Y/n Pov

The job request regarding Lord Carrington ended up being a complete success. The establishment we cleared turned out to be quite a lucrative place which ended up with Lord Carrington giving us a five percent share on it, for both of us. That meant Elsies or rather Irene's wealth exploded, she wasn't living bad before at all but now she could lay back and enjoy her retirment with millions in the bank that would grow faster then she could ever spent it, the same counted for me. Thanks to our pocket dimension we can access our money anywhere anytime we want. 

I looked into the flickering candlelight as I laid down the quill I used to write the report for Zeref. The weather wasn't helping at all as it was raining now. I slouched down as this was the most annoying part about working for Zeref. I never got why Zeref wanted these in the first place.

I felt a pair of arms sneak around my neck and her soft pillows on the back of my head. "Y/n come to bed, its late already." She whined, tiredly laying her head on my shoulder. Taking a look at what I wrote she rolled her eyes. "You are really writing this for Zeref." She questioned and I nodded in silence. I paused for a moment looking into her direction. "I don't know when I'm finished tough. Could be another hour or two." I replied and intertwined my left hand with hers as she moved it to mine. The wedding ring on her hand shone brightly just like her. Elsie pulled herself in front of me sitting down on my lap, that's when I noticed her being in nothing but her lingerie. She was clearly annoyed that I would be giving Zeref more attention then her. Her pouting face made it clear, that she wasn't happy. "You are ignoring me, idiot." She murmured.  

I couldn't help the tiny smile as I sometimes would purpously do it in order to have Elsie do this. It looked extremely adorable whenever she demanded attention like this. I laid my arms aroud her waist, keeping the eye contact with her. "Then I shall finally give you the deserved attention." I smirked and stood up with her in my arms.

I threw her onto the bed and she yellped in surprise. Her eyes fluttered lightly. "That's more like it." She giggled and reached out with her hands to hold onto my upper arms as I crawled on top of her. "You know what you got yourself into when we had our first, you will have it whenever you want." I stated and she bit her lip. "Take me my husband, every day." She purred and craned her neck as I kissed her colar. 

. . .

I lay on my back, the soft, silken sheets caressing our skin, Elsie's head resting gently on my chest. The moonlight streamed through the curtains, casting a gentle glow over us, making everything feel almost ethereal. I felt an overwhelming sense of contentment as I listened to her steady breathing and the rhythmic beating of her heart.

I shifted slightly, looking down at Elsie. Her face was serene and glowing with happiness. "I can't believe we're actually married," I said softly, my voice filled with awe and affection, my eyes focusing on the golden ring she wore on her hand, in Alakitasia a marriage ment until death. Still being married so young is quite strange.

Elsie looked up at me, her eyes sparkling in the moonlight. "Neither can I," she replied with a soft laugh. "It feels like a dream."

I smiled, leaning down to press a gentle kiss to her forehead. "A wonderful dream," I murmured. We lay in silence for a few moments, simply enjoying each other's presence. The warmth of our bodies intertwined, and the love we shared filled the room.

After a while, my thoughts turned to the future, and I couldn't help but voice my concerns. "Do you ever think about what comes next, Elsie? With everything happening in Alvarez, the possibility of an invasion of Fiore... it's hard to know what the future holds."

Elsie sighed softly, tracing patterns on my chest with her fingers. "I do think about it," she admitted. "The threat of Alvarez invading Fiore is real, and it's something we can't ignore, nor prevent. But I also believe in our strength and the strength of our allies. We've faced impossible odds before and come out victorious."

I nodded, my hand gently stroking her hair. "You're right. We've always managed to find a way. But what about after all this? Do you ever think about settling down, starting a family?"

Elsie lifted her head to look into my eyes, her expression thoughtful. "I do," she said softly. "I think about having a home, a place where we can feel safe and build a life together. I think about having children and giving them the love and protection a lot never had growing up."

Her words filled me with warmth. The idea of a future with Elsie, of building a life and a family together, gave me hope and determination. "I want that too," I said, my voice filled with conviction. "I want to give you everything you deserve, Elsie. A home, a family, a future filled with love and happiness."

Elsie smiled, her eyes glistening with emotion. "I know we'll make it happen, Y/n. But for now, let's focus on the present. Our mission, our time together... it won't last forever. We should make the most of it while we can."

I chuckled softly, my heart swelling with love for the girl beside me. "You're right. We should enjoy every moment we have." I leaned down to capture her lips in a tender kiss, our love and passion intertwining.

We lay there for a while longer, talking about our hopes and dreams, sharing our fears and insecurities. The future was uncertain, but I knew that as long as we had each other, we could face anything.

As the night wore on, we eventually drifted off to sleep, wrapped in each other's arms. The moonlight continued to bathe us in its gentle glow, a silent witness to our love and commitment. And in that moment, I knew that no matter what challenges lay ahead, we would face them together, with strength, love, and unwavering determination.

. . .

3rd person view

The first light of dawn seeped through the curtains, casting a gentle glow over the room. Irene quietly entered, her footsteps almost inaudible on the wooden floor. Her eyes softened as she took in the scene before her. Elsie and Y/n were nestled together in the large bed, their breathing deep and steady, still lost in the realm of dreams. Between them, Rose, the Exceed, was curled up snugly, her small body rising and falling with each breath.

Irene approached the bed with a serene smile, her research forgotten for a moment as she observed the peaceful tableau. She reached down and gently stroked Rose's fur. The little Exceed stirred, her whiskers twitching as she slowly woke up. Irene chuckled softly and whispered, "Time to wake up, little one."

Rose blinked her large eyes open and stretched, arching her back like a cat. She glanced around sleepily before realizing her mission. With a playful glint in her eyes, she started by lightly touching Y/n's nose with her paw. He stirred slightly but didn't wake. Rose then moved to Elsie, giving her the same gentle tap. Elsie's nose wrinkled, and she let out a soft murmur but remained asleep.

Undeterred, Rose decided a more vigorous approach was needed. She began to bounce lightly on Y/n's chest, her tiny paws creating a series of gentle thumps. Y/n groaned, his eyes fluttering open to see the cheerful face of Rose above him. "Good morning," he mumbled, reaching up to pat her head.

Rose then leaped onto Elsie's side, her tiny claws digging slightly through the sheets right into Elsie's chest. Elsie woke with a start, her eyes widening in surprise before settling into a sleepy smile. "Morning, Rose," she said, her voice soft and warm.

Irene, standing by the bed, couldn't help but laugh at the scene. "Good morning, you two," she said, her tone light but with an edge of seriousness. "I'm sorry to wake you so early, but there's something important we need to discuss."

Y/n and Elsie exchanged a glance, their drowsiness quickly fading as they recognized the urgency in Irene's voice. They sat up, making space for Rose to curl up between them again.

Irene took a deep breath, her expression becoming more serious. "I've been delving into the academy's past and current projects. What I've found is...disturbing. There's an ongoing research project that we need to address immediately."

Elsie frowned, her brows knitting together in concern. "What kind of research?" she asked, her voice tinged with worry.

Irene pulled out a sheaf of papers from her bag, spreading them out on the bedside table. "It appears they're conducting experiments on students and magical creatures. The focus seems to be on enhancing magical abilities through unethical means. There's even evidence of forced participation."

Y/n's jaw tightened, his protective instincts flaring. "How could they get away with something like this?" he demanded, his eyes flashing with anger.

Irene nodded, her expression grim. "It's been well-hidden, but the signs are there. Disappearances, unusual behavior among certain students, and reports of strange lights and sounds from the lower levels of the academy."

Elsie placed a comforting hand on Y/n's arm, her eyes filled with determination. "We have to stop this," she said firmly. "We can't let them harm anyone else."

Y/n nodded in agreement, his resolve hardening. "What's our plan?" he asked, turning to Irene.

Irene outlined her thoughts quickly. "First, we need to gather more concrete evidence. We can't just go in without proof. Then, we'll confront the academy's administration and put an end to these experiments. But we need to be careful. If they realize we're onto them, they might cover their tracks or worse, accelerate their plans."

Rose, who had been listening intently, chimed in with a determined nod. "I'll help too. I can sneak into places you can't."

Irene smiled at the little Exceed. "We'll need all the help we can get, Rose."

Elsie squeezed Y/n's hand, her eyes meeting his with a fierce light. "We can do this," she said softly. "Together."

Y/n returned her gaze with equal intensity. "Together," he echoed.

The group assembled quietly in the early morning, the academy still cloaked in shadows as the first light of dawn began to pierce through the high windows. The grand halls of the academy, usually bustling with students and staff, were eerily silent. Marble floors gleamed in the dim light, and intricate tapestries depicting historical magical battles lined the walls.

Y/n led the way, his senses on high alert. Elsie walked beside him, her hand resting lightly on his arm, her eyes scanning their surroundings for any signs of movement. Irene followed close behind, clutching the documents that had led them to this perilous task. Rose, the Exceed, perched on Irene's shoulder, her sharp eyes darting around, ready to alert the group of any danger. Heine and Juliet brought up the rear, their expressions a mix of determination and wariness.

"Everyone stop." Irene ordered and pointed to the left. "Here is it, the entrance to the abandoned academy section." She stated and walked to the front of the group. "I should be the one leading from now on as I'm the only one capable to detect incoming danger." She ordered sternly.

A massive, ancient door revealed itself to the group. It was made of dark, polished wood, reinforced with iron bands that were etched with intricate magical symbols. To anyone passing by it looked like an old door. Irene steped closer and right as she did In the center of it flared up a large, glowing sigil, pulsating with a faint, ominous light. Y/n stepped forward, placing his hand on the door's cold surface, feeling the power thrumming through it. Irene watched him sternly raising an eyebrow she silently asked for what he wanted to do.

"Let me try to open it," Y/n said, bracing himself for her to berate him, but she didn't and merely did a step back. He pushed against the door with all his might, but the sigil flared brightly in response. A powerful shockwave erupted from the door, throwing him back several feet. He landed hard on the stone floor, groaning as he picked himself up.

"Y/n!" Elsie cried, rushing to his side. "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine," he grunted, wincing as he stood up. "That door is protected by some serious magic."

Irene stepped forward an amused smile on her lips on her pupils misshap, her eyes narrowing as she studied the glowing sigil. "This isn't just any magic," she murmured. "It's an ancient locking spell. Whoever sealed this door didn't want anyone getting through."

She moved closer, her fingers tracing the runes that surrounded the sigil. "These runes are complex, but I think I can decipher them." Elsie watched her mother with curious eyes. "And how?" She asked in wonder. Irene merely smirked, the writing Elsie, its an old one, one we used to teach back in Dragnof, have you forgoten already." Elsie's eyes went wide the moment she realized it, the sigils are writen in a language no one knows but the people from the past or those in possesion of ancient scripts, a lost tongue.

Heine and Juliet watched with bated breath as Irene worked. Rose perched on Juliet's shoulder now, her eyes wide with curiosity. Irene muttered the ancient language under her breath, her fingers dancing over the symbols, tracing lines and patterns with practiced ease. To Y/n the words spoken by Irene sounded like gibberish. "Do you know what she's saying?" He asked Elsie who stood beside him. "She's using the Dragons language, one of three spoken in Dragnof."

"Here," she said, pointing to a series of intertwined runes. "This sequence is the key. If I disrupt it in just the right way, it should unlock the seal."

Y/n and the others watched intently as Irene focused her magic on the runes. A soft glow emanated from her hands as she carefully manipulated the energy within the symbols. The sigil on the door began to flicker, the light within it wavering uncertainly.

"Almost there," Irene said, her voice tense with concentration. With a final, precise gesture, she completed the spell. The sigil flared one last time before fading away completely, leaving the door unsealed.

"It's done," Irene said, stepping back and exhaling deeply.

Y/n approached the door again, this time cautiously pushing it open. It swung inward with a creak, revealing a dark, foreboding chamber beyond. "Good work, Irene," he said, nodding appreciatively.

Everyone knew the area they found themselves in now was off limits to anyone but teachers, for some strange reason Irene was able to unlock the door without any issue, by just using her magic on the seal that locked the wooden door eched with magical runes. They descended a grand staircase, its mahogany bannisters polished to a shine, the steps creaking slightly under their weight. The deeper they went, the more oppressive the atmosphere became. Soon they reached a section which did not look like it was part of the academy the walls turned from decorated marble to cold, unadorned stone, the air growing damp and musty. Faint echoes of their footsteps reverberated through the narrow, dimly lit corridors.

Looking over the ledger in her hand Irene scanned the walls with her eyes. "According to the documents," She whispered, "there should be a hidden door somewhere along this corridor."

They walked slowly, Y/n running his hands along the walls, feeling for any irregularities. The corridor was lined with old portraits of past academy deans, their eyes seemingly following the group as they passed, their portraits already grayed out and frames withered by time. No one knew how old exactly this section of the academy was. "Mother do you by chance know how old this Academy is?" Elsie asked curiously. Irene smiling contently knew her daughter would ask this if given the moment.  "Its over 1500 years old, Elsie."  The flickering torchlight cast eerie shadows that danced and twisted on the walls, adding to the sense of unease.

Suddenly, Y/n's fingers brushed against a slight indentation. He pressed it, and with a low rumble, a section of the wall slid open, revealing a hidden passage. A gust of stale air greeted them, carrying with it the faint scent of decay.

"This must be it," Y/n said, his voice barely above a whisper.

They stepped into the passage, the walls closing behind them with a soft thud. The narrow passage was wide enough for them to walk through single file. The stone walls were rough, and the ceiling was low, forcing them to duck occasionally, was this build for shorter people? A single, flickering magic ball provided just enough light to see by, casting long, sinister shadows.

The passage sloped downward, leading them deeper into the bowels of the academy. The air grew colder, and their breath began to mist in front of them. After what felt like an eternity, they reached a heavy wooden door, bound with iron. By the door posts they could see it being extremely heavy as they were as wide as a tree and the hinges, thick metal plates with nails bigger than an arm. Whatever it was supposed to seal in it never got out.

"This is it," Irene said, consulting her documents, flipping through the pages. "Beyond this door is where the experiments are conducted."

Y/n nodded and pushed the door open, the hinges creaking loudly in the silence. They stepped into a large, cavernous room, the ceiling lost in darkness. Rows of cages lined the walls, examining it for a moment Y/n could smell dried blood on the rusted surface and saw magical creatures in various stages of distress. The center of the room was dominated by a large table covered in strange, arcane instruments and vials of glowing liquid, organized in arms reach on a shelf nearby.

Elsie's hand tightened on Y/n's arm as she took in the sight. "This is horrifying," she whispered, her voice shaking with anger and fear.

Rose flew down from Irene's shoulder, landing lightly on the table that stood separate from the center. "Look at these notes," she said, her small voice carrying across the room. "They're documenting everything they've done." She turned around facing three large shelfs, stacked tightly with books, probably older than some countries and still in a good readable condition.

Irene moved quickly, gathering the papers. "We need to get this evidence to the authorities," she said. "This is more than enough to shut this place down." Y/n's eyes fell on a peculiar paper, or rather a plan. "It looks like something the magic council has." He whispered and Elsie perked up. "You mean the Etherion, that thing is history and weak, couldn't hurt a fly if they tried." She replied mockingly. Y/n rolled his eyes in annoyance. "That may be history but they still have Face, you know that right." He replied and she nodded. "A suicidal weapon, I know." She replied now a little sombre.

The plan looked like a cannon, small enough to be build on a ship. "Do you think this could interest Lord Zeref?" He asked and Elsie studied the plan closer. "Knowing him, no. But I know who does. Wall, he'd go crazy over it." She replied and Y/n smiled creepily. "Oh I want this on my ship." He stated and grabbed the plan. Elsie hugged him tight. "Don't think you will be the only one wanting that." She playfuly pat his arm.

As they moved through the room, Heine and Juliet worked swiftly to release the captive creatures, who scampered or flew away through a large crack that made sun light shine into the middle, their gratitude evident in their relieved cries and movements. The group continued to explore, discovering more chambers filled with arcane machinery and evidence of the academy's dark secrets.

Finally, they reached a large chamber at the very heart of the complex. The walls were covered in glowing runes, and a massive crystal pulsed with a sickly green light in the center of the room. Strapped to tables around the crystal were students, unconscious and hooked up to strange devices that seemed to be siphoning their magical energy.

"We have to stop this," Y/n said, his voice firm.

Irene shook her head, her expression grim. "Destroying the crystal could break the enchantments and endanger the students, possibly killing them."

Y/n drew his sword, its blade gleaming in the dim light. "Let's do this." He stated but Irene caught his hand, she looked furious. "Don't! We have no idea what this could do." She stated berating him and letting him go. "For now we should try to observe it and then we can find a solution." She stated, still looking sternly at him.

Elsie moved closer to one of the beds, her heart pounding in her chest. The student lying there looked pale and frail, their eyes closed as if in a deep, unnatural sleep. What stood out the most was the dark protuding veins. "These are the missing students," she said softly, her voice trembling. "But why are they hooked up to these vials?"

Irene approached a nearby table cluttered with notes and vials of strange liquids. She picked up a sheet of parchment, her eyes scanning the hastily scribbled writing. "This isn't what we thought," she said, her voice tinged with horror. "They're not being drained of their magic. Something is being given to them."

Heine and Juliet exchanged confused glances. "What do you mean?" Heine asked, moving to stand beside Irene.

Irene held up the parchment, her face pale. "According to these notes, they're being injected with a concoction made from dangerous herbs. It's designed to... enhance their magical and physical abilities."

Juliet's eyes widened in disbelief. "Enhance? But at what cost?"

Y/n moved closer, his gaze darkening as he read over Irene's shoulder. "This is madness," he muttered. "They're experimenting on these students, trying to turn them into something else."

Rose fluttered to Y/n's side, her tiny form tense with worry. "What do we do, Y/n? We have to help them."

"We will," Y/n said firmly, determination hardening his voice. "But first, we need to understand exactly what we're dealing with."

Heine and Juliet began examining the machines, their eyes tracing the tubes that connected the students to the strange devices. "These machines are pumping the concoction directly into their bodies," Heine observed. "No wonder they look so sick."

Juliet nodded, her expression grim. "We need to find a way to stop this and reverse whatever's been done to them."

As they continued to explore the room, Irene's attention was drawn to a large, coffin-like device standing ominously in the corner. The metal surface was covered in intricate runes and sigils, pulsating with a sinister energy. "What is this?" she murmured, approaching it cautiously.

Y/n followed her, his eyes narrowing as he examined the device. "It looks like some kind of enhancement chamber," he said. "But for what purpose?"

Irene skimmed through the notes she had gathered, her brow furrowing in concentration. "This device is used to further enhance the abilities gained from the initial concoction," she explained. "It infuses the students with mutagenes of various monsters, making them even more powerful but at a terrible cost."

Y/n turned to Irene, his brow furrowed in concern. "What exactly is the cost of these enhancements, those mutagenes?" he asked, his voice steady but laced with apprehension.

Irene took a deep breath, her expression grave. "The mutagenes boost reflexes, magical abilities, physical power, and overall magical strength significantly," she explained. "But the downside is severe. The students become aggressive and easily angered. They're also rendered unable to reproduce, a side effect of the strong toxins in the herbs used in the concoction. It wouldn't be far feched to think they could also be imune to certain toxins."

Y/n's eyes widened with a mix of fascination and horror. "I want to do this too," he said impulsively, the idea of gaining even more power tempting him.

Elsie's face turned a deep shade of red, a mix of fury and disbelief flashing in her eyes. "Are you out of your mind?" she yelled, stepping towards him. She struck him on the cheek, her voice and body trembling with anger. "How could you even think about subjecting yourself to this torture?" Elsie felt like a wreck already seeing this Horror in front of her and hearing those words from someone she deeply cared about made her get even more on the edge.

Y/n staggered back, the sting of her blow more from her words than her hand. "Elsie, I just thought—"

"No!" Elsie interrupted, tears brimming in her eyes. "You don't get to just think! This isn't some game. These students are suffering. You're already strong enough, Y/n. Don't you dare put yourself through this."

Irene nodded in agreement, her expression stern. "Elsie is right, Y/n. You possess more than enough strength. The consequences of these experiments are too dire. Your strength is already intimidating, even to me."

Y/n lowered his head, chastened by their words. "I understand," he said softly, the reality of the situation settling heavily on his shoulders.

As the group continued to examine the room, Irene's attention was drawn to more detailed notes scattered across the desk. "There's more," she said, picking up a page and scanning it quickly. "These experiments also alter the eyes. The procedure often ends in catastrophic failure, causing the eyes to burst."

Heine and Juliet recoiled in horror, their faces reflecting their disgust and disbelief. "Why would anyone do this?" Juliet whispered, her voice barely audible.

Irene shook her head, her eyes narrowing in concentration as she tried to piece together the fragmented notes. "I'm trying to understand the order in which these procedures are done and what the ultimate outcome is supposed to be," she said, frustration evident in her tone. "It seems the enhancements are administered first, followed by the ocular alterations. The final stage appears to be the infusion of mutagenes, but the success rate is abysmally low."

"What's the purpose behind all this?" Heine asked, her voice edged with unease. "What do they hope to achieve?"

Irene furrowed her brow, contemplating the possibilities. "It appears they are attempting to create an army of super soldiers—individuals with unparalleled magical and physical prowess. But the process is flawed and extremely dangerous."

Elsie clenched her fists, her eyes burning with determination. "We have to stop this," she said fiercely. "We can't let them continue these atrocities."

Y/n nodded in agreement, his resolve hardening. "We need to find out who is behind this and bring them to justice."

As the group gathered all the evidence they could find, Irene continued to analyze the notes, her mind racing with potential solutions. "If we can reverse engineer the concoctions and understand the precise mechanics of the enhancements, we might be able to help the students recover," she said, a glimmer of hope in her eyes.