Shane ended up going to the guild after all.
Although he had obtained a key clue from Ultear, terms like "Zodiac" and "Celestial Spirit Magic" were still too unfamiliar to him.
He needed more detailed intelligence, and the guild library was undoubtedly the best choice.
Levy hadn't arrived yet, so Shane went straight to Master Makarov.
Under the Master's guidance, he pulled a heavy tome from the top shelf of a dusty bookcase—Overview of Celestial Spirit World Genealogies.
He hugged the book, sat down at a table by the window, and couldn't wait to flip to the section on the Zodiac.
The records in the book were more detailed than he expected.
As the pages rustled, the forms and abilities of the Spirits leaped off the paper—Leo the Lion, Pisces the Fish, Libra the Scales...
"Leo the Lion, hailed as the leader of the Zodiac, can release the devastating Light Magic, 'Regulus'..."
"Scorpio the Scorpion, possesses a massive scorpion tail and masters Sand Magic."
"Gemini the Twins, possesses the uncanny ability to perfectly copy another person's appearance, abilities, and even thoughts..."
Shane browsed quickly. Regardless of the power of these Spirits, the sheer variety and strange characteristics truly piqued his interest.
He had to admit, the magic system of this world was far more interesting than he had initially imagined.
Suddenly, his finger stopped turning the pages. His gaze froze on the entry for "Virgo."
[The Zodiac: Virgo]
Trait: Its form changes according to the contractor's inner expectations. It will usually transform into the appearance the contractor most prefers or cares about in their subconscious.
Abilities: Skilled in earth-moving and stealth, possessing the ability to shuttle freely through the underground strata...
Skilled in digging holes?
This description was like a weak electric current flashing across Shane's mind.
An inexplicable sense of familiarity welled up in his heart.
I must have seen a similar existence somewhere... where was it?
In the midst of his contemplation, Shane slammed the book shut, stood up quickly, and walked to the bar counter again.
"Master, I want to look up the commission record for that 'Corpse Soul' mission from last time."
Makarov looked at his thoughtful expression, frowned, but still dug out the logbook from under the counter.
Shane quickly flipped to the corresponding page, his eyes locking directly onto the client information column.
Client: Duke Everlue
Note: Celestial Spirit Mage
Sure enough!
His guess confirmed, Shane hesitated no longer.
He closed the logbook and requested of Makarov, "Master, if Erza comes later, tell her I went to Shirotsume Town."
Before his voice even faded, he had already rushed toward the door like a gust of wind.
"Wait! Shane!" Makarov reached out to stop him, but only caught a blurring afterimage.
He extended his hand in vain, looking at the empty doorway, and rubbed the center of his brow helplessly.
"That brat... The guild guidelines explicitly forbid private contact with clients!" he complained in a low voice, as if he could already see another letter of apology sitting on his desk. "Today is the Spring Festival! Can't he just behave for one day?!"
---
Shirotsume Town, Duke Everlue's Mansion.
Unlike the festive noise filling the streets, the gates of this luxurious mansion were tightly shut, exuding a deliberately created coldness.
Shane knocked on the door for a good while, but the only response was dead silence.
"No one?" Shane raised an eyebrow, puzzled. According to noble habits, a guy like Everlue who loved pomp and circumstance shouldn't be this quiet.
Too lazy to wait any longer, he moved. Like a wisp of light smoke, he circled to the back of the mansion.
His gaze swept over the ornately decorated balcony. Tapping his toes lightly against the wall a few times, he flipped up agilely and slid silently into the second-floor corridor.
The interior of the mansion was a completely different scene.
The first-floor hall was brightly lit, the fireplace was roaring, and a gramophone was playing lazy jazz music.
Duke Everlue, wearing a velvet dressing gown, was slumped in a soft sofa, a trace of lingering shock still on his face.
He pinched his carefully groomed mustache and confirmed with a servant beside him, "That... that bastard from Fairy Tail, are you sure he's gone? No sign of him at the door?"
"Yes, my Lord Duke. No one answered after knocking for a while, so he must have left," the servant bowed and replied.
"Gone? Good, good, as long as he's gone..." Everlue let out a long sigh of relief. Being notified by the servants just now that the brat from Fairy Tail had come looking for him again had truly scared him witless.
The experience of being threatened with a blade to his neck last time, and almost wetting himself from a scare involving an Explosive Lacrima, was still a psychological shadow for him.
What was even more infuriating was that he had filed a complaint with the Magic Council afterward, but it was like a stone sinking into the ocean. In the end, he only got a slap-on-the-wrist apology letter from Makarov, with not a single word mentioning the intimidation and threats he suffered!
This made him thoroughly understand that the brat named Shane was a lawless chaotic element.
Following the principle that if you can't offend them, you hide from them, Everlue swore he would never deal with Fairy Tail again in this life.
He didn't know what that bastard brat wanted with him this time, but regardless, it definitely wasn't anything good!
Everlue made up his mind: he wouldn't see him no matter what.
Relaxing, his mood returned.
He stood up and waved to the "graceful" maids in the hall. "It's fine now! Everyone, keep playing the music, keep dancing!"
He turned specifically to the burly maid beside him, a forced smile piling up on his face. "And you, Virgo, don't just stand there either. Dance with them..."
However, before his voice could fall, a cool voice that often haunted his nightmares came from behind him.
"Lord Duke, I didn't expect you to hope to avoid seeing me this much."
The music in the hall came to an abrupt halt.
The popping sound of burning wood in the fireplace became unusually clear.
All the maids and servants froze in place, casting terrified glances toward the source of the voice.
They saw Shane leaning leisurely against the staircase railing, wearing that faint, half-smile that made Everlue grind his teeth in hatred.
He even had the leisure to pat off some dust he might have picked up while vaulting over the balcony.
"You—You, you, you—"
Everlue pointed at Shane, his finger trembling. His face turned from rosy to deathly pale in an instant. His lips quivered, unable to form a complete sentence for a long time.
How did he get in?! The front door was clearly locked!
Shane ignored his shock and walked down the stairs slowly. His gaze swept over the burly maid referred to as "Virgo," pausing for a second on her superhuman physique and the faint, non-human aura she emitted.
"It seems the Lord Duke is having a nice Spring Festival," Shane walked to the sofa opposite Everlue and sat down as if he owned the place. "It's just that you don't seem very welcoming to this old friend?"
"Who is old friends with you!" Everlue finally found his voice. "This is trespassing! I will report you to the Council again!"