A gentle breeze crossed the outer walls of the Royal Capital, sweeping past tall buildings and neatly laid stone bricks, climbing upwards. At the heart of the inner city walls, as massive as a giant dragon, sat a towering and majestic cluster of castles.
The most prominent and highest castle spire was carved with the three-leaf clover emblem of the Clover Kingdom. This was the center of power for the entire Clover Kingdom—the Royal Capital.
The giant red sun leaped like a whale from the edge of the vast plain, and golden morning light, carried on the wind, spilled into a study within the Royal Capital castle.
A tall, gentle-looking man stood by the window, bathed in sunlight, gazing at the scenery beyond the castle.
On his desk, a prototype tray-like magic tool reflected a virtual image, similar to naked-eye 3D. The content of the image was clearly the scene of Bai En and Ladis fighting three people in the mine.
"At first, I thought that child used cutting magic, like Jack, but it looks more like... sword magic," a sharp gleam, different from his calm demeanor, flashed in the gentle man's eyes. "I really want to ask him in person."
Indeed, this man was a complete magic enthusiast, and also the strongest Mage in the current Clover Kingdom and the 28th Wizard King—Julius Novachrono.
The study door was suddenly pushed open, and a man with blue mushroom-cut hair rushed in. When his gaze fell upon the figure wrapped in a red cape by the window, his hurried gasps turned into a long sigh of relief.
"You're still here, Wizard King sir."
"Oh ~ isn't that Marx?" Julius smiled and waved, greeting the newcomer: "Why do you always look so agitated every time I see you?"
"That's all because of you! You always sneak off by yourself and leave a huge mess for me!" As the Wizard King's attendant, Marx was fuming. If it weren't for you always disappearing, my stress wouldn't be so high.
"Calm down, calm down." Julius waved his hand, signaling: "Marx, don't be so agitated every time, or you'll easily get high blood pressure."
"If you, Wizard King, could have a little less curiosity about magic and focus on state affairs, then I would feel at ease."
"Hai hai ~" Julius squinted and chuckled, "Let's talk about serious matters."
Marx said no more. With his memory magic, he could quickly organize the information he had read. "Based on the footage provided by the Aqua Deer Squad, we focused our investigation on the group that appeared in Mohat Town."
"From their clothing and attire, they seem to belong to the same organization as the individuals who caused disturbances with the Black Bulls in Sosshi Village. Additionally, the Magic Appraisal Department studied the scientific equipment left in the mine and found that they appear to be conducting human experiments to enhance magical power..."
"Currently, the specific goals of this organization have not yet been confirmed, but it is worth noting—"
Ladis's portrait was displayed by Marx using a magic tool: "The main culprit behind the disappearances in Mohat Town—Ladis Spirit, who uses Corpse Spirit Magic, once joined The Azure Orcas Magic Knights with the top score in the Magic Knights entrance exam. However, his magic was considered forbidden, and he was expelled and exiled by the Magic Knights."
"Investigations show that although Ladis exhibited arrogant behavior during his missions with the Magic Knights, he did not commit any actions that harmed the kingdom. It is currently speculated that he may have joined the organization out of a desire for revenge... As for the other two, their specific identities have not yet been confirmed."
"Is that so? I understand."
Julius stroked his chin thoughtfully. Clearly, he was not surprised by such matters. Even the Magic Knights would exhibit exclusionary behavior towards certain extremely unusual types of magic. Such things, like the way royalty and nobles looked down on commoners, were not something that could be changed overnight.
After a slight pause, Marx continued: "The Magic Palace discovered this morning has already been reached by the Black Bulls, who have begun their investigation. Furthermore, regarding the surrounding defensive deployment... it has been confirmed that the Diamond Kingdom's Mage army has invaded our country."
"The general leading the enemy forces is—Lotus of Despair."
"Ah ah—I encountered him on the battlefield in the past! He's very strong!" Wizard King Julius recalled the man: "His magic is also very interesting."
"This isn't the time to talk about these things, Wizard King sir. The opponent has sent one of their great generals," Marx couldn't help but worry for the Mages sent to investigate the Magic Palace.
"Don't worry, don't worry. The youngsters sent out by each squad this time are all very interesting, and our combat power is also very strong."
Julius turned to look out the window, recalling the two children he had observed these past two days: the exceptionally talented Wind Mage, and the passionate boy who fought with a magic-nullifying greatsword, whose fighting style was similar to Yami's.
— — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —
Three streams of light fell from the sky, appearing on a grassy plain. It was Bai En and the two others. Yellow soil was exposed to the air. In the tunnel ahead, a strange, grayish-black building stood abruptly.
Small trees grew beside the gray building, a jumbled cluster of monstrous structures. Glimmering specks of magical power surged from the exposed entrance of the tunnel.
"Finally here," Gu Sen complained, holding his magic broom. It was payday, yet he still had to work. This really didn't make him happy.
Bai En glanced at the protruding Magic Palace. The dense magical power emanating from within was much higher than in the mine. The Magic Palace was surrounded by lush trees, interwoven with light and shadow, forming a dense forest.
After a brief rest, Gu Sen, as the senior, took charge: "Remember to stick close to me later and don't run off. There are many trap spells in the Magic Palace, and it's easy to fall victim if you're not careful. Although you have experience from your first mission, this mission is quite different from the last one."
"It's very possible to encounter enemy forces from the Diamond Kingdom. They are very fierce, you know ~"
Gu Sen made a scary face as if to frighten children, but this didn't seem to scare Bai En or Nancy. "What? So serious? I remember when I was on my second mission, Captain Rill played a prank that almost killed me, but it doesn't work on you two?"
"You're really serious. Could it be that you're too nervous for your second mission? Just relax, I'm here."
"Miss Nancy ~ You've been flying for so long, are you thirsty?" Gu Sen, as if by magic, pulled out a water bottle from behind him and shook it. "I brought water, you know."
"Thank you, no need, I'm not thirsty."
Bai En silently and subtly distanced himself from this sycophant. A strange sensation came from the corners around the Magic Palace, and he frowned slightly.
From a house on the Magic Palace building, several sharp lightning arrows shot out rapidly, their humming sound reverberating in the air.
"What era is this? Still turning magic into such boring weapons."
The surging wind blossomed in his ears. "Bang—bang" two bursts of sound drowned out the electrical crackle. Bai En turned to look, and what appeared in Gu Sen's hand was—a gun with burning flame patterns!
...