The Black Bulls' hideout never had a quiet day, but today was something else.
"EVERYONE UP!" Magna's voice boomed through the halls. "Newbies are showing their magic!"
Kael blinked awake, still adjusting to the chaos of his new home. He dressed quickly, crimson eyes glowing faintly as his system registered a subtle prompt:
> [System Quest: Squad Integration – Display Magical Ability]
Objective: Demonstrate combat-ready spell usage in front of squad members.
Reward: Minor stat boost + increased bond growth with Black Bulls.
Downstairs, the common room was already packed. Vanessa lounged on the couch with a drink in hand, Luck bounced excitedly on the balls of his feet, and Charmy was raiding the kitchen as usual. Asta sat next to Gauche, who was ignoring everything except his little sister's photo.
Captain Yami leaned back in his chair, smoking.
"Alright, newbies. Impress me."
---
First Up – Asta
"I don't have magic," Asta declared proudly, drawing his Demon-Slayer Sword. "But I've got guts!"
He ran at a practice dummy, slicing it clean in half with a massive overhead swing. The sheer force caused a gust that knocked over several chairs.
"HAHA! That's my boy!" Yami laughed.
"Still can't believe you're magicless," Magna muttered.
"He's got anti-magic, technically," Kael corrected quietly. "It is magic… just inverted."
Vanessa gave Kael a curious look. "You're sharp."
---
Next – Kael
Yami gestured with his chin. "Your turn, pretty boy."
Kael stepped forward and closed his eyes. The room dimmed slightly as his aura pulsed.
> [Elemental Creation: Blade of Light]
Cost: Low mana.
Shape: Short sword.
Attribute: Holy-elemental light.
With a wave, Kael summoned a glowing blade of pure light into his palm. It shimmered with an ethereal radiance, humming gently.
"Ooooh…" Charmy's eyes sparkled, dropping her plate.
Then, Kael flipped the blade and struck out toward a reinforced dummy. Instead of slicing, the blade passed through it—cleanly, soundlessly. A moment passed, and the entire top half of the dummy slid off, smoking at the seam.
Everyone stared.
"...He's flashy," Magna muttered.
Luck grinned. "Fight me."
Vanessa whistled. "Not bad. Quiet, clean, and deadly."
Kael dismissed the blade. "That's only a fragment of what I can do."
> But I'll only show more… when I need to.
---
After the Display
"Alright," Yami said, standing. "You two passed. Good thing—'cause I already registered you as members."
Asta blinked. "Wait, wasn't this a test?"
Yami shrugged. "Eh. I just like watching kids blow stuff up."
The room devolved into laughter—except for Gauche, who was still polishing his Marie picture.
Kael felt a small surge in his chest.
> These people were wild. Messy. Strange.
But they accepted him without question.
A warmth settled into his core.
> [System Notification – Squad Bond Established: Black Bulls]
Team Skill Boost (Minor): Magic Recovery Speed +5%, Mana Link Potential Unlocked (Lv.1)
---
Later – Outside the Hideout
Kael found a quiet spot beneath a tree, training alone. His elemental magic shifted between fire, water, and lightning as he cycled his control exercises.
Suddenly—he sensed movement.
"Didn't peg you as the brooding loner type."
Vanessa.
She leaned against a tree, watching him with lazy interest.
"You've got smooth mana flow," she said. "Not rigid like most rookies."
Kael didn't stop his casting. "I've practiced… for a long time."
"How long?"
He paused.
> Another world. Another life.
"Let's just say I started younger than most."
She tilted her head. "You're a puzzle, huh?"
Kael gave her a sideways glance. "Would you try to solve it?"
Vanessa smiled. "Only if the pieces don't bite."
---
Inside – Kitchen Chaos
Charmy ran past them both, chasing a stolen rice ball that her sheep chef had dropped. Asta followed, yelling something about "food crime."
Vanessa snorted. "Welcome to the Bulls."
Kael let out a small laugh. "They're insane."
"And we love 'em for it."
---
Meanwhile – Elsewhere
Far from the Bulls' base, in the chambers of the Golden Dawn…
Yuno stood on a balcony, wind gently ruffling his cloak. His thoughts drifted to Kael.
That boy's not just a swordsman.
He had felt something when Kael fought—the deliberate restraint, the hidden depth. It was like watching someone who already knew what came next… and chose to hold back anyway.
A rival?
Maybe.
But also a comrade.
We'll cross blades one day, Yuno thought. And I'll find out what you're hiding.
---
System Log – Day Summary
> Checkpoint: Squad Integration – ✅
Bond Progress:
– Asta: Brotherhood (High)
– Vanessa: Interest ↑
– Charmy: Curiosity ↑
– Luck: Rivalry ↑
– Yuno: Awareness Unlocked
> Stat Update:
– Skill +2
– Mana Control +3
– Emotional Strength +1
> Unlocked Ability:
– Mana Link (Lv.1): Allows partial mana sharing with squad member during battle. Improves efficiency and combo techniques.
---
As Kael watched the stars again that night, his crimson eyes glowed softly.
> A glimpse of magic was enough for now.
Soon, they'd see the storm.