Sorry for not updating, I had an accident and had to be hospitalized for a few days, my phone was also broken so I couldn't give any information.
Heck, my family and my girlfriend also only found out about my accident after a few days.
Sorry everyone
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The next day.
Aux woke from his sleep and subconsciously glanced toward the opposite side of the campfire, but Lucy—who should have been there—was nowhere to be seen. Thinking she might have gone to relieve herself, he was about to look away when he noticed a piece of paper pressed down by a stone, fluttering gently in the wind.
Curious, he picked it up and opened it.
By the time you read this letter, I will have already left. Thank you for watching the aurora with me! This memory will forever be etched in my heart.
Also, regarding the Taurus Celestial Spirit, I think one million jewels is too expensive, so I've decided to run away and default on the debt. It'll be hard to see each other again anyway~
Are you angry? Hehehe…
Even if you are, it's no use. This Noble Miss has no intention of paying you. The Taurus Celestial Spirit has already chosen me, and you can't snatch him away.
Finally… bye-bye~ Handsome Big Brother Aux!
Aux: ???
After finishing the letter, Aux stood frozen in place, as if he hadn't yet processed the shocking information.
"Shameless!"
A moment later, he crumpled the paper into a ball, threw it to the ground, and roared in fury. The dignified Noble Miss of the Heartfilia Conglomerate was actually shameless enough to default on a debt!
Was one million jewels really that much?
For a conglomerate, wasn't that just pocket change? Even for Lucy herself, her annual allowance surely wouldn't be less than that amount!
Yet such a person—someone who clearly lacked nothing—actually chose to default.
Aux gnashed his teeth in anger. He truly hadn't expected to be tricked by this young girl, especially after trusting her so much.
"Very good!" Aux sneered. "Hard to see each other again, huh? Just wait. Even if I don't go to your house, you'll still have to appear before me sooner or later!"
The monk can run, but the temple cannot.
As long as Lucy still wanted to join the Fairy Tail Guild, she would eventually have to come before him of her own accord. Moreover, Aux was already planning to collect the remaining Zodiac keys. By then, if she didn't pay a heavy price, she shouldn't even think about obtaining the other golden keys.
"Let me think…"
Aux recalled the locations of the remaining keys and decided to head to Galuna Island first. The key there was currently ownerless and could be acquired ahead of time. However, that mission required cooperation with an S-Class Mage.
At that thought, Aux exhaled a heavy breath. He picked up the crumpled paper once more, cleaned up the campsite, and began his return journey—back to the Fairy Tail Guild.
Inside the Guild, his companions were as lively as ever.
Macao and Wakaba were still eating and drinking enthusiastically, occasionally sharing amusing work stories and sometimes loudly cursing someone. Nearby, Natsu and Gray were, as always, at odds—bickering over absolutely everything.
"Oh my, oh my… welcome back~"
Mirajane immediately greeted Aux when she saw him, smiling warmly. "Was the aurora beautiful? It must have been a very rare sight, right?"
Aux smiled and teased her. "It was the most beautiful scenery I've ever seen. The only regret is that I didn't have your company."
Mirajane's eyes curved into gentle crescents.
"Aux, come help me beat up Gray!" Natsu suddenly shouted.
Aux ignored him.
In Natsu's eyes, Aux was nothing more than a tool to deal with Gray. Ever since seeing his Enchantment Magic, such unreasonable requests had become a daily occurrence, and Aux was already tired of hearing them.
"Oh, right," Mirajane added casually. "Yesterday, a Noble Miss came by saying she was your girlfriend. She should still be waiting for you in Magnolia Town."
After saying that, she narrowed her eyes slightly, carefully observing Aux's reaction.
"I don't know her," Aux denied without hesitation.
Internally, he sighed in frustration. He hadn't expected the Noble Miss from the border city to be so persistent. Nothing had happened between them at all—openly claiming they were dating was needlessly ruining his reputation.
"Is that so? Then she must be making it up," Mirajane said, choosing to believe him.
Aux sat back down at the counter with a clear conscience. After ordering a cup of coffee, he fell silent, his thoughts drifting.
After spacing out for a while, an inexplicable drowsiness washed over him. He yawned, rubbed his eyes, and nearly nodded off.
"Ugh…"
Not far away, Master Makarov also let out a yawn.
Then, one by one, Guild members began to feel sleepy as well. This sudden abnormality immediately put Aux on alert. He gulped down his coffee, forced his eyes open, and turned toward the Guild's entrance.
Thud—
Guild members began collapsing—some slumping onto tables, others falling straight to the floor. Before long, only Aux, barely holding on, and Master Makarov remained conscious.
"This guy…" Makarov muttered.
He had actually expected Aux not to fall asleep. After all, a Mage capable of high-level Enchantment Magic wouldn't be so easily affected.
"This drowsiness was unnatural," Aux said calmly. "My vigilance wouldn't miss it."
"A newcomer…"
Sure enough, a strange figure soon appeared at the Guild's entrance.
The newcomer was wrapped tightly in a cloak, revealing only a pair of eyes. Several peculiar magic staves were strapped to his back, and his voice was deliberately muffled.
"Yo, hello, senior. My name's Aux," Aux greeted him casually. "Are you some kind of masked hero?"
This Mystogan really did have an imposing presence. Making everyone fall asleep before even entering—his sense of mystery was maximized.
"Mystogan…"
The cloaked man quietly spoke his name, then walked to the request board, tore down a job, registered it, and left without looking back.
"Hmph hmph hmph… Mystogan is very shy. He doesn't talk much."
A voice suddenly came from the second floor.
Aux and Makarov both looked up, while Mystogan ignored it entirely and continued out the door.
"So you were there!" Makarov grumbled.
Leaning over the railing was Laxus, his expression arrogant, as if no one else existed in his eyes.
"This one…" Aux pretended not to recognize him and looked at Makarov in confusion.
"Laxus. S-Class Mage. This old man's grandson," Makarov explained. "Troublesome fellow."
"Do you want to join my Thunder God Tribe?" Laxus asked directly, extending an invitation.
It was clear he had sensed that Aux was no ordinary Mage. That was why his tone was unexpectedly polite, his intent to recruit unmistakable.
"Three… two… one…"
Mystogan's countdown ended.
The Guild members instantly woke up, rubbing their eyes in confusion.
"How did I suddenly fall asleep?"
"That feeling… Mystogan, right?"
"Yeah, this can only be Mystogan."
"He's still so mysterious…"
"I've never even seen his face."
"…"
After a brief moment of confusion, everyone understood what had happened. They had clearly experienced this many times before.
"Laxus! Come fight me!"
The moment Natsu woke up and spotted Laxus on the second floor, he shouted and charged upward without hesitation.