Inside a forest somewhere, a lone figure walked quietly between tall, old trees. The canopy above was thick enough to swallow most of the sunlight, letting only thin strands of gold filter down onto the moss-covered ground. The air felt old and still, heavy with the scent of damp soil and fallen leaves.
He wore a long black robe with a white toga draped over it, clothing that looked as though it belonged to another era entirely. It resembled the garments of ancient scholars or priests, yet his face was that of a young man—black hair, black eyes, calm and unreadable, carrying a presence far older than his appearance suggested.
He suddenly paused and glanced behind him. There was nothing there—no footsteps, no magic signature, not even the faint rustle of disturbed grass. He stared for a moment longer than necessary. Just as it was looking like he was just lost in thought… The space there suddenly distorted without warning, bending inward as a sheet of glass pressed too hard. From that warped air stepped a figure with silver hair tipped in green, his long strands catching what little light filtered through the forest.
The newcomer slowly opened his bright green eyes and looked at the man in front of him. They locked gazes. For a brief moment, neither spoke.
"Vindex… I didn't expect you to take Anantea's power, but I guess I shouldn't be that surprised."
"Well, you know life is full of surprises, Zeref. I also didn't expect to learn that the power of demons would be completely out of the gods' jurisdiction… to the point where that curse wouldn't affect it either."
Vindex studied his own hand, flexing his fingers slightly before lifting his eyes again to look at the figure in front of him. The man standing before him was none other than… the most feared mage in history—the greatest black wizard ever recorded—the legendary wizard, Zeref himself.
Zeref only looked at Vindex for a moment before sighing lightly and turning away, continuing his walk as though their meeting was merely a passing inconvenience.
"You don't seem that surprised… For someone cursed with immortality like me, you don't seem that excited." Vindex narrowed his eyes. He understood what it meant to be burdened with eternity while being denied the one thing you desired most. Zeref should understand that better than anyone. That was how gods punished those who disrupted the natural order—they granted life without end, but denied fulfillment.
"Oh my bad… You did create demons yourself, too. You probably already figured out demons' ability to bypass the natural order."
Vindex suddenly realized something he had overlooked before. The man before him had created life from nothing—an act that should have violated the balance of the world. So did he create demons instead of humans because demons fell outside the gods' authority? Was that how he allowed his creations to exist in Earthland without divine punishment falling upon them?
Zeref neither confirmed nor denied the thought. But he stopped walking and slowly turned his head to look back at Vindex.
"You came here because you couldn't figure out why you weren't fully able to access the power of time, didn't you?"
Zeref smiled faintly, looking at Vindex. Vindex couldn't help but narrow his eyes. It seems like Zeref really knew something…
"Just having the power of time and space from a demon lineage won't let you access it completely. You would need more magic to reach that level."
"How much more?" Vindex asked cautiously. There was a hint of excitement in his voice, though he tried to hide it. Zeref heard it and ignored it.
"Let's say… an infinite amount. The amount only gods can access."
He said it with a soft, almost lazy smile before turning forward again.
"Infinite amount? No, that's impossible to exist…" Vindex's eyes widened. So he possessed the magic of the Eternity Devil, yet could never reach its true potential? Then what was the point?
"It's simply a paradox, isn't it… just like time itself," Zeref replied vaguely, offering no further explanation.
Vindex stared at his back for a moment. Suddenly, his eyes widened as a thought flashed inside his mind… "I get it… In the magic world, infinity isn't just an imaginary number. It means the peak of magic. You mean I would need the power of an entire world to break the barrier of time and space?"
"Who knows?"
Zeref walked a few more steps before speaking again.
"The only thing I'll say is this… whatever you intend to do, don't confront that monster. He should have his eyes on you now. That monster can sense when you use too much magic. I left something with Tartaros that can help you avoid confronting him for a while, but don't depend on it too much. And leave me alone from your mess."
He waved his hand casually without looking back, and his figure faded from Vindex's sight as though swallowed by the forest itself.
"The monster… does he mean Acnologia?" Vindex muttered, narrowing his eyes, but there was no one left to answer him.
A world's worth of magic? That should be impossible to get access to in the Earthland…. But what about… other worlds…
Zeref reappeared on an island isolated in the middle of the vast sea. The air here was different—lighter, filled with salt and the distant cry of seabirds. Waves crashed rhythmically against the rocky shores, and the wind carried the scent of the ocean across the land.
Before him stood a colossal tree that dominated the island's center. Its trunk was wider than any castle tower, its bark pale and ancient, and its branches stretched high enough to brush against the drifting clouds. Roots like massive serpents coiled across the ground, glowing faintly as magic pulsed through them. The atmosphere around it felt sacred, as if the land itself breathed in sync with the tree.
Tenrou Island remained hidden from the world, protected by powerful enchantments. Dense forests surrounded the great tree, their leaves shimmering faintly with residual magic. The air carried a quiet warmth, a natural barrier woven long ago to shield those chosen by it. Even the wind seemed to move gently here, as though respecting the sanctity of the place.
Zeref looked back at the gigantic tree for a moment. Its magic felt slightly different than the last time he came here…
"Is this Warrod's doing? Did he change the tree so it would only work on your guild members… I guess I shouldn't be surprised, should I, Mavis?"
He spoke softly, almost fondly. A nostalgic smile formed on his face as he gazed at the great Tenrou Tree, the symbol of Fairy Tail's protection and pride. If anyone in the outside world had seen the soft and innocent expression of the most feared wizard alive at this moment, they would have thought they were hallucinating. But there was no one here to witness it.
After a while, Zeref let out a tired sigh and looked up at the open sky above the canopy.
"I finished my end of the bargain, Anantea. I don't know why you would want the demise of your own kind, including yourself. Even I am not all-seeing. But the fact that you finally let Vindex find you means you found the child chosen by the stars. The child who can cross space and time without the rules set by the gods themselves. There's one in a billion chance that he would be able to return safely to this world… but if he does…"
The wind moved through the island forest, rustling leaves and making Zeref's hair and robe flutter gently. The ocean roared faintly in the distance. He murmured slowly….
"Well… I don't know if even that Child of Stars would want to save humanity. And do humans even deserve salvation? We are the most manipulative creatures in the world. We wouldn't even let a small child escape our selfish plans."
"So your name is Jellal?"
A tall man with dark skin and silver hair stood in front of the desk, his sharp eyes fixed on the boy sitting calmly in the chair across from him. The man's presence carried weight, the kind built from years of scheming in the shadows. This was Brain, a man who had long since abandoned any path that could be called righteous.
Brain had only come here because an old man told him he could find talented children in this place. He needed young, moldable minds to build the foundation of his own dark guild. The old man had also mentioned that the Tower of Heaven was being run by a child.
At first, Brain dismissed it as nonsense. A child running a massive structure like this? Controlling so many people? Impossible. Either it was an exaggeration, or the old man was trying to mock his intelligence.
But after stepping into the Tower of Heaven, he had no choice but to reconsider.
The organization here, the discipline between workers, the hidden logistics—everything was running smoothly. Supplies moved without chaos. Workers followed orders willingly. There was no sign of external jurisdiction from any kingdom. This place operated independently. No… it was no longer just a construction site. It was practically a small kingdom of its own.
And at the center of it all sat a child.
Jellal Fernandes.
Despite his age, Jellal possessed the composure of someone far older. His gaze was steady, calculating. The people here revered him, not out of fear, but out of gratitude. They worked for him willingly, believing in something greater.
This kid not only possessed immense charisma but also intelligence that even most of the adults don't possess.
Who exactly was this child?
Jellal studied Brain just as carefully. The voice inside him had already whispered of this encounter long before it happened. It told him this man would come. It told him he would take some of the children away. It told him those children would one day play a role in assisting Zeref after his return from death.
"How many children do you want?" Jellal asked in a flat, emotionless tone.
"Five." Brain answered after a brief pause. The number came naturally to him. It was the same number of children he once had with his late wife.
Jellal did not react to the subtle weight behind that answer. He folded his hands calmly on the desk.
"Hm… if it is for Zeref, then I have no problem with it. But in exchange, I want you to teach me some magic."
Brain's lips curved slightly.
"Oh… then you are asking the right person. What type of magic are we talking about?"
Jellal's eyes did not waver, but a smile formed on his face.
"Well…"
"Despite the best of us living and trying to do good deeds, there had always been adversaries…."
The royal hall was quiet, sunlight filtering through the tall stained-glass windows and spreading fractured colors across the polished marble floor. The throne stood elevated at the far end, carved from white stone veined with emerald, the crest of the Synaris family etched behind it like a silent declaration of authority.
"Aurora… how long do you intend to keep the kingdom in lockdown?"
A middle-aged man with green hair and sharp green eyes stood below the steps of the throne, his hands clasped behind his back. His tone carried restrained impatience. This was Eric Synaris, a man who once held influence under the previous king.
On the throne sat Aurora Synaris, her posture straight as she sat with one leg over the other, her gaze cold and unwavering.
"Before we know, we can stand on our own at least. Also, I don't recall permitting you to address me by my name directly. Refer to me as Your Majesty, Eric."
Her eyes narrowed slightly as she looked at the person in front of her.
"We are family, and I am your elder. What's the problem?"
"Shut up."
She waved her hand dismissively, her patience already thinning.
"I don't remember seeing any of you when I was being tortured by my father. When the kingdom was under attack, you all ran faster than anyone. I didn't expect you to fight in front line, but you could at least guide the escape of citizens."
"You—" Eric tried to interrupt.
"Also, I already removed you from the council. You don't get to lecture me about state decisions anymore. The kingdom will remain closed. That was the council's decision as well. We have too many enemies that would take advantage and plant spys again the moment we open the borders."
"The council?" Eric repeated, his composure cracking. "The council you built with commoners? They influence decisions more than the Synaris family now?"
"I don't see a problem. There are Synaris members on it, too, aren't there?" Aurora replied calmly.
Eric gritted his teeth. There were indeed family members present—but every single one of them shared Aurora's ideology. Why does this girl not understand that the Synaris family's influence was declining because of her…
"You replaced us with trash. You ignored those who served the previous king and cast us aside. If you continue like this, people won't trust you. You must show respect to us as well."
"People?" Aurora's voice sharpened. "The same people you allowed to be experimented on by those Magic Council parasites? The same people who couldn't afford three meals a day because you were too busy lining your own pockets? My father holds the greatest blame, yes. But you enabled him for your own benefit. Why would I ever allow you back into power?"
Her expression hardened fully now, and her voice rose enough to echo faintly across the hall.
Eric found himself without an answer. He stomped his feet and looked down, being unable to refute.
"I can't say whether you are lucky or unlucky that there is no concrete proof of your corruption to use in a formal trial," she continued evenly.
Aurora rose from her throne and walked past him without looking back, her footsteps measured and steady.
"But I will find that proof. And when I do, you know exactly what happened to the others who stood with you, don't you?"
It was unfortunate that his mastery over mind magic was strong enough to block her from prying into his thoughts directly. Otherwise, she would have torn the truth from him long ago. But that did not matter. Justice did not expire in this kingdom. She would find another way… she had to….for the peace of all the people who suffered… for the people who were wronged…
Eric felt a cold shiver crawl down his spine.
To the public, the queen was revered. After the tyranny of her father, she rebuilt systems, redistributed resources, punished corruption where she could, and stabilized the kingdom. Even after enforcing isolation policies, very few protested. The people trusted her enough.
But only a handful knew the other side.
The queen possessed a frightening capacity for violence. Those who crossed her rarely met simple ends. When she finished extracting what information she needed after an inhumane torture, she would trap them in endless nightmares using her magic. Compared to that fate, even execution would have been merciful.
Aurora did not care what Eric was thinking as she walked through the silent hallway of the royal castle. The corridors were wide and bright, freshly restored after the damage from the apocalyptic day a few years ago…Guards stood at attention along the walls, bowing slightly as she passed.
She paused near a tall window overlooking the capital. From here, she could see scaffolding still rising in parts of the city. Most of the districts had already been rebuilt, its towers gleaming once again, but several outer sections were still under construction. The kingdom was healing—albeit slowly.
The fear that Acnologia might return lingered in everyone's mind. Arthur remained in a coma. Celestia could no longer summon her spirits. Their strength had been cut in half.
But unlike before, they would be ready next time. Even if they can't fight that monster… they would be able to make sure to at least lose fewer people from before…
"Agh—"
Aurora suddenly collapsed to her knees as intense pain shot through her body. She clenched her teeth and looked down at her hand. A glowing magic circle burned brightly against her skin, its lines pulsing violently.
Lately, the pain had only grown worse.
As long as Astro's soul remained divided, this torment would continue. At first, it had struck once a day for an hour or two. Now it consumed nearly half her waking hours. The sensation felt as though her very existence was being split apart from within. If it were anyone else, then they would probably gone completely insane from this… but despite all of this…
The only comfort she allowed herself was this:
At least Astro did not have to feel it anymore…
"Your Majesty… you have to come here fast…"
"Your Majesty… there is good news."
Aurora was on one knee in her chamber, enduring the burning pain spreading from the magic link carved into her arm. The circle glowed beneath her skin, pulsing like a second heartbeat. Through the communication earring, two familiar voices overlapped.
Julien. Agnes.
"Julien… Agnes… I am busy right now. There are some—" she was about to say official matters, but stopped herself.
"We found Siegrain," Agnes said in an excited tone.
"Astro opened his eyes. You have to come quickly," Julien added.
Aurora froze.
"What?"
She stood up abruptly despite the pain still tearing through her whole body.
"We always try to cling to the tiniest bit of hope in the darkest times to move forward. Despite being the most selfish creatures in Earthland, some of us still carry a heart of gold… one that would sacrifice everything for the small happiness that love brings."
Aurora stepped into the cryostasis chamber, her expression controlled but her breathing slightly uneven. The room was dim, illuminated mainly by the soft glow of the massive lacrima floating at its center. Liquid light swirled within it, and inside that suspended crystal prison was the boy.
It had been a few days since Astro first opened his eyes again, yet there had been no stable movement until now.
"Astro…"
The boy inside had grown slightly compared to when he was a kid. His features were still soft and innocent, but his body no longer looked as fragile as it once did. He blinked slowly, confusion visible in his gaze as he looked around through the fluid medium. Then his eyes locked onto the green-haired woman standing outside.
He did not recognize her at first. But when he saw the tears gathering in her eyes, something inside his chest tightened.
Fragments of memory crashed into his mind. Aurora. Arthur. And… Siegrain.
Astro suddenly began moving frantically inside the lacrima, striking against the inner surface as if trying to break free.
"What is going on? Is he going to be alright?" Aurora asked in a panic. This was the first time in years that he had awakened, and this violent reaction was the last thing she expected.
Julien stepped closer, observing. "I don't know… but from what I can see, his soul came back temporarily."
"Temporarily?" Agnes frowned. No matter the circumstance, that word sounded wrong.
Julien shook his head helplessly, too. Despite his vast knowledge of soul magic, Astro's situation defied conventional logic. It felt as if some higher law was interfering, something beyond human comprehension.
"Yeah… I think the world itself is rejecting his soul," Julien continued. "Since it already left the body once."
Astro's movements grew more desperate.
"I don't think we can talk to him like this. And I don't recommend opening the lacrima. That would make Arthur's effort go to waste. You know the lacrima is amplifying Arthur's magic to keep his soul anchored."
Aurora's expression faltered briefly at Arthur's name. A wave of sadness passed through her, but she suppressed it quickly. She looked at Astro, who was staring at her through the crystal, clearly recognizing her now and trying to reach her.
"This is getting bad," Julien muttered. "If he breaks the lacrima from inside, we won't be able to create another one fast enough. And if his soul leaves again, Arthur's magic alone won't be able to support him. He would die at this rate… no, worse. His existence would be erased. His soul wouldn't have a body to return to anymore."
There was real panic in his voice now.
Aurora inhaled deeply. Her right eye shifted, the pupil changing as she activated the Imperium Eye. Its glow reflected faintly against the surface of the lacrima.
She locked eyes with Astro.
"I can feel it," she murmured with a frown. "He wants to reunite with Siegrain. He wants to know if Siegrain is safe. The guilt he is carrying… It's overwhelming."
In a prestigious magic academy in Fiore,
Two elderly examiners reviewed a list of candidates.
"There hasn't been any exceptional child this year," the old man muttered, frowning at the parchment before him.
"Well, the next one is the last candidate, correct?" the old woman asked, looking at the parchment over his shoulder.
"Yes. But this child never attended a formal magic school before. No known training history. Probably a lost cause."
He sounded thoroughly uninterested.
The old woman sighed and called out, "Next candidate."
The door opened slowly.
A boy around twelve stepped inside. He had dark blue hair and a peculiar mark above and below his right eye, resembling a curse. The two elders exchanged a glance, and their disbelief was immediate. They didn't care about the mark on his face…. their focus was on something entirely different.
The ethernano within him was overwhelming for someone his age.
As evaluators of one of Fiore's most prestigious academies, they could sense it clearly. This child possessed an extraordinary reserve of magical power.
"What is your name, child?" the old woman asked gently.
The academy banner behind them bore the emblem of Fiore, the nation known across Earthland for its magical prominence.
The boy instinctively wanted to answer "Jellal." The name hovered at the edge of his tongue. But he paused. His eyes flickered briefly toward the banner.
No. Wasn't this what he always wanted? Wasn't this the path Siegrain would take?
This body was only a thought projection, created from advanced mind magic he learned from Brain. Even Brain had been stunned by the precision of it. It was nearly indistinguishable from a real body.
At this very moment, the real Jellal continued overseeing the Tower of Heaven, while this projection would live another life.
Two lives at once.
"I am… Siegrain," he said with a calm smile. "And I want to join the magic academy."
He knew the mental strain would be severe. Maintaining a perfect thought projection while governing a hidden kingdom was not a simple task.
But he would do it. He had to do this.
Aurora, in the meantime, stepped forward slowly and placed her palm against the surface of the lacrima. Inside, Astro paused. Then after a moment… he also gently pressed his hand against hers from within.
Aurora did not dive deep into his mind. She skimmed only the surface thoughts. She could feel that wherever his soul had been wandering across worlds, he had not been alone. His life didn't seem fully happy, but he had not been drowning in sorrow there either.
"I am glad," she said softly, a faint smile forming.
Her Imperium Eye glowed brighter as she steeled her mind…
"I will block your memories of this world. I don't want you to live in agony and guilt the way I did in my childhood. As your mother, I will carry that pain for you."
Bit by bit, she erased his memories of Earthland. The faces. The suffering. The guilt. The only image she left untouched was Arthur's. Probably because she didn't want him to fully… forget everything either…
"You are sure about this?" Julien asked. "Erasing memories can cause delusions. If his mind isn't strong enough, it could collapse."
"When he is ready, I will help him unlock the Imperium Eye again," Aurora replied calmly. "As long as he can use it on himself, he will dispel any delusion."
She ignored the increasing pain in her own body. The alternative was unacceptable. If Astro broke free prematurely, he could cease to exist entirely. Until his body and soul stabilized permanently, this was the safest path.
"You can blame me when you are fully awake," she whispered, her palm still pressed against the crystal. "But right now… I just want you to live. I don't want anything to happen to you or Siegrain…. "
Meanwhile—
"Siegrain, you have probably heard of the benefits we offer here. As the top student of this year, you will receive an exclusive instructor in addition to your regular class teachers."
The elderly woman adjusted her glasses as she spoke, studying the boy in front of her carefully.
Siegrain nodded. This was precisely why he chose this academy. He did not have the luxury of progressing at a normal pace like the other students. He needed strength, and he needed it quickly. Responsibilities were waiting for him elsewhere—
A knock sounded at the door.
"Come in," the old woman said.
Siegrain turned his head slightly as the door opened. A woman who looked to be around thirty stepped inside. She had black hair neatly tied behind her back and calm, dark brown eyes. At first glance, she appeared ordinary—no overwhelming magical pressure, no dramatic aura. And yet, for reasons he could not explain, Siegrain felt a faint warning in the back of his mind not to underestimate her.
"This is Cecilia, one of our best wizards," the old woman continued. "She will be your exclusive teacher. Cecilia, this is Siegrain, this year's top student."
The woman 'Cecilia' looked at Siegrain for a moment longer than necessary. If he wasn't imagining it, something in her emotions flickered briefly. It was subtle, almost imperceptible, but it was there. Then it disappeared, replaced by a gentle, composed smile.
"Nice to meet you, Siegrain. I hope we get along well."
She said softly.
Siegrain met her gaze. For a split second, an image flashed in his mind—a green-haired woman, her face blurred, and it felt distant. But the feeling vanished before he could grasp it.
"Nice to meet you, too, teacher," he replied calmly with a smile, too.
Far away, in the kingdom she ruled, Aurora stood silently in the cryostasis chamber.
A faint, bitter smile touched her lips.
She had learned that Siegrain enrolled in a magic academy in Fiore, on the opposite side of the continent. Without hesitation, she sent out a thought projection and assumed the identity of Cecilia. The real Cecilia had already retired peacefully in the mountains with more than enough compensation to live comfortably for the rest of her life.
Aurora had not expected that Siegrain himself would also be a thought projection. You know, perfect thought projection divided the body into two parts… in a sense, both of the parts were considered real, as both had half of the magic of the original.
She was not surprised that he mastered such advanced mind magic at such a young age. If anything, she felt proud. But pride was mixed with something heavier.
What kind of circumstances force a child to split his existence in two?
Through the eyes of "Cecilia," she watched Siegrain's back as he left the office. Her expression remained gentle on the surface.
"For now… I should just be grateful that he is safe," she thought.
She could not use the Imperium Eye on a thought projection. That meant she could not peer into his true condition, nor understand what he was enduring on the other side. But that did not mean she would remain ignorant forever.
"I will figure it out."
At the same time, another body of hers stood beside the lacrima where Astro rested. It felt as though she existed in two places simultaneously. She looked at Astro, who had closed his eyes once more, his expression peaceful after the memory seal.
Then, through her projection, she watched Siegrain walk down the academy corridor.
Her arm still throbbed from the soul link. The pain pulsed steadily, reminding her of the instability that remained. But for the moment, she ignored it completely.
Seeing both children alive, even separated by distance and circumstance, was enough.
"I don't know what kind of fate awaits you two," she murmured in the quiet chamber. "But I will make sure no one steals your happiness."
Her voice did not waver.
"This is my selfishness as your mother. I don't want anything from either of you. I just want you to… live happily again. That is my only wish."
"Please…"
"But before that child of the stars is ready… life will continue…"
"Did you have that strange dream again?"
Maria looked at Liam, who had just woken up, still staring at the ceiling as if trying to hold onto something that was already slipping away. For the past few days, he had been describing the same dream—too vivid to dismiss, too consistent to ignore. It felt like a lucid dream, he said. As if he were trapped inside something like a pod, suspended, watching three figures outside.
"Yeah," Liam nodded quietly.
He could not stop thinking about the green-haired woman. The way she looked at him was so gentle. The care in her eyes felt familiar, painfully so. But he could not remember who she was or why she mattered. The feeling lingered like a half-forgotten melody.
He wanted to remember.
He wanted to see her smile—not those faint, bitter smiles that carried hidden sorrow. He did not know why, but he hated seeing that expression on her face. He really hated it.
".... As it was meant to."
"Siegrain, how did you learn so many spells in such a short time? I'm jealous. I don't have your talent."
A young boy spoke with clear envy in his tone. They had enrolled at the academy together, yet Siegrain's progress far outpaced everyone else. Was it because of teacher Cecilia?
. Cecilia had not accepted any other student after taking him. And Siegrain spent nearly all his free time training under her.
"Don't belittle yourself," Siegrain replied seriously. "If you lose faith in your own magic, you will never grow stronger."
Before his friend could respond, Siegrain glanced at the distant clock tower rising above the academy grounds.
"Oh—I'm late for today's extra lesson. I'll see you later, Nevix."
He waved and ran off without waiting.
Nevix stood there, wanting to ask more. But he paused when he noticed something.
Siegrain usually wore a polite smile or a calm, serious expression. Yet whenever he mentioned his extra lessons with Cecilia, there was something different. Lighter. Happier. As all the kids their age.
Was training really that enjoyable?
"Time moves on…"
In a vast, empty white space, Liam appeared once more.
He looked around calmly this time. It did not feel unfamiliar anymore. After a moment, he saw her again.
"Looks like you're back. What kind of story would you like to hear today?" the green-haired woman asked gently.
This mindspace belonged to Astro. It was bright and endless, unlike Aurora's own internal world, which was far darker and heavier.
"Hm… how about another adventure story this time?" Astro asked.
"Of course."
Astro did not know who this woman truly was. Every time he drifted into this strange space, she would be there, waiting with stories he had never heard before—stories that did not exist in his world. He did not know if this was a dream or something deeper, but whenever he spoke with her, his mind felt at peace.
The only other person who could calm him like that was Maria.
It was unfortunate that he could not bring his sister into this place.
"….As it was destined to."
Siegrain arrived at Cecilia's office.
She was seated behind her desk, reading yet another storybook. Siegrain often wondered why she read so many of them. Whenever he asked, she would joke that it was for someone important.
He could not help but pout slightly.
It seemed like Cecilia had a family somewhere. Yet no one ever visited her. Sometimes she would suddenly collapse from pain and lose consciousness. And still, no one came.
Siegrain frowned, remembering the last time it happened.
Cecilia, unaware of his thoughts, closed her book and smiled at him warmly.
"So, what do you want to play today, Siegrain?"
"I don't want to play. I want to learn new magic."
He pouted more noticeably.
Why did she insist on treating him like a child? He did not dislike it. In fact, he found himself strangely comforted by her behavior. But he also knew he did not have the luxury to be spoiled.
"Hm. What magic would you like to learn?" she asked gently.
In truth, Aurora wanted him to awaken the Imperium Eye. But he still could not locate his real body. Until Arthur woke up, their options were limited.
"Well… do you know any magic related to… stars?" Siegrain asked carefully.
Cecilia froze for the briefest moment. Her heart skipped, but as she studied his face, she realized he had not regained his memories.
"Why are you suddenly interested in that type of magic?" she asked, maintaining her smile.
"I… I feel like it resonates with me," Siegrain admitted after a pause. "Like it would make me feel less incomplete."
Cecilia bit her lip subtly. She wanted to tell him everything. To explain who he was. To free him from ignorance. To tell him about his brother, whose name meant star, too.
But she could feel it—subtle telepathic interference woven deep inside his mind. Something was influencing him. Slowly reshaping him.
Until she found his real body, telling him the truth would be too dangerous.
"There is a magic I've read about," she said calmly. "It's called Heavenly Body Magic. It allows the user to draw power from the Seven Stars. It's considered Lost Magic now, but I can gather the materials for you."
Siegrain's eyes lit up immediately.
"Really? Thank you, teacher!"
Without thinking, he hugged her tightly.
"Don't worry about it… This is what I should do…"
Cecilia paused, then slowly returned the embrace with a helpless, gentle smile.
"Fate should continue…"
"How is the progress of the R-System, Jellal?"
Inside the Tower of Heaven, a teenage boy stopped mid-step as a voice echoed inside his mind.
He smiled faintly. It had been a while since he heard that voice.
"There were some minor issues, but we are progressing steadily. In a few years, we will complete it and revive Zeref fully."
"That sounds promising. But did you follow my instructions?"
"Yes. The Magic Council already has subtle hints about the Tower…But…I don't understand… why did you order me to do it?"
There was a pause before the voice answered.
"The more people know… the more hatred they emit. And hatred strengthens me."
Jellal paused briefly. For a moment, something felt wrong—like a ripple in his thoughts. But then a calming sensation washed over his mind, smoothing away doubt.
"Then your wish will be fulfilled sooner," Jellal said with a soft smile. "My other body will graduate soon and join the Magic Council as well. It will be easier to control the flow of information."
He felt a faint sadness at the thought of leaving Cecilia behind.
But this was necessary.
It had to be.
"...How it was always supposed to."
Maria's eyes filled with tears, "Wait—you knew? Then why did you insist on doing the operation? Why didn't you listen to me?" She stood up, clutching his shoulders.
Liam looked at her face and spoke softly. "Because I'm tired… of living like this."
Maria's hands loosened on his shoulders. She didn't know what to say. Her brother had lost the ability to move all of his limbs now because of the disease. There was even the risk that his brain could shut down at any time, so he was always kept under watch.
"Sorry for raising my voice," Maria whispered.
Liam didn't reply, only smiled faintly. "It's okay, Sis. I've lived long enough already. If the operation goes well, it'll be like having a new life. If it fails… It's fine too. I have some regrets, sure—but I've lived a happy life, thanks to you." Liam's smile turned into a small grin as he said the last part.
Maria narrowed her eyes and reached out, ruffling his hair.
"You brat… you're still so young. How dare you talk like you're ready to die?" she said, frustrated, before pulling him into a gentle hug.
"I'm sorry, Liam. I know you're suffering… but you're all I have left. Please don't talk like that."
Liam could feel his sister's warmth and sorrow, but he didn't know how to ease it.
So he smiled and changed the topic. "By the way, did you find a boyfriend yet? What's going on with your life lately? Are you going to stay single forever?"
Maria's temple twitched in anger. She pulled out of the hug and twisted his ear gently.
"Hello? I'm the older sibling here. How dare you mock me for being single? Do you know how fun it is to be single?" she gritted out through her teeth.
Liam blinked innocently. "Well, you are not single by choice; you are single probably because you are just stupid. You have looks, thanks to our parents. But you're stupid, cry too much, get angry too easily, and… stupid."
Maria's face darkened. "What do you mean by only having looks? And why did you say stupid three times?!"
"Why did you say stupid three times?" Liam repeated her words with a teasing tone.
Maria looked ready to punch him on his head, as the siblings' playful argument filled the quiet room.
As they bantered, the sun outside slowly began to set, bathing the hospital in orange light. Night approached—and so did the time for the operation.
Before the fateful day arrived…
Inside a lacrima, Astro slowly opened his eyes. He did not panic upon finding himself here. This place was familiar to him. Sometimes, in his dreams, he would wake up inside this crystal prison, and without fail, a green-haired woman would appear soon after. She would gently pull him into a vast white mindscape, where she would tell him stories, sit beside him, and make sure he never felt alone.
But this time… no one came.
Not the green-haired woman. Not even the white-haired figure who occasionally lingered in the distance.
The silence felt wrong.
Astro frowned slightly. Something else felt different, too. His body here felt… better than before. Fuller. As if something empty within him had been filled without him realizing it. He did not understand why, and he did not have time to think further, because a strange presence suddenly appeared before him.
A man with green hair and green eyes stepped into view. To Astro, he looked a lot like that woman, yet the feeling he gave off was completely different. The warmth was gone. What remained was something twisted.
"Haha… so this is what she was hiding. All those noble talks, and she was experimenting on her own children… haha… she is just as evil as her father…"
"Well, I didn't believe it either," another voice said calmly as a second man walked forward from behind him. "But I guess she really isn't that different after all."
Astro slowly turned his gaze toward the newcomer. Brown hair. Middle-aged. One eye was brown like his hair… but the other was…bright red.
A deep fear settled in Astro's chest. He felt stuck inside whatever he was. Frozen. As if the space itself would not allow him to move. He could not even open his mouth.
"It's a pity, though," the red-eyed man continued, examining him as if he were an object. "That woman doesn't seem to be as strong as Master Vindex claimed. Just a few dark wizards are enough to hold her back."
Astro's eyes widened.
Were they talking about that woman who told him stories?
Was she… okay?
And..what did he mean by wizards?
"Those wizards won't hold her much longer," the man said casually. "For now, let's eliminate this child. Then we'll get the other one too. The kingdom will be without an heir… and you can take the throne."
His hand began to glow purple as he walked forward.
"Thank you, Master Golvax," the green-haired man laughed. "I promise this kingdom will serve you faithfully once I become king. You have the word of Eric Synaris."
Golvax didn't care about him… he stopped right in front of the lacrima. For a brief moment, he and Astro locked eyes. Astro shook his head slightly in fear, but Golvax's expression did not change. He raised his fist—
—and punched the lacrima.
"Agh…"
Astro crashed onto the ground as his senses twisted violently, as though reality itself rejected his presence. Pain shot through his body. His vision blurred, then turned completely white.
When his sight returned, he was lying in the familiar white mindscape.
Relief surged through him for a second.
Then he realized—
She wasn't there.
Instead, another woman stood before him. She was beautiful, with white hair and silver eyes… and small horns rising from her head. She looked like….a demon?
Astro swallowed. "Who are you…?"
She blinked once, observing him as he lay on the ground, then began walking toward him with unhurried steps.
"Does it really matter?" she asked lightly. "The more important question is… who are you?"
Astro slowly pushed himself up, his eyes scanning the endless white space. "That woman… the one who usually comes here… where is she?"
"She is not here," the horned woman replied with a faint smile. She knew exactly who he was searching for.
Astro's heart tightened. "Is she okay?"
"She is still alive," the woman answered calmly, "but her death is only a few minutes away in the outside world. Right after you are fated to die."
"I am fated to die?", Astro asked in a confused voice. The woman only nodded once before continuing,
"She has used magical sense transfer far beyond what her body can endure. Continuous soul-crushing pain for years… especially in the last three. The pain never stopped at all. Not even for a second. On top of that, she was foolish enough to split her body, weakening herself further… just so she could spend time with her other son too."
She let out a quiet sigh. "Love, no matter the world or the form, always makes people choose others over themselves. What a dumb thing."
Astro's mind buzzed. Most of what she said made no sense to him. But one thing did.
She was going to die.
"I have to save her…" he whispered. Dream or not, he didn't care. In his heart, that woman was as important as his sister. He could not let her disappear.
"If you know all this… then you must know how to save her. Please. I have to save her."
The horned woman tilted her head, amused. "I cannot interfere. But you can save her."
"How?" Astro demanded.
"By living."
She snapped her fingers.
The white mindscape vanished.
Astro found himself back in the cryostasis chamber, his body drenched in viscous fluid from the shattered lacrima. It clung to the bodysuit he wore as he lay on the cold floor.
"Living…?" His thoughts slowed.
Did he even want to live?
Living felt exhausting. He had spent most of his life in a hospital bed. Machines. Needles. Weakness. He was tired. So tired. Maybe this was still a dream. Maybe this was a nightmare. He didn't want this nightmare world either.
He didn't want to live anywhere anymore.
From the corner of his eye, he saw Golvax step in front of him. The red-eyed man lifted his foot slowly, aiming straight for Astro's face, intending to crush his skull completely.
Inside the mindscape, Anantea frowned. Did the gamble fail? Astro was always meant to go to another world after the incident at five years old. She had interfered, tried to redirect his path… to a different world… he didn't know what type of world it would be…or what type of life he would have there… but…was it still all for nothing?
Astro stared at the descending foot.
It got closer.
Closer.
Closer.
At the very last second, a familiar figure flashed in his mind. A figure of a… gentle… slightly annoying elder sister.
Maria.
"What am I doing…?"
His eyes snapped open.
A violent force exploded outward.
Golvax, who was not ready, for it was thrown backward, slamming into the wall with crushing force. Eric was hurled aside as well, neither of them prepared for what had just erupted.
"Why am I acting like a victim when others suffered more because of me?" Astro's voice trembled, but it was no longer weak.
"What's with this brat?!" Eric shouted as he slid down the broken wall.
Golvax slowly rose, his eyes narrowing. An intense neon orange lighting was pouring from Astro's left eye, thick and overwhelming.
"I don't want to just die here," Astro said through clenched teeth. "I haven't even lived the life I wanted."
All the adventure stories that the woman had told him flooded his mind. Vast skies. Distant lands. Freedom. He wanted to see them himself.
"Fated to die? What a joke."
He screamed at the top of his lungs as he forced himself upright. The orange lighting intensified, blinding both Golvax and Eric and throwing them back once more.
"What is happening?!" Eric yelled in fear.
Golvax did not answer. Only a single thought echoed in his mind.
Why does this magic feel mixed with Master Vindex's…? But Master Vindex's magic was…time and space magic.
"No…"
Golvax rushed forward despite the pressure, staring at Astro's chest where a deep purple glow had begun to pulse beneath the orange lighting.
"My fate is mine to decide," Astro roared. "Stop trying to control me!"
His left eye flared into brilliant neon orange, magic pouring from it in violent waves as if the eye itself responded directly to his emotions. Just as Golvax's hand reached out—
"Aghhh!"
Another explosion of power burst from Astro's body, sending both men flying even farther than before.
A pillar of neon orange and purple lighting shot upward, tearing through the castle ceiling and piercing the night sky in a blinding flash.
Dark clouds began forming across the sky—not only above the Sin Kingdom, but across all of Earthland. It felt as if the heavens themselves had been provoked. The gods themselves seemed enraged…
Far away, in a quiet forest bathed in moonlight, a pale young man stood among ancient trees. His dark eyes that had seen centuries suddenly lifted toward the sky where dark clouds gathered…
"The fate….did the child of the star really succeed? Or did he fail, and it is the warning from the gods to make sure nobody tries to change fate again…"
In a field not far from him, a small blonde girl with long twin tails and bright, innocent eyes paused mid-step. She wore a soft white dress that fluttered gently even without wind, and a faint golden glow surrounded her fragile frame.
She looked up at the dark clouds and clasped her hands together in front of her chest, her lips parting slightly. She didn't understand what was happening… but she could feel something seemed to…enrage the gods…way too much…
In a distant, grand library illuminated by floating magical lamps, a tall man with long silver hair stood between towering shelves of ancient tomes.
He closed the book in his hand slowly, his elegant coat settling around him as a dense, refined magic pulsed once in response. The corners of his lips curved faintly—not in joy, but in interest. "A variable outside prediction… Something that can even make gods fear…. interesting…"
High atop a frozen mountain peak, a woman with flowing scarlet hair stood against a violent wind. She wore a very revealing cloth that gleamed even beneath the storm.
The sudden dark clouds across the sky made her narrow her gaze toward the horizon. The wind howled louder for a moment, swirling around her like a living thing responding to her presence.
"Is this…the power of gods?"
And in the endless skies above the world, a colossal black dragon soared through storm clouds. His massive wings split the air with terrifying force, scales darker than night itself glinting faintly in the night sky…
He suddenly noticed the sky change around him in an instant… for a moment, he was a bit confused, but suddenly a smirk formed on his mouth…
"Changing destiny?... even if it does change, it cannot change inevitable me…how pointless."
That day… the strongest people and creatures of Earthland felt it.
Some only paused their steps. Some lifted their heads toward the heavens. Others simply felt a chill crawl down their spine without understanding why. It was not merely a surge of magic. It was not just a fluctuation in mana density. It felt like something deeper had shifted—like an invisible thread that had held the world together had been pulled too hard.
Many could not explain it.
A few, however, understood one thing at least vaguely.
The gods were enraged.
No one knew who had provoked them. No one knew what act had crossed that unseen boundary. But every being powerful enough to sense the distortion reached the same silent conclusion.
Whoever caused this… would shake the future of Earthland beyond recognition… and that means they would meet that person sooner or later...
Inside the endless white of Astro's mindscape, Anantea watched everything unfold with a bright, almost childlike smile. The horns on her head glinted faintly as fragments of her existence flickered like unstable light. She could already feel the diamond embedded within Astro—the final vessel anchoring her remaining consciousness—beginning to crack from the strain. Soon it would shatter. Soon, this last remnant of her would fade completely from existence.
But she did not regret it.
Keeping his body alive. Guarding his soul when it wandered too close to oblivion. Interfering with fate again and again, even when the world resisted her.
It was worth it.
"Now… the only thing left," she murmured, her voice echoing across the empty white expanse, "is to let Alvamek meet Astro. That should be easy…"
At that exact moment, something inside Astro broke.
He did not understand what it was. It did not hurt like before. It felt strange—like the axis of his existence had twisted violently. Space bent around him without warning, and before Golvax or Eric could react, the neon light compressed inward and vanished completely.
Astro disappeared.
The storm above the kingdom slowly calmed, though the tension in the air lingered like a scar that refused to close.
Astro did not know it.
The will to live he had screamed into the sky was not meaningless. The rebellion against fate was not an empty outburst. The moment he chose to stand instead of surrendering to the gods, the world had already begun rearranging itself around that decision.
And in a hidden chamber far from the ruined castle, in a room lined with dark sigils carved into stone, a middle-aged man lay motionless on a ritual platform. His black hair spread across the cold surface, eerily similar in shade to Astro's own. For a long time, he did not move.
Then suddenly—
His eyes snapped open as they flashed purple.
"Aurora… Astro… Siegrain…" he whispered hoarsely, as if the names themselves had dragged him back from death. If he was awake…did that mean the diamond he was powering with his magic to keep Astro's body stable got destroyed?
Where is everyone then?
Elsewhere, in a damp underground hall illuminated by torches burning with unnatural green flames, cloaked figures gathered around a summoning circle etched in blood. In the center of the circle lay a small unconscious boy who had appeared out of nowhere after the storm.
"Sir… this boy appeared right after that phenomenon," one of the cultists said nervously. "His mana signature is unstable… I think he might be special. Let's use him to summon the devil."
The leader did not hesitate.
"You heard him," he said coldly. "Tie this boy up."
Ropes tightened.
The circle began to glow.
Astro's new life would not begin gently.
But this time—
No one knows how exactly it plays out anymore…The boy who was supposed to die managed to change his fate…and he will change so many others, too.