Chapter 58: Permission to Kill

The tension in the room was palpable as the Wizard King clapped his hands together, signalling the official start of the meeting. His expression was unusually grave, his usual lighthearted demeanour replaced with a seriousness that demanded focus. Beside him, Marx Francois infused mana into a small device, conjuring a holographic map of the Clover Kingdom. The map shimmered, and bright red dots spread across it like a rash.

"These," Marx began, voice trembling slightly, "are the locations of recent magical beast attacks. As you can see, they are clustered along the borders between the Clover Kingdom and the surrounding nations. This indicates a disturbance in the mana flow across the area."

"Hmm," William Vangeance murmured, leaning forward to examine the map. The Golden Dawn captain's golden mask glinted ominously in the dim light. "This pattern suggests coordination. A random dispersal of magical beasts would be more chaotic."

"You think someone's controlling them?" Charlotte Roselei of the Blue Rose Knights asked, her tone sharp and analytical. She crossed her arms, her icy gaze fixed on the map. "It wouldn't be the first time someone's weaponized magical beasts."

"Ha! Coordination or not, they'll bleed just the same!" Mereoleona Vermillion boomed, leaning back in her chair with a feral grin. "Just tell me where to go, and I'll wipe the floor with whatever's causing this!"

Yami Sukehiro chuckled, slouching in his seat and puffing his cigarette. "Easy there, Sisgoleon. Save some for the rest of us."

Mereoleona's fiery gaze snapped to him, and the room collectively held its breath. "Call me that again, Yami," she growled, cracking her knuckles, "and you'll be missing teeth."

"Aw, c'mon, it suits you," Yami said with a smirk. "Big sis, all full of fire and rage. What's not to love?"

Jack the Ripper snickered, his razor-sharp grin widening. "Careful, Yami. She might actually rip you in half. And I'd pay to watch."

"I'll rip you in half if you don't focus," Nozel Silva snapped, his tone icy and impatient. "This is a serious matter. Perhaps some of us take our responsibilities more seriously than others."

"Like when you didn't show up to the last major fight?" Mereoleona shot back, smirking. Nozel's face darkened, but he said nothing.

"C-can we all focus, please?" Marx stammered, his voice nearly drowned out by the captains' squabbling.

"Marx is right," the Wizard King interjected, his calm voice cutting through the tension. "This is not a matter to take lightly. The attacks have intensified, and we've determined that the source lies in the no-man's-land between the Clover Kingdom and the neighboring nations. This is unclaimed territory, but its instability could threaten all four kingdoms if left unchecked."

"That area's crawling with danger," Kaiser Granvorka said, his expression deeply concerned. "We'll need to send multiple squads to handle this. One squad alone might not be enough."

Before anyone could respond, Rill Boismortier of the Aqua Deer leaped to his feet. "Wait, wait, wait!" he cried, striking a dramatic pose. His youthful face lit up with excitement. "I've got it! A dramatic interpretation of the danger we face!" He waved his hands, and his magic painted a vivid scene in the air—a towering magical beast roaring, surrounded by fiery destruction. "RAAAWR! 'Save us, Magic Knights!' That's what they'll be screaming!"

"Rill," Charlotte groaned, pinching the bridge of her nose. "Sit down."

"Rill," the Wizard King said gently, though there was a slight twitch in his eye, "thank you for your... enthusiasm. But let's focus."

As Rill sheepishly returned to his seat, a soft, sleepy mumble came from the far end of the table.

"Zzz... 'Save us, Magic Knights'..."

The room froze.

Dorothy Unsworth, who had been slumped over in her chair, slowly sat up, her eyes fluttering open. She yawned, stretched dramatically, and blinked at the map. "Oh, are we still talking about this? What a boring meeting..."

"Dorothy?" The Wizard King blinked in surprise. "You're awake?"

"For now," she replied with a dreamy smile, leaning her chin on her hand. "What's all the fuss about?"

"The attacks on the border," Charlotte said flatly. "You've been asleep for a month. Do try to keep up."

Dorothy waved her hand dismissively. "Oh, I know all about it. The beasts are getting rowdier, right? More coordinated? It's obvious someone is pulling the strings."

"You've been asleep. How do you know that?" Yami asked, eyebrow raised.

"I dream a lot," Dorothy said mysteriously, her tone playful. "But more importantly, I've got the solution. The Coral Peacocks will handle this mission alone."

The room erupted into chaos.

"Absolutely not!" Charlotte snapped.

"You're joking, right?" Nozel sneered.

"Pfft, go for it. I'll take bets on how fast you get eaten," Jack cackled.

Dorothy raised her hand, silencing the room with surprising authority. "Hear me out. The Blue Roses are already stationed in our region, handling the attacks there. That means the Coral Peacocks are the odd ones out. The other squads are spread too thin to focus on this mission properly. But we're ready. My squad's been training for this exact kind of chaos."

"You're seriously suggesting your squad can handle this alone?" Mereoleona asked, her voice sceptical but intrigued.

Dorothy nodded, her gaze uncharacteristically sharp. "Yes. I gathered these individuals, hand picked from the annals of my dreams, and I know what they're capable of. Why would I send them to the slaughter if I didn't think they were ready? Besides, too many squads would only create confusion. Let us handle it. We'll clean up the mess before you even notice."

The captains exchanged uneasy glances.

"She's got a point," William admitted reluctantly.

"No way," Nozel said firmly. "This is reckless."

"Maybe," Dorothy said with a sly smile. "But isn't it also reckless to waste resources on something my squad can handle alone? Trust me. The Coral Peacocks will get the job done."

The Wizard King stroked his chin thoughtfully. "Dorothy makes a compelling case. What do the rest of you think?"

Grumbles filled the room, but no one could refute her logic.

"Fine," Mereoleona said, crossing her arms. "But if you screw this up, I'm dragging you out of Dreamland myself."

Dorothy beamed. "Deal!"

As the meeting adjourned, Yami leaned over to Dorothy with a smirk. "You've got guts, Dream Queen. Don't get yourself killed out there."

Dorothy winked. "Don't worry, Mister Yami. I always wake up in time."

…

"Again," Lars said, his eyes cold and unfeeling. "Your form is still sloppy, but you're getting better, runt, make no mistake. You'll get it through practice."

Alexis panted heavily under Lars's piercing gaze, his mana running low from the constant training exercises that he'd been putting him through since morning. Wiping his brow, he gave a determined nod, and the mind mage smirked.

Lars raised his hands. "Celestial Mind Magic: Gedankenreich!"

The ground shimmered pink, and the training exercise Lars had so often visualised in his mind today came to life once more. Iskra sat on his shoulder, watching carefully as she lended him some of her magical power.

Manny mana soldiers appeared around Alexis, stationary, some on elevated pieces of ground while some were on his level. Each one had a target on it, a pink crosshair that pulsated occasionally.

"Aim," Lars simply said, leaping onto a tree and hanging off of it like an orangutan. "You have 20 seconds. 2 for each soldier, which is acceptable considering your level. Go."

Alexis's grimoire landed on a spell. He, alongside Lars, had been learning to cast spells non-verbally for a quicker cast time, and now he raised his staff. Pressurised bursts of water came out of his staff, each one hitting the ten mana soldiers right in the middle of the crosshairs.

Lars raised an eyebrow, impressed despite himself. "Hitting stationary targets isn't much to brag about, runt, but your control is improving. Let's see how you handle some movement."

He flicked his wrist, and the mana soldiers began to shift positions. Some moved erratically, dodging and weaving, while others leaped between elevated platforms. Alexis's breathing quickened as he raised his staff again, sweat dripping from his temple. He focused intently, channelling the last reserves of his mana into his next spell.

Water spiralled around his staff, and with a burst of effort, he unleashed a volley of pressurised water streams. The liquid projectiles arced through the air, striking three of the moving soldiers in rapid succession. But his aim faltered as the soldiers' movements became more unpredictable.

"Too slow!" Lars called from his perch on the tree, swinging casually from a branch like a monkey. "Predict their patterns, Alexis. Don't just react—anticipate."

Alexis grit his teeth, his muscles screaming for rest, but he pushed forward. He planted his feet firmly and began tracking the soldiers' movements with sharper focus. His next three shots landed on their marks, the water hitting the crosshairs dead centre.

"Better," Lars muttered, his cold tone laced with begrudging approval. "But you've only got five left, and I'd say you're running on fumes. Let's crank it up."

He snapped his fingers, and the remaining soldiers turned translucent, moving at blinding speeds. They left shimmering trails behind them as they darted around the battlefield, making it nearly impossible to predict their positions.

Alexis groaned but refused to back down. He took a deep breath, closing his eyes for a moment. Lars tilted his head, curious.

"Interesting. What's the play, runt?"

When Alexis's eyes snapped open again, they were filled with determination. He raised his staff high, and the water spiraling around it condensed into a single sphere. With a sharp thrust, he launched the sphere into the air. It hovered for a split second before bursting into countless droplets, each one targeting a different mana soldier.

The droplets streaked through the air like homing missiles, and one by one, the translucent soldiers shattered into pink particles.

Lars's smirk widened as he dropped from the tree and landed lightly on the ground. "Not bad," he said, his tone still clipped but noticeably less harsh. "Took you long enough to think outside the box. Efficiency over effort—always."

Alexis collapsed onto one knee, panting heavily. His grimoire floated back to his side, and his staff clattered to the ground. "Did... did I pass?"

Lars walked over, crouching in front of him. He placed a hand on Alexis's shoulder and gave him a rare, fleeting smile. "You didn't fail. That's progress."

From his perch on Lars's shoulder, Iskra stretched her tiny legs and hovered down to Alexis, landing lightly on his head.

"You've got potential, Alexis," Lars added, standing and crossing his arms. "But don't think for a second that means I'll go easy on you tomorrow. If you want to survive out there, you'll need to be better than just 'acceptable.'"

Alexis gave a weak but determined smile. "I'll keep going... until I'm as strong as you."

Lars barked a short laugh, turning away. "Good luck with that, runt. You've got a long way to go."

As Alexis struggled to his feet, Lars raised his hand, dispelling the shimmering field of Gedankenreich. The training ground returned to its natural state, quiet and calm.

"Rest up," Lars called over his shoulder. "You've earned it… for now."

The sun had begun to dip below the horizon, painting the training ground in hues of orange and gold. Alexis sat on the ground, gulping from his canteen as he caught his breath. Lars leaned against a nearby tree, arms crossed, his naginata resting beside him. Iskra hovered lazily above Alexis, her eyes scanning the clearing to make sure no one was there.

Alexis glanced at Lars, his expression contemplative. Finally, he broke the silence. "Why do you push me so hard, Lars?"

Lars raised an eyebrow, surprised by the directness of the question. "Do you think I'm pushing you too hard?"

Alexis shook his head. "No, it's not that. I just... I don't get it. You don't treat anyone else in the squad like this. I thought at first it was because I'm the weakest, but now I'm not so sure."

Lars let out a low sigh, his gaze turning distant. He stared at the horizon for a moment before speaking. "You're not wrong, Alexis. I'm harder on you than the others. But it's not because you're weak."

Alexis frowned, leaning forward. "Then why? What are you trying to prove?"

Lars uncrossed his arms, his voice unusually soft. "It's not about proving anything. It's about repaying a debt."

"A debt?"

Lars nodded, his expression growing more serious. "Your father, Mr. Bertholt... He saved me. More than he'll ever realise."

Alexis's eyes widened. "My dad? How?"

Lars took a deep breath, his voice steady but tinged with emotion. "After the incident in Lire Village, I realised something painful: I didn't have enough attack power to stop the Puppet Master. I had to rely on my squadmates to do what I couldn't. It made me feel... useless. Like I was still the same failure who couldn't pass the Magic Knights exam twice. I thought I'd reached my limit, that there was no way forward for me."

He picked up his scythe, running a hand along the blade. "Then, my naginata came into my life. It wasn't just a tool—it was a lifeline. It gave me hope. It made me think that maybe, just maybe, I could find a new way to sharpen my skills. A way to overcome my shortcomings."

Lars's grip on the scythe tightened. "But I didn't just find it. Your father gave it to me. He sold it to me at a price far below what it was worth because he saw something in me. Believed I could use it to protect others. I may have paid him in money, but that's nothing compared to what he gave me."

Alexis blinked, his voice quiet. "But... he's just a blacksmith."

"Not just a blacksmith," Lars corrected sharply. "He's a man who works himself to the bone to provide for his family. A man who, despite everything, has never given up. And I owe him for that."

He turned to face Alexis fully, his eyes fierce. "I can't repay him for what he's done for me. Nothing I have—no amount of gold or accolades—could ever be enough. So I'm doing the next best thing. I'm going to make sure you become a great Magic Knight. Someone your father can be proud of. Someone who can ensure that he doesn't have to work himself to death in that forge."

Alexis stared at Lars, stunned. "You're doing all this... for my dad?"

"And for you," Lars said firmly. "Because I believe in you, Alexis. You've got potential. More than you realise. But potential means nothing without someone to push you, to help you reach it. That's why I'm so hard on you. Because I know you can be better than I ever was."

Alexis's voice wavered. "I... I didn't know."

"You didn't need to," Lars said, his tone softening. "But now you do. So don't waste this opportunity. Every time you feel like giving up, remember why you're doing this. Remember your father. And remember that I'm not going to let you quit."

Alexis looked down at his hands, clenching them into fists. "I won't. I'll keep going. I'll make you proud—and him, too."

Lars gave a rare smile, a glimmer of warmth breaking through his demeanour. "Good. Now get some rest. Tomorrow, we're doubling the training."

Alexis groaned but couldn't help the small smile that crept onto his face. "You're impossible, you know that?"

Lars chuckled, leaning back against the tree. "And you're insufferable. Guess that makes us even."

…

"What could possibly be so urgent that Captain Dorothy woke herself up from her slumber to tell us?" Lars mused to himself. They were in the meeting room of the Coral Peacocks HQ, a long table that had Kirsch, who looked surprisingly grave, and Dorothy, who's violet eyes scanned the room to make sure everyone was there.

On the right side of the table, Russell sat closest to the captain, followed by Lilian, who acted as a partition between him and Ximena, who was snarling at Russell like a wild animal. Next to her were Amaryllis and Theresa, the two of whom had become inseparable since a few weeks ago, and next to Theresa was Yul, his sharp grey eyes piercing.

On the left side of the table, Ezequiel hastily took his seat, whispering a hurried apology to the captain, who nodded in understanding. Malachi and Elijah were sat next to him, and next to them was Sharya, who absentmindedly fiddled with her war fan, opening and closing it. Next to her were Lars and Iskra, the latter perched on the former's shoulder, her rose-and-pink hair flowing behind her. Next to them was Oda, his eyes deadly focused on the task at hand.

"Now that everyone's here," Dorothy said, "I have an announcement to make. Intelligence networks from all across the kingdom have discovered where the beast attacks are coming from - the space between the four kingdoms, a space that some have dubbed "The Region of the Lawless". There have been unusual mana fluctuations around there, most of them unnatural."

Kirsch interjected. "We, the vice captains, went on a quick mission a week ago, defeating a particularly brutish wyvern that had already destroyed quite a few villages. We observed from its core that it was being controlled by Beast Magic, a particularly sinister kind."

"That lines up with the guy who we saw earlier - Yrul, was it?" Sharya said, nudging Lars, who then raised his hand to speak. Dorothy nodded, and Lars stood up, addressing his squad.

"I can confirm that that Beast Magic was Celestial Beast Magic," the mind mage stated, "the kind that allows you to control, suppress or amplify the primal instincts of a creature. This would explain why the perpetrator's able to control and communicate with so many creatures at one time, or-"

"Or not control them at all. Make them uncontrollable," Amaryllis said, her violet eyes meeting Lars's, who nodded. The Mertens slowly lowered himself to his seat.

"That's why we're going," Dorothy said. "I told the captains a not important reason about something to do with area control, but the real reason I wanted only us to go is because the best way to defeat a celestial is with another celestial."

"So what you're saying is…" Russell said, his finger wrapped around the hilt of his rapier.

"Intellect subjugates instinct. Logic beats irrationality. Lars is a natural counter to the celestial and Yrul," Dorothy said, her violet and cyan eyes landing on the mind mage. "In other words, our job is to get Lars the finishing blow on Yrul. Any objections?"

"I have an objection," Ximena said boldly, her brown eyes gleaming. "Why are we building our own strategy around him when I could do a much better jo-"

Dorothy turned towards her, a truly terrifying smile on her face.

"No objections," Ximena mumbled, slumping down in her seat.

Kirsch cleared his throat, drawing everyone's attention. His usual theatrical demeanour was absent, replaced by a grave seriousness that weighed heavily on the room. He unrolled a parchment and placed it on the table. As Dorothy tapped it with her fingers, her magic infused into a crystalline device in the centre of the table. The air shimmered with a glowing map of their target region, each member's designated task outlined in vivid magical projections.

"Yrul hasn't been idle," Kirsch began, his voice steady. "He's freed five dangerous mages from confinement. They're working alongside him, likely as a coordinated group. These aren't common criminals—they're specialists in their crafts. Listen closely."

As Kirsch spoke, the magical map shifted, illuminating each of the fugitives one by one.

"First, Ravenna Glaive, a former Purple Orca who betrayed the kingdom. She wields Obsidian Magic, allowing her to form nearly indestructible constructs and razor-sharp shards. Her attacks are precise and merciless. Facing her carelessly is asking for death."

Dorothy, eyes glowing faintly from the spell she maintained, interjected. "Ravenna will be handled by Lilian and Russell. Lilian's adaptability with Prism Magic will disrupt her constructs, while Russell's Dust Magic can erode them. Together, they'll neutralise her."

Kirsch nodded and moved on. "Next, Dimitri Veil, a master illusionist with Phantom Magic. He creates illusions so convincing they can fool even mana sensory, making him a nightmare to track and fight."

The map highlighted a remote area marked with shadows and distortions. Dorothy turned to Sharya and Oda. "You two will face him. Oda's Spatial Magic can lock him down, while Sharya's Clone Magic will overwhelm him with unpredictable attacks."

Kirsch continued. "Gore Valran, an ex-mercenary with Earth Magic. He's brutal and has a knack for close combat."

The map shifted to a dark, jagged terrain. Dorothy's gaze fell on Yul and Malachi. "Yul's Steel Magic is perfect for resisting Gore's crushing attacks, while Malachi's Snow Magic will slow him down, creating openings for Yul to strike."

"Then there's Sibyl Noir," Kirsch said, his voice darkening. "A frost mage with Ice Magic. She immobilises her targets before delivering a lethal blow. She's an assassin by trade, known for her speed and cunning."

Dorothy's focus moved to Amaryllis and Theresa. "Amaryllis's Poison Magic can create a constant threat for Sibyl to evade, while Theresa's Plant Magic will restrict her movements and protect both of you, even if it is a bad elemental matchup. Use strategy over brute force."

Finally, Kirsch's expression hardened as the map highlighted a dense, ash-covered area. "Caine Hallow, a rogue with Ash Magic. He creates choking ash clouds to obscure vision and suffocate his enemies, striking from the shadows."

Dorothy addressed Elijah and Ezequiel. "Elijah's Wildfire Magic will ignite the ash, forcing Caine out of hiding, and Ezequiel's Sound Magic will track him down. Together, you'll leave him nowhere to run."

The map zoomed out, focusing on a glowing point at the heart of the chaos. Dorothy's voice grew firm. "Yrul will be handled by Ximena, Kirsch, and Lars. His Celestial Beast Magic is the crux of these attacks, and Lars's Mind Magic is our best counter. Ximena's Earth Magic will shield against his physical assaults. Kirsch will provide ranged support and clear out the beasts if needed."

Ximena smirked, cracking her knuckles. Lars, meanwhile, leaned back, deep in thought, as Dorothy continued.

"Your assignments are clear," she said, her tone softening. "You'll have two days to prepare. Wrap up any lingering obligations and ensure your readiness. This mission is critical. We can't afford to fail."

As the map flickered and faded, Dorothy glanced down, her usual sleepy demeanour creeping back. "I'll do my best to stay awake for the mission itself, but… I can't guarantee it. One more thing before we adjourn the meeting."

Dorothy glanced around at her squad with half tired eyes, yet there was an air of seriousness in her words.

"These are dangerous, irredeemable criminals… so you can kill if necessary, but it would be best to avoid it."

The squad exchanged uneasy glances but said nothing. They understood the stakes.

As the meeting adjourned and the members filed out, Lars lingered, his scythe resting against his shoulder. His thoughts drifted to Alexis.

Two days. Lars clenched his fist. It wasn't much time, but it was enough to make sure Alexis knew what to do in his absence. The boy had been growing stronger, and Lars couldn't let this mission derail that progress. I'll make sure he's ready to hold his own before I leave.

He glanced at Dorothy, now slumped in her chair, eyes already beginning to close. Despite her exhaustion, her words echoed in his mind: "Intellect subjugates instinct. Lars, you're our key to ending this."

A surge of determination coursed through him.

He wouldn't let her—or anyone—down.

A/N: We have two more chapters until the important stuff in this arc begins in earnest!