Yuuki's expression tightened.
He wasn't intentionally probing anything — the mana waves pouring off the approaching figure were simply too strong, standing out from the townsfolk like a lantern flaring in the darkness.
Poor control?
Or on purpose?
Under normal circumstances, unless a mage was actively casting, they wouldn't leak mana so openly.
To observe someone's mana, you'd normally need detection magic or a magic tool — and even then, you'd only get a rough sense.
Whether due to sloppy control or deliberate flaunting, with mana this overwhelming, the person could only be a noble… or royalty.
Yuuki frowned slightly. Nobles or royals rarely came to a place like this.
And the person's route wasn't changing — they were heading straight for the restaurant.
"Yuuki! Are you in there?!"
A loud shout exploded from outside.
Yuuki's chain of thoughts snapped. One eyelid twitched.
"So noisy!"
A crisp, haughty voice followed right behind it.
The next moment—
The restaurant door burst open.
Asta charged in first, immediately spotting Yuuki at the table.
"Yuuki! I missed you so much!"
Asta threw his arms wide and sprinted toward him.
Yuuki's eyelid twitched again. A split second before Asta reached him, Yuuki calmly lifted a foot and drove it straight into Asta's stomach, sending him flying back.
"It's only been four days since we last saw each other. Don't act like it's been years."
Yuuki said this flatly.
Asta skidded back to the doorway but bounced up instantly, brushing his stomach with a cheerful grin, completely unharmed.
"As expected of you, Yuuki! Fast, accurate, and even stronger than before!"
Asta laughed loudly.
Yuuki's gaze slid past him — to the second person walking in behind Asta.
The one he had sensed earlier.
A girl with silver hair tied into twin ponytails.
Yuuki blinked in surprise.
Noelle.
The heroine of this world.
The youngest of the royal Silva family.
Her elder brother was the captain of the Silver Eagle Squad, one of the nine Magic Knight squads.
Just like Asta, she had only just joined the Black Bulls this year.
He remembered that at this point in the timeline, Asta and Noelle didn't get along at all.
So why were they arriving together?
"You two must be Yuuki's friends."
Rebecca stepped out, speaking gently.
"Of course!"
"Asta and Yuuki are from the same village — we're the best of comrades!"
Asta scratched his cheek, laughing.
"So you're the companion Yuuki mentioned… the one who joined the Magic Knights? That's amazing."
Rebecca said, eyes wide with admiration.
"Haha, don't say it like that," Asta muttered shyly.
"Hmph. I'm not their friend."
A cold, crisp voice cut in.
Rebecca blinked, turning toward Noelle. "You are…?"
"I am Noelle Silva. Royalty of this kingdom."
Her voice was proud and sharp.
"Ah!"
Rebecca gasped, instinctively stepping back before bowing quickly. "Your Highness!"
"Hmph."
Noelle flicked her silver ponytails, glancing around the aging restaurant with visible disdain.
Then her eyes locked onto Yuuki at the table. She walked straight past Rebecca.
"So you're Yuuki?"
She asked with a tone that was equal parts arrogance and scrutiny.
Yuuki let out a tired sigh and stared past her at Asta.
"You've brought me trouble, Asta."
"Uh, well, Yuuki, actually, about Noelle—"
Asta shrank under Yuuki's gaze, trying to explain.
"You jerk! Who are you calling trouble?!"
Noelle slammed her hands on the table before Asta could finish, cheeks flushed with anger.
Yuuki glanced at his half-finished breakfast.
"Your Highness, whatever business you have with me… I'm fairly certain royal etiquette does not include interrupting someone else's meal, correct?"
Noelle froze.
Her face reddened.
She opened her mouth — closed it — then let out a tiny, frustrated "hmph."
Yuuki ignored her and resumed eating.
Rebecca stared in shock, too stunned to speak.
Asta awkwardly rubbed his head, then plopped down beside Yuuki.
"Um… Yuuki, I just wanted to help her out."
"I know. Let me finish eating first."
Yuuki didn't even look up.
He already knew why Asta had brought Noelle.
Asta always managed to create unexpected situations.
Asta relaxed, relieved Yuuki wasn't refusing outright.
After a few minutes—
Yuuki finished his meal and finally looked toward Noelle, who had been standing stiffly to the side.
"I can help you. But a royal wouldn't expect me to do it for free, right?"
"You… you knew?"
Noelle's irritation vanished instantly, replaced by surprise.
Yuuki glanced sideways at Asta.
"It's not hard to guess. Do you want me to say it out loud?"
"No!"
Noelle yelped, as if her tail had been stepped on.
A royal unable to control her own mana — she couldn't let more people know.
"I didn't bring much money… but here. This is ten thousand yul. Take it."
Despite hesitating internally, she quickly handed over a pouch.
Yesterday, after Asta told her about Yuuki, she had investigated.
Fortunately, the entrance exam records weren't secret.
And this Yuuki… had been the only candidate whose performance nearly matched the chosen Four-Leaf grimoire wielder, Yuno.
With results like that… why wasn't he selected by any Magic Knight squad?
Noelle stared at Yuuki, curiosity gleaming in her eyes.
"Ten thousand yul?!"
Both Rebecca and Asta shouted simultaneously.
"That's so much money!"
Asta yelped.
Yuuki's eyes also lit up. He grabbed the pouch with zero hesitation and tucked it away.
"Ahem. Let's go."
He stood up and walked toward the exit.