Chapter 31: Kintsugi Mirror

**Kintsugi Mirror**

[The Curse of Contradiction]

I rise, bathed in the golden embrace of morning light, its warmth spilling over me like liquid gold. A crisp breeze whispers past, tugging at the white scarf draped around my neck—its ends dance, swirling in the air like a serpent weaving through unseen currents. The air is both cold and warm, a paradox against my skin.

One foot rests atop a weathered boulder, angled with casual grace, while the other stands firm in the lush green grass, a pillar of quiet resolve.

"In total, I've completed four missions…" I muttered to myself, tapping my fingers against my arm. "Four… it doesn't feel like much. Is this really all I have to show for my efforts?"

- **D-Rank Mission** *(A-Rank difficulty)* – Wood Gathering

- **A-Rank Mission** *(S-Rank difficulty)* – Sea King Subjugation

- **C-Rank Mission** – Wild Boar Hunt *(Assistance)*

- **A-Rank Mission** – Bandit Slaying

"The Dark Guild hunt was just a sideshow. Does that even count?"

I exhaled sharply, rubbing my temples. "To be eligible for the S-Rank examination, I need to complete more tasks," I murmured. "I still have eleven months until the next selection. My strength and magic power are already at an S-Class level, but what I'm lacking is experience and merits."

"Laxus probably won't be selected this time, so at least I won't have to beat him again. First things first—I need to establish a solid foundation. I must become the youngest S-Class magician in history."

I leaped from the cliff's edge, the air whipping around me as I descended, the scent of earth and pine lingering in the breeze. The sunlight streamed through the trees, dappling the ground below like shattered glass. My body cut through the cool morning air, and with a soft grunt, I hit the ground, rolling into a crouch to absorb the impact.

The train station was only a short distance away, and the distant hum of the tracks beckoned me forward. The train would be a welcome respite—those upcoming days promised to be filled with more stress than I cared to think about. I needed every moment of rest I could get.

**Clickety-clack!**

**Honk!**

The sharp, insistent sound of a train horn snapped me from my brief reverie. My eyelids fluttered open, the weight of sleep still clinging to me. How long had I been dozing? Time didn't matter. I was already at the Magnolia station, just moments away from stepping into the heart of the Fairy Tail guild.

*Sigh...* For some reason, I couldn't shake the feeling that I shouldn't go in. My eyes lingered on the guild door, a sense of déjà vu creeping over me. It felt like I'd been here before—like I was stuck in some kind of loop.

"Whatever," I muttered to myself, shaking off the unease. "I don't want to waste any more time. I'll just pick up one quest after another."

With a helpless exhale, I pushed the door open.

**Creeeek!**

'Huh?' The door creaked louder than usual, as if something in the hinges had changed. The sound grated on my ears, like a cat's claws scraping against a glass frame. *Annoying.* I frowned, the irritation pulling at my focus, but I stepped inside anyway.

As expected, the familiar faces turned toward me, offering the usual warm greetings.

"Yo, Suigetsu! Welcome back!"

Just the same as always. I waved in response, not bothering with much else, and scanned the room for the commission board.

"You just arrived; aren't you going to rest?"

I was lost in thought when a voice pulled me back into reality. It wasn't Makarov—he was clearly absent—but of course, it was none other than Cana.

*For some reason, I feel the urge to distance myself from her,* I thought, trying to make sense of it. *Is it because of my issues with fortune tellers? And she's one, too.* I shook my head inwardly, letting out a tired sigh. "If I want to be selected for the S-Rank assessment, I need to complete several commissions," I said, not even glancing at her.

"In that case, take me with you!" Cana exclaimed eagerly, her voice full of energy.

"Huh? Why?" I raised an eyebrow, still focused on picking up a commission. "I already took you and Gray on a C-Rank quest, and you both barely scraped through. Anything higher would be too dangerous for you. I'm planning to take on an A-Rank quest."

I glanced at the mission I had picked up: "Raid a dungeon and retrieve the magic item 'Kintsugi Mirror.' The effects are still unclear, but it seems to cause illusions… though that's just a guess." I sighed, muttering to myself. *Illusion magic is my specialty—hypnosis, specifically. No magic less powerful than mine will work on me. Even if there were a thousand Mystogans using sleep or illusion magic, it's useless.* It felt like the perfect quest.

I started to walk away, bypassing Cana and heading toward the receptionist. But before I could take another step, Cana clung to my arm, refusing to let go.

"What are you doing?" I asked, irritation creeping into my voice.

"Take me with you!" She gazed up at me with puppy-dog eyes, her expression almost pleading. But I felt nothing—her gaze didn't move me in the slightest.

"You think acting cute will help you here?" I raised an eyebrow, a skeptical smirk tugging at my lips. "Dungeons are dangerous. There are traps, monsters, and the possibility of being transported to places where your magic might be restrained. What are you going to do if that happens? Do you want me to wipe your butt the whole time?"

I tried to pry her hands off my arm, but she only clung tighter.

"No," she replied stubbornly, "the dungeon was scouted already, and the monsters were eliminated. The quest is to find the hidden treasure."

She gripped my arm even harder.

*Damn, she even read the quest details?* I must've been too distracted. I wanted to use Kyoka Suigetsu to resolve the situation, but with her clinging to me like this, it felt almost impossible. Was this calculated on her part? I had no idea, but it was definitely troublesome.

"Fine, fine, girl," I finally gave in with a heavy sigh. "But stick close to me, alright?"

It was hopeless at this point. I tried to scare her off, but it seemed like she saw right through my act. *Am I getting rusty, or is she just getting smarter?*

After a long journey, we finally arrived at the baron's estate. This time, the commissioner was a noble.

According to the mission details, a hidden dungeon had been discovered on their land months ago. They hired mercenaries to clear it out, expecting treasure. However, to their surprise, there was nothing—no gold, no artifacts, just cryptic records about a magic item called the *Kintsugi Mirror*. Convinced that illusion magic was concealing it, they decided to commission a wizard to uncover its whereabouts.

I turned to Cana, my gaze sharp. *This isn't just a simple investigation.*

"Tell me, Cana, why do you think the magic item was hidden deep inside the dungeon?"

She furrowed her brows, pressing her index fingers against her temples as if squeezing out an answer. After a long pause, she finally gave up.

"Uhm... I don't know?"

I sighed. *Hopeless.*

"Magical items can be extremely powerful, depending on how they're used. The *Kintsugi Mirror* was crafted by an ancient civilization long ago, and even now, remnants of their creations are scattered across the world."

"I get that much, but that still doesn't answer the question," she said, tilting her head.

I shot her a knowing look. "Because it's dangerous. What do you think happens when a magic item falls into the wrong hands?"

She averted her gaze. "That's... bad."

*Is she just pretending to be dumb?* I narrowed my eyes slightly but decided to let it slide. It was common sense, after all.

I turned toward the dungeon entrance. "Before anything else, we need to check the ancient text first. The traps might be disarmed, and the monsters might be dead, but there's always hidden danger." I raised two fingers. "First, possible hidden traps or monsters. Second, the likelihood of a trial."

"Dungeons usually have trials. Some believe they were created by gods or ancient beings to test adventurers or heroes. If this dungeon holds an artifact as powerful as the *Kintsugi Mirror*, it's highly likely it has a trial as well."

Cana blinked. "A trial?"

I gave her a momentary glance before continuing. "A trial consists of multiple phases. As far as I know, there are only two ways to participate—either it happens right here, or we get transported somewhere else, likely an illusionary realm."

I met her gaze, my tone firm. "I don't mind if it's a simple test of strength or riddles. However, if we're forcibly transported, things will get dangerous." I placed a hand on her head, making sure she was listening. "If I lose consciousness here, leave immediately and notify the officials about the danger."

Her eyes widened slightly.

I wasn't planning to tell her the truth—that I was fully prepared to die here. If I did, she'd only get more stubborn.

"However," I continued, "if you're the one transported, the outcome of the trial will be in your hands. Whether you pass or fail, I'll leave everything to your judgment. But understand this—failure could mean death. Either one of us could die... or both of us."

Cana clenched her fists before giving a firm nod.

"Good," I said, withdrawing my hand. "Let's head inside. The dungeon is only a half-hour walk from here." My gaze flicked toward the entrance, my lips curling slightly. "They sure made things convenient for us."

As we entered, I noticed something peculiar. Unlike most dungeons, this one wasn't shrouded in darkness. The pathways were illuminated by a network of glowing runes, casting an eerie yet serene light, making it almost as bright as daytime. However, the surroundings told a different story—moss and mold covered the walls, a clear sign of centuries of decay.

Before stepping further, I scanned the area for traces of magic. To my surprise, the energy here was natural, untouched. This place would be perfect for meditation, but that wasn't a priority right now.

As we walked deeper, I kept my senses sharp, scanning every inch of our surroundings.

*Interesting...* The dungeon's architecture reminded me of the ancient Egyptian pyramids—towering structures built to honor gods, where slaves suffered under brutal conditions. The walls depicted a similar story. Engravings of chains, punishments, suffering… and above them all, a massive dragon, its wings stretched wide in a divine display.

"A civilization that worshipped dragons," I muttered under my breath. *This dungeon was likely created over 400 years ago.*

A thought crossed my mind.

*Just what kind of power does the Kintsugi Mirror hold for them to lock it away in a place like this?*

After navigating the dungeon's depths, we finally arrived at what appeared to be an altar. The air felt heavier here, dense with ancient magic. Yet, instead of a statue or sacred relic as one might expect, a colossal **stone mirror** stood before us.

Its surface, fractured yet whole, gleamed under the dim magical light, golden veins tracing along the cracks as if holding it together. **No wonder they called it the *Kintsugi Mirror*.** Unlike ordinary magical artifacts, this one wasn't encased in glass or displayed on a pedestal—it was embedded into the very foundation of the room, towering over us like an unyielding sentinel.

*"Is the magic item supposed to be a smaller version of this?"* I mused inwardly, scanning every inch of the mirror. *"Or… is the mirror itself the artifact?"*

Something about it felt **alive.**

My eyes shifted downward, locking onto the **ancient script** etched into the stone before the mirror.

**ᛟ ᛋᛁᛚᚢᛖᚱ ᚷᛚᚨᛋᛋ, ᛋᛟ ᚹᚨᛋᛏ, ᛋᛟ ᛞᛖᛖᛈ,**

**ᚢᚾᚢᛖᛁᛚ ᛏᚺᛖ ᛏᚱᚢᛏᚺᛋ ᛏᚺᚨᛏ ᛋᚺᚨᛞᛟᚹᛋ ᚲᛖᛖᛈ.**

**ᛏᚺᚱᛟᚢᚷᚺ ᛗᛁᚱᚱᛟᚱᛖᛞ ᚹᛖᛁᛚ, ᛗᚤ ᛋᛟᚢᛚ ᛏᚨᚲᛖ ᚠᛚᛁᚷᚺᛏ,**

**ᛒᛖᛖᛟᚾᛞ ᛏᚺᛖ ᚱᛖᚨᛚᛗ ᛟᚠ ᛞᚨᚱᚲ ᚨᚾᛞ ᛚᛁᚷᚺᛏ.**

I crouched slightly, tracing my fingers over the carved text. *Elder Futhark runes.* The ancient script of the old world. Though not an expert, I could decipher enough to understand its meaning.

"This is…" I murmured, intrigued.

"You can read it?" Cana asked, eyes widening with surprise. I could hear the disbelief in her voice—she likely never expected me to have knowledge of such an obscure language.

"Sort of," I replied casually. "I'll read it aloud for you. Stay alert—this could trigger the trial, or worse, summon something from the other side."

Cana immediately took a cautious step back.

Clearing my throat, I began reciting the inscription:

**"O silver glass, so vast, so deep,**

**Unveil the truths that shadows keep.**

**Through mirrored veil, my soul take flight,**

**Beyond the realm of dark and light."**

The moment the final word left my lips, the **Kintsugi Mirror came to life.**

A blinding radiance erupted from its cracked surface, golden light spilling into the chamber like liquid fire. I instinctively shielded my eyes with my arm, but Cana—caught off guard—reacted too late. She let out a sharp gasp, eyes squeezed shut as the glow engulfed her.

When the light settled, the air around Cana shimmered unnaturally.

Instead of harming her, the magic seemed to be **calling to her.**

I clicked my tongue. "Tch. So she's the one chosen for the trial?" *I expected this, but it doesn't make it any less annoying.*

I approached her fallen body, lying motionless on the ground, her breathing steady but unconscious.

*Damn it. Now there's nothing I can do but wait…*

Now that I think about it, isn't it a no-brainer? If illusion magic doesn't work on me, then there are only two possibilities—either I **automatically pass** or **automatically fail.** Regardless of which one it is, I was never going to be part of the trial.

So even if I had gone in alone, **nothing would have changed.**

Should I be grateful that Cana is with me, then?

…No.

My eyes drift toward her unconscious body, slumped against the wall beside me. Her breathing is steady, her expression peaceful despite the unknown trial unfolding beyond my reach. **Whatever happens next is on her.** Things have already been set in motion—I just have to trust her to see it through.

Even so… I still **need** her to succeed.

I shift my gaze back to the **mirror in my hands.** Unlike the massive stone monolith at the altar, this one is **small, round, and cracked along its edges,** golden veins holding it together like fractured glass. Its surface is dull, void of any reflection, yet the faint pulse of magic lingers.

*"This thing is already losing its power."*

If my guess is right, the *Kintsugi Mirror* will probably become just **an ordinary mirror** once the trial is completed. The magic within it is fading—it wasn't much to begin with. Or perhaps… it's **waiting.**

*"A specific trigger might be needed. A condition that must be met before the trial can begin…"*

I run my fingers along the mirror's surface, my thoughts racing. **What kind of test is she facing right now?** **And how is it judged?**

There's no way to know.

I tighten my grip on the mirror and sigh. *Guess I'll just have to wait and see…*

**"Ugh... my head hurts."**

I mumble to myself, clutching tight,

Fingers press, trying to fight.

"Cana, what's wrong? Are you okay?"

A voice so near, yet far away.

I open my eyes, my vision is blurred,

Shapes unclear, my thoughts disturbed.

But slowly, the haze begins to fade,

And there she stands, a sight well-made.

Long black hair cascades like night,

Soft bangs frame her face just right.

Daring blue eyes, a radiant blaze,

Gleaming bright in the sunlight's haze.

I stare in awe, my mind displaced,

Trapped inside a twisted maze.

**What's going on?** My pulse now race,

This scene—it feels so out of place.

A bitter taste, a hollow space,

For I know this warmth I can't embrace.

My mother is gone, lost in the past,

Yet here she stands, real at last.

**But—why am I rhyming?**

I shake my head, let go of the haze,

Still caught within this fleeting phase.

Yet even knowing, I can't erase,

The longing for her warm embrace.

My heart beats fast, my lips still call—

*"Mother..."*