Energy eruption. Power amplification. Rage ignition. The perfect demonic force awakened the true might of the evil beast — a demon of fire with power enough to annihilate everything.
"All of you go to hell—along with this temple!"
Vetto's entire body was wrapped in blood-red magic. He hovered in midair, his broken third eye now surging with uncontrollable magic.
A beast driven purely by despair, intent on dragging everyone into ruin.
On the surface, Sekke Bronzazza of the Green Mantis trembled behind a rock by the shore. If Captain Jack hadn't ordered him to stay and await reinforcements, he would've fled long ago.
But where were those reinforcements? It had been ages since that beast slaughtered the Green Mantis squad…
Sekke clutched his ears and squatted, shivering. "Such vile magic… even from here I can feel it. Who's strong enough to stop that monster?"
"Just you? A beast consumed by your own desire!"
The jade pendant on Adam's chest pulsed with a blinding crimson light. His eyes burned like embers, and the dragon crest on his grimoire's pages gleamed with gold.
A massive green shadow—an ethereal dragon—rose behind him, roaring in fury that shook the temple walls.
"What… what is that?!"
Everyone was stunned. None of them had expected the rookie who'd joined the Black Bulls only recently to wield such overwhelming strength.
"Adam… I'll definitely catch up to you." Asta clenched his fists, determination blazing in his tan eyes.
Though Gauche and Finral were shocked, they'd already seen Adam fight three powerful mages at once. They could still believe it.
But the rest of the Black Bulls, who'd only heard the tales, had thought Finral was exaggerating again. After all—seeing is believing.
Just like at the award ceremony, where the nobles who'd been humiliated by Adam still trembled at the sight of him… while others dismissed the stories as rumor.
People only trust what they see—even if it's just an illusion.
"Dragon Magic: Ultimate Dragon Blast!"
A colossal beam of energy erupted from Adam's hand. The infernal flames of the Devil Dragon tore through Vetto's magic defenses and swallowed the beast whole.
"ROOOAARRR!"
The dragon's breath didn't stop. It ripped through the underwater temple, blew a hole through the barrier, and speared up through the sea—bursting into the night sky, lighting the heavens above Raquey as if dawn had come.
"What is that!?" Sekke gawked, frozen in disbelief.
The people of Raquey stared skyward—many thought morning had arrived. They stepped outside… only to find it was still deep night.
"This is… a miracle!"
Vetto's body was torn apart—no, obliterated. His upper body was gone, leaving only his lower half.
"I hope we never meet again," Adam muttered, though unease still gnawed at him. Should he burn the remains to ash, just in case?
"We won!" The Black Bulls exchanged glances—and erupted into cheers.
Bang!
Yami Sukehiro burst through the viewing room wall, having just unlocked a new spell that could slice through dimensions. He shattered the space barrier and gave the white-robed enemy outside a well-deserved beating.
"Hey, boys—here I come!"
The Bulls immediately surrounded him.
"Captain Yami!" Asta shouted, charging forward—only to be grabbed by the collar and flung aside.
"Get lost, kid!"
"Captain Yami, where were you? Even if you wanted to test us, this was too much!" Adam shouted, glaring at him.
"Test you? Hah. You think surpassing your limits happens when it's easy?" Yami barked, crossing his arms. He didn't want them to know he'd been trapped by spatial magic—and that he'd had to push past his own limit to escape.
As team captain, he should've done that long ago. Still… this situation was a bit embarrassing.
Turning the tables, Yami growled, "And you, brat—why the hell did you show up so late?"
"I wanted to train everyone too."
"Don't act like an old man, or I'll knock you into next week!"
"Captain Yami, can I go see Marie now?" Gauche asked.
"You think now is the time?"
"Master Yami, Master Adam, and everyone from the Black Bulls—thank you for saving the Underwater Temple. You have won this battle," said the elderly High Priest, kneeling with tears in his eyes.
"Alright, old man, hand over the Magic Stone," Yami said, holding out his hand impatiently.
"Magic Stone? What's that?" the High Priest asked innocently.
"…What?"
The Black Bulls' faces darkened in unison. This old man was definitely playing dumb.
"Then how did you know about the Magic Stone?" Yami asked, narrowing his eyes.
"I, uh… overheard your conversation?" the priest said sheepishly.
Yami reached for his katana, Adam's eyes sparked with lightning, and Gauche raised a mirror threateningly.
"It hurts… It's been a while since I felt that!"
Asta yelped—Nero had pecked his forehead. The bird had a Magic Stone clamped in its beak.
"Nero, did you find that yourself?" Asta asked, rubbing his head.
Yami reached out, took the Magic Stone, and Nero flew back to perch smugly on Asta's head again—wearing an unmistakably judgmental look.
"The mission's finally complete," everyone sighed in relief.
"You guys…" Yami exhaled, then smiled faintly. "You did a damn good job."
The Bulls froze, stunned. Did their captain just compliment them?
Asta broke into a grin, followed by the others. Together they gave the official Magic Knight salute and shouted, "Yes, Captain!"
"As soon as I relax… I feel exhausted."
"Me too…"
The Bulls collapsed one by one, all except Yami—who'd spent the night eating—and Adam, who'd been hunting for treasure.
"Adam, carry them out."
"Fine—but I'm only taking Vanessa, Noelle, Kahono, and Gray. The rest can crawl."
"I can use magic…" the High Priest mumbled.
"Shut up, old man!" Yami and Adam snapped in unison, glaring fiercely.
"You're the great heroes of the temple!"
"Everyone's amazing!"
"Thank you!"
After being transported back by Adam's water magic, the Bulls rested and recovered under the temple's care.
Everyone—except Asta.
The group stood by the window, listening to the cheers of the temple residents. Magna even cried with joy.
"I never thought the worst squad would ever get thanked like this."
"This feeling… it's actually pretty great!"
Inside the ruined temple, Adam and Yami stood beside Vetto's remains.
"Captain Yami, let's burn it."
"Kid, your ideas are dangerous."
"This is called returning to nature. Perfectly safe," Adam replied dryly.
Yami lit a stick of incense and set it beside Vetto's legs. "You really need therapy, kid. He's already in pieces—what's he gonna do, get up and punch us?"
"…Hard to say."
Yami's face darkened at Adam's dead-serious tone. What kind of freaks had joined his squad lately?
"Captain Yami! Adam!" Asta's voice echoed behind them.
"You're lively for a guy covered in bandages!" Yami said with a grin.
"You need rest, got it?" Adam added, looking at Asta's wrapped arms. Then he muttered to himself,
"If I had the Horse Talisman, this kind of injury would heal in minutes…"