Chapter 4: We need to surpass Fairy Tail
The wolf loomed closer, its yellow eyes gleaming with a hunger that made my blood run cold. My heart pounded in my chest as I wondered if this was truly the end. Desperation clawed at me, and just as I thought all hope was lost, a brilliant light erupted before me, and the katana I'd seen before suddenly reappeared.
"It's strange that it suddenly reappears, but if it can save me..." I murmured, my voice trembling with a mix of fear and determination.
I drew the katana from its scabbard, and an incredible surge of power coursed through me. Pure white wings sprouted from my back, my blue eyes turned golden, and my body became enveloped in a radiant light.
"Now, I feel like I can beat you, cursed wolf," I declared, my voice strong and unwavering.
I charged at the wolf, my speed now matching its own. With newfound strength, I conjured hundreds of arrows of light and sent them hurtling towards the beast. Its barrier materialized, but after the ninetieth arrow, it shattered, and the remaining arrows struck the wolf directly.
"It's time to finish this mission," I said, approaching the wolf, which was now barely clinging to life.
Suddenly, the wolf let out a piercing howl that caught me off guard. I regained my composure quickly and closed in for the final blow.
"It's over now, damn wolf," I snarled, slashing at it with my katana.
The wolf collapsed, its movements ceasing as it drew its last breath. As the katana vanished, my body returned to its normal state, and I realized just how much magic I'd expended.
"Finally, I've completed this mission. All that's left is to present the mayor with the wolf's fur and claim my reward."
But before I could move, another wolf, identical to the first, emerged from the shadows.
"That's impossible... there's a second one. But I'm almost out of magic, and I don't know how to make the katana reappear."
The wolf lunged at me with terrifying speed, its claws raking across my abdomen and sending me crashing into a nearby wall.
"I... how am I going to do this?" I gasped, clutching my bleeding belly.
Desperately, I hurled balls of light at the wolf, but it dodged them effortlessly, closing the distance between us. Just as it was about to strike again, a sword of light pierced the air, striking the wolf. It was the last thing I saw before I blacked out.
When I awoke the next morning, I found myself in the guild infirmary.
"I must be at the guild," I muttered, trying to sit up, only to be met with a sharp pain in my abdomen.
"It wasn't a dream," I realized. "But who saved me? I couldn't even see their face."
Determined to find answers, I managed to get out of bed and made my way to the guild hall, heading straight for the bar where the bartender stood.
"Ah, you're back. I see things didn't go well," the bartender remarked.
"Yes, you're right. But I have a question: who brought me here?"
"I don't know either. The person was masked, and there were two of them."
"Oh, I see. Not even a hint about their identity?"
"No, nothing at all. But Master Jose wants to see you."
"I'll head there then," I said, feeling a mix of curiosity and dread.
I approached Master Jose's office and knocked on the door. His voice called me in, and I entered to see a tall, thin man with long black-purple hair, a thin mustache, and piercing green eyes.
"I'm glad you're here, Jade. I'd like to congratulate you on the success of your mission."
"Thank you, but I only managed to defeat one wolf when there were two."
"That's understandable. You couldn't have known there would be two wolves. Besides, the wolf you fought is an A-level monster."
"I thought it was a C-level monster because the quest itself was C-level."
"Yes, that's why you're here. Have you been hiding your true power, Jade?"
"No, Master Jose. I've just been practicing a lot recently. (I can't tell him the truth about the katana.)"
"Very well. Keep it up, and here is your reward," he said, handing me a bag full of jewels.
"Thank you. I'll be leaving now."
"Continue to improve, Jade. We need to surpass Fairy Tail," he said as I left the office.
I headed home, my mind swirling with thoughts. After a shower, I tended to my wound with disinfectant and bandages, then settled down to eat and think.
"Lying to Master Jose was the right call. He's not a good person, always plotting against Fairy Tail. But this mark, this power... it's a double-edged sword. For now, I'll keep it hidden and only use it in emergencies. I need to heal and train, to learn new techniques."
Two months passed, and my strength had grown significantly. I could now rival a B-rank mage, and with the katana, I could even face three A-rank mages. As I walked into the guild, someone called out to me.
"Hey, I've heard you've become strong. I'd like to see just how strong you've gotten."
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone