Crime Sorcière

Three months is neither a long nor a short time.

During the day, Natsu and the others trained hard in the training field, their shouts deafening.

They lay sprawled out under the Parasol Tree that night, waiting for Riyao to return and treat them.

A dozen or so people were sprawled out in a haphazard, crooked mass, their arms and legs intertwined, making it impossible to tell whose they were.

Everyone was so tired they didn't want to move at all.

Under Erza's supervision, they trained relentlessly, to the point of exhaustion.

After practice, Riyao and recharge.

After three months of extra training, Wendy has shown the most significant improvement.

Through her tireless efforts, she finally grew two centimeters taller!

Wendy ran all over the manor with a ruler in her hand, gesturing to everyone she could, unable to suppress the smile on her face.

His mouth was practically stretched from ear to ear in a wide grin.

The one who suffered the most was Riyao.

I serve as a sparring partner for several people every day.

After spending time with Laxus, I spent time with Gray; after Gray, I spent time with Erza; and after Erza, I spent time with Natsu.

They're targeting him relentlessly, from morning till night.

Mirajane tried several times to drag him back to rest, but Erza intercepted her halfway and dragged him back to the training ground without saying a word.

Thanks to Mirajane's efforts, Erza and the others didn't even notice the existence of the second team.

I simply think everyone is engaging in insane competition, with training volumes getting more and more outrageous every day.

They all got up earlier than the others and trained harder than the others.

Erza, Mirajane, Laxus, and Cana all activated their Second Origin.

Their strength has made a qualitative leap.

Cana's talent is particularly terrifying.

Gildarts also sent back a set of tarot cards with even stronger magical properties, Riyao also made her a special card.

One evening, the group was resting at the manor.

In the center of the manor, the leaves of the Parasol Tree had turned golden, blending with the brown trunk, and when the setting sun shone on it, the whole tree seemed to glow.

Mavis, perched on the tree, watched the haphazardly twisted crowd and couldn't stop laughing.

A stone dining table sat beneath the tree, its surface cool and its edges worn smooth.

The house, which had been abandoned for seven years, has been renovated.

Several wooden cabins, with white window frames and sloping roofs, are scattered on the grass, typical of the pastoral style.

Smoke rose from the chimney of the building with the kitchen, a thin wisp, which was dispersed by the wind into the evening air.

Ultear emerged from the shadows of the trees, her hair gleaming in the setting sun.

"Long time no see, everyone."

Gray sprang to his feet, his back ramrod straight, his knee knocking over a nearby water glass.

"Ultear?! What are you doing here?!"

Juvia was unhappy to see Gray react so strongly to a woman.

She bit her handkerchief, her teeth digging deep into the fabric, her eyes fixed on Ultear.

The resentment was so intense that Lucy, standing nearby, took three steps back, all the way to the tree trunk, where her back slammed against it with a dull thud.

Meredy popped out from behind Ultear, leaning halfway out, and waved at Erza.

Hi, I'm here too.

"Meredy, you've changed so much!"

Erza nodded, looked her up and down, and lingered on her for several seconds.

Little Wendy saw this, she looked down at herself, her shoulders slumped, and she shrank back.

His Dao heart shattered once again.

Meredy snorted and pouted.

"After all, seven years have passed. Back then, when we saw the whole island was gone, we all thought you were all dead. Ur cried so hard, his face was covered in snot and tears, and we couldn't wipe them clean."

Ultear grabbed Meredy's lips, pinched them together, and pulled them upwards.

"Shut your mouth, little mouth."

Meredy's mouth was pinched flat, preventing her from making complete syllables; she could only whimper.

Everyone burst into laughter.

Erza's smile faded, and her tone became serious.

What are you here for?

"I'm here to lend you a hand since I see you're worried about the Grand Magic Games Tournament."

The group tilted their heads.

I don't know how Ultear will help.

Could it be like Riyao, giving people tattoos?

Imagine a group of people with Peppa Pig tattooed on their backs.

Several people shivered simultaneously, their shoulders trembled, and their backs felt cold.

Jellal came out.

Everyone stared wide-eyed, their mouths agape.

How did these three people end up together?!

Jellal seemed to sense their confusion and began to explain.

"The three of us have formed a guild. It belongs neither to the Light Guild nor the Dark Guild; it's an independent guild called The Crime Sorcière. This is our determination to atone for our sins."

"It's an unregistered guild, I guess."

A sullen voice rang out from behind the crowd.

Riyao walked over carrying a hoe, his trouser legs covered in fresh mud. He skillfully pulled sunflower seeds from his pocket and cracked them open with a crackling sound.

The sound of cracking sunflower seeds was particularly crisp in the quiet crowd, its rhythm as steady as a metronome.

All three of them twitched at the same time.

"You still speak in such a... unique way."

Jellal sighed helplessly, his shoulders slumping.

Riyao rolled his eyes.

"If you want to say someone deserves a beating, just say so. We won't miss you. Stop with the nonsense. What are you guys here for?"

Jellal took a deep breath, his chest expanding and then slowly deflating.

"We're here for Zeref."

The expressions of everyone present changed.

The air seemed to freeze for a moment; even the chirping of insects ceased.

Even Mavis on the tree slightly opened his mouth.

Riyao seized the opportunity and punched him a few times.

"Well, so you're still up to your old tricks and still have designs on Zeref! Old Zeref, it breaks my heart too."

Jellal clutched his stomach and knelt on the ground, hurriedly explaining.

"The annual Grand Magic Games emits a faint magical energy. This energy is very similar to Zeref's, so we've come to ask you to investigate the truth."

Ultear touched the crystal ball, her fingertips tracing a faint mark on its surface.

"Our identities are sensitive, and we cannot get close to the venue, so we have no choice but to ask you for help."

"We will also pay appropriate compensation for this."

She paused, and a flash of light appeared in the crystal ball.

"I will use my evolved Arc of Time to help you unlock your Second Origin!"

Natsu and his friends were instantly thrilled, their eyes shining brighter than the last.

"However, this process will be quite painful."

Ultear added, his gaze sweeping over everyone present, his tone as indifferent as if he were simply remarking on the pleasant weather.

"You can ask Riyao to help alleviate the situation."

Riyao glanced at them, and the corners of his mouth slowly curled up into a meaningful arc.

Are you sure you want me to help you relieve the pressure?

Gray and the others gasped simultaneously.

The memories in my mind started playing automatically.

That feeling of contractions followed by a wave of pleasure.

Several people simultaneously jolted, waving their hands frantically.

"No, no need."

You can rest.

We'll handle it ourselves.

My hand almost flew off.

They really didn't want to experience that feeling again; if they made any strange noises, they might die.