"What? Why did the Magic Council capture Ronibo?" asked the agitated Derivan.
"Calm down, brother. Acting like this won't achieve anything" Kira interjected.
"Ronibo was probably captured by the Magic Council because of the attacks caused by your double."
"Hey, where are you going?" Nohara asked.
"What do you mean where? To meet the Magic Council. I'll prove that my master isn't guilty of anything."
"Have you lost your mind? The Council has made you their target. Going there is practically handing yourself to them on a silver platter" the redhead pointed out.
"I know, but I can't just leave it like this" Derivan said as he kept walking forward.
Nohara only sighed, but decided to follow him.
"Keep an eye on Ania."
"You can count on us" Kira replied.
At the same time, Yarita tried to contact the Brothers of the Red Star, but received no response.
"What's going on? Why isn't any of them answering?"
Yarita didn't even notice Gerard passing by.
"Did something happen, Yarita?"
The girl immediately stiffened at the voice of the leader of Black Blood.
"Lord Gerard, I…"
"Tell the truth. You know I don't tolerate lies."
"Very well. I can't get in touch with my people who were supposed to obtain a fragment of the Kinotro Crystal. It's highly likely something happened to them."
"Is anything known about the location of the remaining fragments?"
"Yes. Supposedly one fragment is on the Island of Oblivion."
"In that case, I'll send Camereon there. You go and find out what happened to those people."
"As you command, sir" Yarita bowed before Gerard and left the room.
"Hey, why are you walking with me?"
"Someone has to keep an eye on you so you don't do anything stupid" Nohara replied.
"Hey, have I ever done anything stupid?"
Nohara gave Derivan a blank stare.
"It would be hard to count them even on the fingers of both hands."
At the same time, Yarita arrived at the place where Krenom had wiped out the Brothers of the Red Star.
"What happened here? Who could have killed them?" wondered the member of Black Blood. "Whoever it was, they weren't an ordinary mage. Even the strongest would struggle to resist the power of their music… damn."
Meanwhile, the king of Ozoro's assistant entered his office.
"What is it, Jack?"
"Your Majesty, I had a strange feeling as if someone stole something from the palace."
"What could they have stolen?"
"Probably something very valuable."
Koren thought for a moment, then his eyes widened.
"Impossible… could it be that"
The king immediately ran out of his office, and Jack followed him.
Soon Koren reached a special chamber. Opening the door, he saw the fragment of the Kinotro Crystal inside.
"Phew… thank goodness it's still here."
"Your Majesty, did something happen? And what crystal is that?"
"This crystal is actually a fragment of the Kinotro Crystal. The Kinotro Crystal possesses immense power legends say it was created by God himself."
Jack narrowed his eyes upon hearing this.
"The Kinotro Crystal…"
"Alright, let's go back."
"Yes, sir."
Present time…
The Magic Council was surprised by Yashimiro's presence.
"Well, well, what a surprise a criminal appearing before us of his own free will."
"You idiot! What are you doing here?!" Ronibo tried to scold his student.
"Release my master."
"We can't do that. He may be partly responsible for this whole situation. The only solution is a confession" one of the Holy Mages replied.
"And what if I find the culprit my double and bring him here?"
"HAHAHAHAHAHA! Don't make me laugh. Everyone knows you're guilty, so don't make up fairy tales about some double."
"Calm down, Robe" said one of the eldest Holy Mages.
"But Leon"
"My name is Leon Mozaro, and I am the leader of the Magic Council. I must admit, your courage and confidence when speaking to us has sparked my interest. Do you truly believe your double exists and is trying to frame you for these crimes?"
"Yes, I do."
"Very well. Let's make a deal."
Yashimiro raised an eyebrow.
"A deal?"
"If you truly bring us your double the one responsible for all these crimes we will release Ronibo."
The other council members couldn't believe Leon's proposal.
"You can't be serious."
"This is absurd."
"Silence! Don't forget I am the Council's leader. So, Yashimiro, what is your answer?"
"Alright. I agree" the teenager replied with a confident smile.
"I'm glad we reached an understanding."
Seeing Derivan leaving the building, Nohara immediately ran up to him.
"Well?"
"I was given the task of bringing in my double. Then I'll be cleared and my master will be released."
"That went better than I expected. I thought they'd lock you up the moment you showed up, but instead they gave you a task."
"I'm not complaining."
"So what now we set out to search for your double?"
"Yes, but first we should return to Ozoro and inform the king about our task."
"I understand."
As Nohara and Yashimiro returned to Ozoro, they encountered a familiar figure on the way the mayor of Silono's grandson.
"Oh, Eric long time no see."
"Derivan, Nohara what are you doing here?"
"We're heading back to the kingdom of Ozoro. And you?"
"I'm searching for the person who stole something important from our town."
"Wait are you saying Silono was attacked again?" Nohara interjected.
Eric nodded.
"Exactly. We were attacked by the so-called Brothers of the Red Star. They used some strange sound magic with guitars, which put all the townspeople to sleep" Eric explained the situation.
"Wait… didn't they steal a fragment of the Kinotro Crystal?" Derivan asked.
"That's right. How do you know about that crystal?"
"One day my master told me about it."
[FLASHBACK]
Several months earlier…
Derivan and Ronibo were training in a clearing. After some time, the man called for a break.
"Tell me, Yashimiro have you heard of the Kinotro Crystal?"
"Hmm… Kinotro Crystal… sounds familiar, but not much."
"Sigh… kids these days — what do they even teach you in school? Let's start from the beginning. Over five hundred years ago, the world was plunged into chaos when the first war began between the three great empires: Kasegi, Ozoro, and Colire. From Colire came a boy who would change the fate of the world his name was Damir. One day Damir noticed something falling from the sky. At first he thought it was a meteor fragment in reality, it was the Kinotro Crystal. When Damir took it, he gained immense power so great he was regarded as a god. With that power, he ended the conflicts. Before his death, he split the crystal into four fragments and entrusted them to his most trusted allies. These fragments were passed down through generations. Everything was fine until the Demon King Kinuro appeared. During the last war, he and his army gathered most of the fragments. He fought your father, Matomiro, who sacrificed his life to oppose him. Now there are surely people who seek the crystal's power for various purposes" Ronibo explained.
"Wow… amazing."
[END OF FLASHBACK]
"And that's how it is."
"Wow… amazing."