Review Responses:

Magic126: Yup! I'm glad you remembered that! And yes, indeed, Delphia does know the truth of Acier's death. XD Asta will always be Asta, even with Delphia in the mix.

AmericanNidiot: I'm so excited for Zora to come into the story too. Man's sexy af. Plus around his appearance we see a lot of the characters bare chested. Like bruh, how is Raia so ripped when he lazy af

LoneTaker: Yeah- because she loved them so much, it's no wonder why she hates them right now. You're so right about Yami being like an ex-Shonen manga protagonist teaching the current protagonist. Fits the man perfectly. I definitely need to get back to reading your fanfic, but I've been busy writing my own -.-||

NOW ON WITH THE STORY!


Coddiwomple Trivia #8 : Growing up, Delphia would tell Nebra and Solid fake visions which ended up coming true due to their own belief in her words. This is what's called a "self fulfilling prophecy".


Everyone was silent in the face of Asta's bold declaration.

"Become..."

"...the Wizard King?"

The middle Silva siblings snickered their grimoire flashing open before them.

"Don't make us laugh!"

The two were quick to attack the ash blond, but their spells were fruitless against Asta's negation abilities. Despite the growing fight with Alecdora's addition, Delphia kept back, only moving to place a reassuring hand on Yuno's shoulder when he began slipping his grimoire out.

Yuno glanced over his shoulder, staring questionably at the woman he had just met. She shook her head, eyes knowing as she kept them trained on the conflict.

"He'll be fine," She assured, "He's your rival, isn't he?"

Yuno's eyes widened minutely. He didn't know much about Asta's vice captain, his knowledge stemming mostly from the rumours he's heard around his squad, but something in him told him that she could be trusted; the same thing that brought forth a sense of nostalgia.

No sooner had those words left her lips, Asta escaped the spell Alecdora had used to confine him with assistance from his new sword Crossing his weapons, he pushed against Solid's spell, flinging it back to its caster. Solid was forced to defend against his own spell as he was brought to his knees.

Solid glared balefully at Asta. "You lowly peasant! I'm not going to hold back anymore!"

Delphia's attention was swiftly brought to the Silver Eagle's Captain as the room temperature seemed to drop.

"Nozel-niisama?" Solid inquired hesitantly, wondering why his brother was interrupting his punishment against the peasant.

"Solid, don't be so quick to use your magic on a mere peasant."

"B-But..."

"Silence. Do you plan to shame the Silva family?"

The pressure increased as Nozel stared down at the boy who dared go against his betters. Mimosa, Klaus, and Noelle were quick to back away from the eldest Silva, still too young and inexperienced to withstand such oppressing mana.

"A peasant that foolishly tried to defy royalty... How shall I punish you?"

"That's enough."

The rookies breathed a sigh of relief as the force weighing on them was lifted.

"You're getting so worked up over a little boy. You should be ashamed of yourself, Silvas."

Delphia hid a grimace. Though she was grateful for Fuegoleon's intervention, this could go two ways. One, Nozel will ignore Fuegoleon's words and destroy Asta instantly. Two, it will ignite the rivalry between the two men and oppress everyone with they mana they'd both be expelling.

She ignored Leopold's self-introduction to Asta in favour of keeping an eye on her own boys. Though inwardly she was glad that Leopold wasn't acting on the nobility's superiority act. It seems he's just been spending too much time with Kirsch to be acting so dramatically.

Delphia could tell the group were feeling relieved that the tension was beginning to dissipate, but with the way the two captains were staring each other down it wouldn't last long. She sighed, staring up at the ceiling in exasperation as Nozel spoke.

"A royal acknowledging a peasant as his rival?"

"Lord Julius allowed the boy to be here," Fuegoleon defended, "He may be a peasant, but doesn't he deserve a little credit?"

"I never thought I'd hear such nonsense from a royal's mouth. It appears that the Vermillion family has gone soft. You're a disgrace to us all."

Delphia pursed her lips, eyes narrowed as she could sense the mana building in the two men.

"What?"

"How am I, an eagle that soars the sky, supposed to give any credit to an insect that crawls on the ground?"

Delphia's eyes carefully catalogued the room's damage as the clash of mana was intense enough to affect their surroundings. It only grew more to the point that their mana seemed to take the form of the animals their squads bared.

As the two moved closer, the violet haired mage decided that this had gone long enough and pushed the two away from each, glowering at them.

Before she could speak, her shoulders tensed, eyes flashing as she sensed the ground rumble beneath her.

Everyone's attention was taken by the mage who came running in, doors slamming open in his haste.

"Lady Rotta! The capital is under attack!"

The group of assembled mages were shocked at the information.

"The Royal Capital is under attack?!" Fuegoleon questioned in disbelief.

Delphia bit back a curse as she grabbed her communication device. It seemed their opponent had become hasty. She frowned when the connection wouldn't go through, and it only deepened as more of her contacts didn't answer.

Her mind was working on overdrive as she went through her plans, disregarding some and reworking others. With the attack happening now, many decisions had been made, and more paths have cleared within her visions, giving more coherent information to work with.

"Delphia, what's going on?" Nozel demanded.

"The capital is under attack. You're slow on the uptake, Nozel," Delphia couldn't help herself as Nozel scowled, "Shiren!"

The quiet giant nodded, face as solemn as always as he took out his grimoire in response to her unsaid order.

Stone Creation Magic: Stone Model of the World

The rookies and Klaus gaped; in awe of such an advanced spell and accurate depiction of the city's current status. Delphia appeared to be seemingly staring through the model with glazed, glowing eyes while simultaneously trying to gain a connection through her communicator.

"Have the civilians been evacuated?" Delphia demanded.

"Approximately 30% have been successfully evacuated," The mage reported, "They began to panic when the attack began. As ordered, groups of mages have been deployed to prioritize the citizens' safety while several others keep the attackers back."

Delphia nodded, nearly sighing in relief when her communication device came to life, revealing a stressed-out mushroom head.

"Delphia! Have you seen-"

She quickly shook her head, cutting him off, already knowing what he was about to ask.

"Marx, we're going with plan C. Have mages ready on standby to reactivate the barriers. I leave the King's safety in your hands. I suggest you have your own group of mages to join you to pacify him."

Marx frowned but nodded nonetheless. "Watch your back," The blue-haired advisor warned. He felt his chest tighten at the knowing look in her eyes, nearly calling her back when she cut the communication without answering him.

He stared at the device in his hand, cursing the younger mage as he quickly ran off to do his part. You better come back unharmed, Delphia.

As Delphia put away her communicator, the assembled mages stared at her in a mixture of confusion and understanding. Those who have fought alongside her concluded that Delphia was aware and made plans shared with headquarters and the Wizard King.

On the other hand, the younger mages could only wonder why they had not been informed beforehand so that more mages could be ready to assist in the battle. But behind all their confusion was awe. Respect for the swift leadership Delphia took and the decisive orders she was giving.

It was only a glimpse, but this would be their first instance of seeing the Augur of the Clover Kingdom in her true element; the kingdom's number one strategist!

"Delphia, give us your plan," Fuegoleon called as he observed the model.

"Wait, what the heck are we waiting for?!" Asta yelled, "I get it! There are people out there who need our help! I'm gonna go!"

"Where do you plan to go?" Klaus cried out incredulously, "We don't even know the full situation yet, and you can't sense magic at all!"

"I'm going to where it's nosiest!"

"Wha- D-Do you think you're an animal or something?!"

Leopold laughed heartedly at his rival's brash plan of action. "Interesting! Let's see what you've got!" Not wishing to be left behind, the youngest lion rushed off to follow, "Wait for me, Asta, my rival!"

"Guys really are dumb, aren't they, Sis?"

"Yes, they are... and call me Captain."

"Leo's still very much a child," Fuegoleon sighed, "I'll have to thoroughly retrain him later.

"Leave them. They'll be fine," Delphia butted in, glowing eyes focused on the model in front of her. Her brows furrowed in concentration as she brought vision upon vision to the forefront of her mind. It seems that a future where they captured all perpetrators was out of the question. But the others... she frowned. Many she wished to avoid.

While it left a bad taste on her tongue, she could accept their attackers getting away as long as the citizens and her comrades were safe. It seemed only one plan will work in this case.

"Leon, go after your brother and Asta. Head to the north district once you've found them," Delphia instructed, "Noelle, go with him. Silver Eagles, central district; the magic is strongest there. Blue Roses, head to the east district. Golden Dawn, split into two teams and head to the west and northwest districts!"

The knights were quick to cast their spells for transport, eyes and ears still on their strategist.

"Keep these on at all times," Delphia ordered, tossing each group their own communication device, "They have a spatial user on standby, and I need to be able to signal you all at a moments notice. Your opponents are easily disabled with powerful attack spells. Weak ones will only stop them momentarily. All are under the control of a single caster. Your objective is to destroy these adversaries and protect the civilians! The apprehension of the enemy is not your focus. The civilians are your priority! Am I clear?"

The knights were taken aback at the order but knew better than to go against the clairvoyant's words.

"If we fail to protect the royal capital, we'll bring shame upon the Magic Knights!" Fuegoleon declared, "Let us save and protect our citizens, no matter what!"

"Right!"

Watching everyone split to their assigned districts, Delphia nodded, staring out towards the burning capital.

"Now then... it's time to prepare for their next move."

[TAROT*CARDS]

Something's wrong. Nozel suspected as he brought down several more corpses with his mercury magic. Their numbers are great, but they're far too weak. What does the enemy want? Where is their main force? What are they after?

Nozel looked back in the direction of the royal palace. The king?

It was his instincts alone that allowed the Silver Eagle Captain to dodge the incoming attack. His eyes narrowed as his siblings dodged their own, moving to stand back to back to each other. An attack?! But who-

The siblings split as several spells made their way to them. Nozel frowned, eyes searching for their attackers.

"They're using the corpses as a diversion and hiding in the crowds! Find them! Keep the civilians out of the attack range!" Nozel ordered.

"Yes, Nozel-niisama!" His siblings saluted.

In the other districts, the magic knights have come to face the same situation. Even with their mana detection abilities, they still had trouble locating and taking down their foes. They hid well within the horde of corpses, hiding their magic and switching positions after they attacked.

Alecdora cursed as his sand-armoured guard crushed more bodies while he dodged several water spells.

"Where are they coming from?!" He yelled.

From above, on one of the highest points of the palace, a figure stood, watching the ongoing conflict with calculative lidded eyes. She slipped out her grimoire with a yawn, the pages flipping as mana began to expel from the person's form.

"Let's see... it's about time now..."

Arcana Magic : La Matta Ventunesimo - Provvidenza Mondiale

[Twenty-First Trump - World Providence]

An apparition of a card appeared above the figure, shining in power as it grew larger, encompassing the capital. Her allies stood in wonder as their spells became stronger and far more effective, from Sol's studier earth spell to Mimosa's own recovery magic.

The magic knights were quick to take advantage of their sudden boost, destroying their opposition far quicker and effectively while evacuating the civilians and keeping an eye out for their hidden foes.

Nozel stared up at the aurora-like atmosphere created by the wide range effect spell. He knew who had cast it and what it does. One of Delphia's most powerful spells that change the tide of battle in all confrontations it is cast in. A spell that not only boosts the allies within its range but her own spells as well.

Nevertheless, Nozel was aware that Delphia would not cast this spell to amplify their abilities alone. It was always the last resort, for the twenty-first trump's consequences was much too great for her to cast consistently.

Nozel frowned eyes staring off into the distance where he could see a silhouette standing atop one of the castle's towers.

"What are you planning, Delphia..."

[TAROT*CARDS]

Asta stared around in awe. Even without mana, he could tell that this spell was powerful!

"EHHH?! WHAT'S HAPPENING!? EVERYONE SUDDENLY GOT A HUGE POWER UP!"

Asta gaped as Leopold destroyed the muddy water corpse that was summoned to hold him and Noelle back.

Noelle gasped as she could feel the spell coursing through her. She successfully shot down the bodies that came to attack her and stared at her wand in wonder.

Eh? My magic... it's so much easier to control!

With the spell in effect, Fuegoleon didn't hesitate to take his chance as he took down the corpse defending its caster and restraining the perpetrator.

"Noelle! Behind you!"

The Silva gasped as she fell, a hidden mage finally revealing themselves as they aimed their spell. Noelle raised her arms in a futile attempt to protect herself, knowing she didn't have enough time to cast her own defensive spell.

Klang!

She opened her eyes hesitantly when she heard the sound of the spell hitting metal. She thought her brother had come for a moment, but she stared in confusion at what was before her.

"A sword?"

"Delphia..."

Noelle turned to Fuegoleon as he gazed up towards the palace where he could feel a tremendous amount of mana being concentrated.

"Eh? Lady Rotta?"

Arcana Creation Magic : Arcani Minori - La Spada

[Minor Arcana - The Sword]

The Crimson Lion Captain nodded. Although he worried for the young woman, he couldn't help the swell of pride in his chest as more swords were created above the capital, destroying corpses and deflecting spells. Asta, Noelle and Leopold watched in amazement.

"They call her Virago..."

Asta tilted his head in confusion.

"Vertigo? What's that?"

Fuegoleon shook his head to correct Asta, but his eyes gleamed as their hidden opponents were soon disabled, unable to dodge the incoming projectiles.

"A warrior whose mere presence brought the odds of victory to near certainty. Who defended her people, planning each attack to the kingdom's advantage. A magic knight who changed the fates themselves for her allies. That is who Delphia is. The Virago of Fate."

"EH! HOW COOL! PHIA-SENPAI IS SO AWESOME!" Asta praised, eyes sparkling.

Fuegoleon huffed in amusement before his gaze became serious as he turned to the perpetrator.

"There are many questions I'd like to ask you. But before that, I will be confiscating your grimoire."

"Don't touch my grimoire!"

Ignoring the man's protests Fuegoleon stared at the grimoire in confusion. "What is this grimoire?"

"S-stop it!"

"There's only one page?"

"Don't! Don't look at it!"

He can only use one spell?

"Give it back! Don't you dare look down on me!"

"Who's gonna look down on you?" Asta stumbled forward, clutching the wound on his stomach, "Couldn't you think of any other way to get people to acknowledge your power? You have amazing magic, and you were strong enough to claw your way up... It's such a waste."

Fuegoleon smirked at the boy's words, turning back to Rades. "What you lacked to overcome adversity... was a righteous heart. Pay for your crimes."

Rades gritted his teeth. "Are you satisfied now?"

Asta's ear twitched as he caught the sentence. A voice...

"It was impossible for you to beat a captain on your own after all."

"I-It's not impossible... I-"

"The sheer volume of your magic isn't enough. Many of our allies have already been struck down. I'm also reaching my limit. You're through acting on your own. From now on, things are going to go as planned. All for our master."

From the tower, Delphia perked up, eyes flashing as another vision came to her. She smirked, taking out her communicator, careful to only connect to four of the five groups. It wouldn't do for their enemy to catch on after all.

"They're finally making their move, huh? Let's see if the others can time themselves correctly."

[TAROT*CARDS]

"The Magic Knights are amazing!"

Nozel ignored the cheers as he surveyed the area for any more enemies. What is their motive?

"All Magic Knights, report your status and location."

Alecdora, Nozel, Shiren, and Charlotte were quick to report back to the strategist.

"You have 10 seconds to remove yourselves from those locations. The spatial mage has them marked! Time yourselves and dodge!"

The magic knights' eyes widened as they moved into action. Yuno summoned his wind magic to lift his squadmates up to the skies. Nozel grabbed his siblings, forming his mercury into an eagle with Klaus using a similar method with his chariot for Shiren and Hamon to hop upon. Charlotte caught Sol around the waist, swinging them up into the rooftops and leaping away from the east district.

They had all moved in time to witness a dark spatial portal appear where they had just been standing.

Delphia smirked as she saw more spatial portals appear, mages marching out to fight against the knights who had successfully escaped their capture.

"Unfortunately for you, I have already seen it," Delphia mused, "This game has already been placed in checkmate."

The tarot user warned her fellow knights of their new opponents and numbers, but she knew they'll be able to handle them just fine. Her mana detection focused on the north distract, her eyes narrowing in concentration. Now then... time to pull a castle*.

[TAROT*CARDS]

"You're working with at least one other," Fuegoleon deduced, staring down at the restrained Rades, "A spatial user must have infiltrated the royal capital. Where are they?" At his captive's silence, he continued, "Have they already fled? You don't have enough power to take over the Royal Capital. I can't imagine that this was just to go after the king. You've made it clear that your motive is revenge, but what are you and the others after overall?"

"Our true motive..." Rades snickered, "is you, Fuegoleon Vermillion!"

"What?"

"Aniue!" Leopold felt panic well in him, realizing his brother was the target.

"What do you-" A portal appeared beneath the shocked captain, "This is spatial magic. Very well. Nothing ventured, nothing gained."

What came next happened in seconds.

In one moment, Asta, Noelle and Leopold were about to witness Fuegoleon disappear, only to find him by their side. They gasped, while Fuegoleon's eyes widened. Their eyes snapped back to the portal, dumbfounded as they caught sight of familiar violet locks.

In her hand, a chain was clutched in her grip. Fuegoleon's hand rose, feeling the emptiness around his neck.

Arcana Magic : La Matta Primo - Il Segreto del Mago

[First Trump - Magician's Secret]

Delphia stared at them with apologetic eyes, but she had no regrets... only resolute determination.

The quartet could only watch horrorstruck as the spatial magic rose to take her away.

"Sorry, Leone, not this time," She smirked before disappearing.

"Delphia!"

[TAROT*CARDS]

"What is this place?"

Delphia stared at the white world around her. Feeling a presence approaching, her eyes widened, a sense of betrayal washing over her.

"Y-you..."

"I had hoped you wouldn't interfere," The white-cloaked man smiled wistfully, eyes sad before he seemed to transform right before her eyes.

Delphia stepped back warily, shocked to have never seen anything like this in her visions. How can this be?!

"My apologies," The man sighed almost regretfully, "But I can't have you getting in my way. It's a shame..."

Even her premonitions could not prepare her for the swiftness of his magic as the man appeared behind her.

"...I had told him I wouldn't hurt you if I could help it too."


*castle refers to the chess move in which a rook and king can be moved at the same time to defend the king

A/N SORRY NOT SORRY! I had to! It's just part of her character! A lot of changes, I know, but this is a world with Delphia in it, so why not right? PLUS BE HAPPY! This chapter is loooong! Almost 3,500 words! My only chapter to go beyond 3000.

Question: Y'all have any song suggestions to listen to? I'd like to expand my horizons.


UPDATED: 16/06/20