The tavern's door was pushed open once more.
When Marco and Luca saw the figures entering from outside, they were just about to remind the newcomers that the tavern was temporarily full—only for the words to freeze in their throats.
The moment their eyes landed on the burly, muscle-bound figure at the front, radiating a rough and overbearing presence, the two of them jumped in fright and instinctively took a step back.
"Finral, you're scaring the kids," Yami said, a cigarette hanging from his lips as he glanced at the two pale-faced children, then spoke to Finral, who had entered alongside him.
"Captain, you're the one scaring them," Finral replied, the corner of his mouth twitching as he showed a helpless expression.
"How could that be?"
Yami wore a look of complete disbelief. He raised his thick arm and casually patted Marl on the head, then flashed a grin at the two of them, baring his teeth.
Then—
Yami strode past them and into the tavern, completely unaware that Marl's face had gone even paler from that grin alone.
"Sorry about that, little brother and sister. We're from the Black Bulls—definitely not bad guys," Finral hurriedly explained, afraid the two children might misunderstand.
Upon hearing that they were Magic Knights, Marco and Luca exchanged a glance, and the pallor on their faces finally eased a little.
"Captain! Finral-senpai!"
Asta jumped to his feet and shouted when he saw Yami and Finral arrive.
"As your captain hasn't even arrived yet, you've already started eating. Looks like I've been way too lenient with you brats!" Yami said irritably, slapping a hand onto Asta's shoulder and pressing him straight back into his seat.
"Captain… hic. You came way too late," Vanessa said, her cheeks flushed as she swayed slightly, barely keeping hold of the wine bottle in her hand before letting out a drunken hiccup.
"Captain, the food here is really good—especially this thing called tofu. I've never had anything like it before," Charmy said happily as she shoveled food into her mouth. Compared to before, she looked a bit more refined, occasionally sneaking glances at Yuno with a delighted expression.
Though Yami complained, he clearly didn't mind much. The Black Bulls never had many rules to begin with. He casually pulled over a chair and sat down.
"Finally get to take a break," Finral muttered under his breath as he found an empty seat and sat as well.
When Yami appeared, Yuuki felt a flicker of surprise. He hadn't expected a captain to actually come in person.
"Captain Yami," Yuuki said. As the tavern's owner, he stood up and gave a slight bow.
"Oh, Yuuki. Long time no see. Didn't expect you to open such a big tavern—pretty impressive," Yami said with a hearty laugh. But then, his eyes narrowed almost imperceptibly.
"I have Miss Noelle to thank for that. Otherwise, there's no way I could've gathered the funds to open a tavern so quickly," Yuuki said with a faint smile, inclining his head slightly toward Noelle.
"It was just a bit of pocket money," Noelle said, flicking her silver ponytail with an indifferent air.
Several people at the table looked puzzled—clearly unaware of this—but Asta, Vanessa, and Yami showed no reaction at all, evidently already knowing about it.
"For a royal lady, it really is just pocket money," Yami nodded in agreement. Then his tone shifted suddenly as he stroked his stubbled chin and studied Yuuki more closely.
"But you feel a little different from the last time we met."
"Different?" Yuuki paused, looking momentarily confused—though inwardly, his guard went up.
Thanks to the magic tool Domina had developed to conceal his mana, Yuuki wasn't worried about being exposed through mana sensing. There was only one thing that concerned him.
Aura.
A completely different form of perception from mana—one originating from Yami's homeland, the Land of the Sun.
"Feels like you've gotten a lot stronger," Yami said calmly.
At once, the atmosphere around the table fell silent. The members of the Black Bulls, in particular, stared at Yuuki with visible surprise.
After all, it was rare for Captain Yami to praise anyone so directly.
"How interesting," Luck said, eyes lighting up as he grinned at Yuuki, looking like he wanted to fight him on the spot.
Asta and Yuno's eyes shone as well, both of them turning bright gazes toward Yuuki.
"Stronger?" Yuuki said, suddenly realizing what Yami meant. He scratched his head a little sheepishly.
"I do train pretty often. Even if I couldn't join the Magic Knights, I can't let Asta and Yuno get too far ahead of me."
"I knew it!" Asta said happily.
He had always worried that Yuuki might become dispirited after failing to join the Magic Knights. Hearing Yami's words reassured him—Yuuki hadn't changed at all from the days back in Hage Village.
Yuuki had never been the type to give up easily.
A faint smile appeared on Yuno's lips.
"Ah—right. I should bring out some more dishes," Yuuki said, lightly tapping his forehead. He smiled at everyone before turning and heading toward the kitchen.
Vanessa set her swaying wine bottle aside and lifted a slender arm, poking Noelle gently at her side.
"Hm?" Noelle turned to her, a puzzled look in her pale red eyes.
"That handsome kid isn't bad at all," Vanessa teased softly.
"W-what does that have to do with me?" Noelle froze, instinctively glancing in the direction Yuuki had left. The tips of her ears reddened as she stammered her reply.
Seeing her expression, the smile on Vanessa's face only deepened.
Across the table, Mimosa of the Golden Dawn noticed the small exchange between Noelle and Vanessa, curiosity and contemplation rising in her eyes.
Compared to the lively chatter at the table—
Yami watched Yuuki's retreating figure as he headed into the kitchen, his eyelids lowering as his gaze grew deeper and sharper.
There was something he hadn't said aloud.
It wasn't just that Yuuki had grown stronger.
From a mana-sensing perspective, Yuuki hadn't changed much at all. But through aura, the difference was unmistakable.
A person's aura was usually unified—one whole. Especially in combat, whether through bodily movement or the casting of magic, aura shifted and flowed in response.
That was how Yami used it: to anticipate attacks and counter them in advance.
But Yuuki's aura was completely different.
In Yami's perception, a normal person's aura was cohesive. Yuuki's, however, was scattered—yet somehow bound together by a strange force.
It felt chaotic, like countless different auras tangled together.
It was the first time Yami had ever encountered something like this.
His gaze grew even more profound.
Interesting.
Could it be because of Yuuki's magic?
Yami recalled that Yuuki's magic allowed him to replicate and master the spells of other mages.
After a moment's thought, Yami shook his head inwardly. Simply copying different spells shouldn't alter one's aura like this—replication magic was still just another form of magic power.
Scrape—
The sound of a chair being pulled back rang out.
Klaus of the Golden Dawn stood up and looked toward Yami. "Captain Yami, we'll be taking our leave now."
Yuno and Mimosa paused, exchanging glances as they were reminded of their situation.
With the Black Bulls' captain present, it really wasn't appropriate for the three of them to remain here.
A trace of regret flashed through Yuno's eyes. Hearing Captain Yami say that Yuuki had grown stronger made him want to spar with him.
After all, ever since joining the Magic Knights, the two of them hadn't fought again.
And the last time they did—
It had ended in a draw.
(End of Chapter)
⭐ Enjoying the story?
You can read ahead and support the translations by joining my Patreon! Your support helps me update faster and take on more projects. Thank you for reading!
Read up to 50 chapters ahead!
patreon.com/AminaSims
Next bonus chapter at 1000 powerstones.