"The Demon..." Gajeel read out loud, assuring himself that he hadn't misread the document.

His eyes weren't fooling him, though something about the situation surely was.

"More like 'The Dunce...'" He mumbled, closing the file.

He stood up straight, leaving the box in its disorderly place on the ground as he headed for the door.

Gajeel gripped the folder tightly between his thumb and his index finger, almost leaving an indent with the force he was applying.

Laki glanced up from her desk as he rushed out of the archive room, noticing the object in his hand.

"Gajeel Redfox, get back here this instant! The files aren't supposed to leave the archives, you utter moron!" She shouted, standing from her desk and beginning to trail after him.

The dark-haired agent didn't bother to acknowledge her as he headed straight for the boss's office.

That man had a lot of explaining to do.

"I knew I couldn't trust you with that key!" Laki yelled from behind him.

She followed after him, speeding up a bit to lessen the distance between them.

"Are you even listening to me?! Hand it over, already!"

Gajeel burst through the door of the office, stopping in front of the boss's desk and tossing the file onto the papers in front of the man.

"What the hell is this?!" He questioned.

Laki arrived at the doorway, stopping in her tracks.

"I'm so sorry, Sir! I tried to stop him, but it appears I was too slow to act." She explained.

He waved his hand at the girl, dismissing her words.

"It's quite alright, Miss Olietta. I'd be glad to answer Agent Redfox's question. Go ahead and return to your desk, and I'll return the file to its rightful place myself."

"A-As you wish..." She replied, giving Gajeel one final glare before taking her leave and closing the door behind her.

"Is there any specific reason you've come to me with Agent Dragneel's file?" The boss asked, looking up at Gajeel with a plain expression.

He took a seat at the desk, making eye contact with the stubby man.

"I was a little curious about Salamander— er, Agent Dragneel. It just didn't make sense why you'd keep him around when he spends most of his time at headquarters goofing off..."

"So you went to look at his file for yourself?" The boss cut in.

"Yes Sir."

"Did you find the answer to your question?"

"Well, yes but... I don't understand. Why do they call him 'The Demon?'"

The man put a fist to his mouth, clearing his throat.

His expression was much more stern now, and he clasped his hands in front of him.

"I'm sure you're aware of this after taking a look at his file, but Agent Dragneel has been with BlueSteel for quite some time... long before your arrival, even. You may think you know him, but you do not know who he was beforehand."

"I noticed the photo in his file. It seemed very out of character compared to how he acts nowadays. He was... almost emotionless. Is that how he was before I became an agent here?"

"Agent Dragneel was very serious when he first arrived. He was much like you, Gajeel: caught up in his work. I would frequently assign him missions, and he would complete them perfectly every time. He was absolutely unstoppable, and that earned him the title 'The Demon.'"

"How did he end up working with Agent Heartfilia if he was doing so well?" Gajeel asked.

There was a moment of silence as the boss thought over his response to the question.

"It took one failed mission. He failed once, and dove even further into his work. His obsession was beginning to become unhealthy, and he began to forget anything beyond the routine of the field and the office. He was so determined to better himself, that he was almost losing his humanity. Those around him were afraid, because he'd honed his combat skills to the point where he didn't know how to face his problems with anything else. I decided that his obsessiveness with his missions wasn't good for anyone here at BlueSteel, especially himself. In order to save him, I assigned Agent Heartfilia as his partner. From then on, she helped him to regain his appreciation for the rest of the joys of life. That has helped him be wonderful agent he is today."

"Excuse me as I question your judgement, Sir, but why would you try to change him? I guess the violence might've been a problem, but if he's a decent agent, then doesn't that seem more efficient for business? Wouldn't he be more useful if he put his all into his work?"

"That may be true..." The man began.

"Of course, there are other things I must take into consideration. We may have missions to take care of, as well as clients to please, though I still like to care for the wellbeing of my agents. I'm the leader of a crime agency, Gajeel; I'm not a monster."

Gajeel picked up Natsu's file from the table, taking a long look at the cover of the manila folder.

"Does that all answer your question?" The boss spoke up.

Agent Redfox stood from his chair in silence, the folder in hand.

"It does, Sir. I'll be taking my leave now, if you'd excuse me."

He turned towards the door, ready to return the folder to its rightful place.

"Agent Redfox." The boss called.

Gajeel looked back to the man, who stared back at him plainly once more.

"I know you're most likely upset with me assigning Agent McGarden as your partner, but know that it is for your own good. I don't want you treading down the same path Agent Dragneel took so many years ago. I hope you'll take today's story as a learning opportunity."

The boss gave a smile.

"Also, I'd be glad to return that file to the archives for you. More so, I'd like to take a look over it myself." He added, reaching his hand over the desk.

Gajeel handed over the file without objection.

"I'll take your story into consideration, Sir." He replied, then exiting the office.

Wow, it's been a while!

I promise I'm not dead... yet.

Anyways, I hope you enjoyed this chapter!

I appreciate you all so much, and I'll see you in the next one...