In the silence, time passed more and more slowly, and from the piercing cold in the limbs and the icy atmosphere, it all only intensified.

The Duke continued to shake in absolute darkness and shout:

- Who is there?! Who are you?! Let me go! I am the Greatest Duke! How dare you, you brat ?! Yes, I will kill you from the world!

He even found the courage to contradict ...

- Really? Came a sharp tone, directly over the duke's head. He trembled even more. His hands were frozen into the ice, like everything else, he only had to turn his head around. But even so, he felt that someone was standing right above him!

At the same moment, Everly felt a chill in his neck, and then pain shot through his entire body.

- Ahhh! Dont kill! Sir, I will forgive your forgiveness! The Duke squealed when he realized that the edge of a knife had been put to his neck. His tone changed instantly, and all arrogance vanished in the blink of an eye. Looks like he wasn't that dumb ...

Aidan could not see in the dark, but he could easily navigate only one glow of life force. Now he could even see the outline of silhouettes even in the most impenetrable darkness. Therefore, it was naturally easier for him.

- So you want to live? - the old man let out a hoarse laugh.

- Want! Really want to! Let me go, please! The fat man began to plead, realizing that the point had been removed from his neck. In his vision, Aidan could clearly see the drops of life flowing from the Duke's neck. His blood trickled down slowly, pouring a dying light into the dark ice.

"Ha, not bad ..." - looking up from the contemplation of such an interesting picture, Aidan returned the edge to the fat man's neck:

- If you want to live, you have to pay!

- I ... I will give everything! Don't kill!

*Two hours later, the train departed from Shirotsumi Station. Meanwhile, a boy was sitting in one of the carriages and with a satisfied smile, he examined the views passing through the window.

"With money and a new stellar spirit, I also got lacrima. This is what I call having a good time! " Glancing down at his backpack, Aidan grinned and settled back in his seat.

No one would have thought that this shabby backpack could contain an amount of as much as five million precious ones! Aidan hit the jackpot this time. Everly is definitely much richer, but the problem was that, like many rich people, this fat curmudgeon kept most of his money in some bank in the capital. The rest he kept with some merchant guilds or in real estate. Say what you don't say, but he seemed to know how to conduct business.

Aidan took the money from the safe, the Virgo's golden key, and beat the fat man well. After all, his memory may be knocked off, which is not so bad. In any case, Aidan did not kill him, only frightened him a little, so that he could return if he started chatting. I had to beat so that there were no questions. Still, the spirit caster must be thrown down in order to pick up the key. In any case, Aidan was only happy to test his increased physical capabilities, clearly superior to children of his age, on someone.

So, he took the train, heading to Clover, and from there on a direct flight to Magnolia. Fairy Tail was already there, it only remained to get to old friends. It is possible that the guild has been full of newcomers over the past months. It was time to get to know them as well, and then move somewhere else. Maybe even for Charlie, who knows.

***

Towards evening, the train from Clover finally reached Magnolia train station.

Meanwhile, in the Fairy Tail Guild, the most common situation for this place was happening. The crowd of magicians, as always, was drinking ... Someone argued, someone laughed fiercely, someone's fists were already itching. In general, the guild has not changed at all over the past months. Except, perhaps, its inhabitants.

Recently, another replenishment of young wizards has happened in the guild. A trio of brother and two Strauss sisters arrived at the guild walls and joined two months ago, about a week after that another newcomer, Mystogan, arrived at the guild. And so, two days ago, another girl arrived at the doorstep - Levi McGarden.

They accepted everyone, however, the skills of some still impressed even Makarov. The children from the Strauss family turned out to be quite talented and already knew how to use the magic of Reincarnation. Especially the eldest of all is Mirajane. Her magic had demonic roots. Makarov was really impressed by such a nugget, and even in his guild.

The old man was also surprised by Mystogan with some pretty interesting magic equipment. A secretive young man, he clearly did not intend to become part of any team or even start a relationship with anyone. However, Makarov decided not to press too hard on the newcomer. If he wanted to keep away from everyone, he did not get into it.

At the far table, there were three people: Cana, Wendy and Erza, and at the next table Gray was resting after a recent assignment. For almost a year, Aidan's friends have changed very little. Except for the girls, who have grown noticeably and become even more attractive.

- And where is this fiery fool? - asked Gray, looking around the guild.

Erza calmly ate the cake and simply ignored everyone, recently one newcomer has made her too nervous. Only by eating the cakes could the sorceress somehow ignore this impudent girl.Cana decided to answer for everyone, since Wendy was dozing, reading some book. The last months without her brother had already tired her too much ...

- He's with Lisanna, sort of ... I talked to her today. Although, it seems to me, they are hiding something.

- Hmm, - Gray nodded gloomily. - Well, okay, I better go find myself a job.

Stopping halfway, Gray turned and asked:

"By the way ... Eid never showed up?"

As soon as we talked about Aidan. Wendy immediately opened her eyes and adjusted her glasses. Erza also put down her fork and looked at Gray with displeasure. Cana just grinned and shook her head.

- Do you think someone would sit quietly if he showed up?

The girls immediately began to look at each other, looking from one to the other:

- What does it mean? - Erza asked: - What do I care?

- Yah? - Cana narrowed her eyes.

- Hmpf! It's time for me to go! Erza got up and pushed Gray aside and walked to the task board.

- What is it with her? The guy asked in surprise, looking at the trail of the scarlet-haired woman.

Cana shook her head and exchanged glances with Wendy.

- I think it's okay.

- Hmm? - the guy looked at the smiling girls, and then shook his head with a sigh:

- Well, I have to go.

"Laxus is healthy," Gray waved to the lonely boy in the corner of the bar. He just nodded in response and continued to drink something.

"Where are these three more stupid, they said, they will cope quickly ..." - Laxus sighed with displeasure, thinking about his three new comrades.