After successfully relocating the orphanage and strengthening the Akatsuki base's inner world, Avi's gaze turned toward the ever-growing storm looming over the Clover Kingdom. With the Royal Magic Knight Selection Exam only days away, the Clover Kingdom had begun preparing for another major event — the Magic Knights Squad Gathering, an annual summit where captains discussed defense, reconnaissance, and threats to the kingdom. Avi knew this year would be different. This year, fate had chosen to stir violently.
From the highest spire of the Akatsuki palace, Avi peered into a glowing crystal orb, its surface pulsing with threads of mana, time, and probability. It projected scenes: Julius overseeing the preparation for the Royal Exam… captains training new recruits… and far to the south, the ocean shimmering with ominous energy.
Avi (thought): "The Underwater Temple… The Seabed Sanctuary. It won't remain untouched for long. Vetto is on the move. The Eye of the Midnight Sun will strike there soon."
---
In the war chamber, Asta and Yuno trained intensely, their cloaks fluttering as they clashed midair with magic-enhanced blows.
Avi: "You two. It's time you saw more of this world."
Yuno: "Another mission?"
Avi: "Yes. The Underwater Temple is hidden beneath layers of enchantments. The Wizard King will soon request squads to investigate. But we'll go first — silently. We'll explore, map, and prepare escape paths."
Asta (grinning): "Underwater Temple sounds awesome! Another dungeon dive?"
Avi (smiling faintly): "It will be far deadlier than any dungeon. This isn't a test. It's war."
---
That night, cloaked in stealth runes, the Akatsuki trio descended into the ocean depths aboard a shadow-enchanted manta ray familiar. Passing through magical whirlpools and light-bending illusions, they reached the temple. Avi's system assisted in breaking ancient enchantments and mapping its maze-like interior.
Inside, they discovered murals etched in glowing coral, depicting long-forgotten wars between humans and devils, elves and gods. A grand altar in the center pulsed with malevolent energy.
Yuno: "This… this mana. It's wrong. It's angry."
Avi (narrowing his eyes): "Vetto's curse. He's already left his mark. We leave. Now."
Before they departed, Avi left behind sigil-embedded roots — should danger return, he would know. As they surfaced, Avi looked toward the eastern sky.
Avi (thought): "Soon, Vetto will attack. I must prepare contingencies. The Wizard King will use this opportunity to test everyone. I'll be ready."
---
Two days later, at the Royal Capital Arena, the Royal Magic Knights Selection Exam commenced. Dozens of mages from all over the kingdom gathered. The Akatsuki's name had spread, and many were eager to challenge the upstarts.
Avi chose not to attend directly but used a highly advanced puppet replica — infused with enough strength to impress, but restrained to conceal his true identity.
The first challenge involved team battles.
Asta: "Yuno! We're up next!"
Yuno (calmly): "Don't hold back. They'll be stronger than last time."
Akatsuki overwhelmed several veteran squads with their clean coordination. Avi, from the observation stand, analyzed every fighter's movement.
Avi (thought): "Many are pawns. But one or two… that girl with curse magic… and the wind user from Silva family… they'll play roles in the future. I must record their growth."
Just then, Julius appeared beside him.
Julius: "Enjoying the show?"
Avi (smiling politely): "Always."
Julius: "Your squad's impressive. You should consider the Magic Knights Gathering next week."
Avi: "We'll be there."
---
One Week Later — The Magic Knights Squad Gathering.
Captains stood in a grand magical colosseum. Fuegoleon, Nozel, Charlotte, and others discussed increasing demon activity. Asta stood with Yuno beside the other captains. Avi observed from a distance, cloaked.
But before the meeting could end — an explosion rocked the city.
Yami: "What the hell!?"
Nozel: "We're under attack! Magic Knight HQ is under siege!"
Dozens of Eye of the Midnight Sun operatives descended. In the chaos, a masked figure — Licht — appeared, wielding overwhelming light magic.
Avi (from the shadows): "So it begins."
Licht's attack struck with surgical precision. In the crossfire, Fuegoleon was teleported away and returned moments later — injured and unconscious. His right arm was missing.
Charlotte: "Fuegoleon!!"
Julius: "Everyone, defend the capital!"
Asta and Yuno charged into the battle. Avi, still hidden, used his wood clones to assist covertly. He intercepted three high-ranking enemy mages from the shadows, using origin-based illusions and sealed-space runes to trap them without drawing attention.
Avi (thought): "Too early for full exposure. Lucius must not learn. Not yet."
---
After the attack, the kingdom mourned and regrouped. Fuegoleon remained in critical condition. The captains demanded answers. Julius ordered deeper investigations.
Meanwhile, in the Akatsuki base:
Yuno: "Licht. Who was he?"
Asta: "He was insanely strong. Like something out of a legend."
Avi: "You've both taken your first step into the real war. More will come. Stronger. Faster. Crueler."
Yuno: "Will we be enough?"
Avi: "With me behind you? Yes."
---
That night, Avi retreated to the Origin Hall deep inside the dimension. Surrounded by magical projections and system logs, he reviewed upcoming events:
Vetto's future assault on the Underwater Temple.
The Elf Reincarnation ritual traces emerging.
Zagred's fragments being discovered in forbidden zones.
Lucius monitoring captains and testing cursed mana samples.
Avi (thought): "Time is moving faster now. I'll set the trap before the devils awaken. Asta and Yuno must shine… but not too bright."
With a wave of his hand, he dispatched familiars to monitor the Spade Kingdom. One flew past a citadel where Lucius sat meditating, surrounded by time magic and devil sigils.
Lucius (smiling): "I sense it again… a flicker. Who are you, little shadow?"
Avi (smirking from afar): "Catch me if you can."
[To be continued…]