Drake had lost sight of Asta for a moment! Being fifteen and failing to receive a Grimoire was a significant blow, especially for Asta, who dreamed of becoming the Wizard King. Not receiving a Grimoire meant he hadn't even taken the first step.
However, given Asta's personality, this shouldn't have affected him much. He wouldn't care about the ridicule.
Nothing anyone said would shake his dream.
Asta's strong reaction was due to Yuno's unintentionally hurtful attitude. However, the tsundere Yuno, worried about Asta, lingered nearby.
After seeing the church group off, Drake went to find them.
Drake remembered Yuno encountering Revchi Salik, a member of the Eye of the Midnight Sun, a user of chain magic.
Revchi Salik's chain magic was a type of creation magic, creating and controlling chains that restricted an opponent's physical strength and magic power.
Revchi Salik had been exiled from the Magic Knights for failing a mission and had become a ruthless thief, using money to achieve his ends.
This time, he targeted Yuno and Drake's four-leaf clover Grimoire.
Once a Grimoire was bestowed, it bonded with the mage, seemingly worthless to others.
But some had peculiar interests. Some nobles were willing to pay exorbitant prices for four-leaf clover Grimoires as collectibles.
Drake understood their interest.
The difference between four-leaf and three-leaf clover Grimoires wasn't just in magic power or spells! The fourth leaf held luck—a force beyond magic, linked to fate, a mysterious power.
Therefore, obtaining a four-leaf clover Grimoire required not only magical talent but also something more mystical… a blessing of fate.
Four-leaf clover Grimoires were considered lucky charms. It wasn't surprising that nobles desired them.
Though Drake knew Revchi Salik would fail, and Asta would later obtain a five-leaf clover Grimoire, beginning his journey to his dream, he still worried.
Drake didn't assume his memories of the plot were absolute; he didn't want to regret any unforeseen events.
As he turned to find them, two men blocked his path.
"Hey! You're blocking my way. I have business, so can you move?"
Drake sensed their malice and spoke bluntly.
Their hostility increased with his attitude.
"How arrogant! A mere commoner, don't think getting a four-leaf clover Grimoire makes you superior."
"I see."
Drake stroked his chin, remembering who these minor characters were.
They were minor nobles from a nearby city, the ones who had mocked Asta most.
In the original plot, they tried to destroy Yuno's Grimoire out of jealousy. But this time, they targeted Drake.
Drake wondered if they hadn't realized the difference in strength. Did they think, having received Grimoires, and Drake having a four-leaf clover one, they could defeat him?
Jealousy was terrifying; it warped their minds.
"What disgusting faces," Drake muttered.
The blonde noble lost control, his Grimoire opening.
"It's too late to beg for mercy. I'll burn you and your cursed four-leaf clover Grimoire to ashes!"
Ignoring his companion's warnings, he launched a fire spell at Drake.
"Fire magic? You should choose your opponents wisely!"
Drake opened his mouth, the flames rushing in, consumed entirely.
"What?!"
The noble's shocked expression replaced his malice.
"He… ate the flames?!"
Within moments, Drake had devoured all the flames. Wiping his mouth, he said, "That was awful fire! But it boosted my power!
Since you came looking for trouble, you should be prepared!"
Magic power, hot as fire and heavy as a mountain, erupted from Drake.
The noble felt a hallucination, hearing a terrifying roar from Drake's magic, as if a monstrous beast was within!
His legs gave way, collapsing, trembling, only able to stare at Drake in terror.
Drake scoffed, abandoning the idea of fighting. His Dragon Slayer magic wasn't for such weaklings.
He sensed magical fluctuations nearby—Yuno's magic and a strange power.
Revchi Salik, unlike the nobles, attacked Yuno first, as in the original plot.
Drake turned and left. The noble gasped for air, the encounter feeling like a nightmare, a trauma he might never overcome.
Drake reached Yuno and Asta, but didn't interfere; a legendary moment was unfolding.
Asta leaned against a wall,Revchi Salik on his shoulders, revealing a harsh truth.
Asta had no magic power; he couldn't use even basic magic, let alone become the Wizard King!
It wasn't the usual ridicule; it was a cold, cruel truth, leading to Asta's despair.
Drake sighed.Revchi Salik's magic was decent but insignificant compared to Asta's future opponents.
Yet, Revchi Salik did something that elf reincarnates, demon possessors, and even underworld demons couldn't.
He made Asta feel true despair—his first and last. From then on, Asta never gave up.
What pulled Asta from despair was…
Yuno, bound by Revchi Salik's chains, shouted, "He can't become the Wizard King; I will!
But he's not a loser; Asta… he's my rival!"
Though not encouraging, these words invigorated Asta!
Revchi Salik, unaware of the change, said, "Huh? He's your rival?"
He wondered if he'd misheard or Yuno had gone mad. Before he could speak, a hand grabbed his leg.
"Not over yet!" Asta raised his head, his despair gone.
"Sorry, Yuno! For showing you my pathetic side. Wait, I'll defeat him!"
Sensing something,Revchi Salik backed away from Asta.
A tattered black Grimoire descended, hovering before Asta.
Three-leaf clovers represented honesty, hope, and love; the fourth held luck; the fifth… a demon!
The five-leaf clover Grimoire emitted ominous black magic. Drake saw the Grimoire and Asta's shadow merging, forming a demonic silhouette behind him.
The Grimoire opened, a large broadsword emerging, landing before Asta.
Asta grasped the sword, as if seizing his future.
"This is my magic!" Asta pointed the Demon Slayer Sword at Revchi Salik, his voice firm.
Drake whispered, "No… never giving up is your greatest magic."
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