"H-Hey, isn't that going a bit too far?" the companion of the yellow-haired brat asked, grabbing the latter by the arm.
The yellow-haired brat shrugged his arm off and countered, "We were supposed to be the stars of today! He ruined that, this peasant. And yet… he got the four-leaf clover?! I need to make him pay…"
"Wait—"
He ignored his friend and activated the grimoire in his hand, speaking fiercely, "I'll burn that book to ash!"
A small bush of fire appeared on the ground in front of him, but it spun into a devouring forest, blazing towards Yuno.
Kojo calmly watched from afar, peaking from the top of the enclosed structure, his eyes cold and calculating.
Yuno calmly raised his hand slightly and flicked his wrist upwards, and instantly, a spinning gale of wind surrounded him, easily stopping the flames from harming even a hair on his body.
When the flames subsided, the surrounding floor was scorched black, but there was not a single blackened spot where he stood.
"H-He held back my flames without even using his grimoire?!" the yellow-haired brat voiced in shock, instinctively taking a step back.
Yuno just stared down at the yellow-haired brat, not even seeing them worth enough to spare them a word.
"Go on, do something!" the brat screamed at his companion.
"But… uh…" his friend hesitated and stepped away from him slightly.
However, the yellow-haired brat was relentless, so he screamed at his friend, "Do it!"
As his friend still hesitated, chains suddenly burst out of the stone walls and bound them!
Of course, a scream was heard to high heaven, let out by the duo.
"Asta should've heard that," Kojo said inwardly as he watched what unfolded.
He had followed behind Yuno and the Chain Magic user from afar, stealthily.
"We can't have that getting all burned up, can we?" a sinister voice said with a smile and walked into the area.
"Resisting will be a foolish waste of your time. My Creation Magic: Binding Iron Chain blocks its captives' movements and magic," he said as he walked forward, his dark red cape swaying behind him.
"What do you want? Who are you?" Yuno asked indignantly, ready to attack.
As the pointy chain curled around the mysterious man, he chuckled and said, "I suppose a village boy won't know, but until recently, I was a pretty well-known Magic Knight called Revchi of Chain Magic. But I got kicked out, so now I am but a humble thief…"
Suddenly, chains burst out from the ground where Yuno stood and immediately bound him! He hadn't expected it!
Revchi added with a devilish smile, "So if you'll excuse me, I'll be taking this grimoire of yours."
A chain beside him extended, quickly latching onto Yuno's grimoire before pulling back. A short second later, Revchi grabbed Yuno's grimoire from his chain and laughed.
Yuno spoke out, "Revchi, was it? It's pointless for you to steal that. The only person—"
"The only person who can use a grimoire is who it chooses," Revchi finished Yuno's words. "Yes, village boy, I'm well aware. With that said, there are plenty of black market collectors who would pay a small fortune for such a unique specimen…"
"...A four-leaf clover may have chosen you, but all you did was receive it… you, an untrained novice, a mere hatchling. What have you done to deserve it? This is not your lucky day. Such a pity for you, I happened to be here. Your legend is over before it even began."
'Why is this guy talking so much? He could've been on his way by now, not that I would've let him, though,' Kojo thought, still where he was hidden.
"Hey, I heard a scream from here. What's happening?" Asta asked, having arrived a few seconds ago.
Kojo looked at his side with little surprise. He just whispered, "Yuno's in a bind. He's grossly outmatched."
"What?! Why are you just watching? We have to do something!" Asta shouted.
"No. You have to. If you fight that guy, you'll receive your grimoire," Kojo said.
Asta's eyes faltered. "How do you know?"
"Because I've seen this day before. Didn't I tell you that you won't receive your grimoire at the tower?" Kojo simply answered.
"Yeah… you did. H-How…"
"Don't mind that. Just go!"
Just then, Revchi's eyes caught the jewelry on Yuno's neck.
"Oh ho, I bet that pendant could fetch a good price, too. I guess I'll be taking that…"
Revchi only took a step forward when Asta appeared in the sky and screamed, "Hold it!"
Bam! Thud.
His jump from where he and Kojo were was so effective, he hit the other wall and landed on his head.
"What do you think you're doing?" Asta screamed, pointing at the yellow-haired brat wrapped in chains and pinned to the wall opposite.
"I've come to rescue… eh?" he paused and saw who he was pointing at properly. The fall made him a bit dizzy.
He quickly turned to Revchi and shouted, "Hey, creep! What's your deal?! That's Yuno's Grimoire. What are you doing with it? You dirty, rotten thief!"
Revchi turned to Asta and held his chin. "Why look, aren't you the pathetic little brat who wasn't even given a grimoire?"
"Oh, so you remember me? Yeah, that's right. I'm that pathetic little brat," Asta said, not falling for the assailant's attempt at trying to change the subject. "The only place a grimoire belongs is with its true master! Now give it back to Yuno, you jerk!"
"Aha… Aha hahaha…" Revchi raised his hand over his eyes and let out a short laugh. Then, he raised his long black hair in front of his face to reveal his green eyes and scarred face.
"You really are a sheltered creature if you believe that kind of reasoning will get you anywhere with the likes of me," Revchi said and activated his grimoire; hence, the pages began to flip. "Allow me to disabuse you of that notion."
Yuno gritted his teeth and yelled, "Asta, run!"
"From a loser like him? Not a chance in hell!" Asta screamed and charged at Revchi.
Revchi didn't hesitate to send his snake-like chains forward, causing Asta to dodge repeatedly.
Asta managed to jump behind him and quickly send a punch, but his tightened fist stopped right before it could even graze Revchi.
Chains had bound Asta by the torso!
"Nnn…" Asta gritted his teeth and stomped forward. "I'm… not done yet! I will get you!"
Bam! Asta took another step forward.
"No, boy. You're finished here," Revchi said, and the pages of his grimoire flipped.
His chains danced in the air… and whipped Asta multiple times from all directions, tearing his clothing and flesh!
"Dance of the Pitless Viper!" Revchi screamed.
The final whip hit Asta from the front, throwing him into the stone wall behind with a loud boom.
Asta looked dazed, staring blankly ahead with blood streaming down the side of his face.
Above, Kojo had his hand extended with gritted teeth, but he voiced inwardly, 'No. It's not time yet. I already know Asta won't lose, there's no point in getting angry. I can only use his magic once, I can't waste it. I just have to be patient. Any moment now…'
Revchi stepped forward confidently and voiced, "You see, boy? It's no use. Thanks for playing, though. Ahahaha…"
"It's not over. I'm not finished yet," Asta said blankly.
"I'm going… to be the Wizard King—"
"The Wizard King? You? You're joking. The thing is, these chains can measure the magic power of anyone they come in contact with. And you have none! Not a single drop…"
Asta drew in a frigid breath.
"...You were probably born that way. I guess this explains why you didn't get a grimoire. To possess not even a slice of magic in this world where magic is everything? Why, that makes you such a rare find indeed! Ahahaha~"
Asta heard his words and looked lost. 'Then, no matter how hard I try, I won't be able to use magic? So, Kojo knew too, but was just trying to give me hope?'
"You know, I can't think of anything more pitiful. To think that someone so pathetic existed. Forget about becoming the Wizard King, you'll be lucky to just get a job! I bet your friend, the genius over there, mocks you too."
Bam! Bam!
Revchi stomped his foot on Asta's shoulders, and the kid didn't even resist.
"This world has no use for you, a poor, magicless fool. You might as well give it all up right now. You were born a loser, you worthless runt!" Revchi said.
Asta had a resigned look on his face and was just about to give up when Yuno suddenly shouted, "Hey!"
"Who are you calling a loser? Asta, it's true that you won't become the Wizard King, not ever."
"You hear that? Even your little friend is telling you it's impossible," Revchi interjected.
"But that's because I'm going to be the Wizard King!"
"What…?" Revchi scrunched his eyebrows.
Yuno simply added, "You're wrong about Asta. He's no loser. He's my rival!"
"Huh? Him? Your rival? The only person in the world without magic?" Revchi voiced with a laugh.
But suddenly, Asta raised his hand and grabbed Revchi's ankle.
"You… get off of me!" he screamed.
Revchi felt as Asta's grip started to hurt and took a step back, letting out a slight whimper.
Asta bent forward and spoke out, "Sorry you had to see such a pathetic side of me, Yuno. Just give me a second… I'm gonna kick this guy's butt!"
Kojo watched and waited patiently, just as Revchi.
Asta took a deep breath and charged forward again.
'What the? Where's Asta's grimoire?' Kojo looked about but didn't see anything. He decided to wait a few more seconds.
Revchi released his chains at Asta again, too, and like before, he dodged them. But this time, two chains unexpectedly came from where his feet were and bound both his legs, stopping his charge.
'Where is it? Why is it taking so long now?' Kojo wondered, beginning to feel truly agitated. This isn't what happened in the original work!