The grand war chamber inside Akatsuki's dimensional base was alive with swirling projections of mana currents, ancient symbols, and complex simulations. Avi, Asta, and Yuno stood before the floating image of the Clover Kingdom, now completely overlaid with dozens of blinking runic marks.
Yuno (analyzing):
"So these… these are the reincarnation nodes?"
Avi (nodding):
"Yes. The primary catalyst has always been the Shadow Palace, but multiple secondary cracks have been created across the entire kingdom. Even if the Shadow Palace remains sealed, these nodes can still partially trigger mass awakenings."
Asta (serious):
"And if they awaken? The Elves come back? Controlled by devils?"
Avi (calm but cold):
"Precisely. And not all Elves will awaken peacefully. Many still harbor hatred from the massacre long ago. Zagred's influence has poisoned their lingering souls."
Avi manipulated the projection, expanding one particular area — a forgotten temple hidden beneath the stronghold near Hecairo village.
Avi (thought):
"This one… this will be one of the earliest activations. I need it to happen under my terms."
---
Suddenly, a subtle chime echoed within Avi's mind:
> [System Update: Forbidden Ritual Proximity Rising — Estimated Accidental Activation: 32 Days.]
> [Side Quest Triggered: Disrupt Reincarnation Sequencing — Optional Subtasks Available.]
Avi's emerald eyes narrowed as he reviewed the branching paths offered by the system.
Avi (thought):
"If I allow certain nodes to trigger under my manipulation, I can both study the process and lure Lucius into a false sense of progress. He cannot suspect that I am rearranging his entire board."
---
The Wizard King called for an emergency gathering of all Magic Knight Captains. Within the grand tower's council room, captains filed in one after another. Though tensions remained high after recent missions, all understood the gravity of the summons.
Julius (serious):
"Recent disturbances in mana flow indicate highly unstable activity near multiple ancient sites. We may be dealing with something tied to the Elves' past."
Fuegoleon:
"Are you suggesting another devil's plot?"
Yami (lighting a cigarette):
"Tch. Devils, Elves, or whoever's stirring trouble… it's always us who end up dealing with it."
Jack (grinning):
"Let 'em come. More things for me to slice."
Julius (raising a hand):
"This time may be different. These rituals target the very mana of our land itself. They could destabilize large regions entirely. All squads are to investigate their assigned zones. You'll move immediately."
His eyes fell on Asta, Yuno, and Avi standing at the rear.
Julius:
"And Akatsuki, as always, you will operate independently. But keep me informed."
---
Later, within the safety of the Akatsuki Base, Avi addressed Asta and Yuno directly.
Avi:
"You will join the other squads publicly. Blend in. While the others believe they're simply investigating ruins, you will quietly record everything for me. I want mana signatures, rune formations, and—"
He paused, gazing deeply at both.
Avi (low voice):
"—report any signs of external interference. If Zagred's followers attempt to hijack any of these sites, I will intervene from the shadows. But you two must stay on the visible frontline."
Yuno:
"Understood."
Asta (grinning):
"If anyone tries anything, we'll smash 'em!"
Avi smiled faintly, hiding the deeper tension behind his expression.
Avi (thought):
"I cannot let Lucius identify me yet. But I must let these events unfold enough to gather crucial pieces."
---
Three days later, Asta and Yuno arrived at the ancient temple beneath Hecairo village alongside other squads. The atmosphere was thick with dense mana distortions. Black bulls, Silver Eagles, and Crimson Lions surrounded the perimeter.
Noelle:
"This place… it's suffocating."
Fuegoleon (stern):
"Maintain formation. Don't engage recklessly."
Deep within the ruins, glowing elven glyphs activated by unknown cultists pulsed ominously. Hooded figures chanted around a blood-red mana circle.
Cultist Leader:
"By Zagred's will, rise again, blessed souls of the lost Elves! Claim your vengeance!"
Suddenly, the runes flared violently. A few nearby mages collapsed under the intense pressure.
Asta and Yuno rushed forward.
Asta (angrily):
"Not on our watch!"
Yuno (calm but cold):
"We stop this. Now."
---
From far above in a concealed dimension layer, Avi silently observed the entire confrontation, carefully analyzing the spell formation.
Avi (thought):
"Hmm… flawed. This particular activation won't fully succeed, but its partial success will birth a few unstable reincarnations — useful for future analysis."
With a flick of his finger, he subtly infused a controlled disruption pulse into the ritual without anyone noticing. The central rune fractured, slowing the resurrection process while preserving partial mana flow — just enough to draw out minor elven souls.
---
As the spell destabilized, several semi-reincarnated elves emerged. Their eyes gleamed with golden magic lines, though their auras flickered with instability.
Corrupted Elf #1:
"Humans... murderers... betrayers…!"
The corrupted elves launched wild attacks across the chamber. Crimson Lions countered with flame walls, while Black Bulls sent defensive spells flying.
Fuegoleon (commanding):
"Defensive positions! Don't kill them if possible — they're not fully conscious!"
Asta (activating partial Anti-Magic):
"I'll just cut off their magic directly!"
Slashing with precise blows, Asta neutralized several elves without harming them physically.
Yuno synchronized perfectly beside him, using precise Wind Spirit magic to seal off others.
---
Watching from afar, Avi processed every variable.
Avi (thought):
"Good. Their cooperation is excellent. Asta is learning to suppress, not destroy. Yuno's tactical control is maturing."
System Notification:
> [Data Acquisition Complete: Partial Reincarnation Stabilization Pattern Unlocked.]
> [Optional Interference Opportunity Available.]
Avi deactivated the interference option for now.
Avi (thought):
"Not yet. Let Lucius remain unaware of how deeply I'm threading through his plans."
---
Days later, reports flooded into Julius' office.
Marx (concerned):
"Another shrine activated… but this one only partially succeeded."
Julius (narrowing eyes):
"It's happening sooner than anticipated. But someone interfered."
He glanced toward the magical map displaying residual interference patterns.
Julius (thought):
"It's as if someone is carefully orchestrating which events succeed and which fail… someone with insight even I cannot track directly."
His gaze unconsciously drifted toward the file labeled "Akatsuki."
---
Far across the border, inside Lucius' sanctum, the Time Devil manipulated cascading possibilities.
Lucius (smirking):
"Whoever thinks they're delaying me… is merely playing into my long-term vision. The great cycle will unfold regardless."
Behind him, echoes of devilish laughter resonated.
Unknown Voice:
"Yes… and the time approaches, mortal puppeteer."
---
Avi returned to the rooftop of the palace, staring into the artificial twin moons once more.
Avi (whispering):
"The reincarnation will happen, but on my schedule, not theirs. Let the world think it's inevitable… while I prepare the one path that ensures victory."
---
[TO BE CONTINUED...]