Chapter Text
“Yuno! Let me go!”
Yuno said nothing.
The dirt scraped, causing a hole, deeper to the ground with every movement. His feet dug to the ground as he tried to move forward in his captured state. Asta tried his best to leave. He wanted to be first. He wanted to win. He wanted to be better. The magic knights entrance exam, a barrier looming over them, haughtily waiting for them to overcome. A test to determine their worth.
It’s been two days since Yuno and Asta began their journey towards the capital for their exam. Most of the hours were occupied with Yuno running, trying to catch up with Asta, not wanting to get separated.
They collapsed from exhaustion, and it caused his blood to boil, both from heat and anger, when he noticed Asta getting back up again to continue.
Asta felt the front of his shirt tighten around his waist, stopping to turn to find Yuno gripping tightly to its hem, not at all keen to start moving.
“Yuno, let me go!”
Yuno said nothing. He sat silently on a rock with his head hung low from exhaustion; his hand in a tight fist, the only bit of energy left in holding Asta’s shirt firmly.
The dirt scraped as Asta moved again, trudging his feet forwards in hopes of being released, but what he didn’t expect from his effort was the sudden force of his entire body being pulled back.
It happened too quickly. In a blink, his legs slid back, his entire body dragged like a whip as he was lifted into the air to meet a skull-jamming collision with the boulders where Yuno threw him.
Asta screamed in pain as Yuno sat back down in silence. It was only a matter of time before Yuno stood up to walk away.
“Let’s go, Asta,” he said tirelessly.
That tone of his . . .
Asta sat bolt upright, rubbing his pounding head.
“Wait up! I’m coming!”
He ran towards Yuno. Furious. “I can’t believe you! Did you really just think you could decide when to walk after throwing me like that?”
Yuno stared straight ahead. “Did you think you could just decide to run on like that?” He said, not one indication to look in Asta’s direction
“You could catch up to me once you were done,” Asta said back.
“You’ll get yourself lost,” Yuno said impassively.
That made Asta’s jaw drop.
“It’s a straight path! How could you really think I would-” Asta stopped, watching Yuno walk without even batting an eye to bother listening.
It made him stop completely in his tracks. He looked down at the dirt, lips pressed stiffly to suppress his voice. “Never mind,” he muttered, mostly to himself once again. It seems like whatever he says was only for him to hear. What’s the point anymore?
Asta looked up again to find Yuno further away.
Jerk . . .
He watched. Watched and waited. He didn’t know why or how long. He only did it because of how much he had been dismissed by Yuno.
He watched that tall, slim figure, seemingly so fragile, but scarily powerful walk without a care.
Asta had no idea why he decided to wait until the idea came to him. Until his feet moved on its own before thinking. He turned left, away from the path. Into the dense jungle.
A shortcut.
A denser, harder, conceivably dangerous, but much, much quicker path.
Asta went right ahead. Yuno probably wouldn’t care. Asta doesn’t care if Yuno would. He never does. Plus, he wanted to show him. To prove him. That he’s better. Ever so much better. Right here, is another competition. He’ll reach the end first.
Sometimes it seems unfair. Between the both of them, there’s always a difference. In power or personality, it's noticeable, which is better. Which is odd. Why they are different, but yet the closes friends ever. However, between everything that collides, there’s one thing they both have. A secret.
Unsaid secrets waver between the both of them. A lying secret both never dare to speak. It had been weeks ago since Asta began to keep his.
The memory of that day, the discussion with the Black Bull’s captain about his future. The secret plan. An entire revelation of a sub-force called ‘Black Corps Division’ or what it’s better known as ‘The Black Quartz’. It all fell into place because he was at the right place at the right time. Doing the right thing that got him noticed by the Magic Knight captain, Yami.
All he did was stop a raging bandit – which the Black Bull members were apparently searching for – from getting loose and escaping with some stolen goods. It was the method Asta had done that got him noticed by Captain Yami.
And it was all because he decided to train far away from church.
He still remembers it, clear as daylight.
* * *
"Right, Yuno?!" Asta held out his fist, ready for a fist bump. “Right, Yuno?”
Asta asked, cheering as he did, that he would make it to the magic knight’s exam and pass. He felt so certain with his idea. His plan. It was so obvious that he would make it.
“Right, Yuno?”
Leaves were caught around Asta’s ankles. Roots were sticking out higher from the ground, making it difficult to avoid tripping as he ran.
“Right, Yuno?”
That last part echoed in his head. The last tone went flat, like it had already been dejected. So ashamed. So betrayed. It was embarrassing.
He felt numb as the ringing went through his head. ‘ Wrong’
He felt the aching nudge as Yuno turned away.
‘Wrong, Asta’ it said.
His inner voice filled in the gap for Yuno’s silence. Something he might only ever be right.
Asta plummeted, grabbing on to a branch with quick reflex. He swayed once before letting go. Feeling the anger surge through his legs as he hit the ground forcefully. It hurts.
He continued running. Refusing his idea of Yuno.
“I’m better,” he says out loud as birds flee from their branches. “I’ll be there first!”
* * *
Yuno walked in silence.
He didn’t bother to look behind. He didn’t need to.
He kept on walking, shoulders broad, neck and chin straight up. The path ahead was long but plain simple. It’s all straight and boring. Nothing to see ahead but the overhead leaves drooping from its branches. He’s nearly there. Finally, at last.
* * *
A branch gave way as Asta crashed to the ground. His idea of jumping from branch to branch was incredibly effective until this moment. He cursed at the sight of blood on his arm. He wiped it away, despite the stinging pain he felt.
He let the blood drip, pushing himself forward as he ran. He can’t let anything stop him. He needs to show him.
He needs to show Yuno that he’s better.
* * *
Everything was silent. It’s been a while. He’s still walking. The comfortable silence Yuno felt a while ago is now uncomforting. It’s unnerving that Asta would be this quiet for so long.
Why was that?
Yuno bit his lip, keeping himself from turning around. Was Asta sulking behind him? He can’t imagine Asta giving him the silent treatment. It’s not like him. But why would he?
Did something happen? Was it something he said? Or the way he acted? Yuno couldn’t help the growing feeling in him. The guilt penetrated him like a black mass catching on to his legs and making its way to his chest. He wasn’t even sure if guilt was something he meant to feel. But it’s all over him now.
It was after throwing Asta on the boulder as Yuno recalled. And he nearly flinched from the memory image replaying in his head.
It was painful. Did he . . . no. He refused the idea. He couldn’t have. It’s not like him.
Yuno had to dismiss the word that’s slowly making its way to his throat.
No. Yuno had his palm on his forehead. No.
Did he . . . hurt him? No-
But the pain infiltrated him, deepening through his chest. He’s in denial.
He couldn’t take it. And the word surged out of his mouth before he even expected.
He turned around.
“Asta?”
* * *
“Asta.”
“No last name?”
“No”
“Right then, Asta.”
His name was finished with smoke disappearing into air.
“You’re good,” the man said, his voice deeply hoarse. “Physically good.”
All Asta remembered was standing there, in awe. The first person, a stranger, a captain, to acknowledge him. His strength.
A bird squawked; wings flapped forcefully, causing the leaves to sway as it took off. Asta deterred, avoiding collision as he shouted to himself, ‘I’m good! I really am good!”
He smiled from the memory.
“You’re skilled,” Yami continued. “How long have you been doing this?”
Asta looked up, confused at first but answered, “I’ve been training with my sword for about six months after I got my grimoire.” – but that only made Yami shake his head, making him ask again.
“And how long have you been pulling off stunts like that?”
The motion of how Asta managed to maneuver quickly; solely with his feet and the power jump to block off the thief with his sword was deemed a stunt to Yami’s eyes. A stunt he recognised and knew the origins of it from his home country.
“Stunt?” Asta was confused again. “I’ve never done stunts before.”
That made Yami’s eyes widen and Asta began to wonder if he said something wrong.
He wasn’t accustomed in conversing with people outside of his village.
Surprise, bewilderment or perhaps amusement was what Asta figured to be hidden behind those fierce eyes he’s looking at. He waited for the captain to speak but the only thing met was the incessant eyes boring at him.
“Never?”
Finally.
It was only one word, but Asta picked it up immediately.
“No, it’s my first.”
The eyes haven’t moved and Asta waited again as Yami pondered. He seemed like he was trying to recall something, as his eyes seemed unfocused for a second before he leaned lower for Asta’s sake.
“You seem promising.” He pulled out a silver badge from his pocket. “You know of the Magic Knight Squads, kid?”
Asta had his eyes focused on the silver bull badge the instant it left the captain’s black pocket and immediately snapped his eyes back up.
“Yes, sir!” Asta proclaimed. “I plan to take the entrance exam and become a magic knight!”
He found himself staring at the captain’s eyes widening once more. “Really?”
“Yes!” Asta said. “Sir.”
It seemed like the captain looked at him in a certain way once again. Everything about him was large. His face looked rough and tight, and Asta could tell he’s about to speak by the muscle twitch on his face. “I don’t sense any magic from you.”
There it was and his heart felt cold for a second. Asta feared for this to happen and wished he never had to expect it. But it was a reality he faced. Everyone would ask the same.
‘Where’s your magic?’
He hated it.
The feeling only ever began to grow after Yuno’s interaction with him before. The way he walked away . . . from the fist bump . . . from the grimoire ceremony. It was like being thrown into cold water and finally waking to reality.
But even after all that, they still acknowledge each other as rivals.
Asta, felt an inner glow of warmth from the thought. But there’s a twinge of something murky in it too.
Here, he promised the dream and rivalry between him and Yuno to never fall. But something, deep down, had him wonder if Yuno had ever been genuine.
It may be out of pity . . .
He doesn’t have magic.
Yuno isn’t dense to figure out the rivalry might not last . . .
“I know,” Asta said as he gulped the bulge in his throat from the mere memory. “But no matter what, I wouldn’t let that stop me. I don’t want my difference to be what stops me from achieving my goal.”
Asta looked at the captain, “I want to show them that I can do it.”
He wants to show Yuno that he can do it.
Yami smiled, “And what’s your dream?”
“To become the Wizard King.”
For a moment, it was the staring all over again. Yami’s eyes were transfixed, like there was something he remembered until his eyes focused once again as he burst out laughing.
The leaves shook as Asta hopped from one branch to another, smiling at the reminiscence.
“You’re making me laugh, kid!” Yami guffawed as Asta noticed the passersby glancing in their direction.
The captain got himself to calm down as he looked Asta in the eye. “You’re good.” He took in another cigarette as Asta watched him intently. “And I have an offer for you.”
Asta’s eyes immediately brightened. He didn’t know what he was in for.
“You want to be a magic knight,” Yami stated. “You’re lucky to know that my squad has a sub-force.”
Asta arched his brow questioningly, “Sub-force?”
Is that still a magic knight?
Yami straightened his back, standing taller. “Do you know which squad I’m the captain off?”
One look of the robe had Asta already figure it out long ago, “You’re the Black Bulls captain,” he answered. “The worst known squad in the- AH!”
Asta wasn’t able to finish his sentence the moment he received a splitting headache from a fierce grip tightening around his head. He looked up to see Yami’s hand stretched out.
“Shut it.” Yami’s voice went a notch lower and deep.
“Y-yes, sir!” Asta said instantly, feeling his hand loosen around his head.
Yami explained to him about the Black Bulls squad and it’s sub-force. A secret. A smaller but equally important group just as the magic knights. A spy group.
“No one else knows about it?” Asta was surprised.
He hadn’t known there would be a sub-force hidden under the Black Bulls. He was told that only the members of the squad and the Wizard King are aware of this hidden group.
“The Black Quartz,” Yami breathed out a line of smoke, “Is a hidden corps that works under the Black Bulls squad. They are a team of skillful warriors and espionage. They are stealthy in what they do. No matter what it is, their number one rule is to never get caught.”
Asta was in awe. He felt like there was an opening in his life. Something that always seemed possible for Yuno and never him. But now, there’s an opportunity given. All because of what he can do. Because of what he is. He’s been noticed, and by a magic knight captain of all people. He smiled. He has never been this lucky. Not at all.
“And you,” Yami continued. “You have the qualities of one.”
At that moment, Asta couldn’t breathe, as if the moment would vanish if he did.
Yami brought the silver badge closer to his face. “What do you say?”
Asta didn’t say anything. He stared at the badge, feeling his eyes burn from happiness.
Yami decided to help him make this quick. He took Asta’s right hand and planted the badge in his palm. He stood straighter, “Join the Black Quartz.”
For a moment, all Asta could do was stare at the badge in his palm. He couldn’t register that something this good happened to him in a matter of a few minutes. All because of the little issue between him and Yuno. Because of the anger in him that pushed him to train far from the village.
And now, he’s staring at an honorary badge that belonged to him. An offer. A gateway to a promising future. He was accepted.
Asta stayed quiet, blinking back tears. “Thank you, sir.”
* * *
It was all planned. Yami knew no other captain would select Asta in their squad after the magic knight’s examination. That was why, Asta would still go, as planned, for the sake of normality, so no one, especially Yuno would not get suspicious if he were to suddenly declare he got into a squad without going through the examination in the first place. No one else should know. None.
Yami would select Asta, as planned, into the Black Bulls. And once everything is concluded, Asta would follow Yami to the secret base of The Black Quartz soon after.
The tress grew less dense, and the path ended to a cliff. Asta ran, smiling largely. His feet stopped right at the edge of the cliff, dust and bits of dirt fell as he moved away to take in the majestic view of the Royal Capital in the distance.
“I can see it!” he said aloud to himself, looking around. “And I’m first!”
* * *
Shit, shit, shit.
Yuno travelled back to the boulder in a flurry. He nearly stopped his wind magic mid-air finding Asta nowhere near it. He only hovered in the air for a second before dashing back, busily scanning the trees as he flew by with great speed.
He couldn’t find Asta and tried not to worry himself too much. It was only moments later that he found himself near a clearing and cursed at himself. He reached the end of the jungle within minutes.
His eyes caught the Royal Capital in view and Yuno nearly cursed out loud until something caught his eye. He nearly choked.
Right there, from the view he had, he spotted a figure at the edge of the cliff. That damn figure seemed to be celebrating himself and Yuno didn’t have to think twice who that was.
Something stirred up in him.
“That guy . . .” he hissed, diving down in an instant.
* * *
The thrilling joy Asta had moments ago was immediately relinquished as his entire body froze from a paralysing force. His eyes flew wide in terror, and he couldn’t get in enough air no matter how hard he was gasping for it.
The impact Yuno had as he dove down, boots pointed towards Asta’s shoulder in great speed was nothing but paralysing shock for poor Asta.
“Wha-” Asta choked, eyes falling wide on Yuno.
Yuno only narrowed his eyes at him, not bothering. “What was that for? Do you have any idea – what you were doing?”
Asta tried his best to slow his breathing down, “Doing-“ gasping once again, “What?”
“You left,” Yuno said blatantly. “Without telling me.”
“So?” Asta sat up straighter, steadying his breathing as he looked at Yuno closely. For some reason, Yuno looked a little out of it. His hair was more wildly loose. Like he had been chased. He’s completely flustered.
“So?” Yuno shot back, eyes darkening. “I thought – Asta, you were missing.”
“Well,” Asta stood up, brushing the dust off. “I took a detour through the jungle” – Yuno darkened his gaze at him even more and it caused a fleeting chill through his spine – “and got here first.”
“You left without telling –“
“And that bothered you?” Asta pointed, stopping him.
Yuno went silent. He didn't know why he said it. He didn't know why he's acting this way. It fleetingly had him consider through it too. It wasn’t like him to bother. His lips were pressed, hoping he could evade the answer.
“Asta-”
“You think I would get myself lost,” Asta cuts in, saying it like a fact. A plain statement.
Yuno’s brows arched lower as if the mere fact which he himself thought so irritated him when Asta mentioned it. He could see the faint morose on Asta's face.
Meanwhile, Asta continued to make his point, “You think I can’t take care of myself. That I always find something to screw over. You think I can never get it right on my first try.” Asta felt his throat tighten and stopped himself immediately. It felt far out of place to feel this sudden twitch of emotion. He was happy moments ago . . . and now?
“Whatever,” Asta looked up. “I can do it, Yuno. I’ll show you.”
Asta felt he might have said too much but it’s not like he could take it back. Yuno had been emitting this perception of wilfulness towards him. Which was in a way true.
But he couldn’t stand the idea that Yuno, of all people, would plant that word on him.
And right now, Yuno reacted. It was weird. It startled Asta. He didn’t know what caused the effect to have Yuno’s eyes widen so sudden. His heart lurched, as if telling him it was a mistake for whatever he said and that he really did screw over.
For some time, it seemed like Yuno wanted to get closer. But he didn’t.
“What would I say to the others at Church if I couldn’t find you?”
What would he say to himself?
Asta rolled his eyes. “Like I’d get myself lost. Come on, Yuno. I know better.”
Yuno stayed silent. What other excuse could he say to avoid the truth?
“It’s careless, Asta.”
Asta folded his arms. “How old do you think I am?”
“I’m not absent-minded.” Yuno casually pointed out to the scratches on Asta’s arm to which he instantly hid behind his back.
Asta couldn’t get what was Yuno’s deal. It frustrated him. All he did was leave the split second he could and make it out the forest before him. For him, he wanted to be first. It was just a race. However, Yuno wasn’t angered from loosing. But, it was not being told that he left his side . . .
“You –“ Asta’s jaw dropped, the epiphany struck him. “You were worried?
Asta watched Yuno lose it for a split second. His lips suddenly tightened. He looked angered. Asta had always presumed Yuno's face was built like that. Like he didn’t want to be disturbed.
Ever since he grew out the childlike round face and began looking a lot more mature with those hard features. It always brought on that look of indifference. No one could argue.
But now, his entire features were tight. Causing them seemingly more pronounced. His lips parted, readying for a retort.
“Asta-“
“You were worried about me?” Asta didn’t want Yuno to deter whatever he might have said. There was nothing but silence in the air until it hit him.
Then and there, Yuno had figured out what bothered him. And he hated to admit it. The secret he held; he can’t face it. He refused to.
Asta watched Yuno walk towards him. It caused an inexplicable squeeze around his chest, like he was holding his breath, until he found Yuno walk right past him.
“Let’s go, Asta.”
In one quick step, Yuno was ahead of him again. Asta punched Yuno’s shoulder. “You actually have a heart, you damn jerk. Stop acting so cold.”
Yuno looked his way, narrowly stopping his smile midway before he turned back forwards once again. Facing the breathtaking view of the Capital from afar.
“Try and keep up,” he said, through the wind. The grass seemed even greener as Yuno took a step, walking down the path. “This time, I won’t go searching for you if you’re not with me.”
Asta laughed to himself. “I never asked you to in the first place.” But it seemed like he said it more to himself once again as Yuno was further away, unable to hear it.
Asta gave a wry smile, moving quicker to match Yuno’s pace behind.
It’s funny that it’s back to how it was before. Asta chuckled instead, not at all contempt.
Both of them, heading to the same place. The same exam. Both with a secret, unable to tell. Where will it all fall in place for the future none can tell. But what they both know is the present to where they’re headed. And that’s what they are willing to focus on now.