Internet Magic in Fairy Tail (Re-upload)

An Intruder in the Guild?

Nate asked, puzzled, "Raven Tail?"

With most of Fairy Tail's core members participating in the S-Class Promotion Exam, the guild was at its weakest defensively. Raven Tail's master, Ivan Dreyar—Makarov's estranged son—had always kept a close watch on Fairy Tail. During the Harvest Festival, he had even appeared in the eastern forest to question Laxus about Lumen Histoire. Laxus had immediately informed Makarov about the encounter.

Naturally, precautions had been taken for this exam.

"I don't know… The barrier magic I set around the guild triggers if anyone without our emblem enters," Mavis replied, shaking her head. "Fourth Master, please return to the guild to check it out."

Nate nodded, and with a thought, he disappeared from Tenrou Island.

…

Magnolia, Around 7:00 PM

The guild's tavern was nearly empty. With Mirajane absent, Lisanna had stepped in to manage the bar.

At the counter:

"Here you go," Lisanna said, handing a glass of juice to a customer.

"Thank you."

The customer was a young woman, seemingly around sixteen or seventeen years old. She had deep, serious eyes and a furrowed brow. Her expression was calm but strict, her long black hair adorned with a headband resembling rabbit ears.

She seems like a tough person to get along with… Lisanna thought, deciding to probe gently. "Are you here to see Erza from our guild?"

"Yes."

"Erza is away for the S-Class Promotion Exam. She's not at the guild right now."

"What about Nate, one of the Ten Wizard Saints?"

"Nate? He's not here either," Lisanna replied, shaking her head.

Before Lisanna could ask, What's the matter? Can I relay a message?, a golden magic circle appeared on the tavern floor. Moments later, Nate reappeared in the guild.

"Hm? Not Raven Tail?" Nate raised an eyebrow, immediately noticing the young woman.

She was dressed in a white uniform with a fitted white skirt, black stockings, and white boots. Most striking was the katana at her waist. Although she stood with her back to him, Nate's Six Eyes quickly assessed her considerable magic power.

"Nate!" Lisanna exclaimed in surprise. "Why are you back? Is the exam over already?"

"It just started. I came back because I was hungry," Nate replied, sounding resigned. Mavis had eaten all his barbecue, and he was indeed feeling a bit peckish.

At that moment, the young woman stood from her seat at the counter and politely bowed to Nate.

"Nate-san, a pleasure to meet you. I am Kagura Mikazuchi, a mage from Mermaid Heel."

Her greeting was courteous, but her voice carried no emotion. Nate recognized her immediately—Mermaid Heel's strongest S-Class mage. In the original timeline, she would appear seven years later during the Grand Magic Games.

So, Mermaid Heel already exists? Nate mused. Mermaid Heel was an all-female mage guild known as the Dancers of the Sea. Nate recalled that he hadn't seen Mermaid Heel's master at the guildmaster meetings he attended after the Iron Forest incident.

While mulling this over, Nate asked, "Good evening, Kagura-san. Visiting our guild at this hour—what brings you here?"

"I have been searching for my lost brother," Kagura began, her tone steady and measured. "Recently, I came across a clue—a post on the Magic Net forum about the Tower of Heaven incident."

How many years ago was that? Nate thought, surprised. She managed to dig up such an old post?

"So, did you find anything?" he asked while walking to the bar and sitting down. "Lisanna, can I order dinner now?"

"Nate, my cooking isn't as good as Mira's, you know," Lisanna said with a light laugh before heading into the kitchen.

Kagura kept her gaze fixed on Nate. "My brother's name is Simon. I searched the forum using his name but found nothing…"

Simon's face flashed through Nate's mind. Speaking of which, where is Simon and his group now? The last Nate remembered, Simon and the others had been taken by the Council as witnesses in the trial against Jellal. After that, there had been no news.

"I have no idea where your brother is," Nate admitted with a shrug, "but I do remember his Magic Net username."

"What is it?" Kagura's eyes lit up with urgency.

"Samurai."

The only reason Nate remembered was because "Samurai" had sent Erza a vacation ticket to the Akane Beach Resort through Magic Net Delivery Express. That ticket had been the catalyst for Nate and Erza to grow closer and eventually become a couple. From that perspective, Nate felt a bit indebted to Simon, which made him more amiable toward Kagura.

Kagura quickly opened the Magic Net, searched for Samurai's ID, and sent a friend request. Unfortunately, Samurai wasn't online. Kagura could only stare at the search screen, waiting for a response.

Nate sighed internally. How long are you going to wait like this?

"Why don't you sit down? Your brother might be off traveling somewhere. He's alive for sure."

"Thank you, Nate-san!" Kagura said, her voice filled with gratitude as she worked to suppress her excitement. "I owe you a great debt. Is there anything I can do for you?"

"It's a small matter, nothing to worry about. Just sit down first."

Pouring himself a drink, Nate asked curiously, "By the way, where is your guild, Mermaid Heel, located?"

After sitting down, Kagura answered seriously, "Daffodil."

Daffodil? Nate thought. All the cities in the Kingdom of Fiore were named after flowers—like Magnolia, named after the magnolia flower. But Nate wasn't familiar with Daffodil.

"It's a small coastal town in southern Fiore," Kagura explained thoughtfully. She then added, "It takes exactly eight hours and thirteen minutes by train to get here."

Eight hours and thirteen minutes? So, that's how long your trip here took? Nate found her precision amusing. Her meticulous personality matched her composed exterior perfectly.

He couldn't help but study her a little longer. Kagura looked much younger than he remembered from the original timeline.

"Oh, right. Earlier, you mentioned you'd be willing to do something for me?" Nate suddenly recalled.

"Yes, please don't hesitate to ask!" Kagura nodded earnestly. "To you, it may be a small favor, but to me, it's an immense debt of gratitude!"

Nate sipped his juice and shook his head.

"It's not a big deal. I'm considering organizing a Pokémon tournament, and part of the plan is to have mage guilds act as gyms. Would Mermaid Heel be interested? Do you know about Pokémon?"

Kagura reached into her pocket and pulled out a card.

"I only have this one Pokémon. Come out, Jigglypuff!"

In a flash of light, a round, pink Pokémon appeared on the bar counter.

Nate was stunned. Even a cold, stoic girl like her prefers a cute Pokémon?

Noticing Nate's expression, Kagura seemed a little embarrassed. "I only managed to draw this one…" Despite her embarrassment, she couldn't resist reaching out to stroke Jigglypuff's soft, round head.