The morning sun filtered through the stained-glass windows of Fairy Tail's guild hall, painting the battered floorboards with shifting colors. The chaos of the Eisenwald incident still lingered, but the guild was already returning to its usual rhythm—loud, lively, and unpredictable.
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The Magic Council's H.Q.~
Far from Magnolia, the Magic Council convened in a grand, echoing chamber. Councilman Siegrain's voice cut through the murmurs.
"Fairy Tail's actions averted a catastrophe. If the guild masters had been harmed, it would have been a disaster for all of Fiore. We should show them some appreciation."
Other council members grumbled about Fairy Tail's recklessness, but Siegrain's words lingered—a rare note of respect for the rowdy guild.
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Lucy's Apartment~
Meanwhile, in her small apartment, Lucy Heartfilia sat at her desk, sunlight warming her shoulders as she wrote a letter to her mother.
"Dear Mother,
So much has happened since I joined Fairy Tail. We stopped a terrible plot, and I've never seen magic like this before. Natsu is wild but brave, Happy is always by his side, Gray is cool (and often shirtless), Erza is… well, Erza, and then there's Yume—turns out he's my neighbor! I feel like I finally belong somewhere."
Her thoughts were interrupted by the sound of her door creaking open. Gray, as usual, was half-naked and utterly unconcerned.
"Hey, Lucy! You coming? Natsu and Erza are about to throw down. Whole guild's watching!"
Lucy blinked, then laughed. "Gray! At least knock next time!" She considered inviting Yume, but remembered his quiet request:
["Don't tell anyone in the guild where I live. Especially Natsu".]
She smiled, a warmth spreading through her at the thought of his quiet request. It was a secret, just between them, and she found herself respecting his privacy all the more for it.
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Fairy Tail Guild~
The guild hall was packed. Everyone placed bets. Natsu stood in the center, fists ablaze, grinning from ear to ear.
"I'm taking you down today, Erza!"
Erza, calm and composed, requipped into her Flame Empress Armor, emerald scales glinting.
"If you're so confident, Natsu, let's see if you can back it up."
The air crackled with the intense heat of Natsu's flames and the shimmering energy radiating from Erza's armor. The floorboards groaned under their impact as they clashed, magic swirling and sparks flying. The crowd roared, the tension mounting with every blow.
Just as the fight reached its peak, a stern voice cut through the chaos.
"Erza Scarlet! By order of the Magic Council, you are under arrest!"
A messenger in Council robes stepped forward, holding a warrant. The guild erupted in protest, but Erza, ever the knight, surrendered quietly. The tension in the hall simmered as she was led away, a palpable sense of injustice hanging heavy in the air. Makarov's usual booming voice was replaced by a grim silence, his gaze following Erza, a deep worry etched on his face. This wasn't just about Erza; it felt like a warning to all of Fairy Tail.
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Council H.Q.: After the Trial~
Erza's arrest by the Magic Council cast a heavy shadow over the guild. In the council chambers, witnesses claimed the culprit behind the Eisenwald destruction was an armored female mage. Despite Erza's composure, the council found her guilty—more for show than justice, as Erza quietly explained to Natsu later. The council needed to appear strict, and Erza, as Fairy Tail's S-Class knight, was the perfect scapegoat.
Natsu, unable to sit by, disguised himself as an undertaker and crashed the courtroom, causing a spectacular scene and destroying half the chamber before both he and Erza were escorted to the cells. There, Erza revealed the truth:
"The council only convicted me to make themselves look strong. This is just for show… Don't worry."
Though momentarily annoyed by Natsu's reckless rescue attempt, Erza soon softened, appreciating his thoughtfulness beneath the chaos.
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The Next Day~
Both Erza and Natsu returned to the guild. Natsu, ever the brawler, immediately wanted to resume their interrupted fight. Erza, however, was in no mood. When Natsu charged, she calmly stood and delivered a single punch to his stomach, dropping him instantly. The guild erupted in laughter, the tension of the previous day finally breaking.
But just as the laughter peaked, a strange heaviness swept through the hall. The chaotic symphony of Fairy Tail's guild hall was abruptly muted as a chilling presence swept through. In an instant, conversations died, mugs clattered, and most of the boisterous members slumped forward, deep in an enchanted slumber.
Yume, seated quietly at the counter with a plate of fried chicken and octopus salad, felt it—a heavy, creeping drowsiness, thick as fog, pressing down on his mind. His vision blurred at the edges, and for a heartbeat, he nearly let his eyelids fall.
But deep within, something resisted. A lifetime of discipline, honed reflexes, and the razor-sharp instincts he'd inherited from another world—the vigilance of a bat in the night—rose up. This familiar cloak of drowsiness, it wouldn't claim him. Not after what he'd endured, the lessons carved into his very being from a life he rarely spoke of. He straightened, forcing his breathing steady, senses sharpening against the magical haze.
[No… Stay awake. Assess. Adapt. Never let your guard down."]
He blinked, fighting the pull. The world slowed, but his mind cut through the fog, cataloguing every detail: the sudden silence, the slumped forms around him, the faint magical residue in the air.
Yume's grip tightened on his spoon. He focused on the cool metal, grounding himself in the present, and the sleep spell slid off him like water over stone.
He looked up, meeting the single visible eye of Mystogan as the cloaked mage entered the hall. For a moment, their gazes locked—two secrets in a room full of sleeping dreams.
Mystogan, a figure shrouded in layers of cloaks and bandages, stepped silently into the unnerving quiet, his single visible eye scanning the S-Class request board.
Makarov, ever observant and immune to the slumber, watched his mysterious guild member.
"So, you're here, Mystogan," he murmured, his voice soft in the sudden silence.
Mystogan merely nodded, selecting a scroll. He paused, casting a glance at Yume. Their eyes met, and for a moment, the air seemed to freeze.
His eyes, blinked slowly but remained open, tracking Mystogan's every movement. Both Makarov and Mystogan himself subtly registered his wakefulness. Makarov's eyes widened slightly in surprise, a faint smile touching his lips, while Mystogan's visible eye seemed to linger on him for a fraction of a second longer than anyone else.
"Not many can resist my magic," Mystogan said softly. "You walk a path of secrets, too."
Makarov cleared his throat, breaking the tension.
"Heh, Mystogan, you always did have a flair for the dramatic. Don't forget, this is your family too—even if you prefer the quiet entrances."
Mystogan nodded, selecting a job from the board.
"I'll return when the time is right, Master."
He turned, meeting Yume's gaze once more.
As he turned to leave, a faint rustle of his garments and an ethereal hum, like distant chimes, accompanied his steps. Makarov spoke again.
"Mystogan, lift the spell before you go."
Without breaking his stride, Mystogan continued his silent advance towards the guild doors. A low, muffled voice, barely audible, began to count, resonating oddly in the stillness:
"5... 4... 3... 2... 1..."
As the final number was uttered, Mystogan shimmered and vanished, leaving behind only the lingering sense of his departure and the still-sleeping forms of the guild members. Moments later, a collective groan spread through the hall as the spell lifted, and everyone blinked awake, disoriented and confused.
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Before the guild could fully recover, Gray stretched and yawned, glancing at Lucy and explaining,
"Man, that guy's always so mysterious. You know, only Master's ever seen his face."
Before anyone could reply, a loud, confident voice boomed from above, cutting through the chatter:
"I've seen his face too."
A new, even more dominating aura filled the air. A powerful laugh echoed from the second floor balcony, drawing all eyes upward.
Laxus Dreyar stood on the second floor, tall and imposing with his spiky blonde hair and lightning scar, leaning casually over the railing, a smirk playing on his lips.
"Don't be noisy. Mystogan's just shy, that's all. No need to make a big deal about it."
"Still a bunch of noise, huh?" Laxus scoffed, his voice dripping with disdain.
"Honestly, if this is Fairy Tail's 'strength,' no wonder we're stuck in the mud."
His gaze swept over the bewildered members, then landed on where Mystogan had just been.
"And to think you all got put to sleep by him."
He shot Yume a sideways glance, then smirked.
"Well, well. Looks like not everyone's dead weight around here, after all. At least one of you can actually keep his eyes open instead of drooling on the floor like the rest of these weaklings."
His smirk widened.
"Try not to embarrass the guild, rookie."
Mirajane's brows knit in concern, Elfman's fists clenched, and Levy shot a worried glance at Yume. The guild felt the sting of Laxus's words, the tension thickening.
Natsu, his eyes blazing with renewed fury at Laxus's insults, stomped forward.
"Laxus! Fight me!" he roared, fire already sparking in his fists.
Laxus merely chuckled, a deep, mocking sound.
"Oh? You want to fight, Natsu? Then come up here and fight me."
He gestured dismissively to the stairs leading to the second floor, reserved for S-Class mages.
Natsu, never one to back down, roared in response and lunged for the stairs. But before his foot could even touch the first step, a giant fist slammed down on him.
"That's enough, Natsu!" Makarov's voice boomed, his hand outstretched. "You are not an S-Class Mage. You cannot go up to the second floor—you know the rules!"
Laxus's laughter filled the hall once more, loud and contemptuous.
"HAHAHAHA! You hear that, Natsu? You're not even strong enough to stand on the same level as me!"
"You? Keep dreaming, maybe after you graduate from babysitting jobs."
Makarov turned his stern gaze up to his grandson.
"Laxus! Stop it! That's quite enough!"
Laxus folded his arms, lightning flickering at his fingertips, and scoffed.
"Let the real mages handle the tough jobs, old man. The rest can watch and learn."
Yume met Laxus's gaze, expression unreadable. He didn't rise to the bait, but a quiet determination flickered in his eyes.
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As the tension faded and Laxus disappeared up the stairs, Lucy found herself gazing curiously at the roped-off staircase to the second floor. Mirajane, noticing her interest, offered a gentle smile.
"Wondering what's up there, Lucy?"
Lucy nodded, her eyes wide. "Yeah. Laxus and Erza both go up there, but no one else does. Why?"
Mirajane leaned in, lowering her voice as if sharing a secret. "That's the S-Class floor. Only the strongest mages in Fairy Tail are allowed up there. The jobs posted on that board are the most dangerous and difficult—S-Class missions. Master only lets those he trusts completely take them."
Lucy's gaze lingered on the stairs, a spark of determination lighting her features. "So, if I want to see what's up there, I have to become S-Class?"
Mirajane nodded, her eyes twinkling. "Exactly. But don't worry, Lucy. You're already making your mark here. Just keep believing in yourself—and in your friends."
Lucy smiled, feeling the warmth of Mirajane's encouragement settle in her heart.
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As the commotion died down, Makarov made his way to the counter, where Yume sat quietly, watching the guild's antics.
The Master slid a sealed poster across the bar.
"Yume, this one's for you. The client asked for you by name—said only you could handle it."
Yume picked up the poster and read. His eyes lingered on the words "curse" and "protection." His own magic, steeped in curses, seemed to resonate with the request, a strange pull drawing him in. He looked up at Makarov, a flicker of dark curiosity mingling with quiet determination in his gaze.
"I'll take it. I leave tomorrow."
Makarov nodded, his tone grave but supportive.
"Be careful, Yume. This isn't just any job. The family's tried everything—doctors, mages, exorcists—for generations. Only now have they come to us. Officially, it's A-rank, but in truth, it's a mission that's haunted them for a century."
Yume gave a rare, quiet smile.
"That's exactly the kind of challenge I've been waiting for."
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Lucy's Apartment~
Elsewhere, Lucy was startled as Natsu and Happy burst into her apartment, waving a job request poster.
"We're taking an S-Class job, Lucy! Come on, let's go!"
Lucy stared, caught between excitement and dread, as the next adventure loomed. As the sun dipped below Magnolia's rooftops, she felt a shiver of anticipation. The guild was changing—growing stronger, stranger, and, somehow, even more like home.
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As the sun set over Magnolia and the guild's laughter faded into the promise of new trials—and new legends, two Fairy Tail mages stepped beyond the warmth and chaos of their guild hall:
Lucy, venturing with her friends toward the cursed island of Galuna;
Yume, drawn into the shadows of a century-old sorrow.
Behind them, Fairy Tail's spirit pulsed on—a reminder that no matter how far their roads would stray, the bonds of their guild would follow.
And so, as diverging paths stretched beneath parallel horizons,
two journeys began—separate roads, yet guided by one shared destiny.
End of Chapter 13