Fairy Tail: You said you were just acting, are you serious?

Seeing that their attacks were effective, they became even more energetic.

At this point, the ink lion began to weave among them, occasionally swatting away their branches with its paws or sweeping them down with its tail.

They were engrossed in the fun, which elicited bursts of laughter.

Time flies, and before we knew it, the war had come to an end, and the setting sun gradually sank below the horizon.

"Dinner's ready, time to go home!"

From the distant village, the sounds of adults calling out could be heard, urging Ron and his friends to come home for dinner.

The previously noisy children instantly quieted down, revealing sad expressions.

Today was the first time they had so much fun, and they're still not satisfied.

Seeing this, Ron also released the Ink Lion, turning into a puddle of ink, leaving only the ink stains on the ground where it had existed.

"Alright, everyone's had enough fun, otherwise your parents will worry."

Upon hearing Ron's words, the children of Tide Village waved goodbye to him with reluctance.

"Goodbye, big brother! We had a lot of fun. Next time, we'll have to do magic tricks for you again!"

After saying that, the children turned around and ran towards their homes.

The sea breeze blew by, and now only Ron and Gerald remained standing in the open space.

Ron turned his head and looked at Gerald, who looked somewhat dejected.

Aren't you going back yet?

Seeing that Gerald hadn't spoken for a long time, he asked the question first, even though he already knew the answer.

Gerald paused for a moment, then lowered his head and smiled wryly:

"No rush, my journey back is a bit long, it's fine if I go back later..."

He needs to walk a considerable distance at night to get back to his village next door.

In the end, I was just too busy having fun and didn't realize how late it was.

"It doesn’t matter."

Ron glanced around and casually remarked:

"Anyway, I'm planning to wander around this coastline a bit more, so I'll go back with you."

The dark magic cult here has all gone back, so we can leave for a while.

Are you serious?

Gerald looked up blankly at Ron and asked.

"How could this possibly be fake?"

Ron frowned. He felt that talking to him was a bit difficult. Was this really the Geral he knew?

Is the real person really that naive?

He turned around and quickly said:

"Are you leaving or not? If you don't leave now, I'm going back."

"Let's go, let's go now!"

Seeing that Ron seemed to really be leaving, Geral was afraid that he might change his mind, so he quickly went to Ron and led the way.

As they moved on, night gradually fell, and the path to the neighboring village became rather dim, requiring them to rely solely on the remaining moonlight to proceed.

As they walked, Gerald, who had been silent all along, took the initiative to break the silence.

"Um, um, um..."

"Hmm? Just call me Ron."

Geral scratched his head awkwardly, realizing he had indeed forgotten to ask the person's name.

"Ron, you must be pretty good as a mage, right?"

"Your magic is quite powerful. Do you know other kinds of magic?"

"I guess so, but I'm not proficient in anything; I only know a little bit about each one."

Speaking of which, why do you often go to the next village?

Upon hearing Ron's question, Gerald paused slightly, turned around, and said:

"That's because there aren't many people my age in my village, and..."

"...I don't want to stay at home either."

After Gerald finished speaking, there was no more, only the sound of their slow footsteps.

Ron remained silent, watching Gerald's retreating figure, without asking why.

At this point, the other person will say what they want to say; there's no need to force them.

After a while, Gerald took a deep breath.

Perhaps it was because of the other person's company that I began to open my heart.

“My father passed away recently, and since then, the house has become very quiet, and I’m not quite used to it yet.”

At this point, he suddenly stopped in his tracks.

He turned to look at Ron, and in the moonlight, he could see the resolute look in his eyes.

"But I will adjust quickly because I have decided to protect my mother."

So I'm going to become a magic councilor, go to the magic academy to study magic, and become a mage like you, Ron!

He became more and more excited as he spoke, and his voice became louder and clearer when he said the last sentence.

After finishing his sentence in one breath, he looked at Ron with an embarrassed expression.

He didn't dare tell his friends because he thought the dream was a bit far-fetched and was afraid they would take it as a joke.

Just when he thought Ron would start laughing, the latter smiled with admiration.

"That's a good idea; that's how a real man should be."

Chapter 141 It doesn't matter whether it's Zikrein or Gerald.

Gerald was stunned by Ron's response.

Ron continued:

"An elder once told me that all magic originates from the power of the mind."

The magic academy can only teach you how to release the magic within your body.

He looked directly into Gerald's eyes and said earnestly:

"As long as you have the desire to protect your family, it's more effective than any magic in the world."

Keep moving forward with determination.

Gerald stared blankly at Ron, not expecting such affirmation.

He smiled and nodded excitedly:

"no problem!"

Having gained the approval of a mage, he now felt more confident about his dream.

Without realizing it, the way he looked at Ron changed, revealing admiration and respect.

After this brief conversation, they continued on their way, feeling that the moonlight was becoming brighter and the road was no longer dark.

After a while, the two arrived at the entrance of Geral's village.

Gerald turned his head and said with a smile:

"Ron, I'm home now. Thank you so much..."

"Zikrein!"

Just then, a woman's voice interrupted Gerald's words, causing Ron to raise an eyebrow.

Gerald's smile froze instantly when his real name was called. He then stiffly turned his head and saw a beautiful woman glaring at him with annoyance.

The woman crossed her arms and complained:

"It's getting dark, why aren't you back yet? What if you encounter danger!"

Gerald scratched his head and gave an awkward smile.

After the woman finished speaking, she noticed that there was a boy behind her son.

"Hmm? Who is this...?"

“Hello, Auntie, I am... a friend of Zikrein.”

Ron's polite response brought a smile to the woman's face, which made her expression more pleasant.

"Oh, you're friends. Then I won't bother you any longer."

"Zekrein, remember to say goodbye to your friends properly."

"Okay, Mom."

Gerald watched out of the corner of his eye as his mother returned home with peace of mind, before turning his gaze to Ron.

Seeing Ron looking at him with a half-smile, he felt embarrassed.

"I'm sorry, Ron."

Finally, he mustered his courage and explained frankly:

"Actually, I lied to you and the others in Tide Village before."

My real name is actually Zikrein, and Gerald was a name I came up with on a whim..."

Ron lowered his head and pondered for a moment.

So that's how it is. That's actually his real name. How come I didn't realize it?

I did follow the updates, but I can no longer read them because of my unexpected death.

It's all because the Hundred-Year Mission updates too slowly; I can't believe it's over a hundred chapters and still not finished!

Ron looked puzzled and asked:

Why did you choose to use a pseudonym?

Gerald himself frowned, and said hesitantly:

"Because I always feel... that I only have the right to have fun when I use the name Gerald."

I can't explain this feeling either. Am I weird...?

"Actually, it doesn't matter what your name is."

Upon hearing Gerald's words, Ron still interrupted him.

Gerald looked up in a daze.

"To me, a name is just a label that makes it easier to address someone."

What I've always focused on is that person's inner world; he is the person I know.

Ron looked him straight in the eye and smiled:

"So there's nothing to be ashamed of. Don't get hung up on your name. Both names represent you."

However, for the sake of convenience, I'll call you Gerald from now on.

He stared blankly at Ron, feeling as if these words had blown away the turmoil in his heart.

These words make sense; indeed, both names are a part of oneself, and one cannot sever them.

His gaze regained its previous firmness.

Seeing those clear eyes, Ron still smiled.

"Alright, your mother must have been waiting for a long time. Let's go home now."