6: The Capital's Shadows
The return to the capital was quieter than expected.
The early morning light washed over the stone streets as merchants opened stalls and soldiers marched along the walls. Asta talked the entire way, his voice as boundless as ever. Noelle followed, trying to keep her irritation hidden behind dignity.
Lucian, as always, walked a step behind — silent, contemplative, his silver cloak fluttering in the soft breeze.
The success at the Silva borderlands still lingered in his mind: the corruption cleansed, the look of disbelief on Solid's face, and the calm certainty that had filled him as his Omni Magic harmonized the world around him.
For the first time in years, he hadn't felt like a mistake.
He'd felt like himself.
But peace was fragile in the Clover Kingdom — especially for someone with his name.
The City of Masks
When they arrived at the Royal Capital's gates, the guards straightened immediately. Their gazes slid over Asta's battered sword, paused on Noelle's noble insignia, and finally fell on Lucian's cloak — the Black Bulls' sigil stitched in black and crimson.
One guard frowned. "A Silva wearing that emblem? What disgraceful sight is this?"
Noelle bristled, but Lucian only exhaled. "I'm used to it."
Asta crossed his arms, scowling. "Hey! Don't talk about my squadmate like that! He saved a whole village from mana corruption!"
The guards exchanged skeptical looks but let them through.
Inside, the capital gleamed — marble towers reflecting the sun, banners fluttering in the wind. But beneath the splendor lurked whispers.
"Isn't that one of the Silva heirs?"
"He joined them? How shameful."
"I heard he can't even control his own magic."
Lucian ignored them, though his chest tightened. Some shadows never fade.
The Royal Assembly
At the Magic Knights' headquarters, Yami leaned lazily against a marble pillar, clearly bored out of his mind as Captain Fuegoleon Vermillion and Captain Charlotte discussed mission reports.
The Wizard King, Julius Novachrono, presided from the dais — serene and radiant, his eyes gleaming with eternal curiosity.
When the Black Bulls entered, Julius smiled warmly. "Ah, Asta! Noelle! And Lucian Silva… I've been expecting you."
Lucian blinked. "Expecting us, Your Majesty?"
Julius nodded, stepping closer. "Word of your recent mission has spread through the capital. Cleansing mana corruption linked to ancient Silva magic? Fascinating."
Fuegoleon folded his arms. "Indeed. Few mages could've stabilized such volatile energy without destroying the entire area."
Yami grinned around his cigarette. "Told ya he's got potential, didn't I?"
Charlotte raised an eyebrow. "Potential, yes. But Omni Magic? That's a rarity bordering on myth."
The room stirred with quiet murmurs. Julius, however, simply observed Lucian — not as a noble or subordinate, but as something rare.
"Lucian Silva," he said softly, "your power is not mere versatility. It is balance — a resonance between all elements. Such harmony is exceedingly rare."
Lucian bowed slightly. "Thank you, Your Majesty. I only wish to use it to protect others."
Julius's smile widened. "Spoken like a true Magic Knight."
Nobles and Shadows
After the meeting, Julius dismissed the captains, but not before one final interruption.
As Lucian turned to leave, a familiar voice sliced through the murmurs.
"Well, if it isn't the disgrace of House Silva. I heard you were parading around like a hero again."
Lucian froze. Of course.
Solid and Nebra Silva stepped from the corridor, flanked by attendants in polished armor. Their smug expressions hadn't changed.
Asta scowled instantly. "You again! Didn't you learn your lesson last time?!"
Nebra's smirk widened. "Asta, was it? The loud peasant who thinks shouting is a substitute for intelligence?"
Asta clenched his fists. "What'd you say?!"
Lucian stepped forward, his tone even. "Stop it, Asta. They're not worth the breath."
Solid's sneer faltered — just slightly. "You think one successful mission makes you equal to us? You're still a stain on the Silva name."
Lucian met his gaze, calm and cold. "Then I'll cleanse that stain the only way I know how — by protecting the people you look down on."
He walked past them, Asta and Noelle following close behind.
Nebra's whisper trailed behind like venom. "Mother would've been ashamed of you."
Lucian stopped for just a heartbeat — but didn't turn back.
He simply said, "Mother saw what you never did."
Quiet Resolve
That night, the Black Bulls stayed at a small inn on the edge of the capital.
The others celebrated noisily downstairs, but Lucian sat on the balcony, watching the city lights flicker like distant stars.
He could still hear the whispers from earlier — the nobles, his siblings, the lingering doubts.
He clenched his fists. "I can't let them define me anymore."
The grimoire at his side stirred, pages fluttering in the breeze. Faint, prismatic light bled from its core. He felt it again — the hum, like a heartbeat synchronized with his own.
"Are you calling to me?" he murmured.
A voice answered softly behind him. "Perhaps it's not calling — perhaps it's waiting."
Lucian turned. Julius Novachrono stood there, leaning against the railing, his presence warm yet immense.
"Your Majesty—"
Julius waved a hand. "No formalities, please. I prefer 'Julius' when it's just us."
Lucian blinked. "Us?"
The Wizard King's gaze drifted upward to the moon. "You remind me of myself, you know. Curious. Unorthodox. Hungry for understanding."
Lucian hesitated. "You… want to teach me?"
Julius smiled. "You've touched the edges of true balance, but you haven't yet learned to wield it without fear. I can help with that."
He extended a hand, and time itself seemed to slow — the air shimmering with golden threads of mana.
"Lucian Silva, heir of balance — will you train under me and learn the truth of your Omni Magic?"
Lucian's breath caught. The weight of centuries seemed to hang on the question.
Then he nodded. "Yes, Your Majesty. I'll learn everything I can."
Julius's smile brightened. "Good. Then tomorrow, we begin. The path won't be easy, but few worth walking ever are."
As he vanished into shimmering time, Lucian looked down at his grimoire. The symbol on its cover had changed — six interlocking circles glowing faintly in rainbow hue .