"Cedric, I heard the church also has a little boy who can't use magic just like you. I think he's called... Shorty-sta or something."
The boy listened to the voices outside the house while staring at the full moon in the sky.
Asta? I didn't expect that in this world only you and I would share the same plight.
"By the way, a black-haired boy from the church came earlier and delivered a letter saying the church needs some supplies. Tomorrow, take care of yourself at home."
Wait... my cheap old man seems to be the village chief of Hage Village. Then today must be the Night of the Vow.
With the help of that white-haired boy, the two of them will swear to become the Wizard King. Damn, that's so bromantic... I mean, so hot-blooded.
[Ding! To make the host the strongest Hokage, the Strongest Hokage System is binding...]
[Binding complete. Rewarding host with Bloodline Limit: Wood Release.]
"Wood Release? Strongest Hokage System? System, you've got to be kidding me. This is a world of magic."
[...]
"Say something! Weren't you quite excited just now?"
[It seems I transmigrated to the wrong place. Great Host, can you die for a moment? I'll use my authority to take you to the Ninja World.]
"Is that polite? I'm only five years old! Besides, I was still a virgin when I died in my previous life. Dying young in this life too, is that even scientific?"
[Then there is only one way. To meet the quota, please defeat the devil and become the Wizard King, Host.]
"...Is it really okay to just roll with it like this?"
[Then do you still plan to be an ordinary person who can't use magic and gets looked down upon every day?]
[Ding! Task issuing: Witness the birth of eternal rivals. Watch the brotherhood of Asta and Yuno. Reward: Wood Release evolves into Tree Magic.]
"How unlucky. That fat pig of a bar owner wouldn't even give me a glass of fruit wine without money. No wonder his business is so bad."
"Is that... a gemstone necklace?"
"Hey, brat! Wearing an accessory that doesn't match your status. Hand it over! Let me trade it for money and buy a few drinks."
Young Yuno condensed a small swirl of wind.
"Hahaha, you dare use such trashy magic?"
The man punched and kicked Yuno before snatching the necklace from his hand.
"I'm just taking it to exchange for money."
"Yuno! Yuno!"
A shouting Asta appeared. Seeing the necklace in the man's hand, Asta threw a punch directly.
"That's Yuno's! Give it back!"
Why is this kid so damn loud? Go to hell!
Asta was quickly beaten and kicked aside while Yuno wept in the snow.
"What a pain. I'm not even in the mood to drink anymore."
The man threw the necklace onto the ground and walked away.
Holding the necklace, Asta slowly walked toward Yuno and wiped the tears from his own eyes.
"Crybaby, I got it back for you."
"Asta..."
"Yuno, I want to become the Wizard King and build an ideal world without discrimination."
Yuno looked at Asta with a flushed face and silently made up his mind.
I must work hard to become the Wizard King. Asta's dream is my dream.
Damn, that's so heartwarming my eyes are about to water. But it's not time yet.
Asta, Yuno... let's meet again in a year when the dandelions fly.
Ten years later, in March, the season of flying dandelions arrived.
Teenagers who had reached fifteen years of age gathered at the Grimoire Tower.
[Ding! Host has completed the task: Go to the Grimoire Tower. Obtained magic item: Nimbus 200.]
The old man at the Grimoire Tower continued speaking meaningless formalities.
"Children, from this day forward you must walk your own path. The bestowal ceremony begins."
Colorful grimoires flew and swirled within the tower before floating toward their owners and forming contracts with them.
In front of Cedric floated an emerald-green grimoire.
That's right. Tree Magic resided within it.
Suddenly, a golden light flashed in the air.
A grimoire with four leaves slowly drifted down in front of Yuno.
Looking at the unique grimoire before him, Yuno felt he had moved one step closer to becoming the Wizard King.
"Is that a Four-Leaf Clover grimoire? Legend says the fourth leaf represents luck."
"I heard the First Wizard King's grimoire also had four leaves."
Then an untimely voice spoke.
"Um... it seems my grimoire hasn't arrived yet."
"Hahaha! That kid must be the magicless Asta. Why would someone without magic need a grimoire?"
"Exactly. Even though he grew up with Yuno, he's completely useless."
As the ceremony ended, Asta left feeling dejected.
"Wait, Asta."
Asta turned around and saw a black-haired youth standing there. The grimoire at his waist looked particularly striking under the sunlight.
"Are you here to mock me too? I won't give up. I will become the Wizard King and bring a better life to everyone."
"No, I think Asta will definitely receive a grimoire, and your dream will come true."
"You're the first person to say that to me. Even Yuno looked at me strangely just now. May I know your name?"
"Cedric."
Creation Magic: Magic Binding Iron Chain Formation!
Scattered chains shot out and bound Yuno tightly as Revchi took the Four-Leaf Clover grimoire.
"I didn't expect to find something this valuable in such a remote place. It will probably sell for a high price on the black market."
After returning to the church and not seeing Yuno, Asta went out searching for him and discovered him tied up.
The magicless Asta was quickly bound by Revchi and struck by the spell Dance of the Chain Snake.
Revchi sneered at Asta for trying to play the hero without magic.
Yuno watched Asta being stepped on and suddenly remembered that snowy day.
"Stop it! He's not a loser. He's my eternal rival!"
A black grimoire suddenly fell from the sky.
Asta grabbed a massive black sword from it.
"A loser dares to resist?"
Chains surged forward like tentacles, attempting to bind Asta again.
Asta swung the enormous sword and cut them apart instantly.
Revchi was knocked unconscious with a single strike.
Under the sunlight, the two boys stood before the Demon Ruins and made their vow.
"You are my rival for life. I will definitely become the Wizard King before you!"
After returning to the church, Asta and Yuno decided to participate in the Magic Knights Entrance Exam in half a year.
Father Orsi and Sister Lily prepared many sweet potato dishes for them along with some charred black bread.
"Asta and Yuno should have reconciled by now."
Cedric looked toward the distant church.
"I also need to prepare for the entrance exam in half a year. The squad I want to join is the Golden Dawn. William Vangeance's magic is somewhat similar to mine."
"Besides, the Golden Dawn is the most prestigious squad with the fastest promotion speed, unlike a certain squad of bulls whose performance never meets the standard."
[Ding! Task issuing: Gain recognition from the nine captains during the entrance exam and choose to join the notorious Black Bulls. Reward: Magic power increased by 2%.]
Cedric paused for a moment.
"On second thought, the Black Bulls aren't bad either. After all, the people there aren't simple."
I'm definitely not doing it for that 2% magic power.
I'm just following my heart.