When Yuno asked that question, Yuuki's answer was, of course, yes.
However…
Yuuki knew that what Yuno really wanted wasn't reassurance from someone else. What he wanted was his own conviction—an answer born from within.
After five years of living together, Yuuki had come to understand the bond between Yuno and Asta. It was the same deep connection he'd once seen in the anime—the kind that went beyond rivalry and became something closer to brotherhood.
"Tell me, Yuno," Yuuki suddenly asked, "what do you think magic is?"
"Magic?"
Yuno blinked, thinking for a moment. He wasn't sure where Yuuki was going with this, but he gave the most logical answer he could.
"Magic is the power that manifests from one's own mana."
Yuuki chuckled softly.
"That's the textbook answer. But to me—magic is a miracle."
There was a rare, sincere light in his eyes as he said that.
"...A miracle?" Yuno repeated, puzzled.
"That's right," Yuuki said with a nod. "Asta may not have any mana, but he believes he can do it. And someone who can believe in miracles… that alone makes him remarkable, don't you think?"
"In a case like that, there's no point worrying about whether or not he'll ever get a grimoire."
Having said his piece, Yuuki crouched down again and returned to washing the laundry, as if the conversation had already ended.
Yuno just stood there, stunned for a moment.
Believing in miracles, huh…
That really did sound like something Asta would say.
Yuno's lips curved into a faint smile. When he looked back at Yuuki, his eyes gleamed with quiet curiosity.
They'd grown up together, yet sometimes Yuuki felt… different. As if he knew far more than any commoner should.
Yuno had long suspected Yuuki might not be an ordinary peasant at all—perhaps even the illegitimate child of some noble. Maybe his "amnesia" had already healed long ago.
But since Yuuki never spoke of it, Yuno never asked.
At the church window, Father Orsi and Sister Lily had also overheard their conversation, and their expressions turned complicated.
"That boy Yuuki sure has a way with words," the priest muttered, pretending to grumble. "Calling Asta 'someone who believes in miracles'—really knows how to flatter."
"Father," Sister Lily said mildly, "you're crying."
"Huh? What nonsense. A man my age doesn't just cry over a few kind words!"
The priest hastily rubbed his eyes with a sleeve, trying to cover up the tears. "It's just the wind—must've gotten something in my eye!" he said in a loud, defensive tone, then quickly changed the subject.
"A-anyway! Go call those three in for dinner. The food's getting cold."
Sister Lily smiled softly, amused by his clumsy attempt to hide his emotions. "Alright, I'll go fetch them."
"Yuuki! I got the water!"
Asta came barreling around the corner, a grin on his face and a full bucket in hand, looking as carefree as ever.
"Perfect timing," Yuuki said with a laugh. "We've just finished gathering the laundry. All that's left is to wash it."
"You sure took your time," Yuno remarked in his usual calm, cool voice.
"What'd you say, Yuno? If you think you're faster, you go draw the water next time!"
Asta slammed the bucket down and leaned forward, glaring in protest.
"Can you two not start this again?" Yuuki groaned. "I'd rather not go hungry tonight because you're too busy arguing."
"...Hmph."
"...Tch."
Both boys turned away, snorting in perfect synchronization.
Just then, a gentle, familiar voice called from behind them.
"Yuno, Asta—why don't you both try to be more like Yuuki?"
Sister Lily stepped out from the church, her smile kind and radiant in the twilight.
Asta's entire body jolted upright. His eyes lit up as if struck by lightning, and he spun toward her instantly, ready to dash over—
—but Yuuki darted forward and pinned both his hands on Asta's shoulders.
"Stay put, Asta!" he hissed. "I'm not spending another night sleeping outside just because you couldn't control yourself again!"
Asta froze, blinking. After testing Yuuki's grip once, he realized breaking free would take real effort. He sighed and raised his hands in defeat.
"Fine, fine, I get it! No need to get so worked up."
"I have to get worked up—because of you," Yuuki shot back, letting go at last.
Sister Lily approached, smiling sweetly. "Yuuki, what was that you said just now?"
"Eh? Me? Did I say something?" Yuuki laughed nervously, pretending not to know what she meant.
"You did! You said—mmph!"
Before Asta could blurt out anything incriminating, Yuuki clapped a hand over his mouth.
"Mmph! Mmmf—mmph!"
Yuno said nothing.
Sister Lily only smiled wryly.
Yuuki cleared his throat and swiftly changed the subject. "A-anyway, we're almost done here."
"No need to rush," Sister Lily said warmly. "Dinner's ready. Father Orsi asked me to bring you three in before the food gets cold."
Asta's eyes sparkled instantly.
But Yuno shook his head. "It won't take long to finish. Just one moment."
He raised his arm and aimed his palm toward the bucket of water.
Whoosh!
A stream of wind surged upward, twisting into a spiraling current that lifted the water into the air. In an instant, it formed a spinning whirlpool—
—and the swirling water began scrubbing the dirty clothes suspended within it.
Yuuki immediately caught on to Yuno's intent. He grabbed the wooden basin filled with laundry, heaved it toward the vortex, and let the wind do the rest.
Whrrr! The sound of rushing water filled the yard. Within moments, every garment was clean, the water falling neatly back into the basin below.
Asta's eyes went wide with awe.
"Whoa! That's amazing, Yuno!"
"Truly impressive," Sister Lily said softly, her hands clasped together.
Yuuki's expression turned serious for a brief moment.
Even without a grimoire, Yuno could already manipulate mana so precisely—to the point of performing such complex control spells.
Such natural talent… it really is the mark of royal blood.
(End of Chapter)
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