The pub was dimly lit, with flickering lanterns casting long, wavering shadows on the walls. The air was thick with murmurs and the occasional clink of glasses. In a secluded corner, Sora and his five commanders sat cloaked in shadows, their faces partially obscured but their eyes sharp and focused.

Zikomo, an elderly man with a long white beard and a stern, authoritative demeanor, leaned closer to Sora. His voice was a low rumble of impatience. “When will we strike?”

Sora, his face partially hidden beneath his hood, answered with calculated calmness. “Be ready. In one month’s time, we will launch a night raid and seize control of more than half of this country’s regions.”

Siera, a young woman with fiery red hair and a serious expression, frowned slightly. “Why a sneak attack? Why not launch a direct assault?”

Benn, a loyal commander with white hair, ever the voice of reason, added, “Behave yourself. Talk to the boss with respect.”

Zikomo nodded in agreement. “Yes, she’s right. This is the correct approach.”

Azure, with her turquoise hair partially covering her eyes, chimed in with a teasing tone, “Oi oi, old man, at your age, you should be playing with your grandchildren, not fighting!”

Sora’s gaze hardened. “Edward has returned from the mainland with his Judgement power. Confronting him directly is too risky. For now, we stay undercover and avoid unnecessary battles.”

Anna, the shy and introverted commander with short brown hair, nodded in agreement. “Yes, my spy group informed me that Edward has arrived.”

The conversation was interrupted by the sound of heavy footsteps approaching the pub’s door. The commanders tensed, eyes darting toward the entrance. Suddenly, the door burst open with a loud crash. A young man with striking yellow hair and a commanding presence strode in, accompanied by his council mages. Bell Hart, one of the most powerful figures in the country, made an imposing entrance. His arrival was marked by a wave of astonishment from the patrons.

Bell drew his sword with a practiced flick, its blade gleaming ominously. “Ah, it seems someone’s been caught,” he remarked with a smirk, his voice dripping with authority and amusement.

The commanders tensed. Sora quickly assessed the situation. “We need to leave now. Regroup at the secret base. Follow me.”

As Bell and his council mages began to close in on Sora, he realized that a direct confrontation would be disastrous. With swift decision, Sora threw a smoke bomb, filling the area with thick, obscuring smoke. He bolted toward the back exit, hoping to evade capture.

As Sora raced through the darkened streets, his heart pounded with a mix of fear and determination. The dense jungle loomed ahead, a potential refuge or a trap. Knowing he couldn’t fight Bell directly, he attempted to use his Spatial Magic to instantly transport himself to the safety of the secret base. However, his magic faltered under the pressure. He had never been able to master advanced Spatial Magic, his main strength being Puppet Control. Instead of a smooth teleportation, a blinding light erupted from his hands, illuminating the jungle.

The intense light overwhelmed Sora, and he lost consciousness as the world around him dissolved into a blinding haze.

When Sora awoke, he found himself bound and surrounded by Bell and his council mages. His mind was foggy, struggling to piece together where he was and who he was. He looked around in confusion, repeatedly asking, “Who am I? Where am I?”

Bell looked down at him with a mix of satisfaction and irritation. “Trying to deceive me won’t work,” he said. “You’re going to jail.”

As the night deepened and the jungle pressed in around him, Sora’s concern was not for the failure of his escape but for his disoriented state, his identity, and his uncertain future. The storm that had just begun was set to unravel deeper secrets and challenges, shaping the path ahead.

Scene: Sora's Cell

The cell’s dim light flickered like a dying ember, casting erratic shadows that danced on the cold stone walls. Sora sat on the rough floor, his back against the wall, staring blankly ahead. His thoughts were a muddled fog, his mind struggling to make sense of the situation. The distant echoes of footsteps and muffled voices did little to ease his growing anxiety.

The sound of the heavy cell door groaning open cut through the silence. Two guards from the Magic Council entered, their faces stern and unyielding. Their footsteps were deliberate and commanding as they approached Sora.

Guard 1: "Sora, you’re coming with us."

The guards' firm grip was both unsettling and reassuring. They led Sora through a maze of dimly lit corridors, each turn feeling like a step deeper into the unknown. The walls, lined with arcane symbols and flickering torches, seemed to close in as they progressed.

They emerged into a grand chamber, its high vaulted ceiling and opulent decor starkly contrasting the grim surroundings of the cell. The room was filled with the members of the Magic Council, their robes whispering secrets as they shifted. At the center, presiding over the assembly, sat Judge Edward—a figure of stern authority with a long, flowing beard and a gaze that commanded respect.

Judge Edward: "Sora, you are accused of conspiring against the kingdom. How do you plead?"

Sora’s gaze wandered around the room, his mind a swirl of confusion. He tried to speak, but no words emerged. The silence that followed felt heavy and accusatory.

Judge Edward: "Your silence speaks volumes. The evidence against you suggests a serious threat to our realm."

Scene: Court Door Opens

The door to the chamber creaked open, drawing the attention of all present. Uncle Hachin strode in, his bald head gleaming under the chamber’s light. His presence was commanding, his demeanor serious and slightly angry. Every step he took was measured, reflecting a lifetime of authority.

Judge Edward: "As anticipated, Hachin has arrived. He is the second most respected member here, after me."

Hachin moved to the front of the room with a determined stride, his eyes meeting Sora’s with a mix of disappointment and resolve.

Hachin: "Sora, if you wish to avoid further disgrace, I can offer you a chance. But you must agree to my condition."

Desperation was etched on Sora’s face. He nodded, willing to do anything to escape his current predicament.

Hachin: "You must agree to my terms without hesitation."

Sora, grappling with his fragmented memories and the weight of his situation, agreed.

Hachin: "Judge Edward, there is no concrete evidence linking Sora to any rebellion. What we have are mere rumors. Am I mistaken?"

Judge Edward: "You are correct, Hachin. However, rumors can sometimes be based on truth. We must remain vigilant."

Hachin: "Without solid proof, you cannot condemn him. Release him."

Hachin’s voice was resolute as he continued.

Hachin: "Why not use the Truth Sphere? It will reveal whether he speaks the truth."

The Truth Sphere was brought into the chamber, its surface inscribed with glowing runes. The device was designed to emit a green light for truth and red for falsehood.

Hachin (with a sly smile): "Don’t worry, Sora. I’ve adjusted the device to ensure its accuracy."

Sora approached the sphere, placing his trembling hand on it. The room fell into a tense silence as the sphere began to glow. After a moment, it shone with a reassuring green light, indicating the truthfulness of Sora’s statements.

Judge Edward: "It appears you are telling the truth, Sora. However, Hachin, you are aware that my Judgement power must be used before any final decision."

A flicker of concern crossed Hachin’s face. Edward’s Judgement power was renowned for its ability to determine absolute truth.

Scene: Edward Uses Judgement

Judge Edward invoked his Judgement power, his focus intense. A palpable energy filled the room as he concentrated. After a tense moment, he looked up, surprised.

Judge Edward: "It seems you are indeed telling the truth. This is unexpected."

Edward made his decision reluctantly.

Judge Edward: "Sora, you are free to go. But know that we will be monitoring your actions closely."

Sora, though still confused, felt a wave of relief wash over him. As the guards led him out of the chamber, he glanced back at Hachin, who watched with a mix of relief and lingering worry.

Scene: Secret Meeting of the Commanders

The dimly lit room was filled with a heavy atmosphere as all the commanders gathered, their faces serious and tense. The air was thick with the weight of unspoken concerns.

Zikomo (in a serious tone): "Sora was captured and then released. How could he evade Judgement? I was sure he had sold all our information. I knew he was a scaredy cat."

Benn: "That can't be true."

Zikomo: "Then why hasn't he contacted us? Explain that."

Anna: "We've received information that the Magic Council is keeping a close watch on him."

Zikomo, now more agitated, addressed the group with urgency. His eyes darted around the room, searching for any signs of dissent.

Zikomo: "We need to attack quickly because they might have discovered our plan. We can't afford any more delays."

As Zikomo continued speaking, Siera stood up abruptly, her chair scraping loudly against the stone floor, and left the room without a word. After a moment, Benn also rose from his seat.

Zikomo: "Where are you going?"

Benn: "I have something important to do," and with that, Benn exited, leaving Zikomo visibly frustrated.

Zikomo then turned to Azure and Anna, his tone softening slightly but still firm.

Zikomo: "I have something important to discuss. Come with me."

The three of them exited the room, leaving a tense silence in their wake.

Scene Shift: Hachin and Sora

Hachin and Sora walked together along a narrow, cobblestone path, with the sun setting behind them and casting long shadows. Sora looked around with curiosity, taking in the sights and sounds of the bustling town.

Sora: "Where are we going?"

Hachin: "To my inn. By the way, do you remember anything yet?"

Sora: "No, I couldn't even remember my name. Can you tell me about this world?"

Hachin: "Yes, but let's get to the inn first. It's safer to talk there."

Sora: "Okay."

They continued walking in silence for a moment before Sora spoke again.

Sora: "By the way, who are you to me?"

Hachin: "I'm kind of your foster parent."

Hachin explained about magic as they walked, giving Sora a brief overview of the different types of magic and their uses. Sora listened intently, trying to absorb as much information as possible.

When they reached Hachin's inn, it was bustling with customers. The sound of laughter and conversation filled the air, and the smell of hearty food wafted through the open windows.

Hachin: "There are too many customers right now. You should go to the backyard and get some fresh air. It will make you feel relaxed."

Sora nodded and went to the backyard, a small, peaceful garden filled with blooming flowers and a gentle breeze. As he wandered, he sensed someone’s presence. He turned around and saw Siera standing there, her expression unreadable.

Sora: "Who are you?"

Siera: "You play the fool well, but I'm not Edward. I'll ask you only once: what information did you give them?"

Sora, confused and unsure, remained silent. Seeing his silence, Siera grew furious and her eyes flashed with anger as she raised her hand, summoning her magic.

She threw a fireball toward Sora. The blazing sphere of fire hurtled toward him, illuminating the garden with a fiery glow. As the fireball came dangerously close, the scene cuts to black.