After familiarizing himself with the two newly acquired Dragon Slaying Magic types, Hope planned to test the system's latest feature—'Self-Analysis.' The targets of this analysis were the three Dragon Slaying Magic types: 'Holy,' 'Fire,' and 'Iron.'
"Let's see what kind of magic you can fuse for me in the end... System." Hope muttered to himself, activating the system's newest and final unlocked function for the first time.
[Ding~ Command received]
[The Self-Analysis function requires the host to act as the vessel and endure the process]
[Please enter a meditative state, host]
It's not that the system fuses it and gives it to me directly... Hope was somewhat surprised, but he still sat cross-legged on the ground, closed his eyes, and quickly cleared his mind to enter a meditative state.
[Analysis beginning]
[Analysis of Holy, Fire, and Iron Dragon Slaying Magic complete. Merger beginning—]
As the system's notification faded, Hope felt his consciousness being pulled away, sinking into a boundless darkness. Immediately after, three lights lit up before his 'eyes.'
On the left was the heavy, condensed gray glow of 'Iron,' solid and cold.
On the right was the blazing, leaping red light of 'Fire,' wild and violent.
And floating in the center was the pure, flawless white light of 'Holy,' giving off a warm and peaceful feeling.
Under the guidance of the system's invisible power, the three energies with vastly different attributes began to slowly draw closer. At the moment of contact, the holy radiance, the scorching flames, and the cold torrent of iron transformed into three giant dragons, clashing violently together.
The sharp pain of his consciousness tearing, accompanied by waves of warm currents of magic power mixing the 'Holy,' 'Fire,' and 'Iron' attributes, violently surged through his entire body.
Hope gritted his teeth, fine beads of sweat seeping from his forehead.
Fortunately, the clash within his consciousness soon ended. The three strands of magic power began to rotate around each other, their lights intertwining.
Hope held his breath and concentrated, witnessing the rotating orb of light change from being distinctly separated at first to its boundaries gradually blurring, finally turning into a white radiance flowing with deep black and dark red patterns.
It radiated the nobility and warmth of the 'Holy' attribute, contained the heat and wildness of the 'Fire' attribute within, and carried the weight and indestructibility of 'Iron.'
[Merger complete]
[Fused Dragon Slaying Magic generated]
[Congratulations to the host for obtaining the fused magic: 'Dragon King · Holy Radiance']
A massive stream of information instantly flooded into Hope's mind. The essence, form, and abilities of this brand-new magic were all presented with absolute clarity.
Fused from three attributes of Dragon Slaying Magic, 'Dragon King · Holy Radiance' could perfectly utilize the characteristics of the fusion materials and possessed even more powerful might.
At the same time, Dragon King Magic could use 'Iron' as a foundation to construct powerful magical weapons and armor possessing the Fire and Holy attributes.
Compared to Dragon Slaying Magic, the greatest advantage of Dragon King Magic was that while its power increased, its magic consumption was significantly reduced. This was heavenly news for Hope, who had a low magic capacity limit.
Hope snapped his eyes open, and an intense light burst from within his body.
He reached out and gripped the air. A triple-intertwined Magic Circle with a silver-gray outer ring, a crimson inner ring, and a pure white core appeared around his right hand. Following his will, it formed a Dragon Spear wreathed in white-gold flames.
Looking down at the magnificent weapon formed from magic power and feeling the strength contained within, Hope felt an indescribable shock in his heart.
"Is this... the power after fusion?"
"It's truly wonderful."
"!"
"Heehee... heeheehee... heeheeheeheehee hahahaha..."
His confidence inexplicably exploding, Hope dispersed the Dragon Spear and covered his face with his hand. The corners of his mouth curled up wildly, and he finally couldn't help but burst into maniacal laughter.
Suddenly, he sensed a gaze falling on him. Turning around, he saw Cana, who had appeared at some unknown time!
"Cana! You didn't go home?"
"Wait, how much did you see?"
Cana held an empty wine bottle. Seeing Hope's expression as he desperately tried to hide his embarrassment, she couldn't help but laugh out loud. "I originally thought I'd sneak in for some wine tonight while the guild storage was open. I didn't expect to witness someone's Chuunibyou episode from start to finish."
"With such power, who can possibly stand against me~"
"Oh my, such Chuunibyou lines. I really didn't expect that Hope, who looks so serious, is actually a closet freak to the extreme~"
It's over, she really saw it!
Hope was filled with regret; he shouldn't have had that moment of madness.
Cana watched Hope's expression change three times in a second and found it extremely amusing. She shook the empty bottle in her hand. "Hey, Hope, do you think Big Sister's wine bottle will refill itself?"
The corner of Hope's mouth twitched. This woman was actually blackmailing him.
Then don't blame me for being impolite!
So, hardening his heart, he dejectedly went to get wine for Cana... The next day.
Cana woke up on a bench in the temporary hall.
"Hiss~ My head hurts."
"Just how much did I drink last night?"
Looking at the pile of empty wine bottles on the floor, which was as tall as two people, Cana fell into deep confusion. She had come to the guild to steal wine last night, and then something seemed to have happened?
My head hurts so much, I can't remember... Did I drink so much that I blacked out?
Just as Cana was trying hard to remember, Erza rushed into the temporary hall. "Master! This is bad! Lucy has been kidnapped by Mages from Phantom Lord!"
"What!"
Makarov, who was gloomily drinking in a corner, was shocked. Then, his entire being became incredibly furious, veins popping. "That damn Phantom Lord, do they really think this old man—that our Fairy Tail—has no temper!"
Makarov's words instantly ignited everyone's emotions.
The guild had been destroyed, and the Shadow Gear team had been attacked last night. Everyone had long been unable to hold back. If it weren't for considering Makarov's attitude, they would have secretly attacked Phantom Lord Headquarters already.
And now, Lucy being kidnapped was undoubtedly the final straw that broke everyone's patience.
"If they only destroyed our guild, I could endure it. But now they actually laid hands on the children of the guild... then let's settle all the old and new grudges together!"
Makarov jumped onto a table and shouted loudly to everyone, "I declare! We are at war with Phantom Lord! Go and take revenge for our family!"
The members, who had long been itching for a fight, heard this, and one by one, with their anger levels maxed out, they roared and rushed out of the guild, heading for Oak Town, where the Phantom Lord Headquarters was located, to save Lucy and, while they were at it, smash Phantom Lord to pieces.
Soon, only Makarov and Erza were left in the guild.
Seeing that only two people remained, the anger on Makarov's face instantly vanished, and he looked at Erza cheerfully. "My acting was great, right? Those brats actually believed it without even asking for details. It's a waste that we spent so long coming up with reasons, and in the end, we didn't even use them."
Erza only nodded but didn't respond. She suspected that Makarov wasn't acting just now, but expressing his true feelings.
"By the way, Master, have you seen Mirajane?"
"Eh? She's not here?"
After saying this, Makarov suddenly realized that he indeed hadn't seen Mirajane since coming to the guild today.
If Mirajane had something that prevented her from coming to the guild, she would definitely have explained in advance or had Elfman pass on a message. She would never leave without any word.
Could it be... Makarov suppressed the bad premonition in his heart. However, the guild members had already set off for the Phantom Lord Headquarters. He took a deep breath; he could only deal with Phantom first and then search for Mirajane with all his might.
----------------------------------
I've already uploaded over 40 new chapters on Patreon!
If you're enjoying the story and want to read ahead, feel free to check it out.
Your support truly means a lot to me!
patreon.com/Kazenova223
Thank you so much for being here!
And if you're having fun with the story, don't forget to drop a Power Stone for me!