August 6th, Year 774.
Three days later, Magnolia Town.
Phoenix and his two companions stood before the gates of Fairy Tail.
"Is this Fairy Tail? It's really quite something!"
"Fini-chan!!"
"Alright, alright, I won't say anything more, okay?"
After all, it was the guild Mavis had personally founded, and Mavis wouldn't tolerate anyone speaking ill of it, not even Phoenix. Knowing Mavis's extraordinary attachment to this guild, Phoenix just made a casual remark and said no more. As long as Mavis was happy, everything was fine; Phoenix didn't care about anything else.
"Ahem, this is my guild, Fairy Tail!" Gildarts cleared his throat to assert his presence. Once Phoenix and Mavis looked at him, Gildarts, wanting to show off his knowledge and entice them to join, pointed at the Fairy Tail emblem on the sign and asked, "My guild is called Fairy Tail, but do you know why it's named that? Actually…"
"We know!!"
Such a synchronized response left Gildarts utterly flustered.
"You… you know? Hey! You're not from this guild, how could you possibly know?!"
"We know because we know, why so many questions?"
Phoenix looked at Gildarts with disdain. After all, standing right there was one of Fairy Tail's founders! To ask 'why' in front of her, he truly had no shame. Six years ago, after becoming very close with Mavis, Phoenix had heard the name Fairy Tail countless times from her, and he was more than familiar with the meaning behind the guild's name.
"No one knows if fairies truly exist. Whether fairies have tails is even harder to verify. It is precisely because of the unknown that people develop a desire to explore everything. Fairy Tail symbolizes infinite unknowns and adventures."
A clear, melodious voice rang in Phoenix and Gildarts' ears. Looking at Mavis, who had a solemn expression, just like a true fairy, Gildarts was once again speechless with surprise.
This explanation was truly impeccable!
Although he also knew the meaning, and Master Makarov had said it many times, for some reason, Gildarts always felt that only this young girl, only this girl named Mavis, could make those words resonate so deeply. It was as if these words were originally meant to be spoken by her.
That's right, her name is Mavis… Mavis… isn't that… isn't that… Gildarts' eyes trembled, as if he had realized something.
Could it be… no way… *Creak*—
The Fairy Tail doors were pushed open by Mavis's hands. Stepping inside the guild, the boisterous clamor filled her ears. Feeling the guild as lively as it was back then… even more so, a tear slowly streamed down Mavis's face.
Yes, this is my guild, this is Fairy Tail!
Suddenly, Mavis felt her palm being tugged. Turning her head, Mavis met Phoenix's gentle gaze.
If you want to cry, just cry it out!
Phoenix didn't need to speak; with just a look, Mavis understood his meaning.
She gently shook her head, wiped away the tears from her eyes, and a happy smile bloomed on her face.
"Finally… finally I've come here! This is, Fairy Tail!!"
Thank you, Fini-chan. If it weren't for you, I probably would never have gathered the courage to come here!
Phoenix also understood the meaning hidden deep in Mavis's eyes, but he didn't speak. Instead, he held her hand tightly, tightly.
"Oh, oh, oh!! Old Man is back!"
"Wow, and two cute newcomers!"
"Blonde hair, blue eyes, cute little boy, barefoot loli… Isn't this, isn't this…"
"Isn't this the legendary Phoenix the Undying? Old Man, you're amazing! You went out and brought them back. You truly live up to your name, Old Man!!"
"Look, these two kids are really adorable! Both have blonde hair and blue eyes, are they siblings?"
"…"
The guild members instantly erupted, all of them crowding around, a noisy commotion.
Seeing the kind smiles on everyone's faces, Mavis's smile grew even brighter. Phoenix, though initially a bit unaccustomed, could still feel their goodwill, especially the genuine emotions relayed by his Kenbunshoku Haki, which made Phoenix incredibly curious about this place. Although he had always heard Mavis talk about how wonderful her guild was, hearing it was never as convincing as seeing it with his own eyes. Everything before him had already left a very good impression in Phoenix's heart.
*Clink!*
Suddenly, a teacup fell to the ground and shattered. Everyone looked up, only to find their Master staring blankly at the trio by the door; the cup had slipped from his hand.
Recalling Phoenix the Undying's habit of running up tabs everywhere, and then remembering the Master's furious roars from before, everyone tacitly made way, forming a path.
This was going to be interesting. Now that he'd seen the culprits, the Master was surely going to explode!
Aside from Gildarts, who harbored some suspicions, all the other members grumbled inwardly.
"First… First…"
Makarov asked tremblingly, tears welling up in his cloudy old eyes.
"Mm. This guild has been a lot of work for you, Third!"
Mavis said with a radiant smile, like a sacred fairy dancing in the wind.
"It… it really is you!"
Tears streamed down Makarov's cheeks. In his joy, Makarov quickly got down from the bar. Perhaps in his haste, he stumbled with a "thud" and fell to the ground, but Makarov didn't care at all. He casually brushed himself off and scrambled to Mavis's feet.
"You're so impatient, Third, just like your father. You both seem to never grow up."
Reaching out her hands to help Makarov up, Mavis said, as if reminiscing.
"Hahaha, it's genetics, after all."
Rubbing his nearly bald head, Makarov gave an embarrassed, silly laugh.
"—!!"
Watching this scene, everyone was stunned.
First?
The Old Man actually called this young girl "First"?
Had the world gone wrong, or had they themselves gone wrong?
Meeting their incredulous gazes, Mavis gently spun around and formally introduced herself: "Hello everyone! I'm Mavis, Mavis Viviamillion, the First Master of Fairy Tail."
"Nani?!!"
…After some explanations, everyone finally sat down calmly to talk. The usually noisy members quietly formed a circle, ears perked, listening to the First Master tell her story.
"…In short, Fini-chan and I are currently traveling around."
"So, using Fairy Tail's name is unavoidable."
Phoenix said this without a hint of blush, seemingly taking it completely for granted.
"You brat!!"
Previously, Makarov's attention had been entirely on Mavis, and he had forgotten about Phoenix's presence. Now, seeing Phoenix speak so shamelessly, Makarov's anger surged to full capacity.
"If you hadn't spoken, I would have almost forgotten about you!! You, why do you have money but still run up tabs?! Do you know how many complaints I've received this month, and how many times I've been scolded?! Fairy Tail's reputation has been completely ruined by you, damn it!!"
"What are you talking about, Old Man? I'm the World's Greatest Swordsman, wouldn't it be a loss of face to pay?"
"What kind of reason is that?! You just don't want to pay, do you?!"
"Tch, you figured it out, you sly Old Man."
"Anyone can see that!!"
Makarov roared incessantly, but Phoenix completely ignored him.
"I'll keep running up debts, Old Man. Do you want me to recommend some restaurants? They're all very delicious places."
"Someone who spends other people's money so freely has no right to say that!! And, you want to continue? No way! I absolutely won't agree!!"
Makarov glared fiercely at Phoenix, the anger in his eyes almost materializing, and a powerful resentment emanating from behind him.
"If you dare to sign another IOU, I'll beat you up severely!! Absolutely!!"