Strange Use of Magic (Black Clover AU) Chapter 132: Strange Line Up [End of Volume 3]

[Third Person's PoV] 


Vanessa turned toward Yami and said, “Captain…”


Yami didn’t need her to finish—he already knew what she was about to say. He exhaled a plume of smoke. “Looks like we’re heading to the Witches’ Forest.”


Before anyone could respond, Asta raised his hand. “Wait, I have a question.”


Stephen gestured for him to go ahead.


“What exactly happens if someone else gets the Fate Stone? I mean, I get that they could manipulate fate, but how does that actually work?” Asta asked, his curiosity piqued.


Stephen stroked his chin in thought. “Hmm… the best way to explain this…” He glanced around, noticing that the others were just as intrigued by the question.


After a moment, he waved his hand, and glowing golden threads of light appeared before them, forming an intricate web that shimmered in the air. The strands pulsed and intertwined, shifting ever so slightly, as if responding to an unseen force.


“Think of fate as strings,” Stephen explained, weaving his fingers through the golden threads. “Each of these represents a person’s life—their choices, their destiny. Every action they take tugs at these strings, sending ripples through the web and influencing the fates of others.”


He lightly touched one strand, causing the entire web to shimmer as a ripple traveled through it, shifting other threads along its path.


“This is the natural flow of fate—interconnected and self-correcting. But…” His expression darkened as he suddenly grabbed one thread and forcefully twisted it around another. The entire web vibrated violently. “If someone controlled the Fate Stone, they could forcibly twist, cut, or even completely sever these strings at will.”


He released the tangled strand, and while the web tried to correct itself, some threads remained permanently altered.


“With this power, they could rewrite destinies, ensure victories, prevent deaths that were supposed to happen… or cause deaths that never should have occurred. They could erase people from existence entirely. Fate isn’t a singular, fixed path—it’s a series of possibilities and probabilities. The Fate Stone lets its wielder dictate which possibilities become reality.”


Asta swallowed hard, his eyes wide. “So… if the wrong person got their hands on it, they could control everything?”


Stephen nodded. “Exactly. But the problem is, fate doesn’t like being controlled. If someone manipulates it too much, the universe itself will push back.”


As if on cue, the glowing strings suddenly trembled, the web distorting. Some strands snapped, causing parts of the structure to collapse and unravel before Stephen quickly waved his hand to stabilize it again.


“That’s what happens when fate is manipulated recklessly—instability, paradoxes… and if it goes too far, the collapse of reality itself.”


A heavy silence filled the room as the weight of his words sank in.


Yami sighed, taking another drag of his cigarette. “Great. So now we gotta make sure no lunatic gets their hands on this damn thing.”


Vanessa pulled her cloak tighter around her shoulders. “And make sure fate doesn’t unravel in the process.”


Stephen let the threads fade away, crossing his arms. “Exactly. Because once the strings of fate break beyond repair… there’s no putting them back together. That’s why the universe has been sending me signals—it wants to prevent that from happening. Or rather… this is the most likely outcome unless we intervene.”


Yami placed a hand on his chin, considering the best course of action. “We can’t just send everyone after the stone. We already left the base unattended for too long when we went to the temple. Not to mention, we might have other duties from the Wizard King. The kingdom’s stretched thin right now, especially with William missing. Sending everyone on one mission would be unwise.”


He closed his eyes for a moment before making his decision. “I’m assigning a special task force for this. Stephen, Vanessa—you two are in charge.”


Stephen blinked. “Seriously? I don’t have much experience leading. Are you sure that’s a good idea?”


Yami smirked. “There’s a first time for everything. That’s also why I’m making Vanessa co-leader.” He glanced around. “For this mission, I’m sending Noelle, Asta, and Wanda.”


“Huh!?” Magna blurted out in disbelief. “Wait just a damn minute, Captain! You’re putting all the new recruits on this mission? You know how dangerous this is, right!?”


Yami turned his gaze to Magna, his expression unreadable. “And how long are they gonna stay newbies, huh?” He exhaled smoke, then continued. “I chose them for a reason. Whether you believe it or not, Stephen is as strong as I am—maybe even stronger.


"Asta’s anti-magic makes him a one-man army against mages.


"Noelle’s magic control has improved thanks to our training in the temple, and she’s gotten a hell of a lot stronger. She even unlocked a new spell.”


Stephen raised an eyebrow. “Oh? You did?”


Noelle rubbed her nose shyly but nodded.


“And Wanda…” Yami chuckled. “She’s a monster in her own right. You saw how she handled those Atlantis soldiers. Her magic alone is strong enough to contend with an army.


"These four? They’re our heavy hitters. Each of them has strengths that cover the others’ weaknesses. I didn’t pick them at random.”


Magna opened his mouth to argue but hesitated. He wasn’t happy about it, but… Yami had a point. A damn good one. Begrudgingly, he clenched his fists and stayed quiet.


The decision had been made. 


All four of them looked a bit embarrassed, fidgeting under the weight of Yami’s praise.


“Gosh, Captain Yami…” Asta said, rubbing the back of his head sheepishly.


“Although I don’t like being called a monster, I do appreciate your confidence in me,” Wanda murmured, pressing her index fingers together while glancing downward.


Noelle huffed, tossing her pigtails back with exaggerated flair. “It’s about time you commoners learned the true power of royalty,” she declared, lifting her chin high—though the flush on her cheeks betrayed her pride.


Stephen, meanwhile, smirked smugly, his cloak flaring dramatically as if basking in the moment.


Vanessa, however, deadpanned. “And why wasn’t I mentioned?”


“You’re their guide,” Yami replied without missing a beat.


A vein twitched on Vanessa’s forehead, but before she could launch into a tirade, Yami turned to Stephen. “If the situation gets too out of hand, open a portal and call us in as reinforcements. But only if it’s absolutely necessary.”


Stephen’s cloak extended a hem, giving a salute-like flick. “Yes, Captain…”


Stephen then turned toward the Cauldron of the Cosmos and commanded, “Show me the entrance to the Witches’ Forest.”


At once, the scene around them shifted. The room melted away into a swirling vision, revealing the towering entrance to the Witches’ Forest. The trees stretched endlessly beyond the gates, dark and foreboding.


Once Stephen locked onto the image, he waved his hand, dispelling the illusion. The glowing stars in the room dimmed, and darkness receded, returning them to reality.


Equipping his sling ring, Stephen turned to the group. “You’ve got five minutes to grab whatever you need. Meet me in the yard—I’ll open the portal there.”


…Five Minutes Later…


Everyone was geared up and ready to depart. Vanessa had donned her signature witch’s hat, while the others were dressed as they usually were.


The remaining Black Bulls gathered around, seeing them off with words of encouragement.


“Everyone ready?” Stephen asked.


The four of them nodded, determination set in their expressions.


With a swift motion, Stephen waved his hand, conjuring a golden portal in front of them. One by one, they stepped through, vanishing from the base.


Stephen was the last to step through, and as soon as he did, the portal snapped shut behind him.


Now, they stood just a few meters from the Witches’ Forest’s entrance—a massive, towering gate blocking the path into the shadowed woods beyond.


Vanessa’s face darkened, her gaze flickering with a mix of emotions. She inhaled deeply, steadying herself, before stepping forward.


“Follow me,” she said, her voice firm as she led the way into the forest.



[End of Volume 3]


…


A/N: You know what this means, It's time for your favorite moment of the Volume, this volume was quite memorable after all, it started off with Mimosa's date, went through the temple, fought against the Atlantian monster, etc. 


My favorite moment is a collective, basically almost every interaction Stephen had with Wanda. Especially on the beach when he rizzed her up with the flower.