After Asta and the others returned to the Black Bulls Headquarters, Magna immediately and skillfully carried out the reporting work. Yami didn't linger either; he immediately had Finral, who used Spatial Magic, take the socially adept Vanessa to the Magic Magic Item Appraisal Unit to report the matter, while Yami himself personally reported to the Magic Emperor.
Soon, Yami returned. This time, the actions of Asta and the others earned praise from the Magic Emperor, who gave them a star—unprecedented for them. However, Magna and Noelle both looked a bit downcast; it seemed their spirits were low because of the deaths during the mission.
Yami sighed; they really needed some guidance. Sesi wasn't just any casualty. Although he was just a very good gambling buddy to Yami, he meant a great deal to Magna. Otherwise, Magna wouldn't have sought out Sesi for bets every time, knowing he would lose but still gambling happily. So was he really gambling, or was he indirectly helping the villagers?
As for Noelle, though she had no relation to Sesi, she had been pampered since childhood and had rarely seen anyone get injured, let alone die. So she also needed some counseling.
But what left Yami completely puzzled was Asta. He blew a smoke ring and looked at Asta, whose expression was as serious and comical as a husky, wondering if this guy had a heart of iron or simply disregarded life and death. In this mission, he was the one who killed the most people! But he didn't seem affected one bit!
"Is it really good to let the deceased see you continuing to grieve for him? Old Man Sesi is already dead; no matter how sad you are, he won't come back to life. But you fulfilled his last wish and protected the villagers of Soshi Village. Isn't that point alone enough for the old man to leave with a smile?"
Yami took a puff of smoke and said calmly: "Sometimes, understanding life and death and facing them calmly is also a mandatory course for the Magic Knight Squad... So, pull yourselves together immediately and face the life ahead!"
"Yes! Captain Yami!"
Magna was the first to cheer up. Sorrow was useless; the best consolation for the dead was to live well!
Noelle lowered her small head. Although she still couldn't understand the free-spiritedness Yami spoke of, she felt much better in her heart.
"Not bad."
Asta nodded, appreciating Yami's character more and more. Other Magic Knight Squad captains might also offer words of comfort in such a situation, but a method as casual as an older brother next door like Yami's was truly rare.
It was likely this easy-going nature that made the atmosphere in the squad unprecedentedly harmonious, to the point where Yami was slovenly and lacked the dignity of a captain, yet everyone still loved and respected him. Because everyone believed that even if the sky fell, this captain would definitely hold it up for them!
"In short, you did well, you bastards!"
Seeing that his counseling was mostly done, Yami offered praise at the appropriate time.
"Yes! Captain Yami!"
Every time Magna met Yami, it was like he'd been injected with chicken blood, bringing his chuunibyou teenage temperament to the extreme.
"Hmph!"
Hearing the praise, Noelle tsundere-ly flicked her bangs, while Asta remained expressionless. This small episode was nothing compared to his vast experience; it was hard for him to act flattered, so he could only remain mysteriously aloof.
"Can't you show some emotion, kid!"
Yami couldn't help but complain. At that moment, Finral returned with Vanessa from the Magic Magic Item Appraisal Unit. "Vanessa, how is the progress on your end?"
"Well... although the Magic Item Appraisal Unit took the items left behind by the criminals for appraisal, they have absolutely no clue."
Vanessa said regretfully.
"That bunch of useless trash at the Magic Item Appraisal Unit!"
Magna's eyes widened. "I really want to charge into their lair right now!"
"However, it's certain that they are either royalty or nobles," Finral said.
Finral spoke.
"Alright, whether they're nobles or royalty, leave that to the Magic Item Appraisal Unit. Now, I have two pieces of good news for everyone."
Yami dropped the topic, looking quite pleased with himself.
"Oh? What good news?"
This expression caught everyone's attention.
"Your actions this time have been recognized by the Magic Emperor, and he has specially awarded us a star!"
Yami happily held up the golden five-pointed star; their Black Bulls had finally obtained a positive star.
"Congratulations. Getting a star on your first mission is the best praise from the Magic Emperor for a Magic Knight."
Vanessa smiled.
"Thanks to you, the gap between us and the top-ranked Golden Dawn is now only 100 stars!"
Finral said.
"A gap of 100 stars? Well, since I'm here, those stats will be refreshed soon."
Asta wasn't worried at all; with his king-like skills, they would make up for those stars soon!
"So how many stars does Golden Dawn have now?"
Noelle couldn't help but ask. Since she had come here, she was determined to achieve something to show everyone! So the first thing she had to do was establish a goal!
"Golden Dawn? Currently, they have 70 stars!"
Yami thought for a moment.
"Oh, only 70 stars..."
Noelle first breathed a sigh of relief, thinking it would be three digits. But wait, something felt wrong. The gap between the Black Bulls and Golden Dawn was 100 stars, yet Golden Dawn only had 70. Does that mean...
"Are we... negative?"
Noelle almost threw out her slender waist. What kind of slippery maneuver could result in a negative score... I'm impressed...
"Impressive. As expected of the underdog team I chose..."
Asta broke a slight sweat. Such unspeakable data truly was a perfect interpretation of the harshness of youth!
"Don't panic, don't panic. It's just a negative number! It'll get better and better!"
Yami offered some comfort, mostly directed at Asta and Noelle, since the other members of the squad were quite cheerful.
"Why do you all seem so calm?"
Noelle complained. These were clearly embarrassing stats, yet everyone looked happy instead? What on earth was with this mysterious happiness?!