Chapter 72 : The R System

The R System, short for Resurrection System, is a forbidden magic that uses a living person as a sacrifice to bring back the dead. Created by the black magician Zeref over 400 years ago, it is considered taboo by the Council for its violation of the natural order.

"Are you trying to revive Uru?" Knight asked, immediately deducing Ultear's intentions upon hearing her mention the R System.

Ultear's flushed face showed surprise, her beautiful eyes wide as she stared at Knight. She hadn't expected him to know about this magic.

"The Council has classified the R System as forbidden magic due to its violation of humanity," she explained. "Eight years ago, a black magic cult worshipping Zeref attempted to use the R System to revive him. The Council destroyed seven of their attempts!"

"I found a clue in the Council's library that suggests there may be an eighth R System hidden somewhere…"

Before she could finish her thought, Nate lifted the quilt, pulled Ultear closer, and playfully slapped her butt a few times.

"Ah!" Ultear squeaked, her surprise quickly turning to annoyance. "Why did you hit me?"

Nate smirked, slapping her again, his playful demeanor contrasting with the serious topic at hand. Ultear felt a strange tingle, her cheeks reddening as she bit her lip, glaring at him in silence.

"The R System requires a living sacrifice. Do you really want to die?" he asked, his expression calm but firm.

For the first time, Ultear felt a hint of tension in his demeanor. "You're suggesting that you'd sacrifice yourself to revive Uru?"

"How did you guess?" she stammered, pouting slightly. "Can't I find another sacrifice?"

Knight inwardly sighed, knowing she might consider using an innocent person as a substitute. At that moment, Ultear didn't realize that her wish was to go back in time to when "Mom still loves me," rather than reviving the mother who had abandoned her.

However, with Knight's arrival, Uru had returned as a ghost, and the misunderstandings between mother and daughter had been resolved. It was this that led Ultear to consider the R System.

As Nate's hand transitioned from playful slaps to gentle strokes, he said, "I sense you're holding something back. Here's your chance to be honest."

Ultear fell silent, then sighed in resignation. "What do you know? It's annoying! Can't I have a little secret?"

With a sigh, she began to share her story, recounting her past from when her mother sent her to the magic research institute as a child. Knight had heard bits and pieces before, but hearing it from her was different.

She spoke of joining the Devil's Heart, learning the lost magic of the Arc of Time, becoming one of the Seven Familiars of Purgatory, and disguising herself as "Zeref's Ghost" in the Tower of Paradise to brainwash Jellal.

"I'm an evil witch? Will you hate me?" Ultear asked, her body tense with apprehension.

"No," Nate replied, unfazed. As a time traveler, he was aware of her past misdeeds.

"So, you think you don't deserve to live and want to use yourself as a sacrifice to revive your mother?" he continued, his tone firm. "I won't allow it!"

Moved by his words, tears welled in Ultear's eyes as she hugged Knight tightly, pressing her face against his chest. "What should I do then?"

"I'll find a way," he assured her, getting up to dress. He pondered the uncertainties surrounding the R System and its potential side effects.

"Are you leaving?" Ultear asked, her voice filled with concern.

"I have to return to the cell," Knight replied, feeling helpless. He didn't want to abandon Erza, who was alone and lonely.

"Wait a moment," Ultear said, quickly getting out of bed with an alluring look in her eyes. "Let me help you get dressed~"

…

When Knight returned to the cell, Erza was sitting in the corner, shadows enveloping her as she gazed up at him, her face pale under the dim light of the magic net.

"Knight, are you okay? Did that woman give you a hard time?" she asked, worry etched on her face.

"It was just a straightforward conversation, and I even brought dinner," Knight replied, smiling as he sat next to her.

As the jailer locked the cell door behind him, Erza's eyes widened at the sight of the meal. "Is the Council's kitchen always this lavish?"

"Thank you, Knight," she said, accepting the meal and savoring it.

While she ate, Knight opened his device to start programming for the magic network. The "Weekly Sosara" section was nearly complete, and he aimed to finish it by morning.

Erza watched him quietly as she ate, admiring his focused profile. She smiled to herself, trying to keep her laughter at bay in the serious atmosphere of the trial.

As night fell, the cell was silent, the only light coming from Knight's device. After typing the last piece of code and testing the new section's functions, he finally sighed in relief.

"Finally done," he murmured, only to find Erza sleeping peacefully against him. Her face, framed by crimson hair, made her look like a sleeping beauty.

Knight didn't disturb her.

…

The next morning, at eight o'clock, in the Magic Council's Trial Court, Knight and Erza stood side by side in the "defendant" seat, facing Speaker Crawford Shim and nine councilors.

Knight recognized a familiar face: Ziklein, Jellal's thought body, was observing them closely.

As Crawford Shim read through a long list of charges, neither Knight nor Erza paid much attention.

"I'm sorry about last night," Erza whispered, her cheeks tinged with embarrassment for using his shoulder as a pillow.

Knight shrugged, his expression unchanged. "You think it's taking too long? It's only been ten minutes."

Erza stifled a laugh, trying to maintain her composure in the serious courtroom.

"Ahem!" Crawford Shim interrupted, clearing his throat. "Defendants, please maintain order in the courtroom."

Ultear leaned on her chin, smirking. "Speaker, just announce the verdict."

Ziklein nodded in agreement. "It's just a formality, so let's wrap this up."

With a resigned sigh, Crawford Shim set aside his papers, picked up his gavel, and called out, "Regarding the charges against you two, do you plead guilty?"

"Guilty," they replied in unison.

After a couple of gavel bangs, Crawford Shim declared, "Given your willingness to confess, I hereby sentence you both to one day of detention. Case closed."

Knight felt a wave of relief wash over him.

"Thank you, Speaker and fellow judges. We'll return to our cell now," he said, turning to leave.

"Wait a moment!" Crawford Shim called out, raising a hand. "Let's share a meal together. Knight, it's rare for you to be at headquarters, and I've heard much about your magic. How about a tour while we eat?"

He paused before adding, "I'd also like to discuss nominating you as one of the Ten Holy Wizards."

Knight was taken aback. Was it appropriate to bring this up during a trial? The Council truly operated on a makeshift basis.

"I'm honored," he replied, smiling despite his confusion.

Erza was stunned—was this really a vacation? A meal, a tour, and a trial?