On an early morning, as usual, Father Orsi Orfai stepped out of his old church, worn down by time.
The walls were cracked, the roof was barely holding together… and the donations were not even enough to feed the children he had taken in.
Father Orsi sighed and murmured,
"Another day… I just hope it passes peacefully."
But his steps suddenly stopped.
His eyes widened, and a look of shock mixed with a hint of joy appeared on his face.
In front of the church door… there were two small wooden boxes.
He said in an annoyed tone as he approached,
"Ah… here we go again. People leaving their children without a trace of guilt…"
Then he added more softly,
"But… thank God they left them here."
He slowly bent down and opened the first box.
Inside was a strangely calm child… with black hair, soft features, and bright blue eyes that resembled the sky.
Father Orsi smiled.
"What a beautiful child… like an angel."
He searched inside the box until he found a small note.
"His name is… Yuno."
Then he noticed something else beside him.
A necklace.
It was oval-shaped, blue in color, and engraved with a crescent and stars… as if it had fallen from the sky itself.
He stared at it for a few seconds, then gently placed it around the child's neck.
"It seems you are not an ordinary child…"
Then he turned to the second box.
"Let's see who's with you, little one…"
At first, the baby seemed quiet…
But suddenly—
He burst into loud crying.
Father Orsi stepped back slightly.
"Oh my God! I wish I hadn't woken you…"
He leaned closer again and looked carefully at him.
He was different.
Grayish-white hair, pale skin, and green eyes… but his pupils were a deep red—strange… unsettling.
Father Orsi whispered,
"What is this feeling…?"
Then he found his name written on a piece of black cloth.
"Asta…"
He paused for a moment, then lifted both children into his arms.
"Well… from today on, you are not alone."
He walked into the church and called out,
"Sister Lily Aquaria! We have two new guests!"
She appeared quickly, and as soon as she saw the children, she smiled gently.
"I'll take care of them."
Ten years later…
The two boys grew up in the church, helping Father Orsi and Sister Lily with daily chores.
But in this world… tasks were not accomplished by effort alone.
They required magic.
And each of them had to reveal their magical power to determine their place in the world.
In the church courtyard, the children and villagers gathered.
Sister Lily smiled kindly and said,
"Alright, my children… let us see your magic and the power you've been hiding from us."
Asta jumped excitedly.
"Of course! I'll show you an amazing power that will make all the girls in the village admire me! Especially you, Sister Lily!"
Lily laughed lightly.
"Let's see Yuno first… then we'll return to your 'great power.'"
Yuno lowered his head slightly and said hesitantly,
"I don't know… if I'll succeed or not…"
Lily approached him and placed her hand on his shoulder.
"I believe in you. Just… listen to your mana."
Yuno took a deep breath.
"Alright…"
In the next moment—
A powerful light burst from his body.
The ground trembled beneath everyone's feet, and the villagers' eyes widened in shock.
Then—
The sky split open.
A massive bolt of lightning descended… striking Yuno directly.
But instead of harming him…
He absorbed it.
His body began to glow, and energy flowed from him in a terrifying surge.
Yuno shouted,
"I… I can control it!!"
The energy began to spiral out of control, but—
"No… I won't lose control!"
He clenched his teeth and resisted with all his strength…
Until—
The energy gradually calmed.
Silence fell.
Then—
The village erupted in astonishment.
"Impossible…!"
"He's just a child…!"
"This is royal-level magic!"
The villagers looked at Yuno as if they had finally found hope.
They had always suffered—from being looked down upon, from their weak magic… and from their constant fear of bandits.
And now—
Someone among them might save them.
But suddenly…
All eyes turned toward Asta.
"And now… your turn."
Asta smiled confidently.
"It's time for the real show!"
He raised his hand and shouted,
"Watch closely! This is my power!"
Silence filled the air.
Then—
A faint black flicker appeared.
Weak.
It vanished instantly.
…
Seconds passed.
Nothing happened.
Whispers spread among the people.
"Is… that all?"
"I don't sense any mana…"
"Is he… without magic?"
Asta froze in place.
"Impossible… I…"
But in that moment—
He felt something.
Something cold… deep… within his body.
A voice.
Mysterious.
"At last… I've found you."
Asta's eyes widened.
But before he could understand—
Everything disappeared.
Silence returned…
But this time—
It was not normal.