Chapter 32: The Calm Before the Abyss
The Clover Kingdom sparkled under the golden light of early morning. Nobles and commoners alike bustled through Kikka, the capital, as preparations for the upcoming Magic Knight Gathering reached full swing.
For most, it was a time of celebration—a grand tournament where squads competed, showcased their strength, and attracted recruits. But for Avi Caesar, seated within his hidden dimensional fortress, it was another piece of the intricate puzzle falling into place.
Avi sat cross-legged in his private chamber, the dim blue glow of countless floating mana screens illuminating his calm face. The Akatsuki headquarters hummed with quiet life behind him, but his focus was entirely upon the simulations running before him.
> [System Update: Timeline Stable]
[Current Forecast: High probability of external interference during Magic Knight Gathering.]
His emerald eyes narrowed slightly as he studied the projected events.
Avi (thought):
"Fuegoleon Vermillion's injury… Licht's appearance… Zagred's distant whispers… Lucius observing from the shadows. This is the moment where multiple futures branch."
He shifted his hand slightly, and new simulations unfolded.
---
Meanwhile, in the Akatsuki Base
The grand hall of Akatsuki was alive with quiet activity. Asta, Yuno, and their newly recruited members prepared for the upcoming gathering. The Akatsuki squad, though officially recognized, had remained mostly in the background. But now they were stepping into the spotlight for the first time.
Asta's energy was infectious as always.
Asta (grinning):
"We're finally going to the Gathering as a squad! This is gonna be awesome!"
Yuno smiled faintly.
Yuno:
"Stay focused. It's not just a festival. The kingdom's eyes are on us."
Several new Akatsuki members gathered around: stealthy assassins, magical researchers, and elite mages Avi had quietly recruited through discreet missions, all handpicked for their talents and absolute loyalty.
Even though none of them knew Avi's true power, they respected him as the enigmatic founder who had shaped them from the shadows.
---
System Activity — Covert Adjustments
As the squad prepared, Avi's system pulsed silently.
> [Minor Fate Adjustment: Insert agent within the Royal Knights for intelligence gathering.]
[Chosen candidate: Lila Frostshade — Tier 2 Ice Mage — Loyalty: 100%.]
Avi approved the insertion with a thought. Lila, disguised as an ordinary Royal Knight recruit, would act as his eyes during the coming events.
Avi (thought):
"With her embedded, I can monitor subtle shifts even during the chaos."
---
The Gathering Begins
The day of the Magic Knight Gathering arrived with fanfare. The royal colosseum overflowed with nobles, peasants, visiting dignitaries, and foreign envoys — all eager to witness the grand event.
Squads lined up in formal formations: the Golden Dawn, Silver Eagles, Crimson Lions, Blue Rose, Green Mantis, Coral Peacock… and finally, standing tall at the far edge—Akatsuki.
A hush fell as the audience studied the newcomers dressed in their distinctive black mantles with the bold red cloud symbol. A few murmurs passed:
"Akatsuki? The mysterious new squad..."
"Isn't that Asta's squad? The boy who fought the captains during the entrance exam?"
The Wizard King Julius Novachrono appeared on his floating platform, wearing his usual carefree smile, but his sharp gaze analyzed everything.
Julius (cheerful):
"Welcome, everyone! Let this year's Gathering begin!"
The tournament commenced with flashy one-on-one duels, squad displays, and magical contests of strength.
Asta and Yuno fought brilliantly, easily crushing their early opponents, drawing further attention.
From the highest balcony, Lucius watched in silence, his time magic pulsing faintly behind his calm eyes.
Lucius (thought):
"The Akatsuki squad... Their growth is unnatural. The hidden factor continues."
---
The Hidden Plot Unfolds
But while the audience enjoyed the spectacle, deep beneath the colosseum, unseen forces gathered.
The Eye of the Midnight Sun, though severely weakened, still had remnants under Licht's leadership. Unknown to most, Licht was already manipulated by Zagred's influence. And now, under Lucius's subtle direction, a dangerous plan was set into motion.
As the Crimson Lions' captain Fuegoleon Vermillion fought with his usual overwhelming grace, a hidden portal opened within the shadows — cloaked by forbidden spatial magic.
Several possessed cultists emerged silently, moving like shadows behind the barriers.
---
System Alert — Avi's Intervention
Within Akatsuki's hidden command room, Avi's system interface glowed violently.
> [System Alert: Fate Point Critical]
[Event Triggered: Assassination Attempt — Captain Fuegoleon Vermillion]
Avi stood calmly, eyes cold.
Avi (thought):
"So it begins."
But direct intervention risked exposing himself. The time was not yet ripe.
He activated a prepared contingency.
> [System Protocol: Remote Autonomous Defense — Shadow Guardian Mark I Activated.]
From beneath the stone pillars near Fuegoleon, invisible microscopic wooden constructs created by Avi's earlier preparations surged into action, intercepting the first dark blade aimed at Fuegoleon's spine.
---
The Ambush Begins
Suddenly, a violent explosion rocked the arena. The barrier trembled as light magic beams and dark curse blasts collided.
Gasps filled the stadium.
Julius (serious now):
"Everyone, evacuate! Captains—take defensive positions!"
The Eye of the Midnight Sun remnants revealed themselves, led by one of Licht's elite mages — a devil-possessed hybrid named Varis.
Varis (smiling):
"The Clover Kingdom's time has ended! Submit to the will of the devils!"
Fuegoleon, though initially caught off guard, stood tall.
Fuegoleon:
"You dare strike here? I will burn your heresy to ash!"
As fire magic clashed with the invaders' cursed energy, the battle erupted into full chaos.
---
Avi's Subtle Manipulation
Even as battle raged, Avi's remote system-controlled micro-puppets silently kept Fuegoleon alive — intercepting stray attacks, diverting mana beams, and subtly reinforcing his barrier layers.
The other captains fought fiercely as well. Nozel, Charlotte, Dorothy — all engaged the attackers while protecting civilians.
Meanwhile, from a hidden corner of the colosseum, Asta and Yuno moved swiftly.
Asta (determined):
"Yuno! We need to protect Captain Fuegoleon!"
Yuno (nodding):
"Let's finish this quickly."
---
The Puppetmaster's Smile
Avi observed all from his hidden chamber. His eyes reflected every movement like a chess master evaluating his board.
Avi (thought):
"Zagred tests. Lucius observes. Julius calculates. And I… control."
The battle continued to escalate, but Avi ensured no true harm would reach Fuegoleon yet.
This was critical for future events — the future where Fuegoleon survives to one day stand as a pillar in the coming war against devils.
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The Turning Point
At the climax of battle, Varis unleashed a massive cursed spatial bomb aimed directly at Fuegoleon. The crowd screamed in terror.
But before the blast could detonate—
Asta (roaring):
"BLACK SLASH!"
A powerful anti-magic wave tore the cursed orb apart, nullifying its energy completely.
Yuno (following):
"Spirit Tempest: Divine Lance!"
The remnants of the attackers were finally obliterated under the combined might of Asta, Yuno, and the captains.
---
Aftermath
Silence returned to the colosseum.
Fuegoleon stood breathing heavily but unharmed. The captains regrouped, surrounding him.
Fuegoleon (grateful):
"Thank you… all of you."
Asta grinned, eyes blazing.
Asta:
"We protect our own!"
The audience erupted in applause. The incident was publicly declared as an "isolated terror attack," but Julius knew otherwise.
High above, Lucius Zogratis narrowed his eyes.
Lucius (thought):
"He was supposed to fall today. And yet... again, fate shifts."
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Avi's Secret Chamber — Closing the Chapter
As the dust settled, Avi leaned back in his chair, his manipulative smile returning.
> [System Notification: Fate Divergence Successfully Managed. Timeline Integrity Preserved.]
Avi (calmly):
"Everything proceeds exactly... as it should."
He turned away, already preparing for the next phase.
Because soon, far beneath the oceans, the Underwater Temple Arc was about to begin.
And once again, Avi Caesar would pull the invisible strings.
---
[To be continued…]