[8] A New Encounter and Reunion (3)

Chapter 8: A New Encounter and Reunion (3)

September, X778.

It had been nearly a month since we joined Fairy Tail.

"Ciel! Let's fight!"

"No way, Natsu! It's my turn to fight Ciel!"

"You two! Stop bothering Ciel the moment he gets back from a request! If you're that eager for a fight, I'll gladly take you both on!"

"U-uh… no thanks."

"Yeah… we're good. We'd rather not fight Erza."

As I returned to the guild after completing a job, Natsu and Gray rushed up, pestering me to spar with them.

But their fiery enthusiasm fizzled out the moment Erza stepped in.

I placed a hand gently on her head.

"You saved me there."

"C-Ciel! I'm not a kid, you know!"

"Oh dear, my apologies."

"If you want to do that, do it to Mira instead!"

"Now that you mention it… where is Mira? I don't see her."

"She finished a job earlier. She's sitting over there."

Following Erza's gaze, I turned to see Mira sitting alone in a quiet corner of the guild hall.

Leaving Natsu and Gray behind, I made my way toward her.

"Mira, did your request go well?"

…

In contrast to the guild's lively atmosphere, Mira sat there cloaked in her dark robe, her face gloomy.

She gave only a half-hearted response to my greeting, brushed past me, and silently walked out of the guild.

Erza called out to her, but whether Mira didn't hear or simply chose to ignore her, she left without a word.

Watching the scene unfold from the counter, two older members, Macao and Wakaba, sipped their beers and spoke.

"Let her be. That girl—she doesn't talk. Doesn't smile either."

"She always has that storm cloud hanging over her face. You and her siblings, though, seem to have blended in just fine."

Wakaba, sporting his signature blond regent hairstyle, glanced over at Natsu, Gray, Cana, Levy, Elfman, and Lisanna—all laughing and playing together, fully at ease with the rest of the guild.

One month ago, Elfman, Lisanna, and I had officially joined Fairy Tail as wizards.

...

"That's called Take Over—a type of magic."

"So it really was a phenomenon caused by magic, then?"

Thanks to Natsu, the atmosphere had lightened, and the suspicions surrounding me had mostly faded. Taking the opportunity, I explained everything to the guild master, Makarov, and asked for advice regarding Mira's arm.

After just one glance, Makarov immediately understood the nature of her condition.

"Yes, it's not possession. That child's body has simply absorbed a demon's power. It's actually proof that she has great potential for magic. She's not able to control it properly just yet, but if she continues to absorb more of that power, she'll eventually be able to master it."

"So, if I understand correctly, the more familiar she becomes with magic, the more likely it is that her arm will return to normal?"

"You catch on quick. Hard to believe you're Natsu's big brother."

"Natsu's still a child. It's only natural that he's a bit slow on the uptake."

As I had suspected, Mira's arm wasn't cursed or possessed by a demon.

It was Take Over magic—a type that allows the user to absorb the power of another being and take on their appearance and abilities.

In Mira's case, she had absorbed the power of the demon at the church, and it had manifested through her arm.

Right now, the demon's arm remained as is, but if she continued to absorb more demonic energy and improve her control, she would eventually be able to fully master it—and regain her original arm.

Makarov then extended an offer to us—inviting us to become official wizards of Fairy Tail.

At first, Elfman and Lisanna were hesitant, but Mira accepted the offer without hesitation and registered her younger siblings as members of the guild.

Unlike the siblings, who rather easily received Fairy Tail's guild marks, Makarov pulled me aside and led me to the second floor of the building.

"Makarov… this place is…?"

"This area is reserved for S-Class wizards. And if you go a bit further inside, you'll find this—our training arena."

He brought me to a spacious arena, about half the size of a sports field.

There, a rugged middle-aged man with amber-brown hair was cracking his knuckles, warming up.

"Huh? Master, this is my training space. You can't just bring people in without notice."

"Oh, shut it! I'm the master—I can go wherever I want. This is the S-Class training ground, remember?"

"Tch… so who's the pale, pretty-boy lookin' guy over there?"

"He's a new recruit. One we're about to take in."

Standing behind Makarov, I listened quietly as he spoke with the unshaven man like they were old friends.

"So what's the deal? Why'd you bring the newbie here?"

"There's something I need you to confirm. Ciel."

"Yes, sir."

"I've decided to accept you into the guild… as family. But if you're going to be part of this guild, there's something you'll need to prove first—don't you think?"

"…"

Makarov, who had been speaking in his usual soft tone, now looked up at me with eyes wide open, his expression serious and firm.

"Well, everyone's entitled to one or two secrets. I won't demand you reveal what you'd rather keep to yourself. But… if you're hiding something that could endanger the guild, I'd like to know. What is that ominous darkness I sense from you?"

"…That's why I brought you here. I thought it would be better to talk away from the children. Right now, it's just you and that drunkard back there—so I hope I can speak freely."

As Makarov spoke, he released his magical energy, creating an overwhelming pressure that filled the room.

The man standing nearby looked confused by the situation, but he didn't try to stop it. On the contrary, he cracked his knuckles, seemingly preparing for a fight.

Mira and her siblings weren't here. Nor was Natsu.

While my true identity wasn't something I considered a deep secret, it might be something that frightened those kids if they heard it.

Perhaps Makarov had taken that into consideration.

Still, if he judged me a threat, the man behind him would no doubt act immediately.

But I hadn't come here to fight.

"Makarov… are you familiar with the concept of reincarnation?"

"Reincarnation… you mean the belief that human souls go through endless cycles of life and death, being reborn again and again into the mortal world?"

"Yes. That's correct. But… what if someone could retain all their memories and experiences from those past lives? What if they could break free from that cycle… and reach the other side?"

"You mean to say…"

"You may not believe me, but… I am someone who escaped the cycle created by the gods—someone who retained every memory and every ounce of power from countless past lives. And for defying the gods—for slaying them—I was cast out of that world and exiled to this one."

I told Makarov everything.

How ordinary humans are unaware of the cycle of reincarnation. How even if they reincarnate, they forget their previous lives. But I was different.

I had broken free.

I defied the gods. I killed the six divine beings who maintained the balance of that world, plunging the heavens into chaos and sparking a war among the gods.

Countless deities fell during that conflict—legends lost to myth.

As punishment for that sin, I was banished to this world.

I shared it all—every last detail.

How much time had passed, I didn't know.

Makarov stroked his beard thoughtfully, falling into a long silence before he finally opened his mouth to speak.

"I see… Thank you for telling me."

"Yaaawn~ So, is the story over now?"

Makarov, who had moments ago been radiating intense magical pressure, now returned to his usual gentle expression.

Confused by the sudden shift, I asked him,

"…You're not going to kick me out?"

"Hm? Why would I do that?"

"After what I just told you… most would either see me as a raving lunatic spouting nonsense—or as a truly dangerous being. Isn't it only natural to drive me away?"

"That may be true. But tell me—are you the god-slaying traitor of legends? Or are you Ciel Illusian, the guardian and family of those young siblings?"

"…"

"Sure, your story's hard to believe. But when I look into your eyes… I can't see it as a lie. You spoke with sincerity—and that's something I can believe in. Still… sheesh, I've accepted all kinds of weirdos into this guild over the years, but a man who's killed gods? Now that's a first. Sounds like fun, honestly."

He believed me.

Despite everything I had said—despite what I was—Makarov didn't reject me. He accepted me, when I had fully expected to be cast out.

The people of this world… they're strange.

Back in my old world, no one ever accepted me so easily—especially not with eyes like mine, filled with ominous magic.

But here, as Ciel, that was changing.

For the first time, someone truly believed me.

"Ciel, you're not some 'other' being. You're simply a human—Ciel Illusian. A wizard of Fairy Tail, and one of our family."

"…Makarov…"

"From now on, just call me Master."

Those words hit deeper than I expected. I felt something warm and overwhelming swell in my chest—something I had never experienced before.

A word I had longed to hear, but never had a place to claim as my own.

Family.

I had to be exiled from my world just to find it here.

That absurd, miraculous truth made me burst out laughing.

"Kuhuhuhu… kuhahahahahahaha!!"

I laughed until the weight in my chest lightened, and only then did I reach out and take Master's extended hand.

His old, calloused hand was warm—soothing even my heart.

"I look forward to working with you… Master."

"No, no, I'm the one who should be saying that. But before we wrap this up—there's one more thing left to do."

He grinned mischievously, like a child who had just come up with a fun prank.

Then he turned and pointed to the man who had been silently watching everything.

"I've been dying to see just how strong you really are since you stepped into this guild."

"…What do you mean?"

"Oh come on, Master! You mean he's fighting me, right? Ugh, what a hassle—but I guess I'm curious. A Godslayer, huh? Now that's interesting."

"Ciel, this is Gildarts, the strongest wizard in Fairy Tail. Show us what you're really capable of—here and now."

"Well then, shall we begin? No backing out!"

"…So I really can't avoid this after all."

"You accepted the challenge, right? Then let's go!"

...

By completing the rather grueling initiation trial Master had prepared, I officially became a wizard of Fairy Tail.

My duel with Gildarts had ended in a draw—any further fighting and we might've brought down the entire second floor of the guild.

Still, that match earned me something else. Because of it, Master entrusted me with a request originally meant for Gildarts and himself, one issued directly from the Magic Council.

For the past month, I'd been busy dismantling a rising dark guild that had been placed on the Council's wanted list. Only now had I returned to the guild.

"So Ciel, looks like you've earned Master's trust already, even though you just joined."

"I'd honestly prefer if everyone treated me like anyone else. All-nighters are starting to wear me out."

"It just shows how much Master believes in you. Be proud of that."

"You're bold for someone so young, Erza."

"You need a backbone to call yourself a Fairy Tail wizard."

"Well then, I'll be off. There's something I need to discuss with Master."

"Alright."

After wrapping up my brief chat with Erza, I approached the counter and led Master back up to the second floor.

Normally, only S-Class wizards are allowed up there—but since I was handling an official request from the Council, I was granted special access.

I gave my report and left the guild once it was complete.

…

The evening sun dyed the sky a burning orange.

Wearing a dark cloak, Mira walked quietly through the streets, clutching her right arm tightly to keep it hidden from others.

Over the past month, she had watched Ciel, Elfman, and Lisanna gradually find their place within the guild. Seeing them blend in so naturally gave her a sense of relief.

With this guild, she thought… she could entrust them all to its care.

And so, Mira made up her mind—to leave quietly on her own.

She had come to understand that the power in her right arm was not a curse, but a form of magic—born from absorbing the power of a demon.

But… it wasn't a power she had ever wanted.

All she had wished for was a small strength—just enough to protect her family.

She had never asked for something so terrifying.

"You're possessed by a demon!"

"Get out of here!"

"Your whole family is cursed!!"

The villagers' words echoed in her mind, and the realization that she might no longer be truly human tore at her from within.

And yet… Ciel had accepted her, even when she saw herself as a monster.

But if she continued to stay by their side like this…

She might end up hurting them instead.

That thought weighed heavily on the young girl's mind as she quietly walked through the empty streets, drawing closer to the edge of town.

"Where do you think you're going?"

"…Ciel…?"

Just as she was about to leave town, Ciel appeared beside her, dressed in his usual black cloak.

Mira froze for a moment—but she couldn't bring herself to look at his face.

Because if she saw his expression now, the resolve she had built up to leave might crumble.

"You're planning to leave? Without saying anything to Elfman and Lisanna?"

"…Fairy Tail is a good guild. Elfman and Lisanna will be safe there… And with you around, I know they'll be fine. But me… I'm not human anymore, Ciel. I can't stay with you all."

"Mira… is that truly how you feel?"

Ciel's voice was calm as he asked.

Mira hesitated for a brief moment… but answered honestly.

"…Yes. If I stay by your side, I might really end up hurting you."

Hearing that, Ciel knelt before her and looked up into her face.

Mira didn't want to see his eyes—but even so, she couldn't bring herself to look away from them.

"D-Don't do this…"

"I told you that day—I would stay by your side no matter what you became. Did my words sound so cheap to you?"

"That's not it…"

"Master said your arm could return to normal if you learn to control your magic. That's proof you're still human. You are not a demon. Never forget that."

"But with an arm like this… I don't deserve to be by their side!"

"Is that really true?"

Ciel smiled gently and pointed behind her.

From the direction he gestured to, familiar voices rang out.

"Mira-nee!!"

"Mira-nee!"

"Elfman… Lisanna…?"

When Mira turned her head, she saw her younger siblings running toward her, grinning brightly.

Once they reached her, both of them beamed as they held up their hands and spoke excitedly to their gloomy sister.

"Look at this!"

"You're gonna be shocked!"

They raised their hands high and cast their spells in unison:

"Animal Soul: Cat!"

"Animal Soul: Bear!"

"Eh?!"

Suddenly, Elfman's arm transformed into the limb of a bear, while Lisanna's body shifted into a cat-like form.

Mira's eyes widened in shock as she watched the transformation.

Ciel gently took her right hand and spoke softly.

"While you and I were away on that job, it seems the two of them were learning magic from Master Makarov. I only found out after I returned today."

"It's the same kind of magic as yours, big sis!"

"I can only do one arm for now, but...!"

"W-Why…? Why would you two…"

"You always looked so lonely, sis…"

"But now… you're not alone anymore."

Hearing her siblings' heartfelt words, Mira lowered her head.

Ciel continued speaking, his voice steady and warm.

"Mira, you're not alone. You'll always have family by your side. Just like you once protected them with your magic, Elfman and Lisanna now want to protect you—so they learned magic for your sake."

"…"

"Even if you became a demon, we would still be by your side. That's what family is—to protect one another."

Only then did Mira realize how foolish she had been.

Her one and only family in the world…

She was never truly alone. And if she were to leave, she wouldn't be the only one hurting.

Just as she bowed her head and silent tears began to fall—

A puff of smoke burst from Elfman and Lisanna, as if a smoke bomb had gone off.

Elfman's arm, once a bear's, had now turned into a giraffe leg. Lisanna had transformed into… a pig.

"Whoa! Wait—huh?! I don't think I've quite mastered this yet~!"

"Ahhh! Me neither!"

"…Pft. And you think you can work in a guild like that?"

"But just like you and Ciel protected us with your magic… we'll protect you both with ours!"

With Elfman's honest words and Ciel's unwavering support, Mira's heart finally began to change.

She had hated her power.

Feared it. Rejected it.

But now she realized—she wasn't standing alone in this world.

No matter what she became, she had a family who would accept her.

A family who would love her.

"Mira, let's go home. I was paid handsomely for the last job, so let's get everyone something they'd like to eat."

"Really?! I'm gonna eat a ton!"

"Ciel, you're the best!"

"Then, shall we get going?"

"…Today… I'm going to eat so much…"

"Kuhuhuhu… Careful, or you might end up like Lisanna the pig."

"I'm still growing! It's fine if I eat a lot! And you're not supposed to say that to a girl!"

"This is because of magic, thank you very much!"

As Ciel gently led Elfman and Lisanna by the hand, Mira quietly reached out—grasping his hand tighter than ever before.

No more fear. No more doubt. No more pain.

Watching Ciel play and laugh with her siblings, Mira made a quiet vow to herself:

That one day… just like he had protected her—

She would grow strong enough to protect him.

-------------

If you want to read 10 advance chapters ahead.

Visit my patreon: patreon.com/Leonzky