It's been two years since I returned from my trip abroad.
I'm now 11 years old, and as expected, my height hasn't increased much.
But I was expecting that.
Although I'll be at a disadvantage in close combat because of my short limbs, I have a very simple solution.
Speed.
Some short anime characters often compensate for their close-quarters disadvantage with speed or long-range attacks.
Like Killua, Luck Voltia, Soi Fon, etc.
But I don't have to worry about that; after all, I have Shunpo, Shunko, and Mukyu Shunko.
I also have Flash Step, which works with ki.
Even Asta can learn Flash Step without having the demonic contract with Liebe that gives him anti-magic throughout his body.
After all, the Flash Step doesn't expel ki from the body at a distance, but rather concentrates it in the lower body and the soles of the feet.
The Flash Step is more like an explosion of ki in the soles of the feet that propels people forward, along with muscular techniques for walking and regulating movement power.
Even Asta can learn it because ki is in all living beings.
Boom.
I snap out of my thoughts when I hear someone collapse not far from me.
I glance to the side and see Asta lying on the ground, exhausted and covered in scratches.
I jump off the rock I was sitting on and approach Asta.
Asta has a black blindfold over his eyes, obstructing his vision.
I crouch down and touch his ribs with a finger.
"Asta, you're alive," I say, poking him all over his body.
"It seems he lost consciousness from exhaustion."
I use magic to slowly heal him.
About 10 minutes later, Asta no longer has so many purple bruises all over his body.
I didn't heal him completely so he can get used to the sensation of pain in the future.
The training I'm giving Asta combines pain tolerance, spatial awareness, reaction speed, and heightened senses.
For this training, I'm using the same training Tanjiro underwent as a Demon Slayer.
I place multiple traps along Asta's path.
Such as whipping tree branches, holes too deep for a child, logs that appear out of nowhere, and flying rocks.
At first, Asta went with his eyes uncovered, but after a while, I covered them.
Nullifying one sense to sharpen the others.
This training is brutal and could psychologically traumatize a normal child due to the constant beatings.
But Asta will only be physically traumatized.
One of Asta's qualities is never giving up.
I don't have to constantly motivate him; this silly little brother fills me with pride.
I wipe away an imaginary tear with my finger.
Joking aside, I place Asta in a hammock similar to a spider web connected to several trees.
Skillfully, I take out some pots and pans to cook.
Hard training should be rewarded with a hearty and nutritious meal.
By the way, Yuno must be training on the other side of the forest.
After returning from my trip, Yuno learned the spells from the [Fura] series.
Although they are less fast and sharp than the standard.
But what can you expect? He's a talented kid and works very hard.
But the limitation of not having a grimoire is quite significant.
"Where's Yuno, now that I think about it?"
I sharpen my senses and sense the wind within a 10-kilometer radius.
After a few seconds of searching for Yuno's presence, I found him about 500 meters from my current location.
Ah, he's just training.
Since he learned in the series [Fura], he's now training how to create tornadoes.
Now that I think about it, I remember a manga where a demon king uses a magical wind attack called Great Demonic Spiral [EIRTH SPIRAL!].
It's a magical attack based on a super sharp and destructive thunderclap that can destroy an entire city at full power.
It can also be used to create tunnels in the earth with its great cutting and rotating power.
I think I should try to recreate that magic spell.
After all, that spell is pretty cool.
30 minutes later.
I finished cooking a magical fire boar.
I calmly get up from the ground and walk over to Asta.
"Hey Asta, wake up," I say to Asta, patting his cheeks.
After a few seconds, Asta still hasn't woken up.
Ugh, I sigh, bored.
"Wake up!"
With a sharp slap across Asta's right cheek, I send him flying.
"Ow, ow, ow, Wendy, that hurts!" With pitiful cries of whimper, Asta sits on the ground, his feet crossed, clutching his cheek.
Placing my hands on my hips, I say, "I tried to wake you up, but you wouldn't. I had to slap you to get you to wake up."
Asta remains silent after my words.
I approach Asta with a greenish light in my hands and say, "Give me your face, I'm going to heal it."
"Hey Wendy, tell me more about your journey," I say as I heal Asta. Asta asks me, his eyes wide with starlight.
"I already told you everything about my journey, Asta. There's nothing more to tell," I sigh and reply.
"It doesn't matter, I want to hear it again!" Asta's shouts are something I'm used to.
"Okay, I'll tell you a story after you eat," I say calmly.
"Yes!" Excitedly, Asta jumps off the ground and stands up.
"Ow, ow, ow, ow!" Suddenly, Asta stiffens from muscle pain.
"Walk more slowly, Asta. Your body needs to rest," I say as I walk in Yuno's direction.
"Help yourself to the wild boar meat and grab some skewers too."
My words hang in the air after I vanish with Shunpo.
"Wendy's so fast," Asta says as he removes his blindfold.
With slow movements due to muscle pain, he reaches the campfire and collapses to the ground.
With quick hands, he grabs a wild boar skewer.
With Wendy.
The landscape around me blurs due to the speed.
I wonder what the future holds for me. Do I want to be a Magic Knight or a normal person?
Even though I told Yami I would join the Magic Knights, I don't know what to do.
Well, I already made a promise, so I'll have to join the Magic Knights.
Although I'll be a little lazy.
These thoughts cross my mind because the author has writer's block.
Just kidding.
These thoughts cross my mind because my progress in magical release has slowed down.
After all, I don't have a rival to compare myself to, and I don't have a system to track my progress.
Besides, my willpower is considerably weaker than that of the strongest warriors.
Even though I temper my will with training and concentration, I still don't have the mindset of a truly strong person.
I'll have to work on that in the future.
I snap out of my thoughts as I land behind Yuno.
"Hey Yuno, I've already prepared the food. Stop your training for now and follow me," I say, placing my hand on one of her shoulders.
Yuno is startled by Wendy's sudden appearance.
"Wendy, I'd appreciate it if you didn't appear behind me so suddenly," Yuno's slightly cold and serious voice replies.
Aw, Yuno's trying to look serious, how cute.
But I don't try to pet him; after all, I know how it feels when a woman calls a man cute.
"I'm just doing this so you're more aware of your surroundings and don't get caught off guard, Yuno," my relaxed voice lightens the mood a little.
"Then I won't say anything," Yuno replies.
I start running in the direction where I left Asta.
After all, I didn't teach Yuno Shunpo.
Not only because I want Asta and Yuno to stay on the same level,
but also because Yuno is incredibly talented, and the rivalry between them will be unbalanced.
Near the end of the story, Asta didn't believe he was strong enough and thought that if Yuno were in his place, she could do better.
I don't want Asta to feel that way prematurely because of the difference in strength.