Kahono and Kiato both wore confused expressions.
They had suddenly been brought to the Clover Kingdom, and before they could even grasp what was happening, Asta and Noelle had dragged them along to meet someone. Even now, neither of them understood what they were here for.
"Ah…"
Kahono turned her head toward Noelle beside her, letting out a soft, hoarse sound. Her throat still couldn't produce proper words.
"Long time no see, Miss Kahono," Yuuki said gently as he stepped forward.
Kahono grew even more bewildered. She couldn't recall ever meeting him before.
"He's the mysterious person who saved us at the Underwater Temple," Noelle explained with a small smile.
Realization struck both Kahono and Kiato at once. They stared at Yuuki in shock, quickly understanding that he must have used some kind of transformation magic back then.
Knowing Kahono couldn't speak properly, Kiato leaned on his cane and stepped forward first. With a solemn expression, he bowed deeply.
"Thank you… truly. For saving the Underwater Temple."
"There's no need to be so formal," Yuuki replied softly. He glanced around before continuing, "There are too many people here. Come with me."
Still confused, Kahono and Kiato exchanged a glance, but with Asta and Noelle urging them on, they followed Yuuki and Rebecca ahead.
"What happened to them?" Rebecca asked quietly, tucking a strand of red hair behind her ear.
"There was a magic stone in the Underwater Temple, so it was attacked by the Eye of the Midnight Sun," Yuuki explained in a low voice.
"Kiato's leg and Kahono's throat were both injured during that incident."
Rebecca's expression softened with sympathy. She immediately understood why Asta had brought them here.
Yuuki soon led them into an inconspicuous corner of the street.
"Flame Recovery Magic — Phoenix Feather Robe."
Powerful mana surged forth, transforming into crimson flames that gently enveloped Kiato and Kahono.
Warm, soothing magic flowed through their bodies.
Before their astonished eyes, Kiato's missing leg regenerated at a visible pace, restoring itself completely in moments.
Kahono felt a strange itch in her throat. Instinctively, she tried to make a sound—
She froze.
Then tears welled up in her eyes as joy flooded her face.
"Noelle…" Kahono said, her voice trembling.
Noelle gasped, grabbing Kahono's hands excitedly.
"That's wonderful! Kahono—your voice is back!"
Yuuki withdrew his mana and smiled lightly.
"All done."
"Thank you—thank you so much!" Kiato bowed deeply once again.
"You're too polite," Yuuki said, waving it off.
"That was amazing, Yuuki!" Asta laughed loudly, hands on his hips.
"I knew you could do it!"
"I thought you'd challenge me like usual," Yuuki teased, resting a hand on Asta's shoulder.
"But you've been quiet for once."
"You and Yuno have both gotten way stronger," Asta said with a grin, completely unbothered.
"I know I'm not at your level yet, so I need to train even harder!"
"Training alone won't be enough," Yuuki said, shaking his head slightly.
Asta's eyes lit up with anticipation.
Over the past week, he'd been pushing himself through grueling special training. After the Witch Queen healed and strengthened his body, his raw power and reflexes had clearly improved.
But—
No matter how hard he trained his body, Asta understood something deep down.
Compared to the ever-growing mana of Yuuki and Yuno, physical growth was slower—and had limits.
With his current strength, defeating either of them was still far out of reach.
Vaguely, Asta recalled something strange.
Back in the Witch's Forest, when the Witch Queen had controlled him, it felt as though an overwhelmingly powerful force had awakened inside him. Yet no matter how he tried, he couldn't grasp that sensation again.
At that moment—
Now that her voice had fully returned, Kahono wiped the tears from her eyes. She clasped her hands together at her chest.
A beautiful, resonant song flowed from her throat.
Clear and pure—like the open sea itself.
As her voice spread outward, faint traces of mana gathered in the air. Bubbles formed one after another, floating gently upward, refracting rainbow colors under the sunlight.
In just moments, the once-empty corner drew a crowd of passersby, all stopping to listen.
"Shh. Listen to the song first," Yuuki said softly, holding a finger to his lips toward Asta.
When the song finally ended, it took Yuuki's group quite some effort to escape the gathered crowd.
Perhaps because of the beautiful melody, Rebecca, Noelle, and Kahono quickly grew close, their laughter ringing out from time to time.
Up front, Yuuki, Asta, and Kiato walked together. Kiato's attention drifted mostly toward the three girls behind them.
Yuuki and Asta, meanwhile, spoke in low voices—more accurately, Yuuki spoke, and Asta listened.
"Do you remember what happened when the Witch Queen controlled you?" Yuuki asked casually.
"A little… but it's pretty fuzzy," Asta admitted, scratching his head.
"I figured Vanessa and the others didn't explain it in detail," Yuuki said with a sigh.
"That power is too unusual for them."
Asta's eyes gleamed.
"So, I really do have some crazy power inside me? Then why can't I feel it at all?"
Yuuki didn't dwell on explanations. He went straight to the point.
"Your situation is complicated, but that's not what matters right now. What matters is how to draw that power out."
"You've already learned how to sense ki, right?"
"Ki is the unique presence created by a person's gaze, breathing, scent, and muscle movement."
"At its core, it's a form of energy. Since you can sense ki, you should also be able to sense this other force—what I call vital energy."
Yuuki explained patiently.
Asta stared blankly, his expression utterly lost.
Seeing that look, Yuuki pinched the bridge of his nose.
"Just think of vital energy as a special kind of magic."
"Oh! Now I get it!"
Asta nodded vigorously, grinning from ear to ear.
(End of Chapter)
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Bonus Chapter at 2800 Powerstones.