The collapse of the magical palace marked the end of a turbulent chapter. Though countless treasures were buried beneath the rubble, none of it fell into the Diamond Kingdom's hands. Even Lotus and Mars might have perished amidst the destruction.
For the Clover Kingdom's mages, this was a victory—bittersweet yet decisive.
They wasted no time lingering and began their return journey aboard the Wind Ark conjured by Ethan Hayes.
On the ark, Yuno seemed restless. His demeanor caught Ethan Hayes's attention.
Yuno's silence was telling: he wanted to ask something but held back out of pride.
Ethan Hayes chuckled inwardly. He won't ask, because of his dignity. But he wants to, driven by curiosity and doubt.
Asta, oblivious as ever, broke the silence. "Ethan Hayes, that magic you used earlier—what was it? And who was that little girl?"
The others turned to Ethan Hayes, equally intrigued. The incredible power he'd displayed demanded an explanation.
Ethan Hayes smiled. "That wasn't magic—it was a spirit."
Vanessa and Klaus exchanged knowing looks, a realization dawning on them.
Vanessa nodded, adding, "Magic in our world derives from the four natural elements: wind, fire, water, and earth. It's said these elements are the foundation of life itself."
Klaus continued, "And each element is represented by a spirit—a being born from the world's essence. They're rare, legendary even. If I'm not mistaken, the girl you summoned was the Wind Spirit."
All eyes turned to Ethan Hayes, awaiting his confirmation.
Asta immediately shouted, "Whoa! Ethan Hayes, that's amazing! You've got the Wind Spirit with you?!"
The others were equally astonished. Spirits were not just mythical entities—they were beings of immense power, and only a select few in history had ever managed to form a bond with one.
The Burden of Comparison
Yuno, however, fell silent, his fists clenched.
He already felt overshadowed by Ethan Hayes's four-leaf grimoire. Now, Ethan Hayes wielded the Wind Spirit—a power far beyond anything Yuno could imagine.
"Yuno."Ethan Hayes's voice broke the tension as he placed a hand on Yuno's shoulder. "Hand me your grimoire for a moment."
Yuno hesitated but eventually complied. Ethan Hayes took the grimoire and began flipping through its pages.
Yuno's hesitation—or lack thereof—was a test in Ethan Hayes's mind.
If he hesitated or refused, it would mean distrust. And distrust, no matter how small, could fester like a wound. But he handed it over—good.
As Ethan Hayes skimmed through the grimoire, he stopped at a particular page. The characters on it were foreign and incomprehensible, even to him.
"Ah, so it's already started." Ethan Hayes closed the grimoire with a knowing smile.
Confused, Yuno asked, "What do you mean? That page wasn't there before."
Ethan Hayes returned the grimoire, patting Yuno on the shoulder. "Congratulations, Yuno. The Wind Spirit has chosen you."
The entire group froze.
"What?! What are you talking about?!" Asta yelled, utterly baffled. "Didn't you just say the Wind Spirit is with you?!"
Ethan Hayes laughed. "The spirit with me is different. She's the Ancient Wind Spirit, Zephyr. Zephyr, come out and say hello."
From the air, a small, ethereal figure emerged—a delicate girl with translucent wings, her presence exuding an ancient and powerful aura.
"Hello," Zephyr greeted with a soft voice, her presence captivating everyone.
Ethan Hayes explained, "Spirits are unique. Zephyr represents the primordial essence of wind, while the spirit awakening for Yuno is tied to the wind of this era. Both spirits exist, but their natures are distinct."
Yuno was speechless, his grimoire glowing faintly as if responding to Ethan Hayes's words.
The revelation left the group in awe, with Asta cheering loudly, "Yuno! You're gonna get your own spirit! That's awesome!"
Yuno's earlier despair gave way to determination. Though Ethan Hayes seemed leagues ahead, Yuno knew this wasn't the end—it was just the beginning.
As the ark soared back toward the Clover Kingdom, the group felt a renewed sense of camaraderie.
Though their journey was fraught with peril, they had grown stronger. The bonds they forged and the challenges they overcame would shape their futures.
The path to becoming the Wizard King was far from over. For Yuno, Asta, and Ethan Hayes, it was only beginning.
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Advance Chapters: .com / Samorash