Even though his head was full of questions, Shane couldn't deny it—the future gang's "accidental intrusion" had hit him like a truck.
Putting aside his time-travel plans with Ultear for the moment, just the nonsense future Erza had mentioned about "himself" was already a goldmine if he chewed on it carefully.
"A beauty seated high in the heavens…"
"I refuse to admit he's a girl…"
"This has nothing to do with dragons…"
Shane stood on the riverbank, staring at the spot where they'd vanished, his brain spinning at full speed.
"If future me was complaining about 'not admitting he's a girl,' then that means—going by how history remembers them—Lancer's image was categorized as male."
"And 'has nothing to do with dragons' means that in the legend, this Heroic Spirit's bond with dragons is incredibly thin… or maybe even nonexistent."
He rubbed his chin, thinking.
"No wonder future me was cursing it as 'some insane dogsh*t lore.'"
"If my guess is right, then when future me finally figured out Lancer's true name… he probably broke down on the spot."
The thought made him look forward to it a little, in a petty way.
At least I've mentally prepared myself in advance, he thought. I wonder what my actual reaction will be when I finally uncover Lancer's true name.
While he was still mulling it over, a soft little hand tugged the hem of his shirt.
"Shane-nii…" Little Lucy looked up, her big eyes full of reluctance.
"That big sister… will she come play again someday?"
Shane really didn't have the heart to tell her the brutal truth—in theory, you'll never see her again.
"Of course." He crouched down, ruffled her soft golden hair, and answered with certainty:
"You'll definitely see her again."
"And maybe… in the future, you two will be together every single day."
"Really?" Little Lucy's eyes lit up instantly, like someone had tucked stars inside them.
In her simple worldview, Shane-nii had never lied to her—so she believed him immediately, no doubts at all.
And in a strange way… it wasn't even completely false.
But seeing how blindly she trusted him still filled Shane with a tiny stab of guilt, like he'd just tricked a kid.
"Come on. I'll walk you back." He took her hand and led her along the river toward the city.
They passed a magic shop window, and Shane suddenly slowed.
"Come to think of it… I've never given Lucy a present, either."
Maybe it was that lingering guilt—but he steered little Lucy into the shop.
Among all the glittering wares, Lucy immediately picked out a simple silver key—plain to the point of being unremarkable.
It was the key to the Canis Minor Celestial Spirit: Nikora.
It wasn't expensive—only 20,000J.
For Shane, who was basically halfway to being a rich man now, indulging that tiny wish was effortless.
"Here. It's yours."
"Wah! Thank you, Shane-nii!" When the cool key dropped into her palm, the girl's cheeks flushed pink, and she beamed so brightly it was almost dazzling.
…
After a full day of "sightseeing," Shane safely delivered little Lucy back to the hotel where Layla was staying.
In the room, he had to spend a good while refusing a hefty "commission fee" Layla tried to press on him.
Come on—Layla had helped him so much, and Lucy was so well-behaved. He was just babysitting for one day. How could he take money for that?
"Phew…" When he finally stepped back out into the hotel's gilded lobby and into the open air, Shane let out a long breath.
His body was a little tired, but his mood was unusually light.
And another important "gain" hit him:
"The future crew… they're still loud as ever, but they all seem to be doing pretty well."
Natsu was still a single-cell idiot, but he carried himself with more presence now. Gray still couldn't quit stripping, but his eyes were steadier. And that confident, bright future Lucy…
Knowing the future seemed "okay" gave Shane a strange, grounding sense of relief—his steps even felt lighter.
Maybe I'll grab Erza later and go hang out at the guild with everyone…
The thought had barely formed when Shane froze mid-step like someone had slapped a paralysis spell on him.
The relaxed expression on his face hardened. A bead of cold sweat slid down his temple.
"W-Wait!"
"ERZA!!!"
A bolt of realization struck him.
His brain—still dazed from the future-info dump—finally snapped back to reality:
Erza in this era… was probably still passed out in the east forest.
"Crapcrapcrap…" No more reflecting. No more savoring "future's fine." Shane's face changed, and he flared his dragon wings, rocketing toward the eastern forest as fast as he could.
…
Forest clearing, dusk falling.
When Shane arrived, he spotted her immediately—Erza lying flat on the grass, still unconscious.
He landed and checked her quickly.
Honestly, Erza's constitution was as absurd as ever.
Not long ago she'd been drenched in blood, carved up by horrifying sword wounds… and now most of them had already scabbed over. Some of the shallower ones were even peeling, revealing tender new skin underneath.
"Thank gods…" Shane finally let out the breath he'd been holding and carefully lifted her into his arms.
Maybe it was the familiar scent, the familiar warmth—Erza's lashes fluttered, and she groggily opened her eyes.
Her focus returned.
She blanked for a second… then her hazy expression sank into something heavy.
"Shane… why did you hit me?"
She knew he must've had a reason, but that didn't stop a hint of grievance from slipping into her voice.
"…" Shane turned his head away, suddenly unable to meet the accusation in her eyes.
Back then, he'd knocked her out on purpose—so future Erza wouldn't get exposed and cause more chaos.
Yes, they were both Erza… but in that moment, he'd still chosen a side.
Worse, he'd left her alone in the woods for ages afterward.
Even if it was because he had to chase Lucy and time was tight—he couldn't convince himself that it was a good enough excuse.
"Sorry… it was the most efficient way to fix the situation." He tightened his arms a little, then immediately eased up, afraid he'd squeeze her injuries, and kept holding her with careful restraint. "Efficient…"
Erza rolled the word around quietly, eyes lowered.
Watching Shane—usually so composed—look uncharacteristically helpless, she almost wanted to laugh.
But then a heavy wave of frustration and defeat surged up.
Erza realized something she couldn't avoid.
"I lost." She buried her face against Shane's chest, voice tiny.
"I couldn't fight back at all… I lost horribly."
"And that person even mentioned Kagura… and you… and I couldn't do anything."
With strong responsibility often comes harsh self-standards.
Listening to her mutter in blame and regret, Shane mentally cursed future Erza ten thousand times.
That idiot! Why are you not even half as cute when you grow up?! You matured physically—how about maturing emotionally too, you menace?!
He almost regretted not punching future Erza extra hard before she vanished.
But seeing Erza in his arms, looking like she'd convinced herself she was too weak to protect anyone…
Shane took a deep breath. He finally forced himself into the mindset he'd been avoiding.
"Actually…" He stopped walking, lowered his head, and softened his tone as much as he could.
"Erza, listen. That person… wasn't an enemy."
"Hm?" Erza's entire vibe snapped.
She lifted her head. Confusion crossed her face—then her gaze sharpened like a drawn sword.
She hadn't forgotten those merciless sword strikes. Or the weird, half-threatening nonsense about "who you should be close to."
Her mind started working:
Shane had looked furious when he rushed in, then later he started defending the other person.
So… did they talk while she was unconscious? Did something happen that she didn't know about?
Her eyes narrowed.
She reached up with both hands, cupped Shane's face, and forced him to look straight at her.
"Not an enemy?"
"Then… a friend?"
~~~
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