Makarov leisurely turned to a new page in his newspaper and read the travel section.: "Oh? Galacore Island. I haven't been there in over twenty years. How about taking a stroll around? Has it developed like this already? So many new buildings. And their Starlight ice cream is quite delicious."
Makarov read the tourist attraction introduction while sipping his coffee.
He glanced out the window at the view, then looked back at the newspaper. Suddenly, he froze and turned sharply to the window.
Although that flash of light had passed quickly, it echoed repeatedly in his mind, he was sure he hadn't imagined it.
"Was that a meteorite?"
Staring in the direction where the light had fallen, Makarov suddenly felt that treasure hunting was far more exciting than sightseeing.
Besides, if he truly found something "valuable," he wouldn't have to come out to dodge his debts.
The more he thought about it, the brighter his eyes became.
In broad daylight, not everyone had the perceptive power of one of the Ten Wizard Saints. That meteorite was surely seen by very few, and if he could locate it first, he might just strike it rich.
As long as he found that "meteorite," he could sell it for a good price. Then for a long time, he wouldn't have to worry about fines.
This thought filled Makarov with renewed energy. Feeling several years younger, he glanced toward the direction where the meteorite had fallen, put aside the newspaper, and opened the train window.
Whoosh
The newspaper flew out.
And following it, Makarov himself tumbled out the window.
-----
Elsewhere.
In front of the Gate of the Eclipse, Layla lay slumped on the ground, unconscious. Capricorn, one of the Twelve Zodiac Spirits, pressed both hands against Layla's back, continuously channeling magic power.
Normally expressionless with his goat head, Capricorn now showed a rare look of panic as his magic flowed into Layla's body, yet it was far from enough to counter her rapid loss.
Nearby, Zordi asked anxiously, "How is it going, Capricorn? Why hasn't Lady Layla awakened?!"
Cold sweat trickled down Capricorn's head as he replied gravely, "It's not working, we cannot replenish her completely. Cancer!"
The Zodiac Spirit Cancer, his face grim, walked over.
Together, the two Zodiac Spirits channeled their magic power, barely plugging the gap in Layla's reserves, but this state could not be sustained for long.
Their combined strength was insufficient to meet her enormous consumption.
At that moment, Leo, the Zodiac Spirit of Leo, stepped forward.
He too pressed his hand to Layla's back, adding a surge of magic power, then said gravely, "I'm afraid it's not enough. She has an extremely severe case of Magic Deficiency Syndrome. She won't have much time left."
Using his own magic to substitute for Aquarius Aquua's, which had been forcibly drained by the Gate of the Eclipse, the two Zodiac Spirits managed to barely cover the deficit.
But once her magic was exhausted, her life force would begin to be consumed, a day's loss would be equivalent to a year's worth for others.
Upon hearing Leo's words, Zordi's face twisted in anger as he shouted, "What kind of joke is this?! You bastard! How could Lady Layla..."
Layla's faint voice reached them, "Zordi..."
Immediately, Zordi turned back with a look of relief, "Lady Layla."
Layla weakly nodded, then, with a trace of apology toward Leo, said, "I'm sorry, please don't worry about it. Zordi was just a bit too emotional…"
Leo simply nodded; after all, they were not Layla's own spirits.
Through the continuous infusion of magic from Capricorn and Cancer, Layla managed to regain a sliver of strength.
She instructed Zordi, "Zordi, I need to trouble you further. Gather the other key bearers of the Zodiac Spirits and hand over both the agreed-upon rewards and the keys. Then… Send me back…"
Zordi's face grew anxious, "But Lady Layla, in your current condition, how can you possibly return?!"
She replied, "Leave the keys with them so they can take turns channeling magic power into you. With the might of the Heartfilia Family, given enough time, they'll surely devise a solution!"
At Zordi's words, all the other Zodiac Spirits, except for Capricorn and Cancer, furrowed their brows.
Seeing Layla nearing death, they said nothing further; one by one, they returned to the Spirit Realm, leaving a pile of keys on the ground.
Zordi's face contorted with anger, "Damn it! Those bastards!!!"
Layla shook her head weakly, "It's useless, Zordi. Return those keys, then… send me back."
Having been raised as a proper Mage and trained from a young age, Layla understood far better than Zordi the terrifying nature of Magic Deficiency Syndrome.
There was no cure, and no survivor had ever emerged.
Even with the vast wealth of the Heartfilia Family, continually purchasing restorative materials to replenish magic, the losses would never be offset.
Each day incurred astronomical consumption, and calculated over a normal lifespan, even ten or a hundred Heartfilia families would soon go bankrupt.
This was why there had never been any survivors; no one could bear such unending losses.
Yet, a smile appeared on Layla's face as she met her fate, the four-hundred-year curse of her family ended with her, and she was relieved to bring it to a close. It was only a pity that she would never get to see Lucy grow up.
Kneeling on the ground, Zordi wept bitterly and clenched his fists, "Y-Yes… Lady Layla."
In his heart, he seethed with hatred toward Glame for not arriving in time after being entrusted with the key for Aquarius.
Zordi collected the remaining Zodiac Spirit keys, and in accordance with Layla's instructions, produced the corresponding rewards.
He handed them one by one to the other Zodiac Mage key bearers waiting in the city, then hurriedly set off with Layla toward the Heartfilia Family.
-----
Fiore Kingdom.
At Magnolia Town station,
Gaal, along with Lisanna, Elfman, and Cana, boarded the train. Magnolia Town was a border city, and not many people set off from there.
The four chose a quiet corner to sit in. Gaal looked at Elfman and asked, "Lisanna, Elfman, what tasks have you taken on?"
Lisanna retrieved a task notice from her small bag, her face beaming with excitement, "I accepted this one: eliminate the rampant Fire Rabbits in the village."
Elfman also produced several task sheets, "There's one for eliminating the Green Phosphorus Giant Lizard, another to eliminate the Gale Lion, and one for a Black Bear Magical Beast that has been destroying the village granary."
Cana rested her chin on her hand and remarked, "Hey, they all sound like fierce beasts. That's what you expect from true men. If you're going to capture them, you might as well capture the really wild ones."
Elfman scratched his head sheepishly, "Hehe."