Chapter 38: Lumen Histoire, Ivan's Obsession

That afternoon, Gaal brought back the magical crystal. He carefully examined all the alchemical inscriptions, finding that the alchemist who created this crystal was indeed impressive.

Many flaws in the alchemical symbols commonly used on the Southern Continent were corrected.

However, for safety's sake, Gaal decided to engrave a new set of inscriptions inside the magical crystal.

This set of inscriptions was linked to the Amplification Array he had inscribed, essentially providing double insurance.

After detecting the total magical energy of the magical crystal, Gaal began to carve the Amplification Array.

The first four layers were manageable. When he reached the fifth layer, the magical energy emitted by the crystal became somewhat uncontrollable.

The magic flowing out of the crystal flickered wildly, bursting through the inscriptions five times over, and had Gaal not dispelled it, the table would have surely been destroyed.

This was only a trace of the energy leaking out. Normally, it would just cause a tingling sensation, but passing through an amplification of five times transformed it directly into a lightning bomb.

This was also why Gaal urged Laxus to strengthen his body; the stronger his basic physical condition, the better. If the amplification reached five times, not only would the enemy face the crushing pressure of despair, but Laxus himself would also endure intense pain.

The magical crystal was embedded within, and under normal circumstances, the energy released only stimulated the cells, neither causing harm nor any detriment, but enhancing his body.

However, there was a limit to this resistance.

Exceeding that limit meant the magical energy within the crystal would no longer just stimulate the cells but would irritate the internal organs, inducing agonizing pain akin to being cut by a knife.

And Laxus would only be able to adapt to the normal state of double amplification at adulthood; five times was a long way off.

Gaal continued inscribing the Amplification Array until deep into the night when he finally put down the magical crystal and let out a long sigh. The sevenfold amplification was already the limit.

Later, Gaal performed a sealing spell on the magical crystal, temporarily unlocking only a 1.2 times amplification. This seal would remain until Laxus grew a bit, reaching adulthood and completely transforming his physique to adapt to the double amplification normally.

Otherwise, the leaking magical energy would explode Laxus's body from within. If he released five times, he would suffer severe pain but could manage a short burst.

Releasing seven times held only a single strike; when unleashed, the intense pain could cause a person to lose consciousness, leaving life or death no longer under their control.

Fortunately, Laxus did not need it right now. Gaal looked up at the clock on the wall, "Has it already passed midnight? I should rest now."

He put away the magical crystal, stood up to stretch a bit, and walked back to his bedroom.

Meanwhile, at the Fairy Tail Guild residence, in the top-level secret chamber of the library, it was quiet except for the sound of Ivan flipping through books.

Although he had read these countless times throughout his life, he still sought answers to the problems of magic.

Creak— the wooden door that had been there since the inception of Fairy Tail was pushed open with a dry sound. Makarov stepped in, "Just came back and you're here. Aren't you going to take a break?"

Ivan didn't look up, burying himself in his books, "Laxus's problem is solved, I can finally breathe easy. Now I just have my own issues to resolve."

Makarov sighed, "Your strength is already formidable. There's no need to pursue more powerful magic."

Upon hearing this, Ivan's expression darkened, and his voice became somewhat hoarse, "Strong? Where am I strong? Strong in being easily defeated by Gildarts, or in how I fled in disgrace while carrying the magical crystal back?!"

Ivan shouted in a venting manner, his face dark. Is Illusion Magic strong? Of course, it was strong. Otherwise, how could Ivan become an S-Class Mage?

But his strength had its limits. When he saw Laxus, it felt like he was looking at himself. He remembered the despair of being told as a child that he could not inherit his father Makarov's magic.

No one knew how he managed to cope, how he came to accept that reality, nor how much effort he poured into training Illusion Magic to this level.

But reality was laughable. Ever since Gildarts appeared in the guild, he knew he was mistaken. Some things could not be changed, just like Illusion Magic being easily crushed by the Superior Crush Magic.

From that moment on, his mentality became unbalanced as he sought stronger forms of magic. But because of Laxus's physical issues, he had temporarily set this aside, not wanting Laxus to become the next him.

Now that Laxus's problem was resolved, he no longer had any concerns. Becoming stronger was his only obsession now.

Looking at Ivan's grim face, Makarov opened his mouth to say something but realized he had no standing to comment on Ivan's situation. Ultimately, Makarov could only stare at Ivan and let out a long sigh, "Get some rest early," before turning and leaving.

Upon hearing Makarov's words, Ivan realized he had lost his composure but didn't say anything. Instead, he adjusted his expression and continued searching through the magical books.

However, his mind was elsewhere. After a moment, Ivan sighed and directly sat on the ground, leaning against the bookcase in a daze.

He didn't know how much time had passed. When he snapped back to reality, he was about to get up when his eyes caught a stack of books and notes at the bottom of the bookshelf.

Ivan reached out and took one out, looking at the name 'Precht' on the notes. Ivan knew this referred to the Second Generation Guild Master of Fairy Tail.

He had no strong impression of him, but from what his father Makarov often said, the Second Generation Guild Master 'Precht' was an incredibly powerful and wise mage.

He remembered his father often self-deprecating, saying he wasn't even one-tenth as strong as the Second Generation Guild Master.

However, as a child, he took that as a joke, always believing that Makarov was the strongest. Now, thinking back, how could someone who received such praise from his father be weak?

But like his father Makarov, Precht practiced Light Magic. Ever since he learned he couldn't inherit that magic during his childhood, all books relating to Light Magic were relegated to the bottom shelf.

Ivan placed his hand on the notes of Precht, hesitated for a moment, then opened it. What unfolded before him were Precht's daily reflections and insights on magic.

Although most of it was about Light Magic, it was still beneficial to Ivan.

It wasn't until he reached the last few pages that his pupils dilated and his breath quickened. "Year X735, July 17. The creation of Lumen Histoire is nearing completion. The user will possess nearly unlimited magical power, which would be sufficient to serve as Fairy Tail's trump card; I can soon unload this burden onto Makarov."

"I have reached a bottleneck in my practice of Light Magic; as I delve deeper, I find that Light Magic shares more and more in common with Dark Magic. Fairy Law was modified by Mavis based on Zeref's Dark Magic, 'Law.'"

"Now, I am the strongest Light Mage in the world. Perhaps.... I should seek out Zeref to explore the mysteries of Light and Darkness...." 

Ivan's fingers traced the notes, and even the revelation that Fairy Law was derived from dark magic could not shock him; all he could think about were the words Lumen Histoire, softly murmuring to himself: "Unlimited magical power...."