In Felix's hands as he examined the stone mask that extended a series of tendrils. While looking a bit closer to them, they suddenly retreated not long after extending. Under his Alpha Stigma, he only saw the activating magic at work again.
"I don't think it for torture." Jonathan said. "I would say probably more along the lines of execution."
Felix didn't disagree but felt his mind stirring trying to dig deeper into his memory. The feeling of the undead such as Vampire and Zombie stirred as something clicked. The memory of the use of this mask surfaced in his mind.
"It's for transformation." Felix said.
"Huh?" Jonathan looked baffled.
"The tendrils, they target acupoints. I don't know much about that, but upon activation one will turn into a vampire. Stronger than most men, but on the flipside one can not walk underneath the sun." Felix answered.
While he answered, Felix continued to search his memories, but he really didn't have that much information. He never actually paid much attention to the series that held this item. Most of his knowledge is little snippets he saw online or his friend during high school chattering away about it.
"How did you determine this?" Jonathan continued to grow more baffled.
"I read it, but it was too long ago." Felix pinched the bridge of his nose.
It has really been long ago, around twenty plus years ago since he really looked at the information. While his memory is improving, it hasn't reached the point of recalling anything on demand. So he felt a bit frustrated as his mind kept nagging, but won't tell what it was nagging about.
"Relax, you don't need to stress out about it." Jonathan said.
Felix frowned as he wasn't stressed out about the mask, but the inkling about something else. Tapping his finger on the desk, he chose to give up trying to think about it for the moment. Since stressing out about it won't help him recall, he could only wait until he does.
Time quickly passed as the two of them continued to study this mask. Besides a little progress and conclusion that the mask was much older than a thousand years. Felix did begin looking in the direction of acupuncture points but the study didn't hold much information about it.
"If I recall, there is a specialist of acupuncture in the small city of London." Jonathan said. "I believe Dio talked about going there a few days ago."
Suddenly as they were packing away the notes and ideas, a elderly man burst into the study. His white hair was neatly combed on the side of his head as the top of his head reflected the lights above. Dressed in a black butler uniform, he wiped sweat on his forehead as he delivered terrible news.
"Young Master, your father has collapsed."
"What?" Jonathan looked heartbroken. "Hurry, lead me to his side."
--
Outside the master bedroom, Felix stood at the door as Jonathan went inside to see his father. Due to this incident, he felt something was wrong as he saw Dio not in a state of panic as he strolled around the corner. If anything, that small smirk on his lips made him more suspicious about the current situation.
'Is he making a move for the noble title?' Felix wondered.
Upon thinking of this, Felix frowned as he learned from Jonathan that this title isn't worth much. In truth, the title only came about as due to their successful trading company helping the kingdom expand its settlements. They were rewarded with this title.
So, Felix didn't feel that this is a move for the title, but maybe more for the family fortune. This didn't make much sense either, since it didn't seem like George Joestar was treating them bad. The amount of luxury he could see given to the two sons seems to be great.
'Is it because he feels inferior as the adopted son?' Felix guessed, but dismissed it.
Even if he spent most of the time in the study helping Jonathan with researching the Stone Mask. When they took breaks or were having a snack, he heard that Dio is well liked by the servants and even George. This is mainly due to his high manners and intelligence, that Jonathan grew up punished as he often compared to him.
When Dio walked towards the door to enter the master bedroom. Felix stepped in front of him to block him. While it is only a feeling, he trusted his instincts as he met quite a few like Dio who felt they were quite smart, but even more ruthless.
"You can't enter." Felix blocked the door.
"Move, brat." Dio said.
"The room is full." Felix replied.
Bang!
Dio attempted to give Felix a backhand slap, but Felix easily blocked it. So he just gave him an unimpressed look that made Dio's eyes narrow in annoyance. It was clear that this had hurt Dio's pride and for a very prideful young man, it hurt more than physical blows.
"Hmph!" Dio stomped away.
"What happened?" Jonathan emerged from the room.
"Your brother." Felix replied.
Jonathan just let out a small hum before bending down to whisper to Felix. Clearly while in the room he discovered something wrong. Now with Dio's strangeness of being so straightforward in his usually hidden ruthlessness.
"I need to leave for a while. It may be a day or so. My father has been poisoned and I need to go find the antidote. Can I ask you to watch over him while I am away?" Jonathan whispered. "I am afraid while I am gone, Dio will finish off my father."
Felix didn't agree immediately since this wasn't part of the mission description. However, since he felt Jonathan is a kind and gentle guy who would make a good friend. He slowly nodded as he didn't mind too much on doing this.
"Go. Dio seems to be getting impatient. He might do something rash if his plan is delayed or fails." Felix warned.
This wasn't a random guess, but his experience from his missions he had taken. He doesn't know yet what made Dio impatient to act. However, it is clear that something had changed, maybe it is coming of age or realization that George is too healthy and would waste too many years to reach his target.
"Be careful." Jonathan said as he hurried away.
Stepping inside the master bedroom. Felix glanced around to see a few paintings and a bedside table. Compared to the hallway and the rest of the house he saw, it didn't seem as filled with luxury as one might think.
On the bed, there is a man with a solid build that has slightly deteriorated with his age. His brown hair seemed to have turned mostly grayish white as did his finely groomed mustache. His complexion didn't look very good at the moment, but Felix glanced at the man's fingernails.
'Poison indeed.' Felix thought.
While not an expert in healing magic, he knew enough to widen the window giving Jonathan more breathing room to return with the poison antidote. So as he cast his magic, George's complexion changed for the better as he opened his eyes.
"Who are you?" George asked.
"I am Felix, a S-class mage from Fairy Tail. I came on the mission your son Jonathan submitted for help in researching the Stone Mask. Right now, your son Jonathan is rushing to find the antidote for your poison we strongly suspect Dio has given you."
"Is that so?" George looked stunned.