2
As the brawl continued in full force and gained more destructive properties, Amelia had made herself comfortable at the bar counter and chatted with Mirajane and Lucy, while Makarov was reading through the document she had brought.
-So you are a freelancer magician? How did you end up with the council?- Lucy asked after Amelia had finally gotten a chance to explain that she was only doing occasional jobs for them. The information had made it's way to Natsu, who had returned to the guild hall relieved and was now butting heads with Gray in the midst of, what seemed to be, an all out war between the members of Fairy Tail.
-Well, I had certain problems with finding a guild to join and I had to earn somehow, so I went to the Council branch in Hurgeon and registered there as freelance magician. Anyone can do it, as long as you have a clean record. Sometimes it's not easy to get jobs since there are over two hundred mages registered but if you keep a good track on accepting jobs offered, you will be listed as reliable and be one of the first choices for new jobs, of course if your skills qualify for it.-Amelia explained noting that more people had joined them.
-Huh? Sounds easy to me.- a busty brunette said while taking a large swing from a bottle of wine.
-It's not as easy as it seems, Cana. You are monitored the first year very closely to make sure that you are not a treat to the Council or Country. You have to continuously prove yourself and you can be called in for a loyalty check up, especially if you are granted permit to work with sensitive information.- a small bluenette answered. Amelia could swear that the girl was a pixie.
-I'm Levy McGarden. It's nice to meet, also I really never got your name in all that mess.-the bluenette said and pointed to the brawl behind her.
-O, I never introduced myself actually. I was a bit...surprised earlier. My name Amelia Redcliff, S class freelancer magician, currently employed by the Magic Council of Fiore. It is a pleasure to meet you all.- Amelia replied.
-You don't need to be so tight, you know? Here, have a drink and loosen up a bit!-Cana said while pushing a mug with ale towards the woman.
-Actually, you never introduced yourself, Cana.- Levy pointed out as the card mage started laughing.
-Introductions are boring! All you need to know about a person, you learn after a few shots!-
-Well, it is true in most cases. Well, for our meeting than!- Amelia answered as she raised her mug.
-You know, I like you! You should join Fairy Tail!- the brunette said and all girls turned to look at Amelia with sparkles in their eyes.
-That's a great idea!-
-Yeah, I'm sure the Master will agree!-
-I have the stamp right here!-
-Wait, wait, slow down!-Amelia stopped the excitement before it could escalate. The Soul mage really didn't want to explain her magic to anyone, she just wanted to enjoy the company as much as she could and leave. She glanced at Makarov, who seemed to be pondering something. He was still looking at the letter, to which he was supposed to write a reply. It was all she needed to be able to leave- the reply.
-I really appreciate it but I can't join you guild. I have...reasons.-she said, not knowing that the group of girls already knew of her reasons.
While Mirajane was very understanding, she just couldn't keep it to herself, especially when it came to matchmaking and helping a poor soul. And, in her opinion, Amelia was the poorest soul she's met in a long time, so there was no way she would allow the Soul mage escape her help, even if she has to enslave the entire guild for her plan.
-You know we have a Seith mage in our guild and I use Demon Take over magic? You won't be the only "dark" mage among us.-Mira said with a smile so sweet that it was outright scary.
The reactions were instant. The participants of the brawl stopped dead in their tracks, the people not involved in the fight were shell shocked, the girl group around Amelia were smiling expectantly and Makarov was ready to face-plant in the floor.
-How many people knew about this?-the Master choked out and Mirajane turned to him with the same sickly sweet smile.
-I only told Cana, Master.-
-And I might have spilled it to Macao.-the brunette answered.
-I might have mentioned it to Wakaba.-
-And a few people maybe heard us talking about it.-
Soon the guild hall was filled with murmurs about how the information had spread around. As the last member looked down in embarrassment, a deep silence filled the hall as a heavy sight pulled all attention to the Soul mage in question.
-What is it with old people and doing everything through conspiracy? If Yajima-san thought that I might be accepted in your guild why didn't he just tell me? That letter, is it a fluke too?-she asked and the entire guild hall sweat dropped.
-Hehe.-Makarov nervously smiled.
-What exactly is in that letter.-Amelia asked.
-You see, I somehow ended up owing Yajima something and he decided to remind me of my debt.-
-It's about that Ramen bowl with 12 slices of pork isn't it? Which actually, was just a weird way to get me here.-
-As you said, old people do everything through conspiracy.-the man answered as thick veins were now pulsing on the Soul mages head.
-Is she mad?- Levy whispered to Lucy, who just shrugged.
-Why should I be mad?- Amelia asked. -I am surprised and somewhat annoyed, yes, but not mad. And, although, I appreciate the offer, I must ask if you know everything about the reason I haven't been successful in joining a guild?-
-Because people don't understand you?-Natsu guessed.
-Stupid Flame brain! It's because they don't understand her magic!-Gray replied, standing in only his boxers.
-What did you say, Ice stripper?- Natsu hollered and was ready to pounce, when Erza knocked him out.
-Enough! This is not the time for a friendly scrabble!-the red haired knight snapped and stepped towards the Soul mage.
-How is destroying half guildhall is a friendly scrabble?-Lucy whispered to Levy, who just shrugged in response.
-That's Erza for you!-Happy answered while munching on a fish.
-I don't know much about the magic you use but, from what I heard, it is something many fear.- Erza said softly. Amelia nodded and made herself more comfortable in her seat.
-I think that it is best if I explain it to you all, so that you know exactly what my magic is.-
She waited until everyone had sat down and seemed ready for her explanation. Amelia really didn't like telling people about her magic but this time she didn't mind. It was just a small spark of hope in the furthest corner of her own soul, which made her trust these people enough to share her burden.
-The old name for my magic is Iudex Animarum, which means Judge of Souls. It is a type of Soul magic, as you can guess, but it is rather complicated. It's...-
-Tightly connected to old Sibillian rune magic and enables one to see other peoples souls. It also allows the user to cast a spell on a person and draw out impurities from their soul.-Levy interjected. -Sorry, I read about it in a book.- the bluenette added, blushing heavily, as everyone turned their attention towards her.
-Don't worry about anything, it was a good start up, since it described well the basic idea of my magic. The truth, however, is that I can draw out only some of the impurities of souls tainted with darkness. Well, I mean, I can draw put all of them, but I rather not. I will explain later. In this world, there are only a few magics, which can turn someone good just like that and they all come at a very high price or are completely unpredictable. To clean their soul, people have to achieve a purification themselves, I can only give them a push in the right direction. A full purification only can be done on someone, who has just stepped on the wrong path and hasn't tainted himself much, however, if it stays that way, depends on the person. I can purify them a hundred times and they can choose the wrong path everyone one of those hundred times.-
-I don't understand why is your magic considered as Dark magic? So far nothing sounds dangerous.- Lucy asked surprised as Amelia stopped for a quick sip of her drink. Murmurs of agreement were heard.
-Well, here comes the explanation why I refuse to do full purifications. There are two reasons why my magic is feared. First, drawing out impurities and sins from a soul is extremely painful and a horrible experience as a whole. The person, who is in the process of purification has to face all his sins, every despair, pain and death he has caused. He has to feel everything his victims felt. People can't make it through the whole process or simply loose their mind during it. The second reason is the other side of the coin. As much as I can purify a soul, I can completely erase it from existence.-
-Have you ever..?-Mira asked quietly.
-No, never. I can't. Everyone has a right to live and get a chance to fix their mistakes and I have never met a Gol, so I have never even had the need to perform that magic.-
-What's a Gol?-Cana asked. Amelia pondered a little how to explain it to the Fairy Tail members without scaring them too much.
-A Gol is the final stage of a human soul, which has been tainted. In this stage it has been stripped of all and any human emotions. It becomes darkness itself without any aim or own thoughts. It becomes like a giant void, ready to swallow everything around it. While it still looks human, talks human and seems to make sense, it is not the case since it is moving on pure instinct and is completely unpredictable. A soul in this stage is not possible to heal since the darkness has already swallowed it, you can only purify it by ending it's existence.- the Soul mage explained, leaving a thick tension in the air.
-That's sure some dark stuff. But your not like that! You really care about helping all those people, right?- Natsu asked giving Amelia one his famous grins, surprising the woman just before her features relaxed into a gentle smile.
-Yes, I do care about them very much.-
-Well, than since this is...-Makarov didn't want to give Amelia so much pressure in one day, especially since he knew how determined his children could be, however, he was pushed to the side by Erza.
-I am sorry to ask you, but what other magic do you use? This magic doesn't really sound as offensive and you need to be able to fight to hold the S-class title.-the scarlet haired girl asked.
-Right. Well, you saw that I can use some storage magic for small things. As Levy said earlier, my magic is connected to Sibillian runes, although that is good only for barriers. I can cast illusions through peoples souls, however, from proper offensive magic I only have my Spirit Weapon and combat skills.-
-So no super destructive mountain crushing super moves?-Juvia asked and the Soul mage shook her head.
-Nope, I just have a mean punch! Besides, what matters is not how many mega moves you have, but how you are able to use and improve your skills and realize your weaknesses.-
-Couldn't agree more with you. Now that we are all done, LET'S CELEBRATE!-Makarov said with the guild giving ear splitting cheers.
-Wait, but I didn't agree yet.-the Soul mage said confused.
-Mira-chan stamped you while you were explaining everything.-Lucy replied pointing at a dark purple Fairy Tail emblem on Amelia's left shoulder blade.
-WHAT?-
The guild hall erupted in laughter.