Chapter 18: Deliora is About to Wake Up

What are language and writing?

They are the vessels through which intelligent life transmits information and defines all things in the world—a crystallization of their wisdom!

Whether human, demon, dragon, or celestial being, every race has its own language and writing.

Word Magic is the manifestation of this language and writing, harnessed into magic!

Magic itself is the tool that channels the world's energy, a hallmark of civilization. Yet, no aspect of civilization better reflects its sophistication than language and writing.

Compared to Word Magic, other forms of magic seem crude—akin to wooden sticks and stone tools used by savages!

Yes, that's right!

"The strongest Word Magician!!"

Kira's sudden declaration seemed to come out of nowhere. It left everyone, especially Urrutia, utterly confused.

"What... is this guy going on about?" Urrutia muttered under her breath. Her face still ached from Kira's earlier punch. She rubbed her cheek, wondering if it was visibly swollen.

Kira, oblivious to the confusion he had caused, sneered at her. "You're planning to control Deliora, right? Your intentions are entirely at odds with ours."

"Humph! I was careless before. If you let me try again—"

"You'd still lose!" Kira interrupted confidently.

This bastard won't even let me finish my sentence! Urrutia fumed silently.

Kira wasn't about to give her a chance to regain her composure. He began chanting spells with fluid precision:

"Slow!"

"Heavy Pressure!"

"Weaken!"

"Magic Power Drain!"

One after another, debilitating effects took hold of Urrutia. She felt a sudden and overwhelming gravitational force, pinning her down as if she were facing the gravity magic of her own guild's vice-president. Her movements became sluggish, her body drained of strength, and her magic power ebbed away rapidly. Maintaining even basic transformation magic became a monumental effort.

"How is this possible?" she gasped.

Kira let the effects linger for nearly a minute before releasing her. "It seems your Arc of Time doesn't work against magic that directly targets the body," he remarked smugly. "That makes you especially vulnerable to Giant Magic!"

"Giant Magic?!" Urrutia echoed in disbelief. The very mention of it reminded her of her guild master's imposing spells.

Even in her weakened state, Urrutia managed a wry smile. "Didn't you just lecture your companions about keeping their abilities secret? Are you not doing exactly the opposite by showing off your magic so openly?"

"Who says this is my trump card?" Kira shot back. "And how do you know I didn't reveal it on purpose to mislead you?"

Urrutia blinked, unsure whether to take him seriously or assume he was bluffing. Either way, she felt a pang of admiration—and frustration. "You really are a vile strategist," she muttered. "I almost mistook you for a Dark Guild member."

Kira smirked but ignored the comment. In truth, Fairy Tail's reputation wasn't far removed from that of a Dark Guild. Its founders had ties to Zeref, the legendary dark wizard. Even Hades, the master of the Dark Guild Grimoire Heart, was once Fairy Tail's second master.

But Kira didn't dwell on history. Instead, he turned back to his impromptu lecture.

"Every magic has a flaw. There's no such thing as an invincible spell!"

Gray, Cana, and Rocky nodded earnestly, hanging on his every word.

"The more powerful the magic, the greater its cost!"

"Right..."

Kira, feeling like a benevolent teacher, decided to drive the point home with a comprehensive "Magic Combat Manual." He began to expound his theories and strategies with gusto. The others, seeing as there was little else to do while waiting for the Moon Drop ritual to finish, sat down to rest and listen.

Cana even pulled out a bottle of liquor and started drinking, passing it to Rocky between sips.

"...The 100th and most important rule!" Kira concluded dramatically. "A good magic weapon can turn the tide of battle. Sometimes, the difference between victory and defeat is as simple as a well-made magical prop. Remember: Never let money cloud your judgment!"

Having finished his "lecture," Kira turned to his companions expectantly, only to find them in various states of distraction.

Gray sat silently, deep in thought. Cana and Rocky, both slightly tipsy, were laughing and chatting. Leon was leaning against a rock, gazing at the Moon Drop ritual. Even Urrutia had disappeared somewhere.

"Are you kidding me?!" Kira exclaimed.

Cana waved her bottle at him lazily. "Hey, Kira! Come have a drink with us."

Though annoyed, Kira accepted the drink. He took a long swig and sighed. "Refreshing."

Suddenly, someone shouted, "The ritual is almost complete!"

Everyone snapped to attention.

Kira called out, "Let's head down and see for ourselves."

As they descended the ruins, Kira discreetly collected some of the Moon Drop energy. You never know when something like this might come in handy, he thought.

At the base of the ruins, they arrived just in time to witness the culmination of the ritual. The purple light pouring into the cave intensified, illuminating the frozen form of Deliora. The ancient demon, sealed for ten years, began to stir.

"Aaaargh!"

The roar echoed through the ruins, shaking the very ground beneath their feet. The ice encasing Deliora, once thought unbreakable, began to crack and melt under the relentless power of the Moon Drop.

Even before the ice had fully melted, Deliora's menacing growls reverberated through the cavern, a chilling reminder of its former strength.

"Deliora..." Gray whispered, his voice tinged with dread.

The demon, which had once terrorized the northern continent, was on the brink of resurrection. Ten years of slumber were about to come to an end.

Kira, however, seemed unfazed. His eyes gleamed with anticipation as he murmured, "Let's see what happens next."

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