"This is a special healing potion that Jet gave me a while ago. He supposedly found the recipe in an ancient ruin, and it's very effective," Ezreal said, carefully taking out three vials.
He first helped Gray up and slowly fed him one of the potions.
Upon entering his throat, the potion immediately transformed into a gentle yet powerful warm current, rapidly flowing through Gray's limbs and bones.
He felt his depleted magic source being nourished by spring rain, slowly reviving. His severe internal and hidden injuries were also repairing at an astonishing speed, and the intense pain rapidly subsided.
Next, Ezreal carefully dripped another potion into Juvia's water form.
The green liquid merged with the water, as if imbuing it with new life.
The previously mixed bloodstains were quickly purified and dispersed, and the weak water flow became stable and lustrous. Juvia's pale complexion also visibly regained its color, and her breathing became steady and long.
The last potion was given to Elfman.
Elfman drank it in one gulp, and the immense medicinal power washed over his body. External injuries quickly scabbed over and healed, and his depleted stamina and magic rapidly recovered. Even some subtle hidden injuries from his previous partial Beast Soul Take-Over were repaired.
In just a moment, the three's previously critical condition had greatly improved.
Gray could already sit up on his own. Although his face was still a bit pale, his spirits were clearly much better.
Juvia's water form became more solid. She slowly opened her eyes, and the light returned to her blue eyes. Her first glance was at Gray, and she breathed a sigh of relief when she saw he was unharmed.
Elfman felt his body filled with strength, and his injuries were mostly healed.
"This potion… it's incredible!" Ur exclaimed. She had never seen a healing potion with such immediate effects.
"That Jet, he does make some good things," Ezreal smiled, putting away the remaining potions. "The remaining minor injuries and full magic recovery will be fine with a few days of rest."
The tense atmosphere in the room finally eased.
Everyone sat together, listening to Elfman recount the thrilling battle that followed—Sical's power and cruelty, Juvia's persistence and sacrifice, and his own process of finally overcoming his inner demons and using Beast Soul to deliver the decisive blow.
Ur's eyes turned red as she listened, gripping Gray's and Lyon's hands tightly.
Lyon, Sherry, Yuka, and Toby, the four of them, looked ashamed.
"I'm sorry, Gray…" Lyon whispered, "We couldn't help, and…"
Gray shook his head, interrupting him: "Senior Brother, you've already done enough. Without your 'performance,' I wouldn't have been able to overcome my inner demons. And, the final enemy was an accident, it had nothing to do with you."
His tone was calm and sincere. Having experienced life and death and enlightenment, he had truly matured.
Juvia also softly said: "Mr. Lyon doesn't need to apologize. Protecting Lord Gray is Juvia's willing choice."
Her gaze never left Gray.
Elfman scratched his head: "Man! Protecting comrades is what we do!"
Ezreal and Ikaruga listened quietly, not interrupting.
After a while, Ezreal spoke: "This incident, while ending well, had a major unexpected turn. The appearance of a Grimoire Heart executive here means their activities are much more rampant than we anticipated."
His expression became serious: "I must return to the Guild immediately and report this in detail to the Master."
He looked at Gray, Juvia, and Elfman: "The three of you, are you coming back with me, or…"
Elfman spoke first, his voice loud and firm: "Man! I'm going back! I want to personally report to the Master and my sister! And, the Guild needs manpower!"
He had overcome his inner demons and longed to return to the Guild, taking on responsibilities with a new attitude.
Gray hesitated for a moment, looking at Ur beside him, a hint of reluctance in his eyes: "Ez… I… I want to stay here a little longer."
He had just reunited with his master and had too many words to say, too much longing to make up for.
Juvia immediately followed up: "Juvia is staying too! Juvia wants to stay here with Lord Gray!"
Her reason was simple and direct.
Ur looked at Gray, her eyes filled with love and relief. She nodded to Ezreal: "Let them stay, I'll take good care of them."
Ezreal was not surprised by this. He smiled: "Alright, you master and apprentice should indeed have a good reunion. Ikaruga, then Elfman and I will head back first."
Ikaruga nodded slightly.
Before their departure, Chief Moca, along with several village elders, respectfully approached them.
"Mage Ezreal, Mage Ikaruga, Mage Elfman," Chief Moca bowed deeply, "Thanks to all the Mages, our Galuna Island has once again been spared from disaster."
"Especially you, Mage Ezreal, you saved Master Ur a year ago, letting us know the truth of our demon curse, and now you have indirectly saved our entire village. We truly have no way to repay you."
He held an ancient wooden box in both hands, carefully opening it.
The box was lined with soft silk, and on it lay a golden, intricately designed key—the key handle was shaped like a bow and arrow, surrounded by star patterns, emitting faint yet pure magic power fluctuations.
"This is a treasure passed down through generations in our village, the Golden Celestial Spirit Key of Sagittarius," Chief Moca said sincerely, "None of our villagers are Celestial Spirit Mages, so this treasure has been gathering dust in our hands for a long time."
"Today we present it to you, hoping it can shine as it should in your hands, as a small token of our entire village's gratitude."
Ezreal looked at the golden key, a flash of interest in his eyes, but he was not surprised.
He had known for a long time that the Celestial Spirit Key was in the demon village's hands, but the first time he came to carry out a mission, the demon village only offered money. The situation was not critical enough to warrant giving up a treasured heirloom, so he naturally didn't get it.
But this time, he hadn't expected the old chief to offer this key before he left.
The Sagittarius Celestial Spirit Key was an extremely precious and powerful existence among all Celestial Spirit Keys.
He thought of the three Celestial Spirit Mages in the Guild. Sorano was one thing, but Lucy and Yukino both had good relationships with him.
So he did not decline, smiling as he took the wooden box: "Since that is the case, then I will not be modest."
"Thank you for your kindness, Chief and everyone. I will make good use of this key."
He closed the box and put it away.
"Then, we will take our leave," Ezreal said to everyone.
He raised his hand again, and white light shimmered at his fingertips. A stable light portal opened in the clearing, and faintly visible through the portal was the scene of the Fairy Tail Guild hall.
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