"That's good that you haven't seen it. Let's talk about the second thing."
The Wizard King's smile — warm like a spring breeze — returned to his face.
He basically entered Sage Mode in seconds.
"Please continue."
Adam gave him a thumbs up. The Wizard King really was a cool guy. Even when he clearly saw a clue, he refused to expose it directly.
Loyalty level: Maxed out.
"Marx, I leave this to you."
"Yes."
Marx quickly nodded, then called two soldiers from outside the door to drag "Purple Sweet Potato" away.
"Let's talk upstairs. It's not very safe here," the Wizard King said with a smile.
Adam agreed. This shabby interrogation room was only slightly better than District 13.
They might as well turn it into a tourist attraction and collect some entrance fees.
The starry sky was bright tonight — a perfect time to enjoy the night view.
Adam followed the Wizard King to a quiet attic, an ideal place to talk without being overheard.
"The moon is so round today," Julius murmured, looking up with a hint of melancholy.
"Let's get down to business and skip these sentimental openings," Adam said flatly.
This old fox was too good at dragging things out. He could have finished the conversation earlier, but no — they had to come up here.
"You don't want to ask why I brought you here?" the Wizard King asked curiously.
"Is that even a question? Your office must be unsafe, so here we are," Adam replied lazily.
"Uh... okay." Julius looked a little awkward but pressed on. "Then I won't beat around the bush. What do you think about the Royal Knights selection?"
"Can I just stand and watch?" Adam asked without hesitation.
That one line immediately killed Julius's momentum. He didn't even know how to respond.
"It's about the upcoming election. Logically, everyone who's capable should compete, but... you're too strong."
"Then I just won't participate. Problem solved," Adam said nonchalantly.
Since the Wizard King was playing by the rules, Adam didn't see any reason to make it complicated.
Sure, not joining the Royal Knights might make him a target for noble mockery, but Adam couldn't care less.
He wasn't living for other people's opinions.
In the face of absolute strength, everything else was just noise.
Anyone who dared to provoke him would soon learn what "thunderous means" really meant.
The Wizard King nodded, visibly relieved. A trace of guilt flickered across his face as he continued, "I'm sorry about your nickname."
"In this kingdom, anything related to devils ends badly."
"Someone's targeting me?" Adam asked bluntly.
"If nothing unexpected happens, yes," Julius admitted. "You've caught the attention of forces hidden in the shadows. If your way of doing things wasn't so outrageous that it scared them, no one would've labeled you a devil."
Julius couldn't figure it out either. This didn't seem like the Eye of the Midnight Sun's work. Who had that kind of reach?
"Devil," Adam slowly repeated.
In the Clover Kingdom, this word was taboo. The kingdom's foundation itself was built upon defeating a demon god — the legend of the First Wizard King.
"Yes… this matter—"
But before Julius could finish, Adam cut him off. "It's a small thing. Not worth mentioning. If there's nothing else, I'll leave."
This was a world ruled by magic. In the face of overwhelming strength, schemes were nothing.
"Wait."
Julius raised his hand and cast a protective barrier around them, cutting off the outside world.
He wasn't done yet.
Then he leaned closer and spoke through telepathy.
Absolutely confidential.
No one knew what the Wizard King told Adam that night…
...
The Ultime‑Volcano — a strong magic zone — was famous for its extreme heat and treacherous magma. Ordinary people couldn't approach it at all.
But at its summit was a sacred hot spring said to strengthen one's body.
This was the perfect training ground chosen by the undefeated lioness, Mereoleona Vermillion, for the elite of the Magic Knights.
Climbing this volcano was dangerous but pushed everyone to their limits.
Even Asta, a guy with zero magic, used the Demon-Slayer Sword to haul himself up.
…Though his aim wasn't exactly great — he launched himself straight at Mereoleona.
We all know how that ended.
While soaking in the hot spring, Sol used his magic to build a massive stone wall, separating the men's and women's sides.
Women's Bath
"The starry sky is so beautiful," Noelle sighed, looking up. All her fatigue melted away.
Mereoleona glanced at her quietly, then said, "Your mother, Lady Acier, also loved looking at the stars here."
"My mother… has been here too?" Noelle asked softly.
"She told me about this place."
Mereoleona took a sip of wine, her fiery gaze softening slightly.
"What kind of person was my mother..."
Noelle lowered her head. Ever since Acier's death, no one had told her much about her.
"She was strong. I've never lost in battle, but I could never defeat her," Mereoleona said plainly. Then her voice sharpened like a blade. "You look a lot like her. But your magic… is still far behind."
Her words pierced Noelle like a dagger.
"So surpass her," Mereoleona added, tapping Noelle's forehead lightly with her fist.
"Yes!"
Warmth bloomed in Noelle's chest, clearing her mind.
And then it hit her. She came here to find Adam, not to take a hot spring bath.
Her flushed face turned pale as realization set in.
"Adam?"
Mereoleona's eyes narrowed sharply. "Did you just say Adam?"
"Yes… Lady Mereoleona, you know him too?" Noelle asked innocently.
"Who exactly are you to Adam?"
Mereoleona's calm mood evaporated. She clenched her teeth. "Is he your man?"
"M–My man?!" Noelle's face turned bright red. She waved her hands frantically like a boiling kettle. "No, no, it's not like that! It's too early for that!"
"Hmph!"
Snap! Mereoleona crushed her wine glass with one hand.
That shameless bastard!
Even though he had Noelle, he still dared to mess with her. Classic scumbag.
"Sister Mereoleona, what are you doing?"
Just then, Adam's familiar, annoying voice rang out through the ruby ring on her finger.
This flirt was about to pay.
[Mereoleona, I'm in the hot springs. Where are you?]
...
Author's Note:
The full completed version of Black Clover: I Awakened the Power of the Twelve Zodiac Talismans is now on Patreon!
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