The Little Devil slowly lifted its head to look at Rhodes, baring a sharp, mocking grin. Still, not a single word came out.
"Heh..."
Rhode's right fist tightened, and with it the golden halo constricted further. Heat radiated through the band of light, scorching the demon's small body. Wisps of green smoke curled up from its skin.
"Ow!" The creature squealed in pain, thrashing with desperate energy.
Rhodes pressed on with his questions, demanding to know its abilities, its origins, or anything about Zeref, but no matter what he asked, the demon remained stubbornly silent.
"This isn't an ordinary demon," Rhodes muttered, suspicion flashing in his eyes. Was this little creature fiercely loyal to Zeref? Or did it believe Fairy Glitter couldn't kill it?
"Let me try."
Mira's hand shifted into a demonic claw, black energy spheres flickering at her fingertips. She smiled sweetly down at the captive, though her aura said otherwise.
"Squeak! Squeak!!!"
After this gentle and friendly exchange, the Little Devil finally broke its silence. Its voice was faint but mocking:
"Since you're also a demon… why side with him?"
Mira blinked at being called a demon. For a moment, she considered pressing harder. But then she slipped her arm through Rhode's, smiling playfully.
"Because he's strong and handsome. That's reason enough. You're pretty cute yourself, want to be my pet?"
"Heh~" The Little Devil chuckled, its voice dripping with scorn. "Traitor. Zeref won't spare you. Your triumph won't last."
A threat? Or a warning of an actual plan? Rhodes thought of the black-haired youth he'd encountered on Tenrou Island.
That boy hadn't seemed strong, yet his mere presence could steal lives in an instant. It was unsettling, if he truly acted, his danger level might rival even the Black Dragon.
"Do you know where he is?" Rhodes asked sharply.
"Hehe~ Don't think you'll wring information about Zeref from me. Even if you torture me ten times worse, I'll never speak."
Rhodes and Mira exchanged a glance. They both knew it was telling the truth.
Demons crafted by Zeref were bound to him with fanatic devotion, more loyal than even the zealots of the Black Magic Cult. Neither cruelty nor kindness could loosen that grip.
In the end, they brought the matter to Makarov, and the decision was clear: the creature had to be destroyed.
As for handing it to the Magic Council… not a chance.
Just days ago, they'd heard rumors that the Council had once debated launching Etherion against Tenrou Island, hoping to wipe out Acnologia, Zeref, and Grimoire Heart in one blast.
But before the vote could even be cast, Tenrou Island had vanished.
If the Council knew they'd captured one of Zeref's demons this time, who knew what reckless plan they'd hatch?
Better to deal with it themselves.
Mira stepped forward, her magic already shifting. She had read the creature's essence completely, Take over Magic flared to life around her.
"You...!"
For the first time, the Little Devil's face twisted in real fear. It could sense it: if it was absorbed like this, it might never be reborn.
A flash of purplish-black light. The Little Devil vanished without a trace.
"Be careful! Be careful!" Makarov's voice rang out, not at Mira, but at Rhodes.
Fairy Glitter was still active. If it detonated now, the guild itself would be blown away.
"Relax. When have I ever demolished the guild?" Rhodes swept his right arm out, sending the golden halo bursting sideways through the courtyard wall.
The halo shot toward the lake behind the guild, expanding as it went before scattering into countless shimmering motes of light. They rained down, glimmering across the lake's surface and stirring up crashing waves.
Makarov glanced at the wide hole in the courtyard wall, his brow twitching.
"Who just said they wouldn't demolish the guild? Didn't someone also punch a hole in that exact spot years ago? Granted, it was the old guild building back then."
Rhodes chuckled awkwardly. "A minor accident. I'll fix it later." He turned to Mira. "So? Did you get a new form?"
Mira closed her eyes, feeling the new magic coursing through her. Then she smiled. "Not exactly… but I'll show you."
Mira activated her Take over Magic. A flash of white light swept over her body, yet when it faded, there seemed to be almost no change.
Her face and features were the same as always. The only differences were a small hat woven from branches and leaves now resting on her head, and a thin black cloak with white trim draped behind her.
Rhodes circled her curiously. Something about the cloak looked… odd. "What's that bulge?"
Mira turned slightly and answered frankly, "A tail."
Rhodes blinked. "A tail, huh?"
It wasn't unusual, her Satan Soul form had one too. But when he lifted the edge of her cloak for a better look, this tail was different. It was slender, ending in a sharp, arrow-shaped tip.
Rhodes had a bold idea immediately. He decided it was better saved for discussion at home that night.
"It doesn't feel like my magic power has increased at all," Mira admitted.
Rhodes nodded. "Yeah… it's almost no different than your normal state."
That was strange. Take over Magic usually boosted power, even when absorbing a weak creature. Forms like Beast Soul, Satan Soul, or Dragon Soul provided overwhelming surges of strength. Yet this new form gave Mira practically nothing.
Makarov, watching carefully, asked, "Then, did you at least gain some kind of special ability?"
Mira studied her hands, hesitating. "It feels like… I can erase someone's magic power."
"!"
Makarov's expression hardened immediately. "Like Aria of the Four Elements, from Phantom Lord?"
"Yes," Mira confirmed, "but I can only do it with direct contact. That's probably why Raven Tail wanted Obra to ambush Rhodes."
Rhodes raised an eyebrow. "So I was actually in danger today? Does this ability have no upper limit?"
Mira gave a wry smile. "I don't know. It's too dangerous to test. If I drain too much, it's basically the same as killing someone."
She couldn't bring herself to try it on either Rhodes or the Master, and she never would.
Makarov folded his arms, deep in thought. "Direct contact is a heavy restriction. Still… if it's suddenly used during close combat..."
Rhodes cut in, his voice firm. "Then Mira would be the one to get hurt."
Any enemy strong enough to fight Mira up close wouldn't be weak. Switching into this fragile form in the middle of battle could be disastrous.
On the other hand, if the opponent wasn't powerful enough to pose a real threat, there'd be no point in using the ability at all. It seemed suited only for ambushes.
Makarov nodded gravely. "In that case, let's treat it as a forbidden spell, only to be used when absolutely necessary. One wrong move, and it could cost both lives."
"I understand," Mira agreed easily. She didn't feel much attachment to the form.
Though… Rhode's eyes lingered suspiciously on her tail. Mira narrowed her gaze at him. He was definitely thinking something strange again.
Before the moment grew awkward, a voice called out:
"Master! Laxus and the Thunder God Tribe are back!"