Morning came too fast.
Asta jolted upright as a loud boom rocked the base. Something—someone—was screaming, and he smelled smoke.
Again.
He dashed outside his room.
In the hallway, Magna cackled while tossing explosive fireballs at Luck, who gleefully dodged and retaliated with bolts of lightning.
"WHAT IS HAPPENING?!" Asta shouted.
Vanessa passed by wearing nothing but a robe, sipping wine like this was all perfectly normal. "Morning, sugar," she winked.
Noelle stood by the wall, arms crossed, water magic bubbling at her side. "Idiots. All of them."
She looked at Asta—and blinked. Her eyes lingered just a moment too long on his bare chest before she scowled and looked away.
"Put a shirt on, peasant."
Okay, Asta thought, maybe she's not totally immune.
"Time for your first mission," Yami announced that afternoon, kicking the door open and making everyone jump.
Asta blinked. "Wait—already?"
Yami tossed him a scroll. "We've got a request from Saussy Village. Boar infestation. Kill them all."
Magna cracked his knuckles. "That's my old hometown! I'll take the brat."
Asta lit up. "You mean—this is my first real job as a Magic Knight?!"
Magna smirked. "Don't screw it up."
Yami grunted. "And if you die, don't bother coming back."
Traveling with Magna was wild.
They rode a broom—Magna's special ride—and Asta, of course, couldn't fly on his own. So he clung to Magna for dear life.
"HOW IS THIS THING STABLE?!" he screamed as they dipped and weaved through the sky.
Magna laughed. "It's not!"
When they arrived in Saussy, Asta couldn't believe the destruction—wild boars twice his size ravaging crops and terrorizing villagers.
He drew his massive anti-magic sword. "Let's go!"
The fight was a blur of sweat, speed, and shouting.
Boars charged. Magna's fireballs flew. Asta swung his blade like a man possessed. They worked in sync—surprisingly well.
By sunset, the village was safe.
The grateful villagers surrounded them, offering food and thanks. One girl even hugged Asta, which made him blush hard.
"I-it's nothing," he stammered, "just doing my job!"
Magna leaned over. "You get used to the attention, squirt."
But as the moon rose, the grateful smiles faded.
A dark presence loomed.
A new figure stepped from the shadows, cloaked in mystery and magic.
"You two... are Magic Knights?"
His mana was immense.
This guy's not a random bandit, Asta realized. This is something else.
The man grinned. "Let's see what you're made of."
A spell surged toward them—dark, twisted, and full of killing intent.
Asta gritted his teeth and raised his sword—