The resting area was quiet—too quiet for Celise's liking.
She stood near the center of the room, fingers tightening around the hem of her sleeve with every heartbeat. The echoes of the arena still lingered in her mind: the collapsing stone, the violent suction of the black sphere, the blinding line of space being cut in half.
When the door finally clicked open, Celise's composure broke like thin glass.
"Nova—!"
She rushed toward him instantly, faster than she ever moved in public. The Ven-Drive armor registered her approach; the plates softened and shifted to accommodate her. Nova extended his arm with perfect timing, catching her by the waist before her momentum could push her into him too hard.
Celise's hands immediately moved over his shoulders, chest, arms, checking for fractures, burns, dents—anything. Her breathing was quick and uneven, her eyes sharp and frantic.
Nova let her inspect him without a word.
When she finally realized he was completely unharmed beneath the armor, her shoulders sagged with a trembling relief she didn't bother to hide.
Only then did Nova raise his hand, slide it along her cheek, and pull her into a firm, grounding kiss.
Celise melted into it with a soft, breathy sound—her hands gripping his shoulders as the tension drained out of her body. When he finally pulled back, she didn't move far, letting her forehead rest briefly against his.
Moments later, Nova sat down on a cushioned bench, pulling Celise effortlessly onto his lap. She settled sideways, one arm around his neck, the other pressed lightly against his chest as if still assuring herself he was real.
Her voice came after a moment—quiet but steady.
"They planned it," she said. "Exactly how I feared."
Nova tilted his head slightly. "Team battle."
Celise nodded, the corner of her lips tightening. "Yes. Their plan was to tire you out with the first two matches. Luthor, especially… he was meant to drain as much of your stamina and mana as possible. Then Veyron and Kael would step in with strategies they planned seeing your battle won't Arden and Luthor."
Nova listened calmly, eyes half-lidded, thumb stroking the side of her thigh.
Celise continued, "They're the strongest heirs. Both near captain-level. Alone, they would already be difficult opponents. But together… with gem magic and spatial magic complementing each other… it's no coincidence. This was arranged."
Nova smirked slightly. "I know."
Celise blinked. "Then why did you accept without hesitation?"
Nova brushed a strand of her hair behind her ear, the motion slow and gentle.
"Because it doesn't matter," he said simply. "I will still demolish them both."
Celise's lips parted slightly—caught between exasperation and admiration—as she let out a soft breath. "Confidence suits you… but this is still a two-on-one."
Nova's fingers tightened around her waist. "Which is why," he said quietly, "I won't be fighting alone."
Celise shifted slightly on his lap, eyes sharpening. "Your partner… do you have someone in mind?"
Nova frowned slightly. His foundation in this world is still little weak. He doesn't know anybody who could stand their ground against those two guys, as according to rumours that their power almost rivals magic knight squad captians.
He would have chosen Asta or Yuno, but they are still weak currently. It seems he needs to choose someone from different world. Lily, Narcissa, Harry or someone else?
But could they adapt to this worlds fighting style? Wizarding world fighting style is mostly long range but here in Black Clover it's mixed. It seems he needs to train the person after he bring them in this world. He just hope that they would get their grimoire automatically upon arrival otherwise it would be a hassle.
Celise shifted slightly on his lap, her eyes sharpening with focus. "Your partner… do you have someone in mind?"
Nova didn't answer immediately. A faint crease formed between his brows, small but noticeable. For someone who rarely showed uncertainty, the expression itself spoke volumes.
His foundation in this world was still too thin. He didn't know anyone within the Clover Kingdom who could confidently stand against Veyron and Kael. According to Celise's information, the two of them were the strongest heirs—power almost brushing the boundary of Magic Knight Captains.
He couldn't choose Asta or Yuno. Not yet. Their potential was enormous, but their current strength wasn't enough for a battle of this level. They would be crushed before they could even adjust to the intensity.
Nova exhaled slowly. His thoughts drifted elsewhere—toward an entirely different set of possibilities.
If he couldn't pick someone from this world…
Then he would have to choose someone from another.
Names flashed through his mind one by one.
Lily, Narcissa, Harry and a few others.
But each candidate came with their own problems. Would they adapt to Black Clover's fighting style?
Wizarding World combat revolved around long-range spellcasting and wandwork. Quick, precise, and often fragile. This kingdom wasn't like that. Black Clover battles demanded speed, physical strength, close-range clashes, and mana reinforcement.
Whoever he brought here would need to adjust fast. He would need to train them. That much was certain.
Another complication formed as he thought further—the Grimoire.
Would the world automatically select a Grimoire for them upon arrival? If not, it would be annoying. He might even have to trigger the process manually with Reality Script.
Nova's fingers drummed lightly on Celise's waist without thinking. Too many variables. Too many details. Still… none of it changed the situation.
He exhaled softly. "It seems I'll have to summon someone else," he murmured.
Celise watched him quietly. She could read the shift in his expression as easily as she read a spellbook. "You're thinking carefully," she said. "That's good. But don't overthink it. You only need someone you trust."
Nova raised his gaze to hers and smiled confidently," I am going to bring the person, so don't let me disturbed by anybody."
Celise watched him quietly, hands resting lightly on his shoulders. She could read the shift in his expression as easily as she read a spellbook. "You're thinking carefully," she said. "That's good. But don't overthink it. You only need someone you trust."
Nova looked up at her and smiled with a calm, confident ease. "I'm going to bring the person," he said. "So don't let anyone disturb me. No matter who it is and take care of my body."
Celise nodded, though confusion flickered faintly in her eyes. She had assumed he would close his eyes and meditate or begin some unknown preparation. Instead, Nova leaned forward—slowly, deliberately—until she felt the warmth of his breath against her skin.
Before she could react, he buried his face in her cleavage.
Celise froze instantly. A small, involuntary gasp escaped her lips as her hands shot up to steady him. The soft press of his cheek and the heat of his breath against her chest sent a sharp tremor through her entire body. Her heart raced so quickly it almost hurt.
"N-Nov—Nova…?" she whispered, her voice thin and breathless. "W-What are you doing…?"
Nova didn't answer right away. He inhaled softly, his cheek brushing against her skin with lazy comfort, and she felt her legs tense at the sensation. When he finally spoke, the warmth of his voice vibrated directly against her.
"Relax," he murmured. "I like this spot."
Her breath caught. The blush on her face deepened to a shade she rarely ever showed. She tried to respond, but her throat tightened with heat.
"You can't just… do something like this without warning," she whispered, her fingers curling against the back of his neck.
Nova only shifted slightly, rubbing his cheek in a slow, unhurried motion that made her knees weaken. "Why not?" he murmured. "You're warm… comfortable."
Celise shivered again, her grip tightening unconsciously. Every bit of her composure evaporated, replaced by a mix of flustered warmth and helpless affection. "You're unbelievable…" she breathed, unable to keep the tremble from her voice.
He stayed pressed against her, relaxed and completely at ease. The steady motion of his breathing, the intimate closeness, the way his head rested perfectly against her chest—everything softened the air around them. The tension drained from her shoulders little by little as her arms circled him gently.
Nova's breathing slowed, becoming deep and steady. His body leaned fully into her, warm and unmoving. He wasn't asleep—she could tell—but his awareness slipped away from the room. His consciousness drifted somewhere far beyond her reach.
Celise looked down at him, still holding him against her. Her fingers brushed slowly through his hair as she exhaled, steadying her racing heart. "Every time," she whispered softly, "you leave me like this…" Her lips curved into a faint, helpless smile. "You make it impossible to stay calm around you."
She kept him close, her chin resting lightly on the top of his head, while his mind slipped away entirely.
And in that warm, quiet embrace—
Nova's consciousness resurfaced elsewhere.
In another world entirely.
x------x
[CHAPTER: (147 FLUER'S REWARD) IS AVAILABLE ON MY P@TREON]