“Looks like my training schedule is about to double!”
Asta casually tossed the dead wolf deep into the brush to avoid scaring any kids from the village.
As the sun dipped below the horizon, the local farmers began gathering their tools, exchanging friendly chatter on their way home.
“Sure is quiet around the village today,” one farmer remarked with a warm smile.
“Haha, yeah!
That loud little guy must be keeping to himself after Sister Lily turned down his proposal again,” another chuckled lightheartedly.
“Poor kid works so hard every single day.
Even without magic, you’ve got to admire his spirit!”
“That’s true.
Him and Yuno both came to the church together, but you can’t help cheering for the underdogs!”
The villagers’ friendly banter faded as they noticed Asta trudging down the mountain path toward the church, waving at him warmly as they passed.
“Asta!
Why are you covered in mud again?!”
Sister Lily rushed out with a feather duster, gently brushing the dirt off his clothes, her eyes filled with maternal concern.
“You vanished for the entire day!
Did you even eat lunch?”
Gurgle~~~
Right on cue, Asta’s stomach let out a loud roar.
After a full day of intense physical exertion, he was absolutely famished.
Sister Lily couldn’t help but laugh softly at his embarrassed expression.
“Alright, go sit down.
I’ll fetch you some food from the kitchen.”
As Sister Lily turned around, Nash walked out of the church—a young boy with a buzz cut, wearing a tan vest, his eyes perpetually half-closed.
“You know, training all day without magic won’t help you,” Nash said with a sigh.
“You should train too—it’s better than being a glass cannon,” Asta replied with a casual smirk.
“My magic will protect me.
It’s not like I’m going to fight with my bare body,” Nash replied with a dismissive wave.
Before Nash could say anything else, his eyes snapped wide in shock!
Asta, who had been standing five meters away a microsecond ago, vanished—reappearing directly in front of him!
Ducking low in a smooth Taijutsu stance, Asta clapped a firm hand onto the younger boy’s shoulder.
“Listen here, Nash,” Asta said with a light smirk.
“Once your magic reaches its limit, you’ll have to fight with your body.”
He gave the stunned boy a meaningful pat on the shoulder, turned on his heel, and casually strolled into the church.
Nash stood frozen on the porch, his jaw slightly slack.
Is that really Asta?!
That gaze…
and that speed…
How is that even possible without magic?!
The sheer intensity and calm presence Asta radiated left him completely speechless.
For a split second, Asta had carried the exact same commanding aura as Yuno!
Inside the warm church kitchen, Sister Lily was carefully heating up a bowl of food over the stove.
“Couldn’t wait, huh?” Sister Lily turned around with a warm smile.
“I managed to buy a fish today, so I saved a portion just for you.”
“Sister Lily!” Asta smiled warmheartedly.