Chapter 33: Descent into the Underwater Temple
The Clover Kingdom was still recovering from the shocking attack during the Magic Knight Gathering. Although the threat had been repelled, whispers of growing unrest began to circulate. Julius Novachrono, ever vigilant, suspected deeper currents at work. Yet even he couldn't see the grand puppeteer operating from the shadows—Avi Caesar.
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Akatsuki Headquarters – The Hidden Dimension
Avi stood on the grand balcony of the Akatsuki Palace, his black mantle fluttering behind him, the crimson Akatsuki clouds glowing under the artificial moonlight of the dimension he controlled. His emerald eyes were fixated on the floating system screens, each one displaying data on individuals, events, probabilities, and future projections.
> [System Forecast: Upcoming Key Event — Underwater Temple Arc Initiation: 95% Probability]
[External Interference Detected: Zagred's Influence Strengthening]
A slow smirk spread across Avi's face.
Avi (thought):
"Zagred is getting impatient. Good. The deeper he moves his pieces, the easier it is for me to manipulate the entire board."
Behind him, Asta and Yuno entered the hall, discussing the recent events.
Asta (pumped):
"That fight during the Gathering was insane! I feel like I'm getting stronger every day, but I still have a long way to go!"
Yuno (calmly):
"You're improving fast. But we both know stronger enemies are coming."
Avi turned, his expression shifting into his usual composed smile, hiding the vast knowledge churning inside his mind.
Avi:
"Indeed. Which is why I've arranged our next mission. The Wizard King will soon assign several squads to investigate an ancient dungeon beneath the ocean—the Underwater Temple."
Both Asta and Yuno glanced at him in surprise.
Asta (grinning):
"Underwater Temple? Sounds like fun!"
Yuno (more serious):
"This isn't just about fun, Asta. If the enemy is involved, we need to be ready."
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System Activity – Quiet Preparations
As the conversation continued, Avi's system interface flickered silently in the background.
> [Initiating Preparation Sub-Protocols:]
Deploy Wood Clones into the Temple Preemptively.
Establish Hidden Surveillance Nodes.
Plant Sealed Emergency Barriers at Critical Points.
Simulated Rescue Routes Calculated.]
Avi had already infiltrated the Temple weeks before through his dimensional abilities. His wood clones explored every corridor, mapping every hidden chamber, identifying every latent threat.
He wasn't preparing for survival.
He was preparing for control.
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The Mission Briefing
As Avi predicted, days later, Captain Yami Sukehiro gathered his Black Bulls squad for the upcoming mission. To the world, Avi was officially attached to the Black Bulls as a special member due to his close ties with Asta.
Yami (lighting his cigarette):
"Alright, kids. We've got a job: head to the Underwater Temple and recover a rumored magical artifact before anyone else gets their filthy hands on it."
Asta (pumped as usual):
"We won't let anyone beat us!"
Noelle (nervous):
"U-underwater? But I still haven't fully mastered my water magic for deep sea travel..."
Avi, standing nearby, subtly flicked his fingers, causing the system to inject a minor supportive buff into Noelle's mana control. She didn't notice the help but felt a strange confidence surge inside her.
Noelle (surprised):
"Wait… my Sea Dragon's Cradle feels more stable than before."
Avi smiled faintly.
Avi (thought):
"A small push at the right time creates the strongest warriors."
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The Descent into the Depths
The Black Bulls arrived at the shoreline, where the ocean sparkled under the bright sun. As the squad gathered, Noelle activated her improved Sea Dragon's Cradle, encasing them in a massive sphere of protective water.
Finral (impressed):
"Well done, Noelle! This is way more stable than before."
Noelle (blushing):
"T-thanks..."
Avi, floating calmly inside the sphere, closed his eyes as they descended into the mysterious darkness of the ocean depths. His system activated quietly in the background.
> [Entering Monitored Zone: Underwater Temple]
[Active Surveillance — 100% Complete.]
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Inside the Underwater Temple
The Underwater Temple was magnificent — glowing corals, ancient carvings, and long-forgotten ruins stretched in every direction. The Sea Temple citizens, peaceful and playful, greeted them cheerfully.
The Grand Priest, an eccentric and jovial figure, welcomed Yami's squad.
Grand Priest:
"Welcome, welcome! You're here for the artifact, yes? You must first pass the trials!"
Before the trials could even begin, however, dark ripples spread through the temple's waters — magic foreign and sinister.
Suddenly, Vetto of the Third Eye appeared — an elite warrior of the Eye of the Midnight Sun.
Vetto (smiling cruelly):
"Ah, prey has arrived. Let me show you the despair of overwhelming power!"
The Black Bulls immediately took battle positions. Asta gripped his anti-magic sword, Noelle summoned her water armor, and the fight erupted.
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Avi's True Role Begins
While the Black Bulls engaged Vetto directly, Avi moved behind the scenes.
He remained at the edge of the battlefield, eyes glowing faintly as his system performed silent calculations.
> [Monitoring Battle: 87% Probability of Noelle unlocking Sea Dragon's Roar if cornered.]
[Fatal Risk to Magna & Luck in 3 minutes — Countermeasures ready.]
Avi (thought):
"This battle will awaken many of their latent potentials. But I will not allow death to be the cost."
As Magna was blasted back and Luck's lightning barely parried Vetto's claws, Avi subtly activated one of his contingency spells — invisible wooden vines that wrapped around Luck's ankle, pulling him just far enough back to avoid a fatal strike.
Neither Luck nor Magna noticed.
Luck (panting):
"Heh… that was close!"
Magna (gritting his teeth):
"We can't lose here!"
Noelle, seeing her friends in danger, finally snapped past her insecurities.
Noelle (screaming):
"SEA DRAGON'S ROAR!"
A massive torrent of water erupted from her, striking Vetto with tremendous force. The temple trembled from the blast.
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System Notification — Fate Point Altered
> [Event Success: Noelle's Breakthrough Achieved.]
[Timeline Alignment: Stable.]
Avi smirked as his hand flexed behind his cloak.
Avi (thought):
"Good. The stronger my allies grow, the easier the war will be when Lucius and Zagred fully reveal themselves."
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The Turning Tide
The battle continued furiously. Asta fought relentlessly, his anti-magic blade neutralizing Vetto's regeneration. Eventually, after relentless teamwork and overwhelming combined attacks, Vetto was defeated.
As he collapsed, defeated but defiant, Vetto spoke with his final breaths.
Vetto (panting):
"Despair… is not yet over… The devils… the TRUE enemies… are waiting."
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Avi's Private Conversation
Later, as the team celebrated their victory, Avi quietly walked through the deepest chamber of the Temple, where his wood clones had long since cleared hidden dangers.
He knelt before an ancient, sealed crystal—one the others never noticed.
> [System Notification: Artifact — "Seal of Abyssal Chains" Acquired.]
Avi (softly):
"This will be useful when Zagred tries to cross dimensions."
The grand game was moving to its next stage.
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The Surface — Unseen Ripples
Back at the surface, Julius reviewed reports of the incident.
Julius (thinking):
"Strange… the Black Bulls succeeded, but something feels off. The energy spikes… the stabilized spatial fluctuations... someone's manipulating the currents beneath my nose."
High in the shadows of the Clover Kingdom's tallest spire, Lucius Zogratis also studied his private data.
Lucius (coldly):
"Another variable shifts. Akatsuki's founder... who are you, really?"
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Avi's Dimensional Chamber — The Puppeteer Watches
Back in the Akatsuki dimension, Avi reviewed the events, emerald eyes gleaming, system data swirling around him.
> [Underwater Temple Arc: Completed Successfully.]
[Fate Threads Altered. External Threats Accelerating.]
Avi (calmly):
"Soon, Zagred… Lucius… even Julius. Your time will come. And I… will pull the final strings."
As the screen closed, his manipulative smile returned.
The grand storm was only beginning.
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[To be continued…]