"Mom is really happy too, but the time has come. We're getting ready to leave."
"Aww, Mom, you're leaving already?" Lucy glanced around, clearly reluctant. "I wanted to play a little longer."
"Everyone has their own things to do. We can't stay and play forever," Layla explained gently, brushing a strand of hair from Lucy's cheek.
"Can I come back and play again sometime?" Lucy asked, hope shining in her eyes. The party had brought her so much joy she didn't want it to end.
"Not for the time being," Layla answered softly. "But whether you can come back someday… that's up to you, Lucy."
"I want to come back. I'll do my best," Lucy replied seriously, her face full of determination. She meant every word.
"Then you'll have to work hard," Layla said with a warm smile.
Layla took Lucy's hand and joined Jude. Together with Noah, they approached the Celestial Spirit King. Layla bowed slightly and said with sincerity:
"Thank you, Celestial Spirit King. And thank you to everyone. This banquet has truly brought us joy."
"Thank you, Grandpa Beard! Thank you, big brothers and sisters!" Lucy added, her voice ringing out clearly. The Celestial Spirit King chuckled warmly, and the star spirits around him beamed at her cheerfulness.
"Thank you, everyone," Jude added with a light laugh. "This night has been a gift. I haven't felt this at ease in a long time."
"There's just one thing left to do," Layla said, turning to Noah. He nodded in understanding.
"Everyone, please step back a little," she called out.
Those nearby began to move back, giving Noah space. Several star spirits who hadn't been near the Celestial Spirit King earlier were confused, having missed the earlier conversation with Layla and Noah. Curious murmurs passed between them.
The nearby spirits quietly shared what they'd overheard, filling in the gaps. Now the crowd watched Noah intently, waiting to see what would happen next.
Noah stood still, eyes closed. Then, slowly, his magic began to gather.
A golden aura shimmered around him, swirling like fire. The very air seemed to pulse as the pressure grew, forming waves that rolled outward in shimmering rings. The force pushed everyone back, even the stronger spirits instinctively retreating.
The ground trembled beneath them. Noticing this, the Celestial Spirit King calmly reinforced it with his own power, preventing any damage.
Noah's power continued to swell, heavier and brighter. A few of the younger or weaker star spirits started to show signs of discomfort, struggling to withstand the overwhelming magic.
With a flick of his hand, the Celestial Spirit King summoned a burst of starlight. The shimmering particles spread outward, forming a protective barrier that softened the force pressing on the crowd. A calm washed over them he had shielded them from the intensity of Noah's power.
As the magic grew even stronger, Noah's black eyes turned radiant gold. His hair lifted in the force of his own energy. Sparks crackled across his body, born from the friction of raw magic clashing with the air.
Not only did the planet tremble from his power, but even the surrounding celestial bodies distant stars and nearby planets began to quiver. The Celestial Spirit King narrowed his gaze and expanded his power, suppressing the ripple effect and locking the disturbance to just this planet.
A shimmering shield formed in the sky his magic woven into a dome that wrapped the world in protection. The waves of energy surging from Noah crashed into the barrier, forming ring-like ripples that shimmered outward like water.
The star spirits stared, astonished. Most had assumed Noah was just a young boy Layla's quiet relative who had come along for the celebration. No one expected this.
The battle-ready spirits exchanged glances. A silent question hung in the air: "Could I even last a few moves against him?"
But the answer was already clear.
It wasn't a matter of winning. It was a matter of how long they could stand.
With power like that, anyone struck in the world of Ascalante would instantly be forced back to the Celestial Spirit Realm. Even here in the spirit world, where their power was at its peak, they doubted they could hold out for more than a handful of exchanges.
Several of them made mental notes to speak with Noah later. Rumors had already started swirling he'd left a thought-body behind in this realm, meaning he had plans and power invested here. Many spirits wanted to understand more about him… and maybe get to know him.
Still, Noah's power hadn't stopped growing.
The golden magic rose higher, more than half a meter around him, crackling with energy like a living flame. Lightning flickered around the edges, crackling and dancing in sharp bursts.
"Drink!" he shouted suddenly, his voice echoing like a command from the heavens.
Noah let out a low roar, and in an instant, the torrent of magic surging around him collapsed inward, vanishing back into his body.
The air stilled. The ground settled.
Then another Noah quietly stepped out of the original.
It was his thought-body.
As the newly emerged thought-form stabilized, it reached for the special clothing that had just been delivered from the Celestial Realm. He slipped it on with practiced ease, then gave himself a quick inspection.
"Just as I thought," he said calmly, adjusting his sleeve. "Wearing clothes made in the Celestial Realm really does reduce the energy drain on a thought-body here."
Meanwhile, the real Noah was crouched down, hands braced against his knees, breathing heavily. Sweat was streaming down his face and dripping from his soaked shirt onto the floor below, forming small puddles like he'd just climbed out of a river.
He had transferred nearly all his magic into the thought-body, leaving his own limbs weak and trembling. His vision swam with flashing lights, and a dull buzz echoed in his ears.
Layla's family rushed over in concern. Grandpa Crue stepped up first, placing a hand on Noah's shoulder, checking his condition carefully.
"It's alright," Crue assured them. "He just overdid it with the magic transfer. He'll recover in a bit."
And sure enough, Noah's condition improved rapidly faster than anyone expected. Within minutes, the sweat stopped pouring. He rolled his shoulders, flexed his fingers, and stood upright.
Color returned to his face almost immediately. Apart from the dampness of his clothes and hair, there was no sign he'd just unleashed a massive surge of magic power.
Those who knew what had just happened couldn't help but murmur to themselves:
"He bounces back fast…"
Layla had heard Noah mention his natural recovery abilities before but seeing it with her own eyes was something else entirely. Calling it "good" didn't do it justice. It was bordering on unbelievable.
Even at his peak, he hadn't drawn this much magic before. But now, after such an intense display, he looked like he hadn't been pushed at all. Even if he wasn't fully recovered yet, he already looked ready to jump into battle again.
Just imagining how this affected anyone facing him was enough to give you sympathy for the opponent.
They'd be gasping for breath. And Noah? Still full of energy.
After recovering, Noah turned his attention to his thought-body. He could clearly sense that, thanks to the Celestial Realm garments, its energy consumption had already dropped significantly.
He gave a small nod, then turned to Layla and the others nearby.
"Sorry for making everyone worry," he said, standing tall again. "I just pushed a bit too far. But I'm fine now."
"Is Brother Noah really okay?" Lucy asked, her brows furrowed with concern.
Noah smiled at her and gently shook his head.
"Brother Noah's all good. No problem at all."
He then handed several enchanted cards to the thought-body. Each card pulsed faintly with magical energy they were equipment, tools, and research materials specially prepared for his work in the Celestial Spirit Realm.
Afterward, he turned toward the Celestial Spirit King and said with clear resolve:
"I'm ready."
The Celestial Spirit King swept his majestic cloak behind him and gave a deep, resonant reply:
"My old friends… the time has come to part ways. May the stars always shine upon your path."
With that, his enormous figure faded from sight in a swirl of light.
"Goodbye, Grandpa Beard!" Lucy called out, waving with both hands, her voice echoing through the shimmering air where the King had vanished.
Noah, Layla, and the rest of the Heartfilia family turned to say their goodbyes to the rest of the Celestial Spirits as well.
Jude had originally wanted to ask about the current location of the Zodiac Gate Keys, hoping to save himself some effort searching for them later. But when he asked, the answer was clear:
That information is confidential and must remain protected.
So, Jude let the matter go.
With all farewells exchanged, it was Keisha who stepped forward. She cast a spell that shimmered in quiet elegance, surrounding the group in a swirl of celestial light, and used her magic to return Noah and the Heartfilia family safely back to their home.