The very next second, Aries's fluffy little figure automatically slipped through the gate from the Celestial Spirit World and appeared right in front of Kabe.
"Responding to your call, the spirit of Aries is willing to fight at your… eh? Lord Kabe, why is it you!!"
She did not even finish her dramatic opening line before she realized who had summoned her, and her voice cracked in shock.
Then, as if noticing something strange, Aries hurriedly ran her small hands over her own body, eyes going wider and wider.
"So, so strong, the magic inside me is almost overflowing!!"
Kabe: "…"
Watching Aries pop out on her own before he even consciously tried to summon her, Kabe opened and closed his mouth a few times, then looked blankly at Makarov.
"Master, explain, what the hell is going on?"
Makarov raised an eyebrow and spread his hands.
"Do not ask me, I have no idea either."
One old and one young just stared at each other, both equally confused about what they had just done.
At this moment, Aries finally calmed down from her initial excitement and remembered why she was here. She bent deeply at the waist, bowing to Kabe with sincere respect.
"Lord Kabe, you are the first mage in hundreds of years who has completely drawn out all of my power. In the name of Aries, the White Ram, I beg you, please form a contract with me, and allow me to become your strength and stand at your side."
As she spoke, Aries's heart pounded with nerves.
Among the Zodiac Celestial Spirits, she was not known for combat power.
She was afraid Kabe would find her too weak and refuse to contract with her.
Of course, that was just her standard low self-esteem talking.
Kabe did not exactly need Aries's power, but when a soft, fluffy little lamb throws herself into your arms, why on earth would you say no?
Without the slightest hesitation, he reached out his hand.
"I accept. From today on, you are my Celestial Spirit, and I can finally call myself a Celestial Spirit Mage."
In an instant, Aries's whole face bloomed with joy. She grabbed his extended hand with both of hers, eyes sparkling.
"Then the contract is formed. Please take care of me from now on, Lord Kabe!"
Looking at this soft and adorable Aries, Kabe felt genuinely delighted.
He pulled her to sit beside him, putting on a very "serious mage" face as he started asking basic questions.
"If I remember right, Celestial Spirits have specific days they prefer to be summoned, right? Aries, which days of the week are best for you?"
"I, I am fine with all of them, as long as my master needs me."
"What, full schedule availability? Aries, obedient and thoughtful spirits like you really are rare."
Being praised so directly made Aries blush. She twisted the hem of her dress with her fingers, eyes darting away shyly.
Kabe, seeing this, liked her even more. Completely forgetting there was still someone else in the carriage, he started teasing the timid little ram spirit as if no one were watching.
Makarov stared at the scene in silence, his envy practically visible.
"This infuriating brat, even his Celestial Spirits are cute girls. How is his charm this ridiculous…"
While he fumed in jealousy, Kabe cheerfully chatted with Aries, both of them laughing together, completely ignoring one tiny detail:
When Karen had handed over her keys, she had given him not only Aries the White Ram, but also the key of the proud Golden Lion, Leo.
Celestial Spirit World.
Leo watched as Aries was summoned away yet again, and could not help grumbling to himself.
"What is with Karen lately, why does she only ever call Aries? Has she forgotten her noble lion completely?"
The poor lion had no idea that his master had already changed hands.
He was still loyally waiting in the Spirit World, expecting Karen to summon him like before.
Back in the human world, the train screeched to a halt.
"Magnolia, your emperor has returned!!!"
At Magnolia's train station, the moment Kabe jumped off the carriage, he spread his arms wide and loudly announced his triumphant return.
Makarov, who was calmly walking toward the exit, immediately stumbled.
With tourists and passengers all around turning to stare with mixed expressions, and the station guards gripping their spears and frowning in this direction, the old man practically teleported back, leaping up to smack Kabe on the forehead.
"You little brat, do not shout that kind of treasonous nonsense in public!"
Rubbing his smarting forehead, Kabe pouted in protest.
"What are you so afraid of? If the royal family cannot handle a tiny joke like that, they might as well step down and let me sit on the throne."
"Quit spouting idiocy and come back to the guild with me."
Makarov glared at the kid whose mouth ran faster than his brain, then quickly dragged him toward the exit before the guards decided to surround them.
As for why only the two of them had gotten off the train, and Aries was nowhere to be seen, the answer was simple: Kabe had already sent her back to the Spirit World.
According to Aries, the magic inside her was enough to let her stay in the human world for a full week as long as she did not fight.
But Kabe had absolutely no intention of walking into the guild with a soft, cute Celestial Spirit on his arm while Mirajane and Erza were watching.
So he steeled his heart, pretended not to see Aries's watery, pleading eyes, and directly cut off the summoning.
Even though he had only been away from the guild four or five days, as he stopped in front of the Fairy Tail doors, Kabe felt a faint, guilty tension rise in his chest.
Which was honestly fair.
Just a few days ago, he had officially confirmed his relationship with Mirajane and Erza.
Then the Council's letter arrived, and he stormed off with the old man to the Council headquarters.
After that, he spent several days "enjoying life" at Blue Pegasus, got completely tangled up by that menace Karen, and somehow picked up a brand new little lover, Jenny.
Thinking about all the outrageous things he had done behind his two girlfriends' backs, Kabe had the urge to slap himself and call himself what he was.
"Ugh, this rotten world really is too full of temptations."
He sighed once, neatly dumping all responsibility onto "the cruel, seductive world", and just like that his guilt was light enough to walk with.
Shoulders relaxing, he was the first to push open the guild doors and stride inside.
"Kabe!!!"
He had barely stepped over the threshold when a shout exploded across the hall.
The next second, Gray's figure appeared in front of him almost like teleportation.
Now, when you see a half-naked guy in nothing but his underwear, yelling your name and charging straight at you, what would your first instinct be?
Kabe's instincts were crystal clear.
The moment he saw Gray, he snapped his leg up and kicked.
"F**K, where did this pervert come from!!"
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