Chapter 130 – Gaal: Have You Ever Heard of the Black Dragon?

Watching Natsu, who had goaded Dragonite into a fight only to be floored and yet bounce back almost immediately, Gaal couldn't help but remark, "Youth is truly a blessing."

Gildarts, his expression one of exasperation, replied, "You act as if you're something grand."

"Then what does that make me?" Gaal shot back.

Gildarts shook his head and took a sip from his cup, saying, "So, what did you want from me?"

Ignoring the ongoing bickering between Natsu and Dragonite, Gaal turned his attention to Gildarts and asked, "How long are you planning to stay this time?"

Gildarts answered, "I suppose…I'll be around for a while. Originally, going on missions was a joyous affair, but ever since Cana came into the picture, every time I'm out for too long I end up worrying whether Cana might be swindled by some jerk."

Gaal added with a wry smile, "Like someone like you?"

Gildarts' tone dropped sharply as he growled, "Shut it!"

Gaal spread his hands in resignation and said to Gildarts, "That works out fine. Once the Heartfilia Family's matter is settled, we have something very important to look into."

Gildarts frowned, setting his cup aside. "Something very important?"

Gaal nodded solemnly. "Exactly. Defeating the world's greatest boss to save the world, isn't that important?"

Gildarts reached up and placed his hand on Gaal's forehead. "Are you running a fever? What nonsense are you spouting in broad daylight?"

Gaal brushed his hand away firmly. "I'm being serious."

Seeing this, a grave expression finally crossed Gildarts' face. "Oh? The world's greatest boss? Just how big is it?"

After a moment's thought, Gaal replied, "Just standing there… it's bigger than our Guild, isn't it?"

With that, Gaal rose. "We'll talk more about this when we get back."

Calling Dragonite to follow him, Gaal departed, leaving Gildarts in a haze of confusion. Stepping outside the Guild and watching Gaal's retreating back atop Dragonite, Gildarts stared at the Guild building. As his eyes trailed upward over its several floors, he murmured, "Bigger than the Guild? What on earth could it be?"

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A Week Later

Off the southwestern coast of the Fiore Kingdom, on Avissa Island, the Heartfilia Family's wealth was more than evident—even as coins flowed away like water. What had once been an undeveloped, primitive island had, in just one week, been transformed with villas and manors, and every wild creature on the island had been whisked away. The magic circles were fully set up to meet Layla's requirements, and in due course the replenishment of Magic Crystals would follow; all that was needed was to embed the crystals according to the diagram Gaal provided.

Once the circles were complete, Gaal lifted the seal from Layla and, after ensuring everything was in place, awakened her from her slumber. Layla stirred, still a bit dazed—it felt as though she had only just closed her eyes, yet upon opening them she discovered she was in an entirely different place.

Gaal addressed her calmly, "Ms. Layla, please prepare yourself. If you feel even the slightest discomfort, let me know immediately."

Layla nodded, "Alright."

Supported as she stood, Layla managed to steady herself. Then, under the tense gaze of everyone present, Gaal raised his hand and inscribed a magic circle in midair before slowly pressing it against Layla's back. As the circle began channeling into her body, Gaal activated the underground magic circle he had prepared. Although the entire circuit was not yet fully complete, Gaal had already arranged 15,000 Magic Crystals brimming with Magic Power to be placed at the top.

Pure magic flowed through the circle on Layla's back and connected with the underground Magic Crystals, surging into her body. Layla's previously wan complexion gradually took on a healthy, rosy glow as the powerful magic continued to inundate her. Jud and little Lucy watched this transformation with unmistakable excitement.

But Gaal himself was far from at ease. After thoroughly examining Layla's body with magic, he produced a Life Jewel and extended it toward her. "Ms. Layla, you must wear this around the clock, never take it off. It is essential for the complete cure of your Magic Deficiency Syndrome."

Layla accepted the Life Jewel with a somber nod. "Yes."

As soon as she clenched it in her hand, a potent surge of life energy coursed through her.

Gaal continued, "Now that the magic supply is stable, we must address the issue at the cellular level. Due to your Magic Deficiency Syndrome, every cell in your body is constantly draining energy, significantly shortening their lifespan, and, consequently, your own."

He went on, "Thus, not only must the Life Jewel continuously replenish your life energy, but we also need to completely block your ability to channel magic. I will then apply an additional spell that will render you very drowsy. Although your hours of wakefulness will be few, while you sleep your body will repair itself at an accelerated rate. Coupled with the Life Jewel's energy, this process should take roughly seven or eight years to fully complete."

Jud's eyes widened. "Tsk, can't it be done any faster?"

Gaal replied, "It can, but I doubt you'd want that, Ms. Layla."

Having once been a Mage herself, Layla grasped the key point in Gaal's words. "No need, Jud. This is good enough. A rapid recovery would probably mean remaining in a deep sleep until your body is completely healed. I want to grow up with Lucy, after all."

Jud fell silent for a moment while little Lucy, still a bit confused, murmured, "Mom, it's okay, I…."

Layla smiled as she shook her head, then looked over to Gaal. "Then I shall begin."

Gaal proceeded to use a sealing technique to strip Layla of her control over magic. Despite magic continuing to ebb into and out of her body, Layla herself could not summon even a trace of it, thus preventing any act of channeling that might further stimulate her cells and worsen her condition.

Following this, he applied the drowsiness spell. When Layla fell asleep, the life energy provided by the Life Jewel would work to hasten the repair of her cells. Though the process was extraordinarily long, in the absence of active magic it allowed for the gradual, almost imperceptible, restoration of her cells until they were completely sealed. Even once the repair was complete, she would never be able to wield magic again—but the ability to live was already a great fortune.

After nearly an hour had passed and everything was set in place, Gaal exhaled a long sigh and looked at Layla. "That's all. Ms. Layla, please remember a few things: Do not leave the island, and do not ingest any mage-related products or medications that might stimulate your magic. The Life Jewel must never be removed. Should any problems arise, contact me immediately."

Layla's face, showing signs of fatigue as the spell took hold, replied, "Understood, Mr. Gaal."

Seeing this, Gaal stood up, first dispersing the others from the room before speaking again. "Ms. Layla, your symptoms are due to that incident from two weeks ago, aren't they?"

Layla frowned in surprise. "Ah?"

Gaal explained, "When we returned to the Guild recently, a new child had joined, a child whose time energy is rather similar to yours. That's why I asked."

Layla, startled and thinking back to the words of her time-traveling ancestor from 400 years ago, could only nod. "Well… indeed. I never expected one of the children to join your Guild, Mr. Gaal. I hardly know what to say, those who briefed me shared very little information."

She truly had no answer. Having chosen to open the Eclipse Gate in order to spare Lucy from bearing the burden, she now realized, as she had feared, that the cost of opening the Eclipse Gate was unbearably high. All she knew beyond that was about her time-traveling ancestor and the five children, the rest, her ancestor had left shrouded in mystery. Layla recounted everything she knew to Gaal without reservation.

After listening and comparing it with his own recollections, Gaal found little discrepancy. Not lingering any longer, he went out to call everyone back and then made preparations to leave with Cana and the others.

Outside the building, the items Jud had arranged had already arrived at the doorstep—materials so numerous they amounted to more than half a manor's worth of supplies.

"Mr. Gaal, these are materials from the Heartfilia Family's stock. Please keep them safe. Once the Magic Crystals shipment comes in, I will send it to Magnolia Town to replenish our supply immediately. As for the Life Jewel…" 

Gaal interjected, "The Life Jewel won't be necessary. These materials are more than enough compensation."

With a flick of his hand, the vast array of supplies was absorbed into his System Space. Many of these items were unfamiliar to Gaal, yet they would convert into a considerable amount of Essence Points—enough to make up for what the Life Jewel offered.

After a brief explanation, Gaal prepared to depart.

Inside the cable car cabin being drawn by Dragonite, Cana, Lisanna, and Elfman waved goodbye to little Lucy. 

"Lucy, remember to come back to Fairy Tail someday!" 

Below, little Lucy clutched her rabbit plushie and waved, "Okay!"

Dragonite gradually rose into the sky…

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The Next Day

At the Fairy Tail Guild Headquarters, Gaal returned without pause and immediately summoned Ur, Ultear, Gildarts, and Makarov.

Inside Makarov's office, the strongest few members of Fairy Tail had gathered. Gildarts wore an unusually solemn expression, after all, not long ago Gaal had spoken of saving the world. Although Gildarts hadn't taken it seriously before, Gaal's earnest tone now lent the matter great weight.

Once everyone was assembled, Makarov looked at Gaal. "Gaal, with everyone here, you may share the important news."

Gaal began, "Do you know Acnologia the Black Dragon?"

Gildarts furrowed his brows, pondering before shaking his head. Makarov found the name familiar, even if he couldn't immediately recall where he'd heard it. Ultear, lost in thought, finally said, "I have heard about it from Hades."