NOVEL NEXT WORLD Chapter 6: Chapter 6: Secrets in the Shadows
Chapter 6: Secrets in the Shadows
Kael's POV
Returning to Magnolia after our mission at Sunveil Village felt like coming home. The guildhall buzzed with its usual chaos—Natsu and Gray were already arguing, Elfman was shouting about manliness, and Cana was somehow halfway through a barrel of ale before noon.
I took a seat at the bar, rubbing my sore arms. My spell Arcane Overload had taken a toll on me, and I hadn't fully recovered yet. Still, the mission had been a success, and I'd even unlocked a few new abilities along the way.
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[System Notification: Skill Tree Updated]
**- Arcane Overload (Level 1): High damage but high energy cost.
Arcane Surge: Temporarily boosts power and speed.]**
[New Quest: Investigate the Source of Magical Beasts]
Objective: Uncover the cause behind the magical corruption.]
Reward: +500 System Points, Unlock: Arcane Detection Spell.]
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I frowned. "Investigate the source? Haven't we already handled this?"
"Talking to yourself again?" Lucy asked, plopping down beside me.
I closed the interface quickly. "Just… thinking."
"Dangerous habit," she teased, ordering a drink. "So, are you ready for another mission?"
"Already?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.
Lucy leaned back in her chair, her gaze turning serious. "Those magical beasts weren't normal. There's something bigger going on, and it's only a matter of time before it comes knocking on Fairy Tail's door."
Before I could reply, the guildhall door burst open. A young man stumbled inside, his clothes torn and bloodied. The room fell silent as he collapsed onto the floor.
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The New Threat
"Get him some help!" Erza barked, already moving to the man's side.
Mirajane rushed forward, her hands glowing with healing magic. "What happened?" she asked softly.
The man's eyes fluttered open, and his voice was barely a whisper. "The beasts… they're spreading. Our town… is gone."
The tension in the room was palpable. Even Natsu stopped mid-argument to listen.
"Where?" Erza demanded, her tone cold and sharp.
"North of Clover Town," the man said before passing out.
Makarov, the guild master, stepped forward, his expression grim. "This isn't normal," he said, addressing the guild. "Something is corrupting these creatures, and it's spreading. We need to find the source and stop it before it reaches Magnolia."
"I'll go!" Natsu shouted, flames already sparking around his fists.
"Count me in," Lucy said, standing beside him.
Erza nodded. "You'll need a team. Kael, you're coming with us."
"Wait, me?" I asked, startled.
"Your magic will be useful," she said simply. "And you need more field experience."
I sighed, knowing there was no point arguing. "Alright, let's do this."
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The Journey North
The trek north was tense. The closer we got to the affected area, the more signs of destruction we saw—scorched fields, shattered buildings, and strange claw marks that glowed faintly with magic.
"This feels… wrong," Lucy said, clutching her celestial keys.
"I'm getting fired up!" Natsu said, grinning. "Whatever's behind this is gonna pay."
"Focus," Erza warned, scanning the area. "We don't know what we're dealing with yet."
My system chimed, drawing my attention.
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[New Quest Objective: Use Arcane Detection to Identify the Source of Corruption.]
Reward: Unlock: Arcane Cleansing Spell.]
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"Guess it's time to test this," I muttered, flipping open my tome. I activated Arcane Detection, and a wave of energy pulsed outward, revealing glowing traces of magic leading deeper into the forest.
"This way," I said, pointing ahead.
Erza nodded. "Stay sharp."
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The Source Revealed
The trail led us to a massive clearing, where the air felt thick with magic. At the center stood a dark, pulsating crystal, its energy radiating outward like ripples on a pond. Surrounding it were more corrupted beasts, their eyes glowing with the same eerie light.
"What is that?" Lucy whispered.
"Some kind of magical conduit," Erza said, her grip tightening on her sword. "It's fueling the corruption."
"Then let's destroy it!" Natsu said, already charging forward.
"Wait!" I shouted, but it was too late. Natsu's fiery punch collided with the crystal—and was immediately repelled by a barrier of dark energy.
"What the—?" Natsu stumbled back, looking stunned.
"It's protected," I said, flipping through my tome. "We'll need to disrupt the magic before we can break it."
"And deal with them," Lucy said, pointing to the beasts rushing toward us.
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The Battle
The clearing erupted into chaos. Erza and Natsu charged into the fray, cutting through the beasts with practiced ease. Lucy summoned Aquarius, who unleashed a torrent of water to keep the creatures at bay.
I stayed back, focusing on the crystal. My system highlighted weak points in its structure, but the barrier was too strong for a direct attack.
"System, give me something!" I muttered.
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[New Spell Unlocked: Arcane Cleansing]
Description: Disrupts corrupted magic and weakens magical barriers.]
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"Perfect," I said, channeling the spell. Glowing runes surrounded the crystal as I cast Arcane Cleansing, the energy seeping into the barrier. Cracks began to form, and the crystal's glow dimmed.
"It's working!" I shouted. "Keep them off me!"
Natsu and Erza doubled their efforts, holding the beasts back while I focused on dismantling the barrier. With one final burst of energy, the barrier shattered, and the crystal cracked down the middle.
"Now's your chance!" I called.
Natsu grinned, flames roaring around him. "FIRE DRAGON IRON FIST!"
His attack slammed into the crystal, shattering it completely. The remaining beasts collapsed, their corruption fading as the crystal's energy dissipated.
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Aftermath
As the dust settled, the forest grew quiet again. The oppressive magic was gone, replaced by a strange sense of peace.
"Not bad," Erza said, giving me an approving nod.
"You were awesome!" Lucy said, smiling.
Natsu clapped me on the back, nearly knocking me over. "Told you we'd handle it!"
I smiled, despite my exhaustion. The system chimed with my rewards, and I couldn't help but feel a sense of accomplishment.
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[Quest Complete: Investigate the Source of Magical Beasts.]
Rewards: +500 System Points, Unlock: Arcane Cleansing Spell.]
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As we made our way back to Magnolia, I realized something: this world was dangerous, chaotic, and completely insane—but I wouldn't have it any other way.
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End of Chapter 6
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This chapter dives deeper into the mystery of the corrupted beasts, showcases Kael's growing abilities, and strengthens the team dynamic.