Chapter 161: Gifting Erza a Zanpakutō
"A top fan?"
During her livestream, Jenny blinked in surprise, hearing a phrase she'd come to recognize from Nate. After a moment, understanding dawned.
"Thank you, Nate!"
She glanced at her leaderboard, noticing [Sigma Male] at the top with 1,000 points—her only top fan.
Sigma Male: "Is that it?"
"What else could there be?" Jenny replied, feigning surprise. She thought she'd shown plenty of appreciation.
Sigma Male: "Where's the talent showcase? A host should show some talent—how else do you expect to keep me interested? Want more rewards?"
More rewards? Jenny's eyes sparkled. While she didn't need points, the thought of Nate gifting her more—especially Nate—was exciting. Maybe with a bit more charm, she could even persuade him to join Blue Pegasus!
"Hmm, talents… Well, I can sing! Want to hear?"
Jenny eagerly left the camera's view and returned holding a harp.
A harp?
Nate was surprised; he'd never seen anyone actually play one.
Sigma Male: "You play the harp?"
Jenny nodded confidently. "Of course!"
Nate couldn't help but think of Mirajane. His guild's own host had a lovely singing voice as well. Intrigued, he leaned back, ready to enjoy Blue Pegasus's songstress.
Mindful of the late hour, Jenny kept her voice soft, not wanting to disturb her neighbors. As she began to sing, her voice was pure and enchanting, harmonizing beautifully with the harp's melody. Her song felt like a gentle light, soothing and uplifting.
As she finished, the screen filled with applause emojis and "Well done!" messages.
Though Nate wasn't an expert in music, even he could appreciate the beauty of her performance. She was genuinely talented, with a voice as captivating as her appearance.
"So, what do you think? Want to hear more?" Jenny's eyes gleamed, hoping for another reward.
So direct? Nate smirked, amused.
[User "Sigma Male" sent the streamer ten Super Magic gifts of Fairy Law!]
A dazzling array of effects lit up the screen as Jenny laughed delightedly. "Thank you, Nate! Come back anytime!"
After leaving her stream, Nate browsed other live streams but found most people were just testing out the new feature rather than truly streaming. Eventually, a different title caught his eye:
[Bunny's Magic Classroom]
"Bunny?" Intrigued, he clicked on the stream and saw a familiar face.
Wasn't this Totomaru, once one of the Four Elements at Phantom Lord?
Standing in front of a blackboard, Totomaru was earnestly explaining basic fire magic. Nate found himself drawn in, following Totomaru's clear, step-by-step breakdown. After about thirty minutes, Nate raised his hand and, with a simple thought, conjured a small flame in his palm.
In just half an hour, he'd learned the basics of fire magic.
"Not bad. A former guild mage finding a new career path." Impressed, he sent Totomaru a Super Magic gift before closing the stream. Noticing it was nearly eleven, he decided it was time to turn in for the night.
But as he lay in bed, sleep wouldn't come.
"I have three girlfriends, so why am I still sleeping alone?"
Sitting up, he wondered who he might visit. Erza and Juvia were likely asleep in the women's dorms, and he didn't want to disturb them. That left Ultear…
At the thought of her, he was reminded of Ur. With a snap of his fingers, he summoned her from the depths of the Deep Web.
Appearing slightly disoriented, she blinked at him.
"Can't sleep?"
Nate admired her as she yawned, her dark, elegant nightdress catching the moonlight just right.
"I missed you."
Without further words, he pulled her close. Startled, she blushed.
"You're serious about this?"
"Only if you don't push me away this time," he replied with a teasing smile.
Blushing, Ur looked away, a soft laugh escaping as she agreed. "Alright… but don't tell anyone—especially Ultear!"
As they shared a kiss, the moonlight bathed them, casting a gentle glow over the two as they drifted into each other's embrace.
The next morning, Nate woke feeling refreshed. Ur was still asleep beside him, a peaceful smile on her face.
With a gentle kiss on her forehead, he got up to start his day, noticing her stir slightly before slipping back into slumber. She deserved the rest.
As he left, a single thought crossed his mind: "Next time, I'll take her to the hot springs in the Northern Territories."
Stepping outside, he sent a message to Erza:
Sigma Male: "Come to the East Forest. I have a gift for you."
She replied almost instantly.
Knight: "A gift? Where? I can't wait!"
Meeting her in the forest, Nate greeted her with open arms and a grin.
"Guess what it is?"
"Hmm… that's hard to say. Jewelry?" she asked, smiling warmly as her fingers brushed the earrings he'd given her once.
Without a word, he raised his hand, summoning a massive sword into his palm.
"A sword?"
Erza took it from him, the weight familiar in her hands, but the power radiating from it was unlike anything she'd felt before.
"This is… a magic weapon!" she exclaimed, her eyes wide.
"It's called Senbonzakura. It has immense power and two modes—Shikai and Bankai."
As he explained, she looked at him with deep affection.
"I'll treasure it, always!" she promised, channeling her magic into the blade.
"Bankai!"
A surge of energy erupted, and a colossal blade materialized behind her before dissolving into a whirlwind of pink petals, fluttering like a sea of cherry blossoms.
Chapter 162: Magic App Finished? Fairy Tail's Three Super Magics
"How do you like the sword?"
"It's incredible!"
Erza's lips parted slightly, her head tilted back in awe as cherry blossoms filled the air, creating a breathtaking scene. However, each of these countless petals was actually a razor-sharp blade.
Erza discovered she could control these fine blades with her mind. With a thought, countless cherry blossoms coalesced into a huge, vibrant pink sphere in the air.
In an instant, the sphere burst open, and cherry blossom blades cascaded down like a waterfall, striking the ground.
"It's difficult to control; it really demands a lot of mental focus," Erza admitted, feeling a bit of strain.
"Don't rush. Keep experimenting—you'll get used to it," Nate advised, drawing on his own experience with his similar ability, Kyōka Suigetsu, and his insights into controlling the Senbonzakura Kageyoshi.
After some thought, he added, "You might also try nourishing it with your magic every day."
"Will that help?" Erza asked curiously.
"Connecting with the blade is part of the path," he explained with a smile. "Take it slow. I'll practice alongside you."
"Alright," Erza replied, her delicate face breaking into a captivating smile.
They continued training together in the eastern forest. At first, Erza struggled to control the new weapon, but gradually, she began to pick up a few techniques.
She realized that using both hands allowed her to control the cherry blossom blades with much greater precision. To protect herself, she instinctively developed a "no-injury zone"—a radius where no blades would enter, ensuring she wouldn't accidentally harm herself.
They practiced a while longer until Erza finally released her 'Bankai'. She leaned against a tree, slightly out of breath.
"It consumes a lot of magic energy."
Nate approached, gently holding her hand and channeling some of his magic energy into her. While magic couldn't usually be shared directly between people due to differences in magic attributes, his and Erza's magic energies were compatible enough.
With Nate's energy replenishing her, Erza's cheeks flushed with color. She looked up and sincerely thanked him, "Thank you, Nate. I really love this gift."
This was a weapon that significantly boosted her power, one he'd clearly put a lot of thought into.
"There's no need to be so formal. You're my girlfriend," Nate replied with a slight smile, amused by how earnestly she approached everything.
Erza blushed and then, a little shyly, asked, "Is this better?" She rose on her tiptoes and placed a light kiss on his cheek.
Then, she fell into his arms, and the two held each other close.
...
Over the next few days, Nate found himself busier than ever. Training with Erza, going on dates with Juvia, staying over at Ultear's new place for private moments while keeping things discreet from Meredy, and spending time with Ur—he made sure to be attentive to each of his girlfriends.
Fortunately, Nate's magic energy was extensive. Any other man trying to juggle this would be completely exhausted.
In addition to his relationships, he remained focused on his primary task: developing the magic apps.
One afternoon, Nate arrived at the guild.
"Good afternoon, Mira."
"It's noon, Nate."
Mira was busy serving drinks to the guild members. Her warm smile erased any fatigue he had from coding all night.
"Slept a little too long."
"Make sure to get proper rest at night!" Mirajane gently chided him.
"Thanks for the reminder." He chuckled. "By the way, where's the Master?"
"He's in the office."
"We actually have one of those?"
Mirajane couldn't help but laugh. "Nate, have you ever really explored all the rooms in the guild?"
Honestly, the original blueprints for the guild's layout were practically incomprehensible. He thought better of saying that out loud, as Mirajane would likely pretend to cry, even if it was just an act.
"I'll go see him."
Leaving Mirajane to her work, Nate went upstairs and, using his Six Eyes, located Makarov by sensing his magic energy. Sure enough, he was in the office, with Laxus there as well.
Nate knocked, and after a few taps, Makarov called, "Come in, Nate."
As Nate entered, he found himself almost face-to-face with Laxus.
"Caught you, didn't I?" Laxus grinned. "I sent you so many requests for a Friendly Duel. Why'd you ignore them?"
Since the latest update, [Magic Arena] had a [Friendly Battle] option. Laxus had been challenging him non-stop, only to be repeatedly declined.
"I've been busy working on a magic app…"
Nate pushed him aside gently. "And besides, if we do duel, have you figured out how to counter my teleportation and card magic?"
If not, there was no point in dueling—he'd just get defeated again.
Laxus snorted. "I've been working on it for a while now! How about testing it out in the arena now?"
"After I speak with the Master."
Makarov chuckled, watching their interaction.
"What brings you here?"
"I finished the magic app." Nate stepped closer to Makarov.
Makarov blinked in surprise, unsure if he'd heard correctly.
"Seriously?"
"What are you talking about?" Laxus asked, curious.
"A new function allowing everyone in the guild to use Fairy Law."
"What?"
Laxus wondered if he'd misheard.
Fairy Law was a super magic—a type of magic incredibly difficult to learn, known for its immense destructive power. Yet Nate claimed everyone could use it now?
If anyone else had said it, Laxus wouldn't have believed a word.
Makarov was momentarily stunned but finally broke into a smile.
"You actually did it?"
"Would you like to try the beta version?" Nate opened the magic network and sent the test version of the app to "Fairy Tail's Grandpa."
"But, Master, does the previous agreement still stand?" Nate asked.
Accepting the app, Makarov looked up at him and, after a moment of thought, nodded.
"Consider it part of our guild's legacy."
With that, he reached into a drawer and took out an old, worn book. Its binding was frayed and looked ready to fall apart.
"This is the magic book that First Guild Master Mavis wrote by hand. It contains the three super magics of Fairy Tail."
Wait, they kept such a valuable book just lying around here?
"Master, aren't you worried it could be stolen?" Nate asked, bewildered.
Makarov chuckled. "You can read it here but nowhere else."
"Understood. Don't you want to try the app first?"
"If you're bringing it to me, I trust you've already perfected it."
Makarov gave him a reassuring smile. "Finish reading first. Then we'll test it."
Nate was grateful for the trust. He accepted the book and pulled out a pair of "Gale-Force Reading Glasses," enchanted for speed-reading.
It took him only about an hour and a half to read the whole thing, as it was more concise than most magic books.
As promised, it detailed Fairy Tail's three Super Magics:
"Fairy Law, the supreme judgment magic."
"Fairy Glitter, the ultimate annihilation magic."
"Fairy Sphere, the absolute defensive magic."
"Master Mavis kept it pretty brief," Nate remarked. "Fairy Law is well-explained, but how are the other two supposed to be learned from this?"
Which probably explained why Makarov could only use Fairy Law, and the second and third magics had remained unmastered since Mavis.
"The First Master must've gotten a bit lazy," Makarov said, chuckling as well.
Nate paused in thought. 'Learning from this book would be difficult. Maybe I should just ask Mavis herself.'
Yes—that made the most sense. After all, the First Master's spirit was on Tenrou Island, where she lingered as a ghost.
Chapter 163: Friendly Battle between Nate and Laxus
Tenrou Island, also known as Fairy Island, is the sacred land of the Fairy Tail guild and the resting place of its first guild master, Mavis Vermillion.
This island is often the examination site for the S-Class Mage Promotion Test, typically held each December. However, as it was only late September, reaching Tenrou Island via the official S-Class exam route would mean waiting another two months.
But Nate decided he'd go there on his own—and in secret.
The only issue was… where exactly was Tenrou Island? From what he remembered, reaching this mysterious island would require a ship from Hargeon Port.
As he pondered his plan, Nate returned the ancient magic book to Makarov, who carefully placed it back into a drawer. Laxus, waiting nearby on the sofa for over an hour, looked about ready to doze off.
Seeing Nate finally finished with the book, Laxus immediately issued a challenge.
This time, Nate didn't refuse. He agreed without hesitation, curious to see how Laxus would counter his teleportation abilities.
"Master, hold on for just a few minutes," Nate said, taking a seat to accept Laxus's duel invitation via the magic net.
A notification appeared:
[Your friend 'Laxus' has invited you to a 'Friendly Battle'. Do you accept?]
With a single click, both Nate and Laxus's consciousnesses entered the game world.
Makarov opened his friend list, found Laxus's name, and saw the status [Friendly Battle in Progress].
He clicked into spectator mode, and the game world appeared before him.
"Nate versus Laxus… I wonder who will win this time?" Makarov mused, sipping his tea as he watched the duel unfold.
…
[Seaside Arena]
A flash of white light, and Nate and Laxus materialized on a sandy shore.
Waves swept over, just reaching their ankles.
"This beach map, huh? Reminds me of Galuna Island!" Laxus smirked.
On the shores of Galuna, they'd fought for the first time, where Nate had evaded every one of Laxus's moves by teleporting before he could even be touched.
"Hurry up and start—show me what you've got." Nate gestured, inviting Laxus to attack first.
"Lightning Dragon Mode!"
Without further words, Laxus triggered his second stage. Lightning crackled around him, his muscles surged with power, and his body bulked up. Electric scales lined his forearms, and the electric current radiated into the sea, aiming toward Nate.
With barely a lift of his heel, Nate hovered effortlessly in midair. "Sure, but I can fly, you know. And by the way, you're a Second Generation Dragon Slayer, unlike Natsu."
"That's right. My dragon-slaying magic comes from the dragon lacrima embedded in me," Laxus said, his eyes fierce as electricity flickered around him.
"When I was young, I inherited my old man's powerful magic, but my body couldn't handle it, so I was often sick. My father implanted a dragon lacrima in me."
"Do you know what dragon lacrima is made from?" Nate asked.
Without waiting for Laxus to answer, he continued, "It's made from the heart of a dragon."
Laxus laughed. "So what would happen if a Second Generation Dragon Slayer consumed the magic of a First Generation Dragon Slayer?"
Before Nate could respond, Laxus produced a small vial, popped the cork, and swallowed its contents in one gulp.
'BOOM!'
Fire roared to life as Fire Dragon Magic fused with Lightning Dragon Magic, creating a surge of overwhelming energy.
"Magic Fusion…" Nate muttered, taken aback. "How did you get Natsu's magic?"
Laxus's voice erupted with a fierce growl as the combined power surged through him. "I wouldn't use this outside, but here in the game world, it doesn't matter… since I won't actually die!"
"This is Lightning-Fire Dragon Mode!" Laxus grinned wildly. "Better not blink, Nate—I'm going to make sure you don't get the chance to teleport this time!"
With a thunderous leap, Laxus launched himself forward, leaving a crater where he'd stood. His speed was blinding, nearly impossible to track, but Nate's Six Eyes followed it clearly.
Nate raised a fist to meet him.
His fist, wrapped in tremor energy, collided mid-air with Laxus's lightning-and-fire-charged punch.
'BOOM!'
A supersonic shockwave radiated from their clash, expanding outward to the edge of the map as the ocean below erupted into waves.
The force of their punch had evaporated the surrounding seawater, leaving a dry patch below them.
"Fusion magic, indeed impressive," Nate admitted.
"Haha! Why didn't you teleport away? Couldn't react fast enough?"
Laxus laughed triumphantly. "Your Flying Thunder God magic has a critical flaw—you need coordinates to teleport!"
"I noticed during our fight on Galuna Island. You use tremors to scatter coordinates across the battlefield… but it takes time, even if just a moment. If I'm fast enough, you'll never get the chance!"
"Nate, this is my win!"
With a triumphant roar, Laxus's punch sent Nate flying.
But Nate vanished in a streak of golden light, reappearing behind Laxus and launching three cards into the air.
"Pointless! These flimsy space-sealing cards…"
Laxus turned, unleashing his Dragon's Breath with a roar.
"Lightning-Fire Dragon's Roar!"
A massive burst of electrified flames shattered the cards and engulfed Nate.
The explosion roared, thick smoke billowing, but when it cleared, Nate stood unharmed, surrounded by a shimmering white shield.
"Not so easily done… But you do have the advantage," Nate acknowledged.
"Of course! With Lightning-Fire Dragon Mode, I've got more magic power than you!" Laxus declared.
Nate smiled approvingly. "You've shown me the results of your hard work. Now, let me show you something interesting."
He held his hands close, forming a small, pure-white orb of magic between them.
The energy surged, stars beginning to glow within the orb—one, two… until it glowed with the intensity of five stars.
Laxus's brow furrowed. "What is this…?"
"Do you really think I'll let you finish that magic?" Laxus roared, hurling a thunderous punch.
"Lightning-Fire Dragon's Fist!"
A massive fist of blazing electricity surged toward Nate. Just as it was about to connect, Nate's hands glowed brilliantly.
"Reverse Magic: Silent World."
The small white orb pulsed, and everything froze.
The thunderous fist suspended mid-air before Nate, unmoving, while Laxus, poised mid-punch, was equally frozen.
No sound, no movement—as if time itself had come to a halt.
Nate strolled casually over to Laxus.
"This reversal magic is tricky to use in the real world. But here… I can use it as I wish."
Stopping just before Laxus, Nate chuckled, "Seems like the win is mine."
Chapter 164: Going to Tenrou Island with Lucy!
One second, two seconds... five seconds.
As the flow of time resumed after those five suspended seconds, Laxus's pupils contracted.
In the next instant, he felt a powerful pull from behind.
"What?"
To his shock, Laxus realized he had once again been sealed within a card.
…
Back in the real world, in the guild master's office.
On the couch, Laxus jolted upright, his face still tinged with confusion.
His last memory was of launching his "Lightning-Fire Dragon's Fist," followed by a blinding flash of light… and then, suddenly, he'd lost and found himself transported out of the arena.
"Nate, that last move—was that some kind of fusion of two reversed magics?" Makarov's face was a mixture of surprise and awe.
Laxus didn't know what had happened, but as an observer in the real world, Makarov had seen everything clearly. Though he hadn't felt the magic's power directly, just witnessing it on the screen spoke volumes.
Nate nodded and explained, "It was a fusion of two reversed magics: the super magic 'Tremor' and the 'Flying Thunder God' space-time magic. But in reality, it's difficult to pull off."
Even with the power of the Six Eyes, this high-difficulty magic often risked failure. The process required first reversing each magic, then seamlessly fusing the two—a level of control that strained even Nate's abilities.
Only within the game world, where the Deep Web simulation lowered the difficulty, could he achieve such precision.
Listening to Nate's explanation, Makarov was left speechless. The complexity was beyond imagination.
Laxus had already surprised him by merging his powers with the "Fire Dragon Slayer Mode" using Natsu's magic potion. But Nate's fusion of reversed magics was even more astounding, manipulating time and space itself.
The young ones were progressing so quickly, Makarov thought. By the time Gildarts returned, perhaps the guild's title of "strongest mage" would already belong to someone else.
Meanwhile, Laxus, still unclear on the specifics, wore a dark expression.
"What kind of reverse magic? How did I lose again? Nate, what exactly did you do?" he demanded.
"Reverse magics are actually simple," Nate replied, turning towards him. He held out his right hand, igniting a flame in his palm.
"This is ordinary fire magic."
Then he extended his left hand, conjuring a blue flame.
"This is that same fire magic, reversed. The effect is straightforward—it's frozen fire. Or, put another way, it's burning ice."
Laxus blinked, dumbfounded. "?"
How was anyone supposed to make sense of that? He may as well hand him a screw and say, "Here's a screw. Now go build a magic airship with it. Simple, right?"
With a scowl, Laxus turned on his heel and strode out of the office.
"Next time, I'll definitely win!" he declared, tossing a defiant parting shot over his shoulder.
Heading down to the guild hall, Laxus scanned the room and soon spotted Wendy.
She stood by the job board, searching for a suitable first mission for herself, with Mirajane by her side, smiling as she explained, "You could try the online mission board—it might be easier…"
"Wendy!" Laxus's voice cut through, interrupting their conversation.
Wendy turned, surprised, to see Laxus approaching with a determined look, his gaze intense. Instinctively, she edged closer to Mirajane.
"L-Laxus, is there… something I can help you with?"
"Laxus, you're scaring the newcomer," Mira noted, tray in hand.
Laxus ignored her, his face set in an unyielding expression. "Wendy, you're a Sky Dragon Slayer, right? I need your power—lend me a portion of your magic!"
If Natsu's Fire Dragon Slayer magic wasn't enough, how about adding Wendy's Sky Dragon Slayer magic? And with Gajeel's Iron Dragon Slayer power too?
If he could fuse all four Dragon Slayer magics, surely he wouldn't lose this time.
As for whether he could actually merge them, well, he'd worry about that later. If the worst happened and it backfired, at least it wouldn't kill him in the game world.
Hearing his words, Wendy tilted her head in confusion, giving a small, uncertain "Huh?"
…
In the office.
Nate watched Laxus leave, shaking his head helplessly.
"Don't worry about him. Laxus is just like that."
Makarov, knowing his grandson's temperament well, smiled and said, "Your presence motivates him. He'll find every way to get stronger and challenge you repeatedly."
"Why doesn't he go challenge Gildarts instead?"
"Gildarts? He hasn't been back for three years, and also…"
The old man thought to himself that Gildarts was more like an uncle figure, while Nate and Laxus were peers.
Nate didn't mind; more important than that was the matter of the magic app.
"Master, let me explain the usage of the magic app to you."
Nate then began to explain his recent work to the old man.
Currently, the magic app was only a test version, equipped with a single magic: the Super Magic, 'Fairy Law.'
This magic would not be available to the public; only guild members were permitted to use it, and it would automatically be retrieved once they left the guild.
"It's bound to the guild emblem and activates passively."
"When a guild member faces life-threatening danger, the magic will automatically activate and eliminate any entity identified as an enemy by the person in danger."
"At the same time, it won't affect fellow guild members."
Simply put, if Natsu wanted to harm Happy, and Happy triggered 'Fairy Law,' the magic would have no effect on Natsu.
"Passive activation?" Makarov questioned.
"Yes. If it could be activated at will, I suspect Natsu would use it like fireworks," Nate replied earnestly.
Hearing this, Makarov's eyelid twitched; he had no doubt that Natsu would actually do it.
After thinking for a moment, Makarov asked, "This is great, but what about members whose magic power isn't sufficient to activate the magic?"
"To address that, I built a magic storage function into the magic app."
Nate smiled slightly. "Everyone can store unused magic in the app, allowing them to activate it when needed."
Of course, as a kind of "magic bank," collecting a small handling fee seemed reasonable, didn't it?
For instance, to activate a three-star 'Fairy Law,' at least six-star magic power would need to be deposited.
Makarov was amazed by Nate's ingenuity.
Could something like this really work?
Nate sighed, however, and said, "But there is one problem I can't solve."
After a pause, he continued, "The side effects of a Super Magic."
'Fairy Law' reduces the user's lifespan according to the number of enemies defeated.
With his current knowledge of magic, Nate had tried everything but could not eliminate this side effect.
"Your concern is unnecessary," Makarov smiled. "Losing some lifespan is better than being killed by an enemy."
Though Makarov said this, Nate, as a programmer, couldn't help but strive for perfection.
It still showed a lack of knowledge in magic.
'Fairy Law' was actually a modified version of the dark magic "Law," which Mavis had once weakened to reduce its side effects.
If Mavis could manage it centuries ago, why couldn't he do it?
He decided to seek guidance from Mavis.
With this in mind, Nate bid the old man farewell and left the office.
As he went down the stairs, he didn't see Lucy in the guild's tavern.
Speaking of which, Lucy had been avoiding him for the past few days.
Opening the magic network, he sent her a private message.
Sigma Male: "Lucy, where are you?"
Though she was shown as online, it took Lucy half a minute to reply.
Gotta Earn Money: "Are you going to kiss me again? No way! You'll definitely take advantage and touch me again! Angry emoji."
If she sent an angry emoji, it meant she wasn't actually angry.
Sigma Male: "What do you take me for?"
Gotta Earn Money: "Pervert Nate! Tongue-out emoji."
Sigma Male: "I let you touch back. Eye-roll emoji."
Gotta Earn Money: "…Who would want that!"
Sigma Male: "Meet me at Nanko Park. I'll teach you about the history of the Celestial Spirits and take you somewhere nice."
Gotta Earn Money: "I'm not falling for that again!"
...
Half an hour later.
Nanko Park.
Lucy, dressed in a fresh and youthful outfit, stood under the shade of a tree, waiting.
"Why are you so slow?"
"Didn't you say you wouldn't fall for it?"
Nate walked over, taking her small hand. "Come on, I'll take you somewhere fun."
Lucy lightly pulled her hand away, slightly embarrassed, and asked shyly, "Where to? Weren't you going to teach me super magic?"
"To the guild's sacred ground, Tenrou Island. We'll go secretly."
"?"
Lucy blinked, her curiosity piqued. "The guild's sacred ground?"
After a pause, she added, "Ten thousand to hold hands!"
Nate: "…"
With a sigh, he muttered, "Do you think you're some kind of girl blessed by the gods?"
Chapter 165: Flirting while Sailing the Sea
The Port of Hargeon Town
Traveling by magic train takes five or six hours, but with the Flying Thunder God Magic, it's only a moment.
A golden magic circle glowed, and Nate and Lucy appeared on a hotel rooftop.
It was their fourth visit to this town. The first time was for 7 million J, the second for after-sales service, and the third for a date with Erza.
"What are we going to do at the guild's sacred land?" Lucy asked.
"To learn magic from the First Guild Master." Nate held Lucy's hand as they left the hotel rooftop.
"The First Guild Master?" Lucy asked in confusion, letting Nate lead her. "Isn't he dead?"
(TL: it's 'he' I don't know if Lucy didn't know the First Guild Master is a girl or not. Probably not.)
"That's why we're meeting a ghost."
"A ghost!?" Lucy flinched, goosebumps rising on her arms. Ghosts sounded eerie—hopefully, it wouldn't be the kind that eats people.
Noticing her grip tightening on his hand, Nate glanced back at her.
"Are you afraid of ghosts?"
"Of course not!"
"The First Master is very cute… You'll understand when you meet them."
They left the hotel and rented a small fishing boat at the port, around fifteen meters long.
Setting off, they headed southwest out to sea. Since it was a fishing boat, it naturally had fishing supplies on board.
With nothing better to do, Nate set up some bait and sat leisurely on the edge of the boat, fishing.
"You're so relaxed…" Lucy commented from behind him. "Couldn't you just fly us there all at once?"
"You're too heavy."
"You're the heavy one!" Lucy hugged Nate's neck from behind, shaking him angrily.
"Hey, don't mess around; our dinner depends on this fishing," Nate said as the fishing rod shook in his hand. "Besides, I don't know exactly where Tenrou Island is."
"What? You don't know, yet you brought me out here! I want to go back!" Lucy shook him even harder.
Nate held the fishing rod with one hand and grabbed Lucy's hand with the other.
"I asked Mira. She's taken the S-Class exam and knows the general direction. Basically, we just head straight from the port at the seven o'clock position. We'll reach it in a few hours."
Is that really reliable? Lucy thought, tempted to bite Nate's neck.
"By the way, how are those keys I gave you?" Nate asked, changing the subject to distract her.
She had four keys—three gold and one silver.
"The original owner was imprisoned, so their contracts with the celestial spirits were automatically canceled," Lucy replied, her face lighting up at the mention of celestial spirits. "So, I was able to contract with them quite easily."
They were originally her mother's celestial spirits, so of course, she could contract with them easily. Nate thought Lucy's lack of knowledge about her Heartfilia family heritage was surprising; it was a lineage of ancient celestial spirit mages.
Did Jude really tell her nothing?
"Let me show you," Lucy said with a smile. She took out a Gemini key and chanted, "I am the one who connects to the celestial world, responds to my call, and passes through the gate! Open, Gate of the Twins, Gemini!"
In a flash of golden light, the teary-eyed Gemi and the smiling Mini appeared.
"Zap zap~ nice to see you again, Nate," the two spirits greeted him.
Nate's interest was piqued. "Gemini, can you copy Lucy?"
"Hm? Sure!" With a puff of white smoke, a second Lucy appeared.
The real Lucy couldn't help but complain, "Why are my spirits listening to you?"
"Personal charm," Nate grinned. "Gemini, how does Lucy see me?"
After a moment of thought, the Gemini-Lucy tilted her head.
"A strong, talented mage, a handsome guy, and her type."
"Good to her and straightforward—she doesn't dislike him."
"A bit of a flirt, tries to touch her chest when kissing…"
"Ahhh! Stop it!"
Lucy's face turned red as she clamped a hand over Gemini's mouth.
Gemini continued blurting out, "Nate makes me feel comfortable. I'd like to try again…"
"Close the gate! Close the gate! Force close!"
Lucy immediately forced Gemini back to the celestial world.
Nate laughed as he set aside his fishing rod and secured the safety rope.
"You want to try again? You should've just said so, Lucy."
"Absolutely not!" Lucy covered her face, feeling as if she were exposed and utterly humiliated.
Nate pulled her into his arms, lifted her chin, and smirked.
"Want a kiss?"
"No!"
"Are you sure?"
"Yes!"
Lucy's heart raced, pounding so hard she felt it might burst from her chest. With Nate holding her, her body felt weak, as if she couldn't resist him.
"But I want to kiss you. What should I do?"
Nate continued to tease her, knowing that a flustered Lucy was the most charming. And Lucy happened to be very easy to embarrass.
"How should I know! You pervert!"
Lucy closed her eyes, her face completely red.
Nate suspected that if he weren't holding her, she might have already collapsed.
"One kiss, and I'll teach you the Super Celestial Magic of the Celestial Spirit."
"Ugh…"
Lucy's eyes opened wide. What to do? What to do?
Her heart was a mix of embarrassment and frustration. This was all Nate's fault—he brought her out just to tease her! But, at the same time, a small part of her felt anticipation.
Biting her lip, cheeks flushed, she murmured, "… No touching my chest."
After saying that, she closed her eyes, bracing herself.
"I won't touch, I promise," Nate assured her, then kissed her.
As that familiar sensation returned, Lucy's mind went blank, floating in bliss. She melted into his embrace, feeling as if she were flying.
Until, suddenly, she felt a hand slip in.
"Ah! What are you doing? You said you wouldn't touch!"
"Sorry, my hand has a mind of its own. This time, I won't touch."
"Ugh! You're touching again!?"
"The other side felt left out; it's only fair."
The two stayed close, teasing each other for half an hour.
Lucy's lips felt swollen from all the kisses. She "glared" at Nate, her flushed face devoid of any real threat.
"Argh, I won't fall for this again!"
With that, she dashed into the boat cabin. Nate figured she was going to change her clothes.
"Take it easy, don't trip."
At those words, Lucy's legs immediately gave way, and she fell with a yelp.
"Did you twist your ankle?" Nate walked over, slightly exasperated.
"It hurts…" Lucy said, rubbing her ankle.
"I'll help."
Nate knelt down, took off her high heel, and used magic to ease her pain.
Come to think of it, this was the second time she'd sprained her ankle.
Lucy muttered shyly, "Thank you…"
After a pause, she added angrily, "I still owe you 38,197,000 J."
"Why did it go down by 400,000?" Nate said, pretending not to understand.
'You touched both sides!'
Lucy, exasperated, lunged at him, only to be held down and kissed again.
...
Remaining Debt: 37,797,000 J!
By evening, the sun was setting over the ocean. Finally, their fishing boat found the sacred Tenrou Island of Fairy Tail in the vast sea.
Chapter 166: Mavis Vermillion
The appearance of Tenrou Island is unique, with a three-tiered structure.
At the top, in the center of the island, stands a colossal tree reaching towards the heavens, known as the "Tenrou Tree."
Below the tree are two more levels; the middle level is smaller than the bottom. Both levels are dense, vast forests.
Due to its distinctive structure, Nate could spot the island from ten nautical miles away. He maneuvered the fishing boat toward the island.
Under the setting sun, Tenrou Island looked breathtaking, cloaked in shades of red, orange, and yellow.
"Is that the guild's sacred land? It's beautiful," Lucy murmured in awe.
"Lucy," Nate said.
"Yes?"
"Once we're on the island, don't leave my side," he instructed seriously.
Lucy's cheeks flushed, thinking he had something mischievous in mind.
Nate didn't elaborate. "Just don't stray from my sight. The island can be dangerous."
"Are there fierce magical beasts?"
"It'd be easier if that's all there was," Nate replied with a slight smile. He couldn't mention that Zeref, a powerful dark mage from 400 years ago, might be wandering the island at this very moment.
A while later, they docked along the island's shore. Nate secured the boat by tying it to a rock, then took Lucy's hand as they moved inland.
With his Six Eyes activated to their fullest extent, Nate conducted a thorough scan of the entire island.
The land of Tenrou Island was imbued with strong magical energy, which posed a slight challenge to Nate's detection.
After observing the flow of magic energy, Nate soon found Mavis's grave.
"Found it…" he murmured.
"Found what?" Lucy asked, clinging to Nate's arm and curiously observing Tenrou Island's surroundings.
As they walked, she saw many strange creatures she'd never encountered before.
Nate had located Mavis's grave, but he saw no sign of Zeref. It seemed they were the only two people on the island.
Then, Nate picked Lucy up in a bridal carry.
"Let's go pay our respects at the First Guild Master's grave," he said, and in a flash of golden light, they soared over the island, leaving an elegant arc in their wake.
Moments later, they landed.
Before them stood a simple, square tombstone with a thatched roof above it, shielding it from the elements.
In the center of the tombstone, a stone tablet was embedded, hollowed in the middle, where a soft, golden light emanated.
"What is that?" Lucy stared at the light within the stone tablet in surprise. "Magic?"
It was the super magic, Fairy Glitter. Nate thought, 'Maybe if you reach out, Mavis will be in a good mood and lend it to you...'
Nate sat down cross-legged in front of the grave and patted the spot to his left. "Have a seat."
"Do we need to pray?"
In her short skirt, Lucy kneeled gracefully beside him, clasping her hands together, closing her eyes, and whispering, "Guild Master Mavis, I'm Lucy, a mage of Fairy Tail. Sorry to disturb you—it was Nate who brought me here, so please don't hold it against me…"
Nate smirked. "You're really scared of ghosts, aren't you?"
"Good evening, Guild Master Mavis," Nate introduced himself calmly. "I'm Nate, a mage of Fairy Tail."
He then looked at the stone tablet—or, more precisely, just above it.
Mavis hovered there, floating in the air, curiously observing him and Lucy.
She must have been wondering why someone from the guild would visit the island when there wasn't an S-Class Trial happening. Could Fairy Tail be facing a crisis?
Mavis's trademark ahoge (a stray hair on top of her head) quivered as she debated whether to make her presence known.
Nate continued staring at her in silence.
She looked just as he had imagined—an adorable little girl with vibrant green eyes, two fairy-like wings on her head, long, wavy blonde hair, and a white cloak that gave her a fairy-like appearance.
As she floated, he noticed her tiny feet were bare.
When Lucy finished her whispered message, she turned to see Nate staring intently at the tombstone.
"Is there something there?" she asked.
Mavis wondered the same thing.
She noticed that Nate had been watching her the entire time, and it puzzled her. Could he possibly see her?
'No, that doesn't make sense.'
She was a ghost, completely transparent, and unless she chose to reveal herself, no one should be able to see her.
Curious, Mavis floated a little to the left, only for Nate's gaze to follow her. She moved to the right, and his gaze shifted as well.
'Confirmed! He can see me!'
Mavis's expression turned to one of surprise, her eyes drawn to Nate's unique eyes, which seemed to hold an endless sky within them.
"Is that some kind of eye magic?" she whispered.
Her curiosity piqued, Mavis decided to fully reveal herself.
A blonde-haired girl suddenly appeared in front of them, causing Lucy to scream in fright.
"Ahhh!"
Nate chuckled internally. 'How can you be so afraid of such an adorable ghost?'
"It's… it's a child?" Lucy stammered.
"I'm not a child!" Mavis immediately denied, visibly irritated. She cleared her throat and addressed them with a serious tone. "I am Mavis Vermillion, the First Guild Master of Fairy Tail. Why have you come to my grave?"
'The First Guild Master!?'
Lucy was both charmed by her cuteness and shocked by her identity. No wonder Nate had said she was adorable.
Nate smiled and got straight to the point. "Guild Master Mavis, I've read your magic books, but for the last two of Fairy Tail's Three Great Magics, I don't think I can learn them from books alone. So, I've come to ask for your guidance."
"You want to learn Fairy Tail's Three Great Magics?" Mavis's eyes widened in astonishment.
Nate said, "Requip!" A flash of white light appeared, and a box of strawberry cake materialized in his hands.
"I heard you like sweets, so I picked up a cake for you. Would you like some, Guild Master Mavis?"
Mavis's eyes sparkled with excitement. Although she really wanted to eat it, she was trying hard to maintain her dignity as the guild's First Master.
Lucy, meanwhile, looked utterly confused.
'When did Nate get a cake? And wait… can ghosts even eat?'
Mavis cleared her throat, forcing herself to look away from the cake she so desperately wanted to taste.
"Is Makarov with you?" she asked, trying to sound dignified.
"No, we came here in secret. As for Makarov…"
Nate pulled up the magic net and opened Makarov's profile.
"Guild Master Mavis, do you have any messages for Master Makarov?"
"What is this… magic text?" Mavis floated closer, peering over his shoulder with curiosity. She had never seen magic like this before.
'So strange… There are images and text, yet no flow of magic!'
Her amazement grew. This went against all magic principles she knew, yet it was undeniably magic.
'Who is this mage, Nate?'
His power far surpassed that of a typical S-Class mage, and he possessed unique magic abilities. Most intriguingly, he wanted to learn Fairy Tail's legendary magics.
"Nate," Mavis murmured with a serious expression, "Did Makarov choose you to be the next Guild Master of Fairy Tail?"
"The Fourth Guild Master?"
Chapter 167: Giving Mavis a Magic Net Ring
"Fourth Guild Master?"
"Do I look like the Fourth Guild Master to you?" Nate shook his head, denying the title.
When he thought of Fairy Tail's Guild Master, the first image that popped into his mind was someone constantly writing self-reflection reports.
"Really? You're not?" Mavis seemed surprised that she'd guessed wrong. She watched as Nate pulled a silver magic ring from his pocket.
"As for this... it's part of the internet magic I created. The ring is essential to access it," he said, smiling as he handed the ring to Mavis. "Most spirits probably can't use it directly, but you should be able to, First Master."
Mavis was delighted and intrigued by Nate's gesture. 'He's giving a ghost a ring!'
She reached out to take it, curious about Nate's so-called internet magic. "No sign of magic energy at all!" she noted as she put it on. Immediately, a new registration screen appeared before her:
[Welcome to the world of the internet.]
[Please enter your internet nickname.]
[Usernames cannot be changed after registration, so choose carefully.]
[Username: ]
Mavis glanced at Nate, who smiled and said, "You can pick any nickname you like, but try to avoid using your real name."
'A pseudonym?'
Taking his advice to heart, Mavis thought for a moment, then typed in 'Fairies Are Eternal Adventures' as her nickname. After clicking confirm, she gasped like a child with a new toy.
(Bleam: Fairies are Eternal Adventures - Maybe the real fairies are the friends we made along the way? Hahahaha. This is stupid forget this )
The screen faded, replaced by a page filled with various magical items and options.
"Amazing magic! How did you make it work without any magic energy? I'm so curious!" she asked, her eyes sparkling.
'You're like an excited kid!' Nate thought, feeling slightly overwhelmed. "First Master, I'll show you how to use it," he said, guiding her to the bottom right corner where a small penguin icon sat. "This is the friends feature. You can chat with friends anywhere on the continent and even in other worlds."
The Celestial World could also be considered another world, right?
Mavis was thrilled. After staying on Tenrou Island for so long, even the simplest features excited her. Nate continued, showing her the search function and explaining how she could add Makarov, who was listed as 'Fairy Tail's Grandpa'.
"Wow, this is fantastic!" Mavis beamed, her lips pouting slightly at the way he guided her—almost as if he were talking to a child. She wasn't a child, but this magic was wonderful.
…
Meanwhile, in the guild's tavern, Makarov sat at the bar, discussing recent events with his friend Yajima. The Council had recently endured an attack from Grimoire Heart, but the chaos was finally settling down.
Former Chairman Crawford Seam had resisted retiring, and the Council, considering his recent achievements, allowed him to remain as a regular member.
Yajima: "Thanks to your guild member Nate, the Magic Net has been a huge help in managing the Council's affairs."
Fairy Tail's Grandpa: "Is the Council being restructured? Who's the new Chairman?"
Yajima: "Gran Doma. And I have to tell you, the new Chairman is not as lenient toward Fairy Tail as Crawford was, so be prepared."
Fairy Tail's Grandpa: "Gran Doma… That could be troublesome."
Yajima: "As for me, I'm retiring too. I'll be opening a restaurant in Hargeon once I step down."
'Not a bad life,' Makarov thought, wondering if he, too, could someday retire. Who could he pass the guild onto? Nate? Laxus? Gildarts? Erza? He considered a few names when a friend request notification popped up:
[User "Fairies Are Eternal Adventures" has sent you a friend request. Do you accept?]
There was no message attached. Makarov, curious about the nickname, paused. The name resonated with him—it echoed the very spirit of Fairy Tail, symbolizing endless adventure and the unknown. Intrigued, he accepted.
Fairy Tail's Grandpa: "That's a fantastic name. Who are you?"
Fairy Tail's Grandpa: "Gildarts?"
Only someone deeply connected to the guild would use a name like that. And as far as Makarov knew, the only person who didn't have a ring yet was Gildarts, who was still out on his hundred-year quest.
The reply came quickly.
Fairies Are Eternal Adventures: "I'm Mavis. Hello, Third Master."
'Cough!' Makarov nearly spat out his drink, eyes widening as he read the message. "The First Guild Master?" he muttered in disbelief.
…
Back on Tenrou Island, Nate watched Mavis, amused by her playful nature. She had figured out how to use the emojis on her own, and he could tell she was eager to see Makarov's reaction.
"No response from the Third Master yet," Mavis giggled. "I wonder if I scared him… Fourth Master?"
'I'm not the Fourth Master!' Nate thought, suppressing a sigh. He certainly didn't want to be known as someone destined for a short tenure.
Still, he couldn't deny that Mavis had a cute smile. And even if he wasn't fond of the title, he enjoyed seeing her happy.
"Why don't you try some of the other features while we wait?" he suggested.
From there, he led Mavis through every aspect of the internet, explaining the forum, Weekly Sorcerer, Council Updates, Streaming, and even Magic Net Express Deliveries. She explored each function eagerly.
Finally, they reached the games section, where four options awaited her: [Mahjong, [Poker, [Fruit Ninja, and the [Magic Arena].
Seeing the games, Mavis looked as happy as a kid in a candy store. But when she realized the games required points, she gave him a pleading look.
"Fourth Master?"
'How many times must I tell you... I'm not the Fourth Master!' Begrudgingly, Nate gifted her 10,000 points.
Mavis immediately began playing, ignoring the new message from Makarov. She started with a few rounds of [Mahjong] but soon lost all her virtual chips. She then tried [Poker, only to have her remaining chips taken by a player named "Wakaba."
Indignant, she muttered, "No way am I giving him any more chips." Nate chuckled to himself, wondering if he should tell Wakaba he had just beaten the First Guild Master of Fairy Tail.
Moving on, Mavis found joy in [Fruit Ninja]. It was a single-player game, so no one could take her points. However, when she checked the leaderboard, she noticed her ranking was somewhere in the hundreds.
"There are so many skilled players," she mused, before her gaze finally landed on [Magic Arena].
"This one's special," Nate explained. "Your consciousness actually enters a virtual world where you can spar with mages from across the continent."
As he described the game, Mavis' eyes sparkled with admiration. "This is incredible magic! Fourth Master, you're a genius!"
'I'm still not the Fourth Master,' Nate thought with a sigh, noting that her chat icon was still flashing. "You can invite friends to duel in the game too. Maybe the Third Guild Master would be a good match—he might not believe that message you sent."
"Really? You can do that?" Mavis narrowed her eyes playfully, taking his advice and inviting "Fairy Tail's Grandpa" to a duel in the [Magic Arena].
"So interesting! Fourth Master, your magic… no, can this even be considered magic?" She looked at him, eyes intense with wonder. "Are you really a human mage, or are you a god walking the human world?"
As someone cursed by a god, Mavis was no stranger to divine power.
Chapter 168: Harvest Festival!
Nate was taken aback. Thinking of the system as a kind of god made a surprising amount of sense.
As he mused over this, the wait ended, and Mavis was transported into the Magic Arena.
Only then did Lucy get a chance to speak. She tugged on Nate's sleeve and asked, "Aren't you forgetting something? I still need your help learning that Super Magic."
"Then I'd better make sure Mavis is in a good mood, don't I?" Nate replied with a smile. "While the First is occupied with her match, I'll go ahead and continue teaching you 'Urano Metria.'"
For the next half hour, Nate patiently guided Lucy. Though he didn't know the magic himself, he described it in such detail that it was as if he were demonstrating it directly. Lucy caught on quickly—as if this magic had been made for her.
"Did I really learn it?" she asked, uncertain.
"Sort of… You've just scratched the surface," Nate replied, raising an eyebrow. "When you fully master it, you'll know for sure."
Just then, a flash of white light signaled Mavis's return from the arena.
"Fourth Master… no, I should say, Nate, you really aren't the Fourth Master, are you?" Mavis commented with a mischievous grin. "I spoke with the Third Master, and he was quite upset about you sneaking into the guild's sacred ground."
Nate laughed awkwardly. "Oh, really? I'll make sure to write an apology, then."
Yes, an apology that Mirajane could help him draft.
"No need—I asked the Third Master to forgive you," Mavis said, adding a small fist pump, her smile growing sly. "Let's just say, for the price of a delicious strawberry cake!"
Finally, she could indulge in her favorite dessert guilt-free! Mavis was beaming.
Nate suspected this whole scolding was an elaborate excuse for her to score some cake.
"Oh, by the way," Mavis continued, "you wanted to learn 'Fairy Glitter' and 'Fairy Sphere,' correct? These are very advanced magics—not something you can master in just a day or two."
With that, the ghostly First Master floated over to Nate, pressing her forehead against his.
A moment later, the knowledge of the two super magics was transferred directly to him.
Minutes later, Mavis floated back, waving her small hand. "That's it! I've taught you the essentials. Whether you master them is up to you."
She added, "One thing, though: you must promise not to share the guild's Three Great Magics with anyone outside of Fairy Tail. Can you do that, Nate?"
With a bright smile, Mavis looked like a true fairy in the wind.
Nate nodded, rubbing his temple. "Don't worry, First Master. I wouldn't give out such secrets. And now, if you'll excuse us, Lucy and I will be on our way."
Their mission accomplished, Nate took Lucy's hand, preparing to depart.
"Wait! Add me as a friend!" Mavis called out with a wink. "And Lucy, too! I'm sorry for neglecting you earlier."
"Not at all, First Master," Lucy replied with a warm smile.
After adding each other on the Magic Net, Mavis finally waved them off as Nate transformed into a beam of golden light and zoomed away with Lucy.
Then, eager as ever, she knelt in front of her strawberry cake, took a bite, and sighed in bliss.
"Delicious~~" Mavis hugged her face with joy.
She had polished it off in no time, debating whether or not to ask Nate for another one.
No, no! I'm not a glutton!
If only the townspeople outside the guild could see her, then she could go buy her own.
Mavis's eyes sparkled, and a thought came to mind. "Should I go see Magnolia myself?"
The First Master wavered, excitement brewing.
…
With his mission accomplished, Nate returned to Hargeon with Lucy, dropped off the boat he had borrowed, then teleported back to the guild. For the next two days, he devoted himself to studying the two Super Fairy Tail magics.
Without a personal teacher, learning them was quite challenging—definitely harder than "Fairy Law."
The hardest of the two was "Fairy Sphere," although "Fairy Glitter" wasn't exactly easy either.
But at least now, with the Magic Arena, he had a place to test his theories safely.
…
A few days later, on September 30th, Nate arrived at the guild to find everyone bustling with activity.
"Levy, what's going on? Is there some kind of event coming up?"
Levy was busy stacking some chairs. Hearing him, she set one down and replied, "Don't you know, Master? Next week, on October 6th, it's the Harvest Festival!"
The Harvest Festival! A grand annual celebration.
Nate remembered it vividly as the day when Fairy Tail's internal war broke out in the original story.
But, given his presence and influence, that might not even happen now.
Mirajane approached with a smile. "Come lend a hand, Nate."
A rare occurrence—the guild's waitress asking for his help herself. Nate didn't mind and joined in.
Mirajane continued, "There will be a 'Miss Fairy Tail' pageant as part of the Harvest Festival, a contest to crown Fairy Tail's most charming girl. You're looking forward to it, right?"
I need to find a way to cancel this!
The last thing Nate wanted was to see his girlfriends all dolled up, parading in front of other men.
He could enjoy their beauty all to himself, thank you.
Yes, that included Mirajane as well, even if she wasn't officially his girlfriend just yet.
As he began scheming how to sabotage the contest…
…
Meanwhile, aboard the Grimoire Heart airship:
"The livestream from the Oración Seis raid confirmed it. Ultear and Meredy have joined Fairy Tail."
Hades scoffed, "Leave it to Makarov, with that sanctimonious generosity of his, to take in even witches from a dark guild."
Hades found this attitude deeply distasteful. He hadn't entrusted the guild to Makarov so it could go astray like this.
"Master Hades," one member asked, "how should we proceed?"
Hades gave a dark chuckle. "Their Harvest Festival is coming up, right? Why not give them a little surprise?"
"Leave it to me!" declared Zancrow, the Fire God Slayer, eagerly. "Is it fine if I just blow the whole town to smithereens?"
"Do as you like," Hades replied expressionlessly, glancing at a silent figure nearby—a pale Jellal.
"Are you coming along?" Hades asked.
White Jellal shook his head.
Then, suddenly, he clutched his head in pain, muttering, "Voldemort… he's here again!"
The others seemed unfazed by his reaction, as though they'd seen it countless times before.
Moments later, Jellal regained his composure, opened the magic net, and posted under Siegrain's account:
"Harvest Festival! Prepare yourselves, Fairies; this will be your funeral!"
"What are you doing?" Hades snapped, frowning.
White Jellal grinned. "What's the fun in being sneaky? Let's be direct and let them know!"
Hades: "..."
Indeed, Voldemort never shies away from stirring up chaos.
The post had been sent, and there was no taking it back. Within moments, the news of Grimoire Heart's threat had spread across the Magic Net.
Naturally, Mavis—who was now on the magic net—saw it as well.
"Grimoire Heart, hmm?"
Chapter 169: 1,000 Star of Magic Power Reserve
The Harvest Festival
The Harvest Festival is a grand annual celebration for the residents of Magnolia Town.
On the day of the festival, a magical parade by Fairy Tail captivates everyone.
Although the festival is still a week away, households have already begun their preparations, decorating the town with lights and colors.
The streets are adorned with balloons, and the festive atmosphere is steadily building.
However, unlike the smiles on the townspeople's faces, the mood within Fairy Tail is somewhat tense.
...
In the Office on the Second Floor
When Nate and Mirajane entered the office, they found that three others were already present—Erza, Laxus, and Mystogan.
Seeing them arrive, Makarov spoke solemnly, "Did you see the forum post?"
Mirajane nodded, looking puzzled. "Siegrain... that's Jellal's online alias."
Erza's expression grew serious. "Not long ago, Jellal was broken out of the Magic Prison by members of Grimoire Heart... Nate, you must be careful. He could be coming for you."
'Coming for me?'
Nate was momentarily confused. After all, Jellal was currently his host and entirely under his control.
But on second thought, he understood Erza's meaning.
Back at the Tower of Heaven, Jellal had been struck by his Fairy Law. Now, to outsiders, Jellal's recent declaration of revenge on the magic forum seemed like a threat aimed at Nate.
In reality, Nate was simply using Jellal's post to forewarn the guild members.
"I noticed that post—Grimoire Heart likely plans to do something during the Harvest Festival," Nate reminded them.
Laxus sneered, "They're really underestimating us, huh!"
Makarov sighed. "Actually, I neglected to tell you something important: Grimoire Heart's master, Hades, was once the second guild master of Fairy Tail."
"What?" Erza gasped in shock.
"His true name is Precht. I ran into him once at the [Magic Arena, and only then did I realize he had somehow fallen into darkness."
Makarov recounted the story of the second master's past.
Forty-eight years ago, he named Makarov as his successor, declaring he would roam the world. Since then, he had vanished without a trace.
Their paths crossed again during that encounter at the Arena.
The revelation left everyone stunned.
The former second master was now leading Grimoire Heart to attack Fairy Tail.
But to what end?
All eyes turned to Makarov, who shook his head, looking pensive.
He had a vague idea why, likely connected to Ultear and Meredy.
"Erza, Mirajane, Laxus, Mystogan, and Nate…" Makarov gave no further explanation about Ultear's role but issued a grave directive:
"Over the next three weeks, you are responsible for patrolling the town, ensuring the safety of the citizens!"
...
One Hour Later
The brief meeting ended, and the members left the office.
Mystogan held Nate back, speaking quietly:
"The matter from last time is becoming clearer... I'll be waiting for you at the cathedral."
With that, he departed first.
'Last time's matter? Parallel worlds?'
Nate wondered, then announced to the others, "I'll handle today's patrol."
"Be careful, Nate," Erza said with concern. "If there's any danger, send up a flare!"
"There's still a week until the Harvest Festival, but we can't let our guard down—Grimoire Heart could strike at any time."
"Don't worry."
Nate nodded, thinking they would most likely make their move on the day of the Harvest Festival.
Initially, he had been deliberating on how to disrupt the "Miss Fairy Tail" competition; now, that seemed like the least of his worries.
...
At Kardia Cathedral
The Kardia Cathedral, located in the town center, was Magnolia's most magnificent building.
At that moment, atop the cathedral's towering belfry, Mystogan stood alone, gazing up at the sky.
Suddenly, a streak of golden light flew in from afar, appearing beside him in an instant.
Nate, imitating Mystogan, lifted his head to the sky.
"Can you see it?" Mystogan murmured, "A colossal Anima is gradually forming above Magnolia."
With his six eyes, he could discern the spatial disturbances, though for now, they were just signs.
"Is that why you've returned this time—to suppress it?" Nate asked.
"It's different from before; this time, it's much more difficult. I'm doing everything I can, but I can't hold it off for more than a month…"
Mystogan clenched his fist, visibly troubled.
In the past, smaller Animas could be sealed off, but this enormous Anima exceeded his capabilities.
There was no way to close it—only to slow its formation.
Even with all his efforts, it would fully manifest in no more than a month.
By then, the subspace wall between two worlds would be breached.
"When that happens, every resident and building in this town will be consumed by it, transformed into magic energy for the other world."
Mystogan shook his head, turning to Nate.
"That card you gave me—I've already sent it through a small Anima to Edolas."
"Thank you for your help," Nate replied, closing his eyes to locate the coordinates.
Through his Flying Thunder God technique, he'd left marks in many places, almost instinctively leaving a coordinate wherever he traveled.
In his perception, it was like seeing a sky full of stars.
Each star represented a coordinate, and among them, one appeared dim and distant, isolated from the others.
"How does it look? Can you reach it?" Mystogan asked, his voice tense.
"I can feel the coordinate… I think it's possible, though…" Nate nodded, not entirely certain of success.
Mystogan handed him a vial of potion, then turned to leave.
"If you do make it over there, take this. You won't be able to use magic otherwise."
"Thank you, Mystogan. Is there anything I can help you with?"
Nate caught the vial, smiling. "Perhaps pass on any messages?"
Mystogan merely waved his hand, saying nothing further.
Watching him leave, Nate carefully stowed the potion and sat down before the belfry.
With his six eyes surveying the town, he saw the joyous festival preparations all around—everyone was eagerly anticipating the Harvest Festival.
"Should I bring Lisanna back now?"
Nate pondered, realizing that if he left right away, he might even make it back in time for the festival.
Finding one person shouldn't take long.
Just then, he received a private message.
Opening his magic network, he saw it was from Lucy's father.
Jude Heartfilia: "Nate, I've arrived in Magnolia."
Nate paused for a moment, then replied.
Sigma Male: "Mr. Jude, what brings you here?"
Jude Heartfilia: "The second batch of 100,000 rings is ready, and I thought I'd visit my daughter."
Sigma Male: "Just don't let anyone know she's your daughter. The guild isn't aware she's a noble lady."
Jude Heartfilia: "Lucy? Why?"
Sigma Male: "She lives… I'll come up right now."
After replying to Jude, Nate also sent Lucy a private message, letting her know her father had arrived.
Then, he headed back to the apartment.
As he walked, he suddenly sensed feedback from the Deep Web—the magic power reserve had surpassed four digits, a staggering power level!
Chapter 170: Going to Edolas with Mirajane
'Why the Sudden Surge in Stored Magic Power?'
Nate curiously opened the Magic Net's backend and quickly identified the cause. The reserve magic power had suddenly skyrocketed from just a few dozen to thousands of stars, and the reason was the magic app.
"Is everyone storing up magic power because Grimoire Heart is planning to attack Magnolia?"
After a moment's thought, Nate understood. Makarov had shared the magic app in the guild's group chat, so now every member had access to it. Activating the super magic 'Fairy Law' embedded in the app required loading six stars of magic power—three to activate it and another three as "magic bank" storage fees.
"With a week left until the Harvest Festival, will everyone have saved up enough by then?"
Nate's expression turned thoughtful. Would Grimoire Heart be surprised to face a guild where everyone had access to super magic? He suddenly found himself eager to see Hades's reaction.
...
Without further conversation, Nate returned to his apartment. A luxurious carriage was parked below, with a butler in a suit standing beside it. Nate recognized him as the butler from Lucy's family.
"Nate-sama," the butler greeted with a slight bow. "The master is waiting for you in the apartment."
After a quick greeting, Nate went upstairs.
Upon entering Lucy's apartment, he found Jude seated at the tea table, holding a stack of papers.
"Mr. Jude."
Nate sat cross-legged, glancing at the papers with a smile. "That's Lucy's novel, isn't it? She'll be upset if she finds out you're reading it without permission."
Jude chuckled. "It was left on the table, and besides…" The style of the novel seemed to shift dramatically between the first and second halves. The beginning narrated the journey of a young girl named 'Iris' who embarks on an adventure after running away from home, but after meeting a charming young man, it turns into a romance novel.
Jude suspected his daughter might be in a relationship with Nate, given the sudden shift in narrative tone.
"Nate, how are you and Lucy getting along?"
"Uh…"
Momentarily at a loss for words, Nate decided it was best not to mention how he sometimes appeased Lucy with vague promises of repayment.
"I live next door, and Lucy takes great care of me," Nate replied wisely, complimenting Jude's daughter. "She's skilled at everything—cooking, cleaning—you'd hardly think she was a noble."
Jude paused, somewhat surprised to learn his daughter had become so independent since leaving home. It reminded him of Lucy's mother, Layla, who used to take care of him when they were starting their own small trading business.
Jude looked at Nate with a fatherly smile.
"Oh, and here's the second batch of 100,000 rings," Jude added, bringing over a large box and opening it to reveal a neatly arranged stack of silver rings.
Nate began enchanting the rings immediately. Each ring needed an Internet Magic enchantment to function; otherwise, it was just an ordinary ring.
One hundred thousand rings were manageable, but what would he do when the numbers reached millions?
As he continued enchanting, Nate started to feel the pressure.
"Mr. Jude, how is the railway company doing?" Nate asked.
"Thanks to your Magic Net rings, the bank raised my credit and agreed to lend me money to help me through this tough period," Jude replied. "After this, I plan to halt the railway expansion, focus on consolidating the northern railway, and shift our efforts to producing rings."
Jude outlined his future plans. First, he aimed to acquire more magic workshops and recruit more craftsmen, hoping to increase monthly ring production to over one million units, a goal that would require significant financial investment. The funds would, of course, come from bank loans.
This business was exclusive, so the banks were eager to lend Jude money.
"Even in this world, banks are all the same," Nate thought to himself, silently critiquing how they lend freely in good times and call in debts during hard times.
"Nate, I intend to distribute this batch of rings in Magnolia and open a specialty magic shop selling rings in this town."
"Here?"
"Using the convenience of the Magic Net, I can build a model city here, which will help with promotion later on."
Nate thought it was a good idea, but—
"Why not choose the capital?"
"Crocus is a large city with over a million people," Jude replied with a shake of his head.
Crocus, the capital of the Kingdom of Fiore, was known as the City of Flowers due to the vast variety of blooms there. However, distributing only 100,000 rings in such a large city wouldn't create much impact.
"There's also another reason."
"As the creator of the Magic Net, your presence in Magnolia makes this town a natural choice."
Nate didn't particularly care about the business details; he trusted Jude to handle those matters.
"Magnolia has a population of just over 60,000. I'll take 30,000 of these rings—I have a different use for them."
Nate recalled his mission to extend the Magic Net to the parallel world, and the 30,000 rings would come in handy for that purpose. Jude had no objections and didn't even ask what they were for.
...
Time passed quickly as the two chatted. Soon after, Lucy returned from grocery shopping.
Jude was surprised to taste his daughter's cooking for the first time, amazed by her culinary skills. After dinner, he bid farewell, asking Lucy if she needed any money.
Lucy, of course, refused. Even though she still owed Nate quite a bit, she didn't want to burden her father with it.
After seeing her father off, Lucy took the dishes into the kitchen.
Nate rushed over to help. "Your father rarely visits; why not ask him to stay a little longer?"
"Did you peek at my novel?" Lucy asked suspiciously, eyeing Nate.
Nate denied it. "No! He did—I didn't see a word!"
Lucy's face turned bright red as she recalled the contents of her novel. She felt like she could dig a hole to hide in out of embarrassment.
"Get out! Go! I don't want to see you!" she exclaimed, pushing Nate out of the kitchen and closing the door with a bang.
As he stood outside, Nate's curiosity grew. What exactly had she written in that novel?
Could it be... something risqué?
One way or another, he had to find a chance to read it.
...
Back in his own apartment, Nate glanced at the time. It was past nine in the evening. After a moment's thought, he sent Mirajane a private message.
Sigma Male: "Come to South Gate Park."
Mirajane, in the middle of a bath, saw the message and was puzzled.
The Departing Traveler: "Did something happen? Are Grimoire Heart members here?"
Sigma Male: "No, I've figured out how to reach the parallel world. Planning to go tonight to find your sister and bring her back in time for the Harvest Festival."
Mirajane's eyes widened, and she immediately got out of the bath, quickly drying off and putting on clean clothes before hurrying out of the girls' dormitory. On her way downstairs, she ran into Levy.
"Mirajane? Going out this late—what's going on?"
"Levy, I'll be away for a while; I'm not sure I'll be back before the festival," Mirajane said urgently. "Could you do me a favor and cover my duties tomorrow if I'm not back?"
"Of course. I'll help," Levy replied.
"Thank you!"
After expressing her gratitude, Mirajane left hurriedly.
Watching her disappear into the night, Levy's curiosity flared, and she quickly sent Nate a message.
Levy: "Master, are you going on a date with Mirajane?"
Levy: "Master, I demand a silence fee!"
Sigma Male: "It seems I haven't assigned you enough homework, "
Sigma Male: "I'm going to look for Mirajane's sister."
/Bleam
— Currently You can Read 70 Chapters Ahead of Others!