Black Clover (ブラッククローバー)

It appeared as though humanity would be destroyed by the demons.

But a single mage saved them all.

He was called the Wizard King, and he became a legend.

The Man Named Fanzell

Asta was gravely injured due to a curse placed on him by Vetto of the Third Eye.

The other members of the Black Bulls headed out to find a cure for his arms.

Noelle and Finral also visited a certain man to gain some clues.

I'm coming in!

Oh, hey. I just got out of the bath—

The man that Noelle and Finral came to see is named Fanzell Kruger.

Who is this man, and what's his relationship with Asta?

To find out, we must look back in time to five months ago.

5 Months Ago

A Village Out in the Boonies, Hage

This story takes place just shortly before Asta and Yuno

departed for the royal capital to take the Magic Knights Entrance Exam

after receiving their grimoires.

Asta was camping out in a forest near Hage, training with his sword.

Wh-Whoa...

Is this what I'm supposed to do? I have no idea.

I never learned how to use a sword.

I have no idea how to stand or hold it. Am I practicing right?

O-Out of the way, boy! Look out!

Don't come this way!

Jump to the side!

Whoa...

Amazing. You managed to get rid of it with a single blow.

I was trying to fish in the river,

but apparently I was in that boar's territory.

I-I see...

Fanzell Kruger

I'm Fanzell. I'm on a journey.

Fanzell...

You can call me Zell.

Oh, I'm Asta, from Hage Village!

Nice to meet you, Asta.

By the way, is that yours?

Yeah, why?

Man...

You're a lifesaver!

I haven't had a bite in two days.

I couldn't catch any fish, either.

Right...

It's so dry. It's like all the moisture is being sucked out of my mouth.

More importantly, why are you naked?

I didn't want to get my clothes wet while I was fishing.

So, what are these?

You're eating them without knowing what they are?!

They're Hage Village's famous tatoes!

Tatoes, eh?

You okay?

Jeez, here.

Thanks...

Wait, what is this? It's really bitter.

It's moguro leaf juice. It's supposed to increase your magical power!

I feel much better.

I'd like to thank you. Why don't you come over to my house?

Your house?

Well, I'm just staying there without permission, really.

I had no idea a place like this existed in the woods.

I just happened to find an empty house.

Oh, one sec. I'll go put some clothes on.

Ah, a sword that negates magic? I've never seen anything like that before.

I'm gonna try to pass the Magic Knights Entrance Exam with this sword!

That's why I'm camping out in these woods to train!

I see.

What are you doing here, old guy?

Old guy? I'm only 28, you know...

What?! You're 28?!

You sure didn't age well!

Well, that aside...

I'm waiting for someone.

This deep in the mountains?

A lot's happened.

Huh...

By the way, Asta, you're camping out, right?

Why don't you stay here while you're training?

Really? That'd help me out a lot, but...

You're not planning to steal my tatoes, are you?

You should treasure your encounters and connections with others.

They might go away one day, but they're all experiences that build up in your heart.

Not a chance... He's obviously suspicious.

Find out more about him.

Okay, I'll take you up on your offer, Zell!

Great. Now, let's decide who gets to chop up the firewood.

What?!

Take that!

Wh-Wh-Whoa!

This isn't working.

It's probably because you're not carrying enough weight on your knees.

After you initially swing your sword, you try to attack again,

but it's not working well, right?

So you lose your balance.

Y-Yeah...

Always make sure your toes are facing the same direction that your sword is pointing.

Also, keep your right foot about half a step in front of your left.

Give it a try.

I did it!

I knew I could! Yeah!

Y-Yeah... You learned that pretty quick.

Glad it worked.

All right!

You're amazing, old guy! You know how to use a sword?

Well, it's not exactly a sword, but... One sec.

Wind Creation Magic: Emperor of Slashing Winds.

Awesome!

As you can see, my magic takes the shape of a sword.

The Emperor of Slashing Winds, or "Slash" for short.

You're even awesome at naming things!

So I have some experience with swords, too.

Then please show me how to use a sword!

What?

Come on, just a little bit!

Please! Teach me!

Yeah, sure.

Huh?

Sure.

Y-You sure?

Yup.

Th-Thanks.

Yes! This is awesome!

All right! Woohoo!

Awesome! Heck yeah!

There's just one thing I'd like you to promise me.

Yay!

Asta, why do you want to become stronger?

To become the Wizard King!

I see. That's great.

Excellent.

You're not gonna laugh at me?

Why would I laugh?

Like... say that it's impossible, or whatever.

You'll never know if it's impossible if you don't try.

Promise me...

that you won't use what I show you

for anything other than making your dream come true.

Sure. What do I need to do?

Never wrongfully harm others or pick on the weak.

As long as you don't use it for anything bad like that, I'll teach you.

You don't even need to tell me not to do stuff like that.

Then it's a promise.

Yeah, I promise.

Okay, let's do our best together.

Yeah! I look forward to training with you!

A Few Days Later

You're following up too late with your left foot.

If you're going to attack consecutively, don't pause between each slash.

Got it!

Great job, Asta.

You're doing well with both attacking and defending.

Your movements are improving.

Since you're this strong, you should've been able to beat

that boar on your own no problem.

I didn't have my sword or grimoire with me at the time.

Besides, my swordsmanship isn't that impressive.

You're just more skilled than you realize.

I'm pretty sure you're just a good teacher, Zell.

I used to do something like teaching.

That explains it!

Though my students never took me seriously.

I've taught over a hundred students,

but you're so talented that you'd probably be in my top three.

Top three?

Actually, maybe top two.

Though the top one doesn't really use a sword like a sword, so that one wouldn't count...

But anyway, I think you'll do just fine, even if you join the Magic Knights.

You really think so?

Then let's get right back to training!

Hey, come on. We're still eating here.

A few more days passed, and then she arrived.

Sorry I'm late, Instructor Fanzell.

Who're you?

Mariella! Did you find anything out?

Mariella?