Clover Kingdom's Champion


"Ow, ow, ow, ow." Eri whined as Kali used healing magic on her.

"That's what you get for not listening to me and ignoring my instructions for putting on sunblock." Mina said. "You got a real nasty sunburn there sweetie."

"Mama." Eri complained.

"Thanks again for doing this Kali." Kaen said, sitting in their reserved suit, with Kali and Asura joining them.

"It's no problem." Kali smiled. "But you should listen to your Mother next time Eri."

"Yes Ma'am." Eri groaned.

"So how's Noelle doing?" Mina asked.

"She's struggling. She's been at it every night for nearly a week now." Niji said. "She's improving, but not enough to be able to do what she needs to in order to get us through the Strong Underwater Magic Region tomorrow."

"What she needs, is a reason, the right motivation to do what she needs to, and the spell should manifest itself through her strong emotions." Kaen said, getting up from his seat, and headed for the door.

"Where are you going Papa?" Eri asked.

"I'm gonna go talk with Noelle. Maybe I can give her the motivation needed."

"Just be careful man." Asura said. "She's in a fragile state of mind right now. What with all her siblings have done, and all the treatments Kali's put her through to get over them and break her barriers down."

"You make it sound like I was putting her through unspeakable procedures." Kali huffed.

"I'll be sure to tread lightly." Kaen said, heading out the door.

Trekking through the sand of the beach, Kaen made his way to the rocky reefs where he knew Noelle, and Asta would be as the magicless boy would be doing his best to encourage Noelle to do her best, and bring the best out in her.

"Come on Noelle, I know you can do it." Asta's voice rang out.

Looking up ahead of him, Kaen wasn't surprised to find a large sphere of magical energy going out of control, and in a whirl of chaos, with the royal princess in the center of it all.

"How's she doing?" Kaen asked, stepping up to Asta.

"Not so good. I don't understand what could be causing this mental instability that's keeping her from controlling her magic the way she wants." Asta said, not even surprised that Kaen was there.

"It's her fear." Kaen stated.

"Her fear?" Asta asked.

"Yep." Kaen smiled, before noticing someone else there. "Who's this?"

"Oh, this is Kahono. She's been using her magic to help Noelle recover, and progress further in her control." Asta said, introducing the magenta haired girl.

"Sup?" Kahono asked with a smile.

"Nice to meet you." Kaen said, before turning back to the vortex of water. "Hey Noelle, disperse your magic for a second, and come down here."

Noelle just looked down, and saw Kaen there, before the water and magic vanished.

"What do you want?" Noelle asked, sounding somewhat annoyed.

"I'm here because I want to help you break past your barriers." Kaen said.

"What could you possibly know to help me?"

"A lot more then you'd think Noelle." Kaen stated. "I know you're a princess, but I also know you're a ball of sunshine, hiding a fierce Demigoddess in that soul of yours, with how powerful your magic is. I know a thing or two, about hiding a fierce Divinity within one's self." He said, taking on his Wukong form.

"Whoa." Asta said in awe. "That's so cool."

"This is known as my Wukong form. Kali might have mentioned seeing me in it, when we first met back in the Nean Caves." Kaen said. "I wasn't born with this form, I actually gained it, by allowing a Demon God from my world, Sun Wukong take over my body in order to defeat a powerful enemy I was incapable of facing without this power."

"So?"

"So, I messed up." Kaen said, reverting back to his normal form. "Wukong took over me completely, and killed my opponents, when all I wanted to do was detain them. But I learned to control the power, and I killed Wukong, while taking his power as my own."

"So what? You're gonna help me learn to control my magic by absorbing and killing my soul too?" Noelle asked.

"No. That's not how I'm gonna do it." Kaen said, taking a seat on the reefs. "Come sit next to me, and follow my instructions."

Noelle just looked at Kaen, but rolled her eyes, as she figured she didn't have anything to loose in doing this, and sat across from him.

"Kali's done a good job at helping you so far, but there are certain things she can't teach you, since she doesn't know them herself." Kaen said.

"An' you do?" Noelle asked.

"I do actually, because I know who, and what she is." Kaen stated, taking a meditative position. "For now though, let's focus on you and getting through your mental blocks."

"Alright. I'll trust you on this for now." Noelle said, taking the same position.

"Close your eyes, and focus on the sound of my voice." Kaen said, his voice calm and gentle. "Where are you?"

"I'm sitting here with you."

"No, where are you in your mind? Everyone has their own happy place they go to, when they're nervous, or upset. Where's yours?" Kaen asked.

Noelle took a deep calming breath, before she began to picture her happy place.

"I'm… at the tavern, and everyone from the Squad is there." Noelle said.

"Do you feel anything, from deep within?" Kaen asked, his voice soothing to Noelle's troubled mind.

"I feel, warm inside. I feel happy." Noelle said, sounding surprised.

"Good, now focus that feeling, the warmth within your soul." Kaen said. "I've seen your abilities, and I've seen the trouble you go through just to keep them in check. But you're unaware of what you're truly capable of, because of one simple thing. You don't wanna hurt your friends, those you are close to, and by focusing on that worry, you subconsciously freak out, and lose control of your power."

"Then what am I to do?" Noelle asked as her body began to glow a watery blue.

"As I said, focus on that warmth inside you, let it flow throughout your entire body, let it envelop you, and embrace it." Kaen stated. "Rather then let yourself focus on the worry for hurting those around you, channel your magic, and focus on protecting them. Let your magic become a tool for you to use to defend not just yourself, but those around you. Can you feel it?"

"I… feel something." Noelle said. "It feels like, an armor of some kind."

"That's your power. Embrace the feeling, and let it guide you to your desired goal, and shape it, like you would a lump of clay to meet your end goal." Kaen said, as Noelle's Grimoire floated out in front of her.

"Embrace my power. Let it flow and help me achieve my desired goal." Noelle said, as her Grimoire landed on a blank page, before a new spell began to appear. "Water Creation Magic: Sea Dragon's Cradle." She chanted, as the spell formed, and she cast it, enveloping both her and Kaen in the spell. Opening her eyes, Noelle was shocked to see where they were. "I… I did it."

"I never had a doubt." Kaen smiled, before Noelle dispersed the cradle, and they fell to the ground.

"Noelle, that was so awesome." Asta said running up to them. "You managed to learn a new spell, the day before the journey."

"I couldn't have done it without Kaen." Noelle said, looking at him.

"Think nothing of it. What are teammates for, if not to help one another out?" Kaen smiled, heading off. "Though, I recommend practicing that spell a few more times just so you're able to maintain it while traveling."

"Right." Noelle said. "I'll work hard, and I'll do my best."

"Oh, and take these." Kaen said, tossing Noelle a bag.

"What are these?" She asked, catching them before looking inside. "Beans?"

"They're Senzu Beans. They'll heal your injuries, and replenish your stamina if you eat one in the middle of training or a battle. But if you're not injured or exhausted at all, they'll keep you fed and full for ten days." Kaen explained, before heading off again.

"Wow, he's incredible. First he teaches me how to use Ki, and now he helped you move leaps and bounds into improving your magic control." Asta said.

"Yeah, I guess he is an amazing guy." Noelle said, blushing a little bit.


~Full Moon Night~

"Well, it's the night of the full moon." Yami said. "With the mana around here at its weakest, this is our best chance to get to the Underwater Temple."

"We should probably be prepared. We know the Eye of the Midnight Sun is after all the Magic Stones, so it's safe to assume they might show up at any time at the Temple." Kali said.

"Personally, I hope they show up while we're there." Kaen stated, wearing his hero costume, with the addition of the Black Bulls Robe.

"Why would you hope for that?" Asura asked.

"So we can kick their asses, and they'll know that trying to get the stone from the Temple will be pointless as it won't be there anymore." Kaen stated. "If they become aware of that fact, they'll leave the Temple alone in the future."

"Good point." Yami said.

"Captain, we're all ready to go sir." Magna stated, as the rest of the team gathered around them.

"Good. Alright Noelle, do your thing." Yami said.

"You sure Mina and Eri will be fine on their own here?" Asura asked, looking at Kaen.

"They should be fine, so long as no one causes any trouble. Mina can handle herself, but Eri's still new to her abilities as one of our race." Kaen said.

"Alright here we go." Noelle said, the team standing close to her as she began using her magic. "Water Creation Magic: Sea Dragon's Cradle."

In a near instant, the entire squad, and team was enveloped in Noelle's latest spell.

"I'm starting to understand why Noelle's had so much more difficulty in controlling her magic, then her siblings." Asura said as they began traveling through the water.

"Why's that?" Kali asked.

"Sea Dragon. She says that in practically every spell in her Grimoire. An' a dragon, is far more powerful, then a serpent." Asura stated.

"I agree." Kaen said. "Noelle's power is far greater then even Captain Nozel's. But she subconsciously keeps it down and suppressed, because she's scared of hurting people with it."

"That would make sense actually." Yami said. "Only problem is, Nozel's always held back in a fight, because he doesn't wanna get innocent people involved as well."

"I highly doubt, that the very same man who said his own baby sister's existence, is meaningless, actually has a caring heart like that." Kaen said.

"Believe what you want, but it's the truth. I've seen it myself." Yami stated.

"Everyone hang tight, we're entering the strong magic region's currents." Noelle said, as the cradle began shaking. "I'm not sure I can do this."

"Don't say that Noelle." Asta said. "Remember what Kaen told you, how he helped you to unlock this power."

"You helped her with creating this spell?" Yami asked, looking to Kaen.

"Gave her a bit of a pep-talk and a reason to try." Kaen said. "Seemed to do the trick, as her happy place, was being surrounded by everyone on the Squad."

"You can do this. I believe in you, we all believe in you." Asta stated.

Noelle pushed harder against the strong magic region's currents, and with all the strength she could muster, they forced their way through them, and into the location of the Underwater Temple, surrounded by a bubble of magic.

"Whoa, it's so beautiful." Asta said, before Yami grabbed him by the back of his shirt.

"Alright kid, you're up. Slash through that magic barrier with your sword." Yami said.

"But Captain, I still don't know how to swim." Asta whined, worried about his safety.

"Note to self, next lessons for Asta will involve swimming." Kaen sighed.

"Well, now's as good a time as any to learn." Yami stated, before throwing Asta like a baseball and through the cradle.

"What the hell Captain?" Kali questioned.

"I got him." Kaen said, taking in a deep breath, and taking off after him.

Kaen raced towards Asta, and right as he broke through the barrier with his sword, the Saiyan grabbed the magicless boy, and helped him to avoid a painful landing on the ground as he slowly lowered him to the ground.

"Thanks Kaen, you're the best." Asta said.

"Don't mention it." The Saiyan stated, as the others came in.

"Great work." Yami said, as the cradle dispersed.

"Did you have to throw Asta?" Kali asked.

"Well this is nice." Finral said.

"Crazy that something like this actually exists at the bottom of the ocean." Vanessa said.

"Phew, that took a lot out of me." Noelle said.

"Hey, you did good. Great job." Asura said.

"Everyone, take a look at this." Kali called to them.

Running to the edge of the coral tower they were on, everyone gasped when they saw the underwater civilization, and how well it was standing, despite being in the dead center of a strong magic region.

"Oh my." Vanessa gasped.

"Whoa, so that's the underwater temple." Asta said in amazement.

"It's certainly beautiful." Asura said.

"I'm sure Mina and Eri would have loved to come here and see this as well." Kaen smiled. "I'll be sure to bring them next time."

"Charmy." Yami said, holding up a cupcake. "Whip us up some cotton."

"Roger." Charmy said. "Cotton Creation Magic: Nimble Transport Cloud!"

With their mode of transportation settled, the Black Bulls began making their way to the Underwater Temple, with Charmy sharing her cupcake with Grey, as there were actually two Charmy's now.

"Well this is a bust. We haven't even been attacked once." Luck said.

"That's a good thing Luck." Kaen sighed, as he, Kali, and Asura flew alongside the floating cloud of cotton.

"There don't seem to be any trap spells." Noelle said. "I expected something."

"Maybe they're actually expecting us, and are welcoming to guests?" Niji suggested, poking her head out of Kali's hood.

"Yawn, this is getting tedious." Vanessa stated.

"You'd better not be letting your guard down, ya hear me? There's nothing safe about a Strong Magic Region, so get yourselves fired up." Magna exclaimed.

"Yes sir." Asta cheered.

"Take it easy cow boy." Kaen said. "Look, if they are welcoming to guests, then that works in our favor. We can peacefully work out negotiations for the Magic Stone."

"He's right." Asura said. "Any battle, where there's not even a single punch thrown, is a victory in its own."

As they reached the town, and hopped off the cotton transportation, with the three Saiyans landing next to it, Asta gasped in amazement, when he saw that the buildings were actually carved out of hollowed coral mountains.

"This is awesome." Asta said.

"Are these… houses?" Noelle asked.

"That means there are probably ocean folk down here." Luck said, lightning sparking around his fingers. "Are they strong, and scary, and super powerful? I can't wait to fight them."

"Calm down there thunder brain." Kaen stated, karate chopping Luck on the head.

"Look, people." Asta said.

Looking in the direction Asta was, the crew saw the denizens of the village, surrounding the Underwater Temple.

"Luck was right, ocean folk." Magna said.

"Alright kid." Yami said, coming up to Kaen. "A bet's a bet. You get ten minutes to try and get them to lead us to the actual temple."

"Right." Kaen said, before heading off for the ocean folk.

"What was the bet?"

"He bet me, he could get the ocean folk to lead us to the temple, if we ran into any."

"An' as the gambler you are, you accepted without hesitation." Kali sighed. "What do you get it you win?"

"Kid uses his wages to pay off my tab at the bar in the capital." Yami smirked.

"An' if he wins?"

"His wages are tripled for a year." Yami stated.

"Then you might wanna start writing a letter to King Julius about that." Asura said.

"Eh?"

Yami looked from the Crimson Lion cub, over to Kaen and saw him coming back with a smile on his face.

"They'll show us the way. We just gotta wait for them to put their tools back in their house first." Kaen said.

"You… that didn't even take you two minutes." Yami said, his cigarette dropping to the ground. "How did you do that?"

"I literally just walked up to them, told them why we're here, and asked if they could show us to the temple." Kaen said. "I didn't give the specifics about the mission, only that we wanted to speak with the high priest of the Underwater Temple."

"Damn kid, you got some negotiation skills on ya." Yami sighed, lighting a new cigarette. "Well, a bet's a bet. I'll request your wages be that of a Vice Captain's as soon as we get back to the Capital."

"I'll hold you to that." Kaen said, as they walked off to follow the Ocean Folk to the Underwater Temple. "The High Priest is in the main chamber of the temple, which is at the top of these stairs. It's a bit of a hike, but nothing the team can't handle."

"Well, let's get to it then." Yami sighed.

The hike wasn't too bad, for those who were fit and in shape that is, but eventually they all got to the top, albeit with a bit of a crowd following them around.

"Wow, we must be the first visitors they've had in years." Niji said. "It's like we're celebrities to them."

"Seems kinda strange though." Kali stated. "Almost like they actually were expecting us."

"Yeah, and so far this has been a lot easier then what I was expecting." Asta said.

"Well I'm not complaining, but how will you cope without your regularly near death experiences?" Noelle asked.

"Be nice Noelle." Asura said. "It's not like Asta goes looking for the trouble that finds him. He's just got some pretty bad luck."

"Right, it's not like I go around asking people to try and kill me." Asta said.

"Except for that one time, when we were kids." Kali smiled.

"Hey." Asta complained.

"You gotta tell me about that later." Asura laughed.

"Sure thing, only if you tell me anything dirty on Noelle in exchange." Kali said.

"Deal." Asura stated.

"Hey." Noelle complained with a blush.

"Well, here we are." Yami said, as they reached the top.

"Let's get right too it then." Kaen sighed, before the doors began to open.

"Make sure to say hello to the High Priest for us, okay?" One of the Ocean Folk called to them as they entered the temple.

"We'll talk more about the outside world, when you get back." Another added.

"Yeah, and thank you." Asta called back.

"Well, good luck."

"Don't thank us yet."

Before Kaen could question them on what they meant by that, the doors had closed, sealing them inside the temple.

"That was rather ominous." Kali said.

"No kidding." Asura added.

Traveling deeper into the temple, the team all stopped when they entered the main chamber of the temple, and saw someone was waiting for them.

"Look, someone's here." Magna said.

"Think that's the high priest guy we're looking for?" Asta asked.

"Must be. He's the only one here." Kaen said.

"Hey." Asta called to the crazy looking old man, before something dripped down from above.

With Asta and Noelle being the only ones to look up, their eyes widened when they saw a giant eel like monster, with acidic saliva dripping down through its teeth.

"AAAHHHH, a huge fish with teeth." Asta cried out.

"Asta, poke it with your sword or something." Noelle said.

"Maybe it's the kind temple guardian or something, and it only looks ugly and terrifying." Asta said. "We should wait until it attacks."

"Too late for that." Magna said, as the beast came down, only to be stopped by the trio of Saiyans as they each hit it with an attack slamming his fist into its forehead, and sending it into the ground, killing it, causing Asta and Noelle to scream in shock.

"That otta do it, what was that thing anyway?" Kali, Asura, and Kaen questioned.

"You guys didn't waste any time." Asta gasped.

"Oh this is wonderful, I love it when we have exciting visitors." The Temple Priest said. "Welcome to the Underwater Temple, I'm the High Priest of the Sub-Aquarius structure."

"What's with the magical girl pose?" Kaen asked.

"Wait, this freaky geezer is the one in charge here?" Magna asked.

"That wasn't the most neighborly welcome you gave us, you old fart." Yami said.

"I can't tell you how much I enjoy catching people off guard like that." The High Priest said. "Did you see how those two reacted, delightful."

"This guy needs a new hobby." Noelle tsked.

"I get you're annoyed, but try to stay calm. We do need to sort things our peacefully." Kali said.

"Do you taste good?" Charmy asked, stepping up to the sea creature.

"Easy there Charmy I'd leave the monster thing alone if I were you." Asta said.

"Wouldn't matter either way." Kaen said, before the monster blew up in a puff of steam. "The damn thing was produced by this geezers magic. It ain't even real."

"Such a clever one you are." The High Priest said, with a laugh. "You came to my temple to seek the magic stone, didn't you?"

"He's sharp on the uptake. Probably knew about what we were after for the same reason the village was expecting us." Asura said.

"If you want it, you'll have to play a game with me first." The man said. "However, you have more teammates on your side, so several of you are gonna have to stay on the sidelines with me and your captain while the rest of you play. An' I choose… the three of you." He stated, pointing to Kaen, Kali, and Asura.

"Huh, why them? That's no fair." Magna said.

"Aside from your captain, I can feel some pretty powerful magic coming from these three. So to keep things interesting, the three strongest among you, are not allowed to play." The High Priest laughed.

"Seems logical to me, but what about Noelle?" Asta asked.

"I can tell she's barely got control over her magic, so she's still allowed to play." The High Priest smiled.

"That's not very nice." Kali said.

"Well, are ya ready? The name of this little game, is…" The High Priest began, before his cheeks were dusted with a blush. "Find out how squishy the boobs are."

The instant he finished saying that, he was instantly hit in the face with a punch from Kali, as he was the one eyeing her up, along with Noelle and Vanessa.

"I wanna play a different game." Noelle stated as she joined Kali in beating up the High Priest.

"Thankfully Mina didn't come along with us." Asura tsked, feeling a bit angered at the old fart.

"Hey, hey. You can't go beating up the High Priest, he's some kind of big shot." Asta said.

"So what? I'm Royalty." Noelle stated.

"An' he tried fondling my boobs." Kali exclaimed.

"It was just a joke." The High Priest said, getting to his knees, and holding his cheek.

"Well now we're gonna show exactly how not-funny, that joke is." Noelle exclaimed, holding up a ball of water produced by her magic.

"Same here." Kali said, fire igniting in her hands.

"I really don't think that's a good idea you two." Asta pleaded.

"Alright, enough messing around. We didn't drag our butts all the way out here to play games with you." Manga stated. "How'd you know we were after the magic stone, anyway?"

"You'd be surprised, how well these old eyes still see." The High Priest said. "So what are you going to do? Your Kingdom needs that stone, doesn't it?"

"What do you think? Beat him up, and take it by force?" Magna asked, grouping up with Gauche and Luck.

"Yeah, that would probably be the fastest." Gauche said.

"It looks like the geezer's super powerful, so fighting him would get my vote, for sure." Luck stated.

Chop-chop-chop!

"What the hell kind of twisted stuff are you three plotting?" Kaen questioned, standing over the three, who now had karate chop indents in their heads as they were face down on the ground. "I seriously doubt, beating up old men is part of the Magic Knights conduct."

"I'm telling you, that's no ordinary old man." Finral stated. "We don't wanna get caught up with someone like him."

"Do you think we have time to take a nap?" Vanessa asked with a yawn.

"Forget napping, I wanna know when dinner is." Charmy said, sounding disappointed.

"Do you three even care at all?" Asura questioned.

"Aw, haven't you made up your minds yet?" The High Priest asked. "Play with me, and not only will you get the Magic Stone, but I'll round up the Temples loveliest ladies."

"Oooh." Finral was interested.

"The finest drinks, and tastiest foods." The High Priest continued, piquing Vanessa and Charmy's interests as well. "We'll have a magnificent banquet. What do ya think, shall we play?"

"Yeah, let's do it." The three Black Bulls said.

"Well he certainly knew how to get them interested in the game." Kali said, standing between Kaen and Asura. "We're gonna be playing the game, because of our mission. Not some stupid party."

"That's how we role." Asura said.

"It's a matter of Pride for us." Kaen stated.

"I'm with them." Asta declared.

"That's enough out of you." Yami said, literally kicking Asta's ass and knocking him down. "Looks like we've got no choice. Alright old man, you wanna play so bad, take on this master gambler."

"But… doesn't he always lose?" Kaen asked.

"Yep." Kali nodded.

"He also seems to have forgotten he's not gonna be playing." Asura said.

"I hate to say it, but we forgot too." Kaen sighed. "We're exempt from the game, because we'd beat his players too easily. Not to mention we out number them by at least four."

"Okay, so what game is it gonna be?" Yami asked. "Dice, roulette?"

"A brawl." The High Priest said. "A Temple Battle Royale."

"Damn it. The one game I'd actually be good at in this world." Kaen said.

"Temple Mages, come on down." The High Priest stated, summoning the mages with his magic. "Game Magic. It's time for Temple Shuffle!" He declared as several entrances opened in the wall behind him.

"Looks like… more doors." Magna said.

The nine mages summoned by the High Priest, came through the openings made in the wall, and took their places behind the geezer. Each of them were in robes, and wearing masks representing nine different aquatic mammals.

"You summoned us High Priest?" They questioned.

"Finally, Mages from the outside have come to visit us." One of them said.

"Oh, this is gonna be fun."

"That voice." Kaen said, his gaze instantly on the one who spoke up.

"I'm not sure." A third spoke up. "They don't seem as impressive as we thought."

"A little life lesson pal, free of charge pal." Kali said, addressing the third Temple Mage who spoke up. "Never judge a book by its cover."

"A bunch of talking fish." Asta gasped.

"Asta, those are obviously just masks they're wearing." Kaen stated.

"Oh, this is bad. I'm sensing a tone of power here." Finral exclaimed. "Are these mages temple warriors?"

"Most likely." Asura said stepping up. "An' given the feel of magic from the three of them… those three must be the High Priests kid and grandkids."

"You can tell they're related from their magic?" Vanessa asked.

"It's not so much the magic, but more their life energy he's sensing." Kaen explained. "While learning to sense magic, Asura unwittingly learned how to sense life energy, the same way Mina and I can. You can tell a lot about a person, just from feeling their Ki."

"Alrighty, shall we get started?" The High Priest asked.

"Right now?" Asta questioned.

"What exactly are we starting?" Noelle asked.

"Are you ready?" The High Priest smiled. "Okay, let's go." He declared as walls of mist surrounded the two groups, before turning into water.

"I'm totally not ready." Asta cried out.

The walls of water surrounding the two groups, turned into whirls pools, and dragged the Black Bulls, and Crimzon Lion, Magic Knights to their designated locations. Kaen, Kali, Asura, and Yami all found themselves in what looked like a surveillance room, with the coffee table having tons of snacks, drinks, and other stuff. The High Priest was already at one of the couches, and sitting at the end, before he began speaking. On the magic produced monitors, the four Magic Knights could see the other nine, all in different locations of the temple.

"Testing, testing. Can all of you hear me?" The High Priest asked, talking towards the monitors.

From the reactions on the monitors, it was clear to see that they could.

"As you may have noticed, you've all been separated and placed in various spots throughout the temple." The High Priest said. "You saw the Temple Mages a short while ago, and now you will face them in a nine-on-nine, no holds bar style, battle of magic and wits." The High Priest explained. "The rules are very simple. Knock them out and you win. Make them surrender and you win. The team that wipes out all their opponents, or have the most players left standing, will be the winner. You may fight any way you life, fight five on one, hide and use the terrain to your advantage, regroup and swarm the enemy all together, the choice is yours. Just be sure you keep an eye out for my, nuisance spells, they can be a bit, startling."

"He's really into this whole game thing." Asura said.

"Perfect, now we cant sit back, relax, and watch how the game unfolds, got a nice little spread set out and everything." The High Priest smiled. "You four are more then welcome to join me if you'd like, don't just stand there."

"Listen you old timer. I'm not just gonna sit on the sidelines. Let us out to play the game, or I'm not gonna be a happy camper." Yami said, sounding annoyed.

"I'm afraid that won't work. For you, you're too strong. Second of all, adding the four of you would outnumber my players, and I want it to be a fair fight." The High Priest stated. "I've been looking forward to this, and so have the happy people watching from outside. Can't have the fun ending too quickly, now can we?"

Yami was instantly seated after the High Priest mentioned that.

"Well hell, looks like you've got quite the eye for fighting skill old man." Yami cheered, grabbing a drink.

"This geezer knows a thing or two." The High Priest smiled, clinking glasses with Yami as they shared a laugh.

"He's suddenly all for sitting on the sidelines." Kaen said.

"No kidding." Asura added.

"Looks like Asta ran into his opponent first." Kali said, spotting her little brother as he faced off against an octopus masked mage.

"With Asta at a disadvantage, his opponent's gonna underestimate him greatly." Kaen said seriously taking his seat, before he smiled and looked to his Captain.

"Yeah, I was thinking the same thing." Yami smirked. "That's gonna be octopus face's downfall."

"What do you mean?" The High Priest asked.

"Asta isn't one you wanna mess with." Kaen stated. "People underestimate him, because he was born without a single ounce of magic."

"Then I don't see why that would be my Temple Warrior's downfall." The High Priest stated.

"Asta's magic, is never giving up." Kali smirked. "If I know my little brother, and those Anti-Magic swords he carries in his Grimoire, then this should be over… Hey wait."

Kali's eyes bugged out, when she saw Niji on the screen with Asta, sitting on his shoulder.

"The hell? When did Niji jump to Asta's robe?" Kali questioned.

"Must have grabbed on when you punched the High Priest." Asura said.

"Either way, it looks like the fun's just beginning for their battle." Yami smiled.

An' so, the five Magic Knights all sat in the observation room, making bets with the High Priest about who would win. It wasn't until they spotted Asta with his second opponent, that things seemed to take a turn for the worst, as the building began to rumble.

"What's going on?" Kali questioned.

"Hey, Priest. Can you show us the area where that came from?" Kaen asked.

"I'm already on it." The High Priest stated.

As the view on the screen shifted, the five of them all saw a gaping hole in the wall, accompanied by several robe wearing mages, and they were being lead by a very tall and muscular man with long, platinum blond hair and a matching beard, with razor sharp teeth. A red tattoo crosses horizontally under his eyes and over the bridge of his nose. His appearance overall, was rather beast-like. His normal outfit consists of a short-sleeved vest, light colored pants, and a pair of sandals.

"No." Kaen gasped, seeing the man leading the mages from the Eye of the Midnight Sun. "It can't be."

"You recognize him Kaen?" Yami asked.

"I do, and things are really bad for us, if he's here." Kaen stated. "He's a member of the Midnight Sun's Third Eye. One of the elite that are stronger then even their leader Licht. We're looking at Beast Magic user, Vetto the Despair."