Makarov's words had barely settled when the guild doors creaked open again.
A mage wearing a mask and hood stepped inside, five wands strapped across his back. Wands existed in this world, but they weren't like Rowan's. Most were specialized tools, each tied to one or two specific spells and usually favored by Holder-type mages. Rowan's wand, by contrast, didn't cast spells on its own. It amplified everything he used, accelerating casting speed and magnifying output. With enough mastery, even the simplest spell could be unleashed like a barrage.
The masked mage didn't greet anyone. He walked straight upstairs, selected a job, and left without another word.
"Yeah, that's terminal social anxiety," Rowan muttered as the man vanished.
One by one, the guild members woke from the sleep spell. Rowan stretched his wings and glanced around. This kind of personality was rare even in Fairy Tail.
"I'm heading to the library," Rowan said, fluttering upward. He had what he needed about Dragon Crystals. No reason to linger.
"Hey, cat. You're interesting."
The voice came from the second floor.
Rowan looked up. A tall blond mage leaned against the railing, coat draped over his shoulders, a lightning-shaped scar running across his face. He hadn't been there a moment ago.
"You can use restoration magic," the man continued casually. "And you resisted Mystogan's sleep spell. You qualify. Interested in being my cat?"
The guild erupted.
"Laxus?!"
Rowan now knew exactly who he was. Laxus Dreyar. Makarov's grandson. An S-Class mage. A Lightning Dragon Slayer who had fused a Dragon Crystal into his body.
Rowan flicked his tail.
"This guy's arrogant," he thought, then said aloud, "Not interested."
Right now, Rowan's priority was studying magic, not playing underling to anyone. And if he ever teamed up, he'd rather work with people like Erza, Lucy, or Levy. Better atmosphere. Better views.
Laxus laughed instead of getting angry. "Got attitude. I like that."
He leaned forward slightly. "You're going to take jobs eventually. If you want to grow stronger, following me is faster than teaming up with that bunch downstairs. You stay in the library because you want power, don't you?"
He wasn't wrong about Rowan's goals. But Rowan still didn't bite.
Before he could reply, flames burst into the air.
"Who are you calling useless?!" Natsu shouted, fire spilling from his mouth.
Laxus didn't even look impressed. "You can't even beat Erza, and you want to fight me?"
Erza's eyes narrowed. A sword appeared in her hand instantly.
"What did you say?"
Gray, Levy, and several others rushed in to calm things down. To her credit, Erza took a breath and dismissed the blade, choosing restraint over escalation.
Laxus smirked. "Still don't get it? I'm the strongest in this guild."
"I won't accept that!" Natsu leapt from a table, aiming for the second floor.
He didn't make it halfway.
A massive hand slammed him straight into the floor.
"Not S-Class," Makarov said flatly. "You don't go upstairs."
Laxus laughed loudly. "See? Told you."
"Enough, Laxus," Makarov snapped. "Reel it in."
With a snort, Laxus turned to leave. Before stepping out, he glanced back at Rowan.
"Your color suits me. One day, you'll be my cat."
Rowan smiled faintly. "Bring me a Dragon Crystal, and I might think about it."
That made Laxus pause. Then he left without another word.
The next day, chaos hit the guild again.
Natsu, determined to prove himself, had convinced Happy to steal an S-Class job from upstairs. He'd dragged Lucy along and vanished overnight. Makarov was furious and sent Gray after them immediately.
Rowan didn't get involved. That wasn't his problem. His time was better spent learning magic.
Elsewhere, far away, in another world entirely—
Nick Fury slid a report across the table toward Phil Coulson and Natasha Romanoff.
"Thoughts?"
"Our memories were tampered with," they said at the same time.
As elite agents, the discrepancies were obvious. Surveillance logs, timelines, and personal recollections didn't line up. If neither of them was lying, then something had altered their memories.
That much was clear.
"Any suspects?" Fury asked.
Coulson didn't hesitate. "Yes. George."
During the incident, only Pepper Potts and her bodyguard had been present. George's identity was untraceable, his presence unnatural. Coulson trusted his instincts.
Fury turned to Natasha.
She frowned. "I don't have a suspect. Everyone I met after entering the Akray GenTech facility is dead."
Her memory only diverged after entering the base. And the people she encountered there were all reduced to ash.
Fury leaned back slowly.
"So you're saying the same person or organization altered both of your memories."
The silence that followed said enough.