"Well, even if that were the case, it's not a big problem that I can't solve." Shun calmed his emotions and listened to Mira's story.
"After hearing the story this time, it wasn't Elfman who did the job, but a random monster when the three siblings were somehow not paying attention." Shun sighed, then decided to visit this troublesome Edolas that steals from his home world.
"Hmm, from what you said, the way you disappeared sounds like forced teleportation magic."
"!"
Mira, who had blank eyes, regained a bit of light in them.
"Forced teleportation?" Mira asked.
"Yeah, as you know, I'm kind of an expert in the ways of teleportation. Bring me to the location of the incident."
'There should be a way to go to Edolas from there, and if I'm not wrong, Mystogan should be running around to prevent Anima. Hopefully we'll meet him there,' Shun planned out his moves.
"Makarov, I'll go on an emergency mission. You're temporarily taking the authority of the guild master," Shun announced.
"Alright." Makarov had no problem with it. He even missed his old position, even though when he had it he was always stressed.
"But don't make big decisions on your own again, like the alliance between guilds. Only make decisions that fit your height." Shun smirked a little, the expression visible only to Makarov. After all, Mira was right behind him.
"…"
Shun had stopped his growth with the pure gold at 191 cm. After all, with the great benefits of One Piece world's Sea King meat and all kinds of fruits, his growth had been way too fast. If he hadn't used pure gold, he would have joined the other admirals and become over three meters tall.
Makarov's face went from pink to volcanic. He barely contained the explosion, veins throbbing…
"You brat, do you think you won't turn old?"
"Pfft—!" From the neighboring table, Macao and Wakaba couldn't hold it in.
Seeing two punchable faces with no consequences, Makarov didn't hold back.
Whack! Whack!
The guild erupted in muffled snickers as the two victims rubbed their heads, still wheezing.
Leaving them to their antics, Shun had an important mission.
"The ones I named will be going with me. Mavis, Mira, Cana, Sorano, Yukino, and…" Shun started naming the people to go with him.
"Juvia."
Yes, Juvia had joined since yesterday. But she couldn't show her face after what she did to the guild. She felt immense guilt. Despite being invited by Shun and being assured that she was innocent, she couldn't bring herself to face everyone and was sitting alone in the corner, biting her nails while watching Shun with so many different women.
"Huh? Juvia?" Cana asked from the side.
"Yes, she'll be on a month-long duty as my errand girl. It's punishment for previously attacking the guild, even though she didn't actually harm anyone. The intent was there, so I will bring punishment upon her!" Shun declared, taking his role a bit too seriously in the eyes of others, but
'If I don't slap a silly "punishment" on her, she'll drown in guilt forever. She's a bit too kind. It's a simple but effective method.'
"Isn't that a bit harsh?"
"Yeah, she didn't harm anyone. She's innocent!" The guild members started protesting.
'Heh, all according to plan.' Shun barely held back his smile.
"Quiet. I'm the guild master!" Shun said with a rigid face.
"You'll regret this!" The guild members were furious.
"Shun…sama." Juvia came over with a red face. She had already guessed Shun's intent.
'I imagined it would be awkward to be called like that by Juvia… but I like the feeling of superiority!' Shun gave her a thumbs-up with a smile.
"All right, let's go."
With a casual wave, he conjured a cozy little house mid-air: big panoramic windows, plush sofa, low table , pure luxury transport bubble.
It was his usual transportation bubble but this time Shun added extra comfort.
Just when they were about to leave, someone Shun had completely forgotten called out.
"Shun! Please let me go too." It was Shun's number one fan in the guild, Elfman.
'Shit, I forgot about him. It's about his family matter too.' Shun sighed, then placed his hand on Elfman's shoulder.
"Elfman. A real man knows when to stand down and let his mind settle. I'll track down whatever snatched Lisanna, you have my word. Rest up. Maybe tag along with Macbeth's crew for that guild alliance job. Show 'em what a man can do."
"…"
Elfman froze. Then his lip wobbled, then… he started crying.
"I understand. Thank you. As always, you're the man among men!" Elfman had complete trust in Shun. His worry about Lisanna was about 90% relieved.
Seeing the obstacle solved, Shun hurriedly joined the transportation bubble.
"All right, let's go."
With Shun's words, the bubble started floating, carrying the simple house inside it.
"Why did you create such a big window?" Cana asked.
"Hmm, while our destination is important, let's not forget to enjoy the scenery too." Shun surprisingly said something decent, which caught Cana off guard as a slight blush appeared on her cheeks.
'This reaction again? Since I grew up a bit and even used pure gold to stop my growth, it means I'm at the peak of my appearance and beauty… Lately I've noticed the women around me often seem lost in mesmerization when looking at me. Did I… become too handsome?' While the girls were lost in the beauty of the scenery from the sky, Shun was also lost in his delusions.
——
On the sofa, Shun was sandwiched between Mavis and Sorano. While Juvia was giving him a shoulder massage as the guilty one under punishment. Cana and Yukino were right next to them.
Mira was holding a simple lacrima to steer the bubble, as she was the only one who knew the destination. When she moved the lacrima, Shun would know which direction to guide the bubble.
Except for Sorano occasionally rubbing Shun's thighs, things were peaceful.
'Am I being molested? She has even lately started taking peeks when I shower. Sorano must be dealt with as soon as possible.' Shun was at a loss for words and made a mental note.
Mira was lost in thought when Yukino walked over to her side.
Yukino was only eleven years old this year, so she was Lisanna's closest friend, being closer to her age than the others.
"Mira-nee, don't worry. Lisanna-chan is surely fine."
"Yukino…" Mira's expression improved a little after the encouragement.
"Yukino's words aren't that far off from the truth," Shun spoke up.
"What do you mean?" Mira asked hopefully.
"I can see the future sometimes," Shun said, telling a half-truth and half-lie. After all, he could indeed see the future, but only a few minutes ahead thanks to his advanced observation haki.
"Lisanna is being taken care of by a beautiful, kind woman. She is looking after Lisanna well."
"Can you see the future? Can you prove that?"
"Can you see the future? Can you prove that?!"
"!"
Shun and Cana spoke at the same time.
"Heh. Now you believe me?" Shun said with a smug smile
However Cana didn't give up.
"Those were predictable words. How about… food, water, garbage, book, card! Boobs!"
"Those were predictable words. How about… food, water, garbage, book, card! Boobs!"
"…"
Cana tried to mix in some random words, but it only proved Shun's claim.
"So it's true…" Mira sighed deeply, relieved. All of her worries flowed out with her breath.
"Mm, so keep calm and just leave everything to me. You can even take a nap, and everything will be back to normal," Shun nodded and spoke with a smile.
Shun thought he didn't have favorites, but he became about a hundred times kinder and more benevolent when he was in the Fairy Tail world.
After Mira was almost back to her usual self, Shun continued to tease Cana.
"By the way, you will try to pretend to slip so you can hug me in about three minutes."
"Huh?" Cana was confused by this apparent nonsense.
However, the two who never doubted Shun's words reacted differently.
"What?" Juvia was shocked.
"Cana… are you that desperate?" Sorano was weirded out.
'Can you really judge people, Miss Sorano?' Shun was speechless.
——
Three hours later, the group arrived at the location. It was a deserted wasteland on the outskirts of Ermina town.
"Three hours, huh? It would probably have taken ten times longer if we had used a different method to travel," Shun said, taking a moment to brag about his bubble transport.
"How is it, Shun? Did you notice anything unusual?" Mira asked hopefully.
'Well, I would love to answer positively, but I don't feel anything. Obviously I can't tell her that after all that bragging and bringing everyone with me.' Shun sighed and closed his eyes, as if he was fully concentrating in the eyes of the others.
The next moment, Shun opened his eyes and located an invisible guy about two hundred meters away from them, spying on the group.
'Lucky! As expected, this guy is around this Anima magic. If I couldn't find him, I would have had to stop time and try to find a way to go to Edolas and bring Lisanna back. Even if that would cost almost half of my magic power.'
POP-!
"Huh?" ×6
With his signature sound, before their brains could process what was happening, Shun returned with a man who had made himself invisible using a magic item.
Seeing the man about to panic in self-defense, Shun touched his shoulder and calmed him down.
"Relax. I'm the guild master of the guild you belong to."
"Huh? Ah, I heard you're the fourth guild master now. Congratulations—no, more importantly, what are you guys doing here?" Mystogan, the prince of Edolas, asked.
"Shun, who is this suspicious guy?" Sorano asked, as Mystogan's attire was indeed suspicious. His entire body was covered in white tapes, and he wore a hat that hid his entire head.
"He is Mystogan. One of the S-Class mages," Shun explained.
'Becoming an S-Class mage of Fairy Tail using only magic items… this guy is the potential man of this Fairy Tail world.'
"What? Mystogan? Why is he here?" Cana asked a bunch of questions in a row.
"Who knows? Will you explain the situation to me, the guild master?"
"…"
Mystogan remained silent… until…
"Please, Mystogan. My sister Lisanna disappeared here. Do you know anything?" Mira asked, her emotions laid bare.
"Lisanna disappeared here?" Mystogan was shocked to hear that one of his guild mates had been affected by his home world's Anima magic.
"Listen…"
After saying that, Mystogan explained everything: where he came from, that Anima was a magic his home world Edolas used to steal from Earthland, and how this time Lisanna had been stolen somehow.
"What?!" The girls were shocked, with Mira obviously the most surprised.
"Why would Lisanna get stolen?"
"Sorry, I don't know," Mystogan replied curtly.
"Well, we'll learn that by ourselves. Can you send us there?" Shun asked.
"…"
Mystogan seemed hesitant.
"Huh? Is there a problem?" Cana asked.
"The truth is… Edolas is currently not very peaceful. I also can't guide you there, as I have to prevent Anima from stealing any further from Earthland."
After Mystogan, the Jellal from the Edolas world, finished talking…
"Hmm, so none of the things you said are actually problems worth worrying about. Just lead us there, or I'll find a way to forcefully enter. There's also Porlyusica grandma who can help us."
"Porlyusica? So you knew?"
"Well, you two both don't have magic in your bodies but are experts in the field of magic. Also, you two have similar smells."
As usual, Shun lied.
"…"
"I see." Mystogan nodded, then took off the clothes that covered his face and hair completely.
"!!"
"You're—!" Sorano gasped dramatically before continuing, "Who?"
Ignoring Sorano's antics, only Mira recognized him.
"Siegrain?"
"No, I'm Jellal from Edolas, which is similar to a parallel world to Earthland. So a slightly different version of yourself exists in Edolas too." Mystogan shook his head and started explaining everything.
"So you're an exiled prince?"
"Yes."
"Since you've revealed everything, you're going to take us there, right?" Shun asked.
"Yes… but before that, I have to handle this Anima." Mystogan said and turned to the sky, where a dark cloud had gathered.
"That thing probably stole magic from Earthland, and Lisanna was caught in it," Shun deduced.
"So you want to get rid of that remnant of magic?"
"Yes, otherwise it will grow bigger and steal again on an even larger scale," Mystogan spoke with a heavy expression.
'He is feeling responsible because it's his home world blatantly stealing from Earthland. He is too kind in both the Earthland and Edolas versions. That's why he is going to get Erza stolen in both worlds. As an apology, I'll make you the king of Edolas, so find a different woman to take as a queen.' Shun thought deeply about Mystogan's fate and decided it without telling the guy himself.
"All right, I'll help you this time." Shun placed a hand on his shoulder, then without waiting for a response, Shun's signature sound was heard.
POP-!
"He is above!" Sorano shouted, gathering attention.
"What is he going to do?" Mystogan was worried. Standing that close to Anima, even if it was only a remnant, carried the danger of getting sent to Edolas and turning into a magic lacrima that would keep Edolas flowing with magic power.
'If Shun turns into magic lacrima, it would be probably enough to support the whole Edolas' magic power shortage…' Mystogan thought with a wry smile
"I guess I'll just punch it," Shun muttered.
Under the confused gazes of the others, Shun made a simple motion of punching. There was no technique or martial arts behind it. To an expert, it would look like an amateur trying to throw a punch.
Swoosh-!
The punch landed at… nothing.
"Shun, what are you doing?!" Cana asked exasperatedly.
But the next moment…
Crack-! Crack-!
"!"
The air shattered, and the cracks grew even bigger.
The cracked air created a huge shockwave that surged toward the theft magic Anima.
Whoosh-!
Everyone expected some kind of resistance or a different outcome. However, the huge dark cloud was completely erased into nothingness.
"Hmm, tremor fruit plus repel times two is a decent combo," Shun nodded, satisfied with the result.
Now that the sky had cleared, the scenery became much more beautiful as the sun was setting.
Meanwhile…
"…"
"As always, ridiculous use of magic. How many magics did he combine?" Sorano asked as she admired the whole show Shun had displayed.
"Probably two?" Cana replied, unsure what she had just witnessed.
"All right. Lead us to your home now," Shun told Mystogan.
Mystogan was shocked but nodded.
"Before that, take this. Eat it when you arrive in Edolas." Mystogan gave them each a blue pill.
"It will allow you to use magic." Seeing their confused expressions, Mystogan explained.
"Thanks," Shun thanked him on behalf of the others.
"We will go through the path Anima created before it completely disappears," Mystogan said and led them.
They expected some resistance, but they arrived smoothly without any incident.