Volume #2: Those Who Protect

Volume 2 of Black Clover focuses on the first part of Asta’s first mission with the Black Bull Magic Knight. Chapter 8 – 9 concludes the battle between Asta, Noelle, and Magna Swing. Despite the short mission, Noelle learns to control her magic (at least when the magic stays in place) and Asta impresses Magna with his dedication. The trio work together to rescue the civilians and defeat Heath Grice and his men. However, unwilling to be captured, Heath and his subordinates commit suicide with Ice Magic: Ice Burial. After Heath’s death and Asta gaining a magic stone, several darkly shrouded magicians believes the “Black Bull” are no threat. They’re confident that the “resurrection” is still going to happen. We aren’t told who’s being resurrected, but it’s clear that this will become the enormous threat at some point.

They expand the world of Black Clover. The Magic Emperor awards the nine magic knight groups with stars. Vanessa Enoteca notes the collection of stars is about honor. The Golden Dawn group has the most with 70. After each mission, they also give the participants money. They spend their earnings at Kikka, a castle town. The market sells wands, magic items, fruit, health recovery herbs, and consumable magic items. They even have a black market that sells more dangerous items. Asta gets the attention of the Magic Emperor, Julius Novachrono, when he rescues the Emperor while he’s disguise as an old lady. Julius enjoys wandering around the castle in disguise, looking for new magic. While Julius rambles on about his love of magic, his handler informs him of an “abnormal situation.”

A Dungeon Appears

Elsewhere, a dungeon appears on the border of the Kingdom. Dungeons emerge without warning. They house countless treasures from powerful magic tools or ancient magic. Within these dungeons, the dense mana results in a space distortion. Inside, dungeons are larger than they appear on the outside. Many powerful mages attempt to secure the treasures to gain more power. Magic Emperor specifically requests Asta for exploring the dungeon. They send Luck Voltia and Noelle Silva with him. When they enter the dungeon, Luck and Asta trigger many of the traps inside. After sensing other powerful mages, Luck runs off to find the strongest one. Noelle and Asta get entangled with a vicious plant creature. Suddenly, Yuna saves Asta with Wind Creation Magic: Wind Blade Shower.

Yuna, along with Golden Dawn Klaus Lunettes and Mimosa Vermillion, aims to get the treasure before the Black Bulls. Elsewhere, the Wizard King is notified of the invasion by the mage troops from the Diamond Kingdom. Julius is confident that Asta and Yuno will succeed despite the powerful Diamond Mages. Luck defeats the subordinates of Lotus Whomalt easily. Lotus uses smoke magic. He initially attempts to escape Luck by fleeing. However, Luck is too fast and catches up to him. Lotus uses his smoke to avoid Luck’s attacks. He uses Weakening Smoke Magic: Garden of Plundering Smoke to weaken Luck overtime. Black Clover seems to have no limit on the type of magic and the effects it can have. It’s unnecessary to reinvent the wheel for power systems, but fans care about uniqueness and complexity. So far, the Black Clover magic system doesn’t have much complexity.

No match for Crystal Magic

While Asta and Noelle stumble through the dungeon, the Golden Dawn arrives at the door. They’re meet by Mars and his Crystal magic. Despite Luck being effected by Lotus’s smoke magic, the Bull is excited to fight. Luck has the manic violent energy that reminds me of Kenpachi from Bleach. He has a tragic backstory, having been told to “win, win, win” by his mother. He seems to have a one track mine, which is fine with me. Meanwhile, Mars and Klaus square off. Mars reminds me of early Gaara, cold and calculating. Klaus uses Steel Creation Magic: Full Metal Fortress against Mars Crystal Magic. The latter seems unphased by Klaus’s Magic. Yuno steps in to help Klaus, while Asta rescues Luck. Lotus faced with the trio of Noelle, Asta, and Luck takes the fight more seriously. He traps them in Smoke Creation Magic: Prison of the Fallen King. Despite Luck’s one track mind, he shows he can think strategically when needed.

Combined with Noelle suppressing her magic and Asta being undetectable (he has no magic), the trio plan is successful. Asta clobbers Lotus with his sword. Elsewhere, Klaus is shocked that Yuno isn’t making much inroads against Mars. Klaus explains that the Diamond Kingdom “artificially amplified magic” of their warriors. The Kingdom forces their warriors to kill each other after they enhance their powers. This obviously shows how terrible and brutal the Diamond Kingdom but also foolish. How strong would their army be if they didn’t kill each other? Anyway, Mars is the last survival. Klaus becomes outrage and uses Steel Creation Magic: Fierce Spiral Lance. It does nothing. Before Mars can cut down Yuno, Asta intervenes, cutting Mars mineral sword in half.