The room had remained silent for a long time until Jude finally came to his senses, his voice hoarse with dry resignation: "Gaal, sir, is there any other way?" Even if we were to sell off the entire Heartfilia Family, we still wouldn't meet these conditions.
Gaal shook his head and replied: "These Magic Crystals are only the bare minimum; for Magic Deficiency Syndrome, merely replenishing Magic Power isn't enough."
"But if we can't even satisfy this requirement, there's no point in discussing the next steps," Jude argued.
"We could substitute with smaller Magic Crystals," Gaal continued, "but the quantity needed would be even greater—and we can't keep her here any longer. Although the environment here is fine, the natural abundance of Magic Particles is merely average. Only by using those large, high-efficiency Magic Crystals can we sustain Lady Layla's vitality. If we were to move to a place where Magic Particles abound, we could opt for the smaller crystals instead."
"But that location must be chosen very carefully," he added. "Because it means that for the next ten to twenty years, even possibly for her entire life, Lady Layla would have to remain there, unless her Magic Deficiency Syndrome completely recovers during her recuperation."
At these words, Jude promptly responded, "That won't be a problem. The Heartfilia Family in the Fiore Kingdom owns plenty of land, though the natural concentration of Magic Particles…"
"That is something we'll need to check in person," Gaal interjected. "It isn't just about the abundance of Magic factors; we also have to see if a Magic Circle can be established there."
A look of determination lit Jude's face. "I'll go find a map at once. Please wait here."
Turning to Capricorn, he said, "Capricorn, go inform Zordi, ask him to notify everyone to gather all the Magic Crystals from every business of the Heartfilia Family in the Fiore Kingdom and across the Continent."
Capricorn nodded curtly. "Yes."
Moments later, Jude rushed out in search of a map, with Capricorn trailing behind.
At that moment, the weakened Layla looked at Gaal and said, "Thank you, Gaal, sir."
"It's nothing, a trifle really. I only provided a solution," Gaal replied. "The details, however, will depend on the Heartfilia Family's financial strength, as the quantity required is enormous."
Layla smiled faintly and let the matter go. A solution was more than enough; how could she dare demand any more? After all, there hadn't ever been a single case of survival from Magic Deficiency Syndrome, the longest anyone managed was just half a year. That she now had any hope at all was nothing short of miraculous.
Little Lucy, still not fully understanding, perked up at Gaal's words. "No problem!" she declared. "Daddy's rich enough, he could fill every room with Magic Crystals if he had to!"
Gaal looked at Lucy, this future heroine of theirs, and could only smile wryly. "Then we'll just wait on your father. As long as he can amass those Magic Crystals, he'll make history, curing Magic Deficiency Syndrome with sheer wealth. Sounds impressive, doesn't it?"
Lucy's eyes sparkled. "It sure does!"
Beside Layla's bed, Lucy chattered excitedly while Layla returned a gentle smile and nodded in response. Overcome first by despair and then by a sudden surge of hope, Lucy's frenetic energy eventually wore her out, and she dozed off at the foot of Layla's bed.
It wasn't long before an exuberant Jude burst back in, clutching a map. "Gaal, sir,these are all the Heartfilia Family's properties. This one, this one, and even this… Which do you think is suitable? Let's inspect them first." He pointed repeatedly at the Fiore Kingdom map spread out before him. "These territories were accumulated over years of business—the bustling urban centers, the remote mountainous areas, and even several overseas islets."
Gaal carefully dismissed the urban locations. "Setting up a Magic Circle to replenish Magic Crystals requires drawing in ambient Magic. In a town, that Magic is already in use; there would be countless objections. Fewer complications are better."
He then selected a few spots near the mountains, as well as a couple of undeveloped overseas islets. "We'll check these locations," he decided. "As for Lady Layla… seal her for now."
Jude blinked in surprise. "Seal? Does that require any special preparations?"
Gaal shook his head. "No, nothing at all. All she needs is to sleep."
Layla nodded weakly. "That's fine… It's just that my body might not be able to shut off properly. The pain from Magic Deficiency Syndrome is all-pervasive. Unless I'm knocked into unconsciousness by the agony, I simply can't sleep."
Gaal laughed lightly. "That's simple enough." He raised his hand, and the Magic Circle in his palm began to swirl. Layla felt the magic settle upon her, and after days of torment, the pain in her body seemed to vanish. A profound fatigue washed over her, and her consciousness drifted into darkness.
Jude stared at the peacefully sleeping Layla in amazement. "What…?"
"I've temporarily blocked her sense of pain," Gaal explained.
Then he activated his Time Magic. Lifting a hand, he pointed to the space between Layla's brows. At that moment, the blood coursing through her veins, her beating heart, and even the cells that ceaselessly absorbed Magic all came to a complete halt.
Jude reached out to touch her, only to have his hand repelled by a surge of Time Magic. Rising, Gaal announced, "Lady Layla is now in a state of temporal stasis—it will last for a week. I'm off to inspect those locations. Jude, see if you can collect as many Magic Crystals as possible."
"Understood," Jude replied. "I'll go negotiate with our other trading groups immediately."
Gaal then turned to Cana, Lisanna, and Elfman. "Cana, Lisanna, you two keep Lucy company for the next few days. Elfman, make sure you protect the girls."
Elfman gave a firm nod. "Yes!"
Cana waved her hand dismissively. "Alright, alright. Now hurry up and find a good spot, the rescue of Lady Layla is our priority."
Gaal smiled, picking up the map Jude had left behind. He studied the location nearest to a mountain range, a distance close enough that there was no need to ride a Dragonite. A Teleportation Magic Circle shimmered beneath his feet.
Whoosh!
In an instant, he vanished from the room.
------
Four days later.
In the southwestern sea of the Fiore Kingdom, on an undeveloped, primitive islet, Gaal examined the Heartfilia Family map and surveyed the abundant Magic flowing throughout the island and its surrounding waters.
"Indeed, the richest source of Magic is on the islets," he murmured. This very island had been purchased by the Heartfilia Family years ago with plans to develop it into a tourist destination. Now, however, it appeared that nothing else compared—the natural Magic here was unrivaled.
With the location secured, Gaal didn't linger. He activated Teleportation Magic, flickering in and out as he transported himself straight to the Heartfilia Family headquarters.
At that moment, on the second floor of the Heartfilia Family headquarters, little Lucy held a fuzzy toy rabbit in her arms as she gazed out the window. Turning to Cana, she asked, "Cana, why is your guild called Fairy Tail? Is there any special meaning behind it?"
Cana considered for a moment before answering, "It's based on the Guild Master's vision. Whether fairies truly exist is a mystery, and the concept of a fairy's tail is shrouded in the unknown, it represents endless adventure. That, in essence, is the spirit of our guild."
Lucy's eyes lit up. "Wow, that sounds amazing! Can I join Fairy Tail?"
Cana scratched her head playfully. "I don't see why not. As long as you can use Magic, you're welcome to join. Even if you're not a Mage, it won't be a problem. Just mention my name when you come to Fairy Tail, and you'll be admitted, no one would dare deny you."
Lucy beamed in admiration. "Really?!"
Cana grinned mischievously. "Of course. Don't underestimate my position in the guild, either."
Gaal's deep voice resonated from nearby. "Perhaps it's on account of Gildarts' influence?"
Lucy's face lit up with excitement. "Gaal, sir!"
Lisanna and Elfman echoed her exclamation.
Cana's eyes narrowed as she turned toward Gaal, her words deliberate: "W-what did you say?!"
Gaal could only shrug in resignation. "Alright, the location has been found. And Jude, where is he?"
Lucy immediately jumped up. "I'll call him!" She dashed into the corridor, shouting, "Dad! Gaal is back!"
Moments later, hurried footsteps filled the corridor as Jude appeared, a smile on his face. "Sir Gaal, have you found the location?"
Gaal nodded. "I've scouted all the sites. Only Avisa Island has the richest natural Magic, with the most active Magic factors. If we set up a formation there, it would significantly reduce the number of Magic Crystals required. How many have we collected so far?"
A smile of triumph then a hint of concern crossed Jude's face. "We've only managed to collect a little over 40,000 Magic Crystals. I've borrowed everything available from the Fiore Kingdom traders, the market stock is only that much. For the rest, we'll have to procure from the Continent or the Southern Continent, which will take some time. Do you think you could reinforce the seal a bit more, perhaps hold it for a while longer?"
Gaal replied, "With just over 40,000 Magic Crystals, we can barely initiate the treatment. Here's what we'll do: I'll head to Magnolia Town to fetch some additional crystals. We'll start the treatment once we've transferred her."
Jude exhaled in relief. "That would be wonderful. Whatever you bring back, I'll ensure you're compensated."
Gaal waved him off. "No need to worry about that. First things first, we must transfer Lady Layla. I'm off to Magnolia Town."
With that, Gaal activated his Time Magic to tighten the seal on Layla. At once, Jude rallied the crew to lift her sleeping bed and move it outside. Meanwhile, Gaal soared away on a Dragonite, bound for Magnolia Town.
––––
At that very moment.
In Magnolia Town, inside the Fairy Tail Guild, at the bar, Gildarts pounded the counter in a storm of resentment, muttering, "Damn it! Where has that Gaal gone now? He actually managed to whisk Cana away!"
"And I haven't even had the chance to give Cana the gift I brought over!" he fumed. "Unbelievable! That little brat, if I catch him, he won't know what hit him!"
Mirajane interjected with a resigned tone, "Watch it, or you'll break the counter. And besides… where did you get the money? Didn't you already pay your fine?"
Gildarts snorted, "Ah, that? I just made some cash off selling a few potions at the auction house last time."
Mirajane's expression grew puzzled. "Potions? Gaal's potions?"
Gildarts waved dismissively. "What are Gaal's? Once they're in my hands, they're mine, that's hard-earned money, after all!"
He paid no mind to the dark figure that had been creeping up behind him. Suddenly, with a leap, the figure struck.
"Hahahaha, Gildarts! Let's see how you dodge this time, Fiery Dragon's Iron…"
Boom!
Natsu's eyes spun as he was sent sprawling to the floor, while Gildarts looked on with helpless exasperation. "Honestly… Who taught that kid to launch a surprise attack and shout that loud? And the one who taught him must be a real fool."