It's not unusual to find books whose words fly off the pages; Lucy and Natsu once completed a task involving such a book.
A book written with this special magic has two advantages: one, it allows people without Wind's Glasses to read quickly.
Two, it can compress a large amount of text into limited space, fitting the content of a typical book onto just one page.
This Book of END is like that.
Moreover, it has an even more impressive feature—although it's written in ancient script, Rhode can read it with ease, even unfamiliar characters pose no issue.
Rhode just opened the first page and saw a complete story of Natsu, from birth to death.
It's like witnessing all the moments of a short life fully.
"Natsu was born in a simple village.
He had a brave father, Igs Doraguniru, a gentle mother, Shea Doraguniru, and a caring brother—Zeref Doraguniru.
…"
Long paragraphs went on describing Natsu's growth, learning to crawl, walk, and speak.
It recorded Natsu's mischievous, naughty side, as well as his lively, lovable demeanor and empathy for others.
Even as a child, Natsu could keenly sense his family's emotions, comforting his brother in childlike ways when he was sad.
Thus, Zeref loved this little brother dearly.
Large portions describe the brothers' regular interactions.
Even capturing a peaceful life, a subtle sense of happiness emanates through the text.
Yet, at the page's end, the story takes a dramatic turn.
"One day, Zeref saw a giant dragon flying overhead; when he rushed back, the village was gone, Igs, Shea, and Natsu—all dead."
This is the story recorded on the first page of the Book of END, titled 'The Death of Natsu'.
The text was so immense that Rhode felt a slight headache after reading it, massaging his forehead to relieve it.
He felt the words within the book harbored immense power, akin to blazing flames and demonic fury.
But that's not the main point.
The main point is, if what's written is true, then Natsu is Zeref's biological brother?
Rhode doubted whether the Netherworld's president Maldo ever opened the book at all.
Otherwise, how could he have dared to wage war against Fairy Tail?
A demon created by Zeref fighting Zeref's brother?
Even though the possibility of identical names exists, it even notes that Natsu's pink hair was inherited from his father Igs, and Zeref's black hair from his mother Shea.
Both the book's Natsu and the real Natsu's personalities are quite similar.
But if they aren't the same, then...
The more Rhode thought about it, the worse his headache got.
After sending the overtime-working president home, he would read the second page tonight.
Given the book's danger, Rhode had put it away again after reading the first page.
He had been observing his condition these days and could now be fairly sure he hadn't been affected.
Demon expert Mira also remarked that her husband didn't carry any strange scents.
So, he could continue.
The reading location was in the wilderness.
Though the book itself wasn't dangerous, Rhode arranged numerous Magic Arrays as a precaution.
Mira watched from afar, guarding against any demons that might leap from the book.
"The power of magical miracles—so said the teacher at Mildenian Magic Academy.
Zeref deeply believed this phrase.
After Natsu's death, Zeref intensely researched magic at Mildania.
His talent was excellent, his mind sharp, mastering vast magic knowledge at a young age.
His thesis astonished even seasoned magic professors.
Yet professors advised him, for life and death were forbidden realms, tampering in them would arouse Ankseram God's wrath. Thus, further research wasn't advised.
But if he couldn't revive Natsu, what was the point of learning magic?
Zeref didn't heed these warnings, continuing his research on resurrecting the dead.
Years later, in his teens, Zeref developed his first major theoretical achievement—the R System.
With sufficient Magic Power and proper sacrifices as offerings, one could revive the dead!
Several years passed, and he forgot the professors' warnings, presenting his results at an academy seminar.
Nonetheless, after the seminar, professors warned him again, hoping he'd change his research direction.
This time, Zeref listened.
Not from fear of Ankseram God's wrath, but due to a professor's word: 'Furthermore, it's unfair to those who die as sacrifices'.
Thus, Zeref embarked on another path—not using sacrifices to revive the dead, but reversing time to prevent the tragedy!
He believed this eliminated the moral issues of sacrificing other lives for one.
A concept for reversing time gates emerged and was refined over a few years.
However, this was dangerous magic the academy couldn't tolerate.
Zeref was warned again and directly received a dismissal notice.
At this moment, Ankseram God's curse befell him.
Zeref became an immortal being and a walking source of death.
No one else survived in the academy but him.
Life around him was repeatedly snatched away, burdening Zeref with immense guilt, nearly breaking his spirit.
He tried countless methods yet couldn't end his own life.
Attempts to assassinate him also failed.
Zeref wondered, perhaps they couldn't kill him because they weren't strong enough.
So, if he created an even stronger being, could it kill him?
Thus, the Ethereal Demon Race (Etherious, 'composed of ether') was born.
Though these demons couldn't kill Zeref, in creating them, Zeref gained insight and used his brother's body to create the last demon.
That was END.
—Etherious• Natsu• Dragneel.
END both represented the last demon and was Natsu's new name, also embodying the meaning of conclusion.
Zeref achieved his two goals, reviving his brother and creating the strongest demon, capable of ending his life.
…"
"Damn, this is absurd."
Rhode read through the Book of END's second page, 'The Birth of END'.
Natsu is a demon?
How could he be… he actually is quite like one.
Rhode found himself somewhat believing it.
In terms of being hot-tempered and having a strong desire to destroy… the demons from Gate of the Underworld may truly not compare to Natsu.
But if he really is a demon, after spending so many years in the guild, wouldn't Mira have noticed something?
If not… all those parts regarding the R System, the Eclipse Gate, and Ankseram God's curse align with what he knew.
This is a 400-year-old book; it couldn't be a joke about Natsu from people 400 years ago…
Hiss—
Thinking this way, could it be Natsu has existed since 400 years ago?
But Mira said Natsu was a child when he first came to the guild right? The guild also has photos from Natsu's childhood!