"These damn brats... Let them see the power of a Dark Guild," Erigor sneered as he floated up into the air and gave the order.
The moment the command was given, Erigor vanished, as if he'd disappeared into thin air.
"I'm going after Erigor," Noel said, and with that, he became a blur, following Erigor's trail up to the second-floor balcony.
Below the platform, a crowd had still gathered. From the high ground, Noel shouted:
"This station has been taken over by a Dark Guild! These mages intend to use evil magic to wipe out the entire city! I urge everyone to leave at once!"
The previously packed crowd scattered in panic after that announcement.
"Hey! Don't spread nonsense like that!" one staff member in a blue uniform protested.
"Believe it or not, the danger is real," Noel replied coolly. He couldn't exactly punch a civilian just for not believing him.
Still, the worker could tell Noel wasn't lying—and quickly ran off.
With the area around the station now evacuated, Erigor's plan was effectively ruined.
Suddenly, Noel felt the flow of wind magic shift—and sensed a breeze stir behind him.
He turned his head to see the entire station enveloped in wild winds.
"A Wind Wall Barrier? Didn't expect to see someone else use this kind of sealing wind magic…"
"Well, well. I'm surprised you even recognize it," Erigor's voice echoed, amused.
"I am a wind magic user myself. Knowing a spell like this isn't so strange."
"I would've liked to fight you properly... but I don't have the time," Erigor said, forming a magic circle in his hand.
"Now then—why don't you go take a little trip?"
Noel could feel the wind element surging wildly around him, attempting to blow him straight into the barrier.
"Swift Wind: Dissolution."
With a single command from Noel, the violent winds instantly dissipated.
"I guess that means I'll have to take care of you first," Erigor said coldly.
"Though the one getting taken out will be you," Noel replied, unfazed.
A ferocious gust of wind swirled up around Erigor, and he used it to rocket into the sky.
Not to be outdone, Noel surged upward after him, riding the wind.
"Your wind magic's not bad," Erigor admitted.
"No need for your approval—I already know," Noel shot back.
"Storm Surge!"
A chaotic vortex erupted around Noel, causing all the dust nearby to spiral upward at high speed.
But Noel stood completely still in the heart of the storm—unmoving.
Any normal person would've been shredded by that wind.
"How is that possible?" Erigor muttered in disbelief.
"Because my wind pressure is stronger than yours," Noel answered calmly.
A second, even larger whirlwind materialized—its pressure overwhelming. The two vortexes collided, but Noel's swallowed Erigor's completely.
The massive storm swept across the town. But Noel wasn't concerned—civilians had already been evacuated. Even if he destroyed the place, it could be rebuilt later.
Under Noel's control, the whirlwind transformed into a wind barrier, binding Erigor inside.
"You know this spell too?" Erigor asked, shocked.
"Wind Barrier: Constriction."
Noel ignored the question. With his voice as the trigger, the barrier began to shrink. What was once a massive dome compressed until it could barely contain Erigor's body.
Erigor activated his Storm Cloak—wind elements condensed around him, forming a humanoid armor of swirling air.
The barrier and the cloak collided violently, grinding and twisting as they clashed.
"Piss off, you annoying brat!" Erigor roared, exploding with power.
From the center of his body, a powerful shockwave blasted out, and the Storm Cloak surged upward, erupting as a tornado pillar.
BOOM!
With a deafening roar, the twister burst apart, kicking up sand and debris everywhere—storming straight toward Noel.
Noel let his arms drop to his sides—choosing not to defend at all.
"Giving up?" Erigor laughed maniacally.
As the sandstorm cleared, Noel was still standing.
"Pfft… ugh. My mouth's full of sand. That was nasty," Noel complained.
"You're… completely unharmed?!" Erigor collapsed to the ground in disbelief.
"That wind was weak," Noel replied simply.
"Weak?!"
Erigor blacked out on the spot.
Now looking at the worn-out Erigor, Noel wondered how to deal with him.
Normally, he'd be sent to the Magic Council.
But Noel wasn't interested in doing that.
Instead, he gave Erigor a few well-placed strikes to make sure he couldn't fight anymore—then left the rest to the Enforcement Division.
At that moment, the flute Lullaby slipped from Erigor's hand and rolled on the floor.
Noel picked up the cursed instrument—it was clearly the mission's target.
A dark aura surrounded it, unmistakably sinister.
The scent it gave off… was oddly familiar.
Was that... the smell of souls?
As Noel touched the flute, a strange voice echoed in his mind:
"Boy, take me to devour more souls—and I shall grant you ultimate power…"
"Ultimate power? What a scam. If you really had such power, would you be trapped inside this flute?" Noel mocked.
"I was created by Lord Zeref. I can consume souls. All I need is more—just bring them to me!" Lullaby pleaded hungrily.
"You said you can devour souls?" Noel asked again.
"Of course! I am Zeref's creation—an omnipotent flute!"
"So you've already devoured a lot of souls then?"
Lullaby eagerly replied,
"Tens of thousands! I've consumed the souls of countless fools!"
"Good. That makes things easy," Noel muttered.
He'd been looking for a soul-infused item—and now one had practically delivered itself.
"Come on then, boy! Let me feast—and I shall give you power beyond imagining!"
"Hah! Why would I let you do that? What's the point?" Noel asked.
"You already said you've eaten tons of souls, haven't you?"
"Aren't you listening?! I'm starving! I need more!" Lullaby whined.
"Alright, alright. Fine. I'll feed you some souls—just shut up and behave," Noel said casually.
"I knew you were smart! After I feed, you shall have the power of the gods!"
"Sure. Just don't forget your promise," Noel said.
"Alchemy: Seal."
A transparent magical seal formed around the flute.
Lullaby suddenly panicked.
"Wait—what are you doing?!"
"You think I'd let a cursed flute like you roam free? You're alchemy-grade material now," Noel said coldly, admiring the flute like it was a fine artifact.
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