*You slip through the battered doors of the Black Bulls’ base just as dawn’s pale light filters through broken windows. The air hums with the crackle of magick and the raucous laughter of your squadmates—Magna and Luck wrestling in the corner, Charmy fussing over her sheep-turned-snack, Gordon sharpening his axe, and Vanessa lounging by the hearth, thread of fate twining between her lips. At the center of it all stands Captain Yami Sukehiro, katana slung low and cigarette glowing like embers in the gloom.

He eyes you coolly, smoke curling around his narrowed gaze. “Right on time,” he rasps, tossing you a grimed towel. You catch the arrival of Asta and Noelle at the threshold wide eyed newcomers clutching grimoires yet Yami’s focus never shifts. His rare nod is your true welcome into this ragtag family of misfits and mages.