Strange use of Magic (Black Clover AU)

[Third Person's PoV] 

Stephen's hands roared with flames, conjured from his [Flames of Faltine] spell. The fires danced and crackled in shades of red and orange, illuminating his intense expression as he skated and glided effortlessly through the streets of the capital. With each thrust of his hands, Stephen incinerated the undead in his path, their bodies disintegrating into ash that drifted on the wind.

As he advanced, Stephen concentrated, intensifying his spell. The flames shifted from a bright orange to an intense blue that mirrored the piercing glow of his eyes, which seemed to change hues with his magic's potency. The sight was both mesmerizing and terrifying.

Ahead, Stephen spotted Mimosa and Klaus, who were bravely holding their ground, fending off a horde of undead. Though skilled, they were clearly surrounded, with little chance of escape. Stephen dropped to one knee, pressing his blazing blue hands into the cracked cobblestone. A deep rumble echoed through the street as he unleashed a torrent of fire, sending a pulse of raw, concentrated heat into the ground.

The earth beneath them splintered, glowing with a radiant blue light as cracks snaked outward in all directions. From these fissures, massive pillars of flame erupted, towering as high as nearby buildings. The undead caught within the circle of fire were instantly vaporized, leaving only charred remnants in their wake.

Mimosa and Klaus, temporarily disoriented by the sudden quake, regained their footing and turned to see Stephen emerging from the wall of flames, his eyes like molten sapphires and his fists still radiating a fiery blue glow. His very presence exuded an intimidating aura as he strode confidently toward them, trailing small arcs of fire.

"You two alright?" he asked, his voice steady but with a hint of concern.

Klaus adjusted his glasses with a smirk. "Thanks for the assist, though we could have handled it."

Mimosa offered a grateful smile. "Did you also send the civilians to safety?"

Stephen nodded. "Yes. Actually, I was hoping you could go to them and help treat the injured."

"Of course," Mimosa replied with a resolute expression. But before Stephen could open a portal for her, the ground beneath their feet turned pitch black.

"Spatial magic," he warned, his tone sharp. In an instant, they were transported far beyond the kingdom's walls.

Blinking as they regained their senses, they found themselves in a vast, open field with the members of several Magic Knight squads around them. Familiar faces from the Golden Dawn, Blue Rose, Silver Eagle, and even Fuegoleon with Wanda and Noelle at his side filled the scene, all equally disoriented.

Wanda and Noelle jogged over. "Thank goodness you're here!" Wanda exclaimed.

Stephen raised an eyebrow. "Wasn't Charmy supposed to be with you?"

Noelle chuckled awkwardly. "She, uh... smelled food while Fuegoleon was giving orders and ran off."

Stephen sighed, rubbing his forehead. "Why am I not surprised…"

…

Meanwhile, back in the capital, a sinister figure hovered over the dome that protected the civilians. The witch, clad in a black, fur-lined coat and an oversized, feathered hat, cackled as she watched the empty streets below.

"All those Magic Knights fell for a trap like that? How utterly foolish!" She sneered, her laughter echoing eerily.

Her gaze drifted to the dome shimmering with Stephen's protective spell. "And look at that—those naive knights went to all the trouble of gathering up everyone here, just for me." Her eyes gleamed with malicious glee as she conjured a sphere of cursed ashes in her hand, its dark energy swirling ominously. "But it seems I'll have to unwrap my little present first."

The civilians within the dome cowered, but Stephen's spell proved more resilient than she anticipated. She then soon learned the true strength of the spell and what the Aether part of its name means, as her cursed sphere touched the dome's geometric symbols, it dissolved harmlessly, its mana absorbed and used to strengthen the barrier, making it shimmer brightly. The Dome takes any spell thrown at it and uses it to make itself stronger. 

The witch, known as Catherine, frowned, her glee shifting to irritation as the civilians inside cheered.

"Hah! We're safe thanks to the Black Bull Wizard!"

"He said no one could break in here. We're saved as long as we remain inside!"

Before Catherine could mount another attack, she was blasted back by a powerful gust of wind. She spun wildly, clutching her broom to regain balance, and her narrowed gaze fell upon her assailant: Yuno, floating gracefully, his jet-black hair rippling in the breeze as he fixed her with a look of indifferent.

"Oh my! Talk about gorgeous! You're just my type!" she purred, winking. "How about ditching this place and having some fun with me?"

Yuno's face twisted in revulsion. "Stay away from me and these people, you old hag."

Her eyes lost their flirtatious glint, narrowing with fury. "You're dead!" she shrieked, her voice dripping with malice.

…

Back in the field, Nozel turned to Stephen. "Open a portal back to the Noble District."

Stephen scoffed. "Don't order me around—you're not my captain."

Fuegoleon raised a brow, asking politely, "Would you open a portal back to the capital?"

"Sure thing," Stephen replied with a friendly smile, pulling out his sling ring and creating a swirling gateway. He glanced back at Nozel. "See, that's how you ask someone for help. Maybe take some notes on basic courtesy." With a playful grin, he gave Nozel a friendly pat on the back.

As Stephen stepped through the portal, he turned around, waved his hands in front of him while waggling his fingers mockingly. "Maybe you can even learn of something we like to call: Modesty~"

Back in the capital, Noelle shot him a nervous look. "I can't tell if you're brave or just plain stupid, teasing my older brother like that…"

Just then, the portal widened as the Silva siblings took off, soaring into the air on a silver eagle spell, vanishing above. The portal closed with a soft hum behind them.

Stephen sighed. "No offense, Noelle... but your family sucks."

From beside him, Mimosa cleared her throat. "You do realize I'm her cousin, right?" she said with a small pout.

Stephen froze, looking at her like a deer caught in headlights. "Oh... um... I didn't mean you, Mimosa. You're amazing, you're great. I just meant—well, her siblings, you know?"

Mimosa giggled at his flustered attempt to recover. "They're... not so bad," Noelle muttered under her breath.

Stephen rolled his eyes. "Not so bad? Who needs enemies with family like that?" he teased, gently ruffling Noelle's hair.

"Hey! Quit messing with my hair!" Noelle protested, swatting his hand away with a pout.

Mimosa tugged at Stephen's sleeve. "The civilians who need medical treatment, remember?"

"Oh, right!" Stephen conjured another portal, and Mimosa quickly jogged through to attend to the wounded.

Stephen lifted off the ground, turning to the others. "Asta's close by. Follow me!" he called as he sped off.

Wanda summoned orbs of red energy, floating after him, while Noelle groaned in frustration. "I CAN'T FLY, REMEMBER?! A little help would have been nice!" She began to sprint after them, muttering under her breath, "I'm a royal, yet I'm the only one without a way to fly…"

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