Internet Magic in Fairy Tail (Re-upload)

While the rest of the guild enjoyed the lively banquet, Nate found himself trapped in what could only be described as a trial by girlfriends.

To call it a disaster would be an exaggeration, but keeping multiple women entertained while maintaining a polite yet not overly intimate demeanor was no small feat. He had to tread carefully, making sure everyone felt included while avoiding showing favoritism.

No problem!

The situation is under control!

The advantage is mine!

"…And that was my S-Class exam," Nate concluded, spinning a long and entirely fabricated tale.

The group of women around him gasped in awe.

"That sounds incredible!"

"Way harder than what we had to do!"

"As expected of Master—so impressive!"

Levy, looking at Nate with admiration, handed him a glass of juice. "Please have some juice!"

Why are you joining in, Levy? And you too, Evergreen?!

Resigned, Nate accepted the juice from his "apprentice." Before he could take a sip, Cana appeared out of nowhere with a bottle of alcohol, filling his glass to the brim.

"Men should drink beer!" she declared.

At the same time, Evergreen mischievously picked a slice of fruit from a nearby platter and pushed it toward Nate's mouth.

"Here, have some fruit. Winter fruit is only available this time of year!"

"Eat something, Nate-sama! I made this myself!"

Juvia glared at the others before presenting Nate with a carefully arranged plate of food.

Nate: "…"

Meanwhile, Ultear rested her chin on her hand, watching the scene unfold with a sly smile.

What a lucky guy. Since I'm in a good mood today, I'll let him off the hook.

"How about we play a game since it's a party?"

As Nate ate the fruit Evergreen handed him, nibbled on Juvia's food, and took alternating sips of Levy's juice and Cana's alcohol, he suggested the idea to divert attention.

"What kind of game?"

Erza's eyes lit up with interest, her confidence evident. "A card game? I'm pretty good at those!"

"Truth or Dare!" Evergreen proposed with a mischievous grin.

No way! Nate shot her a warning look.

"The King's Game?" Ultear chuckled softly.

Cana's eyes sparkled with excitement. "Oh, that's perfect! We're all girls here, except for Nate. It'll be so much fun!"

"Let's pick a different game," Lucy interjected, attempting to steer the group in another direction. She could tell they were looking for a chance to tease Nate, and as his girlfriend, she felt it was her duty to defend him.

Though, deep down, Lucy was more annoyed by the fact that she wasn't sitting next to Nate—Juvia and Erza had already claimed those spots.

"I agree!" Juvia said enthusiastically.

"I've never played it before," Erza admitted, her curiosity piqued.

"It's a game best played at mixed gatherings," Evergreen said with a smirk, relishing the chance to tease Nate in such a perfect scenario.

"I'm in!" Levy raised her hand, eyes gleaming with anticipation.

"Evergreen, do you play this a lot?" Cana asked, clearly intrigued.

"Of course not!" Evergreen's face turned slightly red, making Cana stifle a laugh.

In the end, six voted in favor, two against, and Nate found himself reluctantly roped into playing the King's Game.

…

The King's Game Rules

Nate used his magic to create nine wooden sticks, one labeled "King" and the others numbered 1 through 8.

"The rules are simple," he explained. "Each person draws a stick. Whoever gets the 'King' reveals themselves, while the unclaimed stick indicates the King's number. The King can then order two to three people to complete a task. The command must be followed, but keep in mind, the King's own number could backfire."

It was a lighthearted social game—especially fun in mixed company.

"No way!" Levy protested. "Master, your sticks could be marked. Cheating isn't allowed!"

How dare you question your teacher's integrity!

Nate sighed. "We all have magic. Anyone could cheat, not just me."

"We're girls! We wouldn't cheat," Evergreen teased. "I'll get a fresh deck of cards from the storage room."

You'd think she trained in sabotage!

Nate groaned internally. She's really determined to mess with me.

Just as Evergreen left, Mirajane and Lisanna—finally free from their kitchen duties—joined the group.

"King's Game? Count us in!"

With that, the player count rose to ten.

Evergreen soon returned with a deck of cards, using A–10 for numbers 1–10 and a Joker for the King. The rules remained the same.

Let the chaos begin.

"Alright, the game begins! Everyone, draw your cards!"

Mirajane, brimming with excitement, eagerly took the first card. The rest of the women quickly followed, each carefully selecting a card as though afraid Nate might cheat.

Why would I even bother? Nate thought, exasperated. If only Six Eyes could see through cards…

When his turn came, Nate picked one of the last two remaining cards.

7.

"Who's the King?" Cana asked, glancing at her card.

"That would be me."

Ultear smiled serenely, holding up the Joker for everyone to see.

Nate relaxed slightly. Surely, the witch wouldn't set me up…

"Let me think," Ultear mused, tapping her chin with mock innocence before smirking.

"7 and 8… take off a piece of clothing."

Nate: "…"

You definitely cheated.

It was too perfect, too targeted. He cast her a glare that screamed, You better not land in my hands later.

Ultear met his gaze with an unapologetic Try me smirk.

Lucy asked nervously, blushing at how daring the game was becoming, "Who's number 7?"

"That would be me…" Nate sighed, resigned.

"I'm 8," Erza announced, showing her card.

"Take it off! Take it off!" Evergreen jeered gleefully.

You're on my list, too, Nate grumbled inwardly, removing his jacket.

Erza, on the other hand, calmly untied the ribbon in her hair, letting it cascade down her shoulders. The group's collective disappointment was palpable.

…

Round Two

This time, Nate drew a 3.

The King? Cana.

Her mischievous grin sent a sinking feeling through Nate.

"Number 9, kiss Number 3!"

How? How do you keep doing this?!

Nate glanced at his card. Yep, 3.

"I… I'm 9," Lisanna stammered, her face turning crimson.

"Kiss him quickly and get it over with," Cana teased, grinning. "And Mirajane, you can't take her place."

Mirajane looked ready to interject but sighed instead.

"I can do it!" Lisanna declared, mustering her courage. She approached Nate, gave him a quick peck on the cheek, and then darted back to her seat, her face redder than ever.

Nate's head was spinning. "How about we switch games?"

"Absolutely not!"

The group protested in unison.

Lucy… you too?! Nate shot her a betrayed look.

Lucy flipped her hair nonchalantly. "I think it's fun."

You just want an excuse to kiss me in public!

…

Round Three

This time, Erza became King.

Her command was straightforward: "Number 4 carries Number 1 around the guild hall."

Not the most intense punishment, but enough to make Nate wary.

He didn't check his card immediately. Instead, he scanned the others. One by one, the women revealed their cards.

No Number 4.

No Number 1.

A sinking feeling washed over Nate. He flipped his card: 4.

Mirajane narrowed her eyes. "Then who's Number 1?"

Erza hesitated, picked up the unclaimed card from the table, and revealed it: 1.

"Me… I'm Number 1?"

Cana burst into laughter. "Even the King has to follow her own orders!"

And so, Nate found himself carrying Erza piggyback around the guild hall.

"Sorry about this, Nate," Erza murmured, embarrassed as she clung to his back.

"How did you know I was 4?"

"I didn't," she admitted sheepishly. "I just guessed two numbers."

Pure luck? No way.

Three rounds in a row, each involving him? The odds were astronomical. Someone was definitely cheating.

As he jogged to the back of the guild, nearing the open-air pool, Nate's sharp eyes caught sight of a familiar figure.

Huh?

Stopping in his tracks, he noticed Mest crouched near a corner, suspiciously absorbed in a conversation on Magic Net.

"What's he up to now?" Nate muttered under his breath.