Thirty thousand second-generation Magic Net rings.
Ten thousand entrusted to Edolas Lucy.
Ten thousand to Erza Knightwalker.
The last ten thousand to Ur.
With his tasks distributed, Nate felt unburdened. After reassuring Ur, he used the Flying Thunder God technique to return from Edolas to Magnolia.
Despite traveling between two worlds, aside from occasional coordinate deviations, the magic consumption wasn't significant. This made Nate wonder if, in terms of space-time, the "distance" between parallel worlds was actually quite short.
…
Magnolia, an apartment with a rent of 70,000J per month.
A golden magic circle appeared on the wooden floor, and Nate instantly returned home. He immediately sensed another magical presence in the room.
"Well, well, we meet again, Fourth Master~"
Nate turned to see a small figure at the tea table. The first master, Mavis, was sitting there, sipping on a cup of chamomile tea that had been his.
"Mavis? What are you doing in my home?" Nate asked in surprise. He couldn't help but think that the chamomile tea the Former Council Chairman had given him was being consumed far too quickly. Not that it mattered now—after the attack on the council headquarters by Grimoire Heart, Crawford Seam had been demoted to a regular council member.
Nate felt a bit sorry for him—it was truly an unfortunate situation. Yet, it was better than the fate he suffered in the original story, where he was forced into retirement due to the Tower of Heaven incident.
Mavis sat relaxed, her small feet dangling under the table, her toes wiggling playfully.
"I got bored staying on Tenrou Island."
"So, why come to my place?" Nate asked, taking a seat across from her and pouring himself a cup of chamomile tea—probably the last one left.
"How did you even know I live here?" He took a sip and looked at her.
"I've got a sharp nose. I memorized your magical aura last time," the petite first master said proudly, her expression beaming with self-satisfaction.
After leaving Tenrou Island, Mavis had wandered into Magnolia, a city she hadn't seen in years and barely recognized. Following Nate's familiar magic aura, she had found his apartment.
"Fourth Master, I saw a post on the Magic Net—Grimoire Heart plans to attack Fairy Tail during the Harvest Festival."
I'm not the Fourth… Nate thought, too tired to correct her again. "So, is that why you're here, Mavis?"
"That's one reason," she admitted hesitantly. In truth, she had just been too bored. Before discovering the Magic Net, she had been content being alone—or rather, being a ghost—on Tenrou Island. But once she got hooked on the internet, she couldn't resist leaving the island.
You're just lonely, aren't you? Nate thought with an inward chuckle.
"It's perfect timing, actually. The Harvest Festival is just a few days away, Mavis."
"A festival, huh? That brings back memories. It'll surely be lively," Mavis said with a gleam in her eye, clearly interested. As she traveled through the city, she'd seen the decorations going up and sensed the festive atmosphere.
"Fourth Master!" Mavis, now floating with excitement, looked at Nate with an expectant gaze. "I saw that some of the dessert shops are having discounts! Amazing festival deals!"
Nate: "..."
"If we miss these few days, we'll have to wait a whole year."
Nate: "..."
"Come on, let's go together~"
You just want cake, don't you? Nate thought, feeling exasperated. Forget the discounts—you just have a sweet tooth.
"Is it the strawberry cake you want again? Mavis, are you craving it?" he asked.
"Yes!" Mavis nodded eagerly, then shook her head. "But the key is the discount! Buying during the festival is practically a win! As a Fairy Tail wizard, you should seize every opportunity in life!"
Yeah, right, it's all about the cake! Nate thought as he got up. "Fine, let's go."
"Great! Hurry, hurry! If we're late, they'll sell out!" Mavis floated along happily as they left the apartment together.
Though it was still just after 9 a.m., the streets were already bustling in anticipation of the festival. The Harvest Festival, as its name suggests, is Magnolia's annual celebration of the harvest. It takes place every year on October 6th and is a grand celebration for the entire town, marking the year's harvest and hoping for good fortune in the year to come.
Of course, that's not what matters most.
What really matters is the food, fun, and festivities! Shops take the chance to offer festival-themed products and discounts, and on the festival night, there's the grand "Magic Parade." Even those not interested in the parade can join the large bonfire party under the Sky Tree at South Park.
Nate suddenly wondered if he'd be expected to perform in the parade. No one had told him anything yet, but if he was needed, what would he do? Cause an earthquake with a single punch?
Turn the festival into a disaster!
Then again, what might be even scarier than the festival itself was the question of how he'd spend it with his girlfriend. Holidays are a cheater's worst nightmare!
Hades, Former Guild Master—please, I'm counting on you to show up!
As he mulled over thoughts about the festival, Nate guided Mavis to the dessert shop. The last time he had given her a strawberry cake, it was actually one that Erza had bought. Erza loved those cakes so much that she'd buy them in batches of a hundred and would sometimes share a few with him. Not being one for sweets, Nate had stored them in his inventory. When he visited Mavis on Tenrou Island, he had remembered that she loved sweets and decided to give one to her.
"We're here, this is the place."
When they arrived outside the shop, they found a line forming. Nate was a little surprised—business must be booming as the festival approaches.
But then he realized that the line wasn't for the dessert shop.
It was for a new shop next door, with the line spilling over.
"Fourth Master, what's that store selling?" Mavis asked curiously, drawn to the crowd.
"Rings," Nate replied thoughtfully. Impressive—Jude's efficiency is really high! He only mentioned opening a Magic Net ring shop in Magnolia last night, and it's already open today.
"Rings? Like this one?" Mavis held out her hand, showing off the silver ring on her finger.
"Exactly."
Nate nodded, then said, "But let's focus on getting your cake."
They entered the shop, where the owner, a plump woman, greeted them warmly. She couldn't see Mavis but immediately recognized Nate.
"Oh, Nate-san! Erza-san is here too."
"Huh?" Nate turned to see Erza sitting at a window-side table, happily enjoying a strawberry cake. When she heard his name, she looked up and saw her boyfriend—with Mavis following behind him.
In that moment, Erza's expression shifted to something peculiar.
"..."
Wait, let me explain! I swear, this is Mavis, the first master—I'm not some kind of lolicon!
Nate could see the odd suspicion in his girlfriend's eyes.
"Morning, Erza…" he said sheepishly.