The information and experimental records they had just uncovered were horrifying enough to shock an adult, let alone a child. Uru worried that Noah might suffer lasting psychological scars after seeing such things.
Noah waved his hand dismissively, trying to reassure her. "I'm fine."
But he wasn't. The grotesque images still lingered in his mind, and though he had tried to prepare himself mentally, the visceral impact left him pale and uneasy.
After a long breath, the tightness in his chest eased slightly. Noah pulled out a magic crystal and began contacting Makarov.
The crystal flickered, and Makarov's face appeared. His eyes widened instantly with worry when he saw Noah's pale complexion.
"Noah, are you all right? You look terrible."
"Grandpa, I'm fine," Noah answered quickly. "I just felt sick after what I saw inside. I'll recover soon. I'll send you a portion of the information first… please be mentally prepared."
He transmitted a small bundle of files through the crystal.
Beside him, Uru's brows lifted. "That was Master Makarov, one of the Ten Wizard Saints, wasn't it? He's your grandfather?"
Noah shook his head, then gave a small nod. Seeing her confusion, he explained, "Not by blood. We're both part of Fairy Tail. Grandpa's the guild master, and he treats me like family. That's why I call him Grandpa."
Understanding dawned across Uru's face, and her heart eased. If someone like Makarov became involved, then the Magic Development Bureau would finally face the punishment it deserved.
The image inside the crystal flickered and distorted. Makarov's magic power was surging out of control his emotions clearly shaken by the inhumane experiments described in the files. The distortion lasted only a short while before the old master reined himself in. Having endured decades of hardship, his recovery was faster than most.
When the picture steadied, Makarov's expression was dark, his voice heavy with resolve.
"I'll hand this to Yajima immediately. Then I'll unite with other guild masters and the judges to expose everything. These people will face the harshest punishment."
"Then I'll leave it to you, Grandpa," Noah said firmly. "I'll stay here and make sure no one escapes. I'll also suppress the Bureau from outside."
Makarov narrowed his eyes. "Take it easy, Noah. Don't overdo it."
The old man was worried Noah might act on his emotions and accidentally unleash destructive magic that would fling the entire Bureau into the sky or worse.
Noah smiled faintly. "I know the consequences. I won't be reckless."
Makarov's heart sank at that response. Won't be reckless? Why does that sound like he's absolutely planning something reckless?
Before Makarov could say more, Noah ended the call, leaving the guild master staring anxiously at the fading image.
Turning to Uru, Noah's eyes sharpened. "All right. Let's begin. Our first priority is to rescue everyone inside."
"I'm just worried they'll hurt the children the moment we attack," Uru admitted. She had considered storming the Bureau, but with only two of them, a direct assault would put the captives at terrible risk.
"That's why we need to prepare first," Noah replied. His tone was calm but decisive. "When the time comes, we'll strike in a way that guarantees their safety."
Together, they returned to the outskirts of the Magic Development Bureau. Noah didn't enter this time. Instead, he began inscribing glowing runes into the ground, one after another, until a complex array surrounded the entire facility.
The spell circle pulsed faintly, sealing the Bureau like a net.
The ritual Noah inscribed had two effects. First, the vitality of everyone inside the building was temporarily strengthened. Second, anyone without a protective charm immediately fell into a deep sleep.
The first effect was meant to keep the victims alive, ensuring that their fragile bodies wouldn't fail once the staff collapsed.
By the time the spell was complete, Noah's face was pale with fatigue, sweat beading across his forehead.
Uru turned to him in concern.
"How are you holding up? Did that drain you too much?"
"A large-scale spell with that much power always takes a toll," Noah admitted, wiping his brow. "But don't worry. I'll recover quickly. Let's go inside."
He handed Uru a talisman-like charm.
"Infuse this with your magic and wear it. It'll keep you safe from the ritual's effects."
She followed his instructions, and the moment Noah activated the spell, the two of them pushed open the doors of the Magic Development Bureau. Inside, every staff member lay sprawled across the floor, breathing steadily in enchanted slumber.
The pair split up. Noah went straight for the laboratory records he hadn't yet copied, while Uru began hauling people outside staff and victims alike.
To speed things up, Noah insisted on learning ice-make magic from Uru right there on the spot. She demonstrated once, and though his technique was rough and clumsy, it was enough. He conjured a massive, blocky ice flatbed cart, dividing it into two sections: one for the unconscious staff, the other for the victims.
Trip after trip, they ferried people outside.
Noah carefully stabilized the children who had been experimented on, but he knew their long-term recovery would require proper healers. The sight was heart-wrenching. Many of the children bore deep scars, their tiny bodies curled up even in sleep, their faces twisted in pain.
After checking over the victims, Noah turned his gaze toward the fallen staff.
"I don't know what kind of punishment awaits you when the Council gets their hands on this evidence," he said coldly. "But before that, I'll make sure you experience a taste of what you inflicted on others."
Uru frowned, uneasy.
"Noah, don't go too far. Hurting them could create problems for you later."
Her voice betrayed her hatred, but also her worry. She couldn't bear the thought of Noah ruining his future for revenge.
Noah shook his head.
"Even if their limbs were broken, we could say it was resistance. But that's not what I intend to do."
Uru blinked in surprise, then froze as his meaning dawned on her.
"They enjoyed turning others into experiments," Noah continued, eyes narrowing. "So let them taste it. I'll weave an illusion that forces them to feel the same agony they made these children endure."
Uru exhaled slowly, tension easing from her shoulders. That kind of punishment, she could live with. Together, the two of them locked the staff into ice prisons, preventing any chance of self-harm or escape once the nightmare began.
...
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