After listening to Ultear's reply, Gaal said thoughtfully: "Is it already July 7th…? Then I suppose I have some idea of what has happened."
Ultear looked slightly puzzled and asked: "What happened?"
Gaal stroked his chin and replied: "Perhaps… the gears of fate have started turning." His tone, however, was not as grave as before.
Ultear's brow furrowed as she ground her teeth and snapped: "Stop being so cryptic. Acting like some priest. What on earth happened?!"
Gaal simply smiled without answering, leaving Ultear visibly frustrated.
Her veins seemed to bulge as she muttered: "Riddlers and the likes… they can all just go to hell!"
Meanwhile, Ur listened in complete confusion and asked: "Did something just happen? I didn't feel anything unusual."
Ultear then explained: "Just a moment ago, an incredibly powerful Time-Space Power swept across the world. Those who haven't learned Time Magic wouldn't have noticed it."
She continued: "Such a magnitude of Time-Space Power isn't something even human mages can unleash. Either some Time-Space God has revived, or perhaps some formation or item was used. But it doesn't matter, the look on that bastard's face shows there's no big problem." With that, she tossed a disdainful glance toward Gaal.
Ur mused: "I see. But if Gaal thinks it's alright, then it must be." She then lay down again, reclining against Articuno. The two super freezers froze each other, and the surrounding air grew even colder.
Ultear sighed with resignation: "You really do trust him…" Yet, after a moment's thought, she relaxed and settled back into her lounge chair.
Gaal said helplessly: "You make me look so unreliable. By the way… you've been here for so long, haven't you gone out at all? Aren't you going to do any tasks?"
Ultear lazily stretched out in her lounge chair and raised her hand: "I~ ref~use~. Isn't it nice to just bask in the sun every day?"
Gaal shook his head: "Tsk… stepping into old age already."
Smack! A cup was thrown, and Gaal caught it as Ultear's angry voice rang out: "You're the one who's old! I'm eternally eighteen!"
Ur glared: "Ultear!" Ultear pouted and retorted, "He said it first!"
Gaal swung the empty cup, and orange juice materialized gradually to fill it. Then, with a flick of his wrist, the cup floated back onto the tea table beside Ultear as he teased: "That being said… aren't you not even eighteen yet?"
Whoosh!
Gaal suddenly disappeared in place. The freshly filled juice cup sailed through the air, and a voice cried: "Ultear! That's impolite!"
"Whatever… Ahhhhh, I'm sorry, Ur!" came the flustered exclamation, followed by: "Don't scratch! Hahaha—"
Inside the Guild Hall, at the bar, Mirajane listened to faint laughter from behind and asked curiously: "What's going on? Why is Ultear laughing so loudly?"
Gaal shrugged and replied: "Maybe she feels grown-up, just a bit pleased with herself." He then picked up a task sheet while still selecting tasks, preparing to head toward the capital.
Mirajane mused: "Is that so?" Looking at Gaal still choosing tasks, she added: "It would be pretty lonely doing tasks on your own, wouldn't it?"
Gaal answered: "Not too bad, I suppose. How about you—are you heading out as well?"
Mirajane shook her head and said: "No. What I mean is…" She smiled mysteriously.
Moments later, Lisanna, Elfman, and Cana greeted Gaal one after another with cheerful exclamations:
"Big Bro Gaal!"
"Gaal, big bro!"
"Yo, Gaal."
Gaal put his hand to his head and looked helplessly at Mirajane: "I'm off to do tasks, not on a picnic trip."
Mirajane covered her mouth and waved: "Anyway, you don't have much going on. Why not have Lisanna and Elfman join you on your tasks, and maybe get some impressive wild Pokemon souls? And as for Cana… she can tag along with you. Gildarts should be relieved, right?"
Cana sighed and nodded: "Exactly. Going out with you shouldn't be a problem. If we run into any strong enemy, he'll just teleport us back."
Whenever Cana goes on tasks with someone, Gildarts always intervenes. He never approves because he's worried these unruly fellows might whisk away his precious daughter or, worse, that their lack of strength might get Cana hurt.
Normally, Cana ends up doing only town tasks or working as a waitress at the bar. Yet, perhaps because she hasn't been out in a while, she's been itching to explore.
Gaal furrowed his brow and pinched Cana's face, twisting it gently: "Teleport us back? Then why aren't you three covering for me?"
Cana, looking incredulous, wriggled free from his grip and cried: "Huh?! How can you dare let three kids fall behind? Having us teleported out would tarnish your reputation!" Gaal shook his head helplessly and conceded: "Alright then…"
Gaal then turned to Lisanna and Elfman and said: "Why are you thinking of taking over wild Pokemon souls? Isn't there any suitable Pokemon in the forest?"
Elfman, a bit embarrassed, shook his head: "No. There are plenty of suitable Pokemon in the forest—and I've already formed a contract with a Primeape. I can summon Fusion anytime."
He continued: "But Fusion Magic, being fusion, always means some injury in battle, even if the damage is shared with the Pokemon. Seeing the Pokemon get hurt every time doesn't sit well with me…"
He added: "So I figured I'd tackle tasks that involve fierce Magical Beasts and, in the process, take over their souls. That way, we not only help solve people's problems but also enhance our own abilities."
Lisanna nodded emphatically: "Mm-hmm!"
Gaal listened and sighed: "You two… you really are kind-hearted. Alright, I agree."
"But Elfman," he cautioned, "don't let your fear of getting hurt stop you from using Fusion Magic. That isn't a good enough reason. No mage's battle is without injury, and besides, that Primeape—by choosing to form a contract with you, is acknowledging you. If you refuse to use Fusion Magic just because you worry about its injuries, what would it think? A real man doesn't fear getting hurt. Don't you think Primeape… isn't manly enough?"
Elfman was momentarily stunned, "Ah? That…?" Although his intentions were good, he hadn't considered these factors nor Primeape's feelings.
From Primeape's perspective, Elfman's approach was lacking. A look of regret crossed Elfman's face as he admitted, "Ah… I hadn't thought it through. Then I'll go apologize to Primeape!"
Gaal shook his head, "No need for apologies. Just complete some tasks, and when you summon Primeape to defeat strong enemies together, it'll be even happier. Besides, capturing a few more wild Pokemon souls won't hurt. Take Over Magic definitely activates faster than Fusion Magic, and it can always serve as your trump card later on."
"Alright," he concluded, "let's all go back, pack our things, and depart this afternoon." With that, Gaal rose, preparing to leave.
Mirajane quickly grabbed the task sheet, "You haven't chosen a task yet!"
Gaal waved his hand dismissively, his voice soft as he replied, "There aren't any good tasks. Let's just do Lisanna's and Elfman's tasks."
————————————————————
Elsewhere, in the Fiore Kingdom on the train heading to the western port, Makarov sat comfortably in his seat. On the small table in front of him rested a cup of coffee emitting a wisp of steam, and he flipped through a newspaper as the scenery rushed past outside.
Makarov picked up his coffee, took a gentle sip, and let out a long sigh, "This is life. No Guild clamor, no bastard Gildarts, and no fines…"