Having received satisfied reactions, Yuuki knew it was time to get down to business.
"So, why did you two suddenly show up today?"
He asked curiously.
Rebecca, hearing Yuuki shift to the serious topic, picked up the plates from the table and motioned for Mar and the others to help, guiding her younger siblings toward the kitchen.
She knew very well that Asta and Noelle didn't come here just for her cooking—they came for Yuuki.
Without him, Rebecca wouldn't have had much interaction with the Magic Knights, and she certainly wouldn't have met a royal lady.
"Actually, it's nothing major," Asta spoke softly.
"Captain Yami said something big might happen in the capital soon, so we came to give you a heads-up, Yuuki."
Asta couldn't reveal the events from last night at the Black Bulls' hideout, but he could at least warn Yuuki.
"I see. Thanks, Asta. I'll be careful."
Yuuki's expression turned serious, and he nodded firmly.
"With the Golden Dawn and Silver Eagle squads around, nothing could possibly happen in the capital," Noelle said, recalling yesterday's events but confident that no one would dare act in the capital.
Golden Dawn?
Aside from Mimosa, who had slid into the squad due to her status, all the other members were reincarnated elves acting as substitutes.
As for Silver Eagle, Yuuki considered them the least threatening of the nine Magic Knight squads.
It wasn't that Captain Nossel's mercury magic was weak. It was just that the other eight captains had uniquely powerful magic, and their strength had only increased over time.
Dream Magic, World Tree Magic, Dark Magic, and Painting Magic were all at Abyss-level potency, capable of harming and affecting demons.
Gordel's Transcend Magic made him nearly immune to any magic while in its active state.
Jack's Severing Magic had anti-magic properties. While not quite as effective as Asta's ability to nullify magic directly, given time, it could slice through any spell.
Fuegoleon magic was already strong. Though he went inactive in the mid-term, he later revived and was chosen by the Fire Spirit, a true epic-level power-up.
Charlotte's Rose Magic seemed unremarkable, but it contained hidden curses, yet to be fully developed. Once unlocked, its strength would rise dramatically.
In contrast, Nossel's mercury magic, which appeared balanced in offense and defense, was the most mediocre among the captains—earning the nickname "pseudo-even."
This was the current power level of the captains. By the end of the Elf Arc, the earlier captains would have essentially reached Zero Realm-tier strength.
"And you?"
Yuuki turned his gaze to Noelle.
"Of course, training," she said, flicking her silver hair behind her ear.
During the recent Temple mission, she hadn't been of much help, and it made her all the more eager to master offensive water magic.
"If it's that, then I can only apologize," Yuuki said, a hint of regret on his face.
"Your control over magic has improved greatly. As royalty, you naturally have a larger reservoir of mana than ordinary people."
"To harness that power, with your current control, you're already capable. The reason you feel it's lacking is that you don't have confidence in yourself."
Yuuki paused briefly, then spoke more solemnly:
"Try to relax your mind and release your magic fully. If you're worried about losing control, Asta's magic can assist you. That's all the advice I can offer."
He spoke honestly. How much Noelle could absorb depended entirely on her own ability. And with the Temple providing ample gold, he didn't need to waste time teaching her.
Noelle glanced at him with her pale purple eyes, then let out a soft huff: "Hmph, what a waste of time."
"That is my fault. From now on, just come to the tavern for meals, and everything will be free, how about that?" Yuuki said with a light smile.
"That's more like it," Noelle said, her eyes lighting up, her voice tinged with pride.
"And me, Yuuki?"
Asta quickly spoke up.
"You too, along with Noelle," Yuuki replied with a smile. Then he remembered something:
"By the way, the tavern will open in a few days. If your squad has nothing urgent, you can invite them over for a meal at a 20% discount. Don't forget to tell Yuno too."
After a brief farewell to Rebecca, Asta and Noelle left the tavern.
"Noelle really is pretty cute," Rebecca said with a gentle smile as she watched them disappear.
"Is that so," Yuuki shrugged, then reminded her: "The secret about the soybeans—no, the grass beans—must never be revealed."
Rebecca nodded eagerly. She fully understood the importance of keeping this a secret.
"From now on, I'll handle harvesting the grass beans. Come on, I'll teach you how to make tofu."
Yuuki smiled and gestured respectfully toward Rebecca, heading first to the kitchen.
Rebecca paused, then her face lit up with excitement as she hurried to follow.
Nightfall.
In the black market.
Yuuki, cloaked in a black robe, approached a stall tucked into a corner.
The stall owner was also shrouded in black, but the faint outline revealed that the figure was female. Through the brim of her hood, a streak of yellow hair was visible.
"Domina!"
She was the maker of the invisible cloak Yuuki had purchased before. A witch by birth, she was now a defector from the Diamond Kingdom.
"I'd like another invisible cloak like the one I bought before."
Yuuki's deep voice echoed from behind his mask.
"Ah, a returning customer! Of course, no problem. Same price as last time," Domina said, pleasantly surprised—there were few customers today. Her cloaks were effective, though somewhat fragile.
"Since you can make an invisible cloak, I assume you can also craft a tool to conceal a mage's magical power. I'd like one custom-made," Yuuki continued, lifting his left arm to reveal a black bracelet.
Domina glanced at the bracelet and smirked. "No problem at all. Though the price…"
"I can pay a deposit first," Yuuki said generously. Knowing her fondness for money, he added, "It's a shame your talent is confined to the black market."
Domina's initial joy at the deposit faded slightly as she considered his comment.
"I can help you stand in the sun," Yuuki added in a slightly hoarse voice.
(End of chapter)
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