Chapter 29: A Shared Burden, A Shared Mission
The sun was only beginning to dip beneath the horizon as Erza and I made our way back through the forest trail leading into Magnolia. The journey had been quiet, filled with the faint chirping of birds and the sound of our footsteps brushing the grass.
I stretched my arms, about to say my farewell. "Well, I'll see you tomorrow then—"
I felt a sudden tug on my sleeve.
Turning around, I saw Erza standing there, her hand still lightly grasping the fabric.
She looked away, avoiding my gaze, her cheeks tinged with the faintest pink. "Um… I…"
I tilted my head, waiting.
"I still don't… I don't have money for a room," she mumbled. "Cana was supposed to show me Fairy Hills, but after training... I didn't get to go with her."
I smiled softly and shook my head. "You should've just said that sooner. Come on."
We walked side by side back to my place. Once inside, I laid out the sheets on the floor. Erza, without a word, dismissed her armor and sword with a soft glow and flopped into the bed like a fallen leaf. Within minutes, her breathing softened. She was out cold—mentally and physically exhausted.
I watched her for a moment, feeling a wave of quiet responsibility wash over me. Then I slipped into the shower to freshen up.
By the time I came out, clean and dressed, I found her still sound asleep. This time, when I nudged her awake, she stirred calmly.
Her eyes blinked open slowly, and she sat up.
"Good morning," I said.
"Good morning," she replied, voice still groggy.
"You can rest a bit longer if you need to. The shower's warm."
She nodded, just as I handed her a key.
Her eyes widened. "This is...?"
"I'm going to get breakfast. You can lock up if you leave."
She blinked, then gave a soft, "Thank you."
As I stepped into the street, sunlight warmed my face.
'I should check on my clones.'
I dismissed one.
Immediately, a flood of memories surged into my mind—spell attempts, failed scripts, moments of progress. But along with the knowledge came a sharp throb behind my eyes. I frowned, clutching my forehead as a dull headache just hit me.
"Tch… that's new."
I steadied myself against a nearby post. The pain was gone as quickly as it had come
Name: Lucky
HP: 100%
Stamina: 100%
SP: 2,900 / 3,000 (Soul Power)
MP: 16,500
'SP… So canceling clones does use Soul Power.'
My brow furrowed as I stared at the numbers.
"I'll need to be cautious with this," I muttered to myself. "If this hits zero… I don't even know what happens. Passing out? Soul backlash? Or worse?"
I exhaled slowly, feeling the weight of the realization settle in my chest.
"This could be dangerous…"
Still, I couldn't help but frown in confusion as I opened my skill panel:
And then I saw it:
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Tier: 2
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Skill: Magic Cultivation Method
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Type: Technique (Passive/Active)
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Level: 11 / 99
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Description: Allows the user to recover 100 MP per hour from atmospheric magic and accelerates the growth of maximum mana over time. Current Recovery Rate: 1100MP/hour Conversion Efficiency: 18:1
(Each level increases recovery by 100 MP/hour and reduces the ratio by 0.1.)
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Tier: 2
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skil: Solid Script Magic Beginner
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Type: Magic Skill (Active)
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Level: 2 / 99
+2% writing speed
+2% effect potency
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Description: Grants the user the ability to cast basic Solid Script Magic the magic power varies from the amount of mana is spent Allows the creation of elemental words such as FIRE, WIND, IRON, and more +1% writing speed per level +1% effect potency per level
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Tier: 4
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Skill: Multi Shadow Clone Jutsu
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Type: Technique (Active)
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Level: 3 / 99
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Description: A high-level ninjutsu that creates multiple solid clones made from the user's chakra. These clones can fight, move, and interact with the environment independently, mimicking the user's techniques and movements, after duration the if clone doesn't consume enerfy it will be returned to the user .
Current Clone Count: 60
Clone Combat Power: 16% of User
Clone Durability: Standard Mana Consumption: 600 minumum per clone creation can be more
(Each level increases clone count by 20, clone combat power by 0.5%, and reduces mental consumption by -0.5%.\ and mana consumption increase by 50 per level)
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'Only one clone gave me about 1/500th of the skill experience—a disappointing revelation that came directly from the skill panel itself. Apparently, clones earn only a fraction of progress when training skills other than Multi Shadow Clone Jutsu. But that skill? I get the full experience. It frustrated me at first, but then I realized... if I upgrade the clone technique enough to summon dozens—maybe hundreds—I can compensate. I just need time. That alone makes it worth it.'
Smiling, I picked up breakfast from a corner bakery and grabbed something special for Erza—a slice of strawberry cake. She'd earned it.
Back home, I knocked. Erza answered, still towel-drying her hair.
"Breakfast," I said, handing her a warm bun and the cake.
Her eyes lit up. "For me?"
"Don't say no," I teased. "You stared at the cakes yesterday for like two minutes straight."
She took the plate, sitting at the small table. Her smile widened after the first bite.
Just as I was about to ask her if she wanted to train again today, she put down her fork.
"I can't impose on you anymore," she said. "I need to find my own footing. I was thinking of doing a quest."
"You're not imposing," I replied.
She shook her head. I could see the determination in her eyes.
"Then," I said, leaning on the table, "want to do a quest with me?"
She looked up, surprised.
I smiled. "Actually, how about five?"
"What?"
"We use my flying summons to travel. We can do multiple subjugation missions at once. Get you some income, maybe some Armor as well."
She stared, then nodded. "...Okay."
After breakfast, we headed to the guild.
The moment we stepped through the doors, the room quieted.
It was rare to see things calm in Fairy Tail—but then they noticed Erza.
No eyepatch.
Most of the members had assumed it was a kid's flair—a costume when she had her eye patch.
Cana rushed over. "Erza!"
She hugged her tightly, tears of joy in her eyes. "You got your eye back?!"
Erza smiled. "Lucky helped me."
From the upper ledge, Makarov's eyes widened. He watched Erza for a long moment, noting her now complete gaze. He hadn't even contacted Porlyusica yet…
He finally smiled. "Glad to see you're recovering."
"Thank you, Master," Erza said, bowing.
I approached. "Master, are there any subjugation quests close together?"
He scratched his head. "There are some near the forest region and outskirts. Why?"
"We'd like to take on five."
"Five?!"
"I have a flying mount. Travel won't be an issue."
He eyed me skeptically, then nodded. "Alright. Just don't push yourselves."
We went to the board.
Our choice were this
— Subjugation Missions:
Giant Boar Raid – Forest of Reeds – 50,000 Jewels
Rogue Elementals – Windy Ravine – 80,000 Jewels
Bandit Camp Sweep – South Road Cliff – 60,000 Jewels
Forest BEAST Hunt – Copperpine Grove – 100,000 Jewels
Cursed Beast Extermination – Mist Hollow Cavern – 150,000 Jewels —
(A/N: this names are made up no the spot if there is ant resemblance it is pure concidence)
We took them all.
Makarov's eyes twitched. "You're serious about this?"
I grinned. "We'll finish before dinner."
Erza turned to Cana. "Can you show me Fairy Hills real quick?"
Cana blinked. "Of course!"
As they left, I turned to Gray.
"So, about your vanishing shirt technique—"
He rolled his eyes. "I'm a bit busy not explaining that today."
Twenty minutes later, Erza returned, her expression slightly troubled.
"I have to do the missions," she said. "I owe Cana rent now. She paid it upfront."
I smiled. "All the more reason to get you some income. Let's make some money… and maybe enough to start your armor collection too."
She grinned. "Let's go."
And with that, we departed.