Kai sat inside the council carriage with a posture that could only be described as *inappropriately relaxed*. Despite the tight semicircle of Rune Knights around him—armor polished, backs stiff, eyes forward—he lounged like he were riding to a picnic rather than an inquiry by the highest magical authority in Fiore. His arms were folded behind his head. One leg rested over the other. He seemed… bored.
Not fearful. Not impressed. Not even mildly bothered.
Just bored.
The Rune Knights, for their part, did not know what to do with that.
Most people brought to Era—even as witnesses—shook, sweated, or went chalk-white at the sight of their uniforms. But Kai's expression, when he looked at them, was something close to *indifferent observation*. His gaze weighed nothing—no fear, no awe, no deference. It made the knights straighten even more rigidly, unsure if they were being mocked or simply… dismissed.
Even the emissary—the frog woman in crisp envoy uniform—kept flicking her golden eyes sideways at him. She was trained to mask emotion, but every time Kai pulled some new component from his pouch, her throat puffed nervously.
He had produced gears, small plates, crystal shards, enchanted screws, and began linking them with silent precision—assembling something unknown and faintly humming. He didn't explain. He didn't ask permission. He simply worked, the clink of metal filling the otherwise stiff carriage.
No one dared stop him.
The rest of the ride passed in absolute silence.
### **Arrival at Era**
Era rose out of the land like a proclamation of authority—built upon cut stone cliffs that forced travelers to look up as they approached. The forests at its base were trimmed and patrolled, the steep rocky terrain carved into terraced paths lined with statues of ancient mages. Every inch of the place radiated order, structure, and the immovable weight of bureaucracy.
The headquarters itself loomed above everything else—an immense castle-fortress of towers, spires, and magical wards shimmering faintly over its surface. A place meant to remind you that the Magic Council was not a suggestion.
Even that seemed to amuse Kai.
He stepped down from the carriage with his hands behind his head again, stretching casually. The frog emissary stiffened, adjusted her uniform, and gestured for him to follow.
Kai did. Quietly. Calmly.
Inside, the castle was a symphony of motion—Rune Knights moving in formations, archivists pushing carts piled high with documents, communication lacrima flashing with magical messages. Every hallway felt designed to make a person *small* in the face of the system.
Kai walked through it like he was touring a bakery.
The emissary finally stopped before a set of tall doors carved with the ancient runes of judgment. Two armored knights opened them slowly, the heavy wood groaning under its own weight.
She bowed slightly.
"Please enter, Mr. Sunviel."
Kai smiled, soft and polite. "Thank you for escorting me."
The frog lady blinked, almost flustered at the courtesy, and stepped back.
Kai stepped forward.
### **Into the Council Room**
Voices fell silent the moment he crossed the threshold.
The council chamber was shaped like a crescent amphitheater—each member seated on a raised podium, the center stage lit by high, crystalline lamps. Heavy curtains muffled outside sound, leaving only the echo of Kai's footsteps.
Twelve seats existed. Today, only nine were filled.
But the eyes—all nine pairs—were sharp and scrutinizing.
Kai stopped at the center circle, hands slipping into his pockets, posture relaxed yet respectful in its own way. He lifted his gaze to meet theirs without hesitation.
And for a heartbeat, the council exchanged glances.
Not many walked into this room without trembling.
Kai looked like the one who had summoned *them*.
### **The Chairman Speaks**
Gran Doma, the chairman, leaned forward slightly. His long, thin beard shifted as he spoke in a voice that carried the weight of law and expectation.
"Kairos Sunviel of Fairy Tail," he began, tone heavy and formal, "do you know why you have been summoned by the Magic Council?"
Kai blinked once—slow, thoughtful.
Then he smiled—a small, knowing curl of his lips, one that had no mockery in it, only clear awareness.
"I can make an educated guess," he said evenly.
Several council members narrowed their eyes.
Era's council chamber was accustomed to tears, excuses, and groveling.
Calm confidence—even polite confidence—was a disruption.
Gran Doma's fingers tapped once on his podium.
"Then let us hear your understanding," he said. "This council wishes to know what you believe your presence here concerns."
Kai tilted his head slightly, studying the old man with the air of someone assessing the question itself more than the person asking it.
His reply came smooth, crisp, and unhurried.
**"I believe it is to express your gratitude to me… for doing your work."**
The chamber froze.
Some council members stiffened in outrage, others smothered snorts of laughter behind stern expressions. A few Rune Knights stationed at the walls blinked as if they weren't sure they'd heard correctly.
Org's mustache twitched. Belno's brows shot up. Seigrain smirked openly.
But Gran Doma raised one hand, and silence returned—not gentle, not forgiving. Heavy.
Kai tilted his head slightly at the chairman's expression.
**"Ah,"** he said, tone polite yet irritatingly light, **"my guess wasn't correct then. Please do enlighten me, Chairman."**
Gran Doma's jaw tightened.
His patience was notoriously thin—especially for those who bent rules, ignored bureaucracy, or behaved above the law. Fairy Tail had an entire *history* of stirring that irritation, and this boy—this talented, important, politically insulated brat—was pushing it with a single sentence.
And yet…
Gran Doma exhaled slowly.
The kingdom's decree still rang clear in his mind: **Kairos Sunviel—Head of Magical Artifact Research.**
A royal appointment. A rank similar to the Garou Knights .
In other words— **not technically under the Magic Council's authority.**
Org looked ready to explode. Belno tapped her fingers sharply. Seam frowned like he smelled something burning.
Gran spoke at last.
**"You are here for multiple charges,"** he said, voice low and tight, **"including destruction of property at Oshibana station, the train, and Kunugi plains. The train's destruction. And finally—the disappearance of the cursed artifact Lullaby."**
He narrowed his eyes.
**"What do you have to say to that?"**
Kai's gaze drifted lazily over the council seats. He paused just long enough to catch the tiny smiles from Seigrain, Yajima, and Ultear—three members who were clearly entertained.
Then he faced Gran again.
**"I Object."**
A pause. A slow inhale.
And then—
**"Honorable Chairman, let's clear up the facts first."**
Gran Doma's eye twitched. Org muttered something under his breath. Belno adjusted her glasses sharply.
Kai continued:
**"The train and Oshibana station were destroyed by Eisenwald because of the council's negligence. Since you failed to stop them, we were forced to defend ourselves—and everyone else they wanted to kill. According to the law, destruction caused in the act of self-defense is attributed to the attackers, not the defenders."**
A ripple moved through the room—agreement from some, outrage from others.
Org slammed a hand on the podium and stood.
**"Your guild has a *record* of destruction! Even now, you interfered in an operation you were NOT assigned to—without approval! And now you dare blame the council for—"**
**"Org!"** Gran barked.
Belno stood too, pointing sharply.
**"He *did* interfere. Fairy Tail always interferes. And now he stands here smugly—"**
Gran lifted a hand. Silence.
He looked down at Kai again, voice clipped.
**"Indeed we see you acted in defence, but your guild was not authorized to act. Yet we are willing to overlook that, given the threat Eisenwald posed. But you will still be held responsible… and punished accordingly."**
He raised his hand slightly.
**"And the artifact Lullaby is to be returned to council custody immediately. This is my ruling. Those who disagree—raise your hands."**
### **The Vote**
Only moments passed before hands lifted.
Yajima sighed, raising his hand first. **"Fairy Tail prevented a massacre. It is unjust to punish those who acted when others failed to."**
Ultear lifted her hand next, a soft smile curving her lips. **"Talent should not be punished for defending itself… or the public."**
Seigrain raised his hand with a faint smirk. **"Punishing Fairy Tail will cause public backlash. And other guilds will question our priorities."**
Across the room:
- Org: *down*
- Belno: *down*
- Seam: *down*
- Gran: *down*
The vote was decided.
The punishment stands.
Gran's voice rang out:
**"Kairos Sunviel. Do you object?"**
Amusement flickered across Kai's eyes. He straightened slightly—not out of respect, but as someone preparing to deliver a decisive blow.
His voice dropped into a tone sharp enough to slice marble.
**"Passing judgment on those who did the job… instead of those who failed to do theirs."**
The chamber fell utterly silent.
**"Truly,"** he continued softly, **"unquestionable justice."**
Gran's fingers tightened around the armrest.
Kai's expression shifted into something polite, but merciless.
**"Now that the council has spoken its part… let me remind you of something important."**
His hand tapped his chest lightly.
**"You are not speaking to a mage under your authority."**
Some councilors stiffened. Org's mouth fell open. Even Gran blinked.
**"Your first charge…"** Kai shrugged. **"Permission. As Head of Magical Artifact Research, I do not require council authorization to involve myself in matters concerning artifacts. I was there for official work—*not* as a guild mage. Thus, that charge is invalid."**
A few archivists scribbling notes froze mid-stroke.
**"As for Lullaby,"** Kai continued, still perfectly calm, **"after the moment it went missing under council watch, you lost all authority over it. The artifact fell under *my* jurisdiction. I retrieved it."**
He smiled lightly.
**"It is not missing. And I am not required to return it to you. Not that I can. Lullaby no longer exists."**
Seigrain smirked. Ultear leaned forward, intrigued. Yajima nodded slowly.
Kai finished:
**"It was destroyed—after turning into a demon ,in case you were wondering"**
A murmur spread through the entire chamber.
But Kai wasn't done.
He took one slow step forward, voice now cool and cutting.
**"Thirdly, since I was operating under my kingdom-appointed duty, it was not my responsibility to protect trains or town property."**
Gran inhaled sharply.
Kai continued anyway:
**"It was *your negligence* that allowed a dangerous artifact to be stolen, a train to be compromised, two towns to be endangered, and my life—alongside civilians' lives—to be put at risk."**
He tilted his head.
**"So if we are assigning charges…"**
He raised one finger.
**"Negligence of duty."**
Another.
**"Endangerment of civilians."**
Another.
**"Loss of a dangerous artifact."**
And finally—
**"Incompetence in emergency response."**
Silence.
Stunned. Heavy. Humiliated.
Kai shrugged.
**"Those charges, I believe, belong to the council. Not to me."**
Kai looks at them sitting there silently as he continues " So if we are pressing charges it will be on both sides, so we can go to crocus and present the case in front of his majesty ".
*" How about that, I am sure council will like appreciate some new faces, Or we can be reasonable adults and take responsibility of our mistakes instead of playing the blame game."*