Ron fell into thought after hearing Makarov’s warning.
If even someone as experienced as Makarov considered the spell too dangerous, then its power was clearly far more alarming than Ron had realized.
Even one of the Ten Wizard Saints had been unable to avoid the silencing seal once it appeared.
If word of such magic spread, countless people would come after him, desperate to force its secrets out of him.
The resulting uproar throughout the magical world could easily become too great for even Makarov to shield him from.
It seemed Silence Magic could never be used openly.
Ron would need to find another form of offensive magic and reserve this one as a hidden trump card.
Once he revealed it to an enemy, he would have to make absolutely certain they could never expose his secret afterward.
“I understand.
Unless I’m completely out of options, I won’t use this magic.”
Ron gave Makarov his word that he would only rely on it in a true emergency.
Besides, even if he wanted to use it again later, he would first have to draw the [Silencer] card a second time.
Luck like that did not come often, and it might be a very long time before he saw the card again.
Once Makarov received his promise, he did not press the matter further.
“If that’s everything, head downstairs.
I’ll join you in a little while.”
Ron tilted his head and looked at him curiously.
“Did the spell frighten you so badly that your old age is catching up with you?”
“Who are you calling old?!
I’m in perfect health!”
Makarov laughed as he scolded him.
“Then I’ll go downstairs and get some sleep.
You should rest soon too, Master.”
Ron turned and made his way down the stairs.
From the second floor, Makarov watched him lie down on one of the benches and close his eyes.
Relief and concern mingled in the old man’s expression.
He worried about the path awaiting Ron, but he was also deeply touched that the boy had trusted him with such a dangerous secret.
Ron had revealed it for no other reason than to seek his advice.
Since Ron had placed that trust in him, Makarov would carry the secret to his grave.
He could not solve every problem the boy would face, but he could at least offer guidance and support while Ron grew stronger.
Makarov sighed and withdrew his gaze.
All the more reason to protect this guild—and the children who called it home.
“I hope you grow far beyond anything I expect, child.”
…
Early the next morning, Cana woke inside the Fairy Tail guild hall.
With guidance from Ron and Makarov, she took her first steps into Card Magic and divination, then officially joined Fairy Tail.
Once everything was settled, Ron said goodbye and hurried home.
The moment he closed the wooden door behind him, anticipation spread across his face.
His roleplay completion had quietly reached one hundred percent the previous night.
At last, he could permanently obtain the S-rank talent from Silencer’s card.
After changing out of his bloodstained costume, Ron opened the system.
He was too impatient to wait for the card’s remaining duration and immediately requested an early evaluation.
[Current Roleplay Completion: 100%.
Early evaluation is available.]
[Perfect Roleplay achieved.
All abilities from the current character card are available for selection.]
[Please choose one ability to retain.]
Ron stared at the card’s extraordinary list of abilities and sighed before making his decision.
Giving up the others was painful, but he still chose Permanent Intelligence Steal.
It was an S-rank growth talent.
Anyone with sense would make the same choice.
[Silence Magic — Permanent Intelligence Steal (S) selected.
Integrating talent into the host’s status…]
A brief stab of pain pierced Ron’s mind, making his brows tighten.
The sensation vanished almost immediately, replaced by an unmistakable increase in his mental strength.
For one fleeting moment, he could sense the Ethernano drifting through the air around him as clearly as though he could reach out and touch it.
The magical particles flowed gently toward him and seemed to merge with his consciousness, leaving his mind clear and refreshed.
The sensation lasted only a few seconds before fading beyond his reach.
Ron reluctantly opened his eyes and examined the changes to his status screen.
[Talents: Magic Power Capacity (D), Charm (A), Learning Aptitude (A), Permanent Intelligence Steal (S)]
He finally possessed an S-rank talent that would allow him to steadily accumulate both mental strength and maximum magic power.
Before Ron could finish celebrating, another series of system messages appeared.
[The evaluated S-rank character card has been identified as possessing God-Tier potential.]
[Silencer has been permanently added to the God-Tier Summoning Pool.]
[God-Tier Summoning Pool unlocked.
Please access it through the Multiversal Character Summoning Pool interface.]
[The God-Tier Summoning Pool does not share a cooldown with the Multiversal Character Summoning Pool.]
[Summoning from the God-Tier Pool requires Popularity Points.]
[Current Popularity Points: 0.]
“A God-Tier Summoning Pool?
What’s that supposed to be?”
Ron switched to the summoning interface.
The screen that had previously contained only one pool now displayed a second, radiant option surrounded by brilliant golden light.
After carefully reading the explanation, Ron’s eyes brightened.
“So I was right.
Silencer is really different from an ordinary S-rank card.”
Any character card with the potential to surpass S-rank would be permanently transferred to the God-Tier Summoning Pool after its evaluation.
Once moved, that character could no longer appear in the standard Multiversal Character Summoning Pool.
Not every S-rank card possessed such potential, which was why Ron had only unlocked the new pool after obtaining Silencer.
Unlike the normal pool, the God-Tier Summoning Pool had no cooldown.
Instead, every summon required ten thousand Popularity Points.
Those points were not based on Ron’s personal fame.
They measured the popularity of the Pure White Theatre Troupe.
That was actually good news.
It meant he would never again have to rely purely on luck to draw Silencer.
All he needed to do was rebuild the troupe and make it successful.
“Looks like I’ll have to move up the reopening date.”
Ron lowered his head in thought.
He had always intended to revive the Pure White Theatre Troupe, but the discovery of Popularity Points meant he needed to begin preparations immediately.
He glanced back at the standard Multiversal Character Summoning Pool.
For now, obtaining a clone ability from the world of Naruto should probably become his highest priority.
Still, it would not matter if he failed to draw the card he wanted before the troupe was ready.
He could simply adapt the performances.
Even a one-man storytelling show would work.
As long as he could attract audiences and accumulate Popularity Points, the exact format did not matter.
Having made his decision, Ron sat at his desk, picked up a quill, and began considering which story would make the strongest opening production.
“What kind of play would draw the biggest crowd?”