The sound of waves crashing against the shore filled the air. The mission had finally arrived — a seemingly routine assignment from the Wizard King. Yet Avi knew better. He always did.
The Underwater Temple — a magical sanctuary sealed deep beneath the sea and protected by powerful barriers, hidden away from the common eye. Officially, the mission was to obtain a powerful magic stone hidden there. Unofficially, it was a test — a way to test both the Black Bulls and Akatsuki squad in preparation for something greater.
Avi sat cross-legged beneath the mana tree at the center of the Akatsuki dimension, reading the encrypted scroll sent by Julius.
Avi (thought): "So the stone hidden there... is one of the magic stones Zagred once tried to collect. He won't be the last."
The underwater temple arc was critical. It wasn't just about a stone; it was a hinge point — where fate, devil influence, and human ambition intersected. Avi knew that the Black Bulls were the center stage, but he had already manipulated the layers beneath. Akatsuki would also arrive — but with a different purpose.
---
Scene: Akatsuki Meeting Hall
Avi: "Asta. Yuno. We're going to the Underwater Temple. Officially, we'll provide backup in case things go south. Unofficially... we're going to plant runic seal formations to contain any future devil residue in the area."
Yuno: "Is the danger that bad?"
Avi: "Not now. But if left unchecked, it'll become a devil nest in two years."
Asta (grinning): "Then we won't let that happen. Let's clean house before the villains even show up!"
Avi (thought): "I wish it were that easy."
---
Scene: Sea Bed - Arrival Point
The team arrived by using a sub-dimensional portal created by Avi's clone. The moment they arrived near the barrier of the underwater temple, they saw the Black Bulls already there, negotiating access with a high priest.
Avi masked their presence using a layered illusion, making the Akatsuki squad invisible to everyone below.
Yuno (whispering): "Should we announce our presence?"
Avi: "No. This is their show. We're just... ghost hands behind the curtain."
Inside the temple, the Black Bulls began their combat against the guardians of the stone. Avi observed silently, analyzing every detail.
Avi (thought): "Good. No one suspects anything yet. But that's just the beginning."
---
Later that night, after the Black Bulls had won the game and the stone was handed over, Avi teleported the Akatsuki squad inside the temple.
He began placing intricate origin runes — engraved through dimensional etching, invisible to anyone not attuned to his magic.
Suddenly, a chill spread through the room.
Yuno: "Did... you feel that?"
Asta: "The air got heavy. Like something evil is watching us."
Avi: "It's residue. A fragment of Zagred's consciousness — sealed in the stone. Even now, it whispers."
Avi placed his palm on the stone pedestal. His eyes flared emerald as Origin Mind Eye activated. A burst of dark energy surged from the pedestal — shadowy tentacles that twisted into a mouth.
Voice (from shadow): "Foolish vessel. You tamper with fate. You think your threads matter? When the real gods descend, you'll be but dust beneath eternity."
Avi smiled calmly.
Avi: "If I'm dust... then I'll be the storm that blinds the gods."
With a flick of his hand, the dark energy was sealed into a layered containment rune, so strong that even time and spatial manipulation would not breach it.
---
Scene: Clover Kingdom - Aftermath of Temple Mission
The Black Bulls returned with praise and commendations. The Wizard King smiled proudly at Asta's performance.
Meanwhile, in the shadows, Lucius Zogratis reviewed the mission's records.
Lucius: "A magic stone retrieved. No interference... yet I felt something else. A deviation."
His eyes glowed with time magic.
Lucius: "Someone's weaving threads where I can't see. Intriguing."
---
Scene: Capital - Magic Knight Gathering Preparation
The annual Magic Knight Gathering approached — a grand celebration, evaluation, and strategic coordination of all squads. The Wizard King wanted the Akatsuki squad to formally attend this year.
Avi (to Asta): "You will attend. Stand among them. Let them see the strength of your conviction."
Asta: "You're not coming?"
Avi: "I will be there. But not visibly. Remember, the strongest piece on the board isn't always the king — sometimes it's the hand that moves all others."
---
Scene: Day of the Gathering
The grand plaza was filled with captains, nobles, and officials. As captains made their statements, a ripple passed through the air.
Suddenly, a massive explosion rocked the stage. Light magic rained down from the sky. The citizens screamed.
Captain Fuegoleon: "An attack!? Defend the plaza!"
Licht — or rather, the false Licht under Zagred's manipulation — descended from above.
Licht: "Today, the sins of humans shall be judged."
Akatsuki, stationed nearby under Avi's instruction, jumped into action. Yuno unleashed massive tornado barriers, while Asta's anti-magic slashed through light constructs.
In the chaos, a cursed light spear was hurled directly toward Fuegoleon.
Avi (thought): "No. He must not die here."
From an unseen corner, Avi cast a time-folded spell through his system — a decoy sigil that shifted Fuegoleon half a step to the side.
The spear pierced his shoulder — he collapsed, but lived.
Avi (whispering): "Enough to motivate, but not enough to end. The fire of the Crimson Lion must still burn."
---
Scene: Post-Attack Debriefing
The captains regrouped. The Akatsuki squad was praised for their swift action. Yet some raised eyebrows.
Captain Kaiser: "They arrived awfully quickly… almost as if they knew."
Julius (smiling): "Perhaps they're simply diligent."
Behind the Wizard King's eyes, Lucius stirred.
Lucius (thought): "No. This one — Avi — I must see more of him."
---
Scene: Akatsuki Base - Observation Room
Avi stood before his glowing mana map.
Avi (thought): "The elves stir. Devils begin to whisper. The Diamond Kingdom builds weapons. The Spade prepares for conquest. Zagred's soul... is not done."
He turned toward a new rune pulsing red on the far west of the map.
Avi: "A demon's heart has begun to beat again. And I'll be waiting."
[To be continued...]