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Chapter 8 - Chapter 8 Echoes of the Black Bulls

Chapter 8: Echoes of the Black Bulls

The morning after his training with the Wizard King, Lucien awoke in the Black Bulls' base to the smell of smoke and yelling.

He sat up instantly. "What now—"

"LUCIEN!" Asta's voice cut through the noise. "Help me stop Magma before he blows up the kitchen again!"

Lucien sighed. "...Again?"

He stepped into the hall just in time to see Magma and Luck arguing over a pot that was somehow both frozen and on fire.

"Oi! You two are men of culture, right?" Magma barked. "You gotta add heat for taste!"

"And lightning for zest!" Luck countered, eyes crackling with excitement.

Lucien blinked. "That's… not how cooking works."

Before either could argue, a large spoon struck both of them on the head. Charmy stood on a chair, fuming. "You're both ruining my breakfast masterpiece!"

Lucien couldn't help it — he laughed. Not the quiet, restrained chuckle of a noble, but a real, genuine laugh.

The chaos, the noise, the ridiculousness — it was the opposite of everything he'd grown up around. And yet, for the first time in years, he felt at home.

I. Lessons Outside the Palace

Later that day, Lucien joined Asta and Noelle in the courtyard for training.

Noelle crossed her arms. "Don't think I'll go easy on you just because you're new."

Asta grinned. "Yeah! Lucien's tough — the Wizard King himself said he's special!"

Lucien raised a brow. "He said I have potential. There's a difference."

Asta spun his sword over his shoulder. "Potential means you can be awesome! Let's test it!"

They sparred until sunset — Asta's sheer physicality versus Lucien's control. Lucien weaved threads of elemental mana to redirect Asta's attacks, never overpowering, only flowing with his rhythm.

Noelle watched closely, noticing how his magic didn't just respond — it adapted.

When they finally collapsed on the grass, Asta was grinning ear to ear. "Man, you're strong! But also, like… calm strong. You fight like the wind listens to you."

Lucien chuckled softly. "That's the idea."

Noelle smirked. "Maybe I'll let you teach me that trick sometime."

He smiled faintly. "Maybe I'll teach you after you stop holding back."

Her face turned red instantly. "E-excuse me?!"

Asta burst out laughing.

II. The Quiet Moment

That night, after everyone had settled, Lucien sat on the balcony overlooking the forest. His grimoire rested on his lap, pages glowing faintly.

Yami stepped out, cigarette in hand. "You're not sleeping?"

Lucien shook his head. "Too much on my mind."

Yami leaned against the railing. "Heard you trained with the Wizard King. That's a hell of a thing."

"It was… humbling," Lucien said. "He showed me that my magic isn't power — it's connection. But I still don't know what I'm meant to do with it."

Yami exhaled smoke into the night air. "Then keep pushin' till you figure it out. Don't think too hard — just get stronger. The rest sorts itself out."

Lucien smiled slightly. "That's your wisdom?"

"That, and don't let Charmy cook when she's mad."

Lucien laughed again.

For all his bluntness, Yami's words sank deep. Strength wasn't about being perfect — it was about growth.

III. Growth in Motion

Over the next few weeks, Lucien trained relentlessly — learning to stabilize multi-elemental spells without losing balance.

He sparred with Luck (and occasionally got electrocuted), helped Gauche craft reflective mana shields, and even joined Finral on a few missions transporting supplies between towns.

But more than that, he began to belong.

He laughed when Asta broke furniture during training.

He defended Noelle when she accidentally flooded the hallway.

He even joined Charmy's food marathons — much to his later regret.

The Black Bulls weren't just comrades — they were family. A chaotic, loud, unpredictable family, but family nonetheless.

IV. The Spark of Change

During one mission to a small village outside the capital, Lucien found himself protecting civilians from a rogue band of mages.

When one of them launched a torrent of fire at a child, Lucien's instincts flared. He raised both hands — and instead of fire or water, light surged forth, creating a radiant barrier that absorbed the attack.

The villagers gasped.

Lucien stared at his own magic in shock. "Light magic?"

Noelle called from behind, "What in the world was that?!"

"I… don't know," Lucien admitted softly. His magic shimmered faintly between light and darkness, like balance incarnate.

When they returned to the base, Yami clapped a hand on his shoulder. "Guess your power's still writing itself, huh?"

Lucien nodded. "Feels that way."

Yami grinned. "Good. Means you're not done growin' yet."

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