"So, what are your plans going forward?" the Tower Master asked, sitting back in his chair.
I stared at him, not sure what I wanted to say.
"I want to be the Wizard King," Yuno replied without hesitation.
The Tower Master nodded, then looked at me. I sighed. "Same," I replied, then glanced at Yuno, who was staring at me for some reason.
The Tower Master studied us, deep in thought, before rising from his seat. I noticed his eyes narrow slightly as he turned toward me.
"Alright. Yuno, you can leave. Asta, stay. There's something peculiar about your grimoire," the Tower Master said, looking at me. As Yuno glanced over, I nodded, and he left.
We stood there silently, waiting for the other to make a move.
"Kid, why don't we cut to the chase? What's your power?" the Tower Master asked. I felt a twinge of irritation.
"And why did you send Yuno out? To test his powers?" I shot back.
Silence settled between us as we stared at each other.
"You really don't trust people easily, do you?"
"It's for the better."
The Tower Master sighed, glanced out the window, then said, "You should go. Revchi is there." The old man turned away.
I wanted to ask more questions, but Yuno might be in trouble. I opened the system.
{
Status:
Name: Asta
STR: 25
AGI: 20
INT: 30
SEN: 5
AMP: 10
Menu:
Shop
Inventory (!)
Quests (!)
}
The interface appeared, showing my stats. My Sense was the lowest, a measly five. On top of that, there wasn't even a level—what the hell?
Both the Inventory and Quest sections had exclamation marks. I clicked them while rushing downstairs.
{
Inventory:
- Starter Pack x1
}
{
Quests:
- Defeat Revchi Salik
Rewards:
- SEN +1
- Skill: Anti-Magic Flow
}
Well, at least that's something.
I hoped for a weapon or skill in the starter pack—I hadn't brought my sword and might have to fight. If I remembered correctly, this was the introduction fight of the Elf Reincarnation Arc.
I opened the starter pack just as I reached the ground floor. Yuno must have flown down or something because I hadn't spent much time with the Tower Master.
Three slots filled in the inventory:
{
- Demon Slayer (Legendary)
- Combat Dress x1
- Body Enhancer Vial x1
}
I arrived outside and saw Yuno tied up in chains, facing a greasy-haired man who was saying something to him.
No time to waste—I clicked on Demon Slayer. My grimoire floated up, opening to the first page with a hilt sticking out of it. I grabbed it without hesitation and pulled out the massive sword, dashing forward and leaping—maybe a little too high. A screen popped up beside the blade:
{
Item Info:
Name: Demon Slayer (Legendary)
Effects:
1. Enhances the user's strength and agility with AMP.
2. Invulnerable to mana.
3. (Locked)
}
For a legendary weapon, the effects were kind of meh, but it was all I had. Revchi hadn't noticed my jump. I landed beside some trees and saw him summon chains from the ground, targeting Yuno.
' Fuck '
{
!!! WARNING !!!
AMP: 8/10
Current Usage Time: 2 min
}
A warning popped up. Great. Since I was faster, I had to plan my moves carefully.
I ran toward Revchi, who noticed me and redirected his attack. Chains shot toward me.
"Asta, run!!" Yuno shouted, a rare break from his usual emo act. I swung my blade, slicing through the chains like freshly baked choco lava.
"What the hell?" Revchi jumped back, avoiding my next swing.
He was stronger than me—currently. Remember, I said currently.
"Oh, so you showed up too. I was planning to come for you after getting the four-leaf clover. It's a unique one—and now I can tell why."
"Fuck off."
"Heh." He scoffed as more chains flew toward me. I sliced through them, but my AMP was dropping fast.
I glanced at Yuno, still bound. I jumped over, dodging chains and cutting the ones restraining him.
"Wind Magic: Tornado," Yuno muttered as the grimoire flew out of Revchi's hand and opened in front of him. A blast of wind shredded the remaining chains.
"Looks like you saved me again, Asta," Yuno said with a smirk. This dude was getting a big head for blocking one spell.
"Focus, moron. He's stronger than us," I warned, dodging another chain. He wasn't near the Tower Master's level, but he was still a threat.
"Any plans?" Yuno asked, deflecting more chains.
"You brats just got your grimoires and think you can beat me?" Revchi mocked like some cliché bandit NPC. However, the attacks were becoming increasingly difficult to dodge. I was still thinking when something clicked.
"Yuno! Sand!" I shouted, sprinting toward Revchi.
"I fucking hate it," Yuno muttered as wind magic kicked up a sandstorm. I vanished inside it. Revchi was caught, too. The wind cocooned around me, creating a clear bubble while sand obscured everything else.
Revchi would likely move toward Yuno, now that I was approaching—no, he'd sidestep. He's probably right-handed, so he'd prefer moving right—my left.
I turned sharply and jumped to the left, catching him with his back to me. The wind made it hard for him to hear my footsteps. I dashed forward and sliced at his back.
He sensed me at the last second and turned, but it was too late—my sword cleaved through his arm.
"Aaaargh!" Revchi screamed. I kicked him under the chin, sending him flying out of the sandstorm. I stepped out slowly.
{
!!! WARNING !!!
AMP: 2/10
Current Usage Time: 30 sec
}
I stood in front of him, sword raised. But just as I brought it down, the Tower Master caught my hand like it was nothing.
"He's more useful alive than dead," he said as guards rushed in. They picked up Revchi and began treating his wounds.
The sandstorm faded. Yuno approached, clearly irritated, rubbing his nose.
"So, can I ask—why didn't you interfere?" I asked, not liking the feeling of being taken advantage of.
"I already gave you the answer," he replied, smirking as Yuno arrived beside me.
"Oh, right... hah. Let me rephrase. Why did you interfere now?"
The old man didn't answer directly and looked at Yuno.
"Are you alright?" he asked. Yuno nodded. Seriously? No answer?
"If I had interfered earlier, you wouldn't grow. Fights like this will become normal when you're Magic Knights. You need to face them," he said, glancing at two kids nearby. I hadn't even noticed them during the fight.
"A Magic Knight isn't just about defeating criminals. It's about protecting people. You saved Yuno because you care about him, but what about those two? You didn't even notice them. You could have split up and saved them faster."
He looked at me. I didn't like it—but he was right. In hindsight, I could've taken a stealthier approach and maybe ended the fight in one move.
The Tower Master sighed and placed a hand on my shoulder. "Learn. That's the only way," he said, then walked off.
"And one more thing—Yuno, come in the mornings. Asta, evenings, if you want to spar." With that, he disappeared, leaving us standing on the road.
"So, you want to ask something?" I said, looking at the giant skull under which I usually trained. The sun was low, casting a long shadow over the village.
"Do you still remember our promise?" he asked softly.
"Of course I do."
"Then…"
"You need to understand—don't trust people just because they wear a uniform or have an 'honorable' job. Trash is everywhere. Take today, for example. The old man may have good intentions, but that doesn't change the fact that he put us in a situation that could've gotten us killed," I said, glancing at him. He seemed to be thinking deeply.
"Don't worry—you'll understand soon enough," I said with a slight smirk. Yuno tends to overthink things like this.
"Come on. We still have to pick up the cake from the bakery," I said, strolling off. Yuno followed, shaking his head a little.