The road back to Magnolia was wrapped in a heavy silence, very different from the tense, vigilant walk that had taken him to the Eastern Forest. Axel moved forward with the flawless discretion of Shadow Step, but his mind was far from matching the lightness of his movements.
— I killed people today… — he murmured, the weight of the words sounding too real even to himself.
— They were Dark Mages, partner — Ddraig replied, with the cold, direct logic of an ancient dragon. — They used Sacrifice Magic, exploited illegal resources, and tried to kill you first.
Axel closed his eyes for a moment, without slowing his pace.
— They were horrible people… but still, people. — His voice was low. — I won't get used to this anytime soon. Maybe I never will.
— You don't need to get used to death — Ddraig said, calmer now. — You need to get used to necessity. In this world, power comes with responsibility. And sometimes, that responsibility is stopping someone from causing suffering to many others. What you did was self-defense. Not murder.
Ddraig's comfort was pragmatic, almost cruel in its honesty. Axel knew he was right, but the reality of violence was still too cold and heavy to ignore. That experience would leave a mark. He would not allow it to become trivial.
When the walls of Magnolia finally came into view, the familiarity of the city struck him with almost aggressive contrast. Axel headed straight for Fairy Tail.
The guild's characteristic noise — laughter, shouting, tables breaking — was a sensory shock after the forest's silence and the smell of ash. For a moment, he simply observed, as if returning from a different world.
Axel walked up to the counter, where Makarov stood, this time accompanied by Mirajane.
— Master Makarov. Mirajane. — His voice was steady. — I completed the mission to recover the Healing Lacrima. It's intact.
He placed the light-blue Healing Lacrima on the counter, along with the mission sheet.
Makarov examined the item, but his gaze quickly returned to the boy. There was something different there — something that had nothing to do with physical fatigue.
— Here's your reward, kid. — He pushed the bag of Jewels forward. — Mission completed successfully… but — his eyes narrowed — your expression is far too serious for a Green Rank mission. What happened?
Axel took a deep breath. He couldn't — and shouldn't — hide it.
— Master… this mission was misclassified. If I had been an ordinary beginner mage, I would be dead.
The surrounding noise seemed to drop in volume.
Axel reported the ambush in the clearing, the use of Black Fire to incapacitate the bandits, and finally, the presence of the real danger.
— Their leader introduced himself as Brisha, the Ash Master, leader of the Dark Guild Winged Eye. He was powerful… and he used Sacrifice Magic, killing his own subordinates to try to eliminate me.
Makarov's expression hardened instantly. Mirajane, standing beside him, froze in place; the mug slipped from her hand and fell to the floor.
— Winged Eye… — Makarov murmured, his voice carrying restrained thunder. — There have been rumors, but they were considered a minor guild.
— They're not insignificant, Master — Axel replied firmly. — They used the temple as a front. In reality, they were operating a clandestine mine of Ethernano Crystals. I found piles of high-purity crystals and a map. The theft of the Lacrima was just a distraction.
He explained his victory based on strategy, rare magic, and mobility — nothing about levels, the System, or forbidden artifacts.
— I confronted him… and I won. Brisha is no longer alive.
Silence spread through the guild like an invisible wave.
Natsu stopped in the middle of a brawl, and the old men Macao and Wakaba stopped arguing to listen closely.
Even Laxus, leaning against a corner, cast an attentive glance.
Makarov rubbed the bridge of his nose, thoughtful.
— A ten-year-old mage… single-handedly defeating an entire Dark Guild. — He sighed. — That's remarkable. And deeply concerning.
— Master, the Magic Council needs to be informed — Axel said. — The Ethernano mine is still there. I have the map and a Communication Lacrima that belonged to their Master, if they need proof.
Makarov nodded slowly.
— You did the right thing. Recovering the Lacrima and eliminating a dark threat is a victory for Fairy Tail… but it puts us in a delicate position with the Council. — He looked directly at Axel. — Go rest. I'll personally handle the report, the Council, and the mine. You took too great a risk.
For a moment, the master's severe gaze softened.
— I'm glad you came back in one piece, my son.
Axel felt the weight in his chest lessen. The report was done. The responsibilities had been passed on.
Now, away from the eyes of the Council and even the guild, he could finally focus on the only thing that mattered at that moment.
Using his resources, his materials…
And taking the first step toward turning theory into reality.