"Interesting… truly interesting."
Acnologia's lips curled into a cruel smile. "If that's your decision, then I don't mind waiting. After all, there's still a score to settle between us. But don't make me wait too long. My patience is thin."
Ordinarily, he might have tried to tear Zeref apart then and there. But Zeref was immortal—killing him meant nothing. At most, it was just a moment's venting.
"Don't worry," Zeref replied calmly. "It won't take long. One year will be enough."
With that, he turned and left. Acnologia didn't stop him. For one who had lived four centuries, a single year was nothing. Besides, this was only one of Zeref's projections—his true body was elsewhere.
Later, within a quiet chamber, Zeref gazed out into the distance.
"One year," he murmured. "In one year, let me witness what fate awaits this world."
One Year Later
Time passed swiftly. Nearly a year had gone by since Su Yan became Master of Fairy Tail.
Just as Makarov once had, Su Yan now spent most of his days at the guild. In that year, new faces had joined, while others departed. Such was the life of mages—unstable, dangerous, and fleeting. Most guilds were filled with young adventurers chasing glory, and those who grew older often chose to retire, living quietly as ordinary people.
Within Fairy Tail, quarrels and scuffles were a daily occurrence. In the past, Su Yan would have ignored such chaos, leaving it to the old man. Now, as Master, the task fell to him. His solution was simple—troublemakers were tossed out until they learned their lesson.
Thus, the guild carried on its traditions. Trouble came as naturally as breathing, and with trouble came summons from the Magic Council. As always, Makarov—now serving within the Council—would drag Su Yan in for a scolding, almost enjoying the reversal of roles, as if repaying him for all the headaches Su Yan had once caused.
Despite his duties, Makarov still returned often. It was no different from when he had gone on missions before; the guild never truly felt his absence.
Recently, Fairy Tail had grown especially lively. As if by unspoken agreement, many members returned to the guild at once.
"Not good!! Erza's back—!!"
The guild doors flew open as a nervous youth rushed in.
"What?!"
"Erza?!"
Panic broke out instantly. Brawlers scattered, smokers snuffed their pipes, gamblers swept up their coins before they could be confiscated.
Lucy laughed at the sight. "Haha, this reminds me of the first time I saw Erza. Back then, Natsu and Gray were brawling too. The moment they heard she was coming, they hung on each other's shoulders pretending to be friends."
"H-hey, that was just—" Natsu stammered.
"Love~~! Pretending!" Happy blurted without hesitation.
"Happy!!!" Natsu howled, betrayed by his closest partner.
Erza sighed. "Honestly… you're all so exaggerated."
In the past year, she had only returned three or four times, but each time, she thoroughly disciplined the new recruits. Though Su Yan was Master, he rarely intervened, and Mirajane, gentle as ever, looked the other way unless it was a grave mistake. The task of correcting newcomers naturally fell to Erza. After a few lessons, even the rowdiest rookies behaved themselves—even if Su Yan and Erza didn't look much older than them.
But after all, with seven years stolen by the seal, most of those "new brats" had only been children back then. Looking at them now always reminded Su Yan and the others of their younger selves.
"Welcome back," Mirajane greeted with her usual radiant smile.
"Welcome back!" The rest of the guild echoed warmly.
"We're back!!" Erza, Lucy, Natsu, and Wendy replied together, hearts warmed. No matter how long they were gone, no matter how many new faces filled the guild, Fairy Tail would always be their home.
Over the following days, Laxus and the Thunder God Tribe, Gray and Juvia, and even Gajeel returned.
After a year apart, the guild's core once again gathered beneath one roof.
The hall buzzed with life. New recruits crowded the veterans with questions, eager to learn from the S-Class mages. Old comrades traded stories, laughter ringing through the walls.
Mirajane, standing beside Su Yan, smiled softly. "If only it could always stay like this."
She had fought alongside Makarov for years, had borne the burdens of the guild as well. And perhaps it was intuition, or the knowledge gained from absorbing demons of Zeref's Book, but unease lingered in her heart.
Zeref—the most feared black mage in history—and Acnologia—the vanished Black Dragon—still loomed like storms on the horizon. Tartaros had nearly plunged the continent into ruin, and they had only been discarded remnants of Zeref's creations.
Many of Fairy Tail's strongest had gone out to train, driven by a shared sense of crisis. Each wanted to grow stronger, to protect their family.
Su Yan nodded firmly to Mirajane. "Don't worry. I'll make sure of it."