As Nate headed downstairs, he planned to visit Lucy's house to have a serious conversation with her father.
But... where exactly was Lucy's house?
Opening the Internet Library, he searched for "Heartfilia Conglomerate" and immediately found a trove of information.
Jude Heartfilia, head of the Heartfilia Conglomerate, was Lucy's biological father. Their primary business? Railroads. At least 70% of the railway routes in the Kingdom of Fiore were operated by the Heartfilia family.
"So rich!" Nate couldn't help but feel a bit envious as he browsed through the data.
Though he had quite a bit of money himself—over 90 million J in his bank account, not to mention Lucy's IOU—it was still peanuts compared to the massive railway conglomerate.
"So, all the times I've been riding the Magic Train, I've essentially been giving money to Lucy's family?" Nate mused, puzzled.
How could such a massive conglomerate go bankrupt and get acquired in the original story?
He vaguely remembered that Jude had hired Phantom Lord to bring Lucy back, intending to arrange a marriage alliance. Could the company's financial problems have started back then? Maybe the plan to marry her off was meant to solve those issues? Or perhaps Lucy's refusal to marry had humiliated the other family, leading them to retaliate against the Heartfilia Conglomerate?
Shaking his head, Nate decided not to overthink it.
"Nate, watch your step when you're going down the stairs. Be careful not to trip," Mirajane called out kindly.
Nate closed the Internet and asked, "Mira, have you seen Lucy?"
"She hasn't come to the guild today," Mira responded, curious. "Do you need something from her?"
"Uh..." Nate was about to explain when he suddenly remembered his promise to Lucy—that he wouldn't reveal her identity as the daughter of a wealthy family.
"I'm just planning to visit her house. I have some business with her father."
In the end, Nate gave a vague explanation. "I'll be heading out now. Bye-bye."
After saying goodbye to Mira, Nate left the guild and opened his friend list, sending Lucy a private message.
Sigma Male: "Where are you?"
Gotta Earn Money: "Huh? Nate? I'm at the park... South Gate Park?"
Nate immediately replied, telling her to wait for him there, and began walking toward the park.
Suddenly, a voice echoed in his ears.
"Thank you, Nate."
It was Ur, in her fully transparent form. Though ordinary people couldn't see her, Nate's Six Eyes allowed him to perceive her magic flow.
"Have you reconciled with your daughter?" Nate asked.
"How did you know?" Ur was surprised.
"Just a guess."
"Well, you guessed right."
"Instead of a verbal thank you, how about helping me manage the Internet?" Nate was still curious about what the mother and daughter had talked about.
Maybe he'd sneak a peek later. With his access level, no information on the web was off-limits. He just had to make sure Ur didn't catch him snooping!
Ur smiled. "I'll go back to the Deep Web to work for now."
With that, the flow of magic disappeared, and her soul re-entered the Deep Web.
Continuing on his way to South Gate Park, Nate was soon greeted by a message from her daughter.
Witch of Pain: "Thank you!"
Witch of Pain: "Sis is so touched~"
Touched by what? Nate smirked.
Sigma Male: "Not sincere enough. I don't accept it."
Witch of Pain: "Pajama selfie.jpg"
It was a photo of Ultear standing by a large window, wearing a silk nightgown, smiling coyly at the camera. Her long hair cascaded down her back like a waterfall, and from the top-down angle, the view from her neckline revealed a snow-white expanse.
Receiving such an exciting photo while walking down the street, Nate quickly gave it an appreciative look before quietly saving it.
Sigma Male: "Sis, you're so bold. Smirk.jpg"
Witch of Pain: "Angry.jpg—Say that again!"
Witch of Pain: "You let my mom see last night's conversation, didn't you?"
Witch of Pain: "Next time, don't let her see it!"
Sigma Male: "Where's my hush money? Cool.jpg"
A moment later, Ultear sent another photo, this time a side profile shot. She had one hand on her hip, with her right foot lightly poised on her toes. The photo perfectly highlighted her curvaceous figure. The morning sunlight made her silk nightgown almost transparent.
Nate saved the photo immediately, ensuring no one else could see it.
Sigma Male: "Love it, keep 'em coming."
Witch of Pain: "No way! Sis has to head to the Council now! Talk later tonight~"
Perhaps due to reconciling with her mother, Nate noticed Ultear was in an especially good mood, with each photo more enticing than the last.
Sigma Male: "Don't forget the black stockings tonight!"
After sending that, Nate closed the Internet. He couldn't help but look forward to the evening.
…
Arriving at South Gate Park, Nate quickly spotted Lucy sitting alone on a bench, gently swinging her ankle.
"What's wrong?"
"I got scared by a dog..." Lucy pouted, feeling like she was having a bad day.
On her way to the guild, she had planned to stop and buy some sweets, but a few dogs had suddenly dashed out of an alley, and she ended up being knocked down in the chaos.
"Can you walk?"
Nate knelt down, grabbed her right foot, and removed her shoe to take a look. Her ankle was slightly swollen.
"Can you use healing magic?" Lucy asked hopefully.
"I can't," Nate rolled his eyes and placed his hand over her ankle, channeling some of his magic into it. While he didn't know healing magic, he could at least alleviate the pain with his magic.
"It feels much better now!" Lucy wiggled her foot, pleasantly surprised.
"You're a mage, how did you manage to twist your ankle?"
Nate couldn't believe it. Even if she sprained her ankle, didn't she know how to use magic to reduce the pain?
Lucy looked up at him, squinting slightly. "You messaged me, so I was waiting for you to help."
"..."
Nate was speechless.
"Come on, I'll take you somewhere nice."
Lucy gave him a suspicious look. "Last time you said that, we ended up at the guild master meeting!"
"This time it's real. You'll get to stay in a mansion and eat a feast."
Nate smiled as he led Lucy towards the train station. Halfway there, though, he changed his mind. Why should the Heartfilia Conglomerate profit from their train tickets?
He decided to visit a store that sold magic-powered two-wheel vehicles.
The so-called magic two-wheeler was essentially a motorcycle. Like the magic-powered cars, it had an SE plug that drew on the rider's magic to power the engine.
Why pay Lucy's dad for train tickets when he could just buy a magic two-wheeler and ride it himself?
Nate picked the sleekest one, but when he asked the price, the store owner told him it cost 4.2 million J.
"If that's too expensive, this one's only 600,000 J," the shopkeeper said with a grin, rubbing his hands together.
"I'll take it!"
In the end, Nate bought the most expensive one. He wasn't sure what the difference was between the pricey and cheaper models, but the expensive one looked cool. Its name alone was impressive.
The "Obsidian Seventh Generation Magic Two-Wheeler"—an imported product, no less.
Nate hopped on, activated the bike with his magic, and pulled up beside Lucy.
"Get on."
"Do you even have a license to drive this?"
"Of course. Don't worry."
Though skeptical, Lucy climbed onto the backseat. As soon as the bike started, it took off with a roar, causing her to scream.
"Are you sure? When did you even get a license?"
"In my previous life."
Nate wasn't lying. Before his reincarnation, he had a motorcycle license. Even a car license, though he had never driven one.
"Let me off! I want to get off!"
Lucy was shouting in panic.
As the wind rushed by, Nate felt a long-forgotten thrill. Riding a bike was exhilarating!
"Slow down! Slow down! Ahhh!"
Lucy clung tightly to Nate's waist, terrified out of her wits. Racing through the city streets was too much for her.
Suddenly, Nate hit the brakes.
The abrupt stop caused Lucy to slam into his back, her chest pressing tightly against him.
"Why did you brake so hard?" Lucy patted her chest, still shaken.
"Maybe it's a little glitch with the new bike. Don't worry, my driving skills are top-notch. Just hold on tight!"
After a while...
"Why are you braking hard again?!"
"People and bikes need time to get used to each other. Be patient, it'll get smoother."
And so, teasing Lucy all the way, Nate rode the bike towards her home.
By the time they reached a familiar neighborhood, Lucy's eyes widened in shock.
"Wait… isn't this my house?!"