The morning after the festival in Magnolia felt strangely fresh.
Burnt paper fragments from the lanterns that had lit up the sky all night still drifted lazily in the air. The city was slowly returning to its normal rhythm—but inside the guild, the atmosphere felt heavy.
The Fairy Tail guild hall was unusually quiet.
Ignar Draven had his head down on a table, asleep.
Zephyr Frost stood near a window, stretching.
Levy was busy writing notes.
And near the entrance—
Aurelius.
Royal-blue coat. Composed posture. Calm smile.
As if he belonged there permanently.
"Good morning," he said evenly.
Seraphina Noctis offered a polite smile. "You're up early."
"I'm thinking of staying in Magnolia for a few days," Aurelius announced casually. "For strategic consultation with the Guild Master."
Zephyr leaned over and nudged Ignar.
"Strategic… or romantic?"
Ignar opened one eye.
"I smell a fight."
On the balcony above, Thorn looked down at the hall.
A coffee mug rested in his hand.
Crack.
A thin fracture appeared in the handle.
His expression didn't change.
Down below, Mavis entered the hall, glowing softly with golden light.
"Good morning, everyone!"
The room instantly felt brighter.
Aurelius walked straight to her.
"Guild Master, if you're free, I'd like to discuss some formation strategies."
Mavis smiled thoughtfully.
"Right now?"
"While the morning is still fresh."
From the balcony, Thorn turned away and walked inside without a word.
Seraphina leaned toward Levy.
"Did you feel that?"
Levy adjusted her glasses.
"Yes. Minor gravity tremor."
In the garden, Mavis and Aurelius walked side by side.
"Your leadership style is inspiring," Aurelius said calmly. "Emotional intelligence combined with tactical balance—rare."
Mavis laughed lightly.
"Do you always speak so formally?"
"When admiration is genuine, words come naturally."
A short distance away, Thorn stood, officially inspecting the training field.
Unofficially—observing.
As Aurelius leaned closer while explaining a map, Thorn's fingers tightened.
Small pebbles on the ground began to vibrate.
Mavis glanced sideways.
She noticed.
Understanding flickered in her eyes.
By noon, Aurelius stood at the center of the guild hall.
"How about a friendly spar?" he suggested casually.
"With the guild's strongest mage."
Silence.
Zephyr grinned.
"This should be interesting."
Aurelius's gaze locked onto Thorn.
"Interested?"
Thorn stood up. No drama.
"Fine."
The training ground filled quickly.
Mavis stood to the side.
"Friendly match," she said clearly. "No lethal intent."
Aurelius moved first—ice shards forming rapidly.
Thorn lifted a hand slightly. Gravity shifted.
The shards changed direction and smashed into the ground.
"Impressive control," Aurelius said.
His next attack was faster.
Thorn didn't dodge.
He countered.
Compressed air slammed forward, forcing Aurelius to slide back.
The guild whistled.
Aurelius remained calm.
"Emotions are weaknesses on the battlefield."
Thorn's eyes darkened.
"Not always."
The clash intensified. Magical pressure thickened.
Aurelius deliberately stepped into close combat.
"Do you protect the Guild Master… or possess her?"
One second.
Just one.
Gravity spiked.
The ground cracked.
Aurelius was thrown back with full force.
"Enough!" Mavis shouted.
A golden barrier slammed down between them.
Silence.
Thorn's breathing was heavy.
Aurelius straightened, brushing dust from his coat.
"Impressive."
The humor was gone from his eyes.
Mavis turned to Thorn.
"You're hurt."
"Minor."
"Thorn."
She said his name softly.
Aurelius noticed.
That evening, Ignar decided to lighten the mood.
"Truth game!"
Levy immediately drew a magic circle.
"If you lie inside this, it glows."
Excitement filled the hall.
Zephyr went first.
"I'm not irritated by Rainelle."
The circle glowed bright red.
Laughter exploded.
Ignar stepped in.
"I'm the smartest here."
Glow.
Seraphina clapped happily.
Then—through teasing, pushing, and chaos—
Thorn and Mavis ended up in the center.
Silence.
Ignar grinned.
"Now this is fun."
Levy asked seriously,
"Thorn. Were you jealous today?"
He froze.
"…Yes."
The circle glowed soft gold.
The guild screamed.
Zephyr nearly fell over.
Next question.
"Do you consider Mavis special?"
A long pause.
Thorn didn't look at her.
"…Yes."
The glow intensified.
Aurelius watched from the side. His smile was gone.
Ignar opened his mouth.
"Do you love—"
The circle suddenly overloaded.
Flash.
Everyone stumbled back.
The magic cracked.
"System overload," Levy whispered.
Silence.
Thorn stepped back.
Mavis looked at him.
The unspoken word hung between them.
Aurelius turned and quietly left the hall.
Night.
Cold wind on the rooftop.
Thorn stood alone.
Footsteps.
Mavis.
"Why did you run?"
"Too much noise."
"Really?"
Silence.
She stepped closer.
"You were jealous."
"…Yes."
"She's special?"
"…Yes."
"The last word?"
Thorn struggled.
"…Incomplete."
Mavis smiled softly.
"Then complete it."
"I don't know how."
"Learn."
She stood directly in front of him.
"Thorn… I'm not part of anyone's strategy."
"I know."
"I'm a choice."
He finally met her eyes.
"…I know."
Below them, laughter echoed from the guild.
In the shadows of the balcony, Aurelius watched.
"So it's real," he murmured.
Later.
Leon—no, Aurelius—was everywhere.
Standing close to Mavis.
Leaning over maps.
Lightly touching her hand while explaining.
Professional.
But close enough to hurt.
Thorn watched from the corner.
Heartbeat loud.
Air pressure heavy.
The floor vibrated.
"Gravity spike," Levy warned.
Aurelius spoke calmly,
"Light like yours needs shielding."
Mavis gently pulled her hand back.
"Light can fight too."
CRACK.
A thin line split the ceiling.
Silence.
Black particles swirled behind Thorn.
Mirajane whispered,
"Oh no…"
Thorn lifted his head.
His eyes—pure black.
Dark energy erupted.
Demon wings formed—massive, shadowed, glowing purple at the edges.
The guild froze.
"Distance," Thorn said deeply,
"I told you to maintain it."
BOOM.
He tore through the ceiling and shot into the sky.
Clouds spiraled.
Gravity distorted.
Mavis watched, tears forming.
"Thorn…"
She leapt.
Golden light exploded.
She reached him.
Hugged him from behind.
"I'm here."
The distortion shook.
"You're not losing me."
The wings flickered.
"I'm not going anywhere."
Slowly—gravity stabilized.
"I thought…" Thorn whispered, voice breaking.
"…I thought I was losing you."
"You're not."
The sky calmed.
The wings vanished.
They descended.
Silence.
"…Sorry," Thorn said quietly.
"No one should've been hurt."
Aurelius understood.
He was nowhere near Thorn's power.
Not in magic.
Not in feelings.
Later, Thorn sat alone on a broken wall.
"I never cared about anyone," he said softly.
"But I thought… I was losing her."
Mirajane's expression softened.
"You care about her more than just 'Master.'"
Thorn closed his eyes.
"…I'm sorry."
He collapsed.
Overuse. Emotional overload.
Mirajane caught him.
Inside the guild hall, Mavis cradled his head in her lap.
"He'll be fine," she said.
Slowly, Thorn woke.
First thing he saw—
Mavis.
"…Drama already?" he muttered.
The guild burst into laughter.
The tension broke.
But his hand—
Still holding the edge of Mavis's robe.
And this time—
He didn't let go.