The Neutral Realm Castle
Inside the spacious hall—
Domina stood with both hands braced against the table, carefully examining the blueprints spread across more than half its surface. Her brows were knit tightly together, her expression shifting between deep contemplation and sudden realization.
Seated diagonally opposite her was Yuuki, holding a thick book roughly the width of his palm. Judging by its appearance alone, it looked very much like a dictionary.
And in a sense, it was.
The heavy volume in his hands was a specialized lexicon—one dedicated to cataloging and explaining the intricacies of magic script.
After a long period of effort, Domina had finally recorded every demonic inscription she understood into this single volume.
As a master magic-tool craftsman born in the Witch's Forest, the value of this magic-script dictionary was immeasurable.
With it, Yuuki could slowly study and decipher demonic script on his own whenever time permitted.
Soft footsteps approached from behind.
A young woman with pink hair and a gentle expression—Fana—walked out from the corridor carrying a tea tray.
Seeing Yuuki and Domina fully absorbed in their work, she slowed her steps, carefully placing the tray on the table. She poured black tea for both of them and set the cups down quietly.
As she finished—
Yuuki closed the demonic-script lexicon and lifted his gaze, studying Fana's relaxed demeanor. The confusion that once lingered in her eyes had completely vanished.
"I've been tied up with other matters lately, so I couldn't explain things to you personally," Yuuki said softly.
"But you should've already gotten your answers from Domina and Mars."
Over the past week, Yuuki had spent most of his time in Leon Town.
The Black Bulls' supervision was, on the surface, rather loose—primarily handled by Finral, Vanessa, Noelle, and Gordon.
Yet beneath that surface, other Magic Knight squads were quietly rotating in and out.
It was surveillance in all but name.
From that alone, it was clear—
Even though Wizard King Julius had openly acknowledged that Yuuki was different from the Eye of the Midnight Sun and had even accepted his intelligence reports, most Magic Knights still did not truly regard him as an ally.
What appeared to be suspicion on the surface concealed something sharper underneath.
The battle at Leon Town had been officially sealed from public knowledge, but rumors had still spread within the Magic Knights.
For knights who idolized the captains—and especially for nobles who took pride in their status—such stories were difficult to accept.
And when a commoner demonstrated power that could threaten them?
Arrogance inevitably twisted into malice.
Even if Julius prevented them from acting openly, that malice still trickled downward.
That was precisely why Yuuki had crushed the townspeople's hostility in Leon Town with money—swiftly and decisively.
In a rigid class-based society, nobles and commoners were bound together by deeply entangled, unhealthy dynamics.
Based on historical precedent from his previous life, Yuuki was nearly certain—
Once the Eye of the Midnight Sun was destroyed, there was a high probability that the nobles and Magic Knights would turn on him next.
A pity.
He had never believed Julius was truly a saint.
Still—
Compared to that, Yuuki found it more curious that Asta and Yuno hadn't come looking to fight him.
From Noelle, he learned that Asta was training intensely with Luck and Magna.
Yuuki suspected that seeing Neige and Mariella defeat two Black Bulls so effortlessly had finally forced Asta to confront the gap between them.
Yuno, who had witnessed the Leon Town battle even more clearly, was likely undergoing a similar realization.
Yuuki returned his focus to the present.
Fana stood before him, still a little tense. She nodded firmly.
"Yes… it still feels unreal," she admitted softly.
"But I feel at ease."
"Mars already told me about everything between you and him. Thank you—for helping him."
She clasped her hands to her chest and bowed deeply.
"There's no need to thank me," Yuuki replied lightly, shaking his head.
"At the end of the day, it was a partnership."
She hesitated for a moment, then spoke again, her voice quieter.
"Um… Lord Yuuki. I feel an extremely powerful force inside me. What… is that?"
"You can already sense it?" Yuuki looked mildly surprised.
"Your talent exceeds my expectations."
He explained calmly:
"Your body was once possessed by another soul, so it absorbed that soul's power amplification. On top of that, there's also residual power from Salamander."
"If you properly assimilate and control both, your strength could very well surpass Mars's."
Understanding dawned on Fana's face.
"I see… Oh—Lord Yuuki, here's your magic tool."
She retrieved a communication magic cube from her robe and handed it to him with care.
This was the very tool she had used to contact Mars and confirm the truth of her situation.
Yuuki accepted it.
Then—
"Lord Yuuki… may I join you?"
She bit her lip nervously as the question slipped out.
Yuuki froze for a brief moment.
Then he stood, extending his hand toward her.
"Welcome, Fana."
She stared at his outstretched hand, eyes shimmering, suddenly at a loss. Flustered, she grasped it.
"I know your past," Yuuki said gently.
"Your companions and friends were all lost to cruel experiments. When you opened your eyes again, the world must've felt foreign—aside from Mars."
He paused, meeting her gaze.
"You don't need to force yourself to fit in."
"I don't care what Mars told you, and I welcome you having your own goals."
"This—right here—is where you begin again."
"Welcome back, Fana."
He lightly squeezed her soft hand, smiling warmly.
Her body trembled slightly. She lifted her head, tears welling, and smiled brightly.
"Thank you… Captain Yuuki."
"Captain?" Yuuki blinked, then laughed.
"Honestly, I prefer that over 'Lord.'"
At that moment—
"Hey, how long are you two planning to hold hands?"
A teasing voice chimed in.
Domina had finally pulled her attention away from the blueprints. Propping her chin on one hand, she watched them with amusement.
Fana flushed crimson and hurriedly withdrew her hand, grabbing the teapot instead.
"I—I'll go add more hot water!"
She fled down the corridor.
"Still that shy, huh?" Domina stretched lazily, smirking.
"The two residual powers inside her still have enormous potential," Yuuki said calmly.
"Help her learn to control them."
"I know, I know," Domina rolled her eyes.
"My dear taught them once, after all. I suppose that makes me her… senior."
She yawned.
"You've figured out those magic arrays?" Yuuki asked, glancing at the diagrams.
These arrays were copied from the Apotheosis Ritual—not the core, but the foundational structure.
"They're old, but simple," Domina replied.
"They absorb and condense mana. There's no need to modify them."
After explaining in detail, Yuuki nodded thoughtfully.
These arrays formed the ritual's outermost layer—its foundation.
To complete the ritual required immense mana.
The ten magic stones created by the ancient elf leader existed for that very purpose—mana condensation.
And during that process, each stone's magic would be forcibly merged into the caster.
A brutal fusion—like hammering different ores together in a blazing furnace.
"I understand."
"Also," Yuuki added, "there's something I need you and Fana to take care of."
The Star Festival
Also known as the Sacred Fruit Festival—
It was the annual ceremony where the Clover Kingdom announced the number of "stars" each Magic Knight squad had earned over the year.
First place symbolized the most active and accomplished squad of the year.
It was a celebration of honor—and ranking.
A true annual spectacle.
Boom! Boom!
From early morning, fireworks echoed across the royal capital.
People in new clothes filled the streets, while mages zipped overhead on brooms and magic carpets.
Street vendors shouted excitedly from both sides.
The festival's atmosphere washed away much of the lingering fear left behind by the Eye of the Midnight Sun—and the battle at Leon Town.
Yuuki and Rebecca walked through the bustling streets.
"So, this is the Star Festival," Yuuki chuckled.
"It's lively. Shame Mariella and Neige aren't interested."
"Is it really okay for us to come out like this?" Rebecca asked quietly, scanning the crowd.
"There's no problem," Yuuki replied calmly, unfazed by the glances thrown their way.
Rebecca relaxed and nodded.
Yuuki sampled festival food along the way, clearly satisfied.
"Festivals really do have the best food."
Rebecca smiled, arms full of snacks.
"Yuuki!"
A familiar shout rang out.
Yuuki looked up to see Asta sprinting toward them—with several familiar figures behind him.
Thud!
Yuuki held a skewer in one hand and casually planted the other on Asta's forehead, stopping him dead.
"Could you run with less force? You kick up dust."
Asta laughed sheepishly.
"Hehe—still blocked me that easily. As expected of you."
"Hello, Asta," Rebecca greeted.
"Long time no see!" Asta beamed.
"We went to the tavern earlier—you weren't there, so I figured you'd be here!"
"What's up?" Yuuki asked, glancing toward the others.
"Noelle!" he noted as she approached—with Kahono and Kiato from the Underwater Temple.
"Yuuki… Rebecca," Noelle greeted.
"Can you help them?" Asta asked awkwardly.
Yuuki laughed.
"With our relationship, you don't need to ask so formally."
Asta and Noelle lit up instantly.
(End of Chapter)
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