Cael had always been a creature of habit. Once his feet hit the cold stone streets of Magnolia, he felt that familiar pull to return to his new home on the outskirts of the city. It was far from grand, a small cottage hidden in the shadows of the nearby forest. The place was simple—nothing more than a roof over his head, a bed for sleep, and enough space to think. The price had been low, and for someone who preferred solitude and peace to the clamor of the guild hall, it had been perfect.
He hadn't spent much time inside since moving in, other than for the basics. Food, rest, a few basic experiments, and, of course, his thoughts, which always seemed to swirl endlessly in his mind. But today, something felt different. His eyes scanned the familiar walls, his fingers tracing the simple furnishings—a table, chairs, a bookshelf.
That was when his gaze landed on the old, weathered trunk in the corner of the room. He hadn't paid much attention to it when he moved in, too focused on the immediate need to adjust to his new life. But now, something called to him. It wasn't just curiosity; it felt like an instinct—something hidden was waiting for him.
His heart rate quickened as he made his way over to the trunk. The heavy, aged wood creaked as he pulled it open, revealing layers of old cloth and a faint smell of dust and time. But beneath the cloth was something far more intriguing.
A large, leather-bound book.
It was an ancient thing, the cover worn and cracked. The edges were frayed, and the title was barely legible—etched into the surface in golden script. "Arcane Knowledge: The Forgotten Arts."
His hand hovered above the book, as if the very idea of touching it would somehow unravel something important. He'd never seen anything like it before. Was this a relic? Or perhaps a lost artifact? The weight of the book in his hands was heavier than he expected, the magic almost palpable.
Without hesitation, Cael flipped the book open. The first page was filled with strange symbols, patterns, and diagrams—things he couldn't immediately understand. But as he looked deeper, he felt the familiar surge of energy within himself. Knowledge. He could feel it pulling him, as though the book itself was calling to him. His eyes raced across the page as if the very essence of the words was embedded in his mind. It wasn't magic as he knew it, but something more intricate. Something… mechanical.
There was a strange word written in bold at the center of the page: "Machine Takeover."
His fingers twitched as he repeated the phrase aloud, the words unfamiliar, yet somehow resonating with him. The moment he spoke, a strange energy pulsed around him, the room flickering with light for a brief second.
He closed the book quickly, his heart pounding. "Machine Takeover?" he murmured to himself. He had never heard of such magic before, yet the words seemed so familiar, so intertwined with the very essence of his being. He could feel it in his bones, in the very pulse of his energy.
But Cael wasn't one to jump to conclusions. Magic was strange, and the more he tried to make sense of it, the more it eluded him. He needed time—time to study this book, understand its secrets, and unlock its true power.
He stared at the book for a moment longer, before gently placing it back in the trunk. There was no rush. He needed to get back to the guild, to complete his mission, to refine his skills.
But even as he left his cottage, the book called to him.
Later that Day, Guild Hall
Back at the guild hall, the familiar chaos greeted him—Natsu and Gray were arguing over something ridiculous, Lucy was trying to calm them down, and Erza was quietly reading at the bar. Mira flashed Cael a warm smile as he entered.
"Back so soon?" she asked, her voice light, but with a note of curiosity.
"Yeah," Cael replied, though his mind was still on the book he had found. "I just needed to check in with a few things. I... found something interesting at my house."
Mira's eyes sparkled with interest. "What is it?"
He hesitated, unsure of how to explain. "I found a book," he said slowly, his voice trailing off. "It's… strange. It talks about something called 'Machine Takeover.'"
Mira raised an eyebrow. "Machine Takeover?" she repeated, a thoughtful expression crossing her face. "I don't know that spell. Sounds like something very unusual, though."
Cael nodded, already lost in his own thoughts. "I don't know what it is either, but it feels... important. I'll have to study it more. Maybe it will help me understand my magic better."
"I'm sure you'll figure it out," Mira said, her tone encouraging. "You're a quick learner. Just take your time."
He nodded again, but his mind was already drifting. What could this "Machine Takeover" be? He didn't have the answers yet, but something told him that this was the key to unlocking his true potential.
Back at the Cottage
As night fell, Cael found himself once again sitting in front of the trunk, the book now open in his lap. He traced his fingers over the strange symbols, each one igniting a spark of understanding in his mind. The more he studied, the more the words began to make sense—like a puzzle slowly falling into place.
The diagrams began to show him something—machines, constructs, and the manipulation of energy, all forming intricate designs and patterns. There was a rhythm to it, a sense of order. He could see the way the magic would flow, how it would alter his form, merge with the mechanical world around him.
"Machine Takeover," he whispered again, his eyes burning with a newfound focus. This was it. This was the magic that had been waiting for him all along. It was the key to his power.
Tomorrow, he would begin to learn it. Tomorrow, he would learn to take control.