'Is it just me or did his attitude changed?' Lucy asked herself.
Earlier, when he had left the guild after the battle with Laxus, he had a cold, unreadable and a somewhat detached vibe. But right now, he carried himself with a warm appearance. His smile, his voice, even the way he moved. Everything seemed warmer and... more relaxed?
Lucy frowned faintly. 'How could someone shift so easily? Cold and intimidating one moment, warm and welcoming the next…'
"Yes."
Lucy jumped as Kael's calm voice broke through her thoughts. He turned his head slightly, a small smile curving his lips.
"My attitude does change. Afterall, in serious situations, I'll naturally be serious."
Lucy's face went pale. "W-wait! Y-you can read minds?!" she squeaked, pointing at him with wide eyes.
Natsu blinked. "Huh? Read minds?"
Gray raised a brow. "What are you even talking about, Lucy?"
Happy tilted his head. "Aye…?"
Lucy's frantic stammering only grew worse as she waved her arms. "He just! He just answered what I was thinking! He has to be reading my mind!"
Kael only chuckled softly, offering no explanation. The smile never left his face, but his silence made Lucy's cheeks burn hotter.
The same could be said for Erza, who seemed to be indifferent to her guildmates interaction.
Meanwhile, the others exchanged puzzled looks, unsure of what had just happened.
Then, Kael stopped at the base of the curved staircase, turning to face the group. "Since none of you, except Erza, have been here before, I'll give you a tour first."
Lucy blinked, surprised. "Wait, really? But… how come you guys never came here before?" She looked between Natsu and Gray, expecting at least one of them to shrug it off with a casual excuse.
Instead, Happy floated in front of her, tail flicking as he answered matter-of-factly. "Because Kael's private. He doesn't just let anyone walk in here."
Gray crossed his arms, nodding. "He's right. As far as I know, only S-Ranks have been inside freely. Everyone else who's tried…" He trailed off with a sigh. "Let's just say, they didn't make it past the front door."
"Eh?!" Lucy's eyes widened.
Erza, who had been silent until now, stepped forward, her expression even. "That's because they aren't responsible enough. This place isn't for reckless hands."
Kael chuckled softly at that.
Then Erza's tone shifted slightly, her voice seem to be filled with something as she looked at Kael. "Kael. If you don't mind… I'd like to go to the library while you show them around."
Hearing this, Kael's expression shifted, his face turning a bit serious. He studied her for a moment before replying."…What you're looking for won't be there."
Erza stiffened, her lips parting in the barest reaction, before she caught herself. Her composure returned almost instantly. "Even so… I'll remain in the library."
Kael's gaze lingered, as if measuring the weight of her decision, before he finally nodded. "Very well. You know where it is."
And just like that, the warmth returned to his face. He turned back toward the others with a faint smile. "Come. Let's not waste time."
Kael walked in the opposite direction of where Erza had gone, his red cloak trailing lightly over the polished floor. The others followed behind him, curiosity buzzing between them like static.
The hall they entered was vast and immaculately kept, its walls lined with tall knight armors. Each stood with a polished spear in hand. It was like they walk in a scene straight out of a castle. Between the armors rested ornate vases, paintings, and carefully placed relics, the kind of collection Lucy thought only royalty could afford.
"Whoa…" Natsu breathed, his voice echoing. His wide eyes darted from display to display like a child in a candy store.
Lucy pressed a hand over her mouth in awe. 'This place… it's not just a house. It's a palace.'
"Are these just for show?" she asked, pointing at one of the armors.
Kael inclined his head slightly, his refined voice calm. "Some are. Some… less so. Not everything here is meant to be touched."
Then as those words left his mouth, Natsu's voice rang out.
"Hey, I wonder if this fits me!"
Everyone turned just in time to see him tugging at the helmet of a knight armor. Then, before anyone else could speak, Natsu tugged.
The entire armor clattered to the ground as echoes spread through the hall
"Natsu!" Lucy blurted out as shock spread to her face.
Gray dragged a hand down his face, sighing. "Unbelievable. You really can't go two steps without breaking something, can you?"
"What was that?!" Natsu snapped back, fists already sparking with flames. "You think you're better than me, ice-brain?"
"Obviously. I don't go wrecking the place like an idiot."
Their bickering sharpened into an argument, then into sparks of magic as fire and ice began to appear. Lucy panicked, running between them.
"Wait! Stop, you two! Not here, this isn't the guild hall!" She spread her arms desperately, trying to hold them back.
But their glares had already locked onto each other. Their magic flared, colliding mid-air in a sudden blast that made the vases rattle against their stands.
And while some vases and paintings just shook, other ones weren't so lucky as some fell directly on the floor.
Thud
Crack
Something broke.
Lucy's protests died in her throat.
Then, a chill ran down her spine. The air in the hall seemed to grow colder... However, it wasn't because of Gray's ice make magic.
"Uh-oh," Happy whispered nervously, his little wings trembling as he hovered close to her. His voice was barely a squeak. "Lucy… Kael's mad."
Lucy's eyes darted to Kael and she froze.
The warmth, care-free look in his face was gone. Now, his face was expressionless, his gaze hard, carved from ice. That same cold mask he had worn outside the guild earlier had returned.
And it was fixed directly on Natsu and Gray.
Natsu's fire flared hotter. Gray's ice cracked against it, their spells colliding in a burst that shook the air.
Lucy and Happy skidded backward, both of them pressing themselves flat against the wall, eyes wide.
"Why do they always do this…?" Lucy muttered, fear creeping into her voice.
Then it hit.
A wave of magic power surged through the hall.
Natsu and Gray froze mid-motion, their fists still raised, their attacks vanishing like smoke. Slowly, both turned their heads.
And there they saw it. Kael stood at the center of the hall, with a cold expression.
Then, before either of the boys could utter a word, Kael raised one hand.
With a low, grinding rumble, the wall behind them split open, stone sliding apart until the bright sky of Magnolia shone through.
"What the?!" Natsu stammered.
Then Kael's other hand pushed outward.
A sudden gale tore through the hall, lifting both Natsu and Gray off their feet.
"Wha-... HEY!"
"Wait, hold on!"
Their protests were swallowed by the wind as their bodies were flung through the opening, sent hurtling out of the Sanctum.
Then, with another casual wave, Kael waved his hand back. The wall sealed itself shut as if nothing had happened.
Silence.
Lucy's hands trembled at her sides. Happy clung to her shoulder, his wings drooping, both of them staring in stunned silence.
Then Kael's gaze turned to them.
Both of them flinched.
However, Kael's eyes softened slightly before he spoke. "You two can stay a while if you want. But the tour is over. When you leave, tell Natsu and Gray this:"
His tone grew colder. "They are never to step foot in here again."
Lucy and Happy nodded at once, quick and fearful.
"Y-yes, understood!" Lucy said, her voice almost a squeak.
Happy's tail stuck straight out, and he bobbed his head furiously. "Aye!"
The two instinctively began backing toward the exit, eager to escape the heavy atmosphere.
Just as they reached the hall's edge, Kael's voice stopped them.
"One more thing."
They froze.
"Tell Natsu this…" Kael turned away, his cloak shifting as he walked toward the heart of the Sanctum. "I'll pick the artifact for him."
Lucy swallowed hard, exchanging a nervous glance with Happy before they both hurried out.
The echoes of Lucy and Happy's hurried footsteps faded, leaving the Sanctum quiet once more. Kael exhaled a breath softly before turning down another corridor. His steps carried him toward the library.
He pushed open the oak doors, finding Erza inside. She stood before a towering bookshelf, her armored fingers trailing across the many books with an almost desperate precision.
Kael leaned against the doorframe, watching her in silence for a moment before letting out a low sigh. "I told you already… the answers you're searching for aren't here."
Erza flinched, shoulders stiffening at the sudden voice. She turned sharply, her eyes flashing, but the surprise softened into calm recognition when she saw who it was.
"Kael," she murmured, exhaling slowly as she steadied herself.
He tilted his head, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "You seem… unusually restless tonight, Erza."
She hesitated, fingers brushing another book before letting her hand fall away. "…Why are you here? Shouldn't you still be giving the tour? Your house is far to big for it to be finished this early."
Kael's expression dimmed. He stepped into the room, the sound of his boots echoing off the marble floor. "The tour ended early. Natsu destroyed one of the display. Natsu and Gray started fighting, and in the chaos, some vases, paintings and other displays broke. I threw them both out." He waved a hand dismissively. "Then, Lucy and Happy left on their own."
Erza sighed deeply, pinching the bridge of her nose. "Those two… I'll make sure they're disciplined."
Kael chuckled softly under his breath but quickly shifted back to the earlier topic. "Back to what you were really here for… The information you're searching for, Erza. It's not in this library. No matter how many shelves you comb through."
Erza's hand stilled. Slowly, she turned her head, her eyes narrowing ever so slightly. "Do you know?." She asked, straight point.
Kael didn't answer right away. He walked further inside before finally speaking in a measured tone."…Is it about Mystogan?"
Erza's lips pressed into a thin line, but she gave a single, firm nod.
Another sigh escaped him, heavier this time. "Then yes. I know."
Erza's eyes sharpened, and she drew a step forward, her mouth opening to demand more, but Kael lifted a hand, halting her words.
"It isn't my place to tell," he said, his voice calm but unyielding. "If you want answers, Erza… you'll only get them from Mystogan himself."
For a long moment, the silence between them was thick with unspoken weight. Finally, Erza's rigid posture eased, and she lowered her gaze.
Kael, seeing this, spoke again. "However, I suggest not putting to much thought into it. I may not be able to tell you much, but you can rest assured that Mystogan is not Siegrain."
"…I see." Erza muttered softly as the color of her face brigthened. She then flashed Kael a smile as if all her problems got solved. "Thank you, Kael."
Then, she turned away from the shelves and started toward the door. "I'll be leaving now."
As Erza walked, Kael stayed quiet, as she watched her go. Then, his eyes drifted back toward the shelves she had been searching so intently.
'You'll know the truth soon enough...' He thought to himself before exiting the the library while the door shut behind him.
Scene Break
The guild hall was strangely hushed when Lucy, Natsu, Gray, and Happy returned. Instead of the usual shouting and clamor, everyone was crowded near the infirmary door, their heads tilted, ears pressed tight against the wood.
Natsu blinked. "Oi… what's going on?"
Before Lucy could even ask, Mira spotted her and waved her over. She leaned in close, lowering her voice with a smile. "The master is talking to Laxus. Everyone wants to know what's going to happen."
Lucy glanced at the pile of guildmates shamelessly eavesdropping, sweat dropping at the sight. Then, before she could even comment, Natsu and Gray immediately pressed their own ears to the wall, shoving into the crowd with determined faces.
Lucy sighed, exasperated. "Unbelievable…"
Mira giggled behind her hand, then tilted her head curiously. "So? How was Kael's Sanctum?"
At that, Lucy's expression darkened. She let out another sigh, heavier than the last. "We got kicked out… because Natsu and Gray almost destroyed the place."
"Oh my…" Mira chuckled, clearly not surprised in the slightest.
Lucy was about to continue ranting, however, the infirmary door suddenly creaked open. The crowd of guild members lost their balance, tumbling forward right at Makarov's feet.
For a split second, silence fell over the guild. Then, laughter rippled through the hall as the fallen members scrambled to their feet.
Makarov stood in the doorway, his tiny frame bristling with irritation, a clear tick mark throbbing on his forehead.
His eyes then swept over the guild like a storm cloud about to break.
"OUT!" he thundered.
As those words echoed, the crowd instantly vanished. Every single member scrambled away in a panic, some tripping over each other, others diving behind tables, until the once-crowded hallway was clear. Not a single soul dared to stay behind.
Then, with a final huff, Makarov shut the infirmary door with a firm click.
Inside, silence took over.
On the bed, Laxus was staring at his grandfather, expression torn between exhaustion and regret.
"…What happens now?" Laxus asked, his voice low but heavy with weight.
Hearing his grandson's words, the old man's heart ached. However, not a single muscle move and he didn't give an answer. He simply stood there, staring at his grandson in silence. The pause dragged on, his eyes shadowed with emotions unspoken, his lips pressed tight.
The quiet was more suffocating than any words could ever be.
NOTE: There will be no chapters on weekends.