Reborn as Asta

The Black Bulls' base was unusually quiet that morning, an odd stillness hanging in the air. The squad had been called to the common room by Captain Yami, and the rare sense of discipline left most of them curious—or in some cases, wary.

A cloud of smoke billowed from Yami's chair as he leaned back, a lit cigarette dangling from his lips. In his hand was a thick stack of envelopes.

"Listen up," Yami barked, slapping the stack against the table. "It's payday."

The room erupted into chaos almost instantly.

"Payday?! Finally!" Magna whooped, punching the air.

"Money, money, money!" Luck sang, hopping onto a chair with manic energy. "Let's go blow it all on something crazy, Magna!"

"You read my mind!" Magna grinned, the two of them already plotting some sort of reckless adventure.

Finral practically glided across the room, his face lighting up like a kid in a candy store. "Ladies, here I come! First stop, a high-class café. Second stop, the fanciest restaurant in Castle Town. Third stop…" He trailed off, lost in a fantasy of swooning women.

Gauche clutched his head, muttering feverishly to himself. "Marie's going to love what I'll get her… a new dress? No, maybe a necklace? Or—wait—Marie deserves everything!"

"Pipe down!" Yami snapped, silencing the group. He waved the stack of envelopes in the air. "I've got your pay here, but if you don't take it and get the hell out of my sight for the day, I'm taking it back. Got it?"

"Yes, Captain!" everyone chimed in unison—well, almost everyone.

Yami began tossing the envelopes like a dealer at a poker table.

Luck, Magna, try not to burn down a forest this time."

"No promises!" Luck said, snatching his envelope with a wide grin.

"No guarantees!" Magna added, twirling his between his fingers.

"Vanessa, don't blow it all on shopping."

"Captain, you wound me," Vanessa teased, catching her envelope with practiced ease.

"Finral, don't blow it all on women who'll forget your name by tomorrow."

"Why do you always assume the worst of me, Captain?" Finral whined, catching his envelope midair.

"Because it's true," Yami replied bluntly, flicking another envelope toward Gauche. "And you—try to think about someone besides Marie for five minutes."

"Not happening," Gauche muttered, cradling his envelope like it was a precious artifact.

"Asta, Noelle," Yami said, tossing the last two envelopes. "Go do whatever it is you kids do—just don't bother me."

"Thank you, Captain!" Today he had a plan list like spending his money to better the orphanage and bringing all of his gadgets and inventions to his new room.

Noelle huffed, clutching hers tightly. "I don't need your permission to do what I want."

Yami rolled his eyes, leaning back in his chair. "And you better not blow it all on frilly dresses."

"I would never—!" Noelle began, but Vanessa draped an arm around her shoulders, cutting her off.

"Come on, princess," Vanessa said with a grin. "Let's hit Castle Town. A little shopping will do you good."

"Shopping?" Noelle asked hesitantly, glancing at Asta.

"And Asta's coming too," Vanessa added,

"It'll be fun!"

"But I've actually-"

"No buts your the only one who doesn't have anything stupid planned," Vanessa said simply. "Besides, I need someone to carry my stuff."

Or he could simply just do all that stuff tomorrow plus it be nice to have a day off with some fine shyts.

Asta scratched his head and sighed before saying.

"Fine but I-"

"Yes, Asta I promise you won't regret this"

With their pay in hand, the Black Bulls began to disperse.

Yami lit another cigarette, leaning back with a satisfied smirk. "Finally. Peace and quiet."

The streets of Castle Town were alive with energy. Vibrant banners fluttered in the breeze, merchants called out to advertise their wares, and the mingling scents of roasted skewers and sweet pastries filled the air.

Asta found himself sandwiched between Vanessa and Noelle as they walked through the bustling crowds. He tried to take in the sights, but the two women had other plans.

"First stop: shopping!" Vanessa announced with a mischievous grin. She grabbed Asta by the wrist, pulling him toward a high-end clothing store.

Noelle huffed, crossing her arms as she followed. "Don't get carried away, Vanessa. He's not your personal shopping assistant!"

Vanessa glanced back with a teasing smirk. "Oh, don't be jealous, princess. There's enough of him to go around."

Inside the boutique, Vanessa immediately began rummaging through racks of outfits, holding up dresses and robes against herself. "What do you think, Asta? Too much? Or just enough to stop hearts?"

"It looks nice and I mean like really nice. But you usually look great in anything Vanessa"

Vanessa winked. "Flatterer. But you didn't answer my question. Come on, be honest." She held up a sleek black gown that hugged the mannequin's curves. "Does this scream 'mysterious allure,' or should I go for something more playful?"

Noelle shooting death glares at Vanessa, wasn't about to let her monopolize this opportunity.

Noelle snatched a sapphire-blue dress from a nearby rack, holding it up. "Asta, what about this one? It's dignified and refined—unlike some people's choices."

Vanessa chuckled. "Dignified? You're shopping with the Black Bulls, not attending a royal banquet."

Noelle's cheeks burned as she turned to Asta. "Well? Which one suits me better?"

Asta, feeling the weight of both their stares. "Look, they're both really nice. Vanessa yours is both, bold and confident, and Noelle, yours has, elegance and royalty? You both look amazing."

Vanessa grinned. "See? He's a sweetheart."

Noelle frowned, stepping closer to Asta. "Sweetheart? Don't get the wrong idea!"

The back-and-forth escalated, Vanessa trying on the gown and twirling dramatically, while Noelle rushed to the dressing room to try on hers. They paraded in front of Asta, demanding feedback on every detail—from the cut of the fabric to the colors.

"Maybe this one's too tight," Vanessa mused, leaning closer to Asta. "What do you think, big guy?"

Noelle's voice cut through the moment. "Tight? It's practically falling off you!"

Asta, caught between their growing egos.

"Girls, I think you're both—"

Vanessa waved him off. "No need to lie, Asta. She's clearly fishing for compliments."

Noelle's face turned scarlet. "Why, you—!"

While the two women bickered, Asta saw his chance. He quietly slipped out the door, making his escape into the bustling marketplace.

Asta exhaled in relief, weaving through the crowds. "Man, they're intense."

Asta walked slowly through the marketplace, his eyes scanning each stall, before his gaze landed on one booth in particular, where shimmering, spider-like metallic limbs were prominently displayed. The sleek steel glinted in the sunlight, and fine strands of enchanted silk connected the joints like sinews.

"Whoa…" Asta whispered, leaning closer. The craftsmanship was immaculate, and

The intricate design of the limbs made his heart race.

"You've got an eye for quality, young man," said the merchant, a wiry old man with a crooked grin. He was wearing a long, patched coat that seemed to carry the smell of rust. "These here? Best you'll find in Castle Town. Strong as steel, flexible as silk, and enchanted to resist even the harshest elements."

Asta nodded eagerly. "I've been working on a project and these are the exact parts I'm looking for."

The merchant raised an eyebrow. "Building something, are we? What's a spry kid like you need parts like this for?"

Asta grinned, scratching the back of his head. "Oh, just a little project I'm working on. I'm a Magic Knight, and I want to make some gear that can keep up with my abilities. Something tough but versatile, you know?"

The merchant's eyes lit up. "A Magic Knight, eh? No wonder you're interested in these. I don't sell this kind of stuff to just anyone. These limbs were crafted with the finest enchanted silk harvested from spiders in the Grand Magic Zone. Dangerous business, but worth every risk. Normally, I'd charge 150,000 yuls for the set."

Asta's jaw dropped. "150,000? That's insane! There's no way anyone can afford that!"

The two began a heated negotiation.

"Look, I'll give you 60,000 yuls for them," Asta started.

The merchant snorted. "60,000? Lad, the silk alone is worth twice that! I'll knock it down to 120,000, out of respect for the Magic Knights."

"70,000! And I'll throw in this monster crystal." Asta pulled out a shimmering yellow gem from his pouch.

The merchant's eyes gleamed with interest, but he shook his head. "Tempting, but I still can't go lower than 110,000. The craftsmanship is unmatched, and I'm running a business here."

"80,000, plus the crystal, and I'll promise to recommend your stall to the other Black Bulls," Asta countered. "You'll have an entire squad of Magic Knights shopping here in no time!"

The merchant tapped his chin thoughtfully. "Hmm, advertising by the infamous Black Bulls, you say? That could be worth something. Fine, 95,000, and we've got a deal."

Asta grinned. "85,000 and the crystal. Final offer!"

The merchant chuckled. "You drive a hard bargain, kid. Alright, 85,000 and the crystal. You've got yourself a deal."

Asta handed over the money and the gem, feeling a pang in his chest as the money left his hand but the metallic limbs were worth it. The Merchant proceeded to, carefully packed them into a bag, making sure they were secure.

"Good doing business with you."

"Yeah, you too!" Asta replied, slinging his bag over his shoulder. As he walked away, his mind began to race with ideas.

He reached into his pouch and pulled out a small notebook where he'd been sketching designs for his project. Flipping to a page, he studied a rough sketch of what he'd been calling the "Iron Spider" suit—a suit of armor with hyper mobility and stealth.

"If I combine these limbs with the demon bones from the village," he muttered to himself, "I could reinforce the frame and maybe add some kind of self-repair feature. The silk could be used for web shooters, and the arm's-"

His excitement was short-lived as he was interrupted by a familiar voice.

"Asta!"

He turned to see Charmy waving enthusiastically from a nearby food stall, a skewer in one hand and a steaming bowl of soup in the other.

"Guess I'll check out what she's up to," Asta said, tucking his notebook away.

"Asta!" Charmy called out, her voice cutting through the bustling market. She stood by a food stall, her eyes sparkling with excitement, a skewer in one hand and a steaming bowl of soup in the other. "Over here!"

Asta made his way over, grinning as he saw her. "You're really making the most of your day off, huh?"

Charmy puffed out her chest proudly, her usual confidence on full display. "Of course! A true foodie never wastes an opportunity. But there's a problem." She paused for dramatic effect. "I need someone to help me decide if these chefs are any good. And since you're pretty great at cooking yourself, you're the perfect judge!"

"Why not? I could use a snack ."

Charmy beamed, grabbing his arm and practically dragging him to the nearest food stall. They moved from vendor to vendor, sampling dishes and animatedly debating their flavors.

"This stew is too salty," Charmy declared, handing Asta a bowl with an exaggerated look of disapproval. "You taste it and tell me I'm wrong."

Asta took a spoonful, his brow furrowing in concentration. "You're right—it's heavy on the salt. But the spices are good."

Charmy nodded sagely. "Exactly what I was thinking."

At the next stall, they were presented with golden-brown pastries filled with a savory meat mixture. Charmy took one bite and sighed with contentment. "Now this… this is divine."

Asta took a bite as well, chewing thoughtfully. "The crust is perfect, flaky but not falling apart. The filling has just the right amount of seasoning. Yeah, this one's a winner."

They continued their culinary journey, Charmy growing more animated with every new dish. "Asta, you're pretty good at this! You've got the instincts of a true gourmet."

Just as Asta finished his last bite, he felt a firm slap on his shoulder. He turned to see Magna grinning at him, a mischievous gleam in his eyes.

"There you are, Asta! Been looking all over for ya," Magna said, his grin widening.

Before Asta could respond, Luck appeared on his other side, practically vibrating with excitement. His manic grin stretched ear to ear. "We've got the perfect spot to blow stuff up, Asta! You're coming with us!"

Asta groaned, wiping his mouth. "Guys, we're supposed to be relaxing. You know, taking a break?"

"Relaxing? What's more relaxing than a good fight?" Luck shot back, his fists already sparking with magic.

Magna threw an arm around Asta's shoulders. "Come on, we're not talking anything crazy—just a few rounds to let off steam! You're always training anyway. This is just… an extension of that."

Asta sighed. "I was kinda in the middle of something…"

"Oh, what, food?" Magna teased. "You'll work it off in no time with what we've got planned."

Luck grabbed Asta's arm, tugging him forward. "No excuses! Let's go!"

Before Asta could wriggle free, the two dragged him toward the black market, an area of Castle Town bustling with shady deals and peculiar merchants. The streets narrowed, the atmosphere growing darker as they passed rows of stalls selling everything from cursed artifacts to monster parts.

Magna led them to a secluded area where vendors hawked fireworks, enchanted explosives, and other dangerous goods. "This is the good stuff," Magna said, picking up a firework labeled Blastfist Mk II.

Luck was already eyeing a collection of magical shock grenades. "Imagine the chaos these could cause in a sparring match. Wanna test them, Asta?"

"Hell No!" Asta said quickly,

Before the debate could go any further, a shrill cry rang out from the other side of the market.

"Stop! Thief!"

The three turned in unison to see a cloaked figure darting through the crowded street, clutching a small, bulging bag. An elderly woman with a hunched back pointed after him, her voice trembling. "Someone stop him! He took my money!"

Without thinking, Asta bolted after the thief. "I got this!" he called over his shoulder.

Luck and Magna exchanged a glance, grinning. "He's always gotta be the hero," Magna said.

"Let's see how this plays out," Luck added, his grin widening.

Asta wove through the crowded market, leaping over stalls and dodging startled vendors. His eyes narrowed as he saw the thief summon a magical cloud.

With a flick of his wrist, black chains erupted from his fingertips, snaking through the air like living tendrils. The chains closed the distance quickly, wrapping around the thief's legs and yanking him off balance. The man tumbled to the ground. Asta approached, grabbing the bag and pulling it free from the thief's grasp.

He turned to see the elderly woman hobbling toward him. "Here you go, ma'am," Asta said, handing her the bag. "All your money's accounted for."

The woman's face crinkled into a smile. "Such a kind young man. Thank you."

As the elderly woman turned to leave, Asta noticed that her posture didn't match her frail appearance. His suspicions deepened when she disappeared into the crowd with surprising speed.

After the chaotic day in Castle Town, Asta made his way to Hage Village. The familiar sight of the orphanage brought a wave of nostalgia, and his heart warmed at the sound of children laughing in the distance. Slinging his bag over his shoulder, he pushed open the creaky gate and stepped inside.

Father Orsi looked up from where he was tending to the garden. "Asta! Back already? You're not causing trouble, are you?"

Asta grinned. "Trouble? Me? Never!"

Sister Lily appeared from inside, her face lighting up when she saw him. "Asta, it's good to see you. Are you here to visit?"

"Sort of," Asta replied. He pulled out a envelope and handed it to Father Orsi. "Here, my paycheck. Use it for the kids—or repairs, or whatever you need."

Father Orsi frowned, "Asta, You worked hard for this money. We can't—"

"I've got everything I need," Asta interrupted, his smile unwavering. "Besides, you both took care of me when I had nothing. Let me give back."

Father Orsi sighed but nodded, his expression softening.

As Asta prepared to leave, Father Orsi called out, "Actually, since you're already here… the roof's been leaking, and some of the furniture's on its last legs. Think you could help out?"

Asta lit up. "Of course! Leave it to me!"

He set his bag down and got to work. Starting with the roof, he climbed up and replaced the worn shingles with sturdy new ones. Despite the sun beating down on him, Asta worked tirelessly, his energy boundless as ever.

Next, he turned his attention to the furniture. With the materials he'd brought along, Asta crafted new chairs and tables, their designs simple but sturdy. The children gathered around, watching him work with wide-eyed fascination.

By the time he was finished, the orphanage looked better than ever. The children ran around, testing out the new furniture and admiring the repairs. Sister Lily and Father Orsi beamed with gratitude.

"You've outdone yourself," Sister Lily said. "Thank you, Asta."

He waved it off. "Ah, It's nothing."

As the sun dipped below the horizon, Asta packed up his tools and slung his bag over his shoulder.

"Don't work too hard out there," Father Orsi called after him.

"I won't."

But before he could go back to base Yuno and his team arrived

TO BE CONTINUED...

A/N: you guys know the rule by now, because I didn't post anything yesterday I'm going to post two today