Strange use of Magic (Black Clover AU)

[Third Person's PoV]

Mimosa sat in front of her mirror, looking in confusion as Stephen appeared. "That's strange—" she began, her brow furrowing.

"Indeed, I am," Stephen interrupted with a smug nod, a playful grin tugging at his lips.

Mimosa blinked before letting out a soft chuckle. She hadn't expected his quip. Rolling her eyes playfully, she said, "I meant it's strange for you to call. We just met earlier today. Is something wrong?"

Stephen hesitated, rubbing the back of his neck—a clear sign he was nervous. "I, uh... I wanted to talk to you about something."

"Funny, so do I," Mimosa said with a warm smile, tilting her head slightly. Her golden hair cascaded over her shoulder as she leaned closer to the mirror. "Would you mind if I go first?"

"Not at all." Stephen's confusion was evident, but he gestured for her to continue. "Go ahead."

Mimosa straightened her posture, an excited glint lighting up her emerald eyes. "What are your thoughts on... having more than one wife?"

Stephen froze, his eyes widening as the words sank in. "Huh? What did you just say? I don't think I heard you correctly."

Even Nero, who was perched on Stephen's head, tilted her head in a comically puzzled manner, mirroring Stephen's bewilderment.

Mimosa's smile deepened. "You didn't hear me wrong. I want to know your thoughts on having more than one wife."

Stephen tapped the glass of the mirror lightly, as if testing its integrity. "I'm sorry, but there seems to be something wrong with my magic. I swear I'm not hearing you correctly."

Rolling her eyes, Mimosa crossed her arms. "If that's the case, then why don't you come to my room? It'll be easier to discuss this in person."

Stephen sighed but nodded, his expression still caught between confusion and disbelief. "Alright, I'll be there in just a second."

His image blurred, fading from the mirror, and moments later, the familiar hum of swirling magic filled the room. A glowing orange portal materialized behind her, casting warm light across her room's soft pastel tones. Mimosa turned just in time to see Stephen step through, the portal closing behind him with a faint shimmer.

"Yo!" Stephen greeted casually, raising a hand in a half-wave. He tilted his head, studying her intently. "Okay, now run that question by me one more time?"

"I'm not repeating myself," Mimosa said flatly, though her lips twitched with amusement. "You heard me perfectly fine."

Stephen scratched his head, his brow furrowed. "Right... If I may ask, what brought on this question?"

Her smile turned enigmatic, though her eyes gleamed with seriousness. "I asked my question first," She teased. 

Stephen shifted uncomfortably, running a hand through his dark hair. "Uhh... I've never really thought about it before. I mean, it's probably common for nobles in this world, but personally... I think it would be a lot of work. It's a big responsibility—making sure no one feels neglected or less important." He paused

Mimosa smiled brightly, nodding her head. 'If he thinks that way then this will surely work out' she thought proudly.

"So, what was it that you wanted to say?" Mimosa asked, looking up at him curiously, as she wanted to know what he had to say before delving back into her topic. 

Stephen hesitated but decided to be honest. He walked toward the bed, sat down, and patted the open space next to him, which Mimosa happily took.

"Where do I even begin… this is…" Stephen muttered, looking away and scratching his head.

Mimosa's smile slowly dwindled, turning wary as she saw him avoiding eye contact. "There's someone else, isn't there?"

Stephen flinched slightly but sighed and nodded. "Yes… However, the thing is, since I've gotten to know you, even though it's been a short while, I've come to care about you. I'm not as good a person as you think I am. I'm really selfish, and I don't want to choose. But I know I'll have to—"

Before Stephen could continue, Mimosa interrupted, still smiling slightly. "Then don't choose."

"Eh?" Stephen blinked, looking at her in confusion. "What do you mean by that?"

Still smiling, Mimosa took a deep breath and continued, her voice soft yet determined. "I've realized recently that I'm not the only one who cares about you. There are others—women who depend on you, who need you. I don't want to be selfish and take you away from them, or keep you all to myself. One of them has already suffered so much, and I refuse to add to her pain."

Stephen listened in stunned silence as Mimosa pressed on, her voice steady. "The only solution I could come up with is for us to share you. But I didn't want to start something like this without your input. I know you don't like things being forced on you. Honestly, I'm really glad there's someone else and that you're having a hard time deciding," Mimosa explained.

Stephen stared at her, mouth slightly agape, utterly unprepared for her response.

Mimosa giggled, hiding her mouth behind her hand. "So, who's the person? Have I met them before?"

Stephen nodded. "Yes, I'm pretty sure you have, but you haven't been properly introduced…" He reached to the top of his head, grabbed Nero, and presented her to Mimosa.

Mimosa looked down at Nero, who returned her gaze with her usual deadpan expression, lifting a wing in a salute.

Mimosa blinked, then looked back at Stephen to see if he was joking. Finally, she said, "Stephen… That's… That's a bird."

Stephen sighed, turning Nero toward himself. "Sorry for this…" He lifted two fingers and poked Nero's chest.

Nero's astral form emerged, revealing her true human-like appearance.

Mimosa's eyes nearly popped out of her head. "A ghost?!?" she exclaimed, pointing at Nero in alarm.

"That's her astral projection," Stephen explained. "This is what Nero really looks like. I just pushed her soul out of her body."

Mimosa looked at the sleeping bird, then at Nero, and back again. "You can tell they're the same by their lifeless eyes," Stephen added.

Nero gave him a deadpan look while floating in the air.

"Oh wow, you're right. They do look like they have no life behind them," Mimosa observed.

"Rude…" Nero muttered.

"Sorry…" Mimosa apologized. "But wait, does that mean she's stuck as this anti-magic bird?"

Nero nodded. "I've been stuck in that form for 500 years until Stephen found a way to separate my soul from my body."

"Five hundred years… You poor thing…" Mimosa said, looking at Nero with pity before smiling. "Stephen must be really important to you then, huh?"

Nero looked away in embarrassment. 

"So, since you've heard about my harem plan, what do you think? Want to be a part of it?" Mimosa asked with a smile.

Stephen stared at her like she'd lost her mind for asking Nero such a question directly.

Nero shrugged. "Since I was a servant, I always thought I'd end up as someone's mistress. So, I don't really mind."

"Eh?" Stephen exclaimed as he really wasn't expecting Secre's reply. 

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