The day after populating the Akatsuki base with aquatic life and forest creatures, the squad stood at the massive gates of their disguised house base. Asta, Yuno, and Avi had spent the morning preparing. Today was monumental — their first official mission as the Akatsuki Squad.
Asta: "This is it, our first mission! I still can't believe we're real Magic Knights now… and I'm the captain!"
Yuno: Nodded, though his eyes held a trace of unease. "We've trained hard, but this is our first real mission. No exam settings this time."
Avi: Chuckled reassuringly. "Nervous, huh? That's natural. Every first step matters."
Asta: Looked away sheepishly. "A little. I just don't want to mess it up."
Yuno: "And it's just us. No veterans. We're the first and only members."
Avi's Clone: Approached holding a sealed scroll. "This just arrived from the Magic Knight headquarters. Your first official commission. Caution advised."
Asta: "Let's open it together."
They unrolled the scroll with anxious excitement.
Mission: Investigate and resolve magical disturbances near Elmwolf Village. Villagers report strange occurrences — glowing creatures, missing livestock, corrupted mana zones.
Objective: Investigate magical anomalies. Discover the cause. Neutralize threats. Protect villagers.
Assigned Squad: Akatsuki
Notes: Multiple scout teams previously failed to identify the threat. Possibility of a hidden relic or curse influencing beast behavior. Proceed with caution.
Yuno: "This sounds more complicated than expected."
Asta: "Glowing creatures? Corrupted mana? Could be cursed beasts!"
Avi: "Or something darker. But let's approach it smart. It's your first mission — and a tricky one."
They packed rations and essentials, riding out on Avi's flying enchanted wooden platform. The skies were clear, yet tension rode with them.
Asta: Standing on the front edge, arms raised. "Akatsuki Squad — let's fly!!"
They arrived near Elmwolf Village by noon. Unlike the simple report implied, the situation was worse. Crops were withered unnaturally, livestock pens lay in ruin, and dark energy lingered in the air like smoke.
Villagers gathered timidly, whispering. The mayor, an elderly man with shaking hands, approached.
Mayor: "Thank the stars! You're here. Please… it's not just beasts. Some villagers vanished. The night's air feels... wrong."
Avi: His brows furrowed. "This isn't simple beast trouble. Something's corrupting the environment."
Yuno: "Should we inspect the forest immediately?"
Asta: Looking uncertain, then firm. "No… we'll split roles. Yuno — take air and scout for mana fluctuations. Avi — come with me to question the locals. Let's find out where the corruption began."
Avi: "Smart call. You're thinking like a real captain."
Yuno: Softly. "Just don't get reckless."
They followed the plan. The villagers spoke of strange chanting sounds from the woods. Avi's detection spells revealed a corrupted mana flow converging at an abandoned shrine deep in the forest.
By dusk, the squad regrouped.
Yuno: "I found it. The mana pulse is centered at the shrine northeast of the village."
Asta: "Then let's move."
They arrived at the shrine as the moon reached its peak — revealing twisted statues and dark glyphs glowing faintly. A magical beast, massive and mutated with multiple glowing eyes, prowled before the shrine. But more unsettling was the man behind it — robed, chanting in a forgotten tongue.
Avi: Eyes narrowed beneath his hood. "A dark ritual… no wonder the reports were vague. He's masking his presence."
Asta: "Is that a dark mage?"
Yuno: "He's manipulating the beast — corrupting it."
Avi: "We stick to the plan. Yuno, high cover. Asta, flank and distract. I'll disrupt the core ritual."
The rogue mage raised his staff, releasing cursed tendrils. Yuno countered from above with slicing wind barrages, Asta dashed in with anti-magic slashes, narrowly avoiding magical traps. Avi worked silently at the glyph circle, his movements swift but cloaked in stealth.
The corrupted beast lunged toward Asta, forcing him back with unnatural strength.
Asta: "He's way stronger than the exam beasts!"
Yuno: "His body's reinforced by magic! Aim for weak points!"
Avi: Calmly, internally. 'They're green, but determined. Time to nudge the battle.'
Avi's hidden rune flared, subtly weakening the mage's protection enchantments. The change allowed Yuno's wind blade to slice a leg from the beast.
Yuno: "Asta, now!"
Asta's final leap cleaved through the beast's mask-like head, breaking the summoner's control. Avi crushed the final glyph.
The ritual collapsed. Mana stormed out of the shrine in a blinding flash. The rogue mage was knocked out cold. The air lightened.
Next morning, the villagers celebrated. The land seemed to breathe.
Mayor: "We're in your debt, Akatsuki."
Asta: "We… actually pulled it off."
Yuno: "Barely. But we learned a lot."
Avi: Smiling faintly behind his cloak. "Good work, Captain."
As they rode back to the base, Asta gazed skyward.
Asta: "This is only the start. Next time… I'll be even better."
Yuno: "Let's earn our place."
Avi (thought): 'The pawns are in place… Lucius, your shadow won't touch this world.'
To be continued
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