As Rowan had suspected, using the Cursed Flute as a wand body pushed his magic to an entirely new level.
The amplification was staggering. With this wand in hand, the boost to his spells was nearly twentyfold. He didn't hesitate to give it a name in his own mind.
A perfect wand.
"Reparo."
Light surged forward as the restoration spell activated. The ruins before him seemed to reverse themselves, stone and steel sliding back into place as if time itself were retreating. Walls rose, streets smoothed, and shattered buildings regained their original form piece by piece.
Rowan didn't slow down.
Unafraid of running out of magic, he continued casting without pause, spell after spell flying from the wand in a steady rhythm. From morning until night, he worked for ten straight hours. By the time the final incantation faded, the entire city of Croba stood restored, not a trace of destruction left behind.
"…That's it. I'm done."
Rowan lowered his wand and gave a tired nod to Ultear and the other council mages before heading straight for the station. His magic reserves were fine, but repeating the same spell for ten hours straight had left his mind exhausted.
Still, the effort wasn't wasted. He could feel it clearly. His mastery of restoration magic had improved again.
Ultear watched him leave, brows knitting slightly.
"That wasn't Arc of Time," she murmured. "So this world really does have true restoration magic."
If that was all his spell could do, then it wasn't particularly threatening. Support magic, nothing more. Unlike her own magic, which could rewind, accelerate, or even freeze time itself.
Her interest cooled.
Rowan, meanwhile, had already boarded the train back to Magnolia, eyes half-closed as he rested.
"Back already?"
Makarov was waiting at the station when Rowan arrived that evening.
"All finished," Rowan replied. "The city's completely restored."
Makarov burst into laughter, chest puffing out proudly. "Perfect! Let's see the council try to lecture me now. In a few days, I'll march over there myself and make them thank us properly. If Fairy Tail hadn't stepped in, who knows how bad it would've gotten."
Then his tone shifted, warmer.
"Rowan, this counts as a major contribution. Since you've been studying light magic, I'll teach you one of my own spells when I have time."
Rowan's ears perked up. "Light magic?"
"Yes. A defensive spell. I call it the Three Pillars of Light. Even among top-tier mages, not many can break through it."
Rowan's interest sparked instantly. The light magic he'd found in the library had been underwhelming. If not for its natural advantage against dark magic and Makarov's own specialization, he might've abandoned the path altogether.
"Master," Rowan said earnestly, "if there's ever another job like this, don't hesitate to call me. I love fixing things."
Makarov laughed, clearly pleased.
The next day, Magnolia's central crossroads was packed.
Erza and Natsu stood facing each other, tension crackling in the air. Guild members and townspeople alike crowded around, excitement buzzing through the streets.
"Natsu, you've got this!"
"Queen Erza, show him who's boss!"
Before the fight even began, cheers erupted from every direction. Fairy Tail had lived alongside Magnolia's residents for years. The townspeople weren't afraid of them, they adored them.
When word spread that Natsu was challenging Erza, half the city showed up to watch.
"Place your bets!" Cana shouted, already setting up a betting pool. "Ten to one on Erza! One to ten on Natsu!"
Most people bet on Erza, but a few took the risk. Natsu wasn't the reckless kid he used to be.
Rowan watched quietly from the crowd, curious about the outcome.
Then Erza moved.
"Requip: Flame Emperor Armor."
She appeared clad in red armor, twin ponytails framing her face, a massive flaming sword resting in her hands.
"That armor cuts fire damage in half," Levy adjusted her glasses. "Natsu's in trouble."
Around them, heads nodded. Happy immediately tried to change his bet, only to be loudly scolded by Lucy.
Rowan couldn't help but agree. Erza was a nightmare matchup unless you completely outclassed her.
"Begin!"
At Makarov's signal, the clash exploded.
Natsu didn't throw fire directly. Instead, he wrapped his flames around his body, enhancing his strength and speed as he rushed in. Fists and steel collided, shockwaves rippling through the air. The exchange was so fast Rowan struggled to keep up.
For a moment, they were evenly matched.
Then Erza smiled.
"You've grown a lot, Natsu. But that's enough."
In an instant, she vanished and reappeared behind him. A precise strike to the back of the neck dropped Natsu unconscious before he could react.
The crowd erupted.
Erza lowered her hand calmly. She hadn't gone all out until the very end.
...
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