"Ladies and gentlemen! Thrilling and spectacular! Welcome to the show of Conductor Abyss, where I bring you the very finest in drama and entertainment!"
A single ray of light pierced through the endless darkness.
The man stood beneath a beam of light that brought to mind a spotlight illuminating a performer on a stage just before the curtains rose. He was dressed like a proper gentleman, wearing a fine suit and a large top hat. In this particular setting, however, "troupe leader" felt like a far more fitting description than "gentleman."
"Now then, tonight’s show is a little different from the usual! How so, you ask? Well... for starters, the stage has changed! Our story moves beyond the narrow confines of the academy to the place known as Wind Island! This island, where beautiful nature and man-made structures exist in perfect harmony, is the ultimate stage for the reincarnators to put their unsightly failures on display tonight!!"
Abyss spoke as if addressing an audience, striking a pose as though playing a carefully rehearsed part. As he explained the details of the show he was orchestrating, he appeared extraordinarily—almost unnaturally—joyful.
"To mark the occasion, I, your Conductor, have prepared a certain item! This is the trump card that will truly liven up the performance!"
As he spoke, Abyss reached into his breast pocket and produced something square. Holding the stack of objects high, he continued his boisterous narration.
"During the School Trip Arc of Luminous History... that is to say, on Wind Island, one can obtain special items! Among them is an item just like this!"
Continuing his explanation, Abyss held a pure white, square plate in his free hand and spun slowly on his heel to show it off. Even as he turned, he didn't stop describing the object in his grasp.
"This is an item known as a Clear Plate. As the name implies, this blank plate allows you to learn any skill you desire! By synthesizing a Clear Plate that has mastered a skill with a piece of equipment, you can create gear that is truly unique... that is how it works!"
Abyss introduced the Clear Plate—which could be used for simple boosts to Attack Power and Defense or for enhancing the innate traits of existing gear—with a twisted smirk. His smile suggested the real fun was just beginning. He raised both arms, clutching a vast quantity of the plates, and spoke with a voice dripping with delight.
"This time, I have gathered a massive number of these Clear Plates and completed a specific set of equipment! These are Demonic Plates! They seek out the individual best suited to draw out their power and grant that person tremendous strength! I have twenty-six of them in total!! Even I cannot predict what kind of power those who hold these plates will manifest! It is truly spectacular and thrilling!! Faced with such power, those reincarnators who fancy themselves Protagonists will be beaten down without any hope of resistance!!"
A faint ripple stirred the air at Abyss's words. Within the darkness, an atmosphere of fanatical excitement seemed to waver. Abyss continued his speech, fanning the flames of that anticipation.
"But! That is not all! There is no way I would be satisfied showing you all such a mediocre conclusion!! I shall provide the ultimate ending, one that exceeds every expectation. The preparations for that are already complete."
As Abyss offered a respectful bow, a circular portal shimmered into existence beside him. The portal offered a glimpse of the very top of a tower. Abyss glanced at the opening, situated at a dizzying height, and spoke in a tone designed to incite fervor.
"Now then! The stage is set! Please, enjoy to your heart's content the story woven by the cast and the ending they ultimately reach! I promise you the greatest show of all—one that will absolutely not disappoint!!"
Facing the portal, Abyss made a grand, theatrical gesture. He slowly crossed his arms, then swung them wide, hurling the stack of plates into the void. Finally, he turned back to the front, closing his introduction with a malevolent grin.
"Scripted and directed by Conductor Abyss, the Reincarnator Annihilation Show now begins. I truly hope you enjoy it until the very end."