I know I have a few fics I should be working on but this suddenly came to mind. This time it's Black Clover, which I noticed doesn't have many fics. This is just my take on the first arc, and if enough people like it, I'll keep going, by breaking the story up into separate arcs until we get that time skip everyone thinks BC needs. Each story will either have Devil or Despair in the title. The Introduction Arc will be expanded and I will add a surprise twist.

Heads up, Asta might be a bit different than usual. He has some emotional issues he's dealing with, and I have a few choice characters in mind to lend a hand.

Ages ago, the Clover Kingdom was overrun by an ancient demon. Many people with exceptional magic tried taking on this monster but only one was able to save everyone. Just when it looked like our world was on the brink, the one mage had managed to save everyone. A legend was born that day. Thus we now have the Magic Emperor.

"See that over there? All the way past the farmlands?" Sister Lily looked ahead. "That's all that's left of the demon from the legend. And right on top of the skull is a statue of the first Emperor."

"That story always gets me going! Reaching the top, rebuild the church and keep everyone safe. That's my reason, my resolve! Why I will be the next Emperor!"

"The greatest Magic Knight in the Clover Kingdom…" Yuno started until…

"That's gonna be me! No, me!" Asta and Yuno shouted before realizing they were on the same page.

"I'm sure you boys will be great. After all, becoming Magic Knights comes first. And that should happen after you receive your grimoires."

"Yuno, I have no doubt will go far, it's Asta that worries me." Another orphan walked up to them.

"What do you mean, Nash?" Yuno asked.

"Isn't it strange how over the years you have shown no signs of magic?"

"It's only a matter of time before my grimoire comes and my mana kicks in."

"Even if you don't have magic, you're still stuck here with us." The younger orphan had to kill the mood.

Asta had enough. "Shut up! I will get a grimoire and join the Knights. And you'll be right there with me, Yuno!" He just simply stormed off.

"Did something happen?" the local priest walked up.

"It's Asta, Father… He's run off again." Lily seemed worried.

"Again? Wonder where he goes. And it's usually every time he's angry, right?"

Yuno turned to Nash with a gloomy stare. "You know, Nash, You really shouldn't call Asta weak. I don't think I told anyone about the time he was there for me."

"I remember now. You used to get so emotional, but now…"

"Please, Yuno, what really happened that night?" Father Orsi asked.

"After you sent me into town, I was berated by this guy who wanted this thing."

"Right. The pendant that was in your basket the night you and Asta arrived." The priest had remembered the fateful day the boys gave the place new life.

"It was a good thing Asta followed me, despite what everyone thought. It didn't matter that he was outsized; he fought for a cause. After a few minutes, he just got mad and left it behind. It didn't make sense at first."

"If I remember, you cried so much after dragging him back. Then after that, you just stopped altogether."

"It was because of Asta, I owe everything to him after that. Now I wanna become Emperor, even if it means competing with my best friend."

'I still wonder where he goes everyday, and why he's always scuffed up. What is it that you do?'

The church had gained new children over the past few years. Father Orsi and Sister Lily sure knew how to keep things going. The new kids mostly admired Yuno, but still saw Asta as that cool brother figure, even without magic. Yes, even now Asta wasn't selling himself short just because he was the no magic wonder. The ashen haired hopeful was deep in the woods outside the church. His other hideaway spot was deep within the demon skull on the outskirts of the village.

496… 497… 498… 499… 500!

"Okay, what's next?" As he got older, Asta also got stronger and louder. "Now that Yuno and I are 15, it's only a matter of time before the annual grimoire ceremony! I'm so pumped up I think I'll end today with a mad dash back to the church!"

One March day

Hopefuls from all over gathered at the Hage Village Grimoire Tower and the two teens with visions of better times ahead were in that direction. As many people entered, Drouot was surprised in the turnout.

"Welcome, everyone. Every year around this time, many young folks like you come and receive your grimoires and set out on the paths you've laid out. As I'm sure you know, we haven't had a single person from this village be accepted into the Magic Knights. But, this year, I feel like something unusual, even spectacular, may happen. Let's begin the ceremony!"

In flashes of light, many grimoires were airborne. Everyone relishing their newfound abilities; a gold light shined on Yuno. His wasn't just an ordinary book, it was a four leaf clover!

"Amazing! The four leaf clover has chosen someone." Even Drouot couldn't believe it.

"You sure don't disappoint, Yuno."

"Uh, Asta…? Where's yours? It's not gonna be any fun or challenging if I have to become Emperor myself."

"He really said Emperor?"

"One, I understand, but both?"

Lily and Orsi could only look in concern. One has a grimoire, and one doesn't.

"Hey, old man, any reason why I-"

Discord struck the tower. Chains throwing participants left and right until two were left. It was a rough looking bandit.

"I'll be taking the four leaf clover."

"Who the hell are you?"

"Not surprised. I'm known as Revchi. A former knight now just looking for my next target. Just didn't expect to find something incredible here."

"Sister, Father, leave this to us! Asta, you with me?" Yuno didn't even look back.

"Do you even have to ask? This jerk can't just take someone's grimoire. Like when that guy tried taking your necklace."

"Are you boys sure? Yuno, I understand, but- " Orsi felt nervous.

"I have faith in both of them and you should, too. Let's hurry. Be careful, boys!" the nun made light of the situation as they left along with about half of the people in the tower.

Everyone else was unable to do much, just simply look on as the two were about ready.

"I'll weaken him, you get in close for the finish." Before anything happened, more chains appeared and ensnared Yuno just as he set his first spell. "What, these chains drain magic?"

"Magic Binding Iron Chain Formation. Basically, you can't do much without this." Revchi reached for the four leaf clover, but…

"Hands off, jackass!" With a hard dash and just missing the punch, Asta stormed in. "This is a day where we have our futures set for us-" More chains smacked him to the ground, but he slowly got up. "Not gonna happen! I'll keep fighting, even without a grimoire!"

All the spectators looked on with little to zero hopes for his survival. Yuno, however, couldn't shake the feeling something would happen himself. The chain user kept going.

"Now!"

"Not yet, I'm not done!"

"You're not even using any mana! May as well see why! Iron Chain Formation!" Within seconds, Asta was slammed into the nearby wall. "Not only do these block mana, but can even gauge how much magic power someone has. What's this?" He then sounded angry yet disgusted at the same time. "This can't be possible! The reason you didn't use any spells was… you have no magic!"

This shocked virtually everyone. Did he not realize it or maybe he always knew? Another round of chains lingered behind him.

"You really think you were special od something?! You must be the only one anywhere in the world without a single drop of mana! In a world where magic is everything, there's no place for one as pathetic as you! But I am willing to put you out of your misery here and now, loser. Everyone'll be better off with you gone anyway." He just kept pounding away at him as everyone was waiting for it to be over.

"Enough! I don't give a damn if he doesn't have magic. You're wrong about Asta, Revchi. He… is my friend and one true rival! And there's no other man I'd want competing with me to become Magic Emperor! Come on, Asta, I know you're better than that." Yuno ended in a smile as everyone else looked simply dumbfounded.

Slowly rising back up, blood covering half his face, Asta was known for not taking anything lying down. "And here I thought you forgot the promise from way back when. You're right, there's no time to feel sad or depressed about myself. Gimme a second, Yuno. I'll crush him for sure!"

Lightning violently struck outside. Crowds in a frenzy, chaos ensued. There was a red glow coming from the back of one of the bookshelves. The light gravitated toward Asta. He simply looked at it.

"Is this… a grimoire?" The book opened up, and a rusty sword emerged from the pages.

"See, pal? I knew you'd get one." The taller of the two had no doubt at all.

"No! This is impossible! How do you have a grimoire with no magic power?"

"That grimoire. Could it really be…?" The old man was intrigued by the presence of such a dark power.

The leaves of a clover are each said to contain one thing. In the first three dwell integrity, hope, and love.

The fourth leaf is given over to good luck.

And in the fifth…

(Zoom out of Asta holding the Demon-Slayer Sword and his devil's shadow behind him)

there lives the devil.

Revchi felt horror in his voice. "I'll still kill you and take the other grimoire for myself! Dance of the Pitless Viper!"

With just one swing, the sword cut every chain. As if the blade could slice through magic.

"You're finished." There was a an ominous tone emitting from him; the sword wielder crouched slightly into a mad dash continually gaining momentum. "Even with mana, I will be Magic Emperor! My magic is never giving up! " That one swing slammed him into the doors with enough force to take them clean off. Asta and Yuno just simply took it in. "What do you think, Yuno? Check it out, my very own grimoire!"

After quietly sending everyone out, Drouot turned to the two remaining. "That was quite the turnaround. Hard to believe the day has finally come."

Yuno couldn't help but feel unfulfilled. He had to have Asta swoop in and take care of everything. Of course, Asta could tell. "What's wrong, man?"

"You really are amazing. It's like you can make anything possible. Now I can't wait to see us both get even better!" he perked up at the end.

"Just like back then!" *fist bump*

"It's not over…"

"Until one of us…"

"Is the Magic Emperor!" both shout with pride.

"Pardon me, boys." Drouot approached.

"Drouot…" the wind mage wondered what he had to say.

"As impressive as that was, it doesn't make things less complicated for me. Now that you have that grimoire, Asta, there's something important you need to know."

This seems like a good place to end it. Okay, it'll take some time, but I may wanna focus on a few other stories and even get another new one going. A few surprise characters will make themselves known down the road, before Yami and the Bulls. Be sure to leave your thoughts or even follow. I'll see what I can do.

Asta: Can you believe it, Yuno? It took a while but I got one! Wait, why is everyone looking like something bad is gonna happen? Page 2: Separate Ways. My magic is never giving up!