Secrets of Magic, A Promise to Leave the Forest

How could this be possible?

In this world where magic had long since become ubiquitous, it was as common as air and water.

Even a three-year-old in a remote mountain village knew of magic's existence.

Yet, the youth before him, who possessed such terrifying magical power within his body, was actually asking him what a mage was?

Lu Chongwei shook his head honestly.

"I don't know."

He pointed toward the forest behind him, a bitter smile appearing on his face.

"Ever since I woke up, I have stayed in this forest. I know nothing about the outside world."

This was the truth.

Although he was a transmigrator, he had not inherited the original owner's memories, so he was indeed completely in the dark regarding the settings of this world.

Gildarts looked into Lu Chongwei's clear eyes and realized the boy was not lying.

His expression turned serious.

He had stayed in the forest the whole time?

Could he be one of those wild geniuses raised in isolation from the world since childhood?

"Then what about this power inside you?"

Gildarts pointed at Lu Chongwei's chest and asked bluntly.

"You should be able to feel it, right? There is a very strong energy within your body."

Lu Chongwei was stunned for a moment before he realized what he meant.

Was the other party referring to that special energy, or perhaps spiritual pressure?

In this world, was this energy called magic power?

Lu Chongwei did not hide it; since he wanted to integrate into this world, demonstrating his value was necessary.

He extended his right hand and focused his mind.

Hum.

A sphere of crimson energy condensed in his palm, emitting scorching waves of heat.

"Are you talking about this?"

Lu Chongwei looked at the energy sphere in his hand and said with some confusion.

"Actually, I'm not too sure myself. About ten days ago, I suddenly discovered I had this power."

He looked up at Gildarts, his eyes sincere.

"And it seems to grow on its own."

Boom!

These words struck Gildarts' mind like a thunderclap.

He only discovered it ten days ago?

It grows on its own?

Gildarts looked at the energy sphere, which was still emitting a terrifying pressure despite being heavily suppressed, and a storm surged in his heart.

This was practically a joke!

Ordinary mages might not possess such vast magic power even after decades of cultivation, or even a lifetime.

And this youth had achieved it in just over ten days?

What kind of concept was that?

"Genius" was no longer enough to describe him.

He was simply a monster!

A complete and utter monster born for magic!

Gildarts took a deep breath, struggling to calm the shock within him.

The way he looked at Lu Chongwei changed.

It shifted from his initial scrutiny to the look one might give an unpolished, rare piece of jade.

"Kid, what is your name?"

Gildarts' voice became much softer.

Lu Chongwei dissipated the energy in his hand and answered obediently.

"My name is Lu Chongwei."

"Lu Chongwei, huh..."

Gildarts muttered the name to himself, then grinned, revealing a mouthful of white teeth.

"So, Lu Chongwei. Do you want to leave this forest?"

Upon hearing these words, Lu Chongwei's eyes lit up instantly.

It was as if a traveler lost in the desert had suddenly spotted an oasis.

"I do! Of course I do!"

Lu Chongwei was so excited he nearly jumped, his face filled with urgency.

"I dream of leaving this place! But I can't find the way at all; everything here looks exactly the same!"

Watching the boy's eager expression, Gildarts couldn't help but burst into hearty laughter.

He reached out a large hand and gave Lu Chongwei's shoulder a heavy pat.

"Hahaha! Good! Since you've run into me, then it's no problem at all!"

Gildarts declared heroically.

"I will take you out of here, and bring you to a human city!"

Lu Chongwei felt as though his shoulder might shatter, yet his heart felt warm.

Finally.

He could finally leave this godforsaken place.

No more eating that disgusting flying fish meat, no more worrying about being attacked by wild beasts at night, and no more talking to thin air all by himself.

Just as Lu Chongwei was immersed in his joy.

Gildarts suddenly turned around and pointed toward the massive crater nearby.

His tone seemed casual, yet it carried a hint of inquiry.

"Oh, right, Lu Chongwei."

Gildarts looked at the solidified magma and asked.

"The destruction here... was this caused by you?"

The air froze instantly.

The smile on Lu Chongwei's face stiffened.

His heart skipped a beat.

He had been so focused on his joy that he had forgotten about this.

This middle-aged man had just said he was here to carry out a mission.

What was the content of that mission?

What if he was here to capture the culprit who destroyed the forest?

After all, that one strike of his had indeed destroyed quite a few trees and even altered the terrain.

Lu Chongwei retreated a step in vigilance, looking at Gildarts with a face full of caution.

"Are... are you here to investigate this?"

His hand moved instinctively toward the Zanpakuto at his waist, his body tensing up.

"Are you here to arrest me? Because I burned this forest?"

Seeing the boy's look of facing a formidable enemy, Gildarts was stunned, then let out a dry laugh.

He waved his hands, signaling that he meant no harm.

"Don't be nervous, don't be nervous."

Gildarts crouched down, trying to keep his gaze level with Lu Chongwei's.

"The mission I accepted was to 'investigate whether any demons are active,' not to capture criminals."

He gestured to the surroundings, explaining in a relaxed tone.

"Besides, this is an uninhabited area. Although some trees were burned, there were no casualties. So, this doesn't count as a major crime."

Having said that, Gildarts paused, his eyes carrying a hint of encouragement.

"I'm just curious, was it really you who did this?"

Hearing this, Lu Chongwei's tightly wound nerves finally relaxed.

It was a relief he wasn't here to make an arrest.

He let go of the sword hilt and scratched his head, feeling a bit embarrassed.

"Yeah... it was me."

Lu Chongwei lowered his head, like a child who had done something wrong.

"I was testing a newly learned technique at the time, and I didn't expect the power to be that great... I won't mess around like that again."

It really was him.

Although he had guessed as much, hearing Lu Chongwei admit it himself still left Gildarts feeling shocked once again.

The child was only eleven or twelve years old.

This level of destructive power made him nothing less than a walking strategic weapon.

If he were to walk down a wicked path, the consequences would be unthinkable.

He had to be brought back to the guild.

Gildarts secretly made up his mind.

Only a place as inclusive as Fairy Tail could guide this boy, who possessed such terrifying power, onto the right path.

Night fell.

In a clearing in the forest, a bonfire blazed fiercely.

The firelight illuminated the faces of the two.

Lu Chongwei held a freshly roasted pheasant in his hands, devouring it with gusto.

This was something Gildarts had caught, and the taste was infinitely better than that damn flying fish meat.

"Delicious! This is so delicious!"

Lu Chongwei's mouth was slick with grease as he ate, his face full of satisfaction.