In the backyard of Fairy Tail, Makarov Dreyar, the Guild Master, stood before Alex with a serious expression. "Listen, young man. Magic is something few people possess only about 10% of the population is born with it."
"But being a mage isn't just about having magic; it requires 'Ethernano'—magical particles found in the atmosphere that mages absorb and store within their bodies."
Alex nodded. He already knew the concepts of the world of Fairy Tail, but for some reason, he couldn't feel his own magic. Perhaps when he transmigrated, he had subconsciously suppressed it.
"Even if you have a magical container to store energy, if it isn't large enough or well developed, you won't be able to cast spells."
"So... do I have a proper magical container?" Alex asked cautiously.
"Yes. You have magic inside your body. The day you arrived at the guild, Erza was looking after you because you had a high fever your magic had spiraled out of control."
Erza recalled the night she found him soaked in blood. Even though he had no wounds, Alex had been burning up.
Makarov continued, "You probably used magic unconsciously to save your life. When you arrived, your clothes were torn and drenched in blood, yet you had no visible injuries. I suspect you possess some kind of Lost Magic capable of healing your wounds."
'Great, I'm going to be a support mage or some kind of immortal zombie. Not that that's a bad kind of magic,' Alex thought.
Makarov was pleased. Healing magic was among the rarest in the magical world; he was already imagining how he'd brag about it to the other Guild Masters.
"Now, I'm going to help you feel the magic within you. Sit cross-legged to begin." Makarov approached the seated Alex, placed a hand on his back, and channeled magic into his body.
Alex felt a warm energy surge through him, concentrating at a specific point near his abdomen. He felt as if something inside him was about to break; his magical container began to overflow. The air around him stirred, and a heavy magical pressure began to emanate from his body. He was now brimming with magic.
Makarov and Erza smiled as they felt the power. He now had the capacity to become a mage. "The next step is to use that energy to cast a spell."
"Usually, one learns magic through a teacher, but there are special cases where one is born with a magical gift. You might be the latter, so try to feel your magic and project it outward," Makarov instructed.
"Ehh?!" Alex made a face of pure confusion. "How does the old man expect me to use magic with just a thought?"
He had tried all week without success, but perhaps now that he could actually feel the energy, he could manifest it. Alex closed his eyes and concentrated the magic in his right hand. Feeling a numbing sensation, he opened his eyes to see a change.
In his right hand lay a screw, much larger than a normal one. The head of the screw was the size of his palm, and it was about 30 centimeters long.
Alex lost his cool for a second. "Hey, old man! Where's my Lost Magic?! Why am I holding a screw?!"
The Guild Master was equally stunned. Why had the boy manifested a screw from his hand?
You brat! How should I know what kind of weird magic you manifested?! You must be twisted inside for your magic to take the shape of a screw!"
Like true members of Fairy Tail even if Alex hadn't officially joined yet they began shouting at each other, losing all composure.
Erza had to step in. "Calm down, both of you. Arguing gets us nowhere. Alex, don't be upset about the type of magic you have."
As they stopped yelling, Erza continued. "First, find out if your screw is normal or if it has an effect. I don't think your magic is that simple, Alex. Have more confidence. You survived a massacre; your magic must be something special to manifest this way."
Hearing Erza's kind words, Alex calmed down. There was no point in arguing with the old man over a misunderstanding. The divine being said he'd give him a gift to protect himself; in theory, it couldn't be weak.
"Erza is right," the Master added. "The best way to know if your magic is special is to put it into practice."
Makarov took some distance and signaled to Alex. "Throw your screw at me! Don't worry about me; as one of the Ten Wizard Saints, I have the confidence to withstand the attack of a rookie like you!"
A vein popped on Alex's forehead. 'This old man got comfortable real fast, and we've only known each other for minutes...'
Erza also noticed the Master's attitude. He was usually like this with troublemakers; why was he acting so childishly with Alex already?
"Fine, old man. I'll do as you say and test my magic on you." Without a second thought, Alex hurled the screw straight at him.
Makarov didn't get overconfident. A veteran like him wasn't about to let himself be hit by unknown magic. He used his right arm to defend, partially transforming his hand into that of a giant. Once he transforms, his body becomes resistant to almost any physical or magical strike—he is a magical tank.
He expected to take the hit and remain unscathed. But Alex's magic had other plans.
When the screw impacted the giant hand, Makarov's transformation instantly vanished, and with it, his resistance. The Guild Master stumbled back several steps until he regained his balance. His hand had been pierced by the screw; blood dripped from the wound.
Erza ran over immediately. "Master! Are you okay? You're bleeding, we need to get you to the infirmary!"
The old man shook his head. "I'm fine, it's nothing, just a scratch." As one of the Ten Wizard Saints, he had his pride; if people found out he was wounded by a brat learning to use magic, the other Guild Masters would eat him alive!
He put on a tough front, but Erza wasn't one to listen to excuses. She pulled a first-aid kit from her magical inventory and bandaged his hand.
Makarov looked at Alex. "Well done, brat. Congratulations! It looks like you hit the jackpot. Your magic is capable of negating the magic of another mage—at least, that's what it seems. Your screw cancelled my giant transformation."
A screw capable of cancelling magic? Doesn't that sound like the ability of a certain villain who's always defeated?'
Do I have the ability of the loser with the most aura in all of manga?'
Erza saw Alex smiling. With magic that can negate others, anyone would be happy.