By far the hardest part of being in a non-combat zone was the waiting. Alucard didn't let it bother him, however, as he threw himself into training. He dragged Yuno with him so the boy could get used to fighting mages stronger than he was. Mimosa also tagged along to practice her healing magic on him.
For an entire week, Yuno underwent training, being forced into uncomfortable situations that required him to be more creative with his magic. Though very much out of his league, Yuno was able to power through thanks to Mimosa's constant healing, and the unnerving feeling that crept up his spine when he remembered how quickly Asta was catching up to him.
While Yuno was stuck with Alucard, Asta threw himself into training. After seeing the gap between himself and Yuno, he pushed harder than before, training his body and mind to become the Wizard King!
He would spend the week fighting both Luck, Magna, and Vanessa. With the boys up close and personal, Asta was forced to fight 2v1 as Vanessa used her string magic to give the boys more mobility, putting Asta in strange positions he had to escape from.
Noelle didn't lag far behind either as she constantly trained her water magic, hoping to be of more help the next time she was needed. She definitely wasn't watching Asta's toned muscles flex around as he fought shirtless.
As Asta and Noelle danced around each other, Asta kept in mind the strange man who'd been with Yuno in the dungeon, shivering when he recalled the murderous gaze that promised a world of pain if he ever approached Mimosa.
Unaware of the turmoil he'd inflicted on the boy and not caring one bit, Alucard ended up spending more time with Mimosa as she seemed eager to spend every waking moment by his side.
He indulged her, but was thoroughly confused by the change. Mimosa was by no means cold; in fact, she was the closest thing he'd had to a real partner since, nevermind.
She was bright and bubbly, always smiling at him, even if he knew it was mostly a mask. When she did drop it she was usually more clingy and more ruthless as she complained to him about her day behind closed doors.
He eventually came to the conclusion that she was acting this way to make it 'normal' so that other people would realize that she was taken. He didn't complain much, however, as she showered him with affection. Always holding his hand or staying a hand's breadth away as the week dragged on.
Finally, they were summoned by the Wizard King to report on the dungeon. Eager to leave the Golden Dawn base, Alucard led the way to the gates of the castle when a loud voice started calling Yuno's name.
Looking back, they saw Asta and Noelle running to catch up to them. Asta didn't even glance at Alucard as he and Yuno started arguing about who'd gotten stronger since they'd last seen each other. Mimosa and Noelle chatted softly as Klaus went to break up the boys.
Getting annoyed, Alucard engulfed them all in mana. "Quit talking and walk, we're wasting time." They didn't argue and walked behind him in a row for a few minutes before they went back at it.
Alucard was barely able to tolerate them, so he was glad to finally reach the gates to the Wizard King's castle as the man himself greeted them. Mimosa, Klaus, and Noelle spotted him and bowed, as the other remained standing.
"Who's the old guy?" Asta asked as Yuno shrugged, and Klaus tried to drag them down when they all froze. "Nice to see you, son, you've grown quite a bit since we last met." Julius smiled as he and Alucard embraced.
Klaus, Yuno, and Asta were frozen in shock as the men separated. "Mimosa, you don't have to bow. I've already told you before." Julius said, lifting the girl as Noelle also rose. "YOU'RE THE WIZARD KING SON?!"
Klaus and the boys nearly lost their minds as Alucard felt like smacking them for yelling. "Of course, he's my son. Can't you see the resemblance?" Julius smiled at their antics as he led the way towards his office.
The boys were less surprised to learn that Mimosa and Alucard were also engaged, though the thought of Julius being his father still bothered them the most. Julius and Alucard took this time to catch up as the boys slowly regained their mental faculties.
Mimosa and Noelle had their own quiet lady talk, though they did stop to watch Julius geek out over the new magic Alucard had within his grimoire. They smiled softly, seeing the touching moment of a father bonding with his son.
Little did they know, Julius and Alucard were actually conversing with magic internally as Alucard gave him the details he never could in his formal reports. By the time he was done with all that, the boys had come to, and Asta and Yuno mustered up their courage.
"How do we become the Wizard King?" They practically yelled as Klaus scolded them, going into a tirade over the virtues that the Wizard King must live up to, when Julius cut him off.
"That's not how one becomes the Wizard King. The only way to become Wizard King is through acquiring merit, climbing the ranks, and proving with your blood, sweat, and tears that you are capable enough to be the Wizard King."
Alucard went and sat with Mimosa as Julius continued his lecture. "What did you say that got her all riled up?" He asked her, seeing Noelle's red face. Mimosa waved him off as Julius suddenly said his name.
"Although not the closest, Alucard is one of the youngest Knights to reach 3rd Class Intermediate Knight. He's not far behind even the Captains in certain aspects; he has a very good chance of one day becoming Wizard King."
Asta and Yuno turned to him with burning eyes, no longer seeing someone who just happened to be strong, but seeing their competition. He glared back, flaring his mana as Julius smiled. "By the way, son, the War Merit Ceremony is about to begin. Go take your place with the others. We'll be down soon."
He nodded and left as Julius then went nerdy over Asta and Yuno's new magic.
Joining the other Knights getting promoted today, Alucard glared at Noelle's sibling before going and joining the Gravewatchers. "Hey, kid, didn't think you'd show. Not with that lady always hanging onto you! Emanuel laughed as Cat kicked his shin.
He winced as Carter rolled his eyes, "Glad you could make it. Any idea when the Wizard King will arrive? The others keep staring at us." Despite being stronger as a group, they still didn't appreciate the looks they got from the other knights present.
Julius chose that moment to arrive as Mimosa and the others took seats towards the back. As the ceremony commenced, Alucard drifted in and out, more focused on what would most likely happen in an hour when his name was finally called.
"For your brave efforts in defending our borders against the Diamond Kingdom, including the rescue of several of our captured soldiers and citizens, you are now promoted to 5th Class Senior Magic Knight."
Alucard stepped forward as Julius pinned the medal to his chest. A few grumbles sounded from behind him as a few Nobles recognized him for who he was. "Not only have you protected our people. You have also led several counterattacks against the Diamond Kingdom, with a kill count reaching 50 enemy combatants.
You have also recently cleared out a dungeon and destroyed an entire Diamond Kingdom fortress. I look forward to you one day helping us push the Diamond Kingdom back even more."
That seemed to shut them up as Julius grinned at his son before he took his place with the others. The ceremony ended without a hitch as the servant directed the Knights towards the banquet hall. Julius gets a message from someone and briefly hugs Alucard, leaving a message before he too leaves.
"Here, try this, my love." Mimosa dangled a piece of food before Alucard as he silently endured. He was grateful for once that Asta was drawing all the attention as the boy chowed down with gusto.
Noelle also joined them as they started eating, and all was well until Hamon, a Golden Dawn Knight who'd been promoted starts to make comments about Asta, who proceeded to ignore him. Klaus then stands up for him when Alecdora digs into him, calling him useless for relying on the Black Bulls' assistance.
Yuno stays silent when Alcedora starts to make a comment about Mimosa, only for Alucard to glare at him. He wisely stays quiet as another voice joins the fun, "If we really wanted to talk about someone being useless, look no further than this waste of space."
Solid grinned wickedly as he poured his drink all over Noelle. Nebra sauntered over to put in her two senses as Asta finally reacted. Seeing Alucard staring, Nozel stays back as Asta starts to defend Noelle.
"Tch, learn not to speak up to your betters in your next life." Solid scoffs as he casts a spell, only for Asta to smack it right back at him. "YOU!" Alecdora then takes action. Asta then grips his swords, ready for a fight, when a suffocating pressure descends upon them all.
"How pathetic. To think my own squadmates have nothing better to do gossiping like useless vagrants as our Kingdom is beset on all sides by enemies. You, for one, should know better, Alecdora."
Alucard seems to tower over them all, as even the Captains are surprised by how much mana is pouring off of him. "B-but this peasant dared strike a Noble!" Alecdora tried to defend himself as Alucard scoffed.
"He is a Magic Knight, defending himself. What a pathetic excuse, just like you." He then snapped his gaze over to Solid and Nebra, who were trying to sneak back, "You two are even worse. Noelle was a valuable member of the dungeon mission, keeping the others safe while you two were busy being useless decorations here in the Capitol.
While you two grow fat and lazy, she's been busy working, while you only stagnate. And you call yourselves superior?"
Their faces went red in shame as Solid decided to lash out. Nozel does nothing to defend his siblings as Fuegoleon and Charlotte dig into him. Leopold then starts to laugh after Asta makes a bold claim.
"Wizard King? You? Then that makes us rivals! At least you'll put up a better fight than these pathetic things." He gives the restrained Solid and Nebra a withering glance as Nozel finally steps in.
'His mana is slightly weaker than mine.' Alucard noted as Nozel and Fuegoleon started arguing. Taking advantage of their distraction, he steps closer to the writhing forms of Solid and Nebra. "If you two idiots try this again, I won't be as lenient."
They glared at him but nodded as he let them loose, and they went to hide behind Nozel. "Thank you for doing that. You didn't have to." Noelle said quietly as a mage burst into the room, drawing more attention.
He waved her off as she went to thank Asta for standing up for her, as Mimosa slid up next to him. "How long until they get together?" She whispered as he shrugged, he couldn't care less.
Learning that the Capitol was under attack, Fuegoleon quickly took command as he started ordering people around. "This is taking too long, I need to be out there helping people!" Asta then ran out with Noelle hot on his heels as Alucard decided to follow, making sure Mimosa stayed with the others. 'Let's see what our Anti-magic friend is hiding.'