Five overwhelming waves of mana formed a unique pressure field that spread outward, instantly enveloping the entire battlefield!
Feeling the oppressive shift in the air, Yuuki showed a trace of helplessness on his face—yet at the same time, a rare spark of excitement curved his lips.
All the Magic Knight Captains… together.
What an unbelievable spectacle.
Even with Yuuki's current strength, he could clearly feel the pressure bearing down on him.
Mariella and Neige immediately positioned themselves on either side of Yuuki, their expressions tense and their bodies taut. Under this invisible pressure, cold sweat beaded on their foreheads.
After arriving, the captains didn't immediately look at Yuuki and the others. Instead, their gazes fell first on Nozel and Jack.
Seeing the two captains looking slightly disheveled, the others' expressions sharpened.
"So much noise—I thought the Eye of the Midnight Sun had launched another invasion."
"These people don't look like the Three Third Eyes. As men, making this much of a mess and still not finishing the fight… how embarrassing."
Charlotte spoke coolly, her pale face expressionless, light-blue eyes indifferent.
Jack clicked his tongue in annoyance but didn't bother arguing—apparently too lazy to spar verbally with her.
Nozel also remained silent, though his expression darkened further.
Meanwhile, Rill, captain of the Aqua Deer, looked thrilled, his eyes darting back and forth between Yuuki and Yuno.
"Wow! That's amazing!"
"Wind Spirit Sylph and Fire Spirit Salamander—seeing two of the four great spirits at once is incredible!"
Rill's eyes sparkled as his paintbrush and canvas appeared in his hands, clearly itching to draw. Then he paused, frowning at Yuno.
"Wait, aren't you a Golden Dawn member? Why are you here?"
Hearing Rill's question, Yuno took a deep breath, steadied himself, and looked respectfully toward one direction.
"Captain William."
"I know what you're trying to do, Yuno," William replied gently, though his tone carried unmistakable firmness.
"But this is not something you can interfere with. And the Black Bulls boy as well."
Yuno and Asta both tried to speak—but another voice cut them off sharply.
"Silence!"
"As Magic Knights, you dare defy your captains and speak on behalf of a terrorist organization like the Eye of the Midnight Sun?! Are you trying to betray the kingdom?!"
A tall, heavyset elderly man barked angrily. His hair flared outward like wings.
This was Kaiser, the new captain of the Purple Orcas—master of Vortex Magic, hailed as the Kingdom's Strongest Shield.
Among all the captains present, only Dorothy of the Coral Peacock remained completely still—eyes closed, lightly dozing, as if utterly harmless.
Yet paradoxically, to Yuuki, she was the most dangerous one here.
Dream Magic… genuine Underworld-tier magic.
"Asta. Yuno. Thank you—for believing in me."
Yuuki turned to them with a smile before continuing calmly.
"But Captain William is right. This isn't something you can intervene in right now."
"The captains—and even the kingdom's upper ranks—want information about the Eye of the Midnight Sun from me. Even if I voluntarily explain everything, they won't believe it."
"This isn't a matter of trust."
"Isn't that right… Captain William?"
Yuuki lifted his gaze to William.
William didn't respond.
Yuuki didn't mind.
He withdrew his gaze and gave Asta and Yuno a reassuring look.
"Yuuki…" Asta clenched his fists, frustration written all over his face.
He didn't want Yuuki to clash with the Magic Knights—but even someone as straightforward as Asta could see that conflict was unavoidable now.
"Asta."
Yuno spoke quietly and nodded almost imperceptibly.
Though confused, Asta trusted Yuno—and Yuuki. With visible reluctance, the two retreated toward the edge of the battlefield.
Some captains still looked displeased, but no one stopped them.
Yuno was Golden Dawn. Asta was Black Bulls. Neither were ordinary members—and with William silent and Yami absent, this wasn't the time to discipline them.
At the edge of the field, Asta whispered anxiously:
"How can we just leave Yuuki alone against all those captains?!"
"Even if we stay, it won't change anything," Yuno replied seriously.
Then he added quietly:
"Yuuki isn't trying to escape. He's waiting for someone."
"…Waiting?" Asta blinked.
"The Wizard King."
Yuno nodded, a sharp gleam flashing in his eyes.
Then, out of the corner of his eye, he noticed a faint red-haired figure inside the tavern.
Rebecca…?
Wasn't she supposed to be an ordinary person?
Under the pressure released by so many captains, even Yuno felt strained—yet she hadn't collapsed.
Yuno's golden eyes narrowed.
Just how many secrets are you hiding, Yuuki…?
At the center of the battlefield—
Under countless cold gazes, Yuuki scanned the assembled captains and grinned.
He raised a hand behind him.
"You two—fall back."
Mariella and Neige exchanged a glance and retreated several steps.
"I came with goodwill. Since none of you can feel that goodwill…"
"Then I'll prove it with strength."
His voice rang out as the silver mana coating his body ignited into roaring flames.
Vwoom—
Salamander, perched on Yuuki's shoulder, flicked its tail and dissolved into pure fire, merging with the flames engulfing Yuuki.
The next instant—
Scorching heat exploded outward from Yuuki's body!
"ROOOAR—!"
A massive crimson fire dragon—seven to eight meters long—formed above him, raising its head and letting out a thunderous roar.
The surrounding air temperature skyrocketed.
"Salamander only chose me recently," Yuuki said calmly from within the flames.
"My control still isn't perfect."
Every captain's expression turned serious.
None of the newly arrived captains moved first.
"Don't get cocky, brat!"
Jack roared, but before he could charge, the ground beneath him exploded as mercury surged upward, forming a cage that trapped him in place.
"Nozel!!" Jack snarled furiously.
Meanwhile, Nozel had already rushed forward.
"I'll show you—even chosen by a fire spirit, you're still a lowborn!"
Mercury poured from his body as he advanced.
"Mercury Creation Magic—Silver Rain!"
Countless mercury droplets condensed into bullet-like projectiles, screaming through the air.
"Burn it all away!"
"Fire Spirit Magic—Salamander's Breath!"
Yuuki swept his arm forward.
A tidal wave of flames erupted, instantly vaporizing the silver rain and turning the battlefield into a sea of fire.
But in a single breath—
Nozel burst through the flames, encased in mercury armor.
"This heat still doesn't compare to him."
Layer upon layer of mercury plating shielded him from the inferno.
They were now within striking distance.
"Mercury Magic—Silver Spear!"
A razor-sharp mercury lance formed and shot forward like lightning, piercing the air itself.
At this range, evasion was impossible.
Area-wide fire magic was useless here.
"Is that so?" Yuuki said quietly.
"Then take this."
His fist clenched, engulfed in crimson flames.
"Fire Spirit Magic—Fire Fist!"
BOOM!
Explosive flames detonated from his punch, colliding head-on with the mercury spear. After a brief struggle, the rising heat shattered the weapon.
Yuuki flashed forward—now directly before Nozel.
Their eyes met.
Two shouts rang out simultaneously.
"Mercury Creation Magic—Silver Radiant King's Lance!"
"Fire Spirit Magic—Salamander's Roar!"
BOOOOOOM—!!
A catastrophic explosion shook the battlefield.
Nozel was hurled backward, smashing into the ruins with a thunderous crash.
Every captain froze.
…Nozel was defeated?
Yuuki swept his hand through the air. The flames vanished instantly, revealing his figure.
"Next."
The captains' expressions darkened.
"Hahahaha! Now this is worth tearing apart!"
Jack's manic laughter echoed.
"Be shredded to pieces!"
Emerald mana surged as it gathered around his twin blades.
"Severing Magic—Death Scythe: Frenzy Slash!"
Cross-shaped slashes tore through the air.
The instant Yuuki saw them, a chill ran through his spine.
He's adapting to Fire Spirit magic.
Already?!
Without hesitation, Yuuki abandoned fire magic and drew the Demon-Dweller Sword.
"Demon-Dweller—Twin Slash!"
Two crossing attacks surged forward—
But suddenly—
A figure in a red cloak appeared between them, arms spread wide.
Shhh—
Time Restraint Magic — Chrono Stasis!
Both attacks froze mid-air, sealed inside a blue sphere of mana—then vanished as if they had never existed.
"That's enough."
A calm, slightly weary voice echoed across the battlefield.
Every captain stiffened.
In the next instant, they appeared beside the figure, standing respectfully.
"Wizard King!"
Yuuki's pupils contracted.
I never sensed him.
Not until this moment.
It was as if he had simply appeared.
Not teleportation.
Not spatial magic.
Time magic.
To the Wizard King, a single second could be stretched endlessly.
Realization deepened Yuuki's caution.
No matter how highly he had estimated the Wizard King before—
It still wasn't enough.
Of all his abilities, only Fate Magic might stand a chance.
Yuuki suppressed his thoughts, calmly sheathing the Demon-Dweller Sword.
"Tch. You're fast as ever, Boss Julius."
A black-cloaked figure appeared—Yami—surveying the ruined battlefield with a raised brow.
"Yami!" Jack growled, instantly realizing what this meant.
The fight was over.
"Heh… you look rough," Yami remarked, eyeing Jack with mild surprise.
(End of Chapter)
⭐ Enjoying the story?
You can read ahead and support the translations by joining my Patreon! Your support helps me update faster and take on more projects. Thank you for reading!
Read up to 50 chapters ahead!
patreon.com/AminaSims
Bonus Chapter at 2300 powerstones.