https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-86-Pain-is-the-Beginning-of-Recovery/12810302/
Chapter 85: How About That, Pretty Cool, Right?
Chapter 85: How About That, Pretty Cool, Right?
"What if I actively release the soul of the Crustacean I just absorbed?"
Rod canceled the Absorption Magic and then tried to actively release the soul.
"It seems like nothing happened. No third Crustacean appeared."
Rod felt his current state, "But I can't transform into that form again now."
"Never encountered this before." Makarov furrowed his brow, thinking. Normally, after an active 'release,' a Crustacean should appear.
"Try absorbing it again and see what happens."
"Alright." Rod followed the same process, summoning the Crustacean and then absorbing it.
He successfully transformed, and the Crustacean entered a dormant state once more.
When he canceled the Absorption Magic, the Crustacean would recover, and he could use the magic again without any issues. Even if he didn't actively release it, he could still summon two Crustaceans.
The only downside was that the Crustacean form protected the pendant inside its armor, making it hard to hold.
Rod thought he should practice using the Summoning Magic without holding the pendant, just by having it touch his body.
"You... your Summoning Magic is a bit strange, and now your Absorption Magic is even stranger."
Makarov couldn't figure it out, but magic itself wasn't something with a fixed form.
Rod didn't want to be considered weird and quickly said, "My Text Magic is pretty normal."
Makarov shook his head. That wasn't normal; it was weak.
"Anyway, pay more attention to your body's condition. Make sure there are no issues before trying to absorb anything else."
"Got it, Master. I'll go practice by the lake!" Rod, still in Crustacean form, was about to dash out.
But the next moment, a large hand grabbed him: "Fix the wall first!"
"Oh..." Rod canceled his transformation.
No matter what he absorbed or released, Master could handle him with one slap.
Time to build the wall!
"Whatever can be torn down can be rebuilt, whatever can be broken can be restored!"
Fairy Tail's strongest newcomer, Rod, muttered this strange slogan as he became a bricklayer.
He was much more skilled this time.
...
"Rod? What happened to you?"
As noon approached, Mira noticed Rod, who was covered in dirt and mud.
"Accidentally tore down a wall and just finished fixing it," Rod said sheepishly.
"Can you wait for me? I'll be right back."
"No problem, it's still early," Mira smiled. "If even you get corrupted by Natsu and the others, Master will have a headache."
"Just an accident, see you later!"
Rod quickly left the guild, and as soon as he was outside, the Crustacean armor appeared on his body. He dashed out like lightning, leaving a trail of afterimages.
Mira covered her mouth, eyes wide with shock: "That was..."
Outside the guild, two suspicious figures crept closer, one with thick eyebrows and protruding teeth, the other with a triangular head and a square jaw.
As they rounded the corner, they suddenly saw a deep green figure dart past, startling them.
Crov asked, "What was that? Something green just ran by."
"Probably someone learning a strange new magic. Could be Chico," Niki said, "Forget that, let's check if Mira and Rod are still there."
Crov peeked through the half-open door and saw Mira sitting at the counter, looking troubled.
"Good, Mira is still here, they haven't left yet!"
They exchanged glances: "We're in time, let's go!"
Rod was going too far, always taking Mira shopping or on trips.
Today, he even invited Mira for lunch!
So many people in the guild liked Mira; this was like running away with her.
He needed a serious lesson!
So, when Rod returned to the guild after taking a shower and changing clothes, and was about to leave with Mira:
"Quack~"
"Quack~"
Two large geese, each as tall as a person, were strutting around the guild entrance.
They stretched their necks and glanced at Rod, then both spread their wings and squawked, "Quack~ Quack~"
Rod looked at Mira with a puzzled expression. "Whose geese are these, and why are they so big? I didn’t see them when I came in."
Mira immediately saw through their clumsy transformation magic and guessed that these two were trying to prank Rod. Normally, she would have smiled and pretended not to know, just to see how Rod would react. But today, she had something important to ask, and these two had disrupted her plans. She gave them a terrifying glare.
"Probably Mr. Cook’s ingredients. Just kill them."
Kil... Kill! The two geese suddenly remembered Mira’s old nickname, "Demon Mira Jane."
"Quack... Quack!" They took a step back in unison, turned, and ran.
A few meters away, they resumed their human forms and continued their escape. Only then did they realize that they probably wouldn’t be killed once they reverted from their transformations...
But it was so embarrassing!
"Was that Niki and Krov?" Rod recognized them. "What’s this all about?"
"Probably trying to scare you," Mira said. "Happi said you’d cry if you saw geese, and now the whole guild knows."
"..." Rod gritted his teeth. That unreliable cat had really gone around spreading that lie.
But thinking about how flustered those two had been, Rod couldn’t help but laugh. "They really took the bait."
Fake intel can be surprisingly effective, even against your own teammates.
Mira didn’t seem to be in the mood for small talk today. After Rod tried a couple of ordinary topics, he noticed this:
"Something on your mind?"
Mira hesitated for a moment before asking, "What magic did you use when you went home?"
"You saw that? I was planning to tell you later," Rod said. "I just learned it today. It’s called ‘Full-Body Reception: Wild Monster Spirit: Rift Crab.’”
As he spoke, Rod activated the magic, transforming into his armored form. "How does it look? Cool, right?"
Mira seemed to be in a daze, as if she had seen this scene before:
"Animal Spirit: Cat!"
"Beast Spirit: Bear!"
"Look, sis, surprised?"
"It’s the same magic as Mira-nee~ With us around, you won’t be lonely anymore, right?"
Yes, that was back then.
She had been worried that she would be seen as a monster again, and that her younger siblings would be shunned by the guild members, so she had planned to leave on her own.
At that time, Elfman and Lisanna had shown her their newly learned Reception Magic in the same way.
"We’ll always be together, and we’ll use the same magic!"
That’s what Lisanna had said.
That child was always so gentle and kind.
But...
Mira bit her lip lightly. "Why did you suddenly learn this magic? People will think you’re a monster."
"Are there not enough freaks in the guild already?" Rod hadn’t expected Mira to still be concerned about being seen as a monster.
The villagers’ malice from back then had clearly left a lasting impact on her.
It made sense, considering she was only twelve or thirteen at the time, and as the older sister, she had been forced to be strong.
Maybe that was also why she had always been so competitive with Erza after joining the guild?
Rod thought for a moment and then said seriously, "I care more about power than appearance or what others think.
Right now, I’m focused on becoming strong enough to protect myself and not be a burden to my teammates.
After that, I want to become strong enough to protect everyone.
Being called a monster doesn’t bother me. I think this form is pretty cool.
When I have the strength to stand in front of the people I want to protect, I think that will be even cooler."
As per everyone’s request, I’ll try to be more active, and see you tomorrow.
(End of Chapter)
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