Chapter 252: Copying? Feelings Exposed?
"You're saying Lucy's parents both agreed?" Makarov asked, after hearing Noah's report.
"Yes. We've guaranteed Lucy's safety, and they didn't want their daughter living with such a dangerous threat over her head, so they agreed.
"Besides, this is an open plot. We're just releasing information. Our actual response will depend entirely on what they do. If Jose truly doesn't care, he won't step into the trap."
Noah spoke calmly. Makarov just sighed deeply. He knew Jose well enough to know that getting no reaction was unlikely. It seemed a clash between the two guilds was inevitable.
Makarov's expression turned grim, and his magic power flared for a second before he reined it back in. Most of the guild members felt the sudden pressure, looked around confused, and then went back to their business, assuming it was their imagination. Only a few looked toward the bar, saw Noah and Makarov talking, and relaxed, returning to their work.
"Old man, did something happen?"
A flash of lightning appeared, and Laxus materialized in front of them. He had sensed Makarov's aura and rushed down from the second floor, thinking there was trouble.
"We might be going to war with Phantom Lord," Noah said.
Makarov nodded. "Noah is right."
He had avoided conflict for so long because no one had been hurt, and he wanted to maintain order. A war between two guilds as powerful as Fairy Tail and Phantom Lord would have terrible consequences. But now that his children were being threatened, he had decided to fight back.
This "open plot" was also a final chance for Jose. If he didn't attack, nothing would happen. If he did... Makarov wouldn't hold back.
"I've hated those guys for a long time. I've been wanting to beat them up for ages, but you always stopped me, old man. Finally getting to fight them? That's great!" Laxus grinned.
He had been harassed by Phantom Lord members on jobs countless times. It was annoying, but harmless, so he'd held back because of Makarov. Now that the leash was off, he was thrilled.
Noah explained the plan to Laxus. Laxus listened, thought for a moment, and said, "Since you've got everything arranged, do you need me for anything?"
"Actually, yes. There is something only you can do." Noah nodded and told him his role.
Laxus nodded. "I can do that. I wanted to do it anyway. Leave it to me."
"Thanks. But wait for my signal."
"Got it."
"I'll handle Jose," Makarov interjected. "That's a parent's responsibility."
"Gramps," Noah chuckled, "are you looking down on me, or overestimating Jose? You don't need to deal with him. Leave him to me. You just sit back and watch the show."
Although he was happy Makarov wanted to protect them, it was unnecessary. If Makarov had to fight, Noah's years of preparation would have been meaningless.
"Fine. But if you can't handle it, you tell me immediately. Don't try to be a hero," Makarov said, his face full of concern. He knew Noah was strong, but Jose was a Wizard Saint. He wasn't an easy opponent.
"I know. Just relax, Gramps. Your presence in the back is the best encouragement we can have," Noah said, patting Makarov's shoulder.
"Noah's right, old man. You just chill in the back. That's best for us," Laxus agreed.
Seeing them both so confident, Makarov relaxed. "Alright. It's up to you then. just be safe."
"We will."
With the plan set, Laxus flashed back upstairs, and Noah returned to his paperwork.
Once he finished, Ultear and the others arrived at the guild. Lucy rushed up to Noah excitedly.
"So Gemini's ability is that amazing?! That's what you meant when you told my mom!" Then, her face fell. "But... will it hurt Gemi and Mini?"
"No," Noah assured her. "They're Celestial Spirits. If they're in danger, they can just return to the Spirit World. Gemini can perfectly copy a person's appearance, abilities, and thoughts. With that power, we can guarantee your safety while testing Phantom Lord."
Noah explained. He had considered having Ultear and the others guard Lucy invisibly, but Jose might detect them. Gemini, however, would be almost impossible to spot.
"It really is an incredible ability," Ultear marveled. "Copying thoughts and abilities... summoning them is like having a second version of yourself fighting alongside you."
Sorano looked at Noah, her eyes gleaming mischievously. She turned to Lucy. "Can they copy Noah? If we had a copy of him, we'd definitely win!"
Lucy blinked, then shook her head. "No, Gemi and Mini can only copy people with magic power similar to or lower than mine. Noah's magic is way stronger than mine. They can't copy him."
"Can't you make a temporary contract?" Sorano persisted. "Let Noah supply the magic, and see if they can copy him then?"
The others looked curious. Lucy turned to Noah.
"I'll have to ask Gemi and Mini," she said.
"I'm game," Noah smiled. "I'm actually curious if they can copy me with my own magic supplying them."
Lucy pulled out the Gemini key. "Open, Gate of the Twins! Gemini!"
"Piri-piri!"
"Gemini, we want to know if you can copy Noah!"
"Nope."
"He's too strong."
"He visited us in the Spirit World before."
"We couldn't copy him at all."
The twins chirped back and forth.
"You visited them before?" Sorano asked Noah.
"Of course. An ability to perfectly copy appearance, skills, and thoughts? I had to try it. Unfortunately, they couldn't copy me then." Noah shrugged.
He turned to the twins. "I want to make a temporary contract. I'll supply the magic. Can we try again to see if you can copy me?"
"We can try."
"We're curious, too."
They agreed. Noah made the temporary contract, and the twins returned to the Spirit World for a moment.
Noah didn't summon them immediately. Instead, he tapped his forehead, and complex magic circles flashed in and out of existence around his head.
"What are you doing?" Sorano asked.
"Sealing my memories," Noah explained, continuing his work. "Especially the dangerous magic knowledge. If someone without enough power learns it, it could cause a disaster."
Ultear and the others nodded. That made sense.
Of course, Noah was also sealing his memories of his past life and his transmigration. That was a secret he wasn't ready to share.
Once he was sure the seals were secure—so strong that even he would need time and massive magic to break them—he summoned Gemini.
"Piri-piri!"
"You can start now."
"Okay!"
"Here we go!"
Noah began to pour magic into them. The sheer volume of power created a wind that forced Ultear and the others to step back.
Finally, in a flash of light, another Noah appeared.
"Amazing! I feel so powerful! I've never felt magic like this before!" Noah (Gemini) said, clenching his fists excitedly.
Noah walked over, inspected him, and shook his head. "Still not a perfect copy. The magic capacity is way lower than mine. It must be a limit of your own bodies."
"Still, this is incredible! We've never been this strong!"
"Try using one of my spells."
Noah (Gemini) raised his hand. A ball of Light Magic formed, shifting shapes freely. He then brought his palms together, gathering a massive amount of magic.
"In accordance with the judgment of Fairy Tail... I give you a count of three."
"That's... Fairy Law! One of the Three Great Fairy Magics! He can even use that?!" Erza stared in shock. Super magic was incredibly difficult to learn and required immense power.
"I'm supplying the magic, so of course he can use it," Noah said, rolling his eyes.
"Hey," Sorano suddenly asked Noah (Gemini), "do you know how Noah feels about us?"
"Of course! He likes all four of—"
SNAP.
Noah forcibly closed the gate, tossing the key back to a stunned Lucy. "I have to go!"
Without waiting for a response, he teleported away.
"WHOA!!!"
Wendy and the younger girls gasped, covering their mouths and staring wide-eyed at the older women. They knew Noah well enough to know exactly who "the four" were.
Ultear, Erza, Mira, and Sorano stood frozen, their faces turning bright red.
"We... have something to do... we're leaving."
"Mhm... together."
"Ara... me too."
"I-I... a-also... h-have... b-business..."
They exchanged looks. Ultear led the way, Sorano followed, and Mirajane dragged a stammering Erza out of the guild hall. They left behind a wave of gasps and whispers.
"Let's go somewhere private," Ultear said once they were outside.
They went to Ultear's house, which was empty. They sat down in silence, looking at each other.
"I won't give up," Sorano said first, her voice serious.
"Ara, neither will I," Mirajane said, her smile unwavering.
"Of course, I won't either," Erza said, her eyes sharp, her stutter gone.
"I won't let go, either," Ultear said solemnly. "So... we'll have to rely on our own methods. But if that doesn't work... in the end... maybe we can just be... together..."
Her voice trailed off into a whisper, and her face turned crimson.
But the others heard her. Their faces flushed red as well. They were all in too deep. Noah's actions and their long time together had forged an unbreakable bond. They couldn't imagine leaving him; the thought alone made their hearts ache.
If they couldn't determine a winner, and they didn't want to hurt each other... maybe Ultear's solution was the only way.
Thinking about it made them all blush furiously. Erza looked like she was about to faint.
"Th-That's... that's still a long way off! Let's just see what happens!" Sorano stammered, her eyes darting around.
"R-Right... let's put that aside for now... no rush..." Mirajane agreed, looking away.
"So... um... let's talk about how to deal with Phantom Lord," Ultear said, desperately changing the subject.
They tried to talk strategy, but no one could focus. The conversation went in circles. Eventually, they gave up and went home to calm down.
~~~
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