The northern outskirts of the Clover Kingdom lay cloaked in mist as reports of a rogue cell of the Eye of the Midnight Sun reached the Magic Knights. Villagers had fled, but faint mana disturbances suggested enemy presence. Multiple squads were dispatched, and Satoru, leading a portion of the Blue Rose squad, approached cautiously.
His Star Magic orbs glimmered faintly in the fog, each scanning for hostile mana signatures. Enemy detected. Threat level: moderate. Probability of casualties if unprepared: low. Tactical opportunity: high, the system whispered. Satoru's mind moved in tandem with the system, overlaying battle grids, mana flow paths, and predicted enemy behavior across his mental display.
Charlotte roselei gave the squad final instructions: "Neutralize threats and protect civilians. Maintain formation. Adapt to changing conditions. Satoru, you will coordinate with distant squads for support."
Satoru inclined his head. Understood.
As they advanced, shadowy figures emerged—cloaked mages with faint, dark mana auras, clearly Eye of the Midnight Sun operatives. Satoru's system immediately highlighted each target with their level, estimated strength, and magical affinity.
System Display:
Target #1: Dark mana mage – Level 35 – Specializes in shadow constructs
Target #2: Lightning mage – Level 32 – High mobility
Target #3: Spellcaster unknown – Level 38 – Possibly elite operative
Recommended action: Apply Star Magic suppression and isolation strategies. Prioritize weakest links to reduce overall threat.
Satoru sent subtle signals through Star Magic threads to the Blue Rose squad, guiding their positioning and attacks. Hollow Purple barriers expanded, shielding civilians and allies, while Shooting Star projectiles struck enemy weak points. Reversal Red arcs reflected hostile spells back at their casters, disrupting formations without overexposing his team.
Asta and the Black Bulls arrived from the south, Anti-Magic energy radiating outward, while Yuno and Golden Dawn advanced from the east. The battlefield quickly became a tri-squad engagement, and Satoru's system ran continuous calculations: enemy patterns, mana reserves, predicted attacks, and optimal interventions for allies.
System Alert:Combo opportunity detected: Star Magic + Anti-Magic synergy. Probability of incapacitation: 92%. Recommendation: execute coordinated strike.
Satoru moved swiftly, deploying Star Infinity projections above the enemies while synchronizing timing with Asta's Anti-Magic swing. The result was devastating: enemy mages were neutralized efficiently, without excessive collateral damage. Yuno's wind magic cut off retreat routes, and Satoru subtly reinforced trajectories, ensuring maximum effectiveness.
Mid-combat, one of the enemy mages attempted a sudden ambush targeting a fleeing villager. The system flagged an immediate threat.
Threat level: High. Response time: 2.3 seconds.
Satoru reacted instantly, launching a Hollow Purple barrier around the villager while sending a Shooting Star projectile to intercept the attacker. The enemy mage's spell rebounded with minimal effort, and the villager escaped unharmed. The system chimed softly: Mission efficiency maintained. Tactical integrity: 100%.
After the immediate skirmish, the enemy regrouped, revealing a high-level operative wielding shadow magic. Satoru's system scanned and highlighted the operative's abilities.
System Display:
Shadow Manipulation: Creates constructs to ensnare and attack
Dark Mana Blast: High destructive potential
Mana Absorption: Drains nearby magic users
Satoru smirked faintly. Challenge accepted.
He deployed a layered combination of Star Magic: Shooting Star for rapid strikes, Hollow Purple barriers for defense, and Star Infinity projections for area control. Simultaneously, Reversal Red arcs reflected enemy mana back at them, neutralizing absorption attempts. Every move was calculated, maximizing damage while minimizing risk to allies and civilians.
During the battle, his system updated continuously: Satoru leveled up: +15 Star Magic proficiency, +5 tactical intelligence, +2 reflexes. Notifications popped up, reminding him of his quest objectives and progression.
Quest Update: "Defeat Eye of the Midnight Sun Operatives" – Progress: 40% complete.
With each strike and calculated maneuver, Satoru subtly guided Asta and Yuno's contributions. Asta smashed through a shadow construct at the precise moment Satoru's Shooting Star projectiles distracted the caster, and Yuno's wind magic locked down escape routes. The synergy was near-perfect.
Finally, the elite operative was cornered. Satoru created a constellation grid of Star Infinity orbs, each firing independently yet harmonized with his other Star Magic abilities. The operative was incapacitated without lethal force, demonstrating Satoru's mastery of strategy, magic, and precise control.
As the mist lifted and villagers cautiously returned, Satoru's system provided a full battle debrief:
Enemy neutralized: 100%
Ally casualties: 0%
Civilian safety: 100%
Personal growth: +20 Star Magic mastery, +10 tactical intelligence
Charlotte Roselei nodded from a distance. "Remarkable, Satoru. Your coordination and control… it's unlike anything I've seen. Continue this path, and the Blue Rose will become unstoppable."
Satoru's Star Magic orbs rotated slowly, the faint glow reflecting his satisfaction. The system chimed: Mission complete. Experience gained: 3250 points. New quest unlocked: "Investigate Eye of the Midnight Sun."
He glanced toward the horizon where Yuno and Asta were regrouping. Subtle threads of Star Magic connected them all, invisible yet unbreakable. The rising star of the Clover Kingdom had proven his worth on a real battlefield—and his journey against greater threats, including the Eye of the Midnight Sun, was only beginning.