Councillor Aldrin's Manor
"How was the execution of the plan?" Aldrin asked.
"We still have not received any information." The Butler replied.
"I hope Ivan completes the plan. Another opportunity like this won't come for a long time." Aldrin murmured to himself.
Aldrin began drinking the tea that his butler had given him. He took a sip, placed the cup back on the table, and took a deep breath.
Suddenly, he saw the tea left in the cup begin to vibrate.
'What the hell?' he thought.
The entire manor began to shake violently, and the butler came running in with a pale face.
"Sir! Our guards are missing, our barriers have stopped working, and the trees… the trees and their roots are moving around the mansion!" he shouted in fear.
"What?! Communicate with the council's army! Tell them a member of the council is calling for immediate reinforcements! Tell them to drop everything and come here as soon as possible!"
Aldrin shouted, his voice echoing through the trembling walls.
"They won't come, Aldrin. I made sure to warn them not to."
Aldrin froze. He knew this voice. He had only heard it a few times before, but it was impossible to forget.
Then, his butler's earlier warning about the trees and roots replayed in his mind.
'No...' he thought. 'Why is he here?'
Suddenly, the entire wall where the windows had been torn apart, and Aldrin and his butler saw a figure standing on a massive tree branch.
Aldrin remembered the time he had first met this man. He remembered that this old man always had a smile on his face, even though his face was made of wood. But right now—there was no smile. There was no emotion. His face was impassive, frozen.
Yet, Aldrin's instincts screamed at him, warning of the overwhelming danger in front of him.
Summoning every ounce of courage he had; he asked in a shaky voice:
"Why… why are you here, Sir Warrod?"
"The kid named Karna. Do you know him?" Warrod asked without any emotion.
Aldrin's eyes shook.
"But, sir—"
"Did you have a hand in the attack against him?" Warrod asked as if not wanting to hear a reply for the previous question.
"Sir, but—" he suddenly started shouting "He is a Vermillion, sir! You know how dangerous that name is! If he is her descendant, he should be nipped in the bud as soon as possible!"
Warrod simply stared at him, listening to his every word. Then, he closed his eyes for a moment before reopening them—this time, with blazing anger burning within them.
"You made a big mistake, Aldrin. You attacked someone you should not have." He said as if giving out a verdict.
"But why, sir?! Why are you against me? If we manage to control him, all the powers related to the Vermillion name will be ours!" Aldrin shouted back in indignation not understanding Warrod's move.
"You're only giving me more reasons to erase you, Aldrin." Came another cold reply.
The roots and branches of the trees began to move, creeping toward both Aldrin and his butler.
"I'll make sure to erase the butler's memories and try to give him a new life, I suppose." He spoke as if giving mercy.
"Sir! Just tell me one reason why you are doing this! At least tell me before killing me!" Aldrin shouted.
Warrod silently moved a part of his robe, revealing a symbol that faintly glowed.
Aldrin's eyes widened in pure shock.
"No... It can't be… You are… one of them…."
Those were his last words before the tree vines enveloped him completely, erasing his existence forever.
Warrod sighed and looked up at the sky.
"Don't worry, Mavis. Even though I was not able to save you, I will make sure to protect the child you considered your own."
He then took out a Lacrima.
"Makarov, it's been done," he said.
"Thank you, Master Warrod," a voice replied from the other side.
Grimoire Heart Headquarters
"Stop it! Stop it! I can't breathe! I can't breathe! Stop it! Stop it! I can't breathe! I can't breathe! Stop it! Stop it! I can't breathe! I can't breathe! Stop it! Stop it! I can't breathe! I can't breathe!"
A man was inside an infirmary, muttering and screaming the same words over and over again.
There were three people in the room.
One was a man in a doctor's uniform, desperately trying to restrain Ivan from harming himself. The second was a tall man wearing orange-green pants with no shirt, his dark hair and beard sticking out wildly in all directions. His eyes held a small trace of pity as he observed Ivan.
The last was an old man with a long beard, an eyepatch covering one eye, and the other as sharp as a blade.
Hades stepped forward and cast a spell, putting Ivan into a deep sleep. The doctor quickly moved to examine him.
"Master Hades, his physical wounds will heal in a few days, but the damage to his mind… That is another matter entirely. This may take years to recover—if it's even possible." The doctor said with a grave expression.
Hades stroked his beard thoughtfully.
"Hmm… Take your time. He may still be useful to us in the future."
As Hades and Azuma left the room, they walked in silence for a moment before Hades spoke.
"Did that boy do this to him?" Hades asked.
"Yes. Seeing the way he did it sent shivers down my spine. I almost thought I was watching an experienced torturer at work. The talent required for this… at such a young age… It's unheard of." Azuma replied and then hesitated before continuing.
"Even the control over his aura was perfect. And his magic potency… It seemed as if his power already surpasses your level, Master."
Hades nodded, but a small smirk played at the corners of his lips.
"Go and make sure Bluenote doesn't cause any problems." Hades ordered.
"Yes, sir." Azuma replied and vanished.
Hades continued walking until he reached his private chambers. Closing the door behind him, he sat in his chair, deep in thought.
Then—he laughed.
"Hahahahaha…!"
His laughter grew louder.
"Hahahahahaha! I thought that boy was merely an incarnation of magic from Mavis. I assumed magic was his only gift."
His gaze shifted to an old picture—one of him with his former guildmates.
"Mavis… If that child is truly yours, then he has inherited your intellect as well. Perhaps… even surpassing you."
Hades chuckled darkly before shaking his head.
"But if all goes as planned, he and I will be on opposite sides of the fight."
He turned to look out of the window, his eyes gleaming with intrigue.
"Let's see who wins in the end, Karna Vermillion."
A/N- hope you like the rewrite and every 100 powerstone gets extra chapter of Jason.