Inside the villa,Ken sat cross-legged on his bed, gradually emptying his mind.
Slowly, his consciousness drifted into a vast space of darkness, where eight dragon-slaying crystals of different colors emitted a faint glow.
Among them, the three crystals representing fire, lightning, and storm shone brightest — the same three elements Ken had unlocked to unleash the Dragon Slayer's Secret Art during the battle against Jellal.
A slight furrow appeared between Ken's brows as he activated his magic power, feeling the resonance with the crystals.
"Ever since fighting Jellal, I've only managed to awaken three elements... but that's far from enough," he muttered to himself.
Though the combined explosive force of fire, lightning, and wind was astonishing — enough that even the Ten Wizard Saints would tread carefully — Ken still felt unsatisfied.
"Today... let's see how much further I can push the Dragon Slayer's Secret Art."
With powerful magic flooding out, Ken focused all his attention on the crystals. As expected, fire, lightning, and storm responded instantly, blazing brightly.
Encouraged, Ken poured more magic into the other five crystals.For a moment, their brilliance flared up — only to immediately dim and return to their dormant state.
Ken's heart sank.
"It's still not enough..."
Suppressing disappointment, he carefully analyzed the situation.
"The crystals lit up... but couldn't maintain it. I must be missing a specific elemental trigger.""Maybe if I'm near the ocean, I can awaken the water element? Then I'll truly see the next stage of the Secret Art."
Making a mental note, Ken slowly exited the conscious space and opened his eyes — only to find the sun already high in the sky.
A glance at the clock told him it was well past ten in the morning.
He sighed."Looks like Erza and the others have already headed out on a job... can't make it this time."
When he had first joined Erza's team, Ken made it clear that his unpredictable schedule meant they shouldn't wait for him if he wasn't on time.
Jumping off the bed, Ken threw on his clothes, splashed his face with water, activated the Storm Dragon Wings, and set off for the guild.
At the Fairy Tail Guild
Bang!Kicking open the swinging guild doors, Ken lazily walked into the hall, heading straight for the bar.
"Mira, is there anything to eat? I'm starving~"
Mirajane turned around, her usual pink dress and gentle smile making her look like the picture of spring itself.
"Ken? Weren't you supposed to be with Erza and Natsu? They left on a job early this morning."
Ken scratched the back of his head sheepishly. "Ah... I overslept. Haven't eaten a thing yet."
Mirajane laughed softly and pulled a plate of familiar cakes from the kitchen.
Without a shred of courtesy, Ken grabbed one and stuffed it into his mouth, letting the sweet cream melt on his tongue.
"It's always best when it's Mira's cooking... By the way, why's the guild so quiet today?"
Mira tilted her head thoughtfully. "Probably because it's the end of the month. A lot of previously incomplete jobs have increased their reward offers, so many members rushed out early."
Ken nodded. "Makes sense... Wait, the Master isn't here either?"
"Mm-hmm," Mira sighed."Gajeel accidentally blew up more than fifty ships at Hargeon Port during a commission yesterday. Master Makarov's been summoned to the Magic Council to explain."
Ken almost choked on his cake.
"...Of course. This is Fairy Tail."
While they were chatting,Chirp—!a mechanical bird flew into the guild, circling once before landing neatly on the counter.
A yellow scroll was strapped to its back.
Mechanical birds like this, powered by magic, were often used to deliver urgent commissions across towns and villages.
Mirajane's smile faded the moment she unrolled the scroll.
Her hands trembled as she read the words.
Ken immediately sensed something was wrong and rushed over.
Reading aloud:
"Urgent S-Class Request: Gluk Village has been invaded by demons. Immediate assistance requested..."
The message ended abruptly, the writing messy and desperate.
Ken frowned deeply."Normally, an incomplete request like this would be considered invalid. But... this doesn't look like a prank."
He imagined the worst: the client had likely been attacked before finishing the message.
Mirajane's face grew pale.She gritted her teeth, made a decision, and declared:
"Ken, I have to go!"
"Take Over: Satan Soul!"
A black magic circle flared beneath her, and in a flash, Mirajane transformed into her Satan Soul form — jet-black wings unfurling behind her — and shot out of the guild like a bullet.
"Wait, hey—!" Ken shouted, startled.
Realizing the urgency, Ken activated his own magic.
Boom!Storm-imbued wings burst from his back, and he took off after her, smashing the already battered guild door in the process.
Midair
Thanks to his control over storm and lightning, Ken quickly caught up and blocked Mirajane's path.
Panting, Mirajane asked:"Why are you following me?"
Ken stared at her seriously."This mission — it's related to you, isn't it?"
Mirajane hesitated, her wings trembling.
Then — to Ken's shock — tears welled up in her eyes and spilled down her cheeks.
Panicked, Ken blurted out:"No, don't cry! We're still inside Magnolia! People will think I bullied you, and then I'll be the enemy of every guy in town! At least wait till we're outside!"
Through choked sobs, Mirajane whispered:
"Gluk Village...is my hometown."
Ken's heart tightened.
Of course — he had heard fragments of Mirajane's past.
She, Elfman, and Lisanna grew up in an isolated village.Mirajane, after defeating a demon that plagued the village church, was feared and shunned by the very people she saved — simply because her magic transformed her appearance into something monstrous.
Beaten, humiliated, and rejected, the three siblings fled and eventually found their home in Fairy Tail.
From that day on, they never looked back.
Ken clenched his fists.
"How ironic..." he muttered."They once cast Mira out like a monster. And now, when demons come for them, they beg for her help?"
But something told Ken that, even if she hated those villagers, Mirajane would still protect her homeland.
Sighing, Ken gently grabbed her hand.
"Cancel Satan Soul. Save your magic.I'll take you there."
Mirajane, biting her lip to stop herself from crying again, nodded silently.
"Thank you..." she whispered.
Ken smiled faintly.
"Hold on tight. We're going home."
And with a surge of storm and lightning, the two of them disappeared into the horizon — flying toward an uncertain battle... and the ghosts of a painful past.
(Next Chapter: Flames of the Forgotten Village)