Not long after.
Ide dragged Erza, Ultear, and Laxus down to the basement to test their academic levels.
Just as children in school tend to prefer PE, art, and music classes while dreading academic subjects, Erza, Ultear, and Laxus were incredibly annoyed by Ide's literacy plan.
However, they had no choice but to accept it—because they couldn't beat Ide.
"Sooner or later."
"Sooner or later, I will defeat you, Ide."
Laxus glared at the test paper in his hand, grinding his teeth in thought.
One hour later, the exam ended.
"These three are hopeless."
Ide looked at the test papers handed in by Erza, Ultear, and Laxus, speaking with a massive headache.
"So basically, in the time I was gone, none of you studied at all, did you?"
Ide swung his iron fist and planted it firmly on Laxus's head. Then, thinking about how poorly Erza and Ultear had also done, he added two more punches for good measure.
"Why did you only hit me?!"
Laxus clutched his head, crying out in pain.
"Father, I really can't understand. As wizards, why do we need to learn these useless words?!"
Ultear asked Ide for an explanation.
"Because in this world, there is a type of magic called Letter Magic, and another called Jutsu Shiki (Enchantments/Runes)."
"If you don't understand words and arithmetic, you'll be in big trouble when you encounter users of Letter Magic and Jutsu Shiki."
Ide explained.
"Letter Magic and Jutsu Shiki?"
As Ide's words fell, the expressions of Ultear, Erza, and Laxus immediately turned serious.
"Yes."
Ide nodded slightly. He relayed what he had heard from Makarov to the three children in front of him.
"Letter Magic is magic that manipulates words to fight. For example, writing 'fire' can summon flames, and writing 'ice' can manipulate frost."
When Ide first learned from Makarov that there were wizards in this world who fought by manipulating text, he was incredibly shocked. Fortunately, he recognized the mainstream writing systems of this world: English letters and Kanji.
Yes, Fairy Tail is a multicultural world. The mainstream writing systems currently in use are English letters and Kanji.
This can be seen from the words "FAIRY TAIL" written on the guild's doorframe.
Aside from these, there are Ancient Runes, which Ide couldn't read. In the entire Fairy Tail guild, only Irene could read them.
Irene: "After all, the so-called Ancient Runes are just the script used in our era."
"As for Jutsu Shiki, it adds 'arithmetic' to the foundation of Letter Magic, weaving words into rules. If you can't even read the rules, you'll easily be trapped by the Jutsu Shiki! By the way, once a Jutsu Shiki is written, it is absolute until it is dispelled."
Ide continued his lecture.
"Father."
"Ide."
"Please teach us letters and arithmetic."
"Coach, we want to be cultured wizards."
After Ide explained the necessity of learning words to Erza, Ultear, and Laxus, their attitude changed completely. They dropped their previous restlessness and eagerly asked Ide for guidance.
"Good."
"From now on, you will set aside two hours every day to study with me."
Ide paused here. He looked at Cana standing at the basement door and smiled.
"Of course, Cana, you'll come here to take classes with them too. Simply put, you can only understand basic magic tomes if you're literate, right?!"
"Mmh."
Standing at the basement door and peeking inside cautiously, Cana was stunned for a moment upon hearing Ide's words, then nodded vigorously.
Besides teaching the children basic knowledge, Ide also taught them how to properly cultivate magic.
Since Cana hadn't found a magic suitable for her yet, Ide started by teaching her how to meditate and how to sense the magic particles (Ethernano) in the atmosphere.
Of course, these were all things Ur had taught him back in the day.
As for Erza, Laxus, and Ultear, who had already stepped onto the path of magic, Ide let the three of them go outside to spar, strictly warning them not to go to the mountains behind the guild.
Cough.
"Teacher Ide, please tell me, when will I be able to master my own magic?"
After meditating for a while, Cana asked Ide for guidance.
"Magic is the power of miracles. It is divided into 'innate awakening' magic and 'learned cultivation' magic."
"As long as the belief in your heart is strong enough, you will eventually find the magic that suits you."
Ide relayed the words that Ur, Irene, Makarov, and Senior Warrod had once taught him to Cana.
"I understand."
Cana nodded, seeming to understand yet not fully grasping it. She silently told herself, "The most important thing in cultivating magic is belief."
"Mmh."
Ide watched Cana close her eyes and continue to sense the magic particles, looking like a teacher pleased with a teachable student.
Magic is the manifestation of belief. Haki is the manifestation of willpower. Whether it's magic or Haki, their core is idealistic.
HUM.
About a few hours later, a faint white light appeared on the surface of Cana's body while she was in a meditative state. It was the glow of magic power.
"Is her Magic Origin already starting to fill up?"
"Truly worthy of being Gildarts' daughter."
Ide was now convinced that Cana was definitely Gildarts' cub. Her magic affinity and talent were no joke.
"Heh."
"When Gildarts comes back from wandering, I'm definitely going to roast that guy."
Ide thought to himself. He could already imagine standing on the moral high ground, criticizing Gildarts until he was worthless, making the guy beg for mercy on his knees.
After Ide finished teaching the children, he and Ur took the three little ones—Ultear, Erza, and Cana—back to the flower shop Irene opened in Magnolia Town.
"Irene, I'm back."
Ide pushed open the door of the flower shop. seeing the most vibrant touch of crimson amidst the flowers, he smiled and greeted her.
"Ara."
"Long time no see."
Irene followed the voice. Upon seeing Ide, a flash of longing passed through her eyes.
"Is this little girl..."
When Irene's gaze moved from Ide's face to the slightly timid Cana, the corners of her mouth curled up slightly. She raised her hand and waved.
"The child is safe with me; you don't need to worry."
Thousands of miles away, Cornelia, who was missing Cana terribly, suddenly heard a voice in her mind.
"It's Lady Irene."
Hearing this, Cornelia immediately breathed a sigh of relief.