"None of that matters right now," Rhodes said, his tone turning serious. "The most important thing is that Mira and Elfman were with when it happened. If I was dragged into this world, then it’s possible they were too."
He paused for a mont, letting the weight of that thought settle.
"And unlike , they probably can’t use magic here. That ans they’re in real danger. So I need to ask you all sothing."
The room quieted, sensing the shift in his tone.
"Do you know anything about the kind of magic that could pull soone across worlds like this? Is there any way to track them down, or any way to get back?"
Monts ago, the guild had been buzzing with gossip, laughter, and matchmaking energy. But now, with Rhodes asking a line of serious, practical questions—, no one answered.
So glanced around awkwardly. Others looked at the floor. Most of them hadn’t even heard of Earth Land, let alone any magic powerful enough to cross between worlds.
Lucy looked around at the others’ uncertain expressions. She sighed, then turned to Rhodes with a hint of regret in her voice. "I really wish we could help... but this is the first we’ve heard of anything like that kind of magic."
"I see..." Rhodes muttered, disappointed but not surprised. He’d suspected as much, but it still stung a little. That ant he was on his own for now, but at least he had a starting point.
Then Lucy added, "There is one thing I can tell you: if anyone in Edolas could have activated magic like that... it’d be the people in the Royal Capital. They’re the only ones who would have the ans or reason to develop sothing that powerful."
"The Royal Capital?" Rhodes repeated, eyebrows raised.
"That’s right," Lucy said. Her voice grew sharper. "Out here, we’re forbidden from using magic at all, but the people in the Royal Capital? They live in luxury. No restrictions. They have magic-powered machines, floating cities, enchanted transport... everything. Even as the world runs dry of magic, they live like nothing’s wrong."
Around her, the other guild mbers nodded grimly, frustration simring in their eyes.
Magic was ant to be for everyone, a gift of the world, a part of its culture. But the King had hoarded it, claid it, and weaponized it. Now only the Capital thrived, while everyone else suffered under unjust laws.
Fairy Tail had only used magic to help others, and for that, they’d been labeled a Dark Guild, hunted down like criminals by the King’s elite Magic War Troop.
As the conversation unfolded, Rhodes quietly listened. But more importantly, he learned.
This country, Edolas, was ruled by an overwhelming central power. The King had almost completely unified the world under his reign. All legitimate mage guilds that refused to disband had already been destroyed by the military.
Fairy Tail was the last one left.
And even they had paid a steep price. Half their mbers were lost during years of being pursued. Their Guild Master, gone.
Unlike Earth Land, where magic was woven into every life and corner of the world, this version of it was dying. The military here had dominated magic rather than nurtured it. And now... it was running out.
Rhodes sat in silence, the puzzle slowly coming together in his mind.
Magic here was finite. In his world, it was endless. Soone opened a path between the two. A way to harvest that endless power...
A resource war...?
He clenched a fist under the table, heart sinking.
He didn’t want to think that far yet. He didn’t want to believe soone would go to those lengths.
With a gentle but serious tone, Mira gave Rhodes a quiet warning. "If you’re going to the Royal Capital to investigate... please, be careful."
She looked him in the eyes. "Absolutely do not reveal that you can use magic. And whatever you do, don’t show your guild emblem."
"I understand," Rhodes replied with a firm nod. "Thank you. Truly."
He straightened up, ready to leave. "Um... which direction is the Royal Capital?"
Lucy turned and yelled, "Levy! Get him a map!"
"Don’t shout orders at like that, you bossy jerk!" Levy snapped, tossing her wrench down with an exaggerated sigh. But even as she grumbled, she moved to dig through a nearby drawer for the map.
Everyone in the room smiled. Their personalities might’ve been completely different from the friends he knew... but their warmth? That was exactly the sa.
Rhodes accepted the map with a smile. "Thanks. In our world, Levy and Lucy are good friends. She usually call her ’Lucy-chan.’"
"Lucy-chan?" Levy repeated, raising an eyebrow.
She turned toward Lucy. Lucy turned toward her.
Then, without missing a beat, both whipped their heads to opposite sides and dramatically gagged.
"That’s disgusting!" they declared in perfect sync.
Rhodes chuckled. "Well, I’ll be heading out now. It’s a sha I don’t have much to offer in return for all your help... Oh, right."
He opened his wallet and pulled out the paper bills inside, should be more than 80,000 Jewels.
"By the way, is this money the sa here?" he asked.
Lucy squinted at the bills and nodded. "Looks the sa to . But we were just talking with you, not doing a job. There’s no reason to pay us."
Levy pointed toward the guild’s bulletin board. "For once, stupid Lucy is right. We earn our money by solving people’s problems. Even though we’re on the run, we still take jobs."
Rhodes considered that for a mont. Then he put away so small change and left about 10,000 J on the table.
"In that case," he said sincerely, "I’ll make this official. I’d like to formally request that Fairy Tail help search for any clues about Mira and Elfman. Do what you can, but only if it doesn’t put you in danger. Is that acceptable?"
Lucy grinned, stretching her arms confidently. "If it’s a proper request, then we have to accept! But don’t underestimate us."
"I wouldn’t dare," Rhodes replied with a smile.
"I an it." Lucy pointed a finger at him with a smirk. "’Without compromising your safety, what’s with that line? You don’t have to baby us."
She stepped forward and declared boldly, "A true mage risks everything for their mission! Don’t look down on our resolve!"
Rhodes gave a soft laugh. "Yeah... that does sound like Fairy Tail."
Everyone nearby burst into laughter at that, light and heartfelt. For just a mont, the weight of the world lifted.
Lucy reached toward the money on the table. "Then this request’ll be handled by —"
But just as she was about to scoop up the bills, Mira gently stopped her with a hand on her wrist.
"Wait a second, Lucy."
Lucy turned, blinking. "What is it?"
Mira bit her lip, her expression soft but uncertain, as she looked at Rhodes. "Would you mind... telling a little more about Lisanna?"
Lucy blinked. "Huh? Mira, what are you talking about? This isn’t the ti, he’s about to head out, right?"
"Please," Mira said quietly. Her eyes shimred, not with command, but with a heartfelt plea. "It’s very important to ."
Rhodes didn’t understand what this Mira was getting at... but the way she looked at him, so gentle, so vulnerable, it was hard to say no. Even though he kept reminding himself this isn’t my Mira, just soone who looked like her... it still tugged at his heart.
"Alright. I don’t know much," he admitted. "But I’ll summarize what I can."
He spoke quietly, carefully, choosing each word with sincerity. He told them how Lisanna and her siblings had lost their parents young... how the three of them had to depend on one another, surviving as a small family against the world. How they eventually joined Fairy Tail and found a new ho. He shared little anecdotes that his Mira had told him, sweet sisterly monts, Lisanna’s laugh, her mischief, her kindness.
In the shadows just outside the main hall, Lisanna, still hiding, listened in silence. But the more she heard, the more restless she beca.
"Mira-nee..." she whispered, her chest tight with emotion she didn’t fully understand.
Beside Rhodes, Mira and Elfman quietly wiped their eyes. Neither said anything, but after a long pause, they exchanged a heavy glance, and slowly, both nodded.
Then Mira turned to Lucy-chan. "Lucy, let Lisanna take this mission."
Lucy-chan looked surprised. "Lisanna? I don’t mind, but... why the sudden change?" She followed Mira’s gaze, only to realize she wasn’t talking to her anymore, but to soone else nearby.
Just as Lucy finished asking, a voice cut through the room:
"No!"
Lisanna’s voice rang out, sharp and shaky. Everyone turned.
Head lowered, tears clinging to her cheeks, Lisanna turned on her heel and bolted out of the guild hall.
"Lisanna, wait!" soone called, but it was too late.
Outside, she ran blindly, the air cool against her face, her thoughts a tangled storm of emotion.
And then—
BANG!
With a loud thud, she ran headlong into soone.
"Whoaaa!"
"Ow—!"
Both of them stumbled backward, groaning in pain. Lisanna fell to the ground, clutching her forehead. The other person, hooded, with a cloak wrapped around their shoulders, sat up slowly, rubbing his own head.
"Who the heck?!" the boy grumbled. "Watch where you’re—"
Next to him, a small blue creature wearing a mask and cloak floated slightly off the ground. It turned to glare at Lisanna, wings twitching.
"I-I’m sorry..." Lisanna gasped, voice still trembling. She tried to wipe away her tears. But when she got a good look at the person she’d crashed into, she froze.
"Natsu?"
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