'Hage village, this place never changes,' I thought while standing on a hill overlooking the village. It was almost five years ago that Fuegoleon had dragged them all out across the Clover Kingdom so that they could see what they would be fighting to protect as Magic Knights.
Their last stop before returning to the Capitol had been Hage Village, specifically the massive demon skeleton a few miles behind it. Julius had been present for this last part of their trip, as he explained the history of the Clover Kingdom's Wizard Kings.
He spoke of legendary figures that spearheaded magical revolutions, forging new techniques and bringing eras of prosperity to the kingdom, and how it all started with one young man who gave his life, Lemiel Silvamillion Clover.
Though he was not given the title of Wizard King until many years after his death, thousands of mages have strived to reach the status he achieved. Other than being known as the first Wizard King, a statue of Lemial is also present atop the demon's skull.
'Shorter than I remembered, must be growing again.' I mused as my head tilted slightly to stare into Lemiel's empty eye sockets. Turning, I sat down and let my legs dangle as I watched the inhabitants of Hage live their simple lives.
Sending out a pulse of mana, I once again sensed the two outliers in this otherwise destitute village, one with too much mana, the other with none.
"YUNOOOO!! GET BACK HERE!!" A voice hollered as I winced, 'That kid is going to be annoying when everything starts.'
Though I hadn't taken much time to dive deep into the lore of this world, I did know who the two protagonists were, Asta and Yuno. As of right now, they should be around 13 years old, since they joined the Magic Knights at the same time as Noelle and Mimosa, and they still have two years until they receive their grimoires.
I only had a few months left. I was 14 and could feel my mana capacity increasing every day; that didn't stop me from training, it just meant I could push harder. It seems I pushed too hard, though if Mero caught feelings for someone almost a decade younger than her, bruh.
I pushed those thoughts aside as I folded my legs and began meditating. It would be a few hours until they realized where I'd gone, so I should have some time to organize my thoughts.
"1! 2! 3! 4! 5!"
'Never mind, muscle freak is here.' I sighed and peered over the edge of the skull to see Asta doing push-ups like his life depended on it, which it would, eventually. I found it strange at times how Asta could keep such a vibrant attitude despite all those around him putting him down.
Obviously, the nun from his church, as well as the Father, would treat him well, but I'm sure the villagers talked plenty behind his back, and other children are known for being ruthless to those who don't fit the rigid mold their parents reveal the world to be.
That was none of my concern as I lay back and watched the clouds drift by, as a small Anti-bird flew up and rested on top of Lemiel's head, probably scared away from its perch by Asta's yelling.
'Are you her?' I wondered as the bird seemed to glance at me before going to sleep, as I felt a portal open on the far side of the village. I didn't bother hiding my mana as Fuegoleon, Mereoleona, and Mimosa flew towards me.
"Alucard, are you alright?" Mimosa asked as they touched down and the Anti-bird flew away, cursing the humans for disrupting its nap time.
"I'm fine, just enjoying the calmness of the Forsaken Realm." I said as Mimosa gave me a look, 'You know that's not what I'm talking about!' Fuegoleon eyed me and, seeing no blood, shrugged. "I won't meddle in whatever is happening here, just be back by nightfall, and don't level the village." He then left as the space mage they brought opened a portal, and the two left.
"Stand up," Mereoleona said sharply as Alucard sighed and complied, then jumped down off the skull as Mereoleona's fist barely missed his face. "Mero! You said you would be calm!" Mimosa said sternly as Mereoleona grinned, "I am calm."
She then jumped down after Alucard as the forest under the demon shook from the fight that started.
Back at the church, Asta shivered as he felt the ground shake, and he saw flashes of light from under the demon's skeleton. 'Glad I got outta there.' "SISTER LILY, MARRY MEEE, UGH!"
Mimosa sighed, seeing Alucard and Mereoleona fight as she wished they would just be normal for once and just talk. Then again, she wasn't exactly forthcoming with her emotions either, so she calmly watched the two fight as she carefully laid out the food they'd brought as a peace offering for Alucard.
Once the two finally tired themselves after almost an hour of fighting, Alucard and Mereoleona both returned and scarfed down the food as Mimosa took small bites of her own sandwich.
"After careful consideration, I've decided to still say no. I'd rather devote all my time to Mimosa and care for her properly rather than try and split my attention between the two of you." Alucard said before tearing into the next plate of food.
Mereoleona frowned and swallowed the food in her mouth, "Who said you have to choose, idiot. Just have us both, and we can just live in a cabin in the middle of nowhere."
Mimosa snorted at such a Mero response as Alucard froze, sandwich halfway to his mouth as he seemed to actually consider it. Mimosa gave him a look as he glanced at her, then focused back on his food.
They ate in silence as the sun started to set, and both Vermillions got closer to Alucard as they watched the sun set beyond the horizon. They got even closer as the heat of the day faded away, sharing body heat as the star emerged and Alucard pointed out constellations to them.
Hours later, Fuegoleon returned to Hage Village, sighing when he found Alucard still awake with Mimosa and Mereoleona fast asleep, as they used him as a pillow. 'Looks like I was wrong, sorry.' Fuegoleon thought seeing his sister and cousin so close to the same man, who was still only a boy.
"You owe me a cabin in the woods, Fuegoelon." Alucard said as he snorted, "If that's what it takes for you to not disappear and break their hearts. I'll make you hundreds of cabins."
The next morning, Father Orsi and Sister Lily were very surprised to find a bag of Yul with a note, 'Take care of the children. May they all become Magic Knights.'
The next few months were a blur of training as Alucard threw himself into magical training more than physical. The only times he wasn't training were when he ate breakfast with Julius each morning, and when Mimosa or Mereoleona had to physically drag him out and force him to do things.
He would have much rather been training, but he usually did that when Mero came to get him anyway, so he tried to enjoy his time with Mimosa since he'd be joining the Magic Knights before she did, a full year ahead, actually.
"Will you be sure to visit me?" She'd asked him one day as he cast the same spell dozens of times to lower his casting time. "Yes." A target melted under controlled flames as another was blown to pieces by the next fireball.
"Are you listening to me?" She asked as he nodded, switching to water as binding spells flew at tricky angles towards their targets. "Of course I am." He said as she pouted and grabbed him, forcing him to look at her.
"You're doing that thing again, stop it." She let the mask down, something that got increasingly rare as they got older. "What thing, dear?" He asked as she frowned. Alucard never called her 'dear'. "What kind of mage was able to break into your head, that you are calling me 'dear'. You've never used such words before, not even with Mero."
Seeing she wasn't going to drop it, Alucard stopped and sighed, and remained silent; two could play at that. Seeing he wasn't going to say anything, Mimosa decided to escalate as she had a servant go see if Mereoleona was at the estate today.
She got her answer when the flaming lioness burst through the doors a minute later as Alucard started fighting her viciously. Mimosa then went to pack lunch and requested a Spatial Mage from Fuegoleon, who sent one over.
"Greetings, Milady. Same place as usual?" The mage asked, seeing Mimosa enter the training ground with a picnic basket, as she nodded, the perfect image of a dutiful Noble Lady concerned about her betrothed.
"Yes, right on top of the skull if you don't mind." She smiled sweetly as the mage opened a portal and went through. 'Better move quickly.' He thought wisely as a moment later, Alucard went flying past him as a flaming Mereoleona dove after him.
"Thank you, we'll find our way back eventually." Mimosa said, passing through as he bowed, happy to leave the 'Flaming Lioness' and the Noble children to their games. 'Why they chose this small village in the middle of nowhere, I have no idea. Must be a noble thing?'
Alucard stayed silent until nightfall, doing nothing but thinking as Mimosa and Mereoleon got increasingly worried. "Should we go to Julius and see if Marx can help him?" Mimosa asked since Alucard had never gone this long without speaking.
Mereoleona glanced to see Alucard still standing as he gazed up at the stars. "I don't know. Maybe?" She said as Alucard suddenly turned to them and smiled at them. 'Beautiful' was the only word they could think of to describe him as the stars shone brightly behind him, as the moon hung above like a solemn witness to their beauty.
"Thank you for your concern. I am fortunate to have you both. Alucard said as they ran over and embraced him, as he kept the final part to himself, 'For as long as this world remains alive.'