Night blanketed the Clover Kingdom under a silver moon. The streets of the capital hummed with the usual peace, unaware of the storm that was ready to unfold. Atop Akatsuki's hidden dimensional fortress, Avi stood at the balcony, watching the stars with a cold calculating gaze.
Avi (thought):
"Everything I've done so far was to prepare for this night. The true beginning of Zagred's plan."
Suddenly, the System chimed.
> [Main Quest Update: The Elf Reincarnation Ritual Has Activated]
Multiple Targets Detected Across Clover Kingdom
Priority Interference Suggested
Estimated Casualties Without Intervention: Catastrophic
Avi's eyes narrowed.
Avi (murmuring):
"The ritual has started earlier than expected. So… Lucius accelerated the process after detecting my interference."
---
It began with a flicker.
In the main Magic Knights Headquarters, captains stood around the grand table in heated discussion, reviewing the latest unrest spreading across remote regions. Suddenly, an unnatural mana surge burst forth from within several of their own.
Golden rays of ancient magic wrapped around Captain Langris, several Royal Knights, and scattered squad members. Their grimoire pages flipped uncontrollably.
Their eyes glowed bright gold as they spoke in a language long forgotten.
Possessed Langris (with elven voice):
"At long last... we awaken to reclaim our stolen paradise."
Julius instantly reacted, flickering across space to stabilize the scene, but it had already begun everywhere — the city streets, squad barracks, noble mansions.
Julius (thinking rapidly):
"They're everywhere. It's a full-scale reincarnation… but not all targets were possessed! The ritual failed to complete perfectly."
But not failed. Modified.
---
Far away in Akatsuki base, Avi smiled coldly as his personal mirror network displayed scenes across the kingdom.
Avi (thought):
"Thanks to my silent intervention, nearly 30% of reincarnation targets rejected possession. Enough to keep the kingdom from collapsing entirely."
> [System Notification: Soul Displacement Interference Success — 32.4% Rejected Possession]
Avi (smirking):
"Even in war, subtlety wins battles."
---
In Akatsuki's grand war room, Asta and Yuno stood ready, fully geared in their black cloaks marked with red clouds.
Asta (fired up):
"So this is it, the battle you always talked about!"
Yuno (serious):
"The entire kingdom's at stake now."
Avi:
"Yes. But remember — stay vigilant. Do not overextend your power too early. Observe. Protect. But do not reveal your full trump cards."
A portal opened behind him.
Avi:
"I've prepared private transport routes for us. We will divide into three teams to intercept critical locations before they fall."
---
Team 1 (Asta): Western Town of Reilis – rescue civilians & rogue squad members resisting possession.
> Team 2 (Yuno): Noble District – secure key political leaders & prevent civil collapse.
> Team 3 (Avi): Royal Capital's Inner Layer – neutralize unknown high-risk ritual anchors secretly placed by Zagred.
Avi had carefully orchestrated this division. Yuno and Asta would gain more political merit while developing practical leadership, while Avi, behind the curtain, would cripple Zagred's foundational ritual directly.
---
Asta's Frontline
Arriving in Reilis, Asta immediately engaged multiple possessed knights. Anti-Magic roared across the battlefield as he cleaved through corrupted spells.
Possessed Knight:
"Why resist?! You humans stole our world!"
Asta (shouting back):
"I don't care about your hatred! You're hurting innocent people!"
Asta's Black Divider blazed through the battlefield like a wild beast, disabling possessed knights without killing them.
Yet, among the enemies appeared one particularly strong Elf host — wielding dual wind blades enhanced by ancient enchantments.
Possessed Elf:
"Human whelp. You will taste true elven wrath!"
A fierce duel ensued. But Asta, using Anti-Magic to weaken every spell, managed to overwhelm his opponent. But barely.
---
Yuno's arrival was more strategic. Many nobles were being targeted for elimination to destabilize the kingdom's government.
Multiple squads of possessed former Magic Knights laid siege on the high mansion district.
Yuno (to Sylph):
"Let's end this quickly."
Sylph (excited):
"Yes! Swift storm incoming!"
Using enhanced Spirit Storms combined with precision wind control, Yuno carved through the attackers, saving dozens of trapped nobles.
One elderly noble lord bowed in tears.
Noble Lord:
"You… you may be a commoner's orphan… but you're the savior of Clover!"
Yuno's cold gaze flickered — not for personal glory, but understanding how his future as a leader might require such influence.
Yuno (thought):
"Asta… you'll aim for Wizard King… but I'll become stronger too. We'll stand together."
---
While Asta and Yuno fought on the frontlines, Avi had slipped deep into the Royal Capital's underground, beyond where even Julius could immediately detect him.
In the ancient hidden chambers of the Shadow Layers, he found Zagred's high-risk soul anchors — ancient cursed crystals brimming with residual devil energy.
Hovering above a dangerous demonic core, Avi summoned his silent System interface.
> [System Option: Origin Magic Purge Mode Engaged]
Success Chance: 96% (with stealth protocols active)
As forbidden dark energy lashed out, trying to defend itself, Avi's calm voice cut through the swirling demonic waves.
Avi (coldly):
"Your strings end here."
Origin Magic wrapped the cursed core in a cocoon of pure dimensional law — forcibly severing the anchor without alarming Zagred or drawing external attention.
---
Meanwhile, Julius clashed with multiple possessed captains in the palace square. His time manipulation barely kept him ahead.
Julius (panting):
"If not for someone weakening portions of the ritual ahead of time, this would have already overwhelmed even me…"
But he couldn't identify who was protecting them.
---
In his private Spade Kingdom chamber, Lucius reviewed the accelerated reincarnation from afar.
Lucius (thinking):
"Someone is intentionally weakening Zagred's ritual. Yet they remain hidden from my Time Sight. Curious..."
Adrammelech floated lazily behind him.
Adrammelech:
"So many puppets are moving now, Lucius."
Lucius (cold smile):
"Indeed. But I have plans for them all — even for the mysterious manipulator hiding among them."
---
Back in Akatsuki base, after successfully destroying two major anchor sites, Avi stood before his personal system console.
> [Ritual Disruption Success: 47.8% Ritual Instability Achieved]
Avi (thought):
"Nearly half of the reincarnations have been softened. Many of the elves will regain their true consciousness once they realize Zagred's deceit."
He gazed at the swirling timeline projected in front of him.
Avi (cold smile):
"Zagred, Lucius… your fates are no longer absolute. You play your game. I'll play mine."
---
Far beneath the ruined dungeon where the forbidden relics were stored, a new disturbance was forming — the Shadow Palace — slowly emerging as the next phase of Zagred's plan approached.
Avi's gaze darkened.
Avi (to himself):
"The true storm will come with the Shadow Palace. But I'll be waiting."
---
TO BE CONTINUED…