Black Bull headquarters — payday.
"Boys, today's our day off. Go have some fun!"
Yami casually tossed his coin purse onto the table.
"The captain is so generous!" Everyone cheered in unison, quickly snatching their pay.
"Adam, can you take me to Nairn City?" Asta ran over as soon as he got his salary, eyes shining with excitement.
"Hey, I was trying to figure that out too!" Adam sighed, shaking his head. "But I can't fly right now. We'll have to find another way."
"We?" Asta blinked.
"Yeah. I've got something to do in the flat world too."
He and Ladin had planned to leave that morning, and the clock was already ticking.
"I was just about to ask Finral for a ride, but poof—he was gone," Adam muttered with frustration. Not being able to use flight magic was beyond inconvenient.
"Let's go find Senior Magna!" Asta shouted.
Adam nodded, and the two rushed outside. Magna was wiping down his beloved broom, humming to himself.
"Senior Magna! Please take Adam and me to the flat world!" Asta begged.
"Asta, I—"
"So cool! I really wanna ride this majestic broom!" Adam said with an exaggerated expression, mouth wide open like a kid at a candy shop.
"Okay… okay!" Magna gave in with a sigh.
He had a sharp tongue but a soft heart, and Adam's shameless praise made him too happy to refuse.
"Asta, what are you going to Nairn City for?" Magna asked as he started up his broom.
"To meet the girls from the sorority!" Asta said without hesitation.
Magna's jaw almost dropped. This innocent idiot was somehow already ahead of him in the dating game.
"Adam, you too?" Magna asked.
"No. I've got an appointment with someone. Going to his place today." Adam's casual tone made Magna squint. Kids these days were way too bold.
"Let's go!"
Adam and Asta hopped onto Magna's broom, and the trio soared toward Nairn City.
"Appointment…"
Noelle, who had overheard everything, froze on the spot like she'd been turned to stone.
"No way. I'm following them," she muttered, determination flashing in her eyes. "I can't let Adam get tricked!"
"Adam, you really don't want to come with me?" Asta asked one last time as they descended over the city. "Rebecca's got lots of siblings, just like at the church."
"I'm sorry, Asta. I can't today. Next time, I promise," Adam said, refusing to meet his eager gaze. The kid was impossible to say no to.
"Oh well…"
Black Market.
"Brother Adam, aren't you too slow?"
Ladin didn't dare scold him for being late, but his voice carried a hint of complaint.
"Sorry, let's go!" Adam rubbed his head, embarrassed.
Who could've guessed Yami had to use the bathroom three times this morning… and then breakfast had turned into a circus.
"Let's move out!"
Ladin led Adam to a carriage that looked… questionable. There was only room for one person. The rest of the space was packed with goods.
"A carriage? We'll get there after dark at this rate!" Adam stared in disbelief.
"Don't worry. My place is nearby," Ladin said with a sly grin as he took the reins. "This isn't just any carriage."
"Steel Magic: Steel Accelerator!"
His grimoire flashed brightly. Metallic wings unfolded on both sides of the carriage, and two jet boosters ignited at the back.
"Holy shit!"
Adam grabbed onto the cargo for dear life as the carriage lifted off. It was faster than most broomsticks.
"Awesome, Ladin!"
"No big deal."
Not long after, they passed through Nairn Castle and reached the outskirts.
"Arrived!"
Adam stuck his head out, eyes widening. Farm? This was no farm.
It was a manor.
On the left were massive breeding facilities, on the right sprawling gardens. A large castle stood in the middle, flanked by rows of pristine white houses.
"Ladin… why the hell are you peddling junk in the capital when you live like this?" Adam asked, stunned.
"This isn't mine. It's my father's," Ladin replied lightly.
"Of course…"
Ladin Family Estate.
"Master!"
Servants hurried out to greet them as Ladin and Adam stepped down from the flying carriage. A middle-aged man in a black uniform approached with a calm smile.
"Uncle Modi, where's my father?" Ladin asked.
Modi, the housekeeper who had served the family for over twenty years, bowed. "Unknown creatures have been raiding the crops lately. Master and Madam have gone to consult with your grandfather."
"What crops got hit the hardest?" Adam cut in.
"This is Adam," Ladin introduced. "He wants to buy some animals."
"Radishes and other vegetables," Modi replied.
"Rabbits?" Adam guessed.
"These footprints are way too big for rabbits," Modi explained, frowning.
"Uncle Modi, take us to the damaged area," Ladin ordered. "Then let's check the farm for any more of those special chickens like last time. My friend wants to buy one."
"Understood."
"It's huge…"
Adam crouched down, staring at the enormous tracks stamped into the soil. The footprints were bigger than a magic bear's paw.
Whatever it was, it wasn't small.
"Master, this is the only Black Bull on the estate that meets your friend's requirements," Modi said, bringing over a massive, pure black bull.
"What a beast!" Adam's eyes sparkled. The bull was black with streaks of deep purple across its hide. Its muscles rippled with raw power.
"I'll take it. How much?"
Modi glanced at Ladin.
"Give me the friend discount," Adam added quickly.
"Two hundred thousand Yul," Modi replied without hesitation.
"WHAT?!" Adam's jaw dropped. "That's my whole damn salary!"
"This is a rare breed," Modi said coolly. "Anyone else would pay four hundred thousand. You're getting half off."
"Fine!" Adam gritted his teeth, handed over the money, and stared at the bull like it owed him a miracle. "You better be worth it."
"Adam, want me to take you?" Ladin offered.
"No need. You just got home. I'll handle it myself."
Adam waved him off, grabbed the rope, and walked out of the manor with the giant bull in tow.
"Master, that's a clean 100,000 extra," Modi whispered to Ladin as they watched Adam leave. "Are you sure this guy's your friend?"
"Humph! Of course," Ladin said smugly. "We're the best of friends."
He turned toward the castle, smirking.
"Adam, that's for making me lose the exam. Now we're even."
Meanwhile — Nairn City.
"Asta, what the hell are you trying to do to my precious sister?!"
Gauche kicked Asta straight to the ground, eyes blazing with murderous intent.
"Brother, don't hurt Asta! I want to be Asta's bride when I grow up!"
Bride.
"ASTA, I'M GONNA KILL YOU!"
Gauche's Mirror Magic flashed. Asta barely dodged in time.
"Siscon! Nosebleed freak! What are you doing?!" Asta yelled as he scrambled.
"Asta! Where's Adam?" Noelle ran up, out of breath. She'd searched the entire city and still hadn't found him.
"I don't know! Stop shooting, it's dangerous!"
Mary threw her arms out to protect Asta. "Brother, stop hitting Asta! I hate you the most!"
Gauche froze, looking like his heart had just shattered into a thousand pieces.
Meanwhile, Noelle was losing her mind. "Where did Adam go?!"
As Adam's teammate, she had to make sure his safety—and his innocence—were intact. If he spent the night at another girl's house… who knew what might happen?!
Meanwhile, far away…
Adam had already started eating.
The big black bull refused to walk halfway home. So Adam did the most logical thing he could think of—he roasted it.
"Tasty."