Chapter 60: Awards and Issues...

For those who don't know or remember, the 'War Merits Conferment Ceremony' is an annual event where Magic Knights that have produced multiple excellent results are being promoted at the Clover Kingdom's Royal Capital.

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In the Black Bulls Head Quarters...

"Good job kid, even though you managed to get really beat up." Yami laughed.

"We could have avoided that if Aster helped us fight that 'stony' guy from the Diamond." Noelle hissed.

"Nah, that way you will never get to break your limits and get stronger. Besides, I had already completed the mission without you guys doing anything." Aster spoke with a slice of cake on his fork.

"I was out for a whole week?" Asta asked as he was stuffing himself with the week's worth of food he had missed.

"Yeah, you should have seen Noelle, she was really worried about you?" Vanessa spoke with a laugh, which made Noelle jump like a cat whose tail has been stepped on, "I wa-was not at all worried, I was just thinking what would we do if you did not wake up."

"I'm pretty sure that's called worrying if the nobles did not make changes on that part." Aster chuckled.

"Well, now that you are awake, you can go to the Magic KNight's HQ for an official report," Yami spoke with a smirk.

While the others were thinking about joining them, Yami send Magna and Luck on a mission to avoid unnecessary troubles, and Charmy was dissed for only eating, before anyone else could volunteer themselves Yami put down his foot, "the ice-brat is going there for his own things, he will be enough company."

"Captain, why am I always handed the escorting missions?" Aster asked with a sigh.

"Because you got a pretty mug and have the capacity to maintain a civil conversation with the nobles, and for the record, the requests are specific for you." said the man taking another drag from his cigarette.

"Cheer up Aster, here, drink some wine." Vanessa gave him the half-finished bottle she was drinking from.

Aster simply poured himself a glass and returned the bottle back to her with a smile and a word of thanks leaving Vanessa almost blushing.

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"Wow, this has to be the biggest building I have ever seen!!" Asta was in full swing of being his villager-noobie self in the royal capital, which was embarrassing for Noelle.

They walked towards the Magic Knight HQ and found the bunch from Golden Dawn who actively chatted with the Bulls and every time Klaus asked how did Aster send them back the only answer was, "magic."

After walking for a bit, they came to meet a man with blond hair and purple eyes with regal-looking attire.

"S-Sir, I never dreamed that you would meet us personally." saluted Klaus who was already on his knee.

"Who's this dude?" asked the ever-clueless Asta.

"You insolent fool! You are in the presence of the current Wizard King, Lord Julius Novachrono." roared Klaus, shocking both Asta and Yuno.

Everyone bend the knee except ASter, which made Klaus get drenched in a cold sweat, an insult to someone from the Wizard King's strature would mean decapitation and he tried his best to hiss, but he was caught off guard when the Wizard King spoke, "Aster, you finally decided to drop by."

Aster, on the other hand, did not have a single change in his expression as he extended his hand with an open palm with a demanding look in his eye, which further shocked the others.

"Haa~ always to the point with you. Here, take this, it's the most interesting one I found in the stash." Julius handed a crystal orb to Aster which the latter accepted with a smile, "this will do, see ya~"

Aster turned to leave and was caught by the Wizard King on his shoulder, "you have to be there for the War Merits Conferment Ceremony, it's very important and you should meet people around your age too."

Seeing the Wizard King and Aster bantering like old friends, the others were no longer sure what to feel anymore...

"Sigh, there better be desserts..." Aster sighed and accepted the invitation.

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"Now, let's begin the decoration ceremony," Julius said as he stood before the room as the people who were supposed to be present were all present.

Julius begins the ceremony by calling the first candidate for promotion, Leopold Vermillion. The Emperor promotes him into a 2nd class Intermediate Magic Knight after collecting 7 stars. The Emperor advises him not to go too far against his opponents, but the nobleman politely disagrees.

Secondly, Julius calls Sol Marron as he promotes her to a 3rd class Intermediate Magic Knight after collecting 6 stars. He advises her to follow the rules a bit more, but she replies by saying that she would only obey her captain's orders.

Subsequently, Julius promotes the Silva siblings, Nebra Silva, and Solid Silva, to a 3rd class Senior Magic Knight and a 3rd class Intermediate Magic Knight, respectively for collecting 9 stars and 6 stars. The Emperor gives them some advice as well, and the siblings politely show their gratitude.

Next, the Emperor promotes three members of the Golden Dawn squad of Alecdora Sandler, Siren Tium, and Hamon Caseus to a 2nd class Senior Magic Knight, a 1st class Intermediate Magic Knight, and a 2nd class Intermediate Magic Knight. The awards are given after they managed to collect 11 stars, 8 stars, and 7 stars respectively.

"Finally, Aster Frost with a total of 16 stars in a short period of four months, this is also the making of a new record, and for this, I hereby grant you the title of Senior Magic Knight, Third Class, your performance has been impeccable and all those have received your services have nothing but praises for you. Be steadfast in your journey and I hope someday you will surpass us of the older generation." Julius just skipped the whole Rookie and Intermediate ranks and placed him in the Senior Rank, even if it was the Third Class.

"There would have been another two who were supposed to join you but them being on their respective missions held them back, now without further adieu, let's start the feast let me also welcome the special guests we have here today." Julius smiled and left after saying something along the lines of getting along together or something.

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The feast began and Julius slipped away to leave the young ones to mingle or something, Asta was without a care about the looks the others were giving him.

Leopold walked in, "You are the famous Aster huh? Kinda pretty for a knight... A little weak to be recognized by someone like her."

"How is she doing?" asked Aster without paying heed to anything else.

"That demon of a woman is with my sister, and somehow they get along really well and I along with the rest of the Crimson Lions think that they should have never met each other." Leopold sighed.

"It seems she is doing rather well..." A warm smile of reminiscence formed on Aster's face, the people who were paying attention were having two kinds of reactions now...

The first, "Squeal, he's so handsome~"

The second, "Go explode, you NORMIE!!!"

Well, there were a few that were now chanting that they liked women and they were straight with averted eyes.

Noelle who saw Aster smile like that felt that Vanessa will never have a chance, but before she could continue on that thought anymore, a messenger broke in, "EMERGENCY !!!! THE CAPITAL IS UNDER ATTACK !!!!"

Get me to 1.1K and I will grant you a bonus chappie...

Feed my addiction and Madoka and Koro Sensei will come in the next chapter...

For the next thing, are there any writers among my readers, so tell me...

I would be very happy to read your books, and would even leave nice reviews on them...

So, mention them here, just name the new fics you like, aside from the already famous ones, name them here even if they are not yours, help a bro relieve boredom. [ ]