The Black Bulls dragged out their sofas, snacks, and drinks, ready to enjoy the show.
"Oh, why did I get so excited about this…" Adam sighed, rubbing his temples.
If he remembered right, this little gangster—Magna Swing—wasn't actually a bad guy. He just looked scary and had a sharp tongue hiding a soft heart. Still, he could be incredibly annoying.
Right now, Adam should've been eating cake, flipping through his grimoire, and enjoying a peaceful life.
Not fighting the squad's hot-headed delinquent in a brawl that was supposed to belong to the protagonist.
"You bastard! Get up here already!" Magna roared, brandishing his flaming bat.
Adam remained calm, slowly turning the pages of his golden grimoire and strolling forward at an unhurried pace.
The tenth page flickered open—its runes glowing faintly.
Adam blinked, a grin curling at the corner of his mouth.
Across the field, Magna frowned. What's this guy smiling about?
"This is supposed to be my initiation test," Adam said lightly, "but since I'm the only one here, it feels unfair to Asta—who's probably down there worrying about me."
"What are you getting at?" Magna asked, puzzled.
Adam grinned wider. "I think you should fight both of us."
Magna laughed, clearly amused. "Fine by me! As your senior, I'll let you and that loud kid fight together!"
"OK!" Asta shouted from the sidelines, practically vibrating with excitement.
Adam tilted his head toward Magna, his grin forming a perfect half-circle. "Nice idea, senior. But Asta's partner isn't me—"
He pointed straight at Magna. "It's you."
Magna's face twisted. "You little—!"
"Just go with it, Magna!" Yami barked from behind his cloud of smoke.
Magna clenched his teeth, smoke rising from his head. This arrogant brat's begging for a beating.
Asta, however, was over the moon. "Adam! We finally get to fight for real!"
Adam cracked his neck. "You ready? Because I'm about to explode."
A surge of golden light burst from his grimoire. Adam inhaled deeply—then unleashed a searing torrent of flames.
"Dragon Blast!"
Magna leapt back just in time. The hill behind him disintegrated into molten rubble.
"Holy crap!" Magna's face went pale. "That guy's trying to kill me!"
Luck's eyes sparkled. "He's amazing! I wanna fight him too!"
The Bulls roared with laughter and awe.
"Captain Yami, where the hell did you find this monster?" Vanessa said, already tipsy again.
Yami exhaled a long drag of his cigarette. "Dumb luck, probably."
Meanwhile, Asta dashed forward, his Anti Magic sword glinting in the sun. "My turn!"
Adam raised his hand, a crimson glow condensing in his palm. "Asta… you really think I'm all talk?"
"Dragon Blast!"
Asta barely managed to raise his sword. The golden beam slammed into the blade—and ricocheted back.
Adam twisted midair, dodging his own attack as it tore past him.
"As expected of that cursed four-leaf," Adam muttered. "You really are special, Asta."
Asta stared at his sword in shock. "It bounced it back…? Awesome!"
"Fire Magic: Exploding Fireball!"
Magna hurled a sphere of flame—only for Adam to leap straight into the sky.
"Huh? He can fly now?!"
Adam's grimoire flipped to the tenth page, golden light swirling into the shape of a rooster.
"The Proud Rooster grants me the power to soar!"
His boots glowed faintly, and he hovered a few feet off the ground. Not high—but enough to make him look annoyingly smug.
From below, Asta gawked. "He can fly!?"
Adam smirked. "Not much, but hey—it's something. Guess this bird doesn't flap too high."
Then, as if channeling his inner Saiyan, he raised both hands.
"Whatever! Mega Dragon Blast!"
A storm of fiery beams rained down.
Asta blocked what he could, his Anti Magic sword cutting through the fire.
Magna, on the other hand, ran for his life—screaming.
Booms echoed across the field. When the smoke cleared, Magna was sprawled in the dirt, twitching.
Asta rushed over and shielded him with his sword. "Senior Magna! Are you okay?!"
Magna groaned. "I finally get why the captain paired me with you two psychos…"
He looked up, dazed, half-laughing, half-crying. "You're both freaks."
From the sidelines, the Bulls were losing it.
"Is this guy for real?" Vanessa slurred.
"Adam's power is like a squad captain's!" Finral muttered.
Yami's grin widened. "Heh. Didn't expect a dragon mage who can also fly."
Adam landed lightly, breathing hard. "Damn… this really eats through stamina. I'm starving."
He paused, realization dawning. Starving… beef… wait—
"Could the Rooster Talisman's true power be… appetite?"
Magna staggered up, fireball in hand. "Hey, brat! Look over here!"
Adam sighed. "Senior, brute force won't save you."
"Fire Magic: Super Fireball!"
But instead of aiming at Adam, Magna launched it straight toward Asta.
"Go, Asta!" he shouted.
"Got it, Senior!" Asta swung his sword, batting the fireball straight back—right at Adam.
"Wait—what?!"
BOOM!
A massive explosion filled the sky. Smoke engulfed everything.
Magna coughed. "Did we… kill him?"
Then, through the haze—
"HAHAHAHA! You really think I'd die from that?!"
Adam burst out of the smoke, flames swirling around him, eyes glowing gold.
He raised both hands, energy building.
"Let's finish this!"
"Enough."
Yami's deep voice cut through the air. His overwhelming pressure froze everyone in place.
The fight stopped instantly.
Asta panted. Magna slumped. Adam landed, grinning wildly.
"Damn, that was insane!" Finral whistled.
"I didn't expect little brother Adam to be that manly," Vanessa teased.
"Shameless show-off," Luck laughed.
Adam blinked. "Huh? What's with those looks?"
Then he realized… his clothes were gone. Burned clean off by his own flames.
Vanessa giggled, already draping a Black Bull cloak over him. "Let's get you dressed before Charmy faints."
Adam looked down, mortified. "Right… next time, fireproof clothes."
Everyone burst out laughing.
"Uh, hello?!" Magna yelled from the ground. "I'm still injured over here!"
Up on the second floor, Noelle peered down, her cheeks flushed bright red. She wanted to call them country idiots—but couldn't.
Because the truth stood right in front of her eyes.
How could a dragon ever be called a pest?