Night had finally fallen at the Clover Kingdom and the cold gentle breeze blew right through the black haired girl. Her long black sway along with the wind as she tucks some strands of it behind her right ear.
Her golden eyes gaze up into the starry night sky as her lips were slightly parted apart. Silvery smoke came out from it as she takes a sigh once again.
She is currently in the Lodging House at the Royal Capital where the banquet is being held. She decided to stay at the balcony for a while before meeting the others Royal Knights.
Her dragon spirit Hanabi crosses his arms on his chest while standing beside his master. His golden eyes didn't miss the sorrow in her eyes despite her gentle expression.
Until footsteps can be heard behind them as they felt the familiar cold aura. "And why are you here all alone...foreigner.." it was the Captain of the Silver Eagles who decided to stand beside her.
Nozel was a bit surprised by the silence of the black haired female. He shifted his purple eyes towards Hanabi who just started to walk away from them. The dragon spirit hopes that maybe Nozel will make her master feel a little bit better.
"I...I guess things have been bothering me lately..." Hayaku said softly as she glances at him from the corner of her eyes. Nozel hum in response as his white furry mantle slightly moves from the breeze.
"You seem to be bothered by simple things..." the mercury magic user uttered as he shifted his purple eyes at her. "What it is this time..." he asked with his monotone voice as he notices how Hayaku stares at him for a while until her lips turn into a smile.
Nozel slowly averts his gaze away from her as he places his right on his lips. "Not that I am interested, foreigner...." he defended with an unnoticeable blush on his face which earned a chuckle from Hayaku. She doesn't know why the heaviness on her chest slowly faded away with his presence.
She gazes upon the starry night as she shoves her hands on her pockets. "I am just wondering what is the real reason that the Eye of the Midnight Sun has such strong hatred that they can't able to forgive us..." Hayaku confesses.
"And we need to fight them because of what they did. An endless fight that will just cause despair..." she purses her lips into a thin line. "Why can't we just forgive one another, so no one will suffer anymore..."
Nozel hum in response after hearing her statement. He does understand what she meant but forgiveness isn't just something that a person could bestow into someone easily.
"You are indeed bothered by simple things..." the mercury magic user said softly. "But you know it is not easy to forgive someone when they have cause harm to the things that you suppose to protect..."
Hayaku closes her eyes as her lips turn into a smile. "Yeah...maybe that is..." she said softly understanding what he meant. "Maybe doing the right thing is really hard, isn't it..." she gazes down at both of her hands.
"Maybe, It will be hard for me to forgive as well if ever someone hurt what I suppose to protect..." she admitted as she rubs the back of her neck. "What am I even saying... I apologize for my unnecessary thoughts...I hope I didn't cause any trouble..."
Nozel places his right hand on the top of her head as he patted it lightly. "You were never a trouble..." his gentle voice makes Hayaku gazes upon the silver haired male.
"Always remember that...Haya..." he continued which makes the black haired female eyes widen as her name just escapes from his lips.
The Silver Eagle captain purple eyes shifted at her captivating golden eyes as he moves his delicate hand on her right cheek and tucks some strand of her soft black hair behind her ear.
Hayaku's cheeks were slowly dusted with rosy shade from the sudden physical touch of Nozel. The silver haired captain didn't even realize what he is doing right now. He was indulged by her presence and the swirls of emotions he suddenly had.
"Captain...Nozel..." Hayaku called his name in such a gentle manner that makes his cold heart melted away. He even witnesses how her pink lips parted apart while uttering his name.
She was frozen in place as her heart fluttered inside her chest. The silver haired captain half lifted purple eyes stare directly at her as he cupped her right cheek. His hand rested on the back of her ear as his thumb slowly caresses her delicate cheek.
Nozel hums in response as he brushes her pink lips with his thumb. The silver haired captain could feel the excitement on his fingertips the moment he felt how soft it was.
"Captain...Nozel..." Hayaku called him once again in an inaudible whisper as she saw how he is slowly leaning closer to her. She even holds her breath as she clutches her Royal Knights Robe.
"Please permit me to do so..." Nozel whispered which makes Hayaku's face turns beet red from the surprising request of the mercury magic user. His lips almost brushed her pink ones until they both snapped their eyes wide open from the sudden fiery presence near them.
They immediately turn around away from each other gaze due to embarrassment. They didn't even know what kind of force fall upon them to be in that situation.
"What was that..." Hayaku places her right hand on her chest and felt how her heart is going to leap out at any moment now. Hot steams are visible on the top of her head as she covered her entire face with both of her hands.
"How unpleasant..." Nozel places his right hand on his lips after realizing what he had done. He even scolded himself for not controlling his emotion back then.
In just a few moments, Mereoleona arrived at the balcony as her blue eyes saw how Hayaku and Nozel back facing one another. "I am going to go now, Captain Nozel..." the flustered black haired female said shyly as she looks down on her feet while walking away.
"Captain Mereoleona..." she squeaked as she shows her the Magic Knight salute with her red face. The fearless Lioness nodded in response as she raises an eyebrow after witnessing her interesting expression.
The Captain of the Crimson Lion King watches her retreating figure as she shifted her blue eyes at the quiet Nozel. She moves his feet towards him and stands beside her fellow Squad Captain.
Nozel has the same stoic expression he had. He needed to compose himself together as he doesn't want Mereoleona to witness his flustered state.
"Captain of the Silver Eagles..." she said sternly as she crosses her arms on her chest. She gazes at the luminous light coming from the humble home that can be seen from the balcony. "May I remind you that she has the same age as your sister..."
Nozel brows were slightly furrowed from the statement of Mereoleona. That hit him like a magic bullet right into his heart. "I don't know what you are talking about..." the silver haired captain stated with his monotone voice.
Mereoleona glances at him from the corner of her eyes. "I will drag you into the dungeon myself if you do something inappropriate..." she threatens as she turns her lips into a smirk.
"I don't want to hear any words coming from you..." Nozel stated sternly which earns a chuckle from the fearless Lioness. "Who would have thought that a cold mercury magic user like him will be able to show such gentleness?" Mereoleona wondered as she shakes her head lightly.
"You're taking three days to start this operation. You're being awfully cautious...." the silver haired captain decided to divert her attention.
"What are you getting at? Do you think I'm hesitating?" she asked as she arch a brow in curiosity.
"No. It appears I don't need to worry..." Nozel answered flatly.
"You always were perceptive. I set a trap to find out how much the enemy knows of our plans. Well let's hear it from them directly..." she glances at her shadow over her shoulder with fierce in her eyes.
"Did you really think you could trick me with such a foolish spell?" she snarls until her shadow immediately moves away from her.
It was a spy from the Eye of the Midnight Sun who manages to lurk around the Lodging House earlier. It was unfortunate that he chooses the fearless Lioness.
Nozel slowly summons his grimoire that is levitating in front of him. A mercury magic in a form of a spear stops the unknown shadow mage from fleeing.
The unknown shadow tried his best to escape but the mercury magic spear that stabs him has restricted him from using his magic as well.
Mereoleona moves her feet towards the squirming shadow as she uses her flame lion paw to grab the spy from his useless shadow magic. A mage with long gray hair has a horrified expression on his face in the presence of the flame magic user.
"You're not getting away." she snarls as her lips turn into a smirk.
The scream of the spy resonates outside the Lodging house from the brutality of the fearless Lioness.
***************
The shock expression can be seen on the Royal Knights while they are enjoying the mini banquet. They all saw a badly beaten spy under the flame lion paw of Mereoleona while Nozel is standing beside her.
His face is completely swollen which unable them to recognize him anymore. He even loses some of his teeth which make Hayaku and Hanabi cringe from it.
"What?! A spy from the Eye of the Midnight Sun?!" Asta loud voice gasped in shock.
"I can't believe there really was one..." Noelle uttered in disbelief.
"How troublesome... how can they manage to move freely in here?" Hayaku shoves her hands on her pockets and confused about how the spy even manage to get here in the first place.
"Maybe he attached himself on some idiot that didn't manage to sense him..." the dragon spirit said. "Well, that spy is not different because he just attached himself to that violent woman..." he snickers as he plops clover chocolate in his mouth.
"Mushroom is shocked!" the manly mushroom who is standing on the left shoulder of En shouted in disbelief.
"Second-Place Rookie, apparently, he was following you..." Mereoleona informed as they turn their heads towards Asta.
"To think I hadn't noticed...How disgraceful..." Klaus uttered in disappointments as he fixes his eyeglasses on the bridge of his nose.
"I questioned him without killing him but apparently, our enemy hasn't noticed any of our movements." Mereoleona inquired as she scans the Royal Knights.
"Therefore, we will be moving up the operation's start time. We strike the Eye of the Midnight Sun's hideout tomorrow morning!" she commanded which surprises the Royal Knights.
"T-tomorrow?!" Fragil stated in disbelief.
"Not in three days?" Puli wanted to clarify.
"This will be such a pain..." Hayaku muttered in frustration.
"I don't want Yuno to see me right after I wake up!" the wind spirit complained as she puffed her cheeks in annoyance.
"Make sure you all get plenty of rest tonight. That is all..." Mereoleona said with seriousness in her eyes as she drags the spy along with her.
"Plenty of rest...I doubt I could even do that properly..." the black haired female thought with a wary look on her face. "Why do I have this feeling that something unexpected will happen..."
"It appears Lady Mereoleona intended all along to depart immediately as soon as she captured the enemy spy." Ben said after Mereoleona and Nozel leave them.
"So if you want to fool your enemies, you must first fool your friends..." Ruben added.
"But tomorrow morning?" Nils seems wary about it.
"What a scary lady." Zora snickers from Mereoleona revelation as his dark blue eyes notice the strangely quiet Asta. "What's up, shitty shrimp junior? You scared?" he questions playfully.
"It's the exact opposite." Asta answered with a serious expression this time. "The reason I want to become Wizard King is so that everyone who lives here can have a free country where they can always smile." he admitted.
"I'm going to stop their rampage no matter what!" Asta declared as he clenches his right fist.
"You'd better not go on a rampage on hold us back." Yuno stated nonchalantly.
"I'm never going to lose to you!" Asta points his index finger at his rival which makes Yuno scoff at his statement.
"I'm the one who's going to win." the wind magic user retorted.
Hayaku on the other hand flicks their forehead from their mini argument. She shakes her head lightly and places her hands on her hips.
"What was that for Haya!" Asta rubbed his forehead with his right hand.
"You can't be serious..." Yuno averted his gaze away from her with a red mark on his forehead.
"I really wanted to see you two work together this time. This isn't a competition in the first place." she scolded as her lips turn into a smirk. "But you guys make sure to not cry if you are badly beaten up by those enemies. Don't make me protect you this time..." she said playfully.
Asta and Yuno have a smile on their faces after they hear those words from her. She just wanted them to take care of themselves out there.
"That will not happen..." Yuno assured as his golden eyes focus on her.
"I will not allow that to happen, Haya!" Asta shouted as he points his thumb at himself. "Because I am going to be the one to protect you and be the Wizard King!" he said proudly.
"You mean...me..." Yuno corrected which earn laughter from the black haired female.
"It's finally time..." Noelle stated with seriousness in her eyes.
"Tomorrow is when we finally settle this." Klaus fixes his eyeglasses on the bridge of his nose.
"We're going to defeat the Eye of the Midnight Sun!" the Royal Knights stated in unison with fire in their eyes.
Even though they will fight against strong opponents that are far greater than the magic they possess. They will stand tall and keep moving forward just to be able to grasp the peace they wanted to achieve.
**************
The Royal Knights have finally arrived at the Gravito Stones Floating Dungeon which the Eye of the Midnight Sun's hideout. An enormous rock can be seen levitating above with several much smaller rocks around it.
"Holy crap! There's a castle floating in the sky!" Asta being Asta gasped in amazement.
"Hey brat... you should really keep your voice down. The enemy will be going to find us before we infiltrate them because of the volume of your voice..." the dragon spirit scolded which makes the magicless boy eyes widen in disbelief.
"What?!" Asta shouted once again. The dragon spirit eye twitches for a few seconds until he smacks the ash blond male on the top of his head to shut him up.
"That's the Eye of the Midnight Sun's hideout..." Noelle's pink eyes focus on the enormous large rock that has multiple entrances.
"Well, there aren't many who would set foot in the strong magic regions. And since it's hidden by this magic fog, it's even harder to spot. Anyone would have difficulty finding it." Mereoleona informed as she shifted her blue eyes towards Nozel.
"You figured all that out, and that's why you had people search this area. You've gotten better, Captain of the Silver Eagles.." she complimented as her lips turn into a smirk
"I just happened to have people searching dungeons and we coincidentally found out it was their hideout." Nozel stated without averting his gaze at the floating dungeon.
"Oh? So what brought the Captain of the Silver Eagles himself here, then?" Mereoleona questioned in a playful manner.
"That's enough idle chatter." the silver haired captain suggested as he glances at Siren over his shoulder. "You can use your spell from this distance, can't you?"
"Indeed..." the stone magic user replied with his monotone voice as he summons his grimoire. "Stone Creation Magic: Stone Model of the World..." he chanted. Stone emerged from the ground that formed into a perfect replica of the floating dungeon.
Glowing orbs can be seen from it with different sizes which indicate the magical power of their opponents. All the Royal Knight eyes were focused on the stone base creation spell while Mereoleona observes it.
"That's so cool!" the ash blond male couldn't help but shout in amazement.
"I see. It's like an ants nest that allows entry from anywhere. Seems simple enough to infiltrate." the fearless Lioness commented as her eyes travel at the glowing spheres.
"I see there are plenty of guys around Senior Magic Knight Level. There's someone with very powerful magic in the middle. Must be their boss then.." she informed her subordinates.
"So that's where Licht is..." Asta murmured as his emerald eyes saw the largest glowing sphere.
"Captain Nozel, what is our plan?" Nils humbly asked as Nozel closes his eyes.
"I am not the Captain of the Royal Knights. The one will decide that is Mereoleona." the Captain of the Silver Eagles stated with his monotone voice.
"Yes, of course..." the ice magic user nodded.
"Listen! If we want to ambush the enemy and thrown them into a state of chaos. We can't let them know how many of us there are. So, splitting up is the best option." Mereoleona informed as she crosses her arms on her chest.
"But the fact that there are so many entrances means that the enemy is confident in their defenses." she explained the possible circumstances.
"The more we split up, the more they may work against us and overwhelm us. So where does that lead us?" she questioned and a certain magicless boy immediately raises his right hand.
"Oh, me! We'll overwhelm the enemy even with sheer will power!" he said proudly.
"We don't need willpower. I'll overwhelm them myself..." Yuno stated arrogantly.
"I wanna mash them all up!" the cheery berserker stated with a wide grin on his face.
"I shall defeat them beautifully on my own." Kirsch places his left hand on his forehead dramatically.
"I wish you'd just disappear." Mimosa murmured in irritation as her eyes stare at her sparkling brother.
"It is just me or we are being surrounded by idiots..." Hanabi deadpanned at the response of the Royal Knights.
Hayaku decided to raise her right hand and voice out her thoughts. "What's important is balance. The most effective way to get through the enemy's defense while split up is to divide into six teams of four..." she suggested which nodded by Mereoleona in agreement.
"Exactly. We will now split up into six groups and proceed..." the Captain of the Crimson Lion Kings instructed.
"I'll settle for anyone as long as I don't end up with the crazy stupid shrimp..." Zora admitted which irritated Asta.
"Say what?! That's my line, you cool masked jerk!" Asta corrected and even emphasizing the word my while he points his index finger at the crimson haired male.
"Wait..." the ash blond slowly turns his lips into a smile. "No one would want to team up with you anyway. So I don't mind teaming up with you after all..." he snickers which irritated Zora this time.
"Why do you sound like you're taking pity on me, you little shit?!" Zora groans in annoyance after he notices the smug expression on Asta's face.
Mereoleona brows furrowed from the two bickering males as she grabs them on the top of their heads with her flame lion paw. "You're coming with me, you damn problem children!" she snarls as she forces them to face her.
"Hello there, Lady Royal..." Zora greeted with a smile.
"Please accept this rainbow stinkbug as a token of our friendship..." he flicks the stink bug towards Mereoleona which was stopped by the fiery woman by her flame lion paw and rubbed it on Zora's face.
"A stench this weak has no effect on me." Mereoleona has a creepy grin on her face.
"What a troublesome woman..." Hayaku murmured while pinching her nose from the strong odor of the rainbow stink bug.
"You sure you want two peasants hanging around you, Lady Royal?" Zora questioned while pinching his nose.
"What?! You're a peasant, too?" Asta asked in disbelief.
"I don't care if you're a peasant or royalty. I've never given a rat's ass about differences in status. All that matters is if you're weak or strong. You're here because you're strong, are you not?" Mereoleona asked sternly which surprises Zora and Asta.
"The fools that Yami selected..." a smirk can be seen on her face as she glances at the two of them. "Don't let me down." she commanded.
"Yes ma'am!" Asta answered with determination in his eyes.
"Sure thing. Guess I'll be careful, Lady Captain..." Zora answered playfully.
"The rest of you should also be proud to be chosen as Royal Knights and use your strength to the fullest." the fearless Lioness stated sternly. "I will now assign your positions!"
"Group one will attack from the upper left." En Ringard, Nozel Silva, and Hayaku are group together as they replied with a Magic Knight salute except for the Captain of the Silver Eagles.
"Group two will attack from the lower left." Ben Benfunk, Luck Violtia, Noelle Silva, and Kirsch Vermillion are in a single group that replied with a Magic Knight salute as well.
"Group three will attack from the upper right." Ruben Shagger, Rill Boismortier, Fragil Tormenta, and Puli Angel immediately replied with a Magic Knight salute with a serious expression on their faces except for the wing magic user.
"Group four will attack from the lower right." Klaus Lunettes, Mimosa Vermillion, Yuno, and Hamon Caseus from the Golden Dawn were group together as they all do the Magic Knight salute.
"Group five will attack from the lowest part." Nils Ragus, Shiren Tium, Digit Taliss, and David Swallow hum in response as they show their Magic Knight salute while a certain plant poison magic user is trembling in fear.
"And we're going to attack front and center." Mereoleona crosses her arms on her chest while Asta and Zora are beside her.
"The spatial magic user will stand here." the fearless Lioness commanded Cob.
"Roger-dodger-roger!" the spatial magic user replied with a Magic Knight salute.
"I'm sure you don't need detailed plans! Takedown any enemies you encounter as you progress toward the center. You may do however you prefer!" Mereoleona shouted as her sharp canine even shows up.
"I don't care what you do as long as you don't lose! You'd better put your all into this! Let's go!" she instructed with fire in her eyes as the groups started to move towards their designated location.
*********
Nozel is leading the group while Hayaku, Hanabi, and En followed behind. The inside of the floating dungeon is like a maze along with the narrow rocky path.
Hayaku and Hanabi notice the furious aura of Nozel after three mages from the Eye of the Midnight Sun revealed themselves in front of him.
"You will not escape like you did from a certain cave..." the mercury magic user stated with his monotone voice. He immediately summons his grimoire that levitates in front of him. His purple eyes narrow at them with hatred from within.
"Eye of the Midnight Sun, we've come to get our revenge..." he hisses as his grimoire flips into another page. "How dare you do that to my rival! You shall pay dearly!" he shouted until multiple mercury spikes emerged from the ground as he dashes towards the three mages.
"I will be the one to take your leader's head!" he declares which makes En, Hanabi, and Hayaku froze in place due to the immense magic that raging around him.
"Do we really need to be here?" Hayaku shoves her hands into her pockets as her golden eyes saw how the enemies were defeated in just a single strike. "This guy seems to be infuriated because of what happened to Captain Fuegoleon...What a troublesome guy...."
"What a magnificent magic!" the manly man mushroom shouted on En's right shoulder.
"Well, he is a Captain for a reason..." Hanabi plops clover chocolate in his mouth.
As they continue to move forward and explore the said dungeon. They have discovered that some parts of it consist of a huge room with multiple floating cubes of rocks. The mercury magic user has successfully defeated their enemies even without the help of his three companions.
The Eye of the Midnight Sun keeps popping out of nowhere until they are facing three enemies once again.
"That guy's magic is insane!" one of the enemy mages clicks his tongue in annoyance. His eyes followed how Nozel controls his mercury magic without even breaking a sweat.
Hanabi and Hayaku are standing on a floating cube of rock together with En. The dragon spirit keeps plopping some clover chocolate in his mouth while Hayaku places her hands behind her head.
"Mercury Magic: Silver Bullets.." he chanted with his monotone voice. The mercury magic around him started to form into piercing bullets that launch towards his enemies at extreme speed.
The three mages from the Eye of the Midnight Sun dodges his mercury magic as they jump toward Nozel. The mercury magic user spread his right palm and directed it towards his enemies.
"Mercury Magic: Silver Blades.." he chanted until the mercury magic around him form into eight swords that move around him in a circular motion. One by one the silver blades engaged towards his enemies which he successfully defeated the two.
"How about this, then?!" the remaining Eye of the Midnight Sun slammed his palms on the ground until earth magic emerged from it in a form of a giant fist towards him.
"Mercury Magic: Silver Shining Regal Spear!" he chanted as he directed his right palm towards it. A long mercury beam emerged from it that shattered the earth's magic fist. He even moves his right hand downwards as his mercury magic followed the movement of his hand.
"The Eye of the Midnight Sun's attacks have no effect..." En stated with a very soft spoken voice while on the top of his smiling mushroom.
"It's pretty amazing..." Hayaku murmured as she places her right hand under her chin. That mercury magic is indeed a sight to behold. "I guess it is less troublesome for us..." she said with her close eyes smile.
"Hate to admit it but his magic control is off the chart...." the dragon spirit commented. "But he is still a jerk though..."
"According to our research, there's a time at which that spatial mage exits this hideout. And that's right now, outside, our spatial mage is casting a spatial jamming spell." Nozel thought after successfully defeated his last opponent. The spatial mage he is thinking of is no other than Valtos.
"Now, no mage from outside can enter...Leader of the Eye of the Midnight Sun, Licht... I won't let you leave this place until I defeat you!" he narrows his purple eyes and can't wait to face a certain light magic user.
"I wonder what is happening to the others though..." Hayaku mumbled as she places her hands behind her head. "The overwhelming aura is all over the place... I guess others are having some serious battle now..."
Hayaku yawns as she covered her mouth with her right hand until she senses something ominous coming from the three mages from the Eye of the Midnight Sun.
Their body started to emit some emerald matter as their skin even fall apart. They are crumbling into pieces and Hayaku could hear their screaming soul.
They were frozen in their places as they watch how they died with the strange magic that surrounds them. An emerald glowing orb came out from them as their bodies turn into ashes.
"What was that..." Hayaku asked while the dragon spirit even dropped his clover chocolate from his hold. He could feel the immense magic that just appeared in different locations in the floating dungeon.
Nozel narrows his eyes as he saw the floating emerald orb that passes through the wall. His brows were slightly furrowed from the unknown magic. He hated to admit it but he doesn't have any idea what is happening right now.
The black haired female golden eyes widen as she stares at both of her hands. She saw how her body started to glow into a golden one. "Huh..." she murmured as she blinks repeatedly at how she is shining brightly.
"What a pain...I'm glowing...It is some kind of troublesome magic..." Hayaku said in frustration as she slumps her shoulder forward. En, Hanabi, and Nozel turn their heads towards her with a bewildered expression on their faces.
"This cannot be..." Hanabi said worriedly as his golden eyes focus on his confused master. "There is no way that my master is being reincarnated as well... It is just impossible....What in the world is happening."
"I am sure I didn't catch myself in any magic trap earlier..." the black haired female informed them. The mercury magic user knew it isn't some kind of magic trap spell. He even saw how the light that surrounded her emerged from above.
"What is wrong with you, foreigner..." Nozel moves his feet and stands in front of her. He could feel how her magic is increasing drastically.
His purples eyes saw how the mana around her surging and blazing in an abnormal way. He couldn't even believe how a human like her possess such bone-chilling magic.
"I don't..." Hayaku is about to say something until she felt something pierces her head. Her body just falls toward him like a puppet that has been released on her string. Nozel immediately grabs her in her shoulders before she falls completely to the ground.
The Silver Eagles captain even saw how her golden eyes turn into white for a moment there. He holds her into his arms as he places his right hand on her right cheek and slapping her lightly.
"Foreigner, wake up!" he demanded but Hayaku didn't even move a single muscle on her face.
"What is happening to her?" Nozel asked the dragon spirit whose golden eyes stares at the lying figure of his master. "I am not sure but..." Hanabi answered as he clenches his fist in frustration. "I don't like the aura that slipping through her..." he admitted.
"Aura?" Nozel asked in confusion as Hanabi shifted his golden eyes towards him as if he is scared of something.
"Master aura is slowly being consumed with hatred..." he answered in which worried Nozel. "Hatred..." the mercury magic whispered under his breath as he gazes upon the unconscious Hayaku.
Into the nothingness...
Hayaku blinks repeatedly as she scans her surrounding with confusion in her eyes. "Hanabi...." she called for her dragon spirit as she places her right hand on her chest. She is in a strange place she wasn't familiar with.
"Captain Nozel..." she called as her voice echoes on the dark place she is into. She even notices the cold water beneath her feet and the droplets of water that continuously fall from the rocky ceiling above her.
"En-senpai..." she called another name as the water ripple can be seen against the water. Her brows were slightly furrowed as she felt her heart is rampaging on her chest. She doesn't like the eerie aura around the place.
"Where is everybody..." she whispered under her breath.
The last time she remembered is she is inside the floating dungeon. She just shut her eyes earlier due to the sudden pain in her head. But upon opening her eyes she met this dark place instead.
Hayaku started to move her feet forward as she saw some dim light from afar. She scrunches her nose and smells something awful while she continues to venture the narrow dark path.
As she set her foot on where the dim light is located, she saw a dark figure that was illuminated by a faint light. She can't figure out what or who it is due to the black matter that almost covering it.
"Whose there? Who are you?" Hayaku questioned as she heard a faint heartbeat coming from it. She slowly moves her feet towards the unknown without even feeling fear. There is something about that figure that keeps calling her.
A whisper in her head that she was unable to disobey.
She reaches out her right hand towards it until her eyes widen after the dark matter disappeared completely. He saw the exact image of herself with long light blue hair as if she is sleeping peacefully.
Hayaku felt a sudden chill on her spine and unable to move due to the ominous power that suddenly surrounds the place. The tip of her forefinger is just a few inches away from the face of the person who looks exactly like her.
The black haired female breath hitches as she saw the crimson eyes of the person in front of her. Her lips even turn into a smirk as she slowly touches Hayaku's face with both of her cold hands.
"Who am I? You can tell by just looking, right?" her voice spoke to her with darkness in her eyes. "Now let me show you who you really are..." she whispered as Hayaku could feel the surging pain inside her head.
Multiple shadow hands grab her as they drag her down into the cold water beneath her feet. "Stop! Somebody! Help me!" Hayaku ear-piercing scream echoes in the dark place she saw the image of herself gazing down at her.
The shadow hands gripped her tightly as their pointy nails even dug on her skin. "Somebody!" she shouted once again as her body was completely devoured by the cold water towards the deepest darkest place.
"Nobody will help you...no one ever did...You will soon understand what I meant...my beloved self..."
The dragon spirit saw how his master finger twitches from Nozel's arms. His golden eyes immediately widened as he saw how her ear turns into a pointy one and the shade of her hair slowly turns into light blue. A strange red tattoo appeared on the right side of her cheek.
Hayaku snapped her eyes wide open as the right side of her eyes turns into a crimson shade. "Begone..." she whispered and Hanabi could see the darkness on her eyes.
"Stay away from her!" the dragon spirit shouted in fear as he pushes En and Nozel away from his master. The strength of the dragon spirit is too much that they were sent flying in a random direction in the dungeon.
En uses his mushroom magic to catch himself as he bounces on his Mr. Mushroom's soft skin. Nozel on the other hand uses his mercury magic that caught himself from behind.
"What?!!! There is something wrong with Haya!!!!" the manly mushroom shouted up to his lungs.
He doesn't understand what came over the dragon spirit at first until he saw Hayaku that is standing beside Hanabi with her indifferent demeanor. Her entire figure was surrounded by blue and white flame with a hint of black flame that slipping through it.
"Begone..." she whispered once again as her mismatch eyes stare directly towards Nozel. "Master...." Hanabi whispered from the sudden change of Hayaku. He knew that his master couldn't be resurrected because she already did.
All she knew that Hayaku isn't stable right now due to the faint black flames that mix on her flame magic. She gripped her head and felt sudden pain as she glares at the mercury magic user.
"Who are you?!" she demanded. "Who is he?!" she asked once again as the volume of her voice increases this time.
"Haya! what are you talking about?! He is Captain Nozel, don't you remember anything?!" Hanabi questioned as Hayaku shifted her eyes towards him.
"Ryu, what nonsense are you speaking off... I am Tsuki..." she declared which surprises all of them. "I don't know such Haya..." she continued.
"Master...you have reborn in this era as Haya... What just happened..." Hanabi questioned worriedly as Hayaku stares at her trembling hands. "I don't know..." she admitted as she gritted her teeth in rage.
"All I know is I hated all of them...I felt so betrayed, Ryu... The same scenario just keeps appearing in my head over and over again!" she gripped her head as she glares at Nozel and En.
"They took everything from me!" she shouted which confuses the dragon spirit this time.
"There is something wrong with Haya... all of her memories in this era was completely wipe out. The only memories she remembers is Tsuki's...but there is something off... " Hanabi gulped as he places his right hand on the trembling shoulder of his master.
"Haya snapped out of it..." Nozel stands on his feet as his purples eyes saw how Hayaku just gripped her head with her right hand.
"I told you...I am not Haya, human!" she narrows her eyes at him. She even gritted her teeth on how she was affected by the presence of the silver haired male. "How can I make it stop, Ryu!" she pleaded as she gripped her head tightly.
The image of her fellow Elves along with her beloved family that was pierced by the light sword magic keeps flashing on her mind over and over again. The throbbing pain is just too much for her to handle.
"Captain Nozel...I think you should leave now... I think the negative energy that is within her is slowly consuming her..." the dragon spirit admitted while Nozel stubbornly summons his grimoire.
"No..." he replied with his monotone voice. "If I need to beat her badly just to bring her back...I will...." he informed which makes Hanabi glare at Nozel.
"You are really stubborn aren't you..." the dragon spirit shakes his head lightly as he jumps away from her master. "My master just told me to stay away out of this... I can't do anything to help you..." he continued.
"Tsuki surpasses the strength of the leader of the Elves...You are no match from her...She could use two flames at once without even having difficulty..." Hanabi stated with seriousness in his eyes.
"Beat me badly?" Hayaku stares at him as she covered her fingertips with a blue and white flame. "Tell you what human...I could beat you without even using my grimoire..." she stated with her indifferent demeanor.
Hayaku stomps her right foot forward as she increases her mana pressure around her. A huge crater appeared beneath her as she takes a long deep breath.
"That is not the proper way to speak to a captain...Haya..." Nozel stated with his monotone voice as he spread his right palm towards her. "Mercury Magic: Silver Bullets..." he chanted until multiple piercing bullets launches towards Hayaku.
Hayaku places her palms in front of her as she moves her hands at a tremendous speed. She strikes all of the mercury bullets that are engaging towards her with ease. Nozel narrow his eyes on how his mercury magic just evaporated with her flame magic.
"Tsuki is known for her physical prowess that surpassing Vetto. She doesn't usually use her grimoire and katana...She is excellent on both long and close range combat..." Hanabi crosses his arms on his chest as his golden eyes saw how Hayaku just appeared in front of Nozel.
"Out of all the masters I have...Tsuki is the strongest one of all...besides, her magic is your weakness... Captain Nozel...." the dragon spirit thought.
The mercury magic user eyes widen from her speed as he saw how Hayaku raises her right palm. He immediately forms a mercury shield in front of him to protect himself.
The moment her right palm touches his mercury shield a loud explosion emerged from it that pushes Nozel backward.
Thick smokes envelopes the place as Nozel didn't stop from using his magic. "Mercury Magic: Silver Spear..." he chanted. The multiple mercury magic turns into a sharp spear that surrounded Hayaku.
The light blue haired female with mismatch eyes saw the multiple silver spears as she narrows her eyes at him. "This is no use.. my magic affinity will just burn your magic..." she stated as she engulfed herself with raging dual flame magic.
"Besides I cannot stay in here any further as I was able to sense someone in here that very close to me..." she confesses as she started to move her feet towards him. The multiple spears came upon her but before it even reaches Hayaku, it just evaporated with ease.
Hayaku immediately appeared in front of Nozel as she holds his neck tightly with her right hand. She even slammed him on the wall as the mercury magic user groans in pain due to her strength.
The mushroom magic user is about to help him but white flame engulfed half of his body which restricted him to use his magic any further. En was entrapped into a block of ice and unable to do anything at all.
Hayaku shifted her mismatches eyes towards the mushroom magic user. "Stay out of this..." she hisses as her eyes focus on Nozel this time.
"I don't know why you are holding back..." she murmured as she leans her face closer to him. A scarlet liquid can be seen from the corner of Nozel's lips as his purple eyes gaze upon her mismatch eyes.
He could feel the warmth of her breath due to their close proximity. They didn't even avert their gaze from one another. "Who are you... have we met before...." Hayaku questioned with her soft spoken voice.
Nozel couldn't believe how Hayaku wanted to recognize him even her memories weren't there anymore. He slowly reaches out for her right cheek as his lips turn into a genuine smile.
"Idiot..." he said weakly. "How can I hurt someone whom I supposed to protect in the first place..." he admitted which makes Hayaku's eyes widen from his statement. The crimson shade of her eyes eventually turns into a golden one once again.
Those gentle smile of him is strangely familiar for her. "Why..." she murmured as unknown feelings started to flow inside her.
An image of a silver haired male flash on her mind as tears slowly fall from her eyes. Her golden eyes soften and the Silver Eagles captain saw guilt and melancholy from it.
Nozel slowly wipes it away using his thumb as she slowly loosens up the grip on his neck. "Why are you here..." she whispered under her breath. Nozel was confused about the statement of Hayaku as she teleported away from him.
She stands beside Hanabi as they just started to move their feet and leaving them behind. Even the dragon spirit doesn't know what is going on with his master right now.
"Master...what are we going to do now..." Hanabi questioned as Hayaku wears her indifferent demeanor since she only remembers the memories of Tsuki.
"To be honest I don't know..." she confesses as she holds her head with her right hand. "But as for now, I just wanted to see my family that is all.." she continued as she shifted her golden eyes at Hanabi.
"I needed to see them for one last time before this thing inside me consume me once again..." she admitted as she glances at Nozel over her shoulder. "You are indeed an idiot for being here..." she told the mercury magic user as they vanish in front of him.
Nozel saw how the silver band on his fingers started to glow as his body was engulfed with white flame and slowly healed the injuries that Hayaku causes him. Until he realizes something, a possibility but he wasn't sure about it.
"Could she possibly be..." he murmured under his breath as a smile grace on his lips. He was trapped in nostalgic feelings once again as he didn't miss to witness the smile on her lips before she left.
*********
Asta, Zora and Mereoleona are facing one of the Third Eye, Rhya the Disloyal. The two younger Magic Knights were amazed at the fighting skills of the Captain of the Crimson Lion Kings. She can fight against one of the strongest mages of the Eye of the Midnight Sun with ease.
"She's a beast..." Zora admitted as his dark blue eyes followed how the fierce woman uses her flame magic to the fullest.
"Mereoleona Vermillion... She's definitely as crazy as the rumor says. I did a little research." the crimson haired male admitted.
"The royal capital was too stuffy for her, and she wanted to eat the meat of wild beasts. So far more than three hundred days out of the year, she's like a beast herself living out in the wilderness..." Zora narrows his eyes towards the two powerful mages fighting with one another.
"She steeped herself in the natural world's mana, and her Mana Skin reached a higher level while lived out there, so they say. That's apparently true judging by her monster move." Zora shifted his eyes towards the copy magic user this time.
"I've never even heard of this Rhya guy's copy magic, but I'm starting to understand. His copy magic can mimic spell attributes. That means he's a crazy bastard who can use every possible attribute..." Zora saw how Rhya uses the Salamander spirit magic towards Mereoleona.
"And the strength of his spells reflects his tremendous amount of magical power. So even if he copies some random, average mage, his version of the spell will be even more powerful..." he added.
"But...when he's activating one spell, he can't use another spell with a different attribute at the same time. That he lifted his invisibility to use flame magic spell proves that..." he continued with his observation.
"Even so, most people wouldn't stand a chance against a guy this overpowered. But this time..." he murmured as his dark blue eyes saw the shock magicless boy beside him.
"Lady Sisgoleon is awesome! Can I steal any of this? Even a little bit?" the ash blond male gulped from the intense fight in front of them.
Rhya started to become infuriated by his opponent. He didn't expect that she will be as powerful as this. His glowing third eye on his forehead even started to move in a disturbing way.
"This is such a pain in the ass..." he gritted his teeth in annoyance as his grimoire flips into another page.
"Then how about this?" he reaches the Demon-Slayer sword from his grimoire.
He happened to touch the grimoire of Asta when he transformed into the magicless boy earlier. He holds the hilt of the anti-magic sword with both of his hands with a mischievous grin on his face.
"My sword?!" Asta gasped in shock.
"How the hell did he manage that?! I thought there was some kind of condition he had to follow to copy..." Zora was totally dumbfounded on how did he manage to copy Asta's magic.
"I need to touch another's grimoire to be able to copy their magic. Earlier, when I was transformed, I casually snuck in and touched it." the copy magic user thought with hatred in his eyes.
"Tsuki... Licht... always tell me that I was kind...but they are wrong. I'm a liar, a slacker, and disloyal. They are who was genuinely kind but you people tricked and killed them..." Rhya could feel the rage building up inside him.
"Look at how many of you crawled out. There are hordes of you now! Humans took everything for me! I'll kill every last one of you!" the copy magic user swung the Demon-Slayer sword towards Mereoleona while the fearless Lioness ball her fist with flame magic around it.
She slammed her fist right into the Demon-Slayer sword until in surprising breaks apart. 'Looks like that was just a copy of its form. You couldn't copy its anti-magic..." Mereoleona smirks as Rhya eyes widen in shock.
"So you just hit it without any hesitation?! If I could've copied his anti-magic your fist would've been shattered!" the copy magic user thought as he saw the raging blazing flame from his opponent.
"Not to mention, the feel of this mana. This woman's strength...It's not just the royalty's magic power! She...she is the same as her..." he thought as he was frozen in his place.
"Are you done with your spells? In that case..." Mereoleona murmured as she increases the area of her mana around them.
"She's surpassed Mana Skin and begin controlling mana across the area." Rhya wanted to escape but it was futile. He is now under the territory of the fearless Lioness.
Mereoleona engulfed both of her fists with red blazing flame and Rhya could feel the intense heat of her flame magic. "Mana Zone Calidos Brachium Barrage!" she chanted as she delivers multiple punches towards the copy magic user at inhumane speed.
The explosion of flame magic is being witnessed by Zora and Asta in front of their eyes. Rhya couldn't even do anything as he continued to receive all of the monstrous punches of Mereoleona.
"What's the matter, last member of the Third Eye? Is that all you've got?!" the flame magic user shouted as Rhya even couldn't gasp in pain. The flame magic of her is suffocating that he even couldn't able to breathe anymore.
"He didn't even stand a chance..." Zora stated as they watch how Rhya was being pulverized by Mereoleona.
"I don't even have time to use any rapid recovery spells...To think she'd be able to use a Mana Zone attack....." Rhya thought as he felt the burning pain throughout his body.
Mana Zone: the ability to harness the mana that's floating in the surrounding area and control that territory at will.
Basically, within that territory, you can discharge more mana than you personally have in any direction. Also, the detection of abilities grow astoundingly sharp and the reaction speed increases.
"Where's your next attack? Don't you have anything else?!" Mereoleona mocks as she keeps throwing monstrous blazing punches towards the copy magic user.
"That woman is insane...." Zora murmured as beads of sweats fall from the side of his face.
"We had such a hard time with the Third Eye and she's mopping the floor with one of them..." Asta gulped on how Rhya started to burn from the strength of Mereoleona.
"Captain Mereoleona is so awesome!" a wide grin can be seen on his lips as his emerald eyes have excitement from within.
"If that's all you've got? I'm just going to keep punching you until you disappear! Burn to ash!" the fearless Lioness smirks as her sharp canine even shows up. She will not stop sending her powerful punches toward her opponent.
Rhya's lips slowly turn upwards into a smile on how he got himself into to dreadful situation. "Well, shit...I look like I won't be able to see her before the reincarnation...." the copy magic user thought.
"I acknowledge your strength, royal lady. It's been a while since I have encountered a crazy one like you just like her. And that exactly why..." the copy magic user enveloped himself into ominous magic.
The self destructs magic that they could do. He doesn't have any choice for now, if he will just die right here. He will take them along with him. A thin bloody red mana surrounded his entire figure with a sinister smile etched on his lips.
"Before I burn to ashes, I'll self-destruct and take you with me!" he shouted up to his lungs. "Land one more hit on me, and it's kaboom!" Rhya was consumed by the hatred of the evil eye.
Asta remembered that immense Ki from before and he is fully aware of what will happen if Mereoleona hits that with her flame magic. The magicless boy immediately summons his grimoire and took his Demon-Slayer sword from within.
He dashes towards Rhya as he holds the hilt of his anti-magic sword with both of his hands. He thrust his Demon-Slayer sword towards the self destruct magic spell to stop Rhya from his foolishness.
"The anti-magic kid...He must've sensed the self-destruct spell and managed to get over here even faster than that lady's attack...How freaking fast he read his opponent and move?!" Rhya couldn't believe how Asta able to stop his magic spell.
"I saw two others that tried to self-destruct, too!" Asta spatted as he holds his Demon-Slayer sword in his left hand and clenches his right fist.
"I'm starting to catch on, you Third Eye jerk! Don't waste your life like that!" he shouted up to his lungs and smack Rhya right in his face with his right fist.
The copy magic user falls into the ground and stumbled in the process due to the strength of Asta. He points his Demon-Slayer Sword towards the lying Rhya with annoyance.
"What the heck is the deal with you people?!" he shouted as loud as he can.
"Going on about having something stolen from you and getting revenge against humans! I still don't get it! But you're humans just like us, aren't you?!" he even stomps his right foot in irritation.
Asta thrust his Demon-Slayer Sword on the ground and points his index finger at Rhya. "First, you guys need to clearly explain your deal! Then you can listen to what I've got to say! I won't allow you to die before that!" he shouted which totally shocked the copy magic user.
"For crying out loud... You sure are a fiery little brat, aren't you..." Zora scoffed after hearing the statement of the magicless boy.
"You've got some nerve, cutting into my fight!" Mereoleona snarled behind him as she narrows her eyes towards Asta. She was infuriated at how he just intervene like that.
"Would you like to burn into ashes, too?!" the fearless Lioness grab him on the top of his head with her flame lion paw.
"What?!" Asta shouted in disbelief.
"The Eye of the Midnight Sun threw our country in chaos and left us with many casualties. They have no intention of coming to an understanding with us! Out of the way!" Mereoleona threw Asta from behind as she forms a red blazing flame on her right palm while glaring at Rhya.
"We have to squash them here and now...Even if it means killing them!" she declared which totally confused the magicless boy.
"Huh? Why's that?" he asked which surprises Mereoleona.
"We can understand each other. I mean, we're basically the same as them. They're mad because something precious to them was hurt." Asta voice out his thoughts and Rhya heard him loud and clear.
"I've been thinking about this for a while. We're fighting because we can't forgive each other. So how can we get rid of that rage and hatred?" Asta questioned as he shifted his emerald eyes towards Rhya.
"I am an idiot, so I couldn't figure it out, no matter how hard I thought about it. But I am sure we can! We can have to get rid of the rage and hatred!" the magicless boy declared.
"The royal and nobles... Commoner and peasants... even if they're not human..." Asta stated with honestly in his eyes.
"A free kingdom where everyone can acknowledge each other and smile. That's the kind of kingdom I want to create when I become the Wizard King!" he declared shamelessly which makes Mereoleona smirks at it.
"What a fool, blurting out something so overambitious without any hesitation..." Mereoleona thought as she shakes her head lightly.
"He's actually serious about that...There used to be a guy who said the same thing..." Rhya's mind drifted to a certain human light magic user.
"If all humans were like you two, then maybe..." he thought as his lips turn into a mischievous one. "But there's no stopping this now...". Rhya's body started to glow which surprises the three Royal Knights in there.
His messy short black hair even changes into a white shade. His ears turn into a pointy one as his magic increases drastically. He stands on his feet as he takes a long deep breath. His onyx orbs were replaced with a golden one.
"This is such a pain, isn't it..." he said rather lazily.
"Come on, you can't be serious. This guy was already a monster, and now he's even worse...." Zora felt the cold sweats dripping from his forehead due to the insane magic swirling around the copy magic user.
"Maybe it's because I'm a liar myself, but I've always been able to tell when someone is lying." Rhya shifted his golden eyes at Asta. "Anti-magic shrimp...What you said earlier... You were actually serious about that..." he chuckles as he shakes his head lightly.
"I hate to admit it, but it moved my heart a bit..." he confesses.
"The same thing happened back then... He wasn't lying, either. That's why I believe him...But because I believe him, that happened... That's why I'll never trust them again..." Rhya flips his grimoire into a specific page that is levitating in front of him.
"I'm going to kill you so I can get over any hesitation..." he narrows his eyes at them.
"Copy Light Magic: Light swords of Conviction!" he chanted and multiple light magic sword emerged behind him. One by one the light magic swords points directly at them but Rhya didn't stop there.
"Copy Dark Magic: Lightless Slash!" he chanted once again until multiple dark magic slashes came upon them along with the light magic swords.
"He's casting spells with different attributes at the same time?!" the magicless boy thought in disbelief.
Mereoleona clicks her tongue in annoyance as she clenches her fists and engulfed it with red blazing flame. "Mana Zone Calidos Brachium Barrage!" she chanted and deliver multiple punches towards the light and dark magic that are engaging towards them.
"Do you see now, you fool?" Mereoleona scoff towards Asta. "No matter how much you want to understand that's not an option for them!" she added as the magicless boy grab his Demon-Dweller Sword from his grimoire.
"They're trying to kill us base on feelings they can't negotiate!" she continued which makes Asta gritted his teeth stubbornly.
"In that case, I'm going to win and create a path to understand each other!' Asta declared as he holds his two anti-magic swords.
"That path has long been closed..." Rhya told him nonchalantly.
"Then I'll just open it up again!" Asta insisted which earn a smirk from Mereoleona.
"Very well, you fool. You should probably hurry up though. Otherwise, I'm going to defeat him!" the fearless Lioness declares as she cracked her knuckles.
She engulfed both of her fists once again with red blazing flame as she throws multiple punches towards the copy magic user. "Calidos Brachium!" she chanted and Rhya becomes vigilant with her insane flame magic this time.
"That spell of hers is a trap and hold move that I won't be able to break free form if she hits me. Which means! I'm not letting you hit me again!" he summons multiple black spatial magic portal around him.
He even covered himself in light magic and warp himself into the multiple spatial magic portal. The Royal Knights move their eyes as they followed the movement of Rhya but it was hopeless.
"A combination of spatial and light magic..." Mereoleona gritted her teeth in irritation. She hated to admit it but she knew that she will have a hard time facing him right now.
"He's using light magic to speed up even faster..." Zora let out a deep breath on how the situation becomes more troublesome than before.
"When you can use it with something else, Val-chan magic is awesome. Though I'm pretty sure he's dead by now..." the copy magic user smirks the moment he notices that the three Royal Knights have been hit by his combined magic.
"Copy Spatial Magic: Myriad Black... Copy Light Magic: Sky-Rending Flash!" Rhya chanted as he keeps using his magic towards his opponents. Multiple orbs of light that fires beams of light move at extreme speed around them.
"Seriously, how the hell are we supposed to deal with him?!" Zora started to complain as he uses his trap magic to defend himself but the light magic is just too fast for him.
Until they heard a loud noise coming from above as the dungeon started to tremble from it. From the looks of it, someone is using magic to break in.
A light blue haired female just smash the ceiling with her dual flame fist. Her golden eyes shifted towards Rhya as she stands beside him.
The copy magic user was frozen in place from her arrival. That indifferent demeanor of her is definitely Tsuki's. Her long light blue hair sways along with the dual flame around her as she saw Mereoleona, Asta, and Zora staring at her.
Hanabi followed as he just appeared beside his master. The dragon spirit watches Hayaku closely and making sure nothing will ever happen to her. That sinister aura of her keeps bothering him from the very beginning.
"Haya! What the hell happened to your hair?! And you should stay away from that guy!" Asta loud voice roared inside the dungeon as he points his Demon-Dweller Sword towards Rhya.
"He's a blockhead that going to kill us! And he is a pervert, too!!!" he shouted which surprises the copy magic user from his statement.
Hayaku didn't even utter a single word as her eyes focus on the magicless boy. But Zora and Mereoleona notice that something is definitely wrong with her. Especially, the Captain of the Crimson Lion King.
Those dual flames she had and the faint black flames that appeared from time to time isn't even normal. She doesn't even know if those black flames are magic. All she knew is something is sinister about it.
"Don't you remember?! When we first meet him he said that he wanted to take you and even ask Captain Charlotte for a drink!" Asta rambled which makes the copy magic user shakes his head towards him and even moves his hands to shut him up.
"Oi! Brat! Shut up!" Rhya shouted as his eyes widen in fear. She even witnesses how Hayaku cranes her neck towards him.
"It is true..?" she asked as her brows were slightly furrowed.
"Let me explain, Tsuki..." Rhya bows his head lightly and even rub the back of his neck from nervousness. The copy magic user saw how Hayaku narrows her eyes towards him.
"Tsuki? Why the hell are you calling her Tsuki!" the ash blond male was confused about the behavior of the two.
He is aware that Hayaku will not let her guard down in the presence of an enemy. But she is just casually talking to Rhya in front of them like it was nothing.
"I asked you if what that loud-mouthed boy said is true?" Hayaku demanded as she points her index finger at Asta.
The ash blond male gasped in disbelief at how Hayaku addresses him rudely. She had never done that to him before.
"Tsuki I can really explain about..." the copy magic user pleaded until he felt a strong punch under his chin. His back was slammed on the ceiling as he lifted his index finger from the violence of Hayaku.
"I deserved that..." he mumbled as he winces in pain.
Zora's eye twitches at how Hayaku just delivers that punch in just a blink of an eye. He was shocked at how Rhya was being swatted away like a bug.
"Loud mouthed? Hey! Haya, what are you saying to your childhood friend!" Asta started to complained as he points his Demon-Dweller sword at her this time.
"How can you forgot your precious childhood friend who you grew up with for many years!" Asta yelled at her which confuses Hayaku.
"Hayaku, she is originally from the Spade Kingdom and her huge mana is even bigger than before. Her unique magic is enough to make her opponent cower in fear. She feels like that copy bastard..." Zora commented as his dark blue eyes observe her strange personality right now.
"No...she is insanely stronger than that copy bastard...Is that even possible...." he thought as he turns his gaze towards the fuming Asta.
"An enemy spell...was it that light? From the feel of their magic, this isn't a form of brainwashing... She apparently doesn't recognize the brat, either. Does that mean someone different is inside?" Mereoleona continues to observe her.
She even saw how her black hair changes into a light blue one. As Mereoleona remembers, the Hayaku she knew tends to have a laid back personality but the girl in front of her, remind her of a certain mercury magic user.
"Haya..." Hayaku murmured as her golden eyes shifted at her dragon spirit. "Ryu is what he is speaking of is true..." she asked with her monotone voice.
"Yes, master..." Hanabi replied immediately as Hayaku decided to speak at the annoyed magicless boy.
"I am afraid I don't remember being Haya..." she confesses. "But I guess I have to spare you if you have been my friend in this era..." she continued as her eyes shifted at Mereoleon and Zora.
"But I will not spare these two though...." she spread her right palm and directed it towards the two. Asta gasped in shock after hearing her words. There is no way that the female in front of him is his childhood friend.
Spinning dual flame magic emerged from her right palm that formed into an enormous roaring dragon. The raging flame magic even destroyed some cube of rocks that floating around them.
"She's basically being controlled by the enemy's magic! Go smack her in the head!" Zora suggested as Asta nodded in agreement. He holds his Demon-Slayer Sword which finally notices by Hayaku. She saw how Asta nullifies her flame magic with ease.
"He has my swords? Are you being chosen by that relics...loud-mouthed boy..." Hayaku questioned as she gestures her right hand forward towards them. The light blue haired female is just standing beside Rhya as she keeps throwing powerful flame magic.
Multiple spherical dual flames emerged behind her as it launches towards them at extreme speed. Hayaku notices how Mereoleona uses her red blazing flame magic to cancel out her magic.
"Huh...It looks like I have found a formidable flame magic user..." she stated straightforwardly. "But even so, she will not defeat me.." she declares as she gestures her right hand upwards.
Enormous spinning dual flame emerged from the ground with chunks of rocks of it. The crimson haired male saw the insane magic as he swings his forefinger and middle finger with white mana on it.
"It's not like I am watching two monsters duke it out this whole time." Zora smirks until multiple white magic circle surrounded Hayaku and Rhya along with the dragon spirit who decided to join their battle.
"Ash Trap Spell: Total Activation!" he chanted until the white magic circle rotated clockwise. Paralyzing ash magic emerged from it which didn't bother the two.
"Ah, so you secretly planted some trap magic. But paralysis on this level does nothing to us." Rhya informed as Hayaku shifted her golden eyes in her right direction.
"Oh! Yeah! But a certain anti-magic boy will be!" Zora declares as Asta finally revealed himself under the ash magic.
Hayaku spread her right palm and stops the ash blond male Demon-Slayer Sword with her thumb and forefinger. "I don't even need magic to stop you then...." she stated straightforwardly.
Asta's eyes widen at how Hayaku able to stop him with just her two fingers. She clenches her left fist and punches the ash blond male in the face as Hayaku took the Demon-Slayer Sword from him. Hayaku holds the hilt of the Demon-Salyer sword as it slowly turns into a silver one.
She points it towards Asta that just flew into a certain direction of the dungeon. "I don't think the likes of you even deserve this sword..." she stated with her monotone voice.
Zora and Asta couldn't believe how the magic that entrapped Hayaku didn't nullify by the anti-magic sword. Rhya golden eyes gaze upon Hayaku as he decided to tell them how hopeless their plan will be.
"This isn't a simple little spell... It's a reincarnation spell that brings the soul of elves to dwell in human bodies." the copy magic user explained.
"A reincarnation spell?" Zora uttered in confusion.
"The spell that summons the souls is complete. These bodies belong to us now." Rhya places his right hand on his chest.
"Reincarnation? Elves?" Asta gritted his teeth as he points his Demon-Dweller sword at the copy magic user.
"You can't be serious! Change Haya back to normal and give her back to us!" he demanded which earns a chuckle from Rhya. He could even see the rage in the magicless boy emerald eyes.
"What are you even talking about...Haya and Tsuki are the same people... Tell me a good reason why I should give you my wife back..." Rhya stated the fact. But Asta though it is the most ridiculous idea he had ever heard.
"Wife?! You are insane! How can you be her husband!" the ash blond demanded the answer right now.
"Her memories in this era were completely wipe out and was replace with her previous life which is Tsuki." Rhya let out an exasperated sigh. "...and Tsuki is my wife." he continued to explain.
"No! It couldn't be! Someone like you?! Haya will never like someone like you!" Asta points his Demon-Dweller Sword towards him.
"Hey! Brat! Watch your mouth! You are hurting me with your words!" Rhya complained as he scratches his head in frustration.
"It is true...this droopy face is my husband...." Hayaku decided to help the fuming Rhya.
"Hey! Tsuki! You shouldn't say that to them!" the copy magic user gasped in belief. "She is obviously rude as ever but that is what I love about her though...."
"And you are droopier than ever... You should have look for Hanabi and stop wasting time..." Hayaku shifted her golden eyes at Rhya.
"Hanabi? That is Hanabi!" Asta points his Demon-Dweller sword at the quiet dragon spirit. Hayaku purses her lips into a frown as she places her right hand on her dragon spirit shoulder.
"Perhaps I have caused you pain, Ryu...I apologize if you have to carry that name for a very long time. I couldn't have imagined how hurt you are..." Hayaku apologizes at her dragon spirit.
"This pain is nothing, master. It is the least I could do for not protecting you before..." Hanabi said softly as she focuses on the three this time.
"Hanabi is my son that you take away from me..." Hayaku eyes darken as she remembers how her son just lost his life in her arms back then. Despite having powerful magic, she was unable to protect them.
"I venture into the darkness to keep the balance of the living world! I shouldn't have sacrificed everything for you humans!" he continued as she clenches her fist in rage.
"My family is the only thing I want to keep by my side but you all took it away! That is why I will take everything from you!" she declares as her lips turn into a mischievous one.
The sinister magic within her started to swirl around her figure. Her long light blue hair levitated as she points the Demon-Slayer Sword towards them.
"Master...." Hanabi said worriedly as he witnessed the different Hayaku beside him. "How could she able to say those words...something is wrong with her.."
"Tsuki?" even the copy magic user felt the dark energy that slowly consuming her. She is much darker than Vetto and Fana.
Asta emerald eyes stare at the light blue haired girl for a few seconds. He just couldn't believe how she could utter those words straightforwardly. He takes a long deep breath as he gritted his teeth in frustration.
"Haya will never say anything like that!" the ash blond male shouted as his emerald eyes glare at Hayaku.
"She is a kindhearted person and will never cause any harm to anyone! So, who the hell are you?!" he spatted as he keeps pointing his Demon-Dweller Sword at her.
"If you really are the same as Haya! You will never say those words! Haya will never say those words! Bring her back and get out of her body! You fake!" he demanded which makes Hayaku chuckles from his foolishness.
"Huh...Perhaps I have reborn as a naive one even in this era..." she whispered until she immediately appeared in front of Asta which caught Mereoleona and Zora off guard.
"I was like that in the past but now I have realized that everything I believe was wrong..." she admitted as she thrust the Demon-Slayer on the ground.
Asta was unable to move due to the suffocating Ki that coming out from her childhood friend. She is just standing there but he could even move his feet.
"Now...I remember...Ryu have told me that I grow up in an orphanage...." she gently places her right hand around his neck. Asts could feel the coldness of his touch that makes him gulp in fear.
Her eyes shifted towards Mereoleona who is about to attack her with her flame magic. "Stay out of this..." she snarls as her golden eyes intensified. The Captain of the Crimson Lion just stops in her tracks as she holds her neck while gasping for air.
"What is this...my body is burning..." Mereoleona felt the intense heat inside her body. Asta emerald eyes glance at the fearless Lioness and Zora who is gasping on the ground. Blue flame with a hint of black flames slowly engulfed the two as they keep screaming in pain.
"Even though she is a flame magic user... She will never able to escape from the flame that could burn a soul isn't it..." she informed as she leans closer towards Asta.
"Let me tell you, naive boy... Tell me...how could you shamelessly said those words if you haven't even had a real family in the first place..." she questioned which makes Asta's eyes widen from her hurtful words.
"You have never know how it feels to have those strong bonds and taken away in front of your eyes!" Hayaku darkens as she faces the ash blond male who started to shiver in fear.
"I highly doubt that you have ever lost something important to you!" she spatted and her mana pressure started to increase.
"So, don't you dare tell me that the Haya you knew will never sprout these words! Because I am her from the very beginning!" she continued as the ground tremble due to the mana pressure that she is releasing right now.
"The only difference is this time I have awakened from my foolishness...because my own ideals betray me in the end...I will face the reality that I ignored in my whole existence.." Hayaku chuckles as she grips the neck of her childhood friend.
Her golden eyes turn into the crimson shade as her lips turn upwards into a smirk. The magicless loosen his grip on the Demon-Dweller sword in his right hand. Blue, white and black flame surrounded Hayaku as she started to laugh like a lunatic from the surging power within her.
"Haya... What just happened to you..." Asta emerald eyes stare at the corrupted Hayaku with her crimson eyes. The warm liquid keeps falling on his cheeks as he could see the pain in her eyes.
"Just who are you...." Asta corrected as he started to gasp for air due to the stronghold of the light blue haired female.
Hayaku places her left hand on her head until tears can be seen falling down on her cheeks. Her glossy crimson shade stares at Asta that seems to be begging for help.
"To be honest...I don't really know myself..." she answered under her breath.
"Rhya...What is that reincarnation spell exactly..." the dragon spirit questioned with seriousness in his golden eyes. He just witnesses how the black matter surrounded Hayaku's figure.
Rhya's eyes widen at the strange behavior of Hayaku. He didn't expect that reincarnation will corrupt her completely. "It is forbidden magic that required sacrifices but since Hayaku has the same soul as Tsuki. Other souls aren't required but her memories become the price for it..."
"And wicked hearts tend to fall upon us... negative emotions... hatred... despair..." he added as he clenches his fist in disappointments.
"What have you done...that person isn't my master anymore..." the dragon spirit hands started to shiver in fear.
"What are you even talking about! What do you mean!" the copy magic user demanded.
"Asta is right... She will never say those words..." Hanabi confesses as his golden eyes shifted at Hayaku.
"My master will always need to keep the balance between the light and the dark...between good and evil... Tsuki and Haya are always the good ones they will always do what is right but you guys pushed her away..." the dragon spirit added.
"Because the one that came back to us is her other side... the one that shouldn't be brought upon here in the first place...the person that will only listen to her selfish desire..." he confesses.
Her only goal from now on lies in the darkness.
The dragon spirit just hopes that light will come upon her and drag her out from the shadow before it's too late....