I said this would be about Seia-san, but… it kinda turned into a Beatrice episode. Sorry about that!
But don't worry—there's a surprise in store, so please look forward to it! Now, onto the main story…
Spoiler Warning
Yurizono Seia, the Mysterious Space, and the One Spoken Of
"Let's move on to the next agenda—"
…Huh?
When Seia's consciousness snapped into focus, her vision filled with a dim, oppressive space. Panel lights on the ceiling cast a faint glow, illuminating walls painted a dull red, enclosing the room completely.
"No objections, but first, I have something to confirm," a voice said.
"Maestro, is something troubling you?"
In the shadows, Seia could barely make out the figures—each one stranger than the last.
A man in a suit with cracked, obsidian-like skin. A headless gentleman draped in a coat. A double-headed wooden puppet creaking with every move. A tall woman in a white dress, her skin a vivid red.
Wait… could they be… Gematria?!
Gematria, the enigmatic organization pursuing the mysteries of Kivotos, each member driven by their own cryptic goals. Seia had stumbled into their meeting—her body absent, her soul alone in this dreamlike realm. But right now, that was the least of her concerns.
To wander into the enemy's lair… talk about bad luck.
Trapped in the heart of her enemies' domain, Seia tensed but kept her ears sharp, determined to glean whatever information she could.
"I have a question for Beatrice," Maestro said.
"Before that, may I ask something, Maestro?"
"Go ahead. What is it?"
"…What's with that body?"
"…Pardon? What do you mean?"
"Your ridiculously jacked wooden body!"
Seia squinted. Now that I look closely… what's up with that physique?
Maestro's body was, as always, made of wood—but it was different. His wooden frame now sported defined abs, a flawless physique, and—oddly enough—no longer stood pigeon-toed.
"…Oh, this? I've been working out a bit."
"Working out? You mean you swapped out your entire body!"
"Haha, what are you going on about?"
"I've been curious too, Maestro," another voice chimed in. "What happened?"
"Well… like Kurofuku, I was captivated by that teacher." Maestro chuckled. "That's all."
"Kukuku… so you've noticed the allure of that magnificent physique too," Kurofuku said.
"What are grown adults even talking about?"
"Getting smitten by a child's body and mimicking it—isn't that embarrassing for adults?"
"You're the last one who should talk, lusting after that physique!"
Like Maestro, Kurofuku had transformed—nowhere near Mash's level, but sporting a chiseled six-pack, impressive biceps, and sturdy legs, all wrapped in a sleek frame.
"Even here, that man's influence reaches…"
"Kurofuku and Maestro, affected to this degree? He must be quite the individual."
"Care to join us, Golconda?"
"I'll pass."
"No way in hell!" Deque barked, rejecting the idea outright.
"Decalcomanie's refusing just as hard."
"…I see."
Sensei… you really are… something else, Seia thought, stunned.
She figured Maestro and Kurofuku had likely been thrashed by Mash, but she doubted he'd ever imagine his defeated foes would start training to emulate him.
Maestro soon steered the conversation back. "Let's return to the matter at hand." He turned to Beatrice. "I lent you my power at your request, correct? To replicate the Guardians of the Covenant for your plans."
"Yes, and I'm grateful, Maestro. Thanks to you, I've gained even greater influence in my domain."
"I never permitted you to use them that way. I wasn't even informed you'd treat my creations like that."
"You say that, but those phenomena don't belong to you, do they, Maestro?"
"That's impudent. I'm not claiming ownership. It's—"
"Now, now, let's not get heated," Golconda interjected. "No need to escalate things."
"Exactly!" Deque agreed.
"…My apologies. Maestro likely sees his unique interpretations of universal phenomena as his form of expression. To him, those phenomena are already his works."
"…Hmph."
"But from Madame's perspective, that may not matter. We all interpret this world differently."
"So, what you're saying is, you're upset I took Maestro's 'weapons' without permission?"
Golconda's mediation prompted Beatrice to cross her arms, her tone cool and measured as she posed the question. Maestro, composed as ever, responded.
"What you're doing isn't art. There's no aesthetic, no conviction—just the act of creating weapons."
"Exactly," Beatrice said. "And what's wrong with that?"
"…What?"
"Listen, Maestro. My stance hasn't changed one bit. I use your power, Kurofuku's technology, Golconda's texts—all the same way. I've made it clear from the moment I joined Gematria: I have no interest in your 'art.'"
Maestro fell silent, his presence growing ominous. Kurofuku, watching the exchange, let out a faint chuckle.
"She's secured her own domain in Kivotos," Kurofuku said. "If we're talking essentials, that's what our plans need most. There's no need for us to fight amongst ourselves."
"Her domain… the Arius Autonomous District," Golconda mused. "Taking control of an entire school and its students amid civil unrest—that's no small feat."
So it's true… Beatrice is behind it all!
From the corner of the room, Seia listened, barely containing her fury. Because of her, Sensei, her friends, and so many others had suffered.
"It's a shame about Kurofuku's Abidos project," Golconda continued. "No offense—my condolences for a plan that was so close to success."
"Kuku, no worries. Yes, it was a near thing, but with Schale's teacher interfering, success was unlikely. And honestly… I'd rather not fight him again."
"Your back… that was unfortunate," Maestro said.
"But thanks to that, I got this body," Kurofuku laughed.
Kurofuku seemed nostalgic, Maestro radiated delight, Golconda stroked her frame thoughtfully, and Beatrice…
"Sensei—our enemy."
Her countless eyes burned with murderous intent, her fan gripped so tightly it might snap. Unlike the others, Beatrice's hostility was palpable, her words dripping with venom.
"Hm, Beatrice," Golconda said. "It seems we differ on this matter."
"…Hmph."
"As you may have guessed, I have no intention of opposing him. In fact, I believe we should recruit him."
"I agree," Maestro added. "I'm quite fond of him. He could be a true ally, a kindred spirit. Nothing would please me more than standing side by side with him."
"I'm still undecided, but he's certainly intriguing," Golconda said.
"No. That's impossible," Beatrice growled. "That man can never be an ally."
Her low, menacing tone sent a chill through the room, even making the other Gematria members sweat.
"He's my enemy. The one I must defeat."
"Why such hostility, Beatrice?" Maestro asked. "Is it just anger over your disrupted plans?"
"That's part of it. But his very existence infuriates me."
"Oh?"
"He's unloved by the gods, ignorant of their blessings—a mere pebble. Yet that pebble possesses such a noble power, such a magnificent body. It's unbearable."
It's his blood that angers her most.
"There's no way someone with that blood could be born with such inferior genes. It's incomprehensible."
"Beatrice… whose blood are you talking about?"
"For someone like you to use 'that person'… who could it be?"
"I haven't told you, have I? The one I call 'that person' is his father… Innocent Zero-sama."
—!? Innocent Zero…?!
Seia reeled in shock. The Gematria members were equally stunned, struggling to contain their excitement at the mention of Mash's father.
"Beatrice, you've had contact with his father?"
"It was a long time ago."
"What kind of being is he?"
"Not 'being'—that person. But to answer… he is the absolute, the closest thing to a god."
"A god?"
"Yes."
With the tone and expression of a woman speaking of her beloved, Beatrice recounted her encounter with Innocent Zero.
"His beauty is almost blasphemous to behold. Overwhelming charisma, unmatched power, and magics rivaling the divine… Just thinking of him brings a smile to my face."
That man, charismatic? No… perhaps the charm of a villain. A dangerous one.
"You said you had contact. How?"
"Hehe, yes… let's start there."
Beatrice unfurled her fan, covering her mouth as she began to recount her meeting with Innocent Zero in meticulous detail.
"It was decades ago, when I was researching relics and texts to ascend to a higher existence."
Seia's vision blurred as the scene shifted to Beatrice's memory.
While reading an ancient tome in her room, she felt a gaze upon her. Am I being watched? She glanced toward the source—the night sky beyond her window. Assuming it was fatigue, she looked away.
Then—
Zzzzzt!
"What—!?"
The sky warped, a dark hole forming. No matter how she resisted, she was sucked in, pulled into the void in an instant.
When she awoke, she was lying on a large, circular table etched with magical sigils, in a room thick with an otherworldly aura.
That hole… what was it? And this place… I need to figure out where I am.
She tried to rise and investigate, but a bone-chilling dread coursed through her. Then—they appeared.
"Hey, who's that woman sprawled out there?"
"An intriguing specimen… a race I've never seen. I'm curious."
"Wait, let me play with her before you experiment."
"Brothers, she's likely an intruder. I'll dispose of her."
"Hold it. We don't act without Father's orders. Wait for his instructions."
"…Yes."
"—!?"
Five children stood before her. One wore a mask over his eyes. Another held a pudding, glasses perched on his nose. One dressed like a clown. Another had an odd hairstyle. The last had pink hair. They looked about eight or nine—peculiar, but just kids. Or so she thought.
"Hey, why're you glaring? Wanna die?"
They're… stronger than me. Far stronger.
"Stop, Delizasta. Follow Father's orders."
"Doom-nii, Father's not here. Let's kill her now."
"I agree."
"See? Domina's on board too."
"Let me mess with her first. I've got tons of pranks to try. Then you can have her, Evidem."
"Farmin, that's not fair. Your 'pranks' leave them half-dead. That ruins my experiments."
Their words were far too sinister for children. Each one was an anomaly, especially the masked eldest—his power was overwhelming.
"Enough! I don't tolerate senseless killing or crude behavior. Unless Father orders it, no one dies. If you can't obey, I'll—"
"Who are you people?! Where am I—!"
"Stop fighting. I didn't gather you to bicker."
…
"…!?"
"Treat her kindly. She's a rare guest."
An entity beyond comprehension, dwarfing even the children's power.
"Greetings. I'm Innocent Zero… the man who's been watching you."
"Watching… me?"
"No need to worry about your world. You'll only be here briefly before returning."
Terrified, Beatrice stood and raised her voice.
"Who are you?! What do you mean by 'watching'? Where is this place?! Answer me!"
"Haha, no need to rush. We'll talk slowly. But first…" swish
Slash!
"—AAAGH!"
"You're a bit too bold."
The moment he raised his hand, her legs were sliced deeply, and she collapsed back onto the table. The one who struck was Doom, wielding a massive, bloodied sword.
"Now we can talk."
"You—!"
"Father's speaking. Be quiet."
Such grip strength…!
"Young lady, we have plenty of time."
Innocent Zero climbed onto the table, touching her pain-contorted, furious face with a smile that was anything but human.
"Let's have a fun conversation… Tell me about yourself, beautiful red-skinned lady."
"…What was that… No, focus…" Seia gasped, trembling.
"Wow, Doom-nii's ruthless!"
"She's enduring that pain… fascinating."
"She didn't die from that? Everyone else went into shock and croaked."
"She should be grateful that's all she got for her attitude toward Father."
"Domina, as intense as ever."
The pain was unlike anything Beatrice had ever felt. Blood poured from her legs, her body felt drained, and sweat wouldn't stop. It was hell.
"Doom, let her go."
"…Is that wise?"
"Yes. It's no way to have a discussion."
"…" release
Doom released her at Innocent Zero's command, wiping the blood from his sword as he rejoined the others. Only Beatrice and Innocent Zero remained on the table.
"I've watched your world many times," he said. "But the more I looked, the deeper the mysteries grew, and I faced… interferences."
Interferences… What is this man…?
"Oh, sorry. In that state, you can't talk or listen properly."
"What… are you…!"
He touched her wounded legs, muttering a spell. In an instant, her injuries vanished, as if they'd never existed.
"What…!?"
"Heh, nice reaction."
"What did you do?"
"Just a simple healing spell."
"…Magic? That's absurd…"
"Absurd? Yet here you are, caught in that absurdity right before your eyes."
"…"
"Don't glare so much. It ruins your beauty."
He touched her face. Enraged, Beatrice drew a knife hidden in her fan and lunged to kill him.
Stab!
"What…!?"
"You're bold. I like that."
He's stabbed in the hand and doesn't flinch… Does he not feel pain?!
"You're mistaken. I feel pain. But after countless magical modifications to my body, it's… dulled."
"Are you… human?"
"Of course."
Despite the blade in his hand, his demeanor didn't change. For the first time, Beatrice felt an unshakable certainty: This man must be eliminated. In hindsight, it was a futile thought—she could never have succeeded.
"I don't know what you are, but anything that could disrupt my plans must be eradicated."
"Oh?"
"You—"
"Domina, stand down. This is my fight. You have no right to interfere."
"But… Father…"
"She's after me. Stay out of it. Understood?"
"…Yes."
"Besides, I can handle her alone."
"Let's shut that mouth of yours… permanently!"
With that declaration, Beatrice's body transformed. From human to monstrous, her legs rooted like vines, skeletal wings branched out, and her closed, bud-like face bloomed into crimson petals, each embedded with glaring eyes. A red halo materialized behind her—a true monster, sneering down at him.
"This is my true form—the form of a great adult!"
"Ugh, that's gross. Your taste is beyond terrible," Delizasta scoffed.
"It's only getting more interesting," Evidem said.
"She's… decently strong now," Farmin noted.
"Stay back so you don't get in the way," Doom ordered.
"Father, please be careful," Domina said.
"No worries, Domina. It's been years since I've felt such murderous intent."
Even facing her transformed state, Innocent Zero's demeanor remained unchanged—almost gleeful, as if reveling in her form. To Beatrice, it was nothing short of humiliating. She was being looked down upon, and she knew it.
"Beatrice will end you here and now, then wipe out those children behind you!"
"Interesting. Give it a try, Beatrice."
She attacked with everything she had, determined to eradicate him as an adult. But he…
He was no opponent she could ever defeat.
The battle began with Beatrice striking first in her monstrous form.
Raising her hands to the sky, she gathered crimson light. The swirling wind and concentrated energy formed a beam of immense power, which she unleashed at Innocent Zero.
"Let's start with a little test!"
"Not magic, but another kind of power… Intriguing," he mused.
"Let's see how long that composure lasts!"
A deafening roar accompanied the crimson aurora. Innocent Zero dodged effortlessly, putting distance between them. The beam struck the wall, obliterating it and leaving a massive crater.
"Tch!"
"What's wrong? I'm right here."
"Insolent…!"
Beatrice fired a barrage of crimson energy bolts, each one fast and deadly enough to kill a normal person on impact.
"Nice attack… but still too weak."
Innocent Zero wove through them, conjuring a black barrier-like defense while observing her movements.
"Then how about this!"
"Still weak, Beatrice." swish
"Even the sky… you're absurdly unfair!"
She tried to grab him, but he slipped through the air. Her strikes were blocked by his barrier, leaving her feeling toyed with.
"Time for my counterattack." snap
He's coming!
"Narcos."
Innocent Zero summoned a magic circle, firing Narcos—a basic attack spell from the Magic Realm—at Beatrice. Though its speed rivaled her bolts, its power was manageable.
"This is nothing…!"
"Narcos Pass." *1
"Ugh, persistent! I said it's nothing—"
"Heh, it's been a while, but it feels good." snap
"What—"
"Narcos Pass Diagorus." *2
Countless magic circles surrounded Beatrice as he swung his arm down. High-powered bolts rained upon her, far stronger than before.
"Guh…! GAH!"
"She's an idiot. That huge body's just a target. A combat novice?" Delizasta sneered.
"She has all that power and barely any experience. What a waste," Evidem said.
"—HAA!"
"Oh?"
"Don't underestimate me!!"
Despite the barrage, Beatrice looked to the ceiling, gathering crimson energy. She unleashed it upward, letting it rain down like a storm.
The children dodged and retreated as she kept firing, reducing the ground to rubble. Finally, she stopped.
"Huff… huff… Did I… get him?"
Convinced her maximum-power, wide-range attack had at least dealt significant damage, Beatrice panted.
You surprised me, Beatrice.
But she'd underestimated Innocent Zero far too much.
He wasn't just unbeatable by ordinary Magic Realm mages—he could crush them like insects.
Not a scratch…?
"The room's warded, you see. My children have strong magic and tend to break things by accident, so we've taken precautions. But you… you broke through so easily."
He's not tired, and his magic hasn't diminished…
"I owe you an apology, Beatrice. I underestimated you. From now on, I'll use my real power."
Is this man… invincible?!
Her composure frayed, Beatrice began charging energy for another attack. But in that moment, Innocent Zero's aura shifted, releasing an overwhelming surge of magic. Her instincts screamed danger, sensing the immense power within him.
"Beatrice, what are you aiming for?"
"To become the ultimate being… an absolute adult to guide all things!"
"Ah, your ambition and power are splendid. In respect for that…"
Crackle crackle crackle!
His marks… there are more?
In Kivotos, students bear halos as proof of their mystique. In the Magic Realm, humans are born with black, line-like marks indicating their magical prowess. One mark denotes an average mage; two marks signify exceptional intelligent, a genius among mages. And three marks? A rare prodigy, blessed beyond mortal limits, born once in a century.
Innocent Zero's left eye bore two clock-hand-shaped marks. But as his aura changed, two more appeared on his right eye.
"We're born with the ability to use magic. Alongside that, each person has an innate, unique magic—'Signature Magic'—that defines their identity. Among the countless Signature Magics, only a select few can wield advanced spells called Seconds. And beyond that, an even rarer, elite magic, reserved for those chosen by the gods… Summons."
A dark, malevolent aura gathered in his hand, materializing into a single staff.
"That… that's the power only those loved by the gods can wield…!"
The staff's tip morphed into a massive clock. A weapon only he could wield, named—
"Summons: Chronos, God of Time."
Its appearance marked one thing:
"This is where I shine."
Beatrice's defeat was sealed.
*1: A more powerful version of Narcos, capable of repelling dragons.
*2: An advanced version of Narcos Pass, strong enough to devastate the surroundings.
That's probably the last we'll see of the Devil's Quintuplets… They're tough to emulate, and their screen time in the original is so limited!!
Why Beatrice worships InoZero-papa will be revealed next time.
For those unfamiliar with the Devil's Quintuplets: they're insanely powerful enemy characters, so strong they absolutely don't belong in Kivotos.
More info here (though it's sparse): Devil's Quintuplets on Pixiv
Comments and feedback are greatly appreciated. Thank you!
Next up: Innocent Zero, what the hell are you doing?!
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