Seeing that Takeshi was so young and arrogant, the Celestial Spirit King had thought of teaching him a lesson, but he didn't expect to be the one taught.
The other party saying he would eliminate him wasn't just talk. He truly had the strength to eliminate him.
He had never seen such a young person possess such extraordinary power.
Takeshi returned to his original appearance and said, "You flatter me. This isn't the Celestial Spirit World, so you can't display your strongest power. I merely took advantage of that. I apologize, Celestial Spirit King. I was too eager to save someone just now and said some offensive things."
The Celestial Spirit King blinked. He really couldn't connect this polite fellow with the arrogant brat from just now.
"Hahahahaha! What's wrong with a young man being a bit arrogant? If I had your strength when I was young, I'd be even more arrogant."
Although the Celestial Spirit King had lost, he was in a good mood. With someone who cared for his guildmates so much by his old friend's side, he felt even more at ease.
The two of them returned to the waterfall together.
"Leo, as per our agreement, I permit you to return to the Celestial Spirit World."
Upon hearing this, Lucy jumped up happily. "Really?! That's great! Loke, you can return to the Celestial Spirit World. Long mustache grandpa, you're actually quite nice."
The Celestial Spirit King couldn't help but smile when he heard Lucy praise him like that.
"That's wonderful."
Virgo, still bound by ropes, wiggled over like a caterpillar.
Lucy was surprised. "You're still here!"
Loke's eyes were filled with tears. He hadn't expected things to take such a dramatic turn. He had already prepared for death. No matter how unwilling he was, he had committed a grave mistake, and that was an undeniable fact.
"Leo, your sins are forgiven. Be grateful for the guidance of the stars. If you still wish to atone for your sins, then become this friend's strength and protect her well."
The Celestial Spirit King waved his cloak, and his body transformed into starlight, dissipating.
Everything around them began to flow normally again, and the previously still waterfall resumed its flow.
Clang!
A golden gate appeared behind Loke. The gate opened, and Loke's figure transformed into photons, continuously being absorbed into it.
"Takeshi, Lucy, truly... truly thank you both so much. From now on, please continue to look after me." Loke said to the two with tears, full of gratitude.
After his body dissipated, a golden key representing the Zodiac Leo fell into Lucy's hand.
Lucy gripped the key in her hand. She was happy to get a new golden key, but even happier that her companion was still alive.
Takeshi felt the same. He and Loke had a good relationship, often eating, drinking, and bragging together.
In fact, even if this incident had happened to any other guild member, Takeshi would have done his best to save them. After all, with great power comes great responsibility.
...
Takeshi first went to the guild dormitory to report that everyone was safe. Hearing that, the guild members all breathed a sigh of relief.
Then Takeshi returned home and saw Mirajane waiting for him at the door.
Seeing a girl waiting for him at his doorstep deeply touched Takeshi's heart. Perhaps this was the feeling of home.
Mirajane asked, "Takeshi, how is Loke?"
"Don't worry, he's fine now."
With what happened today, Takeshi wasn't in the mood to continue. He walked Mirajane home, and along the way, he recounted the events that had just transpired to Mirajane.
"I never expected such a thing to happen to Loke."
Mirajane knew the name Karen. She was a very famous Celestial Spirit Mage from Blue Pegasus back then, who was later said to have been killed during a mission.
Mirajane said, "Loke's desire to protect his companions wasn't wrong, and your desire to protect your companions isn't wrong either, but you must be extra careful."
Takeshi smiled and said, "Don't worry. I'm very fond of my life. If I can't win, I'll definitely be the first to run away."
This was not a lie. Although Takeshi enjoyed fighting, he had no desire to fight to the death.
Not long ago, in the Troll Kingdom, he had actually kept his magic power reserved, ready to transform into Minato and escape at any time. However, he didn't expect those trolls to be scared away by him, so he didn't transform into Minato and instead swaggered out.
"Haha..."
Takeshi's comical appearance made Mirajane laugh.
As they spoke, Mirajane had already arrived home.
"I'm home."
"Mm."
Takeshi responded, not saying much.
Although they saw each other every day, each parting always felt a little reluctant. He remembered that in the very beginning, when he arrived home first, he would say goodbye curtly and enter the door without looking back.
"Why don't you... come in for a bit?"
Hearing Mirajane's words, Takeshi's heart stirred, but he still shook his head and said, "No, it's getting late, and you've been busy all day, so you should rest early."
"Mm... that's true. You've just returned too, and need a good rest. See you tomorrow then."
"See you tomorrow."
Takeshi waved his hand and turned to leave.
Just as Takeshi turned around, Mirajane's voice sounded from behind.
"Takeshi!"
"Hm?"
As Takeshi turned his head, he felt a soft thing press against his lips. Millimeters from his eyes was Mirajane's beautiful face.
Before Takeshi could savor it, Mirajane quickly stepped back, her hands clenched nervously behind her back.
She gave Takeshi a brilliant smile and said, "See you tomorrow."
After saying that, she scurried back home, slamming the door shut with a bang. Only then did Takeshi realize that he had been kissed by Mirajane.
"It felt pretty good. It would've been better if it lasted longer."
But this was already very good. Where there was one, there would be two, and where there were two, there would be three. It wouldn't be long before he could win Mirajane over.
He was looking forward to tomorrow even more.
Takeshi felt his life was once again filled with motivation.
Behind the door, Mirajane's face was flushed. She hadn't expected herself to do something so bold.
She touched her lips and murmured, "Is this what kissing feels like?"
She had never kissed anyone since she was little. This was her first kiss.
—
Takeshi returned home, sat cross-legged on the bed, and practiced Sun Breathing, while also waiting for the appointed time.
He had gone to Cana for a fortune-telling again this time, and the fortune-telling said that ten o'clock was his lucky time.
He actually suspected Cana was fooling him, but because she was right every time, and he had no evidence, he could only choose to believe her.
Dong! Dong! Dong...
The ten o'clock chimes rang.
Takeshi immediately opened his eyes and quickly tapped on the system interface.
[Do you want to perform a 10× draw?]
'Yes.'
***
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