The corridor was silent, save for the sound of Shun's own ragged breathing. The oppressive, world-ending pressure that had emanated from Zero was simply gone.
From the shattered cell, Sorano and the other children stared, their eyes wide with a mixture of terror and awe. They had been certain they were about to die.
"What… what happened?" Sorano finally managed to whisper.
---
Ultear Milkovich POV
My name is Ultear Milkovich, a member of Grimoire Heart. My mission, assigned by Master Hades, was to remain hidden within the Tower of Heaven, manipulating Jellal from the shadows. The rebellion led by that red-haired girl, Erza Scarlet, was an inconvenience, but the R-System was nearly complete. A few more years was nothing.
Then I felt it—a clash of overwhelming magical power from a lower floor. Curiosity drew me to observe.
I saw a boy, no older than I was, fighting a man in the robes of the Magic Council. A man using dark magic. 'An imposter,' I deduced.
To my surprise, the boy defeated the man with brutal efficiency. 'Incredible strength for his age. Who is he?'
But then, the impossible happened. The defeated man rose, his body seemingly healed, radiating a power that felt only a step below Master Hades himself. I was speechless.
'This boy has so much potential, but he'll be killed,' I thought, a plan forming. 'If I save him at the last moment, I could make him my subordinate.'
What happened next shattered that plan and my understanding of power.
The boy didn't just survive; he dominated. He repelled every attack, his movements so fluid it was as if he could see the future. When the man, who called himself Zero, gathered a spell of absolute annihilation, I prepared to intervene.
And then, with a single, casual slap, the boy made Zero vanish.
'…'
I stood in the shadows, utterly stunned.
---
Shun's POV
As expected, a life-or-death battle is the fastest way to grow. My new Observation Haki had already sharpened, rising to a medium level of proficiency. With more training, I might even be able to pull off a "Your next line is…"
I'd sent Zero to a random stretch of road I'd traveled with Zoltan. The ability to swat people across the country was incredibly convenient, though it had its limits—I couldn't send them to my old world, and I couldn't use it on myself. Yet. Awakening the fruit might change that. After all, a Devil Fruit's potential is limited only by the user's imagination.
But that was a thought for another day. I turned to the children huddled in the cell.
"Let's get you out of here," I said. "I'm sending you to my guild. You can choose to join, or if your homes still stand, you can return. It's your decision." I had to clarify what was about to happen; the process looked terrifying. "Don't panic. It's just spatial transportation magic. Are you ready?"
They all nodded, Sorano's silver hair swaying with the motion.
POP-! POP-! POP-! POP-! POP-!
One by one, they vanished. In three days, they would land safely in front of the Fairy Tail guild hall.
"Now then," I said to the empty, yet not-so-empty, corridor. "We can talk without disturbances, can't we, little lady?"
My new senses had pinpointed her the moment the fight ended—an observer hiding in the shadows. I'd always had a soft spot for Ultear in the anime. 'Seems I have a thing for the 'villainess' type,' I mused.
"Aren't you about the same size!" a voice retorted from the darkness.
Ultear stepped into the light. She was a pale, solemn girl with deep blue eyes and black hair tied in twin tails, her delicate features looking burdened by a weight far beyond her years. She wore a simple black dress.
"Haha, my bad, Miss Ultear."
Her composure cracked. "-! You! How do you know my name?!"
"Please, calm down. I know a lot of things," I said, my voice even. "For example, the man I just fought is the root of your misfortune."
"What do you mean?!" The panic in her voice was raw, real.
"When you were born, your body couldn't contain your immense magic power. Your mother, Ur, had no choice but to seek help from the 'Bureau of Magical Development,' led by that man, Brain. He agreed to treat you." I paused, letting the information sink in. "He did treat you, but he never intended to return you. They told Ur you were dead, that your body was too ravaged to view. Devastated, she had no choice but to believe them."
I continued, watching her face pale. "After that, Ur took in two disciples, but she never forgot you. And all the while, without knowing the truth, you grew up resenting her—"
I didn't get to finish. Ultear broke down, tears streaming down her face in a silent torrent. The hidden anger and hatred she carried seemed to dissolve, leaving behind only the grief of a lost little girl.
---
An hour passed before she finally calmed, wiping her eyes with the back of her hand. "I don't care how you know. Why tell me this? We're strangers. You have no reason to help me."
"Of course I have a reason," I replied calmly. "I told you the truth because I stand to gain something. It's a win-win."
"Win-win?"
"Yes. What I want from you are two magic books: the 'Arc of Embodiment' and the 'Fire God Slayer Magic.' In exchange, I offer you two favors. First, an extremely important piece of information. Second, I will help you accomplish your dream."
I let the offer hang in the air. "The path you're on now, Ultear, will never lead you to your goal. The 'Arc of Time' cannot turn back the clock by much, and even if it could, the cost would be your entire life."
"I've said enough. Whether you trust me or not is your decision. If you decide to make the trade, come find me at the Fairy Tail guild."
Without waiting for a reply, I activated my magic, paw-pads forming beneath my feet as I stepped into the air.
"Wait—!" she called out, but I was already gone, soaring above the crumbling tower.
---
Flying high above the ocean, I headed back towards Crocus. Without a clear flight path, I had to retrace my steps.
'A very fruitful journey,' I thought, a grin spreading across my face. I'd gained Observation Haki, boosted my Devil Fruit proficiency, and looted Brain's treasures. 'He was probably saving those to bribe the Oracion Seis. Now they're mine.'
'If Sorano and the others join the guild, I'll return the magic books to their original owners from the anime. Except the Dragon Slayer Lacrima.'
My deal with Ultear was a long-term investment. Dragon Slayer and God Slayer magics were paramount in a world where such beings existed. If gods were real, I refused to be helpless. The 'Arc of Embodiment' was even more valuable—a power to manifest anything I could imagine, a superior version of creation quirks.
My path was clear: evolve my Haki and awaken my Devil Fruit.
As if on cue, a new mission screen materialized in my vision.
[New Mission: Successfully complete the trade with Ultear Milkovich.] [Mission Difficulty: B] [Mission Reward: Memory Fragment (50%), Devil Fruit Proficiency+]
"…"
The pieces were falling into place.