Chapter 100: A Concluded Match, and the Return to Magnolia (5)
The Next Day.
When I finally woke up from my slight drunken sleep, Mirajane greeted me with an embarrassed smile.
"Did you sleep well, Mira?"
"Ciel… you're back to normal again~!"
"…I don't know if I'm truly 'back to normal,' but… I do feel like I slept more peacefully than usual."
"That is the normal Ciel—my Ciel!"
"My, my~. But before worrying about me, what about your arm?"
"Oh, Hepsiel healed it. See? All clean."
"…I'm sorry."
"It's fine. As long as you came back, that's more than enough for me~!"
Even if I had lost myself, the truth was I had hurt Mirajane. I apologized, but she smiled all the brighter, comforting me instead.
Yet for some reason, watching her smile at me so warmly made my chest tighten.
"Ciel, what's wrong?"
"…Nothing. Since I'm awake, I should go thank everyone properly."
"Yeah. We've both been holed up in this room for three whole days. I haven't even had the chance to talk to the others…"
We left the room, and with a maid's guidance, I visited Natsu's group first.
As soon as I opened the door, Natsu and Wendy rushed over to greet me.
"Ciel-sensei!"
"Ciel! You're up!"
"Yes, though it seems I slept longer than intended."
"Ciel, are you alright now?"
"Yeah, are you okay?"
"Heh."
"Yes, Lucy. Thanks to you summoning Hepsiel."
"No, no~! If you hadn't lent me the key, I never would have thought of it in the first place!"
After that, I explained everything that had happened—no more hiding.
I told them the whole truth: That the power I used was never originally mine.
That I had devoured countless non-human beings to gain it.
That I had repeated innumerable reincarnations.
That this life itself was a form of punishment.
And that the Ciel of Edolas was the other half of a soul split in two—my missing half.
I could have kept it secret.
But for some reason, I wanted them, at least, to know who I really was.
"I see," Natsu said, grinning. "But you're still Ciel Illusian, right?"
"Natsu…"
"Yeah! Who cares how old your soul is or how complicated your past was? You're still you," Lucy added.
"Sensei, that doesn't change anything," Wendy said with a soft smile.
"Heh. So basically, you're just crazy strong, right? Then I'm happy!" Natsu laughed.
"Ciel, you're a Fairy Tail wizard. Your past doesn't matter. You've never done evil here. That's enough," Gray crossed his arms.
"More than that, you're a hero of Ishgar now," Lucy nodded.
"…Heh. Then once again, I'll rely on you all— as Ciel Illusian."
I couldn't help but smile.
They accepted me so naturally.
It was almost strange how easy it was for them to say those words.
After that, I visited the main hall where Mystogan and the Edolas people were gathered.
They looked exactly like the Fairy Tail members I knew… except with the personalities completely reversed. The Edolas Lucy, especially, stared brazenly right at me and Nightwalker, then loudly declared:
"Mm~ I see! The seductive, overflowing-with-sex-appeal one is Ciel Nightwalker! And the mysterious, unreadable one is Earthland Ciel! Easy!"
"…Did you hear that? She says you reek of suspicion."
"…Shut up. You parasite of a brother."
"Pff—!! You two look like bickering siblings! Hilarious~!"
After fending off the chaotic Edolas group, something suddenly stopped me in my tracks.
A familiar scent.
A presence I could never forget.
I turned my head—
Silver hair.
Pure blue eyes.
That gentle aura.
That nostalgic warmth.
"Lisana… you're alive."
"W-what?! L-Lisana?! It's really her?!"
"Huh? What are you— I'm Edolas Lisana…"
"Don't lie. We can tell. We're family."
"No one could fool us on this."
Trembling, Lisana's eyes welled up—and then she threw herself into our arms.
"Y-you're really… really Ciel-onii-san, right? You're not… some ghost, right?"
"Yes. I'm right here—alive."
"Why… why didn't you just walk past me…? If you had just ignored me, I could've lived on as Edolas Lisanna… without hurting anyone…"
"Lisanna…"
"I couldn't say it… Not even when Natsu came searching for the guild… I couldn't tell him I was the Lisanna from Earthland! I didn't want to put Mira-nee and everyone through that pain again! …I just wanted you to pass me by…"
"It's alright now. Everyone already knows."
"You… you mean…"
"Mira-nee…? Elf-niisan…?"
Through Lisanna's trembling voice, Edolas's Mirajane and Elfman quietly stepped toward her.
Breaking down, Lisanna pulled herself away from me and Mira, and clung to the two of them, sobbing.
"We figured it out… but we didn't know how to say anything. I'm sorry."
"You really are just like our Lisanna…kind, gentle, and soft-hearted. I didn't know you were Ciel's family, but… your real family is here now. So don't make your brother and sister suffer anymore, alright?"
"Mira-nee…"
"We've already accepted everything and prepared ourselves. So go on. Go back to where you truly belong."
"Mira-nee! Elf-niisan… everyone… I…!"
The members of Edolas Fairy Tail gathered around her, comforting her with warm voices.
Lisanna cried loudly—tears overflowing from years of silence, loneliness, and longing.
Mira and I stepped forward again and embraced her tightly, along with her Edolas siblings.
The little sister we thought we lost forever…
finally returned to our arms.
"Welcome home, Lisanna."
"I've missed you," I said.
"I'm home, Ciel-nii, Mira-nee…"
"Goodbye, Lisanna."
"Thank you… truly… for everything," she cried to her Edolas family.
…
Natsu and the others were stunned speechless at the sight of Lisanna alive. The hall burst into noise, but with Mystogan and Nightwalker's mediation, the commotion finally settled.
Then came the announcement we could not avoid:
Tomorrow… we must return to Earthland.
"Mystogan says he'll reverse Anima. All the magic in this world will be released."
"The magic… Yes. Nightwalker told me as much."
"It means this world will lose magic forever. And once Anima closes… we won't be able to cross between worlds again. This is goodbye. For good."
"Have you told Natsu and the others as well?"
"Yes. While you were asleep, we already held the farewell feast. And those leaving are not just the Earthland wizards."
Mystogan then told us:
The Exceeds will also be sent to Earthland.
Every living being with magic will be transferred away from Edolas.
When the magic is gone, the floating islands will fall.
The kingdom of Extalia will collapse.
And yet—
The Exceeds accepted it.
Extalia will disappear.
They cannot stop that.
So they chose a new path:
To live again, in a new world.
That was the decision of Queen Shagotte… and her people.
During that process, there was a clash with Charle—but once she learned the full truth, she realized that the so-called "mission" she believed in, the extermination of Dragon Slayers, was nothing more than a misunderstanding born from her own precognitive abilities.
The Exceeds had never killed anyone.
In fact, what Charle and Happy believed was "a mission to eliminate Dragon Slayers" was the opposite of reality. Through Queen Shagotte's foresight of Extalia's destruction, the Exceeds secretly sent 100 unborn Exceed eggs to Earthland to preserve their race. That… was the truth behind Happy and Charle.
Although the misunderstandings were cleared, the bitterness in their hearts would not disappear overnight.
But Charle understood one thing—the Exceeds had no malice.
So she agreed to their migration to Earthland.
With that, the destiny of Edolas finally shifted—toward a new future.
A future where humans must live without magic.
That was the new decree of the restored kingdom.
And since our departure was now decided, we held one more celebration that night.
Team Natsu drank, laughed, and chatted loudly with their Edolas counterparts, enjoying the final feast of this world.
Meanwhile, I quietly slipped away to the side palace, where the two Erzas were looking after the baby together.
Apparently, while I slept, they bonded through babysitting. The two Erzas were calmly talking while rocking the child.
"So in your world, your Ciel is… quite bold,"
Earthland Erza said seriously.
"He may look sly and playful," Edolas Erza replied,
"but when it matters, he's a man through and through.
Especially at night—"
"A-at night, you say?! I wish to hear more. In detail."
"W-well… that's a bit… it is our private life…"
"It's basically talking to yourself. What's the harm?"
"W-well… when you put it that way…"
I coughed loudly.
"Hrm!"
They turned.
"Illusian?"
"Ciel?"
The two were clearly about to discuss something I absolutely did not need to hear, so I made my entrance known before more damage could be done.
Earthland Erza stared at me for a moment…
then casually went right back to her previous topic.
"Anyway. After your first child, how soon did you have the second? And you were still fighting while pregnant?"
"N-no, that… is embarrassing to exp—"
"Erza. That's enough." I cut in.
"Hmph. Fine. But still, Ciel—what are you doing here? Two women and a baby in the same room, and instead of drinking, you show up here? Shouldn't you be at the feast?"
I ignored Erza's grumbling and turned to Nightwalker instead.
"I came to apologize. For the wound on your back. I am sorry for striking you."
Edolas Erza shook her head.
"No. I tried to kill you first. I, too, owe an apology."
"You… don't resent me?"
"Why should I? You're alive. And you stopped before killing him. If anything, I should be the one to apologize—for trying to take my husband's life."
She smiled softly, cradling the child in her arms.
"My husband is a fool. I was prepared to stain my hands with blood for him… and yet, all that time, he was devising a way to protect me from having to do so. Even if it meant taking everything onto himself."
I had no words.
"It feels like I was tricked by him. But… I can't hate him. I love him. Maybe that's just what it means to be husband and wife. Even in that moment, I cared more about saving Ciel's life than my own. That's why I feel both grateful—and sorry."
"…This Erza is far gentler than the Erza from our world. Is that the power of motherhood? If you'd like, perhaps you could come to Earthland inst—"
"Ciel! What are you saying? Then what am I to you, huh?!"
"Hm. A bulky, muscle-bound female gorilla… or perhaps a dragon?"
"I will never forgive you!! Take that back this instant!"
"Waaaahh!!"
"Setsura's crying! Quiet, all of you!!"
I had originally come to apologize, but somehow, I found myself dragged into a girls' pajama party, spending the entire night talking with the women instead.
Nightwalker later slipped in and joined us too.
The Edolas couple and the Earthland duo… we ended up sharing more stories than I expected.
....
The next day.
Inside the Anima control room, it was time for goodbyes.
"Ciel Illusian… and everyone from Fairy Tail… truly, thank you."
"…You? Crying? The same man who tormented me since the day we met?"
"…I was an irritating, yes. But I did learn much from you. And to you Earthlanders—I only caused trouble."
"It's fine. I'm not part of Fairy Tail anymore, but… I'd like to meet again someday. Mystogan."
"Natsu…"
"Prince, Lord Ciel… I'm sorry I cannot stay. As an Exceed with magic, I won't be able to remain by His Majesty's side or yours."
"It's alright. You said you'd join Gajeel and Fairy Tail over there, right? Leave this world to us. Go live your life freely, Lily."
"Lord Ciel… thank you… for looking after a fallen angel like me."
"What are you talking about? If you weren't around, I'd have had no one to tease in the castle. I would've been bored to tears."
"Lily, take care over there! Earthland's Chief—please look after him!"
"I promise."
"Chief… even at the end, you… ngh…!"
"Why are you crying? That's not like you at all. Anyway, my farewell ends here. Once the magic disappears, the floating islands will fall. I'll go take care of them. Sorry—I'll be heading out first."
We exchanged our final words.
Light began to rise from our bodies, and just like the day we first arrived, I felt myself being pulled away.
One by one—Natsu, the others, and Panther Lily vanished.
As my form started to dissolve, I looked at Mystogan and forced a thin smile. It was time to say goodbye to the first disciple I ever gained in this world.
"Farewell, Ciel Illusian."
"Mystogan… you've graduated. You are already a fine illusionist."
"…Yeah. I'll remember that."
....
When the blinding flash faded, Natsu and the others were waving up at the sky—at the countless Exceeds soaring toward their new home.
"Ciel, aren't you a little late?"
"I have a bigger heart than the rest of you."
"…You are provoking me on purpose, aren't you?"
"Heh. Then I assume you said your proper goodbyes to the Exceeds?"
"Yeah. Looks like they arrived here before us and stopped by Magnolia first."
"The townspeople didn't even know they were the lacrima though."
"It sounds like Fairy Tail had been searching for us the whole time."
Everyone waved cheerfully as they explained, and I smiled while walking ahead.
From the mountainside, the familiar city of Magnolia spread out before us.
We were finally back in our own world.
....
Two days after returning to Magnolia—
the guild was louder than ever.
Because today… Fairy Tail was celebrating Lisanna's return.
"Lisanna's baaaaack!!!"
"No jobs today! We eat! We drink!"
"Welcome home, Lisanna!"
"Any punk lays a filthy hand on my sister, you're dead!"
"Happy daaay~ baby~!"
"It's good to see you safe."
"Huh? Even the Thunder God Tribe is here? Rare."
"Well, I am Fairy Tail too, you know~"
Lisanna looked around the guild, amazed at how much had changed, laughing as she reunited with everyone.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the hall—
"Hey, hey, you know what's funny~?"
"Spit it out already! You're killing the mood!"
"In Edolas… there was a Gray who liked Juvia~"
"J–Juvia wishes to go to Edolas immediately!!"
Gray was retelling the bizarre stories from Edolas, and the entire guild roared with laughter and curiosity.
I sat at the bar, watching the happy chaos. Master and Gildarts clinked their mugs and turned toward me.
"Well, well. It's a shame about Mystogan… but I hope he lives proudly over there in that Edolas world."
"He will. He grew up in Fairy Tail. Pride is in his blood."
"And he was your student. If he didn't carry pride, that would be the real problem."
Gildarts smirked and wiggled his eyebrows.
"By the way~ Ciel. I heard from Gray that the Edolas you was married to Erza and even had children—pffft!! Is that true?!"
"Oh? Really now? Ciel, I must hear this story in detail!"
"There isn't much to say. That wasn't really me, after all."
"Aww, come on~ don't be boring!"
Soon, a swarm of guild members surrounded Erza and me, demanding all the juicy details of our supposed married life in Edolas.
But to us—the actual people involved—it was… awkward, to say the least.
We trusted each other as warriors, comrades, and partners in battle.
Hearing that our "other selves" were married with children made the air between us strangely complicated.
When I refused to talk, Master and Gildarts jabbed me in the ribs with their elbows, grinning like hyenas. I sighed and reached for my mist-summoned spear—
But before I could even summon it—
"Huh?! What's that?!"
"A portal! A portal just opened in the middle of the guild!"
"Wait… isn't that the same kind of portal Ciel used before?!"
"Ciel! Even if you're angry, were you really about to summon that? The whole guild would collapse—stop right now!"
"What are you talking about? I didn't do anything."
Everyone stared in confusion at the mysterious portal that appeared in the middle of the guild hall. Erza rushed over, grabbed me by the collar, and shouted—but I genuinely had not summoned it.
I hadn't opened a Gate. I hadn't even called to anything.
So why… why was there a portal here?
Erza must have sensed danger, because everyone fell silent at once and braced themselves. The Master, Gildarts, and Erza all stared at the floating doorway with grim expressions.
I also summoned my mist-forged spear, eyes narrowed.
Moments later, the door slowly opened, revealing a pitch-black darkness beyond.
"It opened…"
"Don't tell me… some kind of phantom demon is coming out?"
"I don't know. It isn't mine."
"What if your power's going berserk?"
"…What exactly do you take me for."
We were arguing in hushed voices when—
step… step… step…
Footsteps echoed from beyond the darkness. All chatter stopped. Every muscle in the hall tensed. Weapons were drawn. Eyes fixed on the portal.
And then—someone stepped out.
The moment I saw him, my face went pale. I immediately pointed my spear at his throat.
Long, light-blue hair tied only at the ends. A flowing lavender kimono layered with a black hakama—an elegant yet bewitching aura. A sharp jawline. And on his right eye, the engraved character for — oni.
There was no mistaking him.
"Nightwalker…!!"
"Heey~ long time no see. Well, one whole day."
"What… how are you here?!"
"Don't forget—we're the same soul. Connected by the Mist Earrings. So even if my world has no magic, I can still cross between them. Easy, right?"
"That's… ridiculous…"
"Heh. So this is Earthland's Fairy Tail? Not bad~"
"You are not supposed to leave your post."
"Bah, I got tired of smashing floating islands. I left a note. Said I'm going on a little vacation. So… I'll be crashing here for a while."
The moment Nightwalker stepped through, I was too stunned to react—but the others? They swarmed him like kids around candy.
"OOOH! It's Edolas Ciel!!"
"What?! The Edolas version of Ciel?!"
"This is front-page news!!"
"He looks prettier than our Ciel!"
"He's married with that face?!"
"I heard he married Erza! Is that true?!"
"And he already has two kids, right?!"
Nightwalker flashed a smug grin.
"Wow~ seems I'm pretty popular on this side too."
"…Good grief."
The tension evaporated in an instant, replaced by chaotic excitement. They crowded him, gossiping, comparing him to me.
Meanwhile, I massaged my temples.
Because thanks to our connected souls, I assumed only I could summon him.
But no—he could now come and go freely between worlds on a whim.
A headache was setting in.
I let out a long sigh and leaned toward Mirajane.
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