The guild's interior was far more modest than Lyla had imagined.
His first guess? They probably spent all their funds repairing the damage their own members caused during missions. No wonder there was no money left for renovations.
But one thing puzzled him, there was a stretch of blue water behind the guild.
"Is that the sea?" Lyla asked. "You can't even see the other side. But we're inland!"
Macao and Wakaba laughed.
"That? That's a lake."
"A lake? That big? Are you sure it's not secretly connected to the ocean?"
The main hall functioned as a tavern. Citizens of Magnolia could come in freely to eat or drink.
Directly opposite the front doors stood a long bar counter and a drink station, while the request board sat to the side. Behind the hall were a few rooms and a small infirmary.
Macao and Wakaba pointed upstairs.
"The second floor's off-limits to regular members. Only S-Class mages can go up there, that's where the S-Class job board is. If someone without clearance sneaks up there, they'll be punished."
"What kind of punishment?" Lyla asked curiously.
The two men exchanged a long, haunted look.
"That one's… better left unknown."
Lyla swallowed. Okay, not asking again.
When Lyla asked where the library was, they led him to the basement floor, a quiet archive filled with ancient books and tomes about magic and history. Lyla guessed it must have been passed down from the first generation.
Did the First Master move the entire Tenrou Island library here or something? he wondered.
After the grand tour, Macao and Wakaba introduced him to other guild members. There were many faces, but the real core members were still few, it was clear the guild's golden age was just beginning.
Lyla looked around again but didn't see Laxus anywhere. He'd caught a glimpse of him during the parade, though. If Laxus had participated, that meant he'd already received the Dragon Slayer lacrima implant. Otherwise, Makarov wouldn't have let him in.
Later that afternoon, Lyla approached the Master with a question that had been on his mind.
"Old man," Lyla asked, "why is the guild called Fairy Tail?"
Makarov smiled knowingly.
"No one knows whether fairies truly exist, or whether they even have tails. That's precisely the point. It's an eternal mystery, and in that mystery lies endless adventure. That's what the First Master said, and that belief became the heart of this guild."
"What about the First Master? Where is she now?"
"She's passed away. Her grave rests at our guild's sacred ground."
"Then… do you know her story? Her adventures?"
Makarov shook his head. "Not in detail. But the records should be in the library. You can look for them there."
Thanking the old man, Lyla rushed downstairs. Moments later, Makarov followed and called out before he even reached the door.
"Lyla, did you find it?"
"Yes, Master!" Lyla said, his eyes shining. "This is it, the First Master's adventures!"
"Can I borrow it for the night?" Lyla asked, widening his eyes pleadingly.
Makarov chuckled. "Alright, but keep it safe. Return it once you're done."
"Yes! Thank you, Master!"
He stayed in the library reading for a while. Macao stopped by to ask for some information related to his mission, offering Lyla a small payment in return. Later, Wakaba did the same.
As the two men left, Lyla watched their backs, a faint warmth rising in his chest. His eyes stung slightly.
He'd told them during introductions that he'd traveled with his grandfather, who had to return west for important matters. Even though August had left him money and instructions, Macao and Wakaba still worried about his well-being.
That evening, Lyla left the guild carrying the borrowed book. He stopped by a magic shop to buy some items he'd been eyeing. With the extra payment from the two senior mages, he had more than enough.
He tucked the items into his backpack and began his walk home along Strawberry Street.
The road followed a gentle river where small boats drifted past. Lyla strolled along the water's edge, humming softly.
"I'm home!" he called, opening the door.
August stepped out of his room, stroking his beard and smiling warmly. "How was the guild today?"
"Great! And look what I brought!" Lyla held up the book proudly.
"Oh? What's that?"
"It's the First Master's adventure story! The Master told me about her today. Sadly, she's already passed away, but her tomb lies in Fairy Tail's holy ground. This book, "
August froze.
For a moment, he said nothing. His eyes grew distant, and a shadow crossed his face.
As Lyla continued excitedly describing the story, August barely heard him.
In his mind, only one phrase echoed,
Her tomb…
"The First Master started her journey from Tenrou Island," Lyla continued. "She saved Magnolia and founded Fairy Tail. That's why Tenrou became the guild's sacred ground, "
"Lyla," August interrupted softly. "May I see the book?"
"Of course, Grandpa. Here!"
August accepted it with trembling hands. He opened the pages, reading silently for a few moments, his eyes tracing each word like they carried a weight far deeper than paper. Then he handed it back.
"Grandpa," Lyla said hesitantly, "could you… make me a copy?"
"You already have one, don't you?" August asked, pointing at the book.
"But I have to return it tomorrow! It belongs to the guild!"
August raised his hand. A golden magic circle flared to life, and another identical book materialized in his palm. He passed it to Lyla without a word, turning to head back to his room.
"Grandpa," Lyla called softly, stopping him. "When are you leaving?"
"The day after tomorrow."
"Then… could you take me to Tenrou Island tomorrow?"
"What for? You can use teleportation magic, can't you?"
"I can, but it's too far. I want to see the First Master's tomb."
"…Alright," August replied simply, disappearing into his room.
Lyla stood in the quiet living room, clutching the book. Watching August's back as he closed the door, he could feel the change in the air, gentler, yet heavier.
The old man's heart was anything but calm.
Maybe he was sitting there right now, reading that book in silence.
In his own room, Lyla set the copied book carefully on his empty bookshelf. It stood alone for now, but he knew one day it would be filled.
His room was small but cozy:
a bed against the wall, a lamp beside it casting a warm glow, a desk near the window stacked with notebooks, a wardrobe neatly tucked beside a sofa, his little corner of peace.
He took out one of the magic tools he'd bought: a camera. With a grin, he summoned Tom and asked the cat to take a picture.
In the photo, Lyla looked young and bright, standing sideways, proudly showing off the Fairy Tail emblem on his right arm.
After dismissing Tom, he opened his diary, slipped the photo between the first pages, and began writing about his day, the guild, the people, the laughter.
Then he set the diary aside, picked up the book about the First Master, and read deep into the night.
When sleep finally came, Lyla's room fell silent.
In the next room, August sat by his window, gazing out at the moonlit river. The silver light spilled across his face.
On the table beside him lay the same book, now closed.
But his eyes remained open, filled with thoughts too deep, too old, and too heavy to rest.
<150 P.S = 1 Extra Chapter>