Over the next several days, Ethan continued his daily training.
He could clearly feel his body growing stronger. Each day of meditation also expanded his capacity, allowing more and more magic power to settle within him.
Today began no differently. Ethan set out for training, running steadily down the snowy mountain.
But before long, he suddenly stopped.
Up ahead, lying motionless on the ground, was a child.
The boy's short jet-black hair and cold expression looked strangely familiar.
Ethan's heart jolted. Wait… isn't this… Gray?!
Just as Ethan recognized him, Ur appeared behind him, quickly stepping forward when she saw the child collapsed in the snow.
Kneeling, she gently lifted the boy up, her voice soft with concern.
"Child, wake up."
When he didn't respond, Ur pressed her hand lightly against his chest. Feeling his faint breath, she immediately hoisted him into her arms.
"Training is suspended for today. We're going home."
Ur turned to Ethan and Lyon, her tone leaving no room for argument, before she hurried toward the house with the boy.
Ethan had no objections. His emotions, however, were mixed. He hadn't expected that after crossing into this world, he would be the one to discover Gray.
…And that could only mean fate was already moving.
Back at the house, Ur quickly wrapped Gray in a warm blanket and laid him down in a heated room.
About half an hour later, Gray slowly stirred awake.
"Where… is this?" His voice was hoarse, his eyes still hazy with confusion.
"Child, are you alright?" Ur asked gently.
Gray glanced at Ur, then at Ethan and Lyon standing nearby. He turned his head slightly, his voice trembling with a sob.
"I… I'm fine."
Ethan's lips twitched. Kid, you're clearly not fine at all.
Ur, however, could see through the boy's front. She spoke in a soothing voice.
"Did something happen with your parents?"
At the mention of that word, Gray's body visibly shook.
A terrifying image flashed before his eyes…
A picture burned in Gray's mind.
A city swallowed by flames.
Countless people screaming as they fled only to be trampled beneath the shadow of a towering, black monster nearly a hundred meters tall.
The memory was unbearable.
As it resurfaced, Gray's tears fell uncontrollably.
"The city… it was destroyed by a giant demon. Everyone was killed. Papa… a "
His voice broke. He couldn't finish. He could only sit there sobbing, his small frame shaking, eyes filled with helpless despair.
Ethan's expression hardened.
The demon Gray spoke of could only be Deliora.
Deliora one of the dreaded demons of Zeref's book. A monster of endless strength, cursed with immortality. Capable of wiping out an entire city in less than a single day. An undying calamity.
According to the events Ethan remembered from the original timeline, Gray would one day become Ur's disciple and learn Ice-Make magic. Recklessly, he would challenge Deliora.
And Ur, to protect him, would pay the ultimate price using the taboo spell Iced Shell to freeze Deliora forever, at the cost of her own life.
The thought made Ethan's eyes narrow, a sharp light flashing in them.
He glanced at Gray, his gaze turning unfriendly for the first time.
He had only been with Ur for a few days, but her quiet care had already warmed his heart.
No matter what, he would not allow that tragic scene to unfold.
Ur's brow furrowed as she listened to Gray's words.
Some time ago, when she had gone into town for supplies, she had already heard whispers of such a monster.
In the far north, a terrifying demon had appeared. Countless villages and several towns were reduced to rubble in its wake.
The Council had dispatched mages to subdue it but even their combined might had failed.
Because this was no ordinary foe. It was Deliora, Zeref's undying demon.
Even for Ur, confronting it would be nearly impossible.
With a soft sigh, she pressed her fingers to her temple.
"You should rest here for now," she said gently, covering Gray with the blanket once more.
Then she gestured for Ethan and Lyon to follow her.
The three left the room, gathering in the living area.
Ur's expression was calm, but her eyes carried a shadow of worry.
"For now, you must stay close to me at all times," she told Ethan and Lyon firmly.
"Don't wander off. Do you understand?"
Ethan and Lyon both nodded.
They knew exactly why Ur was being so strict.
She was worried they might encounter Deliora.
And with their current level of strength, if they really came across that undying demon, there would be almost no chance of survival.
"Alright. That's enough for now. Continue with your training today," Ur instructed, her gaze drifting toward the snowy peaks outside the window. "But don't run too far. Just circle around this mountain."
Lyon curled his lips, clearly dissatisfied with the restriction.
Ethan, however, said nothing. He simply turned and walked straight out the front door.
In truth, Ur didn't even need to remind him. Ethan already knew well enough to discipline himself and complete today's training properly.
....
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