With a sharp clap of his hands, Silas Frost activated Edward's alchemy. He pressed his palms against the ground, and in an instant, a massive magic circle spread across the entire guild hall.
Before everyone's eyes, the shattered tables and broken furniture began to knit themselves back together, piece by piece. In moments, the guild was completely restored, as though the chaos had never happened.
"This ability is wonderful!"
Makarov burst into laughter, his eyes practically disappearing into wrinkles of joy. Only he knew how many times he'd had to pay out of his own pocket to repair the guild. His personal treasury had been bled dry more than once. But now now that Silas was here his little vault was finally safe. He could drink his wine in peace.
Silas, however, looked troubled.
He had been hoping to rely on repairing things and crafting items as a way to earn money. But with Makarov's generosity, he couldn't exactly demand payment.
Still, he didn't feel cheated. He knew this was Makarov's way of looking after him.
After all, Magnolia wasn't cheap. Lucy, when she rented her first place, had paid seventy thousand Jewels per month for the cheapest apartment. Adding food and daily expenses, the monthly cost easily reached one hundred thousand.
But now, Silas could live in the guild building rent-free. Meals were covered by the guild too. That alone saved him at least a hundred thousand Jewels each month. Fixing tables in exchange was more than fair.
The only pity, perhaps, was that he didn't have the sort of wealthy background that someone like Laxus possessed.
As the guild returned to its usual lively atmosphere, Silas leaned dejectedly against a table, lost in thought.
"How are you feeling?"
Makarov sat down beside him, glancing at the boy's downcast face.
"No jobs. No money. I don't know how I'm supposed to get stronger…" Silas muttered sadly.
"Silas," Makarov said gently, resting a hand on his head, "you don't need to rush. Your village was destroyed, and hatred now lingers in your heart. That hatred… it can be a driving force."
"…but you also can't let your life be swallowed entirely by hatred. Do you understand?"
"I know. I don't care that much, I just "
Silas Frost froze mid-sentence.
That's right. Even without drawing new cards, he could still grow stronger.
Natsu and the others hadn't been overwhelmingly powerful from the start. They had trained step by step through battles, through hardship, through studying magic. Their strength had grown steadily, forged by effort.
So why couldn't he do the same?
Did he really need shortcuts just to become strong? No. Absolutely not.
The thought hit Silas like a strike of lightning. Even though this was his body now, its subconscious still influenced him. That was why he had cried earlier, and why now an overwhelming desire for strength consumed him.
He rubbed his temple with a sigh. What a headache. If I really want to completely merge with this body, I'll have to go…
To the Moonlit Tower. Only by resolving that matter can I stabilize this ticking time bomb.
"Think it through carefully."
Makarov didn't press further. In his heart, he knew that every child needed to walk their own path. His duty was only to offer guidance, to give them warmth, and to make Fairy Tail a home they could return to.
Silas watched the guild master walk away, falling deep into thought.
As he pondered how he might train himself in the future how to combine his growing strength with the cards he held someone slipped quietly into the seat across from him.
It was a little boy.
The boy stared directly into Silas's eyes and said softly,
"Your eyes… they remind me of how I once was. Remember this only by truly living can you unlock infinite possibilities."
Silas Frost looked up at the boy across from him.
Gray Fullbuster Ice-Make mage.
From the moment Silas had entered the guild, Gray had been watching. And now, sitting face-to-face, he saw it clearly: this boy was far too much like his younger self.
The aura clinging to Silas's body firm, resolute, and filled with the stench of revenge was something others might not notice. But Gray, having walked that path himself, understood it better than anyone.
"…Ur…"
Gray's heart tightened as his thoughts turned to his master the woman who had guided him, trained him, and sealed away his darkness.
Before, it was you who pulled me out of the shadows. Now, maybe I can do the same for him.
Gray's gaze grew serious as he thought, Ur, let me start with this boy in front of me.
"The darkness in your heart," Gray said firmly, "let me seal it away."
"…Hah?"
Silas blinked, completely baffled. His expression looked like an old man on the subway being dragged into nonsense.
But then, a spark of inspiration struck him.
This was perfect. He could use Gray for training!
Right now, their strength was probably close at least when Silas relied on Accept Magic. Without it, his physical abilities wouldn't match Gray's at all. But if he fought Gray head-on, without using borrowed magic, maybe he could improve his fundamentals.
And afterward, if he reactivated Accept Magic… he might climb even higher.
It was a clever idea.
Silas's eyes gleamed as he leaned forward eagerly.
"You look pretty formidable too. How about this why don't we spar? No magic, just a straight-up fight!"
"???"
This time, it was Gray's turn to blink in confusion.
Silas Frost issued the challenge, and after some hesitation, Gray finally agreed.
What followed was a complete disaster for Silas.
Before the entire guild, he was thoroughly beaten down, showing everyone what it meant to be "the rookie getting thrashed."
Watching Silas get tossed around by Gray's grappling and throws, the whole guild burst out in laughter. Even Makarov nearly choked, spitting out his wine in a spray.
There was no helping it. Just moments ago, Silas had stunned everyone with his flashy display of magic. But now, stripped of Accept Magic, the guild was reminded he was just a child. Without magic, Gray could handle him effortlessly.
"Silas," Makarov chuckled as he wiped tears of laughter from his eyes, "you can use Accept Magic if you want. That way you won't get beaten so badly."
But Silas shook his head and forced himself up from the floor again.
"Absorbing magic is my strength, but my body is my foundation. Only if my body grows strong will I be able to unleash my magic freely."
With that stubborn resolve, Silas charged Gray once more.
Gray said nothing. He simply extended his hand, caught Silas's punch, and flipped him cleanly over his shoulder. Silas slammed into the ground again with a painful thud.
This time, Silas lay there groaning, his body too sore to continue. Gray scratched the back of his head and sighed.
Honestly… beating up a kid like this, even in a spar, feels kind of awkward.
Silas climbed back up slowly, rubbing his aching side. He couldn't help but admit to himself that he'd have to let this one go for now.
Still… if I take the time to train properly, maybe one day I can at least hold my ground against Gray without relying on Accept Magic. That would be worth it.
With that thought, Silas began sketching out a new plan for his own training in the coming days.
As for Cana, she was still just a girl at this point far from the confident woman she'd later become. For now, Silas told himself he'd better rein in those stray thoughts and focus on what mattered most.
First things first: get stronger.