Chapitre 16: No Excuses Now Yuno 3
(Quick POV-Drouot)
The hall still hummed with leftover magic, a volatile mix of energy that refused to dissipate. I stood near the entrance, my hands trembling slightly as I surveyed the destruction. The Grimoire Tower had seen its fair share of battles during ceremonies—clashes of ego, bursts of untrained magic—but this… this was unlike anything I had witnessed before.
The floor was cracked in a dozen places, blackened scars marring the once-smooth stone. Shattered debris littered the arena where two boys—boys!—had turned a sacred ceremony into a battlefield. Yuno's wind magic had carved deep gouges into the walls, while Asta's anti-magic had left marks that pulsed faintly, like wounds that refused to heal.
I reached out, my hand brushing the cold stone. It didn't crumble, but the faint tremor beneath my fingertips told me the truth: the structure was weakened, not just physically but magically. The protective wards that had shielded this tower for generations were barely holding.
"They're just children," I whispered, though the words felt hollow in my mouth. Could I really call them that? After what I had seen?
The images were still vivid in my mind: Asta charging into Yuno's Tempest Wyvern without hesitation, his anti-magic blade slicing through a force that should have overwhelmed anyone. Yuno, soaring effortlessly, commanding the winds with the precision of a veteran mage.
I closed my eyes and exhaled slowly. If this was their power now, the first day they'd held their grimoires, then what would they become in six months?
Terrifying. That was the only word for it.
Month One: Asta
The clearing near Hage Village was quiet, save for the sound of Asta's steady breathing. Sitting cross-legged, he stared at his five-leaf grimoire floating before him. Its dark pages turned slowly, pulsing faintly with an ominous energy.
"Alright," Asta muttered, exhaling deeply. "Let's see what you've got."
He closed his eyes, focusing on the hum of the grimoire. Hours passed as he meditated, the sound growing louder, sharper, until it seemed to resonate within his very bones. Suddenly, the world around him faded, replaced by an endless void of swirling black and red energy.
The grimoire hovered before him, glowing ominously. As Asta reached toward it, a voice cut through the silence, sharp and mocking.
"So, the human finally shows himself."
Asta spun around to see a figure emerging from the shadows. The devil had jagged horns, glowing crimson eyes, and a body wreathed in dark energy.
"I am Liebe," the creature growled. "The devil bound to this grimoire. And you? You're the one who wields my power."
Asta took a moment to process what was happening, his expression calm but his thoughts racing. So this is Liebe. I thought he'd be taller.
"Alright," Asta said, crossing his arms. "You're the devil inside my grimoire. So, what do you want?"
Liebe's crimson eyes gleamed. "Your life force… it's overwhelming. Even for a human, your vitality is absurd. It's almost as if…" He tilted his head, studying Asta. "You were made to withstand the power of a devil. Perhaps even embody it."
Asta arched an eyebrow. "Embody it? What's that supposed to mean?"
"You can do what no other human or devil can," Liebe replied. "You can become a hybrid. Half human, half devil. By merging my essence with your body, you'll gain my power—and even my biology. But don't misunderstand. The ritual will change you forever."
Asta grinned, his excitement barely contained. So this is how it starts. The bonding ritual. If I play my cards right, I'll unlock anti-magic on a whole new level. "Alright," he said. "I'm in."
Liebe's crimson eyes narrowed. "If you want to survive the ritual, you'll need to master anti-magic first. Otherwise, you'll burn out long before we finish."
"Got it, So when do we start?"
Liebe smirked. "Right now."
From that moment, Asta's training began in earnest. Each day in the void was grueling, forcing him to channel anti-magic directly through his body. The process was painful, demanding both focus and resilience, but Asta pushed forward with unwavering determination.
Month Two: Yuno
Far from Hage, Yuno hovered in midair, his golden grimoire glowing beside him. Below stretched a vast valley filled with rivers, cliffs, and wooden targets scattered across the landscape. The area was secluded—perfect for the rigorous training he had planned.
"Wind Creation Magic: Tempest Blades," Yuno murmured. Around him, a dozen crescent-shaped blades materialized, their edges shimmering faintly. With a flick of his wrist, the blades shot forward, cutting cleanly through the targets below.
Each one splintered under the force of the magic, but Yuno frowned, unsatisfied. "Still too slow," he muttered, summoning another volley. This time, he guided the blades with more precision, weaving them through obstacles before striking their marks.
As the days passed, Yuno's training grew more intense. He layered spells, creating storms that tore through the valley while maintaining perfect control over every gust of wind. His movements became fluid, his spells instinctive.
By the end of the month, Yuno hovered above the valley, his golden eyes scanning the destruction below. His power had grown immensely, yet his thoughts lingered on one thing.
Asta, he thought, a faint smirk tugging at his lips. How far have you come?
Month Three: Asta
In the void, Asta stood before Liebe, his body glowing faintly with anti-magic energy. Over the past weeks, their bond had grown stronger, and Asta had begun to grasp the basics of wielding anti-magic. But today, something felt different. The air was heavier, and Liebe's expression was grim.
"So, Liebe," Asta began, keeping his tone casual. "You've been dodging my questions long enough. Why are you giving me your power?"
Liebe hesitated, his crimson eyes narrowing. "Fine. You deserve to know. The barrier between the human world and the underworld—it's weakening."
Asta's heart skipped a beat. Here it comes. "The barrier?" he asked, feigning confusion. "What does that mean?"
"It's what keeps devils trapped in the underworld," Liebe explained. "But cracks are forming. It won't hold much longer. When it breaks, devils will pour into your world."
Asta nodded slowly. So, the invasion is coming. I have to be ready for this.
"Then I'll stop them," he said firmly. "Whatever it takes."
Liebe studied him for a long moment before smirking. "Big words, brat. But if you're serious, then let's see how far you've come."
From that day forward, their training intensified. Asta pushed himself harder than ever, channeling more anti-magic and increasing his synchronization with Liebe. The process was exhausting, but Asta couldn't stop.
Month Four: Yuno
High above the cliffs, Yuno floated effortlessly, his golden grimoire glowing brighter than ever. This month's focus was precision and large-scale spells—perfecting his ability to wield wind magic on a grand scale.
"Wind Creation Magic: Gale Serpent," Yuno called out. Below him, a massive serpent of wind coiled into existence, its glowing eyes fixed on a series of moving targets. Yuno guided the serpent with graceful precision, destroying each target in sequence.
But he didn't stop there. Summoning three serpents simultaneously, Yuno wove them through the cliffs, their paths perfectly synchronized. The valley trembled under the force of his magic, but Yuno's expression remained calm, his focus unshaken.
By the end of the month, the cliffs bore the scars of his training. Yuno stood at the edge of the valley, gazing at the horizon. "Asta," he murmured, his voice barely audible over the wind. "You'd better be ready."
TO BE CONTINUED...
État de l’alimentation hebdomadaire
-- Classement
Power Stone 
-- Power
stone