Chương 41: Chapter 41 : Between the Lines

Makarov's eyebrows furrowed in surprise at the revelation that Eryndor was Aurelius' ancestor. Soon, the statement sank in, connecting Aurelius to a figure of legend and it actually made sense. Considering Aurelius' composure, and power, it is now surprising. But even so, Makarov couldn't help but feel a spark of disbelief. His lips parted, questions already forming on the tip of his tongue.

But before he could utter a word, Aurelius raised a hand, his expression unreadable, his tone firm. "That's all I'll be revealing for now."

There was more to the story... The old man was certain of it. But he also knew better than to push too hard. Trust wasn't something Aurelius gave lightly, and he wouldn't risk breaking the relationship they had built.

"Very well," Makarov said finally, his tone calm and measured. Inside, his curiosity burned, but he kept it in check. If Aurelius wasn't ready to share more, pressing him would only backfire.

As the moment lingered, Makarov shifted slightly in his seat, but instead of dwelling on the secrets Aurelius had chosen to hide, he decided to address something else that had been troubling him.

"Then tell me this," Makarov began, his voice deepening, his gaze steady. "What did you mean earlier when you said you fought one of the Council members?"

Aurelius paused, his gaze dropping as he gathered his thoughts. The room felt heavier, the weight of what he was about to say pressing down on both of them. After a moment, he began, his voice low but steady.

"I encountered Ultear Milkovich," Aurelius said, breaking the silence. "It was when I was fetching Natsu's group after they stole the S-Class mission."

Makarov's brows furrowed slightly, his curiosity clearly piqued. "Ultear?" he repeated, his tone cautious.

Aurelius nodded. "Yes. She was there... and she seemed to be after Deliora." His tone shifted, becoming more focused, more deliberate. "But something about her doesn't sit right. She's not just a simple Council member."

Makarov leaned forward, his expression both concerned and intrigued. "What do you mean by that?"

Aurelius met Makarov's gaze, his golden eye glinting with a seriousness that made the air feel colder. "She uses a lost magic," he revealed, his words sharp and deliberate. "Arc of Time."

The revelation made Makarov's eyes widen slightly, his hands tightening on the arms of his chair. He knew of the Arc of Time—an ancient and dangerous magic, capable of manipulating the time as its name suggest.

"A lost magic," Makarov echoed, his tone heavy with thought. He leaned back, his expression darkening as he processed the weight of Aurelius' words.

"Yes," Aurelius continued, his tone steady but with a hint of unease. "And not just any lost magic. Arc of Time is... something else. It's not a magic you'd expect someone in her position to have." He glanced at Makarov, gauging his reaction before continuing. "Although she's with the Council, and she might have gotten it from them... But even so..."

Makarov stayed silent, his expression unreadable. Aurelius could see the gears turning in the guild master's mind, but no words came.

As the silence stretched, Aurelius' thoughts began to wander, connecting pieces of a puzzle that felt too large and too dangerous. He frowned slightly, his brows knitting together as he considered the implications. "The Council... they're selfish, prideful, always looking to maintain their own power. Giving someone like Ultear Arc of Time?" He clenched his hands into fists. "It doesn't make sense. They'd see her as a threat, as an opposition. Granting her that kind of power would only strengthen her and weaken their own. So... why?"

His thoughts swirled, circling back to the same troubling conclusion: there was more to Ultear than met the eye. Her connection to the Council felt like a mask, a role she played to hide a much larger agenda.

Makarov finally broke the silence, his voice measured but heavy. "If what you're saying is true, Aurelius, then Ultear is more dangerous than we could've imagined. Lost magic like Arc of Time... it's not something you hand out lightly. And if the Council didn't give it to her..." He trailed off, his gaze sharpening.

"She got it herself," Aurelius finished, his voice quieter but no less certain. "Or it was taught to her by someone else."

The room fell silent again, the weight of the conversation hanging thick in the air. Both men stayed in contemplation, the pieces of the puzzle still far from fitting together. But one thing was certain—Ultear wasn't something they could ignore.

Makarov let out a heavy sigh from their disscussion, leaning back in his stool as if the weight of their earlier conversation about Ultear had finally settled on him. The creak of the wooden chair under his small frame was the only sound for a moment, his expression heavy with thought. "If what you've said about Ultear is true, then it's something the Council will need to handle," he said finally, his tone laced with resignation but also a subtle caution. "It's not our place to dig too deep into their affairs... at least, not unless it involves us..."

Aurelius didn't immediately respond. His one eye remained focused on the older man, scrutinizing every nuance of his words. The silence stretched, almost tangible, as if Aurelius was considering whether or not to challenge the sentiment. Yet he chose to remain silent, acknowledging the wisdom in Makarov's decision, even if it left a lingering unease in his chest.

After a moment, Makarov seemed to shake off the tension. He straightened in his seat, his face softening into something more familiar—something warmer. Clearing his throat, he shifted the conversation to lighter, but no less important, matters. "Speaking of things that require handling… how did Natsu, Gray, and Lucy fare on Galuna Island? I would guess you've formed some kind of opinion about their performance."

Aurelius' arms crossed over his chest as he considered the question. "They're… unpredictable," he began, his voice measured and analytical. "But not entirely without potential."

Makarov tilted his head, curiosity flickering in his eyes. "Unpredictable how?"

"Natsu is exactly what you'd expect," Aurelius said, his tone growing sharper. "He's powerful, fearless, and determined. But he's also reckless—beyond reckless. He charges into every situation headfirst without considering the consequences or the people around him. It's his greatest strength and his greatest flaw. If he doesn't learn to temper it, he'll either get himself killed or drag someone else down with him."

Makarov sighed deeply, shaking his head with a faint, knowing smile. "That boy always thinks with his fists..."

"That sums it up," Aurelius replied dryly. "He relies too much on instinct. It works for now, but eventually, he'll face an opponent that instinct alone can't defeat. He needs to learn to use his head..."

The room fell quiet for a beat before Aurelius shifted gears. "Gray, on the other hand, is different. He actually uses his head, tries to strategize, and approaches situations more rationally. But…" He paused, his brow furrowing slightly, "He gets too carried away. He's competitive, especially when Natsu's involved, and it clouds his judgment. If he could let go of that rivalry and focus, he has the potential to be an excellent leader."

Makarov's face softened with a touch of pride as he listened. "Gray's had his share of hardships, but I see what you mean. His growth has always come from learning to control his impulses. It's a work in progress, but he's come far."

"And Lucy…" Aurelius paused again, this time longer, his gaze narrowing slightly as he weighed his words.

"What about Lucy?" Makarov prompted, leaning forward as his curiosity deepened.

"She's inexperienced, weak, and naive—much like Natsu, in some ways," Aurelius said bluntly. The words hung in the air for a moment before he continued, his tone softening. "But she's also the most rational of the three. She doesn't rush in blindly like Natsu, and she isn't driven by rivalry like Gray. She observes, she thinks, and she acts with caution. For someone so new to this line of work, she's surprisingly level-headed."

Makarov's brows lifted slightly, interest flashing in his eyes. "I've noticed that about her, too. She's got a strong heart for someone so young."

"She does," Aurelius agreed. "Despite being inexperienced and, frankly, underwhelming in terms of power, she has determination. She wants to grow, to learn, and to help. That kind of mindset is rare. If she continues on this path, she could become an asset to the guild—maybe even one of its pillars one day."

Makarov smiled warmly, leaning back as a sense of pride seemed to settle over him. "It's good to hear that they have potential. Youth often comes with its share of mistakes, but it's in those mistakes that they'll find their strength. With the right guidance…"

Then, Makarov's warm laughter broke the atmosphere. The sound was rich, carrying a hint of nostalgia. "You know," he began, leaning back in his chair, "it's been a long time since we've had a talk like this, Aurelius. Just the two of us, no interruptions. Makes me realize how much I've missed these moments."

Aurelius nodded slightly, his expression calm but unreadable as always. "We've been busy, master..." he replied.

"Busy indeed," Makarov agreed with a chuckle. Then, as if struck by a sudden thought, his expression shifted. His eyes lit up, and he leaned forward with an inquisitive glint in his gaze. "Ah, speaking of busy… There's something I forgot to ask after the last guild conference."

Aurelius raised an eyebrow, his sharp senses picking up the change in Makarov's demeanor. "And what would that be?"

Makarov folded his hands together on the desk, his expression almost playful now. "Your research on Lucy," he said casually, though his eyes gleamed with curiosity. "How's that coming along? I don't believe we've had a chance to discuss it."

Aurelius froze at Makarov's question, his expression remaining stoic, but his mind spiraling inward to memories that felt both recent and distant. The question had brought him back to his research, the late nights spent combing through his family's vast library, a sanctuary of knowledge and secrets left by generations of Nyx ancestors.

He could almost feel the weight of the ancient books in his hands, the faded scent of parchment filling his senses as he poured over countless texts. He had searched for any mention of "Heartfilia," "Celestial Spirits," or "Celestial Magic," hoping to piece together some fragment of the puzzle.

One memory stood out vividly—finding an old, nearly forgotten book tucked away in the shadowed corners of the library. It was a book about ancient magical constructs that may have some connections to the celestial spirits. As he turned its fragile pages, he came across a passage that described something called the Eclipse Gate.

"A gate capable of time travel," the text had read. The words had sent a chill through him even then. It was no ordinary device, but a device that could change the natural order, allowing one to traverse time.

The book had detailed how the gate operated, though the information was frustratingly incomplete. Then came the section about the gate's known users... Until his heart sank. The entire page had been torn out, leaving only frayed edges behind. Someone had deliberately erased that knowledge, ensuring that no one who followed would know more.

Determined not to let that stop him, Aurelius had delved deeper, scouring records of celestial mages his family had encountered. That's when he came across a name: Anna Heartfilia. The coincidence of the surname had struck him instantly, though there was little else to go on.

The memories dissolved as Makarov's voice cut through the haze of his thoughts.

"Aurelius?" the old man called again, his tone concerned but gentle. "Everything alright?"

Aurelius blinked, pulling himself back to the present. Makarov's gaze was fixed on him, a mixture of curiosity and worry.

"I'm fine," Aurelius said, though his voice carried an unusual weight. He sat straighter, brushing away the lingering remnants of his thoughts. But even as he spoke, his thoughts churned.

"It's not fine," he admitted silently to himself. "If anything, it's more complicated now than ever."

The fragmented knowledge from his family's archives raised more questions than answers. Was Lucy tied to the Anna Heatfila? Why had his instincts pointed him toward her in the first place?

Aurelius hesitated, feeling the burden of the secrets he carried. Makarov didn't deserve to be lied to, but… he couldn't explain this, not yet. Not when he isn't even sure about his thoughts.

He sighed inwardly. "Sorry, old man."

"I didn't learn much," Aurelius finally said, his tone neutral but measured. "It seems my instincts about Lucy were off. There's nothing bad about her—at least, not in the way I thought."

Makarov frowned slightly but nodded. "I see… Well, sometimes we don't find the answers we're looking for right away," he said kindly.

Aurelius offered a faint nod, masking the storm of thoughts raging beneath his composed face. "For now, that will have to do," he thought, carefully tucking his discoveries in the back of his mind.

"Well then, I'll let you rest now, Aurelius," The old man said, rising to his feet with a groan, his age showing for a moment as he straightened his back. "You've earned it, that's for sure."

Aurelius gave a small nod, watching as the guild master dusted off his robes.

"Though," Makarov continued, a sly grin creeping onto his face, "don't get too comfortable. You should expect a few visits from others. After everything that's happened, they'll want to check in on you—whether you want them to or not."

Aurelius sighed lightly, his expression unreadable, though a faint twitch of amusement might have passed across his features. "Noted," he replied simply, his tone as composed as ever.

Makarov chuckled again, already moving toward the door. "Take care, Aurelius," he said, his voice warm as he paused at the threshold. "And remember—you're not alone in this."

With that, the guild master left, his presence like a comforting breeze dissipating into the stillness of the room. Aurelius leaned back in his seat, his gaze lingering on the now-closed door.

He let out a soft exhale, his mind still clouded with unanswered questions. "Not alone, huh?" he thought, his eyes drifting toward the faint glow of the setting sun through the window.

AN: Thanks guys for sharing your thoughts! I highly appreciate it. Just note that your suggestions is NOT guaranteed to be included in the final cut, but I got to say though, some of those were great, and some of them are even included in my plan at the start of the series, great mind thinks alike I guess... Additionally, there might be a delay in some chapters as I will be having a Unit test this week, and anoter Unit test next week. I'll try to keep up the upload schedule but I can't promise anything. Enjoy reading!