The cosmic class anomaly was finally given a codename: Beryl. Plovyton insisted on naming it as it was easier for everyone to refer to the entity during their operations. Beryl, known for its high intelligence and relentless speed, didn't hesitate to charge at every Lynquil in the vicinity, except for Kael.

Kael watched from the middle of the field, his eyes tracking Beryl's every movement. He could feel the pressure mounting as the anomaly dashed between Lynquils, evading attacks effortlessly. Kael's mind raced, trying to find a way to stop Beryl without admitting defeat. It would be embarrassing to give up in front of everyone, especially when he was supposed to be stronger.

Beryl's agility was unmatched, and Kael could barely keep up with its movements. He stood frozen, trying to think of a solution, feeling the frustration of his inability to act swiftly.

Kael's thoughts drifted to a distant memory—a time when he was playing snowball fights with his friends. He remembered a snowball thrown at him, one that was bound to hit its mark. Kael had his power turned on at the time, but only to deflect things that were harmful. He was already proficient in controlling his ability, even back then.

In the memory, Kael had been distracted and hadn't noticed the snowball coming his way. He didn't dodge, but just before it could hit, the snowball disintegrated into harmless snowflakes, dissolving without even getting close to him.

The realization hit him. His ability didn't just work on living beings or direct attacks. It responded to anything that posed a threat, even something as simple as a snowball.

Kael's eyes widened as he connected the dots. He could configure his ability to reflect and deflect anything confirmed to harm him, regardless of whether it was a living entity or an inanimate object. He just needed to exclude the Lynquils from its effects.

Kael called out to Sonic, the fastest Lynquil on the team. The two exchanged a quick glance, and Kael whispered his plan. Sonic listened, his brows furrowing in confusion. Kael's request was unexpected—he wanted Sonic to carry him.

Sonic found the idea amusing but was game for it. He hoisted Kael up and dashed in circles around Beryl, moving at his top speed. Beryl, disoriented by the sudden flurry of movement, attempted to smash the ground with a burst of cosmic energy.

The impact sent huge chunks of debris flying into the air, creating a chaotic mess of boulders and shattered earth. Sonic used this opportunity to propel Kael upwards, launching him alongside the flying debris.

Kael soared through the air, positioning himself above Beryl. He looked down, locking eyes with the anomaly. A sly smile crept across his face. "It seems you have fallen right into my trap."

Beryl snarled, trying to ignore Kael's taunts and focus on the other Lynquils. But before it could shift its attention, Sonic acted swiftly. With a powerful kick, he launched one of the largest boulders toward Beryl's back, forcing the anomaly off balance.

Caught by surprise, Beryl was pushed backward, directly toward Kael's position. The moment Beryl was within range, Kael's right eye began to glow with a brilliant blue light, and his body stiffened. He lost control of his movements as his ability activated to its fullest extent.

Beryl, now vulnerable, was struck by an unseen force. In an instant, the anomaly was caught in a maelstrom of slashes, forming a blue sphere around it. The area was filled with flashes of light and the sound of cutting winds, as Beryl's form was diced into countless bloody cubes.

Kael watched in shock as his ability intensified beyond his understanding. It felt like something had taken over—a force far greater than anything he had ever experienced. He struggled to regain control; his vision blurred by the overwhelming power coursing through him.

As Beryl disintegrated, the blue glow in Kael's eyes slowly faded. He collapsed to his knees, barely able to keep himself upright. Sweat dripped down his face as he fought to regain his composure.

The other Lynquils rushed over, surrounding Kael. They cheered, congratulating him on his overwhelming display of strength. Despite his exhaustion, Kael raised a hand, signaling for them to stop.

"Keep quiet about what you just saw," Kael said, his voice steady but firm. "This stays between us."

The Lynquils nodded, sensing the seriousness in Kael's tone. They knew better than to question him, especially after witnessing what had just unfolded. The scene was too surreal, too powerful to be something they could easily explain.

Kael took a deep breath and steadied himself. He looked around at the Lynquils, each one still buzzing from the intensity of the battle. It was time to come clean.

"There's something you all should know," Kael began, his gaze sweeping across the group. "I'm not just any Lynquil. I'm the strongest affiliate of the Lynquils HQ."

His words hung in the air, met with stunned silence. The Lynquils exchanged glances, trying to process what they had just heard. Kael, the one they knew as the infamous "Reflect and Deflect," was not only powerful—he was their strongest ally.

Plovyton, who had been observing quietly, was the first to break the silence. He nodded, his expression a mix of respect and newfound understanding. The other Lynquils followed suit, acknowledging Kael's authority and the gravity of his true identity.

Kael, now fully composed, stood up and looked at the remains of Beryl. The anomaly was no longer a threat, but Kael couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to his ability than he had realized. The unknown force that had amplified his power lingered in his mind, a mystery that he would need to unravel.

For now, though, the battle was over, and the Lynquils had secured their victory. Kael glanced at his teammates, each one of them looking back with admiration and a hint of awe.

"Let's head back," Kael said, turning away from the battlefield. "We've done what we came here to do."

As the group made their way back, Kael couldn't help but replay the events in his head. His power, his control, and that strange moment of losing himself—everything was a reminder of the fine line he walked as the Reflect and Deflect.

The Lynquils' cheers and praises were still ringing in his ears, but Kael knew better than to get complacent. The path ahead was uncertain, and Beryl's defeat was just one chapter in a much larger battle, literally.

Kael glanced up at the sky, his resolve unwavering. No matter what came next, he was ready to face it. The strongest Lynquil wasn't just a title—it was a responsibility, one that Kael intended to uphold at all costs.

Kael awoke the next morning with a renewed sense of purpose. Yesterday's battle against Beryl had stirred something within him, a hunger to push his limits further. He made his way to the Lynquils HQ, his mind set on accepting more quests and clearing out hostile anomalies. As he approached Pruline's counter, he was met with an unexpected sight.

Pruline, the usually bold and teasing receptionist, seemed different today. Her shoulders were tense, and her eyes darted nervously as Kael came near. Kael tilted his head, confused. He greeted her with his usual nonchalance, but Pruline flinched as if he were a dangerous predator instead of the Kael she'd known for years.

"What's with you today, Pruline? Catch a cold or something?" Kael asked, his tone light.

Pruline stammered, avoiding his gaze. "N-no, nothing like that. Just… I-I didn't expect you to show up so early."

Kael frowned. This wasn't like her at all. "You're acting weird. What's going on?"

Pruline's eyes shifted away, her voice lowering to a whisper. "Plovyton told me. About… you."

Kael blinked. "About what?"

"About what happened yesterday," Pruline replied, her voice shaky. "That you're… you're a Cosmic Class."

Kael's heart skipped a beat. He hadn't expected Plovyton to share that information, let alone with his own sister. He tried to brush it off, forcing a smirk. "Oh, that? Yeah, just a little misunderstanding. No big deal."

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But Pruline's demeanor didn't change. She seemed smaller, as if Kael's presence alone was too much for her. Kael, determined not to let the awkwardness linger, leaned closer and gave her a teasing grin. "Come on, Pruline. Don't go acting like a scared little mouse now. It's still me, your rival, right?"

Pruline hesitated but managed a weak smile, trying to meet his playful tone. "Yeah… yeah, right. Just like always."

Despite their attempts to carry on as usual, Kael could feel the weight of the situation pressing down on him. Word of his true power had spread faster than he could have anticipated, and the once familiar HQ now felt like a place full of whispers and sideways glances.

Days turned into a week, and Kael continued to dive headfirst into missions, trying to keep his mind off the growing unease within the HQ. But the news from yesterday paled in comparison to the storm brewing on the horizon.

The Lynquils HQ had been declared war upon by a much larger organization from a foreign country—the Lynquilites. The entire HQ was on high alert, with every Lynquil on standby, ready for the inevitable confrontation. Kael couldn't help but feel a pang of concern, not for himself, but for everyone at HQ. They were all vulnerable, and this war would test their limits.

Kael's day was filled with errands, but his thoughts kept drifting back to the fight with Beryl. The sensation of losing control, the heightened senses—it all lingered like a shadow in his mind. He didn't understand why his ability had gone berserk, nor what it meant for his future battles.

As he walked down the bustling streets, lost in his thoughts, he was abruptly stopped by a group of three cloaked men. They appeared out of nowhere, their faces hidden beneath dark hoods. Kael raised an eyebrow, surprised by their sudden appearance.

"May I help you with anything?" Kael asked, keeping his tone casual.

The men remained silent, not uttering a single word. Kael's eyes narrowed in suspicion. He glanced at their cloaks, noting the insignia embroidered on the fabric—Lynquilites. They were from the enemy organization.

One of the cloaked men stepped forward, reaching for Kael's hand. Kael's instincts kicked in, and he almost activated his ability, but then he paused. This was a rare opportunity to gather information. He could turn his ability off, just for a moment, and see where this would lead.

Kael pretended to be clueless, his expression feigning annoyance. "Hey! What are you doing?"

Without warning, Kael felt cold metal clamping around his wrists—handcuffs. The other cloaked man finally spoke, his voice low and threatening. "You are part of the Lynquils HQ. We, from the Lynquilites, hereby declare war on your HQ."

Kael's heart pounded, not out of fear, but out of concern for the HQ. He met their gaze calmly, though his mind raced with thoughts of the impending invasion. "Is the HQ being invaded right now?" he asked, his voice edged with urgency.

The man smirked beneath his hood. "We are taking advantage of you to learn more about the HQ, so we can invade it tomorrow."

Kael let out a dry laugh, his eyes gleaming with defiance. "And if I refuse to cooperate?"

The man tightened his grip on Kael's cuffs, his voice dripping with menace. "We'll execute you."

Kael's smile remained, unfazed by the threat. He glanced around the empty street and, in a mocking tone, called out for help. "Oh no, help me! Someone, please save me!"

The cloaked men exchanged glances, clearly amused. One of them chuckled darkly. "No one can hear you. We've cast a silence barrier. You're all alone."

Kael's gaze shifted to the third member of the group—a tiny figure who hadn't spoken a word. The cloaked figure was much smaller than the others, almost childlike in size. Kael's eyes narrowed in suspicion, and he decided to have some fun.

"Hey, dwarf," Kael called out, smirking. "Why so quiet? Your shirt should say 'Cloaked Dwarf' instead of 'Cloaked Men.'"

The two taller men stifled their laughter, unable to maintain their serious composure. They had heard that nickname before; apparently, it was a common tease in their own HQ. The tiny cloaked figure remained still, but Kael noticed a slight twitch—a telltale sign that his words had hit a nerve.

Kael continued, enjoying the brief moment of levity. "Come on, buddy. Don't let these guys push you around. Speak up!"

The other two men, trying to regain their composure, snapped back into seriousness. "Enough!" one of them barked, yanking the cuffs tighter around Kael's wrists. The sharp pain shot through his hands, and Kael playfully screamed as if in agony.

"Ow! Oh, the pain!" Kael mocked; his voice laced with sarcasm. But beneath the jokes, he was calculating. The Lynquilites were clearly not as united as they seemed, and Kael was keen to exploit any weaknesses.

The tension grew as Kael pondered his next move. His captors were confident, but their arrogance could be their downfall. Kael's mind was already working on an escape plan, and the more he learned from these men, the better prepared he would be for whatever came next.

Kael looked at the men, his eyes full of mischief despite the cuffs digging into his skin. "You guys really think you can take down the HQ just because you have me? Let's get one thing straight: I don't need saving, and you're not winning."

The two cloaked men exchanged uneasy glances, their bravado starting to wane under Kael's unwavering defiance. The smallest one, still silent, shuffled uncomfortably.

Kael leaned closer, a smirk playing on his lips. "You picked the wrong Lynquil to mess with."

The silence hung heavy, but Kael's confidence didn't waver. He knew that no barrier, no cuffs, and certainly no cloaked figure could keep him down for long. This was just another challenge, another test of his will—and Kael was ready to show the Lynquilites exactly why they should fear him.

As they stepped into the Lynquilite hideout, Kael was taken aback by its impressive structure. The walls were adorned with intricate designs, and the lighting cast a soft glow that made the place feel oddly inviting. "Woah, how long did it take to build this? Who built it? It looks cool!" Kael exclaimed, genuinely impressed.

To his surprise, the two cloaked men exchanged glances and pointed at the tiny figure among them. "He did," one of them said, stifling a laugh.

Kael's mischievous grin widened. "Ah, you! I'm surprised you could even reach the high places," he teased, glancing at the small cloaked figure who merely fidgeted, not responding. The other two men struggled to contain their laughter, clearly trying to hold back the amusement that bubbled at Kael's humor, especially in a situation like this.

As they approached the meeting room, Kael thought it might lighten the mood if he mentioned how the room looked just like the HQ's—though he had never been inside the actual meeting room. "You know, this place is almost as fancy as my HQ. Looks just like it!"

One of the cloaked men smirked, finally relaxing his grip on Kael's handcuffs. They entered the meeting room, and the atmosphere shifted, the air thick with tension. The cloaked figures stood in formation, and Kael felt a chill run down his spine when the head leader approached him.

"Greetings. I'm Voldanoir, the leader of this territory. And you are?" she said, her tone confident and unwavering.

Kael couldn't help himself, a grin breaking across his face. "I'm Kael, nice to meet you, beauty. My phone number is—"

Voldanoir swiftly covered his mouth before he could finish. "Kael, intriguing. We would like to offer you a substantial sum of money in exchange for details about your HQ," she said, her eyes gleaming with ambition.

Kael's interest piqued. "How much would that money be, sweetheart?" he asked, keeping his tone light.

"A staggering 100,000,000 Yen," she replied, her voice dripping with confidence.

Kael's eyes lit up at the mention of such a figure, but an internal conflict stirred within him. The weight of loyalty to his HQ pressed heavily on his conscience. He needed a plan. With a calculated smile, he decided to play along. "Deal. What would you like to know about it?"

Voldanoir wasted no time. "We would like to know, according to this picture, which is the best entrance for an ambush," she said, laying out four panels showing various sides of the HQ.

Kael's mind raced. He quickly reconstructed his thoughts and began to weave a web of lies, spinning a tale that felt plausible while remaining vague enough to avoid compromising his allies. "Well, if you want the best entry point, I'd say the west side, near the old supply entrance. It's the least guarded," he suggested, masking the truth behind a façade of nonchalance.

Voldanoir nodded eagerly, her excitement palpable. "Perfect. Thank you, Kael. You've been most helpful."

But just as Kael thought he had played his cards right, one of the cloaked men stepped forward and slapped the handcuffs back onto him, tightening them with a cruel grin. Voldanoir's demeanor shifted, her voice turning cold. "We are done with the plans. Execute him."

Kael's heart sank, fury rising within him. He had suspected they wouldn't honor their deal, but the betrayal ignited a flame of rage. The men turned him roughly, and as they did, Kael felt a surge of power boiling beneath his skin. He activated his ability fully, the metal of the handcuffs biting into his wrists as he intentionally hurt himself, a painful act that would unleash his skill.

With a swift movement, he threw his arm, sending slashes of energy spiraling through the room, cutting deep into everything and everyone in his path. The cloaked men stumbled backward, pain etched across their faces as they were caught in the crossfire of his unleashed ability.

Kael didn't stop there. He advanced, targeting the higher-ups who attempted to shield Voldanoir. One by one, he approached them, deliberately hurting his hand against their heads, a sickening slashing effect taking hold. The chaos erupted around him as bodies fell, half of those present scrambling for the exits, desperate to escape the wrath of the Cosmic Class.

The room became a scene of destruction, filled with cries and groans as Kael unleashed the full extent of his newfound control over his ability. Anything that intended to harm him was now a target, and he reveled in the power that surged through him. Half the people who had been there didn't survive, their ambitions cut short in an instant.

As silence began to fall, Kael scanned the wreckage of the room, breathing heavily as adrenaline coursed through him. He was filled with a sense of satisfaction—but as his gaze swept across the chaos, he spotted a figure huddled against the wall, gasping for breath.

It was the tiny cloaked figure, now revealing a severe scratch on its arm, the remnants of a battle gone wrong. Kael approached cautiously, his heart sinking as he realized this wasn't just another enemy. As he drew closer, he could hear the soft, pained noises that echoed from the figure.

He lifted the hood gently, and what he saw made his heart ache. It was a child, no older than ten, her hair split down the middle—black on one side, white on the other. She wore a blindfold, obscuring her eyes, but the expression on her face was one of pure vulnerability.

Kael's expression softened, guilt flooding through him. This wasn't just a pawn in their game; this was an innocent caught in the crossfire. The pained whimpers that escaped her lips were like daggers to his conscience. He hadn't meant to harm anyone so young, someone so innocent.