When Magnolia's iconic red-brick skyline came into view, Shane gently jostled the girl dozing in his arms.
"Wake up. We're here."
"Mmm…" Mira rubbed her sleepy eyes and muttered without thinking, "This is weird… why is the wind so mild when you fly?"
She sounded genuinely baffled.
Whenever she flew in her demon form before, the wind roared in her ears and she had to constantly spend magic power shielding her body. But when Shane carried her, it felt like riding in a smooth carriage—barely any jolts at all, so comfortable it made her want to fall asleep.
Shane shot her a look. He was still mentally planning how to hammer home the importance of mana management, so he didn't bother answering.
But as they descended, Mira's mind cleared. She clung to Shane's arm and peered down. The moment she recognized the street layout below, her brows knit.
"Shane! This is the wrong way!"
"Why are we flying to my place? We should be going to the guild, or your house!"
"At this time, Erza will definitely be at one of those two places! I'm going to challenge her!"
Mira panicked. Her previously limp body tensed up. She grabbed Shane by the collar and started wriggling in his arms, trying to force him to change course.
"I want a duel! Turn around!"
"Stop moving!"
Shane had to tighten his grip around her slim waist and hold her in place. He lowered his gaze, taking in the state she was in—pale from mana exhaustion, smeared with mountain-brute blood, hair stuck to her sweaty neck in messy strands.
"How much are you underestimating Erza?" Shane snapped.
"Look at you. You can barely stand. What are you going to do right now—go embarrass yourself?"
"…" A bucket of cold water dumped on her head. Mira's excitement cooled by half. She bit her lip—logic told her he was right, but she still squirmed stubbornly in his arms.
"So what! My body will recover! It's about presence! As long as I have presence, that's enough!"
She only dares to act like this with me, Shane thought, fighting the urge to just let go and drop her. Instead, he silently accelerated.
Right now, he only wanted to dump this filthy, bristling, unreasonable cat onto Elfman and Lisanna as fast as possible.
…
Click.
The door opened.
Shane strode into the living room, then casually tossed the girl onto the soft sofa like he was throwing down a giant plush toy.
"You—!" Mira sank into the cushions, rubbing her backside, ready to complain—
"Mira! Shane!"
Hearing the commotion, Lisanna and Elfman immediately ran out.
But seeing their sister collapsed on the sofa, covered in grime, they were weirdly calm.
After two months, they were used to Mira returning from training in a half-dead state. They no longer panicked like they had in the beginning.
"Welcome back!" the two of them greeted Shane with their usual enthusiasm and thanks, then rushed to the sofa.
"Mira, look, look!" Lisanna grabbed Mira's hand, eyes sparkling. "We have a surprise for you! You're going to be shocked!"
"What is it? Why are you acting all mysterious?" Mira forced herself upright, sitting cross-legged.
"Hehe~ watch closely!"
The two kids exchanged a look, inhaled together, and their magic surged.
"Take Over: Beast Soul—Cat!"
"Take Over: Beast Soul—Bear!"
Pop! Pop!
With two soft sounds, Lisanna's small body changed—fluffy cat ears popped out from her hair, a nimble tail swayed behind her, and her hands and feet turned into adorable pink paw pads.
"Meow~"
Cat-girl Lisanna hopped lightly in place, cute and lively.
"And me!"
Elfman refused to be outdone. His entire right arm swelled into a massive bear paw, covered in thick brown fur and brimming with power.
"Huh?!"
Now Mira was truly stunned. She straightened, ignoring the weakness in her body, and stared at them.
"This is… Take Over Magic? You learned it?!"
"Hehe, Master Makarov taught us!" Lisanna's tail wagged as she threw herself into Mira's arms and rubbed her cheek against her. "I can run really fast now!"
"I-I'm kind of slow…" Elfman scratched his head shyly, waving the bear paw. "I can only transform one hand."
Mira smiled and soothed him. "That's still crazy fast… it's only been two months…"
Standing nearby, Shane watched and his mouth twitched.
Not only was Mira a monster—these two were freakishly gifted too.
Thinking back to how much suffering he'd gone through just to learn Requip Magic… Shane once again felt that bleak, familiar despair about his own "magic talent."
Seriously. Pick any random person and they're better than me. This world hates me.
"Partial Take Over is something I had to go out of my way to learn—good job, Elfman," Mira said warmly. Then she frowned, puzzled.
"But… the guild has lots of fun magic, right? Why are you both learning Take Over?"
She had no choice—she'd been forced into it by the demon power. But her little brother and sister had other options.
Elfman gave an honest, sheepish grin. "Because when Mira and Shane use Take Over Magic… it looks really cool!"
And Lisanna lowered her head shyly. "Because… we're family."
"A family should always stay together. Even our magic should match."
"…" That straight, heartfelt answer hit Mira like a surprise punch.
Her eyes went flustered and soft all at once, emotions rising fast.
"You two idiots…" she mumbled, turning her face away in embarrassment—yet she couldn't stop smiling.
Watching the warm scene, Shane smiled too, then decided not to third-wheel any longer. He waved goodbye.
"Mira's training is temporarily done. Now you all just enjoy the New Year."
"Hey, Shane!"
Seeing him about to leave, Mira leaned out from the sofa so fast her pale little foot nearly kicked him in the face.
"Don't forget! Tell Erza about the duel!"
"Tomorrow! I'm getting my revenge!"
"Yeah, yeah. I got it," Shane said, waving without turning around as he stepped out.
…
Back at his own little yard, before he even entered, he heard the whistle of a blade cutting the air.
He pushed open the gate and saw Erza in simple training clothes, holding a steel sword, unwaveringly doing her daily practice.
Shane didn't interrupt. He just stood to the side and watched.
Her movements were plain—no flair, no wasted motion. Every swing was precise and stable. Sweat ran down her resolute profile.
She's improving no matter what, Shane thought.
Mira's growth in the last two months had been absurd—like a complete rebirth.
But Erza had never stopped, not even for a day. That steady discipline and effort was the foundation of her strength.
This fight really could go either way.
Shane estimated the odds were about seven to three.
Seven for Erza, three for Mira.
But just as he was weighing it in his head, Erza's movements suddenly shifted—like she'd stepped into some subtle, mysterious state.
Her swordplay became even smoother. The steel sword felt like an extension of her arm—no resistance, no drag, no hesitation.
In that instant, a sharp, austere surge of magic burst from her body—then, in the very next second, it folded perfectly back into her, vanishing without a trace.
Rustle…
Shane's consciousness jolted. The Book of Heroes in his mind began to turn its pages.
Then a line of gold, flame-patterned text appeared before his eyes:
[Objective Reached: 2/5]
"Huh?!"
Shane's pupils tightened as he stared at the suddenly updated number, then looked back at Erza as she slowly lowered her sword and exhaled.
"Wait… is she… S-class now?"
~~~
Patreon(.)com/Bleam
— Currently You can Read 120 Chapters Ahead of Others!