"Unknowingly, it's already year 774," Mavis sighed softly. As Phoenix grew older, the premonition of separation grew stronger. Mavis knew that Phoenix did not belong to her, nor to Wolf Island. What could truly carry him was the vast world.
Bang!!!
On the sea, Phoenix seemed to have finished his training. He placed his black blade on his back, stomped his left foot hard, and the surging, roaring sea was instantly flattened by his foot. Within a ten-mile radius, everything became calm!
Swish!
Lightly tapping the sea with his feet, Phoenix's figure instantly spanned hundreds of meters, arriving in front of Mavis. His soaked clothes also became clean and fresh the moment he moved.
Crack!
Pulling out the black blade from his back and sticking it into the ground, Phoenix stepped forward, took Mavis's hand, and walked towards the island's interior.
Six years had passed in a blink of an eye. The nine-year-old Phoenix was noticeably more mature and robust than a normal child, and his height was even subtly taller than Mavis.
"Dinner is ready, right, Mavis? I'm starving, you know."
"It's all vegetables, Fini-chan."
"Hmm, it's okay, as long as it's edible."
With the increase in his magic power, Phoenix's pursuit of food wasn't as great as in previous years. It was truly thanks to the earth that the island's ecological balance hadn't been broken.
The two did not go deep into the island but stopped in front of a wooden house not far from the shore. This wooden house was only about sixteen square meters, and its mottled exterior was somewhat dilapidated due to erosion from wind and rain. It was built six years ago by Phoenix for convenience in his training. Now that Mavis had chosen to materialize, it had become the residence of the two.
Behind the house was a freshwater stream, and the stream bank served as Phoenix and Mavis's outdoor kitchen. Whether it was captured beasts and fish or collected mushrooms and vegetables, the two generally chose to dine there.
Due to the limited conditions on the island, the two didn't expect to eat anything too good; as long as the grilled food didn't kill them, it was fine… Of course, this was mainly aimed at Mavis. However, even if Phoenix's cooking skills were excellent, they couldn't withstand the ravages of time. No matter how delicious the food, after eating it for several years, one would surely get tired of it.
"The taste is good, you've improved, Mavis."
Arriving at the dining spot, Mavis's grilled vegetables and meat were by the campfire. Phoenix picked up a skewer, tasted it, and gave a very fair evaluation.
"Hmph hmph hmph, of course! I am the First Master of Fairy Tail!" Mavis proudly boasted, puffing out her chest, which hadn't grown at all in six years.
It's just… what does grilling have to do with being the Master of a Fairy Tail?
Phoenix's eyebrow twitched unnaturally, but he wisely suppressed the urge to complain.
After dinner, Phoenix's training resumed.
Time waits for no one, Phoenix deeply understood this principle.
Especially with the images that occasionally flashed in his mind, Phoenix felt even more that his future self had to do something.
As night fell, dots of starlight adorned the sky, and the bright moonlight shone down, making Mavis, who was sitting quietly on a large rock by the shore, appear as if she were draped in a silver veil.
For six years, except for the times Mavis left to cook, she had always been watching Phoenix.
The feeling of being cared for… it's truly wonderful!
No matter how cold a person might be, their heart couldn't possibly remain untouched, could it?
Phoenix liked Mavis very much, so he also cared about her deeply. Every time he saw her waiting for him until the very end, what filled Phoenix's heart, besides happiness, was a sense of guilt.
He always felt that he wasn't worthy of her doing this. This wasn't self-deprecation, but an uncontrollable urge in his heart.
Who exactly was Phoenix?
Sometimes, Phoenix had also questioned himself in this way.
But often, besides making his head ache terribly, Phoenix found no other answers.
Phoenix knew he wasn't a pure human!
No, perhaps, the very definition of being human was wrong.
Perhaps… some secrets, he shouldn't continue to delve into.
Swish!
His figure flickered.
After completing his daily tasks according to his schedule, Phoenix took a refreshing bath in the sea, then used Instant Transmission to appear beside Mavis. With his right arm around Mavis's slender waist, Phoenix habitually pulled Mavis into his embrace.
"What, something on your mind?"
Normally, Mavis would complain a few times without much effect, even bringing up how Phoenix was smaller a few years ago. But today, Mavis was truly quiet.
"No, nothing."
Shaking her head lightly, Mavis said no more. Mavis indeed had many, many things to say in her heart, but when the words reached her lips, Mavis seemed to back down.
"…Let's sleep!"
"Mmm."
Mavis hummed softly. Seeing this, Phoenix frowned, but still didn't ask anything.
Holding Mavis's light body, Phoenix lightly tapped his feet, and in two breaths, they arrived at the wooden house. Kicking off his shoes, Phoenix, with practiced ease, directly carried Mavis and rolled onto the bed.
For six years, the two had always slept in each other's arms like this. It was fine when Phoenix was younger six years ago, and Mavis didn't mind. But as Phoenix's age and height gradually increased, Mavis felt increasingly embarrassed. However, Phoenix was incredibly shameless and domineering, always holding Mavis tightly and not letting go. Fortunately, Phoenix didn't do anything strange besides holding her to sleep, and gradually Mavis resigned herself to it.
"Speaking of which, it's already year 774, isn't it?! Unknowingly, six years have passed."
Lying on the bed, Phoenix gently stroked Mavis's soft golden hair, which was resting on his chest, and mumbled unconsciously.
"…Yes! It's already been so long."
Mavis's heart trembled, and her distant eyes finally gained a hint of focus.
"…"
Noticing the change in Mavis's eyes, Phoenix's heart skipped a beat, and then he sighed softly to himself.
It seems she had already noticed. Or, perhaps, she had already anticipated this day even more than he had.
"I plan to leave and see this world."
Looking at the familiar ceiling, after a moment of silence, Phoenix finally spoke. He had originally planned to choose a suitable time in a few days, but looking at the situation, that was no longer realistic.
"You must be careful. Although your strength is very strong, having reached the level of an S-Class Mage, the path ahead will not be smooth sailing. Even the strongest person will have moments of weakness."
Mavis's voice was unusually calm, as if she wasn't particularly concerned about Phoenix's departure.
"Yes. But no matter what, I believe it will be a wonderful journey. Are you willing to come with me, Mavis?"
"You know I will never leave here."
Mavis sighed softly, rested her head on Phoenix's chest, and gently closed her eyes.
"Sleep! Then, tomorrow, I will see you off."
"Eh—I wasn't planning on leaving tomorrow!"
Phoenix immediately corrected her, but Mavis completely ignored him.
"It's all the same!! If you're going to leave, then leave quickly! Dawdling isn't like you!!"
"Uh…"
Phoenix opened his mouth, but his many words ultimately turned into a long sigh… He held Mavis tightly and fell into a deep sleep, and so it was until the next day.
Just as Mavis said, as soon as it was barely light, Mavis opened her eyes. Looking at Phoenix, who was holding her tightly, Mavis tried to pry open the arms that were restraining her, and then… Bang!!!
Mavis kicked without hesitation, directly sending Phoenix, who was sound asleep, flying. After spinning a few times, Phoenix's body finally slammed to the ground like a rag doll.
"Hey!! When did you become so violent, Mavis!!"
Phoenix rubbed his faintly aching waist and struggled to get up from the ground.
"Hmph!! You sleep like a log. If I were an enemy, you would have died countless times already. Hurry up and go! From today on, this house is my personal property. Don't even think about getting it back."
After speaking, Mavis turned her head away, adopting an out of sight, out of mind attitude.
"Women are so fickle!! It's only been one night? How could there be such a big change?"
Phoenix looked at Mavis, who clearly had no intention of talking to him, with a dark expression. He had originally thought of many farewell words, but now he didn't know how to begin.
"I'm really leaving, Mavis?"
"…"
As expected, no response!!
Although he had anticipated it, a hint of regret still appeared in Phoenix's eyes. Thinking about the years to come, and that she wouldn't be by his side, Phoenix's heart was very complicated.
"Phoenix Viviamillion."
"…"
Because it was the first time in many years he had heard Mavis call him by his full name, Phoenix was instead stunned.