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Chapter Text

There were many things going through Noelle's mind. She had always been an introspective person, the type of person who thought coldly and analyzed every possibility before making a decision. This fact also meant that she was indecisive, and therefore, she would almost always get lost in her thoughts. Regardless, she always found an answer to her dilemmas, or at least felt that she was close to deciding. The situation she found herself in at this very moment, however, was perhaps the most complex in the water mage's life, in which she found herself needing answers for at least a month, that is, since the end of the battle in Spade. After all, she loves Asta. But what now? 

A month had passed since the end of the long, bloody, and arduous battle against the Zogratis brothers. The Clover Kingdom, as well as Heart, Spade, and Diamond were at mutual peace, the latter undergoing a revolution led by Mars and Fana while also picking up the pieces of Zenon Zogratis' attacks. Noelle and Asta had become significantly stronger, their companions had survived, and now they could smile with them again. There was a rare moment of peace in the entire chaotic history of the mana-shrouded world, and in truth, the anti-mage didn't get used to it much, continuing his daily training at an insane pace — he knew he couldn't relax, Yuno wouldn't relax either. The training also helped to take away the thoughts and dilemmas that Asta was going through at that moment. The anti-mage, unlike Noelle, had never been one to think too much about things, but the situation in front of him was invading his mind and didn't want to let go — he felt that there was something wrong with Noelle.

Normally, the silver-haired princess spent most of her days by the anti-mage's side, whether on missions or at the HQ, talking or training together. Laughing, having fun with Asta. Being who she truly is, without the need for ties or external pressure that dictates how royalty should be or behave. With Asta, she could be Noelle, in fact, before she was a Silva. But that had changed since the end of the war. 

She couldn't even make eye contact with Asta, her face would turn red just by getting close to the anti-mage. On missions where they went together, she would remain reserved for most of the mission, only approaching Asta to share relevant information. They no longer talked alone about anything, no matter what the subject was. She even had difficulty saying good morning to him, in Asta's eyes she seemed uncomfortable by his side. This affected Asta more than he thought. As time passed, thoughts and more thoughts hammered in the anti-magic user's head, taking away his sleep and peace. 

"What did I do?" 

"Did I say something wrong?" 

"Does she hate me?" 

He had never thought so much. It was natural for the anti-magic user to do things using his instinct and say the first words he saw in his head. Lately, however, he couldn't stop thinking — did he do or say something to her? Suddenly, his thoughts were all about Noelle, all day, every day. Asta didn't want to admit it, but something had changed in his heart in those 6 months in the Heart Kingdom, he no longer saw Noelle the same way he used to. But he wasn't sure what had changed, why he felt warmer when he was next to the princess, why his eyes immediately locked onto hers and didn't leave until further notice. After all, his heart belonged to Sister Lily... Right? 

This was just another dilemma for the anti-magic user's collection of uncertainties. He had never been surrounded by so many doubts before, and it changed him more than he would like to admit. Asta didn't smile anymore. Something that was so common for Asta, that he did it every day without fail, when he realized that he was waking up to another day. And so the smile remained. Vibrant and full of life. Of happiness or excitement. Asta was always smiling, the smile that captivated everyone so much, that captivated Noelle in a special way. She also noticed... Something was wrong with Asta. 

The anti-mage tried his best to not let his frustration show on a daily basis, but he visibly failed in this goal. He was no longer the first to say good morning to everyone, he no longer laughed at Magna and Luck's daily fights at breakfast, his predominant expression was now serious, empty, like someone oblivious to reality and lost in thought. Everyone noticed his sudden change in personality immediately, as the happy and relaxed mood of the Black Bulls was severely affected by the absence of Asta's happiness. They asked him: 

"What happened, honey?" 

"Hey, Rasta, you okay there, man?" 

"Let's fight, Asta! That way you'll get better quickly!" 

But Asta insisted that everything was fine, his voice dry and hoarse, like someone who was trying to find a way out of the situation to immerse yourself in your own thoughts. Of course he wasn't fine. Noelle noticed his change before anyone else did. He no longer invited her to train with him, he didn't respond to her in the same happy way as before, his voice was weaker, dejected when he addressed her. This left her deeply shaken. Noelle didn't know what was happening, but something told her that it was her fault. Damn it, she wanted to find the right words to tell him how much she loved him, but she just didn't know how, when, and where to do it. No one had ever taught her what to do in this situation. She, an avid reader of books, didn't find answers in her readings either. In fact, the novels she read made everything seem so easy — it wasn't. 

What was a dilemma for the silver-haired princess had become a matter of life or death, because seeing Asta like that was hurting her, more than anyone else. As if the days for her were no longer sunny. Because there was no way her day would be brightened without that smile. Without that idiot with that stupid smile, that she loves so much. 

The silver-haired princess and the magicless peasant then decide to enlist the help of, perhaps, the only ones who could give them appropriate advice and truly put an end to their doubts. That night, just before dinner, Asta and Noelle meet with Finral and Vanessa in their respective rooms, in order to understand what the hell is happening to one and the other, to themselves, and then, what to do.

_______________Vanessa's Room__________________

Vanessa was touching up her makeup when she felt the aquatic mage's mana standing in front of her room, already imagining what she was about to do. 

'So, you're finally going to talk about it... Well done, girl.' She quickly leaves the lipstick on the table and heads towards the door. Noelle finally gathers her courage and knocks on Vanessa's door, who opens it immediately. 

"Hi, Noelle, dear... How can I help?" 

"Hi, Vanessa... Well, I actually wanted to talk to you. It's about..." 

"...Asta, of course?" 

Noelle blushes effusively at Vanessa's suggestion, after all, she hit the nail on the head. 

"H-how do you know?" 

"Pf... Pfft! Hahahaha" Vanessa tried, but couldn't contain a fit of laughter. 

"I-It's not funny, Vanessa!" Noelle says pouting and stomping her feet on the floor, like a child begging for an expensive toy. 

"Oh, I'm sorry, dear... It's just that you have no idea how much you look like two lovebirds who don't know how to express their love." 

Noelle's eyes widen slightly in reaction, her cheeks turning slightly pink. 

'Actually, I think that's exactly the case.' Vanessa quickly infers.

"But come, my dear, sit down... And tell me everything. You don't even need to tell me that I'll keep it a secret, you know you can count on your big sister." 

Noelle knows she made the right choice by opening up to Vanessa. The alcoholic witch is, in fact, a very attentive person, with an enormous sense of protection, in addition to knowing much more about feelings than the water magician. Like a protective older sister Noelle never had. "Thank you, Vanessa..."

The royal is now sitting with Vanessa on the bed, searching for the right words. 

"Tell me, dear, did Asta make you upset? Because I don't care how strong that boy is, if he hurt your heart, then I'll try to teach him a lesson!" 

Noelle suddenly finds herself wondering how exactly Vanessa would do this, imagining a scenario where Vanessa would slap Asta's ass with her sneaker.

'No way...' 

"Th-thank you, Vanessa, but don't worry, Asta didn't do anything... Asta isn't the same anymore... And I somehow think it's my fault..." 

Noelle looks down, dejected, before continuing. 

"I didn't want to admit it... Part of me as a royal couldn't believe it, but mostly, I know that the Clover royals would never accept it, the Silva House... But who can I kid, right? I love Asta... I realized it on the battlefield, in Spade. His mere presence makes me so happy, so calm, I feel safe, I feel like I can do anything. I definitely... I'm in love with him... And I wouldn't mind confronting any barriers to live by his side... But..." 

Tears begin to form in the princess's purple eyes. 

"What's the point, right...? He doesn't think the same, I know... He loves that nun who raised him... And who am I to say anything?... It's just... It hurts..." Tears calmly run down Noelle's face. Vanessa quickly hugs the aquatic mage. 

"Do you really think so? Honey..." 

Noelle widens her eyes and looks deeply at Vanessa, searching for answers. 

"W-what do you mean?" 

"Did you notice that Asta never talked about marrying that nun again?" 

Noelle stops to think quickly, and it's true. A little over a year ago, Asta had always made it clear that his heart belonged to Sister Lily. However, the anti-mage had not made that declaration lately, not even when he had the chance. 

"Well, at least I haven't heard him say that since you guys came back from Heart. Actually, Noelle, if there's one girl Asta never misses an opportunity to compliment, it's you...! He keeps saying that your magic is amazing, that you are very strong. On missions, he never leaves your side. When you are on a mission without him, he becomes agitated and anxious, constantly asking if you have returned yet. Besides, he obviously doesn't seem to be doing well without your company, dear..." 

Noelle’s eyes shine, her heart beats faster, her life seems to have joy again. She had never thought of it that way, but Vanessa didn’t say anything unrealistic. She had never thought of this possibility, but… What if he likes her back? 

"Do you think...?" 

"Of course! Well, it's true that the boy is extremely dense and he probably doesn't even know what love is, but time passes and people grow up, one day he'll realize that nuns can't get married, don't you think? And it's my guess, but I think what Asta feels is a common affection for the woman who took care of him when he was a child, and the poor thing thought it was love... Isn't that just how Asta is? Hahaha!" 

"I had never thought of it that way... Thank you, Vanessa! But there's something else..." 

"You may speak, my dear..." 

"Well, I don't know if you noticed, but Asta is acting strange, I've never seen him smile again. He's Asta! How is that possible? H-he too... Now he responds to me almost without emotions, and I know that there's something wrong, he's not like that... But I think it's my fault, because you know... Ever since I realized I love that idiot, I can barely say good morning to him without blushing or stuttering... I feel like I've moved further away from him, and for a while now, I feel like he's moving away too... What do I do, Vanessa? I'm so confused..." 

'Have you been keeping it all this time?... Oh, darling...' 

"Noelle... He's probably just as confused as you are. You two used to be so close, and suddenly you can't even look for him more. The way he is, he must be beating himself up for thinking he did or said something wrong to you..." 

Vanessa releases the hug to grab Noelle's hands while looking deeply into her eyes, and says seriously. 

"I really think you should talk to him, Noelle. And you should tell him how you feel. Don't be afraid, sweetheart, I know everything will work out, you might not imagine how much Asta cares about you, I think he's now discovering how much you're missed in his daily life, and it's obvious how deflated he seems these days. You can do it darling, everything will be fine, trust me.” 

"Thank you, Vanessa... You're the best! I know what I have to do now..." Noelle hugs her favorite witch. 

"You're welcome, my dear! I'm always here to help you. And I repeat: if that little boy hurts you, I'll be ready to teach him a lesson, even if he was the Wizard King!" 

Noelle, with a disconcerting smile, imagines Vanessa slapping Asta's palm with a ruler, with the anti-mage in a Wizard King costume and his crown.

'No chance.'

__________________Finral Room____________________

Finral had just taken Yami for an emergency dump, and he was exhausted, as he used his space magic a lot, such as visiting his brother Langris and his suitor Finnes. He would rest for a while until he heard a knock on his door. Since he doesn't sense any mana nearby, he quickly concludes that it can only be the anti-mage, and he also has a hunch about what he wants. 

'Come on, man... What's going on?' 

The space wizard soon opens the door to reveal an Asta with a serious look, a low posture, which was very different from the usual Asta. 

"Hi, Finral-senpai... Sorry to bother you, but could I... Talk?" 

"What are you talking about, Asta! Haha, of course you can, man! Get in there." 

Asta enters Finral's room, who sits on a chair but on the contrary, resting his arms on the back as he watches an uneasy Asta. 

"Sit down there, Asta." 

"No, thank you Finral-senpai. I prefer to stand..." 

Asta starts to walk from side to side, while holding a hand over his chin. 

"Okay then... Tell me Asta, what do you want to talk about, and why is it about Noelle?" 

The anti-mage immediately stops walking, and looks at Finral as if he had seen a ghost. 

"About Noelle? N-no, I mean, yes! Wait, how do you know?" Asta asks Finral, his face turns slightly red, and the space mage is just amused by the anti-mage's indecision. 

"It's not funny, Finral-senpai..." 

"I'm sorry, Asta! But it's just so obvious, man. You two spend so much time together, and then suddenly you don't anymore, and it's visibly affected you. How could it be anything else?" 

Asta was ready to correct the statement from Finral, but there was nothing wrong. The space mage simply described the situation. 

"Come on, Asta... What happened between you?" 

"I don't know either, Finral-senpai... That's the problem." Asta imposes weakly as he looks down, searching for answers. 

"Everything was normal before the war, but after... I feel like Noelle has moved away from me. She can't even look at me, I think that I'm making her uncomfortable, but I really don't know what I did to make her like this... And it's making me really upset..." 

"Asta... You like Noelle, don't you?" 

Asta is startled by the question and almost falls back, his eyes widening in disbelief as the anti-mage composes himself. After all, the only woman in his heart is Sister Lily... Or... 

"L-like? You mean, as a friend? Of course, Noelle is really cool, she's strong, she's smart and–" 

"No, Asta. I mean if you REALLY like Noelle. In a romantic way." 

Romance. Love. Marriage. Things that Asta didn't have much knowledge of, he didn't know where it came from or how it started. A very abstract concept for the magician of the 5 leaves. He, however, knows that a few months ago he would answer Finral's question with a big and intrepid 'NO', with no room for error, because he was convinced that he loved Sister Lily. Right now, however... 

"I... I don't know. For as long as I can remember, I loved Sister Lily, and I was sure I would marry her. Or at least I thought I loved her... I don't know much about love, actually, I don't know anything. And then, I joined the Black Bulls, I met Noelle... She was... Different. Some might find her arrogant, but I knew, something told me, she was very far from being such a person. I was right. Noelle has such a kind heart..." 

Asta finally seems to snap out of his dull state and now actually looks like "Asta." Emotional. Honest. Finral watches the anti-mage as he lets him say whatever he wants. 

"Time passed, and we went through so much thing, we became so strong. I always thought her magic was so amazing, but damn, who knew she would turn out so strong and cool! Suddenly, I couldn't see myself without her anymore. That time we spent in Heart, it was during that time that I started to see her differently, as if time stops when I'm by her side. And nothing else mattered. And when I'm by her side, I feel more... Alive. But still... I don't know if this is love. I don't think it's right to assume anything, because I said for so long that I would marry the sister, but I don't know if the same feelings for her are still there, so I'm just... Confused. I don't know, Finral-senpai." Asta finishes with a doubtful expression, his brow slightly furrowed. 

"Asta... You like her. It seems very obvious to me. I don't need to be an expert to notice this. Anyway, this is something you have to discover for yourself, I can't put words in your mouth. Don't worry about your old feelings for Lily, man, she's old enough to be your mother (she is, in a way)! Plus, she's a nun. But either way, the answer to all your questions is up to you to find. And when you find out, tell Noelle. He deserves to know." 

"Thank you, Finral-senpai, but it wouldn't help... Noelle can't even look at me, I don't know what I did, but she must hate me now." Asta says, his fists clenched, his gaze downcast expressing his frustration. 

"Asta... Don't tell me you didn't realize that by now." 

"What are you talking about, Finral-senpai?" 

"Man... She likes you. Noelle really likes you, Asta. She loves you! Do you want me to draw? This is so obvious, man! Hahahah!” 

Asta feels like he's going back in time, trying to remember Noelle these past few weeks. Your ki. Noelle's ki was so messed up when she was around Asta. Could it be... Is that it? Does she like him? The anti-mage would never think of that hypothesis, but now he knows, it could be true. But Asta, in disbelief, prefers to take the pessimistic side of the story. 

"B-but, Finral-senpai, it doesn't make sense! Noelle feels so uncomfortable when I'm around... This can't be... L-love, right?" 

"Maybe she's not exactly uncomfortable, Asta... Maybe, she wants to tell you something, something that isn't easy for her to tell you. If I were to make a guess, I'd say that she's trying to tell you, that she he likes from you man! But she doesn't know how to do that, so when you're around, she gets really embarrassed. Anyway, forget any nonsense about her 'hating' you, that has no chance of being true, okay? When you got sick at Heart, she stayed with you the entire time she wasn't training! She cares about you more than you know, Asta..." 

And is truth. Asta didn't want to admit it, but it makes sense. This would explain why the princess's face turns red around him, and why her ki becomes so unstable. The fact is that something was happening to Noelle, and Asta realizes that, in fact, the hypothesis of her hating the anti-mage just like that doesn't make sense. Asta realizes... Noelle may actually have feelings for him. And he doesn't know if that it is good. He doesn't know if these are reciprocal feelings on his part. He doesn't know if he really doesn't feel anything for Sister Lily anymore (has he ever?). It was a complicated dilemma for the anti-mage, who was not used to reasoning, in fact. The only absolute certainty he has at this moment is just one: He doesn't want to ruin everything. 

"You two... There's a lot to talk about. You need it. But first, think about it Asta. Think about your feelings. In what you feel when Noelle is by your side, what you feel when she's not. Eventually the answer will appear and then, be honest. Tell her what you're feeling. This kind of thing, most of the time, is simpler than it seems, Asta, you just need to have the courage to face it. As if it were a... Battlefield? Haha, actually If you looked at it like that I think it would end very quickly! Maybe I would say something different if the situation were different, but since it's the two of you... I'm 99% sure that all you need to do is be honest with each other and have a good conversation!" 

Finral had changed a lot since the day Asta met him. There was only room for his betrothed Finnes in the space wizard's heart, who never he threw himself at no woman, even with the sudden popularity of the Black Bulls. Finral also didn't complain about the missions or feel afraid, because now he knew: he had to be strong to protect those he loved. Asta is happy to know that he chose the right person to talk to, because if there's one thing that hasn't changed about Finral, it's his kindness. 

"Thank you, Finral-senpai...! Now I understand... I'll think carefully about what I'm going to do." 

"I'm always here for my teammates. Everything will be fine, Asta." 

The two wizards heard the sound of the bell ringing, which indicated that dinner was ready. 

"Ahhh, I'm so hungry! Today is pasta! Do you want a ride, Asta?" Finral invites Asta to enter the portal that would take him to the dinner table immediately. 

"No, thank you Finral-senpai... But I prefer to walk, you know, I think better in that way." 

"Okay then, you know!" The space mage nods to the anti-mage before teleporting to the cafeteria. 

Asta then starts walking to the cafeteria. The anti-mage remembers the advice he just heard from Finral, and reflects on what to do with it. 

'Thinking about my feelings...' 

He remember that Father Orsi always said that 'a woman changes a man'. He also remembers asking, when he was 7 years old, if no woman had changed him. 

__________________10 years ago___________________

"Of course there was, little Asta... But the best path is not always the one in front of us. The one we take for granted. Life always surprises. Things happened, and God showed me the path that made me turn Father, something I'm very proud of, although I also have to take care of you ungrateful brats!" Father Orsi said with his usual crying face. 

"Don't say that, Father! I always remember you when it's your turn to clean the bathroom!" 

"See what I'm saying!" 

Father Orsi stops whining and observes Asta, who seems to be really serious. He usually didn't ask things like that to him. The priest reflects for a while. 

"Love is beautiful, Asta... Even if I explained it, you wouldn't understand. But one day, you will understand." 

"Of course I will! I'll become the Wizard King, there's nothing I can't do, and then I'll marry Sister Lily!" 

"Hahahah, of course, Asta..." The Priest gets up from his chair, and takes a Santa hat to put on Asta's head. 

"Happy Christmas, Asta." Says the priest, smiling solemnly. 

"Merry Christmas, Father!"

_________________At the moment__________________

'I never thought it would be so complex... Has Father Orsi ever had these doubts?' The anti-mage wonders. 

'Enough of remembering the past, I have to focus on the problem in front of me! What does Noelle means...' 

Asta closes his eyes for a moment, and his mind forms an image of Noelle, remembering various moments, in various situations, places and occasions. The anti-mage was searching for what Noelle really meant to him. He couldn't make a mistake, or could he dodge, hide. He would overcome his limits and find the answer right now. 

'Noelle is...' 

The anti-magician feels his face heat up, as his mind forms an image of Noelle looking deeply at him. No running away, no blushing, no stuttering. Noelle seemed to be looking straight into the five-leaf wizard's very soul. He had never noticed... Wow, how beautiful she is. Asta never decided on the exact color of his eyes, which were between purple and pink, but he knew it was unique in the entire world. Her beautiful pinkish-purple, purplish-pink eyes. Your eyes that they looked purple, but Asta swore they had turned pink while she was fighting Vanica, for some reason, but that just makes everything more meaningful. Her eyes that expressed the many different and discrepant emotions of the aquatic mage, feelings that only Asta could feel, only he could understand. Asta understood everything, but he also discovered that there was a lot to understand. Noelle was... 

"...Asta?" 

Asta immediately comes out of his trance, returning to the real world, where there was the aquatic mage, standing in front of him, just over 1 meter away, with those blessed eyes that stared at him so eagerly. The two wizards stood frozen in front of each other, with surprised expressions, slightly red cheeks, and their purple and green eyes that refused to leave this encounter. So they remained, speechless, without thoughts, and the HQ almost completely disappeared, as well as the staircase next to them that led to the dining table where all the Black Bulls were. By the skin of their teeth, everything did not disappear from existence to become nothing, so that only the two of them could exist. 

"Noelle..." 

It had already happened. This feeling, the heart beating like that, this breathing fickle, this instinctive desire to get closer and closer. That time in the Heart Kingdom.

_________________4 months ago___________________

It was a beautiful full moon night in the Heart Kingdom. Asta and Noelle were finishing their training, which started in the afternoon. Noelle had developed a water sword not long ago, and asked Asta to train together with her, so she could learn how to handle the blade properly, being taught by Asta, who could already consider himself a great swordsman. 

"You're doing fine, Noelle! Just try to adjust your body a litte more." Asta says while blocking the water mage's attacks. He was really impressed with the rate of evolution of Noelle, who had only been taught for 2 days. 

"Direct your shoulders towards your attack! Thus, you guarantees more precision and firmness in the blow." Asta dodges Noelle's frontal blow, which surprises the anti-magician by preparing a counterattack by turning to the opposite side, but Asta just blocks it with the Demon Dweller. 

"Remember, this is a medium two-handed sword, you can try to surprise your opponent with a quick one-handed swing, but be careful with your guard when doing this! Only do this if you are sure you will get it right." Asta says, looking fixedly at Noelle who is just below him, the two mages forcing their swords against each other, a force that makes light sparks come out of the Demon Dweller. 

"I got it, Bakasta samurai!" Noelle says smiling, rotating her hip quickly as she jumps to deliver a half-flying kick to Asta, who blocks it with his arm, the impact of the blow knocking him away from it by 3 meters. 

"Okay, okay! So how about we play a little? It's warmed up, don't you think?" Asta shows Noelle an excited smile, while half of his body is taken over by anti-magic. 

"Warm up? Haha, that wasn't even good for theory!" Noelle returns animation to Asta, while her water magic travels through her body and forms her Valkyrie Cloth. 

"Training begins now. Are you ready, princess?" 

"Royalty is born ready, silly Asta!" 

At speeds similar to light, the silver-haired princess and the magic-less commoner disappeared completely, with only the spark from the clash of their blades visible. 

An hour and a half later, they finally stop. It was around 10:15 pm when Asta and Noelle were sitting on the branch of a large tree that stood next to a huge river, which perfectly reflected the sky and the moon in a paradisiacal landscape. As the tree was born on the slope, it was shaped into a curved shape, and some of its branches led to a deep part of the river, standing exactly above, inviting whoever was on the branch to jump in for a swim. 

Asta and Noelle were at the end of the longest branch of this tree, going almost to the middle of the river, from a height of approximately 6 meters in relation to the water. 

"I never tire of being impressed by this place... It's magnificent!" Asta praises the beautiful landscape in front of him, with Noelle by his side, finishing drinking water from the skin. 

"Yes... It's spectacular..." Noelle's eyes widen, not believing how the water could be so calm to reflect the moon so perfectly. Suddenly, Asta and Noelle turn to each other, and their eyes meet again. They realize that the scene in front of them suggests several things, especially for two young people alone like themselves. Both of their faces turn slightly red, while Asta says something he would think about before saying, if he could go back in time. 

"You too..." 

"I... Also, what?" 

"I-it's... Magnificent... I say, no, I say, yes, I say..." Asta tries to correct himself while looking at all the cardinal directions and his hand goes behind his head, at this point in the championship, Noelle already looked like a tomato.

'What are you talking about, stupid Asta!' The anti-magician martyring himself internally. 

"Y-you're evolving magnificently in training, that's it, haha..." Asta looks slightly at Noelle, with a slight fear of slap he can take, but the princess is completely still. 

"A-ah yes, b-but of course, I'm royalty!" In her signature move of pulling one of her braids back.

'You could praise me more like that, you know?' The water mage stamps her foot internally. 

"W-well, I'm starving, I hope Charmy made enough food!" Asta says, trying to change the subject, his belly snoring lightly helping him. 

"And I hope Luck and Leopold don't decide to fight at dinner time again, last time they made a mess!" Noelle says, shaking her head from side to side in disapproval. 

"Yeah, I got a face full of food because of those two!" Asta speaks with a slight annoyance in his voice. 

"Pf..." Noelle tries to hold back her laughter. 

"Noelle..." Asta start, seriously. 

"Pf... Pff..." Noelle tries her best not to laugh. 

"I already said that–" 

"PFFT!! HAHAHAHAHA" The water mage fails in her attempt. 

"It's not funny..." Asta pouts and puffs out his cheek slightly, visibly irritated. 

"That was really funny, Stupidsta! You looked like a scarecrow hahaha!" 

"You know what was really funny? When they were having a mud fight and they hit you, making you look like those golems from the Witches' Forest hahahaha!" Asta remembers the occasion, but forgets how angry Noelle is about it. 

"THAT WASN'T FUNNY, ASTA..." 

The anti-magician stops laughing immediately and freezes, only one thought echoes through his mind. 'I'm dead.' 

"I... HAD JUST... TAKEN A SHOWER!!!" Noelle pushes Asta, who falls from the tree and dives into the water. 

"AHHHHHHHH, IT'S COLD, IT'S COOOOOOOLD!!!!" Asta tries to say, his voice trembling from the cold, while Noelle just laughs. 

"Stop laughing, Noelle!!! It wasn't funny, I'm freezing!!" 

"Humpf, you deserved it." 

"Ah. I deserved it, right..." Asta has a devilish smile on his face, and Noelle doesn't know what he's up to. 

"Asta, what are you..." Noelle notices small shadows around her and when she looks back, it's too late. Asta controlled the Demon Slayer with his anti-magic in a sneaky way behind Noelle, when she finally noticed, was slightly pushed with the metal part of the sword, diving into the icy waters along with Asta. 

“Hahahaha, my revenge has been completed.” Asta has a proud look on his face, his eyes with little stars. 

"C-cold... I-I'ts very c-cold, A-Asta..." Says Noelle, her eyes drooped, her arms wrapped around his body, trying to keep warm. 

She looked so shaken, vulnerable... Asta is the last human being alive who would want to leave her like this. Then, the anti-mage directed the Demon Slayer to climb up with her, leaving them above the water and hugging her tightly in order to warm her up. 

"Sorry, Noelle... It really wasn't funny..." Asta says, slightly embarrassed, no way. 

"I-I'm sorry... I didn't know the water was so cold..." Noelle hugs Asta back tightly, which makes the anti-mage even redder. 

Soon, the princess realizes what she is doing and releases Asta in fright, the two mages caught in each other's gaze once again, while the Demon Slayer leaves them above the water and in front of the full moon. The hug was no longer necessary for Noelle kept warm, she already felt her face burning and her body temperature rising rapidly. However, she couldn't take her eyes off Asta. Those emerald green eyes, which represent all the hope that the color can represent. Those eyes that represented the strength, happiness, kindness and gentleness that he, and only he, could convey. She could watch them from eternity in an ideal world, and everything would be fine. 

He, once again, was trapped in her purple eyes and with them, doubts. Purple? Pink? Why are they so perfect, so beautiful? Why does your hair look like an angel? She looks like an angel, is she one? And after all, why do I feel so hot when I'm by her side? So alive? Happy, satisfied, ethereal. 

"Asta..." 

'Do I... Like Noelle...?' 

"B-Ba..." 

'Oh, no.' Her ki was getting out of control, again. This could only mean one thing. It will hurt. 

"BAKASTAAAAAAAAAA!" She punches Asta in the chin, so hard that it takes the anti-mage to the clouds and beyond. 

"I didn't do anythingyyyyyyyyy..." Asta slowly disappears from the horizon, lamenting.

_________________At the moment__________________

The vivid memory reappears in Asta's mind like a flash in his mind, now it's like that time. He can't take his eyes off her, nothing else matters. Everything is fine. He's okay because she's okay, and that's okay. If it was just the two of them in the world, it wouldn't be bad. If there were all of them, but there was no Noelle for him, however, it would be a terror for Asta. He can't imagine himself without her anymore, it's been a while, but he only realized now. After all, what would life be like without her? Without your gaze, threatening or gentle, imposing or suggestive, serious or playful... The world without your eyes would be colorless, without your smell, it would be suffocating. The world without his voice calling him by his name, or 'bakasta', doesn't matter, because without his voice Asta would no longer hear anything. The world without her, pulling her braids back, embarrassed and punching him, it would be meaningless. It became meaningless. Because Asta loved her, and he loved every characteristic of her, her strength, her personality, her determination, her magic, her beauty, her eyes (let's say he was obsessed with her eyes), every personality trait, every strand of hair, every one of the things that formed Noelle Silva. In fact... He loves Noelle. 

And right now he would be beating himself up for taking so, so long to realize that his heart belongs to her, for so long, but he's currently too busy appreciating her beautiful amethyst eyes. 

He found the answers he wanted. The answers to all your questions, doubts, desires, dreams. Noelle Silva was the answer to everything. And now, he must tell her, finally, what she means to him. 

"Noelle... I-" 

Asta is interrupted by the scream of one of Charmy's cooking sheep, the cotton magic dwarf looking seriously at them and, unfortunately, bringing them to the real world, and removing them from the little world where there were only the two of them. Asta suddenly remembers, they were going to dinner, but honestly, he had lost his hunger. 

'Do I really need to go...?' 

"Asta, Noelle!!! The food is getting cold!!!" 

Chapter Text

That very night, Asta lost sleep. When he tried to close his eyes to sleep, his mind immediately projected that familiar face. That silver hair tied with those purple ribbons, those big purple eyes, those cross-shaped earrings that Asta thought were some kind of symbol of the Silva family — what the hell did they have to do with crosses, anyway? That low expression, those downcast eyes... 

This was disturbing the anti-mage, who just wanted to let himself be carried away by his subconscious in the hope of forgetting his problems. But it was no use. He tried changing his sleeping position. On his stomach, on his back, leaning to one side... Upside down, sitting in meditation, with his head under the pillow, under the mattress, he even tried sleeping under the bed. It was no use. 

Asta couldn't stop thinking about what he should have said to her...

________________________________________________

Dinner was over, and Noelle was walking towards her dorm. The water mage remembered when she met Asta, before they went down to dinner. He seemed... different. She knew, he wasn't the type of person to think too much about things. So what was with that hand on his chin, that face with his eyes closed, looking up as he walked? What was making Asta think so eagerly, as if he were in another world? But most of all, what was he going to say to her? He looked so serious, after all... Suddenly, there she was, deep in thought again. 

'You idiot... What are you –' 

"Noelle!" 

The princess looks back, surprised and relieved to hear that voice, which seemed excited again, as it should never have stopped being. Happy to see those green eyes, which seemed to shine again. Would this strange situation finally pass? 

"Asta..." 

It was just like that time before dinner. Asta was serious, his green eyes staring straight into her purple ones, his expression, however, indicated... Doubt? Noelle only becomes more confused. After all, what does he want to tell her so much, and why does it seem so difficult to simply say it? Is this the perfect cue for her to tell this big idiot in front of her how much she loves him? 

Asta, on the other hand, thought throughout dinner about the right words, the right way to say it, to convey his feelings for her, what he felt when he was by her side, and why that was special. Everything was ready. It was on the tip of his tongue. So why... didn't it just come out? 

"Noelle... Are you... Okay?" 'Idiot, idiot, idiot!!!' The anti-magic user blamed himself inside, after all, that wasn't really what he wanted to say. 

"Huh?" Noelle voices, doubtfully. 

"W-well, I just noticed that you ate very little at dinner... Is everything okay?" 

That wasn’t what the princess had expected. It wasn’t just lip service, though. Asta was genuinely worried that she only had half a plate for dinner, after all, he knew how much she liked noodles. But the anti-mage knew that wasn’t what he should say… Not at that moment. 

"It's okay, Asta. It's okay. It's just... I wasn't that hungry." 

No, it wasn't okay. Of course he wasn't, and they both knew it very well. Asta and Noelle have a lot to talk about, as they can no longer stand the invisible and insurmountable barrier that has been created between them, this climate of uncertainty that hurts them so much. The magicians, therefore, spent most of the dinner oblivious to reality, thinking about what to say to each other, after all. It seemed easier in Asta's plans. 

"Huh... Okay..." 

Asta runs his hand behind his head as he glances slightly to the side. The anti-mage is still searching for the words that were lost, because he doesn't know if he can bear to live like this, feeling distant from the silver-haired princess for much longer. 

"Is that all...?" 

Noelle asks, slight disappointment echoing in her voice that echoed through Asta's ears deafeningly. The anti-mage watches, his eyes wide. 

"Do you... Want to say anything else?" 

A simple sentence, with so many meanings. Noelle asked, her posture slightly lowered, her voice that sounded so melancholic, her serious eyes that expressed the intense search for answers that the water mage was going through at the moment, the princess intended to find an answer, any clue, in anything Asta said. Because for a moment she thought that Asta might have been thinking about her, all this time. For a moment, she wondered what Vanessa suggested… What if Asta also had feelings for her? 

Yes. Just yes. Asta wanted to say so many things. Now is the time. He can't bear feeling distant from her anymore. Although... The anti-mage looks deeply at Noelle, dejected. Right now... He can't. "I..." 

Fear. 'Her expression...'

Anguish. 'Your ki...'

He doesn't want to ruin it. 'She looks so...'

A whirlwind of things goes through Asta's head. He doesn't want to make things worse. There's a growing fear in Asta's heart, which stops him from simply saying that he loves her after all. He can feel it... She's waiting for an answer from him. But what if it's not what he expects? What does she expect from him with that question? Asta didn't imagine that anything he said would work for Noelle. Just hearing his voice calmed her down. Thoughts flood the anti-mage's head, and he can no longer think straight.

Asta was strong. Very strong. Physically and mentally. He never let anything get to him. But that didn’t mean he never felt fear — he was human, after all. Asta had felt different fears; not being able to become the Wizard King, losing a comrade on the battlefield… But he had never felt a fear worse than this. One that would make him stop, paralyze him. The fear of losing Noelle Silva — the fear of ruining everything between the two of them. 

"Noelle... I..." 

"I understand... There's nothing..." 

It was understood by Noelle. There was nothing for Asta to say, so there was nothing he particularly felt for her. She hated that she had come to this conclusion. The water mage understood the famous saying ‘ignorance is bliss’ now, as thinking too much was terrible. Painful. Her emotions at that moment didn’t allow her to consider whether this was too rash. The heavy atmosphere she had been raised in had guided her towards this pessimistic path. 

And then, that downward gaze. That dejected expression. It all went like a knife into the anti-mage's chest, piercing his heart and surely making him spend the night wondering what the hell he did wrong to leave her like that. 'What the... Damn...!!!' 

"In that case, I'll go, Asta... I... I need to sleep..." 

"Noelle, wait...!"

And she ran. For Asta, she ran from him. For her, she ran just to get out of this situation. The fact is, she ran to her room, her voice was shaking like Asta had never heard. And that made Asta feel like he was in pieces. The situation was critical, and the anti-mage had lost hope.

________________________________________________

"Asta, you animal... What have you done?" The anti-mage finds himself lying in the middle of the floor of his room, staring aimlessly at the ceiling, cursing himself. 

"Kekeke, you really are an animal!" Liebe appears in the form of a mini devil to be Asta's psychologist. 

"Shut up, Liebe... Leave me alone!" 

"Dude, you need to think less and act more – it feels weird to say this to you of all people, keke! You've never used your brain so much in your life, rambling so much at once isn't doing you any good. And I want to sleep, damn it!" 

"I'm sorry, but I can't help it. I just lost the woman I love, she hates me now... You wouldn't understand." 

"Don't be dramatic! I may not understand that kind of clingy love you humans have, but she just said she wanted to sleep! It's not the end of the world." 

"You see things too superficially..." 

"Keke, look who's talking!" 

Maybe Liebe was right. Maybe Asta was overthinking things. She was probably just as confused as he was right now. The situation wasn’t good, but blaming himself wouldn’t help at all. That wasn’t how Asta solved his problems. 

"Look... If you want advice, you better talk to her right now. If you're indecisive about what to say, if you're afraid of everything going wrong... Fuck it! Has that ever stopped you? Are you really the Asta I know or are you a weakling? Because the Asta I know always exceeds his limits." 

Liebe is right. No one would recognize Asta at that moment, defeated, lost, adrift. What would Yuno say? Captain Yami would undoubtedly cut him in half for being such a coward (he wouldn't accept his pupil not exceeding his limits). 

"Damn... You're right. I can't believe I'm going to have to take love advice from a demon, haha!" 

Finally, Asta saw a small light at the end of the tunnel. He can do this, he can break his limits. He always has. He has to fix things, for himself and especially for her. He can't allow her to suffer — not any more than she already has. 

"What are you waiting for? Get off your ass and go tell her now! I can't sleep with your derogatory thoughts!" 

"Do you happen to know what time it is, Lie-" 

Asta's eyes widen, his heart freezes. There's something out there. 

"Didn't you notice? Oh yeah, you don't feel mana..." 

It wasn't something, but someone. Yes. It was that ki, unique in the entire universe. Asta gets up from the ground in one momentum and runs to the nearest window. 

"Anyway, I bet you can sense her ki or something out there... Stop with those annoying failure monologues and you can do it!" 

Asta can see through the window. 

"Noelle...!!!" 

She was wearing her traditional white and purple dress, and a water sword. Was she training...? It didn't matter, it could be called dancing too. Her movements were so smooth, so meticulous, she looked so light and graceful, her silver hair... It was loose. It gently followed the movement of her thrusts, in an almost artistic, circus-like, theatrical way, something truly contemplative. Like an angel who for some reason came to this world full of evil, this infinite contrast... Asta could watch forever, and everything would be fine. But that's not how he does things. 

"Liebe... Thank you!" 

"Okay, okay! Just let me sleep, okay? Now, let's go!"

________________________________________________

'Faster!' 

Noelle tries to reduce the time between her blade attacks. 

'More... Faster!!' 

The water mage is dissatisfied with the pace of her strikes, and so she simply pushes her limits to overcome them. 

'Not yet!!!'

The reason was mainly... So that she wouldn't have to think about it again. 

"Ha... Ha..." 

With heavy breathing, Noelle finally finishes her series of strikes, which could be understood as a possibly deadly dance for whoever she is paired with. Kicks, punches, elbows, and all sorts of sword strikes at lightning speed. She has really evolved a lot in the art of swordsmanship since she started training with Asta in the Heart Kingdom. 

'That idiot...' The mage pouts in dissatisfaction as her cheeks turn slightly red, unable to hide the remnants of frustration she still feels for having her heart broken for a few moments — as childish as it may seem. 

She trained to try to forget the last conversation she had with the anti-mage. With her emotions more under control, she finally understood that she had jumped to a conclusion about what Asta felt. Therefore, the water mage could not forgive herself for having left the situation that way, leaving Asta that way... Just like that. Still, she was confused, more than usual, which was scary. That very night, all Noelle's thoughts were on that conversation and that bitter taste that remained, the heavy atmosphere... Everything simply invaded the princess's mind and did not let her sleep. Irritated, she decided to go down to the HQ and train. Train until she was tired. Until her strength was exhausted. That way, this terrible weight on her conscience would hopefully disappear. But that did little to ease her anxieties. 

'What did I do...?' 

'No, he's the idiot!' 

'He seemed to want to say something...'

'It's his fault for being an idiot!' 

Let's just say that at that moment the two sides of Noelle's brain were in conflict. 

'What would he say to me... After all?' 

"Noelle!" 

That voice... She would recognize it anywhere. In that tone... He was smiling, she didn't even need to turn around to know, she was sure. And then, she turns around, her heart skips a beat, her eyes shine... It was him and that stupid smile again. That happiness that lights up the princess's existence. She would never tire of it. 

"A-Asta... What are you doing up at this hour?" 

He was wearing his traditional clothes, namely his brown pants, his white hoodie, and his glove was also brown that covered his demonic right arm (for lack of a better name). Asta was also without his headband, which was a rare sight for the water mage. His right arm was also holding a basket that Noelle couldn't see inside. 

"I could ask the same, princess... Haha!" Asta closes his eyes slightly as he scratches the back of his neck. 

"I-I... Lose my sleep." 

"Well... Me too! Let's forget about it, sleeping is so boring!" 

"Haha. Hahahaha!" 

Noelle was laughing again. She had always been a serious person, there were few things that could even make her smile — there were few reasons that made the silver-haired princess smile… That was, before Asta. After Noelle met him, everything changed, and suddenly, she had changed. She discovered that she loved to laugh. And she could only laugh with him. 

His antics, his stupidity, his silly and gratuitous smile, his naivety, sincerity... Well, just being by Asta's side was already a reason for her to smile. Asta, however, had never seen that smile again. It had been a long time... He missed it so much. 

"What are you talking about, idiot-" 

Noelle pauses her sentence as she looks at a surprised... Red Asta? Does he have a fever? 

"A-ah, I'm sorry... It's just, you know... It's been a while since I've seen you laugh like that." Asta starts, looking down a bit, but ends up looking straight into her purple eyes. 

And so the two remained for a while, static, observing each other, slowly losing control of their emotions. The indecisive wizards felt the temperature on their faces rise, when Noelle decided to break the silence. 

"W-well, what's that there?" Noelle points to the basket Asta is holding in his right hand. 

"A-ah, nothing much... It's just... I saw you were training from my room, so I decided to stop by the kitchen and get some Hage potatoes and some water. I figured you'd be hungry!" 

"I WANT– I mean… I was really hungry and didn't realize… T-thank you…" 

"You're welcome, enjoy while they're warm, I heated them in the oven haha..." 

Asta and Noelle sit on a large rock outside the HQ. The water mage takes out a bottle of water and drinks some, then takes a bite of one of the potatoes. 

"Hmm... It's so good... It's dry and salty, but it's so tasty... I forgot how good it is!" Noelle says, smiling slightly. 

"Isn't it? They're the best potatoes in the universe, the house specialty! Hm... I always remember to get some from Father Orsi when I pass by Hage. They remind me of home..." Asta says, chewing the food and then, looking solemnly at the basket of potatoes and bottled water as he remembers life in Hage. 

"And how was it...?" 

"Huh?" 

"You know... Life in Hage. I-I don't think I've ever asked you..." Noelle looks away from Asta, a little embarrassed by the question. 

Asta feels happy with the water mage's question, as he feels that she is comfortable with him, just like before the war, as she always was. The conversations that came and went easily and mutually, and with them the laughter, the promises, the time passed quickly and each moment was unique. Asta's heart feels the fervor of joy again. Everything is finally returning to normal.

"In Hage we were quite happy. Me, Yuno, Father Orsi, Sister Lily, the brats Nash, Recca, Hollo, Aruru... We were quite united. We had difficulties, of course... The winter was always difficult, the local city hall did not always provide the necessary funds for the maintenance of the Church. Naturally, we didn't have many material possessions, or even many clothes... But it never mattered. Father Orsi never let us lack food, he also taught me – he taught us, that the greatest wealth anyone can have is love. Your family, your special people... The rest we can get, but true love is like a reward we get for doing good. Unfortunately, justice doesn't reach everyone, so we should always be grateful for what we have... But I'm going to change that. I will ensure that those who are good are rewarded. I will bring equality to everyone when I become the Wizard King... And then, we will all be able to smile together. Isn't it, Noelle?" Asta gives Noelle his characteristic smile, also as a representation of the happiness he felt at that moment. 

And Noelle... She can't stop admiring him. Your strength, kindness, humility. Those green eyes that could calm an entire storm. That damn smile that can light up the whole world. The silver-haired princess and her purple eyes look assuredly at Asta, before falling slightly, suggestive, and so she was able to say it with a simple smile. 

"Yes, Asta... You can do this. You can be the Wizard King, you are incredible. I certainly want to be in the world where you are the one who will bring happiness. You have been through so much, and you have never let yourself be shaken... It's so different from the nobility and its arrogance, it's so different... From me..." 

Asta's smile stops immediately as the anti-mage notices Noelle's expression change and the princess's smile disappears. 

"Noelle..." 

"The royals, who make so much use of their social position wherever they go, as if they were superior, better people for it... I'm not so different from them, Asta... For a long time I was like that, I've said things so terrible for the Black Bulls, who are my only true family... I've said such bad things to you... I'm sorry, I think... Maybe I don't deserve it-" 

Asta interrupts the princess' speech, taking her left hand and placing it between his two hands. 

"Noelle, listen to me..." 

The princess of the seas has a surprised expression on her face, blushing slightly, her eyes wide. Asta feels her ki gradually become unreadable, and with an irreducible look, the anti-mage begins. 

"You... You're incredible. I knew it from the first time I saw you, and that absurd magic that almost flooded the entire forest around the HQ. And you... You're a great person. Kind, supportive, gentle. I knew from the beginning, but I just confirmed with ki, and you know you can't fool ki! It's not your fault for being born in such a hostile place, I bet your life wasn't easy, with those two siblings of yours, these two sons of..." Asta stops and thinks about what he was going to say. 

"...Nevermind. I bet they did a lot of bad things to you. You will never, ever be like them. You are much stronger, smarter, your heart is pure... If one day you make a mistake, it's okay, we all make mistakes, you've already apologized for the times you called Magna-senpai an insolent insect, for example! And everyone forgive you, because you are very important to all of us. Because you are much more than what meets the eye. You are simply so much better than these little guys. You are amazing and deserve all the best, Noelle. Don't believe anyone who says otherwise...!" 

And everything started to disappear. The rock they were standing on, the trees around them, the full moon, the birds in the tree branches. There were only them. One facing the other. Their eyes, their hearts...

Until Asta's mind returns to the real world in an impactful way, the anti-mage realizing what he had said, and that he was almost in a marriage position in relation to the princess, his face takes on a slight shade of red while his brain automatically invents something to change the subject – it wasn't what he truly wanted indeed. 

"A-Ah, Noelle..." His hand behind his head characteristically scratched, his shifting gaze looking in all directions. 

"You can talk, Asta..." The aquatic mage still had hopes of a confession, however. 

"Y-Your hair is... Loose..." Says the anti-mage with his face considerably red. 

'Kekeke, this kid has a lot to learn...' Liebe thinks while turns off the lights inside Asta's head, to try to sleep. 

"Y-Yes... And what about it?" Noelle's hopes of confession disappear with the wind lightly blowing her silver hair, the aquatic mage placing her hand so that it doesn't get messy. 

"Nothing! It's just... I don't think I've ever seen you like this..." Asta's brain slowly begins to process the dimension of beauty that his eyes they observed. 

"A-Ah, well... Whenever I go to sleep I leave it loose, it's more comfortable that way... What do you think?" 

"I think... You look fantastic." 

"T-Thank you... You don't look bad without that bandana either..." 

And then the two wizards, with their faces red and their hearts beating as if they had just finished a marathon, let silence take over for a few moments, until which Noelle decides to play. 

"...Because you never take off that bandana. I bet you don't even take it off to take a shower!" Noelle puts it this way, trying not to laugh. 

"T-That's not true...! I take it of to take a shower..." Asta tries to deny the princess's statement, pouting and crossing his arms. 

"...Sometimes." Asta makes sure to say it quietly, but it's no use, Noelle listens perfectly. 

"PFFF- WHAT??!!!" 

"Ah, are you going to tell me that it's not practical?! So, I wash myself and wash the bandana together!! It's called practicality!!" 

"HAHAHAHAHAHA" 

"There's no-" 

Asta tries to justify that it's not funny, but he doesn't want Noelle to stop laughing, after all, it's not every day that he sees her laughing so much. It makes him think... 

'Okay, maybe it's funny... Haha.' 

The wizard of the 5 leaves, then, joins the aquatic mage and together they laugh casually, as if time didn't exist, like children. For a fragile and ephemeral instant, there were no worries, ambitions, doubts or desires, past or future. There were only Asta and Noelle at the moment when their lives made sense again. Joyful, satisfied, complete by definition. Happy again. 

"You... Are really an idiot, aren't you? Haha!” 

"That may be so, but I'm not wrong!" 

"Of course you are, you idiot! Don't you dare come near me with that bandana again until you've washed it well, you hear me?" Noelle imposes, unavoidable.

"O-Okay, okay..." Asta accepts her orders without hesitation.

Noelle is amused by the situation, and then a doubt arises in her head, one that she decides to get rid of once and for all. 

"Hey, Asta... What's your favorite color?" 

"Uh? What's with that question now, huh, princess?" 

"Ah, I just wanted to know! It's just... We're usually so busy training or carrying out missions, It's been a while since we talked like this, to find out more about each other... B-but it's just curiosity..." Noelle replies, slightly blushing. 

Asta definitely doesn't want to stop talking to Noelle finally after a considerable time. The anti-magician then has an idea that he thinks is brilliant. 

"I'll tell you... But you have to tell me your favorite color too!" 

"Right... Who counts first?" 

"Let's do rock-paper-scissors!" 

The two wizards then play the famous game, and Asta loses the first round. After asking for best of 3, Asta loses again. And after accusing Noelle of stealing, they cancel it and try again, so Asta is defeated for the 3rd time and accepts defeat, while Noelle boasts about it. 

"Okay, okay... My favorite color, let's see..." Asta holds a hand to his chin as he look up. 

"Um... I never stopped to think about it, actually, haha... Well, I liked red. But..." The anti-mage calmly sees the woman in front of him, and her purple eyes that give him they watch carefully. 

"I think... Purple is a cooler color..." Asta says, calmly and without expression, guided by his eyes as if it were the truest sentence his being believes in. 

"S-Serious? Why purple?" 

"Ah, purple brings me... Tranquility. I feel at peace and complete... It brings me a great mix of emotions, but it's all good. Very good..." Asta says, a truth from the depths of the anti-mage soul, while his emerald eyes can't help but meet those purple ones. 

"And you...? What's your favorite color?" 

"It's green." Noelle responds instantly. 

"...Why green?" 

"Green is the color of hope for me. And besides, it brings me a unique happiness, and the determination to overcome anything and everything..." Noelle says, as if putting her own soul to say, her amethyst eyes that cannot stop making contact with those green eyes. 

And then, their faces. Eyes. Breaths. Souls and hearts. Magic and anti-magic. Dreams, ideals and unique determination. Everything was aligned, getting closer and closer. The magic knights could already feel their panting breaths on their faces, ever closer.

But the world had not disappeared. The birds, the trees, the stone and... Noelle's water sword was still there. And the spell's duration runs out with truly terrible timing. With that, a loud bang hits the two wizards, so intense was the concentration of mana that Noelle imbued into that blade. Apparently, the magic of that water sword could cut through the moment very effectively. 

'STUPID DAMN SWORD!!!'  Noelle thinks, furious like never before in her life. 

"A-Ah, Noelle... It looks like your sword exploded..." Asta says looking towards the small crater, curious. 

"No, Asta... The time of magic is just over." Noelle says, discouraged. 

"Damn! But look at the hole it made just because it dissipated! It's incredible magic, Noelle!" Asta jumps off the rock to analyze the explosion, visibly excited by the power of water magic. 

'Why did I fall in love for this idiot?' Noelle thought internally, devastated. Everything was perfect, it was supposed to be right there and then. And now there was a starry-eyed idiot, watching the devastation of her magic like a child. What to do, honestly? There was only one alternative for the silver-haired wizard. 

"Hey, idiot..." 

"Huh?" 

"I need to... Tell you something. Very important." 

Asta knows. He knows too, he has a lot of things to tell her. 

"Actually... I need to tell you something too, Noelle." The anti-mage starts walking towards Noelle, who is on top of the rock. 

'...What?' The water mage is confused. 

"Not just one... In fact, I have so many things to tell you. I've been trying to talk to you for a while now, but I've never been able to say it..." He climbs onto the rock and looks determinedly at his favorite water mage. 

'He has... A lot of things to say? Is that what he was thinking before? Is that what he wanted to tell me? What could it be? Is it important? Please don't be stupid again!!' 

"I feel like now isn't the right time to say this. It's because it's very important, and I want it to be special, at the right time... Saying it now would be boring. So how about we make it more interesting...?" Asta opens his five-leaf grimoire and takes out the Demon Dweller, placing it over his shoulder. 

"How about we train? It's been so long! I want to see how strong you've gotten in that time, Noelle!! Let's do it like this: whoever wins gets to speak first!" The hyperactive Asta smiles and then offers his hand to Noelle. 

"Let's do our best, together!" Noelle remembers the first thing Asta said to her. After so long, he's still the same. In fact, some things never change. 

"You idiot... What kind of stupid idea is that? Haha... But you know what?" Noelle smiles lightly and takes Asta's hand, standing up. 

'Maybe I'm an idiot too.'

"I'd love to train with you, Dorksta!"

Chapter Text

Asta and Noelle took their corners, 5 meters away from each other. Their gazes focused on the battle that was about to begin, their empty minds trying to let everything go with the blade and the strength of their blows. Asta imagined a simple sparring session, but Noelle... Really didn't want to lose. 

The aquatic mage closes her eyes, concentrating all the flow of her mana into a three-leaf grimoire, which opens as its writings become illegible with the light that covers them, progressively becoming brighter and brighter to the point of making Asta bring a hand in front of his eyes. 

When her purple eyes opened again, the aquatic mage finished establishing the mana connection with her sword. The bladed weapon could now be seen coming out of the grimoire, waiting for her majesty to wield it. 

"Water Creation Magic: Queen's Holy Sword." 

Noelle finishes wielding her blade, a versatile medium sword that could be used in either one or two hands. Small ancient scriptures glow on its blade as the extremely concentrated water magic moves in different directions, glowing a light blue hue. 

'How cool...! As expected of Noelle!' Asta finds himself thinking about how strong Noelle's spell is, with his characteristic lively starry eyes. 

"Very well... Let's sta-" 

"Use all your power, Asta." 

The anti-mage, ready to begin, points his Demon Dweller at Noelle, but his sentence is interrupted by the aquatic mage with an implacable gaze. 

"I'm not going to hold back... I want to win. I really want to win. That way, I'll be able to tell you... " 

"Noelle..." 

"I know you've gotten stronger, you always do... So you better use all your strength, or I can't guarantee you'll come out unscathed! It'll be much more fun that way, don't you think?" 

The silver-haired princess offers Asta a challenging smile as she turns inward so she can talk to her water spirit, with whom the mage does not have such a healthy relationship.

________________________________________________

"No way, I won't lend you my power! I just don't feel like it! You're such an insolent girl, you'll never be able to become a great queen like Loropechka...!" Imposes Undine, the water spirit who is absolutely unyielding. 

"I'm not bothered...!" 

Undine’s implacable posture turns into confusion, with a surprised look. Did she hear right…? 

"I didn't train all this time to rely on the powers of an arrogant and overbearing spirit like you, Undine... Still, it was worth a try, it would be fun to use that form again. What a shame... But I feel more sorry for you, oh great water spirit...!" Noelle says sarcastically, suggesting that this won't end well for Undine. 

'That naughty little girl!' Undine thinks, furious. 

"You know very well, this is the last day you're tied to me. Starting tomorrow, you'll be able to choose another mage, you'll be able to return to Loropechka... That is, if no anti-magic blow hits me head on, I suppose if that were to happen... Oh no! It seems like that would take a little longer, don't you think?" The aquatic mage, in a cold and absolutely mocking performance, makes a surprised face and finishes her sentence while bringing both hands to her cheeks, pretending to be in disbelief. 

"Oh, you... Little rascal! You're nothing but a cheater, if you ask me... But I have to admit that you have courage... You are worthy of my powers, Noelle Silva. And that makes me extremely upset. Anyway..." Undine, visibly irritated, with her eyes closed and eyebrows completely furrowed, makes a decision. Then, placing her arms around the newest queen of the seas. 

"Defeat this anti-magic anomaly. After that, never appear in my presence again...! This is one last time." 

"That's better... With pleasure, Undine. Let's do this one last time, so I never have to see your face again!" 

________________________________________________

A large wave of water magic begins to circulate around Noelle. An inexplicable light seems to emerge from within the princess, becoming brighter and brighter, to the point where she can no longer be seen, the water magic that was circulating violently around her becoming more and more aggressive. Asta can feel immeasurable ki. A ki that doesn't ask questions, but gives orders. Such ki that does not say, but imposes. Certainly, at that moment it was as if Noelle was... A queen. 

"She's really taking this seriously, haha... Are you there, Liebe?" 

The little demon appears on the anti-mage's shoulders. 

"What the hell did you do to her now, you brat? Why does she want to kill you?" 

"I-I just invited her to train...?" 

"That doesn't explain why she wants to kill you!" 

The peasant and the devil’s internal discussion ended as the vast water magic and light ceased. That form. Asta had seen such a transformation from Noelle before, but he hadn’t had the time to pay attention…

Spirit Dive: Saint Valkyrie Armor.

'S-She looks like an angel...' Asta thinks, absolutely speechless at this moment. 

Her enormous wings, her great boots, her enormous cross on her armor. That small crown above her silver hair, hair that refused to remain stable, swaying gracefully, such was the mana concentrated in his transformation. All highlighted in a brilliant shade of light blue. Divine. Angelic.

Asta had met those eyes… Those blessed pink eyes again. This time, they would not allow the anti-mage to escape, their gaze as sharp as her shining blade, resolute, inexorable. It was the most otherworldly, inexplicable thing, and the closest his green eyes had ever been to beholding an angel. In fact, Asta was at a loss for words. The anti-mage, however, had a feeling that the vision of paradise he had seen would be the last thing he would see in his life if he treated this as a simple training session. 

"Don't hold back, Asta... I won't go." Implies the queen of the seas, her expression convinced and implacable, her gaze piercing, pointing her Holy Sword at Asta. 

"Haha... That's amazing Noelle, you're really strong. If I don't use all my power right here and now, I'll be wiped off this planet...! Wait a minute... ARE YOU REALLY WANTING TO KILL ME?!?!" Asta starts with his usual excited smile, and ends by shouting with his frightened eyes. 

Noelle slowly comes out of her unyielding state, and her cheeks blush slightly as the queen says.

"W-Well, that's what you deserve for toying with me, I guess! Humpf!" Noelle stabs her sword into the ground, as she crosses her arms and gives Asta an indignant pout.

"WHAAAAAT??????" 'Well, at least it's still Noelle...!' The anti-mage thinks, slightly relieved. 

"You heard, didn't you, Liebe?" 

"...Who is Liebe?" 

"Oh yeah! You don't know! Liebe is this little guy here, he's my demon!" 

Asta shows Liebe to Noelle, stretching out his left hand where the little devil was. 

"He's a pretty nice guy for a demon, you know..." 

"Hello." Liebe greets Noelle with a wave. 

"H-Hi... It's a pleasure." Noelle greets back, still a little awkward, after all, it's not every day that you greet a demon. But he did seem cute. 

"Please kick this guy's ass for me... This brat made me lose sleep!" 

"Now, you... Shut up, and you're even smaller than me, what morals do you have, huh?" 

"Hahah... Don't worry. I'll do my best. " 

Asta observes that defiant smile, which in some way that science is still unable to explain, became even more beautiful. And with a small smile, the anti-magician concludes: The game is over. 

"Come on, Liebe!" 

"Let's get this over with so I can get my beauty sleep!" 

Asta stabs his Demon Dweller into the ground, while his hands rest on its hilt, closing his eyes to connect with Liebe and channel anti-magic in its entirety, throughout his body. Thus, Asta is quickly enveloped by a black sphere, with what appears to be rays of anti-magic falling on the globe that nullifies any magic. Suddenly, the air becomes thinner, some dark gray clouds begin to block the light of the moon. 

"The natural mana around us is... weaker?" Noelle is amazed at the extent of Asta's anti-magic range. 

Finally, the sphere imbued with anti-magic disperses, but not the darkness around Asta. Only the red dots on his armor and his deep, ruthless eyes are visible. It remains like that for a few moments, when her pink eyes see the darkness above Asta. What the hell...?

Noelle had already briefly seen this form, this suffocating power, this seemingly endless darkness, but now that she could see it up close... It was almost terrifying. This discrepancy... The contrast between Asta's purity and this form.

His entire body was covered in black and red. That armor that seemed so resistant, almost unbreakable. Its bright red flows like the blood running through his veins, throughout his body, those five leaves on his chest – what did they mean? His hair, previously ash-blond, messy and full of life, was now black, unsaturated, hopeless, with those devilish horns. Several black grooves were now part of his face, so used to smiling, that now it seems to reap the wounds of a difficult life. His sharp teeth indicate that he is no longer human. His eyes... His bright green, irises that expressed generosity and solicitude, are now red, exuding hostility. His pupils seem to form... Small stars? 

Devil Union: Second Sword, Demon Dweller.

"Asta..." The pink-eyed queen expresses her innate concern at what her eyes see. Is he still the cheerful and vibrant anti-mage she fell in love with? 

Noelle's fleeting worries end the exact moment Asta picks up his Demon Dweller with both hands, placing it on his shoulder, slightly bending his knees as he enters his fighting stance. And then, that smile. That infernal smile. From tip to tip, an excited smile as if he couldn't hide his eagerness to fight.

"Are you ready, Noelle?!" 

Noelle is brought back to the real world. The world shrouded in mana. There are so many bad people, so many wrong things that need to be changed... But it's okay. He's there for her. He'll be there to make everyone's lives better. Him and his stupid smile, which she can't wait to kiss madly, if she were to be honest... So that then, only they would exist in this world. And nothing else would matter. 

"Didn't I tell you already...?" 

Noelle slightly bends her knees and firmly points her blade towards Asta with her right hand, while her left hand, open, is directed in front of the water mage. And with a slight smile, the water mage finishes. 

"Royalty is born ready, Asta!" 

________________________________________________

                  You've always been this strong. 

It lasted seconds. Precisely 5 seconds. As the angel and the demon stared at each other, eagerly, their red and pink eyes investigating every trace of movement or intention of the other. All to gain the advantage of the first strike. 

'Two hands, on the shoulder line... A strike with all his strength?' Noelle reasons, trying to predict the anti-mage's attack. 

'One hand, the other is open... Does she intend to dodge and attack quickly?' So does Asta. 

'It's just like you...!' The two Black Bulls think, in tune. 

The moment the calm winds of that overnight brought a leaf that rested carelessly in the middle of the battlefield, they began. The short distance between light and darkness immediately ceased. Asta attacked Noelle's right flank, who leapt onto her sword in a half-star. 

'Over...!' 

Asta leaps towards Noelle, using the momentum from his attack to launch a kick. The queen of the seas, however, uses her mana to propel herself forward, and then backward. In the blink of an eye, she positions herself behind the anti-magic devil, attacking in a diagonal slash that is blocked by Asta at the very last moment, turning to face her. 

'If it weren't for ki, I would be in trouble...!' Asta quickly thought, giving an excited smile towards the angelic being in front of him. 

'I knew you wouldn't be defeated with just that...!' Noelle reflects, whose smile on her face doesn't hide her excitement for the battle. 

After a few milliseconds – which seemed like seconds to Asta and Noelle – of fighting for their strength through the blades, Asta disappears from Noelle's sight at a dizzying speed. The angel remains calm, knowing that she will not be able to find him through mana detection, carefully observing the space around her and aligning her senses, which with the Saint Stage, have become especially sharp to find devil users. 

Sneaking through the trees and watching the water mage like a leopard watching its prey, the 5-leaf demon with its starry red eyes makes a lunge. Noelle senses its approach by the sound of its leap. 

'Here!' 

Noelle blocks Asta's attack, who only disappears again. The devil attacks quickly from all directions, until Noelle blocks the Demon Dweller sword, which she sees coming towards her, but which is not being wielded by Asta. 

'What-' 

Immediately, the Demon Dweller turns back to where the anti-magic devil was, charging fiercely towards the water angel. Asta grabs his blade with both hands and uses the momentum of his advance to strike Noelle. 

'Black Meteorite!' 

The water mage blocks the anti-mage's attack, but the momentum of his thrust pushes her into the sky. Soon, the goddess and the devil travel quickly above the clouds, fighting for strength with their swords, smiles that do not hide the will to win. Asta suddenly stops in the air, and the inertia of the blow remains on Noelle until she finally stops at a distance of approximately 9 meters from the anti-mage. 

Your personality, your elegance, your magic. 

The full moon in its resplendent brightness was the perfect backdrop. On opposite sides, fixed gazes, intrepid smiles, were arranged the demonic darkness and the divine light. Such darkness that nullified the natural magic around it. Such light that seemed to be blessed by magic. Her provocative pink eyes, with what seem to be halos around their irises. His imposing red eyes, with what seem to be stars in place of their pupils. And that unthinkable, unimaginable and folkloric encounter where the angel and the demon refuse to leave. That point in time, measurable, but infinite in their souls. That singular desire to win. 

'You really are amazing...!' 

As quickly as they arrived, the angel and the demon disappeared before the full moon. At unimaginable speeds, the magic knights exchanged blows with their blades, the anti-magic chasing the stronger magic that counterattacked and vice versa. This voracious pursuit... Few pairs of eyes in the Clover Kingdom could be able to contemplate this battle. All that ordinary eyes could see was... The clash between the brightest light and the most suffocating darkness. Both overlapping each other in an immeasurable spiral.

Asta and Noelle begin to exchange blows as they descend towards the mainland, no longer sure where they are exactly – it doesn’t matter. Soon, the intense battle takes them towards a forest. Noelle blocks Asta’s slash, the impact throwing her down, being the first to land on solid ground. Soon, she notices the black lightning above her, coming towards her, instinctively unleashing the Sea Dragon’s Roar to try to slow it down. The anti-mage destroys the water mage’s spell with his anti-magic slashes, launching himself at full speed to attack the princess. He knows... She will block. 

The Demon Dweller meets the Holy Sword in yet another great dispute for dominance in combat, a great shockwave is formed by the meeting of the two blades, knocking down some trees that were around. There was the queen of the seas, holding her blade with both hands in a defensive posture, blocking the aerial attack of the anti-magic user, at the moment their faces meet again, smiles excited by the ecstasy of the confrontation. 

"It's going to take more than that to beat me, silly Asta!" 

"I'm just getting started, princess!" 

Stealthily, the demon and the black blade go in different directions. Asta lands on the ground, only to gain momentum and deliver a medium-height diagonal kick at Noelle who defends at the last moment, the impact of the blow throwing her away. Without time to think, the angel finds himself cornered by the demon, who comes relentlessly towards him while behind her comes the Demon Dweller at an insane speed. Quickly, Noelle dodges his attack in a zig-zag movement, such action guided mostly by her sharp reflexes, and then, in the blink of an eye she was on the left side of the anti-mage, ready to strike him with her sword in what seemed like a rare opening in the defense of the aspiring Wizard King. 

'I knew you wouldn't be defeated with just this...!' 

Asta already imagined that such a strategy would not be enough to defeat Noelle, so he guides the Demon Dweller that is now coming towards him, so that its hilt fits perfectly in both of his hands, taking advantage of the momentum to respond to the silver-haired angel's attack, entering into yet another dispute of strength between blades, the dark anti-magic and the clear water mana mixing indeterminately with the surroundings. When the two mages decide to retreat at the same time, taking distance. 

Your strength, your determination, your way of being. 

Amidst the freezing dawn, the dry grass, the intermittent winds and under the weak moonlight, the suffocating darkness and the hopeful light were ready. Attentive, resolute, relatively distant mathematically, but never so close. So connected. Hands firmly holding the blade that carries the hope of finding answers and whys. Every breath. Every movement. A way of trying to enter each other's minds and try to discover the next blow, and much more. That was what the starry red eyes were focused on, as well as the haloed pink eyes. Guided by the soul and driven by the fight. This battle, with its countless meanings... Was coming to an end. 

'You are really amazing...!' 

Asta and Noelle disappear from each other's sight, at the same time, in the blink of an eye. Only the sound of their swords clashing could be heard. Regarding the vision, it was noticeable that a trail of cut trees was being created in different directions, victims of this inevitable battle (they would explain themselves to Clover's environmental authorities later). Asta and Noelle disappeared from common sight, to become darkness and light. It was as if the light and darkness were trying to cancel each other out. That would be what an ordinary person would say to summarize what they saw. But there is no one, as the two magic knights are currently about to cross a forest with a high concentration of mana, but they don't know — they don't care.

For Asta and Noelle, nothing matters more than this moment. Their minds have done them the favor of erasing everything else, as a natural mechanism, so that the mages can focus on what really matters. Therefore, their eyes cannot see the trees, the birds that had their sleep ruined, or the moonlight in its fullness. Their bodies no longer feel the cold of the icy dawn of Clover's winter. Because it doesn't matter. At this moment, the red and pink eyes only see what makes a difference in their lives. Asta and Noelle can only see each other.

Their blows. Emotions. Expressions. Their souls increasingly synchronized, understanding through the clashes between their blades; their ambitions, thoughts, motivations. Attack and defense happen automatically, instinctively. It happens naturally... Like a dance. Not that it matters to the angel and the demon at this moment, but they are currently in a rocky area, an empty field where there is nothing but the immensity of the sky, a place usually used for stargazing. And under the great full moon about to set, they continue. And nothing else matters. 

Liebe and Undine appear internally.

"Hey you blockhead, you better hurry up, you only have a minute!" 

"There's only one minute left until I never see you again, Noelle Silva!" 

Asta and Noelle, however, make it clear. 

'SHUT UP!'

________________________________________________

                             Blade and Heart. 

Noelle appears above Asta, delivering a kick to his chest that seems to land, moving quickly and immediately appearing behind the anti-mage to engage him in another series of blows. Asta, however, was secretly preparing a large wave of anti-magic in his Demon Dweller Sword, launching it at the silver-haired princess who, surprised, sees no other choice but to try to defend herself.

Noelle is then pushed away by the large and furious beam of black anti-magic, hitting her and considerably decreasing her magic. After a few moments, the black beam disperses and the aquatic mage finds herself exhausted and almost without mana, breathing heavily, her legs suddenly failing her when the aquatic mage stops her fall to the ground, sticking her sword into the stone while supporting her body on her arms, on her knees. At that moment, the anti-mage appears in front of her, not unharmed but in a slightly more favorable situation. 

"...It's over?" Asta asks, knowing it's a rhetorical question. 

"Haha... As if!" Noelle responds, with a slight smile on the corner of her mouth, gradually getting up until finally showing Asta her incisive look that leaves no doubts. 

"Not yet... Isn't that what you always say? Then it's not over yet!" The water mage concluded, facing Asta, unyielding. 

Asta watched Noelle’s determination with a faint smile slowly forming at the corner of his mouth, his red eyes falling into introspection. Of course she wouldn’t stop. How good… The anti-mage loved that about her. Her strength, her courage, her way of treating things as if she was above everything, above laws or rules, above limits — she was royalty, after all. Her unique charm. Asta couldn’t fool himself, though. He wanted to win. 

"Very well... How about we end this, princess?" The demon invites the water mage in a defiant tone, pointing his Demon Dweller at Noelle, large concentrations of anti-magic being imbued into its blade that is dominated by darkness. 

Noelle understands the message perfectly. 

"That's a great idea... Idiot!" The angel pulls her Holy Sword out of the ground, pointing her blade at the anti-magic user about 8 meters away, absolutely. Her sword glows a bright blue as ridiculous amounts of mana are concentrated into the sword at extremely high speeds. 

Hearts racing, inconstant breathes, nerves on edge. Eyes that don't miss anything. Strong arms that wield swords, a demonstration of their powers. Aligned smiles that share the same motivation: mutual admiration. That was when the goddess and the devil disappeared at the same time, to give one last blow with all their remaining strength. Magic and antimagic would meet for the last time, more intensely than ever. 

Their swords collide with each other, becoming the sharp line that separates their bodies that push each other with such fervor. This clash makes the ground tremble, some cracks can be seen on the ground above the Black Bulls. Their eyes can now confirm the mutual excitement that the wizards were feeling at that moment, their big smiles reflected their deepest feelings. Darkness and light take over the environment, mixing with each other in an unprecedented and infinite composition. More and more intense, more and more aggressive. Their blades that were at the limit of their powers. To the maximum. Until the time of their transformations ended.

"Ha... Ha..." 

Heavy, panting breaths, slightly surprised looks as their powers drained from their bodies, magic and anti-magic rising aimlessly to the heavens. Their blades still pressed against each other, but without the same strength as before, a fight that gradually weakened. Their eyes that were once again purple and green, eyes that could now see... The world was there again. And it was more vivid, more colorful, the air was cleaner, the birds sang louder. There was not only Asta and Noelle, but a multitude of new and different sensations. And yet... It didn't matter.

In fact, for Asta and Noelle, all that mattered was themselves, each other. A little selfish perhaps, but they didn't care about that either. Their blades lowered, just so they could see that vision again... Their eyes. Their souls. Their hearts. The most primal desires of their beings, what makes them Asta and Noelle. Everything told them to get closer and closer: it's the right thing to do, it's natural, instinctive, inevitable. Everything was aligned, and getting closer and closer. The moment their swords were thrown away, their blades ending ironically crossed over each other. Yes... The moment their hands roamed between their bodies, grabbing the line of their waists, soft but firm, thirsty for that intimacy they had been searching for so long. In that moment when the commoner and the royalty finally let themselves be carried away by their desires, closing their eyes and being guided solely and exclusively by instinct. The moment when their eyes closed, and there was no longer any distance between their lips. Everything made sense. 

Disorderly; they didn't really know what to do. 

Passionate; they wanted to convey what they felt.

Intense; that's how they are, that's how they do it. 

Three words that summed up the moment that would forever be immortalized in their memories. Unique. Perfect. The anti-mage's calloused and strong hands snaked across Noelle's back, bringing her as close to himself as physics allows. The princess's delicate and careful hands were finally exploring Asta's large toned muscles through touch, running madly between his arms and back. Their bodies were warm as never before, their mouths were like rivers of crystal clear fresh water that kept them from drying out. Their hands continued towards their faces, making sure to feel and mentally note every aspect of each other.

Noelle felt his skin slightly rough and dehydrated, like a brute who only thinks about getting stronger and doesn't take proper care of his appearance — exactly the reason why she finds him so damn attractive. Asta feels her skin hydrated and soft as if it were a baby's, such care that reminded him of a royalty who takes great care of their appearance, because royals have to act and look like such and blah blah blah — another item for the extensive list of what he loves about her.

His strong warrior hands that ran through her silky silver hair, tangling in its strands. Her careful royal hands that ran through his ash-blond hair, trying to mess up what was already a mess. And so they continued. A kiss that served as a spark in the midst of kilos of gunpowder. And now they didn't know how to stop this fire — was there a way? Their lips, their bodies, their souls expressed the clear message that it wasn't enough. They wanted more and more, and then even more. Their unbridled and unstoppable hands delimited their limits, only to break them into a thousand pieces right there. And so they would continue, hypnotized by this unprecedented wave of excitement, and who knows where it would end. They would continue. That is, if they didn't need to breathe – a little more and they would faint, to be honest.

Finally, Asta and Noelle disconnect their lips, their eyes open in fright, investigating every aspect of their faces, a hot and flushed mess, their breaths panting and heavy as they search for the air that was sucked from each other. His strong hand on her waist and her delicate hand on his shoulders dispel any doubts about what happened.

With this, the anti-mage has already obtained the answers to his last questions, but the aquatic mage, still a little impacted by what happened, decides to verbalize the question mark in her head in search of confirmation. 

"W-What does that mean...?" Noelle says, her right hand gently touching her own lips as a way to prove that it really happened — and believe. Her gaze slightly lowered and surprised, something like 'oh my God, that was my first kiss', her face slightly flushed. 

Asta already knows. He understands perfectly what Noelle wants with such an ambiguous question, her (cute) slightly embarrassed expression makes him come to the conclusion: She wants to know what he thinks, what she means to him. The anti-mage will not make the same mistake twice, and with his bright eyes and confident smile he confirms it relentlessly. 

"It means that I love you, Noelle Silva. That I can't imagine myself without you anymore. It's that simple." 

Her purple eyes shine with hope for a moment, allowing herself to dream in real life, until the aquatic mage returns to her position of disbelief, her gaze falling slightly to the side with her incredulous pout.

"B-but what about that nun who raised you?" Says the aquatic mage, who wants to make sure that there is only room for her in the anti-mage's heart.

"You mean Sister Lily? Oh, yes... I promised I would marry her. At the height of my 7 years. That brat thought it was a good idea to propose to a woman in a cassock, and the idiot here never stopped to think about it, haha..." Asta begins with a disconcerting smile and his hand scratching the back of his head, and continues, with Noelle watching him intently. 

"Actually, I have to remember to apologize to her, for being so inconvenient all this time... But mainly, I apologize to you Noelle, for taking so long to realize how much you mean to me. For taking so long to realize that I don't exist without you, princess. Because you are everything that makes me happy, makes me alive. Because there is not a single moment when I am not thinking about you. Because you are all that matters to me. It's that simple." The anti-mage finishes, calmly, as his serene arms wrap Noelle in a soft hug, his right arm bringing her head and her silver hair to rest on his chest, after all, he will never leave her. And everything will be fine. 

Her heart races, her emotions are on edge, her purple eyes are filled with tears, tears that want to take with them the loneliness, sadness, anguish, anxiety, the feeling of inferiority that the aquatic mage has been accustomed to throughout her life, curses attributed to her since birth. Everything she didn't feel when she was with him. Because next to the anti-magic user, she felt that she was stronger than everything, and that all the bad things she went through were nothing more than a distant nightmare. Now, Noelle feels that there is no more room for suffering in her life, ever again. Because for the first time, she allows herself to dream, a perfect and eternal dream where she and Asta can live in peace — everything she desires the most. 

And then, Noelle placed her head on Asta's chest, so that she could hear his heart beating so intensely, her arms wrapping tightly around the anti-mage, a hug that gradually tightened. Because she would hold on to that hope, and would not let it go. She would hold on to it, so that it would stay with her, forever. At the moment when the tears fell in an indeterminate way, and the princess finally opened her heart. Thus, she cried. 

"Asta... Asta...!" 

That's all she could say, that's all she needed at that moment. Her voice was trembling, the tears that flowed down her face incessantly. Saying his name was a way of reaffirming to herself that Asta, happiness, will never leave her, at the same time that the curses attributed to her left her life once and for all, one by one, defeated by the hope in his green eyes. A painful process where she remembered the things she had been through, her lowest moments where she considered giving up on everything. Something that would be terrifying for Noelle, but that is being liberating, because everything is okay. He is there for her. Her happiness. 

Her ki had never been at such low rotations. At least, Asta had never felt it. This sadness coming from Noelle, who was crying copiously. This deeply affects the anti-mage, but he remains unshaken when he finally understands: it is an outburst. It doesn't need an explanation or answers, meaning or reason. Asta feels that she is letting go of her sadness. Damn, look at how shaken she is, so much sadness accumulated for so long, he has a good guess for that... Asta couldn't forgive those damned worms who unfortunately have the same blood as Noelle. How could they do this to her? He wanted to rip their heads off, one by one. But that wouldn't make her happy, so the anti-mage soon discards the idea. 

"It's okay... I'm not going anywhere. I'm here for you." Asta says calmly, returning the strength of the hug as a clear sign that he is there for her. Forever. 

He can't lie to himself... Asta is shaken to see her this way, heartbroken like he never imagined. But he knows, he has to stay strong. Be the pillar that holds up her world. That's what she subconsciously expects of him now. And that's okay. She's giving her heart to the anti-mage, and he'll ensure her safety at any cost.

So the wizards remain for a few minutes, as time passes and dawn begins to rise to send them a message: new times are coming. Noelle has never felt so light in her life. She had never vented like this before, because there was no one she could count on... Thank God she met this idiot. The one she loves so much. Oh, yes... The silver-haired mage notices. She has something to say too. A lot of things. 

"I... Love you..." 

Noelle says suddenly, in a low tone, her face buried in Asta's chest, feeling warm as ever, her arms wrapped around the anti-mage refusing to let him go. Confessing their love was not the simplest of tasks for the introverted mage with purple eyes, especially under these circumstances. But it was a limit she would break, then and there. 

The anti-mage, on the other hand, decides to play around. 

"Hello? Could you say that again, I didn't hear you right..." Asta, who heard perfectly, asks in his playful voice. The anti-magician just couldn't imagine what would come next. 

Noelle gathers her courage and looks at Asta, her face still a little flushed, a slight pout of indignation at the provocation. And then, the mage lets the words flow naturally. 

"I said I love you, you idiot! You, with that idiotic face, that idiotic smile, those eyes... Idiot, idiot and idiot!..." Says the indignant princess, giving light punches on his strong shoulders, as she continues. 

"I love you, Asta... Just being by your side makes me feel so good, I feel like I can be whatever I want and achieve anything. Because you were the first person who believed in me, even before I believed in myself... Your smile brightens my days, gives me strength. Your simple way of being gives me hope for a better future. And I... I don't ever want to be away from you again. I want you, just for me, forever... So... I'm sorry...!" Her voice quickly changes, tears begin to gather in her eyes again. Asta seriously watches what comes next, as he wouldn't let her blame herself for anything. 

"It's all my fault... I-I didn't know how to tell you this... I let my uncertainties get the best of me, and then I walked away, and you walked away... I-I didn't want this... I'm sor-" 

Noelle is interrupted when Asta approaches to kiss her gently, his right arm wrapping her close to him, his left hand gently touching her face. Her purple eyes open in surprise, soon closing to finally calm her spirit, the tears stopping immediately, the mage letting herself be carried away wherever Asta takes her. A soft, chaste, quick kiss, which the anti-mage judged to be the best option to calm her (well thought out). The mages end when Asta looks directly into her purple eyes, determined, unwavering. 

"Noelle... Listen to me. It's okay!" Asta starts seriously, and ends with his usual smile from end to end that elucidates Noelle's ideas. 

"You're not to blame for anything...! This love thing is really something very difficult, training is much easier to be honest! I also had no idea how to tell you how I feel, I can imagine how difficult it must have been for you. In fact, I'm relieved to know that I didn't do anything bad to you... I was really worried about that during these times. Just know that you can tell me whatever you want, anything, at any time, I'll always be here to listen to you!" 

There was the water mage, her purple eyes fixed on that smile again. In fact, she didn't want to leave this moment. The world could end, if there was Asta smiling like that at her, it wouldn't be bad at all. If smiling so happily like that was considered 'inappropriate', then she certainly didn't belong in this world so full of evil, and she would do anything to take Asta to another planet, galaxy, universe or dimension. A place just for the two of them. A place where they could smile freely, together, happily. And everything would be fine. Because that smile was everything to her, and she would do anything to protect it. The water mage couldn't contain herself and threw herself at the anti-mage – who only didn't fall back due to his extremely strong core –, hugging him tightly, claiming her happiness and thanking him. 

"Thank you, Asta. Thank you for everything. And know that you would never hurt me. That would never happen, under any circumstances."

Asta can feel it, beyond her stable ki... She's fine, she's happy. And the anti-mage is, above all, relieved. Because finally, the Noelle Silva he loves so much is there for him, to give him the peace and happiness he needed. And it's different now. Things are serious between them, and Asta couldn't be happier to make this commitment. The anti-mage, whole again, returns the hug affectionately, and so the two mages remain for a while, enjoying every second. Now they have each other, more than ever. 

Noelle finally lets go of the hug and gives Asta a reluctant look. There is actually one last thing, which is important to Noelle, but which the mage fears will not be taken seriously. Asta watches curiously as to what comes next, as Noelle decides to end this once and for all. 

"Asta... Can I... Ask you something?" 

"Of course you can! Anything, remember?" 

"But do you promise not to laugh? It may seem silly but it's serious..." 

"Okay, okay! I promise!" 

The anti-mage watches the silver-haired princess take a deep breath, looking simply into the depths of his green eyes, her face slightly red, and simply say. 

"Will you... Stay with me forever?" 

Noelle is a rational person. The kind who likes well-argued facts, plausible arguments, data and statistics. She wouldn't say something without having a solid basis. Well... She was like that with everyone. But Asta wasn't part of the other people. With him, she was more Noelle before she was Silva. And her strong personality didn't mean she couldn't be sweet too. Because with Asta, she was the totality of the traits that formed her, at the same time. The real Noelle Silva, unlike the unyielding, rational and elegant person wherever she went, was also an emotional and passionate girl, with her traumas, her dreams, desires, aspirations. 

Asta is quickly taken to a hidden memory in his mind, an old memory, in one of the first missions he had alone with Noelle. 

________________________________________________

Returning to the Black Bulls HQ after hunting fire boars on the outskirts of a humble village, Asta and Noelle were talking about dreams. Their biggest dreams, goals, and objectives, what they look forward to the most.

Noelle had questioned Asta about whether he really intends to be the Wizard King.

"Of course I do! I'll become the Wizard King first and kick Yuno's ass!" He says with his signature starry eyes. 

"...But is it just for that? To win a bet?" Noelle asks, incredulous. 

"No..." Asta seriously replies. 

Noelle feels that there was something more about this short, loud, country boy. 

"I want to change all this prejudice crap... I want to be the strongest so I can help those who really need it. I want to be the strongest so I can stop those who oppress the weakest. I want to carry this weight on my back, this weight of changing this kingdom. I want to be the line that will connect everyone. That way, everyone will be able to smile equally and be happy together... This is the Clover Kingdom that I want to create!" 

It was one of the first times she saw that smile. That smile that knew no bounds. Illuminated by the weak late afternoon sun, becoming even brighter. Her face flushes a little when she realizes she's been staring at him for too long, and then she quickly questions him. 

"B-but you're the only human in this world who doesn't have magic... Do you still think you're capable?" 

"No... To be honest, I don't think I'm capable, not at this moment. I'm not even stronger than Yuno yet, but that's exactly why I won't give up! I won't give up, ever! That's why I'll work double, triple, quadruple if necessary! I'll prove to everyone that everyone can be whatever they want, regardless of social class or how much magic you have. It all depends on how much you want it." 

Noelle was once again lost in her green eyes, but there was no shame or shyness at all. Only admiration from the water mage. 

"That's really amazing, Asta..." 

"But what about you, Noelle? What's your biggest dream?" 

"My biggest dream?..." 

Noelle finds herself going back in time, recapitulating her 15 years of life so far. She was born in charge of the death of her mother, the incredible Acier, the hope of the Silva family. Because of this, everyone despised her, everyone ignored her, as if it made no difference whether she was alive or dead. Then, a rumor was created that she was a cursed child. Therefore, everyone distanced themselves from her, everyone only harmed her. Her brothers were, ironically, the people who hurt her the most in this world, the only members of her family, the only ones with her blood... And the only ones who hurt her so much that she thought about giving up. A completely unbalanced one-sided hatred. She had no one, spent her days in her room playing with her dolls, wishing that one day this hell would end and that her life would have real meaning and direction. But she wasn't going to give up that easily. It would be too convenient for those bastards. It would be accepting all of this too easily. 

So Noelle fought. She trained. She read, she learned. She failed. She theorized, she experimented. She failed. But she always tried again... And again. And again. And again. 

'You'll never get it!' 

And again. And again. And again. 

'You're nothing but a failure!' 

And again. And again. And again. 

'You are a curse! Die!' 

How many times she cried. How many times she wanted to end it all. How many times she imagined herself... Strong. Unstoppable. She wouldn't give up so easily. Even if it seemed impossible. Even if it seemed to make no sense. Because defying logic was what gave her life meaning. Noelle's dream was...

"...I want to be strong. Really strong. I want to control my magic, and become unstoppable. That way, I'll show my family they were all wrong about me... And I'll never feel weak again. And after that... I..." 

Asta stared intently into her deep and complex purple eyes. It was at that moment that the anti-mage was certain: she was different. She was already strong, very strong. She was... truly incredible. 

"I want to find my happiness. Wherever it is. Whatever it may be. I want to find something that gives meaning to all the bad things I've been through. That makes it worth it. Something that makes me happy. That I can never let go of, something that's just mine... Forever."

________________________________________________

There was nothing to worry about. He was here for her, he would be here forever. Protecting her from any harm. Taking away any sadness. His smile would not let her suffer again. And he would be her happiness — it would be an honor. Because she was also his greatest happiness, his greatest dream, the best thing that had ever happened to him. Asta took her two royal hands, wrapped them between his two calloused ones, and with the brightest smile the anti-mage had ever offered to anyone, Asta said to her, the happiest word of his life. 

"Forever!"