Chapter 162: Cana Will Cry
Chapter 162: Cana Will Cry
Memory magic, like many other mind-affecting spells, can be easily dispelled once the target becomes aware of it, either through self-realization or when someone else points it out.
This was evident in Mira and Erza's case. Once they realized they might have been affected by memory magic, their previously hazy memories became clear.
Makarov, of course, knew this. However, he couldn't let them reveal the truth here and now.
He led the three of them to a quiet room and began to explain:
"The information I'm about to share is a guild secret. If it leaks out, it could cause significant trouble, and Mest's safety would be at risk."
Mira and Erza exchanged a glance. "We'll keep anything that could harm the guild confidential."
Rod nodded, though he was tempted to ask, "Is our guild even a legitimate one?" But he thought better of it. Even if Makarov told them the guild was a dark one, Rod would likely blame the Magic Council for it.
Makarov began his story about Mest: "This happened a few years ago..."
Mest was an exceptionally talented mage, skilled in memory magic and spatial magic, which allowed him to teleport instantly.
At the time, Makarov knew that someone was after Fairy Tail's secrets and others were plotting to dissolve the guild. He hoped Mest could infiltrate the Magic Council to gather crucial information.
Mest, eager to prove himself, readily agreed and even came up with a more "thorough" plan.
Despite Makarov's reservations, he altered the memories of himself and the guild members to make Mest appear as Doranbolt, who then infiltrated the Magic Council.
Driven by his desire to stand out, Mest began to gather incriminating information on Fairy Tail, hoping to help the Magic Council deal with the troublesome guild.
Each time Makarov met with him, he had to find a secluded spot to subtly restore Mest's memories, often enduring Mest's taunts about "the evil Fairy Tail master" and his promises to expose their secrets.
Thanks to Mest's meticulous and overzealous approach, he managed to avoid detection and quickly rose through the ranks, gathering valuable information.
For the S-Class Exam, "Doranbolt" intended to participate as "Mest" to uncover more secrets about Fairy Tail.
Makarov believed he had earned the right to be considered for S-Class status, and if he performed well, he would be promoted, allowing the undercover operation to take a back seat.
However, Makarov never imagined that an undercover agent, unnoticed by both his fellow guild members and the Magic Council, would be exposed by Rod, who was trying to help Cana prepare for the exam.
"Ha, ha...," Rod laughed awkwardly. "Master, I didn't mean to... But if he altered his own memories, how can he gather any more information?"
Mira stifled a giggle beside him. The situation was too amusing.
Makarov said, "He doesn't need to actively gather information. He'll naturally come across it in the Magic Council. Any questions?"
Rod asked, "Master, will you erase our memories of this conversation later?"
Makarov shook his head. "We've come this far. I won't erase your memories, but I trust you to keep this secret."
Erza asked seriously, "What about the secrets being coveted and our enemies?"
"That's a secret only the master can know. As for our enemies, that's not something you need to worry about right now."
In reality, if that secret were to leak, the entire world could become Fairy Tail's enemy. Eternal magic and infinite mana are tempting prizes for anyone with ambitions, enough to turn the world against Fairy Tail.
But Makarov couldn't share that with the younger members yet.
To Rod, Makarov's words meant that the enemies were too powerful, and the master was holding the line while they focused on growing stronger.
The joy of recent progress was quickly overshadowed, even Erza wasn't privy to this information...
The pressure was mounting.
Mira patted Rod's back and smiled. "I don't know what you're thinking, but I'm sure Master's intentions aren't as dire as you imagine."
Makarov also noticed Rod's troubled expression. "Don't overthink it. As long as you keep the secret, the situation isn't as dire as it seems."
But how long can a secret really be kept? Rod shook his head. At his current level, he couldn't deal with such high-stakes issues. His knowledge and experience were still limited, and there were many things he didn't understand.
"Still, what about Mest? Aren't you worried that one day he might destroy the guild from the inside?"
Rod still found the guild's members to be incredibly unpredictable.
For all he knew, Mest might one day infiltrate the council as Doranbolt and order the dissolution of Fairy Tail himself.
"If that day ever comes, I'll stop him," Makarov replied, noting that this boy had a habit of worrying about strange things, like preparing for the S-Class exams by flipping through the guild's photo albums and member lists to check for undercover agents.
Speaking of exams, Makarov asked, "Rod, are you really not going to take the S-Class exam this time? I see your mission count is almost enough."
Rod smiled bitterly. "No, thanks. I've already figured out Kana's background. If I suddenly leave her to take the exam... she'll cry."
"It's only been a day..." Makarov sighed. It seemed that when it came time for Rod to take the exam, they couldn't have the candidates face each other in overly competitive tasks.
But that wouldn't be fair to Rod either.
Well, they'd figure it out when the time came.
Was this boy trying to avoid trouble, or just small troubles?
...
The three of them returned to the guild hall.
Rod sighed. "Sigh, feels like I'm on a pirate ship now."
Mira smiled sweetly. "Are you saying we're all 'pirates'?"
Rod nodded. "It's not impossible... The scary part is, I'm actually enjoying it on this pirate ship and don't want to leave."
Erza laughed. "That's what the guild is."
Such a versatile statement.
Seeing Erza about to leave, Rod called out, "Wait, Erza, I have a question."
"What is it?"
"It's about you," Rod said. "I want to know how many sets of armor you have, which ones you prefer to use in battle, which ones you'd use against me and Kana, and what their capabilities are."
Since he was already here, he might as well gather some intel.
With Erza's personality, he could ask directly and even explain his reasons without issue.
"Oh? For the S-Class exam preparation?" Erza smiled.
"It's fine to tell you. I have over a hundred sets of armor. In battle, I prefer the Heavens Wheel Armor, Hellfire Armor, Flight Armor, and Emperor Flame Armor..."
She rattled off the names of two dozen or so armors like a menu, and without reservation, she explained her tactics:
"Kana is a tough opponent because she can use various elemental magics to counter different armors.
However, my armor combinations aren't fixed. I can use the Emperor Flame Armor along with the Emperor Thunder Spear or the Emperor Sea Sword..."
Rod's head was spinning. Finding the weakness of an S-Class Mage wasn't going to be easy.
---
Recommended Book: "Oh No, They're All After Me"
Synopsis:
Transported into a game world, Chloe discovers she has become the villainous Demon King of the first playthrough.
Fortunately, he has awakened with the "Blessing of Many Children" system. Facing the imminent threat of being corrupted by the Desire Tree and defeated by the hero's party, he looks at the brave girl with the Simulation System and has a sudden idea:
"Blessing of Many Children, bind to the brave Rephia!"
Many children in reality? No, I'll do it in the simulation!
But soon, he realizes the situation is not what he expected.
...
The Brave's Diary
- How can someone so handsome be the Demon King?
- He didn't even spare the Desire Tree!
- He saved me, maybe the Desire Tree is trying to tempt him.
- My senior in the guild is having a sweet love affair, the virtuous Dawn Saintess shyly says her lover is amazing, and even the princess of a fallen kingdom wants to confess to her sweetheart. Why are there so many love-brains in this world?
- They say another bad woman has intervened, but why is it 'another'?
- ...I fell in love with the Demon King in the simulation, fortunately, he doesn't remember in reality.
- This time in the simulation, he said he wants to have a child with me.
- Huh, he asked the same thing in reality?
- Wait, that bad woman... is me?
(End of Chapter)
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