Since Marco was already prepared, Mystogan immediately began setting things up.
The ultimate goal of Mystogan's research was to be able to return to Edolas.
Therefore, what he set up was a simple teleportation array, stripping away all other effects of "Anima" and retaining only the function of connecting the two worlds of "Earth Land" and "Edolas."
"I call this the Two-World Portal," Mystogan said.
He had already left this magic with Chairman Makarov as a precaution.
In case both he and Marco ended up trapped in Edolas, at least this magic would remain, so they wouldn't have to start everything from scratch.
"Unnecessary worry," Marco's assessment was quite sharp.
The likelihood of both of them being trapped in the world of Edolas was extremely slim.
No matter what, it shouldn't come to the point where they couldn't even escape.
Marco was quite confident in his own strength.
Even if he couldn't wreak havoc everywhere, protecting himself shouldn't be a problem.
This was under the premise of being unable to obtain magical power.
However, before going to Edolas, Marco wasn't entirely sure he couldn't acquire magical power there.
After all, his magic was unusual, and he might find a way to obtain magical power in that world.
"Bzzzt!!!"
After Mystogan set up the magic circle, a surge of magical energy rose, and light began to emanate from under Marco and Mystogan's feet.
Their current location was deep in the forest east of Magnolia.
The teleportation magic still posed some danger to ordinary people, so naturally, it had to be cast in a remote place.
As the magic circle activated, a pillar of magical light shot into the sky, and a vortex that seemed capable of tearing everything apart appeared above.
This phenomenon was quite similar to when "Anima" was activated, and it looked rather frightening.
Under the enveloping light of the magic circle, Marco and Mystogan were directly sucked into the vortex.
"Don't resist!" Mystogan loudly reminded Marco.
After all, Marco was a magical monster capable of satiating "Anima" directly, and Mystogan was genuinely worried that Marco might suddenly exert force and cause some anomaly.
"Don't worry," Marco made a gesture and allowed himself to be pulled into the vortex by the magic's suction.
"Bzzz! Bzzz! Bzzz!"
The area covered by the magic experienced intense surges of magical energy, then dissipated on the spot.
The magic circle drawn on the ground also dimmed.
Everything returned to calm, as if nothing had happened.
Only Marco and Mystogan, who had been standing at the center of the circle, had disappeared.
It had to be said that Mystogan's modification of this magic was quite successful.
Only the two of them were teleported, and not even the surrounding trees, plants, or flowers were affected.
...
"It seems that magic is quite good," Makarov, standing not far from the magic circle, remarked as he watched Marco and Mystogan disappear.
"That child is a genius in magic research," Porlyusica, standing beside Makarov, commented.
If there was anyone who could possibly be affected by this magic circle, it would undoubtedly be Porlyusica, who lived deep in the eastern forest.
However, Marco and Mystogan must have informed her in advance, as well as Makarov.
Watching Marco and Mystogan head towards Edolas, Porlyusica felt quite emotional, but she had no intention of returning herself.
Porlyusica had spent the vast majority of her life on Earth Land.
Decades had passed, and she was now truly advanced in years - there was no real need for her to go back.
"I hope the two children can return safely."
Makarov frowned, unaccustomed to the feeling of leaving all responsibility on the children's shoulders.
This sense of being unable to help was a rare experience for him.
...
Meanwhile, Marco traversed worlds amidst a dizzying whirl.
When Marco emerged from the bizarre, kaleidoscopic vortex, his vision finally registered natural colors again, though the perspective was wrong - he was seeing treetops from above, and they were getting closer as he fell through the air.
"Hum!"
The "energy" within him stirred, and Marco immediately materialized his "Ink Cloth."
The Azure Dragon Ink Cloth provided extensive coverage, no less impressive than a Gold Cloth.
It featured an ink-wash style with an azure dragon depicted in ink, the shoulder armor forming the dragon's fierce claws.
"Boom!"
Marco landed steadily on the ground, creating a large crater where his feet touched.
"Where's Mystogan?"
Before landing, Marco had confirmed that Mystogan hadn't arrived with him - he hadn't seen any sign of the other.
"Could he still not be out yet?"
Marco looked up at the sky.
The vortex he had emerged from was still there, not yet disappeared, which seemed to confirm his suspicion.
"I'll wait a bit and see." Marco wasn't in a hurry.
He stretched his body, sensing this new world.
The most immediate sensation was naturally the 'absence of magic power.'
This feeling was extremely uncomfortable for someone who lived on Earth Land, especially for someone like Marco with exceptionally high magic affinity.
It was like a fish out of water.
While not quite suffocating, it felt like pins and needles all over his body.
For people of Earth Land, magic power was an expression of life force.
Even for a "Ten Wizard Saint" like Makarov, if all magic power were drained, it would lead to a life-threatening crisis.
The long lifespans of powerful Mages were closely related to this.
"In a sense, people from Earth Land aren't completely unable to use magic here - as long as they're willing to burn their life force..." Marco smiled wryly.
This was somewhat exaggerated - ordinary people wouldn't even have the capability to convert life force into magic power.
"Hum!"
As Marco was adapting to this new world, the vortex in the sky rippled, and another figure emerged from it - Mystogan, who had also successfully completed the world traversal.
With a wave of his magic staff, magic power surged around Mystogan as he landed lightly on the ground, then looked at Marco with surprise.
"Marco, you actually came out so quickly?" Mystogan asked in astonishment, seemingly completely unexpected that Marco would emerge before him.
"Why are you surprised? Is it that difficult?" Marco frowned.
The journey had felt quite smooth to him - he had emerged from the vortex very easily.
"Not exactly difficult, just somewhat surprising." Mystogan hadn't expected that despite his experience traversing worlds, he would be slower than Marco, who was crossing over for the first time.
"Can't help it—I'm naturally gifted." Marco chuckled in response, roughly understanding what Mystogan was surprised about, and brushed it off with a laugh.
By now, the vortex in the sky had vanished, and everything had returned to normal.
"How are you feeling?"
Mystogan didn't dwell on who was faster or slower and instead showed concern for Marco's condition.
After all, unlike him, a native of Edolas, Marco would likely find it hard to adjust to the situation here.
"Actually, it's better than I expected."
Marco's expression turned peculiar.
Before Mystogan arrived, he had already tested several things, including his Celestial Spirit Magic.
"Hum!"
With a raise of his hand, starlight flickered in the sky above.
Though the glow was dim, the stars were indeed responding to Marco's call.
"My Celestial Spirit Magic can still take effect. Even though the planet Edolas has completely lost its magic, there's still some Star Magic lingering among the stars in the sky that hasn't fully dissipated."
Marco absorbed the faint starlight sprinkling down from the heavens.
Though the amount was meager, it at least replenished his magic power, allowing him to use Celestial Spirit Magic.
While the Azure Dragon Ink Garment had decent combat prowess, it couldn't compare to the versatility of Celestial Spirit Magic, especially since Marco had unlocked so many constellation abilities.
"This is truly astonishing!"
Seeing the Star Magic swirling around Marco, Mystogan was utterly dumbfounded.
His expression now was far more shocked than when he saw Marco crossing over faster than him.
"Every bit used is a bit less. The magic in this world has truly dissipated, and even the Star Magic from the constellations has almost vanished entirely." Marco sighed and spoke.
This world of "Edolas" had genuinely entered a complete "age of magic decline."
Magic was thoroughly disappearing from this world—only consumption, no replenishment—breaking the normal cycle.
Thus, to replenish magic power, one could only rely on magic like "Anima."
The situation in "Edolas" was already beginning to show, and the dim, lackluster stars further confirmed it all.
"Indeed, Edolas absolutely cannot rely on magic anymore." Mystogan accepted this very quickly.
He had long been prepared for this—to eradicate magic completely from Edolas.
What Mystogan wanted was simple: for everyone to live in peace and prosperity, rather than focusing entirely on "magic."
Magic was a thing of the past; they needed to look forward.
"If nothing unexpected happens, it's definitely not something to count on."
Marco nodded.
If before coming, he had thought about possibly saving this world, he had now completely given up. Even the stars in the sky were nearly extinguished!
Marco took it in stride—if it couldn't be saved, then so be it.
Without magic, the people of "Edolas" could still find a better way to live; they never had much need for magic in the first place.
Moreover, as a representative of the "victim" side, Marco didn't need to worry about all that.
How to save this world was something for Mystogan to consider, and he had already thought it through clearly—rely on technology, not magic.
"..."
"Where should we go now?"
After a moment of silence, Marco spoke up.
He knew nothing about this world, so their next move depended entirely on Mystogan's arrangements.
Come to think of it, in this world, he could directly call Mystogan "Jellal," since he was originally this world's Jellal.
Mystogan was just an alias.
"So? Should we switch back to your real name?" Marco asked curiously.
"It's fine. Keep calling me Mystogan. Until all problems are resolved, I'll continue using this name."
Though he said that, Mystogan had no intention of reclaiming his original name.
Before bringing everything to an end, he didn't want to restore his identity.
"No problem." Marco nodded in understanding, respecting Mystogan's choice.
"Follow me."
Mystogan took a deep breath, steadying his emotions.
Returning to his homeland required some mental adjustment.
"Alright, I'll rely on you from here."
Marco cooperated fully, ready to follow Mystogan's lead.
However, doubts lingered in his mind.
Having left Edolas for so long, and having departed as just a child, was Mystogan truly familiar with this world? Was he really reliable?
"Wait... Mystogan, where exactly are you taking me?"
After walking for some time, Marco couldn't hold back his question any longer.
He didn't want to doubt the "local" Mystogan, but they had been walking for nearly two hours and still hadn't left the forest where they landed.
That was downright absurd!
"Ahem, trust me, I just..."
Mystogan coughed dryly, wanting to defend himself, but after struggling to find an excuse, he slumped his head in defeat.
"Sorry, it's my fault... I'm not very familiar with this place either."
Mystogan admitted the truth.
He had been brimming with confidence earlier, but now things were different.
In reality, he wasn't much of a local either—he had only spent his childhood here.
His teenage years after turning ten were all spent in Earth Land.
As the prince, Mystogan could hardly claim familiarity with places outside the palace.
"Hah..."
Marco let out a long sigh, then laughed.
People really do laugh when they're at a loss for words.
Mystogan was clearly affected by hometown jitters—his mind was unsettled, and he was becoming unreliable.
"Let me handle this."
Marco shook his head and waved his hand, releasing several crows.
As for the crows left behind in the Earth Land world, he had temporarily lost contact with them.
Though he could still sense their existence, he could no longer control them—probably due to poor signal over such a great distance.
Deploying these backup crows, Marco manipulated them to soar into the sky and begin scouting the path ahead.
"Sorry..."
Mystogan beside him still seemed somewhat embarrassed.
He realized his own poor condition and felt deeply frustrated.
This was supposed to be his time to shine after arriving in Edolas.
"It's fine, understandable. Take your time adjusting." Marco smiled as he comforted the prince of Edolas.
Mystogan's troubled state of mind was indeed understandable.
After many years, he had returned to the world he belonged to, where he would once again face everything familiar yet somewhat foreign.
The issues that had plagued him for so long might finally reach their resolution.
All of this weighed heavily on Mystogan.
These were not emotions that could be processed in a short while—he needed to confront them gradually.
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