"This is the Heartfilia family estate? No wonder they're famous wealthy merchants of the Kingdom of Fiore. Their foundation really is absurdly deep."
The silver white, ear length haired girl stepped down from the carriage with her luggage in hand. Gazing at the palace like mansion standing in the distance, she could not help but sigh with emotion.
The coachman guiding the carriage reined in the horses and turned the vehicle around. Hearing the girl's remark, he laughed and corrected her kindly.
"Miss, that's not quite right.
To be precise, all the land from here up to the small mountain behind that mansion belongs to the Heartfilia family.
So strictly speaking, you've already stepped onto their property."
With that, the coachman chuckled, flicked the reins, and drove off.
Left behind, the girl dropped her luggage on the spot and froze. After more than ten seconds of silence, she ground her teeth and cursed.
"Damn rich people!"
After a long moment, she finally composed herself, gracefully tucking her hair behind her ear.
"Heh. But that's fine too.
Once I get the Celestial Spirit key I want, I can stay here for a few days and experience what a tycoon's life is like."
Saying that, she picked up her suitcase again, brushed off the dust, and strode toward the exaggeratedly massive estate ahead.
At this point, her identity was already obvious. She was one of the Oración Seis, who had come upon hearing rumors, intending to seize a Zodiac Celestial Spirit key.
Angel.
Of course, Angel was only her codename. Her real name was Sorano Agria.
Like Erza, she was also a victim of the R System.
The difference was that from a young age, her talent had been noticed by Brian, who took her in and personally trained her.
That was how the infamous "Angel," also known as the Angel of the magic world, came to be.
...
Not long after Angel left, another figure approached the area at an unhurried pace.
"Hah~ inhale~ hah~ exhale~"
Maintaining a steady rhythm of breathing, Kabe soon reached the hillside where Angel had been standing earlier.
"Hah~ already here? Looks like this weighted gear isn't enough anymore. I'll need to custom order a stronger set when I get back."
He moved his wrists slightly, where gravity magic tools resembling wrist guards were fastened, and muttered with some regret.
Just like before, unless something urgent was going on, he was still used to relying on his own legs to travel long distances.
Raising a hand to shade his eyes, he looked down the slope. The moment he saw the absurdly massive estate, his heart gave a heavy jolt.
"Holy hell. Isn't this the luxury mansion I've been dreaming of?
If Lucy's dad hadn't gone bankrupt, and if I actually managed to hook Lucy, wouldn't I be living here in the future?!"
Imagining that kind of life, more extravagant than even nobles, Kabe swallowed hard. He pulled a small mirror from his back pocket and carefully adjusted his hairstyle.
Then, straightening his posture, he put on a warm, sunny smile and began walking toward the front gate, ready to make his very proper first visit.
Only, before him, there was already a woman who had arrived first. One who was just as eager to claim this mansion.
...
The moment Sorano reached the front gate, a maid outside the estate, humming softly while sweeping the path, noticed her.
"Miss, this is the Heartfilia family estate grounds. May I ask if you're here to visit Master Jude Heartfilia?"
Sorano lifted her head and glanced at the layered, resplendent manor. A hint of eagerness and satisfaction flashed through her eyes.
Only then did she lower her gaze and offer the curious maid a gentle smile, giving a polite bow.
"No. I'm here to see Miss Lucy Heartfilia.
Please tell her that a Celestial Spirit Mage carrying Zodiac keys has come to visit."
"Celestial Spirit Mage?!"
The maid was visibly surprised. A visitor who used the same rare magic as the young miss.
Everyone in the household knew how much Miss Lucy loved Celestial Spirits. If she found out another Celestial Spirit Mage had come looking for her, she would surely be delighted.
And this girl, who looked about the same age as Miss Lucy, seemed well mannered and not at all like a bad person.
After a brief hesitation, the maid nodded.
"Alright, miss. Please wait here for a moment. I'll go inform Miss Lucy immediately."
With a small bow, the maid turned and hurried away.
Left standing outside, Sorano frowned in displeasure, irritation rising in her chest.
'So this is the Heartfilia family? Just a nouveau riche after all. Not even basic hospitality.'
For a moment, she was tempted to directly summon her spirits and force her way in.
Only after repeatedly reminding herself that she was a beautiful angel who must never lose her elegance did she suppress her anger.
"Tap tap tap tap."
While she was brooding, a set of footsteps suddenly sounded behind her.
"Oh? There's actually another guest besides me. How rare."
Hearing that voice, Sorano turned around irritably, ready to see which bastard had the nerve to show up at such a crucial moment.
But the instant she saw the nearly two meter tall figure, and that face famous throughout the magic world, her mind went blank.
'D destroyer god Kabe? Why is it him?!'
While Sorano was staring at him in shock, Kabe was also sizing up the woman he had unexpectedly run into.
At this time, Sorano's fashion style was not yet as bold as it would be in the future. She was wearing a luxurious white corseted puff dress, elegant and refined.