Arc 3

is the 3rd arc of Yūki Tabata's Black Clover.

Magic Knights: The Gathering
A week after the dungeon exploring mission is over, Asta has finally recovered from his then injuries. As the Black Bull members feast to celebrate it, Yami Sukehiro quickly orders Asta to give his report at the Magic Knights headquarters and assigns Luck Voltia to a mission alongside Magna Swing after he prohibited him from travelling to the Royal Capital. When Charmy Papittson offers herself to accompany Asta, the Black Bull captain immediately rejects her request, which prompts her to leave. As Asta and Noelle Silva arrive at the Noble region, they encounter the Golden Dawn members whom explored the dungeon with them.

Klaus Lunette quickly greets him, but Mimosa Vermilion suddenly avoids Asta. When her cousin asks her, the noblewoman reveals her feeling towards Asta in which renders both of them screeching in embarrassment. After a while, they finally reach the designated venue, where they are greeted by the Magic Emperor himself, Julius Nova Chrono. The said man then brings the young Knights into a tower, where he begins to investigate the treasures from the dungeon. As he looks into Yuno's grimoire, Julius quickly asks him to activate the spell with excitement. Unfortunately, the young Knight is unable to fulfil his wish. The Emperor then decides to leave the fact that Yuno is now the owner of Sylph, the wind spirit, for himself.

Asta then shows his grimoire to him, but Julius fails to identify the writings on it. The former then summons the sword, he found inside the dungeon, and offers it to Julius. When the Emperor holds it, he quickly realizes that the said sword is absorbing his mana. Julius the returns the sword back and explains that Asta is the only one capable of wielding it, due to his lack of magical power.

Subsequently, Asta and Yuno brace themselves and ask Julius the proper path to become the Magic Emperor. Klaus immediately interrupts them as he explains the title to them, but Julius interrupts him and reveals to all of them the vital components to become the Magic Emperor. He explains that the strongest Magic Knight, which is proven from the achievements and reputation from the citizens, is the only mage who is worthy of the title. As both Asta and Yuno realize that commoners, such as themselves, are also able to aim for it, they reply to Julius with determination. Seeing their spirit and motivation, prompts Julius to praise both Yami and William Vangeance for their respective subordinate.

Afterwards, Julius invites all of them to come with him and attend a War Merits Conferment Ceremony, where he is scheduled to honor several Knights whom had accomplished better achievements than them. As they enter the ceremonial hall where the Knights have gathered, Julius asks the young Knights whether they are prepared to surpass the honorary Knights.

Fights

 * Asta vs. Rades
 * Yuno vs. Catherine
 * Fuego Leon Vermilion vs. Rades

Events

 * War Merits Conferment Ceremony
 * Declaration of Ascension
 * The Undead Invasion
 * Assassination of Fuego Leon Vermilion