Hurry Up

"Asta, it seems like you've forgotten something," said David with a thoughtful look on his face.

"What did I forget?" Asta asked, sounding slightly surprised.

"Well, think about it yourself. We've been in this city for quite a while now. So long, in fact, that it feels like we've lost track of time," David replied.

"What are you trying to say?" Noelle interjected, listening closely to their conversation.

"Well, you two idiots forgot that you're supposed to receive your grimoires this week!" David announced loudly.

Hearing this, Asta and Noelle froze for a moment, then both shouted in surprise:

"What?! Already?!"

"Wait, has the New Year already passed? Where's the winter? Where's the snow? I haven't seen any!" exclaimed Asta.

Noelle nodded silently, supporting his observation.

"You idiots, were you even listening when I explained these lands to you?"

"Uh… well, I was listening… but not to everything," Asta admitted with a sheepish smile, scratching the back of his head.

"Haaa… What am I going to do with you two? This is a resort town! Because of magic, it's always warm here. Winter doesn't exist in this place!"

"Ehhhh?!" Noelle and Asta exclaimed in unison.

"So, what are we supposed to do? We'll make it on time, right?" Asta asked nervously.

"Well… that depends. Luckily, I have a friend who can use spatial magic. He's here in the city, but the best he can do is send you to Nairn. Beyond that, you'll have to travel on your own."

"Wait! David, aren't you coming with us?" Asta asked.

"Are you seriously not listening to me, Asta? I already told you—I'm heading to other kingdoms to continue my research. This is where we part ways."

Hearing this, Asta looked a bit downcast but still asked, "When will you be back?"

"I'll come back periodically, probably every few months," David replied.

"Hehe, okay then. Good luck!" Asta said, extending his fist for a bump.

David smirked, bumping Asta's fist. "Why would I need luck? You need it more than I do. Pray that there's a grimoire out there that doesn't require mana."

"Bastard! Are you trying to piss me off?!" Asta growled.

"Hehehe… Alright, let's get moving," David said, leading them onward.

---

After some time, they arrived at a restaurant.

"Wait here for a bit," David said as he walked inside.

Five minutes later, he returned with someone who was covering their face to conceal their identity.

"I need to send them, right?" the person said in a strange voice.

"Yes, send them as close to the Demon Skull as possible," David instructed.

"So, to the city of Nairn?"

"Wait a second!" Asta suddenly shouted, drawing everyone's attention.

He turned to Noelle and asked, "Don't you need to go home? You know, like to visit your family?"

Hearing this, Noelle lowered her head and said quietly, "It's fine. I don't need to."

"Huh? Well, if you say so…" Asta responded.

"Alright, enough talking," the spatial mage said, raising his hand. He muttered a spell they couldn't quite hear, and suddenly, Asta and Noelle found themselves transported to a location near the city.

"Wow! That was amazing!" Asta exclaimed, before suddenly panicking. "Wait… where's Secre?! Did I forget her?!"

He began frantically looking around until he felt movement in his shirt. Glancing down, he saw Secre's head poking out, which instantly calmed him.

"Ah, so you're here after all! What a relief," he said, stroking her head with a wide grin.

"Alright, let's get moving!" Asta said, brimming with excitement.

"I… forgot my broom," Noelle admitted, looking a bit guilty.

"What?! But the grimoire ceremony is tomorrow, and it takes three days to reach the Great Library!" Asta didn't wait for further explanation. Without warning, he scooped Noelle into his arms in a princess carry and started running at full speed.

Noelle's face turned bright red, and she opened her mouth to protest, but after a moment, she decided to let it slide. He was incredibly fast, and this way, they'd reach their destination much sooner. Plus… she didn't really mind it.

---

I hope you liked it. By the way, an interesting fact: at the beginning, the project was titled "Asta's Bizarre Adventure." You might have guessed that Asta would have had abilities similar to those in JoJo's Bizarre Adventure. His grimoire would likely have had such powers, and I even picked out which Stands he would have. However, in the end, I decided against it for various reasons.