Arc 3

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

Magic Knights: The Gathering
At the Black Bull headquarters, Yami meets up with Asta who is eating a ton of food after waking after a week. Yami tells Asta to head over to the Magic Knight headquarters to make a report about the mission he is on. Luck overhears this and thinks about how their will be strong people at the headquarters, but Yami tells him that he can't go since Luck will he heading on a mission with Magna. Charmy then volunteers to go (to eat delicious food) but Yami tells that she can't go, which angers her.

Hours later Asta arrives at the Magic Knights Headquarters along with Noelle when they meets up with Yuno, Klaus, and Mimosa of the Golden Dawn. After the they greet each other they meet up with a man, who Klaus informs Asta and Yuno that the man is the current Magic Emperor Julius Nova Chrono. Julius then brings them inside to takes a look at the magic the they have brought back from the dungeon. Julius takes a look at Yuno magic and thinks about how the wind spirit Sylph has chosen Yuno for this generation. Julius ask to see the magic but Yuno informs him how he can't perform the magic since the dungeon. Asta then shows Julius the writing of the magic he got in the dungeon, which Julius says that he can't read the writing. Asta then pulls out his second sword, which Julius asks to wield it. Julius then takes the sword and notices that not only is it heavy but it is also absorbing his magic. Julius then hands the sword back, and tells tells Asta and Yuno that they did a good job. Asta and Yuno then asks what it takes to be the Magic Emperor, which Julius tells them that they will have to give results that prove that they are the best. Julius then smiles and says that he has gathered other Magic Knights for a medal ceremony and brings them to another room.

During the ceremony Julius promoted Leopold Vermilion of the Crimson Lions, Sal Mallon of the Blue Roses, Nebula Silva and Solido Silva of the Silver Eagles, and Alecdra Sandler, Siren Tium, and Jamon Caseus of the Golden Dawn, to a hire rank. Julius tells them that they have done great work and tells them to enjoy to the banquet along with the ones that he brought along.

During the banquet, Julius has some business to attend to and leaves while tells them to have fun. Klaus then comments about the stares that they are getting, but is amazed about how Asta is not bothered by it. When the other Magic Knights starts to insult Asta, which Asta just easily brushes it off. Leopold then tells Alecdra that the Golden Dawn has their own slum rat, which Alecdra says that they expect nothing of Yuno. Klaus tries to defend Yuno, But Alecdra says that Klaus is no different and that comments about what happened to Klaus and Mimosa is the dungeon. Solido then says that the worst one of the bunch is Noelle for not being able to control her magic. Nebula comments about how Noelle was disowned, which Noselle says that Noelle is a loser and to leave. As Noelle begins to leave, Asta stops her and tells her that she doesn't need to turn her back on them. Asta then jumps up onto a table and tells them how he thought they were all amazing but they are all the same, and that he is tried of them says who belong and who doesn't. Alecdra tries to shut Asta up with his sand magic but Asta easily breaks out with his sword. Asta then says that he will not be quiet and that he will make them all eat their words when he becomes the Magic Emperor.

Meanwhile outside the capital, a man named Rades is complaining about how he was kicked out of the kingdom even through he has more power then most of the royalty. Another person then appears and asks who Rades is taking too, which he says that he is just thinking out loud. The person then says that everything is ready which Rades says that the Magic Knights will be getting a taste of his magic.

Back at the Banquet Solido, Alecdra, and Nebula tells Asta that that is not even funny, while Solido and Nebula try to bind Asta with their magic. Asta easily negated their magic, which Alecdra notices and binds Asta from behind with his Sand Magic. Solido tells Alecdra that he is told lenient and says that he had to punish Asta properly, which Solido fires a water bullet at Asta. Asta quickly pulls out his second sword and reflects the water back, which forces Solido to take a knee. Noselle steps forward to teach Asta to show some proper respect, which Asta notices that Noselle has the same pressure as Yami. Fuego Leon then stops Noselle, and comments about how they have no shame for ganging up on a since boy. Leopold comments that Asta is an interesting person and that Asta is now the rival of him, Leopold Vermilon. Fuego Leon then says that the Magic Emperor has brought Asta here so he has the right to be here, which Noselle comments about how the Vermilion house is sold and that he doesn't need to acknowledge an ant since be commands that skies. Fuego Leon and Noselle then begin to release their mana, but a guard then comes in and informs them that the capital is under attack.

Marching Dead
Outside is the city, Rades is destroying the city by summoning zombies and yelling that he will destroy the kingdom that didn't understand his worth. Guards try to stop the zombies but they keep coming. One of the guards says that they are going to protect the kingdom, which Rades says that they are week and summons more zombies. Rades tell them that if they are more powerful then he is, then come an stop him while sending the zombies at them. At the Banquet room, Siren quickly uses his magic to create a miniature city to see what is happening. The Magic Knights then wonder how the intruder had gotten into the city and talk about how to divide the members, which Asta yells that they have to go save the people and rushes out with Leopold rushing behind him. Fuego Leon then takes charges and sends Silver Eagles members to the middle section, the Blue Roses members to the east, the Golden Dawn members to the northeast and eastern areas, while also taken Noelle to chase after Leopold and Asta. After everyone leaves, Charmy comes out of hiding and thinks about how its her time to shine but smells something delicious and chases after it.

In the city, Rades corners a little girl and tells her that he hate the kingdom and will destroy it along with the girl but Asta shows up and says that he will protect it all. Asta then tells the guy to get away from the girl, which Rades responds that Asta's attack won't stop his army but notices that his army has stopped moving. The girl then rushes to Asta's side, and Rades relies that Asta is the guy with the anti-magic ability. Rades says that Asta is not going to stop him and summons more zombies to attack. At other points of the city, the Magic Knights reach their locations and then begins to destroy the zombies with their spells. At the northern location, Asta is defeating the guys zombies which Leopold thinks about what Asta is capable of and yells how impressive Asta is. Rades then thinks about how his magic works and how Asta is capable of cutting all the mana that he has put in the corpses. Asta asks why Rades is attacking innocent people and rushes to attack, but Rades counters Asta by summoning his #4 Jimmy and says that anyone who doesn't acknowledge his magic is guilty of death. Asta notices that the wound Jimmy inflicted won't stop bleed, which Rades tells Asta that the magic Jimmy hit Asta with can turn a scratch into a life threatening wound. Jimmy then attacks which Asta pulls out his second sword and counters. Rades then has Jimmy fire at the girl, but Asta blocks the attacks. Asta gets wounded by some of Jimmy's attacks and asks what the merit of defending the kid, which Asta says that he isn't doing it to get a reward. Rades then tells Asta to keep swinging his sword until Asta bleeds out.

Noelle notices that Asta is in trouble and thinks about how he has to help but remembers what Noselle told her. Noselle then thinks about what to do but notices that zombies are about to attack her. Fuego Leon uses his fire magic to saves Noelle and then scolds her for not staying focus. Fuego Leon then tells her that being dissatisfied with her current level doesn't make her a liability but doing nothing about it does. Noelle thinks about about how Fuego Leon is right and that how she and Asta can simply get better. Noelle then protects the little girl by Asta is her magic and tells Asta to go defeat the guy. Rades then summons more zombies but Leopold destroys them with his fire magic. Asta the rushes to Jimmy and easily defeat him, then telling Rades to step up to plate and face him.

Blackout
Inside the kitchen of the Magic Knight's Headquarters, the young chefs convince the head chef to stop cooking and to take shelter. Charmy then rushes in and asks to let her have the honor of tasting his food. The head chef notices that he is a member of the Magic Knights, and then continues to cook the food after looking into the eyes of Charmy. At other locations of the city the Magic Knights have finished taking care of the zombies, but Noselle senses that something is not right. Noselle then thinks that the zombie were a diversion, but suddenly most of the Magic Knights are teleported out of the city. Catherine then appears above the citizens and comments about the Magic Knights. Catherine then begins to drain the magic from the citizens. Catherine notices a good look young man and asks him if she is pretty, which that man calls her a beast. Catherine gets angry at the man, but is forced away by Yuno who happened to get away from her magic. Catherine notices that Yuno is good look and asks to go somewhere private with him, but Yuno calls her a hag and makes her angry. Catherine started to attacks with ash balls that have a curse within them. Yuno tries to get information from her, which she says that they are their to kill a certain someone.

Inside the palace the king is asking where the Magic Emperor is and that the emperor's duty is to protect him. A guard then tells the king that they are close to the emperor and that they will protect him, while also thinking about where the emperor has gone. At Yuno's location, Yuno is hit with multiple attacks and notices that he is beginning to lose his senses. Catherine tells Yuno about her magic, which Yuno thinks about what he has gone through after getting into the Golden Dawn. Yuno then tries to attack but Catherine dodged and mocks Yuno for missing. Yuno then concentrated and gains the ability to sense Mana. Catherine tells Yuno to start begging for his life, but Yuno just thinks about how he can't lose to Asta and then activates his Sylph spell. Catherine notices that Yuno is controlling the mana around him and that his grimoire is the legendary 4-leaf clover one. Yuno then says that he hate losing more then anything in the world and Sylph attack with a spell which sends the woman flying.

White Night Eye
At the Magic Knights Headquarters, Charmy is eating the food that the Head chef had prepared, which Catherine comes crashing through the wall. Catherine thinks about how she need more mana and says to hand it over. Charmy thinks that Catherine wants her food and says no. Meanwhile, Yuno is heading over to where Catherine is when he notices an almost sinister like mana. Charmy then makes a blank faces and sents Catherine flying away with her spell. Charmy then rushes to her food which is about to fall, but Yuno arrives and catches. Yuno then notices Charmy and gives to food to her. Yuno then thinks about how the magic has exhausted him and then collapses on Charmy but she uses her magic to create a soft landing.

At Asta location, Asta is having trouble with facing Rades next summon #2 Alfred which is a floating body without limbs. Noelle and Leopold then try to help but they are stopped by a zombie with Mud Magic. Rades then start to talk down to Asta, which Asta think about how he doesn't want to lose to this guy. Rades then decides to finish Asta off, but Fuego Leon jumps in and burns Alfred to a crisp. Fuego Leon then apologizes for jumping in and congratulate Asta on how well Asta had fought. Fuego Leon then smiles at Asta and says that Asta is going to be his rival to and to leave the rest of the fight to him. Asta gets excited that he is acknowledged by a captain and says that he can still keep on fighting. Fuego Leon stops Asta and tells him that Asta need to rest since he is not is a condition to continue fighting and to remain to calm in a fight. Fuego Leon then asks Rades why he is doing all this, which Rades reveals who he is, about how he was kicked out of the Magic Knights, and how he is getting his revenge, but purposely leaves out some other info. Fuego Leon tells Rades that his reason is childish, which Rades calls Fuego Leon naive and summons another zombie. Fuego Leon then asks Leopold if he needs help, which Leopold says that he doesn't. Fuego Leon tells Leoplod to finish it up already, which Rades yells that Leopold is at a disadvantage and that he wasn't going to give Fuego Leon that chance to help his brother.

Fuego Leon then attacks Rades while telling him that he can't control the intensity of his flames. Rades is unharmed and reveals how his #1 Carl is the corpse of a man that was a master of defense magic. Fuego Leon then tells Asta that he is going to show Asta what he talk about his from earlier. Rades suddenly attacks with his current zombie, which Fuego Leon uses his fire magic to shield himself. Rades starts to mock Fuego Leon, until Fuego Leon easily bypasses Rades's defenses and destroys Rades #1 Carl zombie. Fuego Leon tells Asta, Noelle, and Leopold that when they face strong opponents, they have to remain calm and analyze their opponent to win. Leopold and Noelle then get fired out, and Asta thinks how assume Fuego Leon is. Fuego Leon then lectures Rades that power without the proper mindset to direst it, its just violence and that no one accepts violence. Rades starts to panic and wonders how he could lose even through his mana is greater then anyone else.

At that moment Leopold manages to destroy his zombie, which Fuego Leon congratulates them for taking the zombie down. Rades shouts they shouldn't be able to defeats him, which Fuego Leon binds Rades with his fire magic. Fuego Leon then confiscate Rades's grimoire and notices that Rades can only use one spell. Rades tells him to not pity him, but Asta tells him no one is going to pity him and that Rades wasted his talent. Fuego Leon tells Rades that Rades is going to pay for what he had done, which Rades starts to panic. Valtos then communicates with Rades asking if Rades is satisfied, which Rades thinks about how he and Catherine had failed. Fuego Leon then asks Rades where their last member is and what they their goal was, which Rades says that their goal was Fuego Leon. Fuego Leon is then teleported to another location, which someone is waiting for Fuego Leon who he recognizes.

Back in the city, Leopold yells at Rades asking where his brother is. Noelle tells Leopold that Rades isn't the teleporter and thinks about how that person has to be close by. Asta then attacks a pile of corpses, saying that the teleporter is in the pile. Valtos the switches to a different location and removing his mask, while also saying that his job is already finished. Valtos then teleports Fuego Leon back who is revealed to be heavily damaged, which Leopold yells out his brothers name while rushing to Fuego Leon. Once their Leopold is in shock about the situation, but Noelle notices that Fuego Leon is still alive and tries to heal him. Rades then appears besides Leopold, having be freed from Feugo Leon spell, and fires Leopold into a wall. Rades then remembers what Fuego Leon told him and mocks Fuego Leon for the situation he is in.

Valtos tells Rades that their mission is accomplished and starts to teleport Rades away. Rades yells at Asta saying that he will be back to add Asta to he collection, which Asta rushes at Rades. Asta thinks about the situation and throws his sword to cancel out the spell. Asta reaches Rades and wounds Rades, which Rades starts to panic when he feels the pain. Valtos tries to teleport Asta away, but Asta uses sword to cancel the spell. Asta then punches Rades, which Rades yells at Asta that those with lose level of mana are at the mercy of those with high levels of mana. Asta replies by saying that he is here to prove that Rades statement is wrong. Rades then tells Valtos to do something which Valtos tries to attack but Leopold gets in the way.

Valtos thinks about how the situation is no good, which 5 new mages appear to help Rades and Valtos. Asta thinks about how the curse is stating to get in his way, which Asta cuts himself with his swords and cancels the curses. Asta then says that he has been facing adversity since he was born, and that no matter how many their are he will overcome them all. The group the attacks but Asta easily counters their attacks. One of the members then remembers who Asta is and they attack again, but Leopold joins in about counters their attack. Asta and Leopold then starts to attack the group, which the group uses stronger attacks to defeat the two. Noelle counters by putting up a barrier, but a members of the group creates a plants that absorbs the barrier. Asta and Leopold then rush the enemy, but one of the group easily wounds them with his spell.

The other magic knights then suddenly show up, after having to work together. Valtos then join the rest of the group, which Noselle quickly attacks. Sally counters by creating a salamander with their magic to block Noselle attack and quickly grabs Asta. A member of the group informs the magic knight that they are the White Night Eye and that they will destroy the Clover Kingdom. Valtos then teleports the group away. Noelle suggests that they go rescue Asta but Klaus tells her that they can't follow them and Noselle says that they have to strengthen the defense of the kingdom. Mimosa then starts to heal both Feugo Leon and Leopold, which she tells the others that Fuego Leon has to be taken to a hospital to be fully healed. Mimosa then wonders what happened to Fuego Leon, which Solido starts to mock Fuego Leon for being weak. Solido then suggests that disband the crimson lions, which Noselle scaries Solido by saying that they are now worthless because they weren't there to fight. Alecdra then tells them to not let their guard down since they can't call for backup, which worries about Asta.

The Magic Emperor Strikes Back
Somewhere else, the White Night Eye returns to base. A member of the group reprimands Rades for all that he had done, which Rades replies his toys where broken and that he doesn't want to hear anything from him. Sally then comments about how Catherine was left behind, which Rades replies that he doesn't care. Valtos tells Sally that they can't take Asta, but Sally tells Valtos that she's going to use him like a guinea pig. Asta begins to wake up and wonders where he is. Valtos tells Sally that the boss needs to gives permission, which Rades says to let him make Asta one of his toys but Sally tells him to shut up. Asta then notices that he has been caught by the enemy, which Sally notices that Asta is awake and asks him for help in make him her guinea pig. Asta then thinks about how dangerous Sally is and that he is in a bad situation.

When the group enters the base, The magic Emperor Julius is waiting for them. The group is surprised which two members try to kill Julius, but Julius easily kills them both. Julius explains why he had to kill them since it be easier to capture the rest. Another member then attacks, but Julius kills him which Rades starts to panic. Julius then suggests that he will lets one of them live if they surrenders, which Sally and another member attacks. Julius easily dodges the attacks and captures the last four with his restraining magic. Julius then comments about how they were weaker then he taught, but then notices that Asta is also here. Asta thinks about how much power that Julius has, which Julius tells Asta to watch if Asta wants to surpass him.

Fights

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

Events

 * War Merits Conferment Ceremony
 * Declaration of Ascension
 * The Undead Invasion