Worried that Brain might pull some new tricks, Shane actually had the thought of taking action long ago.
It was just for the sake of being safe that he stayed in Magnolia, waiting for the confirmation of Senji Muramasa's True Name.
Erza's heart was also hanging in suspense.
She didn't want to see more children repeating their encounter in the Tower of Heaven. It was just that she didn't want to add pressure to Shane, so she kept silent.
Hearing now that Shane's thoughts aligned with hers, the last bit of forced coldness on Erza's face melted instantly like ice and snow.
She widened her eyes slightly to look at the somewhat dead-fish-eyed black-haired boy beside her...
The girl's pitch-black pupils shone brightly under the sunlight; where was there any trace of anger?
Seeing her change face so quickly, Shane couldn't help but want to tease her. He stretched out his finger and poked the soft flesh at her waist gently, ridiculing:
"What's wrong, not angry at me anymore?"
That place seemed to be her ticklish spot.
Erza shrank her shoulders lightly, then glared back like an offended lion cub, but there was no power in that gaze, instead somewhat adorably bluffing.
"Who, who's angry!" She retorted quickly, then deliberately pulled the topic back on track. "Are we leaving today?"
"Let's go to the Master first." Shane restrained his joking expression. "Acting without permission will make the elders worry. Besides, it never hurts to listen to the Master's opinion."
"Okay." Erza nodded without hesitation and immediately turned to walk side by side toward the guild.
The wind blew through the street, brushing the withered branches, making a fragmented rustling sound.
As they walked, Erza's gaze involuntarily drifted to Shane's eyes.
At this moment, those eyes were their usual color, no longer burning with heart-palpitating flames.
"Speaking of which," she couldn't suppress her curiosity, "I asked before the spar, what exactly is the use of your 'burning' eyes? You still haven't told me."
Shane looked straight ahead, his tone calm. "That's not an ability where I can hold back after using it."
At the same time, the description of [Eyes of Karma] on the "Book of Heroic Spirits" emerged in his mind—
A subspecies of Clairvoyance/Future Sight, but not used for predicting the future. Instead, it was an eyesight used to "insight into the cause and effect and karma behind things."
This originated from the ability Senji Muramasa honed by staring into the flames of the forge all his life, observing the "karma" contained in steel.
Shane thought for a moment and organized his language. "Simply put, it can see some... special things."
"Special things?" Erza pressed, her curiosity completely hooked.
"Like the invisible 'threads' on the opponent."
Shane raised his hand, his fingertips tracing in the air. "Those threads connecting cause and effect and karma. When someone tries to make themselves 'unhittable' through some method, in my eyes, it's just temporarily severing a key thread."
Erza frowned slightly, trying hard to understand. "So... you can reconnect that thread?"
"More accurately, it's seeing through that 'break point,' then using my sword to forcibly reconnect the cause and effect."
Shane tilted his head to look at her. "The result is that certain seemingly perfect defenses or evasions become meaningless."
Erza was secretly shocked listening. Ignoring defense, seeing through karma and cause and effect... this was simply an ability tailored for strong opponents.
"No wonder you didn't use it then..." she said in a low voice, seemingly enlightened.
If Shane had used such an ability during the spar, she would probably really have been "killed at first sight."
While talking, the two entered the guild. The hall was as lively as ever.
Wakaba was holding a wine glass arguing with Macao about something, and Cana was quietly playing cards in a corner. Because they had business, Shane didn't stop, leading Erza straight to the bar.
"Master."
Makarov, who was sipping wine, looked up. "Oh? It's you two. What's the matter?"
"I want to go back to that seaside city." Shane went straight to the point.
Hearing this, Makarov's brows immediately furrowed deeply.
"You're going there now?" He put down the wine glass, his tone grave. "Not waiting for news from the Council anymore? Or... wait for Gildarts to come back? With his help, things will be much safer."
Shane shook his head, his attitude firm. "Gildarts is on an S-Class mission; his return date is undetermined. He might even be delayed by some 'accident' on the road."
He knew clearly the unreliable legends of that uncle. Maybe he would pass out from drinking somewhere halfway, and by the time he came back, the day lilies would be cold.
Makarov remained worried, his gaze turning to Shane. "As the former Director of the Bureau of Magical Development, Brain has mastered countless magics. If you encounter him, with your current strength..."
"Just had a breakthrough; I've become stronger again." Shane interrupted calmly.
Makarov paused, his gaze shifting to Erza. "Then Erza..."
"I've already tested her strength just now," Shane took over again. "She is already a mature Mage capable of holding her own, enough to help and not drag us down."
Makarov glared, his white mustache sticking up. "You brat said everything; why ask me then?!"
Erza beside him also glanced sideways at Shane slightly. She lost so thoroughly, yet it was just "testing strength"?
This made her feel subtly unconvinced in her heart.
"I came here to discuss with you, naturally having made full preparations and considerations." Shane's eyes were serious.
Makarov looked at him for a moment, finally sighed helplessly, and waved his hand.
"Fine. Since your minds are made up, saying more would just be nagging. Go ahead. As for being careful... I don't need to mention it more."
With Shane's current strength, besides Gildarts, probably only his own son Ivan could help him in the guild now.
But this person, though blood-related, ignored him completely.
For the first time, Makarov felt so clearly that the guild had declined a lot compared to when the Second Master led it.
Fortunately, there was still a group of outstanding young people in the guild.
Protect, just protect. Until the day the young seedlings grow up... Makarov murmured in his heart.
"One more thing," Shane didn't notice the loneliness flashing on the little old man's face and took the opportunity to say, "Are there any temporarily unused Lacrimas in the guild warehouse? I want to pick two."
Makarov adjusted his emotions and asked back somewhat strangely, "Lacrimas? The guild does have stock of this stuff, but not many people use it. What do you want it for?"
Shane raised his hand, pinching his index finger and thumb together, gesturing a tiny bit.
"I know 'a little bit' of blacksmithing skills. Want to forge two more suitable weapons for Erza."
Makarov raised an eyebrow. He knew Shane had been tinkering with forging at home, but could he really have achieved something?
"Alright, go pick yourself. Take whichever you fancy." He waved his big hand, quite generous.
Shane knew clearly that guild rules didn't allow members to borrow money directly, but the Master didn't mention money, which meant giving it for free.
He thought for a moment and added, "By the way, let's take a commission that's on the way. If there's a chance to complete it, it counts as making up for the consumption of Lacrimas."
Makarov snorted noncommittally, considering it tacit approval.
Shane then led Erza to the guild warehouse.
In the corner piled with various materials, he carefully selected two Lacrimas of good quality.
One had a pale purple halo flowing inside, containing the characteristic of "Magic Breaking"; the other had a thick texture, shining with metallic luster, known for "Toughness."
He planned to use the former to forge a spear specialized in breaking magic, and the latter to forge a thick-bladed sword for frontal hard clashes.
Selection completed, the two were preparing to leave the guild. Just as they walked near the gate, they bumped into Gray, who pushed the door in.
Seeing Shane, Gray's eyes lit up, and he stepped forward to put his arm around Shane's shoulder.
"Yo, Shane! Just in time. Let's go, my treat! Agreed last time, delayed for so long, must make it up today!"
After more than a month, this guy actually still remembered this. Shane was somewhat touched in his heart.
Then, he raised his hand and gave Gray a solid flick on the forehead. "It's been so long; surprising you still remember to treat!"
"Wow! It hurts! Shane, what are you doing!" Gray held his head, grimacing and glaring at him.
"Keep the tab for me properly." Shane scolded with a smile. "Erza and I have something to do and need to go out. Will find you to cash in when we come back. If you dare to renege, I'll flick your forehead for a week straight!"
After speaking, he greeted Erza to leave.
But just as Shane was about to brush past Gray, the teenager, who had taken off his clothes at some point, suddenly remembered something and hurriedly called out to stop him:
"Wait a minute! Forgot to ask last time. That... girl who can use Ice-Make Magic you mentioned before, can you tell me about her in detail?"