The sky above the Clover Kingdom was unusually overcast, the sun hidden behind dark, heavy clouds. Kael stood atop the Black Bulls' training field, sword in hand, as the wind tugged at his cloak. Across from him stood Yuno, expression calm but his eyes intense.
"I asked Julius for this match," Yuno said. "No missions. No teams. Just us."
Kael nodded, crimson eyes glowing faintly. "Because of the dungeon?"
Yuno gave a curt nod. "You've changed. You have powers that don't belong in this world. And I need to know where you stand… in Asta's future. In mine."
A pause passed between them, charged with unspoken tension. Then Yuno raised his grimoire.
"Show me, Kael. Show me the path you're walking."
---
Clash of Wills
The first strike was fast—Yuno's wind magic surged into a spiraling lance, cutting through the air like a spear. Kael responded in an instant, manifesting a sword of pure anti-magic glitch energy. The lance and sword collided with a shockwave, tearing across the field.
Their feet dug into the ground.
> [System Alert: Combat Checkpoint Triggered – Rivalry Engagement Activated]
[Stat Sync With Opponent: Partial Mirror Mode Initiated]
Kael's body adapted mid-movement, reflexes aligning with Yuno's battle rhythm. His second sword—crafted from spatial blades—blinked into being. He vanished, reappearing behind Yuno.
Yuno ducked just in time, countering with wind armor that knocked Kael back.
The crowd watching—Asta, Mimosa, Noelle, and a few other Magic Knights—gasped as the two clashed again.
Asta clenched his fists. "They're going all out…"
Noelle whispered, "This isn't just a spar…"
---
Future Tensions
Yuno attacked from above, summoning Sylph in her semi-merged form. The spirit of wind floated beside him, eyes narrowed in focus.
"He's not from here," Sylph whispered into Yuno's mind. "And yet… he's tied to this world deeply. Like you. Like Asta."
Kael raised his hand, calling on Lyra, the Spirit of Light. The battlefield was suddenly filled with flickers of golden light and ribbons of wind.
Spirit to spirit, light met air.
"You're strong, Yuno," Kael said through gritted teeth, "but this fight—it's not about strength."
Yuno narrowed his eyes. "Then what is it about?"
Kael's voice echoed with force. "It's about intention. It's about how far we'll go to protect what matters."
Their spells collided mid-air again, erupting in a tower of light.
---
Visions and Echoes
As their clash reached a crescendo, Kael's system flashed uncontrollably.
> [Future Trajectory Unstable – Intersecting Fate Detected]
[Vision Protocol Activated]
Time slowed.
Kael's eyes widened as a vision overwhelmed him—cities burning, Asta collapsed in a crater, Noelle screaming his name, and a twisted figure in the shadows wielding a mirror that pulsed with his own crimson energy.
"Is that… me?" Kael whispered.
The vision shifted. He stood at the heart of the chaos, his anti-magic glitch raging uncontrollably, breaking down reality itself. Vanessa's threads of fate snapped. Secre's sealing magic crumbled. And Lyra… faded from his side.
> [Alternate Future: System Corruption Detected – Anti-Magic Glitch May Consume Core]
Then another future appeared—Kael standing with Yuno, Asta, and all his companions. Light radiated from his body, and the ribbon around his wrist glowed. He smiled—not with pride, but peace.
---
Return to the Present
Kael dropped to one knee, panting. Yuno hovered above him, panting as well, his grimoire dimming from overuse.
A beat of silence. The clouds overhead began to part.
Kael slowly stood, gripping his blade tighter.
"I saw two futures," he said. "One where I lose everything… and one where we stand together."
Yuno frowned slightly but stepped forward. "So choose."
Kael raised his blade in salute. "I already have."
---
No Victory, Just Understanding
The match ended without a winner. Both exhausted, both understanding what the other carried.
Yuno looked at Kael and, for the first time, offered a hand.
"You'll protect this kingdom too, won't you?"
Kael took it. "With everything I am."
From the sidelines, Mimosa exhaled in relief. Noelle muttered, "Show-off…"
Asta grinned ear to ear. "You guys are insane. But awesome."
---
Aftermath and Reflection
Later that evening, Kael stood alone at the edge of the Black Bulls' courtyard. The silver ribbon on his wrist glowed faintly in the moonlight.
Lyra appeared beside him, her spirit form more defined than ever.
"You glimpsed your shadow," she said. "But you didn't fall into it. That is growth."
Kael nodded. "But it's still there… waiting."
Lyra smiled faintly. "Even light casts a shadow. Just don't let it become you."
He looked up at the stars.
"A battle of futures… and mine's just beginning."