Chapter 84: Chapter 84: Ian: How Hungry Can a Starving Dragoness Be After 400 Years? Do You Really Know?!
How exactly did Selene and Irene come to an agreement?
Considering the powers of Selene and Irene, neither could defeat the other in a short period of time. If either wanted to win, they would have to go all out...
However, if Selene and Irene fought to the bitter end, they would only end up benefiting other dragons lurking in the shadows, and there was also a high probability that they would draw the unstoppable Acnologia.
If that happened, everything would be for nothing.
Thus, Selene proposed an idea to Irene: instead of battling to death and allowing others to reap the benefits, why not reach an agreement to share Ian's time equally?
This way, neither of them would lose, and both could experience Ian's "love."
Thus, after Selene and Irene reached a consensus…
Ian felt everything go black…
By the time he regained consciousness…
He found himself in a world cloaked in darkness and moonlight.
"The magical energy here surpasses that of Earthland many times over."
"It seems I've arrived in another world?!"
Ian could keenly sense that the magic in the air had undergone a tremendous transformation. Not just the air, but also the ground, sky, flowers, and trees were all different from those in Earthland!
This transformation was something no mortal could have caused...
Judging from all of this, Ian concluded that he had left Earthland and entered a completely new world he had never set foot in before.
"Welcome to the Blackmoon Mountain!"
Just as Ian was feeling confused, a voice broke the silence. Standing there was Selene, dressed in an exquisite kimono, wearing a witch's hat, her proud posture unmatched. She was there to explain everything to Ian.
"Just as you expected, Ian~"
"We are now beyond the bounds of Earthland, in a parallel world known as the Critical Magic World, Elentear—a world that I control!"
"The magic of Elentear is several times that of Earthland!"
"Which means that in this world, our magic power will be several times greater than it is in Earthland..."
"However, this is not the limit of Elentear. The magic here is still growing! Just how much it will grow is something even I do not know—it's all a mystery."
Selene looked at Ian, a faint smile on her elegant face.
But there were some things Selene did not tell Ian...
For instance, why was Elentear called the "The Critical Magic World"?
Or, if the magical power in this world did not find release soon, the entire world of Elentear would ultimately destroy itself.
"So, why did you bring me to Elentear?" Ian looked at Selene, puzzled.
"Next, as per my agreement with Irene, you will spend the next twelve hours with me here."
Selene said as she pulled Ian closer, grabbing him by his collar with a smirk that was both commanding and irresistible.
"Uh?"
Ian's expression froze. Spending the entire day indulging in pleasure—what kind of madness was this?! Well, with Selene's power, if no mage of equal rank interfered, she could perpetually turn day into night, so it wasn't exactly daylight debauchery...
Not to mention, this place was called Blackmoon Mountain...
As the name suggests, it was perpetually shrouded in darkness, the moon always full. As long as Selene was in Blackmoon Mountain, her power would be amplified almost infinitely, which was the primary reason she chose Elentear as her base.
Here, Selene feared no enemy.
Well, except for the invincible black dragon, Acnologia.
Even after four centuries, Selene, known as the "Moon Dragon God" by the people of Northern Continent Guiltina, still hadn't figured out...
How could she possibly defeat Acnologia, the "Black Dragon" who could devour all magic and was practically immune to it?!
She had considered drawing Acnologia into Elentear, using the excess magic of Elentear to create a super bomb by sacrificing the entire world to obliterate Acnologia.
However, that would only work if Acnologia did not devour all the excess magic of Elentear before the explosion!
Thus, one wrong move, and Acnologia would become completely unstoppable.
This was why Selene had never directly challenged Acnologia—she wasn't confident at all.
"Anyway, let's enjoy a hot spring together~"
Selene stopped thinking about Acnologia. She pulled Ian by the hand, leading him to the large hot spring at the peak of Blackmoon Mountain.
"Wait, how did we suddenly get to bathing together?"
Ian looked puzzled, feeling as if he had skipped several steps.
Logically, shouldn't there have been an emotional moment of reunion, like he had with Irene?
Selene's pace was far too fast, leaving Ian mentally unprepared.
"Heh~"
"We dragons aren't like you humans, with all your needless rituals."
"We act as we please..."
"Everything is decided by strength!"
"Ian, your strength is currently weaker than mine, so according to dragon customs, you have no right to oppose me."
"Everything I say is the truth for you!"
"Just like how four hundred years ago, you were to us young dragons..."
Selene gazed at Ian, her eyes filled with mischief.
Her look seemed to say, "Heh! Who would have thought there'd come a day when you would fall into the hands of the young dragons you once bullied~"
"This is really a tough situation!"
Ian's expression twitched, his body already feeling sore.
"Anyway, let's bathe!"
Selene spoke as she shed her kimono, stepping lightly towards the hot spring, her toes rippling the water in a captivating display.
"Aren't you coming?"
After doing all this, Selene turned and looked back at Ian, her eyes full of charm.
"This vixen!"
Ian cursed, his face flushed.
At a time like this, backing down would mean backing down for life!
And so, he, Ian the "Celestial Master," would go and subdue this nine-tailed fox demoness!
Swoosh!
With two splashes, the water rippled around them.
Later on…
"Ah, it's been so long since I've felt this joyful~"
"Next, it's time for a dance performance~"
Selene, embracing Ian, left the hot spring. After changing her clothes, she, as if holding her dear spouse, called for her attendants to present a magnificent dance performance.
"A touch of another world's flavor. Not bad at all," Ian murmured, sitting beside Selene, gazing at the splendid performance.
Happy times always fly by.
Twelve hours passed in the blink of an eye.
"Boohoo…"
"Ian, I'll miss you~"
Selene feigned a tearful farewell, waving a handkerchief as she said goodbye to Ian.
Buzz!
"Time's up. Don't go back on our agreement~"
As soon as she finished speaking…
A portal opened atop Blackmoon Mountain, and Irene, fully armed for a possible confrontation with Selene, arrived to take Ian home.
"Lady Irene!"
As Irene arrived, the attendants on Blackmoon Mountain bowed in greeting, as if Irene were a regular visitor, familiar to them.
Yes, every time Irene visited Blackmoon Mountain, she and Selene would fight to the point of heaven and earth turning upside down.
Previously, these attendants didn't know why Selene and Irene harbored such hatred towards each other, but now they finally understood...
It was over a man!
Now it all made sense.
"I'm not stalling~"
"Besides, I'm satisfied!"
"Ian, I'll see you again in twelve hours~"
Selene spoke, casting a flirtatious wink at the half-dead Ian.
There was no denying it—Selene was charm personified, almost like a succubus.
"Alright, darling, it's time to go home..."
Irene ignored Selene and picked up the nearly-drained Ian, returning to Earthland.
Without acknowledging Selene, Irene picked up the weary Ian, returning him to the Earthland's Ishgar Continent, Fiore Kingdom, Magnolia Town, and Fairy Tail Guild.
"Enchantment: Stamina Boost!"
Once they arrived at the guild, Irene looked at the drained Ian, who seemed about ready to collapse, and used a stamina-boosting enchantment.
"Revived… I'm alive!" Ian perked up, rejuvenated.
"My, my…"
"It seems like you had fun with that little hussy Selene~"
"So why are you so worn out here with me?"
"I don't care. Tonight, you'd better impress me~"
Irene's delicate fingers brushed Ian's chest, a hint of menace in her gaze.
"Wait..."
"It was you and Selene who agreed to share my time."
"You two didn't even ask for my opinion."
"Now, how is it my fault?!"
Ian felt genuinely exhausted—he truly was having a hard time.
Women—unfathomable, truly unfathomable…
All in all...
It was another sleepless night!
Ian struggled through yet another entire night.
When the morning light shone through the window, Ian finally revealed a look of relief. Unfortunately, before he could relax, two spinning torrents of water appeared before him, forming a portal.
With her long, slender legs, Selene made a glamorous entrance.
"Now, it's my turn~"
Selene licked her lips slightly, lifting Ian's chin with her finger, smiling brightly.
"Ian, don't even think about saying no~"
"I plan on giving birth to fifty of your children!"
"Aren't you overjoyed?"
Selene whispered seductively into Ian's ear.
"Uh..."
"You want to give me fifty children?"
"Selene, have you even asked whether I agree to this?!"
At this moment, Ian's face turned completely stiff.
Selene, with your refined looks, how could you be capable of doing something like this?!
Fifty children? Are you the Selene from Greek mythology?!
Same name, same temperament?
At this moment, Ian finally understood—a dragoness that had spent 400 years alone, completely starved—just how hungry was she? He admitted defeat.
Time flew by, and a month passed.
Magnolia Town.
A young boy with short, sky-blue hair, an almost roguishly charming face destined to attract trouble and likely heartbreak, walked into the town. His face bore mysterious, rune-like tattoos that fulfilled every annoying trait Ian disliked. He carried a neat pack on his back, finally stepping into the town where the Fairy Tail guild was located.
By his side was a young girl several years younger than him, clutching a cute, fluffy white cat in her arms...
This combination of a mysterious young boy, an adorable young girl, and a white kitten would already be enough to catch anyone's attention...
But together, the three of them formed the ultimate eye-catching combination! As soon as they stepped into the town, they found themselves surrounded by curious townsfolk.
"Jellal, there's so many people here! They're all looking at us..."
The young girl with deep blue hair looked nervously at the gazes around them, moving closer to the boy named Jellal and clutching his sleeve.
"Seems like we should've dressed differently."
Jellal muttered, pulling out a mask and hood from his bag, covering his distinct face.
Which, if anything, only made him more noticeable...
Yeah, he probably would've been better off not disguising himself!
"Oh, Wendy!"
"Remember, once we're in the guild, you should call me Mystogan."
"Don't call me Jellal anymore, it'll cause misunderstandings."
The boy, who had disguised himself like a bandit—real name Jellal—suddenly seemed to remember something...
He leaned over and spoke softly to the young, cute girl named Wendy.
"Okay, Jellal... I mean, Mystogan."
Wendy whispered, but then seemed to realize she'd made the same mistake again. Tears welled up as she looked down in shame, muttering, "Sorry, Jellal... I mean, Mystogan. I forgot your name again, I'm so useless."
"Hey! Jellal!"
"You made Wendy cry."
The white cat in Wendy's arms looked furious, baring her teeth at Jellal—or Mystogan—scolding him.
"Uhh..."
"Sorry, Wendy, I'm really sorry."
Mystogan bowed repeatedly to the young girl in apology.
"No, Jell... Mystogan, it's not your fault. It's my fault for not remembering your name properly. I'm so useless."
Wendy looked pitifully at Mystogan, shaking her head.
"Wendy, you need to be stronger!"
"Stop apologizing and crying at every little thing. You're not wrong."
The white cat, apparently named Carla, started lecturing Wendy, looking exasperated.
"I'm sorry, Carla, it's my fault again."
Wendy apologized once more.
"I said stop apologizing!"
Carla, seeing Wendy apologize yet again, couldn't help but grow agitated.
"Sorry..."
Wendy said meekly, still apologizing.
"Sigh..."
"Wendy..."
Carla was utterly exasperated.
She looked helplessly at the sky, at a complete loss for what to do.
To be fair, Carla was even younger than Wendy, not even a year old.
"Jell..."
Carla then turned her gaze to the young boy next to her, who seemed utterly unaware of the glaringly obvious fact that his disguise screamed, "I have a secret," giving off a classic "Nothing to see here!" vibe as Mystogan. She asked, "Mystogan! What's with this getup? You look like a thief."
"Then again, I've never expected much from your sense of style."
"Anyway, is this Fairy Tail guild really worth coming all this way for?"
"On our journey here, I heard lots of... not-so-good things about them. If they end up leading Wendy astray, I won't forgive you."
Carla gave Mystogan a stern warning.
"Relax!"
"If there's anyone in this world who can resolve the crises facing Edolas, Elentear, and Earthland all at once, it's the Fairy Tail guild."
Mystogan spoke confidently.
"Hmph~"
"It better be as you say."
Carla pouted, clearly not buying into Mystogan's confidence.
After all, during their journey to Magnolia, she had heard plenty of rumors about Fairy Tail—most of them not good!
Including how Fairy Tail mages...
Destroyed a dock in one town.
Demolished a train station in another.
Wrecked a church in yet another.
Or even beat up a guild master of another mage guild.
Though Carla suspected some exaggeration, it all pointed to one thing—this guild was chaotic, maybe even a menace to Fiore.
Before long, Mystogan led Carla to the historic doors of the Fairy Tail guild, a building with nearly a century of history...
"Gulp"
"Here we go!"
Mystogan stared at the old, heavy-looking wooden doors inscribed with "FAIRY TAIL," resembling an old church or clock tower. He swallowed nervously...
He gripped Wendy's soft little hand tightly and pushed open what he hoped was a door to a new world.
"Thud~"
Surprisingly, the door, which looked heavy, opened with little effort, falling inward with a loud bang, kicking up a cloud of dust as it fell.
"Get down!"
Suddenly, a nearly-naked man in only his underwear came flying out from the Fairy Tail guild, launched horizontally and heading straight for Mystogan and Wendy.
Mystogan didn't hesitate—he tackled Wendy to the ground, letting the man soar over them, barely avoiding disaster.
"Damn Natsu..."
The nearly-naked man hit the ground with a thud, kicking up more dust... then, amidst concerned looks from townsfolk who seemed used to this, got up, dusted himself off, and nonchalantly walked back into the guild.
"Sorry about that, just passing through."
As he walked by Mystogan and Wendy, he nodded apologetically.
Clearly, he was a courteous kind of almost-naked guy...
"What's with that guy?!"
Mystogan, Wendy, and Carla were all visibly shaken. They hadn't even entered the guild yet and were already dealt a heavy blow...
As they stood stunned, they peeked inside the guild—and what they saw seemed to open a door to a new world.
Inside the Fairy Tail guild...
"Natsu, today we settle this once and for all!"
Gray and Natsu were in an all-out brawl.
"Come on, is that all you got?!"
"Not a single one of you can hold your liquor..."
Cana stood on a table, a barrel larger than her in hand, chugging it down in one go.
"She's amazing, just like Gildarts!"
"No wonder, she's got Gildarts' blood in her."
Around Cana lay countless adults, knocked out by her drinking prowess.
"Gulp, gulp, gulp~"
In another corner, Ian, looking worn-out, sipped on a mug of herbal tea.
"Hahaha..."
"Come on, Ian, you're so weak."
"A real man never says no."
Beside him, Gildarts laughed at Ian.
"I'll bring your dead wife back to life..."
Ian muttered to himself, planning for the day Gildarts would be drained and exhausted.
"Mi-ra-jane!"
"Did you steal my strawberry cake?!"
In another corner, Erza, having discovered her hidden cake eaten, zeroed in on the culprit.
"Hiccup~"
"Wasn't me, nope."
"It was Laxus."
Mira, cream still on her lips, shook her head, lying unconvincingly.
"Huh? What's it got to do with me?"
Laxus, caught off guard, responded.
"Boom!"
And before anyone realized who threw the first punch, chaos erupted in the guild.
Magic circles flashed everywhere—a typical Fairy Tail brawl had begun.
Seeing this chaotic scene, Mystogan, Wendy, and Carla—first-time visitors unfamiliar with Fairy Tail's style—stood there, stunned.
"Is this the guild you consider the saviors of the world?"
Carla asked weakly.
"Don't ask me, I'm just as confused."
Mystogan sighed, feeling utterly defeated.