Darkness stretched endlessly in every direction. There was no sky, no ground, no sound, and no sense of time. Kael Reyes drifted within the void, his consciousness barely clinging to existence. His thoughts were scattered, floating like fragments of broken glass through an infinite sea of nothingness.
He could not remember how he arrived here, nor could he remember who he was supposed to be. Only faint impressions lingered—memories of rain-soaked streets, the echo of distant thunder, and the warmth of a familiar world that now felt impossibly far away.
Then, pain exploded through his body.
It struck violently, tearing through his senses like a blade, dragging him back into awareness. His lungs burned as air rushed into them, and his chest heaved as if he had been drowning for an eternity. His heart pounded wildly, each beat echoing painfully through his skull. Kael gasped, his body convulsing as sensation returned to his limbs. Every nerve screamed, every muscle protested, and a deep ache spread through his bones.
Slowly, he opened his eyes.
Blinding light poured in, forcing him to squint. Above him stretched a vast sky, impossibly blue, its clouds drifting lazily across an endless horizon. The air was crisp, clean, and strangely vibrant, carrying an unfamiliar energy that made his skin tingle. It was nothing like the polluted atmosphere of the city he remembered. This sky felt alive.
Kael lay still, disoriented and terrified. His breathing was uneven, his chest rising and falling in shallow gasps. He tried to move, but the moment he attempted to shift, agony tore through his body, forcing a strangled groan from his throat. His limbs felt heavy, as though gravity itself had multiplied.
"What… where am I…?" he whispered hoarsely.
His voice sounded distant, unfamiliar, as if it belonged to someone else.
With tremendous effort, he turned his head to the side. The sight that greeted him made his heart skip. The ground around him was cracked and sunken, forming a shallow crater several meters wide. Loose soil and shattered stones were scattered in every direction, as though something had fallen from the sky and struck the earth with tremendous force.
A chill crept down his spine.
"I… fell?"
Fragments of memory surfaced—walking home beneath a darkening sky, the sudden flash of blinding white light, a deafening roar that seemed to tear reality itself apart. Then nothing.
His gaze slowly lifted beyond the crater, and his breath caught.
In the distance lay a bustling town, its colorful rooftops and tall stone buildings gleaming beneath the sunlight. Narrow roads wound through lively streets, and at the heart of the town stood a massive structure, far larger than any other building. Carved into its walls was a symbol Kael recognized instantly—a flaming winged emblem that made his blood run cold.
His lips parted, his voice barely a whisper.
"Fairy… Tail…?"
The world seemed to tilt.
Impossible.
This had to be a hallucination.
A dream conjured by a dying mind.
And yet, everything felt too real. The breeze brushing against his skin, the warmth of the sun, the distant echoes of laughter drifting from the town—it was all vivid, tangible, undeniable.
His heartbeat thundered in his ears.
"This isn't Earth…"
The realization struck with crushing force.
Before panic could fully consume him, a sharp mechanical sound echoed inside his head.
[DING.]
Kael flinched, his entire body tensing.
"What was that…?"
A translucent blue screen flickered into existence before his eyes, hovering in midair as though projected by invisible light. Lines of glowing text scrolled rapidly across its surface, moving far faster than he could read.
His breath hitched.
A system interface.
Just like in the games and novels he used to read.
His hands trembled as he stared at the floating display, half-expecting it to vanish.
But it remained.
Solid.
Real.
"System…?" he whispered.
The screen pulsed faintly, as though responding.
A sudden, overwhelming realization surged through his chest, leaving him dizzy.
If this was real…
Then he hadn't just been transported.
He had been chosen.
Fear and excitement tangled violently within him, twisting his emotions into chaos. His mind raced, struggling to process the impossible reality unfolding before him. A boy from a mundane world, standing at the threshold of a magical universe filled with dragons, demons, ancient curses, and god-like beings.
His life had ended and something new had begun.
The screen shifted again, and more glowing words appeared, radiating faint authority.
[You have been selected as the bearer of the Arcane Sovereign System.]
Kael swallowed hard.
"What… does that mean?"
He waited.
The air around him vibrated subtly, as though the world itself were acknowledging his existence. A strange warmth spread through his chest, seeping into his veins, flowing toward every corner of his body. It felt foreign, yet natural, like something long dormant had finally awakened.
Suddenly, images flooded his mind—countless glowing symbols, swirling magical formulas, ancient runes, and incomprehensible patterns rotating endlessly through an infinite space. The sheer volume of information threatened to overwhelm him, and he cried out, clutching his head as the torrent surged through his consciousness.
Just as abruptly as it had begun, the flood ceased.
Kael collapsed back against the ground, panting heavily. Sweat clung to his skin, and his heart hammered violently against his ribs. Slowly, he lifted his trembling hands, staring at them in disbelief.
"I'm… alive."
The words felt surreal.
More than that.
He was alive in Fairy Tail's world.
A shiver of anticipation ran down his spine.
If this wasn't a dream, then the impossible was now possible.
Power.
Adventure.
Danger.
Destiny.
Everything lay before him.
As if sensing his awakening, the system interface shifted once more. A new presence stirred deep inside his chest, subtle but undeniable. He felt a strange energy swirl beneath his heart, warm and pulsing, waiting to be called upon.
Mana.
He didn't know how, but he recognized it instantly.
This world's power source now flowed through his veins.
Kael clenched his fists slowly, feeling the unfamiliar energy respond to his will. A faint glow shimmered beneath his skin, vanishing just as quickly as it appeared.
A nervous laugh escaped his lips.
"So this is real…"
But reality was rarely kind.
A low, guttural growl rolled through the nearby forest, sending a jolt of fear through his body. The hairs on his neck stood on end, and instinct screamed danger. Slowly, carefully, Kael turned his head toward the source of the sound.
The trees rustled violently.
Branches snapped.
Heavy footsteps shook the ground.
From the shadows of the forest emerged massive silhouettes, their glowing red eyes burning with predatory hunger. One by one, monstrous forms stepped into the sunlight, revealing towering bodies covered in thick black fur, long claws that scraped against the earth, and jagged fangs dripping with saliva.
Magic beasts.
Kael's breath hitched.His body trembled as primal fear surged through his veins.
"I… I'm going to die."
The largest beast snarled, lowering its massive head before lunging forward.
Kael's survival instincts exploded into action.
"System!" he cried desperately. "Help me!"
Something stirred deep within him.The energy in his chest surged violently, flooding his limbs with heat. Power rushed through his veins, wild and overwhelming, threatening to tear him apart from the inside. His vision blurred as instinct took over.
Without thinking, he raised his trembling hand.
Light gathered at his palm.
A small, flickering orb of blue energy formed, unstable and trembling, pulsing with raw magical force.
The beast closed the distance in seconds, its jaws opening wide.
Kael screamed.
"GO!"
The orb shot forward.
A thunderous explosion tore through the clearing.
The blast hurled the beast backward, slamming it into a thick tree trunk with bone-crushing force. The tree cracked down the middle, splintering violently before collapsing under the impact.The monster howled in agony before falling silent.
The remaining beasts froze, fear flashing in their glowing eyes. They hesitated only a moment before turning and fleeing back into the forest, vanishing among the shadows.
Silence descended.
Kael collapsed to his knees, gasping desperately for air. His entire body trembled violently, exhaustion crashing over him like a tidal wave. His muscles burned, and his head throbbed painfully.
"I… survived…"
The realization struck him slowly.
He was alive.
In a world filled with monsters.
And he had just defeated one.
Despite the fear and pain, a strange excitement bloomed within his chest. His heart raced—not from terror, but from exhilaration.
This power.
This world.
This chance.
He slowly pushed himself to his feet, gazing toward Magnolia Town in the distance. Sunlight reflected off its rooftops, and faint laughter drifted through the air.
Whatever fate awaited him there—
He would face it head-on.
Straightening his shoulders, Kael took his first step forward.
Toward Fairy Tail.
Toward destiny.
Kael walked for what felt like hours, though in reality it may have only been minutes. Each step toward Magnolia Town felt heavy, his muscles still aching from the violent awakening of his magic. The adrenaline that had fueled his survival slowly faded, leaving behind exhaustion and a dull, persistent soreness throughout his body. Yet he forced himself onward, driven by a mixture of fear, hope, and a burning curiosity about the world he had fallen into.
The closer he drew to the town, the more vivid everything became. The smell of freshly baked bread drifted through the air, mingling with the scent of wood smoke and wildflowers. Merchants called out cheerfully from their stalls, children ran laughing through the streets, and adventurers wearing strange outfits passed by, radiating faint magical auras.
Every sight, every sound, overwhelmed his senses. He felt like a child seeing the world for the first time, his eyes wide with wonder. The buildings were constructed of stone and wood, sturdy yet colorful, and many bore magical engravings that shimmered faintly under the sunlight. Kael realized he was smiling, despite everything. This world, though dangerous, felt alive in a way his old life never had.
Yet beneath that awe lingered tension. He stood out. His clothes were foreign, his manner uncertain, and his aura unstable. Several townsfolk glanced at him curiously, whispering among themselves. Kael lowered his gaze, pushing past his unease. His destination was clear. The towering structure at the center of the town, larger than any other building, dominated the skyline. The Fairy Tail guild hall.
As he approached, the noise grew louder. Laughter, shouting, and the unmistakable sound of explosions echoed through the thick wooden walls. A sudden crash rattled the windows, followed by a chorus of angry yelling. Kael paused before the massive double doors, his hand hovering just above the handle. His heartbeat quickened, and his palms grew slick with sweat. On the other side of these doors were people he had once only seen through a screen. Legends. Heroes. Monsters in human form.
He took a deep breath and pushed the doors open.
Chaos erupted before him.
A fireball streaked across the hall, narrowly missing a flying blue cat that screeched indignantly as it zipped through the air. A shard of ice slammed into a wooden pillar, sending splinters raining down. Several guild members were engaged in a full-blown brawl, fists, magic, and furniture flying in all directions. Laughter filled the hall, loud and unrestrained, blending seamlessly with shouts of rage and triumph. Someone was hanging upside down from a chandelier, cheering wildly, while another person lay unconscious on the floor, snoring peacefully amid the destruction.
Kael stood frozen in the doorway, overwhelmed.
This was Fairy Tail.
Wild. Chaotic. Alive.
"HEY! WHO ARE YOU?"
The shout rang out sharply, cutting through the noise.
The entire hall seemed to pause.
Dozens of eyes turned toward Kael, their gazes sharp, curious, and wary. A wave of magical pressure washed over him as multiple powerful presences focused their attention in his direction. His breath caught in his throat, and his heart hammered violently against his ribs. For a brief moment, he felt like prey surrounded by predators.
From the center of the hall, a short old man hopped down from atop a table, landing lightly on the floor. His spiky white hair stuck out in all directions, and his sharp eyes gleamed with intelligence and authority. Despite his small stature, the power he radiated was immense, dwarfing nearly everyone else in the room.
Makarov Dreyar.
The master of Fairy Tail.
Kael swallowed.
The old man approached him slowly, studying him from head to toe. His gaze lingered on Kael's clothes, his posture, and the faint, unstable flow of mana surrounding him.
"You're not from around here, kid," Makarov said, his voice calm but firm.
Kael hesitated, then shook his head. "No, sir."
"Where'd you come from?"
The question struck like a blade.
How could he explain another world? How could he possibly make them understand?
"I… got lost," Kael answered carefully. "I don't remember much about how I got here."
Murmurs rippled through the guild hall. Some members looked skeptical, others indifferent. A few shrugged, clearly unconcerned.
Makarov stared at him for a long moment, then suddenly burst into laughter.
"HAH! That's Fairy Tail for you! People falling out of the sky isn't even the strangest thing we've dealt with!"
The tension evaporated instantly.
Several guild members laughed, while others resumed their brawls as if nothing unusual had happened.
Kael blinked in disbelief.
"That was… easy."
A blonde girl stepped forward, her warm brown eyes shining with curiosity. "Hi! I'm Lucy Heartfilia. What's your name?"
"Kael," he replied softly.
She smiled brightly. "Nice to meet you, Kael!"
A pink-haired boy with a scarf wrapped around his neck leaned closer, grinning wildly. "Are you strong?"
"I… I don't know," Kael admitted.
"Let's fight!"
Before Kael could react, a red-haired woman clad in armor struck the pink-haired boy across the head, sending him sprawling.
"Behave, Natsu," she said coldly.
"S-sorry, Erza…" Natsu muttered.
Kael stared in awe.
They were exactly as he remembered.
Yet seeing them in person was entirely different. Their presence was overwhelming, their personalities larger than life, their power tangible.
As he stepped fully into the guild hall, a strange sensation washed over him. The system interface shimmered faintly in his vision.
A subtle pressure settled in his chest, as if invisible threads were weaving around his soul, binding him to this place and these people.
Something had changed.
Makarov hopped up onto the counter behind the bar, raising his voice. "Alright, listen up! We've got a new face here! His name's Kael, and he wants to join Fairy Tail!"
The guild erupted in cheers.
Kael froze.
"Wait—what?"
Before he could protest, Makarov was already stamping paperwork with gleeful enthusiasm.
"Where do you want your guild mark, kid?"
His heart pounded.
This was happening too fast.
But at the same time, he knew.
This was where he belonged.
Slowly, he extended his right forearm. "Here."
Makarov nodded and pressed the hot ink stamp against his skin. A sharp sting flared briefly before fading, leaving behind the emblem of Fairy Tail etched into his flesh.
The sight of it stole Kael's breath.
He stared at the mark, his vision blurring slightly.
Family.
Belonging.
For the first time since arriving in this world, he felt truly anchored.
Yet before the moment could fully settle, Makarov's expression suddenly changed. His playful demeanor vanished, replaced by sharp seriousness. He hopped down from the counter, approaching Kael slowly.
"You're suppressing your magic," Makarov said quietly.
The guild fell silent.
Kael stiffened. "What?"
"Your aura is unstable. Foreign. Like it doesn't belong to this world," Makarov continued. "Release it."
Panic surged through Kael.
"I—I can't control it!"
"Then learn," Makarov replied simply.
Kael closed his eyes.
He focused inward, on the swirling energy within his chest. Mana stirred, responding eagerly to his attention. Slowly, he allowed it to flow.
The effect was immediate.
A violent wave of magical pressure exploded outward, shaking the entire guild hall. Tables flipped, windows shattered, and several members were hurled backward by the sheer force. Natsu's eyes lit up in excitement, while Lucy screamed in surprise. Erza instantly drew her sword, planting her feet firmly against the floor.
Kael gasped, his body trembling. "I can't stop it!"
"Focus!" Makarov barked. "Shape it! Control it!"
Kael clenched his fists, imagining the power compressing, obeying his will. Inch by inch, the wild surge calmed. The pressure receded, leaving only faint ripples of mana in the air.
Silence followed.
Dozens of stunned gazes locked onto him.
Makarov slowly exhaled. "Such raw output… and no training."
Kael stood frozen, shaken by his own power.
That night, after the excitement had faded and the guild had settled, Makarov summoned Kael to his office. The room was quiet, filled with old books, scrolls, and the weight of countless memories. The old man studied him carefully.
"Tell me the truth, boy. What are you?"
Kael hesitated, then spoke of Earth, of modern life, of the blinding light, and of the system that now guided his existence. Makarov listened in silence, his expression unreadable.
When Kael finished, the old man sighed softly. "This world is stranger than most people realize. If what you say is true, then your arrival here was no accident."
"Am I dangerous?" Kael asked quietly.
Makarov chuckled. "Everyone in Fairy Tail is dangerous."
Then he placed a hand on Kael's shoulder. "But your heart matters more than your power. As long as you remember that, you'll be fine."
That night, lying in his new room, Kael stared at the ceiling, his mind racing. His system interface glowed faintly in the darkness, waiting.
His journey had begun.
And fate itself had started to shift.
Sleep came slowly that night. Even as his body lay exhausted against the unfamiliar bed, Kael's mind refused to rest. Every time he closed his eyes, fragments of the day replayed endlessly—his fall from the sky, the brutal encounter with the magic beast, the overwhelming chaos of Fairy Tail, and the moment his uncontrolled power had shaken the guild hall itself. His heartbeat gradually slowed, but the sense of unease and anticipation lingered, twisting together in his chest. This world was beautiful and terrifying in equal measure, and he had barely taken his first step into it.
When dawn finally arrived, soft golden light filtered through the small window, bathing the room in a warm glow. Kael stirred, blinking groggily as consciousness returned. For a brief moment, he expected to find himself back in his old bedroom, the familiar ceiling of his home greeting him. Instead, the wooden beams above and the faint hum of distant magic reminded him that nothing was the same anymore.
He sat up slowly, rubbing his face, and exhaled. "So it really wasn't a dream."
As if responding to his words, the system interface shimmered into view before his eyes, its faint blue glow hovering in the air.
[Good morning, Host.]
Kael let out a short laugh. "Yeah… morning."
He stretched, feeling a strange lightness in his limbs. Despite the violent exhaustion he had experienced the day before, his body felt refreshed, stronger, more responsive. It was as if the system had repaired and enhanced him overnight. When he swung his legs off the bed and stood, he noticed his balance was sharper, his movements smoother.
"Status," he murmured.
The interface shifted, displaying his updated condition. His magic power had risen noticeably, and even his physical attributes had increased. Though still far from the terrifying monsters that roamed this world, he was no longer helpless.
Before he could reflect further, a knock echoed at his door.
"Kael!" Lucy's cheerful voice called out. "Breakfast is ready! And Master Makarov wants to see you afterward!"
Kael's heart skipped. "Already?"
He quickly dressed and stepped into the hallway, following the familiar sounds of laughter and clattering dishes toward the guild's dining area. The moment he entered, he was greeted by an explosion of energy. Natsu was already devouring a mountain of food, shoveling plate after plate into his mouth with terrifying speed. Gray argued loudly with another member, half-dressed as usual, while Erza sat calmly at the center of the table, eating with composed elegance despite the chaos around her.
Lucy waved him over, smiling brightly. "Come sit!"
Kael hesitated only briefly before joining them. Plates were shoved toward him, and within seconds, his table was overflowing with food. The rich aromas made his stomach growl embarrassingly loudly.
As he ate, the tension he had carried since arriving slowly eased. The warmth of the guild, the easy laughter, and the unrestrained personalities around him reminded him that despite the danger of this world, there was also genuine joy here.
Yet beneath that warmth, he could feel something else.
A subtle pull.
As though the system itself were guiding him forward.
After breakfast, Makarov summoned him to the training grounds behind the guild hall. The open field was scarred with countless battle marks—craters, scorch lines, shattered stone—silent testimony to the overwhelming power frequently unleashed here. Several guild members lingered nearby, curiosity evident in their gazes.
Makarov folded his arms, studying Kael carefully. "Your magic is raw and unstable. If you don't learn control quickly, you'll hurt yourself or someone else."
Kael nodded solemnly. "I understand."
"Good. Then let's see what you can do."
Kael swallowed, stepping forward.
He closed his eyes, focusing on the swirling energy within his chest. Slowly, he drew mana outward, shaping it the way he had the night before. This time, the power responded more smoothly, flowing along invisible channels through his body.
A faint blue glow enveloped his hands.
"Good," Makarov said. "Now compress it. Shape it. Don't let it explode."
Kael clenched his fists, visualizing the energy condensing. The glow intensified, growing brighter and denser. Sweat beaded along his forehead as he struggled to maintain control.
Minutes passed.
Then, finally, the mana stabilized.
A compact sphere of shimmering arcane energy hovered just above his palm, rotating slowly.
The watching guild members murmured in awe.
"First try…" someone whispered.
Makarov's eyes gleamed. "Remarkable."
But the strain was immense.
Kael's muscles trembled, his breathing turning ragged as the pressure mounted.
"Release it," Makarov commanded.
Kael hurled the sphere forward.
It streaked across the field and slammed into a distant boulder, detonating with thunderous force. Stone shattered, fragments scattering in every direction. A massive crater formed where the rock once stood.Silence followed.
Kael staggered, nearly collapsing before Makarov caught him.
"Not bad," the old man said approvingly. "But you burned through your mana far too quickly. You need efficiency."
Kael nodded weakly, his chest heaving.
As he rested, the system interface flickered again.
A new presence awakened within him.
Something ancient.
Something powerful.
Deep within his consciousness, a door cracked open.
Visions flooded his mind—endless stars, collapsing dimensions, glowing sigils rotating through infinite space. He felt his soul stretch, reshaping itself to accommodate something vast and incomprehensible.
Pain and ecstasy surged together.
Kael cried out, collapsing to his knees as raw power coursed through his veins.
The world around him blurred.
For a moment, everything disappeared.
When his vision cleared, he found himself standing within an endless void of swirling light. Massive runes floated in the air around him, pulsing with ancient authority. At the center hovered a colossal golden sigil, radiating unimaginable power.
A voice echoed through the void, neither male nor female, neither gentle nor harsh.
"You who walk between worlds… you who defy fate… your path shall not be ordinary."
Kael's heart thundered.
"What… is this?"
"You have awakened the potential of the Arcane Sovereign."
The sigil flared, unleashing a torrent of light that slammed into Kael's chest.
Agony tore through him.
Yet beneath the pain surged unimaginable power.
When sensation returned, Kael lay on the training field, gasping. Makarov and several guild members stood around him, their faces etched with concern and shock.His entire body radiated faint golden light, slowly fading as his breathing steadied.
Makarov stared, speechless.
Kael slowly pushed himself upright, trembling.
Inside his mind, the system interface glowed brighter than ever.
A new presence now existed within him.
Something far greater than before.
He clenched his fists, feeling the overwhelming power thrumming beneath his skin.
"I… I'm not the same anymore," he whispered.
And deep within his soul, fate itself trembled.
Because the Arcane Sovereign had awakened.
The light slowly faded from Kael's body, leaving only the faint shimmer of residual mana drifting in the air. His breathing was uneven, his chest rising and falling as if he had just run for miles. Every muscle trembled, not from exhaustion alone, but from the overwhelming power that had surged through him moments earlier. The training field was silent. Even the usually rowdy Fairy Tail members stood frozen, their gazes locked onto him as if they were witnessing something that defied all common sense.
Makarov was the first to recover. He stepped forward slowly, his sharp eyes scanning Kael from head to toe, searching for injuries, instability, or signs of magical backlash.
"How do you feel?" he asked carefully.
Kael swallowed, pressing a hand against his chest. "Strange… but not in a bad way. It's like something inside me has… awakened."
Makarov's brows knitted together. "That power you released just now… it wasn't ordinary magic. It felt ancient. Deep. As though it had existed since the foundation of this world."
Kael's heart skipped. He lowered his gaze, unsure how much he should reveal.
The system interface flickered faintly at the edge of his vision, but he dismissed it for the moment. "I don't fully understand it myself," he admitted. "But I think it's part of what brought me here."
Makarov studied him in silence. Finally, he exhaled. "Then we'll help you learn. Fairy Tail protects its own."
The words struck deep.
Before Kael could respond, Erza stepped forward. Her sharp gaze softened slightly as she looked at him. "Power like yours will attract danger," she said calmly. "Dark guilds, criminals, and monsters will sense it. You must be ready."
"I know," Kael replied quietly.
Natsu grinned, clapping him hard on the back. "That just means more fights! I can't wait!"
Kael managed a weak smile.
But deep inside, a heavy unease lingered.
As the group dispersed, Kael remained behind, staring at the distant forest line beyond the training grounds. The wind whispered softly through the grass, carrying with it a faint sense of foreboding. He couldn't explain it, but something was watching him.
And it was not friendly.
That night, the air above Magnolia felt unnaturally heavy. The moon hung low in the sky, veiled behind thin clouds that dulled its glow. Shadows stretched long and distorted across the streets, clinging to corners and alleyways like living things. Most of the town slept peacefully, unaware of the unseen forces gathering beyond their walls.
Deep within the forest surrounding Magnolia, figures moved silently between the trees. Their presence warped the air, bending the flow of mana around them like ripples in water. Cloaked in dark robes, their faces hidden behind bone-white masks etched with sinister symbols, they advanced toward the town with predatory intent.
At their center walked a tall man with long silver hair, his crimson eyes glowing faintly beneath the shadow of his hood. A cruel smile curved his lips as he gazed toward Magnolia's distant lights.
"So that is where the anomaly has landed," he murmured. "A soul beyond this world… bound to a system that defies natural law."
One of the masked figures knelt before him. "Orders, Master Veyron?"
Veyron's smile widened. "Observe first. If the power is genuine, we will test it. If the boy survives… he may prove useful. If not—" his eyes darkened, "—then he will become nourishment for greater ascension."
The shadows swallowed them as they vanished.
Unaware of the danger closing in, Kael lay awake in his room, staring at the ceiling. His body was exhausted, but his mind remained restless. Every time he closed his eyes, he felt the echo of that vast, ancient power stirring within him. It was both comforting and terrifying.
He slowly sat up, swinging his legs over the side of the bed. The room was silent, yet a faint pressure lingered in the air, making his skin prickle.
Something was wrong.
The system interface shimmered into view.
[Warning.]
[Host is being observed.]
Kael's breath caught.
"Observed…?"
The sensation intensified, like invisible eyes boring into his soul. He stood quietly, moving toward the window. Slowly, he pushed it open and leaned out.
The night air was cold.
The streets below were empty.
Yet beyond the rooftops, at the edge of the forest, a faint distortion rippled through the darkness.
Kael's heart pounded.
"Someone's there…"
Before he could react, the air behind him twisted violently.
A wave of killing intent crashed down upon him.
Kael spun around just as a blade of pure black energy tore through the space where his head had been a second earlier, embedding itself into the wall with explosive force. The entire room shook, debris raining down as Kael dove aside.
The window shattered.
Cold wind howled inside.
Kael rolled to his feet, adrenaline flooding his veins. His heart thundered in his ears as three cloaked figures materialized from the shadows, their masked faces emotionless, their bodies radiating murderous intent.
"Target confirmed," one of them said in a hollow, distorted voice.
Kael clenched his fists, summoning mana instinctively. "Who are you?!"
They did not answer.
They attacked.
Two of them vanished, reappearing in blurs of motion at his sides. Blades flashed, aiming for his neck and heart. Kael barely managed to twist away, feeling cold steel graze his cheek. He countered with a burst of arcane energy, blasting one attacker backward through the wall.
The explosion rocked the building.
Shouts erupted throughout the guild hall.
The remaining assailants pressed harder, their movements precise, lethal, and relentless. Kael retreated, barely blocking strike after strike as sparks and fragments of shattered furniture filled the air.
His control wavered.
Fear surged.
Then something snapped.
A deep, ancient presence stirred within his soul.
The Arcane Sovereign responded.
Power flooded his body.
Golden light erupted around him, forcing the attackers back. The air trembled violently as Kael raised his hand, arcane sigils spiraling around his arm.
"You won't touch them," he whispered.
He thrust his palm forward.
A devastating wave of compressed arcane energy exploded outward, obliterating the floor, tearing through walls, and hurling the attackers across the courtyard. The shockwave rippled through the guild, shattering windows and sending a deafening boom echoing across Magnolia.
Silence followed.
For a heartbeat, the world stood still.
Then chaos erupted.
Natsu burst through a wall in a blaze of fire. Erza landed beside Kael, swords already drawn. Gray skidded across the floor, ice forming around his fists. Makarov descended from above, his expression thunderous.
But the attackers were already retreating.
Dark portals opened beneath them, swallowing their forms before anyone could strike.
Only faint traces of corrupted mana lingered behind.
Kael stood in the center of the ruined room, chest heaving, golden light slowly fading from his body. His hands trembled.
Makarov's gaze hardened. "Dark guild… and high-level assassins."
Erza sheathed her sword slowly. "They came for him."
Kael swallowed.
For the first time, the true danger of this world fully struck him.
His existence had already disrupted the balance.
And forces far more dangerous than magic beasts had taken notice.
As the dust settled, Makarov placed a heavy hand on Kael's shoulder. "Your life won't be peaceful anymore," he said quietly. "From now on, you walk a path that few ever survive."
Kael lifted his gaze, eyes burning with resolve.
"Then I'll become strong enough to survive it."
High above Magnolia, unseen by all, a crimson gaze watched silently before fading into darkness.
The game had begun.
And fate itself had started to move.