Fairy Tail: The Phantom Dragon Slayer

Chapter 4: The End and the Beginning (4)

May, X778.

It's been almost a year since I started living with the Strauss siblings in this village.

"Ciel, I'm home."

"Welcome back, Mirajane."

"You two didn't cause any trouble for Ciel, did you?"

"Of course not!"

"We were just quietly playing thief with Ciel—uh-oh!"

"Looks like Elfman pulled the thief this time."

"I lost!"

After finishing her work, Mirajane sat on the edge of the bed, watching as I played thief with Elfman and Lisanna. She smiled softly.

"As long as you were good, that's fine. I'm starting to get hungry. Should we have dinner?"

"Dinner's already ready. Let's eat together."

"I feel bad making the injured person cook…"

"Now that I'm almost fully healed aside from my eye and right arm, it's no problem."

I got up from the bed, patting Mirajane on the head before leading the three kids into the living room.

I sat the kids at the dining table in the living room, then went into the kitchen and lifted the lid off a large pot.

Steam rose up, carrying the light, savory aroma of a delicious soup that filled the entire room.

"Mmm~ smells so good~!"

"Ah~ I'm so hungry~"

"Food's ready! Food~!"

Hearing their cheerful voices, I quietly served today's stew, along with some bread and ham, into bowls.

Cream stew simmered for hours, with milk, various vegetables, and tender meat cooked until the ingredients practically melted.

Ham made from pork leg salted, spiced, and aged for six months.

And a baguette from the village bakery, famous for its delicious bread. These were the staples of dinner at the Strauss household.

"Ciel, your stew is always so tasty!"

"Mirajane can't cook like this, no matter what."

"Our sister isn't very good at cooking."

"You brats! Is that so? Well, if I put my mind to it, I can do it, too! How about I cook tomorrow's dinner?"

Watching everyone gathered at the table, sharing a meal with such warm camaraderie, I found myself smiling without realizing it.

It's been ten months since I started staying in this home.

Recovering from such severe injuries naturally took a long time.

During my bedridden days, Mirajane and her siblings treated me, a stranger, with kindness.

They changed my bandages and kept me company, chatting at my bedside.

Maybe that's why I could take my time recovering in peace.

Now, aside from the wounds on my eye and my right arm, most of my injuries have healed.

I could probably jump right back into battle if I wanted to.

But it had been six months before I was even able to walk again.

At that point, it would have been normal to start preparing to leave...

Yet, I found myself wanting to stay a bit longer.

That small, selfish desire kept me here.

The seals I had placed on Anna and the children had faded away while I was unconscious.

Normally, they should have remained intact, but Acnologia's attack had caused my Six Paths Of Reincarnation to lose its power, and with it, the illusions I had cast dissipated.

Now, without those seals, I had no way of knowing where they were. I would have to begin a journey to search for them.

But... if I left, what would happen to these siblings?

I couldn't help but feel a pang of sadness at the thought of parting with these children who had become so dear to me.

"…"

"What are you thinking about?"

"Mirajane."

"What's with the formality? I told you to just call me Mira, so I can call you big brother, just like Elfman and Lisanna do."

"Please, just call me Ciel. It's more comfortable that way."

Late at night, as I was changing the bandage over my eye, Mirajane entered the room.

She had just turned 13, and she already seemed so much more mature than when we first met.

She worked hard to earn money and even took care of me, a guest she barely knew. She had grown into a strong and reliable young girl.

I felt deeply grateful to her.

But that was exactly why it was so hard for me to say the words. The words about how I would soon need to leave.

"How's your eye?"

"It's still a bit blurry, but I can see well enough. It'll heal in time."

"The doctor said you probably wouldn't regain full vision."

"Well, things aren't always what they seem."

As I glanced at my reflection in the mirror, I saw a red hue begin to creep across my eye. The black pattern etched into my left eye was unmistakable.

It was a sign—proof that my Six Paths Of Reincarnation was slowly reawakening my former self.

When the time came, that would be the day I had to leave for good.

That day wasn't far off, and knowing this, I gave Mira a slightly bitter smile and answered her question.

"It's been nearly a year now. I'm sorry to have been such a burden on you and your siblings all this time."

"After all this time, you're suddenly apologizing? You're way too late. Besides, your familiars have been helping out so much. If I was alone, I wouldn't have been able to keep working as a hunter."

She smiled warmly, then walked to the window and opened it, letting in my familiars—a white owl, Mukuro, and a white crow, Chrome.

"Mukuro and Chrome handled the hunting, and I just carried the game back to the village… so I'm the one who's grateful to you, Ciel."

With her familiars perched on her shoulders, Mirajane settled herself on the floor beside my bed.

During the time I was bedridden, I overheard snippets of the siblings' situation. I couldn't do much in my condition, so I lent my familiars to Mirajane so she could hunt. Thanks to that, she was able to earn all the living expenses for the Strauss family, who had no parents to rely on.

"I only lent you my familiars. You're the one who put them to use, Mirajane."

"Hey, Ciel."

"Yes?"

"I've been meaning to ask… are you a mage?"

"You could say that. My magic's a bit unusual, but I can use it."

"So are you in a guild?"

"No, I'm not. But once I've fully recovered, I plan to visit one. I have some information I need to find."

"So… does that mean you'll be leaving soon?"

"…"

The little girl looked up at me, her eyes welling with tears. I couldn't bring myself to say I was leaving.

It had only been a short time, but it had been a peaceful, happy time for me.

It was hard to simply walk away from that.

Seeing my hesitation, Mirajane spoke up first.

"You said you'd stay until you were fully healed. You've already received all the treatment this village can offer, and if you want a full recovery, you'll need to go to a big city. So… I kind of expected you'd be leaving around this time. Lately, you've been looking troubled…"

"Yes. I can't just keep relying on you all forever."

"Ciel… Ciel…"

The young girl lowered her head, unable to continue her words.

Then, small droplets began falling to the floor.

"Ciel… When you first appeared in front of us, I was terrified. That's why… I know it was wrong, but I threw rocks at you. But even then, you just came closer and placed your hand on my head to reassure me. Seeing that, I knew you weren't a bad person…

Living together with you, Elfman, Lisanna, and I… we all started thinking of you as our family. Sometimes, I wonder if maybe Mom and Dad sent you to us from beyond…"

"…"

"Ciel, please don't leave! Stay with us! I don't want to lose you like we lost Mom and Dad!"

"…"

She pleaded desperately, begging me to stay.

I hesitated.

If I left them behind, would they be able to live on without me?

Would this young girl, who depended on me so much, truly be able to manage on her own?

But… what about the other Dragon Slayers? Were they safe?

Was Anna okay?

Could I really afford to stay here like this?

Worry and uncertainty weighed down on me.

The old me… would have severed all ties and left without hesitation.

But the lessons, memories, and emotions I had gained from living in this world—the time I spent with Phoenixia, Anna, and Zeref—held me back, wrapping around me like invisible chains.

In moments like this… what would Anna and Zeref have done?

"There's a right order to everything. Don't rush—take your time and think things through."

"If you push too hard, even things that could have worked will fall apart. You were always the one telling me to be more patient, weren't you?"

That's right. If it were them…

"Thank you for calling me family, despite being an outsider… But in return, let me ask you something, Mirajane."

"If I weren't the good person you believe me to be—if I were actually a villain—would you still call me family?"

"If, once I'm fully healed, I decide to erase all traces of my existence… If I tell you that I plan to kill you, your siblings, and every villager who has seen my face to ensure no one remembers me… Would you still call me family then?"

I gazed down at Mirajane, more serious than ever, letting my killing intent seep into the air around us.

I was grateful that she thought of me as family.

But… whether someone like me could be part of a family was an entirely different matter.

Phoenixia had accepted me, despite the ominous presence I carried.

But that was only because she was attuned to my existence, and she knew—without a doubt—that I would never be able to kill her.

But this girl… she was fragile.

One wrong move from me, one moment of misjudgment, and I could drive her straight into death.

I was afraid.

Afraid that someone like me could never truly be part of a family.

But—

"No. Ciel, you're not a bad person. That's why I know you'd never do something like that."

"What makes you so sure?"

"You look scary right now, but… I don't think you're bad. Because right now, you look pained. If you really wanted to kill us, you wouldn't have that expression on your face."

Tears welled up in the young girl's eyes, but she wiped them away and met my gaze with unwavering honesty.

Her eyes were so bright, so genuine—so pure—that I couldn't even entertain the thought of deceiving her.

And at that moment, something caught in my throat.

A feeling I couldn't name.

I wanted to say something—but the words wouldn't come out.

"…Thank you."

For years, I had walked the path of an outcast, bearing the weight of my sins.

I had been betrayed, despised, and feared by countless people.

No one had ever looked at me honestly—with eyes unclouded by duty, fear, or contempt.

My so-called comrades had followed me out of loyalty, but none of them had ever called me family.

And yet…

This young girl, without hesitation, called me family.

She believed in me.

Neither a dragon nor a cursed immortal—just a frail, small human child had spoken those words to me.

A human—just like me.

"…I concede."

"Ciel?"

"It seems that you, Elfman, and Lisanna… need an adult around. You're far too much of a crybaby—you'll be a handful to take care of."

"Ciel… does that mean…?"

"I'll be in your care once more, Mira."

"Ciel!"

At my words, Mirajane threw herself into my arms, sobbing.

That someone like me could become part of a family… and that it would make her this happy…

What a strange child.

As she buried her face in my chest, crying freely, I gently stroked her head, comforting her.

Under the soft glow of the moonlight that illuminated the quiet room, I became part of the Strauss family.

And in my heart, I made a firm vow.

No matter what, I will ensure these children never fall into despair.

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