"Crack..."
A faint cracking sound was heard, and the ice sculpture that perfectly encased Rebuchi began to show spiderweb-like cracks from within.
Just one second later, with a "crash," the entire ice sculpture completely shattered, turning into countless ice crystals shimmering with cold light, scattering across the ground.
Rebuchi's body fell limply, his eyes rolled back, and he had already lost consciousness.
The two grimoires in his hands also fell to the ground with a "thud."
As Rebuchi fell, the chains binding Asta and Yuno also lost their magic support, turning into specks of light and dissipating into the air.
"Ha... so... so amazing..."
Asta looked at Rebuchi, who was unconscious on the ground, then looked up at Lorne, his mind blank.
One-shot kill.
A complete and utter one-shot kill.
The guy who had pushed him and Yuno to the brink was actually dealt with so easily.
Yuno's gaze was fixed on Lorne.
Lorne didn't even open his grimoire; he just lifted his foot and stomped the ground.
Then, everything was over.
"Oh!" The Ice Magic from the Fairy Tail World indeed doesn't require a grimoire to unleash its power, but in this world, it's quite incredible.
Asta stood up from the corner, and the black-covered five-leaf grimoire automatically floated into his hand.
He grabbed it, then picked up Yuno's four-leaf grimoire from the ground, handing that grimoire over first.
Afterward, like presenting a treasure, he held up his own tattered grimoire high, excitedly yelling at the two:
"Look, look! This is my grimoire!"
"Even though it looks super tattered, I'll cherish it for the rest of my life."
"Good boy... good boy! Good boy! Good boy!"
He stroked his grimoire as if comforting a baby.
Yuno took his grimoire, but his gaze never left Lorne for a moment.
All along, he had regarded Asta as his only rival.
Though he didn't say it aloud, deep down, he had never underestimated Asta.
But now, if he wanted to become the Magic Emperor, Lorne would undoubtedly be a strong competitor on their path.
Lorne ignored the complex internal thoughts of the two; he simply walked slowly to Rebuchi's side.
He confirmed that the other party was only frozen unconscious and not in any life-threatening danger.
"[Dealt with it quite cleanly, no lives lost, saved a lot of trouble.]"
He nodded secretly, quite satisfied with his control over his power.
Then, he turned around and looked at Asta and Yuno.
"Are you two alright?"
His voice was relatively calm, as if he had just done a trivial thing.
"I'm fine!"
Asta shook his head vigorously.
"Thank you!"
Lorne nodded slightly, his gaze falling on the five-leaf grimoire in Asta's hand.
"[Hmm, all the necessary procedures are done, and the protagonist's golden finger has successfully arrived. Next up is the novice village leveling time.]"
Just then, Yuno, who had been silent, finally spoke.
"What are your plans next?"
His question was direct and frank, with a look of inquiry and a subtle hint of wariness in his eyes.
Although they had been in contact for a while, Yuno still didn't know Lorne very well.
He also hadn't expected him to be so strong after just obtaining a grimoire.
Asta also perked up his ears; he was equally curious.
Lorne pondered, feigning deep thought. Of course, he could leave directly, going to the Royal Capital or other places.
But a powerful Mage of unknown origin could easily attract the attention of the Magic Knight Squad.
Moreover, if he needed to access knowledge of Space-Time Magic, he needed a legitimate identity.
And the church in Hage Village was undoubtedly the best choice at the moment.
As the poorest and most remote place in the Clover Kingdom, it wouldn't attract too much attention, and with the recommendation of the Grimoire Tower here.
He could then naturally join Yuno and Asta in going to participate in the Magic Knight Squad selection.
"I originally planned to stay for a short while and then leave, but..."
Lorne showed a gentle smile.
"I heard there's a Magic Knight Squad selection in the Royal Capital in half a year, and I plan to give it a try."
He changed the subject, looking at Yuno and Asta.
"You two should be going to participate too, right?"
"Of course!"
Asta immediately puffed out his chest and roared loudly.
"I'm the man who's going to become the Magic Emperor!"
Yuno didn't speak, but his firm expression said it all.
"I see..."
Lorne stroked his chin.
"If you don't mind, I'd like to stay at the Hage Village church for a while longer and go to the Royal Capital with you for the selection. It would be good to have company on the way, what do you think?"
At this suggestion, Asta and Yuno were both stunned.
Participate in the selection with this monster?
Asta naturally agreed with both hands; he couldn't wish for anything more than to be with such an amazing guy.
Although Yuno was a bit surprised, the other party had just saved them, and his attitude was friendly, so directly refusing would be too unkind.
He vaguely felt that Lorne had another purpose for staying in Hage Village, but at least, he had no ill will towards them.
Moreover, having Lorne by his side, constantly feeling the pressure, would further stimulate his potential.
"We... of course don't mind."
Yuno finally nodded.
"However, the place to stay needs the approval of the priest and Sister Lili."
"Naturally," Lorne said with a smile.
So, after the three handed the unconscious Rebuchi over to the sheriff, they returned to the church together.
When the priest and Sister Lili heard that Lorne had not only saved Yuno and Asta but also dealt with the vicious Thieves, they were even more grateful.
In the following days, he perfectly integrated into the church's life.
He wasn't boisterous like Asta all day, nor was he always aloof like Yuno.
More importantly, he successfully "bought off" all the children in the church.
Occasionally, he would show off his Ice Magic, creating small toys that children loved, such as ice butterflies and ice dragonflies, which made the little ones in the church follow him around all day, constantly calling him "Brother Lorne."
He even used his knowledge as a transmigrator to become the most popular storyteller in the church.
"Once upon a time, there was a vast ocean, and on that ocean, there was a young man who wanted to become the Pirate King. He ate a Devil Fruit and became a rubber man..."
"And there was a village, and in that village, there was a yellow-haired underdog who always yelled about wanting to become Hokage..."
These novel and interesting stories completely captivated the children of the church, and also made Asta, another "underdog" youth, listen with burning passion, as if he had found a kindred spirit.
In just a few days, Lorne had almost become the most popular person in the church.
Asta also dedicated a lot of his energy to physical training every day.
And Yuno, while silently observing Lorne, redoubled his efforts to practice his Wind Magic.
Lorne's strength was like an invisible whip, fiercely lashing at them from behind, making them dare not slack off in the slightest.
As for Lorne himself, while enjoying this rare leisure time, he didn't forget his main task.
He understood the newly acquired grimoire.
He tried to study the Space-Time Magic that the grimoire brought.
The Time Magic in this world was not like the Arc of Time Lorne had encountered before; this was Time Magic that could affect life itself.
It was impossible not to be tempted.
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