In the Fairy Tail guild hall, looking at the four people obediently kneeling in front of him, Charles sighed.
"Alright, one at a time. First, you, Sting—why did you blow up the port?"
Sting raised his head. "Wasn't the job to take down pirates? Those guys were weak but real fast. I didn't have the patience to catch them one by one…"
"So you blew the entire port sky-high, huh!"
Charles's icy tone cut Sting off while he was getting pleased with himself. He immediately bowed his head. "Sorry. I'll be careful next time."
Rogue lowered his head too. "Next time I'll hold back this idiot Sting."
"Hey, Rogue, that's too much—calling me an idiot!"
"Sting is a hot-blooded idiot who gets carried away."
…
Watching the two bicker, Charles knew at once they were the type to say "Got it," and then dare to do it again—completely unaware of their mistake.
He cleared his throat, and the quarreling pair fell silent at once, bowing their heads.
Charles turned to Kagura. "I thought you'd be a bit more mature. Tell me—why did you level an entire snow mountain?"
Back ramrod-straight, Kagura said, "While we were working, we came across a cave. Inside was a strange monster. We got just a little serious during the fight.
We didn't expect the cave's structure to be connected to the whole mountain, so then…"
Stella chimed in, "Exactly. Who knew breaking a cave would make the entire mountain collapse! We almost got buried."
So that's how it was. Understandable… my foot!
That was a snow mountain that had stood for hundreds or thousands of years, not a pile of toy blocks. Even if the cave and the mountain's structure were connected, there's no way it should collapse the whole mountain that easily.
And Kagura's "just a little serious" — did she mean the level of a certain Great Tomb's butler's finger?
Seeing Charles's face go completely dark, the four all bowed their heads. "It was our fault!"
Looking at them, Charles could only sigh. "Forget it. None of this is that big a deal."
The four let out a breath of relief, and seeing them, Charles smiled too.
"Don't make those faces. We're Fairy Tail mages. Once you pick a path, charge straight ahead. Living out your own mage's way—that's our style."
Watching this, Macao couldn't help but furtively wipe the corners of his eyes.
It felt like time had flowed backward, back to when everyone was here.
"But take responsibility for what you've done. Get out there and work—earn back those fines," Charles finished.
After scolding that batch of problem children, Charles grabbed a cup from the side and took a deep swig.
Smiling, Macao said, "You weren't even that mad. Weren't you a bit too harsh on them?"
Charles let out a long sigh. "Can't be helped. If I don't, they won't learn. We can't afford any more problem children in the guild."
Macao nodded in agreement, then suddenly remembered something. "Right, I almost forgot to tell you."
He pulled an invitation from his jacket and handed it to Charles.
Seeing the pink ribbon on the envelope, Charles said in surprise, "A wedding invitation? Who's getting married?"
"It's Bisca and Alzack," Macao answered. "Honestly, it's surprising they waited until now to decide."
Charles nodded. Those two really should've made it official long ago.
Bisca and Alzack were both immigrants from the Western Continent who joined the guild at the same time. Since they both used firearms as Shooting Mages, they formed Team Osprey and worked together ever since.
Even a romantic dunce like Natsu could probably tell they liked each other, but neither dared to confess first.
They both knew the other would never refuse—just no courage. Pure to an almost ridiculous degree.
Charles had long known they'd end up together—and that they'd have a cute daughter in the future. He just hadn't expected them to marry now.
"Marriage, huh."
Charles suddenly grew sentimental. Speaking of which, Stella's father had brought up an engagement for the two of them—after Stella finished her studies.
Charles had, of course, agreed; their relationship was practically that of fiancés already.
He wasn't worried about his own lifelong plans—but he was worried about his friends.
Take a few people in Fairy Tail, for example. Though there were several couples, none of them seemed to be progressing smoothly.
First up was Natsu—couldn't be helped; Charles had promised Igneel he'd look after his little brother. Natsu was definitely the most worrying. He and Lucy were basically a locked-in couple, but Natsu himself just didn't get it.
What can you do? You can't expect someone whose head is filled only with eating and fighting—like a child—to suddenly understand love.
Why can't he learn from Gajeel? In the original story eight years later, he and Levy even had a kid!
Thinking about it, Gajeel and Levy were one of the rare couples who actually made it. Unlike everyone else, who are enough to drive you mad.
Gray and Juvia were the classic case. Juvia had clung to him to a frightening degree, and yet they still hadn't defined their relationship.
If Gray were a scumbag toying with her feelings, that'd be easy—Charles would physically correct his personality. But the guy's pure to a fault, forever hesitating over whether he can protect Juvia, and not daring to commit.
They've already confessed to each other, yet because of such pointless hang-ups, they won't take the step forward.
Compared to Erza and Jellal, they're much more fortunate. Mutual love in both cases, but the burden weighing on that pair is far heavier.
Still, this time—with Charles involved—Simon didn't die at Jellal's hands, so the obstacle between those two shouldn't be as great.
Then there's Elfman and Evergreen—that one should be progressing smoothly. Judging by the look of it, they might already be secretly together.
Speaking of Elfman, that brings us to Mirajane and Lisanna—those two girls don't seem to have a definite partner.
Lisanna did say she liked Natsu, but a childhood friend can't beat the "fated heroine" Lucy. Who would've thought the white-haired one would end up the underdog.
Among the main group, there's still Laxus. Hm. He seems close to everyone, but none of them look like they'll go anywhere.
Wait… Charles suddenly snapped out of it. Laxus's lifelong plans should be something Makarov worries about. Why is he fussing?
Charles sighed. With these things, it doesn't matter how much others worry—it's up to them. All he could do was keep getting stronger to pave a future where everyone could find happiness.
(End of Chapter)
[Get +20 Extra Chapters On — P@tr3on "Mutter"]
[Every 100 Power Stones = 1 Bonus Chapter Drop]
[Thanks for Reading!]