บท 3: What's inside Gambling Soul? A Book

"Okay, what the hell is this?" Lucy's voice rang out, her tone spiked with a mixture of confusion and anxiety. It wasn't that she was angry with me, per se, but her mounting freak-out was definitely cranking up her temper.

"Big sis, please, just take a breath," I pleaded, pulling the classic younger brother card. Usually, we were all about treating each other as equals—at least, that's how I saw it. Though my sister had her own unique ways of showing affection: the teasing, the friendly banter, and, of course, the occasional switch into Onee Chan mode.

Then there's that rare but utterly terrifying mode: apocalyptic big sister mode. It only kicks in when I've royally screwed up, usually putting myself in more danger than her. If I ever put her in serious danger, like many time I did in past, she'll forgive me eventually, but not without subjecting me to days of silent treatment first.

But if it's my own stupidity that lands me in harm's way, Lucy's apocalyptic mode kicks into high gear. She'll wait for me to heal if I'm banged up, but then it's game on. And by game on, I mean she'll unleash a whirlwind of punches and slaps that, while not exactly pleasant, felt like par for the course in the world of big sisterhood.

To be fair, it wasn't abuse or anything. Ask anyone with an older sibling—they'll probably tell you that a smack or two from them is just par for the course if you've genuinely messed up. Besides, even though Lucy was technically the big sister, she wasn't exactly a paragon of maturity herself. So, yeah, things got a bit physical when she was doling out punishment.

Thankfully, I'd only experienced such punishment a couple of times. And each time, Lucy managed to win me over with weeks of ice cream and pastries.

I wanted to brood more, but I got sweet tooth so sue me.

Lucy let out a heavy sigh, her words laced with fear. "I'm scared, Lucas. People without magic don't just suddenly develop it out of thin air. You're either born with it, or you're not," she explained, her voice trembling as she clenched her fists and her eyes betrayed her inner turmoil.

"Why are you so rattled?" I asked softly, wrapping an arm around her shoulders as she leaned into the comfort of the embrace, gradually calming down.

"Because, Lucas, magic doesn't just manifest out of nowhere for those who were never born with it. The only way a non-magical person gains magic is through an external force," she elaborated, causing me to pause and ponder her words.

"But wait," I interjected, feeling the need to challenge her explanation, "aren't all mages drawing their power from external sources? I mean, Ethernano is essentially an environmental energy, right?"

Lucy shook her head gently, her expression solemn. "Yes, the energy comes from outside, but the magic itself, the spells, they're intrinsically linked to the wizard's soul. It's a part of us, Lucas. But you... you don't have that connection within your soul. So whatever magical occurrences are happening with you, it's unnatural."

Well, damn. So that's the inner workings of magic in this world. But I'm not exactly from around here, and the Celestial Grimoire itself isn't exactly native to this realm either.

And telling Lucy the truth right now? That seems like a recipe for disaster. I love my sister, no question, but do I really need to spill my guts and reveal all my secrets just to prove my affection?

Hell no!

Every family has its secrets, even the most loving ones. So why complicate things unnecessarily? I'll just have to navigate this mess with a little creative storytelling.

"About that," I began tentatively, catching my sister's curious gaze as I finally turned to face her.

"Do you remember my first words this morning?" I asked, adopting a solemn tone.

"Something about finally unlocking the secret to life?" Lucy responded, her confusion evident before her eyes widened dramatically. "Oh no, please don't tell me you weren't just spouting random gibberish this morning," she exclaimed, a note of panic creeping into her voice.

"Yeah, well, it turns out there's been something inside my soul since this morning, and that's probably why you've got a staff in your hand," I admitted, trying to sound casual despite the surreal nature of the situation.

"Prove it," Lucy challenged, her tone firm. "Summon your magic circle. If there's truly something bound within your soul, it'll come out instinctively."

I cupped my hands together and focused, channeling the latent magic that I knew was coursing through my veins now that I had a bit of elf blood in me. Come on, show yourself!

At first, nothing happened. I could feel Lucy's disappointment hanging in the air like a heavy fog.Then, with a deep sigh, she reached out and joined her hands with mine. Instantly, her touch ignited a brilliant golden glow that enveloped our joined hands, filling me with a sense of awe and wonder.

It felt as though something deep within me was stirring, responding to her touch like a fish lured in by a fisherman's bait.

Lucy withdrew her hands, but the golden radiance remained, pulsing and shimmering with an otherworldly energy.

And then, in a breathtaking moment, a golden book materialized in my hands, as if conjured from thin air.

I stared at it in disbelief, Is this what I think it is? Wasn't this suppose to bring out Magic circle?

"What's this?" Lucy asked, her fingers grazing the cover of the golden book.

"Ahh!" she yelped in surprise as a jolt of red lightning zapped her hand, causing her to quickly withdraw.

Well, of course the Celestial Grimoire wasn't going to let itself be touched by anyone but its host. But the fact that it had a physical form? That was news to me.

"Oh, this explains a lot," Lucy remarked, a hint of relief in her voice.

"Do you know what it is?" I inquired, surprised by her sudden insight.

"Not exactly," she admitted, shaking her head. "I don't recognize the book itself, but I do know it's a soulbound item. Aquarius taught me about these things years ago. The good news is, it's not some demon or magical beast possessing you like I initially feared. The bad news? I have no clue what this book does or who it belongs to."

I opened the book, revealing only a single page with two rolls and their descriptions. Well, time to improvise a bit. Let's see how much bullshit I can cook.

"Apparently, this is the Grimoire of an ancient mage," I lied smoothly, maintaining a straight face as I pretended to read from the text. "He was the advisor to a great king and was known as the Magus of Flowers."

"Aww, he sounds so cute." Lucy's expression softened, her tension melting away as she relaxed against me, clinging to me like I was her own personal tension-relieving teddy bear.

It seemed she had been genuinely frightened at the thought of something possessing me. And it wasn't unfounded fear, considering the various supernatural threats that lurked in our world. Demons, magical beasts, symbiotic creatures offering powers for a price—the list went on. Most ordinary folks didn't have much knowledge about these things; it was left to the Guild wizards, military, police, and Rune Knights to handle such matters and protect the civilians.

"Tell me more about this flower mage," Lucy murmured softly, her voice filled with curiosity as we basked in the peaceful atmosphere of the park.

"His name was Merlin," I replied, weaving more lies effortlessly. "There's not much information here, but apparently, this book has been traveling through time and space, seeking out a compatible vessel."

Well, the bit about Merlin was complete rubbish, but the Grimoire did indeed seek out hosts. As for the name, I hoped the Merlin in the Avalon Tower across the multiverse wouldn't take offense at my little white lie. After all, a bit of creative storytelling never hurt anyone, right?

"I wonder how I became its host," I mused aloud, genuinely puzzled. Why had the Grimoire chosen me? Was I some sort of special candidate, or just a random schmuck it had picked out of the crowd?

"Likely because you have magic blood in your veins but don't possess magic in your soul. Perfect hosts for soulbound objects," Lucy murmured, her tone thoughtful.

Damn, my sister was proving to be more knowledgeable than canon Lucy, wasn't she? Even though she was coming to the wrong conclusion, it was still a pretty damn good guess given the circumstances.

"Aren't you worried?" I asked, glancing at her expectantly.

"A little bit," she admitted, a hint of concern flickering in her eyes. "But soulbound objects don't have egos like possessed entities do, and it's a less risky path for someone who's not a mage."

"I think I'm a mage now, sis," I confessed, feeling a mix of excitement and apprehension. "This Grimoire is talking about teaching me spells and magic."

"I suppose you are," she conceded with a soft hum, before sighing and extracting herself from our embrace, her expression weary.

"Why don't you go and explore the town with Natsu and Happy?" she suggested, her voice tinged with exhaustion. "I think I need some time alone."

I looked into her tired brown eyes and nodded in understanding. Today had been an emotional rollercoaster for her, what with the charm spell incident and now her previously magicless brother suddenly gaining magical abilities thanks to a Grimoire lodged in his soul. She was clearly overwhelmed.

"I understand. You can find me at the port area before sundown," I promised before turning to leave.

"Don't be late. It's important for all of us to meet before sunset. There's something we need to discuss about Fraudmander," I added before heading off, leaving Lucy to her thoughts.

Lucy stood frozen for a moment, watching her brother's retreating figure until he was out of sight, and then she finally let the tears she had been holding back flow freely.

She was terrified.

At first, she had feared that some demon or Vulkan had possessed her brother. When she had channeled her own magic—Celestial magic, a sub-branch of Celestial Spirit magic, imbued with the Holy attribute—into his soul earlier, she had been relieved beyond measure when his body hadn't disintegrated. She may not have been a master of Celestial magic, but she knew enough to perform basic spells, thanks to the guidance of her loyal spirits.

If there had been a demon lurking inside her brother, the holy magic she had used would have caused him excruciating pain. But she had no choice. Death would have been a mercy compared to the fate of becoming a flesh puppet for some malevolent entity, slowly corrupting both body and soul.

So when the golden book had emerged from his soul instead, it had been a relief beyond words. The Celestial Grimoire, radiating with one of the holiest magics she had ever sensed, now residing within her brother's soul. He was in good hands.

Wiping away her tears, Lucy reached into her pouch and retrieved a golden key.

"Open, the gate of the Water bearer, Aquarius," she intoned softly, her voice barely above a whisper.

Now, she needed some time with her second mother figure. Not that she would ever admit to the stubborn mermaid. As she prepared herself for the scoldings and water splashes that were sure to come, Lucy felt a sense of calm wash over her. With her Celestial spirits by her side, she knew she would find the strength to face whatever challenges lay ahead.

Nothing will stop her and her brother's adventure now since she was this close to becoming proper wizard by joining a guild.

Rolling ....

You rolled: Grimoire Hunter [200 - Mage: The Awakening]

The rolling failed

100CP banked.

Well, that was a stroke of bad luck. The thought of being a Grimoire Hunter, especially from the Celestial Grimoire, is pretty ironic. But dwelling on that won't do me any good. I need to shift my focus elsewhere.

Surprisingly, the conversation with Lucy went smoother than I expected. She seemed satisfied with my explanation about the Grimoire's existence within me. Given how often we're together, keeping a secret like this hidden for long would've been impossible anyway.

But despite her acceptance, there's still this nagging feeling in my gut. I'll push it aside for now and try to move forward. There's no point dwelling on uncertainties. Time to focus on the present and whatever lies ahead.

"What are you two up to?" I called out as I spotted a familiar blue cat and pink-haired boy loitering outside a pastry shop, the shop owner shooting them menacing glares for not making a purchase despite their drooling.

"Didn't my sister feed you two, like, an hour ago?" I inquired, raising an eyebrow as they both turned to me with puppy-dog eyes.

I couldn't help but smirk. "Nice try, but those eyes won't work on me," I declared triumphantly, only to falter as they widened their eyes even further, dropping their ears in the most pitiful display I'd ever seen.

Damn it, that look did work on me.

"You're a good boy, Lucas," Natsu declared, devouring a crumbling cake in one massive bite before moving onto the next.

"Don't call me 'boy,' I'm only two years younger than you. You're seventeen, right?" I retorted, taking a bite of my own peculiar pastry. It looked like a bizarre combination of a donut and pancakes, but somehow still edible.

The food from Earth-land was so bizarre compared to the fare of my previous life on Earth.

"Yeah, and you look like you're fifteen. Or are you just a shortie?" Natsu teased, his laughter growing louder. My armored fist on his shoulder didn't even budge him. Granted, I wasn't using my full strength, but seriously, how durable was this guy?

"I'm perfectly fine for my age, thank you very much," I huffed, giving him a smug smile. "But once I hit my growth spurt, I'll leave you in the dust."

He just chuckled at my threat before getting serious. Well, as serious as Natsu could be.

"So, what's your plan? You asked if we were strong," Happy chimed in, surprisingly taking the lead in the conversation as we finished our snacks on the beachside.

"Do you have a job for us?" Natsu asked, his tone eager.

"Not a job, just a favor. I'm not about to send you to do my work for me," I clarified, wanting to make sure they didn't get the wrong idea.

Both Happy and Natsu exchanged a glance before giving me faint smirks. "You know what? Fine, I like you two. You helped out strangers when most people would just ignore us."

"So, what's the favor?" Natsu pressed, his curiosity piqued.

"You see that yacht over there?" I pointed to the massive warship-like vessel in the distance.

"You mean that big boat?" Natsu asked, prompting Happy and me to exchange incredulous looks.

"Yes, Natsu, that boat. It's called a ship, and it's a fancy one at that, meant only for VIPs," I explained patiently.

"It still sucks like the rest of the boats though," Natsu declared firmly, as if boats and ships around the world were his mortal enemies by birthright.

"That doesn't matter now. Remember Fraudmander?" I interjected, prompting their attention. "Apparently, it's his doing. He was using his Charm magic to lure people here."

"Oh no," Happy gasped, his feline features contorting into a disgusted expression. "He was only inviting females, mostly teenagers, and non-mages." He said in higher pitch voice, placing pieces together. Smart cat. More observant than I gave him credit for.

"Yeah, I suspect, no, I know it's a human trafficking and slavery ring," I confirmed grimly.

"But it's illegal here in Fiore! Why would he risk that? Isn't this punishable by execution?" Natsu exclaimed, surprising me with his awareness of legal matters. No offence but isn't he supposed to be kinda dumb like rest of Shonen main character?

"Yes, but he's already a criminal. He's been using Charm magic to hypnotize women, impersonating Fairy Tail's best guild member, and stealing the identity of the original Salamander to spread his crimes," I explained.

"You know about us, don't you?" Natsu asked, a hint of pride in his voice as he gestured to his Fairy Tail guild mark.

"Yup, it's pretty hard to miss," I replied with a small smile, earning a grin from the pink-haired mage.

"Anyway, I did some digging, and it turns out this ship is heading to Bosco, where slavery is perfectly legal," I continued, noting the upset looks on the faces of the two Fairy Tail wizards.

"So, that's your favor? A rescue mission?" Natsu inquired.

"Yes," I confirmed, tapping my armor in a specific pattern as it disappeared in a cloud of golden dust. This armor was from the spirit world, so naturally, it had the ability to vanish like a ghost until I wished it back. It was reminiscent of the Servant's attire from the Fate series.

"Whoa, is that Re-equip?" Happy asked in surprise.

"It's similar. I'll explain later," I promised, turning away. Now, we needed to reach the inn where Lucy and I were staying for a quick gear change. I had another set of stealth gear in our suitcase, complete with extra magical pockets.

"Come on, I have a plan, and we need Lucy to pull it off."

Ding Ding DIng. in next we deal with Fraudmander.