"We're back," Ul called as she pushed open the wooden door, Arlen following behind her.
"Welcome back, Mom! Lord Arlen!" Ultear ran up with a bright smile.
"You're back, Ul. What did you do today?" Gray and Lyon also came over.
Ul looked at her beloved daughter and students, her excitement gradually settling. She crouched down, meeting Gray's eyes, her voice gentle:
"Gray… your darkness is over."
"…Huh?" Gray blinked, confused. "What are you talking about?"
"I mean—you don't need to search for Deliora anymore," Ul said softly, ruffling his hair. "Arlen and I… we destroyed it. You can live for yourself now. The darkness in your heart… is gone."
"WHAT?!" ×3
Shock hit all three of them—but for Gray, it was something else entirely.
His mind went blank.
His home… his parents… all destroyed by Deliora.
Everything he had done—training under Ul—was for revenge.
And now—
"It's… dead?" Gray grabbed Ul's shoulders, his voice trembling. "You're serious? You're not joking, right?!"
Ul met his gaze, filled with warmth and sorrow. "It's true. We went out today to defeat it. I thought it would take days… but we found it and ended it."
"…It's over…"
Tears streamed down Gray's face.
His long-held burden—
finally shattered.
"Hey, are you crying? That's kinda pathetic," Lyon teased with a grin, arms behind his head.
"I—I'm not crying!" Gray wiped his face furiously.
"Uh, yeah you are."
"Shut up! You wanna fight?!"
"Bring it on, droopy-eyes!"
"…You two again?" Ul sighed.
Bonk!
Another clean double knockout.
"Enough. I'm making dinner. Today we celebrate defeating Deliora—and Gray finally getting closure."
"Ow…" Lyon clutched his head.
"Serves you right," Ultear giggled beside Arlen.
Gray burst out laughing.
The cabin filled with warmth and laughter.
—
At dinner, Gray sincerely thanked both Ul and Arlen—no awkwardness, no pride—just genuine gratitude.
Lyon, meanwhile, went full fanboy mode:
"Master Ul is the strongest! Of course she defeated Deliora! What 'immortal demon'? Nothing against her!"
Even when Ul explained that Arlen was the main force, neither Lyon nor Gray believed it.
Ul just smiled helplessly.
They'll understand someday…
Only Ultear fully believed it.
Because she had seen it.
Experienced it.
That overwhelming strength—the light that saved her.
—
Late at night.
Gray and Lyon had passed out on the floor after a day of excitement, still arguing in their sleep.
Ultear slept peacefully in her room.
Ul gently covered the boys with blankets before returning to the table, sitting across from Arlen with tea in hand.
"You've been quiet. What are you thinking about?" she asked.
"…I'm leaving tomorrow," Arlen said.
"Leaving? Going home?"
"No. To Magnolia. There's a guild there—Fairy Tail. I want to join it."
"Fairy Tail… I've heard of them. Their master is one of the Ten Wizard Saints."
Arlen nodded, then looked at her.
"Have you thought about leaving here? Taking Ultear and the others."
Ul fell silent, fingers tracing her teacup.
"I have. Especially after today. They deserve to see the world… not stay trapped here. But… we're Ice Mages. This environment is ideal for training."
"You're worried you won't find a place like this again."
"…Yes."
Arlen pulled out a map and slid it across the table.
"Then look here—Mount Hakobe."
Ul leaned in.
"It's covered in snow year-round—even in summer. Perfect for Ice Mages. There are monsters, rare herbs that restore magic and stamina, and harsh conditions for real combat training."
As he spoke, Ul's eyes lit up.
"…This is perfect."
She grabbed his hand instinctively. "Thank you, Arlen. This helps more than you know."
"…You're welcome," he replied, subtly pulling his hand back.
"Then it's settled. You should prepare tomorrow—say your goodbyes. You won't be back for a while."
"…And you?" Ul asked.
"I'll report Deliora's defeat to the Council."
He paused.
"And I'll say… you defeated it."
Ul froze.
"What?! No—that's not true!"
"I don't need the recognition," Arlen said calmly. "You do."
She fell silent.
"You'll need money. A place to live. A future for those kids. Becoming a Wizard Saint solves all of that."
Ul clenched her hands.
She couldn't argue.
Across from her, Arlen simply sipped his tea.
The night stretched on—
quiet, and full of change.