Gaal: Satan Soul? Oh, Mirajane

Standing in front of the massive claw marks, Gaal looked up and saw a deep ravine in the distance, stretching from the ruins.

This Demon had retreated into the depths of the forest after destroying the Guild.

Gaal picked up a communicator, contacting the nearest Magic Council branch to inquire whether there had been any recent Demon attacks reported in the Tamworth Kingdom.

However, the reply came that there were no reports of any villages or towns being attacked by Demons.

Gaal frowned slightly—this was strange...

Gaal hung up the communicator and measured the giant claw marks in front of him with his hand.

The claw itself was enormous, and considering the deep ravine it had carved out of the ground, this Demon must have been at least seven or eight meters tall.

Why was there no noise about this?

Gaal floated slowly into the air, surveying the forest. Following the path of the ravine, he could see a small village nestled at the foot of some distant mountains.

Could it be that there was a powerful Mage hiding in that village?

Gaal pondered for a moment and decided to fly toward it.

After all, it was a Demon, and it was better to investigate thoroughly.

---

At that moment.

In a distant small village.

A deep ravine extended from afar, ending at a small house.

The villagers were gathered at the edge of the village, in front of this small stone-built house, which was covered in green moss. The once charming yard was trampled and ruined.

Each villager wielded axes and pitchforks, shouting at the house:

"Damn it! Get out of our village, you Demon!"

"It's because of the Demon you brought here that our village is destroyed!"

"Get out!"

"Possessed by a Demon!"

"Get out!!"

Inside the house.

What once was a cozy home now appeared dilapidated, filled with broken glass and stones.

Mirajane, with her white hair shrouded in a black cloak, sat in a corner, silently comforting Lisanna in her arms.

Lisanna's face was filled with worry: "Mirajane..."

Mirajane forced a smile, speaking gently: "It's okay. I'm sorry for dragging you into this."

Holding Lisanna close to protect her from the stones flying in through the window, Mirajane herself could not avoid several hits.

Elfman wore a look of suppressed anger: "Mirajane saved the village, how can they act like this?!"

Mirajane smiled bitterly, grasping her Demon arm: "Don't blame them, if only I hadn't approached that Church...."

Regret filled Mirajane's eyes.

If it hadn't been for that accident, she wouldn't have been possessed by a Demon.

Nor would the village have been destroyed.

But there was no use thinking about it now, given the current situation....

Suddenly, Lisanna clenched her fists, stood up, and went to the window.

Opening the half-shattered window, she glared at the angry villagers with tears in her eyes: "Mirajane drove away the Demon attacking the Church! She got possessed protecting this village; she did nothing wrong! She's only like this because of the village, It's you who are wrong!!!"

After yelling, Lisanna crouched down, crying. Mirajane's face showed a complex expression as she went over to embrace Lisanna, with Elfman starting to cry as well.

Mirajane held Lisanna and looked at Elfman: "Don't cry, Elfman."

Mirajane cast her gaze beyond the window, toward the horizon. Perhaps...

It was time to leave.

Even though this was her childhood home.

But....

There was no way to stay here anymore.

That's what Mirajane thought.

Suddenly.

An excited shout came from outside:

"Quick!"

"A Mage has arrived!"

"They'll surely deal with the Demon!"

"What? Really?!"

"Where?!!"

"Go and invite the Mage over!"

"Keep an eye on the Demon; don't let her escape!"

Inside the house.

Hearing the shouting, Mirajane and her siblings were taken aback.

Mirajane stood up to look, seeing villagers running toward the village entrance. There was quite a crowd excitedly surrounding the house.

Lisanna looked at Mirajane in panic: "Mirajane, let's run."

Elfman, visibly frightened, nodded stiffly: "Yeah... Let's go, Mirajane!"

Mirajane clutched her right arm, gritting her teeth: "Why force me?"

They had already decided to leave, but now...

The villagers have completely surrounded the house.

Without using Demonic strength, there was no way out.

But using the Demon's powers would hurt the villagers; Mirajane closed her eyes, wrestling with her conscience before opening them with a determined look: "Let's go!"

She tossed aside her black cloak, exposing her Demonic arm.

She stepped outside.

The villagers recoiled in fear upon seeing her Demonic arm.

Mirajane raised her arm high and smashed it into the ground with force.

Boom—!!!

At the village entrance.

Gaal heard the commotion. Upon entering the village, he'd quickly noticed the ravine's end and the frenzied villagers around the small house.

Using Psychic Power to scan the village and hearing Lisanna's cries, Gaal instantly understood the situation.

At that moment.

The villagers gathered in front of Gaal, fear evident on their faces due to the loud crash:

"Mage!"

"Did you hear that? It's the Demon!"

"Damn, it's about to destroy again!"

"The village was already ruined by that Demon!"

Gaal commented wryly: "Well.... It seems only the road's damaged, though."

The ravine cut straight through the village to that small house.

No doubt it was the Strauss siblings' home.

From that Dark Guild, unexpectedly gaining the Demon's Soul, and managing to make it back using sheer will....

Gaal mused thoughtfully.

Some villagers, embarrassed, defended their stance: 

"That's because she hasn't started destroying yet."

"But you can't predict when she might transform into a Demon; you have to help us!"

"The Demon will cause destruction; please save us!"

Gaal remained calm, aware that the Strauss siblings had already fled after breaking the wall.

Gaal asked: "When this Demon appeared, why didn't you report it to the Magic Council?"

Silence followed.

After a moment, a villager hesitantly asked: "Mage, what's the Magic Council? Is it the place that deals with Demons in town? Never heard of it."

Seeing the villager's ignorance, others nodded in agreement.

Gaal sighed in disbelief: "Alright, forget I mentioned it."

No wonder the Magic Council hadn't received any reports.

Gaal ascended into the air, causing a wave of exclamations from the villagers.

One shouted proudly: "See! I told you he was a Mage! I saw him fly down here! Who else could do that but a Mage?"

Others expressed admiration and envy, wishing they'd been the first to witness Gaal.

Gaal ignored them, addressing the villagers: "I'm off to deal with the Demon."

He then flew toward the small house at the village's edge.

Hearing this, the villagers erupted in cheers.

Meanwhile, in the woods outside the village.

Hearing distant cheers, Mirajane's expression turned to worry: "Uh-oh. Is that Mage chasing us?"

No time to ponder, Mirajane extended her Demonic hand, grabbing Elfman and slinging him over her shoulder, causing him to cry out: "Ahhhh, Mirajane!!!"

Mirajane snapped back: "Quiet, Elfman!"

She then grabbed little Lisanna, holding her tightly at her side.

She sprinted out of the forest.

Above the forest.

Gaal followed Mirajane, watching her worried demeanor, a smirk forming. Should he scare them a little? After all, he wouldn't get the chance again.

Though it was a bit mischievous.... Gaal thought: "Requip Magic: Judgment Angel."

Flash!

In a beam of golden light, Gaal appeared mid-air, donned in white and gold armor, his golden hair shimmering, exuding an aura of majesty.

Recently, Gaal had been refining the illusion's details.

Now, the six majestic wings didn't look spectral but vivid, with feathers falling gently—a true angelic visage.

A mirror materialized before him; Gaal nodded in satisfaction.

This was an upgraded Illusion Magic.

Next, Gaal planned to weave some real particles of Sword of Judgement into these illusions.

Though the illusions were fake, mingled with real elements... it would be deadly.

Picture it: a cascade of illusory golden swords, an opponent standing confidently as the Sword Shadows glide through them, only to realize—whoosh—a genuine Sword of Judgement pierced through.

Tsk tsk.

The thought of such a scene amused Gaal; he shook his head, checking himself in the mirror.

Now this.

Enough to frighten the Strauss siblings.

But given their pitying circumstances, scaring them felt heartless; Gaal sighed, speaking with cruel resolve: "It's for Elfman's growth. Guess I'll play the villain. So Elfman can become a man sooner. Maybe Mirajane will thank me."

Yes... That's reasonable.

It's all for Elfman's growth; Mirajane would forgive him. He must also have Gengar record this—such stories would make for great tales later.