"Both a subject and a researcher?"
"This is the first time I've heard of such a research institute."
Precht gazed at 'Wind No. 8' sitting on the ground, his face showing surprise.
'Wind No. 8' was a young girl around ten years old.
Due to her young age, her magic power was still very weak and not too difficult to deal with; Precht took less than three minutes to end the battle.
However, the child was stubborn and single-minded, treating him like a bad uncle who broke into the institute to cause destruction, such that no matter how Precht questioned her, she refused to leak even half a sentence of intelligence regarding the institute.
Precht found it difficult to interrogate such a young girl, and the scene was frozen for a time.
Fortunately, in the end, Vincent took personal charge.
The playboy's reputation was not for nothing; relying on that eloquence which had deceived thousands of beautiful girls in the different world, he confused the young girl in just a few moves, finally prying open her mouth.
"Judging by your tone, you don't seem to hate this institute?"
Wind No. 8 glanced at the bad uncle Precht, then let her bashful gaze fall upon the gentle and handsome big brother Vincent.
"Most of us 'subjects' are orphans, picked up from the outside by the Director."
"After coming here, both the Director and the researchers have been very good to us... although some people have strange tempers... but most of the people are normal."
"In the eyes of our group, the research institute is our home, and the members of the institute are our family!"
The word 'family' instantly touched the softest part of Precht's heart.
For the Wizards of Fairy Tail, there is a very direct and clear underlying logic.
That is: a person who values family definitely isn't a bad person! Even if they are a bad person, they absolutely cannot be that bad!
Originally he thought this was an evil research institute that disregarded human ethics and life, but looking at it now, the atmosphere here isn't much worse than Fairy Tail.
"But haven't you thought about leaving this place? To pursue freedom outside?"
"Why leave?"
Wind No. 8 blinked her eyes in confusion: "I know the world outside is indeed more free than the institute, but likewise, it is also more dangerous, isn't it?"
"Poverty, disease, hunger, war, and cultists, every one of them is an ineradicable 'tumor' in the world!"
"If I hadn't been picked up by the Director, my younger sister and I would definitely have died long ago!"
"But now, I have a home, I have more family, I've learned magic, and the future is promising. The price paid is just a little bit of freedom and facing unknown risks when learning magic—what does that even count for?"
Precht remained silent, not knowing how to answer.
It sounds like...
There really isn't anything bad about it?
Originally, not everyone would give up everything for things like freedom or dreams!
...
Inside the room.
"In that case, let's be friends!"
Mavis squatted on the ground, gazing at the disheveled young girl who had collapsed in front of her due to magical exhaustion after the great battle, her face full of gentle smiles.
The young girl was 'Fire No. 9', practicing Fire Dragon Slayer Magic, and she was also the twin sister of 'Wind No. 8'.
Compared to her older sister, this younger sister had a more violent temper and a more impulsive personality. After the two Mavises accidentally intruded into her room, she started fighting without a word.
The result... was obvious.
She was simply not Mavis's opponent and was knocked to the ground in less than ten minutes.
"Hey, who invites an opponent to be friends after a battle??"
"Don't you see one now?"
Mavis said while giggling: "Your personality and your magic are both very similar to a good friend of mine, so I have a premonition that we will definitely become good friends in the future!"
"Hah?! What kind of logic is that?!"
This is, of course, the logic of Fairy Tail!
"Alright, alright, it's decided!"
"Let's shake hands and make peace!"
Without waiting for a response, Mavis pulled up Fire No. 9's right hand and shook it in the air.
"Hey... don't... what are you doing?! Let go of me!!"
Fire No. 9 wanted to resist, but unfortunately she had no strength left at this moment, only able to let Mavis manipulate her at will.
...
In the hallway.
A white-bearded old man lay on the ground with a bruised and swollen face, his eyes staring blankly at the dark ceiling, looking as if seventy percent of his life was gone.
The two Westons were nearby, one squatting and one standing, muttering.
"Look at this, look at this..."
"I said it before we started, even if you've practiced Dragon Slayer Magic, as an old man, you definitely can't beat us two young fellows. You just wouldn't listen!"
"Now look, you've suffered for it!"
The old man didn't speak, just quietly lying on the ground, gasping for breath.
His chest rose and fell violently with his breathing, making Weston feel a bit uneasy, fearing that in the next second, the old man might fail to catch his breath and drop dead on the spot.
After a good while, the old man finally spoke: "Hiss... Can we reconcile?"
You should have said that earlier!
Weston rolled his eyes speechlessly and helped the man sit up from the ground: "Yes, of course! But you have to be our guide and help us find our companions!"
"Companions??"
"That's right!"
Weston nodded and briefly explained what had happened to them: "Since we were teleported here, they are likely nearby as well. The two of us aren't familiar with this research institute, so we need the help of a local like you."
After hearing the experience of the two people in front of him, the old man suddenly showed a look of realization: "I see, you were accidentally swept in by 'Anima'..."
Oh?
It seems I've heard a very interesting word!
"Anima??"
"What is that?"
The old man stroked his beard and explained: "That is a magic currently being researched by the institute. It can absorb or release magic power to the world where a soul is located by locking onto the soul's position."
This magic...
Isn't it the one used by King Faust in the future?
Previously, I thought it was researched by Edolas over a hundred years. Could it be that it wasn't actually like that, but rather something Edolas 'stole' from this research institute?
"What on earth are you researching this kind of magic for...?"
Leibniz's brow couldn't help but furrow.
This matter involves Edolas; as a captain of the Kingdom's army, he couldn't help but be a bit more concerned.
"Well... do you know about Edolas and Elentear? The latter has an excess of magic power."
"Of these two worlds, the former has very backward productivity due to a lack of magic power, while the latter frequently triggers disasters due to excessive magic power. Neither is a good thing."
"Therefore, a Wizard from Elentear issued a request to the institute, asking us to research a device capable of 'siphoning world magic power' to save..."
"Elentear!"