Mist blanketed the forest like a ghost's breath.
Kael moved slowly through the shifting fog, every step deliberate, his senses sharpened. The Black Bulls had been dispatched for a joint scouting mission with members of the Golden Dawn. Something about strange spatial distortions near a forgotten border village.
What Yami had actually said was:
"Go sniff around and don't die. Oh—and play nice with the nobles."
Kael sighed at the memory.
The fog thickened, magical in nature. He could barely see past his outstretched hand. The air felt damp and heavy, full of mana.
Then came a voice—soft, warm.
"Kael? Is that you?"
He turned just in time to see golden light pulse through the haze.
Mimosa Vermillion, clad in her Golden Dawn uniform, stood with her grimoire open, glowing flowers blooming around her, their petals shedding mist-dispersing mana.
Kael relaxed slightly. "Nice timing."
"I could say the same," she smiled, brushing back her honey-gold hair. "You looked ready to fight a ghost."
"Wouldn't be the first time," Kael replied, half-joking, but his hand remained near his weapon.
---
The Forest's Secret
Mimosa guided him through the thick mist using her plant-based detection magic. Beautiful, bioluminescent flowers blinked to life with every step, lighting their path and dispelling the fog.
"I thought Golden Dawn had this area covered," Kael said.
"We did," Mimosa replied, frowning. "But two knights vanished during recon. The mist seems to react to their mana—like it's absorbing it."
Kael's eyes narrowed. "A trap, then."
"Yes. And intelligent."
A sudden crack echoed nearby.
Kael and Mimosa instantly turned, back-to-back, grimoires open. The fog surged unnaturally, and from it burst three shadowy constructs, twisted and plantlike, each wielding ethereal spears.
Kael conjured his glaive instantly.
"Stay behind me!" he shouted.
But Mimosa surprised him.
"No! Let's fight together!"
---
Bloom and Blade
Kael surged forward, glaive slashing through the first construct, disrupting its magic essence in a burst of black mist.
Behind him, Mimosa's grimoire glowed as magical vines erupted from the ground, tangling another foe mid-charge.
"Got it!" she called out.
Kael spun around and hurled a chakram—Lunar Fang—which sliced clean through the last shadow being, bouncing off a tree before returning to his hand.
The mist began to thin.
> [System Notification: Cooperative Combat Detected – Kael + Mimosa Vermillion]
[Bond Progress: Affection Level 2/5]
[Synergy Trait Unlocked: Harmony of Bloom – Kael's weapon constructs now temporarily absorb healing properties from Mimosa's support magic.]
Kael blinked. Healing weapons? That was new.
"Nice teamwork," he said, lowering his stance.
"You're not too bad yourself," Mimosa replied, slightly flushed.
---
A Gentle Pause
After the skirmish, they sat beside a quiet brook, the forest peaceful once more.
Mimosa used a small healing spell on Kael's wrist, where a vine had scratched him.
"You always charge in so quickly," she chided softly.
He smiled. "Guess I'm still not used to people fighting with me."
She looked at him, eyes gentle. "You don't have to carry everything alone, you know."
He looked away. "Old habits."
They sat in silence for a moment.
"You care a lot," Mimosa said. "I see it in how you look at your friends… and how you fight. Like you're trying to stop something from happening again."
Kael's breath caught.
She was right.
He remembered the pain of dying in his old world, the helplessness. His new power wasn't just a gift. It was a shield—one he swore he'd use to protect everyone he cared about.
Including her.
---
Something More
"I care about you too," Mimosa added suddenly, her voice barely audible.
Kael turned sharply.
She blushed furiously. "I-I mean, as a friend! Comrade! Not that I don't—I just…"
Kael chuckled softly, and Mimosa buried her face in her hands.
"I didn't say it was a bad thing," he replied.
She peeked out, embarrassed. "You're not teasing me, are you?"
"No," Kael said honestly. "I'm glad. You're important to me too."
> [System Alert: Bond Level with Mimosa increased to 3/5]
[Hidden Ability Unlocked: Bloomguard Blade – Kael can now forge a weapon infused with Mimosa's healing magic for shared defense and support in team battles.]
The system's voice faded from his mind, but Mimosa's smile stayed vivid in front of him.
For the first time in a while, Kael felt truly warm.
---
The Path Ahead
They soon regrouped with the others—Asta was arguing with Klaus, and Luck was covered in mud and grinning. Yuno, stoic as ever, nodded at Kael as if sensing his growth.
Mimosa walked beside Kael a bit closer than before, her steps light.
The mist had vanished, and the threat was neutralized, but something had awakened in Kael—a bond, a new path, and the realization that power wasn't just about strength.
It was about connection.
And Mimosa had just become a precious part of that.