Waves of Destruction: A King's Introduction

Gilgamesh's eyes gleamed with ambition. "Then let us begin, Puck. Show me how to wield this power—and I will shape it into something truly worthy of a king."

Puck floated closer, his playful demeanor replaced by a more serious expression. "Alright, Gilgamesh. While you already possess a tremendous amount of mana and control over it, the concept of the gate is something unique to this world. Your gate acts as a conduit, channeling the mana you naturally have into magic that's usable here."

Gilgamesh nodded, his expression focused. "Very well. I want to understand how to control this gate."

"Close your eyes," Puck instructed. "Focus on your surroundings. Though your body is a vast reservoir of mana, the gate allows you to draw in and shape external mana as well. Feel the flow of energy around you—everything in this world is infused with mana. Now, concentrate on channeling that mana through your gate, into your body."

Gilgamesh did as instructed, closing his eyes and reaching out with his senses. As expected, he could already feel the vast pool of mana within himself, but he now focused on the external sources of mana, drawing them into his gate. The sensation was subtle but distinct—a warm, gentle flow of energy entering his body, mingling with his own immense reserves.

Puck watched in awe as Gilgamesh effortlessly absorbed the mana from the environment, the air around him shimmering with power. "Good," Puck said, his voice filled with excitement. "Now, let's move on to the next step. I want you to concentrate on forming a fireball. Picture the flames in your mind, and then release the mana through your gate, channeling it into your hand."

Gilgamesh's eyes opened, filled with determination. He focused on the image of a fireball, its intense heat and bright flames. The mana he had drawn through his gate responded instantly, and within moments, a ball of fire began to form in his right hand, swirling with a fierce energy.

With a smirk, Gilgamesh raised his hand and, without warning, hurled the fireball high into the sky. It shot upward at the speed of sound, leaving a trail of intense heat in its wake. As it ascended, the air around it began to distort from the sheer energy it radiated, becoming a blazing beacon against the heavens. The fireball soared to an incredible altitude, far above the clouds, before it finally reached its peak and erupted in a cataclysmic explosion.

The force of the blast resembled a mini nuclear detonation. Although the altitude contained the immediate destruction, the shockwave it sent rippling through the atmosphere was tremendous, shaking the sky itself. The distant rumble echoed like thunder, and a bright flash lit up the horizon, momentarily turning day into a brilliant light.

Far below, the shockwave reached the ground with terrifying force, nearly blowing Emilia and Puck off their feet. They braced themselves as the powerful gust of wind hit, struggling to stay upright. Emilia shielded her eyes as debris whipped past, her silver hair billowing wildly. Puck, though small, dug in his tiny paws, his body trembling as he resisted the blast's might.

The mansion creaked under the pressure, windows rattling as the shockwave swept through. Trees swayed violently, and the air was filled with the distant roar of the explosion as it dispersed across the landscape. Though the altitude minimized the destruction, the power of the blast was undeniable.

As the aftershocks subsided, Gilgamesh stood tall, his expression one of deep satisfaction. The destruction he had wrought, even from such a distance, was a testament to his unparalleled might. Puck, regaining some composure, floated closer, his voice trembling as he asked, "H-how… how are you able to control such an immense amount of mana with such precision?"

Gilgamesh, a proud smile spreading across his face, crossed his arms. "Control? This is but a fraction of my power. My greatness surpasses anything this world has ever seen. To wield such power is nothing for one as magnificent as I."

Emilia, still stunned, could only stare in disbelief. "That… That was incredible, Gilgamesh! I've never seen anything like it. You truly have a remarkable talent for magic."

Gilgamesh turned to them with a proud her, clearly pleased with himself. "Of course. Did you expect anything less from me? Controlling such a high density of magic is child's play for someone of my caliber."

Puck, still recovering from his shock, couldn't help but smile slyly. "I suppose I shouldn't be surprised. You really are something else, Gilgamesh."

Emilia and Puck exchanged a glance, both unable to suppress a sly smile at Gilgamesh's confidence. Despite the overwhelming display of power, there was something endearing in his boastfulness—something that made him even more compelling, even as they stood in awe of the spectacle he had just created.

Satisfied with the results, Gilgamesh turned to Puck. "Now, continue. I wish to master this world's magic fully."

Puck, however, shook his head vehemently. "No way, Gilgamesh. That explosion just caused a whole lot of problems that need immediate attention."

Gilgamesh frowned. "How so?"

Emilia stepped forward, concern evident in her eyes. "Your explosion… it's bound to have terrified the people in Arlam Village. And the noise and shockwave were so intense that the Royal Capital might already be sending a force to investigate what happened."

As if on cue, Roswaal emerged from the mansion, his usual playful expression replaced by one of serious concern. "What in the world happened out here? The outer look of my mansion has been destroyed!" Behind him, Rem and Ram ran toward them, worry etched on their faces, and even Beatrice appeared, looking unusually flustered.

"The library is a mess!" Beatrice exclaimed, her voice high-pitched with distress. "What kind of disaster did you cause, I suppose?!"

Puck floated between them, taking on the role of mediator. "Well, you see, Gilgamesh was practicing magic—specifically a fireball spell—and he, uh, might have gotten a bit carried away. The fireball he created was sent high into the sky, where it exploded with the force of a huge blast. The shockwave was strong enough to reach the mansion, which is why everything is a mess now."

The group turned to Gilgamesh, their expressions a mixture of anger and awe. Roswaal sighed, shaking his head. "It's unheard of for a small fireball to cause such devastation. While I'm a bit sad about the state of my mansion, I suppose it can't be helped."

Beatrice, however, wasn't so understanding. She glared at Gilgamesh, her small hands clenched into fists. "You inconsiderate brute! Now I have to tidy up the entire library because of your recklessness, I suppose!"

Gilgamesh met her glare with a calm expression. "I underestimated my power," he admitted, his tone sincere. "A mere fraction of it caused this much damage. I must acknowledge my error, even if it was unintentional. A king like myself must never make such mistakes."

With that, Gilgamesh summoned a chest from his Gate of Babylon and offered it to Roswaal. "Take this gold to cover the damages. It's only right to compensate for the destruction caused by my actions."

Roswaal looked at the chest, his lips curling into a faint smile. "It's fine. I understand the situation, and I'm not one to hold a grudge over something like this."

Beatrice, however, was still fuming. "I don't care about your gold, I suppose! Now I have to spend hours reorganizing everything!"

In response, Gilgamesh gave her a light slap on the back of her head, more playful than punitive. "Enough, girl. We have bigger problems now."

Beatrice rubbed the back of her head, her anger momentarily forgotten as she looked up at Gilgamesh with a mixture of surprise and irritation. "Bigger problems? Like what, I suppose?"

Emilia's expression grew serious as she gazed into the distance. "That explosion will have drawn attention from far and wide. The people in the nearby village must be terrified, and it's likely that a force from the Royal Capital will come to investigate what happened."

Everyone's demeanor shifted as they absorbed Emilia's words, realizing the impact of Gilgamesh's powerful display. While there wouldn't be any severe consequences, they needed to act quickly to reassure the frightened villagers and prepare for the arrival of any officials from the capital seeking answers.

Gilgamesh folded his arms, unfazed. "Very well. If inquiries are made, we shall address them accordingly. There's no need for unnecessary concern."

Roswaal nodded thoughtfully, his usual playful smile returning to his face. "I agreeeee~. We can haaaandle any questions that come our way~. Buuuut, wouldn't it beee~ oh-so wise to visit the village and ease their feeeeaaars~ before those nasty little rumors start to spreeead~?"

Puck floated closer to Emilia's shoulder, his playful demeanor resurfacing. "I can go ahead and talk to the villagers, let them know everything's under control."

Emilia smiled appreciatively at Puck. "Thank you, that would help a lot. We don't want them to worry more than they already are."

Rem and Ram exchanged glances before Ram spoke up, her tone indifferent yet attentive. "We will assist in repairing the damages around the mansion. It wouldn't do for guests to see the estate in disarray when they arrive."

Beatrice huffed, still visibly annoyed. "And I suppose I'll have to return to my library and start reorganizing the chaos caused by someone's overzealous display, I suppose."

Gilgamesh glanced at Beatrice, a hint of amusement in his eyes. "My apologies for the inconvenience. Perhaps I can offer some assistance to expedite the process."

Beatrice looked surprised for a moment before regaining her composure. "Hmph, as if you could handle delicate books and artifacts without causing more trouble. But… the thought is appreciated, I suppose."

Emilia clapped her hands together, her resolve clear. "Alright, everyone knows what to do. Let's take care of this quickly and ensure everything returns to normal as soon as possible."

The group dispersed with a shared understanding, each moving to address the aftermath of the explosive display. Despite the unexpected complications, there was a sense of camaraderie and purpose driving them forward, ready to face any challenges that arose from the day's events.

As Emilia, Puck, and Roswaal headed to the village to reassure the villagers, Gilgamesh remained in the mansion garden, watching Rem and Ram clean up the mess. With a casual wave of his hand, Gilgamesh lifted all the debris left by the explosion into the air and hurled it into the nearby forest. The twins, used to his displays of power by now, continued their work without surprise.

Once the garden was cleared, Gilgamesh returned to his room. Sitting in silence, he concentrated on his gate, determined to gauge how much mana he needed to pour into his magic to avoid causing another disaster. After a few minutes, he successfully formed lightning around his hands. Focusing intently, he then broke the thunder into pure mana, a feat that he quickly replicated with all other elements except for shadow and light. Just as he was about to experiment with those, a knock on his door interrupted his concentration.

Ram entered, her expression as impassive as ever. "Lord Roswaal and Lady Emilia request your presence for an important matter."

Gilgamesh followed her through the mansion's corridors, noting the shattered windows and the extent of the damage his earlier explosion had caused. Through the broken glass, he could see a contingent of knights in white armor gathering outside the mansion. Their presence was unmistakable.

As Gilgamesh entered the large room, his eyes were drawn to the two unfamiliar figures standing alongside Emilia, Roswaal, Puck, and Reinhard. The first figure was a tall, broad-shouldered man with short-cropped green hair and a matching goatee, wearing a polished military uniform adorned with medals and insignias. His stern expression and the confident way he carried himself suggested that he was a man of authority, someone used to giving orders and having them obeyed without question. His presence exuded a calm, commanding aura that immediately caught Gilgamesh's attention.

Next to him stood a slender figure draped in a pristine white cloak that flowed gracefully, its edges trimmed with deep purple. Beneath the cloak, sleek white pants and a fitted black top accentuated the person's slender frame. Light brown, tousled hair framed their face, with two small, pointed cat ears perched atop their head. Delicate blue floral accessories adorned their hair on each side, adding a subtle touch of elegance. Their appearance was both graceful and slightly ethereal, blending a sense of calm poise with a hint of otherworldly charm.

Emilia stepped forward, her voice calm but firm. "They've heard what happened from me, Puck, and Roswaal, but they couldn't believe it."

Roswaal, his usual playful smile still in place, added, "Buuut~ the truth of it was toooo~ extraordinary for them to accept outriiight~. It defiiies~ what they knooow~ to be possible, and sooo~ they've come to witness it for themseeelves~."

Reinhard greeted Gilgamesh with a warm smile, stepping forward to shake his hand. "It's good to see you again, Gilgamesh," he said, his tone friendly yet respectful. "You've certainly made quite a name for yourself in the capital in one day."

He paused, his eyes gleaming with admiration. "The report Emilia sent me confirmed it—the one you defeated that night was none other than the infamous assassin known as the 'Bowl Hunter.' Many knights and warriors have fallen to her blade, but you managed to best her. That's no small feat."

Gilgamesh's eyes narrowed slightly as he released Reinhard's hand. "If that woman did so much damage, then the kingdom is in serious trouble."

Reinhard laughed lightly, shaking his head. "I appreciate your concern, but you needn't worry. The kingdom has faced many threats before, and we've always emerged victorious."

Gilgamesh's expression remained unreadable, but there was a sharpness in his gaze as he replied, "We shall see."

Reinhard then gestured to the two unfamiliar figures. "Allow me to introduce you to my companions. They have come to witness your power firsthand, given the extraordinary nature of what transpired."

The broad-shouldered man stepped forward first, his voice deep and steady. "Marcos Gildark, Commander of the Royal Guard. My duty is to protect the kingdom and its people. When I heard of your recent exploits, I knew I had to see the man responsible."

The slender figure with the cat ears stepped forward next, offering a graceful bow. "Felix Argyle, at your service. I'm a knight, though my methods differ from the usual sword and shield. I specialize in healing and support, ensuring that our forces remain strong and capable." A playful glint sparkled in Felix's eyes as they continued, "I've heard quite a bit about you, Gilgamesh. I must say, I'm intrigued to see what you're capable of."

Gilgamesh surveyed the room, his gaze lingering on each of the assembled figures. The air was thick with expectation, the weight of his recent actions pressing down on everyone present. Yet, in the face of such scrutiny, he remained unfazed. A slow, confident smile spread across his lips as he addressed the group. "Very well. If you wish to witness the power of a king, then I shall grant you that privilege. But know this—what you see today is merely a fraction of my true might. The day will come when even the heavens will tremble before my power." His words hung in the air like a challenge, daring them to believe, to doubt, to fear. As the tension mounted, it became clear that the world Gilgamesh had entered would never be the same.