At the Chief's House
The village chief poured steaming tea into ceramic cups, serving it to the two returning magi—Elliot and Isaac—and their foreign guests. Once everyone was seated around the low table, conversation flowed easily.
The room was filled with laughter as Elliot and Isaac took turns sharing stories about their time in the outside world. They spoke of how amazed they'd been by the sheer variety of food, towering architecture, and the massive scale of modern cities.
At first, adjusting had been rough. Finding jobs proved difficult, one dead end after another. But eventually, Isaac spotted a gap in the chaos brought by war.
Weapons. Gear. The arms industry.
It wasn't just profitable—it also gave them access to high-level officials in non-magical governments.
As magi, their skills weren't limited to spells. Alchemy came just as naturally to them as breathing. Their original combat gear had been built through that knowledge. But when Isaac saw the precision and power of modern manufacturing, an idea took shape.
What if they combined alchemy with industrial tech?
The result was something entirely new: a combat system designed not only for traditional magi, but even for ordinary humans trained to use it.
Isaac named it the CR-UNIT.
It was more than a better version of mystic codes. It opened doors for artificial magi—people without magical bloodlines, using tech to do what only magi once could.
Once Isaac introduced the concept publicly, it caught international attention. Governments reached out. Investors lined up. And after he demonstrated just what a true magus could do with the right enhancements, nations began to take him seriously.
The two Britannia generals sitting with them now were a result of that success. Their military had already started negotiating cooperation.
But this visit wasn't just about pride or reunion.
Isaac and Elliot had returned with a request: to recruit strong magi from the village as instructors for the artificial magus program.
The village chief listened quietly, though unease settled in his chest like a stone.
He regretted letting the two leave the village all those years ago.
Among magi, a key rule had always been clear: never expose mystery to the uninitiated.
Yet here were Isaac and Elliot, not only exposing it—but turning it into technology for outsiders.
Worse still, they had brought those very outsiders to the village gates.
Once secrecy was broken, it could never be fully repaired.
The chief saw it clearly: the boys were ambitious, and perhaps even brilliant, but also naïve. They didn't see the danger. Or maybe… they refused to.
Keeping his tone measured, the chief asked, "Do you already have candidates in mind?"
The two exchanged glances, then smiled.
"We do," Isaac said.
He leaned back, smug. "The strongest magus in the world—Ellen Mira Mathers."
Even though he'd expected it, the chief flinched slightly.
Across the table, both generals' eyes lit up, their interest suddenly razor-sharp.
One of them leaned forward. "Mr. Isaac, you called her the strongest magus in the world. Just who is this woman?"
The other added, "Yes, you've been teasing us the entire trip. Surely, now you can give us details?"
Isaac grinned, casually swirling his tea.
"Patience, gentlemen. Some legends are better experienced than explained."
At Yuki's House
Yuki had sensed the unfamiliar presence the moment those vehicles rolled into the village.
When he brought it up to the sisters, Ellen just waved it off.
"So what?" she muttered, lazily leaning against Yuki's left shoulder. "This is a magus village. It's not like they can cause any trouble."
Caren, resting comfortably on his right, adjusted her glasses with a quiet sigh.
"That's careless, Sister. It's been decades since anyone from the outside world stepped foot here. This isn't a casual visit."
"But Yuki's an outsider too!" Ellen said, defensively—then quickly added, "Well, he doesn't count. He's... different."
Before the conversation could continue, a loud knock interrupted them.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
"Tch… Who now?" Ellen groaned, dragging herself upright.
"I'll get it," Caren said, brushing past her sister.
She opened the door.
Outside stood the village chief, two vaguely familiar men, and two complete strangers.
Caren's eyes narrowed slightly. "…And who are these two?"
The chief gave a gentle smile. "Isaac and Elliot. You've heard of them, surely."
Recognition flickered across her face. "Ah. Come in, then."
Her tone was polite, but her sharp eyes didn't hide her suspicion.
As the group stepped inside, Isaac and Elliot's eyes immediately landed on Yuki.
And their confident expressions cracked.
Isaac, long known as the most handsome man in the village, froze in silent disbelief.
The man before him…
Perfectly sculpted features. An unshakable calm in his eyes. His presence radiated a grace that felt almost unreal.
{T/n:_ This author is in love with mc's beauty, Bro never misses any chance😭😭}
Worse still was the way Ellen sat curled around Yuki's arm, her usual edge dulled into something soft and... affectionate.
Elliot cleared his throat and forced a polite smile.
"It's been a long time, Ellen. You've... changed."
Ellen flashed a grin, snuggling closer to Yuki.
"Oh? Jealous~?"
The air thickened.
The tension wasn't just awkward—it was heavy, almost territorial.
Before things could escalate, the village chief stepped forward.
"We're here on urgent business. The world outside has extended an invitation."
Yuki's fingers twitched slightly, barely noticeable.
Trouble had arrived.
The contrast couldn't have been more extreme.
Ellen Mira Mathers—the relentless, unmatched magus who once leveled training fields—now looked like a purring cat draped across a man no one could place.
But neither Isaac nor Elliot said a word about it. Under the chief's direction, everyone made introductions.
Names were exchanged politely. The generals greeted Yuki, intrigued but reserved.
Yuki offered only a faint, unreadable smile.
So these were the ones.
After weeks in the village, Yuki had finally met two of the central players in the Date A Live world's spiral into destruction.
Isaac, the would-be tyrant who wrapped his thirst for power in fancy words like "justice."
Elliot, the fool who'd abandon all reason for a pretty face and a whisper of love.
In the original timeline, these two—and Ellen—had been the ones responsible for summoning Mio, the Spirit of Origin.
That choice had shattered the world.
Isaac called it revenge against mankind.
Yuki knew better.
Isaac didn't want justice—he wanted control. Power. Domination.
As for Elliot?
Yuki's gaze drifted to him briefly, amused.
Ah yes. The tragic idiot.
The man who'd throw away his own cause the moment Mio looked at him with those eyes. Who'd claim to "protect Spirits" out of principle, but in truth, just wanted to be loved.
Isaac caught the look Yuki gave him and frowned.
"Have we met before?"
Yuki chuckled, one hand slowly stroking Ellen's soft hair.
"Not in this lifetime."
The words hung in the air—a riddle wrapped in threat.