"Noelle, Adam — did you two enjoy your date?"
As dusk settled over the Black Bulls' base, Adam and Noelle pushed open the door. Vanessa, lounging on the sofa with a flushed, drunken face, greeted them lazily while holding a bottle of wine.
"Very happy," Adam replied, sitting down across from her. "Has Asta not come back yet?"
"I'm telling you, Sister Vanessa! I saw so many cute little animals today!"
Noelle plopped down beside Vanessa and began chattering nonstop about the farm. Her eyes sparkled with delight; she clearly loved every moment of their trip.
While half-listening to Noelle's enthusiastic rambling, Vanessa glanced at Adam and shrugged. "I don't know. They haven't returned yet."
Figures, Adam thought. This drunk never knows what's going on around here.
Not long after, the rest of the Black Bulls began returning one by one. Finally, Yami Sukehiro and his group stepped out from Finral Roulacase's Space Magic portal.
"Charmy, hurry up — nobody's cooked dinner yet!"
Everyone's faces darkened instantly. So that's why Adam kept asking about Charmy all evening — he was starving.
"Adam, let me tell you — today I met a prince who saved delicious food!"
Charmy's eyes gleamed mischievously as she leaned closer to Adam. "Brother Adam, I even exchanged names with the prince! He knows about that incident too, so you can't threaten me anymore!"
"Can you please just cook already? I'm starving."
Adam rubbed his stomach. Lately, his appetite had grown monstrous. If Charmy didn't cook soon, he'd have to fill up on water again.
"Ah! Listen to me carefully!"
Charmy puffed her cheeks in anger — it was so adorable that Adam couldn't help pinching them.
"Princes marry princesses," he teased with a grin. "A little kid like you will always be my personal chef!"
"Adam!"
Charmy slapped his hand away, her face red with indignation. She summoned her Chef Sheep, muttering darkly as she prepared to "season" Adam's meal with a few special ingredients as payback.
"Everyone, listen up!" Asta shouted, bursting into the room with excitement. "Today we went to the border with Captain Yami and fought the Diamond Kingdom! Senior Finral, Senior Charmy, and I even beat up a slime monster — and the vice-captain of Golden Dawn got totally humiliated!"
"Alright, kid, that's enough. You're too damn loud."
Yami grabbed Asta by the head, making him yelp in pain. "Tomorrow, I'm taking you to a doctor."
"Ahhh—!"
"Captain Yami, I'll go with you tomorrow," Adam said.
"Fine," Yami grunted.
Adam eyed Asta's arms thoughtfully. If I had the Horse Talisman, this would be easy.
Forget it — we'll see tomorrow.
That Night — Adam's Room
"This Water Spirit's ability is powerful but tied too tightly to mana," Adam muttered, flipping through his grimoires. "It's practically immortal in defense, but can't unleash any high-level techniques."
He frowned. He could replicate Noelle's Water Magic, but without sufficient control, it was limited.
"The power of the Ox and Rooster Talismans has returned, too. That tonic and the blue rooster really helped. Six Zodiac Talismans down — halfway there. Once I gather the rest, I'll have everything I need."
The Twelve Zodiac Talismans remained Adam's main power source; the Devil powers were just extensions of that force.
Of course, if the Eight Devils were to descend in their true forms or become contracted familiars… that would be a different story.
After all, even that arrogant Shendu The Evil Dragon wouldn't dare call itself the number one demon.
"Perfect. At this rate, I'll become the strongest in the world. Maybe it's time I started my own group… I'll think of a name later."
Adam clenched his fists, eyes burning with resolve.
In a world ruled by magic, only power mattered. Words alone couldn't protect anyone.
His dream was simple — to become the strongest and freest person in the world.
The Next Morning — The Royal Capital
Finral's Space Magic transported Adam, Yami, and Asta to a small building in the royal capital. Asta was, as usual, making noise nonstop.
"Kid, do you get sick if you don't fight?" Yami grunted, dragging Asta by the head. "You've got a disease. We're getting it treated."
"With wounds like yours, next time it won't just be two arms — it'll be three legs!" Adam teased.
Yami smirked. "Exactly."
The two of them ignored Asta's whining as they climbed the stairs.
"Here we are. This guy's the kingdom's top doctor. He fixed my broken arm once," Yami said.
"That's too much praise, Captain Yami," came a calm voice.
A middle-aged man with light blue hair and a white coat greeted them with a warm smile. "Hello. I am Owen — the Royal Recovery Mage, directly under the Wizard King."
"Hello, Doctor Owen. I'll leave Asta in your care," Adam said politely, bowing slightly.
Yami and Asta blinked in disbelief.
The lunatic's being polite? Did he hit his head?
"Interesting vocabulary," Owen chuckled. "I've heard of you, Adam. The Wizard King mentioned your name — he said you're a dangerous yet fascinating anomaly. Your magic truly surprised him."
"Thanks for the compliment," Adam said through gritted teeth. That nosy old man again…
Always turning into some old lady to spy on people. Doesn't he have work to do?
Ever since Adam learned to sense ki, he'd discovered that the "old woman" who sold grilled snakes in the castle town had the exact same aura as that pervy old Wizard King.
"And you, Asta — your Anti-Magic is truly incredible!"
"As expected of one of the Wizard King's direct subordinates!"
Asta's eyes lit up like stars. Anything related to the Wizard King instantly turned him into an overexcited puppy.
He and Julius are really two of a kind… Adam thought, shaking his head.
"Alright, kid," Yami said, turning to leave. "Take the little brat here and get him healed. I've got something important to do."
Adam's mouth twitched. 'Important task,' huh? Probably gambling again.
Owen chuckled. "Your captain and I share a drink now and then — that's just the kind of man he is. Anyway, Asta, come sit down."
Asta obeyed, sitting across from him. Owen raised his hand and began chanting.
"Water Recovery Magic: Jellyfish Surgery!"
Mist filled the room as several glowing jellyfish floated in the air, their tentacles wrapping gently around Asta's arms. Owen examined the injuries closely.
"How is it, Doctor? Can his arms be healed?" Adam asked.
Owen's expression darkened. "I'm sorry. This isn't a normal injury — it's Ancient Curse Magic. I can't do anything about it."
Asta froze, his expression falling.
Adam clenched his fists. He couldn't rely solely on his Zodiac powers; this curse needed another solution — fast.
Asta couldn't afford to wait. He was the man who aimed to become the Wizard King.
"Don't worry, Asta," Adam said firmly, placing a hand on his shoulder. "I'll find a way."
He frowned, deep in thought. Where could I even look? The Magic Palace? A forbidden zone? The royal treasury?
"Adam… I'm not giving up."
Asta's voice was low — barely a whisper.
Adam nodded, respect flickering in his eyes.
Outside the room, Finral leaned silently against the wall, his face pale and conflicted.
"I just found the best partner…" he murmured, voice trembling.