The wind that carried them home was warm.
Yami stepped off the broom with his usual nonchalance, a cigarette hanging between his lips.Saru lounged on his shoulders like a lazy cat, tail swaying, eyes half-lidded in a yawn.
"We're here, monkey," Yami grunted. "You gonna stop using me as a throne anytime soon? Get off already."
"You're grumpy. I don't like you, tree man," Saru muttered, swatting Yami's head with his tail before flipping off his shoulders in a somersault.
The moment Saru's bare feet touched the stone courtyard of the Clover Kingdom, something rippled across the sky above the capital.
A shockwave of ancient mana—foreign, heavy, and primal—surged like a silent bell tolling through the clouds.
Julius Novachrono felt it instantly.
He vanished from his spot, reappearing atop the Wizard King's tower, eyes shining with childlike wonder.
"That mana…" he breathed, both excited and faintly serious. "I've never felt anything like it."
"What have you brought with you this time, Yami?"
With a flick of his cloak, he vanished again, already giving orders.
"I need to call a captains' meeting."
The Conference Hall.
A rare sight—every Magic Knight Captain stood assembled in the round chamber. The summons had been urgent, immediate. Even the notoriously unpredictable Mereoleona Vermillion had answered the call, arms folded, fire barely restrained beneath her skin.
The tension in the room was sharp, each captain upright and alert. And then—
The last to arrive was, of course, Yami Sukehiro.
Cigarette in his mouth, casual as ever… and perched on his shoulder was a child.
A barefoot boy with golden eyes and wild hair. A monkey tail curled behind him as he sat, swinging his legs like he owned the place.
Saru.
Nozel Silva's expression twisted immediately. His arms crossed tighter, silver mana flickering faintly.
"What repulsive creature have you brought into the royal palace?" he said coldly.
"Huh?" Saru tilted his head. "You shiny-haired snob. What did you just say?"
Before anyone could react, Saru leapt from Yami's shoulder, ready to pounce.
Yami casually grabbed him mid-air by the back of the neck like a misbehaving kitten.
"Hey, royal boy," Yami drawled with a smirk. "If you don't want this monkey messing up your hair, maybe try talking to him nicely."
"Put me down, stupid Yami!" Saru shouted, wriggling wildly. His staff flickered into existence beside him with a hum.
"Alright, alright, how about we all calm down a bit?" Julius interrupted cheerfully, stepping forward with a hand raised. "Why don't you start by introducing your little friend, Yami?"
Yami yawned. "Found him sealed in some rocks in the middle of a dungeon. Freed himself with a bang that cracked half the mountain. He's got more raw magic than anyone I've ever seen."
"I wasn't gonna just leave the kid there."
Fuegoleon stepped forward, eyes narrowing thoughtfully. "Sealed? As in—intentionally? What kind of magic was it?"
Before Yami could answer, Julius suddenly appeared in front of Saru, crouching with curiosity gleaming in his eyes.
"Hello there, young man. I'm Julius. Do you know your name?"
Saru, who had gone back to making faces at Nozel, blinked and turned.
He stared at Julius for a moment.
Something about him was… strange.He could feel emotions from everyone else. Strength, pride, curiosity, even hostility.But Julius?He felt nothing.
It wasn't emptiness. It was... concealment.
Still, Saru answered, brushing the thought aside.
"I'm Saru," he said confidently. Then glanced at Yami. "He named me that. I think it suits me."
"Saru…" Dorothy whispered from her seat, her eyes shimmering from behind her dreamy haze.
Julius stood, turning toward the captains.
"His mana isn't just strong," he said. "It's old. Ancient. And not from this world. It trembles… like it came from beyond the veil."
"He's clearly dangerous," Nozel said sharply, silver energy flaring around him. "Who knows what kind of curse is hidden behind that innocent face?"
Saru blinked at him. "Are you always this stiff, bird boy? Or are you afraid your shiny feathers might fall out?"
Several captains coughed to stifle laughter. Even Charlotte bit her lip, glancing away.
But two of them didn't hold back.
"BAHAHAHAHA!"
Mereoleona and Yami howled, tears in their eyes.
"That name suits you," Yami chuckled, wiping his face. "I like this kid."
Nozel's eye twitched. "Watch your mouth, brat."
"But your forehead's so shiny," Saru said innocently. "Do you polish it?"
Fuegoleon chuckled. "He's bold."
Rill clapped his hands. "He's adorable! Can I paint him?!"
Charlotte knelt down to eye level with Saru, her expression calm but curious. "You're not afraid of us?"
Saru shook his head. "Why would I be? You're strong—but not scary. I just don't like the shiny one."
He pointed at Nozel again, pouting.
"But I like you," Saru added, turning to Charlotte.
"…Why is that?" she asked, surprised.
"You look scary, but you're kind inside. I like kind people."
Charlotte blinked.
Then smiled, genuinely.
"Hey, brat," Nozel growled, "Are you saying the rest of us aren't good people?"
Saru tilted his head, scanned the room, and pointed directly at Gueldre Poizot.
"No, they're all good. Except him."
The captains turned sharply toward Gueldre.
Even Julius raised a brow, thoughtfully.
"And I still don't like your face," Saru added, pointing at Nozel again, puffing his chest.
Laughter broke out across the table.
Charlotte ruffled Saru's hair, and to everyone's shock, the wild boy purred.
"Huh. Now that's a surprise," Yami grinned. "Didn't know the Thorn Princess could smile like that."
"Shut up," Charlotte snapped, face red—though inside, her heart was spinning.
Saru stretched his arms, yawning.
"Anyway, can we go now? This place is stuffy. And the floor smells like feet."
Julius chuckled. "Before that—what are your plans, Yami?"
Yami shrugged, grabbing Saru by the collar as he tried to climb the chandelier.
"This monkey's a Black Bull now."
Saru thrashed wildly. "Hey! You didn't ask me!"
"He'll officially join when he's fifteen," Julius added. "But for now, he's your responsibility."
"Yeah, yeah, fine."
Saru blinked. "Wait… what's a Magic Knight Exam? Can I eat it?"
Yami sighed.
Julius laughed.
Mereoleona cracked her knuckles.
And somewhere deep in the kingdom, fate shivered.