Still the endless darkness, still Calvin and that inexplicable black mist.
However, that darkness was not as vast as Calvin had imagined, and it was much smaller than he thought. Above his head, dense cracks covered the sky.
Light penetrated through the cracks, making this ghostly place less gloomy. Joy couldn't be hidden on Calvin's face, but the self-proclaimed origin of the devil, the black mist, had been silent for a long time.
Perhaps he had already realized that this plan was doomed to failure.
He failed against Calvin, who was excessively powerful, and underestimated Fairy Tail.
Calvin pointed towards the sky, instantly casting numerous magic arrays, covering all the cracks.
"Drink!"
With a loud shout, all the magic arrays suddenly exploded. The already dilapidated prison instantly turned into debris, falling like shattered pieces, revealing the true appearance of the place where the soul dwelled.
The sky turned azure, with fluffy clouds floating, giving a feeling of clear and refreshing. Calvin understood the meaning represented by this scene; nothing portrayed the scenery of 'freedom' better than a blue sky with white clouds.
The sky was meant for soaring.
When he stepped into this blue sky, it meant that the seven years of imprisonment had finally come to an end.
He could finally feel the taste of freedom once again.
This blue sky had no ground; Calvin felt like he was in a blue universe. Everything was so delightful, if not for that annoying thing still present.
Calvin looked at the black mist with profound eyes, silent for a long time before asking in an inexplicable tone, "So, even if the Seven Sins fail, will you still stay in my body?"
The black mist made no sound, but it seemed to disperse like being blown away by the wind, gradually drifting away.
There was no wind here, but Calvin immediately understood that the black mist wanted to hide again, waiting for an opportune moment.
Calvin didn't want to continue living in days where someone was constantly coveting his body.
Without hesitation, he directly cast a spell towards the dissipating black mist.
"Arcane Art: Sky from Clouds!"
In the void, clouds with dim purple light appeared out of nowhere, instantly enveloping the scattered black mist. Rolling thunder echoed, and the purple clouds simultaneously erupted in a dazzling glow. However, the thick mist covered it, making it less dazzling.
The purple clouds rapidly spun, suddenly stopping at an extremely fast speed. It seemed like there was something monstrous about to be born inside, and in the blink of an eye, the purple clouds exploded like an eruption.
Boom!
The mist scattered, leaving only Calvin floating in the air.
The black mist had also disappeared.
However, there was no joy on Calvin's face.
He felt clearly that his attack had not caused any harm to the black mist; it still lurked in some part of his body.
Like a maggot attached to the bone.
As the black mist had said, in this dwelling place of souls, magic was just an illusory phantom and had no real impact.
Continuing to overthink here was just a waste of time. Calvin sighed lightly and muttered to himself.
"Let it be. I'll deal with it slowly later. I don't believe it can have a second chance!"
...
When Calvin opened his eyes again, the surroundings were still pitch black.
Unlike before, it wasn't the void; he knew it was just because the current environment lacked light. Everywhere was filled with his familiar magic power, the magic power of his comrades, and the demons being summoned to draw his magic power for battle. At this moment, he instinctively summoned it back into a card.
Now, he finally had the time to discern the people in the castle. Using magical perception, he easily identified everyone's identities.
"It's really everyone from the guild. Did even the Guild Master come?"
"Is that Laxus? What's with his magic power? Isn't it a bit overwhelming?"
"Mira and Cana are here too. Strange, is this magic power from Ultear and Jellal? And next to Ultear, isn't that one of the Demon Gates of Tartaros? Why are they mixed in with everyone?"
However, Calvin didn't have much time to think. Immediately, he was startled by his own peculiar condition.
Being weakened after years of imprisonment was normal, but the explosive growth of magic power was extremely unbelievable.
This uncontrollable magic power, surpassing even that of Makarov, and frightening even himself, was emanating from his own body?
Calvin's mouth opened wide in amazement.
After a moment of daze, he suddenly shivered, as if remembering something. His attention immediately focused on a certain place within his body.
In a space within his body, a towering tree stood luxuriantly.
The grandeur of this tree might only be slightly inferior to the Celestial Spirit King's tree on Tenrou Island. Calvin quickly rubbed his eyes to make sure he wasn't seeing things.
Despite the absence of wind, the branches and leaves on the tree swayed casually, making a rustling sound. The emerald green leaves leaked strands of magic power whenever they moved, merging into every part of Calvin's body, giving him a sensation of fullness.
At the moment he saw the tree, Calvin remembered its origin.
The reason for his shock was merely a reflection of how swiftly time had passed.
Several years ago, this tree was just a seedling germinated from the Seed of Magic. Who could have imagined that, closing his eyes and opening them again, the seedling had grown to this extent?
Incredible was an understatement for Calvin's current feelings.
How exaggerated had his magic power become now? If, seven years ago, Calvin could barely manage to perform Heavenly Radiant Hundred Rules, then the current him could cast it more easily than Hades could. In fact, it was even more effortless.
"Calvin Lucifer, I really have to thank you..."
This gratitude came from the depths of his heart.
During the days Calvin spent imprisoned in the dwelling place of souls, he had created many immensely powerful magics. The 'Arcane Art: Sky from Clouds' he just used was one of them.
Arcane Arts, as the name suggested, referred to the arcane aspects of magic. Those included magic that rivaled the Heavenly Radiant Hundred Rules in power. Even the Heavenly Radiant Hundred Rules was now part of it, named 'Arcane Art: Radiant Heaven.'
Calvin had been worried about not having enough magic power to use these magics after waking up.
After all, these were arts he had painstakingly developed through numerous trials. If he could only watch but not use them, he would truly be heartbroken.
As Calvin was contemplating, the team that had come to eradicate the sins approached him. The overwhelming magic power was like a beacon in the darkness, clearly indicating his location to everyone.
Just as he comprehended the extent of his colossal magic power, the door to the secluded chamber where he was awakened was kicked open.
Light flooded in, and Calvin, who hadn't experienced genuine light in years, instinctively shielded his eyes. Vaguely, he thought he saw two graceful figures.
"Calvin... is that you?"
As soon as this voice sounded, Calvin immediately recognized the owner of the voice. Despite being harmonized into a dual voice, he could still discern it.
"Is it Mirajane and Cana?"
His hoarse voice echoed from his throat, harsh to the ears. However, whether it was Mirajane or Cana, upon hearing this voice, they couldn't help but burst into tears, tears streaming down their faces.