As the sun dipped below the horizon, we made our way down from the skull and started heading back to the church. Well, it was actually just me and Luna walking together. As for the rest, well…
A few minutes ago...
The moment the last rays of sunlight faded, Asta had thrown down a challenge to Yuno. "Hey, Yuno! Let's see who can get to the church first!"
Yuno's lips curled into a smile. "It's on."
And just like that, the two of them were off, sprinting toward the church, their competitive spirits blazing as always.
So there I was, left behind—alone, well, mostly. At least I had Luna with me. We walked side by side, hand in hand, the evening breeze cool against our faces. I glanced down at her and couldn't help but ask, "Say, Luna… Why this world?"
She blinked, clearly confused. "Huh? Master?"
I gave her a small smile. "I mean, this isn't the only world reliant on magic. You could have chosen any world. So… why this one?"
Luna paused for a moment, thinking it over, before answering with a serene smile. "It's simple, really, Master. This world is a lot easier compared to others. There aren't any super-powerful enemies lurking around in the early stages, so it's perfect for a new god to grow. For other worlds, like Danmachi, for example, while it might look peaceful on the surface, there are divine beings and dangerous forces already in place. It's just not the most convenient environment for training and developing someone like you. So, after considering all the options, I thought this world would be the safest and most suitable for your growth."
I nodded, taking in her explanation. It made sense. "Got it," I said, feeling a bit more grounded in the reality of it all.
As we continued walking toward the church, I couldn't help but ask a few more questions, curious to learn more about Luna. "Can I travel to other worlds, though? Is that a thing I could do one day?"
Luna smiled softly, her eyes glimmering. "Of course. The possibilities are endless, but it depends on how you progress with your abilities. Your potential will decide when and how."
(A/N: Its a bit or maybe a little too early to ask this question but would you guys like me to continue this book after the Black Clover World? Maybe like travelling to other worlds.)
I raised an eyebrow. "What about going back to my original world? Could I visit, even just once?"
She paused, thinking. "That… is a bit more complicated. But yes, there's a chance. We'd have to see."
I chuckled lightly, rubbing the back of my neck. "You know, I've never really asked you this before, but... What are some of your favorite things, Luna? Like, your favorite food or color?"
Luna seemed to ponder for a moment, her gaze softening. "Well, I really enjoy sweet things, like cakes and pastries. And... as for colors, I'd say I like shades of blue—like the sky at dusk. It feels peaceful to me." She smiled, her tone a bit shy. "As for animals, I think I'd like cats. They're graceful and mysterious, just like the way I feel sometimes."
I smiled at her answers, feeling the warmth of the moment. "Blue, huh? I can see that—it's calming." I glanced around, thinking of something else to ask. "So, do you have any favorite memories, Luna? Something that makes you happy?"
She smiled gently, her voice soft. "Being with you, Master. Watching you grow stronger and seeing you achieve your goals. That makes me feel happy and content."
My heart warmed at her words, and I gave her a tender smile. "You know, I think I understand. I'm glad you're here with me, Luna."
We continued walking in comfortable silence for a moment, the peacefulness of the evening wrapping around us like a blanket. The soft glow from the church was already visible in the distance as we approached, and I couldn't help but feel at ease, the quiet bond between us growing stronger with each passing day.
As we reached the church, the soft light of the evening cast long shadows, but the moment felt peaceful. Asta and Yuno were nowhere to be seen, probably already inside, but I didn't mind. This moment with Luna felt just right.
Soon, I entered the church, and Luna shrank back into her small form. As I stepped inside, I saw everyone sitting together around the table. Father and Sister Lily were busy arranging dishes. When Sister Lily saw me, she smiled warmly. "Ryo, you're back. Sit down, we'll get the food ready."
I made my way to the table and sat down with Asta and the others. Time passed, and the table soon filled with a variety of dishes, mostly tatos and meat. Father got up from his seat, looking at us all with a serious expression. "Tomorrow is the day Ryo, Asta, and Yuno set off for the royal capital. We'll send them off with a feast!"
Sister Lily added with a smile, "Father went to all the surrounding villages to get tatos."
Asta, his eyes sparkling with admiration, looked at Father. "Father!!"
Father, with a teasing grin, responded, "What's that look? This isn't just for you, Asta! Actually, it's mainly for Ryo and Yuno."
Asta froze, a hurt expression on his face. "Father!!"
Father chuckled, raising an eyebrow. "Well, Ryo and Yuno might make it into the Magic Knights. As for you…"
Asta stood up, clearly upset. "Father!!"
Father patted Asta's shoulder, his voice calm but supportive. "Asta, there's no need to be embarrassed even if you fail the exam."
Asta blinked, confused. "Huh?"
Father grinned teasingly. "No one believes you're going to pass anyway."
Asta's jaw dropped. "Are you trying to encourage me, or are you making fun of me?!"
Father just chuckled again. "You can always come back here, Asta. This church is your home. No matter how crappy or shabby it is, it's still your home."
Recca added with a smile, "That's right, Asta."
Aruru chimed in with a little pout. "I'll be lonely without Asta here, and Yuno and Ryo too."
Hollo, in his usual cute manner, added, "We're all family."
I couldn't help but smile slightly at that. Asta turned to Father and said, "You should say that to Yuno and Ryo too. Tell them they can come back here anytime."
Father looked away, avoiding the subject. "Yuno and Ryo will be fine."
Asta, clearly not understanding the underlying meaning, frowned. "What do you mean? Besides, I'll be fine too. I'm going to be the Wizard King!"
Sister Lily smiled, but her expression shifted into a light regret.
"Then I'll come back for Sister." Asta continued, looking at her with a grin. "So when that happens, marry me—"
Before he could finish, Sister Lily's hand moved with blinding speed, and Asta was sent flying into the wall with a punch of [Water Magic: Holy Fist of Love].
Sister Lily stood over him, looking at the rest of us with a serene smile. "Alright, let's eat."
Aruru and Hollo couldn't contain their excitement. "Yay! Let's eat!"
Just as I was about to grab my plate, I noticed Luna looking eagerly at the food. I cleared my throat and said, "Ahem, everyone, I'd like to introduce someone to you all."
Everyone, except Asta and Yuno, turned their attention toward me. They both already knew who it was, but they waited with curiosity.
I turned to Luna, smiling softly. "It's your turn."
Luna looked up at me with happiness in her eyes and fluttered down gracefully. "Hello, everyone. I'm Luna, Master's elemental spirit."
The others were momentarily stunned, but their surprise quickly turned to curiosity. Aruru and Hollo, in particular, were the first to react.
"So pretty," they both exclaimed in unison.
The warmth of their acceptance was immediate, and Luna, delighted, fluttered down to the table, taking her place beside us. She eagerly began to nibble on the food with the same enthusiasm as everyone else.
"Wow, Luna! You're so elegant, even when you're eating," Recca said with a smile as he watched Luna nibble on a piece of meat.
Sister Lily chuckled softly. "I never thought I'd see a spirit enjoying food as much as we do," she said, looking fondly at Luna.
Father, watching the scene with a gentle smile, added, "Seems like she's already a part of the family, huh? It's good to see you two getting along so well."
Luna beamed at the attention, her eyes sparkling with joy as she continued eating. "Thank you all," she said in her soft, melodic voice. "It feels nice to be welcomed here."
Asta grinned at Luna, "Told you they'd like you! They just need to see how awesome you are." He gave Luna a thumbs up.
Yuno, who had been quietly watching the exchange, nodded, his usual calm expression in place. "It's good to have you here, Luna."
I smiled at the scene. It was strange, having Luna with us like this, but somehow, it felt right. And in this moment, with the warmth of the meal and the easy conversation around us, I couldn't help but feel like things were finally starting to settle.
And just like that, the feeling of family was more complete than ever.
After the meal, Aruru and Hollo eagerly approached me, asking if they could play with Luna. I smiled warmly and simply told them, "Why don't you ask her yourself?"
They turned to Luna, and her face lit up when they asked. "Of course!" Luna agreed, her eyes sparkling. She immediately flew over to join them, her wings shimmering as she conjured up colorful, floating magic animals. The children giggled in delight as the creatures danced around, performing tricks with a swirl of mesmerizing chaotic energy. It was clear that Chaos Magic had its own unique, beautiful charm.
I watched them for a moment, a soft smile on my face, when a thought crossed my mind. I turned toward Luna, who was still playing with the kids, and called out to her.
"Luna," I said, catching her attention. "I was wondering... Can I renovate this church somehow? I'd like to give something back to everyone for taking care of me."
Luna landed beside me, her golden eyes curious. "Master, you can use the Reality Form of Chaos Magic for that. But... there might need to be an equivalent exchange for it."
I pondered the idea for a moment, then my eyes lit up. "How about we use the piles of wood that Yuno brought?" I suggested.
Luna thought about it for a moment, then nodded with a smile. "That should work."
I smiled back, feeling a sense of excitement rising in me. "Alright, let's make this happen."
I called everyone over again, saying, "Everyone, I've got another surprise for you. Come with me."
The group, including Asta and Yuno, followed me outside, their curiosity piqued.
Asta, ever eager, asked, "What's the surprise now?"
I flashed a grin, my lips curling into a mysterious smile. "Just watch and see."
With that, I summoned my grimoire. It flew out of my scabbard and hovered beside me, radiating a beautiful glow. I looked at Luna, who nodded playfully, ready for the task.
"Ready?" I asked her.
She smiled, her eyes filled with mischief. "Always, Master."
I then ascended into the air, a swirl of mana gathering around me as I focused my power. I aimed at the church and spoke the incantation: [Chaos Magic: Reality Form: Arcane Restoration].
A massive surge of mana erupted from me, flowing out in waves. It enveloped the entire church, forming a gigantic dome that shimmered with chaotic energy. The group stared, wide-eyed, at the overwhelming mana spilling out from me. The air crackled with power, and the dome shimmered like a mirage—a glowing, radiant barrier that pulsed with brilliant colors.
Yuno's eyes narrowed in awe, and Asta's jaw dropped. "What... is this?"
The dome expanded further as the pile of wood Yuno had collected during his training began to rise into the air. The wood pieces spiraled toward the dome with unnatural speed and precision, weaving together as though they had a mind of their own. The entire church seemed to breathe with life, and the group watched in stunned silence.
After a few moments, the dome flashed a brilliant, colorful light, and the air hummed with magic as it vanished in a burst of chaotic energy.
What stood in front of us now was a much grander church, towering and majestic. The new building radiated an aura of elegance and strength. The stonework was ornate, with intricate carvings of celestial symbols that glowed faintly. The windows were enormous, framed with delicate silver, and they shimmered with an otherworldly light. The church was larger, with sweeping archways and grand, curved walls that gave it a regal, almost ethereal quality.
Asta's eyes were wide with disbelief. "Did you... did you just...?"
Yuno was staring at the church, his mouth slightly agape. "How... how did you do that?"
Father stood at the forefront, his expression blank as he processed the transformation. Then, his face lit up, and his eyes began to glisten with tears. "Ryo... this is more than we ever could have hoped for," he said, his voice cracking with emotion. "You've... you've outdone yourself."
Sister Lily's eyes softened, her lips curling into a gentle smile. "It's beautiful, Ryo. I don't even know what to say."
Recca and Nash were speechless, their eyes wide in awe. Recca finally managed to stammer, "It's... it's like something out of a dream. This is... incredible."
Aruru and Hollo gazed up at the church, their faces glowing with wonder. "So pretty!" Aruru exclaimed.
Hollo clapped her hands excitedly, her eyes sparkling. "It's magical!"
I chuckled softly, feeling a warmth in my chest. "This is my thank you gift to all of you. Asta and Yuno were planning to renovate the church once any of them becomes the Wizard King, but I figured I'd do it now, while I can."
I looked directly at Father and Sister Lily. "Thank you both for taking care of us all this time. You've given us so much... and this is my way of showing my gratitude."
Father wiped his eyes, trying to hold back tears. "Ryo... I—I'm so happy. You've given us more than we ever deserved." His voice wavered with raw emotion.
Sister Lily stepped forward, her eyes bright with tears as well. "You've truly made this place something special, Ryo. You've given us so much more than just a home."
I smiled, my heart full. "You're all family to me."
Asta, with a grin that could rival a hundred suns, nodded. "We'll make you proud, Father, Sister Lily. One of us is gonna be the Wizard King one day!"
Father chuckled, his usual sternness softened by the emotion of the moment. "I'm sure of it, Asta. And no matter which one of you it is, we'll be proud."
Sister Lily leaned over and gave Asta a playful tap on the head. "Just don't forget to come back and visit us when that happens!"
Recca, always the optimist, grinned. "And we'll be here to celebrate with you, no matter what!"
The mood was warm, filled with love and joy, as the group basked in the glow of the new church. I felt at peace, knowing that I had helped create something meaningful for the people who had always supported me.
Luna, who had been fluttering around us, landed beside me, her golden eyes sparkling with pride. "Master, you've made this place wonderful."
I looked down at her with a smile, feeling truly blessed. "Thanks, Luna. I couldn't have done it without you."
As we all stood together, surrounded by the beauty of the new church, it was clear—this was a moment of belonging, of family, and of gratitude.
After everyone marveled at the church's transformation, they were all eager to explore the inside. We walked in together, and the interior was even more magnificent than the outside. The walls were lined with delicate carvings, intricate patterns that shimmered softly under the light. The windows depicted beautiful, almost ethereal figures—what looked like angels, saints, and other celestial beings—each one seeming to glow with a faint, divine light. It was like the church itself radiated peace and warmth, almost as if it had a life of its own.
I couldn't help but feel a strange familiarity. The symbols on the windows, the figures carved into the stone... they were all oddly reminiscent of something I couldn't quite place.
I leaned in toward Luna, speaking to her silently through our connection. "Say, Luna... you didn't change the god here, did you? Those symbols, those figures... they look oddly familiar. I even feel more comfortable here."
Luna's voice echoed softly in my mind. "Actually, Master, I did. The symbols and the figures represent a divine connection tied to your future role. You'll understand more of it when you become the God of Chaos."
Her words settled into my mind, and for a brief moment, I felt a deeper understanding of why the place felt so familiar—so comfortable. It was a part of my power, connected to my destiny. I'd known since the day I awakened that becoming the God of Chaos was in my future, and this just reinforced that. I didn't feel fear or unease about it; it was simply the next step in my journey.
Shaking off the thought, I focused on the present. There were people around me, eager to explore this new space. That was what mattered now.
The church was absolutely massive inside. After the renovation, there were far more rooms than I had expected. I had added plenty of bedrooms for everyone, a spacious library with shelves full of books, and even two types of bathrooms: one large enough for multiple people, and several smaller ones for individual use. It seemed like an odd thing to think about, but after bathing outside for so long, having indoor bathrooms was a huge improvement.
There was also a large dining room, a cozy living room with comfortable couches, and a fully stocked kitchen. Honestly, the entire building was much more than just a church. The front was still grand and cathedral-like, while the back housed a sprawling living space that could rival any noble's estate.
I couldn't help but marvel at the size and layout. As I wandered through the rooms, it felt so much bigger inside than it had from the outside. When I mentioned it to Luna, she casually explained, "Master, I used space-folding magic to expand the interior. It's a little trick using the power of space."
I chuckled under my breath. "Gotta love the convenience of magic."
After exploring every inch of the new church, everyone started to pick rooms for themselves. The kids, naturally, chose a room next to Sister Lily's and Recca's, since they all wanted to be near the people they trusted. As for me, I found a quiet room in one of the upper corners of the church. It was cozy, with large windows that overlooked the area outside, letting the light of the setting sun filter in. I could already picture myself spending many peaceful nights here.
Once I was settled, I moved over to the bed and gently sat down. Luna fluttered onto the bed next to me, her wings glowing faintly. I pulled her into my arms and wrapped her in a gentle hug. She nuzzled into my chest, the softness of her form making the moment feel even more intimate. I brushed a lock of silver hair from her face, smiling down at her.
"Goodnight, Luna," I whispered, leaning down to press my lips against hers. The kiss was tender at first, but then deepened, full of quiet affection and something more, something unspoken.
Her golden eyes fluttered closed as she responded softly, "Goodnight, Master. Sleep well."
When we finally pulled apart, I lay back beside her, my heart still racing from the intensity of the kiss. The warmth of Luna's presence, the softness of her touch, and the comfort of the new church made everything feel right. For the first time in a long while, I felt at peace. Tomorrow would bring its own challenges, but for tonight, I could simply relax, content in the moment.
Night passed in the blink of an eye, and before I knew it, it was the early morning of the next day. Everyone had slept soundly in their new rooms, the warmth of the new church still lingering in the air.
After a quick breakfast, the three of us—Asta, Yuno, and I—gathered our things and stepped outside. Father was the first to speak as we stood in front of the church. "Take care, all three of you, okay?" His voice was filled with concern but also pride.
Recca smiled warmly and added, "You guys better write to us, alright?"
I nodded and responded, "Of course, we will."
Aruru, always cheerful, cheered us on. "Good luck!" she exclaimed, her small voice filled with hope.
Hollo, ever the sweet one, waved. "Come back soon."
Nash, with his usual teasing smile, turned to Asta. "He'll be back soon... Asta, that is."
Asta, caught off guard, exclaimed, "Nash!!"
Nash walked up to Asta with a smirk, continuing, "If, just if, and that's a huge if... you do get into the Magic Knights..."
Asta looked at him, wide-eyed. "Yeah!?"
Nash's expression faltered briefly before he gathered his courage and said, "I'll believe in possibilities... maybe even believe I can become something great. And when that day comes, I'll join the Magic Knights too."
He turned away, clearly embarrassed. "Or, never mind," he muttered.
Asta, not missing a beat, smiled warmly. "I'll be waiting for you, Nash."
I chuckled under my breath, watching the exchange before speaking up. "Alright, we'll be off now."
Yuno nodded silently beside me. "I'll be off too."
Asta's eyes widened as he caught up with us. "Hey, wait! Yuno, Ryo!" He jogged to match our pace.
As we walked, Asta shot a grin at Yuno. "Hey, answer me, you handsome jerk! Just because we're rivals doesn't mean we can't get along."
Yuno didn't even glance back, walking faster with his usual calm demeanor.
Asta huffed and called out again, "Hey!" But Yuno kept his pace, ignoring the banter.
Asta then turned around to wave at everyone, a big grin on his face. "Well, bye, guys!"
I smiled and turned back as well, giving them a wave. "Take care, everyone."
With that, we turned toward the horizon, walking side by side, ready to face whatever awaited us in the royal capital. The rising sun painted the sky with hope, and as we stepped forward, I knew this was just the beginning of our journey.
A/N: I might have to put in the slice of life tag for this book too. Anyway hope you enjoyed this chapter. See you all in the next one. Also do you guys think I over did this chapter? Let me know.