Chapter 91: Forbidden Magic: Worms of Time!
"Taking a vacation like this is a nice change, and the hotel's food is delicious. But, is it really okay to eat for free?"
Erza had a rather large appetite for a girl, but what was enviable was that despite eating a lot, her figure remained stunning. She looked gorgeous in her purple evening dress, radiating an elegant charm. Nate thought it must be due to her constant training and fighting, burning off all those calories.
"You're always so tense, always wearing armor..." Nate mused aloud before his curiosity got the better of him. "By the way, do you even own any casual clothes?"
"Casual clothes? Like these?" Erza pondered the question seriously for a moment.
"Requip!"
In a flash of golden light, the evening dress vanished, and Erza stood before the full-length mirror, admiring herself in a maid outfit.
Nate blinked in surprise, then burst into laughter. "Not that kind."
That outfit was more of a specialized battle-ready uniform.
"How about this one?" Erza changed again, this time into a black bunny girl costume. The outfit hugged her figure tightly, complete with a fluffy white tail, long legs wrapped in black stockings, and a pair of cute black bunny ears perched on her head.
Nate froze for a full ten seconds. 'Do you have a different definition of casual wear?' he thought, though he couldn't deny how sexy and alluring she looked. He had to resist the urge to embrace her.
"Your 'casual' outfit looks great!" Nate finally relented, deciding that if Erza considered it casual, he wouldn't argue.
Picking up on the amused tone in Nate's voice, Erza smiled slightly and said, "I'm going to take a shower. Or do you want to go first?"
"You go ahead."
With another flash, the bunny girl outfit disappeared, leaving Erza in nothing but a white towel, her long crimson hair tied up. Holding a bath bucket filled with toiletries, she headed for the bathroom.
"Your Requip magic really can conjure anything, huh?" Nate commented.
"Do you want to learn it? I can teach you."
"Can you?"
"Of course, Requip isn't that difficult."
Erza answered earnestly before entering the bathroom, her neatly prepared bath items in hand. Soon, the sound of running water filled the room.
Alone in the hotel room, with Erza in the shower, Nate's thoughts wandered as he listened to the water splashing. Then something occurred to him: her "Requip space" had also contained brand-new, unopened toiletries.
So, she must have been looking forward to this vacation too, Nate realized with a chuckle as he stepped out onto the balcony to enjoy the cool sea breeze. She was the type of person who meticulously planned every trip, considering every detail and preparing well in advance.
"That's kind of cute," Nate thought, smiling.
He pulled out four cards from his pocket. Earlier, the four people sealed within them had been clamoring to be freed, but now they had fallen silent. Resting the cards on the table, Nate reflected on how different this Card Magic was from Cana's. His version involved manipulating space. Thanks to his deep understanding of spatial magic, due to his Six Eyes, Nate had been able to grasp the principles of the magic and master it instantly.
"This is the first time I've learned new magic so quickly," Nate mused proudly. "Hopefully, I'll have more chances like this."
"Once the council's joint force arrives, I'll release them," Nate murmured, pocketing the cards once again. Just then, a system notification rang in his mind.
[Mission: Reach 30,000 registered users on the Magic Internet]
[Mission complete!]
"Oh? It's done already?" Nate murmured, surprised. "Jude works fast—what a top-tier businessman!"
He checked the system's data.
[Total registered users: 30,001]
In just a second, another "fresh recruit" had joined the platform.
"Nice, working with Jude was the right call," Nate thought, claiming his reward.
[Reward: Worms of Time]
[Detected: Host is in the Fairy Tail world—reward transforming...]
[Worms of Time Parasite Magic: Worms of Time]
Suddenly, a vast amount of knowledge flooded Nate's mind. It wasn't time magic, nor summoning magic—it was a form of parasite magic.
The magic condensed into a Worm of Time, which would then parasitize someone. However, this wasn't a simple puppet-like control; it replaced the target's very existence.
"This is hard to explain... It's more complex than Fairy Law," Nate realized, amazed by its depth.
For example, if he used the Worms of Time to parasitize Erza, the parasitism would have already existed from the moment she was born, altering her entire life. From the beginning of time, the parasitism would have taken root, making her entire life transparent to him.
"It involves a degree of time manipulation, allowing parasitism from the start of time itself."
"Such a terrifying magic... This is the most forbidden of forbidden magics!"
Just then, the sound of the bathroom door opening interrupted Nate's thoughts. He turned to see Erza.
"Getting some fresh air? Be careful not to catch a cold," Erza said as she dried her wet hair. She suddenly remembered something and added, "Oh, the hotel's body wash wasn't great. I left mine in the bathroom for you to use."
She sat on the bed, crossing her long, pale legs, looking completely relaxed after her bath. Noticing that Nate was staring at her, she asked, "Aren't you going to shower?"
"On my way."
Nate thought to himself, 'Who wouldn't want to admire a beauty fresh out of the bath for a while?'
After showering, Nate returned to the room in just a pair of shorts. Erza was already in bed, wearing her pajamas.
"Should I sleep on the couch?" Nate asked hesitantly.
"You'll catch a cold. The bed's big enough for both of us," Erza replied, her head barely peeking out from under the covers. "What's wrong? Are you shy?"
'Shy, my foot,' Nate thought. 'I'm just worried I won't be able to control myself!'
Still, he climbed into bed, warning, "Just don't kick me off, okay?"
Erza yawned, "Hurry up and sleep. The joint force might arrive tomorrow."
With that, she lay down, already drifting off to sleep.
Nate sighed and slipped under the covers next to her, turning off the magic lamp. The room was immediately enveloped in darkness, the moonlight casting a soft glow through the large window.
Time passed.
"Erza?" Nate whispered in the dark.
"Hmm?" came her sleepy response.
"I'm a little afraid of the dark. Can I hold you?"
"Mm."
Without hesitation, Nate shifted closer, wrapping his arms around Erza's waist. The scent of her freshly washed hair and her soft skin was intoxicating.
'How am I supposed to sleep like this?' Nate thought, frustrated. 'I shouldn't have come!'
He closed his eyes and began counting sheep. One sheep, two sheep... and there she was, a sweet-smelling, soft "sheep."
'Damn it, stop thinking and sleep!'
The room fell silent, except for the soft sound of their breathing.
…
The next morning, Erza woke up first, feeling a tightness around her. Lifting the edge of the blanket, she realized Nate's hand had somehow slipped under her pajama top. Her face flushed as she carefully moved his hand away.
'Silly guy, what kind of sleeping habits are these?' she thought, her heart racing. She decided not to wake him and quietly got out of bed to prepare for the day.
Thinking back to the previous night, she couldn't help but laugh.
'Nate's afraid of the dark?'
(Note: If you don't understand the reference, Worms of Time is from the upcoming anime and webnovel "Lord of Mysteries")
Chapter 92: Jura and Wendy
When Nate woke up, Erza was no longer in the hotel room.
He got up, washed, and headed downstairs to the restaurant for breakfast. However, there wasn't a single guest in sight.
"Where did all the guests go?" Nate asked the waiter.
"Honorable Wizard Saint Nate, sir, all the guests have checked out."
The waiter smiled politely. "Moreover, the entire resort will be reserved for you and Miss Erza for the entire day."
Nate was surprised to be recognized. "Why?"
'Why even ask?' The waiter's smile twitched slightly. 'Last night, you nearly tore the hotel down with a single punch, and the guests fled in fear.'
"It was the management's decision. It's an honor to serve you both," the waiter said, keeping his words respectful.
Before today, she hadn't known Nate, but now she did. Being one of the Ten Wizard Saints, Nate was a prominent figure, recognized for his groundbreaking magic. However, his identity wasn't the main reason—they were mainly afraid Nate might actually demolish the resort.
After all, the free stay was only for one day, so the manager had made a swift decision to cater to these "walking disasters" and reopen the resort once they were gone.
"Your service is really excellent. I'll come back again," Nate said with satisfaction, already thinking about bringing Juvia or Ultear next time.
The waiter's smile froze. 'Please, don't come back…'
"By the way, have you seen my companion?"
"You mean Miss Erza? She's already had breakfast and is at the amusement park," the waiter replied.
Nate thanked her, grabbed his breakfast, and found a table to sit down. He then opened his Magic Net and sent Ultear a private message.
Sigma Male: "The council is preparing to move against Siegrain. Did you know?"
Ultear replied instantly.
Witch of Pain: "Sister was just about to send you a message, and here you are."
Witch of Pain: "We really are in sync. ."
Sigma Male: "You haven't sent me any pictures at night recently, I'm going to criticize you!"
Witch of Pain: "Miss me? Sneaky ."
Witch of Pain: "How do I look today, dear? Casual ."
Whenever Nate talked with Ultear, the conversation would always take a playful turn. After saving a few of her pictures, Nate steered the conversation back on track.
Sigma Male: "Back to business, just reminding you that the council is targeting Jellal."
Nate recounted the events from the previous night, and it became clear that Ultear wasn't aware of the council's plans.
Witch of Pain: "The chairman didn't mention it to me. Seems like they're suspicious of me too."
Sigma Male: "What are you going to do? Go back to Grimoire Heart?"
Witch of Pain: "I'm not going back."
Witch of Pain: "Don't worry, dear. I'll be fine."
Sigma Male: "Are you still brainwashing Jellal?"
Witch of Pain: "No! That was something I did when I was younger. I've reformed, and that magic has long since been undone."
'Is that so?' Nate wondered. 'Has Jellal truly fallen that far?' He decided not to dwell on it.
Sigma Male: "You're free to choose your own path. If you run into trouble, I'll help you."
Witch of Pain: "Mm-hmm, kiss ."
Witch of Pain: "Sister's heading to the council now. The chairman just sent a message. Looks like they're planning to act against Jellal's Thought Projection…"
She then went offline.
Nate pondered for a moment. Since the council had decided to move against one of their own, Siegrain, they were likely seeking outside help, perhaps even calling in reinforcements overnight. But with Ultear's strength, even if she was exposed, she could easily escape. Since Ultear said she could handle it, Nate decided to leave it for now.
…
After breakfast, Nate headed to the amusement park to meet up with Erza. The entire park was deserted, and all the rides were free to use. The two of them spent the entire morning enjoying all the attractions.
After lunch at the resort, they changed into swimwear and headed to the beach. They spent the afternoon surfing, playing beach volleyball, kayaking, and fishing. It was much more fun than the amusement park, especially since Nate could admire Erza in her swimsuit.
Erza was in high spirits, finally able to relax from her usual tension. She spent the day smiling, something rarely seen.
Around 3 PM, after tiring themselves out, the two of them set up beach chairs on the shore. Nate brought out a grill, ready to cook the fish they had caught.
As a seasoned mage used to outdoor missions, Erza was quite adept at camping. She put on an impressive show for Nate, expertly cleaning and preparing the seafood with swift, precise movements. After the grilling, they had a hearty meal before taking a walk along the beach to help with digestion.
"It's been so long since I've felt this happy," Erza said, walking ahead with her hands behind her back. "I originally came here just to investigate the Tower of Heaven, but I ended up enjoying an actual vacation."
'Liar!' Nate thought. 'You were clearly looking forward to this.'
"You'll have more fun in the future. Do you know why people don't like working?" Nate asked, not waiting for her to answer. "Because it goes against human nature. Once we've met our survival needs, all we want is to find happiness."
"But I find joy in my work," Erza said with a smile, playfully contradicting him.
Nate was speechless for a moment, but then his ring lit up with a notification.
"The fun is over," Nate said, looking at the message.
"?" Erza tilted her head, curious.
Nate smiled. "The joint force from the guilds has arrived. They're waiting for us in the hotel lobby."
"Is that so? Looks like it's time to work," Erza said with a nod. "Requip!"
With a flash of golden light, her swimsuit was replaced by her usual armor.
Nate glanced down at his own beach shorts. 'I really need to learn Requip…'
…
After changing, they returned to the hotel lobby, where they saw two people—one large and one small. There was also a white cat.
"Jura of the Ten Wizard Saints?" Erza asked, surprised.
"Miss Erza, and Mr. Nate—I've been wanting to meet you both. Finally, I have the chance," Jura, a bald-headed man, greeted them with a smile before turning to Nate. "I'm Jura Neekis, a mage of Lamia Scale. It's an honor to meet you."
"Nice to meet you too, Mr. Jura," Nate replied, but his attention quickly shifted to the small girl standing next to Jura.
"My name is Wendy… Wendy Marvell," the girl introduced herself shyly, her hands behind her back, her toes pointed inward. She glanced at the white cat next to her and added in a soft voice, "And this is Carla. We're from Cait Shelter."
"A little girl?" Erza was taken aback. 'Why send a child on a mission to take down Jellal?'
The white cat, much like Happy, had sprouted wings and was floating in the air.
"Don't underestimate Wendy and me just because we're small," Carla said, crossing her arms.
"She's Erza, right? The legendary Fairy Queen?" Wendy whispered, her small face breaking into a shy smile.
"Hey! They're underestimating us! I'm talking to you" Carla stomped her foot in frustration.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to. It's just that this mission is going to be dangerous," Erza apologized sincerely, clenching her fist. "If you're mad, feel free to punch me!"
Nate: "..."
"Erza, she's a Dragon Slayer," Nate reminded her as he walked over to Wendy and gently patted her head. "Isn't that right, Sky Sorceress?"
/Bleam
— 70 Advance Chapters!
Read more chapters in ! Thank you for reading!
Chapter 93: Tower of Heaven, Etherion
"Just like Natsu, a Dragon Slayer?"
Erza was somewhat surprised. Jura had also been taken aback earlier. He hadn't arrived with Wendy, but they had met in the hotel lobby before encountering Nate and Erza. During their brief chat, he learned that this small girl was also a Dragon Slayer.
"Big brother, do you know Wendy?" Wendy asked curiously, looking up at Nate.
She was small, standing about 1.5 meters tall, her gaze filled with wonder as she looked up at him.
"I've seen the replies from 'Voldemort,'" Nate replied, referring to a post he'd seen on the Magic Net. "Fire Dragon Igneel, Iron Dragon Metalicana, and Sky Dragon Grandeeney. I can sense similar magic from you, like Natsu and Gajeel."
Nate casually provided this explanation, but he understood the real reason Wendy was here. From her reaction, it was clear she hadn't seen the 'Voldemort' post herself. Her presence here was likely due to the name "Jellal."
"That's right! Wendy knows Lost Magic, Sky Dragon Slayer Magic. She's a Dragon Slayer!" Carla, the white cat, confirmed Wendy's identity with a tone full of pride. "So, don't underestimate us."
Wendy looked down, a bit shy, nervously fidgeting with her feet. "Actually, I... I don't have much combat ability."
She didn't know how to use flashy attacks like Natsu. In fact, she had never used them before.
"But I know some healing magic. I should be able to support everyone," she added cautiously, with a hint of guilt.
'Such an adorable little girl,' Nate thought. If Wendy had come hoping to reunite with her savior Jellal, she was bound to be disappointed. The "Jellal" she hoped to see was actually Mystogan from Fairy Tail.
"We can chat more on the way. First, we need to head to the Tower of Heaven," Nate said, pulling out four cards and releasing Simon and the others from their sealed state.
Erza immediately explained the current situation to the group. The misunderstanding was cleared up, but a gloomy atmosphere remained as they discussed Jellal's misdeeds.
"We sailed here, so we'll take the ship back!" Simon suggested. "The ship is docked nearby. Follow me."
Under his lead, everyone left the resort and boarded the ship heading toward the Tower of Heaven.
…
The seas near the island of Caelum.
It took just over two hours to reach their destination from the Akane Resort. From the deck of the ship, they could see a small island ahead.
A towering structure loomed over the island, stretching up into the clouds. A spiral staircase on the outside of the tower led all the way to the top.
"The R-System…" Jura muttered, his expression grim. "I'd heard about this forbidden magic before arriving."
The Council had contacted various guild leaders beforehand, who had then chosen appropriate mages for the mission. Given that their target's Thought Projection alone was strong enough to be a member of the Ten Wizard Saints, ordinary mages wouldn't suffice. Jura, being one of the Saints himself, was the natural choice.
"Nate, with the two of us working together, we should be able to stop Jellal. Alone, neither of us could defeat him. Do you have any strategy in mind?" Jura asked, turning to Nate.
'A strategy?' Nate had been messaging Ultear to gather information, but he had no elaborate plans. If not for Erza asking for his help, he wouldn't have bothered with Jellal at all. After all, Zeref was still alive and well, so Jellal's dream of reviving him was bound to fail.
"The plan is… to fight our way to the top of the tower and capture Jellal as quickly as possible," Nate said with a shrug.
Jura laughed awkwardly. 'That's hardly a plan at all!' Still, he decided they'd just have to deal with things as they came. There was no telling what other enemies they might encounter besides Jellal.
Suddenly, Erza, standing at the bow of the ship, called out, "I see someone—there are people waiting for us on the island!"
Everyone turned to look and saw a large group of mages gathered on the shore, seemingly preparing for battle.
"An army of mages?" Jura frowned.
Simon quickly interjected, "It's not us!"
No one had really suspected them, but it was good to clear that up.
"Prepare for battle," Erza ordered, moving Wendy behind her. "Wendy, stay back when the fighting starts."
Wendy nodded quickly. "I'll use my support magic to help everyone."
Nate closed his Magic Net chat and joined Erza at the bow, gazing at the island.
"I'll handle it. You guys should save your magic for later."
With that, he clenched his right hand into a fist and punched the air to his right.
Boom!
In an instant, a massive tsunami rose from the sea, a hundred meters tall, crashing toward the small island.
Seeing the incoming wave, the mages gathered on the shore panicked and tried to flee, but there was nowhere to run. The tsunami engulfed the island, wiping out the lesser enemies in one blow.
Jura watched in shock. Even though he was a Saint, his destructive power couldn't compare to Nate's.
Carla, the white cat, stared in disbelief, her mouth hanging open.
"W-What incredible magic!" She turned to look at Nate, who simply smiled back.
…
At the top of the Tower of Heaven.
Jellal sat with his legs crossed, lounging on a high-backed chair. His left fist supported his chin while his right hand held a chess piece. He felt the faint tremors from the tsunami hitting the island and couldn't help but laugh.
"Don't be too reckless, Nate. If you destroy my Tower of Heaven, that'll be troublesome for me," he said, dropping the chess piece onto the board.
Sitting across from him was Siegrain, identical in appearance to Jellal. As a high-level Thought Projection, he had his own autonomy and was even capable of playing chess with Jellal.
"So, Erza filed a report against me? She exposed my Thought Projection? That must be Nate's doing," Siegrain mused.
"It doesn't matter. Just a small inconvenience," Jellal replied calmly. "To revive Zeref, we need a mage at the level of a Saint. At first, I chose Erza because she was close, but now we have an even better candidate."
"Jura Neekis," Siegrain said, picking up a chess piece and smiling.
"In addition, we need 2.7 billion units of conceptual magic power to activate the R-System."
"Ultear will take care of that," Jellal said as he captured a piece on the board. "Soon, Zeref will be reborn."
…
As Nate and the others landed on the island, the scene was being broadcast via satellite magic back to the Council headquarters.
Chairman Crawford Seam and the other eight Council members stood around a giant crystal ball, watching the events unfold.
"If Jura and the others fail…"
The second-ranking councilor, an old man with a scorpion decoration on his head and one eye closed, suggested, "Perhaps we should use 'Etherion' to completely erase this eighth tower from the map."
Ultear raised her hand, smiling softly. "I object!"
Chapter 94: Trinity Raven
"Etherion," also known as Cross-Dimensional Destruction Magic, is one of the ultimate weapons used by the Magic Council to maintain order in the magic world.
Using a satellite magic circle, it can combine 2.7 billion units of conceptual magic power to fire a massive energy blast with pinpoint accuracy anywhere on the continent. Its power is enough to obliterate an entire country in a single blow. As such, deploying it requires a vote by the Council, with at least five members approving its use.
The moment Org, the Second Seat, suggested using Etherion, Ultear raised her hand in opposition, causing Org's expression to stiffen.
"That's disgraceful, Ultear!" Org frowned, reminding her, "Don't forget, you haven't cleared your name yet. We still don't have concrete evidence proving you're not Jellal's accomplice."
'This old fool has no idea what's going on,' Ultear thought, concealing her frustration. Jellal would love for them to use Etherion—it would charge the Tower of Heaven and fully activate the R-System. While she didn't care if the R-System was activated, she was concerned about the possibility of accidentally hurting Nate.
"Let's not rush, Org. We still have time. Why don't we wait a bit longer and see how things unfold?" Ultear smiled confidently, trusting that Nate would handle the situation. If he couldn't, and the Council insisted on using Etherion… she was ready to quit her position as a Councilor and dismantle the Council herself. Then she could join Nate—Ultear found herself oddly looking forward to that possibility.
At that moment, Yajima, the Sixth Seat, interjected, "I'm also against it. It's too soon to resort to such measures."
"You too, Yajima?" Org's frown deepened.
Michello, the Third Seat, considered for a moment before saying, "I support it, but only if they fail."
The remaining Council members then cast their votes.
"This concerns the resurrection of the Dark Mage Zeref… no matter what, I'm in favor."
"With two of the Ten Wizard Saints and Fairy Tail's Erza involved, I believe they can win. I'm against it."
In the end, the vote was tied 4 to 4. All eyes turned to the Chairman.
Chairman Crawford Seam remained calm as he observed the situation through the large crystal ball. "Even if Nate and the others fail, we must at least ensure Nate's safety before considering the use of Etherion."
With the Chairman's vote, the final tally was 5 to 4, and the motion to use Etherion was not passed.
...
The tsunami receded as the ship docked, and Nate and the others set foot on the central island, gazing up at the Tower of Heaven.
"It's pretty tall, at least 200 or 300 meters," Nate observed.
"I sense strong magic at the top of the tower. That must be Jellal," Jura said as he took the lead. "Stay behind me, and don't worry about any traps."
"Reliable," Nate smiled. Jura, the dependable bald guy, was indeed trustworthy.
Nate then casually wrapped his arms around Erza's waist and lifted them both into the air. Unlike Jura, they could fly.
"Jura, Erza and I will head up first. You can catch up later."
Jura was speechless. 'Wait, shouldn't you take me with you, too?' The plan was for the two Saints to fight Jellal together. It only made sense!
Jura opened his mouth but couldn't voice his objection. He wasn't that familiar with Nate yet. 'I'll make sure to send a friend request after this mission.' He had tried before, but his request had been ignored.
"I understand. Be careful, both of you," Jura finally said, watching as Nate and Erza flew toward the top of the Tower of Heaven. He then turned to Wendy.
"Wendy, Carla, you'll stay with me—" He didn't finish the sentence, as Carla had already spread her wings and grabbed Wendy by the collar, lifting her into the sky.
"Jura, I'm going too!" Wendy said, casting support magic on Jura. "Ile Armor!"
A soft blue light enveloped Jura, enhancing his defense. Support mages were rare, and Jura was pleased to receive such a boost. But seeing Wendy fly off with Carla left him feeling somewhat dejected.
Looking up at the towering structure, he sighed. "So I'm the only one who has to climb the whole thing?"
Feeling left out, Jura made a mental note to learn flying magic when he returned. Shaking off the thought, he took a deep breath and began climbing the spiral staircase that wrapped around the outside of the tower.
After only one loop around the tower, he found himself blocked by a figure.
"Oh, hello there, Jura of the Ten Wizard Saints." The man wore a black hooded mask and had two flame boosters strapped to his back.
"I'm a member of the assassin guild Grimoire Heart's special task force, the Trinity Raven."
'An assassin, huh?' Jura thought.
Without waiting for a response, the man activated his boosters, shooting forward and locking his arm around Jura's neck, dragging him into the air.
"I've been ordered by Jellal-sama to bring you as a sacrifice."
'A sacrifice?' Jura didn't resist. In fact, he welcomed the help. Now he didn't have to climb!
...
Meanwhile, Nate and Erza had reached the top of the tower. After entering from the end of the stairs, they soon found themselves at a long wooden bridge, with cherry blossoms swirling in the air.
At the other end of the bridge, a woman with pink hair, wearing a white kimono and wooden sandals, approached gracefully, holding a long sword in both hands.
"Good evening, you two. My name is Ikaruga. Nice to meet you."
Despite her polite introduction, her next words were far from friendly. "Erza, Jellal-sama no longer needs you. This bridge will be your final resting place. How do you like it?"
Erza frowned and whispered, "Nate, leave this woman to me. You go stop Jellal."
With that, she activated her Requip magic and donned her Heaven's Wheel Armor.
Nate, on the other hand, had a different concern. "Your name is Ikaruga, right?"
"Yes, noble creator of the Magic Net. Your invention has been a great help to us."
Ikaruga's tone was almost friendly as she added, "In the past, it was difficult for our assassination guild to receive commissions. But now, thanks to your Magic Net, it's much easier for clients to find us. We're very grateful for your wonderful invention."
"…" Nate raised an eyebrow, somewhat bewildered. 'Assassins on the forum? How did they even get one of the rings?'
He noticed that Ikaruga was indeed wearing one of the first-generation Magic Net rings on her right index finger.
"Could you ask him to stop scattering cherry blossoms everywhere?" Nate asked, pointing up to a man about 30 meters above, who sat on a black pipe with a basket of cherry blossoms, tossing them down.
Nate then casually flicked a card from his pocket, sending it flying toward the man like a knife.
"Impressive, you spotted me so easily. As expected of a Wizard Saint." The man caught the card between his fingers with lightning speed.
But Nate remained unimpressed. "There's no cherry tree around here, and yet you're throwing petals? It has nothing to do with being a Saint. It's just common sense."
Without missing a beat, Nate activated the magic within the card. A golden magic circle appeared around the card, and in the next instant, Nate teleported directly to the man.
"Teleportation!?" The man's eyes widened in shock as Nate's hand closed around his face.
The next moment, a violent tremor passed through his skull, rendering him unconscious instantly.
"Sorry, you seemed strong, but I really don't like cherry blossoms," Nate said as he tossed the man's limp body to the ground, easily defeating one of the Trinity Raven members in seconds.
Chapter 95: Ikaruga, New Idea!
Nate doesn't like cherry blossoms, mainly because he's allergic to them. In fact, he's allergic to quite a few plants and flowers. After quickly defeating one of the Trinity Raven members, he kicked the basket of cherry blossoms off the pipe.
They had prepared several baskets of cherry blossoms just for the atmosphere of their entrance. It must have been satisfying to scatter them, but was it really worth the effort to collect them?
Ikaruga looked up at the falling cherry blossoms and then down at her unconscious comrade, Vidaldus. "Death is the destiny of love and life."
What the hell is she talking about?
Nate sat on the pipe, legs dangling, watching the scene unfold leisurely.
Ikaruga, who had two beauty marks beneath her eyes, stood with her feet slightly apart, her right hand gripping the hilt of her sword—a stance for a quick-draw slash.
"Nate, you may pass, but Erza must stay."
"Nate, go ahead. I'll catch up soon!" Erza shouted. Her Heaven's Wheel Armor had four iron wings attached, not actually moving but enchanted with flight magic. Erza almost skimmed the ground as she slashed, sending numerous magic swords flying toward Ikaruga.
Ikaruga didn't move. Her quick-draw slash was as fast as a flash of light.
"Mugetsu-Ryu: Yasha Senku!"
Erza's forward charge suddenly halted, and in the next moment, all the magic swords around her shattered, followed by the destruction of her Heaven's Wheel Armor.
With just one strike, Ikaruga had shattered Erza's most commonly used combat armor.
"My Mugetsu-Ryu: Yasha Senku can cut through the nerves of opponents without harming their bodies."
Ikaruga calmly sheathed her sword, as if she had never drawn it.
"Fairy Queen? Hardly worth the title."
With a thud, Erza dropped to one knee, her eyes shadowed.
She's mad. For the first time, Nate saw Erza with this expression. He quickly asked, "Need any help? Repairing broken armor must be expensive."
"I'm fine..." Erza steadied herself and was about to change armor when—
"Garuda Flame!"
Ikaruga launched another attack, this time her magic transformed into flames, like a roaring fire serpent. Explosions erupted in its wake. The wooden bridge was set ablaze, and Erza was forced back by the impact of the flames and sword energy.
"Flame Empress Armor..."
Ikaruga noted Erza's rapid armor change, impressed by her speed but also mocking her. "A flame-resistant armor, huh? But..."
Shatter!
The Flame Empress Armor broke apart.
"My swordsmanship isn't that simple, Miss Erza."
Another piece of armor destroyed.
Nate thought to himself, *How much will that cost to repair? Erza must be rich to afford this.* But with his Six Eyes, he could see that Ikaruga's magic power was roughly three-star level, weaker than Erza's. This swordswoman's combat strength relied entirely on her sword skills.
"Are you sure you don't want help?" Nate asked again.
"Requip: Purgatory Armor!"
A flash of golden light, and Erza changed armor again. This time, it was a pitch-black suit with spikes, wielding a jagged greatsword that looked devastatingly powerful.
"Is this your strongest armor?" Ikaruga closed her left eye, preparing for another quick-draw slash.
"Wait and regret it! No one has ever stood against this armor!" Erza rarely talked tough, but even turned to Nate, shouting, "Stop talking, Nate, you're distracting me!"
With that, she charged at Ikaruga again.
This time, her Purgatory Armor withstood Ikaruga's first strike, and the fight became more intense. Erza's jagged greatsword was powerful, but Ikaruga's agility allowed her to dodge most of Erza's attacks. However, for the first time, Ikaruga was forced to leave her position and dodge.
But Erza's heavy, powerful armor made her attacks slow and cumbersome. Ikaruga dodged another massive swing, and the bridge was left with a deep gouge.
Ikaruga then leaped, flipping over Erza's head and slashing downward.
"Mugetsu-Ryu: Yasha Senku!"
Clatter.
The sound of falling wood chips echoed as Ikaruga sheathed her sword, not even looking back.
"It's over. Now you see, none of your armor can withstand my Mugetsu-Ryu..."
Shatter! Erza's Purgatory Armor broke apart.
Seeing this, Nate raised his right hand, conjuring a glowing card between his index and middle fingers.
"I'm not strong at all," Erza murmured softly, stumbling slightly.
"Requip: Clear Heart Clothing!"
A flash of golden light, but this time, Erza wasn't in armor. Instead, she wore loose pants with fiery patterns and a simple wrap covering her chest. There was no steel to shield her body, just soft fabric.
"When I was young, on this very tower, I lost many comrades."
"When Grandpa Rob died before my eyes, I was weak and powerless."
"And even when I escaped, I had to flee alone."
Nate raised an eyebrow, thinking, *That outfit looks great.* This was Erza's true strongest form—not an armor, but the version of herself that faced her inner weakness.
Ikaruga frowned. *What's so special about this armor? It's just fabric.*
But Erza closed her eyes, still speaking softly.
"I always cried alone. I was used to being alone."
"To become stronger, I wore heavy armor."
"I closed myself off from the world, facing everything cautiously, afraid of getting hurt."
She then smiled brightly, facing Ikaruga with newfound calmness.
"Sorry, Nate, for telling you to shut up earlier."
"You must have been anxious, wanting to help me, right?"
"I'm sorry. I've been too weak, always relying on my armor to find peace of mind."
As she spoke, she summoned two long swords into her hands, pointing them at Ikaruga.
"I won't lose. Even if I do, Nate will step in to help at the most critical moment."
"I won't hesitate anymore!"
"The armor can't protect me, but my comrades can!"
With a loud bang, Erza's bare feet left imprints on the bridge, and her whole body moved like a crimson flash.
"Just fabric? What nonsense!" Ikaruga squinted, also charging toward Erza.
High above, Nate put the card away and silently watched the battle unfold.
The sword duel was swift and decisive.
The crimson light streaked across the bridge and stopped at the far end, while behind her, Ikaruga's sword cracked and shattered, and she collapsed.
"Congratulations, you've won."
Nate leaped lightly from the pipe and landed beside Erza. "You don't seem very happy."
Erza smiled at Nate but then collapsed into his arms.
"My nerves were cut..."
Nate scooped her up in a princess carry and headed toward the top of the tower.
"Don't worry, Wendy can heal you. Hang in there."
"Thank you, Nate."
Erza wrapped her arms around his neck, resting her head on his shoulder and closing her eyes in exhaustion.
Even without armor, she no longer felt afraid.
Nate thought for a moment and said, "Maybe I'll teach you something useful..."
But what could he teach her?
Most of his magic came from the system, so even if he taught her, others wouldn't be able to learn it. *What if magic could be downloaded like an app through the Magic Net? You could learn it with just a tap...*
Hmm?
That idea seemed brilliant.
Nate's eyes lit up. *It might actually be possible!*
Excited, Nate couldn't resist giving Erza a kiss on the cheek.
"You just gave me a great idea!"
Erza's eyes flew open, touching the spot where she was kissed, her expression bewildered.
/Bleam
— 70 Advance Chapters!
Read more chapters in ! Thank you for reading!
Chapter 96: Enough, Fairy Law!
Magic Net currently offers functions like "photo" and "telepathy."
Even if users don't know these magics, they can still use these features. The concept of Magic Net builds on this, taking things a step further. However, while the idea sounds simple, actually implementing it might be tricky—I'll need to look into it more.
"You kissed me?"
Erza touched her cheek where she'd been kissed. It was her first time being kissed on the face, and the sensation was a bit strange.
"Do you want to kiss me back? I don't mind."
Erza's eyes widened, and her face turned red. Even the mighty Fairy Queen had her moments of embarrassment. She couldn't shake the feeling that Nate might like her. Could it be?
She recalled the previous night when Nate had touched her chest. He had claimed he was afraid of the dark and needed to hold her to sleep, but when she woke up the next morning, his hand had slipped inside her nightclothes. She wasn't sure if it was accidental or intentional.
The more Erza thought about it, the more her face flushed. "W-Wait! No impure thoughts!"
"What are you talking about?" Nate was genuinely confused, unaware of his actions. He simply had the habit of moving in his sleep—it wasn't intentional.
"Anyway, this isn't the time to talk about this. We need to stop Jellal!" Erza shook her head rapidly, eager to change the subject, almost biting her tongue in the process.
"We're already on our way, but..." Nate glanced down at Erza's chest, "Are you really not going to change into something else?"
Erza suddenly felt her heart race. Sleeping in the same bed with Nate yesterday hadn't felt strange, but now, just being seen in her bandage chest wrap made her face heat up again.
Her face flushed once more.
"Requip!"
Quickly, she changed into her most common armor, closing her eyes and urging, "Let's go!"
Nate sighed, feeling a bit helpless. "You know, Erza, you could probably walk on your own."
"Stop talking and let's go."
"..."
When Nate and Erza arrived at the top-level room, Wendy, Carla, and Jura were already there.
The last of the Trinity Raven members, Vidaldus, was trapped between two boulders, unable to move. Standing next to the rocks was Jura, fingers together as he maintained his earth magic.
"You must be Jellal."
Jura, known as the "Iron Rock Jura," had certainly lived up to his title. His earth magic was incredibly powerful, subduing Vidaldus in just one move—a feat worthy of a member of the Ten Wizard Saints.
Jellal stood up and began clapping. His gaze moved past Jura, landing on the entrance where Nate was carrying Erza.
"I see the other two members of Trinity Raven have been dealt with. For now, it seems you've won this little 'paradise game.'"
"Jellal!" Erza growled, teeth clenched in anger upon seeing her childhood friend. "Do you really find it fun to play with people's lives?"
"Of course. Life and death are the source of all emotions. Without them, life is the most boring and empty thing of all."
Jellal, clad in a blue cloak, spoke as if he were sharing some profound revelation about life. At that moment, Siegrain stood up as well, walking to Jellal's side.
"I didn't expect you to report me, Erza. You nearly ruined my plan."
"Siegrain!" Erza glared at the thought projection of Jellal. "I won't be fooled again—you and Jellal are the same person!"
"Heh, we are indeed the same person. When I first saw you at the Magic Council, I was shocked and had no choice but to claim we were twin brothers."
As he spoke, Siegrain slowly merged into Jellal's body. In that instant, an overwhelming pressure of magic power filled the room.
From Nate's perspective, Jellal's magic power had now reached seven stars—stronger than Jose's, but still weaker than Makarov's.
"Wendy," Nate called as he approached her, placing Erza down. "Can you heal her? Thanks."
"Yes," Wendy replied softly, helping Erza sit and immediately sensing the severity of her injuries, which left her quite surprised.
"Uh... what will happen to Jellal?" Wendy asked quietly.
"He'll be arrested."
Nate replied casually, his hands coming together in front of him. "I don't like wasting time. Let's end this quickly."
Between his palms, a small ball of golden light began to form, gathering powerful magic energy.
Seeing this, Erza, who was receiving treatment, widened her eyes in shock.
"Fairy Law?!" Jellal's face paled. He had seen Makarov use this magic before and knew its terrifying power. Not only that, but Jose Porla, the guild master of Phantom Lord, had been defeated by this very magic not too long ago.
"I've only learned the basics, no need to be nervous. It might not even work," Nate said nonchalantly. "Jura, could you buy me some time?"
Jura, equally shocked by the display of magic, recognized the familiar presence of a Super Magic.
"I understand. I will protect you until your magic is ready!"
Jura nodded, immediately taking up a defensive stance.
"Do you really think I'll give you a chance, Nate?" Jellal scoffed, "Meteor!"
Heavenly Body Magic: Meteor!
Jellal's body became enveloped in golden light, his movements becoming faster and lighter as he shot toward Nate like a falling star.
"Rock Pillar!"
Jura quickly raised his fingers, summoning ten stone pillars from the ground to strike at Jellal. However, Jellal's movements were incredibly agile, weaving through the stone pillars as if he were a beam of light. He swiftly reached the space above Nate, drawing a magic circle in the air with his right hand.
"Seven stars..."
Before he could complete it, Jura lifted his fingers again.
"Iron Rock Wall!"
A stone wall shot up from the ground, blocking Jellal's attack.
Jellal's incantation was interrupted, and in anger, he shattered the stone wall with a single kick.
"Iron Rock Wall: Continuous Formation!"
Jura remained calm, manipulating the debris from the broken wall, hurling it at Jellal.
Of course, none of the rocks hit their target.
In his Meteor state, Jellal's movements were too fast for Jura's magic to keep up. Still, the interference kept Jellal's focus divided, preventing him from interrupting Nate's magic.
Back and forth, their magics clashed in quick succession.
Carla, wide-eyed, whispered in awe, "Is this what a battle between Wizard Saints looks like? It's completely different from ordinary mages!"
The speed was overwhelming, magic flying back and forth as if it required no effort. This exchange went on for about ten seconds.
"That's enough."
Nate had finished the incantation for Fairy Law. As this was his first time using it in battle, he needed significantly more preparation than Makarov. Even now, he wasn't entirely sure it would work.
"I'll count down from three, Jellal. You still have time to surrender," Nate spoke calmly. "Three..."
Dammit!
Jellal's face twisted in frustration. "Why are you stopping me, Nate?"
"One."
With a clap of his hands, Nate activated the magic.
"Fairy Law!"
A blinding golden light filled the entire space. Above the Tower of Heaven, a massive golden magic circle appeared in the sky.
Jellal cursed internally, 'What happened to two?' But it was too late—the divine judgment of Fairy Law descended upon them.
The massive magic circle in the sky released a dazzling beam of light, enveloping the entire Tower of Heaven.
This scene was being broadcast live to the Magic Council headquarters via satellite magic. The enormous crystal ball displayed nothing but blinding light.
"That magic..."
"Fairy Law!"
"Who cast it? Was it Erza? No, could it have been Nate?"
"Impossible! Besides Makarov, is there someone else in Fairy Tail who can use this Super Magic?"
The council members, gathered around the crystal ball, were shocked.
Even the council chairman gasped in surprise.
All eyes remained fixed on the crystal ball, anxiously awaiting the outcome.
Chapter 97: Jellal's Defeat, Worms of Time
The holy light banished the darkness.
The brilliance of "Fairy Law" shone brightly across the island.
On the ship anchored by the shore, Simon and the others were momentarily blinded by the intense light.
"Is Erza going to be okay?" someone asked anxiously.
"This kind of radiance... could it be Super Magic?" another wondered aloud.
"It must be Nate's magic," Simon said solemnly. Unable to assist in the battle, they had been instructed to stay aboard the ship, watching from afar as the "Tower of Heaven" was engulfed in holy light.
"All we can do now is wait," Simon added.
After a long moment, the divine light began to fade.
In the top room of the Tower of Heaven, all eyes immediately turned to Jellal.
"Huff... huff..." Jellal panted heavily, shielding his face with his hands. His once-blue hair had turned completely white, and his clothes appeared bleached, stripped of all color.
"It seems I've failed," Nate remarked casually, spreading his hands. "The magic wasn't even half as powerful as the Guild Master's."
Though the magic had drained three stars of magic power, Nate lacked the experience and technique to execute it perfectly, thus diminishing its effectiveness.
"It was still more than enough!" Jura said, his voice steady. "Jellal's energy has plummeted. He's exhausted much of his magic power to counter your spell!"
Wendy and Erza stared in awe.
"Heh... heh heh..."
Suddenly, Jellal's shoulders began to shake as he let out a mad laugh. "You almost won."
With a burst of magic power, Jellal took off into the air, surrounded by a golden glow.
"You've all come to stand in my way! You all deserve to die!" he screamed in fury, raising his arms above his head and crossing them.
"Fall into the depths of eternal darkness—Heavenly Body Magic: Abyss Break!"
A gust of wind swept through as dark magic began to coalesce above Jellal's head, forming a black mass resembling a black hole. The shadows of everyone on the ground were drawn toward it, pulled closer by its immense gravitational force.
"Be careful, Nate! That magic is dangerous!" Erza shouted in warning.
"If I were you, I'd be running by now," Nate advised calmly. "You're not counting on the Etherion cannon to come down and help, are you?"
Jellal's face twisted in frustration.
Jura frowned. "Etherion?"
"The completion of the R-System requires a tremendous amount of magic power, and this tower was designed to absorb it," Nate explained. "But the Etherion won't fall. Your dream is doomed to fail."
Jura immediately pieced together the information, recalling Siegrain's infiltration of the Magic Council. It all made sense now—no wonder he needed a Thought Projection.
"Damn it... Erza, this is all your fault!" Jellal shouted, his eyes filled with rage as he glared at her. Knowing that the Etherion wouldn't come, even if he defeated Nate and Jura, the R-System could never be completed. And now, having expended so much magic fighting "Fairy Law," he wasn't confident in defeating them.
"You should've never escaped all those years ago. You've been a thorn in my side ever since!"
Jellal's black hole was fully formed. He hurled it down—not at Jura or Nate, but directly at Erza.
"Iron Rock Wall!"
The ever-reliable Jura clapped his hands together, and five steel-like rock walls rose from the ground to shield Erza. The black hole collided with the walls, its immense gravitational force tearing through them one by one.
The first wall shattered, then the second... in a matter of moments, all five were obliterated.
But by then, Nate had already stepped in front of Erza, his right hand raised to block the incoming black hole.
Boom!
The clash of magic sent shockwaves through the tower, causing the ground to tremble.
"You've gone to all the trouble of building the Tower of Heaven, and now you're trying to tear it down?" Nate couldn't help but laugh, though he was also puzzled. 'Why is Jellal still so obsessed, even though Ultear removed the brainwashing long ago?'
"For a free world! For Zeref! To create a truly free nation!" Jellal screamed in a crazed frenzy, his voice filled with rage. "Just give me another eight years—no, five years this time!"
His fingers traced a magic circle in the air, and within moments, it was complete.
"Forbidden Magic: Abyss Break!"
"Erza, Nate, Jura... you will all sink to the bottom of the sea with this tower!"
Jura's face paled. 'Abyss Break', a forbidden magic that combined the elements of earth, water, fire, and wind. From the magic power radiating from it, Jura could tell that it was powerful enough to destroy not just them, but the entire Tower of Heaven. Its destructive force was so great that it had been classified as forbidden magic.
"Supreme King Rock Crush!"
Jura gritted his teeth, slamming his hands together as he unleashed his full magic power. Two enormous hands made of rock erupted from the tower, resembling the fists of an enraged giant, and smashed into Jellal.
Boom!
The force of the impact prevented Jellal from unleashing Abyss Break, and the massive rock hands crushed him. The rocks then exploded, sending debris flying and shaking the tower to its core.
Jellal plummeted from the tower, tumbling down toward the sea.
This scene, too, was broadcast via satellite magic.
The council members watching at headquarters breathed a collective sigh of relief.
Ultear shook her head gently, thinking to herself: 'As expected, Jellal failed. Poor Jellal.'
Chairman Crawford Seam immediately opened the Magic Net to send a message.
Crawford Seam: "Jellal has been defeated. Prepare to apprehend him."
Meanwhile, near the Tower of Heaven, several Magic Council warships began moving in, heading toward the island.
Back in the tower, the black hole began to shrink and disappear.
Nate lowered his hand, turning to Erza. "How are your injuries?"
"I can move again. Thank you—you saved me again."
Erza nodded gratefully, then thanked Wendy, who was still in a bit of a daze, before walking over to the broken wall and peering outside.
Jellal was still falling from the top of the tower. Given the height, it would take a little time before he hit the ground.
Jura exhaled deeply and joined her at the edge.
"If it had been a one-on-one fight, I wouldn't have stood a chance. It's thanks to your Fairy Law, Nate."
"You were amazing too."
With a thought, Nate transformed into a beam of golden light, shooting down toward Jellal.
He reached the ground first and cast a spell to slow Jellal's fall.
With a thud, Jellal hit the ground on his back, kicking up a cloud of dust.
Nate stood over him, looking down.
"To withstand Fairy Law... you're quite something."
'Although, that was partly because I held back...' Nate extended a finger, and a small, white "Worm of Time" emerged from the tip, crawling onto Jellal's face.
"Let's see how well you handle my 'Worms of Time.'"
Chapter 98: Grandeeney, Nate and Erza Moment
An hour later, the unconscious Jellal was taken away by the Council's Enforcement Division. The Rune Knights arrived on the island, apprehending the criminals and leaving behind some troops to dismantle the "Tower of Heaven."
Wendy stood at the shore, watching as the special forces departed.
"Was that the Jellal you were looking for?" Carla asked.
"No... he's not the same. I don't know," Wendy replied sadly, shaking her head.
The Jellal she sought was kind, her benefactor. The Jellal she saw today shared the same name and appearance, but he was nothing like the one she remembered. Wendy was confused, unable to understand how there could be two Jellals—one good, one evil. This Jellal didn't even seem to recognize her.
Just then, Wendy recalled a conversation she had overheard at the hotel between Nate and Erza. 'Grandeeney!'
She quickly ran over to Nate.
At that moment, Nate was studying the "Worms of Time" magic. After placing the first "Worms of Time" on Jellal, there had been no noticeable reaction. Perhaps the results would only come when Jellal woke up.
"Nate..." Wendy called as she ran toward him, but tripped over a stone near the shore and fell flat on the ground.
Nate's mouth twitched. 'A faceplant... really?'
"Ouch!"
Wendy rubbed her reddened forehead but stood up again, determined.
"Idiot, don't run so recklessly," Carla scolded, flying over to her.
"Sorry," Wendy murmured.
Nate chuckled as he helped her up. "Did you need something?"
"Thank you, Nate-san."
Wendy, still a little shy and nervous, seemed hesitant, as if afraid of strangers.
"Um... when we were at the hotel, I heard you mention Grandeeney..."
"You don't need to be so formal. Just call me Nate," he said, guessing what she was about to ask as another Dragon Slayer. "Grandeeney is inside you. Haven't you seen 'Voldemort's' post on the forum?"
"Inside me?"
Wendy looked at Nate, confused. She had used the Magic Net before—the master of Cait Shelter had recently given her a device—but she hadn't seen the post Nate was referring to. Wendy frequently lurked on the forums but had never posted anything. The thread about "Voldemort" had long since been buried, and she was unaware of it.
Nate sighed and explained the situation, also telling her about Natsu.
"You know Natsu from my guild, right? The 'Fire Dragon Slayer'? He was also raised by a dragon, Igneel. I've seen Igneel inside him."
After a pause, Nate decided to help Wendy fully. "Do you want to meet Grandeeney?"
"Can I?"
Wendy's eyes lit up with anticipation.
"Hold my hand, close your eyes, and relax your mind," Nate said with a smile, extending his hand.
Wendy eagerly placed her small hand in Nate's, closed her eyes, and did as he instructed.
"Like this, Nate-san?"
"Yes, just relax."
With his "Six Eyes" ability, Nate detected the special magic within Wendy. Focusing, he stirred the magic inside her.
...
"You can open your eyes now," Nate said after a moment.
When Wendy opened her eyes, she was no longer on the island where the Tower of Heaven stood. Instead, she found herself on a vast prairie, the wind gently blowing and the air crisp and clean.
"It seems to have worked," Nate remarked, walking toward a hill in the distance. Atop the hill, a large, feathered white dragon lay resting.
"Grandeeney... is it really you?"
Wendy ran excitedly to the dragon's side.
The dragon, Grandeeney, opened her eyes and gazed at Wendy with a complex expression. "Wendy..."
Then, she looked at Nate.
Nate greeted her, "Nice to meet you, Grandeeney."
"I've heard your name from Igneel, young mage," Grandeeney replied in a gentle, motherly tone. She was a female dragon, after all. "You're remarkable. It's rare to see a mage as talented as you in this era."
Though she admired Nate's ability, she also seemed slightly reluctant. The fact that Nate could bring Wendy's spirit to meet her was impressive, but Grandeeney didn't wish to meet Wendy at this moment. She knew that Wendy would inevitably ask why she had been abandoned, and Grandeeney wasn't prepared to explain.
Nate smiled and shook his head. "I'll leave you two to catch up. Farewell for now."
With a small motion, Nate's figure rippled like water and disappeared.
...
Back in reality.
Nate turned to a tense Carla and reassured her, "Don't worry. She'll wake up soon."
With that, he stood up and walked away, pondering the dragons' roles within the Dragon Slayers. They were inside them to prevent their transformation into dragons by creating antibodies.
As he thought, Erza approached.
"It's over now, Nate. We should head back," she said.
Seeing her alone, Nate asked, "Aren't you going to say goodbye to your friends?"
"I already did. They're being taken by the Council as witnesses for Jellal's trial. After the trial, they'll be free."
A soft smile played on Erza's lips. This time, she had finally resolved things from her past.
Her smile, brief yet radiant like sunlight breaking through ice, captivated Nate. She leaned closer, resting her head on his chest, and whispered, "Thank you, Nate."
"You've said that so many times already."
Though Nate wasn't sure what was going on in her mind, he didn't hesitate to wrap his arms around her in a hug.
"How about showing some real sincerity? Can I kiss you?" he teased.
"Huh?"
Erza looked up, her face turning red. Why was he suddenly asking this? Could she say yes?
Erza felt flustered. But then, she remembered the kiss from before. If it was just another one... maybe it wouldn't be a big deal.
Did Nate really like her? Maybe Juvia had been right to see her as a rival...
"I... I..." Erza stammered, closing her eyes tightly without answering.
Seeing her tense expression, like she was bracing herself, Nate chuckled. 'Isn't she adorable?'
Without hesitation, he leaned down and kissed her.
"Mmm?!"
Erza's eyes flew open in surprise. 'Wait... not the cheek?'
But soon, her expression softened, and she closed her eyes again, experiencing her first true kiss.
Not far away, Wendy had just finished her conversation with Grandeeney and returned to reality, eager to thank Nate.
"Don't go!" Carla quickly pulled her back, whispering, "They're... they're kissing!"
"Huh?"
Wendy peeked over and saw Nate and Erza embracing, making her blush. She quickly covered her eyes but couldn't help peeking through her fingers.
"Carla, why are Nate-san and Erza-san kissing?"
"I-I don't know!" Carla replied, just as flustered.
/Bleam
— 70 Advance Chapters!
Chapter 99: Teru Teru Bōzu
The "Tower of Heaven" incident had been resolved, and now it was up to the Council to handle the rest. Nate and Erza prepared to return to Magnolia.
Before leaving, Jura approached Nate.
"Nate, could we exchange Magic Net contacts? I'd love to discuss magic with you in the future."
"Sure."
Nate didn't hesitate and added Jura as a friend on the Magic Net. Jura's username was simply "Jura Neekis," his real name.
"Do you want me to help you get verified?" Nate asked casually after adding Jura. "It's a red checkmark next to your name, confirming you're the real Jura Neekis, officially recognized by the Magic Net."
"That would be great, thanks," Jura responded with a smile. "I'll be escorting Jellal to the Council soon. If you ever have time, you're welcome to visit 'Lamia Scale.'"
'Escorting Jellal?' Nate thought. Maybe it was to prevent a situation like the one with Erigor, where he was rescued midway.
"I'll definitely visit when I have the chance," Nate nodded, suddenly remembering someone. "By the way, Jura, do you have a mage named Lyon in your guild?"
"Lyon and his group? Yes, they joined not too long ago. Are they your friends?" Jura asked.
"Something like that. Send them my regards."
"I'll be sure to pass it along." Jura nodded sincerely before bidding farewell. "Goodbye, Nate, Erza, Wendy, and Carla."
He then boarded the Council's magic warship.
Carla, with her arms crossed, looked like a worried mother. "We should head back too, Wendy."
"Wait, Carla, I haven't properly thanked Nate yet…" Wendy said softly.
Nate thought for a moment and then made a suggestion. "Are you two going back to 'Cait Shelter'? Since you're already out, why not visit our guild as guests?"
'Cait Shelter' was a small, relatively unknown guild. It hadn't been around long and didn't get many substantial job requests. Wendy rarely had opportunities to go on missions. The truth was, the guild's master, Roubaul, was a 400-year-old spirit, and aside from Wendy and Carla, the entire guild was made up of Thought Projections.
But 'Fairy Tail' was famous throughout the land.
Hearing Nate's invitation, Wendy's eyes sparkled with anticipation. "Really? We can?"
"Of course," Nate replied warmly. "But it's getting late today. How about staying another night at the Akane Resort Hotel and heading to Magnolia tomorrow?"
Erza smiled and added, "Though the guild is still being rebuilt, you're more than welcome to visit us, Wendy."
Wendy looked at Carla with hopeful eyes, making it hard for her to refuse. "Fine, fine. I'll go with you. I wouldn't feel comfortable leaving you alone."
"Thank you, Carla!" Wendy beamed with joy.
Unlike Natsu and Happy's dynamic, Wendy and Carla's relationship was more like that of a mother and daughter. Nate found it amusing.
The group then took a boat back to the Akane Resort. When the hotel staff saw Nate return, they greeted him with forced smiles—part relief, part dread. Still, they offered upgraded rooms.
Nate got his own room, Erza got one, and Wendy and Carla shared a third.
...
Erza was secretly relieved she wouldn't have to share a bed with Nate again. It wasn't that she disliked him, but after yesterday's thoughts—'Does he like me?'—she felt restless and unsure around him. Even though she had slept peacefully the night before, ever since the idea of 'he might like me' crossed her mind, she'd been feeling awkward.
In the hotel's luxurious bathroom, Erza stood under the showerhead, her thoughts wandering as she recalled their kiss. A kiss on the lips was entirely different from a kiss on the cheek.
"Does Nate really like me?" she murmured to herself. "He touched me last night, and then tonight he kissed me… He must like me, right?"
"How should I handle this... Stay calm, Erza! You're the Fairy Queen. Don't get flustered!"
She held her face in her hands, completely unsure of how to react. When Nate had asked, "Can I kiss you?" she hadn't known whether to refuse or accept.
"But doesn't he like Mirajane?" Erza wondered aloud. "And Juvia likes him, doesn't she? She even saw me as a rival at first!"
Erza's mind spun with confusion. It was all too complicated.
After her bath, she lay in bed, tossing and turning, unable to sleep.
'Damn you, Nate.'
...
Meanwhile, in the room next door, Nate was chatting with Juvia on the Magic Net.
Sunny Doll: "Nate-sama, are you not coming back tonight?"
Sigma Male: "I just finished everything. I'll be back tomorrow."
Sunny Doll: "Okay..." [Crying emoji]"
Sunny Doll: "Juvia really misses you, Nate-sama."
Nate thought for a moment before replying.
Sigma Male: "Are you in the women's dormitory?"
Sunny Doll: "Juvia can't sleep. She wishes Nate-sama were here to hold her... [Cute emoji]"
Sunny Doll: "[Selfie in ]"
Nate opened the photo. Unlike Ultear's more provocative style, Juvia was wearing a light blue, cute pajama set. In the selfie, she looked a little shy, sitting on her bed.
'You're getting bold too,' Nate thought, smiling. Sending a picture like this at night, she definitely didn't want him to sleep peacefully.
Sigma Male: "I'll be right there. Meet me in the outskirts of town."
Sunny Doll: "Juvia will sneak out of the dorm. No one will know!"
After closing the Magic Net, Nate prepared to use his 'Flying Thunder God' technique to teleport back. Juvia, soft and obedient like water, was someone he missed as well. But then he remembered the gift he had promised her earlier. A few days ago on the train, he'd promised Juvia he'd bring her something when he returned.
'Where am I supposed to find a gift this late?' Nate thought. 'Might as well make something myself.'
He dressed and asked the hotel's staff for some materials, then handcrafted a little weather doll, called a 'Teru Teru Bōzu'. It was a simple charm for wishing away rain and bringing clear skies.
Making it was simple. He wrapped a piece of white cloth into a ball to form the head, drew on a face, and tied a string around its neck.
"Not bad. I'm a genius," Nate mused. It was a simple gift, but it had thought behind it.
With that, he activated his teleportation magic and reappeared at his mansion on the outskirts of Magnolia.
Half an hour later, Juvia arrived.
"Nate-sama!" she cried, excitedly throwing herself into his arms, nuzzling her head into his chest.
"This is for you," Nate said, presenting her with the handmade doll. "Whenever you miss me, just look at this."
Juvia was so touched that tears of joy welled up in her eyes. She wrapped her arms around Nate's neck, clinging to him tightly.
"Juvia is so happy! She'll treasure this forever. Juvia loves Nate-sama so much!"
"I love you too," Nate said with a smile, stroking her hair before carrying her into the bedroom.
It was their second time together since the first, and the passion between them burned brighter than ever. One thing Nate particularly loved about Juvia was how she always listened to him. Being made of water, she was exceptionally… adaptable.
...
Early the next morning, Nate bid Juvia farewell and used 'Flying Thunder God' to return to the Akane Resort. He, Erza, Wendy, and Carla then boarded the train back to Magnolia. By noon, they had arrived at the guild.
Chapter 100: Back to the Guild, Fairy Law App
Nate and his group returned to the guild—or more accurately, a construction site. The rebuilding wasn't something that could be completed in a few days. Based on Mirajane's sketches—if you could even call her abstract crayon drawings "blueprints"—the reconstruction would take at least a month.
Wendy and Carla looked around curiously as they arrived.
"So, this is the famous guild, Fairy... Tail?" Wendy's voice trailed off, her initial excitement fading into confusion.
"It's just a giant construction site!" Carla couldn't help but retort.
Nate nodded. "You didn't know? We had a fight with Phantom Lord, and our guild got destroyed."
Wendy and Carla suddenly remembered that Erza had mentioned the guild was under reconstruction the night before. They had assumed it was just some minor repairs—definitely not a complete rebuild from scratch.
The site was bustling with workers. Natsu, carrying a load of lumber, spotted Nate and Erza and immediately dropped everything to rush over.
"Erza! Let's have a rematch!" Natsu shouted eagerly, clashing his fists together, ready for a fight.
BAM!
Erza's lightning-fast punch knocked Natsu out cold, leaving him lying on the ground, looking as peaceful as a sleeping baby.
"He never learns..." Erza sighed.
"Is he going to be okay?" Wendy asked, looking a bit scared. Seeing Natsu get knocked out with just one punch made her realize how strong Erza was.
"That's Natsu's hundredth or so defeat. It's a common sight," Happy commented as he waddled over, only to notice Carla standing next to Wendy.
"Oh!" he exclaimed, his eyes turning into hearts.
"Hey, cat-boy, why are you staring at me like that?" Carla asked, clearly unimpressed.
"I'm Happy, a cat from Fairy Tail. What's your name?"
"Carla," she responded, though she clearly wasn't interested in talking to Happy.
"Carla, do you want some fish?" Happy pulled a fish out of his ever-present green bag—a snack he always carried in case he got hungry.
He held it out to Carla, but she turned her head away with a scoff.
"She's shy—how cute!" Happy gushed, oblivious to her disinterest.
Watching this, Lucy couldn't help but mutter under her breath, "She's not shy; she's just annoyed by you..."
"Lucy, you don't understand women at all!" Happy declared, still convinced he was winning Carla over. He returned the fish to his bag.
Lucy rolled her eyes. "I am a woman, and I just got insulted by a cat..."
Nate found the whole exchange amusing but managed to hold back his laughter.
"Welcome back, Nate, Erza." Mirajane arrived with a tray of juices, her usual warm smile in place. She noticed Wendy and Carla and seemed pleasantly surprised. "You've helped the Council a lot this time around. I hear the master received some praise."
"Let me introduce you," Nate said. "This is Wendy and Carla from 'Cait Shelter.' They're visiting as guests."
"Wah! Carla, it's Mirajane! She's so beautiful!" Wendy whispered in awe.
"Welcome to Fairy Tail, Wendy and Carla." Mirajane smiled warmly. "Since the guild is still under construction, why don't I take you to our temporary tavern downstairs?"
At the mention of Wendy's name, Natsu suddenly sat up from where he had been lying. "Wendy... That name sounds familiar, but also not familiar..."
Sitting cross-legged on the ground, Natsu scratched his head in confusion. "I'm Natsu, a Fire Dragon Slayer."
Wendy quickly responded, "Natsu, I'm Wendy, a Sky Dragon Slayer. I've wanted to meet you for a long time."
Everyone around them, including Mirajane and Lucy, was taken aback.
"I had the same reaction when I met her," Erza added. "Wendy is skilled in healing magic. She's incredible."
Natsu's eyes lit up. "Really? You're Grandeeney's kid!"
He remembered the Magic Net post from 'Voldemort' that mentioned the dragons: Fire Dragon Igneel, Iron Dragon Metalicana, and Sky Dragon Grandeeney.
Now that he had met Wendy, it only confirmed the accuracy of that post.
"Wendy, have you seen Grandeeney? Did she also disappear on July 7, 777?"
"Nate helped me see Grandeeney last night," Wendy answered shyly, "but she didn't tell me why she disappeared without saying goodbye."
Natsu stood up, scratching his head. "Igneel didn't tell me anything either. I feel like I've seen you before, Wendy. Have we met?"
Carla rolled her eyes. "That's not something you should be asking others, Fire Dragon Natsu."
Nate, observing the exchange, thought to himself, 'You probably met when you were kids, but you don't remember it.'
"Let's not just stand here. Let's head to the tavern," Mirajane suggested. "It's lunchtime, Wendy, Carla. Come try some of our guild's food."
The group moved to the basement tavern. Though jobs could now be taken via the Magic Net, Fairy Tail mages still liked to hang out at the guild when they had free time. They'd sit in the tavern, order a drink, open the Magic Net, and either take on jobs or chat with friends.
And, of course, fighting remained a regular occurrence in Fairy Tail.
Inside the tavern, Nate didn't spot Juvia. She was probably still resting at his house after the previous night.
Erza, thinking about how many sets of armor she had damaged, excused herself to handle repairs. Nate was curious how much it would cost—Erza must be loaded!
"Welcome back, Nate," said a familiar voice from the bar.
It was Master Makarov, tipsy even in the middle of the day, looking very pleased with himself.
"I heard from Yajima that you and Erza helped the Council a great deal. Ha! This morning, the Council even complimented Fairy Tail for once."
Makarov was clearly proud, relishing the praise.
Nate knew Yajima, the sixth member of the Council and a good friend of Makarov's.
"Master, I used Fairy Law in combat, but its power was only half as strong as yours. Why is that?" Nate asked.
Makarov nearly spit out his drink, coughing and staring at Nate in disbelief.
"You've already learned it?!"
Nate smiled inwardly at Makarov's reaction but maintained a serious expression. "I followed your instructions, but the results were underwhelming. Is it due to my lack of experience?"
He had hoped to defeat Jellal in one blow. While Jellal was seriously injured, he still had enough strength to fight back.
Makarov was speechless. He remembered how long it had taken to teach Laxus the basics of Fairy Law, and even for himself, it had required months of grueling practice. Nate's talent was clearly on another level.
"Tell me more," Makarov said, stroking his beard.
Nate recounted the events from the previous night. After hearing the story, Makarov mused, "It seems like you didn't truly want to kill Jellal. That might be why Fairy Law was only half as effective."
'Is that so?' Nate wondered. He didn't care much about whether Jellal lived or died—he just wanted to end the fight quickly.
"Master, I'm thinking of trying something. I want to turn Fairy Law into a magic app." Nate explained the concept of magic apps, concluding with, "If I can pull this off, the whole guild could potentially use Fairy Law!"
"What do you think? Do I have your permission?"
After hearing this, Makarov was dumbfounded.
'This kid learns fast, but now he wants everyone to use it without even learning?'
"If you can make that happen, you'll be the God of Magic!" Makarov exclaimed, still in disbelief.
If it was possible, Makarov would gladly call Nate the strongest!
/Bleam
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