Chapter 291: The Terrifying Black Dragon
The third super magic—Fairy Sphere—was the magic George least expected.
Because it was actually a time-based magic, capable of achieving absolute defense by freezing time around oneself.
Looking at it this way, it made sense that Makarov couldn't master it. Time magic was already one of the hardest types to learn, and he simply didn't have the foundation to even try.
In this world, time magic was already considered Lost Magic, and there was no related magical knowledge to be found.
There was simply no reference point.
However, for him, it wasn't entirely impossible.
After all, the world of Harry Potter had quite a bit of time magic, and he had always been researching it—he had a foundation in this area.
And if other worlds appeared in the future, it was also possible that new knowledge related to time magic would emerge.
"George, George! The Grand Magic Parade is about to begin!"
At ten o'clock in the evening, George was called out of the underground library by Mirajane.
In front of the guild, everyone was ready. Makarov, dressed in a funny clown costume, smiled at George and said:
"As the next Guild Master, you'll lead the parade at the front. I, the old master, will bring up the rear. We'll march around the entire city of Magnolia, and that'll be the end."
"Understood."
Lightning crackled all over George's body.
"Thunder Giant!"
A Thunder Giant over two hundred meters tall rose from the ground. George enlarged himself, stood atop the giant's head, waved a paw, and declared:
"The Fairy Tail Grand Magic Parade starts now!"
"Let's go!"
Everyone cheered in unison, following George in a parade convoy that moved toward Magnolia's main street.
Meanwhile, the townspeople and tourists had been waiting for a long time.
When they saw the two-hundred-meter-tall Thunder Giant and George standing on its head, they all screamed in excitement. It was simply overwhelming.
Countless fireworks lit up the sky above the city. The mages in the parade convoy each displayed their magical prowess, contributing their own brilliance to the show.
Kana's dazzling magic cards danced in the air; Macao's purple flames and Wakaba's smoke rings drew hearts in the sky.
Levy, Lucy, and Evergreen danced joyfully atop the convoy's high platform. Erza had changed into a beautiful set of armor and flew through the air wielding magical weapons.
Gray created an ice castle, Juvia manipulated water to paint the Fairy Tail symbol behind it, and Natsu spewed flames that exploded in the sky.
The entire town was surrounded by magnificent magic, presenting a scene of beauty and fantasy.
Two days later, George bid farewell to everyone at the guild and set off for the Northern Continent to undertake the Century Quest.
The specifics of the Century Quest were unknown, even to Makarov. All he knew was that the request came from the oldest wizard guild in the Northern Continent, Magic Dragon Formation, and that it involved dragons.
"Make haste! Full speed ahead!"
After spreading his wings and taking to the air, George accelerated at full speed toward the Northern Continent.
Normally, traveling there by ship would take over a month. He couldn't afford to waste that much time on a boat.
He had to obtain a dragon crystal within two months and merge the traits of dragons from three different worlds. Only then could he acquire the most suitable dragon form when transforming through Animagus.
And so, after flying over the ocean for three days without rest, he finally saw the Northern Continent.
"The landscape here is really quite different."
Landing on the shore, he ate something and rested a bit. Looking at the flying fish in the sky and the various strange creatures and plants on land, George let out a sigh of wonder.
"I should find Gildarts first."
He didn't head directly to Magic Dragon Formation to accept the Century Quest. Instead, he began tracking Gildarts with a Tracing Charm.
Back in the guild, he had already used a Tracing Charm on Gildarts. Indirectly, it had helped him confirm that Gildarts wasn't dead.
Normally, if the target of a Tracing Charm died, the spell would cease to work.
So, if the charm didn't produce any result, the target was most likely dead, sealed away, or had their presence masked by an enemy.
But if it still worked, then it could be confirmed with certainty that the target was alive.
That was why he had truly decided to take on the Century Quest and seek clues about dragons.
After all, if someone as strong as Gildarts—who was stronger than even Makarov—had died on the mission, George would've reconsidered whether it was worth the risk to come to the Northern Continent.
Why didn't he go directly to Magic Dragon Formation and instead chose to find Gildarts first?
Naturally, because he was cautious.
Gildarts hadn't completed the mission in three years, which showed just how difficult it was. And George knew nothing about Magic Dragon Formation, the oldest wizard guild.
Rather than blindly taking on the quest, it was better to find Gildarts first and get a general understanding before proceeding.
With his speed and the Tracing Charm, he would definitely find Gildarts within a day.
"Reveal the direction—Gildarts Clive!"
As a golden arrow appeared, George once again spread his wings and took off.
Flying in the air, overlooking the Northern Continent below, he saw many towns. The level of magical civilization seemed comparable to that of the Eastern Continent, except the railway network wasn't as widespread—only a few lines existed.
Five hours later, in a desolate mountain range, George, who was following the golden arrow, suddenly hit the brakes and stopped mid-air, staring in shock ahead as he cried out:
"A dragon!!!"
That's right—right then, he saw a massive black dragon spiraling in the sky ahead.
The black dragon's presence was terrifying—so much so that even with George's current strength, his body trembled slightly. His instincts told him:
If he fought this dragon, he'd most likely be beaten to death—brutally.
"Are dragons in this world really that strong?"
He had considered the possibility of living dragons in the Northern Continent. Though dragons were supposed to be legendary, both Natsu and Gajeel had been raised and trained by dragons, learning Dragon Slayer Magic.
He just hadn't expected dragons in this world to be this powerful.
In terms of overall strength, he was definitely at the level of the Ten Wizard Saints—perhaps even one of the top among them.
According to Makarov, his strength should already match that of the Four Heavenly Kings of the Eastern Continent.
But when facing this dragon, he felt he had no chance at all.
Even the dragons and Sauron in Middle-earth never gave him such an overwhelming sense of crisis.
"Looks like slaying a dragon to forge a dragon crystal won't be so easy."
George immediately concealed all his aura and cast a Disillusionment Charm to hide himself, avoiding the dragon's notice.
At the same time, he stayed ready to Apparate away at a moment's notice.
"Expel Evil—Illuminate the Righteous—Daylight!"
At that moment, he suddenly heard a furious roar and saw a middle-aged man with orange hair soar from a small mountain and punch at the black dragon.
"What powerful magic! That guy is—Gildarts!"
(End of Chapter)