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CHAPTER START---
Sitting in his private cabin, Oberon enjoys the train ride from the far north of Fiore down to Era, sitting on the modest but comfortable bed while reading his new Grimoire. He takes his time to savor the new information, not using Magic to rapidly assimilate it.
Focusing on the feeling of old pages under his fingers while analyzing the diagrams within. "Defense Seal Magic," he mutters while memorizing the diagrams.
He creates an identical version with golden solid light beside him, small enough to fit in his palm, then slowly rotates it while adding more intricate details. "Three concentric rings, each layering to a pillar and the talismans connecting them. A mix of Maker and Rune Magic?"
He flexes his fingers, using Ice Make to create an ice cube from pure Magic Energy in his hand, floating it above his palm. With a thought, it floats over to him, and he carefully studies the ice, frowning. "Maker Magic that creates a construct and Runes…complicated."
Oberon studies Magic for a few more minutes until he feels the train stop, hearing the loud whistle before a bell sounds. He glances at the cushioned bench opposite him and the small desk built into the wall beside it, taking note of the empty bowl on it.
Then, he turns to the curtain on the outer wall, pulling it aside to see the train station outside bathed in the orange light of sunset. "I have everything I need," he mutters before returning to his Grimoire.
Moments later, there is a gentle knock on the cabin door, and with a wave of his hand, it slides open, revealing the conductor. "Sir Oberon, this will be our last stop before the journey to Era. If there is anything you need, please purchase it now, or we can retrieve it for you. We will be here for thirty minutes."
"I'll be fine, thank you."
The man looks about the cabin as the boy keeps reading, spotting the empty bowl and retrieving it. "Would you perhaps like another serving? The same flavor?"
"That sounds great, thank you."
The man nods politely. "We'll begin serving once the train clears the station. I'll be sure to have it brought immediately."
"No need to rush, I'm not going anywhere…"
The man nods and leaves Oberon to his studying, closing the door before walking toward the kitchen train car. In the hallway, he steps past a well-built and tall man who's now boarded. The man has a hooded cloak on, with the hood down to reveal a rather unremarkable face with a head of thick black hair and a matching beard.
The conductor stops after the man walks past, sensing a dangerous presence around the man with his own limited talent in Magic. But after looking back over his shoulder and seeing the man knock on Oberon's cabin door, he simply continues about his business.
Because even he, with his limited talent and sense of Magic, knew this man was of no concern with Oberon onboard.
As the man opens the door, Oberon looks up at him, remaining relaxed but now floating the book in front of himself. "Can I help you with something?"
"Do you not recognize me?" the man asks. "Have my pictures all been destroyed from the guildhall?"
"Guildhall? Are you a member of Fairy Tail?"
"I am Ivan Dreyar, son of Makarov Dreyar. Now, can we have a small chat?"
Oberon narrows his eyes at the man, suspicious but not certain enough to act, so he merely nods and gestures to the seat opposite him.
"Thank you," Ivan nods and sits opposite Oberon. "I get the feeling you don't trust me."
"Ivan Dreyar is supposed to be on some top-secret S-Class Job far from Fiore, so no, I don't," Oberon extends his hand for the man to shake. "Unless you want me to treat you like an imposter, I suggest you shake my hand."
"So calm for someone potentially confronting an enemy."
"It's easier to keep track of the people above me than below me, and they don't use Magic like that. You won't be a problem."
Ivan scoffs and shakes the boy's hand, instantly feeling a sharp sting in his palm before pulling away. "What was that?"
"Me confirming that you are closely related to both Laxus and Master Makarov," Oberon says. The stinging sensation was his Magic Energy entering a person to collide with theirs. Doing this allows him to understand many fundamental details about them. Chief among them are age, family relations, and Magic affinities. "But what are you doing here?"
"Looking for you, obviously," Ivan withdraws a copy of Sorcerer Weekly from his cloak and places it on the table. "For months, you've been on the cover of every issue. Oberon, the poster boy for Light Guilds, for aspiring Mages and Wizards, for anyone seeking deep knowledge of Magics.
I figured if anyone could understand me, it would be you. That's why I came to see you. Not here, not initially. I heard from certain sources that you made an appointment at Sabertooth, but cancelled and bought this train ticket, so I came to meet you here instead.
I figured if anyone could understand me, it would be the person who's not only famous for being powerful and talented, but for always researching Magics. For seeking understanding and power in his every waking moment. After all, seeking knowledge is why I was banished from Fairy Tail."
"Banished?" Oberon's gaze narrows at the man, setting aside his book to fully focus on him. And Ivan's primal instincts scream and beg him to run away, suddenly feeling like a predator had its jaws around him. "Explain, now."
Ivan stiffly nods. "You have Fairy Glitter, yes?"
Oberon pulls up his right sleeve to show the marking on his right forearm.
"Then the magazine was right. And I suspect my father is teaching you the other Fairy Magics as well, yes?"
Oberon doesn't respond.
"What I'm getting at is, there is a fourth Fairy Magic."
"A fourth?"
"Yes, one that he hoards for himself and doesn't allow anyone to access. One that is more powerful than the combination of the others. I learned about it, and he banished me for it. My curiosity and thirst for knowledge led me to study all that I could about the Fairy Magics.
I pored over them every chance I could, but I was never talented in learning that kind of Magic, so it always failed. But I did figure out that there exists a fourth Fairy Magic, one that he won't allow anyone, not even his own son, to learn.
Doesn't that interest you, make you want to know about it even more? I believe that Magic can likely do a lot of good in our hands, but my father is too paranoid and greedy to let anyone else learn it. But if you help me access what I need, we can find it together. All I need is someone to allow me into Tenroujima…"
Oberon nods, considering the obvious details, instantly seeing through all of Ivan's lies. 'The Fairy Magics won't work for anyone Master Mavis doesn't approve of, so he's not someone I should trust. And that's if Master Makarov even taught them to him, which I doubt since he got banished from the guild.
And Tenroujima…there isn't actually anything important there aside from the grave. So this guy probably just wanted the Fairy Magics and didn't deserve it, then got mad and lashed out, which is why he's banished.
Master Makarov would never banish anyone easily, especially not his own son. Plus, Ivan never made it to S-Class, so he's definitely not someone I can trust with information about the guild. But he is Master Makrov's son, so…'
"Well, will you help me?"
Oberon frowns, looking across at the man. "I trust Master Makarov. So if he banishes you, I don't want anything to do with you. But be thankful that I trust and respect him enough to believe he had good reasons for not hunting you down. That's the only reason I'll let you go instead of dragging you back to him right now."
Ivan glares at the boy. "And the fourth Fairy Magic, what about it?"
"If it does exist, then the guildmaster will decide what happens with it. Now, get off this train, unless you want to reach Era in a Storage Card…"
Oberon watches Ivan disappear into the town via Virgo as the train leaves, then closes her gate and returns to his book.
'I need to have a talk with Master Makarov about that guy. None of this makes sense. But whatever he's assembling the entire guild at Era for probably takes priority, so I'll leave this discussion for later.
The last thing I want is for family drama to distract him while making big decisions. But, Laxus…'
CHAPTER END---
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pat.reon: Keanu_Eugene [Read ahead & support me]
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