"Ancient Wimperian is truly complex."
Levy held her pen while studying the relevant books, beads of sweat forming on her forehead.
Although the request contained only this brief sentence, it wasn't something that could be easily deciphered.
Such was the nature of ancient texts - sometimes fewer characters made it even harder to parse their true meaning.
With more text, one could analyze context and make educated guesses based on commonalities between different characters.
"Bad news."
Mirajane (Marco) was also flipping through books, though the expression on his delicate face wasn't promising.
He had actually found some relevant records, but they didn't bring good news.
"What is it?"
Happy (Erza) immediately asked, while the other affected members gathered around with worried expressions.
"If this magic isn't undone within thirty minutes, the body-swapped state might become permanent," Marco said solemnly.
"What?!"
"What should we do?!"
This sent everyone into a panic - this was absolutely unacceptable!
"Oh right, that does sound familiar."
Makarov nearby seemed to just remember this detail, slowly taking a sip of his alcohol with a look of someone who'd been reminded.
This earned him several resentful glares from the group - so you forgot about this crucial detail, old man?!
"How much time is left?"
Mirajane frowned deeply, looking worriedly at her "other self."
The remaining time wasn't much at all!
"About less than twenty minutes."
Mirajane (Marco) glanced at the clock, roughly estimating the time that had passed.
He couldn't help but feel grateful that he had urgently stopped the chaotic commotion earlier, leaving these twenty minutes to find a solution.
"Go for it, Master! You can definitely do it!"
Hisui (Lucy) cheered for Marco, believing he would surely succeed!
Among these body-swapped pairs, Lucy and Hisui's situation was probably the most acceptable.
Not only were they both girls, but they both used Celestial Spirit Magic, making their circumstances much better than the others.
Just look at Happy and Erza - they had switched species entirely!
Natsu and Gray were both suffering from each other's magic, which was inevitable given their opposing temperature extremes.
Juvia and Cana couldn't use each other's magic either.
As for Marco and Mirajane, their awkward body language made it clear they were both struggling.
But even so, none of them wanted to accept this outcome.
They all wanted to return to their original bodies, mainly because everyone was satisfied with their own lives - why should they have to live someone else's?
"Go! Go!"
Everyone began cheering, encouraging Marco and Levy.
Some even formed cheer squads, chanting slogans for them.
"...Quiet."
Mirajane (Marco) called a stop to their antics with an exasperated expression.
If these people could be even slightly reliable, this wouldn't be "Fairy Tail."
The two of them were here reading books and researching, while the rest of the group was making such a racket nearby...
'Is this appropriate?!'
"Shh!"
Everyone immediately fell silent, and the guild hall quieted down, giving Marco and Levy a peaceful environment to read and research.
Of course, those who had swapped bodies were still extremely restless, feeling as though every second dragged on like a year.
They kept a close eye on the time, each tick of the second hand striking their hearts like a hammer.
"See if any of you dare chant recklessly next time."
Observing the anxious crowd, Makarov spoke up.
His gaze shifted to Natsu and then to Gray, making it clear his words were directed at Natsu, who had chanted the spell.
"Don't worry, he'll definitely still dare next time." Mirajane (Marco) quipped.
If Natsu didn't dare chant recklessly, he wouldn't be Natsu anymore—it would be as if he'd been possessed.
This was a guy whose body and mouth were always one step ahead of his brain.
"Any ideas?"
Seeing Mirajane (Marco) finally speak again, Happy (Erza) couldn't help but ask.
As the deadline drew closer, she grew increasingly impatient.
The entire cat was restless—not that Happy was bad, but she really wanted to be human again.
"We have a rough idea. It's worth a try."
Mirajane (Marco) and Levy exchanged a glance before speaking slowly.
The feeling was strange for Levy—seeing Marco in Mirajane's appearance but with his usual mannerisms was utterly jarring, making it hard for her to keep a straight face.
"Then what are we waiting for?! Hurry up and give it a try! We're running out of time!"
Hearing Mirajane (Marco) say this, Happy (Erza) grew frantic.
In such a critical moment, if there was a solution, they should test it immediately! That was the right approach!
Even if it meant sacrificing herself, it would be a worthy death—helping eliminate a wrong option and creating opportunities for others to revert.
Erza would rather die than live forever as Happy.
Though this might hurt Happy's feelings, it couldn't be helped.
Erza wasn't targeting him specifically; she'd feel the same way no matter who it was.
"Then let's begin." Mirajane (Marco) nodded.
With only ten minutes left, it was indeed time to test any possible solution promptly.
"Everyone else, clear out. We need to evacuate the area to prevent any further accidents."
Mirajane (Marco) waved a hand sternly, issuing the command for all unrelated guild members to leave the hall.
They were about to chant another spell, and for safety's sake, clearing the area was the right move.
It was far better than having a crowd gathered here—if something went wrong again, it would be a total disaster.
"Alright! We're heading out now!"
Without any hesitation, everyone immediately followed Marco's arrangement.
Led by Makarov, the other unaffected guild members left the hall, leaving only Marco, Mirajane, Natsu, Gray, Erza, Happy, Lucy, Hisui, Juvia, and Cana inside.
They needed to undo the spells pair by pair.
"So troublesome?"
Happy (Erza) had assumed a single chant would reverse everyone's condition, but it turned out they had to do it pair by pair.
This is such a waste of time, and they're running out of it!
"No choice, that's what the book says."
Levy couldn't help it either.
They were just following the instructions.
Since the book said so, she and Marco naturally had to comply.
"Let's go first."
Happy (Erza) was quite brave, immediately volunteering to be the first.
It wasn't that she feared there wouldn't be enough time later to change back; she simply felt this was dangerous and she should take the lead as an example.
That was just like Erza.
"Huh?!"
Erza (Happy) widened her eyes.
This was to be done in pairs, not one by one.
If Erza went, then he would have to go along too. Moreover, if Erza went, she'd be using his Happy's body?!
"What are you 'huh'-ing about? Hurry up!"
Happy (Erza)'s blue-furred cat face wore a fierce expression, glaring at the bizarre-looking, strange-sounding "self" beside her.
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