Within the hidden expanse of the Akatsuki dimension, the magical skies mirrored a rare tranquility. For the first time in weeks, the base pulsed not with chaos or urgent preparation, but with peace. Avi sat upon a large balcony on the upper floor of the palace, sipping tea brewed from dimension-grown herbs, his emerald eyes half-lidded in thought.
Avi (thought): "Vetto's fall has shifted the tides. The Eye of the Midnight Sun now knows they are vulnerable… But that only makes them more dangerous. They'll act soon. Licht... no, the one masquerading as Licht... he's getting desperate."
A soft knock interrupted his train of thought.
Avi: "Come in."
Yuno: "We received a message. The Wizard King has summoned the Magic Knight Captains and squad leaders for a joint strategy meeting. Asta and I are invited as the heads of Akatsuki."
Avi nodded, setting the cup down.
Avi: "The Magic Knight Gathering… a moment of strength, and vulnerability. Be observant. Someone will strike during or after the gathering. I'll prepare our safeguards."
---
The following day, Asta, Yuno, and Avi (in his Akatsuki appearance) made their way to the Clover Castle. Inside the grand hall, all the captains stood, including Nozel Silva, Charlotte Roselei, Dorothy Unsworth, and others. Julius Novachrono presided at the front, cheerful yet sharp-eyed.
Julius: "With recent attacks from the Eye of the Midnight Sun, and the appearance of devils, we must coordinate better than ever. Even more so with the appearance of talents like Captain Asta and Vice-Captain Yuno of the Akatsuki."
The captains gave curious, mixed glances toward the two. A few, like Fuegoleon and Mereoleona, nodded respectfully. Others eyed them with suspicion.
Yami: "Heh… They sure caused a storm back at the entrance exams. Let's see if they can back it up."
Nozel: "Power without nobility is a dangerous weapon."
Asta (grinning): "We'll let our actions speak louder than words."
Yuno (coolly): "Exactly."
Avi, meanwhile, subtly walked among the shadows of the hall, unnoticed by most. He had cloaked himself in a presence-erasing enchantment, one layered with illusion magic from his system — a spell undetectable even by captain-level mages.
Avi (thought): "So many powerful individuals in one place. But Lucius… you're watching from a distance, aren't you? Counting, calculating."
---
As the meeting continued, the report of Fuegoleon's recovery reached their ears — a recovery Avi had subtly orchestrated using a time-locked healing talisman placed days before the attack.
Charlotte: "Fuegoleon's rapid healing… it's almost miraculous."
Mereoleona: "Tch. Even when half-dead, he finds a way to come back stronger."
Julius: "Regardless of the reason, his return is timely. We suspect another large-scale attack is being planned by the Eye. This gathering makes us a target."
Avi silently exited the chamber.
---
Back in the Akatsuki base, he summoned two clones — one with wings of shadow, the other cloaked in flame.
Avi: "Your tasks: observe the outer perimeter of the kingdom. One monitors spatial rifts, the other checks devil residue. I'll handle any temporal fluctuations myself."
Clone 1: "Understood."
Clone 2: "No devil shall pass unnoticed."
As they departed, Avi activated a hidden crystal orb showing multiple dimensional screens. Each screen revealed crucial areas: the Shadow Palace, the remains of the underwater temple, the cursed realm beyond the Grand Magic Zone, and the borders near the Spade Kingdom.
Avi (thought): "The awakening of the Elves is near. And Lucius will soon test the waters. But the world doesn't yet realize the scale of the threat. That's fine. I'll guide it from the shadows."
---
Elsewhere, in a deep forest hidden by nature and enchantment, Sally, Rades, and Valtos met with Licht — or rather, the elf Patry in disguise.
Rades: "Vetto fell. We lost too much in the temple."
Patry: "This only hastens our need for reincarnation. The final pieces of the magic stones must be retrieved. And soon."
In the darkness above the trees, a shadow observed.
Avi's Clone (thought): "So the resurrection ritual will be attempted soon. I'll let it proceed… but not without interference. The trap must snap shut only once the rat reaches for the cheese."
---
Back in the Akatsuki base, the orphanage children had begun their magical education. Father Orsi and several teachers guided them with joy. Avi installed protective barriers and arranged enchanted tutors via his system — illusions capable of actual instruction.
Father Orsi: "Avi, you've created a miracle here."
Avi (smiling gently): "Let's just say I'm returning a debt."
In the depths of his palace, he summoned a magical artifact glowing with time-etched symbols — a relic that once belonged to the ancient Wizard Kings.
Avi (thought): "Soon, the first reincarnation marks will appear. The Elf souls will surface… and I will intercept their wrath before it swallows the innocent. They shall not be pawns of devils again."
---
As night blanketed the Clover Kingdom, Julius stood atop the royal castle, gazing at the stars. Behind his calm eyes, the mind of Lucius stirred.
Lucius (internally): "Fate bends subtly. Something… no, someone… keeps nudging outcomes ever so slightly off course. I will find the anomaly."
In the vast dark sky, Avi stood atop a high cliff in his true form, a massive tree of origin glowing behind him.
Avi (thought): "You're already looking for me, Lucius. But by the time you find me, the game will be over."
---
[To be continued...]