Chapter 33: 27 Ripples 2
The Dwarven Kingdom of Dwargon was abuzz with whispers of a mysterious figure known as Madara—a powerful Majin who had emerged seemingly from nowhere, claiming dominion over the newly named Valley of the End. Reports of rapid construction, an imposing statue, and bold claims of originating from the mythical Clash Continent had stirred both curiosity and concern among its people.
In the grand hall of the Dwarven Palace, King Gazel Dwargo listened intently to his advisors as they presented their findings.
A Minister addressed the situation "Your Majesty, the intelligence gathered from our scouts near the Eastern Empire suggests this Madara has established a fortified city in mere days. The speed of development rivals even our most efficient projects. The centerpiece of this city is a massive statue of what locals describe as an 'Avatar,' believed to be connected to his power."
Gazel leaning forward, his tone sharp "A city in days? Either he employs magic beyond our understanding, or his builders are far more skilled than we anticipated. And his claim of hailing from the Clash Continent do we have any corroboration?"
The minister shook his head "None, Your Majesty. Most dismiss the Clash Continent as a myth. But if his claim holds truth, it could explain the resources fueling his rapid expansion."
Vesta, the cunning minister "The rise of such a figure so close to the Eastern Empire is no coincidence. If this Madara can stand against the Empire, he could become either a valuable ally or a dangerous rival. We must tread carefully."
Gazel's expression hardened as he processed the information. "Send envoys to investigate. I want craftsmen, merchants, and scholars among them. We will approach him diplomatically, under the guise of trade. If this Madara is as bold and capable as the rumors suggest, we need to understand his motives."
Meanwhile, in Dwargon's bustling forges, the craftsmen and builders debated the reports or rumors they heard.
A Young Blacksmith excitedly exclaimed "They say his builders raised entire walls in hours! Can you imagine the tools or techniques they must have?"
Gorrim, an Old Smith grumbled "Bah, probably flimsy work. Let's see if it lasts through a proper quake or storm. True craftsmanship takes time."
Jorvin, a Master Architect thinking for a moment said "Flimsy or not, such speed cannot be ignored. If their techniques are sound, Dwargon could benefit greatly. Imagine applying their speed to our precision, there's no limit to what we could achieve."
Later, in the royal chambers, Gazel and Vesta finalized their plans.
Gazel calmly gave the orders"Ensure the delegation remains discreet. While we present ourselves as potential trade partners, their true mission is to gather intelligence. I want to know everything about this Madara—his allies, his resources, and most importantly, his intentions."
"What about the Eastern Empire? Won't it make them dissatisfied?" Though Vesta's tone suggested he didn't care it was an open secret that the diplomatic relations were just on paper.
"It was them who broke the treaty first and their recent activities in Genesis Valley as it is called now even if was not their 'official' campaign suggests that they will bare their fangs soon."
Vesta expressed his thoughts "And if this Madara's ambitions extend to Dwargon or the nearby regions?"
Gazel gave a small smirk "Then he will learn that dwarves do not yield so easily. But until then, let us not provoke him unnecessarily. Strength respects strength, Vesta. If he is wise, he will value cooperation over conflict."
As the envoys departed for the Valley of the End, King Gazel stood by his balcony, gazing toward the horizon. His mind swirled with thoughts of this mysterious Majin whose name was now spoken with both awe and caution.
"Madara…" he murmured. "If your actions are as bold as your claims, then you are no ordinary Majin. But be warned if your ambitions threaten Dwargon, you will find the dwarves ready to stand in your way. For now, let us see what kind of man you truly are."
With that, he turned back to his advisors, his resolve as unshakable as the mountains Dwargon called home.
(Milim Nava)
High in the sky above her kingdom, Milim stared at the horizon, hands on her hips, a broad grin plastered across her face.
"He's calling himself Madara? And he's claiming from Clash Land? This sounds fun!"
Her advisor, Middray, tried to temper her enthusiasm. "Milim-sama, don't forget. If this Clash Continent is real, it might be dangerous to meddle without—"
Milim waved him off. "Dangerous? Ha! I'll go meet him myself. If he's strong, we'll fight! If not, maybe he'll become my subordinate!"
Without waiting for further advice, Milim shot off into the sky, leaving her signature crator behind.
"It will be dangerous for those.. well-" Middray gave up.
(Back to Academy)
The atmosphere at the Academy was as lively as always, filled with the chatter of students and the occasional clash of training weapons. However, in one of the quieter corners of the campus, a more serious conversation was taking place in the Class S Yuuki Kagurazaka was mentally conversing with Kagali who was inside him.
They discussed the latest rumors swirling in the Magic Continent.
Yuuki leaning back in his chair, fingers steepled "Madara, huh? A coincidence… or another Otherworlder?"
Kagali gave her opinion "It's possible. Kanzis may not be the strongest, but he was no pushover either. An Enlightened human with a Unique Skill is no small threat, and yet this Madara defeated him effortlessly. The reports suggest it wasn't just a victory, it was a spectacle. Humiliating Kanzis in front of his army is a bold move, even for a Majin."
Yuuki's eyes narrowed "Humiliation wasn't just for show, it was strategic. If Madara is trying to spread his name, making an example of Kanzis would ensure the message travels far and wide. But what really interests me are his claims about the Clash Continent. If they're true…"
Kagali finishing his thought "Then the Clash Continent might hold more than just Elixir. Think about it, Yuuki. Kanzis' Unique Skill Looter is full of potential, making him exceptionally dangerous over time. If Madara defeats him, it means two things. First, Kanzis was completely outclassed. Second, the stories about Kanzis' strength were just a bluff."
Yuuki frowned "No Unique or Ultimate Skills work… in the Clash Continent, it's a game-changer. And it makes Madara's victory even more intriguing. He has power beyond what's recorded in the world's systems."
Kagali's voice took a conspiratory tone
"There's more. You know the agents Clayman planted in Clash Continent when he tasked Gelmud to look for powerful majin across the Jura forest? All of them disappeared recently. Coincidentally, the reports came around the same time Madara surfaced. I believe this Madara found the hole in the barrier Gelmud created using that special artifact, and he used it to leave the Clash Continent. If that's true, he could have just wandered into the Eastern Empire."
Yuuki nodded thoughtfully "A Majin from an isolated land, with unknown abilities. If he's truly from the Clash Continent, then it is concerning."
Kagali saw an opportunity "And an opportunity. If we play our cards right, we could turn this Madara into an ally, or at least neutralize him before he becomes a problem."
The soft hum of an artifact filled the quiet room as Yuuki activated it, its polished surface glowing with a faint azure light. The device pulsed rhythmically as he connected to one of his most trusted allies.
Yuuki started the conversation "Damrada, I assume you've already heard the name Madara?"
A smooth, confident voice replied almost immediately from the other side, "Of course. I'm already gathering information as we speak. His actions have caused quite a stir, even in places you'd least expect."
Yuuki smirked "I knew I could count on you. Keep me updated on anything significant."
The line went silent, and Yuuki deactivated the artifact, his fingers brushing over its intricate carvings. His thoughts drifted, shifting from Madara to a more immediate matter, his 'classmates'.
Leaning back in his chair, Yuuki's gaze flickered toward the window, his sharp mind piecing together details about the students under Shizu's tutelage. Both Leo and Hinata stood out as exceptionally talented in holy magic.
Yuuki muttered to himself "Hinata's path is almost certain. She'll join the Church soon, directly under the Holy Ruberian Empire's watchful eye. If my observations are correct, they'll try to recruit Leo too."
He didn't believe Leo to be someone who would join the church.
He frowned, a rare moment of genuine thoughtfulness crossing his face.
"Hinata's talent is undeniable. She's strong-willed and focused, perhaps too much so. If she doesn't meet an untimely end, she'll become a powerful figure. But…"
His voice trailed off as a faint memory surfaced, one of the few attempts he'd made to connect with Hinata. Despite both being Japanese and sharing some cultural similarities, their ideals clashed. After she accidentally revealed a hint of Leo's "secret" during a conversation, her demeanor toward Yuuki had grown cold.
In his mind, Kagali's cold voice cut through his musings.
"That Hinata girl will become troublesome in the future. You should take precautions."
Yuuki chuckled softly, the sound tinged with amusement.
"Maybe. But I don't think she'll stand in our way, not unless circumstances change drastically. If I'm right, she's destined to suffer the same fate as Adalmann."
Kagali's tone shifted, tinged with curiosity.
"That Leo, though. He's different. His ability to use holy magic without devotion to Luminous is… intriguing. What do you make of it?"
Yuuki tapped his fingers on the desk, his brow furrowing slightly.
"It is unusual. Maybe he believes in some other god, or perhaps it's something from his previous world. Who knows? Regardless, it is noteworthy. But aside from that, he is not remarkable not in the grand scheme of things, just like Hinata."
Kagali remained silent, allowing Yuuki to elaborate.
"He has a Unique-grade artifact, sure, and his holy magic talent is impressive. But his Unique Skill is focused on exploration. That's useful but not overly threatening. Honestly, he reminds me of one of those typical protagonists from fantasy novels, brimming with potential but stuck in a world that doesn't care about his journey. He ended up here before his story could fully unfold." He chuckles half-joking "Unfortunately for him, this isn't the kind of world where the protagonist always wins."
Kagali fatly says "Still, an artifact capable of producing Rare-grade items consistently is worth noticing. Someone will take an interest in him sooner or later."
Yuuki nodded in agreement.
True. It's something to keep an eye on. For now, though, he's not a priority. If he becomes a threat or an asset worth securing, we'll act accordingly."
(Hinata)
Hinata sat alone in her room, staring at the ceiling as the fireplace illuminated the room. The warmth of the flame should have brought comfort, but tonight, it only illuminated her inner turmoil.
The Church had always seemed like the right choice for her. It offered structure, a path to atonement for the sins that weighed on her soul. She had decided to join for two reasons: first, to find redemption in serving a higher cause, and second, to distance herself, from Shizu, from Leo, and from the dangerous attachments she felt forming.
But the latter reason was proving harder to achieve than she had anticipated.
"I've grown too soft," she thought, frustration etched on her face. Shizu-sensei, who had once been just a mentor, now felt like someone more—an elder sister, perhaps even a mother figure. That warmth, that care, was something Hinata hadn't realized she craved. And Leo...
Her hand clenched involuntarily. She had misjudged him at first, brushing him off as nothing more than a harmless flirt, a smooth talker with too much confidence. But over time, he had wormed his way into her guarded heart, and she hated it. Hated how a part of her was happy at the thought of him possibly joining the Church as well.
"He's not suited for it," she muttered, trying to convince herself. "Leo working for the Church? He's too free-spirited, too unpredictable." Yet, despite her doubts, the thought of him by her side made her heart betray her logic.
Hinata pressed a hand to her chest, feeling the rapid beat beneath her palm.
"Idiot," she whispered to herself, scowling. A fleeting smile cracked her cold facade, but it vanished as quickly as it appeared. Her heart may have been warming, but she willed herself to turn cold again. She needed to stay focused. Attachments like these only led to pain.
Her thoughts shifted, darkening as Yuuki's face came to mind.
"Yuuki." She muttered the name coldly. He had always unsettled her, the fake friendliness, the too-perfect smile, the way he seemed to know exactly how to manipulate people. Leo had warned her about him once, calling him "someone who smiles with a hidden blade." She hadn't fully understood what Leo meant at the time, but her own experiences with Yuuki had confirmed her suspicions.
He had tricked her once, coaxing her into revealing details about Leo's artifact. The guilt still gnawed at her, though Leo had brushed it off with his usual carefree attitude.
"It's not like it's much of a secret," he had said, grinning. But Hinata wasn't fooled. She had noticed how closely he guarded that jacket of his, even carrying it while bathing not that she'd peeked, of course. She had simply been curious, trying to confirm whether he was lying. That jacket, she realized, wasn't just clothing; it was something more.
Her frustration deepened as she thought about his talents.
"And now he's good at holy magic too," she muttered bitterly. Leo had casually taught her a few high-level spells, as if they were nothing, and even gifted her a necklace. She had refused at first, not wanting to owe him anything, but his words had caught her off guard.
"It was meant for someone special," he'd said with a melancholic smile but later it turned into a teasing one.
She had 'reluctantly' accepted it, rationalizing that it would be a waste to let it gather dust. Besides, Shizu-sensei didn't need it she was already so strong. Hinata had kept the necklace, but now, every time she wore it in secret, she felt a pang of embarrassment mixed with something she couldn't name.
Her thoughts spiraled further when she recalled how much time Shizu had been spending with Leo lately. Shizu, who had always been kind and encouraging, seemed to have taken a special interest in him since learning about his plans to travel the world.
"Why does it bother me so much?" Hinata thought, clutching the necklace around her neck. She didn't want to admit it, but the idea of Leo going off on his own, leaving her behind, filled her with an unfamiliar burning sensation in her chest.
If he planned to travel the world, then he likely wouldn't join her in the Church. A part of her wanted him to stay, to follow her, but another part of the rational side knew it would be selfish to ask.
"Shizu-sensei deserves someone strong by her side," she whispered to herself, her voice hollow. "And Leo... he's better off free."
Her heartbeat steadied as she pushed the emotions down, replacing them with the cold resolve she knew so well. Attachments were dangerous, she reminded herself again. And yet, as much as she tried to convince herself otherwise, she couldn't shake the lingering warmth he had left in her heart.
~~~~
Hinata has just spent around a month in Tensura/Cardinal World she is not the cold saint, second in command of Goddess yet, she was normal japanese highschool girl with dreams until her father fucked and and she threw him off the mountain.
So Leo who is perfect male since he is the protagonist+ Divine Aura+ Handsomeness is given.