Lisanna and Cana could hardly hide their astonishment as they covered their mouths, their eyes filled with shock, while Elfman's gaze brimmed with terror.
"How terrifying…"
Cana couldn't help but feel a twinge of sympathy for the Lady of the Heartfilia Family, whom she had not yet met:
"Isn't that hopeless? Then what about us…"
Gaal spoke from his side:
"In theory, there is no hope."
Cana asked:
"So, in practice?"
Gaal rubbed his temple before replying:
"In practice… We'll have to examine her condition to know for certain. It all depends on the severity of her Magic Deficiency Syndrome. Only then can we decide."
Lisanna cried out in astonishment:
"Gaal, do you have any solution?!"
Gaal pondered for a moment before saying:
"I can't say that there is one. The true terror of Magic Deficiency Syndrome lies in the enormous consumption of Magic Power required just to keep the patient alive. And in the relentless 24-hour supply of magic that must never be interrupted. If we could resolve the problem of energy depletion, then, after a period of sustained, stable function, even damaged cells might gradually calm, and the pain would slowly subside. In earlier times, due to technological limits, there was simply no way to tackle this problem. But now… It might not be entirely impossible."
Strictly speaking, even in this era there is no definitive cure.
Gaal's confidence in approaching the Heartfilia Family stemmed from the enormous Magic Crystal located beneath the Guild.
If they could construct an equally massive Magic Crystal, one matching the Guild's, and embed it deep under the Heartfilia estate with a formation designed to absorb magic, it should be able to supply the energy needed by Layla Heartfilia.
After all, Layla Heartfilia is a Star Spirit Mage who had long since retired from active duty, so her own reserves of Magic Power aren't particularly abundant.
Even so, although her natural stores are limited, sustaining a continuous 24-hour drain, and maintaining such a demand for several decades, would normally be fatal.
However, if the enormous Magic Crystal beneath the Guild were kept fully charged, Gaal estimated it could sustain Layla Heartfilia for at least half a month.
The expenditure required by Fairy Law is even far more severe than that imposed by Magic Deficiency Syndrome.
Magic Deficiency Syndrome drains a mage's power gradually over time until symptoms appear after a prolonged period.
By contrast, Fairy Law leaves no room for delay—a normal S-Class Mage would have their Magic Power drained in a single second, and within two seconds, their life force would be snuffed out before any signs of Magic Deficiency Syndrome could emerge.
Yet with the Guild's enormous Magic Crystal fully charged, it is only possible to perform Fairy Law for a fleeting five or six seconds.
Even if Layla Heartfilia were simultaneously absorbing and leaking Magic Power, that amount should be enough to keep her alive for at least half a month, not to mention that she could set up a formation to continually replenish the Crystal's energy.
There is, however, one drawback…
It is possible that for the remaining decades of her life, Layla Heartfilia might be confined to the estate, unable to venture outside, for no external formation could supply the necessary magic.
Fiore Kingdom.
Heartfilia Family Residence.
In the luxurious manor, at the center of a wide courtyard stood an exquisite European-style castle. Inside, figures bustled about while various vehicles were parked outside.
On a second-floor room, Layla lay weakly against the headboard, fighting through the pain. She accepted a beautiful flower that Lucy had found outside and gently raised her hand to stroke Lucy's hair.
"Thank you, Lucy."
"Don't mention it, Mom~"
"Father has brought in many doctors, your illness will surely be cured soon!"
Layla caressed Lucy's golden locks softly.
"Mhm."
Knock, knock, knock—
From outside, the voice of the Star Spirit Capricorn resounded:
"Lady Layla."
"Mom! I'll get the door!"
Lucy dashed toward the door and flung it open.
"Capricorn!"
"Miss Lucy," said Capricorn. "It's time for your treatment, Lady Layla requires a quiet environment."
"I suppose I'll come back later," Lucy replied reluctantly.
"Mom~ I'll come back to keep you company later!"
With a weak smile, Layla murmured:
"All right."
Lucy then left, closing the door behind her.
Layla's face contorted in pain, and Capricorn hurried forward, raising his hand to channel Magic Power into her.
"Do not worry, Lady Layla. Mr. Jude has mobilized a vast array of magical resources, enough to sustain you for a while."
Layla managed a bitter smile.
"I know my condition all too well... but it's no use…"
She looked up at Capricorn, who had just made his seventh visit that morning.
"Are you holding up alright? With such a drain on your magic, you should rest for a while."
"Don't worry, Lady Layla. I am a Star Spirit—my body is different from a human's, so I won't suffer from those symptoms. Moreover, Mr. Jude has secured a chestful of top-quality Recovery Potions. That is why I can recover my Magic in such a short time. I heard they were sold at auction on behalf of Gildarts, Fairy Tail's strongest mage. Mr. Jude has already reached out to Gildarts. With these Recovery Potions, we need not worry about an insufficient Magic supply."
Layla's eyes lit up in sudden understanding.
"Fairy Tail, huh… What a formidable Magic Guild. I heard they even repelled the mightiest Dark Guild of the Balam Alliance."
"Exactly," nodded Capricorn. "And with Gildarts, the strongest in Fairy Tail, providing those Recovery Potions… He must possess considerable expertise in Magic restoration. There's bound to be a solution."
Layla simply shook her head with a bitter smile.
Up on the third-floor study, Jude Heartfilia glared at the room full of mages, his anger barely contained.
"Aren't you renowned healing mages of the Fiore Kingdom? Why can't you offer even a single viable solution? What is it that you all want?! I have given you everything, give me a cure!"
Faced with the head of the Heartfilia family, a wealthy man, many of the mages hesitated to offend him. Yet a few elder, highly respected mages spoke frankly.
"Head of the Heartfilia Family, my suggestion is to prepare for the worst. Magic Deficiency Syndrome is terminal, throughout history, there has never been a successful treatment. You must understand that, It's not that we don't want to help, it's just that your condition puts us in an impossible position."
None of them had been informed that it was Magic Deficiency Syndrome when the Heartfilia family summoned them.
Anyone who knew the nature of the disease would never have come.
After all, it is a terminal illness, what use is treatment? Might as well wait for death.
Having been deceived into coming, and now being berated by Lord Jude Heartfilia, even the most good-natured healing mages could not hide their displeasure.
Thud-
A clatter was heard from outside the door. Lucy, clutching a small vase, had accidentally dropped it onto the floor. She stared in disbelief at the gathered group in the study.
"Lucy!" cried Jude Heartfilia in shock.
"Damn it, who was watching over Lucy? Quick, take the young lady away!"