Chapter 10 : Hidden

 AN: We just reached ranked 101st in the Monthly power rankings. Originally, I planning to do this once we entered the top 100, however, it's just 1 rank so here's 2 chapters! Additionally, my offer still stands, 5 valid reviews for 3 chapters.

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The sun had barely risen the next morning, casting a golden hue across the guild hall. Inside Fairy Tail's main hall, the air was buzzing with excitement, as usual. Yet, there was an unfamiliar tension today.

Makarov stood before the gathered guild members, his usually jovial face replaced by a rare solemnity. The usual banter and noise faded as everyone's attention turned to their master. He cleared his throat, lifting his hand to signal for silence.

"Today, I have an announcement," Makarov began, his voice steady and commanding. The room fell completely silent. "After much consideration, it is my honor to officially promote Aurelius Nyx to the rank of S-Class Mage!"

A murmur rippled through the crowd. Many members couldn't hide their surprise. They'd all seen Aurelius turn down the offer multiple times, and they had no reason to believe today would be any different.

A few chuckles echoed in the hall as some of the more familiar guild members joked, "Looks like the old man never learns," or "Here we go again, Aurelius will just brush it off." The atmosphere lightened as they imagined another quick refusal, just like all the times before.

But then, much to everyone's surprise, Aurelius stepped forward, his calm, collected gaze unwavering. His voice rang clear through the hall as he spoke, "I accept."

The guild hall went deathly silent.

This wasn't the response they expected. Aurelius, always the cautious and elusive genius, had always been content with remaining in the shadows, avoiding the spotlight. To accept the title of S-Class was a moment no one could have predicted.

For a moment, everyone just stared at him. His acceptance wasn't just surprising—it was almost... unsettling. But before anyone could ask, before they could voice their questions, the mood shifted again.

Natsu was the first to break the silence, his trademark grin spreading across his face. "I'm all fired up! If you're S-class now then I'm gonna have to challenge you!" He then turned to Erza, his eyes burning with excitement. "So Erza, I challenge you! and after I beat you, Aurelius is gonna be next!"

Erza sighed, a hint of a smile tugging at the corner of her lips. "You never know when to stop, do you?" she said, her eyes flashing with her usual challenge.

Without waiting for a reply, Natsu lunged at her, eager to begin. Erza was already in a ready stance, her sword at her side, her face serious and focused.

The guild erupted into cheers as they followed the two out to the training grounds. Most of the guild members were eager to watch the battle between the two.

However, not everyone followed. Mira stayed behind in the hall, alongside Aurelius and Makarov.

"Master," Mira said, watching the group exit the guild hall, "What's with Aurelius?"

Makarov chuckled softly, watching his old friends and their antics. "You know, he's been avoiding that title for so long, I honestly didn't expect him to take it now. But I guess he's finally ready. Whatever his reason, it's clear he's not just some quiet strategist anymore."

Mira nodded. "It seems so. There's something different about him now."

Aurelius remained silent for a moment, his gaze lingering on the doors through which the others had just walked. After a beat, he turned to Makarov. "I suppose I'll need to start living up to the expectations now."

Makarov's eyes narrowed as he studied Aurelius, his voice turning serious. "You've always lived up to them, Aurelius. It's just... well, you're a bit more than the others might have realized."

Aurelius didn't respond, but there was a flicker of something in his eyes. It wasn't excitement or pride—just calm determination, as if he were already plotting several steps ahead.

Makarov let out a small sigh, but a smile crept onto his face. "In any case, you've made your decision. I won't stop you. But you're not alone, you know? You've got all of us behind you, no matter what happens next."

"I know," Aurelius replied quietly, though there was something in his tone that hinted at a larger, more complicated plan in motion.

Meanwhile, outside, Natsu and Erza clashed fiercely, their battle escalating rapidly. The guild watched with bated breath as the two gave it their all. But in the background, a few watched more closely than others, curious about what had just happened—Aurelius's unexpected acceptance of S-Class. What was his real reason for changing his mind? What was the hidden agenda behind it all?

As the sounds of Natsu and Erza's intense battle faded into the distance, and the rest of the guild members had scattered to watch the fight outside, the guild hall returned to its usual quiet. The light from the setting sun streamed through the windows, casting a warm glow over the room.

Makarov leaned back in his chair, his eyes focused on Aurelius, who stood by the bar, his arms crossed. The master of Fairy Tail seemed lost in thought, but his curiosity had clearly been piqued.

Finally, Makarov broke the silence. His voice, though calm, carried a weight of unspoken questions.

"Aurelius," he began, his tone more serious than usual. "While everyone was out enjoying their… exuberant celebrations, I've been thinking about your actions. The way you handled the Eisenwald situation, your sudden acceptance of the S-Class title, and… well, the research you've been doing in your time off. You've been quite secretive about it. So, what exactly have you been looking into?"

Aurelius didn't immediately respond. He stood there for a long moment, his expression unreadable. He knew that this question would come eventually, but even he wasn't entirely sure how to explain his motives. Not fully, at least.

The guild master's words lingered in the air as Makarov waited for a response, his sharp gaze never leaving Aurelius's form.

"Aurelius?" Makarov pressed, his voice softer now, but still probing. "You've always been a strategist. You don't act without a reason. So… what's going on? What have you discovered? Why this sudden shift in your actions?"

As Makarov leaned back in his chair, the quiet between him and Aurelius grew heavier. The guild hall seemed to hold its breath as the two exchanged their thoughts. The tension of the day still lingered in the air, but before Aurelius could answer Makarov's last question, a loud, echoing thud shook the guild, followed by a series of croaks that reverberated through the walls.

Makarov's eyes narrowed slightly, his hand instinctively gripping the armrest of his chair. Aurelius, who had been deep in thought, immediately straightened, his expression shifting from calm to alert. The sounds grew louder, and soon, the doors to the guild hall burst open.

In hopped several large, green frogs, each the size of a human, their webbed feet slapping against the floor as they entered. Their eyes gleamed with an unnatural intensity, and despite their frog-like appearance, their movements were sharp and purposeful.

The largest of the frogs—distinguished by its gold-rimmed spectacles and a flowing, purple cloak—stepped forward, clearing its throat. The voice that came from it was surprisingly deep and authoritative, though it retained an odd croak that betrayed its amphibious nature.

"Attention, members of Fairy Tail," the frog declared, its voice echoing through the room. "We, the esteemed representatives of the Magic Council, have arrived to deliver an important decree."

Makarov's eyes narrowed even further, his fingers tightening around the edge of the chair. "The Magic Council…?" he muttered under his breath, barely hiding his displeasure.

Aurelius, though, remained unmoved, his gaze cool and calculating. He'd been expecting some form of interference, but this—this was unexpected.

The frog continued, raising its chin in a pompous manner. "Erza Scarlet, you are under arrest by order of the Magic Council. Your actions in relation to the Eisenwald guild and the disturbance caused have led to your immediate detainment. You will accompany us at once."

Erza, who had been gearing up for another clash with Natsu, froze mid-step. Her eyes flashed with both confusion and anger, her hand tightening on her sword.

"What?!" Natsu's voice was heard as the dragon-slayer stepped forward. "Arrested? For what? Erza's done wrong!"

The frog didn't flinch. "You'll understand once we've arrived at the Council."

Aurelius, who had been watching the exchange with quiet amusement, raised an eyebrow but remained silent, his expression still unreadable. His guildmate's reaction was understandable; after all, the Magic Council had a tendency to make snap judgments without proper understanding. But the real issue was deeper—what were they really after?

Before anyone could say more, the same frog turned its attention to Aurelius. "And you, Aurelius Nyx," it croaked, its voice lowering in a more serious tone. "You are also required for interrogation. You have… recent involvement with matters concerning dark guilds. We need your full cooperation."

At that, the entire guild hall went silent. The sudden mention of Aurelius's name caused the room to freeze, and everyone's gaze shifted to him. Erza, Natsu, and the others seemed equally shocked, though none of them seemed particularly surprised by the sudden interruption. But the idea that Aurelius would be interrogated... now that was unsettling.

Aurelius's eyes flashed with subtle annoyance, but his expression remained calm as ever. "I see," he said, his voice cool. "I suppose it's inevitable, isn't it?"

Makarov stood up from his chair, his face darkening with concern. "You're barking up the wrong tree here," he said in a low voice, taking a step toward the frog. "This mages are under the protection of Fairy Tail. If you're here to cause trouble…"

The frog tilted its head, clearly unfazed by Makarov's threat. "We're simply following orders from the Council. It's not personal. We suggest you cooperate, Master Makarov. This will go much smoother if we all do things by the book."

Aurelius finally broke the silence, his voice cutting through the tension. "Let's get this over with, then," he said, his tone still even. "I have no intention of running from whatever the Council wants to throw at me."

Erza scowled, still furious but not wanting to make matters worse. "This is ridiculous," she muttered under her breath, stepping back from Natsu's side. "I don't know what they think they're doing, but this isn't the time for this."

The frog messengers took a step forward, their eyes gleaming with authority. The guild hall's atmosphere had shifted entirely; it wasn't just a minor interruption anymore. This was a serious matter—and the Magic Council was making its move.

Makarov looked at Aurelius, his expression softening. "I won't let them make this difficult for you, kid. Just be careful."

Aurelius nodded, his gaze not wavering as the frogs prepared to escort him. "I'm used to handling situations like this, Master. Don't worry about me."

As the frogs surrounded Aurelius, preparing to take him with them, Erza shot a glance at Makarov. "Master, do you really think this is necessary?" she asked, clearly frustrated.

"It's not about what I think," Makarov replied grimly, his gaze turning toward the door. "The Council has their reasons, and I'm afraid we'll have to wait this one out. But Aurelius has earned my trust. He'll handle it."

And with that, the guild hall fell into an uneasy silence, the weight of the moment settling in. What would the Magic Council want with Aurelius? And why had they suddenly shown up now? As Aurelius was led out, the uncertainty of the situation hung heavy in the air, leaving everyone to wonder just what was coming next.

The guild hall was still buzzing with activity, but the air seemed to shift when Aurelius and Erza stepped toward the exit. The moment they did, the loud voices of the guild faded behind them, replaced by the croaking of large, humanoid frogs. The frogs, no taller than the average person, wore formal attire and carried scrolls with the emblem of the Magic Council stamped upon them.

"Come along now, Aurelius, Erza," one of the frogs croaked, his voice oddly clear despite the amphibious nature. He gestured toward the waiting carriage, its wheels creaking on the cobblestone street.

Aurelius remained unfazed as ever, his hands folded neatly behind his back, his expression neutral. Erza, ever the warrior, followed closely behind, her eyes narrowed in suspicion. She wasn't sure what the Magic Council wanted with them, but their arrival had the same eerie tone as always: cold, calculating, and business-like.

The frogs hopped forward with surprising agility, their webbed feet making soft slapping sounds against the stones. Aurelius walked alongside Erza, his gaze drifting from the frogs to the guild hall in the distance, his thoughts hidden behind a calm façade.

As they approached the carriage, one of the frogs opened the door with a stiff bow. The carriage was unlike the usual, ordinary ones they had seen before. The polished wood had the gleam of freshly lacquered paint, the insignia of the Magic Council etched proudly along the sides. It felt both impressive and imposing.

Aurelius stepped inside without a word, and Erza followed. Once both were seated, the door was closed, and the carriage began to move with a subtle lurch. The frogs, now outside, stood guard as the horses were urged into motion, taking the two mages on a journey to the Magic Council's headquarters.

Meanwhile, inside the bustling Fairy Tail guild hall, everyone had resumed their usual activities. The doors had just closed behind Aurelius and Erza, the distant sound of the carriage rumbling away fading as they were escorted toward the Magic Council.

The guildmates exchanged glances, some still trying to make sense of what had just happened. Elfman, clearly conflicted after the events of the day, was the first to speak. "Do you think something serious is going on? Why'd the Council want to take him and Erza?"

Mira, still perched on the bar, sighed heavily. "For Erza, In think it is just a show of power. And Aurelius… well, he hasn't exactly been the type to get involved in things like this."

"Yeah," Levy chimed in. "He's always been the quiet one, staying in the shadows. But now he's S-class, and even though he tries to keep a low profile, it looks like he's about to be dragged into something big."

Loke leaned against the wall, his arms crossed and eyes narrowed. "I don't trust the Magic Council. They're up to something. We'll just have to wait and see what happens when they return."

"Indeed," Makarov muttered, still standing near the door as though lost in thought. His eyes shifted toward the ground for a moment, then back up to the gathered group. "But Aurelius... he's always been strategic. Whatever happens, he's likely one step ahead."

The guild members nodded in agreement. While they were concerned for their comrade, there was something about Aurelius' calm demeanor that made them trust his judgment. It was as if nothing could shake him.

A few minutes passed and the guild was as loud and lively as ever, but there was an underlying tension. Everyone was waiting for any sort of update from the Council. However, just as the conversations died down and a quiet unease settled in, a sudden chill filled the air.

A faint shimmer of light flickered in the middle of the room, followed by a soft rustle. The guild members turned toward the source, their eyes widening as they saw a familiar figure standing in the center of the hall.

It was Aurelius.

But it couldn't be.

"Wait, weren't you with Erza and the Council?" Alzack's voice trembled in disbelief. "How… how are you here?"

Makarov was the first to step forward, his brow furrowed. "Aurelius… Don't tell me—"

Aurelius, now standing among them with his usual calm and collected air, simply smiled softly, his voice cutting through the confusion. "The one with the Council is a thought projection."

The room fell silent.

"A thought projection?" Mira repeated, her eyes wide.

"Indeed," Aurelius confirmed, a trace of amusement in his eyes. "I've learned it a bit during my break. It's a form of magic that allows me to project my presence elsewhere, like a clone."

The guild members exchanged bewildered glances. The idea of a projection was already mind-boggling enough, but the fact that Aurelius had been hiding such a skill left them more confused than ever.

"You… you were here the entire time?" Natsu blurted out, his fiery enthusiasm quickly turning into astonishment.

Aurelius nodded. "While Erza and I appeared to leave for the Council, I remained. The projection was convincing enough that even they, Erza included, couldn't detect it."

"You could do that this whole time?" Gray asked incredulously. "Why didn't you tell us?"

Aurelius chuckled softly, a knowing glint in his eyes. "Some things are better left hidden, don't you think? Besides, there's no need for all of you to worry about something I can handle myself."

The guild members exchanged surprised looks, unsure whether to be impressed or slightly unnerved by his ever-present ability to stay one step ahead.

Makarov, who had been watching Aurelius closely, nodded slowly. "I see… You've always been full of surprises, Aurelius."

The tension in the air seemed to lessen as Aurelius spoke again, his gaze sweeping over the room. "I understand your concern, but everything is under control. The council should just want to talk to me a about the Luluby that I hid... As for Erza... Well, it should be for show, after all, their group did destroy a train station while dealing with Eisenwald."

With that, the guild members returned to their usual activities, though the atmosphere was now charged with an undercurrent of curiosity. Aurelius had once again proven that he was full of surprises—and that his plans were always far more complicated than anyone could anticipate.

Chapter titles:

Chapter 11: Deal with the Devil

Chapter 12: Aurelius' Gambit

Chapter 13: Impending Storm