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Chapter 52 - Chapter 52: Mutated Magic and a Shy Stomach Growl  

As the earth-shattering energy finally subsided, Erza let out a heavy breath, the crimson magic swirling around her fading away. She lowered the arms she'd used to shield Lisanna and Elfman.

"Sister!" "Mirajane!" The siblings, frantic with worry, shot forward like arrows, rushing to Mirajane's side and supporting her, one on each arm.

"I'm… I'm okay…" Mirajane's voice was weak but carried a newfound spark of life.

With her siblings' help, she stood slowly, gazing down at her right hand—now smooth and flawless once more. She flexed her fingers, clenching and unclenching them, feeling the wild, surging power coursing through her.

"I feel… amazing! Like my body's brimming with strength. I could probably punch through a mountain!" 

"Your arm!" Lisanna's excited cry was filled with joy. She grabbed Mirajane's restored hand, turning it over in disbelief, her big eyes sparkling. "Mirajane! Your arm! It's back to normal! It's really back!!"

She threw herself into Mirajane's arms, hugging her tightly, her voice trembling with tears. "This is so great! So great! You're not a 'demon' anymore, Mirajane! No one will look at you like that ever again!"

Mirajane gently returned the hug, resting her chin on Lisanna's head, savoring the warmth of their reunion. Her voice was calm, tinged with relief. "Lisanna… I don't think I mind that label so much anymore."

"Huh?" Lisanna looked up from her sister's embrace, tears still clinging to her cheeks, her big eyes full of confusion. Hadn't Mirajane cried alone at night over that arm before?

Mirajane didn't explain, just gave a soft smile. She raised her restored right hand, palm up, and a complex black-purple magic circle spun into existence!

In an instant, her delicate, pale arm transformed.

It was as if molten lava flowed beneath her skin. Her arm swelled, hardened, and became encased in menacing golden armor! Her fingers morphed into massive, gleaming golden claws that glinted with a chilling edge.

Casually, she extended her demonic claw toward the ground and lightly closed her fingers—

Crunch!

The iron-hard earth crumbled like soft tofu under her grip! Chunks of dirt and stone slipped through her claws, falling to the ground.

"My power… in that moment, it got so much stronger…" Mirajane stared at the claw that had effortlessly torn through the earth, her voice tinged with awe. "If… if I'd had this strength sooner… maybe we…"

Lisanna's mouth dropped into a perfect "O," her eyes wide as saucers. She glanced at Mirajane's golden claw, then at her own soft, pale hand, a spark of determination lighting up her face. "I wanna try that!"

Letting go of Mirajane, she crouched beside the spot her sister had clawed, mimicking her stance. With a serious expression, she dug her tiny hand into the ground with all her might!

"Ow—! That hurts!" Lisanna yelped, tears welling up as she lifted her dirt-covered hand. Her tender palm was red and slightly swollen.

Pouting, she whined, "This ground is so hard! How'd you make it look as easy as picking mushrooms, Mirajane?!"

Mirajane burst out laughing at her sister's reaction. With a thought, her golden claw vanished, her hand returning to its slender, pale state. 

She pulled Lisanna's swollen hand close, blowing gently on it with a fond, teasing sigh. "You little goof, didn't you see I used magic? Why'd you go at it so recklessly? Look, it's all swollen now."

"Hehe!" Lisanna's tears turned to giggles as she scratched her head with her uninjured hand, gazing at Mirajane's gentle expression. She mumbled, "It feels like… you're really back to your old self, Mirajane."

Mirajane's breath caught for a moment. "My old self…" she whispered, her eyes flickering with complex emotions, though mostly relief.

Erza and Roger stepped forward side by side.

"Congratulations, Mirajane," Erza said with a warm, genuine smile, clapping her hands lightly. "As of now, you're an S-Class wizard."

"Your magic power has reached that level. You'll still need to hone your combat experience and master the finer points of your magic, but dealing with those who bullied you before? That's well within your power now."

"S-Class… that easily?" Mirajane blinked, her voice soft and almost dreamlike, as if she couldn't quite believe it.

If she remembered right, Erza had once said S-Class wizards were rare, the elite of the guild. And now, in just a short moment, she was one of those "elites"? The absurdity of it made her head spin.

Were S-Class wizards just… everywhere outside?

"Most people don't reach S-Class that fast," Roger said, his voice tinged with wry amusement, snapping her out of her daze. 

"Going from C-Class to A-Class can take years for most wizards. As for S-Class…" He looked at Mirajane's bewildered face. "That's a wall most people never climb, no matter how long they train. Their magic power just doesn't get there."

"Your body is special. It seems to convert the demons you take over into your own strength. When you first absorbed that demon, the gap between your magic power and its strength was too wide. Its soul weakened under the sealing magic and was absorbed by you, but your magic power wasn't enough to fully process its body and power."

"That's why your arm turned out like it did. If you can master your magic in the future, your arm could gradually return to normal—though it'll take time."

"But after signing that contract, your Take-Over magic mutated. It's evolved into something that can 'devour' every part of a demon's power, including their core essence—their magic source! That's what's truly incredible."

"Normally, you'd have to train step-by-step to build up your magic power. But now, if you successfully take over a powerful demon, your magic power can skyrocket, like it just did!"

He locked eyes with Mirajane, his tone turning serious. "But you have to remember, Mirajane. With that kind of power surge, your physical strength, combat skills, and mental willpower all need to keep up—especially your willpower. Otherwise…"

His voice dropped, heavy with warning. "If you have immense power but lack the strength of heart to control it, that power can twist you, corrupt you, or even… consume you. You might do things you'll regret forever."

"I understand," Mirajane said firmly, nodding with determination. She opened her mouth to ask more about controlling her power when—

Gurgle—Rumble—

A loud, unmistakable stomach growl cut through the air.

"!"

A flush of red shot from her neck to her ears. Mirajane ducked her head, practically burying her face in her knees.

She turned away, pretending to stare intently at the darkening sky outside, her voice barely a whisper. "Uh… it's getting pretty late, huh? You guys must be hungry… I-I'll go make some mushroom soup…"

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