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Strange use of Magic (Black Clover AU) Chapter 110: Strange Compromise
🕑 Added 2025-01-16 19:29:47 +0000 UTC[Third Person's PoV]
A crack opened in the mirror dimension, and Stephen casually stepped out, hoisting a black chain over his shoulders. As the rift sealed behind him, he froze, taking in the scene before him.
The city lay in ruins, with craters scattered across the landscape, steam rising from them as remnants of a powerful magical attack. Stephen’s eyes swept over the devastation, settling on a small pile of bodies. Around this grim sight sat the Black Bulls, leaning against the pile, drenched in sweat, visibly exhausted and injured.
"Stephen~ you finally decided to join us," Vanessa called out, her eyes half-closed with fatigue.
The others gave Stephen weak, yet welcoming greetings. He offered an amused smile before his gaze landed on Asta, sprawled face down on the ground, his arms bruised and bloody up to his shoulders.
"What the hell happened to you guys?" Stephen asked, eyebrows raised.
"They surpassed their limits," Yami said, appearing behind Stephen with a cigarette in hand.
Stephen turned to him, a smirk tugging at his lips. "As a doctor, I'm going to advise you to cut back on the cigarettes. They're terrible for your health, especially with how often you seem to smoke."
Yami, unfazed, ignored the remark entirely. "So, did you have fun and surpass your limits as well?"
Stephen rolled his eyes. "I did, and I found some interesting information if you're interested."
Before Yami could respond, Asta groaned from the floor, "Before any of that, can you please heal us, Stephen? We need a doctor!"
The rest of the Black Bulls chimed in, their voices weak but insistent.
"Please, Stephen!"
"We're dying!"
"Bestow us with your medical expertise!"
Stephen chuckled. "Alright, alright, you big babies."
With swift, practiced hand movements, he chanted, summoning the Seven Suns of Cinnibus. A large magic circle materialized above them, intricate symbols etched within, as seven glowing suns orbited the circle. One of the suns slowly descended, radiating a soothing warmth that washed over the group.
"Ahhh~" they all sighed in relief as the warmth seeped into their weary bodies.
"It's like being back on the beach, relaxing in the sun," Magna said, stretching out with a contented sigh.
"I know what you mean. You know what would make this even better?" Vanessa murmured, eyes closed.
"Food?" Charmy suggested eagerly.
"Wine," Vanessa added, casting a hopeful glance at Stephen.
"No," Stephen replied firmly, without hesitation.
Vanessa pouted, turning her head away in disappointment, as the others basked in the healing light.
As Asta's wounds began to heal, he flipped himself over, sprawling on the ground with a sigh of relief. Yami glanced at Stephen and asked, "So, what is it that you learned from him?"
While the group recovered, Stephen detailed his exchange, describing the structure of the enemy's society and their use of a slave system. His explanation left Magna fuming.
"THOSE BASTARDS!" Magna shouted, running over to Kordath’s unconscious body and kicking it in the face. He immediately regretted it, hopping on one foot. "Ow, ow, ow! What the hell is this bastard made of?"
Luck burst into hysterical laughter, pointing at Magna.
"Slaves... isn't slavery illegal?" Noelle asked, concern etched on her face.
"It is in the Clover Kingdom," Stephen replied, "but you have to remember, we're dealing with a different kingdom, with different cultures and values. What we see as wrong, they might see as normal. In Atlantis, slavery seems to be perfectly legal."
"I understand what you're saying, but that doesn't mean I have to like it. It feels wrong knowing people are subjected to slavery," Noelle said, frowning.
"What I'm more worried about is what's going to happen to these people," Wanda interjected. "If they're considered slaves, what's to stop their leaders from sending someone stronger once we leave? Or from wiping out this temple entirely? They were willing to kill the old man because they thought he killed one of their pets. Imagine what they'll do now that we've hurt a noble’s son."
The atmosphere grew tense. Even Yami looked serious, though Stephen remained unfazed.
"That part is the easiest," Stephen said, drawing their attention. They all looked at him in confusion.
"Do you have a plan?" Yami asked.
"I do. It's simple, really. I'll hypnotize them into believing they already dealt with the perpetrators. When they report back, they'll tell everyone the issue has been resolved," Stephen explained.
"Yes, that could work..." Yami muttered. "But how sure are you that they'll never remember? It would all be pointless if they suddenly recalled what happened."
"I'm confident in my skills to make them forget permanently, but to be safe, we can have Wanda erase their memories completely," Stephen said, looking at Wanda with a raised eyebrow.
"If it needs to be done, I don't mind," Wanda agreed with a nod.
“However, I kinda had something else in mind” Stephen suddenly added, seeing everyone's attention on him he continued, “Why don't we hitch a ride over to Atlantis to get a view of it ourselves?”
“No way” Yami said immediately, his tone expressing his finality on the discussion.
“Aww” Magna and Luck both expressed their disappointment.
“Why not?” Noelle asked, “This could be a recon mission like you said, isn't that why you allowed us to stay in the first place?”
“This and that are two very different situations. We would be surrounded from all sides by powerful mages of which we know nothing about, which would put all of you in danger. Not to mention there are too many of us, we would be discovered too quickly as not everyone would know how to recon” Yami explained, “I say we do what Stephen first suggested and alter their memories of the events that happened here and we go on our way to report about what happened here to the Wizard King. The Wizard King would then decided who he's going to send to do a proper investigation”
Seeing the look of disappointment on Stephen’s face, Yami became curious, “Why do you even want to go there? Is it really just to explore an underwater Kingdom?”
Stephen shook his head, “It might be related to my past… I wanted to do know if I could find anything useful there that might be of help”
“Your past?” Yami was a bit taken aback, he then remembered that both Asta and Stephen came from the same orphanage.
He patted Stephen’s shoulder, “I'm sorry kid, but I just risk the lives of everyone here, we aren't suited for that type of mission, it would just be too dangerous.”
Stephen was a first taken aback as that was the first time Yami had referred to him as a kid, he then shook his head, “I get it, don't worry”
“However I'll say this though, I'll put in a good word for you with the Wizard King. I'm sure if he sets up a good squad he would most likely let you go” Yami said, finding a compromise.
“I appreciate it” Stephen said.
