A puddle of blood formed under Sister Theresa which made you panic a bit as you crouched down and used Healing Hands on her, desperate to keep her breathing. I don't know if this will be enough. You gritted your teeth in anger and fear.

"Don't you dare die, you old hag! You're going to make Marie sad if you die! I wouldn't like it very much, either!" Gauche yelled out, desperation filling his voice.

"T-Take care of the children for me. In any battlefield, the victims were always the weak. It was always innocent children. I wanted to protect the children, so I left the battlefield and became a sister", Theresa coughed up blood while you tried to close the wound.

"What are you talking about? All of you were born sinners", tears ran down Licht's face. "You poor thing... Sally, look at how much they've hurt you. Rest, my child", Licht looked down at Sally with pity before a spatial portal appeared.

"See you later, Asta, [Name]. You belong to me", she stared at you and Asta with a creepy smile that made a chill run down both of your spines while she went through the portal. The last words creeped you out a lot. Honestly, I'm scared of her, not gonna lie. She's creepy.

"Forgive me, my lord. All this because I let her go alone... I never imagined all of this would happen", Valtos apologized.

"There's no need for you to feel responsible. I'm sure they used some underhanded methods", Licht responded with a calm tone.

"Who are you calling underhanded?! Look at what you did to all those innocent children!" Asta yelled in anger at Licht.

"She mentioned earlier that the victims on the battlefield are always the weak. That is incorrect. The victims are the strong. Envied, feared, discriminated against, persecuted, and stolen from. That is why we will not forgive the Clover Kingdom. This time, we will destroy you and create our kingdom", Licht said. You understood absolutely nothing.

"What the hell are you talking about?! You're the one that attacked!" Asta screamed and a light spear was sent toward him and it pierced his leg.

"Asta!" you screamed out to him before turning to the glowing. "What's your problem?!"

"Shut your filthy mouth. You're an eyesore. Why does someone like you have that grimoire?" Licht stared at the two of you and he threw a light spear right into your arm, and it drilled through it. Blood spewed from the wound before you quickly tried to heal it.

"Shit!" you groaned in pain and held your arm which was unfortunately struck. "He's fucking crazy. Asta! His magic is light! It's faster than time so if you barge in, it won't-", before you could finish, a light beam was aimed at you and Asta. Shit. I'm dead.

"I'll be taking that grimoire back", he glared at you and Asta and started to advance as he prepared to create a beam of light to finish you off. Suddenly you heard the sound of a portal appearing behind you and Yami blocked the attack that went towards Asta and Zingi appeared from another one, sucking the light beam sent towards you into the shadows he created. "Dear Aletrcoan! Are you holding up okay?!" Zingi helped you up from the ground and hugged you while he created a shadow wall to block any sudden attacks.

You healed your wound and nodded. You had never seen him like that, and you weren't sure whether to be happy, concerned, or amused. He was worried sick for the first time this bad.

"Captain Yami! Shadow Dra- Zingi, yeah! What are you two doing here?!" Asta yelled in surprise and confusion at the two people popping up.

"Why are we here? Well, obviously... I'm a little lost. Give me some directions, damn it", Yami rubbed the back of his neck.

"Captain, you were lost?!" Asta screamed.

Yami grabbed Asta's head. "Of course not. I was joking, dumbass. We're Magic Knights. Of course, we're going to show up. Everyone back at the base was useless, so I decided to come myself and bring eye-covering the bastard with me", Yami pointed at Zingi over his shoulder who snapped his head at him and Zingi seemed to glare at him. "He's a part of us now, technically."

"Shut up!" the dragon-shifter quickly switched back to you. "I'm so glad we came in time. Nemba would've mauled me if I let you die to someone like him", Zingi cursed under his breath, shivering at the thought of what Nemba could've done and probably will do for letting you near death.

"You're part of the Black Bulls?" you tilted your head in confusion

"I- Well, I am, sorta. Just, not an official member."

"So, what's his deal?" Yami asked as he let go of Asta's head and turned his attention to Licht.

"Apparently he's the leader of the Eye of the Midnight Sun", Asta answered and Finral freaked out, backing away immediately.

"Huh? I thought he'd be some big guy, burly guy who could eat a cow in a single gulp, but he's just a scrawny-ass beanpole", Yami sounded disappointed as he saw the leader and spoke with an uninterested tone and a deadpan expression.

"That's the Black Bulls' captain. But I'm not sure about the other one. Shall I summon the Third Eye?" Valtos asked Licht who refused.

"There's no need. I've always wanted to fight him since he uses dark magic", Licht stared at you with an amused face before looking at Yami and Zingi.

"Finral, please get the kids and everyone back to town!" Asta looked over at Finral who nodded.

"What are you going to do?" he asked.

"I can still fight! I finally get a chance to see Captain Yami and Shadow Dragon in action! There's no way I'm leaving!" Asta announced with pride.

"No, you're not gonna see me in action, I'm not doing anything else than protecting... at least not yet", Zingi shook his head and Asta sulked, disappointment growing.

"Gauche and uh... you there! Can you walk?!" Finral called out for Gauche and Neige.

"Yes! But more importantly, get to the old hag! Hurry up!" Gauche yelled at him while Finral quickly nodded and sprung into action.

"Got it! All right, Yami. I'm leaving the rest to you", Finral announced to him as Yami looked over his shoulder and ordered him to come back.

"You know, I think I'm running low on magic... Like, for real!" Finral tried his best to stay out of trouble and wiggle himself out of this mess. A light sword charged at the spatial magic user but Yami slashed it in half, and the sword vanished into yellow particles.

"The hell do you think you're doing to my ride?" Yami stared at Licht. Finral grabbed Sister Theresa and headed through a portal.

"So cool? How'd you stop that? What's up with that sword?!" Asta bombed him with questions.

"Shut up, kid. This weapon is called a "katana" from my homeland, the Land of the Sun. And that was- Like I have time to explain all this right now. Besides, it's a pain. Just watch!" Yami stopped his explanation mid-way through and was ready to charge at Licht.

"Light Magic: Light Swords of Conviction", Licht sent a barrage of his magical light swords at Yami and you noticed the captain had his sword cloaked in dark magic and blocked all of the glowing swords.

"How about this?" Licht smiled and appeared behind Yami in the blink of an eye and tried to attack him but he blocked Licht's attack by swinging his sword backwards. Licht grinned at this. "So this is the power of a great Magic Knight heretic?"

Yami looked over his shoulder before letting out a confused 'Huh'. "Hey, haven't I seen you somewhere before?" he quickly cloaked his sword again and tried to slash the light user's neck but he stepped back. Yami tried to land a blow on Licht but he kept dodging it and soon vanished into light and appeared behind him. "I'm pretty sure I don't know anyone who uses light magic. Who the hell are you? And what's so funny about his?"

"Let me tell you a fable", Licht spoke and more light swords surrounded him once again. "Long ago, in a certain village, there lived a people with very strong magic. They were loved by mana. They changed the weather and manipulated ley lines. They had the power to rival the gods. The humans from outside the village worshipped them as such. However, gradually, the humans grew to fear their power. They envied it and wanted it. They tricked them, massacred them, and stole their powers", Licht finished it.

"That was long. What kind of story is that? Planning to become a bard or something? All right, I've got a little story, too", Yami blocked the light sword barrage with ease while you and Asta watched the fight from afar.

"In a certain place, there was a pure young man. His folks were fishermen, and they started sending him out to fish from a young age. And then he got shipwrecked and washed ashore in a strange country. Since his race and culture were different, he went through some nasty stuff there. But he kicked all their asses and became a boss of a group. The end!" the fight calmed down and Yami removed the cigarette from his mouth. "Well? What do you think of my response fable? Well, it's half of my life, actually."

"You bastard! You dare mock Master Licht?!" Velto yelled out and gritted his teeth.

"Shut up! Your face is scary!" Yami yelled back at him. "Why are there lines on your face?!" a new sword was sent at Yami, but Licht had gotten faster and managed to land a hit on him.

"As a foreigner, I suppose my story had nothing to do with you? Would you mind stepping off the stage then?" Licht sent another barrage of light swords or spears and they were faster than before. Many of them reached the captain, hitting him and causing him to bleed a lot. "I wonder how long you can avoid a fatal blow?"

"Are you the guy who took out Fuegoleon?" Yami asked.

"I am", that was Licht's response. Some anger grew inside you after hearing the answer leave as some simple everyday response. "Although I laid my plans carefully and had him walk into a trap."

"Are you going to do anything?" you turned to Zingi.

"No, if he's beaten then I will, or more fuckers decide to join this bastard and help him", Zingi spat out while still keeping a close eye on Licht.

Yami ran towards and tried to cut his face, but a light sword was sent in between and both of them dodged back. More light turned into swords came out of Licht's hand as Yami tried his best to block all of them.

Your head turned to look up as you saw some huge dripstones being cut clean before Yami punched the wall, causing debris to fall down everywhere.

Zingi quickly created another wall above you, him, and Asta to prevent any of the broken stones from hitting you three.

"Dark Magic: Dark Cloaked Lightless Slash!" Yami prepared his attack and sent out a slash of darkness that was able to cut Licht's cheek and break all the light swords sent at the reckless captain.

"Trap, eh? I'm sure you wouldn't have been able to win without doing something underhanded. This time, come right at me. I'll show you the true power of a Magic Knight Captain!" Yami pointed his sword at Licht with a bit of anger and irritation cloaking his face.

"Light Recovery Magic: Healing Light Particles", a yellowish bubble formed around Licht's body, and it started to glow while the bleeding wound began to close up.

"I haven't seen it in person much, but apparently, guys loved by mana can use all sorts of magic. It's actually rare for an attack-type to also be able to heal", Yami looked at Licht before taking out his cigarette again.

"So, [Name's] loved by mana, then?" Asta turned towards you while you thought about it.

"Yeah, they are loved by mana. I'm proud they decided to join my squad, not everyone gets a Magic Knight with all sorts of magic and tricks in their sleeves", Yami grinned to himself before he patted your shoulder. "Anyway, get ready, kid."

"No, really! I can't! Not in the middle of fighting! Not to mention, I don't have any magic!" Asta refused.

"I don't mean the last attack I did. I'm saying do the thing before that, idiot", Yami sighed as he explained a bit more clearly.

"And I can't block attacks that I can't see!" Asta added.

"You're hopeless. I'll explain it just this once. You'll have to pay me 500 yuls later", Yami stated as he demanded money from it, holding out his hand. "The reason I've been able to react to the attacks is because of something called "ki" from back in my homeland."

"Ki? Not mana", Asta tilted his head in confusion.

"Yeah. People looking at you, the sound of breathing, their smell, the motions of their muscles, the vague sense that they're here. Ki is the blanket term for all of the different types of life energy the human body emits. I read that ki and predicted his next move, then made mine", Yami quickly explained the concept of ki while you and Asta listened closely as Zingi prepared to defend all of you if needed. "You've done that before, haven't you? When I do it, I combine it with magic and muscle and fight that way. I guess it's like being a magic swordsman or something."

"Muscles! So that's why your neck's so thick, Captain Yami!" Asta yelled out and an irk mark appeared on Yami's forehead.

A spatial portal appeared behind Asta and you while Asta was too focused on Yami so you summoned the staff you recently got. You created a small dome of steel around the tip of the staff before slamming a cursed ball to the ground that emerged from the portal. "I'll take a break, Asta's got it."

♡♧♡♧♡

Asta learned ki in a surprisingly small moment and Valtos sent another cursed mana attack from his portal, but Asta managed to sense it and blocked it with his sword, sending it back into the portal and hitting the original attacker. Valtos fell on his back and probably went unconscious. "I did it, Captain Yami!" the ash-blonde hair celebrated.

"Wow, you actually managed to do it? Talk about creepy, you weirdo", Yami stared at Asta with a blank face and the boy seemed shocked at the response.

"Damn, he's still alive?" you sighed as you heard some choked mumbles coming from the downed Valtos.

"How dare you harm Valtos?" Licht turned his face toward Asta and Yami, and he had grown furious. "I can't allow people like you to harm my comrades ever again!" a light spell that looked like a whip appeared and swirled around the light magic user. His tone had grown colder and more frustrated. "The path this spell traces resembles the motions of a whip. Can you predict its movements? It's said that whips were used to punish criminals, once upon a time. That makes it perfect for all of you! Light Creation Magic: Light Whip of Judgement!"

The attack started going wild, hitting the ground, the stone walls, and even the roof above, leading a huge hole to form and snow falling inside.

"Dragon Magic: Barrier Creation: Dome of Steel!" you held out your hands and a steel dome wrapped around you, Yami, Asta, and Zingi.

"Thanks, kid", Yami grabbed your head and moved it towards the front of it. "Now open the dome with a blow!"

The rubble and debris began to move and blow in different directions as you opened the dome and Asta and your captain burst out from the safe place.

"WHAT!" Valtos stared at us in shock and surprise and in response, you smiled at Valtos which creeped him out a bit.

"You're pretty useful but...", Zingi sighed before rubbing the bridge of his nose. "I knew it wasn't a good idea to let you around Luck, you're becoming insane."

"Stop, don't bring Luck into this you bastard!" you yelled at Zingi. "He is a good influence!"

"This feels like raising a kid the wrong way", Zingi rubbed his temples and something fast blew his hair. "Seems like Yami went crazy."

Yami's speed had grown much more than before and Licht seemed to be taken back by a bit. You stared in awe at the newfound strength that Yami had let loose and examined the mana aura around him.

He charged at Licht and swung his sword down and the enemy managed to dodge it just in time before sending another barrage of light swords down on Yami, who blocked them all. He jumped up towards Licht who teleported away and closed his fist as a new attack closed in on Yami, but a black area formed around the light and jumped down towards Licht who floated around, creating a whup and wrapping it around Yami's sword.

As the whip attached to the katana, Licht swung it towards the wall and the dark magic user and dragged him across the stone wall.

You became confused when you saw your captain run on the wall and not fall somehow as the swords tried to hit him again. "Since when did he know how to walk on walls?"

Yami dropped down to a smooth spot on the otherwise broken ground before he spoke up. "Hey, you were in the middle of some weird story, but that wasn't the end of it, was it?" he asked and charged at the light user again and just now you took a closer look at the grimoire. "That grimoire means you're a citizen of the Clover Kingdom, right? Why attack your own country?" the dark magic captain sent his lightless slashes toward Licht who just kept teleporting.

He soon created a light sword similar to the basic steel ones and charged at Yami as their swords clashed against each other, sending sparks in the air. Licht's sword soon broke but he created his whip and tried to attack Yami by teleporting behind him, just for the captain to break the light whip in pieces.

Licht smiled at this and watched Yami bring his sword down at him, but he quickly teleported back. "Answer me. What's your real goal here?" Yami pointed his sword at the floating Licht and his whip.

"Since you're a foreigner too, I'm sure you've noticed them, too. The distortions in this country. Some are on the brink of death from starvation, but others have so much excess food that they throw it away. People are ranked by how much or how little magic they have, but some have great magic, yet are discriminated against for reasons of birth. Some are hurt in the name of justice because they were born in a different country. We were born from these distortions... In order to correct them", Licht finally answered, while you saw good points there and could relate to some of the things he described, such as the discrimination and a few times almost starving to death, you didn't deem it necessary to terrorize the country (except put the snobby noble people in their place).

"I'm not seeing the point here. Aren't you trying to do the same thing these distorted people do? Are you sane?" Yami rubbed his head and had the same mindset as you.

"Perfectly sane. Let me answer your sins with sin", Licht continued to smile as he floated in the air.

"So you're gonna have it your way no matter what. I like guys like that. But...", Yami smiled before he suddenly charged at Licht, almost like he teleported. "I hate your guts!" he slammed the sword just beside Licht who used his whip to try and him Yami.

You watched light swords and debris fly around the area as your eyes tried to get a better look, but the dust-covered your view. "Seriously? I can't even see the fight!"

Zingi sighed and crossed his arms as he saw through it, and noticed Valtos trying to attack Yami with the portal strategy, but your captain blocked it. Yami jumped next to Asta who fell on his back in shock, and the grumpy captain kicked some action into Asta and got him to think about a personal way to win against Valtos. You created a small healing orb in your hands and threw it to Asta and watched the orb splatter on his back as his minor injuries healed and sent a similar one towards Yami. You then sat on the side with Zingi and decided not to butt in, just yet. An odd feeling was brewing