"Lord Arlen, you're finally back!"
By the lakeside in the eastern forest, Ultear's face lit up with a bright smile at the sight of Arlen after half a year. Erza and the others stopped training and quickly gathered around him.
"This mission took you a long time," Erza said. "That's not like you. Was it difficult?"
"Not really," Arlen replied casually. "Most of the time was spent traveling."
He exchanged a glance with Ur, who gave a small, knowing smile.
The matter of Irene was known only to Makarov and Ur—kept secret to avoid unnecessary trouble.
"Welcome back, Arlen," Kagura said softly, looking him over.
"You just came from the guild, right?" Ur continued. "About a month after you left, the Master brought back a boy."
"He uses Fire Dragon Slayer Magic. His name is Natsu Dragneel."
"They say he was raised by a dragon and has been searching for it. The Master happened to meet him and brought him back."
"He's… very lively."
"Oh, and get this," Cana added with a grin, "Natsu even challenged Ultear and Erza."
"And got completely beaten up."
"I've already met him," Arlen chuckled. "The moment I walked into the guild, he challenged me."
"…Let me guess," Cana smirked, "he got knocked out instantly?"
"Honestly, the guy's got guts," she continued. "Aside from Laxus, he's probably the only one who dared challenge you right away."
"By the way," Erza said, stepping forward, "Cana, Kagura, Ultear, and I are planning to take on a subjugation request."
"Now that you're back… want to come with us?"
Her eyes were full of anticipation.
"Sure," Arlen nodded. "But I don't need a share of the reward. You three can split it."
Truthfully—
He had rarely gone on proper missions with them before.
It had mostly been Ultear by his side.
So this time—
He didn't want to refuse.
"Then it's settled!" Erza said, hands on her hips, clearly pleased. "We'll go check the guild for a good request tomorrow."
"Before that…"
Arlen rolled his shoulders, bent down, and picked up a tree branch.
He gave it a casual swing.
"Let me see how much you've improved over the past six months."
The girls exchanged glances.
Their eyes sharpened with fighting spirit.
"Fine," Cana said confidently, pulling out her cards. "Don't go easy on us."
"…You can say that after you win," Arlen replied mercilessly.
He raised the branch and beckoned them.
"Come on."
"Hmph. Let's go!"
Erza and Kagura charged first, taking the front.
Ultear and Cana stayed behind, providing support.
In an instant—
The battlefield came alive.
Blades flashed.
Magic surged.
Cards flew.
Yet Arlen remained calm.
Effortlessly deflecting, parrying, and countering their coordinated assault.
Not a single step back.
Ur stood off to the side, arms crossed, watching with a gentle smile.
"Okay… I'm done… I'm done…"
Cana collapsed onto the grass, completely drained.
"You're ridiculous. The four of us together and you're still this relaxed…"
The spar lasted until sunset.
Erza and Kagura, as the main attackers, were the most exhausted—leaning on their weapons, barely able to speak.
Ultear lay on the grass.
Cana rested against a rock.
"Not bad," Arlen said with a satisfied nod. "You've all improved."
"And your coordination is much better."
There was almost a proud, parental tone in his voice.
Ur nearly laughed at the sight.
"Alright, that's enough for today," Ur clapped her hands. "Go clean up and rest."
"The weather's nice—and Arlen just got back."
"Let's have a barbecue tonight."
"Wait," Arlen asked on the way back, walking beside Ur, "where's the First Master? I didn't see her at the guild."
Ur sighed helplessly.
"She's gotten obsessed with travel journals and novels lately."
"She stays in the villa reading all day. Her room is practically overflowing with books now."
"…Then just give her another room," Arlen waved it off. "Make it a library."
Ur smiled.
"Of course you'd say that."
He had always been like this—
Generous.
Supportive.
No matter what they wanted to do, he backed them without hesitation.
And that—
Meant more than anything.
Night fell.
Under a sky full of stars, in the courtyard of a grand villa—
Ultear, Ur, and the others moved between grills, preparing food.
Meanwhile—
Arlen lounged comfortably like a king.
Beside him, Mavis sat swinging her legs, completely absorbed in a book titled Magic and the Wilderness, occasionally letting out soft, bell-like laughter.
"Lord Arlen, dinner's ready!"
Ultear called out, placing a tray onto the table filled with delicious food.
"Coming."
Arlen stood and walked over.
As for Mavis…
She could only watch.
A thought-form couldn't eat.
A truly tragic fate.
"Mm… this is amazing," Arlen said happily, biting into a skewer. "Ur, your cooking is as good as ever."
"Thanks for the hard work."
"Waaah… I want to eat too…"
Mavis had somehow drifted over, clutching her book, staring tearfully at the feast.
"…Nothing we can do," Arlen shrugged. "At least you can enjoy it with your eyes."
"So cruel…"
Mavis puffed up her cheeks, looking on the verge of tears.
That expression—
Was too much.
Ultear and the others burst into laughter.
After months together, they no longer saw her as the distant "First Master"—
But as a close companion.
A friend.
And in that warm, lively night—
Laughter echoed beneath the stars.
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