Chapter 370: Grimoire

Chapter 370: Grimoire

Dave only smirked at the accusation, resting his wooden blade against his shoulder."Not cheating—teaching. If you can’t break through me, what will you do against someone who actually wants you dead?"

Asta’s teeth clenched, veins bulging on his forehead. "Tch... Then I’ll just hit harder until I do!"

Before he could charge again, a whisper of wind split past his ear. Yuno had already moved. His blade sliced the air with surgical precision, wind pressure exploding outward as the wooden sword nearly grazed Dave’s ribs.

Dave turned, deflecting in a blur. "Better. Silent and fast—but still too linear."

Their blades locked, the air between them humming from the pressure of null magic grinding against swirling wind.

And then—Asta came crashing in.

"RAAAAH!" He swung down with all the force he could muster, black mist boiling off his weapon, his breath style flaring."Dark Sun—THIRD FORM: Black Comet Slash!"

The ground erupted as he struck, a crater ripping open beneath his feet. Dust and splinters filled the clearing.

Dave’s knees bent slightly under the blow, his eyes narrowing as he took the force. Yuno immediately capitalized, his body flickering in and out of sight. "Wind Breathing—Second Form: Gale Piercer!"

Twin blades of wind shot forward, converging on Dave’s exposed flank.

For a brief moment, it looked like they had him cornered.

Then Dave exhaled—calm, steady, absolute.

"Void Breathing—First Form: Silent Reversal."

His body blurred. The air warped as the mist of anti-magic and the blades of wind vanished the instant they touched his aura. Asta’s crushing strike lost its weight, Yuno’s slashes dissolved midair.

Dave appeared behind them both, wooden sword resting lazily on his shoulder again. "Not bad. You forced me to move."

The other two spun around, sweat dripping, lungs burning.

"Damn it, Dave!" Asta shouted, pointing his sword at him. "Stop acting all smug! We’re not done yet!"

Yuno’s voice was calmer, but his eyes burned the same way. "You may be stronger now, but we’ll catch up. I’ll surpass you. Both of you."

Dave chuckled, turning his gaze upward at the twilight sky bleeding into night. "Good. Because if you don’t, this world will chew you alive."

For a long moment, the three of them stood in the clearing, breathing hard, blades lowered but spirits still burning.

The church bell in the distance tolled, echoing across the village.

Yuno slung his wooden sword over his shoulder. "It’s late. Tomorrow’s the ceremony."

Asta’s eyes lit with fire at the words. He slammed his sword down into the dirt, fists pumping."Finally! The day I get my grimoire! Just you watch—I’ll become Wizard King!"

Dave smirked faintly, turning toward the village."Wizard King, huh? Then I guess I’ll be the shadow you’ll need to get there."

"Huh? You don’t want to be the Wizard King?" Asta asked, tilting his head.

Yuno glanced over too, curious.

"Nah," Dave replied with a shrug. "That’s not for me. I’d rather keep moving, traveling from one place to another."

Asta blinked, then burst out laughing. "Hahaha! Then that means I’m going to be the Wizard King for sure!"

Yuno crossed his arms, cool and sharp as always. "No. It’s going to be me. I’ll be the one to become Wizard King."

The two immediately started bantering and bickering again, their voices carrying down the path.

Dave just shook his head with a small grin. "You two can argue all night if you want. I’m going to get some game."

With that, he turned off toward the forest. By the time the other two glanced back, he was already dragging a massive boar over his shoulder—its size nearly double his own.

The church bells rang faintly in the distance as the three boys returned, Dave dragging the enormous boar behind him, its tusks scraping against the dirt.

The younger children rushed to the doorway, eyes wide in awe."Whoa! It’s huge!""Dave caught that

Father Orsi hurried forward, his brow furrowed as soon as he saw the beast. He placed his hands on his hips, glaring at Dave like a stern parent."Dave! How many times have I told you not to hunt animals that big? What if you got hurt, or worse? You may be strong, but you’re still just sixteen. Don’t scare me like that."

Dave only smiled faintly, brushing off the worry. "Don’t worry, Father Orsi. If anything, the boar was unlucky to run into me."

Father Orsi sighed, rubbing his temple, but before he could scold further, Sister Lily stepped in, her gentle voice breaking the tension."Well, since it’s already here, we might as well put it to good use." She smiled warmly, gathering the smaller children. "Everyone, let’s help prepare a feast tonight."

The church quickly filled with excitement. The smell of roasting boar spread through the halls as Sister Lily and the children worked together in the kitchen. Asta was practically drooling by the door, Yuno sat quietly with a book, and Dave leaned against the wall, arms crossed, watching the warm scene.

By the time the meal was served, the church was alive with laughter and chatter, the simple wooden hall glowing with firelight. The three boys sat side by side, plates piled high, ready for tomorrow—the day their lives would change.

The feast slowly wound down. The younger children fell asleep one by one, their stomachs full, their laughter fading into soft snores. The fire in the church crackled low, painting the wooden walls in a warm orange glow.

Asta leaned back in his chair, patting his stomach. "Tomorrow’s it, huh... The Grimoire Ceremony!" His eyes burned with excitement. "I’m finally gonna get my grimoire, and then I’ll definitely become the Wizard King!"

Yuno glanced at him, calm as ever, arms folded. "You talk too much. You’ll just embarrass yourself tomorrow if you end up with nothing."

"What’d you say?!" Asta jumped up, fists clenched. "Like I’d lose to you, Yuno! Just watch, I’ll get the most awesome grimoire ever!"

Yuno didn’t even flinch, just smirked faintly. "I’ll be the one to surpass everyone. Including you."

Their usual bickering echoed through the empty hall, but Dave stayed quiet for a moment, staring into the fire. Finally, he spoke, his tone calm and steady."You two... tomorrow is where it all begins. No matter what grimoire you get, don’t let it define you. Power is one thing... but the will to use it right is what makes you strong."

Asta blinked, scratching his head. "...You always say stuff like that, Dave. But aren’t you excited? Don’t you want a grimoire too?"

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