"Sorry for the trouble, Levy~chan. I'd like you to help me find some books on the basic application of magic power and changes in the properties of Earth-type magic power!" Ul deliberately teased the shy girl, drawing out her name when he spoke.
Just as expected, Levy's little face turned bright red at Ul's call!
She gave a quiet reply.
Then, blushing, Levy hurried off to find books for Wei Yi.
Watching the girl's busy, flustered retreat, Ul couldn't help smiling.
A moment later!
Ul looked away. Only then did he turn his attention to Mirajane and her siblings...
"Hmph!!!"
Mirajane had been looking at Ul, but the moment he turned his attention to her, she suddenly snorted and turned her head aside, looking utterly haughty.
Ul: "?????"
What was that supposed to mean?
Mirajane's sudden haughtiness left Ul completely baffled. As far as he could remember, he hadn't even spoken to her since entering the guild!
Ul really didn't know much about Mirajane at this age, since the original story had barely described this period of her life!
He vaguely remembered that Mirajane had been rather violent around this time!
She got into fights with Erza every few days!
"Could Mira be a tsundere, too?"
Ul's thoughts wandered for a bit. Then he shook his head, banishing those scattered ideas, and greeted the others.
"Hello, everyone!"
"Hi, Ul!" Lisanna replied with a sweet smile as soon as she heard him.
"Y-hello!" Elfman stammered.
Honestly, Ul wasn't used to seeing Elfman act so timidly.
After all, in Ul's memory, this muscle-bound brother had always been one of the loudest people in Fairy Tail.
After Elfman and Lisanna had both greeted him,
Ul turned his gaze to Mirajane.
She seemed to notice him looking at her, and only then did she reluctantly say,
"Hello!"
"Ul, here are the books you wanted!"
"Thanks, Levy!"
Ul took the books from Levy and thanked her.
Although Ul had been close with Mirajane and her siblings in his previous life, in this life they weren't very familiar with each other—not yet, at least.
So after Ul greeted the three of them, he'd only chatted a little with Lisanna. He had almost nothing to talk about with the other two.
But that wasn't a bad thing!
At least now, no one would disturb him while he read here!
Come to think of it!
He didn't know why,
but Ul hadn't been much of a reader in his previous life. In this life, though, he found these magic books strangely fascinating.
Since arriving in this world, Ul had come to realize one thing more than anything else:
So learning really can make you happy!
The books Ul had asked Levy to find were still basic magic textbooks.
Application and Techniques of Magic Power explained techniques for releasing magic power directly, without using a Magic Circle.
Magic power itself held strength. Magic Circles made it possible to draw out more of that strength, but as useful as they were, they had one fatal weakness: the time it took to cast a spell.
It took time to construct a Magic Circle, and in battle, there often wasn't time to calmly put one together. Just like when Ul had faced the charging wild boar earlier, there had been no time to construct a Magic Circle!
In such situations, Mages had to rely on the power of magic itself to attack or defend.
In fact, most Mages knew how to release magic power directly. They often needed to use this quick technique to form a layer of defense around their bodies. It might not be very sturdy, but it could effectively fend off most attacks and save a Mage's life.
As for the other book, Basic Theory of Earth-Type Magic Power Property Changes, Ul had chosen it to prepare for learning Rock-type magic.
Lava Body seemed to have improved two of Ul's magical aptitudes, but in reality, it had only improved one: his Rock-type magic aptitude. Rock-type magic was a variation of Earth-type magic, so Ul's aptitude for Earth-type magic had also improved as a result.
Earth-type magic was the foundation of Rock-type magic. To learn Rock-type magic, he first had to master Earth-type magic. Only after doing so could he use changes in magic's properties to master Rock-type magic!
Neither book was short.
But for Ul, who had already become "addicted to learning," that wasn't a problem. Especially after injuring his leg, he didn't have much else to do besides "study."
Happy times always passed quickly!
Immersed in his studies, Ul spent a week going back and forth between the library and Granny Is's home without even noticing.
A week had passed.
Ul had thoroughly studied Application and Techniques of Magic Power. He wasn't proficient yet, but he could already release magic power with ease.
He had also nearly finished the other book, Basic Theory of Earth-Type Magic Power Property Changes. Now all that remained was to experiment by learning Rock-type magic.
That wasn't all!
After a week of recovery, Ul's leg had healed by nearly ninety percent.
So his next study plan would have to include physical training!
Fairy Tail's library also had manuals on physical training. Compared with magic, physical training was even less valued in this world. Still, despite being looked down on, there weren't many training manuals to be found.
Even though Fairy Tail had existed for over a hundred years, it had collected only a dozen or so complete physical training methods.
Ul carefully considered the dozen or so methods.
In the end!
He found three training methods that suited him best...
Before you continue