Fairy Tail: Collapsing Stars

Chapter 425: The Second Magic Source, and Fairy Tail Growing Stronger as a Whole

"Huh?!"

Ultear's eyes widened at that moment. She had originally planned to give Evan a surprise, but now it had completely reversed—Evan was the one who had surprised her.

No matter how much Ultear thought about it, she couldn't understand how Evan knew the technical term "Second Magic Source"! She knew that the term "Second Magic Source" had only been conceived after she and Precht spent about three days and three nights researching the effects of Arc of Time on living beings using the upgraded Arc of Time Magic. It was a concept she had first proposed, with Precht later refining it into its final form!

At the same time, Ultear was certain that before she and Precht concluded that the human body possessed more than one container for storing magic power, with many unused areas remaining, and named those unexplored regions the "Second Magic Source," no one in all of Earth-land had ever discovered this secret.

Yet this secret, which Ultear believed only she and Precht possessed—a secret that could be called the core technology for making Mages stronger—had been directly pointed out by Evan. That left Ultear utterly shocked.

"It seems you've already become quite proficient with Arc of Time, Ultear~"

"Very nice~"

Sitting in front of Ultear, Evan smiled cheerfully at the flustered girl before him.

"Could it be that you've already discovered the secret of the Second Magic Source long ago, Evan?"

Ultear crossed her arms beneath her ample chest and hesitantly asked Evan.

"I did indeed discover the existence of what you call the Second Magic Source a long time ago!"

"To be more precise, any Mage who has mastered Dragon Slayer Magic should eventually notice the issue of the Second Magic Source! After all, compared to our weak human bodies, a dragon's body isn't merely stronger in the literal sense! Its capacity to carry magic power far surpasses that of a human body!"

Evan nodded lightly, indicating that he had indeed discovered the Second Magic Source long ago.

"If we compare magic power to water, or perhaps a beverage, then the human body and the dragon's body are simply containers used by humans and dragons respectively to hold that beverage called magic power. Compared to the dragon's powerful container, the human body's container doesn't merely suffer from having a much smaller capacity..."

"In addition, the human body contains all kinds of strange gases. Those gases occupy part of the container, preventing magic power from ever filling the entire human body!"

"I'm sure you've seen soda sold outside. Those bottles are never completely full; there's always some empty space inside, right? The human body works the same way! That empty space is precisely what you've discovered as the Second Magic Source..."

"But a dragon's body is different. A dragon's body was practically born to carry magic power. Dragons don't suffer from humanity's shortcomings. Not only can they hold far more magic power than humans, but they also don't have the defect that prevents magic power from completely filling the container. However large a dragon's container is, that's exactly how much magic power it can hold!"

"It's just like after we finish drinking a bottle of soda and refill it with water. We can usually keep pouring until the water overflows, allowing the bottle to hold even more than it originally did with the soda, right?"

Using beverages and water as analogies for magic power, and comparing human and dragon bodies to bottles and containers, Evan explained the differences between humans and dragons while also clarifying exactly what Ultear's so-called Second Magic Source really was.

"Uh..."

"That really is true!"

After listening to Evan, Ultear nodded lightly. Just as Evan had said, the so-called Second Magic Source was simply the unfilled portion inside the bottle! Every human Mage possessed it, though the strength of each person's Second Magic Source differed. It was also related to the Mage's original strength.

After all, what Mages called training was expanding the amount of magic power their bodies could store. Once the original container became larger, the attached container known as the Second Magic Source would naturally grow larger as well.

"So what's your plan?"

Evan looked at Ultear and asked.

"I want to unlock the Second Magic Source for every Mage in our Fairy Tail Guild! I want the overall strength of Fairy Tail's Mages to improve..."

"Of course, afterward, I'd just like to record everyone's condition after unlocking their Second Magic Source!"

Ultear explained her idea to Evan.

"Oh? Are you sure it's not because you want to collect a batch of experimental data, so you plan to unlock everyone's Second Magic Source?"

After hearing Ultear's explanation, Evan narrowed his eyes. After all, Ultear's development of the Second Magic Source was still entirely in the experimental stage. Even Ultear herself couldn't say whether the Second Magic Source unlocked through her Arc of Time was truly safe.

"Uh, well..."

Ultear's expression changed. She hadn't expected Evan to see through her little scheme.

Her face immediately turned bright red as she turned her head away, unwilling to meet Evan's eyes.

Just as Evan had said, she really did have some intention of using the Guild's monsters as experimental subjects...

After all, the Mages of Fairy Tail were all incredibly tough. With Magic King August watching nearby, even if something went wrong with her Arc of Time and there were risks in unlocking the Second Magic Source, the consequences shouldn't be too severe. Of course, Ultear's original intention was still to give Fairy Tail's Mages a collective power-up...

"Forget it! I'll just assume you're doing it out of kindness~"

Looking at the flustered Ultear, Evan narrowed his eyes slightly before suddenly smiling, effectively agreeing to her request.

"Thank you~"

Hearing Evan's approval, Ultear slowly let out a sigh of relief before sincerely thanking him.

"No, there's no need to thank me at all! We're Guildmates in the same Guild. Helping each other is only natural~"

Evan shook his head at Ultear. He didn't think much of the so-called help he had provided. Besides, in his own opinion, he hadn't actually helped Ultear much. He had merely agreed to let her unlock the Second Magic Source for all those hot-blooded youngsters in the Guild...

As far as Evan was concerned, if the hot-blooded youngsters led by Natsu, who constantly longed for greater strength, heard that Ultear could make them stronger, they'd probably beg to become her experimental subjects~

As people like Natsu would put it, as long as it didn't kill them, she could go all out! There was no need to care about their opinions...

"Then go ahead boldly, Ultear..."

Evan spoke softly to Ultear.

"Okay!"

Now that she had Evan backing her, Ultear gradually became much bolder. She first nodded lightly at Evan in agreement before gracefully walking toward Fairy Tail.

"So next... after Ultear unlocks the Second Magic Source for all the Guild's Mages, what kind of changes will it bring to Fairy Tail? I'm actually looking forward to it..."

Sitting on the second floor of the Scarlet Maiden Magic Item Shop, Evan narrowed his eyes slightly.

Meanwhile, inside Fairy Tail...

"Everyone, quiet!"

"I have something to say, so please listen!"

Standing atop the high platform in the center of Fairy Tail, Ultear faced the Guild's Mages and spoke softly.

"Hm?"

The Fairy Tail members, who had been drinking, chatting, fighting, and brawling moments earlier, all paused what they were doing and looked toward Ultear after hearing her voice.

"Everyone, do you want to become stronger?"

"Do you desire power?"

Ultear's crimson lips curled upward slightly. The crystal ball in her hand emitted a strange glow as she looked like a witch tempting others into corruption while speaking softly to Fairy Tail's Mages.

"Uh..."

As Ultear's words fell, every Mage in Fairy Tail was visibly shaken.

"Ultear, are you saying you actually have a way to make us stronger?"

Wakaba, a cigarette hanging from his mouth, looked at Ultear with obvious disbelief.

Wakaba was already around thirty-five or thirty-six years old. His magic power had remained at Level 5 in Evan's system evaluation for far too long. He knew his potential was nearly exhausted, so he had long since given up on becoming stronger. Nowadays, he simply slacked off in the Guild to get by.

"Hehe, of course~"

After hearing Wakaba's question, the smile on Ultear's beautiful face grew even brighter.

"Huh? Seriously?"

"No way!"

"How could there possibly be such a good thing as free power in this world?"

"Exactly. The only thing that falls from the sky in this world is meteors! Not free lunches..."

After Ultear openly admitted that she really did possess a way to make Fairy Tail's Mages stronger, the entire Guild erupted into heated discussion. Apparently, hardly anyone believed her.

"So you don't believe me?"

"In that case, let's try it!"

"Wouldn't you find out whether I can really make you stronger?"

As she spoke, Ultear's figure flashed, instantly appearing before Wakaba.

"Uh..."

"Ultear, what are you trying to do?"

"You can't possibly hold a grudge against me just because I exposed you and decide to silence me, can you?!"

Looking at Ultear, who had suddenly appeared before him, cold sweat formed on Wakaba's forehead.

If Ultear intended to attack him, he truly had no way to resist.

"Buzz~"

Ignoring Wakaba's words, Ultear's eyes shone like the hands of a clock while the crystal ball in her hand burst into dazzling brilliance.

In the blink of an eye, that light enveloped Wakaba's body...

"AAAH!!"

Almost the instant Wakaba's body was covered by the crystal ball's light, his face twisted in agony as he let out a miserable scream while strange patterns spread across his body.

"I'm dying! I'm dying..."

Wakaba cried out in agony as tear after tear streamed helplessly from his eyes.

"She did it! Ultear attacked Wakaba without any hesitation..."

Meanwhile, Fairy Tail's onlooking Mages watched Wakaba convulsing on the floor and couldn't help commenting. At the same time, everyone in the Guild became uneasy, afraid that they would become Ultear's next target...

"Hey! Ultear, no matter what, isn't this going too far?"

As Wakaba's mysteriously close drinking buddy, Macao frowned as he watched Wakaba screaming in pain on the ground. He strode toward Ultear, intending to seek justice for his friend.

"It's Macao! In Fairy Tail, Wakaba and Macao have the best relationship!"

"What moving brotherhood! Macao is actually planning to challenge one of the Guild's S-Class Mages for Wakaba's sake..."

The troublemakers in Fairy Tail had no intention whatsoever of helping either Wakaba or Macao. Instead, they watched with great interest. After all, for Fairy Tail members, any fight that didn't end in death was merely everyday sparring.

"Hm?"

Ultear raised an eyebrow as she looked at Macao, who had stepped forward for the sake of his good friend.

"I mean, Ultear..."

"If you don't like Wakaba, you could've just told me. There's absolutely no need for you to personally deal with trash like him~"

Apparently sensing the killing intent in Ultear's eyes, Macao immediately changed his attitude and smiled awkwardly at her.

"Macao backed down!"

"So that's this man's true colors after all?"

"Give me back the emotion I just felt, you bastard..."

The Mages in Fairy Tail immediately began complaining.

"Boom!"

However, just as Macao was smiling awkwardly at Ultear while the troublemakers were happily watching the show, an enormous surge of magic power suddenly erupted from Wakaba, who was lying on the floor.

"How many years has it been?! I've finally broken through my own barrier! I've finally taken another step forward on the path of magic!"

As Wakaba spoke, he slowly stood up from the ground. Powerful magic power surrounded him. After enduring unimaginable pain, the magic power that had remained stagnant for years had finally broken through. Wakaba had officially reached Level 6 according to Evan's system evaluation—the S-Class Mage standard of the original Fairy Tail.

Of course, after Evan ushered Fairy Tail into an era of insane internal competition, the Guild's S-Class standard had already risen to the same level as the Magic Council's Ten Wizard Saints selection standard, or perhaps even beyond it.

"He actually broke through?"

Seeing Wakaba's breakthrough, every Mage in Fairy Tail widened their eyes.

Then they all looked toward Ultear standing at the center of the Guild.

"Ultear wasn't lying!"

"She really has a way to make us stronger!!"

"That's right! Even Wakaba could become stronger, so we should be able to as well..."

At that moment, every Mage in Fairy Tail had the same thought.

"Bastards! I heard that!"

"What do you mean, 'even Wakaba could become stronger, so you guys definitely can too?'"

"You're talking like I'm some weakling..."

The corners of Wakaba's eyes twitched as he looked at the Mages calling him weak right in front of him.

"Ultear, please! Let me lick your shoes! Just make me stronger!"

"Ultear, don't reward that pervert who wants to lick your shoes! Strengthen me first! And if you won't strengthen me, then at least let me lick your beautiful little feet!"

"Hey, hey, hey! What the hell are you thinking? I can hear you loud and clear from way over here!"

"Can you guys stop being such perverts? Could you at least show some restraint?"

At that moment, however, Fairy Tail's collection of perverts had no time to pay attention to Wakaba!

The instant Wakaba became stronger, the entire Fairy Tail Guild exploded into chaos. Countless Mages who had been stuck at bottlenecks for years voluntarily lined up before Ultear, begging her to strengthen them just as she had strengthened Wakaba. Naturally, among those eager to grow stronger, a few perverts had mixed themselves in...

No, strictly speaking, it was more accurate to say that among a crowd of perverts, a few normal people had mixed themselves in.

"Don't worry! None of you are getting away~"

"Every single one of you will become my test subjects..."

"Ahem, I mean~ I'll help every one of you become stronger~"

After hearing the wolf-like howls from the Guild's Mages, Ultear revealed a charming smile.

At that moment, Ultear looked at the Guild's Mages as though they were priceless treasures. After all, every one of them was a precious experimental subject~

"Huh? Miss Ultear, what did you just say?"

As soon as Ultear finished speaking, the Fairy Tail Mages, whose observation skills rivaled detectives, immediately caught the key point. Sweat appeared on their foreheads as they asked her.

"Oh my~"

"I accidentally said what I was really thinking~"

"But that's not a problem~"

"All of you, accept my gift!"

Hearing their question, Ultear merely smiled lightly. She didn't answer them. Instead, she gently raised the crystal ball in her hand.

Immediately, colorful rays of light burst from the crystal ball, shining upon every Mage in Fairy Tail!

"Uh..."

As those dazzling lights descended, the countless Mages who had realized something was wrong and planned to run understood that it was already too late.

Moments later—

"AAAH!!"

Painful screams echoed throughout the entire Fairy Tail Guild.

The cries rose and fell one after another, piercing everyone's ears!

"Let me take a good look at your performance~"

Watching the Guild's Mages writhing and rolling across the floor in agony, Ultear took out her magic notebook and began recording everything before her.

The pain, however, was only temporary! As one Mage after another accepted the power of Ultear's Arc of Time and unlocked their potential, they slowly stood back up. Boundless magic power spread and surged throughout Fairy Tail. Every person's magic power had increased significantly compared to before their Second Magic Source had been unlocked...

The phrase "painful yet enjoyable" probably described exactly how these Mages felt. Unlocking their potential was truly agonizing, but the results afterward felt absolutely incredible.

"So that's how it is~"

"Among the Guild's non-S-Class Mages, Natsu, who was already the strongest, now possesses magic power approaching the threshold of the Ten Wizard Saints after unlocking his Second Magic Source! What an astonishing improvement~"

"Then next... it's time to move on to them! The true powerhouses of Fairy Tail—the S-Class Mages who passed the S-Class Mage Promotion Trial~"

Looking at the Mages who had stood back up after unlocking their Second Magic Sources, Ultear continued recording her observations.

She discovered that among those whose Second Magic Sources she had unlocked, the strongest was naturally Natsu, who already possessed S-Class strength comparable to veteran S-Class Mages from other Guilds. After unlocking his Second Magic Source, his magic power had reached the threshold of the Ten Wizard Saints, or Level 7 according to Evan's system evaluation!

This made Ultear curious. If Natsu could improve so dramatically, just how much stronger would Fairy Tail's S-Class Mages become? What was the true limit of the Second Magic Source?

Driven by that overwhelming curiosity, Ultear ultimately decided that it was time to target the S-Class Mages gathered on the Guild's second floor.

At that moment, on Fairy Tail's second floor, Laxus, Mirajane, Erza, and the others quietly watched the strengthened Mages below. They could clearly sense that, with Ultear's help, every Mage in the Guild had received a tremendous boost...

"Buzz!"

Before Laxus and the others could think any further, the light of Arc of Time projected from Ultear's crystal ball had already fallen upon them.

"BOOM!!"

With a thunderous roar, Laxus, Mirajane, Erza, Ur, Gildarts, and the other S-Class Mages developed the same crimson markings that had appeared on the ordinary Mages downstairs after being illuminated by Ultear's Arc of Time.

Their bodies soon began to ache slightly.

Unlike Wakaba, Macao, and the others, who had suffered unbearable agony while unlocking their Second Magic Source, monsters like Laxus, Erza, and Mirajane experienced no real discomfort. They merely felt a slight soreness.

"Rumble!"

Soon afterward, beneath Ultear's light, the Second Magic Sources of Fairy Tail's S-Class Mages, including Laxus, Erza, and Mirajane, were fully unlocked!

However, although their magic power increased—and by an amount that Macao and the others could never compare to—it did not result in their total magic power immediately rising by an entire level after unlocking the Second Magic Source.

After all, Laxus, Erza, and the others already possessed overwhelmingly powerful magic. Compared to what they already had, the additional magic granted by Ultear was little more than a drop in the bucket...

This effect was especially apparent in August. After experiencing the light of Ultear's Arc of Time, August merely felt as though he had stood under warm sunlight for a while. Other than that, he felt absolutely nothing.

As for whether August's magic power had actually increased... since he constantly cultivated and increased his own magic power anyway, even he couldn't tell whether Ultear had granted him any additional magic.

Ultear felt rather helpless about that.

Although the Second Magic Source certainly increased a person's strength in proportion to their original power...

Those already possessing terrifying strength were monsters to begin with. Furthermore, after Level 7, the gap between each level became enormous! Thus, Ultear discovered that the Second Magic Source wasn't particularly helpful for those who had already entered the realm of the Ten Wizard Saints.

That left Ultear feeling somewhat disappointed.