The grimoire ceremony had barely ended. Children were still marveling at their new grimoires, and the plaza buzzed with excitement. Satoru's Star Magic orbs hovered gently around him, his deep purple grimoire secured at his side. Yuno, calm and composed, clutched his azure grimoire, a serene aura surrounding him. Asta, still brimming with raw energy but without a grimoire, bounced excitedly beside them, eager to prove himself.
Suddenly, the air shifted. Mana surged unnaturally, dark and oppressive. Satoru's instincts flared—he immediately detected a powerful, hostile presence targeting Yuno. From the shadow of a nearby alley, a rogue mage emerged, his intent clear: to overwhelm the young prodigy.
Yuno's eyes widened slightly, but before he could react fully, the mage launched a precise, violent spell. It streaked through the air, faster than a human eye could track. Yuno barely managed to dodge part of it, his wind magic deflecting some of the impact, but the mage's strength exceeded what any child could endure.
Asta, seeing Yuno in danger, charged forward without hesitation, swinging his fists and attempting to block the attack. But without a grimoire, without mana control, his efforts were chaotic and ultimately futile. The mage's spell struck, knocking Asta backward. He scrambled to his feet, determination blazing in his dark eyes, but still powerless against the overwhelming force.
Satoru observed silently, his Star Magic orbs spinning faster, ready to act. He could intervene and easily neutralize the rogue mage, but he knew the importance of the moment. The system whispered: Ally potential trigger imminent. Anti-magic grimoire unlock condition required for balance.
The rogue mage prepared a second attack, more powerful than the first. Yuno braced, and Asta's eyes widened, a mixture of fear and resolve filling them. Satoru subtly adjusted his Star Magic, forming invisible barriers that prevented lethal harm while leaving enough pressure for Asta to act. He allowed the situation to unfold naturally, understanding that this was the only way Asta's latent potential could be triggered.
Then it happened. The combination of Asta's pure will, desperate timing, and the rogue mage's overwhelming attack activated a hidden resonance in the environment. From the ground beneath Asta, a dark, imposing grimoire burst forth—the Anti-Magic grimoire, drawn to him by the raw force of his determination and the need of the moment. Its black cover radiated anti-mana energy, pulsing with a power that immediately countered the rogue mage's spell.
Asta grabbed it instinctively, the grimoire bonding with him instantly. A surge of anti-magic radiated outward, nullifying the rogue mage's attack and leaving the young villain staggered. Yuno, recovering, looked on in awe, while Satoru's Star Magic orbs shimmered softly, as if acknowledging that the perfect sequence had completed.
The rogue mage, overwhelmed by the sudden emergence of anti-magic, was forced to retreat, his plans thwarted. Asta, grimoire in hand, stood triumphant despite his bruised and battered state. He had obtained the power he needed, and Satoru's subtle guidance had ensured it happened in exactly the way destiny intended.
As the plaza quieted, Satoru finally stepped forward, offering a calm, reassuring smile. "It had to happen this way," he said softly to himself, his orbs spinning lazily in the air. Yuno nodded in understanding, and even Asta's grin was filled with unshakable determination.
The rising star, Satoru, had ensured that fate unfolded correctly. Asta's journey had begun, and the foundations of their intertwined destinies were now solidly laid: Star Magic, wind magic, and anti-magic, all converging in the Clover Kingdom for challenges yet to come.