Internet Magic in Fairy Tail (Re-upload)

Kagura had managed to get her hands on a Magic Net ring thanks to resellers.

On the [Magic Net Marketplace], purchases were limited to a maximum of 10 rings per user per day.

But even those restrictions couldn't dampen the enthusiasm of resellers. They hired ordinary ring holders to snap up extra stock. And there was never any concern about the rings not selling out.

About five days ago, a reseller carrying hundreds of rings visited the Mermaid Heel guild. That was when Kagura finally managed to buy her own Magic Net ring.

"…So, our guild joined Magic Net only recently," Kagura explained. "As for your Pokémon tournament idea, I'm not sure how much help we can provide."

Nate considered her words. After all, not every gym needed to be excessively strong.

He replied, "As long as you have one gym leader, it's fine. The only requirements are having six Pokémon and training them to a decent level."

"Understood. I'll consult our guild master when I return."

Kagura nodded seriously, stood up, and added, "I apologize for disturbing you so late at night. I'll take my leave now."

"Wait a moment," Nate called after her, shaking his head. "You should add me as a friend so we can communicate more easily. That way, you won't have to take an 8-hour-and-13-minute train ride to Magnolia again."

"Ah… I'm sorry," Kagura apologized quickly before adding Nate as a friend.

There's no need to apologize, Nate thought, amused. He noticed her cheeks flush slightly.

Moments later, his ring flashed with a white light. Opening the Magic Net, Nate saw a friend request.

[User "Defying the Heavens" has requested to add you as a friend. Accept?]

Message: "This is Kagura Mikazuchi."

Nate was momentarily speechless.

Leaving a message while adding someone in person?

But more interestingly, the username, Defying the Heavens, was likely inspired by the name of her sword.

How fierce.

Kagura, like Erza, was a mage specializing in martial arts and swordsmanship, her skills unmatched in these areas.

After accepting the request, Nate said, "All set. If you need anything, just contact me on the Magic Net. There's no need to travel so far."

"Understood. Thank you. Goodbye, Mr. Nate."

Kagura bowed slightly before leaving the tavern.

(Bleam: Kagura's moves in Chinese are only slightly different from the English ones. In English, the moves are: Slice, Strength, Flight, and Crawl—simple and straightforward. In Chinese, however, we have a more poetic approach, such as Unafraid of the Heavens: Slice, along with the other moves—Strength, Flight, and Crawl—retaining the same essence but infused with a distinct Chinese naming style.)

...

A few minutes later, Lisanna emerged from the kitchen carrying two plates of food.

"Huh? Nate, where did she go? I made an extra portion for her."

"She left."

Nate took his plate and didn't hesitate to take a bite. "This is delicious—just as good as Mira's cooking."

"Really?" Lisanna's face lit up with delight.

Of course not, Nate thought to himself. I'm just flattering you.

Lisanna's cooking was decent, similar to Lucy's—good, but nothing extraordinary. Mira, however, was in a league of her own, easily skilled enough to work as the head chef of a high-end restaurant.

"Of course it's true!" Nate said with a straight face.

Lisanna, blushing slightly, cupped her cheeks and laughed softly.

"I know you're just teasing me, Nate, but I'm still really happy!"

"By the way, Nate… are you and Mira dating?"

How did the conversation suddenly veer so far off-topic?

Nate hesitated, unsure whether to nod or shake his head. His relationship with Mirajane hovered in an ambiguous space between friendship and romance. They did things a couple might do, but they hadn't officially defined their relationship.

"Sort of," he answered.

Lisanna was clearly dissatisfied with his vague response.

"Mira admitted it, you know! She even kissed you, and you've, uh… touched her big pandas."

"Right, right. We're dating," Nate said, resigned. What does your sister usually talk to you about?

Lisanna finally looked satisfied and nodded. Then, blushing, she leaned in and whispered, "So, when you two were on the second floor of the guild last time… did you, you know, do that?"

"That?" Nate looked up, confused. "What's that?"

Lisanna narrowed her eyes, raised her right index finger, and formed her left hand into a loose fist. Slowly, she brought the two closer together.

"You know… that. I read about it in a book," she mumbled, her face turning bright red.

Nate rolled his eyes. "Kids shouldn't be reading those kinds of books."

"I'm not a kid!"

Lisanna huffed, puffing out her chest indignantly with her hands on her hips.

Nate's gaze instinctively flicked downward.

Lisanna immediately noticed and crossed her arms. "Nate, you pervert!"

What? You puffed them out yourself! Of course anyone would glance at that!

Nate sighed, feeling exasperated by her reverse accusation. What kinds of books is this girl even reading?

The conversation soon drifted to less awkward topics.

...

After finishing his meal and helping Lisanna tidy up the guild, Nate returned to Tenrou Island.

...

Under the Tenrou Tree.

When Nate arrived, Mavis was nowhere to be seen.

He packed up the barbecue grill into his Requip space and took out a tent he'd used before while camping with Mirajane.

Thanks to that previous experience, Nate had learned how to pitch a tent properly. After some effort, he set it up and crawled inside.

Though Tenrou Island was warm during the day, the nights were slightly chilly.

Sitting cross-legged on his sleeping bag, Nate opened the group chat for the S-Class exam.

...

Sigma Male: "How's the exam going? I've already passed Natsu and Gray."

Erza: "No one chose me. 😮‍💨."

Mirajane: "No one chose me either. 🤦‍♀️."

Gildarts: "I caught a fish! Anyone want some? 🐟."

...

What? Did the fisherman actually catch a fish?

Nate doubted it. He suspected Gildarts had used magic to scoop up a fish and was pretending he caught it normally.

...

Laxus: "So far, only two teams have completed the first stage."

Sigma Male: "Which other team made it through?"

Mystogan: "Mest and Loke."

Mest?

With his teleportation magic, it made sense he'd quickly reunite with his partner. Nate wasn't surprised.

...

Sigma Male: "Looks like tonight's exam will last a while. I'm going to sleep now. Goodnight."

...

Closing the chat, Nate muttered "Requip" and changed into pajamas before slipping into his sleeping bag.

Just as he was about to fall asleep, a ghost floated into the tent.

"First Master… you know you're really scary when you do that?"

"Did you handle the intruder?"

"It was just a mage from Mermaid Heel, not someone spying on the guild," Nate explained briefly, only to see Mavis crawl into the adjacent sleeping bag.

"So warm~" the little ghost exclaimed in delight.

Nate stared at her, speechless.

"…Goodnight, Fourth Master~"

Goodnight? What does that even mean? You're a ghost—why do you need a sleeping bag?