Internet Magic in Fairy Tail

Upon arriving in a new city, the first thing to do is, of course, go shopping.

Nate and his group exited a gift shop, holding a necklace with a water-drop-shaped pearl said to bring blessings.

Meanwhile, Wendy and Carla walked beside him, each carrying shopping bags brimming with purchases.

“Nate, do we really need to buy so much?”

“It’s not every day we come to the Northern Continent. I thought I’d pick up some gifts for everyone,” Nate replied with a smile. “They say this necklace carries the Water God’s blessings and brings good luck.”

“That’s probably just a gimmick to trick tourists,” Carla sighed, thinking Nate was a bit naive.

“I bought two,” Nate added, pulling out an identical second necklace like a magician.

“Two!?” Carla groaned. “If you’re so rich, why not buy something more practical?”

Are you turning into Happy with all this complaining? Nate thought to himself, chuckling. “Most souvenirs are just trinkets, but this necklace is genuine.”

“Really? Is it actually blessed by the Water God?” Wendy asked, her eyes wide with curiosity.

“Not exactly. I’m not certain if it’s the Water God’s doing, but it does have a ‘water-repelling’ magic, kind of like the ‘welcome drink’ at the inn.”

The necklace enabled its wearer to breathe underwater.

“It’s for you two,” Nate added with a grin.

The two girls froze in surprise.

“For us?” Carla’s cheeks reddened slightly, recalling her earlier harsh comments.

“Hold still—let me put them on you.”

Nate placed the necklaces around their necks, nodding in satisfaction.

“Thank you, Nate!” Wendy beamed.

Carla, ever the tsundere, muttered inwardly, No wonder all the girls at the guild like him. He knows how to be thoughtful. But Wendy, don’t fall for his tricks!

“All right, it’s lunchtime. Let’s find a place to eat—huh?”

Just as he spoke, Nate noticed a gathering of locals not far away.

They seemed to be performing some kind of ritual, with offerings of pork, duck, beef, and lamb arranged on an open-air altar. Nearby, townsfolk stood with clasped hands, murmuring prayers.

“Oh, Water God, please bless Ermina. Grant us a bountiful fishing season,” they intoned.

As a port city, the local economy depended on its abundant marine resources.

Nate narrowed his eyes slightly, noticing a faint glow of faith energy emanating from the worshippers.

To be honest, he felt a twinge of envy.

The faith energy he had gathered through the [Truth Encyclopedia] was nowhere near as potent as what these followers offered to the Water God.

Yet, the Water God Dragon didn’t seem to use this energy at all.

Curious, Nate approached one of the townspeople—an older woman praying—and asked:

“Does the Water God answer your prayers?”

The woman paused, eyeing Nate’s unassuming appearance. “You must be a traveler.”

“I just arrived in this city,” Nate admitted. “Are all these offerings brought here voluntarily by the townsfolk?”

He gestured toward someone placing a basket of fresh fruit on the altar.

“Yes, of course,” the woman answered, her face aglow with reverence. “The Water God protects this city!”

“My husband is a fisherman, and every time I pray to the Water God, his nets come up full.”

Given the Water God Dragon’s power to control water, aiding fishermen was likely a simple gesture.

“Have you ever seen the Water God?” Nate asked.

“The Water God is divine. Ordinary people like us would never have that honor,” the woman said.

“And these offerings? You just leave them here?”

“Someone comes to collect them at night. By morning, they’re gone—proof the Water God has accepted our devotion!”

Her unwavering faith left no room for doubt.

Nate chuckled inwardly. Maybe someone’s just sneaking in to eat them. But he kept the thought to himself.

More likely, when the city flooded at night, the Water God’s servants would retrieve the offerings.

To confirm his theory, Nate discreetly placed a Flying Thunder God Seal near the altar before leading Wendy and Carla away.

“Nate, is the Water God Dragon really evil?” Wendy asked softly as they walked, clearly unsettled by the townspeople’s devotion.

“Yeah,” Carla added. “If it’s evil, why is it called one of the Five God Dragons instead of the Five Evil Dragons?”

“If you’re curious, we can ask the Water God Dragon directly when we meet him,” Nate replied with a smirk, sidestepping the question.

In truth, even he wasn’t entirely clear on the Five God Dragons’ crimes. However, their destructive tendencies suggested they had caused plenty of chaos and bloodshed over time.

…

Late that night, after eleven o’clock.

Above the city, Nate hovered in midair, watching as the streets below turned into a vast ocean. He stood atop a magic flying carpet, with Wendy and Carla kneeling behind him, marveling at the rising tide.

“The city is really submerged!” Wendy exclaimed, eyes alight with wonder.

“Nate, something’s happening!” Carla’s cat ears twitched as she pointed quickly toward the altar. “Something’s approaching—it’s a dragon!?”

She whispered the last part in alarm.

Beneath the water, a ten-meter-long, winged serpent-like creature rushed toward the altar.

“Is that the Water God Dragon?” Wendy covered her mouth in surprise.

“No, it’s too weak to be a dragon. Probably just a magical beast,” Nate answered calmly. “It’s likely the Water God Dragon’s messenger, here to collect the offerings. Let’s follow it.”

The serpent coiled around the offerings and swam away along the same route.

Nate deduced it was probably heading back to the Water God’s temple. Without hesitation, he steered the flying carpet to follow it at a safe distance.

Soon, they arrived near a lighthouse out at sea, where the serpent dove into the depths and vanished.

“Found it!” Nate murmured, narrowing his eyes. With his Six Eyes, he sensed a powerful magic presence deep below.

“Wendy, Carla, do you want to wait here or come along?”

“Wait here!” Carla exclaimed firmly, crossing her arms. “I’m just a defenseless cat, remember?”

Now she remembers she’s a cat? Nate mused, amused.

But Wendy said, “Carla, you can stay. I want to help Nate.”

“Ugh, Wendy, I really think Nate doesn’t need help,” Carla muttered, rolling her eyes. “He’s practically invincible.”

Wendy wouldn’t relent, and Carla grudgingly agreed to join her.

“All right, let’s go,” Nate said.

He stowed the flying carpet and dove into the water. A shield of magic energy surrounded them, pushing the seawater aside.

Beneath the lighthouse lay an entrance to an underwater temple. The sea serpent swam in and deposited the offerings. Inside, a magical barrier kept the water at bay.

A young woman named Karameel—assistant to the Water God Dragon and manager of the temple’s daily affairs—greeted the serpent with a gentle smile.

“Good work. You can rest now.”

As the serpent glided off, Karameel eyed the pile of offerings and sighed.

“So many again... There’s no way we can finish all this.”

Suddenly, a voice spoke up behind her:

“I can help you eat it. I skipped dinner.”

Karameel spun around, eyes wide. Standing casually in the temple was a young man who had appeared without making a sound.

“Who are you?!”

Ignoring her alarm, Nate reached out and picked up an apple from the fruit basket. Taking a bite, he replied with a slight grin:

“Nate.”