Chapter 1: The Gathering Storm

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.

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