A Major Reform of Spirit Magic

"That's roughly what happened. Though I didn't do it myself, Karen did die because of me." (Leo's face was deathly pale, cold sweat covering his body.)

"How... how could anyone treat Celestial Spirits like that?!" (Golden Softie transformed into a furious lion.)

"Heh... actually, this sort of thing is quite common. After all, not every mage can treat Celestial Spirits as friends."

At those words, Lucy's expression instantly dimmed.

"Urgh?!!"

"Thud!"

As the knot in his heart came undone, the last bit of strength supporting Leo's body was exhausted. Coupled with the arrival of his final hour, he collapsed to the ground before Golden Softie could react.

"Loke!!!"

"Heh... what was bound to come has come."

"What nonsense are you talking about?!!!"

"Bzzz!"

As if to confirm Leo's judgment, the golden-brown-haired young man's body began to tremble, his limbs gradually shifting from solid to translucent.

"To have met you in my final moments... that's truly comforting." (Loke forced a smile through the pain.)

"Please, you have to hang on!" (Lucy Heartfilia's eyes and cheeks were red.)

"From the day Karen died, I knew this day would come, because the Spirit World will never permit a Celestial Spirit who betrays their contract holder to exist."

To ease his companion's sorrow, Leo still forced up the corners of his mouth.

"Lucy... thank you!"

"Bzzz, bzzz."

His wavering will to survive accelerated Leo's transparency, making his body tremble even more violently.

"Wait!!!"

"That was something no one wanted to happen, and you only wanted to protect your companion. How could you... how could you... just..." (Tears streamed endlessly down Lucy's face.)

"Lucy, don't be like this... for me, isn't this a kind of release as well?"

Golden Softie clearly did not agree with Leo, shaking her head like a rattle drum.

"As a