The Genius Mage Was Reincarnated Into A Swordsman Family

Arkadius's smile held depths that seemed to mock reality itself as he contemplated the elegant complexity of his orchestration. His red eyes gleamed with satisfaction that transcended mere tactical success—this was artist appreciating masterwork that had required millennia to achieve proper form.

"To be honest, I'm not in full control of the other ego," he began with tone that suggested confession yet carried undertones of pride rather than concern. "Somehow it dominated and hijacked one of my fragments, creating entirely new sense of self using power I had the Icarus cult cultivate specifically for this purpose."

He gestured casually at his transformed vessel, Soul Energy responding to commands that required no conscious effort. "Since I deliberately tampered with every memory, leaving only small fragments of my true self accessible, my alter ego doesn't truly follow our original plan. What was supposed to be my puppet now possesses its own sense of self." His expression shifted to cold delight that made cosmic forces seem quaint by comparison. "Isn't it fascinating?"

Lust studied this revelation with calculating intensity that suggested implications extending far beyond immediate circumstances. "Will he not interfere with our true objective?"

"On the contrary," Arkadius replied with satisfaction that bordered on artistic appreciation, "he still serves its purpose perfectly. Since our philosophies fundamentally conflict, he provides ideal smokescreen for what is to come. The opposition will focus entirely on threat they can perceive while remaining blind to deeper currents." His smile widened with predatory anticipation. "It will be quite some time before he becomes the perfect vessel for what I truly require."

Lust's ethereal voice carried notes of concern that transcended mere tactical consideration. "You're playing quite the dangerous game. Don't forget that he's also Gluttony's vessel. I know you made a deal with him, but Gluttony remains the most unpredictable among us. What happens when his influence conflicts with your fragment's development?"

Arkadius's laughter rang across the devastated landscape with genuine amusement that somehow made the cosmic horror more unsettling. "Don't worry about Gluttony. Our arrangement benefits us both—my plan ultimately serves his deepest desire, even if he doesn't fully comprehend the mechanism yet." His expression shifted to something approaching fond nostalgia. "He's always been shortsighted when it comes to long-term cultivation."

"What about Greed?" Lust inquired, her tone carrying weight of entity that had witnessed cosmic conflicts across multiple dimensional frameworks.

Arkadius's eyes gleamed with satisfaction that suggested chess master revealing particularly elegant move. "By wonderful stroke of fate, this incarnation of mine has formed contracts with two fragments of Greed's true self. The irony is exquisite—using Greed's own divided nature to ensure his cooperation in plan that will ultimately transcend his limited understanding of desire itself."

Lust's shock transformed into amusement that carried harmonics beyond normal dimensional space. "So he won't be a problem then? But your other ego still commands tremendous power at his disposal. His strength approaches that of Wrath's Apostle, whom my vessel encountered on that other continent. I hope he doesn't become another variable that might ruin our carefully laid plans."

"Worry not," Arkadius assured with unusual calm that suggested confidence beyond mere strategic calculation. "Though your Apostle and my alter ego have certainly caused quite the commotion, it will attract attention from the Celestialscurrently assigned to Xyros. You should probably order your vessel to maintain lower profile for the immediate future."

His gaze shifted toward distant horizon as though sensing approach of forces that operated beyond normal perception. "Their interference could complicate timeline if they begin investigating too thoroughly."

"Much like your alter ego, my Apostle possesses rather free-spirited nature," Lust replied with mixture of pride and resignation. "But don't worry—she can handle herself against whatever the Celestials might deploy. Besides, conflict with their agents serves our purposes by creating additional chaos for our enemies to navigate."

Arkadius nodded with approval that carried depths of strategic appreciation. "Excellent. The more variables we introduce, the more difficult it becomes for opposition to identify actual threats among manufactured distractions." His expression shifted to something approaching anticipation. "Soon they'll be so focused on immediate crises that they'll miss the fundamental transformation occurring beneath their perception."

"Speaking of transformation," Lust observed with calculating interest, "how long before your vessel achieves optimal compatibility for full manifestation? Current limitations must prove... frustrating... given the scope of what you're planning."

Arkadius's smile held depths that seemed to contain entire civilizations within their calculation. "The timeline remains fluid, dependent on variables beyond direct control. But current rate of development suggests readiness within acceptable parameters." His tone shifted to something approaching reverence. "When the moment arrives, this realm will finally understand what transcendence truly means."

"And the other fragments of yourself scattered across dimensional space?" Lust pressed. "How many remain accessible for integration when the time comes?"

"Enough," Arkadius replied with certainty that brooked no doubt. "I've been very careful to maintain connection across multiple incarnation cycles. When convergence begins, the accumulated power will exceed anything this reality has witnessed since the Sundering." His eyes gleamed with anticipation that transcended mere cosmic ambition. "Even the Primordials will be forced to acknowledge what we've accomplished."

Lust's response carried weight of entity that remembered epochs before current reality achieved stable form. "The Primordials notice everything eventually. Are you certain this plan won't draw their attention prematurely?"

"Let them notice," Arkadius declared with confidence that seemed to challenge fundamental forces. "By the time they understand what's truly occurring, intervention will require resources they're unwilling to commit to preserve reality that has already served its purpose." His smile held malevolence that made dimensional barriers tremble. "This realm was always meant to be catalyst rather than destination."

"We should probably leave," Lust announced suddenly, her ethereal voice carrying urgency that penetrated cosmic-level conversation. "I can sense them approaching—and they're bringing more than standard investigation protocols."

Arkadius nodded with casual acknowledgment that suggested such concerns were expected rather than surprising. "Until next time, then. Give my regards to your vessel when her consciousness resurfaces—she's proven quite useful for our purposes."

"And you enjoy your little charade," Lust replied with amusement that carried notes of affection despite cosmic circumstances. "Try not to let your alter ego destroy too much infrastructure before we're ready for final phase."

As both beings prepared to withdraw from immediate vicinity, Arkadius offered final observation that carried weight of prophecy. "Remember—everything that follows serves the Design, whether participants understand their roles or not. Opposition, alliance, conflict, cooperation—all paths lead to same inevitable conclusion."

"The Convergence approaches," Lust agreed with satisfaction that seemed to resonate across multiple dimensional layers. "Soon this realm will witness what lies beyond the boundaries they've accepted as absolute."

Consciousness shifted like tide receding from familiar shore.

Klaus's awareness returned with jarring suddenness that left him disoriented and grasping for context that seemed to slip away like water through clenched fists. He stood alone on empty plain near the Rikxia Empire's capital, wind carrying scents that suggested vast distance from where his memories last placed him.

What happened?

The last clear recollection showed him locked in combat with Sabrina above devastated mountain range, their conflict operating on scale that reshaped geography through casual application of transcendent power. Yet now he found himself hundreds of kilometers away with no memory of transition, no understanding of how time had passed or what had occurred during the gap in his awareness.

His internal chronometer suggested mere seconds had elapsed, yet shadows cast by surrounding terrain indicated hours had somehow vanished from his experience. The disconnect between perceived and actual time passage created cognitive dissonance that threatened to overwhelm his already fragmented sense of identity.

Where is Sabrina? What happened to the fight? How did I get here?

Questions multiplied without answers, each one highlighting the disturbing gap where critical memories should have existed. Klaus examined his transformed form for clues about recent activity, yet found only evidence of power expenditure without context for understanding what had required such energy usage.

Most unsettling was the lingering sensation that something fundamental had changed during his missing time—not merely location or circumstances, but something deeper that touched the core of his existence. Yet whatever transformation had occurred remained hidden behind veils his consciousness couldn't penetrate.

Klaus stood alone under alien stars, surrounded by mysteries that wore his own face while serving purposes he couldn't begin to comprehend.

The Design continued its inexorable progression, and he remained unaware of his role as both architect and instrument of coming convergence that would reshape existence itself.