An hour later, the unconscious Jellal was taken away by the Council's Enforcement Division. The Rune Knights arrived on the island, apprehending the criminals and leaving behind some troops to dismantle the "Tower of Heaven."

Wendy stood at the shore, watching as the special forces departed.

"Was that the Jellal you were looking for?" Carla asked.

"No... he's not the same. I don't know," Wendy replied sadly, shaking her head.

The Jellal she sought was kind, her benefactor. The Jellal she saw today shared the same name and appearance, but he was nothing like the one she remembered. Wendy was confused, unable to understand how there could be two Jellals—one good, one evil. This Jellal didn't even seem to recognize her.

Just then, Wendy recalled a conversation she had overheard at the hotel between Nate and Erza. 'Grandeeney!'

She quickly ran over to Nate.

At that moment, Nate was studying the "Worms of Time" magic. After placing the first "Worms of Time" on Jellal, there had been no noticeable reaction. Perhaps the results would only come when Jellal woke up.

"Nate..." Wendy called as she ran toward him, but tripped over a stone near the shore and fell flat on the ground.

Nate's mouth twitched. 'A faceplant... really?'

"Ouch!"

Wendy rubbed her reddened forehead but stood up again, determined.

"Idiot, don't run so recklessly," Carla scolded, flying over to her.

"Sorry," Wendy murmured.

Nate chuckled as he helped her up. "Did you need something?"

"Thank you, Nate-san."

Wendy, still a little shy and nervous, seemed hesitant, as if afraid of strangers.

"Um... when we were at the hotel, I heard you mention Grandeeney..."

"You don't need to be so formal. Just call me Nate," he said, guessing what she was about to ask as another Dragon Slayer. "Grandeeney is inside you. Haven't you seen 'Voldemort's' post on the forum?"

"Inside me?"

Wendy looked at Nate, confused. She had used the Magic Net before—the master of Cait Shelter had recently given her a device—but she hadn't seen the post Nate was referring to. Wendy frequently lurked on the forums but had never posted anything. The thread about "Voldemort" had long since been buried, and she was unaware of it.

Nate sighed and explained the situation, also telling her about Natsu.

"You know Natsu from my guild, right? The 'Fire Dragon Slayer'? He was also raised by a dragon, Igneel. I've seen Igneel inside him."

After a pause, Nate decided to help Wendy fully. "Do you want to meet Grandeeney?"

"Can I?"

Wendy's eyes lit up with anticipation.

"Hold my hand, close your eyes, and relax your mind," Nate said with a smile, extending his hand.

Wendy eagerly placed her small hand in Nate's, closed her eyes, and did as he instructed.

"Like this, Nate-san?"

"Yes, just relax."

With his "Six Eyes" ability, Nate detected the special magic within Wendy. Focusing, he stirred the magic inside her.

...

"You can open your eyes now," Nate said after a moment.

When Wendy opened her eyes, she was no longer on the island where the Tower of Heaven stood. Instead, she found herself on a vast prairie, the wind gently blowing and the air crisp and clean.

"It seems to have worked," Nate remarked, walking toward a hill in the distance. Atop the hill, a large, feathered white dragon lay resting.

"Grandeeney... is it really you?"

Wendy ran excitedly to the dragon's side.

The dragon, Grandeeney, opened her eyes and gazed at Wendy with a complex expression. "Wendy..."

Then, she looked at Nate.

Nate greeted her, "Nice to meet you, Grandeeney."

"I've heard your name from Igneel, young mage," Grandeeney replied in a gentle, motherly tone. She was a female dragon, after all. "You're remarkable. It's rare to see a mage as talented as you in this era."

Though she admired Nate's ability, she also seemed slightly reluctant. The fact that Nate could bring Wendy's spirit to meet her was impressive, but Grandeeney didn't wish to meet Wendy at this moment. She knew that Wendy would inevitably ask why she had been abandoned, and Grandeeney wasn't prepared to explain.

Nate smiled and shook his head. "I'll leave you two to catch up. Farewell for now."

With a small motion, Nate's figure rippled like water and disappeared.

...

Back in reality.

Nate turned to a tense Carla and reassured her, "Don't worry. She'll wake up soon."

With that, he stood up and walked away, pondering the dragons' roles within the Dragon Slayers. They were inside them to prevent their transformation into dragons by creating antibodies.

As he thought, Erza approached.

"It's over now, Nate. We should head back," she said.

Seeing her alone, Nate asked, "Aren't you going to say goodbye to your friends?"

"I already did. They're being taken by the Council as witnesses for Jellal's trial. After the trial, they'll be free."

A soft smile played on Erza's lips. This time, she had finally resolved things from her past.

Her smile, brief yet radiant like sunlight breaking through ice, captivated Nate. She leaned closer, resting her head on his chest, and whispered, "Thank you, Nate."

"You've said that so many times already."

Though Nate wasn't sure what was going on in her mind, he didn't hesitate to wrap his arms around her in a hug.

"How about showing some real sincerity? Can I kiss you?" he teased.

"Huh?"

Erza looked up, her face turning red. Why was he suddenly asking this? Could she say yes?

Erza felt flustered. But then, she remembered the kiss from before. If it was just another one... maybe it wouldn't be a big deal.

Did Nate really like her? Maybe Juvia had been right to see her as a rival...

"I... I..." Erza stammered, closing her eyes tightly without answering.

Seeing her tense expression, like she was bracing herself, Nate chuckled. 'Isn't she adorable?'

Without hesitation, he leaned down and kissed her.

"Mmm?!"

Erza's eyes flew open in surprise. 'Wait... not the cheek?'

But soon, her expression softened, and she closed her eyes again, experiencing her first true kiss.

Not far away, Wendy had just finished her conversation with Grandeeney and returned to reality, eager to thank Nate.

"Don't go!" Carla quickly pulled her back, whispering, "They're... they're kissing!"

"Huh?"

Wendy peeked over and saw Nate and Erza embracing, making her blush. She quickly covered her eyes but couldn't help peeking through her fingers.

"Carla, why are Nate-san and Erza-san kissing?"

"I-I don't know!" Carla replied, just as flustered.

~~~

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