As the elder recounted the events, Rayne and Laxus—who had now steadied himself—understood the situation.

Just as the request described, three village children had vanished over seven days.

The disappearances followed no pattern.

The first went missing at noon seven days ago, the second at noon the next day, and the third just two nights prior.

There had been no sounds, no signs of struggle—nothing.

"Mind control magic? Or were they knocked out?"

Laxus voiced his thoughts aloud.

At his words, the three mothers' faces darkened, grief raw in their eyes. Their husbands clenched their jaws, chests heaving.

"Unknown. But there's good news."

Rayne stopped tapping his fingers and lifted his gaze, tone calm.

"They weren't killed on the spot. That means they're likely needed for something—so there's a chance they're alive."

The villagers' eyes lit up.

"But only a chance."

Seeing their hope, Rayne added the cold truth.

"I understand! My child's a good kid—they'll be fine!"

"Yes, yes!"

"They'll come home safe!"

The mothers whispered, half to soothe themselves, half in prayer. Yet their eyes held a flicker of hope now.

"Mage-sir, anything else you need to ask?"

The elder waited for their emotions to settle before speaking.

"Are there other villages nearby?"

Rayne paused, then continued.

"Two more, on the forest's edge—but a fair distance apart."

The elder gestured toward the trees, as if anticipating Rayne's next question.

"While searching for our children, we learned their villages had missing kids too."

Rayne's eyes followed the elder's finger—straight toward the direction Kanna had sensed the foul magic.

He pressed a fist to his lips, piecing together the puzzle.

The culprits were using the forest as a base, abducting children from multiple villages.

The other villages' requests might've gone to different guilds.

And if the kidnappers knew their actions would draw mages…

Those with real power wouldn't hide.

Which meant they'd likely flee soon.

"Understood. We'll investigate the forest first."

Rayne nodded to the elder, then turned.

"Laxus, move out."

"Kanna, guide us."

Earlier, he'd hesitated—but the elder's words had all but confirmed their suspects.

Whether it's them or not, we're hunting.

"Hey! Where are you—?!"

Laxus stared, baffled. That's it? No further questions?

"Explanations later. Keep up."

Rayne's voice brooked no argument.

Grumbling, Laxus followed.

Fine. Let's see how this plays out.

If he screws up, I'll never let him live it down.

Behind them, the mothers' prayers grew frantic.

"Village elder… Do you really think they can find them?"

One of the men spoke, doubt thick in his voice.

The others shared his skepticism.

Just a few questions, then they left?

The elder sighed, watching the trio disappear into the trees.

"…What choice do we have but to believe?"

The villagers fell silent.

Against magic-users, they were powerless.

Forest Chase

Three figures darted through the undergrowth, leaves rustling in their wake.

Laxus kept pace with Rayne, eyeing his unwavering focus.

"You know where they are?"

"Kanna detected foul magic here. Combined with the elder's info, the odds are high."

Rayne didn't hide Kanna's role, his breathing steady.

Magic reflected its user.

Fire mages burned hot in others' senses; ice users chilled the air.

And dark mages with twisted hearts?

Rotting stench.

"This kid can do that?"

Laxus shot Kanna an incredulous look.

Her speed in the forest was one thing—but sensing magic from outside it?

The forest stretched endlessly, a sea of green.

That's not just "good perception."

"No wonder Gramps sent you."

Laxus smirked.

For a search mission, this ability's broken.

"Yeah… that's right."

Rayne nodded smoothly.

Let Laxus fill in the blanks himself.

The canopy thickened, blotting out the sky.

Time blurred as they ran.

Then—

"There."

Kanna pointed ahead.

"Laxus, halt."

Rayne stopped abruptly.

Kanna mirrored him without question.

"Scared? Stay here. I'll handle the fight."

Laxus grinned, cracking his knuckles.

"Don't worry—I won't tell Gramps. You did help a little."

He'd admit Rayne's composure earlier impressed him.

But that didn't mean he respected him.

"Are you stupid?"

Rayne stared at him like he'd grown a second head.

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