Asta Becomes a Black Bull

The atmosphere in the arena was electric. The crowd knew they were witnessing the future of the Clover Kingdom.

'The book didn't do this event justice—the aura here is unbelievable.'

I stood behind Captain Yami, wedged between Finral on my left and Gordon on my right. Oh yeah—did I mention my newly modified robe? A perk of my recent promotion. It was a longer version of the standard Black Bulls robe, ending at my ankles, topped with a dark blue fur mantle. 'What animal has blue fur… or is this dyed? Either way, Vanessa outdid herself.'

The only reason I was here was because the book said this moment would be pivotal. Apparently, this kid would help me take down the Dark Triad—though, personally, I think I could handle them once I get my grimoire.

Although... I wish this was happening later. I haven't even had breakfast.

The anti-birds were the first test. From that alone, I got a decent read on who to watch.

Captain Vangeance announced the exam's start, and the first trial—broom flying—began. Immediately, most captains' attention landed on someone... interesting. Not because he was gifted. Quite the opposite. He couldn't even fly.

"That one's an odd one, huh, Captain?" I murmured.

"You sure?" Yami raised an eyebrow. "Looks pretty underwhelming. Surprised you find him interesting."

"There's something... unique about him." I reached for a cigarette, but Gordon snatched it from me.

"I suppose," Yami said, lighting his own cigarette using a tiny flicker of my sun magic—too small for anyone else to notice. "But if you want him in the squad, you need to go test him. Make sure he's worth our effort."

I wasn't interested because he's the protagonist of some story. No—his magic was fascinating. Or rather, his lack of it. His mana reserves were basically in the negatives.

"Yeah... he really is," Finral chimed in, probably out of pity. Gordon mumbled something, but the arena was too loud to catch it this time—probably another cigarette comment.

Other captains were listening too, nodding in response to our hushed observations.

Then there was Yuno. Soaring above the rest, stealing the attention of every captain.

"What about that one?" Yami nodded toward him.

"No chance. He'll go Golden Dawn."

"Kekeh, you know your place, Black Bull." Jack sneered from across the balcony.

"I doubt he'd pick your squad either, you damn bug." I grinned at him. "After all, what doesn't eat a mantis?"

"If you don't shut your guy up, Yami, I'll slice him." Jack's laughter came sharp and dry.

"Yeah, yeah. Loyce just talks too much," Yami muttered. "Brain's the size of a mantis, too."

Jack snorted and turned away, still chuckling.

"Still, Loyce, we may as well try for that Yuno kid. Maybe he'll be curious about you."

'Not a chance. Yuno's laser-focused. Doesn't matter if I look like his taller twin. He's Golden Dawn through and through.' I didn't respond. Arguing with Yami never ends well.

The next few trials came and went. Yuno excelled. Asta... did not.

Then came the final challenge: combat between examinees.

'Damn it, Luck's rubbing off on me—I really want to jump in there.'

I watched Yuno obliterate Salim. Asta, on the other hand, turned Sekke into paste.

Then came the recruitment.

Despite Yami's quiet encouragement, Yuno went straight to the Golden Dawn.

"Oh well. Should've expected that," I muttered.

Then came Asta. No one raised their hand.

"Do I have to?" I asked Yami.

"You want him more than I do. Go test him."

"Great."

'C'mon... anyone? Someone raise their hand.' I could see it in his eyes, the fear of rejection and going home empty handed.

"Move it, kid. You got rejected."

Then I descended into the arena. I must've looked like a taller, more jacked version of Yuno.

"You're the one who said you'd be Wizard King, right?"

He looked up at me. Even without any mana, the kid had guts. Or maybe no sense of self-preservation.

"Yes! I will be the Wizard King!"

"It's easy to say that when you're not under pressure."

'Pressure?! This guy's aura is a furnace!' Azazel translated what his eyes said.

"Sun Magic: Cruel Sun."

A ball of solar fire flickered to life on my fingertip. The arena's plants began to shrivel. Asta dropped to one knee.

"I… will… BE… the… WIZARD KING!!!" he screamed.

The sun vanished. I turned back toward the balcony, then smiled at Asta.

"Welcome to the Black Bulls, Asta." I offered my hand.

"Yami, Loyce—was that really necessary?"

"Since when do wheels talk, Captain?"

"No idea. Do you know?"

"Not a clue."

"Hey! That's not fair—two on one?"

"And who said life was fair?" I grinned. "You don't exactly get a vote, runt."

Finral looked stunned. "I'm your senior!"

"And I'm your superior."

"Oof. Right where it hurts."

"Yeah, I try."

Ahh, bullying Finral. A Black Bull tradition. Although, with how easy it is, it loses its charm quickly.

"How long is the rookie gonna be in the bathroom?" Yami growled, getting impatient.

"This is nothing. You've heard how long he takes in there, right?"

Yami glanced at me.

"If you don't shut it, you'll be cleaning up after my surpassed limits."

Yeah, that wiped the smirk off my face real quick. Finral was giggling beside me. I shot him a look.

"Why does it feel like you're pitying me?" he asked.

I didn't answer. Just patted his shoulder.

Then Asta finally emerged.

"How long was this crap?" Yami asked.

"It was long! You should've seen it—it was this big!" Asta gestured with both arms.

"Not what I meant!" Yami grabbed Asta by the head. "Finral. Portal."

And just like that, we were home. I dragged Gordon through, just to make sure we didn't lose him again.

"This is your new home, Asta," I said. "It might take some adjusting, but when you do—"

"Yeah, yeah. Spare the kid the speech." Yami cut me off. "Welcome to your dumpy new home."

Asta looked around, overwhelmed and glowing with excitement.

'Here comes Magna's dumb ritual. I thought about stopping it, giving Asta a robe straight away, but... nah, this'll be fun.'

We all knew how this next bit would go. They wreck stuff. Yami tells them to stop wrecking stuff.

Then came the introductions.

"Hi, I'm Asta!"

Vanessa flirted, then threw up. Luck challenged him. Charmy gave him food. Gauche passed out from a nosebleed. Gordon mumbled. Grey smoked.

Classic Black Bulls.

Then Magna stepped forward.

"You're not a real Black Bull until you pass the initiation ritual!"

I sighed. 'Not this again… actually, yeah. This is still fun.'

"But I'm already in the squad?" Asta asked, confused.

"Not until you earn this robe!" Magna pulled one out. 'Where the hell did that come from?'

Asta's eyes sparkled. 'And there he goes, turning into an idiot.'

"First: 5,000 push-ups, 5,000 sit-ups, then break this rock. With or without magic."

Asta headbutted the rock. 'Well, that's one way to use your head. Still, rocks in your skull if you think that nun's gonna marry you.'

"Do I get the robe now?"

"Almost. One last test."

Magna pulled out his grimoire. "Stop my Great Fireball. By any means."

"Got it!" Asta drew his black sword.

[Sun Magic: Solar Majesty] I activated it quietly—just in case. Finral readied a portal, just in case. 'Timeline's already off the rails, gotta prepare for anything.'

Solar Majesty's gravitational field acted like a crude mana zone, but it wasn't needed. Asta deflected the fireball like it was nothing.

"Hah! Welcome to the Black Bulls, kid! I'm Magna. Sorry about earlier—I'm from the sticks too. So's that pretty boy back there."

'Asta and Magna are already bonding. That's good.'

"All right," Yami said. "Loyce, you're in charge of showing the rookie the ropes. Wherever he goes, you go."

"Understood, Captain." I saluted half-heartedly. Still starving.

"Magna, fire up the grill."

Yami didn't ask me to do it—not after the last time I blew it up.

"Aye aye, Captain Yami!"

'God, I hope I'm not drooling. I need food.'