With no more magic sustaining it, the Flame Spirit Palace protecting the villagers dispersed. Seeing the captured attackers, the villagers finally allowed themselves to breathe, their faces lighting up with relief.
Ethan Hayes waved his hand dismissively, signaling that he was fine, and turned to Asta.
"Don't worry about me. I'm fine. Asta, use your sword to remove the magic tools implanted in them!"
"Huh... remove what?"
"You heard me. These guys are probably connected to the group we dealt with before. They likely have suicide magic tools implanted in their bodies."
Hearing this, Asta nodded, checking the three captives. Soon, he raised his anti-magic sword, extracting small, intricate devices from each of them.
"There really are tools in them!" he exclaimed, eyes widening.
Ethan smirked slightly. "Good. Now we might get some answers from these three. Asta, Noelle, take them back to the base and hand them over to Captain Yami for interrogation."
As he gave his instructions, Ethan scanned the surroundings. It was clear that the group's main objective had been the Elf Stone. Finding a single gem in a village would've been like finding a needle in a haystack.
But before Ethan could think further, a small black and red bird, resembling a swallow, fluttered down, holding a red gem in its beak.
"Ah, Nero…" Ethan muttered, recognizing the bird that had been following Asta since the Magic Knights' entrance exam. Despite its unassuming appearance, Nero had a deeper connection—it was the sealed form of the First Wizard King's attendant.
"Forget it," Ethan said with a shrug. "Let it keep the stone for now. Less trouble for me."
Though the Elf Stone held immense magical power, it was more symbolic than practical to Ethan. Moreover, it was a key piece in the events that would lead to the First Wizard King's eventual return. Keeping it would only bring unnecessary complications.
"Time to get some rest…"
That night, at the Black Bulls' base...
Miles and his two cohorts, who had caused havoc in the Sosie Village days earlier, were now securely tied to the base's hall pillars. Around them sat the Black Bulls' members, including Ethan.
Ethan began to explain his observations and deductions, weaving truths and half-truths.
"In my analysis, there's no way these are just random rogue mercenaries. There's a larger organization pulling the strings, plotting something massive…"
Miles, sweating profusely, muttered defensively, "Nonsense! I don't know what you're talking about. We're just refugees from the Diamond Kingdom trying to survive!"
Ethan smirked. "Do you think I'd believe that?"
Yami Sukehiro, the captain of the Black Bulls, leaned back, puffing his cigarette. Though he had initially dismissed the mission as a simple bandit raid, Ethan's reasoning struck a chord.
The biggest hole in the captives' story was the presence of the implanted suicide tools. What self-respecting rogue would willingly prepare for their own death?
"Hmm," Yami exhaled smoke thoughtfully. "Let's hand them over to the Golden Dawn. They're better at interrogations, and this kind of thing is more their jurisdiction."
Ethan winced internally. Giving the captives to the Golden Dawn essentially meant turning them over to William Vangeance—someone with questionable allegiances. But he couldn't outright oppose Yami's decision.
"Fine," Ethan said resignedly. "You decide. Mission's done, so... Captain, about our deal?"
Yami raised an eyebrow. "Ah, the 'read ki' training, huh? Alright. Asta, you come along too. Might as well see if you can pick it up."
"Alright!" Asta cheered. "Ethan, just watch! I'll master it before you!"
"Let's see you try," Ethan replied with a faint smile.
Outside, under the moonlit sky, Yami led the two to a quiet clearing. Taking a long drag from his cigarette, he turned to them and asked,
"Before we start, let me ask: what do you think 'ki' is?"
"Ki?" Asta blinked. After a moment of thought, he began blowing exaggerated breaths, saying,
"? Whooo, whooo! That's ki, right?"
Yami couldn't help but laugh. "Not entirely wrong, but not quite." Turning to Ethan, he asked, "And you?"
Ethan pondered briefly before replying,
"'Ki' isn't something you can see or touch. It has no shape, volume, or smell. But I think the 'ki' you're referring to originates from living beings—a unique energy inherent to all life. …"
Ethan plucked a leaf from a nearby tree and placed it before his lips. Blowing gently, he sent a steady stream of air against the leaf, making it flutter.
"Impressive," Yami remarked, genuinely surprised. "No wonder the Wizard King sees potential in you. You've grasped the essence of it. 'Ki' is the life energy every living being exudes. It's how animals sense danger and how we can perceive each other."
Asta looked confused, prompting Yami to sigh.
"Let me simplify it for you, Asta. 'Reading ki' lets you feel what people are doing before they act. It's like sensing their intent through their energy. Got it?"
"Uh… I think so?" Asta said uncertainly.
"Alright then. Let's see what you two can do."
Yami took another puff and assumed a stance. "Ethan, Asta, try to hit me. Use what you've learned about ki."
Ethan's eyes narrowed. Asta gripped his sword tightly.