Acnologia and Irene sat at the entrance to Mavis's grave, lighting a fire to roast a butchered beast.
Soon, the aroma of roasting meat wafted out, drifting with the gentle breeze.
"Your skills have improved; this tastes much better than the dragon meat you used to roast."
Irene, now changed into a sexy magic robe, picked up a beast leg and took a delicate bite, savoring the lingering flavor.
Acnologia also took a bite and said with a laugh, "Dragon meat was never good to begin with—tough and chewy."
"Speaking of which, should we not be concerned about that Black Wizard Zeref? I sensed an extremely malevolent aura from him."
Irene's gaze turned to the distance, where a black-haired young man with a high collar slept beneath a large tree. She hadn't expected the legendary, most fearsome Mage to appear as a youth.
He even looked somewhat kind-hearted?
Acnologia said leisurely, "He's just a pitiful soul cursed by the Ankhseram God. The more he understands the preciousness of life, the more frequently the curse erupts. If he were an evil person, the curse would instead be a blessing."
"Throughout history, everything he has done has been to either lift the curse or kill himself."
Irene was somewhat surprised: "In just a short while, the curse erupted three times. Doesn't that mean he's far more benevolent than we imagined?"
"You could say that. To avoid endangering lives, he has remained on Tenrou Island for decades."
"That kind of mindset is something I certainly couldn't achieve."
"Can you break the Ankhseram God's curse?"
"Yes..."
Acnologia said confidently, "The so-called Ankhseram God isn't as powerful as imagined. Tracing back to its origins, the essence of the curse still falls under magic, and there is no magic in this world that I cannot devour."
Zeref's inability to control the curse's eruptions is primarily due to his lack of strength. If he could fully master this power, he would be akin to a demi-god of life and death.
"So, will you help him?"
"Yes, not only because of his identity, but also because I quite like that curse."
In the storyline, there was a moment when Evergreen and Elfman were very close to Zeref. If Natsu hadn't pushed them down in time, both would have been affected by the death curse.
At that time, the death curse had already enveloped them. The reason they didn't die was likely due to the protective aura of being Fairy Tail members.
However, things are a bit different now. Acnologia worries that such an aura might not work. If that truly happens, he will intervene beforehand.
Suddenly, Irene looked up into the distance, narrowing her eyes as her detection magic spread out: "Uninvited guests have arrived. I'll go deal with them."
Acnologia waved his hand dismissively: "They're just small fry sent out; they won't cause any trouble. Consider it training for them."
The Seven Kin of Purgatory behind them are somewhat interesting. All seven wield Lost Magic, and they were all taught by Hades. That old fellow is quite knowledgeable.
Acnologia suddenly remarked, "We should notify that guy who went far away. Making an appearance as hope at a critical moment should help atone for his past mistakes."
"I'll search for him!"
Irene nodded slightly, closed her eyes, and used her detection magic to seek out that thunderous magical power.
In front of Acnologia, a magical crystal ball displayed a live broadcast of Natsu and the others' examination.
It didn't differ much from the anime's plot. At this moment, Lucy and Cana faced the Thunder God Tribe's Fried and Bickslow... In the cave, Bickslow in black tight-fitting clothes laughed: "Cana, and Lucy, who likes to dance cheerleading with her Celestial Spirits."
"Thunder God Tribe: Fried, Bickslow!"
Lucy and Cana immediately wore bitter expressions. These two had beaten many guild members to a pulp. Running into them was definitely drawing the worst possible lot.
Previously, Cana had been brutally defeated by Fried and still carried psychological scars from it.
Bickslow pointed at the exit sealed by golden grid lines and said with a laugh, "Since we've met, let's settle this with a fight!"
Fried said confidently, "Cana, your examination ends here!"
Cana, filled with unwillingness, pointed at Fried: "Who wins or loses will only be known after we fight!!"
Fried, noticing both were still wearing revealing swimsuits with glimpses of their chests occasionally showing, couldn't help but say, "Aren't you two going to put on proper clothes before fighting?"
Lucy was startled and quickly crossed her arms over her chest—she had completely forgotten about it.
Bickslow laughed: "Fried, isn't this way even better to look at?"
Both Cana and Lucy were beauties with excellent figures, curvaceous in all the right places.
Seeing Fried's somewhat shy demeanor, Cana waved her hand, sending several cards flying.
"Sexy Beauty Cards!"
Immediately, the cards transformed into sexy swimsuit-clad beauties in the sky, surrounding and embracing Fried, making onlookers incredibly envious.
Fried panicked, struggling in vain to break free from the beauties' embrace: "Damn it, I won't be seduced by you!!"
Bickslow watched enviously, gritting his teeth: "You idiot, hurry up and break free!"
Use that move on me instead; I want to enjoy the feeling of being surrounded by beauties too.
Lucy exclaimed in surprise: "Huh, that actually works?"
Seeing Fried deeply entangled, Bickslow knew he had to rely on himself. He turned to Lucy and Cana: "Since Fried is already out of commission, I'll defeat you two!"
Lucy hurriedly took out a zodiac key and swiped it downward: "Open, Gate of the Virgin! Virgo!"
With a *ding*, golden light spread, revealing a pink-haired, black-swimsuit-clad beauty with shackles on her wrists.
"Does my princess require punishment today?"
This was a Celestial Spirit who enjoyed serving her master, changing forms based on the contractor's personality. Currently, she was in a disciplinarian maid mode.
Bickslow laughed: "Another beauty! But such tricks won't work on me!"
"Go! BABY!"
At his command, four flying barrel toys around him charged toward the three.
Lucy confidently commanded: "Go, Virgo!"
*Bang! Bang! Bang!*
Soon, the barrel toys swarmed and knocked Virgo, who was striking a pose, flying. She vanished in a burst of light.
Lucy's eyes nearly popped out: "So weak!"
Cana's face darkened: "Don't you have any reliable Celestial Spirits?"
Lucy quickly said, "Don't worry, I still have more!!"
Suddenly, the barrel toys came roaring back, knocking the two swimsuit-clad beauties flying. Cana tumbled away, while Lucy hastily dropped to the ground, her perky buttocks quivering slightly.
Bickslow laughed heartily: "You two should just surrender already."
Lucy panicked, dodging left and right. Could this even be considered a fair fight? She waved her zodiac key once more: "I'm counting on you, Aries!"
*Poof!*
"I'm sorry!"
A shy and somewhat timid beauty appeared—the Aries Celestial Spirit.