Ch 79 : Scheme

"Is this the magic circle?" Mira looked at the black magic circle before her and asked Ivan beside her.

"Yes, this is the ancient magic circle I was talking about," Ivan replied.

"Is that so? But this magic circle gives off a bad feeling... almost like black magic." Mira frowned.

The magic circle before them was entirely drawn with black lines.

Inside the circular outer ring was a black seven-pointed star as the base, interwoven with other intricate patterns.

The magic seeping from the circle was an eerie purple-black color, making Mira feel as if it were pure black magic.

"Is that so? By the way, Mirajane, did you inform Noel as planned?" Ivan asked.

"Yes, I told him. I said that I found an ancient magic circle here and wanted his help to analyze it. I also told him it was a secret and that he couldn't tell anyone else. I think he should be here in about twenty minutes." Thinking about soon understanding Noel's thoughts, Mira's voice carried a hint of excitement.

"I see, that's great. Oh, by the way, Mirajane, do you know about Noel's background?" Ivan suddenly changed the topic and asked Mira with an unreadable expression.

"Hmm? No, do you know, Ivan?" Mira asked curiously.

"I know a little. Noel's background… the Rutherford family name is not simple at all."

"Huh?"

"The Rutherford family is an extremely ancient and powerful lineage. They carry the bloodline of ancient deities. Because of this superior bloodline, every member of this family can be considered true prodigies. Whether in magic, physical abilities, or learning speed, they surpass ordinary people by several times. And Noel… he is a member of this family. The noble blood of the Gods flows through his veins."

"A child of the Gods? So Noel has such a background..." Mira muttered to herself upon hearing Ivan's words.

"Because of this special bloodline... the members of this family also make excellent sacrifices—offerings to exchange for the source of magic."

Ivan's voice suddenly turned extremely sinister and greedy.

Before Mira could fully grasp the meaning of his words, she suddenly felt a sharp pain at the back of her head.

The next moment, she lost consciousness.

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"This should be the place Mira mentioned, right? Didn't she say she would be waiting for me here? Where did she go? And the ancient magic circle she talked about... could it be this one?"

Noel looked at the black seven-pointed star magic circle in front of him with some doubt.

"This magic circle… isn't this a sacrificial black magic formation? A formation that offers a sacrifice in exchange for power—one that grants access to, or even perfects, the fundamental source of magic?"

After observing for a while, Noel, with his exceptional knowledge and understanding of magical principles, quickly deciphered the purpose of the magic circle.

Suddenly, the sound of clapping echoed through the air.

Startled, Noel turned his gaze toward the source of the sound.

"Ivan? What are you doing here?" Noel asked in confusion upon recognizing the newcomer.

"What remarkable insight. To think that you managed to grasp the workings of this magic circle in such a short time. It took me several weeks to fully understand it back then. Noel Rutherford… you truly live up to the reputation of your family."

Ivan's tone carried a mix of admiration and mockery.

"You still haven't answered my question, Ivan. Also, have you seen Mira here?"

"Mira? Are you talking about her?"

Ivan chuckled lightly and suddenly stepped aside, revealing Mira bound tightly by magical chains.

Her mouth was also sealed shut by a spell.

"Mira!!"

Noel's expression turned furious as he glared at Ivan.

"Ivan, what did you do to her? Let her go, now!"

"Heh, don't worry," Ivan sneered, then casually dispelled the magic sealing Mira's mouth.

"Noel, run!!" Mira shouted frantically the moment she could speak.

"Ivan plans to use your bloodline as a sacrifice to gain power! Forget about me and get out of here—now!"

"What?!"

"Oh dear, you're quite the chatterbox, Mira. How troublesome." Ivan sighed in mock frustration, rubbing his forehead before resealing Mira's mouth.

"Ivan, you bastard!!"

"Heh, Mira is such a simple and naïve girl. To confirm your feelings for her, she didn't even see through my little deception. She actually believed this magic circle was some kind of spell that makes people speak their true thoughts. Isn't that adorably foolish?"

Ivan's voice took on a twisted excitement as he continued, his tone trembling with madness.

"And now, Noel, it's time for you to choose. Your first option: step into the magic circle and become the sacrifice, granting me infinite magical power. In return, I will release Mira. Your second option: turn around and leave—or try to attack me. But I assure you, the moment you make a move, I will send the adorable Mira straight to the afterlife.

So, what will it be, Noel Rutherford?"

Noel clenched his fists so tightly that his knuckles cracked, his gaze shifting between Mira, who was frantically shaking her head but unable to speak, and Ivan, whose face was filled with mockery and madness.

A deathly silence spread through the air, so heavy that even the atmosphere itself seemed to freeze in place.

"Can you guarantee that if I step into the magic circle, you'll let Mira go?"

Noel's voice was low and steady, his long golden hair falling over his face, obscuring his expression.

"Of course."

Ivan gave a wicked smile. "The moment the magic circle activates, I will release the magic binding Mira. After all, once you step into this circle, she will have no more value to me. When I obtain infinite power, someone like Mira will be insignificant. There's no need for me to lie."

"....."

Even though Ivan's words were completely unreliable, Noel had no other choice.

This was the only way to protect Mira.

The only hope of saving her.

Ignoring Mira's frantic shaking of her head and the desperate pleading in her eyes, Noel took one step forward.

Then another.

Slowly, he walked toward the center of the magic circle.

Only when he reached the very middle did he stop.

The dark purple energy of the magic circle began to churn violently, and the seven-pointed star pulsed with an eerie glow.

Ivan's face twisted into a grin filled with cruelty and triumph.

"Oh, right… there's something I need to say."

Standing at the heart of the magic circle, Noel suddenly turned his head as if he had just remembered something.

He looked at Mira and smiled—

Not his usual polite, distant smile, but one that was radiant like summer flowers, warm, unrestrained, and filled with sincerity.

"I... like you, Mira."

"I like you more than anyone else in this world."

"So, please promise me… don't cry for me. I don't want to see you sad because of me."

The purple-black magic erupted, swallowing Noel's slender frame completely.

(Nooooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!)

Mira screamed in her heart, her mind drowning in despair and guilt.

Tears streamed uncontrollably down her face.

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