https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-21-A-Good-Reputation-is-a-Good-Start/12809321/
Chapter 22: Mystogan
Chapter 22: Mystogan
Rod made it back to the counter, alive and well.
Mira asked with a smile, "How was it? Erza's hug."
Rod rubbed his forehead, "… As solid as a rock."
"Oh, I can't tell if you're using the wrong word or stating a fact," Mira covered her mouth, but the amusement in her eyes was unmistakable.
"Why does she always wear armor?" Rod thought to himself, if Erza hadn't been in her armor today...
It might have been a bit awkward, but at least his head wouldn't be throbbing.
"Erza has always been like that. She rarely takes off her armor, except when bathing or sleeping."
Mira's movements slowed as she wiped the table, "I guess... it's because of her insecurity."
"Even someone as strong as her can be insecure?"
Rod always thought he was the most insecure one, not daring to leave Magnolia's city limits until he mastered his magic.
"Such things depend on the heart, not on strength," Mira clasped her left arm with her right hand, her expression turning somber, "Many of our Fairy Tail comrades carry heavy burdens, trauma, pain, and worries..."
"Even you... no, even you, Rod... I won't forget the confusion and panic in your eyes when we first met."
"..." Rod looked into Mira's eyes, where the light blue irises conveyed not mockery or teasing, but a deep, empathetic sorrow.
She... has had moments of panic and helplessness, too?
Or perhaps, as she said, even deeper pain and trauma?
"I don't want to leave that impression on you, even if I'm not very strong."
Rod said this, then awkwardly changed the subject, "Is the Master not here today?"
"He's here," Mira composed herself, "He's writing a report on the second floor."
"Oh." Rod responded absentmindedly, then realized something was off, "A report? The Master is writing a report? And who is he reporting to?"
"Of course, the Council," Mira smiled again, "Because Gray was accused of 'sexual harassment.'"
"How could Gray...?"
Rod was about to defend Gray, but then he remembered the ice mage's habit of stripping. It wasn't entirely impossible.
"So he really did it?"
"Of course not," Mira laughed, "He just accidentally stripped down to nothing while escorting a city official's carriage."
Rod glanced at Gray, who was now chatting with someone in nothing but a pair of shorts. Typical Gray.
"The official's wife and daughter were in that carriage," Mira seemed to be enjoying the situation, "If Gray hadn't defeated a group of bandits and protected them perfectly, it would have been more than just a complaint."
"Why is the Master writing the report for him?" Rod felt a pang of sympathy for the Master, who had always been kind to him, having to take the blame for Gray.
"Because Gray is a member of the guild, and all his actions during a mission represent the guild."
"That's why the guild has to handle the aftermath, apologies, and everything else. Of course, how to discipline Gray afterward is up to the Master."
Mira's gaze softened as she looked up at the second floor, "The Master is like a father to all of us, especially to those who have no home."
"A responsible and caring parent..." Rod's face showed a hint of admiration.
"Same to you, Rod... Huh?"
Rod didn’t catch the last part of Mira’s sentence. Suddenly, he felt a wave of dizziness, and his eyes closed as he collapsed.
Mira quickly caught Rod, but she, too, fell unconscious a moment later.
"Strange, I’m feeling really sleepy all of a sudden."
One by one, the people in the guild hall who were eating, drinking, and chatting began to fall asleep. Some slumped over their tables, while others collapsed on the floor.
Worm, who had been playing with Happy, also lay on his back on the table, his heart-shaped belly exposed.
"This feeling… It’s Mystogan, isn’t it…?" Erza held on for a few more seconds before she, too, fell asleep on the table.
Even Makarov, who was on the second floor, began to sway, feeling a wave of drowsiness.
Makarov jumped over the railing to the ground floor. "How long do you plan to keep this up?"
A man wearing a black headband, a black cloak, and a face mask strode into the guild hall.
"I’m sorry. I’ll apologize to everyone when I get the chance."
He went to the job board, picked a mission, and handed it to the guild master for confirmation before turning to leave.
"Really, hurry up and dispel the magic."
"Understood."
As Mystogan stepped out of the guild hall, his figure vanished as if erased by a rubber.
At the same moment, the guild members who had fallen asleep suddenly jolted awake.
"Damn it! It was Mystogan, right?"
"That guy, his sleep magic is still so over-the-top."
The guild members grumbled, and Natsu immediately chased after Mystogan. "Mystogan! Come back and fight me! Damn it, you always do this!"
"…" Rod woke up to find himself lying on the floor, feeling a weight on his chest.
"Sorry, I’ll get up right away." Mira gently got up and helped Rod to his feet. "I was trying to support you, but it turned out to be Mystogan’s sleep magic."
"…" Rod stood up, his eyes still unfocused.
"It’s okay, Rod. This is the guild, and Mystogan is one of us. He didn’t mean any harm."
Mira’s soft voice tried to calm Rod’s nerves. She noticed his hand was cold and damp with sweat, a clear sign of extreme anxiety.
The sudden sleep magic had terrified him to this extent, hadn’t it?
Mira took Rod’s right hand in both of hers, hoping to help him relax.
Rod pursed his lips and gently pulled his hand away, clenching it into a fist. "I know. I’m fine."
Of course, he wasn’t fine. Losing consciousness without any warning or ability to resist was a deeply terrifying experience for Rod.
The sense of security he had felt in the guild’s lively and cheerful atmosphere over the past few days was shattered.
—This world still holds many terrifying things that he doesn’t understand.
Mystogan was a friend, but there must be others as powerful as Mystogan who are enemies, right?
Rod took several deep breaths to try to calm his racing heart.
Worm seemed to sense something and ran back to Rod, hugging his leg.
The comforting warmth from Worm’s heart-shaped belly calmed Rod, and he bent down to pick it up.
The soft, cuddly Poro gave Rod a sense of security.
All fear stems from the unknown and weakness. He held Worm up to look into its eyes, reminding himself that he just needed to become stronger.
Besides, he had his cheats.
—Do you have any cool summoning phrases I can use? I don’t want to keep using Celestial Spirit Magic.
(End of Chapter)
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