LIGHTNOVELWORLD Chapter 32: Are You Ugly?
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After Erza and Natsu's duel concluded, the guild returned to its usual daily life. Those who had work went to complete their tasks, while those who didn't stayed in the guild, chatting and relaxing.
Roy and Sensi, instead of taking on any missions, were also resting in the guild. Suddenly, an overwhelming wave of hypnotic magic swept through the building, enveloping everyone in a drowsy haze.
"Master, what's going on?"
"So sleepy... Is that guy back?"
"What's happening? I feel like... sleeping..."
A mysterious drowsiness overtook everyone, as if some unknown force was urging them to fall asleep. In a matter of moments, the guild members began collapsing one after another into unconsciousness.
Even someone as strong as Erza could only resist briefly, clutching a table to stay upright before finally succumbing to sleep.
At this point, only a groggy Makarov, a fully alert Roy, and a figure seated on the second floor remained conscious in the entire guild.
Holding Lucy's unconscious body as she leaned against him, Roy watched, dumbfounded, as everyone else fell one by one. He couldn't help but mutter to himself.
"Using hypnosis magic? This reminds me of... certain questionable scenarios."
Trains, neighbors, schoolgirls...
*Cough, cough,* too far off-track.
Though Roy was merely a novice in magic, the fact that he remained unaffected while even Erza succumbed was due to the transformation his body underwent when he first arrived in this world. To prevent him from being controlled mentally and thus unable to transform, his physique was altered to be completely immune to all forms of mental magic.
Thus, while everyone in the guild fell unconscious and even Makarov grew drowsy, Roy remained bright-eyed and energetic.
As the guild hall fell silent, a figure clad in a black cloak, face concealed by a mask, and body wrapped in bandages entered. It was Mystogan.
Watching him stride into the guild, Roy's eyes lit up as he recalled information about this mysterious individual.
Mystogan clearly hadn't anticipated the presence of someone in the guild immune to his sleeping magic. When his gaze landed on Roy, he momentarily froze in surprise.
Their eyes met, and Mystogan grew slightly uncomfortable under Roy's scrutinizing gaze. For a moment, Mystogan wondered if his mask had slipped and if Roy had recognized him as someone identical to Jellal in this world.
He quickly touched his mask and, finding it secure, let out a breath of relief.
"A new face? A rookie?" Mystogan silently nodded at Roy without speaking and headed toward the mission board. Grabbing a random request, he took it to Makarov, had it stamped, and hurried toward the exit.
Time was short; there was no room for delay.
Watching Mystogan come and go like the wind, Roy, knowing the man had an important mission, still couldn't resist teasing him.
"Are you super ugly or something? Covering your face and putting the whole guild to sleep—what, so no one can see what you look like?
Don't worry, nobody cares about that. Look at Macao and Wakaba—those two are no lookers, yet they still confidently flirt with pretty ladies. You should learn from them!"
Just as he was about to leave, Mystogan stumbled slightly at Roy's words, almost tripping.
He turned back to give Roy a faintly resentful look before leaving without a word.
It wasn't that he was ugly; he just wanted to avoid unnecessary trouble.
*This rookie is something else.*
If it weren't for the hassle, Mystogan thought, he'd reveal his handsome face and stun Roy into silence.
On second thought, Roy was even better-looking than him. Revealing his face might not outshine the rookie—it'd just hurt his pride.
Deciding against it, Mystogan's figure disappeared into the light beyond the guild's doors.
Then, the members of Fairy Tail began to wake up.
"Ugh, my head hurts! I hit the table corner when I passed out!"
"That Mystogan—putting everyone to sleep without a word again."
"Still as ridiculously strong as ever, huh?"
As minor complaints arose due to the unexpected nap, the name Mystogan came up.
"Mystogan?" Lucy, who had just woken up, blinked in confusion.
Wasn't he one of the strongest contenders they'd mentioned earlier? And now he'd just appeared? Though she didn't get to see his face.
Sensing her confusion, Mira, ever gentle, explained, "Mystogan is one of the guild's strongest candidates. He's incredibly powerful. But for some reason, every time he comes to the guild, he puts everyone to sleep. Except for the Master, no one's seen his face."
"Not true! I've seen what Mystogan looks like. He's just shy and doesn't want you guys to see him," a loud and boastful voice suddenly called out from the second floor, catching everyone's attention.
"Laxus, you're here too?" The guild members turned toward the upper floor in surprise.
What kind of day was this? First Mystogan, now Laxus?
Ignoring their greetings, Laxus gazed at Roy with keen interest, his eyes reflecting his curiosity about the newcomer.
"And this rookie just saw Mystogan's face too! He even asked if Mystogan was ugly. Mystogan's reaction almost made me laugh out loud."
How interesting! The guild had suddenly gained another strong member. It was finally getting less boring.
Flames of excitement flickered in Laxus's eyes, silently expressing his thoughts.