"You said there's a solution?" Future Lucy asked in disbelief, her mouth slightly agape in astonishment.
She couldn't tell if Calvin was comforting her or if he had a plan. She didn't dare to ask for clarification—if it was just a comfort, she feared she would fall apart completely. Right now, Calvin's hope was better than despair.
The Dark Magician nodded, a gentle smile appearing on his stern face.
"Am I the type to make baseless claims?"
Hearing this, Future Lucy nodded in relief. Indeed, Calvin, aside from his jokes, always had well-thought-out plans and confidence in serious matters.
If he said there was a way, there was a way, Future Lucy believed wholeheartedly.
"I'll take you to an inn first. Get some rest and gather your strength. If anything unexpected happens, we might need both you and the present Lucy's help," the Dark Magician said, then took Lucy to a small inn. After settling her in, he left for an unknown destination.
At this time, Gray and Lyon's battle had just ended, and the crowd was dispersing.
Calvin, now aware of the future through the Dark Magician, felt a heavy heart but showed no signs on his face. His teammates, including Erza, did not notice anything unusual.
As the teams slowly dispersed, one person in the audience was constantly observing a particular contestant. The observer was Mest, who had infiltrated the Magic Council before, and the observed was none other than the summoned beast masquerading as Mystogan, Zangetsu.
From the moment he saw Zangetsu, Mest had been suspicious of his identity, and now was the perfect time to confront him.
Though leaving together, Zangetsu did not follow Laxus and the others closely, staying at a distance. He planned to find a secluded spot to rendezvous with Calvin and revert to a card form to conserve magical energy.
The others were already accustomed to this aloof summoned beast, knowing he wouldn't join them for celebratory drinks.
Zangetsu's isolation provided Mest the opportunity he was waiting for.
Using instant movement, Mest suddenly appeared in front of Zangetsu, blocking his path.
Seeing the sudden appearance, Zangetsu remained unfazed, looking at him with eyes that seemed to see through everything, waiting for his purpose.
Of course, Calvin immediately became aware of this through Zangetsu and cursed inwardly before rushing over.
"Who are you? I know you're not Mystogan. Who are you?" Mest asked sternly, his eyes sharp as if trying to pierce through Zangetsu's thoughts.
But how could he see through it? It was all his conjecture.
"Jellal, what's going on?" At this moment, Lahar approached with a unit, seeing his colleague blocking a Fairy Tail contestant, he hurriedly asked, fearing any mishap.
He also feared Mest would get hurt, given the extraordinary magic Zangetsu had displayed.
Mest ignored Lahar, continuing to stare into Zangetsu's eyes, not missing any movement, waiting for an answer. Depending on the situation, he would take appropriate action.
"You're in my way," Zangetsu said slowly. His voice was magnetic, arrogant, and confident, similar in tone to Calvin's original voice.
After speaking, Zangetsu tried to walk around Mest.
But Mest wasn't willing to let him go so easily and grabbed Zangetsu's shoulder.
"This won't do. Mystogan shouldn't exist in this world," Mest said coldly. Seeing this, Lahar also prepared himself, ready for his unit to act at any moment.
Zangetsu's eyes turned cold, looking at Mest as if he were an ant. Remarkably, a summoned beast could convey such complex emotions through its eyes. Calvin inside was indeed very impatient.
"Let go, if you don't want to die."
The direct threat made Mest more suspicious. Though he knew this person had defeated Jura, he was still determined to uncover the truth, driven by guilt towards Fairy Tail.
Suddenly, he reached to pull off Zangetsu's mask and hood.
However, halfway through, his hand was grabbed by a slightly frail-looking arm, yet the grip was incredibly strong.
"Didn't you hear Mystogan?"
"Who is it?!"
Turning to see, Mest's heart nearly jumped out of his throat, and Lahar broke into a cold sweat. It was Calvin.
To Mest and Lahar, Calvin was perhaps the most terrifying and powerful mage in existence.
Why? Because they had witnessed Calvin fight Acnologia, and he had held his own.
Though he ultimately lost, even facing Acnologia was an incredible feat.
They didn't know that Calvin had sacrificed his life for temporary power, but in the Magic Council, Calvin was already on the highest danger watch list, second only to the legendary dark mage, Zeref.
Now, with Calvin looking impatient and paired with the mysterious Mystogan, Mest and Lahar feared for their lives. Though Fairy Tail mages typically didn't kill, after a severe beating, would they dare seek revenge?
And Mest remembered witnessing Calvin kill someone—an enemy was swiftly eliminated, almost instantaneously. Lahar had also seen Calvin attack the Magic Council while under the control of the Oración Seis.
These signs indicated the man before them had blood on his hands. Though usually amiable, who knew when he might snap?
"But as far as I know, Mystogan returned to Edolas. He shouldn't be here," Mest said, trying to be brave.
"You've got some nerve, infiltrating our guild as Mystogan's disciple. I opened a portal between worlds for this tournament, bringing him here to help," Calvin said coldly.
"Impossible. The world shouldn't..."
"Are you questioning my ability?" Calvin interrupted. Mest swore he had never heard such impatience, even during the Tenrou Island incident.
"But..."
"Enough questions. Mystogan and I are in a foul mood. Don't test my patience," Calvin interrupted again, pushing Mest's hand away and leaving with Zangetsu.
Mest and Lahar didn't dare stop them.
Mest only half-believed Calvin's words, puzzled by why Calvin seemed so agitated.
They had dominated the Grand Magic Games so far. Where was this irritation coming from?
Watching them leave, Mest had a bad feeling.
Lahar approached, whispering, "Calvin wasn't truthful, but they know Mystogan's identity. You should let it go."
"I understand," Mest replied, but his unease now extended beyond Mystogan's identity to Calvin's anxiety, which mirrored his own.
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