Deep within a remote forest, nestled beside a still lake, stood a structure unlike any other in Fiore a towering crystalline fortress with hues of emerald and jade.
This was the headquarters of the Magic Council.
Its internal design was just as unusual as its appearance, formed from massive rock-like hands that stretched upward toward the dome-like ceiling. Each giant palm served as a platform, and standing upon them were the Council members themselves, elevated above the chamber like figures of judgment.
A report had just arrived from the Council's investigation team, detailing the events that had transpired on the Island of Demon Ruins.
"I never imagined that Fairy Tail the guild known for wrecking cities and throwing punches before asking questions would actually be involved in something... righteous," one councilman muttered, adjusting his monocle with a scoff.
"Righteous? You call leveling an entire kingdom-funded tourist island righteous?" another snapped. "That island was a significant investment!"
"But let's not ignore the alternative," a third countered, his voice grave. "If they hadn't acted, and the Eighteen Fighting Gods of Evil had fully awakened, the casualties would've been catastrophic. It wouldn't have been just an island... it would've threatened the entire country."
"According to our field survey, those ancient demons had already begun to regain power," a fourth chimed in. "Fairy Tail's interference may have prevented a national disaster."
Silence swept over the chamber for a moment, followed by a reluctant nod from a few of the members.
"In any case," another voice concluded, "Chase and Mirajane handled the situation. They eliminated the threat."
Then someone asked the question that made the entire chamber fall quiet.
"So... what about the matter of that destroyed town in the Kingdom of Kiltina Continent? Are we still putting pressure on Fairy Tail for that?"
No one spoke.
All eyes turned toward the center toward a tall man standing on the highest platform, arms folded beneath his ornate robes. Twin goatees framed his stern face, and a heavy silence followed him like a shadow.
He was Oberon Krickstein, one of the Council's most senior and influential members.
Everyone waited for his decision.
Speaker Crawford Seam sat silently, an ancient document suspended in the air beside him. Its pages fluttered lightly, untouched by wind, emanating a subtle magical glow.
He furrowed his brow and let out a long sigh.
"It seems," he began slowly, his voice calm but tinged with reluctant approval, "those troublemakers aren't completely useless after all."
He glanced at the floating parchment once more, then added, "Set aside the issue for now. Scrap the agenda from yesterday."
The council chamber stirred faintly.
The agenda he referred to had been dire: If Fairy Tail causes one more disturbance, their guild will be disbanded.
But now, even Crawford Seam Fairy Tail's long-time critic had spoken. The other council members, many of whom still harbored grudges, exchanged reluctant looks and fell silent.
No one objected.
Only one figure, seated near the edge, remained quietly contemplative. Councilor Zeke Rein's eyes narrowed as he mentally filed away a name from the report:
Chase Lin Edogar…
A faint smirk tugged at his lips.
"Interesting fellow," he murmured to himself. "I wonder if the Council's decision today is a blessing… or a curse for you?"
A red rune shimmered faintly over his right eye.
That's right.
This was no ordinary councilman. This was a projection of Jellal Fernandes his mental form, hidden and operating within the Council's ranks under the name "Zeke Rein."
His presence remained undetected.
Erza… he thought silently, as if the name still echoed through the deepest corners of his heart.
Meanwhile, early the next morning
Makarov sat with a furrowed brow inside a magically powered vehicle en route to the Council's Magnolia branch.
The summons had arrived with no explanation, and he had yet to hear anything from the team sent to the Island of Demon Ruins. His mind naturally jumped to the worst-case scenario.
Did they finally decide to punish us for the Kiltina incident?Are they going to disband the guild?
Clutching his staff tightly, Makarov stared out the window, his face etched with worry, like a soldier heading toward his final battlefield.
Back in Magnolia
As the sleepy town stirred awake, fresh newspapers and magazines were delivered across the streets. The guild hall, cafes, market stalls all received their copies like clockwork.
And splashed across the front pages, in bold black letters
"Evil Demon God Vanquished! Fairy Tail Wizard Saves Tourist Island!"
Dozens of heads turned in surprise.
Gasps. Cheers. Silence.
And somewhere deep in the Fairy Tail guild, chairs scraped against the floor as members rushed toward the bulletin board, flipping through pages with wide eyes.
"Wait, is this real?! Chase and Mira did all that?!"
"The Eighteen Fighting Gods of Evil… weren't those just myths!?"
"It's finally in the news! They're calling us heroes!"
For once, the headlines praised them.
And Magnolia would never see Fairy Tail the same way again.
Due to the enormous impact of the incident, the special joint issue of Magic Weekly originally themed "Brave Men and Demons" in collaboration with the Kingdom was scrapped on the spot.
They had something better.
As the only Magic Weekly crew present during the event and the only ones who captured actual photos they knew this was their golden opportunity.
Overnight, the editor tossed out the original draft, rewrote the entire article, and submitted a new headline and layout. The next morning's issue delivered the news in dramatic fashion:
In bold letters, beneath a massive splash photo
"Fairy Tail Mage Repels Ancient Demon God Hero Saves Hundreds!"
Front and center in the photo: Chase.Back turned to the camera, arms raised, confronting a towering demon that loomed over the magic ship.
Southwest corner of Magnolia The largest tavern in town buzzed with voices, clattering dishes, and spilled ale.
"Hey! You guys seen this?"A rugged man waved a creased newspaper over his head, eyes wide with disbelief. "That Fairy Tail guy Chase he saved every single tourist on the island!"
The tavern paused for a beat.
Several people looked over.
Then went back to their drinks like nothing had happened.
The man's jaw tightened.
His dark vest hung open, revealing a black chicken-foot crest tattooed on his right arm Black Pheasant Foot's strongest wizard. A known troublemaker.
He had been furious ever since Chase's summoned rock giant sent him flying during the island chaos. Ever since then, he'd been lying low in Magnolia, gathering info, nursing his bruised ego.
And now this?
"You're all just gonna act like this is normal? That guy that guy was the one who caused a whole section of Kiltina to collapse during a job!"
From behind the bar, the tavern owner let out a hearty laugh. "And saved an entire guild from being wiped out the week before that. You didn't read that part?"
A server nearby chimed in, wiping glasses. "That's just how Chase is. If you only look at the broken walls, you'll miss the people still alive because of him."
Another man at a corner table glanced up from his beer. "Hey, judging from your accent and that tattoo, you're not from around here, are you?"
"Hmph. So what if I'm not?"
"Well then, let me teach you something about Magnolia," the man said, standing up. "Here, we don't mess with Fairy Tail. Especially not Chase. Whether it's demon gods or raging wild dragons, he charges straight into the fire."
"And always comes back with someone on his back and the job done."
The Black Pheasant wizard gritted his teeth.
But as he looked around, he realized The entire tavern stood with Fairy Tail.
So this is the guy I picked a fight with…?
Sweat rolled down his temple as he slowly lowered the newspaper.
"…Tch." He tossed a few coins on the table and turned for the door.
Maybe… next time.
Behind him, the laughter and clinking of drinks returned, the newspaper fluttering gently in the air as it settled on the empty barstool. On it, Chase's silhouette stood tall and proud like a hero stepping out of legend.
The ground trembled.
Glasses on the bar rattled. A plate clattered off a table and shattered.
The tavern fell into a sudden, chilling silence.
The Black Pheasant Foot wizard instinctively grabbed the hilt of his sword, eyes narrowing. "What was that?! An attack?!"
The tavern owner didn't answer.
He moved swiftly to the window and pulled back the curtain. His brow furrowed, and then
He chuckled.
"Hah… Speak of the devil."
Everyone rushed to the windows.
Outside, the cobbled street had cracked slightly in one spot, and in the middle of it stood a massive stone beast one of Chase's signature summons. Its glowing runes flickered as it helped a cart that had overturned, lifting it with a single hand while the panicked horses neighed and backed away.
And standing beside the beast, giving it instructions with exaggerated hand gestures…
Was Chase.
Covered in dirt, coat singed in places, completely unfazed by the mild quake he had just caused.
"Hey, move that rock a little to the left you're blocking the baker's sign!" Chase shouted, waving at the beast.
The summoned creature let out a grumble and shifted its massive hand, carefully rotating the cart into place. The once-panicking vendors now cheered.
"Thank you, young man!"
"You saved all the pies!"
Inside the tavern, the owner heaved a sigh and walked back toward the stunned Black Pheasant mage.
"See what I mean?"
"Safe when it's dangerous. Dangerous… when it's safe."
The room erupted into laughter again.
Even the Pheasant wizard had to crack a smile just a little. He sat down slowly and took a sip of the beer the owner had served him earlier.
"…Alright. Maybe I'll stick around a bit longer after all."
"Just don't stand too close to him," someone muttered with a grin.
The laughter resumed in full force as, outside, Chase casually waved to a child who tossed him a flower.
Another day in Magnolia.
They were all too familiar with that dead silence.
"Goddammit! That idiot Chase let those rock giants loose through the city again, didn't he?!"
"Seriously?! Will it kill him to show a little self-restraint? I'm done! I'm going out there to give him a piece of my mind!"
"Hold up, hold up, I just came up with a new insult. I've been saving it for a special occasion like this!"
And just like that, a group of regulars stormed out of the tavern with rolled-up sleeves and raised fists, shouting curses at the massive stone creatures stomping through Magnolia's streets.
The Black Pheasant Foot wizard remained inside, watching from the window with stunned disbelief.
Because now now he could see it.
The people who hurled those insults wore not anger… but grins. Their shouts were more like heckles between friends, their gestures theatrical rather than threatening. Even the bartender chuckled as he handed someone a broom to swat the dust away from his storefront.
And Chase?
He turned with a half-smile and saluted playfully from atop one of the rock giants, completely unfazed.
The scene struck the visiting wizard like lightning.
So this is it…
This is what it means to be part of a guild like Fairy Tail. This is how someone like Chase who breaks rules, blows up streets, and storms through life like a natural disaster can still be loved by everyone around him.
"With Chase around, it's most dangerous when you're safe… and safest when you're in danger."
He finally understood the meaning behind those words.
The young mage lowered his head, shoulders heavy with reflection. He picked up his beer, now lukewarm, and downed it in one long gulp.
"…I've got a long way to go before I can call myself an S-Class wizard."
He left the empty mug behind.
Without another word, he stepped outside and quietly disappeared into the busy streets of Magnolia.
Some journeys don't begin with battles.
They begin with understanding.
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