos is beyond what anti-magic can counter. Your magic itself has certain anti-magic properties, so it nullifies that interference entirely."

Honestly, it felt a little unfair, but I wasn't complaining. If anything, it made sparring sessions with Asta even more enjoyable, as I couldn't really use my magic to overwhelm him now could I. Since that would have the opposite effect.

After lunch, my afternoons were filled with more magic training, testing spells, and improving my techniques. By evening, I'd climb to the top of the demon skull with Luna to watch the sunset. Those moments were peaceful, just the two of us sitting together, talking about everything and nothing. Our bond grew deeper each day, her playfulness and teasing balanced by her warmth and unwavering support. 

After the sun dipped below the horizon, I'd call Asta, and the three of us would head back to the church for dinner. It became a routine I didn't mind spending time with Luna, even with the constant training and the anticipation of the Magic Knights Entrance Exam looming closer.

But, our regular routine was interrupted today in the most unexpected way.

Asta and I were sparring as usual, both of us correcting each other's stances as we clashed swords. Suddenly, a scream cut through the air.

"Ahhhh!"

We froze, turning toward the sound. Luna, perched on my shoulder, flinched before fluttering up to hover near me. Her golden eyes scanned the direction of the noise.

What we saw left all of us blinking in disbelief—a naked, red-haired man sprinting through the forest, wildly dodging a furious boar charging after him.

Luna yelped, "Eek!" and quickly covered her eyes, her cheeks glowing crimson.

The man noticed us and shouted, "Out of the way, kids! Look out!"

I smirked, licking my lips as the boar barreled closer. "Hey, Asta, looks like lunch just delivered itself to us."

Asta's eyes gleamed, and he nodded, mirroring my smirk. "Right. Hey, mister, jump to the side!"

The man hesitated for a moment before leaping out of the boar's path. As the beast stormed past, Asta and I moved in sync, striking it down with a clean, combined effort.

The man clapped his hands enthusiastically. "Amazing! You two just took it down like it was nothing!"

I nodded, brushing off the praise. "Why was it chasing you, anyway? And, uh… why are you naked?"

The man scratched the back of his head sheepishly. "I was trying to fish in the river, but apparently, that's his territory."

Asta crossed his arms, nodding as if it all made sense. "I see..."

The man smiled and extended a hand. "Anyway, I'm Fanzell Kruger. I'm on a bit of a journey."

Asta introduced himself eagerly. "I'm Asta, from Hage Village!"

I followed suit. "Ryo, also from Hage Village."

"Nice to meet you, Asta and Ryo. Thanks for saving my life," Fanzell said with a grin.

At that moment, his stomach growled loudly.

I raised an eyebrow, glancing at Asta. "Looks like it's lunchtime."

Without wasting time, we cleaned up the boar and roasted it over a fire. Fanzell practically inhaled the food, exclaiming between bites, "You two are lifesavers! I haven't eaten in two days. I couldn't catch a single fish!"

I nodded, chuckling as I glanced at Luna, who still had her hands over her eyes. "By the way, why are you naked again?"

Fanzell sighed. "Didn't want to get my clothes wet while fishing. Didn't think it'd lead to all this."

Once his stomach was full, Fanzell leaned back with a satisfied sigh. "Hooh! I feel alive again. Tell you what—why don't you both come to my house? It's the least I can do to thank you."

Asta blinked in surprise. "Your house?"

"Kind of," Fanzell admitted. "I, uh, found an empty cabin and decided to stay there. It's not really mine, but it's home for now."

He guided us to a two-story lakeside cabin hidden deep in the woods. Asta's eyes lit up. "Wow! I didn't even know a place like this existed!"

Fanzell grinned. "Lucky find, huh? Anyway, give me a sec. I'll go put on some clothes."

As Fanzell disappeared inside, Asta went back to practicing his swings, while I strolled along the lakeside with Luna.

The serenity of the area stirred something in me. "Maybe, after all this is over, I could live here," I mused aloud.

Luna, holding my hand, smiled softly. "Master, you know you can't, right? Once you've mastered Chaos Magic, you'll have to leave this place."

I sighed, her words grounding me. "I guess you're right. Maybe I can just use it as a base—a place to return to."

As we walked, a playful thought crossed my mind. "Say, Luna, what do you think about having some sisters?"

She blinked in surprise before smirking. "Well, if Master wants more girls, that's up to you. Just promise you won't forget about me—and don't go picking random girls. You have to let me approve first!"

I stared at her, expecting resistance, but her teasing reply stunned me. "You don't mind? Tell me honestly."

Luna's golden eyes softened. "Master, no girl likes to share, but I want you to be happy. If that means you have others, I won't hold you back."

Her selflessness stirred something deep within me. I pulled her close by the waist, locking eyes with her. "My Luna-chan is the best. Don't worry—even if I have others, you'll always be my first, and I'll love all of you equally." 

Before she could respond, I captured her lips in a gentle but passionate kiss.

When we finally pulled apart, a thin string of saliva connected us. Her cheeks were flushed, but her smile was radiant.

"Master, you really are a bully," she said playfully, burying her face in my chest.

Chuckling, I held her close, savoring the peaceful moment before heading back to join Asta.

As we walked back, Luna shrank into her smaller form, fluttering down to perch happily on my shoulder. Her small hands lightly placed on my shoulder as she hummed a cheerful tune.

When we approached the cabin, I noticed Asta deep in conversation with Fanzell. Asta was enthusiastically explaining his sword.

"A sword that negates magic? I've never seen anything like that before," Fanzell remarked, genuinely intrigued.

Asta grinned. "Yeah! I'm going to use this sword to pass the Magic Knights Entrance Exam. That's why Ryo and I are camping in these woods. Sparring with Ryo has helped a lot, but something still feels off—I just can't get the swing right."

He wasn't wrong. A few weeks back, we decided it was too exhausting to travel back and forth between the church and our training spot every day. So, after discussing it with Father Orsi and Sister Lily, we got their approval to camp in the forest for six months, right up until the Magic Knights Entrance Exam.

It worked out great for us—not only could Asta and I focus entirely on training, but Luna and I could be more… intimate without raising eyebrows. Not gonna lie, though—I'm still counting the days until I turn 16. I'd really like to drop the "virgin" label sooner rather than later.

Back in the moment, Asta turned to Fanzell, tilting his head. "That aside, what are you doing here, old guy?"

Fanzell froze, then sighed helplessly. "Old guy? I'm only 28, you know..."

I blinked, genuinely surprised. "28?! You look like you're in your 40s."

Asta chimed in with a grin. "Are you sure you didn't age badly?"

Fanzell rubbed his temples helplessly. "Well, that aside, I'm actually waiting for someone."

"Waiting? This deep in the forest?" Asta asked, curious.

Fanzell shrugged. "A lot has happened..." He paused then decided not to explain further, then looked at both of us thoughtfully. "By the way, you mentioned camping out, right? Why not stay here instead while you're training?"

Asta's face lit up like a kid on his birthday. "Really? That would help us out a lot!"

I crossed my arms and joked lightly, "Wait, you're not just trying to get free food out of us, are you?"

Fanzell laughed heartily before offering some advice. "Treasure your encounters and connections with others. People come and go, but those connections shape who you are."

Asta mulled over his words for a moment before nodding. "Okay, we'll take you up on your offer, Zell! Right, Ryo?"

I tilted my head, studying Fanzell. On the surface, this guy screamed suspicious, but I knew better. He was trustworthy, after all he was Asta's mentor in the book. With that in mind, I shrugged and agreed. "Yeah, I guess we'll stay, Zell."

Fanzell grinned. "Great! Now, who's chopping firewood?"

Naturally, Asta "won" that job. He grabbed the axe and headed to the pile of firewood while I went back to our old campsite to collect our belongings.

The cabin was spacious, with plenty of room for all of us. I claimed a bedroom on the top floor, directly opposite Asta's room. Fanzell stuck to his usual spot on the ground floor.

While Asta chopped firewood, I took the time to clean up the upstairs rooms. Fanzell hadn't been using them, so they were covered in dust and cobwebs. Once the rooms were livable again, I unpacked our things and set everything in its place.

Dinner that evening was the rest of the boar we'd roasted earlier. We ate until we were full, sharing lighthearted conversation around the fire.

When it was finally time for bed, I headed to my room, locking the door behind me. Luna, now in her human form, was already lying on the bed, her golden eyes sparkling mischievously as she looked at me and beckoned me over with a playful curl of her fingers. I chuckled at her teasing and slipped onto the bed, wrapping my arms around her. She gazed at me with a soft, tender smile that made my heart skip a beat. Unable to resist, I leaned in and gave her a gentle goodnight kiss before pulling her into a warm embrace. Her soft warmth and the steady rhythm of her breathing were soothing, and I held her close as sleep gradually took over.

The next morning, I woke up early to the familiar sound of Asta's grunts and shouts as he trained outside. I couldn't help but smile and shake my head—he never seemed to run out of energy. After finishing my morning routine, I stepped outside with Luna by my side, ready to join him.

Asta was in the middle of his usual sword practice, but as expected, his swings were a bit wild—still lacking that fluidity and precision he was looking for. He'd raise his sword, swing it with all his might, but the flow would break, and he'd stumble slightly on the second strike, losing his balance.

I stood back, watching for a moment, enjoying the familiar scene. It wasn't quite the same as when we first started sparring, but he still had a long way to go.

"Keep at it, Asta," I called out with a smile, loud enough for him to hear.

He looked up, slightly embarrassed but still eager. "Ah, Ryo! You're here. Look, look, I'm getting better!"

I chuckled. "Sure, looks good. You'll get it soon enough."

I continued with my physical training as usual, my eyes occasionally drifting back to Asta. He was working hard, and I could tell that determination still burned in him. But the improvement wasn't as obvious yet. I shook my head fondly before heading off to complete my own physical training.

Once done, I returned to my personal Grand Magic Zone—an isolated area where the chaotic energies I wielded could flow freely. It was the perfect place for me to push the limits of my magic without causing unintended destruction. I practiced until I felt the familiar drain of mana fatigue creeping in, then decided to call it a day for my magic training.

As I made my way back to the cabin, I saw Asta practicing his swings again. This time, Fanzell was standing nearby, carefully observing and offering guidance.

I couldn't help but smile. "Looks like Asta found himself a pretty good mentor," I muttered under my breath.

Noticing me approaching, Asta lit up like the morning sun. "Ryo! Check this out!" he called, excitement brimming in his voice.

He eagerly demonstrated a series of swings, his movements sharper and more controlled than before. He looked like a child proudly showing off a perfect report card.

I chuckled. "You've made a lot of progress, Asta. Let me see how it holds up in action."

I summoned my grimoire, the familiar colorful aura swirling around it as it appeared. I didn't miss the way Fanzell's eyes widened in shock when he noticed the six-leaf clover emblazoned on its cover. His jaw nearly hit the floor when my grimoire transformed into a sleek katana, its blade shimmering with chaotic energy.

"Is that...?" Fanzell started, but his words trailed off.

I didn't answer, instead taking a combat stance. "Asta, let's spar," I said, the corners of my lips curling into a grin.

Asta grinned back, his sword at the ready. "Alright, Ryo! Let's go!"

Our blades clashed with a sharp, metallic sound, sparks flying in every direction as the energy of our strikes reverberated through the air. I gritted my teeth, trying to steady myself as Asta's sword came at me with precision. His swings had definitely improved—he wasn't the same rookie who had struggled to land a blow yesterday. 

I had the power, the raw speed, but my swordsmanship still felt half-baked, and that was quickly becoming evident.

Asta's blade cut through the air, aimed directly for my side. I barely managed to block it, but the force behind it pushed me back a step, and my footing slipped on the uneven ground.

"Not bad, Ryo! You're still quick, but you're not ready for this yet!" Asta shouted, grinning from ear to ear as he went for another strike.

I grunted, narrowing my focus. 'I can't keep slipping up like this'. My arms burned from the effort of keeping my balance, but the fight was far from over. I needed to regain control.

As I fumbled to get my footing back, I felt Fanzell's eyes on me. From the sidelines, he was watching closely, his brows furrowed with concentration. I could tell he was impressed by Asta's improvement, but there was something else in his gaze—maybe even a bit of expectation.

I couldn't let him see me falter. I needed to push through.

The clash of our blades echoed once again as Asta's sword came down with relentless force. This time, I didn't hesitate. My instincts kicked in, and I shifted my stance just in time to avoid a direct hit. Asta's sword grazed my shoulder, but I used the momentum to twist my body and drive my own blade forward. It was a sloppy move, but I made it work.

"Whoa!" Asta barely managed to dodge my blade as it swung past his face, but I could see the spark of excitement in his eyes. "You're starting to fight back!"

Fanzell, standing off to the side, crossed his arms. "Hmm, you got some raw talent. But your form is still all over the place."

I gritted my teeth, determination flooding through my veins. 'Raw talent, huh? Let's see how long you think that lasts'.

The next few exchanges were a blur—sword clashing against sword, my body moving on instinct. But something shifted. Slowly, I started regaining my footing, my movements becoming less desperate, more controlled. The awkwardness in my strikes began to disappear as my body found the rhythm I needed.

Asta's next swing came in, fast and powerful, aimed right for my chest. I sidestepped it, barely moving a foot, but I could feel the air change as my blade swept through the space he had just occupied. A split second too late.

I recovered faster than before, realizing the mistake. My feet grounded themselves more firmly, my blade felt lighter, and everything slowed down for just a moment. I could see it now—the space between us, the slight twitch of his body before each swing. My reactions became sharper.

Asta paused for a brief moment, surprised at how quickly I'd adapted. "W-Whoa...!" He stepped back, eyes wide.

I smirked, more confident now, my grip tightening on my sword. "You're going to have to do better than that."

Fanzell's sharp eyes never left us, his hands now resting on his hips. He looked between me and Asta, nodding ever so slightly. "So he's catching up. No wonder the kid's been making progress..."

Asta grinned back, his sword raised high. "Don't think you've won yet, Ryo!" With a fierce shout, he charged forward again.

But I was ready. This time, I anticipated his attack. I parried his strike effortlessly, knocking his sword away with a fluid motion, and followed it up with a quick counter, pushing him back with a single swift strike.

"Ha!" I laughed, feeling the rush of the fight. "Now we're getting somewhere."

Fanzell raised an eyebrow. "That's more like it."

Asta, now clearly sweating and out of breath, dropped his guard for a second, only to let out a relieved laugh. "Phew! You're really something, Ryo! I thought you were gonna trip again there!"

I smirked, wiping a bead of sweat from my brow. "Don't get cocky, Asta. This fight's far from over."

Fanzell chuckled from the sidelines, his arms uncrossing as he started walking toward us. "Not bad at all, you two. I can see why you're making progress, Asta. And you, Ryo... you're a natural. Just a bit rough around the edges."

The moment stretched, the tension still hanging in the air, but I felt something else too—exhilaration. This was more than just training; it was the kind of fight that made every drop of sweat worth it.

I looked at Fanzell and asked, "Then can you teach me to smoothen those edges?"

Fanzell's eyes widened for a moment, clearly surprised by my request. But then he broke into a smile. "I can, but tell me, Ryo... why do you want to be stronger?"

I smiled back, my voice steady and serious. "Because I want to be the strongest mage. Strong enough to protect those close to me."

Fanzell's expression softened as he absorbed my words. "That's a good answer, Ryo." He looked at me, a hint of seriousness in his gaze. "But I want you to promise me something. Promise me that you will never use what I teach you for anything other than making your dream come true and protecting those close to you."

I didn't hesitate, my resolve unwavering. "Okay, I promise."

A genuine smile spread across Fanzell's face. "Good. I can respect that."

Over the following days, my schedule shifted slightly. In the mornings, I would do my physical and magic training. Before lunch, I trained in swordsmanship with Fanzell and Asta. After lunch, we would spar with each other, pushing ourselves further each time.

It didn't take long for my progress to become noticeable. In just a few days, my swordsmanship was already strong enough to hold my own against Fanzell. I could see the shock in his eyes as I countered his strikes with increasing precision, my technique becoming sharper with each lesson.

Asta, of course, wasn't about to be left behind. His competitive spirit pushed him to work even harder, and it showed. His progress was also impressive, and the gap between us seemed to narrow with each passing day.

One afternoon, after a particularly grueling sparring session, we were sitting around the fire, eating roasted rabbits. Fanzell praised us both with a proud smile. "You two are doing great, especially you, Ryo. It feels like you were meant to be a swordsman. At this rate, you'll probably defeat me in a few days."

I smiled modestly, shaking my head. "It's all thanks to you, Teach. But I still have a long way to go before I can defeat you."

Fanzell chuckled and turned his attention to Asta. "You too, Asta. Your attacking and defending are improving, and your movements are becoming more fluid."

Asta grinned, clearly pleased with the compliment. "Well, since you're so strong, you should have been able to defeat that boar."

Fanzell's smile faltered slightly. "I didn't have my grimoire or my sword with me at the time. Besides, my swordsmanship isn't as impressive as you think."

Asta's eyes widened. "You're a really good teacher, Zell."

Fanzell scratched his head, laughing lightly. "I used to do something like teaching, yeah."

I swallowed the last bite Luna fed me and cut another piece, offering it to her. She accepted it with a cheerful smile, and I found myself smiling back without thinking. It was moments like these that made the chaos in my life seem distant. Fanzell had met Luna a few days ago during one of my usual walks by the lake. After a brief explanation, he'd been surprisingly understanding. To my relief, he also promised to keep a respectful distance, which was especially appreciated given his... unique habit of "losing" his clothes. At least he was trying to restrain himself.

Fanzell continued, chuckling. "Though, my students never really took me seriously. I've taught over a hundred students, but you two... you're so talented. You might be in the top three. Ryo, you might even be the top one, though... the previous top one doesn't exactly use a sword like a sword." He paused thoughtfully, then added with a grin, "So you two are probably the top two of my students."

Asta's eyes lit up. "You really think so?" He jumped up from his seat, practically vibrating with energy. "Then let's get back to training!"

I shook my head and grabbed him by the arm, pulling him back down. "No, we're going to continue eating and then we will go sleep. Mindlessly training all the time isn't good for your body. You don't want to end up shorter than Yuno, do you?"

Asta froze mid-jump, the realization hitting him. He thought for a moment, then nodded. "Right. No way I'm losing to Yuno." He stood up, grinning. "Let's train tomorrow then, Zell."

After that day, Fanzell opened up to us more, and we grew closer. Training became routine, our bond strengthened by every swing of a blade. Things remained peaceful—until she showed up.

That morning, the four of us—Fanzell, Asta, Luna, and I—were gathered around the campfire, roasting breakfast. The scent of roasted meat hung in the crisp air as we ate. Suddenly, a voice broke the stillness.

"Sorry I'm late, Instructor Fanzell."

The voice drew all our attention to a figure approaching us, cloaked and purposeful. Fanzell's face lit up with excitement as he sprang to his feet. "Ah! Mariella! Did you find anything out?"

Asta blinked in confusion. "Mariella?"

Fanzell gestured to her and explained, "She's one of my students. She's been helping me search for my fiancée."

Asta tilted his head, visibly unimpressed. "Shouldn't you be looking for her yourself?"

Fanzell's shoulders slumped, his earlier enthusiasm dimming. "I can't… I can't do anything that might draw attention to myself."

That answer piqued my curiosity, so I asked, "Why not?"

He hesitated, visibly uncomfortable, before brushing it off. "It's… a long story."

Before I could press him further, Asta, ever straightforward, introduced himself. "I'm Asta from Hage Village!"

I followed up, offering a nod. "Ryo. Also from Hage Village."

Asta continued with his usual lack of tact, "This old guy's teaching us how to use swords."

Mariella's gaze shifted to Asta, and her expression hardened. "I'll have you know he's no ordinary man. He may look old—" she paused, giving Fanzell a once-over, "—and, well, maybe even older. But he's not some random old guy you can disrespect."

Asta puffed out his chest. "Who are you calling disrespectful?!"

The two of them dove into a fiery back-and-forth, their voices rising with every exchange. Fanzell was caught in the middle, awkwardly trying to calm them down, while I sat back, chewing on a piece of meat and thoroughly enjoying the show.

Then Fanzell cut through their argument, his voice laced with urgency. "Mariella, most importantly, where is Dominante? Where's Domina?"

Mariella's expression darkened as she looked down, tears brimming in her eyes. "Miss Domina… she may have passed away."

Fanzell froze, his body rigid as her words sank in. His face crumpled, and he slumped back onto a nearby log, downcast.

Asta, uncharacteristically quiet, murmured, "Dude..."

Meanwhile, Luna leaned closer to me, her voice a soft whisper in my ear. "Master, she's lying."

'I know,' I replied telepathically, keeping my face neutral. 'But we can't say anything yet—we don't have proof.'

Outwardly, I wore a concerned expression and placed a hand on Fanzell's shoulder. "I'm sorry, Teach."

After a long, heavy silence, Fanzell began to speak, his voice trembling but resolute. He told us his story: how he and Dominante were once part of the Diamond Army, how their refusal to accept the army's cruel methods led to their escape, and how their journey ended in tragedy. They had been tracked down by assassins, separated during the attack. Fanzell escaped but couldn't find Domina again. He explained how Mariella, a former student he'd once helped escape the Diamond Army, had come to his aid and vowed to help him search for Dominante.

But there was a catch—Fanzell couldn't make any overt moves without risking Domina's safety. So he stayed hidden, biding his time.

By the time his story ended, the sun had dipped below the horizon, and we sat on the porch of the house. Asta exhaled loudly, breaking the silence. "That's… a lot to take in."

Mariella pulled out a wand, its surface slightly scuffed. "This is Miss Domina's wand. I found it on the ground where you said the assassins attacked. There was… a lot of blood there, too."

Fanzell's face grew pale as he stared at the wand. He muttered, "I see," his voice barely audible. "Could you… leave me alone for a while?"

He rose and disappeared into the house, shoulders heavy with grief.

Not long after, Mariella followed, excusing herself by saying she had something she needed to tell him.

Asta went back to practicing, his usual energy subdued. Meanwhile, I took my usual stroll by the lake with Luna, hoping to clear my mind. The still water reflected the moonlight, casting a serene glow over the surroundings.

As I walked, I extended my magic sense, scanning the area for the next part. Suddenly, I felt it, a large number of unfamiliar presences surrounding the house. A slow smile spread across my face. "Finally, some action," I muttered. "I'm honestly getting tired of fighting wild animals."

Luna's golden eyes sparkled with excitement. "Let's go, Master."

I turned back toward the house, my grimoire floating beside me, and Luna—now shrunken to her smaller form—perched gracefully on my shoulder, her golden eyes gleaming with anticipation for the storm to come.

A/N: Well, this chapter ended up being a little too long. I am sure you guys don't mind. Right? Any way see you all in the next chapter.