Grimoire Theft

As they exited the Grimoire Tower, Asta and Yuno felt someone watching them. Exchanging glances, they gave each other a silent nod and began moving in a specific direction to uncover the intentions of the person following them. Noelle, unaware of the situation, simply walked behind them. However, she soon noticed a change in the group's mood. They had grown tense and quiet.

At one point, Asta and Yuno stopped abruptly, their gazes fixed on a single spot.

"Are you going to keep hiding?" Yuno said coldly, staring intently. "Why don't you show yourself?"

Hearing this, Noelle turned her head in surprise, looking in the same direction as the boys.

From behind the trees, a man stepped out. His appearance screamed trouble: a shabby cloak, a crooked grin, and a manic gleam in his eyes.

"Hoo~ You noticed me," he said mockingly, his tone dripping with confidence.

Asta, studying the man closely, couldn't help but blurt out:

"Wow! You're like the perfect embodiment of a thug! Sorry, though, I don't have any spare change for you."

As he spoke, Asta opened his grimoire. A sword's hilt materialized within it, and he reached for it without hesitation. In an instant, a massive sword appeared in his hands.

"Whoa!" Asta's eyes sparkled with excitement. "Look, Yuno, I've got a new sword! And it's huge!"

Yuno examined the sword with interest, suppressing a faint smile.

"It really is something," he said calmly.

Even Noelle couldn't resist coming closer to get a better look at the weapon.

The thug, realizing he was being ignored, exploded in anger.

"Hey, you bastards! Don't forget about me!" he shouted, opening his own grimoire.

Asta quickly assumed a fighting stance, ready to charge, but Yuno held out a hand to stop him.

"Wait, Asta. I want to show you something," Yuno said, pulling back his cloak.

On his hip was a sword in a sheath. Drawing it, Yuno was instantly surrounded by swirling wind magic.

"Wow, Yuno, you bought a new sword?!" Asta exclaimed, awestruck.

"Don't focus on that," Yuno replied calmly. "Pay attention to what I'm about to do."

Turning to the thug, Yuno pointed his sword at him and said, "I'll defeat you in five seconds."

"What?!" The thug's face contorted with rage. "You little brat! How dare you look down on me?!"

Enraged, he unleashed a swarm of chains from his grimoire, sending them hurtling toward Yuno.

"You'll pay for this!"

The chains shot forward with incredible speed, closing the distance in an instant. But just as they were about to hit Yuno, they passed straight through him.

"What the—?!" Asta gasped in shock.

"It's… an afterimage," Asta muttered, scanning the area. "But where did he go?"

The thug barely had time to process what had happened when Yuno appeared behind him. In one swift and powerful motion, Yuno struck him down. The thug collapsed, unconscious, before he could even react.

"Done," Yuno said coolly, sheathing his sword.

Asta grinned widely, his eyes fixed on Yuno. Clenching his fists, he could barely contain his excitement.

"Yuno, that was incredible!" Asta exclaimed.

"Try to keep up, Asta," Yuno said with a faint smirk. "If you want to catch me someday."

Asta, filled with determination and excitement, silently promised himself that one day they would face each other again to decide who was the strongest.