A week had passed since the Tartaros incident.
All of the Face devices—three thousand in total—had been destroyed by Su Yan. Each one was too dangerous to be left behind. If even a single one were activated, the magic of the entire continent could vanish. Such a threat had to be eliminated completely.
Fairy Tail Guild
"I announce that from today, Su Yan will be the new Guild Master of Fairy Tail!"
Makarov's voice rang out as he stood before everyone.
The guild erupted into applause.
No one was surprised. Su Yan becoming Master had long been expected by the guild members.
Originally, Gildarts had been the most natural choice—his strength, popularity, and prestige were unquestionable. But the younger generation of Fairy Tail had grown far too quickly.
Especially Su Yan. He had fought Gildarts when he was only fifteen. Even with Gildarts using his full strength, he had been unable to defeat Su Yan. Only Makarov and the two duelists themselves knew the truth of that battle.
Afterward, Gildarts felt at ease leaving the guild and taking on the Century Quest. He knew that even in his absence, even if he failed, Fairy Tail would endure.
Now, with the guild reorganized and most of its core force made up of newcomers, Su Yan was the one they knew and revered.
His name had become known to all during the Grand Magic Games.
By the time Gildarts left for the Century Quest, even before the Games, many of the new members had never seen him. And in any case, Gildarts' wandering nature made him ill-suited to watch over the guild.
Su Yan, who preferred to stay close to home, was far more fitting.
He had resisted before, but now the old man truly was old.
And the world was changing.
The Magic Council had begun its reformation, finally admitting its fatal weakness: a lack of true power.
Tartaros had proven that a single demon could obliterate the Council's entire leadership in one stroke. Without Fairy Tail stepping in, the continent's magic might already have been erased.
So, in their new decree, the Council invited the Ten Wizard Saints to serve as magic judges.
The battle with Tartaros was over, but even greater threats loomed. Chief among them—the Alvarez Empire, across the western sea.
A militarized nation, Alvarez had already unified the Western Continent, and for years had set its eyes upon Ishgar.
For all its flaws, the Magic Council had been the reason Ishgar knew peace. Its most powerful weapons—the Wizard Saints, the Face devices—had all been built as shields against Alvarez.
Makarov, invited again as one of the Ten Saints, could not refuse. It was tied to the fate of the entire continent.
And so, he entrusted the guild to Su Yan.
Su Yan, understanding the weight of the moment, accepted the role.
Though he still had little to do most days, the responsibilities of Master were heavier than before. Fortunately, with Mirajane at his side, even that burden felt light.
Meanwhile, the younger generation pushed themselves harder than ever.
Erza led Natsu, Lucy, and Wendy on a new team, taking on S-Class quests. Gray and Juvia formed their own pair. Most of the guild's main force was constantly out on missions. The guildhall remained lively, but full gatherings had grown rare.
A little lonely, perhaps—but Su Yan understood.
They had all seen their weakness laid bare in the battle with Tartaros. Each was desperate to grow stronger, just as he once had.
In a barren mountain cave
Zeref walked alone into the shadows.
"I didn't expect you would actually come. But then, you never stray far from places like this…"
His words carried across the chamber to a figure seated within.
A man with long gray hair, dark skin etched with markings, a bare chest beneath a wild black cloak. Across that chest stretched a single massive scar.
"…That scar," Zeref said softly. "Left by Su Yan on Tenrou Island, wasn't it, Acnologia?"
The figure raised his head. It was indeed Acnologia, wearing his human form. Once a man, later a Dragon Slayer, and finally—the Dragon King himself. The scar across his chest was Su Yan's gift, carved by his overwhelming Haki strike on Tenrou.
"What do you want, Black Mage?" Acnologia asked, his eyes narrowing.
"You seek destruction," Zeref replied evenly. "But your vision is too small. With your power, you could rule this world—if only you desired it."
Acnologia scoffed. "And yet, you're no different. If you have something to say, say it. Otherwise, I leave."
Zeref's eyes glinted. "A new Dragon King has been born."
Acnologia's face twisted, his pupils contracting dangerously. "What?"
"I said," Zeref continued, "a new Dragon King has been born. One who has undergone the baptism of the Dragon King Festival. Though smaller in scale than yourself, there is no doubt—he is a true Dragon King."
"Impossible!" Acnologia's voice thundered. "I killed them all! There are no dragons left in this era—let alone a Dragon King born of the Festival!!"