Strange use of Magic (Black Clover AU)

[Third Person's PoV] 

Stephen continued practicing his magic, striving to improve his mastery and exploring other dimensions. When he finally decided to end his session, he turned toward Nero and said,"You know," he began, brushing some dust off his cloak, "I think I might finally be able to cure you of your curse. The Seven Suns of Cinnibus spell could do it."

"Eh?" Nero asked, her typically deadpan eyes widening in surprise.

"If you've been paying attention during my studies, you'd know the Seven Suns of Cinnibus is also a healing spell capable of expelling black magic from a person. And the magic you use is technically black magic," Stephen explained.

"I'm still worried…" Nero said, her tone heavy. "If dispersing the black magic from my body disrupts the spell keeping the Wizard King a statue, then what? And if I become human again and eventually pass away from old age, would the spell remain intact, or would the Wizard King be stuck as a statue forever, unable to find peace?"

Nero sighed, looking down. When she glanced back at Stephen, she noticed him pouting dramatically, his gaze turned away. Her head tilted in confusion.

"What?" she asked, staring at him quizzically.

"It seems to me like you care more about the Wizard King than being with me," Stephen muttered, still sulking.

Nero blinked, her birdlike eyes narrowing slightly. "I'm not in love with the Wizard King," she said bluntly, her tone as flat as ever.

"I never said you were!" Stephen shot back, his cheeks reddening slightly.

"But it's what you're thinking," Nero countered, rolling her eyes. She knew Stephen well enough by now to read his thoughts without needing magic. "This is exactly why I was hesitant about starting anything serious with you. My duties—my responsibilities—they're deeply entwined with the Wizard King's fate. And while you might not like it, I can't just abandon that part of my life, and for that, I'm sorry."

Stephen sighed, his irritation giving way to guilt. "I know, I know. There's no need to apologize," he said, his voice softening. "You've carried this burden alone for five hundred years. It'd be selfish of me to ask you to throw it all away for me." He scratched the back of his head, a sheepish expression crossing his face. "Besides, I don't really have the right to get jealous—especially with my situation with Mimosa, which I still need to sort out."

Nero's lips quirked into the faintest of smiles. "I don't mind if you get jealous. In fact, I kind of like it," she admitted, her tone teasing but genuine. "It shows you care. But I'm not saying I don't want to be with you, or that I don't want to be human again. I just… need time to think this through. We can't rush something like this. The consequences are too great. The demon's presence is tied to Patolli and the others, so His Majesty must be freed soon… but not recklessly."

Stephen nodded solemnly. "Alright. We won't rush it. I was being impatient anyway," he said, sighing as he ruffled his hair in frustration. "And I need to sort things out with Mimosa first. Leading her on isn't fair, and honestly…" He trailed off, his shoulders slumping. "I feel like such a scumbag."

He gave Nero a deadpan look as she nodded in agreement. "Are you serious?" he asked flatly.

Nero chuckled. "I'm teasing you. You're not a scumbag—our relationship is just… really, really complicated."

Stephen sighed again, turning his gaze toward the ruined Mirror Dimension around him. With a flick of his fingers, he created a shimmering portal leading out. When he stepped through, he found himself in the training yard, where Noelle and Wanda were sparring.

Standing between them as they unleashed their attacks—Noelle's Sea Dragon's Roar and Wanda's hex blast—Stephen calmly declared, "I invoke the Shield of the Seraphim."

[Arcane Magic: Shield of the Seraphim]

A glowing shield materialized in each of his hands, blocking the attacks and creating an explosion.

"Stephen!" both Noelle and Wanda shouted as smoke filled the air.

When the smoke cleared, they saw Stephen unharmed, dispelling his shields with a flick of his wrists.

"Are you alright?!" Wanda asked, her voice laced with concern.

"You idiot! Why did you appear out of nowhere?!" Noelle snapped angrily.

"Yes, I'm fine," Stephen replied calmly. "I was training in the Mirror Dimension. Anyway…" He glanced around at the semi-destroyed training yard. "I see you two are working hard."

Wanda nodded. "After our last encounter with the Eye of the Midnight Sun, we realized we need to become stronger."

"So we decided to train together," Noelle added.

"I see. Don't overwork yourselves, though," Stephen said as he began walking away. "All that effort would be pointless if you hurt yourselves—especially since it hasn't been long since we got back."

---

When Stephen entered the base, he found Vanessa lounging around.

"Feeling better?" Vanessa asked, taking a swig from her bottle.

"Hm?" Stephen raised an eyebrow.

"You looked upset earlier," Vanessa explained. "I was wondering if something was bothering you."

Stephen gave her a faint smile. "I'm fine now, but thanks for worrying." He paused, then asked, "By the way, has the captain or Asta returned?"

"The captain's at a conference with the other Magic Knight captains, and Asta was summoned by the Wizard King to discuss his anti-magic," Vanessa replied.

"I see…" Stephen muttered, however before he walked away Vanessa called out to him. 

"Hey wait!" 

"Hm?" Stephen hummed, turning back towards her. 

She waved her empty bottle in the air as she said, "You have different and weird Magic, do you perhaps have something to refill this up?" She asked with a mischievous grin. 

Stephen rolled his eyes and snapped his fingers causing the bottle to be filled up to the top, while he walked away. 

"Yes! Thanks babe!" She called out raising her wine bottle as cheer. 

Stephen almost tripped and glared towards her with red ears, "Don't call me that"

"Hehehe!" Vanessa only giggled as she liked to tease him and see him all embarrassed. 

Stephen snapped his fingers and as Vanessa went and took another swing she spat it back out, "THIS IS WATER! What are you trying to do?! make me sober!?" 

She only saw Stephen walk away and yelled, "You're so petty! I'm sorry! Please just give me my wine back!" She shouted pleadingly. 

Vanessa had puppy dog eyes as she looked towards Stephen as he continued walking and disappearing into the corridor. 

She looked at her glass bottle with water sadly, "My wine…" She muttered with pouty sad lips before hearing the faint echoes of a snap and saw the blue clear liquid turned into a deep red. 

"Yay~" She cheered, pressing her face towards it.

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