The Kalos Mountain Range stretched across the western reaches of the Kingdom of Fiore, standing tall and vast like the spine of the land. Towering peaks, endless glaciers, and shadowy forests filled the expanse, dangerous, beautiful, and brimming with mystery.
By now, it was late September of X768. Lyla and August had been traveling together for over a year. Every time they reached a new city, August would take Lyla to see healers and magical doctors, hoping to cure his condition. But no matter who they visited, the answer was always the same, they were powerless to help, though many offered sincere advice.
Lyla felt a little disappointed, but not overly concerned. After all, he wasn't the body's original owner. He was a pragmatist, as long as his own memories remained intact, that was good enough.
Over the past year, Lyla had finally begun learning magic. After months of brutal training, he had earned the right to study it. But when the time came to choose a magic type, he found himself torn, unsure of what to pursue.
"There's no need to rush. Magic often chooses its wielder," August had said, sensing the boy's hesitation. "When your heart is ready, the right magic will find you. But perhaps, this one will guide you in the meantime."
With that, August transmitted the knowledge of Ancient Text Magic directly into Lyla's mind, along with a detailed explanation.
Gradually, Lyla digested the information. One day, as he spread his arms, a golden magic circle bloomed beneath his feet. Above his head appeared a massive data sphere, and in front of him, a glowing screen unfolded like a holographic interface.
"Whoa... So this is Ancient Text Magic? Look at all the searchable info!" Lyla tapped excitedly on the screen, browsing through magic-related data. Dozens of results popped up, organized neatly in rows of smaller windows.
"Use it wisely," August reminded him.
Back in the present, Lyla grumbled as they hiked, "Grandpa, how much farther until we reach town?"
"We're close. See? Just over that hill. Let's take a shortcut."
August pointed from the top of a slope. Beyond it lay a sprawling cityscape.
Their journey had taken them through mountains and forests, with occasional stops in small villages along the way. Sometimes, those villages would be attacked by magical beasts. August and Lyla would lend their aid, but August always made Lyla confront the beasts first. Only when Lyla was completely exhausted would he step in.
Lyla pouted internally. This world is just constant physical training! Why are all mages close-combat fighters?
And the people here? Way too physically overpowered.
Thankfully, Lyla had since learned Teleportation and Blink Magic. If you can't win, just run faster.
With a flash of a magic circle, August teleported the two of them to a wooded area not far from the town's outskirts.
"This is Kalos Town... It's huge! I wonder how many magic shops they have," Lyla said, eyes gleaming with excitement. Thoughts of arcane trinkets and mystical artifacts danced in his head.
August chuckled dryly. "Have a look if you like, but don't forget, we're nearly out of travel funds."
...Buzzkill.
They entered one of the magic shops. Lyla's eyes darted from shelf to shelf, celestial spirit keys he'd never seen before, enchanted rings, magical potions of every color and effect.
"If someone covered themselves head to toe in these magic tools, wouldn't that just make them a total pay-to-win warrior? But still... in this world, real power comes from your own magic."
He didn't actually plan to buy anything. It was all just fascinating to look at. The joy of being in a magic-based world came from witnessing the variety of magic on display. While most of the combat tools weren't particularly useful to him, Lyla found a few household items rather charming, too bad he was broke.
Later that day, after grabbing a simple meal at a local restaurant, they headed to an inn for the night.
"This town has a train station," August mentioned as they checked in. "Tomorrow, we'll take a train to Magnolia. I heard there's a powerful healing mage there worth meeting."
And of course... I'd like to see what kind of guild she founded.
"A train? Sure." Lyla raised an eyebrow. Why the sudden rush? Is there something urgent?
Magnolia… Now that was a name he recognized. According to the Weekly Sorcerer in his hands, a headline read:
[Fairy Tail's Strongest S-Class Mage, Gildarts, Destroys Half a Mountain in the Altana Range!]
So… we're finally headed to Magnolia, Lyla thought, and sneaked a glance at August's reaction to the name Fairy Tail.
"Grandpa, are you part of a guild?"
"Me? No guild," August replied casually. "But have you heard of the Western continent's central empire, Alvarez? I happen to be that empire's most powerful mage. Some call me the Magic King."
He smiled and stroked his beard, his tone calm but meaningful.
Of course Lyla knew that. But the details of August's encounter with Zeref were unclear. Curious, he opened his Ancient Text Magic interface and started digging.
"Wait... Grandpa, all this info is yours?" Lyla blinked at the data on screen. He'd mentally prepared himself, but seeing even the public records was jaw-dropping. The amount of information August had was enough to fill several lifetimes.
"Hahaha, it's not that impressive," August said, modestly stroking his beard again.
"Alright, enough. Time for bed," August finally said, seeing Lyla still hunched over the screen, furiously searching for more about Alvarez.
"Yes, sir," Lyla replied obediently.
Why so cooperative? Simple.
When he had first learned this magic, Lyla had stayed up all night for days, scouring everything he could think of, public, obscure, even gossip-level info. But one night, when August caught him trying to stay up again, he whacked Lyla on the head so hard he passed out.
Lesson learned.
That night, as August lay in bed, his mind drifted back to their first meeting in Maple Village. At the time, he hadn't thought much of the boy. But Lyla's odd reaction to his name had made him pause.
Afterward, August had activated his Divine Eye spell, and what he saw left him uneasy.
Lyla's soul was incredibly unstable. Yet his body housed a vast reserve of magic power. If left unchecked, his soul would eventually lose control, turning his body into a walking time bomb.
August couldn't understand how a boy with no memory could still recognize his name. But despite his doubts, he hadn't looked away.
All the rigorous physical training, the monster sparring, it wasn't just for survival. It was to help Lyla's body adapt and harmonize with his soul. Once his condition stabilized, August finally stopped using nightly soul-stabilization spells.
At first, it was just about protecting the boy's body. But as time passed… he realized this student was anything but ordinary. There were things he wasn't telling him.
The next morning, Lyla blinked awake and stumbled through his morning routine.
He heard the door creak open and turned to see August returning from outside.
"Good morning, Grandpa. Out for a stroll already?"
How does he always wake up so early? Is he aging backward or something?
"Hurry up and get ready," August said with a sigh. "I've already bought the tickets. Every morning it's the same, you sleep longer than an old man!"
"Yes, sir."
Lyla quickly washed up and packed his things, standing tall before August with practiced discipline. He knew very well, if Grandpa caught him slacking, it'd mean more 'special training.'
"Good. Let's go." August gave a satisfied nod.
<150 P.S = 1 Extra Chapter>