Creeeeaaaak—
A deep, echoing groan rang out as the towering doors to the royal hall slowly opened. A gust of wind rushed through, followed by a blinding radiance that spilled into the room like a tidal wave of sunlight. Instinctively, everyone shielded their eyes.
As the glow faded, the silhouettes beyond the doors came into view—tall, powerful, commanding.
The crowd fell silent.
Majestic Magic Knights, each bearing a cloak of distinction and decorated with stars, stood proudly in two long rows lining the grand carpeted path. Their armor gleamed, magic sigils danced faintly along their robes, and each one pulsed with silent strength. They stood like statues, opening a living passage down the middle of the hall.
And at the end of that path…
Three of the most revered captains stood, dignified and unshaken.
Nozel Silva of the Silver Eagles stood in polished silver armor, his signature long braid glistening under the chandelier light like a divine whip of silk.
Charlotte Roselei of the Blue Rose Knights stood regal and proud, her icy blue eyes as sharp as her posture, cloak fluttering lightly from the subtle breeze of mana.
And beside them stood Fuegoleon Vermillion, the Crimson Lion King, his presence like a living flame—intense, composed, commanding.
At the center of it all, standing just a step ahead of them…
The Wizard King himself, Julius Novachrono, smiling with both pride and excitement.
Asta and Yuno both froze in place.
Their eyes went wide, stunned by the weight of presence in that hall. It was one thing to hear about the captains. It was something else entirely to stand before them.
"…Incredible…" Yuno whispered.
"So many strong guys!!" Asta yelled, gripping his grimoire.
But Saru?
His eyes narrowed in with a glint of mischief, not reverence.
He wasn't looking at all of them.
He was staring specifically at Nozel Silva.
Or rather—
At his hair.
That shiny, perfectly braided, impossibly elegant strand of silver.
Saru's pupils dilated, his entire body twitching like a cat who just saw the world's fanciest dangling yarn.
"Heheheheh…" he muttered under his breath, the corners of his mouth curling upward into a wicked grin. His eyes sparkled with barely contained chaos.
The Wizard King, already experienced in handling the Monkey's… impulses, felt the shift immediately. Without looking, Julius instinctively tightened his grip on Saru's scruff, lifting the cat-boy slightly off his shoulder.
"Don't even think about it," Julius whispered, smiling at the crowd but addressing the squirming feline with a warning squeeze.
It was rare for Saru to tolerate being held like this.
Usually, he'd lash out—but this time, his attention was locked.
Charlotte stood to Nozel's side, her cloak billowing gently. Saru's eyes flicked toward her and sparkled again—but this time with innocent delight.
"Nee-chan~" he whispered in his head fondly, tail flicking with affection.
But when his gaze returned to Nozel, it was as if the braided braid itself was a golden prize waiting to be yanked.
Sensing a disaster looming, Julius decided to intervene.
He turned, addressing Asta and Yuno directly.
His voice dropped its usual cheer and took on a deeper, more serious tone—a challenge that could only be issued by a man standing at the top.
"Can you…" he said slowly, his eyes intense, "give me better results than they have?"
The weight of his question hit like a blow.
Asta's jaw clenched, and Yuno's brows narrowed. They both stood a little taller, the fire of ambition burning in their eyes again.
Behind them, Saru dangled from Julius's hand like a cat caught mid-theft. His tail curled around the Wizard King's wrist as he continued to squirm.
"Put me down… just one braid. One tug. I promise I'll behave after that…" Saru whispered with a small, suspicious grin, his golden cat eyes still locked on Nozel's shimmering braid.
Julius sighed under his breath.
All eyes were drawn not to the captains…
Not to the medals or the shimmering armor or even the gleaming star-adorned cloaks of the kingdom's finest knights.
No.
They were staring at…
A cat.
A golden, absurdly majestic cat lounging lazily across the Wizard King's desk.
Julius was seated on his elevated throne-like chair, dignified, smiling, speaking in a regal tone—but casually stroking the fluff of a cat who was clearly more interested in batting at a ribbon than in the solemnity of the moment.
Whispers and confused murmurs trickled through the crowd like rain.
"Why's he talking to a cat?"
"Is that thing his familiar?"
"Does it… understand human speech?"
Some nobles narrowed their eyes, trying to divine what spell this might be. Others simply scoffed, appalled that such a creature had found its way into such a sacred ceremony.
But among the captains, one woman sighed.
A slow, deep sigh that said more than words ever could.
Captain Charlotte Roselei reached up and pressed her fingers to the bridge of her nose, exhaling as if she'd seen this scene far too many times before.
"Sis… that's Saru, right?" Sol whispered beside her, squinting at the lounging feline.
Charlotte gave her a side glance. "Call me Captain, Sol."
Then she looked again at the cat, who was now flipping lazily onto his back, golden tail curling and uncurling as he purred against the velvet cover of the desk. His ears twitched each time the Wizard King moved his hand.
And still, that mischievous glint had not faded from his eyes.
"...Yes," Charlotte muttered. "That brat's going to cause trouble again."
She'd spent enough time around Saru to recognize him even when transformed. After all, he was the first man ever allowed inside the Blue Rose base, and he'd visited often—usually without warning, and almost always in some ridiculous disguise or transformed form.
Every single one of her squad's women adored him. They'd spoiled him to the point of ruining discipline entirely. He'd curl up in someone's lap and be hand-fed sweets like royalty.
Charlotte had tried many times to reprimand him.
But every time she looked into his eyes—that wide-eyed, helpless little expression he gave when caught in the act—her heart just… melted.
Even now, as he lay curled on the Wizard King's table like some princely housecat, Charlotte's stern composure cracked just slightly.
She turned her face away before Sol could notice.
Meanwhile, Saru flicked his tail, eyeing Nozel again. The way that braid shimmered… Divine. But he waited. He'd strike after the Wizard King got distracted. He had to be patient.
Then, Julius's voice rang out, commanding and grand.
"Now then," he declared from the elevated platform, his tone formal at last, "let the Distinguished Service Decoration Ceremony begin!"
A hush fell over the chamber. The air seemed to shift, charged with reverence.
Rows of knights stepped forward, one at a time, each name echoing through the hall.
"Leopold Vermillion of the Crimson Lions," the announcer called.
The proud redhead stepped forward, fire burning in his eyes.
"Promoted to Intermediate Magic Knight, Second Class."
Leopold clenched his fist in pride, standing tall.
"Sol Marron of the Blue Rose Knights—Intermediate Magic Knight, Third Class."
Sol grinned and nudged Charlotte in excitement, only to receive a stern glare in return.
"Nebra Silva of the Silver Eagles—Senior Magic Knight, Third Class."
She stepped forward elegantly, chin high, relishing the applause.
"Solid Silva—Intermediate Magic Knight, Third Class."
He followed suit, but his eyes flicked momentarily to Asta with disdain.
Saru's cat ears perked up.
"Those two… smell like trouble," he whispered to himself, tail lashing once in distaste.
"Alec Dora Sandler of the Golden Dawn—Senior Magic Knight, Second Class."
"Shiren Tium—Intermediate Magic Knight, First Class."
"Hamon Caseus—Intermediate Magic Knight, Second Class."
One by one, the promoted knights were awarded, saluted, and returned to their places, medals shining on their chests.
Among the spectators, Asta watched with wide, starry eyes, his fists clenched tight.
"So cool…" he whispered, mouth slightly open.
Yuno, standing beside him, remained composed—but the gleam in his eyes said all there was to say.
They both wanted that.
They wanted to be on that stage one day.
No—
They wanted to stand above it.
As applause rang out once more and Julius raised his hand in final declaration, Saru rolled onto his side, stretching out across the desk and yawning loudly.
"Nyaaaa… so many stars… but not one braid tugged yet," he muttered under his breath.
He lifted one paw, placed it over his eyes like a dramatic noble fainting from boredom.
Charlotte sighed again.
"He's going to strike soon."