The Regression of Great Sage Riddle Episode 1: Episode 1

The episode opens with Ridle, first as an ancient, crumbling figure caught in a storm of shattered clocks, then as a young warrior, eyes burning with a fierce, almost desperate, energy. He clenches his hands, a silent cry against a vibrant pink background. The Japanese text declares this the "Great Sage Ridle's Time Reversal," marking his purpose clearly from the start. His inner monologue, "Just to stop them... I have lived," immediately establishes a lifetime of singular, bitter resolve.

We are thrown into a sinister ritual, where robed, hooded figures conduct dark magic against a backdrop of glowing symbols. A central figure, the Leader of Box of Malice, taunts young Ridle, who is present and helpless. "Revenge for your murdered comrades, huh?" the leader sneers, before effortlessly lifting Ridle by the neck, an act of casual cruelty. They celebrate their "day of celebration," promising to spare Ridle's life specifically, a fate perhaps worse than death.

Ridle's desperate plea, "No! Impossible!" echoes as the Leader of Box of Malice triumphs, arms outstretched amidst surging red energy. The magical symbols on the wall pulse, then crack and explode. Ridle watches, horrified, his face a mask of despair, as the catastrophe he warned against unfolds. The world, indeed, begins to unravel.

A chilling explanation follows: "The Door of the Dead," a manifestation of the world's laws, has opened. This event collapses the magic system, abolishes limits, and makes all laws "mutable." Grainy, terrifying images flash across the screen: a multi-eyed monster, a bird-like creature, a bloody hand, and a city engulfed in flames beneath a colossal, winged horror. The narrator confirms, "from that day on, this world became a demon realm."

We see Ridle in the thick of it, fleeing and fighting grotesque purple monsters. His face contorts with effort and pain as he strikes a creature, the impact violent and desperate. Later, injured against a crumbling wall, his hand begins to glow. To his horror, it painfully transforms into a monstrous, clawed limb with a glowing red eye. He questions if he has become "un-regenerable," trapped in this new, cursed form.

In despair, Ridle curls up, tired and sorry for his friends, admitting he cannot do it alone. Translucent images of his smiling companions, particularly Norn with her blue hair, appear around him. Norn's gentle voice, recalling his perseverance, "I love your never-give-up attitude, Ridle," becomes a lifeline, a memory of warmth in a ruined world. It is a stark contrast to his present misery, yet it rekindles something vital within him.

A spark ignites in Ridle's eyes. He rises, back to the viewer, clutching a staff, looking at the desolate landscape. He realizes that a world where magic has no limits might offer a way back. He resolves, "If I can go back to the past... I have no choice but to do what I can now!" A montage shows him studying ancient texts for "1000 years," his transformed arm a constant reminder. Finally, an old, white-haired Ridle stands within an elaborate magic circle, declaring, "Finally... This time has come!" He has 1000 years of knowledge and experience.

The screen fades to white, then a young, uninjured Ridle opens his eyes to a soft, bright light. He finds himself in a peaceful world: blue sky, green trees, golden sunlight, and birdsong. He looks at his hands, then compares his healthy, unblemished skin to the memory of his monstrous limb. "No transformation, no wounds," he realizes, relief washing over him. A triumphant smile breaks through his confusion. "I did it! I succeeded in time reversal!"

The episode concludes with sepia-toned montages, reflecting on the prologue's key moments: the sinister ritual, the wounded Ridle, his fleeting friends, the monstrous bird, and the burning city. These images are juxtaposed with the fresh start of Ridle's young, unscarred face. The phrase "To be continued... Returning to the past, a first adventure" hints at the real journey ahead, now armed with a millennium of experience.