Here is the 3rd chapter 2 more and this caught up with the test chapter
Discimer: i do not own Bck clover, any references mentioned belong to their respective creators.
In a small courtyard, the sharp crack of explosions echoed as plumes of water erupted from the ground. A young girl stood nearby, straining to crank back the heavy string of a massive crossbow. Several yards away stood her target, marked by a single, glowing blue bolt; the surrounding earth, however, was riddled with holes. As she finished loading another projectile, she took careful aim and pulled the trigger. The bolt streaked forward with a whistle of wind, but it missed again. It struck the dirt and instantly detonated, sending a fresh geyser of water into the air.
[Quest Complete]
[Fire 100 Shots]
[Accuracy rate: 1%]
[Received: 1 Exp 0.001Dex]
Noelle clicked her tongue, a bead of sweat rolling down her face as she exhaled. Her young body was slick with the effort of the practice. Slumping to the ground, she cradled the heavy crossbow against her chest and pulled up her status window.
[Mana: 0/1800]
Suffice it to say, in the three weeks since her fateful encounter with her partner, Asta, Noelle's life had been turned completely upside down.
She had returned to the coliseum with her new weapon just as the entrance exam concluded. When her siblings found her, Nozel was immediately struck by the powerful aura emanating from the bow. However, when he reached out to examine it, he was violently repelled by a field protecting the weapon.
In the days that followed, rumors swept through the noble region. The weapon was taken for assessment by the Magic Knights, and the resulting uproar was immense: word spread that the crossbow was a relic so rare it rivaled treasures never before seen in the Clover Kingdom. When pressed for its origin, Noelle simply cimed she had bought it in a vilge that day. Consequently, nobles and Magic Knights alike scrambled to the vilge, desperate to find a weapon of their own.
For Noelle, however, things had changed. While Nozel watched her with a new, unreadable intensity, her other siblings remained cruel, telling her to her face that she was still a disgrace and that a weapon of such caliber was wasted on her. Gritting her teeth against their insults, she was interrupted when a shimmering screen materialized in front of her.
[Your Partner completed a quest]
[Obtained: 10 exp]
Her worries momentarily vanished, repced by a smile as a second window popped up.
[I just finished a quest what are you doing?]
It was a message from Asta. Ever since they had mastered their Partner Skills—specifically [Direct Message]—they talked like this often. She had agreed to be his partner in every sense of the word, and his presence in her mind helped her keep her cool.
[I'm resting] she typed back. [ I need to fix my aim, I kept missing my shots]
Within seconds, a reply fshed before her eyes.
[You can do it, Noelle! I'm going to head out on another quest ter!]
She started to type a response, but stopped when her [Mana Detection] picked up someone entering her target range. Recognizing the signature immediately, a small smile pyed on her lips.
"What are you doing here, Mimosa? I thought you had lessons today?"
It was her cousin and childhood friend, Mimosa Vermillion. Even at nine years old, she carried herself with a grace that Noelle envied—though Noelle couldn't help but notice that Mimosa's chest was already developing faster than her own.
"Is it so wrong to visit a friend?" Mimosa teased. "Especially when she's the person everyone in the kingdom is talking about?"
Mimosa walked over and took a seat as a butler appeared, smoothly pouring her a cup of tea before bowing and making a quick exit. as mimosa was busy with her tea, Noelle used [Observe] on her.
[Status]
Name: Mimosa Vermillion
Level: 18 (EXP: 0/1800)
HP: 75/75
MP: 2,450/2,450
SP: 240/240
Title: [Royal of House Vermillion][Kind-Hearted Healer][Mana's Darling]
Css: Pnt Magic Specialist / Healer
Race: Human
Stats:
STR: 12
Agi: 22
Dex: 45
STA: 30
INT: 185
WIS: 140
LUK: 50
Passive Skills
Royal Blood: Increase Max MP and enhances Magic Control.
Botanical Knowledge: Expert-level knowledge of pnts and herbs.
High-Speed MP Recovery: Regenerates MP quickly while stationary.
Mana Skin: A faint yer of mana that provides minor protection.
Active Skills
Basic Pnt Manipution: Can cause small seeds to sprout or vines to wiggle.
Mana Sensing : Detects mana signatures through walls and terrain.
Basic Pnt Healing: Can push her mana into others to slightly accelerate natural healing
Nature Magic Luminous Flora: Makes a small flower glow to act as a dim light source.
[that's some high stats Noelle, who is that?]
Noelle eye's twitched at Asta's message and her friends stats while Mimosa looked at her surroundings confused then Noelle didnt bother replying to the boy then continued.
"Oh, please. They aren't talking about me," Noelle countered, wiping her brow. Noticing she had recovered just enough mana for a single shot, she cranked the mana-string back and took aim.
She pulled the trigger, and the sheer force of the release blew her hair back as the bolt whistled through the air. It missed the target again, striking the dirt and spewing a geyser of water. "They're talking about my weapon."
"To be fair, it is a very powerful relic," Mimosa said with a smile. She took a sip of tea and marveled at the crossbow in Noelle's hands. "They say it could rival even the Wizard King's—"
Both girls froze. The air grew heavy as a massive surge of mana flooded the courtyard.
"Young Mimosa's words are very intriguing, don't you agree, Nozel? Yami?" a calm voice echoed. They turned toward the sound of footsteps entering the training grounds.
The two girls scrambled to their feet as the figures entered the courtyard. Leading the way was Julius Novachrono, the Wizard King, accompanied by a young Yami Sukehiro and Noelle's elder brother, Nozel. The three of them walked with a casual but commanding presence until Julius came to a stop directly in front of them.
"Good morning, sir," the two girls said in unison, bowing deeply.
"Good morning, Miss Mimosa," Julius greeted the young Vermillion with a warm smile. His gaze then shifted to Noelle, finally settling on her weapon with an intense, curious spark. "And good morning to you, Miss Noelle. I wished to visit in secret, but your brother insisted I make it a formal affair."
"To what do we owe the pleasure of your visit, Wizard King?" Noelle asked, her voice slightly trembling. she didn't even think about using [Observe] as it was rude and she was sure that she will be noticed.
"Well, it's to see that weapon of yours, girly," Yami interjected, puffing on a cigarette. Nozel reached out to swat the smoke away, but Yami expertly dodged his arm without breaking his stride. "And judging by the aura this thing is emanating... all I can say is you hit the jackpot."
"Yami is right, Miss Noelle," Julius said, his eyes sparking with excitement. He reached out to touch the relic, but a shimmering magic field snapped into pce, instantly blocking his hand.
Julius's eyes widened in surprise, while Yami let out a low whistle. Nozel remained silent, his gaze shifting between the crossbow and his younger sister.
"What a curious weapon," Julius murmured, fascinated. "The magic it emits is incredibly dense. But the truly interesting thing... I don't think this is its final form."
"Excuse me?" Yami grunted, while Nozel's eyes sharpened as he looked toward the Wizard King.
"I received the assessment papers from Marx," Julius expined, his tone becoming more serious. "There was a lot of data, but the conclusion was clear: the weapon, as powerful as it is right now, is currently in its lowest form."
"That's because it's true," a voice suddenly rang out.
Yami's hand blurred as he drew his bde, and Nozel instantly shifted into a defensive stance.
"Who's there?" Julius asked, his voice calm but his aura sharpening.
"I guess you finally woke up," Noelle said. The three men turned their gazes toward her in confusion.
"Well, acclimating to your mana was harder than expected," the voice replied. A small spirit emerged from the weapon, floating upward before nding softly on Noelle's head.
The spirit took the form of a rat, but he looked different than when Noelle had first seen him. His bck-and-gold jacket had shifted to blue and gold, and he now sported a tiny, floating blue crown. This was the core of the weapon: Spirit King Sir Kowalsky.
"I woke up early because I sensed a surge of powerful mana," Kowalsky said, yawning. "I thought we were under attack, but I suppose not."
"Wow... what are you?" Julius asked, his eyes practically glowing as he leaned in to inspect the spirit perched on Noelle's head.
"[Spirit King Sir Kowalsky, at your service," the spirit said, giving a polite bow that shocked everyone in the courtyard except Noelle. "I am the Core of the Spirit Crossbow."
"Spirit King? I was under the impression that there were only Great Spirits," Nozel interrupted, his brow furrowed in skepticism.
"He's right," Julius added, his academic curiosity piqued. "According to every historical text, the highest tier of spirits are the Four Great Spirits."
"You mean Undine, Samander, and those others?" Kowalsky replied with a smug grin. "Hah! Don't even put me on the same level as those puny spirits. Unlike them, I am not bound to a fixed element. We Spirit Kings acclimate to our chosen contractors, evolving alongside them to reach the highest tier imaginable."
"Fascinating..." Julius whispered, his eyes wide with shock and wonder.
"What? Do you want to see for yourself?" Kowalsky challenged.
"How?" Julius asked, leaning in closer.
"Hold my hand."
Much to Nozel's dismay, the spirit reached out with a tiny paw. Julius touched it as the spirit floated toward him. The moment they connected, the spirit's clothes transformed into a pure, blinding white, and even his crown shifted to the same pristine color.
"Time magic, eh?" the spirit said, sounding amused. He then murmured something so low that only Noelle could hear: "Curious... there is another one."
"That's right," Julius confirmed, fascinated.
Without warning, the spirit flicked his finger. Everyone watched in shock as the entire world turned grayscale for a split second before the color snapped back to reality. As the spirit's outfit reverted to its blue and gold theme, Noelle suddenly gasped and slumped to the ground.
"What did you do?" Nozel demanded, stepping forward.
"I stopped time for a second," the spirit mused, settling back onto Noelle's head. "But my chosen contractor immediately ran out of mana. Time magic consumes far too much."
"This is groundbreaking!" Julius excimed, stars practically shining in his eyes. "But..."
"It's too damn powerful," Yami finished for him, exhaling a cloud of smoke. "Too powerful for a kid."
"Yes, sadly," Julius agreed, his expression turning thoughtful.
"Don't worry, Wizard King," Nozel interrupted, his voice cold. "The Silva family will ensure she remains safe."
"I doubt it, Nozel," Yami countered bluntly.
The moment the words left Yami's mouth, the "casual" atmosphere shattered.
Nozel's mana fred. The mana in the air transformed into jagged needles of silver pressure. The stone tiles beneath Nozel's boots began to spiderweb and groan. Across from him, Yami didn't move, but a dark, oppressive weight began to roll off his shoulders—a raw, untamed mana that felt like a physical wall.
Noelle felt her breath catch. Between the two men, the air became a turbulent vortex. The small flowers near the tea table were shredded instantly, caught in the invisible friction of their competing auras. The pressure was so intense that Mimosa had to take a half-step back, her own mana reflexively rising to protect her.
"What was that, you foreigner?" Nozel snapped, his mana beginning to fre.
The ground between them actually dipped, a small crater forming from the sheer gravity of their cshing intents. Yami ignored him, looking down at Noelle instead. "Hey, kid. When you get your grimoire, join my squad. I can see you're basically a hostage here."
"What do you think you're doing, Yami Sukehiro?!" Nozel demanded, his temper finally fraying.
"Now, now, you two," Julius ughed, stepping between them. "We shall excuse ourselves now. Young Noelle, young Mimosa—and you as well, Spirit King."
"Call me Sir Kowalsky. I prefer it that way," the spirit corrected him with a dignified sniff.
"Well then, Sir Kowalsky, goodbye for now."
As the three men finally departed, Mimosa let out a long, shaky sigh of relief. Her expression quickly turned to concern when she saw Noelle slumped motionless on the ground.
"Are you okay, Noelle?" Mimosa cried, rushing to her side.
"Don't worry, young dy. She has simply fainted," the spirit replied calmly. "My manifestation also drains her mana, so I shall be retreating for now as well."
Mimosa looked at the small creature, her eyes searching his. "Can you... can you keep her safe?"
"She is my chosen partner," Sir Kowalsky said, a small, confident smile appearing on his tiny face. "Of course she will be safe. I'll ensure it."
Days passed after the meeting with the Wizard King, and life at the Silva estate became increasingly suffocating. Once the news broke that her weapon was only in its base form and housed a [Spirit King], greedy eyes followed her everywhere. While Nozel remained distant and did nothing, her other siblings frequently tried to harass her.
They found, however, that no physical attack could bypass her shield. Thwarted, they turned to verbal abuse, but Noelle kept her cool. She threw herself into her daily quests with newfound determination, fueled by the constant stream of messages from Asta.
[Your Partner completed a quest]
[Obtained: 100 exp]
[Level-up!: 1 Stat, points 1 Skill points]
She was resting in the library when the notification appeared, signaling another of Asta's successes. A message quickly followed as she pulled up her own stats.
[Congrats on the level up, Noelle!]
A genuine smile broke across her face—the only thing that could make her truly happy tely. She typed a quick reply before turning back to her book.
[A few more levels and we'll be at the same!] she messaged.
[Yeah! Anyway, gotta go—I'm off to train with my knife!]
Noelle smiled, remembering that Asta already had a [Dagger Mastery] skill. She then turned her attention to the new skill she had earned just today—the reward for finally hitting a bullseye after days of misses and near-hits.
Crossbow Mastery [F]
Type: Martial (Passive)
Rank: F
Mastery: 1/100
Effect: 1% Accuracy 1 Dex when holding a crossbow
Description: Fundamental proficiency in the handling and operation of mechanical bows. Though the user's form is unrefined, this mark of training ensures the weapon is gripped with intent rather than uncertainty.
She beamed. It was proof of her determination and growth, not just as a mage, but as a person. She then checked the requirements for her weapon to level up
"Mana Attunement..." Noelle muttered.
She scoured the library shelves until she found a tome dedicated to the flow of natural energy. She opened it and began to read, losing herself in the text as the sun began to set. She was so engrossed that she didn't even realize her reading had been a hidden task until a screen flickered into existence.
[Quest Complete]
[Read a Book]
[Reward: 1 Int, 1 Wis]
Then, a second notification followed immediately:
[Quest Receive]
[Objective: Attune with the surrounding Mana]
[Reward: 1 Int, Mana Attunement (F)]
Closing the book, she headed toward the ke near her shooting range. She had read that to attune with mana faster, one should be near their natural element.
as she made it towards the ke, she sat on it and summoned the crossbow and put it on her p as she felt the mana different from mana sense, loosing herself for hours, until she noticed small wisps of mana made of blue fill her vision
[Quest Complete]
[Attune with the surrounding Mana]
[Reward: 1 Int Mana Attunement (F)
She smiled as she read the description of the skill
Mana Attunement [F]
Type: Magical (Passive)
Rank: F
Mastery: 1/100
Effect: 1% Mana Regeneration 1 Int
Description: The primitive stage of sensing the atmospheric mana that permeates the world. It marks the transition from a mundane existence to one capable of perceiving the faint, rhythmic pulse of magical energy.
[Wow, so cool! Two completed quests in a row!] Asta's message fshed.
Noelle's smile widened at his enthusiasm. She typed a quick thank-you, only then noticing that the sky outside the library had turned a deep, ink-bck. Another message from Asta popped up immediately.
[I almost forgot it's Sunday! We can finally meet again.]
Noelle felt a blush creep up her neck as she realized he was right. Every Sunday, their [Partner Room] skill activated. To synchronize the stats they had gained throughout the week, they had to "spiritually sleep" together in a shared mental space.
She vividly remembered the first time it happened. To the oblivious Asta, it was just a mechanic, but for Noelle, having her small frame wrapped in his arms—feeling the heat of his growing muscles—was an entirely new and overwhelming experience.
Her eyes drifted to a specific bar on her status screen:
[Intimacy: 99/100]
The meter rose steadily every time they messaged each other or sleep. While a part of her was happy, she felt a flicker of dread wondering what would happen once that meter finally hit one hundred.
When Noelle opened her eyes, she was back in the [Partner Room]. She immediately spotted Asta by the firepce; he was already on the floor, powering through sets of pushups. She felt a heat rush to her cheeks when she realized he wasn't wearing a shirt.
"Why aren't you wearing a shirt?" Noelle asked, trying to sound annoyed as she sat on the edge of the bed. She reached for a book on the nightstand—a simple guide to meditation she had won from the [Lottery System] the previous week. She had tried to practice it before, but her concentration always seemed to slip.
"I don't want to get it dirty! This is my st clean one, and the others are in the wash," Asta grunted between reps.
"Did you forget that only our spirits are here? Your real shirt is still on your body back in the real world," she reminded him with a sigh.
She caught a glimpse of herself in the mirror and noticed she was wearing her finest dress. She couldn't quite remember why she had chosen this specific outfit for a "spiritual" meeting, so she quickly shook the thought away. Walking over to where Asta was still training, she looked down at him.
"Stay there," she commanded just as he lowered himself toward the floor. Before he could push back up, she took a seat directly on his back, using him as a chair while she opened her book. Without missing a beat, Asta continued his pushups, now lifting her weight along with his own.
"Do you want to run an Instance today?" Asta asked after a while. He was still grinding out pushups, his sweat dripping steadily onto the floor.
"Let's pass for today. I'd rather forget st week ever happened," Noelle answered. She kept her eyes on her book, seemingly immune to the rhythmic up-and-down motion of sitting on Asta's back.
"That was the race, right?"
"Yes... the one with those horse girls."
Asta paused for a moment, his arms locked, before returning to his reps. The memory of their st Instance fshed through his mind. It had been a simple hundred-meter dash, but with all their skills sealed, they were at a total disadvantage. Their opponents had been a group of horse girls who, despite being the same age, were terrifyingly fast.
They had finished in ninth and tenth pce respectively. To make matters worse, the girl who took first pce had actually kicked Asta in the leg with a smirk just before they were ejected from the Instance. Asta had been nursing a newfound fear of horses ever since.
"So, what do you want to do today?" Asta asked between sets. His voice was slightly strained from the effort, and the heat from his body radiated upward toward her.
Noelle looked down at the book in her p, though she hadn't turned a page in minutes. "I just want to talk," she replied softly, her voice barely rising above the crackle of the firepce.
Asta paused for a second, his arms locked in a steady pnk as he felt the shift in her mood. "Are you sure? I'm not really used to just talking," he admitted, his brow furrowing in genuine confusion.
Noelle felt a small smile tug at her lips as she adjusted her seat on his back. "It's fun. I just need you to listen, okay?"
Noelle began to reminisce about everything that had happened that week. She spoke of the constant harassment from her siblings and how her older brother, Nozel, had grown even colder toward her. She mentioned the greedy nobles who had actually gestured at buying her weapon, and the overwhelming revetion from the Wizard King about its true potential, even if she already knew this.
As she rambled on, venting all the fears she had kept bottled up, Asta continued his reps in a steady, supportive rhythm. Eventually, Noelle stood up and moved to the bed. She y back, staring up at the gray ceiling with a soft, tired smile on her face.
"I'm really gd that I finally have someone to talk to, you know?" she said, her eyes fixed on the ceiling. "Even if you're just listening... but what am I saying? I'm only nine. I shouldn't be thinking about stuff like this."
Eventually, Noelle stopped when she noticed the bed shift. She blushed furiously when she realized Asta was on top of her, looking directly into her eyes.
"I didn't know being a royal was like that. Sure, I'm an orphan and I have problems as well," Asta said. Noelle was blushing a storm; Asta still hadn't put his shirt on, and she couldn't help but notice even at 9 year old he was starting to show muscles. "But I'm here, Noelle."
"What are you doing?!" Noelle shrieked. "Can you get off?"
"I can't move my body," he admitted.
"What?" Noelle blinked, then gnced at her status screen:
[Intimacy: 100/100]
"Just listen, okay? If you need somebody, I'm here. Ever since we became partners, I can't even tell Sister Lily I love her anymore. My mind refuses to even think of her now," Asta said, his words slurring slightly. "I know from the beginning that doing that quest with her was a cheat... but now, I'm having a hard time even increasing my STA."
Noelle felt her body move on its own. Her slender arms reached up behind his back, pulling him closer toward her.
"You can do it," she whispered.
"I'm doing my best, you know?" Asta muttered against her.
"You can do it!" she insisted, her voice trembling.
"I'm gonna be the Wizard King, you know..."
"Yes, yes," Noelle replied softly, holding him tight.
Noelle knew this was wrong—they were still just kids. She tried to rationalize it, telling herself it was just the System's influence, but deep down, she didn't truly care. She gently patted Asta's back as he fell silent. He was leaning close, breathing in the scent of her; she was suddenly gd she'd remembered to put on perfume earlier.
"What is happening, Noelle?" Asta's voice was muffled against her.
"Did you even check your status?" she whispered back.
"Is this... what happens when it reaches 100?"
"It's the first time for me, too," Noelle admitted softly. "So I don't know."
"You smell really good," Asta muttered.
Noelle felt his lips graze her neck and she instinctively closed her eyes, losing herself for a second before her control snapped back. The moment she could move her body again, she panicked and pushed Asta with all her might. The boy was tossed across the room, hitting the wall with a thud.
"Stop being greedy, Bakasta!" Noelle yelled, her face bright red.
As she huffed, she gnced at the floating interface. The bar had plummeted; the dispy now read: [Intimacy: 20/100].
"What actually happened?" Asta asked, rubbing his head as he sat up from the floor.
"Since we are, for all intents and purposes, married... I think it forced us to act that way because the Intimacy hit 100," Noelle expined, her heart still hammering. She realized then how the mechanics worked: the higher their Retionship Status grew, the more intense these 'forced' moments would become. Since they were only [Friendly] right now, the System had let them go easily.
Asta blinked, looking genuinely confused. "Is that how kids are made?"
"What?! Of course not!" Noelle shrieked, her voice reaching a high pitch.
"Well, I'm gd that's over," Asta sighed, relieved.
Noelle nodded, though a small part of her felt a chill of realization. If the System was this pushy when they were just friends, what would happen if that status bar ever climbed higher?
[Friendly: 80/100]
As a heavy silence filled the room. Asta eventually trudged back to the bed, letting out a long sigh as he sank onto the mattress. Noelle hesitated for a moment, smoothing out her skirt before cautiously taking her pce at his side, making sure to leave a careful gap between them.
"So... what do you want to do now?" Asta asked. He turned his head toward her, his green eyes wide and searching, devoid of any of the "forced" intensity from before.
"Let's just rest," Noelle replied, staring straight ahead at the far wall to hide the lingering pink on her cheeks. "so we can see how our week of training improved us"
"Yeah," Asta agreed, leaning back on his elbows. "Rest sounds good."
"Oh—but before we sleep..." Noelle bit her lip, her voice dropping to a quiet murmur. She reached out, fidgeting with the edge of the bedsheet.
Asta tilted his head, curious. "What is it?"
"I'm going to look through my family's armory tomorrow," she said, looking at him with a smile on her face. "The priest at your orphanage might get suspicious if he catches you with that old knife. I'd rather give you something from the Silva collection—something high-quality. So..." She paused, her gaze softening. "What kind of weapon do you want?"
Asta went silent, his brow furrowed in deep thought as he stared at his calloused hands.
"A sword would be cool," he finally admitted, a small grin tugging at his lips before it faded. "But questions will be asked if I show up in Hage with something rare like that. People will wonder where an orphan got a royal bde. Do you guys... have a sickle?"
Noelle blinked, looking at him as if he had just asked for a piece of garbage. She cleared her throat and straightened her back. "I don't think so. Forgive my wording, but we royals... well, we don't exactly have a need for farming tools in our armory."
"Hmm." Asta rubbed his chin, unbothered by her comment. "What about a spear? Or even just a long staff? I could even use the excuse that I took it from our scarecrow back home. Yeah, a spear would be nice." He looked at her seriously, pointing a finger in the air. "But make sure it looks low-quality!"
Noelle let out a small, huffed breath, though her eyes were kind. "A spear it is, then. I'll find the most 'common' looking one they have."
"Got it!" Asta grinned, satisfied with the pn.
Asta stood up from the bed, stretching his arms before moving to the corner of the room to y down. Noelle watched him for a moment, then opened her glowing status screen. Her fingers danced across the interface, making a few final adjustments to her stats and notifications before she finally y down beside him.
The room was quiet, the only sound being their synchronized breathing. Suddenly, Noelle felt Asta's rough, calloused hand reach out and gently take her own.
"Goodnight, Noelle," Asta muttered, his voice thick with sleep.
Noelle's heart gave a small, genuine flutter—not because the System forced it, but because she wanted it to. She squeezed his hand back lightly. "Goodnight, Asta."
As the two drifted off into a deep sleep, a translucent screen flickered into existence above them, casting a soft blue light over their resting faces:
[Activating Rest: Computing Accumuted Rewards]
Name: Asta
Level: 24 (EXP: 0/ 2400)
Hp: 125/125
Mp: 0/0
SP: 6499.76/6499.76
Intimacy: 20/100
Title: [Orphan[Noelle's Fated Partner[Fate's Unknown Variable]
Css: None
Race: Human
Partner: Noelle Silva (Friendly 80/100)
STR: 189.75
AGI: 5.37
DEX: 48.32
STA: 128.05
INT: 121.05
WIS: 107
LUK: 1
Points Left: 0
Passive Skills
SP Recovery (Rank A): Increases SP recovery by Ki SenseX0.5% per 10 seconds.
Battle Continuation (Rank C): Activates when hp is at 1%, all damage will be directed to SP Cost: 5% SP per second effect ends when all SP is Lost or battle ends
Ki Armor (Rank: B): Reduce damage to stamina by Sta/Ki Sense
Dagger Mastery (Rank B): Gives basic control and speed when wielding dagger type equipment, Grants: Backstab. Ignore Defenses when attacked from the back. (Current: Ignore Percentage 20%)
Threat Detection: (Rank B): Automatically Detects ill intent. Ki Sence =Distance
Red Strings of Fate (Rank EX): Increase Mastery Rate of skills when near partner
Vow of the Eternal Sentinel (Rank EX): Cant gain Exp, Double's Mastery Rate
Active Skills
Sprint (Rank A): Increases Speed by x0.10 AGI
Ki Sense (Rank B): Detects Ki (300 Meters)
Zetten (Rank E): Adds Ki to Attack, Cost 80% mana per Attack, Grants Different effect per weapon
Dagger: Hits always apply backstab
Meditation (Rank F): Regenerates Stamina 0.5% per Second, Must be in meditative stance
Shared Skill:
Observe (Rank: E): Mastery 80/100. View status (ManaKi Sense). Cost: 100 Sta
Rest (Rank: EX): Mastery 100/100. Compresses 8 hours of sleep into 1; finalizes all stat gains. (1 per week)
Partner Skill:
Direct Message (EX): Allows messaging between partners, regardless of Distance
Castling: Swaps the Pces of the Couple
Dream Cycle: Passively Increase Intimacy Rate, Dreams will always connect the Partners
Multi Storage: Allows Storage of Items, Size Depends on Retionship Level
Name: Noelle Silva
Level: 16 (Exp: 0/1600)
Hp: 190/190
Mp: 1201/1848
SP: 160/160
Race: Human
Title[The Burden of the Silvas[Asta's Fated Partner[Fate's Unknown Variable]
Intimacy: 20/100
Css: None
Partner: Asta (Friendly 20/100)
Affinity: Water
Stats:
STR: 15.07 (1)
Agi: 33.5
Dex: 31.07
STA: 61.40
INT: 154 (2)
WIS: 64
LUK: 35
Points Left: 0
Passive Skills
Water Affinity1 (Rank B) : Water Magic 10%
Mana Efficiency 1 (Rank C): Mana Regen 5% Water magic Cost -10% Water magic Cast Speed -5%
Water Healing 1 (Rank C) : Heal 10% when allied got hit with Water Magic, Cannot hit Allies with water magic, Water magic Cast Speed -1%
Activated Royal Blood (Rank B): Base Mana 20% Mana Regen 15%
Mana Instability (Rank F): Can only regenerate up to 65% of Maximum Mana.
Subconscious Seal (Rank F): All Aoe Spells double Dmg, -50% Accuracy
Red Strings of Fate (Rank EX): Increase Mastery Rate of skills when near partner (50% boost)
Mana Attunement1 (Rank F): 2% Mana Regeneration 2 Int
Forced March: Double Exp Gain, Double Skill Mastery
Active Skills
Water Creation Magic (Rank F): Allows magic to make water into anything
?Water Ball(Rank F): Simple Attack Spell (Dmg=Int/Wis) Cost 20MP
?Water Shield (Rank F): Barrier Magic (Potency Int/Wis) Cost 20Mp per second
Mana Sensory: Sense Mana in the Surrounding (Max Distance 100 meters) Cost 2% Mana per second
Shared Skill:
Observe (Rank: E): Mastery 80/100. View status (ManaKi Sense). Cost: 100 Sta
Rest (Rank: EX): Mastery 100/100. Compresses 8 hours of sleep into 1; finalizes all stat gains. (1 per week)
Partner Skill:
Direct Message (EX): Allows messaging between partners, regardless of Distance
Castling: Swaps the Pces of the Couple
Dream Cycle: Passively Increase Intimacy Rate, Dreams will always connect the Partners
Multi Storage: Allows Storage of Items, Size Depends on Retionship Level
Time passed, and after six years, the Clover Kingdom underwent many changes. In the small vilge of Hage, people were tilling the soil as magical fireworks could be seen from the tall mountains in the distance.
"The Royal Capital is rowdy today," said a man holding a basket, looking toward the far-off buildings. "So much magic to celebrate."
"The Wizard King has made a triumphant return!" a traveler from the neighboring vilge shouted as he ran toward the farmers.
"Ah, the Wizard King, eh?" another man, leaning on his tool, replied to the man with the basket. "Well, this kingdom exists thanks to the generations of Wizard Kings who protected us." He smiled as he looked up at the giant skull looming in front of him.
"So, anything exciting coming up?" the man with the basket asked his friend, noticing dandelions drifting through the air.
"Well, tomorrow is the awarding ceremony for the Grimoires," the farmer mused. More dandelions arrived, carried on a breeze blowing from the direction of the church.
The two watched the small building as the wind picked up around them. "That's some impressive magic coming from over there."
"Yeah," the other replied. "An orphan named Yuno... he's really strong."
The two chatted for a moment longer before returning to their work.
Fifteen-year-old Yuno stood in the center of the church courtyard, his hands moving in fluid, rhythmic gestures. With precise control over his wind magic, he sent warm, gentle currents swirling through the damp undry, drying the fabric in seconds.
"Thanks for doing the heavy lifting, Yuno-kun," Sister Lily said, her voice warm as she approached. She looked up at him, struck by how much he had changed; the small, crying boy she once knew had grown nearly a head taller than her. "Are you sure you don't need to rest? Tomorrow is the ceremony, after all."
"That's right, Yuno!" Father Orsi chimed in, shuffling toward them with a trail of curious orphans behind him. He threw his arms wide with his usual dramatic fir. "You are the beacon of hope for this church! You must be at your absolute peak!"
"It's fine, Father," Yuno muttered, his expression calm but focused.
Nearby, one of the younger orphans struggled to lift a heavy log onto a chopping block. Before the boy could even raise his rusted axe, Yuno flicked his wrist. A sharp, invisible bde of wind hissed through the air, bisecting the log into four perfect quarters with a clean thwack. He didn't even break his stride, continuing to circute the air around the clothes. "I have to be this good. I can't afford to lose to Asta."
Sister Lily scanned the horizon, her brow furrowing slightly. "Speaking of Asta… where has he disappeared to?"
"If you're looking for that idiot," Nash answered, leaning against the stone wall of the church with his arms crossed, "he's at his usual spot."
"Spear training again?" Father Orsi sighed, rubbing the back of his neck as he looked toward the forest. "It's already been six years, eh? How time flies."
"Six years?" Rekka, a young girl with wide, wondering eyes, tugged on Sister Lily's habit. "Asta-san has really been training for that long?"
"Yes," Nash replied, his gaze following Yuno as the older boy finished the undry and moved toward the water barrels. "As long as I've been alive, he's been out there—clutching that spear with those strange bck gloves of his."
"The dark comfy looking one?" Rekka asked, trying to remember.
"Yeah, those," Nash nodded.
"Where did he even get something like that?"
Father Orsi took over the expnation, his voice dropping to a more serious tone. "Asta told me he received them from a dy he met years ago, somewhere deep in the Noble Realm."
"Asta has friends among the royals?" Rekka's jaw dropped, her eyes sparkling with the thought of such a high-css connection.
"I suppose," the Father replied, though his expression remained puzzled.
"But why would a Royal help someone like him?" Rekka pressed.
"He never would say. He's always been tight-lipped about that person," Father Orsi admitted. He turned his gaze toward Sister Lily, who was quietly tending to the flowerbeds. "Come to think of it, wasn't that the exact time Asta stopped pestering you to marry him every five minutes?"
Sister Lily paused, a soft, nostalgic smile pying on her lips. "Yes. I'm gd he finally grew out of that phase, but…"
"Hmph! A Royal and an orphan?" Nash interjected, his face twisting into a scowl of pure cynicism. "It's impossible. He's just being delusional. Those snobs up in the capital would never look twice at a commoner like us!"
With a frustrated huff, Nash turned on his heel and sprinted toward the woods, leaving the Father and the Nun to share a long, weary sigh in the afternoon sun.
Nash sprinted toward the massive, ancient skull, ducking onto a narrow trail carved out by forest animals. He wove through the shifting shadows of the trees for what felt like an hour before stumbling into a wide, sun-drenched clearing.
Even before he saw him, Nash heard it: the sharp whoosh of air being dispced—not by a spell, but by raw, physical force. It was followed by the rhythmic cck-cck of metal meeting wood.
As he stepped further into the clearing, he saw Asta.
The boy was a blur of motion, driving a spear forward in a series of lightning-fast thrusts. He twirled the weapon with the grace of a dancer, the spear's shaft—made of a dark, polished wood unlike anything found in their poor vilge—spinning effortlessly through his fingers. The spearhead was a masterpiece of silver that caught the sunlight, gleaming brilliantly as Asta shifted into a strange, low stance.
Every few seconds, the silver tip would pulse with a faint, ethereal blue glow.
Nash noticed something else: Asta was wearing his bck headband pulled down over his eyes like a blindfold. He was training in total darkness, yet his movements were perfect.
Before Nash could even take another step, Asta's voice cut through the sound of the wind.
"Nash, eh?" Asta said, his voice ragged between heavy, disciplined breaths. He didn't remove the blindfold, instead twirling the spear one st time before coming to a dead stop. "What are you doing all the way out here?"
"I still can't figure out how you always know it's me," Nash muttered, staring at the older boy.
Asta was topless, his skin slick with sweat that glistened over muscles far too rge for a normal fifteen-year-old. As Asta shifted into yet another unfamiliar stance, the sheer physical power radiating off him was intimidating.
"You don't even have a drop of magic," Nash added, his voice a mix of awe and frustration. "How do you do it?"
"I just train really hard," Asta said simply.
He lunged forward, his arms moving with such explosive speed that Nash blinked. In the time it took for a single heartbeat, the spear tip had vanished and reappeared, two lethal-looking thrusts whistling through the air. By the time Nash's eyes could focus again, Asta was already standing still, the spear held loosely but ready.
"Tell me why you're really here," Asta prompted, his voice calm despite his heavy breathing. "Did the other orphans bully you again?"
"What? No!" Nash snapped, crossing his arms defensively. "I'm stronger than any of those kids."
"Then why?"
"The people back at the church... they were just wondering where you actually got that spear," Nash admitted, his eyes drifting back to the strange, silver-tipped weapon.
"Oh, this?" Asta swung the spear in a low, heavy arc toward the ground. He shifted his weight, his feet digging into the dirt in a wide, powerful stance that Nash had never seen in any Clover Kingdom military manual. "I told you—I got it from a dy friend."
Nash narrowed his eyes, trying to catch any hint of a lie. "A dy who's a Noble?"
"That she is," Asta replied. A small, unreadable smile pyed on his lips as he tightened his grip on the dark wood of the shaft.
"I don't believe you," Nash spat, his voice ced with bitterness. "Why would a Noble ever look at people like us? To them, we're just dirt."
"Not all Nobles are like that, Nash," Asta replied, his voice calm and steady. He didn't stop moving; he transitioned into a series of low, sweeping strikes. "Just like not all commoners are good, not all high-borns are bad. People are just... people."
"I know that!" Nash snapped, though his shoulders slumped slightly.
"Tell you what, I'll let you in on a secret," Asta said. He suddenly whipped the spear to the left with a violent, whistling snap. The sheer force of the physical air current caught the scattered grass and drifting dandelions, swirling them into a miniature vortex that danced around the silver bde.
Asta looked over his shoulder, his eyes still hidden by the bck headband. "That dy friend of mine? She's my wife."
The clearing went silent for a heartbeat. Nash stared at him, his expression ft and unimpressed.
"Now I know you're lying," Nash deadpanned.
Asta broke into a loud, boisterous ugh that echoed off the trees. He didn't try to defend himself; he just kept spinning the spear, the blue glow of the tip pulsing in rhythm with his joy.
Nash watched him for a while longer, fascinated by the strange, beautiful "dance" of the spear, before finally turning back toward the trail and leaving Asta to his secrets and the setting sun.
The sun had long since dipped below the horizon by the time Asta finally lowered his spear. The forest was draped in a heavy, velvet darkness, broken only by the faint, rhythmic pulse of the blue light on his weapon's tip.
He reached up, pulling the bck headband back into its usual pce on his forehead. As his eyes adjusted to the moonlight, a translucent, shimmering blue screen flickered into existence, hovering in the air right in front of his face.
[Quest Complete]
[Obtained: 10exp, 0.5 Ag
[Level Up! Level 34 reached. You have gained 1 Stat Point.]
[Skill Level up: Spear Mastery (A)]
"Finally... it took me an entire year just to grind to reach A" Asta muttered.
His chest heaved, his lungs burning from the hours of exertion. He colpsed onto the cool, damp grass, staring up at the stars through the canopy of trees. His muscles ached with the kind of satisfaction as the night breeze hit him.
[How About you?]
[I still need a week,Im on the verge of removing this debuff]
Suddenly, a new notification chimed softly, a different colored window pinging in his peripheral vision.
[Congratutions Asta! Level 34, eh?]
Asta's tired expression shifted into a genuine, warm smile. He tapped the air, his fingers dancing across a virtual keyboard as he sent a reply back into the void.
[How about you?] he typed.
A few seconds passed before the reply flickered back:
[I still need a week. I'm on the verge of finally removing this debuff.]
Asta then stood up, he used his ki sense to move back towards the orphanage as he typed another message. as he continued typing, a soft smile on his face as the screen hovered before him.
[I'm going to remind you today's a Sunday,] the message from Noelle read. [And I have a feeling that something is going to happen again.]
Asta's fingers moved quickly across the interface. [It's fine. It's not like it's our first time, remember?]
as he took the long walk back toward the church. He typed as he moved, his eyes glued to the shimmering blue text.
[Besides, I like kissing you.]
CRACK.
Asta's foot caught a jagged rock hidden in the shadows. He yelped, stumbling forward and nearly face-pnting into the dirt. He scrambled to regain his bance, his face turning a shade of red that was visible even in the moonlight.
Cursing his own clumsiness, he quickly tapped out a reply, his heart hammering against his ribs.
[See you tonight, Noelle.]
A final ping echoed through the quiet forest as her reply appeared, short and sweet:
[Me too.]
Asta closed the screen with a flick of his wrist. The forest went dark again, but he had a goofy, lovestruck grin on his face that stayed there all the way back to the vilge.
When Asta opened his eyes, the wooden floor of the church loft was gone. He was back in the [Partner Room].
The space had changed drastically since they first unlocked it at age nine. What used to be a cold, empty gray room was now a comfortable sanctuary. The firepce still crackled in the corner, but it was now fnked by deep, plush couches. In the center of the room sat their most prized "Lottery" win: the computer.
Asta spotted Noelle immediately. She was perched in a rge, overstuffed chair in front of the glowing monitor, a pair of simple, thin-framed gsses resting on her nose. She was leaning in close, focused on whatever was dispyed on the screen.
At first, the items they won from the Spin Wheel—the "electronics" and "furniture"—had been nothing but a source of confusion. But over the years, they had mastered them. They had grown so fond of the convenience of this pce that the "Real World" often felt primitive by comparison.
Asta watched her for a moment, enjoying the quiet hum of the computer. Seeing Noelle like this—rexed, wearing her gsses, and away from the pressure of the Royal Capital—was his favorite part of the week.
The small girl Asta had first befriended for a simple System quest had blossomed into a breathtaking teenager. She still wore her hair in the twin tails he liked so much, but her presence was entirely different now. At thirteen, Asta had started to suspect the System was molding her into his ideal woman; looking back at the vow he made to her when they were only nine, he realized just how oblivious—and lucky—he had been.
Every adventure they shared in this private sanctuary made him realize that his childhood impulsiveness was the best mistake he'd ever made.
"I didn't think I'd choose my wife at nine years old," Asta said softly, a lopsided smile tugging at his lips as he crossed the room. "How much of a dumbass was I back then? Proposing just to finish a quest..."
As he leaned in closer, the scent of her perfume hit him—a light, floral fragrance that always seemed to linger in the air. He often wondered how he could smell it here; after all, it was only their souls in this room, not their physical bodies. But in this space, every sensation felt more real than reality itself.
"I'm just gd it was Noelle," he whispered.
"What are you muttering about, Bakasta?" Noelle asked, not looking away from the monitor. She was focused on a video guide—a "Tip of the Day" on projectile aiming they had won from the lottery the previous week.
"Nothing," Asta replied, leaning his chin on the back of her chair. "Just admiring you."
Noelle's hand hesitated on the mouse for a split second, and even with her back to him, he could see the tips of her ears turn pink. She adjusted her gsses with a huff of feigned annoyance.
"Please," she replied, her voice carrying that familiar royal haughtiness, though it cked any real sting. "I'm already immune to your nonsense."
Asta ughed, his gaze drifting to the wooden wheel mounted near the heavy oak door. The glowing counter beside it flickered, now dispying a [1].
"Do you want to take a [Partner Instance]?" he asked, pointing toward the wheel.
"Sure," Noelle sighed, finally pulling her eyes away from the monitor and pushing her gsses up the bridge of her nose. "But knowing your luck, there's a fifty-percent chance it's just going to be another race."
Asta winced as the memories came flooding back. Over the st six years, his luck with the wheel had been… consistent. Half the time, the wheel nded on [Race], and they were instantly teleported to a vast, grassy stadium. There, they were forced to compete against nine "Horse Girls"—strange, hyper-fast athletes who were different every time.
Asta shuddered. They hadn't won a single one of those matches in six years. He especially hated that one girl who always lingered in dead st, only to surge forward with terrifying speed at the final stretch, ending her victory by accidentally (or perhaps not) kicking Asta square in the face.
The other fifty percent of the time was even worse. They would find themselves trapped in loud, metal machines called "Cars," racing against fourteen other lunatics on gravity-defying tracks. It was pure, unadulterated chaos. Asta was convinced that if the System didn't protect them from "Game Overs," they would have died a dozen times by now.
To this day, he couldn't look at a blue turtle shell without his heart rate doubling in pure, instinctual fear.
"How about you spin the wheel this time, Noelle?" Asta suggested, gesturing toward the door.
Noelle didn't move immediately. She remained perched in her chair, one foot tucked up on the cushion as she squinted at the screen. On the monitor, a man was demonstrating advanced aiming techniques for a crossbow. "If you spin it," Asta continued, "there's at least a fifty-percent chance we'll get an [Escape] or [Train] instance."
"I don't know," Noelle countered, her eyes flicking toward him over the rim of her gsses. "We did that st week, and look what happened. You actually tried to pick a fight with that horrifying yellow machine—the one that looks like a rabbit—even though the prompt specifically said you'd die the second it spotted you."
Asta puffed out his chest, completely unfazed. "Why wouldn't I fight it? It's just a weird metal bunny. It isn't even scary!"
"It's not about it being 'scary,' Bakasta, it's about the mechanics!" Noelle groaned, finally standing up and walking toward the wheel. "You weren't doing the quest right at all. It was a stealth mission! You're lucky the 'Game Over' just kicks us back here instead of erasing our souls."
She reached for the handle of the wheel, her fingers hovering over the polished wood. "If I spin this and we end up in another dark hallway with a killer animatronic, I'm leaving you behind to be the distraction."
"But what if it nds on [Train]?" Asta asked, his eyes practically sparkling like stars as he stared at the wheel. "I can't wait to fight that kid again!"
Noelle paused, her hand still resting on the wheel's handle. She tilted her head, trying to recall the specific encounter. "You mean the one where the [Observe] skill identified him as a... teacher?"
"Yes, that one!" Asta excimed, punching his fist into his palm. "Every time we face him, he's surrounded by a different group of girls, right?"
"Exactly," Noelle replied, her voice tinged with a bit of confusion. "It's such a strange combination. Why is a kid like that leading all those powerful students?"
"I don't care why, I just want a rematch!" Asta grinned. "Who did we fight st time? The one with the weird magic?"
"I remember the name was Nodoka," Noelle mused, tapping her chin. "She was part of that duo we faced."
"Right! Well, that was easy," Asta ughed, shrugging his shoulders. "Both of them seemed like they were only focused on buffing each other. It was more like a puzzle than a brawl."
Noelle rolled her eyes, though a small smile pyed on her lips. "Not everyone solves their problems by swinging a spear around until things stop moving, Asta. But fine—if you're so eager for a challenge, let's see what the wheel says."
With a decisive flick of her wrist, Noelle pulled the handle down. The wheel began to spin, the wooden pegs clicking rapidly as the colorful segments blurred into a kaleidoscope of potential adventures.
"Well, we've been spinning this thing for seven years now," Asta said, his eyes tracking the blur of colors as the wheel whirred. "I still wonder what that yellow segment does."
Noelle shot him a ft, skeptical look over her shoulder. "Oh, please. I know you aren't that dense anymore, Asta."
Asta didn't argue. Noelle was right; neither of them was a clueless child anymore. They both knew exactly what the [Rexation] instance implied. The System's guide for that specific category was embarrassingly straightforward, and Noelle was privately convinced the gods themselves had rigged the wheel to skip over it.
Even though they had shared their first kiss years ago, her heart still hammered against her ribs at the thought of it. She wasn't entirely sure she was ready for whatever "activities" a dedicated rexation instance would force them into.
The wheel began to slow, the rhythmic click-click-click of the pegs growing louder and more deliberate.
"It's getting close," Asta whispered, stepping up beside her.
"Don't get your hopes up, Bakasta," Noelle muttered, though she didn't pull away as his shoulder brushed against hers. They both held their breath, watching the pointer dance between the aggressive red of [Train] and the soft, glowing yellow of the mystery segment.
The wheel groaned to a final, agonizing halt. The pointer clicked firmly into the center of the soft, glowing yellow segment.
For a second, the only sound in the Partner Room was the crackling of the firepce. Then, two identical blue screens flickered into life simultaneously, hovering before their wide-eyed faces.
[Limit Reached: (Sweethearts 100/100)]
[Advancement Ongoing]
The room began to change. The usual bright, clinical light softened into a warm, amber glow, and the air filled with the faint scent of vanil and woodsmoke. The "glowing box" of the computer dimmed, leaving the two of them alone in the flickering light of the hearth.
"Noelle..." Asta whispered, his voice cracking slightly. He took a hesitant step toward her, his heart thumping so loudly he was sure she could hear it.
Noelle's face was a brilliant shade of crimson, rivaling the hair of a Vermillion. She clutched the back of her chair as if it were a shield, her gsses sliding slightly down her nose. Despite the romantic atmosphere, her eyes sparked with defensive royal pride.
"Don't you dare, Asta!" she squeaked, pointing a trembling finger at him. "If you touch me... inappropriately... I swear I'll put a crossbow bolt right through your eyes! Do you hear me?!"
Asta paused, a nervous sweat breaking out on his forehead. Even with a maxed-out retionship status, Noelle was still the deadliest girl he knew. "I—I wasn't even going to!"
"Good!" she huffed, though she didn't actually move away.
Then a doorknob appeared on the door as it changed to a yellow color. With a gulp, Asta opened it and entered, while Noelle took off her gsses and followed.
"I read books about hot springs, but this is the first time I've actually gotten into one," Asta said as his body soaked in the deep, warm water.
When he had opened the door, he was teleported to a room that looked like the shared bath from the orphanage. There were different cabinets, and judging by them, he took off his clothes, wrapped a single towel around his hips, and walked toward the only exit.
When he stepped out, he was greeted by a sight that took his breath away. He was on top of a huge mountain; the only things he could see were the orange glow of the sun, distant peaks, and trees. In between them was a huge crystal ke. In front of him was steaming water. He took a dip, and then a screen appeared:
[Quest Received]
[Watch Until Sun Rise]
[Rewards:?]
Asta moved toward the edge, where he saw statues of frogs spraying warm water, and began to feel sleepy, then he felt the ki of the girl who years ago took his heart.
"It took you a while—" Asta started to say, his voice echoing slightly against the stone walls of the bath.
He turned around, the words dying in his throat. Noelle stood at the edge of the steam, clutching a single white towel tightly against her chest. It obscured much of her, but Asta's eyes widened as he realized how much she had changed. She had grown taller and more graceful than any girl in Hage; even Sister Lily seemed like a distant memory compared to the girl standing before him now. Her skin glowed in the orange mountain light, and her face was a deep, burning crimson as she took a hesitant, trembling step toward the water.
"I know you are going to look, Bakasta," she murmured, her voice uncharacteristically soft. She wouldn't meet his eyes, instead staring down at the rippling surface of the hot spring. "My magic is sealed in this instance, so I can't actually force you to shut your eyes with a water ball."
"I—" Asta stammered, his face heating up to match hers. He gripped the edge of the rock pool, his knuckles turning white.
"Just tell me one thing," she interrupted, her voice gaining a tiny bit of its usual royal edge, though her lower lip trembled.
"Y-yes?"
Noelle finally looked up, her violet eyes shimmering behind the rising steam. "Do I... do I look pretty?"
"Of course!" Asta yelled. The sheer force of his voice sent a pair of birds fluttering from a nearby tree. He hadn't shouted with that kind of raw, honest energy in years, but in this moment, it was the only way he knew how to tell the truth.
"W-well, the quest is pretty straightforward this time," Noelle stammered, slowly lowering herself into the steaming water. She kept a safe distance from Asta, the ripples from her movements catching the amber light of the setting sun.
"Y-yeah," Asta replied, his eyes fixed firmly on a distant mountain peak to keep from staring too much. He let out a long breath, trying to calm his racing heart. "We just have to stay here for a while. How long do you think it'll take?"
Noelle tilted her head back, looking up at the sky as the orange hues began to deepen into a bruised purple. "Judging from the position of the sun, I'd say several hours," she mused, her voice regaining some of its composure as she focused on the mechanics of the world.
She dipped her shoulders under the surface, a small sigh of relief escaping her lips as the heat soaked into her muscles. "Well, it isn't a problem. Even with my active magic sealed, I can still feel the passive protection of my mana. We won't feel any negative effects from the cold or the altitude."
"That's good," Asta muttered, finally risking a gnce toward her. The steam swirled between them, making the moment feel like a dream. "I guess we just... wait."
They stayed there for a long time, their voices hushed against the backdrop of the mountain silence. They fell into their usual rhythm, recounting the events of the week. Noelle spoke about the goings-on in the Noble Realm and her growing reputation; she was already being whispered about as the 'Fairy Sniper,' even though she hadn't officially debuted yet.
Asta knew that title came from the strange, high-tech weapon she'd won during their very first instance together—a tool that allowed her to bypass her mana-control issues. But even with her growing power, her life at home remained a cold, lonely battle. She spoke of her brother's freezing indifference and the constant mocking she endured from the rest of her family. Asta remained quiet, a steady and listening presence, as the space between them in the warm water gradually vanished until they were only inches apart.
"The System is making us do things again," Noelle whispered, her eyes drifting to her hovering status screen, which glowed with the words [Intimacy 100/100]. She sounded like she was trying to convince herself more than him.
"I don't think so, Noelle," Asta said.
Noelle turned her head to look at him, but Asta remained staring straight ahead at the horizon, his expression more serious than she had ever seen it.
"Ever since the first time our retionship advanced from [Friendly] to [Sweethearts], I haven't felt the tug of the System," he continued, his voice low and firm. "I know you've felt it too. This isn't a quest anymore. This is just... us."
Noelle knew he was right. Their first kiss, years ago, had been a clumsy accident initiated by a System prompt, but everything had changed after that day. The loud, hyperactive kid she had once known had vanished, repced by a teenager who looked at her with a depth and intensity that made her breath catch. The second time they had kissed, it wasn't because of a quest—Asta had moved on his own. The time after that, she had been the one to reach for him. Then again, and again, and again.
"I'm just lying to myself, aren't I?" Noelle muttered, her voice barely a whisper.
She felt Asta reach through the warm water, his hand coming to rest gently on top of hers. The contact sent a jolt of heat through her that had nothing to do with the hot spring. Above them, the st traces of purple had faded into an ink-bck sky. Millions of stars flickered into existence, their cold, brilliant light reflecting off the surface of the crystal ke below.
The view was breathtaking, but as Asta squeezed her hand, Noelle realized she hadn't looked at the sky once. She was too busy looking at him. For a long while, the only sound was the gentle bubbling of the water. Finally, Noelle turned her gaze back to the flickering stars as Asta broke the silence.
"Tomorrow is the ceremony," he said softly. "You'll be taking yours at the Noble Realm, right?"
"Yes," she replied, a small shadow of anxiety crossing her face at the thought of her family.
"What will you do next?" Asta asked. Noelle felt a shift in the water as he moved, his warmth circling around until he was positioned directly behind her.
"I'll take the Magic Knights exam," Noelle said firmly, her voice steadying as she felt his hands settle gently on her hips, eventually sliding up to pull her into a protective embrace against his chest. He rested his chin on her shoulder, his breath warm against her skin. "Even if my brother forbids it, I'm going."
She leaned back into him, finally getting comfortable in their new position, the tension leaving her shoulders. "What about you?"
"I'll take the same exam," he promised.
"But... what if you don't get a grimoire?" Noelle asked, her voice tinged with a worry she only ever showed to him.
"Don't worry," Asta said, his voice full of that stubborn, unshakable grit she loved. "Even if I don't get one, I'm still taking that exam. I'm not stopping until I'm standing right there next to you."
A comfortable silence fell over them as they turned their attention back to the horizon, simply admiring the vast, starlit view. For a long while, the only sound was the rhythmic spshing of the frog statues. Then, Noelle felt the soft, warm press of Asta's lips against the side of her neck.
"What are you doing?" Noelle asked, her voice breathy and cking any real protest. Instead of pulling away, she tilted her head to the side, subconsciously granting him more access.
"This is what the System made us do that first time... right?" Asta murmured against her skin.
"Hngh... yeah," she whispered, her eyes fluttering shut as a shiver ran down her spine that had nothing to do with the water.
"I-I'm just following the steps," Asta teased. He didn't move away; he just continued to pepper small, lingering kisses along the curve of her shoulder and neck.
"I'm ticklish there," Noelle managed to say, though she leaned back further into his chest, her heart racing.
"I know," Asta chuckled softly, the vibration of his voice buzzing against her skin. "You threw me off the bed as soon as the System's pull was over back then."
"Ahh..." Noelle let out a soft sigh, the memory of their clumsy, younger selves making her smile despite the heat blooming in her cheeks. Back then, they were just kids following a script; now, every touch was a choice they were making together.
"Don't worry, I won't do anything more than this," Asta promised. He shifted his focus, trailing a path of slow, deliberate kisses toward the other side of her neck. Noelle shivered, her fingers curling into his forearms as he continued to pamper her with affection.
"Hahh... W-where did he go?" Noelle stammered, her breath hitching as she struggled to keep her thoughts straight. "The boy who was so... ahh... so oblivious the first time?"
Asta paused for a heartbeat, his lips just inches from her skin. He didn't sound like the loud, boisterous kid from the church anymore. His voice was low, steady, and filled with a quiet confidence that made Noelle's heart skip a beat.
"He grew up," he said simply.
Asta freed his hand from her waist, his palm warm against the cool night air as he cupped the side of Noelle's face. He gently tilted her head back and with the night and the stars twinkling he took her lips. It was agonizingly slow at first—just simple, soft pecks that tasted of the mountain mist. Noelle felt his free hand tighten its grip on her, pulling her back against his chest so they could share the heat of the moment together.
The kiss deepened, and Noelle felt the daring slip of his tongue against her lips. She hesitated for only a heartbeat before opening her mouth, allowing him inside to tease her retreating tongue.
"Hgnnn..." Noelle shivered, her toes curling in the warm water as the sensation flooded her senses.
They stayed like that for a long time, lost in the rhythm of the kiss, before Asta finally pulled back. He wore a small, triumphant smile, a thin sliver of saliva bridging the space between them in the golden light. Noelle stared at him, her breath coming in short gasps, when a sudden hunch struck her.
"You are using a skill, aren't you?" she accused, her voice still shaky but narrowing her eyes.
"W-what do you mean?" Asta stammered, his eyes darting away for a split second—a cssic "tell."
"Don't lie to me, Bakasta," she said. They hadn't moved from their intimate position, but the romantic haze was quickly being repced by her sharp intuition. "I've had a hunch ever since you were staring so hard at nothing earlier. You've got a screen up, don't you?"
"I don't!" Asta insisted, but his voice cked its usual conviction.
Noelle didn't buy it for a second. She turned around in his arms to face him fully, her eyes searching his. As she looked at him, she noticed a single, traitorous drop of blood emerge from his nose—the cssic sign of a boy overwhelmed. Asta sighed, defeated, and with a flick of his wrist, he shared his screen with her.
Warm Touch (EX)
Type: Marital
Mastery: None
Cost: Increase Intimacy +1 per second, Cancels when intimacy reached 100
Effects: Makes Partner appreciate your touch, only activates on [Rexation] Instances
Description: First step of any retionship starts with a touch
"When did this appear?" Noelle asked, her eyes scanning the text.
"Don't look down, just... just look into my eyes," Asta muttered, trying to wipe his nose. "Earlier, when you said—and I quote—'I'm lying to myself, aren't I?' Didn't you notice the change in status?"
Noelle looked confused, her brow furrowing as she swiped her hand to open her own menu. Asta was right. The [Sweethearts] rank was gone, repced by a new, shimmering title: [Lovers: 0/100].
"It happened the moment you acknowledged that the System wasn't the one forcing us anymore," Asta said. He looked her straight in the eyes, and even with the blood on his nose, the sincerity in his gaze made her giggle.
"When did you realize it then, Asta?" she asked softly.
"After our first kiss, obviously."
"That early?" Noelle's eyes widened.
"Yes," Asta nodded. "Like I told you years ago, I can't even tell Sister Lily I love her for real anymore. Every time I try, your face always comes up." He gave a sheepish grin. "I've just been using her to farm my daily Stamina points. I had nothing else to farm for her anymore... it was always just you."
"I see," Noelle whispered, a genuine, soft smile pying on her lips. She began to move slowly toward Asta, the water rippling around her, but before she could reach him, a blinding fsh of gold erupted from the horizon.
The sun had officially risen.
[Quest Complete]
[Obtained: Skill Change, Ring of Vow, 100 Tokens]
"Oh, for the love of—!" Noelle grumbled, her eyes snapping toward the screen just as the mountain air and steaming water dissolved nothing.
In the blink of an eye, they were teleported back to their room. The quiet hum of the computer and the crackle of the firepce repced the mountain silence.
"That was fun, eh Noelle?" Asta said with a wide, satisfied grin. He stretched his arms behind his head, leaning back. "Noelle?"
"Come here!" she commanded.
"Where?" Asta yelped in surprise. Before he could react, Noelle surged forward with a strength that caught him off guard, pushing him back toward the bed. He slumped onto the mattress with a soft thud, looking up to find Noelle hovering over him, her eyes fierce. "Noelle, wait—"
"Be quiet," she murmured.
She leaned down and kissed him aggressively, her lips crashing against his with all the pent-up frustration from the quest's abrupt ending. Asta's eyes drifted shut as he felt her fingers tangle in his hair, pulling him closer. The only sound in the room was the soft crackle of the wood in the firepce and the heavy rhythm of their breathing.
After a long moment, Noelle finally pulled away. She stood up abruptly and walked over to the chair, her back to him, her ears glowing a bright, unmistakable red.
"So..." Asta started, his voice a bit raspy.
"Be quiet!" she snapped, though there was no real heat in it.
"Okay," Asta smiled, leaning back against the pillows.
"ill look at the rewards okay" asta muttered as he opened his screen
"I'll... I'll just look at the rewards, okay?" Asta muttered, his heart still drumming against his ribs. He sat up on the edge of the bed and swiped his hand through the air, bringing up the shimmering interface to hide his own blushing face.
His eyes widened as he saw the first item. It wasn't just a skill; it was their first mythical passive repcing the EX one.
Realized Red Strings of Fate (Rank M):
Rank: Mythical
Type: Marital (Passive)
Cost: 0
Effects: Doubles Mastery Rate of skills when near partner, reveals partner Location when using a map-Type Item, Immune to any debuff with [lust] effect, cannot be seduced
Description: When two destined partners finally acknowledge their true feelings, literal gods step in to protect the connection.
Asta stared at the screen in silence. "Double mastery..." he whispered. That meant every swing of his spear and every spell Noelle practiced would now count for twice as much as long as they were together.
He looked over at Noelle, who was still sitting in the chair with her back turned, her ears still crimson. "Noelle, did you see this? We... we're literally immune to being seduced. Not that I'd ever—"
"I said be quiet, Bakasta!" she huffed her ears still red, though her shoulders rexed slightly as she peeked at her own screen to see the same Mythical notification glowing in her vision.
Then they looked at the new item
Ring of Vow (EX)
Rarity: EX
Type: Ring (Cosmetic)
Level: 1/1
Mana Conductivity: None
Effects:
+1% effect of any other equipped ring.
Grants Active Skill: [Mana Transfer]
Eternal Vow: Item cannot be removed. Retionship Status cannot decrease below [Lovers]
Description: A simple silver band forged by the Gods to symbolize the love between fated partners. It remains invisible to the world, revealing itself only when infused with Mana or Ki.
Asta blinked, then looked at the sub-skill attached to the ring. His jaw nearly hit the floor when he read the description.
Mana Transfer (EX)
Rank: Ancient
Type: Marital (Active)
Cost: Variable
Effects: Transfers mana/Ki to a partner through the exchange of "essence." The potency of the effect depends on the type of essence used.
Description: An ancient technique used by mages from another world. Through this ritual, even a man known for saying "people die when they are killed" managed to secure the hearts of different women across multiple timelines.
"Um, Noelle... what exactly is this 'essence' they are talking about?" Asta asked, leaning closer to the screen as if squinting would make the answer clearer.
Noelle stared at him, her eye twitching. "Really, Bakasta? Where did that 'grown-up' guy from five minutes ago go?"
"I don't follow?" Asta scratched his cheek, looking genuinely lost. "Does it mean like... mana skin? Or maybe physical energy?"
"It means sweat, tears, and..." Noelle's voice trailed off. She didn't finish the sentence, instead letting her gaze drop meaningfully toward the bed.
Asta's brain finally made the connection. The realization hit him like a physical blow, his face turning a shade of red that rivaled a ripe tomato. "Ohh..."
"Wanna try?" Asta blurted out, the words leaving his mouth before he could stop them. He wasn't even sure if he was joking or just curious about the skill.
Noelle's mana fred, even without her magic active. She gred at him with enough intensity to melt iron. "Do you want to die?!"
"I'm kidding! I'm kidding!" Asta yelled, waving his hands frantically in front of his face as he scrambled back toward the edge of the bed. For a moment they didn't talk as the sounds of the firepce remained then Asta looked at her again.
"Wanna try some lottery before we go?" Asta asked his eyes gleaming with the hope of a rare pull.
"Let's pile the tokens first," Noelle sighed, leaning back and rubbing her temples. "I'm very tired now."
Asta looked at her, confused. "But... we literally just finished a [Rexation] instance."
Noelle groaned. "I meant the sun is rising in the real world, Bakasta. We need to wake up and get ready for the ceremony."
"Oh... right." Asta blinked, the adrenaline of the system rewards finally fading. He looked at the 100 tokens they had just earned. "The real world. I almost forgot."
They both knew that once they stepped out of this room, they wouldn't be 'Lovers' anymore, they'd be the 'Magicless Boy' and the 'Failure of the House of Silva' again. At least for a few more hours.
"Scoot over," Noelle commanded softly, her voice losing its royal edge as she climbed onto the bed to lie next to him.
Asta smiled, adjusting himself to make room. As she settled in, Noelle rested her head against his chest, listening to the steady, rhythmic thrum of his heart—a sound more grounding than any System notification. Asta reached up, his fingers gently combing through her long, silver hair, smoothing out the strands with a tenderness that spoke louder than any confession.
"Goodnight, Asta," she whispered, her eyes fluttering shut.
"Goodnight, Noelle," he replied, resting his chin atop her head.
The room dimmed, the glow of the computer monitors fading into a soft standby mode as the final prompt of the night appeared in the air above them:
[Activating Rest: Computing Accumuted Rewards]
Name: Asta
Level: 33 (EXP: 0/ 6600)
Hp: 1085/1085
Mp: 0/0
SP: 7832/7832
Intimacy: 50/100
Title: [Orphan],[Noelle's Lover],[Fate's Unknown Variable]
Css: None
Race: Human
Partner: Noelle Silva (Lovers 1/100)
STR: 350
AGI: 54
DEX: 60
STA: 979
INT: 154
WIS: 128
LUK: 1
Points Left: 9
Passive Skills
SP Recovery (S): Increases SP recovery by (Ki SenseX1 %) per 10 seconds.
Battle Continuation (C): Activates when hp is at 1%, all damage will be directed to SP Cost: 5% SP per second effect ends when all SP is Lost or battle ends
Ki Armor (A): Reduce damage to stamina by Sta/Ki Sense
Dagger Mastery (B): Gives Minimal control and speed when wielding dagger type equipment, Grants: Backstab. Ignore Defenses when attacked from the back. (Current: Ignore Percentage 20%)
Axe Mastery (D): Gives Basic Control and Weight Distribution when using Axe-type Equipment, Grants: Armor Crushing. Attacks ignore 5% of the target's Physical Damage Reduction
Spear Mastery (A): Gives Advance Control when Using Spear-type Weapons, Piercing attacks move 15% faster., Grants: Shield Piercing, +20% damage to Shields
Threat Detection (A): Automatically Detects ill intent. Ki Sense =Distance
Active Skills
Sprint ( S): Increases Speed by x0.1 AGI
Ki Sense (A): Detects Ki (600 Meters)
Zetten (C): Adds Ki to Attack, Cost 40% Stamina per Attack, Grants Different effect per weapon
Dagger: Hits always apply backstab
Axe: Attacks cannot be blocked by Cannot be parried or blocked by shields of an equal or lower Rank of the weapon.
Spear: Ignores Shield, +50% dmg to shielded opponents
Meditation (B): Regenerates Stamina 1.5% per Second, Must be in meditative stance
Pierce(A): Attacks Twice in quick Succession, Cost 2% stamina per attack
Points: 2
Name: Noelle Silva
Level: 32 (Exp: 0/1600)
Hp: 380/380
Mp: 5356/5356
SP: 3497.60
Race: Human
Title: [The Burden of the Silva's],[Asta's Lover],[Fate's Unknown Variable]
Intimacy: 50/100
Css: None
Partner: Asta (Lovers 1/100)
Affinity: Water
Stats:
STR: 48 (+2)
Agi: 54 (+1)
Dex: 28 (+9)
STA: 48
INT: 446 (+2)
WIS: 436
LUK: 35
Points Left: 15
Passive Skills
Water Affinity+1 (A) : Water Magic 15%
Mana Efficiency+1 (Rank B): Mana Regen 10% Water magic Cost -15% Water magic Cast Speed +15%
Mana Coating (B): Coats Body Mana, Reduce dmg by 5% of total Mana
Water Healing +1 (B) : Heal 10% when allied got hit with Water Magic, Cannot hit Allies with water magic, Water magic Cast Speed -1%
Activated Royal Blood (B): Base Mana 20% Mana Regen 15%
Mana Attunement+2 (C): 4% Mana Regeneration, +4 Int
Crossbow Mastery+2 (B): +10% Crit Rate, +9% Accuracy, +5 Dex, +2 Str
Eagle Eye+1 (C): +10% Crit Dmg on Headshots, +4 Dex, +1 Agi
Active Skills
Water Creation Magic (Rank A): Allows magic to make water into anything
?Water Ball(Rank A): Simple Attack Spell (Dmg=Int/Wis) Cost 50MP
?Water Shield (Rank A): Barrier Magic (Potency Int/Wis) Cost 50Mp per second
Mana Sensory(B): Sense Mana in the Surrounding (Max Distance 300 meters) Cost 2% Mana per second
Shared Skill:
Observe ( B): Mastery 1/100. View status (Mana X Ki Sense). Cost: 100 Sta/100 Mana
Rest (EX): Mastery 100/100. Compresses 8 hours of sleep into 1; finalizes all stat gains. (1 per week)
Partner Skill:
Direct Message (EX): Allows messaging between partners, regardless of Distance
Castling (EX): Swaps the Pces of the Couple
Dream Cycle (EX): Passively Increase Intimacy Rate, Dreams will always connect the Partners
Multi Storage(EX): Allows Storage of Items, Size Depends on Retionship Level
Mana Transfer (EX): Allows transfer on Mana/Ki, efficiency depends on what kind of 'essence' used.
Realized Red Strings of Fate (M): Doubles Mastery Rate of skills when near partner, reveals partner Location when using a map-Type Item, Immune to any debuff with [lust] effect, cannot be seduced
Marital Skill:
Warm touch (EX):Makes Partner appreciate your touch, only activates on [Rexation] Instances.(Asta Only)
Next Chapter is tommorow
