Within the glowing magic circle, Mirajane's recorded image appeared.
"Master, thank you for your hard work at the council."
Makarov beamed and jabbed a finger at the projection, proudly showing her off to the other guild masters. "Look at that. That's Fairy Tail's pride and joy. Beautiful, isn't she?"
The other masters nodded, offering sincere praise. Mirajane's gentle presence was genuinely striking.
Then she continued.
"While you were away, something wonderful happened. You won't believe it. Erza, Natsu, and Gray formed a team. I think it might be Fairy Tail's strongest lineup right now."
Makarov nearly fell out of his chair.
Not ten minutes earlier, the master of Blue Pegasus had warned him that the Council was increasingly worried Fairy Tail might level an entire city one day. And now this.
Erza. Natsu. Gray.
That combination alone could absolutely flatten a city if things went sideways.
Thankfully, Mirajane added one more line.
"Rowan's repair magic has improved dramatically. He can restore the entire guild hall instantly now, so I sent him along too. I thought you should know."
The projection faded.
Makarov clasped his hands together in silent prayer. "Rowan… I'm counting on you."
One of the guild masters leaned over. "Fairy Tail has a mage who specializes in repair magic? That's rare. I've never heard of such a spell."
Makarov puffed out his chest. "Fairy Tail has talent in every field. Rowan sought us out himself. With him around, I won't have to listen to the Council nag anymore."
Another bearded master stroked his chin. "It might not be simple repair magic. It could be Arc of Time. A lost temporal spell."
Arc of Time. A forbidden magic that rewound or accelerated the state of objects, restoring ruins or aging them to dust. Powerful. Dangerous. And useless on living beings.
Three hours later, the train pulled into Onibus Station.
"Finite Incantatem."
Rowan released the levitation spell, gently lowering Natsu back onto his feet before stepping off the train with the others.
"Erza, do you know where Grimoire Ironwood's guild base is?" Rowan asked.
She shook her head. "Not exactly. They were expelled from the alliance six years ago and declared a dark guild. They relocated after that. There's no guarantee they're even still in Onibus."
Lucy and Happy spoke at the same time. "So we're searching blindly?"
"That's fine," Erza said calmly. "We find one of their mages, beat him until he talks, and get the location."
Straightforward. Brutal.
Gray pinched the bridge of his nose. "Finding a few dark mages in a city still isn't easy."
Rowan cleared his throat. "Erza, do you know any names?"
She turned toward him.
"I can use tracking magic," he explained. "If I have a name, I can find them."
He had no intention of wasting time playing detective.
Erza's eyes lit up, and she pulled him into a crushing embrace.
"Excellent, Rowan!"
Clang.
Rowan's head bounced off solid armor.
So hard.
He silently vowed to maintain a minimum safe distance from Erza at all times. Mirajane's hugs were infinitely preferable.
"I don't know the names of the ones I overheard," Erza said, releasing him at last. "But Grimoire Ironwood has a notorious leader. Erigor."
She continued grimly. "Erigor, master of Grimoire Ironwood. Their strongest mage. Every assassination he's accepted has succeeded. People call him the Reaper."
"A name is enough."
Rowan drew his wand.
"Erigor. Reveal your direction."
A golden arrow appeared in the air, pointing not toward the city, but beyond it.
"Your magic is amazing," Lucy said, eyes shining.
Rowan smiled lightly. "I don't have the strength to defeat a Vulcan with one finger. I can only help in small ways."
"That's a rumor!" Lucy protested, face turning red. "A rumor!"
Gray studied the arrow. "If he's outside the city, or even farther, walking isn't practical. We should rent a magi-car."
"I agree," Rowan said at once.
Gray might have questionable fashion habits, but at least his judgment worked.
"I don't!" Natsu shot up a hand. "I'm not riding in a car!"
Erza answered with a single punch. Natsu hit the pavement.
"Objection overruled. I'll rent the vehicle. Wait here."
Minutes later, Erza returned driving a compact green magi-car.
Rowan tilted his head, intrigued. "So this is a magi-car?"
Unlike cars in his old world, these vehicles ran entirely on magical power. The back held normal seating, while the front resembled a carriage cockpit. Controls were simple: a steering lever, acceleration and braking pedals, and a mana conduit bracelet linked to the driver.
"Get in," Erza said briskly. "We don't know what Erigor plans to do with the Cursed Flute, but it won't be good. We need to reach him fast."
Rowan hesitated, then shook his head.
"Erza, I think I should drive."
She blinked. "You? No. Magi-cars consume a lot of mana. Only I can handle that for long periods."
Rowan looked up calmly.
"That's exactly why it should be me."