The moment Kael officially chose the Black Bulls over the Golden Dawn, his life changed—not with solemn oaths or regal ceremonies, but with chaos, flying food, and near-death experiences involving exploding mushrooms.
In other words: the true Black Bulls welcome.
"Get in here, Rookie!" Magna shouted, tossing him a foaming mug of root beer-ale.
Kael caught it instinctively while ducking to avoid a thunderbolt of excitement courtesy of Luck, who flew past chasing Gordon's new pet spider—now on fire.
He blinked, his crimson eyes scanning the living room: Charmy munching through an endless pile of food, Vanessa spinning in a hammock while sipping wine, and Grey turning into a massive monster every time someone greeted her.
In all the madness, only Asta looked completely normal.
"Welcome home, bro!" Asta beamed, wrapping him in a bone-crushing hug. "We knew you'd make the right choice!"
Kael coughed. "Yeah, totally didn't choose you all just for the free food and unpredictable explosions."
Yami grunted from the doorway, cigarette dangling from his lips. "Too late to regret it now, kid. You picked the weirdos—you are one now."
---
Bull Baptism
"Baptism time!" Magna yelled, grabbing a magical slingshot.
"What—" Kael began.
BOOM!
A ball of multi-colored paint slammed into his chest, sending him skidding across the floor, right into Gordon's open arms.
"I've always wanted a younger brother…" Gordon whispered so softly Kael barely heard it.
Luck jumped onto Kael's back, laughing. "Now you're really one of us!"
Vanessa swirled her wine. "We should at least get him changed. Can't have him looking like a Golden Dawn reject."
With a snap of her fingers, Kael's old cloak vanished in a puff of pink smoke.
"Wha—?"
In its place hung a rugged black cloak—stitched with crimson lightning bolts and a silver bull's head gleaming on the back. It radiated raw energy, as if chaos had been sewn into every thread.
"Tailored just for you," she said with a wink.
> [System Notification: Squad Cloak Acquired – "Black Bulls Custom Variant"]
[Perk Activated: +5% magic resistance, +10 charisma among Black Bull members]
Kael took a moment to admire it.
It didn't shine like the Golden Dawn's cloaks. It wasn't pristine. But it was real. It fit.
He was one of them now.
---
A Moment of Quiet
As the party raged on, Kael found a quiet balcony away from the noise. The stars above the base twinkled like silver embers. The night breeze was cool on his face.
He closed his eyes, memories washing over him—his death in another world, the terrifying rebirth, the unknown system, the hard training, and the bonds he'd already made.
This world had become more than just a second chance.
It had become a life worth fighting for.
A soft rustle behind him made him glance over his shoulder.
Charmy.
She stood with a plate of steaming food piled high with sweet potato cakes and roast meat, her cheeks slightly flushed from all the wine and joy.
"I made extra," she said shyly, holding the plate out.
Kael took it with a grateful smile. "Thanks, Charmy."
She sat beside him on the edge of the balcony, legs dangling over.
"You really fit in here," she said between bites. "I can tell."
"I think… this is the first place I've ever felt that," Kael admitted.
Charmy nodded. "It's weird, right? All of us are so different. But somehow… it works."
Kael chuckled. "That's because we're not just a squad. We're a family."
Charmy smiled at him. "You're gonna protect us all, aren't you?"
His eyes turned to the stars. "With everything I've got."
> [System Alert: Bond Strengthened – Charmy Pappitson: Affection Level 2/5]
[Trait Gained: Glutton's Blessing – Increased recovery from food by 15%, bonus stamina regen in meals shared with Charmy]
---
Yami's Test
The next morning, Kael was awoken not by sunlight but by a flying chunk of bathroom tile crashing into his bed.
"What the—!?"
Yami stood in the doorway shirtless, grinning like a devil. "Rise and shine, rookie. Time for your real welcome."
Kael groaned, brushing debris from his hair. "What, last night wasn't enough?"
"Anyone can survive a party. Only a true Bull can survive me."
Which is how Kael found himself, an hour later, in the forest behind the base, facing off against Yami in a duel.
Yami cracked his neck. "One attack. Land it on me, and I'll officially respect you. Miss, and you clean the squad's bathrooms for a week."
Kael blinked. "That's… not much of a reward."
"Kid, trust me. My respect is rarer than a sober Vanessa."
Kael inhaled.
He focused.
Wind gathered beneath his feet. Fire circled his blade. Anti-magic laced his hand like black chains of death.
And he moved.
> [Skill Sync – Blade Warp Strike Activated]
He appeared behind Yami in a blink—swinging a curved, blackened blade of light.
Yami raised his katana just in time, steel meeting steel.
CRACK!
The forest split behind Yami in a clean slash.
They stood still.
Then Yami grinned.
"You'll do just fine, kid."
> [System Notification: Respect Gained – Captain Yami: Approval Level 1/3]
---
The Bull Has Landed
That evening, Kael stood in front of the Bulls' main hall. Above him, someone had scrawled on the wall in paint:
"No Rules, No Order—Just Victory and Loyalty."
He traced the words with his eyes and smiled.
He had come to this world alone, carrying memories no one would understand.
But now… he was no longer alone.