The days in the guild hall had taken on a rhythmic calmness. Quests came and went, and Cael found himself slowly adapting to the routine of it all. It wasn't as thrilling as the chaos of his resurrection, but it felt stable—peaceful, even.
Mira had continued to take him under her wing, offering small tips and words of encouragement whenever she had the chance. She had a way of making everything seem less overwhelming, less like an unattainable goal and more like a series of small steps forward.
As the days passed, Cael found himself settling into his role in the guild. He wasn't a powerhouse like Natsu or Erza, but he wasn't a liability either. His skills were steadily improving, and with each passing day, he felt more at home among the guild members. His odd mix of genius and unpredictability was beginning to find its place.
But there were still moments when his thoughts would drift back to his power. The energy inside him—the violet glow, the raw force that surged when he let it—was both a gift and a curse. He knew it was dangerous. He'd seen the way it affected him, how it made him feel like he was teetering on the edge of control. But, for now, he kept it at bay, practicing his newfound restraint as much as his magic.
It was a Friday evening when Cael found himself sitting at the bar again, sipping on a drink while the guild buzzed around him. The usual noise—the laughter, the clinking of mugs, the occasional argument—felt almost comforting now. But tonight, something felt different.
Mira walked up to him, her usual smile on her face as she placed a glass of water in front of him.
"How's the training going?" she asked, leaning on the counter beside him.
Cael glanced at her, his violet eyes flickering with the familiar intensity. "I'm getting there," he said, a hint of uncertainty in his voice. "Still don't know what I'm doing exactly, but... I'm figuring it out."
Mira chuckled, sitting down beside him. "You're doing better than you think. It's all about patience. Magic is about flow. Once you understand how it flows through you, you'll start to control it naturally."
Cael tilted his head, the words catching his attention. "Flow… Is that what it is? Just letting it move instead of trying to control it?"
She nodded. "That's part of it. You're trying to force it, and that creates friction. Relax into it, and it'll respond better."
The thought lingered with him long after Mira had gone back to serving drinks. He sat there for a while, contemplating what she had said. Was it that simple? Was his magic just a matter of letting go instead of struggling to control it?
Cael wasn't sure, but one thing was certain: he needed to keep trying. His journey was only just beginning.
Later that night, as the guild hall slowly emptied out, Cael returned to his small home on the outskirts of Magnolia. His thoughts were still occupied by the conversation he'd had with Mira. He hadn't realized how much he had learned in such a short time, but looking back, the progress was clear. His magic was chaotic, yes, but there was a sort of potential in that chaos.
Inside his modest home, Cael set down his bag and sat at the small desk by the window. He opened a notebook that had become a constant companion during his time in the guild. On its pages were sketches—ideas for gadgets, devices, and tools, all influenced by the machines he dreamed of creating. But also on the pages were spells, theories on magic, and formulas. His mind was a swirling vortex of thoughts, each one feeding into the next.
He didn't have all the answers, but for the first time, he felt like he was getting closer to something important.
The following morning, as Cael made his way back to the guild, he found himself thinking about the future. He had no idea what would come next—what trials or challenges awaited him. But for the first time in a long while, he wasn't afraid of the unknown.
In fact, he was ready for it.