Asta's Adventure

As Asta stepped inside, he was about to ask David a question, but as soon as they took a couple of steps into the Coliseum...

"Hey, Davy..." Asta began, but he didn't get the chance to finish because a swarm of anti-birds suddenly descended on him.

Dozens of tiny, spiteful creatures swirled around him, chirping, biting, and creating utter chaos. Asta, trying to keep his composure at first, simply frowned in annoyance, but eventually, he gave up.

"Crazy chirpers!" he yelled, flailing his arms like he was swatting at a swarm of angry wasps. "What are these things?! I've got enough trouble with Sekre, and now you lot show up! Buzz off!"

Meanwhile, Sekre, perched heroically on Asta's head, bravely fought off the other anti-birds that were trying to claim her spot. Internally, she clearly agreed with Asta that she alone was more than enough for him.

Seeing some of the birds also attacking David, Asta turned to him and asked, "Hey, Davy, what's the deal with these pests?!"

David, calmly swatting away the relentless creatures, began to explain.

"These are anti-birds. The less magical power you have, the more they're attracted to you."

Asta gaped at him in disbelief.

"What?! I've got no magic at all! How do I get rid of them?"

David shrugged.

"Either leave the Coliseum, and they'll stop following us, or wait for someone with massive magic power to show up. Once the captains arrive, these birds will fly off on their own—they'll find it too uncomfortable to stay."

"Oh!" Asta's face lit up with hope. "When are the captains coming?"

"In an hour," David replied.

Asta's beaming smile instantly turned into a look of deep despair.

---

Meanwhile, on the observation platform where the captains of the Magic Knights were soon to gather, things were already lively.

Knights from various squads had arrived early to discuss the upcoming event. Their gazes inevitably drifted to the stands, where only a few people ever dared sit before the captains arrived.

Most of the knights looked at Asta with open disdain, especially the members of the Silva family. Among them, Solid Silva was barely containing his irritation.

"What are peasants doing here? Especially trash like him," he sneered, glaring at Asta with pure contempt.

Hearing this, one of the Black Bulls—a mage with stylish glasses—looked at Solid and called out loudly, "Got a problem with peasants, do you?"

Solid, furious, barked back, "Don't you dare speak to me, peasant! It's already an honor for you to stand in the same place as me."

Through clenched teeth, he muttered to himself,

"Filthy commoner! If your squad didn't protect you, I'd already have taught you a lesson."

Solid exhaled sharply, trying to calm himself, but his attention returned to Asta. A malicious grin spread across his face.

"Well, that tall guy looks like a noble, but that short one without magic... he's probably his servant. Not that it matters. I need to blow off some steam."

Raising his hand, Solid cast a spell.

"Water Sphere!"

The magical projectile hurtled toward Asta. It wasn't powerful enough to cause serious harm, but it would definitely cause discomfort. Most of those present didn't even try to stop it. However, two voices—Magna and Leopold Vermillion—shouted almost simultaneously:

"Hey, what the hell are you doing, idiot?!"

But Solid ignored them.

Asta, meanwhile, was busy distracting the anti-birds by tossing them bread from his spatial pouch. While they were occupied with the food, they finally left him alone. However, he suddenly sensed the approaching magical attack.

Spinning around quickly, Asta pulled out his anti-magic shield, effortlessly absorbing the spell.

In the stunned silence that followed, most of the mages looked on in disbelief. One of the Black Bulls, specifically Luck, grinned enthusiastically and exclaimed,

"Now this is getting interesting—I want to fight him right now!"