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"Eh?! Asta?!" Areum gasped, her eyes widening in surprise.
She couldn't believe what she was hearing from Noelle - that Asta had actually managed to catch the captain of the Purple Orca, who had been discovered as a traitor among the magic knights.
Areum had just returned to the Black Bull base after being kept under close watch by Uncle Owen for five whole days.
She really missed having these kinds of conversations with them, the kind that made her feel alive.
"Sometimes his clumsiness actually helps, you know," Noelle remarked, her face unfazed.
Areum chuckled as the two of them started to argue, a familiar routine that always filled her with energy.
Suddenly, an idea popped into Areum's head, and she giggled, stopping the argument in its tracks.
"Did you guys know that Yuno and I were dating?" she said impulsively, her words surprising Noelle.
Asta, who knew a little about dating, was thrilled to hear about his two favorite people finally getting together.
"What?!" Noelle exclaimed, her voice filled with disbelief.
"Eh! That's great to hear, Areum! You did well," Asta said, his face beaming. Areum tilted her head, confused.
She couldn't understand why they were reacting so strangely just because she and Yuno had gone on a 'date'.
She tilted her head, trying to figure out what was going on, hoping to find some clues to explain their reactions.
Vanessa, who was slightly tipsy, overheard the conversation and chuckled as she watched Areum's confused expression.
Vanessa knew that the three of them had different ideas about what Areum had just said.
'Ah, to be young,' Vanessa thought to herself.
Noelle was about to ask another question, but their captain called them all together for an important announcement.
"Including me?" Areum pointed at herself when Yami-meany also called her to come.
"What d'ya think I gave you a robe for? Design?" Yami-meany asked, his tone implying that Areum had no choice but to be part of the announcement.
"The magic emperor has given us a mission," Yami-meany announced, and everyone listened intently.
Areum understood that the mission was about magic stones that were hidden under the sea. The bad guys, the Eye of the Midnight Sun, were trying to get those stones, but no one knew why.
Areum rubbed her chin, trying to think of why the bad guys wanted the magic stones.
"I can't really think of any reasons. Magic stones are mostly used for jewelry, and if they are special magic stones, they are used to open something. But what would it be?" she said, looking around at everyone's confused faces.
Yami sighed. "Well, we'll find out when we get there. For now, let's get ready, and if you can, Chibi-chan, try to figure out why they want the stones." Areum nodded and stood up.
"What do you mean I can't use it? It helped Yami-meany and Asta! What's wrong with it?"
"I've already told you, Areum. It's not good for you! You might die!"
"It made me frustrated, papa. I know I'm not thinking clearly right now. But someone told me that if I'm not willing to take a risk, I'll regret it later. I just can't live...I just can't live forever being protected by someone. I want to protect you too. I want to protect everyone, with what I can do right now."
"I know why you're frustrated, Areum. I understand you. But as your father, I can't risk it. I can't risk losing you. Please, just do things where you think you can help someone without putting yourself in danger. I'm worried, Areum."
Hearing her father say that made Areum realize something.
She was being silly and thinking only about herself. She hadn't even thought about how her father felt. But for some reason, Areum couldn't blame herself.
It was frustrating to not have something that almost everyone else has. Even though she knew that other people couldn't use magic, like her, they still risked their lives to protect others.
Asta wasn't being protected, but he was protecting people.
He was different from her.
"You are smart, Areum. Your wisdom can save us all. I just know it will."
Right.
Areum could help with her knowledge, so she should focus on learning more and getting smarter.
She tried to push away those thoughts, the disappointment she felt, and the urge to try using magic again.
"Focus, Areum. Yami-meany gave you a task. Focus on that instead." She told herself as she prepared to fly to the Clover Kingdom's library.
'Forcing yourself to have magic won't work, Areum. Just focus on what you have now and get better at it.'
Areum knew she had to do it. But she was still a little disappointed. Was that a normal feeling?
