"Mmm~ all done. Problem solved."Kael stretched lazily, the tension in his shoulders melting away. "Let's go check the ruins now and see what's going on."
"As for them…" Kael turned, hand resting on his chin, adopting a thoughtful pose as he looked at the two people bound by magic at his side.
The middle-aged man and woman hung their heads, faces pale and sheepish. Three golden rings of light tightly restrained them, suppressing all magic. Their expressions betrayed nothing but resignation.
"All the artificial copies here have disappeared too," Kana said, a small smile on her lips as she reported what she had observed.
"Hm, looks like the ruins are cleared as well," Kael nodded, eyes drifting eastward. He turned to the elder and Kana. "We should head over now. Someone's waiting there. For now, it's better if they remain unconscious."
With a swift motion, Kael sent a surge of magical energy to the back of the two captives' necks. They immediately went limp, collapsing to the ground.
Still cautious, Kael raised a few defensive shields around them, forming a protective barrier to prevent any outside attacks—or any escape attempts once the two regained consciousness. By Kael's current power, very few could break these shields, and since no one else was around, it was more than enough.
"Let's go. They're probably getting impatient." Kael extended his hand. A massive golden magic circle appeared beneath the three of them. Kana whispered reassuring words to the elder, who looked both amazed and anxious. As Kael activated the magic, shimmering light swirled around the trio, then with a brilliant flash, they vanished from sight—leaving only the man and woman trapped inside the shield behind them.
The Ruins…
"Hmph. Who I am… you don't deserve to know."A young man with a cloak billowing in the wind and a lightning-shaped mark on his face crossed his arms, gazing arrogantly at the frail, stunned boy in front of him.
The small boy had been rushing to activate the ruins. Earlier, he had assisted the middle-aged man and woman by manipulating villagers and creating blood-based copies to confuse Kael and Kana. Then he had seized the moment to reach the ruins and siphon its power.
"Damn it… just a little more…" The boy's gaze hardened with malice as his hands flickered. He pulled several vials of fresh red blood from his waist. With a flick, the glass shattered, and the blood hovered in midair before him.
"Blood Replication Magic… appear! My servants!"Crimson magic surged, and the blood twisted and morphed into fully-formed mages, each one radiating dark, menacing intent as they stared at Laxus.
"Ugh. You think you can play with blood and that's enough?" Laxus's expression remained cold, almost bored. The small boy's confidence grew as his numbers swelled. Sparks of electricity danced across Laxus's body.
"Die!" the boy shouted, commanding his blood-created mages to surround Laxus and launch a barrage of spells.
Laxus moved effortlessly, dodging and weaving as the attacks missed him entirely, striking only the surrounding terrain. The boy's power surged further, eyes glowing red as the mages' strength amplified under his control.
But Laxus only grew faster, kicking several mages into the boy with precise strikes.
"Too weak. Can't even warm up properly. Not worth my time," Laxus sneered.
"Lightning Magic—Lightning Sphere!" Laxus extended a hand. Electric orbs crackled around him, each radiating lethal energy. He swung, striking toward the boy at lightning speed. The boy hastily summoned his mages to block the attack.
Boom! Boom! Smoke rose, screams echoed. When the dust cleared, the boy lay on the ground, convulsing, unconscious.
Laxus's gaze swept disdainfully over the fallen opponent—until a golden magic circle appeared behind him. Kael, Kana, and the elder materialized in its center.
"Yo! Miss me, Laxus?" Kael waved casually, grinning.
"Ugh, stop being self-absorbed. I was doing fine without you," Laxus replied flatly. But Kael closed the distance anyway, slinging an arm around Laxus's shoulders in a friendly gesture.
"Laxus, how's everyone in the guild been?" Kana asked gently, helping the elder steady himself.
"They're all good," Laxus answered confidently, still tugging at Kael to free himself—but it was useless. Kael laughed heartily.
"Hahaha, I win again!"
"Pft, Kael, can we finish the mission now?" Kana giggled, shaking her head at his antics.
"Right, right," Kael said, releasing Laxus. Closing his eyes briefly, he sensed the surrounding area, gathering his power into a sword of light. With a single effortless swing from high to low, he drew a golden crack across the empty air.
The previously invisible villagers gradually reappeared, sitting together, comforting one another. Their expressions lifted as the hidden wall vanished, and they caught sight of Kael, Kana, and the elder.
Eyes sparkled. A middle-aged man and woman ran toward the elder, embracing him with tears in their eyes. The elder, full of emotion, gazed at his son, daughter-in-law, and villagers alike.
"Alright, next, we handle the magic array of this ruin." Kael announced, turning to the massive platform engraved with intricate runes. Each rune radiated ancient, mystical energy.
"Mage-sama, please help us unlock this ruin," the elder said, supported by his son and daughter-in-law. "The secret of this treasure leaked, and waves of mages came, claiming to act on our behalf. Our peaceful lives were shattered. We don't even want the treasure anymore—consider the mission fee sufficient."
Kael nodded. Raising a giant magical shield, he encompassed the villagers and Kana within it.
Placing both hands on the ground, he channeled his energy into the runes. The array glowed as magic flowed through the symbols, drawing energy from the surrounding air to form a powerful vortex. Laxus's cloak whipped in the rising wind, and he observed the process calmly.
Suddenly, an enormous book materialized at the center of the magic array. Ancient and dignified, it bore no writing on the cover yet radiated immense intelligence. Its edges shimmered like starlight, dazzling anyone who looked at it. As the light faded, the book shrank, floating before Kael, who caught it in his hands, eyes wide with curiosity.
A lost spell… or perhaps a forbidden one… Kael thought.