Clover Kingdom – Capital.
After the chaos of the Elven reincarnation and the demon's assault, nearly two-thirds of the royal capital had been damaged to varying degrees.
But thanks to the efforts of Magic Knights and citizens alike, the entire city was undergoing orderly reconstruction.
Everywhere you looked, progress was being made. Entire buildings and blocks were being restored in mere hours.
"This... this is what magic can do, huh?" Ethan muttered as he strolled through the street, watching walls rise and debris vanish like dust in the wind.
Sure, back in his old world, construction crews could throw up a hospital in a week if they had to—he remembered that firestorm emergency in Phoenix. But compared to this? Magic left them in the dust.
Even something like a full apartment—three-bedroom, two-bath—could be rebuilt by noon. Ridiculous.
At one of the rebuild sites, Secre Swallowtail was working alongside the Black Bulls and other Magic Knight squads. But unlike the others who were buzzing with purpose, she looked... lost.
The modern world was over five centuries ahead of her time, and to her, everything about it felt alien and dull. The only tether she had left to this era was Lemiel, the First Wizard King.
But after the final battle, Lemiel's magic stone-driven life had faded. Ashes to ashes, dust to dust.
The moon was still the same moon, but everything else... had changed.
"Your theory makes sense," Secre said softly, glancing sideways at Ethan, "but I'm sorry—I just can't do it."
She was talking about unlocking the seal.
Secre's Sealing Magic was incredibly potent. Before meeting Ethan, she could've bragged about being able to break 99% of all known magical locks in existence.
But Ethan just so happened to be that one-in-a-thousand exception.
Even opening the first layer of his mysterious internal seal had nearly drained her dry.
And there were eight more.
She didn't need a second guess—each would be harder than the last. She just didn't have the juice. Not anymore.
What haunted her more, though, was the memory of the unnamed man—his parting glance at her before he vanished. There was a warning in those eyes. A quiet threat. A silent, unspoken message: don't meddle too far.
"I see," Ethan sighed, a bit disappointed but not surprised. "That's unfortunate... but fair."
He didn't push her. No reason to.
Some doors were meant to stay closed—for now.
Just then, a familiar gruff voice called out to him.
"Ethan. Since you're awake, follow me. There's someone who wants to meet you."
Someone wants to see me?
He followed Yami toward the royal palace, curiosity in his stride.
But before they even stepped inside, Ethan's eyes lit up in recognition. The air had shifted.
That aura... he knew it.
"So he really did survive... just like in the original timeline," Ethan smirked to himself.
Inside the room, a boy no taller than five feet greeted him with a huge grin.
"Yo! Long time no see, Ethan!"
Standing beside him were Asta, Yuno, and several others—all wide-eyed, jaws practically on the floor.
"Captain of the Tenth Squad, Ethan," Ethan said solemnly, placing a fist to his chest and bowing. "I greet the Wizard King."
A formal gesture, sure. But that bow wasn't for show.
It was out of respect—for Julius Novachrono, the man who had given everything for the kingdom.
Ethan had spent time with the Grimoire of Time, and he knew now—Julius could've survived. If he'd wanted to, he could've clung to life. Even with Ethan wielding the Sovereign Sword, he wouldn't bet on taking him down easily.
But Julius had chosen self-sacrifice. Chosen to protect the people.
Call it foolish. Call it idealistic. But that's who he was.
He was the Wizard King.
"Hmm? You don't look surprised," Julius said, smiling. "Did you already know I was alive?"
Ethan raised a hand. A small, oval-shaped white grimoire spun gently in his palm. It was delicate and elegant, but the sheer magical energy radiating from it was unmistakable.
"The Time Grimoire... you have it?"
His expression was... complicated. Relief. Awe. Maybe even peace.
He remembered what the Grimoire Tower's keeper had told him the day he received it:
"It's not you who chooses it—it's the era. This grimoire isn't anyone's to own... it simply finds its next bearer."
Looking at Ethan, Julius gave a slow, approving nod.
"So, after me... it chose you. That's good. That's really good."
What the hell are they even talking about?
Everyone else in the room looked utterly baffled, exchanging confused glances.
Could they please stop with the cryptic drama?
Julius's face shifted to seriousness.
"What I say next... I need you all to remember. It's important."
Even with his baby-faced form, his presence made everyone straighten up.
"First—there's no more Wizard King."
"I've lost most of my magic. My strength is nowhere near what it used to be. And for the monarchist faction that wants power and wealth for themselves... my influence is pretty much gone."
No one argued. Even Asta, usually upbeat, understood the weight of those words.
Respect only lasts when backed by power.
Without it? You're just a ghost wearing a crown.
"Second." Julius's voice lowered.
"You saw what happened during that war. We barely pulled through. Even with everyone's efforts, the Clover Kingdom's former strength is gone."
"And if things continue ... other kingdoms will devour us whole."
No one spoke. The thought of becoming a fallen kingdom... slaves to foreign rulers...
It chilled the blood more than death itself.
Ethan suddenly laughed. Loudly.
Everyone turned to him in confusion.
"Is that all?" he grinned. "Since the dawn of time, there's always been conflict. It's kill or be killed, big fish eat little fish."
"But anyone who dares to come for Clover... they're leaving in a body bag."
A fierce, swirling pressure exploded from Ethan's body, sweeping through the room like a shockwave.
Everyone's expressions shifted. Even Julius's eyes widened in disbelief.
He stared at Ethan, lips moving involuntarily.
"Th-...The Zero Domain..."
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