The Akatsuki base had grown far beyond what anyone had imagined. What once began as a hidden dimension now teemed with life — magical rivers teeming with glowing fish, enchanted forests with thriving animal populations, and a self-sufficient village surrounding the central palace. From within this secret stronghold, Avi Caesar pulled the strings of fate.
The events from the Magic Knight Gathering had left the Kingdom in shock. The attack orchestrated by the Eye of the Midnight Sun, the emergence of Licht, and the near-fatal injury of Fuegoleon Vermillion had shaken even the most seasoned knights. But only a few knew that, in the shadows, a hand had subtly diverted the course of destruction.
Avi (thought): "Fuegoleon should have died that day. But a small interference… a shift in time and space… and the spear of light that should have pierced his heart was redirected."
In truth, just moments before the fatal blow, Avi had activated a hidden spatial barrier crafted with the help of his simulation system. It had deflected the energy slightly, just enough to turn a death strike into a grievous but survivable wound. No one had noticed. Not even the attacker.
Avi (thought): "The balance must remain. If I act too obviously, Lucius will notice. But if I do nothing, this world collapses into ruin."
---
Back at the base, Avi stood in front of the massive glowing tree in the heart of the Akatsuki dimension. With a flick of his hand, the roots shifted, revealing a hidden chamber. Within it, floating above an altar, was a black crystal — a fragment of Zagred's lingering essence, retrieved in secret.
Avi (thought): "Zagred's curse magic still pollutes the ley lines. If left alone, the reincarnation of the Elves will proceed uncontrollably. The resurrection cycle is accelerating."
Avi extended his hand toward the crystal.
> System Notification: Forbidden Curse Essence acquired. Initiate Purification Sequence?
He selected "Yes."
> System Notification: Beginning simulation: Purification Ritual - 68% Success Rate
Bright glyphs surrounded Avi as runes from multiple ancient languages activated in sync. His body shuddered as the curse resisted purification, retaliating with mental attacks.
> System Warning: Mental Strain Detected. Emergency Buff Deployed.
Avi's eyes glowed emerald, his Origin Mind Eye awakening to stabilize the process. Slowly, the crystal dimmed, its corruption fading.
Avi (panting): "One less variable for Lucius to exploit."
---
Elsewhere, Yuno trained with Sylph in the open skies of the Akatsuki dimension. His wind magic had grown more refined, more reactive. Meanwhile, Asta meditated beneath a waterfall laced with mana-infused mist, his anti-magic slowly swirling around him like a protective veil.
Avi observed them from afar, watching their progression.
Avi (thought): "Asta's resonance with anti-magic is evolving. Yuno's connection with the wind spirit now allows him to sense high-level spells before they're cast. Good. They need to reach the level where even Lucius' chosen cannot touch them."
To enhance their growth, Avi subtly altered their environment: small pocket dimensions with varying gravity and mana density, enchanted training zones with tailored opponents, and even dream simulations fed to them while they slept — none of which they ever noticed consciously.
---
Later that week, a report came in from one of Avi's long-range scouts — a Wood Clone stationed near the border of the Spade Kingdom.
> Clone Report: Movement detected. Dark Triad cultists performing sacrifices near the Forbidden Ruins. Presence of devil energy confirmed.
Avi: "Then it's time to clean the edges again."
Donning his secondary identity — a masked, dark-robed figure with only glimmers of emerald light beneath the hood — Avi stepped through a dimensional rift. He appeared just outside the ruins, unseen by the cultists.
With a whisper, the winds died. The cultists froze, eyes widening as shadows consumed them one by one. No one even screamed.
The altar shattered, and the black glyphs inscribed on the stones began to unravel. Avi placed his hand on the center.
> System Activation: Absorbing Devil Rune Data… 12% Complete… 35%… 76%...
Once absorbed, he burned the altar from existence, erasing all traces of the ritual.
Avi (thought): "Lucius' web stretches far. But for every hand he extends, I'll take two."
---
Back at base, Father Orsi had taken to organizing the orphanage school inside the Akatsuki village. The children were laughing, playing under protection spells while the farmers continued expanding crop fields. Avi ensured their lives remained untouched by the chaos outside.
He joined Father Orsi at the village center.
Father Orsi: "I never imagined a life like this for the children."
Avi (smiling faintly): "They deserve peace. And peace requires strength."
As they spoke, a sudden gust of wind heralded the arrival of Nozel Silva.
Nozel: "You. Akatsuki's leader. I was told to deliver this personally."
He handed Avi a sealed scroll bearing the royal emblem.
> Royal Summon: Due to your squad's meteoric rise, the Clover Kingdom requests your presence at the upcoming Council of Squads. Attendance mandatory.
Yuno (reading over Avi's shoulder): "They're pulling us into the politics now."
Avi: "Let them try. The more they see, the less they'll understand."
In truth, Avi had already planned for this moment.
Avi (thought): "This council will gather all captains, and perhaps even Lucius' spies. An opportunity… to send them false signals."
---
That night, Avi retreated into his chamber. He opened a secret panel hidden behind a bookshelf and activated an ancient communication crystal.
Avi: "Begin Project Mirage. Deploy illusions over key Akatsuki agents. Let Lucius believe I'm merely a guardian… not the architect."
> System Confirmation: Project Mirage Initiated.
The map before him shimmered. From the Elves in hiding to devils in the Spade Kingdom, from the Diamond Kingdom's corruption to the Nobles of Clover scheming behind closed doors — Avi marked them all.
Avi (thought): "Let them plot. I've already begun the endgame."
As the stars shifted above the Akatsuki dimension, the quiet hum of mana fields resonated like the ticking of a magical clock.
Avi (softly): "The twilight comes. And I... am its puppeteer."
[To be continued…]