Makarov shook his head.
These brats… they were all growing up. Making their own decisions. Acting like the world couldn't touch them.
To be honest, when he'd first read the news, his blood had run cold. He was proud—of course he was proud. Kael had won the tournament. Kael had saved a city.
But it had still frightened him.
Dragons…
They were the kind of legend you didn't expect to ever meet in real life.
Kael and Erza slipped back into the crowd before Makarov could explode again.
"Kael! Kael! Did you really beat a dragon?! Did he say where Igneel is?"
Natsu rushed over, practically vibrating with excitement. His eyes were bright and desperate at the same time.
Kael shook his head. "No. And he probably wouldn't know him. He was sealed for 400 years and just wanted revenge."
Kael knew the truth—that Igneel was inside Natsu.
But there was no way he could say that out loud. It would be impossible to explain, and—
If Natsu believed him, the idiot might actually try to cut himself open just to check.
Better to stay out of it.
Gray leaned in with a dry look. "Kael, you've got some bad luck. You've taken two missions, and both of them got upgraded."
"Bad luck?" Kael shrugged. "I think it's good luck. S-Rank missions pay a lot more."
"…"
No one knew what to say to that.
Elfman crossed his arms, brows furrowed. "Kael, what is your Take Over Magic? I thought it was Satan Soul like my sister's, but then you turned into a swordsman."
His sister used Satan Soul, he used Beast Soul, and his other sister used Animal Soul.
Kael's was different.
Everyone else was curious, too. Kael's Take Over forms were just too strong. He had even killed a dragon.
Kael had already prepared an answer.
"I take over the souls of heroes from other worlds."
"Souls of heroes from other worlds?!"
Confusion spread across the group like a ripple.
Kael nodded. "You might not know, but besides our world, there are many other worlds. My magic lets me take over the souls of heroes who have died in those worlds."
Erza's eyes sharpened. "So, Yoriichi Tsugikuni and Ulquiorra... they were real?"
Kael nodded again. "That's right. Yoriichi was the strongest swordsman in his world..."
And then he told them.
Not like a rumor. Not like a fairy tale.
He spoke with the kind of detail you only had when you'd lived it.
Suddenly—
Elfman started bawling. "Waaaaah! Mr. Yoriichi had it so hard!"
"Sniff... It's true!" Mirajane's eyes were already wet. "His life was so sad! His father wanted to kill him, his mother died, his wife and child were killed by demons, and his brother became a demon! It's too sad! Those demons are awful!"
Even the people who tried to act tough weren't doing so well. The room got quieter, the usual noise softening.
They had never imagined a world so cruel—where demons ate people.
"What about Ulquiorra?" someone asked.
Kael exhaled. "Ulquiorra's story is simpler. He lived in a place called Hueco Mundo. He was an evil spirit… I guess."
"An evil spirit?!"
Everyone was startled.
"Yeah." Kael kept it plain. "In his world, spirits eat each other to get stronger."
He told them Ulquiorra's life the way it was—an outcast, growing strong alone, following Aizen just to find meaning.
No long explanations. No extra names.
Just enough for them to understand why that power felt so cold.
The guild members asked him more about the tournament and the dragon. Kael answered until the curiosity finally burned itself out.
By the time the noise died down, it was late.
After the guild closed, Kael Vane, Mirajane, and Elfman walked home together.
Partly because they lived the same way.
And partly because Kael had a very specific plan.
Soon, they reached Kael's house.
Kael paused at the door like he was about to ask for something ridiculous.
"Mira… can you do that thing one more time?"
"That thing?"
Mirajane blinked, confused—then remembered. Her cheeks colored.
"Kael, why do you always ask me to do that?" she asked, trying to sound casual. It didn't quite work.
Kael leaned in like he was sharing a secret. "Well, you know my magic is summoning. I want to summon strong heroes, but the chances are really low. So I want a goddess's blessing to increase my chances."
"Oh, I see."
Mira looked away, embarrassed. "But I'm not a goddess. I can't increase your luck."
"No," Kael said immediately. Then he looked right at her, completely serious. "In my eyes, you are a real goddess."
Two ten-pulls. Two gold cards.
What else could she be?
Mirajane froze under his direct gaze, flustered by how shamelessly sincere he was.
"O-Okay..." She took a breath, then smiled—soft and pure. "Kael Vane, I wish you good luck today, too!"
That smile hit like a warm light.
[Ding! Received the Goddess's Blessing! Luck +100!]
"YES!"
Kael pumped his fist. With this, he was definitely getting gold tonight!
Mirajane's face turned even redder. "Kael, we're going. See you tomorrow."
"See you tomorrow!"
Kael waved as they left.
He had been gone for almost half a month. It felt good to be home.
He took a long, hot bath, letting the heat wash the road off his bones, the exhaustion sinking out of him.
When he was done, he sat on his bed and opened the system.
The room was quiet.
His fingers hovered for a moment.
"Let's do this."