The Old Master closed his eyes. After a moment, he opened them, shocked and incredulous!
He surveyed the silent guild, uttering each word with thunderous impact:
"This is no demon! Nor is it an ordinary Slime!"
He pointed at Christian.
"Within its body lies a primeval power, long lost and existing only in forbidden ancient texts!"
Makarov took a deep breath and exhaled the name:
"Ancient Magic: Devour Magic!"
"Devour Magic?!"
"What is that?!"
"Forbidden?!"
Exclamations erupted! Their gazes shifted dramatically, filled with shock, curiosity, and awe!
Lucy covered her mouth. "Devour... Magic?"
Makarov's expression was complex. "Devouring, analyzing, and replicating all things... including magic power and magic itself... Such immense power, I've only heard of it in legends. I never thought... it would reappear in the world."
He turned to Lucy. "Lucy, it came with you?"
Lucy nodded quickly, showing her pendant. "Yes! It was mimicking this before..."
Makarov looked deeply at the pendant, then back at Christian. "Do you... have a name?"
"Individual name: Christian," the core responded.
"Christian..." Makarov mused. "I, Makarov Dreyar (Third Master), am the Master of Fairy Tail."
"Do you wish to join Fairy Tail...!?"
The Old Master's voice boomed like a bell, imbued with the spirit of the Fairy Tail leader.
"Fairy Tail! We open our doors to friends! And we cherish the heart that protects comrades... like a treasure!"
He took a step forward, his presence like a mountain.
"Christian! In the name of the wielder of Ancient Magic: Devour Magic! I ask you!"
"Do you wish... to become our 'family'?!"
The guild members held their breath! Their gazes focused on the blue Slime!
Christian's core trembled violently!
"Family... guild..."
Memories of his past life: a cold apartment... instant noodles during overtime... colleagues' schemes... a boss's exploitation... "Family"? A distant and luxurious word... This life: a damp cave... lonely devouring... goblins' screams... the warmth from Lucy's neck... the noisy "commotion" in the guild... yet it carried a strange... warmth?
"Safe haven... information source... environment for growth... 'family's' promise..."
"Risks: exposure of Devour power... being feared... being exploited..."
"Benefits: protection... comrades (Lucy)... a platform to understand the world..."
"Makarov... his eyes... there's inquiry... but no greed... more of... responsibility and commitment? Similar to... the old section chief in my past life who was the only one who ever stood up for me?"
Data streamed from the core! Great Sage rapidly calculated!
Finally! A decision emerged!
"Affirmative," the core vibrated, its voice clear. "Willing to join. Fairy Tail."
A glint flashed in Makarov's eyes! He pointed a finger! Magical light shot towards the Slime!
On the blue gelatinous surface, a miniature, crimson Fairy Tail emblem! It shimmered into existence!
"From this moment on! Christian! You are our family!" Makarov declared!
Silence! For one second!
"Wow!!!!!"
"Welcome, Christian!!!"
"A comrade with Devour Magic! So cool!"
"We'll be relying on you for missions from now on!"
Thunderous cheers! Applause like rolling thunder! The previous shock was drowned out by everyone's enthusiasm!
Natsu was the first to rush over like a rocket! He sniffed frantically around Christian! "Hey, hey! Chris! Let's fight! Let me see your Devour Magic!"
Gray, for once, had his pants on and approached, ice crystals spinning at his fingertips. "Devour, huh... interesting."
Erza withdrew her fist, her expression solemn: "Please take care of me, Christian."
Mirajane smiled gently: "Welcome home."
Lucy looked at the blue Slime, enveloped in warmth, her eyes slightly moist. "That's wonderful! Mr. Christian!"
Christian floated. Its core sensed the overwhelming goodwill and curiosity.
"Family... guild..." A strange warmth washed over the data core. The cold memories of its past life seemed to be... melted a little by this clamor.
[Alert. Identity acquired: Fairy Tail member.]
[Alert. Information acquired: The magic 'Devour Magic' is known to the higher-ups. Status: Under observation (benevolent).]
The next day. The guild was as boisterous as ever.
"Chris! Try this magic!" Levy cast a small 'Solidify' text magic.
The rune touched the gelatinous surface. Poof! It vanished.
[Alert. Analysis complete. Skill acquired: 'Low-level Physical Defense Boost (Text)'. Effect: weak.]
"It... ate it?" Levy pushed up her glasses and made a note.
"Aye! Can Chris eat motion sickness medicine?" Happy held up a small pill.
"Natsu! Don't set fires in the guild!" Erza roared, chasing Natsu who was lighting small flames everywhere.
"Lucy! Urgent mission!" Mirajane's voice was uncharacteristically serious, holding a mission request.
The guild instantly fell silent.
"An S-rank mission?" Someone gasped.
"No! It's a distress signal!" Mirajane said quickly. "Mount Hakobe! Macao has lost contact! His last message... he encountered a powerful demon, Vulcan! The situation is critical!"
"Uncle Macao?!" Natsu's expression changed.
[Macao] A Fairy Tail member. A bald, bearded, slightly overweight middle-aged man, often wearing a sleeveless vest that exposes a flame tattoo on his right shoulder. He uses ordinary fire magic, has an optimistic and family-oriented personality, and took over the guild's operations after the war.
"Mount Hakobe? Vulcan?" Lucy was nervous.
"I'm going!" Natsu said without hesitation.
"I'm going too!" Lucy stood up.
Natsu looked at the floating blue Slime. "Chris! You can devour demons, right? Come with us! Saving him is urgent!"
Christian's core responded: Rescue comrade. Combat test. Analyze new demon.
"Affirmative," the core responded.
"Let's go!" Natsu grabbed Lucy and rushed out the door! Happy followed closely! Christian used Water Flow Movement, transforming into a stream of water to keep up!