"There's going to be plenty of training from now on!"
Arlan casually tossed the mountain wolf into the depths of the forest so as not to scare the little flowers passing by.
As the sun set, the villagers working in the fields also packed up their tools to head home.
"It's unusually quiet today!"
One villager remarked.
"Yeah, I didn't see that naughty brat all day!"
Another villager couldn't help but laugh. "Probably because he was rejected by Sister Lily the other day and got discouraged!"
"Haha, I really don't know what's going on in that kid's head! Sister Lily is a clergy member; even if she were to marry, she wouldn't marry a kid who can't even use magic!"
"True, the child can't use even a bit of magic. His future life is worrying!"
"You say they're both abandoned children picked up from outside, but why is there such a huge gap between Asta and Yuno!"
The villagers coming from the fields chatted in small groups, but their voices lowered when they saw Arlan coming down from the mountain in the distance.
"Asta, why are you back covered in mud again? And you disappeared for the whole day. What did you eat for lunch?"
Sister Lily gently patted the mud off Arlan with a feather duster, her eyes full of worry.
"Gurgle~~"
Just as Sister Lily finished speaking, Arlan's stomach began to growl. He couldn't help it; a day of high-intensity training had left him famished.
"Pfft! Go eat!"
Sister Lily couldn't help but laugh at Arlan's awkwardness. "I'll go to the kitchen to get your meal."
"Asta is back. You slacked off for another day."
The church door opened, and out came a brat with a buzz cut, wearing a brownish-yellow vest, with eyes that looked like they could never fully open.
"Kid, shouldn't you use honorifics for your elders?"
Arlan looked at the brat who followed the same path as Nara Shikamaru and couldn't help but complain. This guy was in Asta's memories; he wasn't bad at heart, but his personality was damn similar to Nara Shikamaru's. However, he couldn't remember his name for a moment; it would probably come back in a few days once the memories fully merged.
"In this world, magic is everything. And you do stupid things every day, neglecting your duties. Sometimes I wonder if you're really the same age as Brother Yuno."
The brat spoke venomously, but the next second his eyes couldn't help but widen. Because Arlan, who was five meters away just a moment ago, had arrived in front of him in a blur!
At this moment, Arlan was half-squatting on the ground, patting the brat's shoulder. "Kid, there's more to this world than just magic. Regardless of strength, one should show the respect due to elders, because that's basic manners."
Arlan patted the startled brat's shoulder earnestly, then stood up and walked into the church.
"Is he really still Asta? That serious look just now, and that speed that didn't even allow for a reaction... how is this possible..."
The little brat stood there dazed. The shock Asta gave him at this moment was too great. This Asta really had a convincing aura like Yuno's!
Arlan walked to the kitchen, where Sister Lily was carefully heating up the food.
"Can't wait already? We caught a fish today, and I specially saved a bit for you."
Sister Lily smiled gently.
"Sister Lily!"
Arlan's eyes sparkled with excitement, but this bit of fish was barely enough to make do. This small amount of protein couldn't possibly support his high-intensity daily training. It seemed he would have to find ways to improve his diet from now on!
The fact that Asta was already fifteen and still so short had a lot to do with malnutrition. With his current appetite, he would need at least three pounds of beef or mutton, or ten large carps per meal just to feel full!
It seemed the road ahead was long and arduous. He would settle the food issue tomorrow before anything else!
After Arlan finished eating, he lay back on the bed. He appeared to be sleeping, but in reality, he was cultivating the Chakra within his body. For now, he couldn't count on magic, but having a skill for self-defense was essential since he was here. After all, this was a border Village. While it looked peaceful now, no one knew what emergencies might occur. It was better to be safe than sorry.
Starting the Journey with a Zen Mindset