Chapter 12: There's Something Different About Him...
(A/N: because of two comments one that brought to my intention that because he has changed people are going to notice that he's changed and the second one being that I need to focus on more story.So I'm going to be trying something a bit different and I hope you guys like it.Enjoy)
POV - Yuno
The morning sun filtered through the worn curtains of the orphanage, casting a warm glow over the wooden floors. Yuno sat at the dining table, nibbling on a piece of bread while the sounds of the other children laughing and running echoed around him. Yet, his mind was elsewhere. Something had shifted in the air, a feeling he couldn't quite place.
He'd heard it last night—the raised voices of Father Oris and Sister Lily. They were yelling, but not in anger; their tone carried worry and relief. It didn't take long for Yuno to piece it together. Asta was back.
"He's finally back," Yuno muttered to himself, taking another bite of bread. His tone held a mix of annoyance and anticipation. "Disappearing for three days without a word. Typical Asta. Bet he's still asleep."
Pushing back from the table, Yuno decided he'd had enough waiting. If Asta was finally home, it was time to spar. He'd been training in Asta's absence, and today might finally be the day he bested him.
As he climbed the stairs toward Asta's room, Yuno rehearsed his challenge in his head.
But when Yuno pushed open the creaky door to Asta's room, the words froze on his tongue. His smirk faded, replaced by a furrowed brow. Someone was lying in Asta's bed, but…
"That's not Asta," Yuno whispered, his heart skipping a beat.
The figure stirred slightly under the blanket, revealing a shock of white hair. Yuno blinked, sure he was imagining things. Asta's hair had always been an ash-blonde, not this stark white. He stepped closer, squinting at the sleeping figure. The face… it was familiar yet different. Softer in some ways, but sharper in others. Even his jawline was more defined.
Even under the blanket, Yuno could tell the person's frame was different. Asta had always been on the leaner and toned side but now his shoulders looked broader, his muscles more defined. It was as if someone had taken Asta and remade him—better, stronger. But… was it really him?
Yuno's mind raced. He considered waking him up but decided against it. Instead, he backed out of the room, closing the door quietly behind him. Something wasn't right, and he needed answers.
"Father Oris, Sister Lily," Yuno said, his tone unusually serious as he approached them in the kitchen. They were bustling about, preparing breakfast for the children. Both looked up at him, their earlier cheer evident in their expressions.
"Ah, Yuno! Isn't it wonderful? Asta's finally home!" Sister Lily said with a bright smile.
"Yeah, wonderful," Yuno replied. "So… have any of you noticed anything… different about him?"
Father Oris raised an eyebrow. "Different? What do you mean?"
"His hair. His face. Even his build. He doesn't look like himself," Yuno said, his voice dropping to a near whisper. "Are you sure it's really him?"
Sister Lily and Father Oris exchanged a glance before Sister Lily spoke. "It was dark last night when Asta came in. We didn't have many candles lit, and… well, we were just so relieved Asts came home. I suppose we didn't look too closely."
"Why don't we call Asta down?" Father Oris suggested. "We can all see for ourselves."
Yuno nodded, though his unease hadn't lessened. He followed them back to the dining area, where Sister Lily called out, "Asta! Come down, dear!"
And after a few moments Asta finally appeared at the top of the stairs, the room fell silent. All eyes turned to him as he descended. The changes were undeniable now. His once ash-blonde hair was now a brilliant white, framing a face that seemed both foreign and familiar. His green eyes had deepened into a rich, royal hue. His frame was larger, more muscular, and he was even as tall as me maybe even taller.
Father Oris and Sister Lily stared, their jaws slightly agape. Even Yuno, who had prepared himself for this moment, felt a pang of disbelief.
"What?" Asta asked, his voice casual as he reached the bottom of the stairs. "Did I grow a second head or something?"
"Asta…" Sister Lily began, her voice hesitant. "What happened to you?"
Father Oris cleared his throat, his tone turning stern. "Yes, care to explain why you look like… that?"
Asta chuckled, running a hand through his hair. "Oh, this? It's nothing serious. Just a little experiment I was running on myself. Worked out pretty well, don't you think?" He flexed an arm for emphasis, a playful grin on his face.
Sister Lily blinked, her worry replaced by confusion. "An… experiment?"
"Yeah," Asta said, leaning casually against the wall. "I've been testing some… biological enhancements. You know, pushing the limits of what the human body can do. And, well, this is the result."
Father Oris pinched the bridge of his nose. "Asta, you can't just… experiment on yourself. What if something had gone wrong?"
"But nothing did," Asta countered, his grin widening. "In fact, everything went perfectly. I've never felt better."
Yuno remained silent, watching the interaction. Despite Asta's casual demeanor, Yuno couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to this transformation than Asta was letting on. But for now, he kept his thoughts to himself.
Father Oris shook his head, muttering something about reckless boys, while Sister Lily just sighed. "Well," she said finally, "if you're sure you're alright, I suppose there's no point in worrying about it."
Asta gave her a thumbs-up. "Exactly! No need to stress. Now, let's eat. I'm starving."
(A/N: The rest of the chapter will be a POV shift from third person to first person let me know if you guys like it and again.Enjoy)
As we all sat down for breakfast, I stayed quiet, watching the exchange. They… just accepted it? Just like that? My mind reeled, but I forced myself to stay calm. If they weren't going to do anything I would.
I had planned to keep my distance, maybe just observe him to confirm my suspicions quietly, but something about him drew my attention like a magnet. He wasn't acting any different than usual, and yet everything felt off.
From the moment he left his room, Asta went about his daily routine like clockwork. He greeted the other kids in the orphanage, his voice steady and warm as ever. They were thrilled to see him, clinging to his arms and hanging off him like he'd been gone for years. He smiled at them, ruffled their hair, and played along—completely normal.
When he sat down to meditate in the courtyard, I watched from the shadows, my eyes narrowing at the serene expression on his face.
Still, I followed him throughout the day. Every action, every movement, I studied it all. When he switched from meditating to physical training, it was like watching a completely different person. His punches and kicks were precise, controlled, each one delivering power that seemed beyond anything Asta had ever been capable of. The sweat glistened on his now more muscular frame, his movements like a well-oiled machine.
Eventually, my frustration got the better of me. "Screw this," I muttered under my breath.
I stepped out from the shadows and walked up to him, the crunch of my boots on the gravel catching his attention. Asta paused mid-punch, turning to face me. His face was calm, and he wiped the sweat off his brow with a towel.
"Hey, Yuno," he greeted me casually, his royal green eyes meeting mine. I ignored the jarring color change and focused on my goal.
"I want to spar," I said bluntly.
He blinked, surprised for a moment, but then his lips curved into a grin. "A spar? It's been a while since we last fought.But sure why not"
"If I win, you have to tell me the truth about what you did to the original Asta," I said, crossing my arms. "No lies. Honest answers."
His grin faltered for a split second, but then he chuckled, shaking his head. "You're serious about this, huh? Alright. If that's what it takes to prove it's me, I'm game."
We squared off in the courtyard, the other kids forming a loose circle around us, eager to see the fight. Father Oris and Sister Lily peeked out from the doorway, clearly concerned but not interfering.
"Don't hold back," I said, summoning my wind magic. A sharp gust swirled around me, the air crackling with energy.
Asta just nodded, settling into a loose fighting stance.
The fight began with me launching a series of wind blades his way. They sliced through the air, sharp and fast, but Asta dodged each one with inhuman speed. He closed the gap between us in a blink, forcing me to leap back and create more distance.
But then he made a move I wasn't ready for .
He dashed toward me with a burst of speed I'd never seen before, delivering a strike I barely managed to block. The force of it sent me skidding back, my arms stinging from the impact.
"What the…" I muttered, eyes wide.
Asta didn't give me time to recover. He unleashed a flurry of attacks, his movements fluid and unpredictable. A spinning kick, a low sweep, and then a leaping strike that came down like a hammer. I threw up a shield of wind, but it cracked under the sheer force of his blows.
His hand snapping forward in a motion that sent a shockwave rippling through the air. It hit me square in the chest, knocking the breath out of me and sending me tumbling to the ground.
"What are these moves?" I gasped, struggling to stand. My mind raced. Asta had never fought like this before. These techniques, this power—it was all new.
But I wasn't done yet. Summoning every ounce of my strength, I launched myself back into the fight, sending a torrent of wind his way. Asta countered with a whip-like strike, his hand cutting through the air with precision. The wind dissipated before it could even reach him.
Every time I thought I had an opening, he was already there, shutting it down. My defense crumbled under his relentless assault. Each hit landed harder than the last, his inhuman speed and power overwhelming me.
Finally, I fell to my knees, panting and battered. My vision swam, but I could see Asta standing over me, his hand extended.
"See i told you it's me" he said, his voice steady.
I stared at him for a moment, my mind racing. The changes in his appearance, the new techniques, the overwhelming power, the way he fought, the way he carried himself—there was no denying it. The only person who could overpower me like this was Asta.
I took his hand, letting him pull me to my feet. For a moment, we just stood there, as he let me catch my breath. Then, despite everything, I felt a small smile tug at my lips.
"You're still an idiot," I said
Asta laughed, clapping me on the shoulder. "And you're still stubborn. Now c'mon, let's go grab some food."
As we walked back toward the orphanage, the familiar edge of our rivalry lingered in the air, sharp and electric. But beneath that competitive fire lay something deeper—something unyielding and undeniable.
We weren't just rivals. We were brothers, bound by a bond no fight could ever break.