Devil King

Dungeon Dive

Asta was just coming back from an early excersice when Noir informed him that she would be sending one of her Night Demons to retrieve the excess wands left over after Noelle chose hers. He had been worried about being discovered, but he was relieved when he found out that the Night Demon she sent was an inconspicuous one (a small black dog). He was able to return the wands without fearing being discovered by captain Yami.

Feeling refreshed after an exercise and a bath, Asta made his way to the common room. He pauses at the entrance when he witnesses the usual commotion.

"You little thief!"

He peaks around the corner and sees Magna throwing fire balls at Luck.

Luck laughs in joy and dodges with ease, clutched within his hand is one of Magna's flan cups.

"Would you two knock it off!" Noelle shouts, aiming her wand and trying to strike the boys "you're making a mess!"

Noelle proceeds to make said mess even worse.

That certainly was not the reason he got her the wand. But he shrugs, practice was practice after all and he was glad she was getting used to the wand.

Ignoring the usual commotion, he makes his way to the dining corner to grab a plate of whatever Charmy made. Until the gazes of everyone in the common room stopped in front of him.

"That's the cutest thing I've ever seen!"

That is not what he expects Noelle to say. He was almost flattered, but then he realized that although she turned towards him, her eyes were looking at something above his head.

A few chirps were heard from atop his head.

Asta glances up in confusion.

It's that damn anti bird again; he realizes with a start. It had started following him around ever since the incident in Saussy Village. It's settled into his hair like some kind of nest and he hadn't even noticed.

(He really needs an alternative for mana detection. He can't have anti-magic birds making a nest in his head without him noticing and then having other people tell him about it. Not to mention, Noir would go about driving the entire anti-magic bird species into extinction if she came to know about it.)

Asta yelps and shakes his head dislodging the bird from its perch. It flutters around the room, hovering for a moment in front of Noelle who coos in cuteness before circling back to land on Asta's head.

"Stupid bird," Asta tries to shake it free once more but the pest curls its talons around two thick strands of his hair and refuses to budge.

Noelle comes to stand in front of them "Little birdy has been with us long enough now don't you think it's time to give him a name?"

Asta scowls "This thing just kinda follows me around, it's not like I want to keep it."

The water mage promptly flicks his nose "don't be ridiculous! Birdy is a part of the Black Bulls now!"

"Then why not just call him Birdy?"

"Don't be stupid dude," Magna comes to join them flan and Luck seemingly forgotten "little guy needs a good and proper name!"

Asta sighs and pushes past the two, if this was going to be a thing then everyone might as well get a say. He comes to sit on his knees in the center of the room with a plate of food and unprompted the rest of the Bulls present come to sit by him.

"I think Sylvants Schnauzer is the perfect name for this little cutie." Noelle leans in and tries to gently pet the bird with her finger. The avian quickly turns away from her.