Noelle Joins the Bulls

'Noelle should be arriving today. I should probably meet her before doing anything else.'

 I bit into my sandwich, chewing slowly as my thoughts wandered. The warm bread and melted cheese did little to distract me from the gnawing question in the back of my mind. Why can I use high-level magic without a grimoire? It didn't make sense. I frowned. Guess that's one for Azazel later.

Finishing the last bite, I dusted crumbs from my robe and adjusted my aura to match Finral's. It was a neat trick I'd picked up—lowering my mana presence to avoid detection. With Luck's mana sense being freakishly sharp, I had to get creative if I wanted to avoid spontaneous ambushes or sparring sessions that turned into half-destroyed hallways.

Slipping through the base like a breeze, I eventually spotted her—Noelle Silva—standing tall, poised like she owned the damn place. Regal from head to toe. The pride practically shimmered off her like heat waves.

I stepped forward. "Hello, I'm Vice-Captain Loyce. Nice to meet you, Noelle." I extended a hand, neutral tone, non-threatening smile. The key with royals? Don't give them too much to bounce their ego off.

She flicked her hair with royal precision and met my gaze with narrowed eyes. "I am Noelle Silva of House Silva. The pleasure is yours."

Ah, there it is—the default royal defense mechanism. I smiled politely. "It's just us. You don't have to keep up that act."

Her shoulders tensed. A second passed. She was probably deciding whether to double down or switch gears.

"I know about your issues with magic control," I added before she could speak. "Look, I can help you."

That hit the mark. Her chin dipped slightly, pride warring with uncertainty. "Can you really…?"

I nodded. "Just follow me."

Without another word, I turned and led her out of the base. "Before you ask," I called over my shoulder, "we're heading somewhere private. Close enough for safety, far enough that no one will interrupt."

The clearing wasn't anything special—just a quiet little patch of land behind the base, sun filtering through the trees, birds occasionally chirping. Still, it was peaceful, and more importantly, it gave off zero judgment.

"So…" she asked, arms crossed again. "Can you really help me?"

I raised my hand. "[Sun Magic: Solar River]."

 A golden stream of light trickled from my fingertips, cascading to the ground like liquid sunlight, etching faint patterns in the dirt.

"Magic," I began, "is conceptual. It moves the way you believe it should. That belief—the image you hold in your mind—shapes how it manifests."

Her expression soured. "So it's my fault I can't control it?"

"Not what I said. Everyone's magic forms differently. Even people with the same attribute use it in wildly different ways." I gestured at the glowing pattern on the ground. "Generally, mages fall into six categories. Knowing which one fits you can help focus your training."

Her eyes narrowed, skeptical but listening.

"First, we've got Archers. Long-range spellcasters. Think Gauche or Magna—guys who throw stuff from a distance."

 She nodded slightly. No scoffing at Magna? Wow, progress.

"Next, Healers. Pretty self-explanatory. Healing magic is rare and hard to master. Not your field—and not mine either, unless you count minor burns."

She smirked. Progress.

"Then, Conjurers. They create weapons or objects using magic. Asta fits here—his sword stuff, even if it's not technically magic, functions similarly."

"So… which one am I?"

"Hold on, I'm getting there." I pointed to the next glowing symbol. "Enhancers. Mages who reinforce their physical bodies with magic. Think Captain Yami or Luck. You strike me as one."

"Enhancer…" she echoed quietly.

"Enhancers are tanks and melee fighters—strong and durable, usually paired with conjuring to create magical armor or weapons. Next up: Support mages. These guys specialize in battlefield utility. Portals, food, poison—Finral, Charmy, Gordon."

She looked mildly horrified at the idea of being compared to Gordon. Understandable.

"And finally—Specialists. Rare as hell. These mages can blend three or more categories. Only a few exist, and even fewer master the balance."

"You're a Specialist?" she asked, suspicion creeping back in.

"All categories," I said flatly.

She blinked. "But that's not—"

"Normal. Yeah. I'm not normal." I rested a hand lightly on her head. "Point is, I can help you in whatever path you want to explore. But first—we start simple."

I stepped back and reignited the [Solar River] spell.

"Create water. Don't force it—just let it be. Let it flow."

She hesitated, eyes closing. A shimmering stream of water formed in front of her, floating gently.

"Now feel the mana in it. Don't just look—feel. Guide it with intent."

The water swirled, just slightly, reacting to her will. I smiled.

"Let's take it up a notch." I painted a glowing target on a tree nearby, just her height. "Command it—no vision, no distractions. Just think: forward."

She hesitated. I stepped behind her, gently covering her eyes. "Trust yourself."

The water pulsed. With a sharp crack, it shot forward and slammed into the tree, dead center.

When I let go, she stared at the impact. "Did I really—?" Her voice trembled. "I DID IT!"

She cleared her throat, straightening up. "I mean, of course I did. I am royalty. It was only expected. Feel free to shower me with praise, commoner."

Classic. I just chuckled. "Next—try shaping your mana. Circles first."

She frowned, then conjured a dinner-plate-sized water orb. Not bad at all.

"Now hold it. Spin it. Increase its speed."

We kept at it for hours. By the time I checked the sun's angle, we were both soaked and drained.

"That's enough for today," I said, tossing my robe over my shoulder. "You did great. Keep practicing and you'll be in full control in no time."

She didn't say much, but the tiny smirk on her face spoke volumes. As we walked back, I gave her a nudge. "Have Vanessa or Charmy show you around the base. I've got… paperwork."

Back at the Base

 Hell. Literal, administrative hell.

My desk was buried under a mountain of paperwork. 99% of it was destruction reports. 1% was actual guild business—payouts, supply shipments, mission assessments. The squad was single handedly keeping the Clover Kingdom's reconstruction teams employed.

One folder caught my attention. Finral caused this much damage from flirting? At this rate, he's working for free. Again. I sighed, setting his file aside. I'll go easy on him… maybe. I do need my ride.

Birds chirped outside. Mating calls, probably. Lucky bastards.

I leaned back in my chair. "Maybe I'll sleep in tomorrow…"

"Not a chance," Yami's voice rumbled from the doorway.

I groaned. "Why, sir?"

"Don't you dare slash my pay," he added, sensing the thought before I even voiced it.

"Oh, I will," I muttered under my breath.

"Anyway," he said, arms crossed, "you and the rookies are heading to Sosshi to hunt wild boar."

"…Boar?"

"Lost a bet to Seihi. Now you pay the price."

"What kind of bet costs us livestock extermination duty?"

"The kind where you lose your clothes too," Yami muttered. "He wiped the floor with us."

I pinched the bridge of my nose. "Why am I the only functional person in this squad?"

"Because you were born unlucky." He shrugged. "Get moving."

"…Fine."

Boar duty. With Asta. And Noelle. And probably Magna.

This day never ends, does it?

Though I have a way around that today.