The morning sun streamed through the stained-glass windows into the Fairy Tail guild hall, casting colorful patterns on the wooden floor.
Natsu paced restlessly in front of the request board, his sandals making dull thuds on the floor.
This was the third time he had checked the request board this week, but the low-level tasks simply didn't pique his interest.
"This is so boring! Even Happy could handle these cat-catching and dog-finding missions!" Natsu slammed his fist against the wall next to the request board, flames uncontrollably bursting from between his fingers, leaving several charred marks on the oak panel.
His voice echoed in the empty hall, causing several early-rising guild members to glance his way.
The blue cat Happy flapped his wings and flew over from the bar, still clutching half a grilled fish in his mouth, its tail wagging with his flight.
"Aye~ Natsu's burning things again," Happy skillfully dodged Natsu's flailing arm and landed lightly on the top rail of the request board, "The Master will deduct your reward again."
Natsu impatiently waved his hand, sparks flying: "Stop nagging! These missions aren't even a warm-up!"
Happy tilted his head and suddenly noticed a yellowed parchment in the corner, its wax seal glinting in the sunlight.
"Look at this!" He flapped down, his paw tapping the parchment tacked in the corner, "It has a Council wax seal on the edge!"
Natsu's eyes lit up, and he rushed forward in a few quick strides.
Several lines of text were written in dark red ink on the old paper, a color that reminded him of dried blood.
[A-Rank Urgent Request (Council Endorsed)]
Investigation Area: Three villages north of Magnolia
Incident: Consecutive child disappearances (12 cumulative)
Characteristics: Traces of Dark Magic remaining at the scene
Warning: Suspected group operation, prioritize child safety
Reward: 800,000 J (20% upfront)
"Dark Magic?" Natsu's pupils suddenly constricted, his fists uncontrollably igniting with hotter flames, making the surrounding air warp, "Finally, a decent opponent!"
Meanwhile, Ezreal at the bar was stirring his blue fizzy drink with a straw.
The liquid shimmered with a starry luster in the sunlight, occasionally bubbling.
Mirajane smiled and pushed over a plate of freshly baked cookies: "Try some, it's a new Starry Mint Tea, paired with freshly baked star cookies~"
Ezreal picked up a cookie, adorned with silver sprinkles, indeed shaped like a five-pointed star. "The texture is very unique."
He had just bitten off half a cookie and hadn't had a chance to savor it when a hand landed on his shoulder.
"Ezreal, come on a mission with me!" Natsu's face was almost touching his nose, his hot breath, carrying a familiar sulfur smell, sprayed on his face.
Ezreal's goggles were knocked askew on his forehead by the sudden impact, and his golden hair still had crumbs from the cookie he had just eaten.
Ezreal slowly straightened his goggles, gently pushed Natsu's forehead with his fingertip, maintaining a comfortable distance from him.
"Oh? You actually admit you need a brain?" A playful smile curved his lips, and his blue eyes twinkled mischievously behind the lenses.
Natsu impatiently shook the request form in his hand: "Stop talking nonsense! Look at this!"
"I bet you'll be interested!"
His movements were too forceful, almost poking the paper into Ezreal's face.
Ezreal took the request form, and his expression gradually became serious as his gaze swept over the dark red lettering.
"Dark Magic..." he murmured softly, a sharp glint flashing in his deep blue eyes, "It's definitely worth a trip."
Mira had already prepared three oil-paper-wrapped sandwiches, carefully tucking them into Happy's backpack.
"Special spicy ham sandwiches, remember to share them~" She gently adjusted Happy's bowtie, then turned to Ezreal, "You'll have to keep an eye on these two reckless ones."
Ezreal smiled and nodded, downing the last of his Starry Mint Tea: "Don't worry, I'll make sure they don't burn down the entire village."
...The three walked along the forest path leading to the northern villages, sunlight filtering through the leaves, casting dappled shadows.
Happy flapped his wings and flew ahead, occasionally looking back to urge them on: "Aye~ Why can't Ezreal just use a portal! This is going to take so long!"
"I like walking lately," Ezreal replied with a smile, his hands in his pockets, his pace as leisurely as if he were on a picnic.
Natsu walked at the very front, occasionally kicking small stones in the path: "What's the big deal, if we used a portal, we'd already be there--"
"Shh!" Ezreal suddenly stopped and crouched down. His finger traced an almost invisible crack on the ground, the fissure glowing with an eerie green light in the sunlight.
"...The soil here smells of sulfur, it's not natural."
Natsu immediately leaned over, his nose twitching, sniffing the air like a hound.
"There's also a sweet, rotten smell... like spoiled honey!"
He suddenly sneezed, rubbing his itchy nose.
Instinctively, a wisp of flame shot from his fingertip, illuminating the depths of the crack--several wisps of black smoke-like substance wriggled in the crevices, as if alive.
Ezreal's eyebrow raised slightly, and he waved his hand, creating a gust of wind that instantly dispersed the black smoke.
"These are remnants of Dark Magic," his voice deepened, "It seems we've found the right place."
Happy nervously flapped his wings: "Aye... the children wouldn't have already..."
He didn't finish his sentence, but Natsu and Ezreal understood his concern.
"Don't be a jinx!" Natsu slammed his fist against a nearby tree trunk, sparks flying, "We'll definitely find them!"
Ezreal stood up and brushed the dust from his hands: "Let's keep going, we should reach the first village before dark."
...At dusk, they finally arrived at the village where the disappearances first occurred.
The setting sun dyed the simple thatched roofs blood-red, and the entire village was shrouded in an eerie silence.
There were no children's laughter, no animal sounds, only the rustling of wind through dry grass.
A white-haired old woman was curled up on a stone bench at the village entrance, and when she saw them approach, her cloudy eyes suddenly lit up.
She trembled as she stood up, her withered fingers grasping Natsu's sleeve: "Are you... are you from the Magic Guild? Please, my Maxi... last night he said he saw 'Uncle Black Smoke' emerge from the shadows... and then he disappeared..."
Natsu's expression became more serious than ever: "Grandma, don't worry, we will definitely bring Maxi back."
Ezreal looked around: "Can you take us to the last place the child was seen?"
The old woman led them behind the barn, where five charred claw marks were left in the corner of the wall, shaped like the sharp claws of some beast, yet too regular.
Natsu crouched down, his fingertip igniting a flame to touch the marks, and surprisingly, his flame suddenly turned an eerie purple.
He frowned and sniffed his finger, "It smells like rust mixed with rotten flesh."
"There's a very clear residue of Dark Magic."
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