AN: This is a very long chapter, and I mean very long. I should have split it into at least 4 chapters, but I don't know what happened, so here we are.
My brain really hurts sooooo.... yeah, enjoy
For some unknown reason, I lost this draft 4 times because the Inkstone (where I write and upload the novel) had issues when I tried to save it; for some reason, it didn't work.
It went from 10,000words to 8,000, and I lost a lot because of this.
Then, after I saved some of it just in time, I was thankful that I had done so, as one of the fuses in the house had decided to die, resulting in a complete shutdown. Now, I am at 6,000 words.
(╥﹏╥)
Yours truly is exhausted about this ordeal.
———————————————————————————
The jungle clearing lay in ruins. Trees were splintered, the ground torn apart by magic, and the air still smelled faintly of ozone and smoke. A heavy silence followed, the kind that came only after something unbelievable.
At the center of it all, Lucky stood casually, brushing dust off his sleeves like nothing had happened.
On the ground before him, Laxus lay sprawled, his body twitching slightly, his clothes somewhat torn, his pride bruised far worse than his skin. He had expected a clash of titans, a battle of equals that would shake the island. Instead, he had been buried under an avalanche of clones and tripped up by glowing words that rewrote reality.
The guild back in Magnolia was stunned into silence. For once, not a single cheer or jeer rang out. The magical projection hovered over the ruined clearing, showing every detail of the aftermath to the crowded guild hall. Tankards hung halfway to lips. Bets sat forgotten on the tables. Even Natsu, who had been ranting only moments ago about wanting to punch Laxus himself, stared slack-jawed.
It was Erza who finally moved. She crossed the battlefield, her armor clinking softly, and stopped beside Lucky. Her eyes swept over the devastation, then lingered on Laxus. There was no gloating in her gaze, only a quiet acknowledgment of what had just occurred.
"You didn't hold back," she said at last, her voice even.
Lucky shrugged, sipping again. "I didn't even need to."
His clones erupted behind him, cheering like a crowd of rowdy fans at a sports match.
A clone tossed confetti made of shredded betting slips into the air, yelling, "Boss for S-Class!"
The guild hall projection showed the same antics, and finally, a wave of laughter broke through the silence back in Magnolia.
In front of the other contestants.
"Lucky is powerful now!" Gray snorted.
"Pfft, dogpile, seriously?" Wakaba wheezed.
Natsu slammed the table. "I WANNA BEAT LAXUS TOO!"
Cana, still recovering from her own duel, whistled low from where she leaned against a tree. "Well… guess I don't feel too bad losing now." Her smirk was tired but genuine. Looking at her hands, where she cast Crush magic, "That was savage."
Even Makarov's projection had pinched the bridge of his nose during the fight, muttering about what his guild had become, and wanting to retire, but now, the old master's eyes softened as he looked across the battlefield. His voice finally rang out again, breaking the last threads of silence.
"Enough, you brats."
The clones froze mid-celebration, sheepishly saluting. Lucky straightened his body, and Erza also straightened, her hand resting lightly on her sword. Even Laxus stirred, groaning as he pushed himself weakly up to his knees, golden eyes burning with frustration.
Makarov's figure shimmered, and then, instead of a projection, the real master stepped into the clearing. His short form was small compared to the destruction around him, but his presence pressed down heavier than all the magic that had just been unleashed.
The guild hall back in Magnolia erupted in shouts at his sudden appearance, but Makarov ignored the projection. His focus was entirely on the battlefield.
He walked slowly, staff tapping against the scarred earth. First, he stopped in front of Laxus.
"…You fought well, Laxus," Makarov said, his voice quiet but firm and slightly soft. "But strength is more than power. Remember that, Laxus. It's heart. Compassion. Pride that doesn't consume you."
Laxus's jaw clenched. He wanted to argue, to snarl back, but the words stuck in his throat. He lowered his gaze, fists tightening against the dirt after all, in this fight, he couldn't fight back at all.
Makarov turned next to Cana. The girl straightened nervously, cards still scattered around her feet. For a moment, she expected a scolding for unleashing Crush Magic beyond her limits. Instead, the master's lips curved into a small smile and gently ruffled her hair.
"You've shown me your courage," he said warmly. "And your father would be proud. Don't ever doubt your place in this guild, Cana. You've proven it."
Her eyes widened, and for once, she didn't have a witty comeback. She just smiled faintly, clutching her deck with trembling hands.
But Makarov switched his tone quickly and punched her on her head.
"OWW!... Why?"
Makarov then looked sternly at her with the most seriousness. "Cana, this was a trial within the guild, not a desperate fight where you stake your life on the line, so don't endanger yourself like this again."
Then, Makarov looked toward Erza. She met his gaze squarely, no fear, no hesitation.
"You've always carried yourself like one far older than your years," he said. "But today you reminded us all why discipline and resolve matter. Well done, Erza."
She bowed her head slightly. "Thank you, Master."
And finally, his gaze settled on Lucky.
The clones straightened instinctively, saluting with over-the-top seriousness. Lucky himself raised his chest as if he were asking for praise.
"Lucky," Makarov said, his voice shifting into something deeper, heavier. "Come with me."
The clearing stirred. Erza blinked, Cana tilted her head, and even Laxus looked up in surprise. Lucky nodded and followed.
Without another word, Makarov turned and began walking into the jungle. His staff tapped softly against the roots and stones, his small frame swallowed by the towering trees.
Lucky followed after him, hands in his pockets, a few curious clones trailing before Makarov waved them away with a stern look. "Not this time. This place is not for you."
After all, even Makarov can tell these clones are different from the Thought Projection magic and from his interaction with the clones in the guild; it seemed all of them had different personalities altogether, so in a sense, they were Lucky, but they weren't Lucky.
The clones grumbled, but obeyed, some fading into smoke one by one, and others just went back where they came from.
Lucky glanced over his shoulder once, seeing Erza, Cana, and Laxus still in the clearing, each lost in their own thoughts. The guild's projection flickered above, showing Magnolia's rowdy chaos, but here in the jungle, silence swallowed everything.
He jogged a little to catch up with Makarov. "Oi, Master… where are we going?"
Makarov didn't answer. He just kept walking, his expression unreadable, eyes fixed on some distant memory.
Lucky sighed, scratching the back of his neck. "…You're not gonna tell me, huh?"
The only response was the soft tap of the staff against stone and earth as Makarov kept walking.
The further they walked, the heavier the air seemed to become. The jungle sounds faded the chirps of birds, the rustle of leaves, and even the distant crash of waves. All of it muted, replaced by a strange hum in the air. The ethernano here was thick, wrapping around them like a veil.
Lucky frowned slightly, feeling the difference in his skin, in his magic. "…This place feels… weird."
Makarov's lips curved faintly. "Good. You can feel it too."
They continued deeper, the trees growing taller, their roots twisted like ancient guardians. Lucky shoved his hands deeper into his coat pockets, resisting the urge to summon a clone just to fill the silence.
———————————————————————————
The further they went, the quieter the jungle became. It wasn't silence born of emptiness; it was reverence, like even the birds and insects dared not disturb this part of the island. The air thickened with ethernano until every breath hummed faintly in Lucky's lungs.
He slowed his steps once, stretching out a hand. Threads of golden light shimmered faintly between his fingers, almost like the air itself wanted to be touched. "…the Magic here is... a Bit too much," he muttered.
"Yes," Makarov confirmed gently, never pausing his steady walk. His short figure moved between roots taller than his own body.
Lucky, curiosity biting at him. He shoved his hands deeper into his pockets while humming, then asked. "…And you still aren't going to tell me where we're going?"
Makarov didn't answer.
Typical.
The path wound uphill, roots twisting like veins across the slope. At one point, the canopy broke, and Lucky caught sight of the sea glittering in the far distance. But here, inside the jungle, the light seemed filtered, soft and golden, almost holy.
Lucky thought about cracking a joke, maybe summoning a clone to play guide or scout, but something about the air kept him still. For once, he felt it wasn't the place. His steps fell quieter, his usually relaxed grin fading as the atmosphere pressed deeper on him.
Eventually, the trees thinned.
They stepped into a clearing unlike any other. The ground was stone instead of soil, smoothed by time and carved faintly with runes worn nearly invisible. At the center stood a massive grave, no, a monument.
The structure was simple but overwhelming: a slab of white stone nearly 4 Lucky's height (Lucky still a kid), etched with glowing characters that pulsed faintly with magic. Flowers, fresh despite the centuries, grew at its base, their petals shimmering faintly as though infused with ethernano.
Lucky stopped dead in his tracks. Even though he knew where this was, he had to ask, and His usual calm broke into genuine awe. "…What is this place?"
Makarov finally halted. He turned slowly, his gaze fixed on the monument, and for the first time since the fight, a faint smile touched his lips.
"This," he said softly, "is the grave of our first master. Mavis Vermillion."
Lucky's brows shot up. Showing a surprised and shocked expression. "The First Guild Master?"
'I should get an ocsacr for this or at least unlock an Acting skill, right?'
Makarov nodded, his voice filled with both reverence and warmth. "A genius unlike any other. She built Fairy Tail from nothing, my... our home, our family. She gave us not just magic, but a place to belong. And…" His eyes softened further, and the smile deepened. "…She was also the one who gave me my name."
Lucky blinked. "Wait... she named you?"
'I am expecting an Oscar after this. Who can give it to me?' Lucky Thought with pride about his mediocre acting skill.
The old man chuckled. "Indeed. I was just a baby then, the first Master was requested to name me the newborn child by my family, and she decided to name him "Makarov," after a prince she once read about. Every time someone speaks my name, it feels as though she's still here, guiding me."
Lucky scratched the back of his head, gaze shifting back to the glowing monument. For the first time in a long while, he felt something stir in his chest, respect, after all, as the First guild master, it must have been the hardest time to create and build a guild such as Fairy Tail, after all, it is easier to destroy than to create, so this was Lucky's genuine feeling, that was respect for her.
Makarov turned from the grave at last, his sharp eyes locking onto Lucky. The weight of his presence seemed to double, as he was releasing a huge magic pressure despite his small body.
"And that," Makarov said firmly, "is why I brought you here. Before her grave, no pretense, no showmanship, only truth."
Lucky straightened instinctively, sensing the seriousness. He rarely felt unsettled, but here, before this monument, with the master's voice so heavy, he couldn't even think of a joke.
"Truth?" Lucky repeated quietly.
Makarov tapped his staff against the stone floor once. The sound echoed strangely, as though the jungle itself was listening.
"The truth of Fairy Tail's future," he said.
Lucky's eyes narrowed slightly, curiosity burning hotter now. He opened his mouth to question, but the master raised a hand, silencing him.
"Not yet," Makarov murmured, gaze drifting back to the monument. "First, you will stand before her grave. Then, you will hear my words."
Lucky exhaled, lips twitching faintly. "…You sure like your drama, old man."
But there was no mockery in his tone. He stepped forward slowly until he stood just in front of the monument.
And Lucky felt the weight of Fairy Tail not as a rowdy guild, not as a collection of bets and brawls, but something warm, A family or
"Hope"
———————————————————————————
The silence of the clearing pressed down like a heavy blanket.
Lucky stood before the white stone grave, his usually easy smile fading into something quieter. Behind him, Makarov planted his staff firmly into the earth. His small form seemed to expand in the golden light, authority radiating from him like a tide.
For a long moment, neither spoke. The air itself seemed to demand reverence.
Then Makarov's voice broke the quiet.
"Fairy Tail," he began softly, "was never meant to be the strongest guild. It was never meant to be the richest. Our First Master didn't build it for glory or conquest." He stepped forward, his eyes fixed on the monument. "She built it for one reason: family. A place where no one would be alone. Where the broken and the lost could find their way again."
Lucky's chest tightened. Family. The word dug into him deeper than he expected.
Makarov turned, his eyes sharp now. "But don't mistake that kindness for weakness. To protect that family, you must have strength. Strength not for yourself, but for everyone else. To stand tall when others fall. To fight when others cannot. That… is what it means to be Fairy Tail's pride."
He raised his staff, tapping it once against the stone floor. The sound reverberated strangely, like the jungle itself carried it away.
"And that," Makarov said, "is what it means to be S-Class."
(AN: I never really saw how a normal S-class test ends, so I decided to do some improvisation)
Lucky swallowed, his throat suddenly dry. He didn't smirk. His clones weren't around to make noise. It was just him. He, the master, and the grave of the First.
Makarov studied him for a long time. Then, slowly, his lips curled into a faint smile.
"Lucky," he said, his voice carrying both weight and warmth, "in front of the First Master's grave, I appoint you as Fairy Tail's newest S-Class Wizard."
The words slammed into Lucky harder than any fist.
For a heartbeat, his brain refused to process it. His heart thudded in his chest. All those missions, all the training, the endless nights with clones scattered around him, the fights, the portals, the experiments, the taunts, the victories, it all condensed into this one moment.
His mouth opened, but words failed him.
Makarov chuckled softly. "What? No witty remark? No banner suddenly popping out from a clone?"
Lucky blinked, then laughed once, soft, shaky, but genuine. "I… guess I'm out of practice." He scratched his head, looking down at his shoes. "…Thank you, Master."
Makarov nodded. His smile deepened, pride shining in his eyes.
"Well done, Kid."
'When you grow, Kid, it is time for me to retire, hahahahah!!!' Makarov had a hopeful smile for his retirement plan for the future
But before Lucky could say more, something flickered at the corner of his vision.
He froze.
By the monument, where the light pooled brightest, a small figure stood. Bare feet on the stone, a simple white dress that shimmered faintly in the glow. Long, flowing blonde hair framed a face that seemed too young to belong in this place, but her eyes… were bright. They sparkled like emeralds, bright and mischievous, and yet heavy with wisdom.
A girl. No, a ghost.
Lucky's breath caught. "…What the...?"
He blinked hard, but the figure didn't vanish. She stood there, smiling faintly, muttering something.
Makarov noticed Lucky's reaction instantly. "What is it?"
Lucky's mouth worked uselessly for a moment before he muttered, "…I think I'm seeing things."
Lucky's bow twitched as he himself was confused about what the First Master was doing here.
Makarov frowned. "Seeing… things?"
Lucky pointed toward the monument. "There's… a girl here."
Makarov turned sharply, eyes darting left and right, scanning the clearing. His expression hardened. "There's no one here but us, boy."
Lucky's stomach flipped. For once, doubt gnawed at him. But decided to fool Makarov for now "…Am I going crazy from all this? Too much mana use? Or maybe I am too excited… hahaha"
Before he could finish, the girl tilted her head. Her lips parted, and her voice, soft, melodic, and slightly teasing, drifted through the air.
"I just came to check the New S class Mage, but I am really, really surprised. You can actually see me?"
Lucky is now confirmed without a doubt who that was.
His eyes snapped to her, talking, but he decided to act dumb after all, he never saw Mavis Image but from the anime/Manga. "Hello, Miss Ghost, I didn't know ghosts could... You know.. Talk"
Her grin widened, bright and mischievous. "Of course I can talk. But no one's answered me in a very, very long time." She twirled once, her dress flowing, then pointed a finger at him like a child catching a secret. "To be able to see me in my state, it must mean you are or have something special."
Lucky's heart pounded. "ok, thank you?"
Makarov's brows furrowed. He followed Lucky's gaze again, but saw nothing. His lips pressed into a thin line. "…Are you telling me you're talking to someone right now?"
Lucky glanced at him, then back at the girl. "…Yes?"
Makarov muttered under his breath. "He's gone mad. Too much excitement. This is what happens when you drink too much juice and play with magic… I told him to stop." And with this, Makarov's Retirement Plan for the future has collapsed
"Hey!" Lucky snapped, annoyed, then looked back at the girl. "You're not a hallucination, right?"
She giggled softly, her voice carrying a faint echo, like wind chimes. "Hallucinations don't giggle."
Lucky rubbed his temples. "Great. I'm arguing with a ghost."
"Not a ghost," the girl said, her expression turning proud. She placed a hand on her chest, straightening. And nose pointing towards the sky as if asking to praise her "Mavis Vermillion. First Master of Fairy Tail."
Lucky tried to act as surprised as possible
With all of his Act ability in use.
The air left Lucky's lungs.
He stumbled a step back, eyes darting to the monument, then to her. "Wait… you're the.... ?! Really?"
She was proud as she smirked. "Why does everyone always act so surprised? Yes, I'm Mavis. Yes, I'm dead. Yes, I can appear outside to take a stroll, but only faintly. And no one's supposed to be able to see me. Not even Makarov."
Lucky froze. "…Not even him?"
Mavis nodded, her eyes twinkling. "Not even him."
Now, Lucky was truly confused after all. If anyone is qualified to see the first guild master, then without a doubt, it is Makarov.
Feeling stumped about why he can see her, he thought of only three reasons.
1 telekinesis from Intermediate Physical Body Training Technique
2 Mana Quality
3 Mana Perception
From all three, the first and third ones seemed more important, as the main reason after all, Mana perception makes me see all around me using mana.
But telekinesis seems to be the actual reason, after all, this was in a way a different power system from Ethernano, so maybe it bypassed this so he can see Mavis.
(AN: I feel she was still there, even if weak, out of the Lacrima after all, how would she give Cana Fairy Glitter, so maybe she was out, but weak, that is my reason )
Makarov's gaze snapped to Lucky. As he tried to play along with him, "What is she saying?"
Lucky opened his mouth, then shut it. He rubbed his forehead, torn between laughing and screaming. "…She says she's Mavis. The First Master. And it seems for some reason I'm the only one who can see her."
Makarov stared at him for a long moment. Then sighed. "You have gone crazy. You need to meet Porlyusica after this."
Lucky kips twitched because how could anyone believe that the ghost they were talking about was not visible to someone with the level of the 10 wizard saint, and there is no feeling at all.
Mavis leaned closer to Lucky, whispering like they were sharing a secret. "Don't worry. You're not crazy." Her smile turned bright, childlike excitement spilling across her face. "And I'm so glad. Do you know how boring it is not being able to talk to anyone for years?!"
Lucky blinked, caught completely off guard by her sudden outburst. "…You're… happy about this?"
"Of course!" she chirped, bouncing on her toes. "Do you know how long it's been since anyone looked at me when I spoke? You're my new favorite wizard."
Lucky scratched the back of his neck, whispering this time. "…Glad to help."
Lucky glanced at Makarov, then back at Mavis, who was now circling him like an excited child inspecting a new toy. Her emerald eyes sparkled with delight.
"I can work with this," she said. "Oh yes. This is going to be fun."
Lucky had no idea whether to be terrified or honored.
But deep inside, one thing was clear: whatever this meant, his journey in Fairy Tail had just taken a turn no one else could follow.
And Mavis, smiling brighter than ever, looked like she couldn't wait to begin.
———————————————————————————
Lucky's head was spinning. He had just been named an S-Class wizard, and now the ghost no, spirit of Fairy Tail's legendary founder was circling him like a curious hawk.
Mavis clasped her hands behind her back, leaning forward to peer at his face. Her emerald eyes sparkled, sharp with intelligence yet childlike in their mischief.
"I am truly happy someone can really see me," she whispered, her tone bubbling with excitement. "Not sense me, not feel me... actually see me!" She twirled once in delight, her blonde hair flowing in golden arcs.
Lucky rubbed his temples. "Yes. For the tenth time, yes. I can see you."
Makarov, standing nearby with his staff planted firmly in the dirt, raised a brow. "Who are you talking to, boy?"
Lucky opened his mouth, then shut it. He glanced at Mavis, still smiling like she'd won the lottery, and then back at Makarov.
"…No, on.. I was talking to my clones," Lucky muttered.
"Ha! I am old, but not this Old you can't fool me this easily, Lucky." Makarov slammed his staff against the earth, puffing out his chest triumphantly. "Just as I thought. The strain of the trial cracked your brain. Happens to the best of us."
"I am not crazy!" Lucky snapped.
"You're talking to trees!" Makarov retorted.
"I'm talking to the First Master!" Lucky shouted back before he could stop himself.
The silence that followed was deafening. Even the jungle seemed to pause.
Makarov's eyes narrowed slowly. "…Excuse me?"
Lucky groaned, dragging a hand down his face. "I said I'm talking to the First Master."
Makarov's jaw worked, torn between anger and disbelief. "Boy… even I cannot see her." He gestured to the grave, his tone heavy.
"She's right there!" Lucky pointed furiously at Mavis, who waved cheerfully at Makarov, wiggling her fingers. "White dress, golden hair, green eyes, smiling like she knows something about me that I don't."
Makarov turned his head sharply, then back to Lucky. "You're describing the paintings. From my office."
Lucky sighed and looked at Mavis again. "Do you want to tell him, or should I?"
Mavis put her hands on her hips, her pout adorable yet imperious. "He can't hear me. Not unless I choose to project my voice. And even then, it's faint."
Lucky blinked. "…Wait. Can you project your voice?"
Her grin turned sly. "Of course. Watch."
She puffed her chest, raised her hand dramatically, and shouted to the best of her ability: "Makarooooov!"
The sound was faint, like a whisper carried on the wind. Makarov blinked, frowning. His eyes darted around. "…What in the blazes was that?"
Lucky grinned despite himself. "See? That's her."
Mavis clapped her hands, bouncing in place. "Ohhh, this is fun! It worked!"
Makarov stiffened. "That… that was…" He looked at the grave, his lips trembling. For a second, his tough façade cracked. "First Master?" His voice was barely a whisper, full of hope.
No answer came. Mavis leaned toward Lucky and whispered, "Nope. Still just you. Even Makarov can't see me."
Lucky groaned. "Thanks. That helps a lot."
Makarov dragged a hand down his face. "…You're either the luckiest brat alive, or I am unlucky for not being able to see."
Lucky shrugged helplessly. "Why not both?"
The two of them shared a conspiratorial glance, which only made Makarov's eyebrow twitch harder.
"Enough of this nonsense!" he barked. "We have serious matters to discuss, and you're chatting with invisible girls like a lunatic."
Lucky smirked. "Invisible to you. Not to me."
"Same thing!" Makarov snapped.
Mavis burst out laughing, her voice like silver bells. She spun in the air, floating lazily around Lucky like a firefly. "This is wonderful! Finally, someone can talk to me! Do you know how long it's been since anyone responded?"
Lucky winced at her volume. "Yeah, I figured. You don't seem like the quiet type."
She beamed at him. "Correct! I'm not. And you..." she jabbed a finger at his chest..." are going to keep me company."
"…What?"
"You heard me. From now on, whenever you're alone, I'll be there. Talking. Asking questions. Pestering you. Constantly."
Lucky blinked. "…That sounds like torture."
Mavis gasped dramatically, pressing a hand to her chest. "Torture? To converse with the genius tactician and founder of Fairy Tail? How dare you, sir!"
Lucky pinched the bridge of his nose. "Great. I'm haunted by a chatty founder."
Makarov crossed his arms, glaring. "Haunted by what now?"
"Nothing!" Lucky barked.
Mavis clapped her hands together. "This is going to be so much fun! I can finally comment on guild brawls again! And missions! And fashion choices! Ooooh, I can even help you with strategies! My brain is full of them, you know."
Lucky muttered under his breath, "Why me…"
"Because you're different, really different!" Mavis chimed, twirling again. "I don't know how, but you are. Something about your magic, maybe. Or the way your mind works. I saw you use multiple magic, such as Telekinetic… portal… a more powerful variant of solid script magic … and that unreasonable amount of clones in ways no one else does.
Makarov groaned.
"He's arguing with himself now. This is worse than Natsu."
Lucky decided not to answer.
Makarov groaned louder, clutching his forehead. "…I miss the days when my biggest problem was Natsu burning the curtains."
'I really feel sorry for Master Makarov after all, now it is a domestic fire in the guild. After a while, Natsu and the rest will cause more damage than all the guilds in Fiora combined.
Lucky snorted. "Hang in there, old man."
Which prompted Makarov to give him a side look, but he didn't reply.
———————————————————————————
The jungle clearing was still and quiet, but in Lucky's head it was anything but.
Mavis hadn't stopped talking. She floated upside down now, blonde hair dangling like a curtain as she pointed at random details in the forest.
"See that tree? It's been absorbing ethernano for five hundred years! Its roots are practically alive. That moss? Don't touch it, it makes your hands itch for days. Oh, and that rock? Fun fact: that's not a rock. It's a dormant earth spirit."
Lucky rubbed his temples, muttering, "So this is my life now."
"Yup!" Mavis chirped, spinning upright in midair. "Congratulations. You've been chosen."
"Chosen for what? Headaches?"
"For greatness, obviously!" she said with such earnest confidence that he blinked.
Makarov sighed heavily nearby, leaning against his staff. He had long since given up trying to follow the "conversation." From his perspective, Lucky was just arguing with the wind. But Makarov is not unaware of what is going on; after all, he can see that Lucky was truly talking to something or someone.
Lucky ignored Makarov's questionable look, narrowing his eyes at Mavis. "So am I now your new communication device or something?"
Mavis laughed so hard she doubled over in midair, invisible to all but Lucky. "Oh, I like this. You're like a bridge between me and the world. I can talk, I can whisper, but no one ever sees me. Not until now."
Her voice softened, though the excitement in her eyes remained. "Do you know what that means, Lucky? It means you and I are going to uncover things together. Secrets even the Master doesn't know. Truths buried so deep even Fairy Tail itself forgot them."
Lucky stiffened. "Like what?"
Of course, Lucky knew a lot of Secrets about Fairy Tail, but to show or give the dead gin us spirit some vanity, he decided to act.
She drifted down, settling just above the ground near the great grave. Her fingers brushed the stone, though they passed through it like mist. "Like, why is this grave more than a memorial. Why Tenrou breathes with magic. Why Fairy Tail survived wars and curses when every other guild crumbled. There's more here than anyone realizes."
Lucky's eyes narrowed. "And you're going to tell me, I assume?"
Mavis looked over her shoulder with a mischievous grin. "Maybe. If you behave."
He groaned. "So I'm blackmailed by a ghost now."
"Spirit!" she corrected firmly, wagging a finger at him. "Ghosts are gloomy."
Makarov finally pushed off his staff, sighing. "Alright, enough wasting time. Lucky, you're officially Fairy Tail's new S-Class wizard. Cana, Erza, Laxus… they'll walk their own paths. But you..." his eyes narrowed with rare seriousness..." you carry something heavier. I can't name it yet, but the First trusted me to choose wisely. And today, I did."
Lucky inclined his head. "Thank you, Master."
"Don't thank me," Makarov said, turning toward the jungle's deeper shadows. "Thank the guild members who helped you, and thank your own efforts for what you achieved till today. And with every step you take, you carry our name. Don't disgrace it."
Lucky opened his mouth to reply, but Mavis cut in, floating just over his shoulder. "Don't worry, I'll make sure he doesn't!"
Lucky muttered, "You mean you'll nag me until I don't?"
"Same thing!"
Makarov eyed him suspiciously. "Still talking to yourself?"
Lucky smirked faintly. "Still doubting me?"
"Tch." Makarov turned away with a harrumph, though his lips twitched as if he were hiding a smile.
As they walked, Mavis hovered at Lucky's side, peppering him with endless questions.
"So, how does your scripting magic work exactly? Is it instant thought-to-reality, or do you rely on pre-formed constructs? Oh! And your clones are they pure mana projections or actual semi-sentient fragments of your soul? Do they remember things after dispersing? Can they argue with you? Do they annoy you? Please tell me they annoy you."
Lucky pinched the bridge of his nose. "Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. And yes. They drive me insane."
Mavis clapped her hands. "Perfect! That means you're halfway to being a proper Fairy Tail wizard."
Lucky side-eyed her. "Nagged by everyone?"
She winked. "Exactly!"
Lucky just sighed, though a small smile tugged at his lips despite himself.
"Lucky if you are truly speaking to First Master," Makarov murmured quietly. His hand trembled slightly as he leaned on his staff. "I have become the third Guild master…And I tried to do everything I could to be worthy of it."
Lucky swallowed, feeling the weight of the moment press into his chest.
Mavis drifted closer to him, her eyes shimmering with pride and sadness all at once. She whispered softly, her voice only for him: "Tell him I said he did more than enough. Tell him… I'm proud."
Lucky hesitated, then spoke aloud. "…She says she's proud of you, Master."
Makarov froze. His eyes widened. Slowly, very slowly, his gaze lifted toward Lucky. "…What did you just say?"
Lucky held his ground. "She said… she's proud of you. That you did more than enough."
Makarov's lips trembled. For a brief, fragile second, the old man's eyes shone with tears. He looked away quickly, grumbling, "Bah. Stop making things up, boy…" but his voice cracked faintly.
Lucky glanced at Mavis, who floated with mist in her own eyes, smiling so brightly with a proud smile.
For the first time, Lucky realized: maybe he hadn't been cursed with Mavis's presence. Maybe… it was a gift.
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"Anyway! Enough gloomy stuff. I want to see your clones again!"
Lucky almost choked on his own breath. "WHAT?!"
"They were funny!" she giggled, spinning in midair. "The way they beat Makarov's grandson... brilliant! You should've seen his face when he punched himself. I laughed so hard I nearly fell out of the spirit realm!"
Lucky pinched the bridge of his nose. "…You're supposed to be our first master, a symbol of wisdom and guidance. Why do you sound like a child at a puppet show?"
"Because wisdom doesn't mean boring!" she shot back, crossing her arms with a pout.
Behind them, Makarov glanced over, his bushy brows knitting. "Boy, if you've truly gone mad, you're still my S-Class wizard. Try not to embarrass the guild too badly."
Lucky sighed. "Okkkk."
Mavis zipped closer again, tugging at his sleeve, though her fingers passed through. "But really, Lucky. You're different. You see me. That means something. It's not just a fluke of your magic, it's a sign. You're going to be dragged into things even Fairy Tail isn't ready for."
"Dragged?" he echoed. "By who?"
Her grin turned sly, almost mischievous. "You'll see."
Lucky stared at her for a long moment. Then, quietly, he muttered, "…Great. First, I had to deal with motion-sick dragon slayers and gambling drunks. Now I've got a hyperactive ghost assigning me homework."
'Anyway, I decided to beat a Crazy dragon slayer, it shouldn't be an issue to deal with the one who caused most issues in the Fairy Tail world, "Ankhseram."'
Mavis burst out laughing, her voice echoing like a bell through the jungle. "You'll thank me later, Lucky. Trust me. You'll need me more than you realize."
Lucky's clones back at Magnolia must've felt something because at that exact moment, Clone #5 scribbled across their chalkboard in big letters:
"Boss is in Trouble. Again."
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Lucky blinked. "…You had clones?"
She puffed out her cheeks, crossing her arms. "Illusion clones. They didn't last. But they bickered worse than guildmates at a tavern. Yours, listen to you. Mostly."
"Mostly," Lucky repeated flatly. His mind flashed back to Clone #12's "basement tavern" incident and Clone #45 hogging the bathroom for "personal reflection."
Mavis giggled again. "See? Even you admit it. You're not the most stable leader."
Lucky set his juice down and stood, brushing dust from his coat. "Maybe not. But stable leaders are boring. And Fairy Tail doesn't do boring."
Mavis's grin widened. She clasped her hands behind her back and began to hum, circling him like a curious sprite. "You really are fun, Lucky. Maybe… just maybe… you'll be the one who finally makes things different."
Lucky raised an eyebrow. "Different how?"
Her smile turned secretive. "You'll see. Just don't die too soon."
And with that, she twirled once and faded, her form dissolving into motes of golden light that drifted back into the jungle's air.
Lucky exhaled slowly. "…Great. Now I've got a ghost with high expectations."
Behind him, Makarov clapped a heavy hand on his shoulder. "Talking to rocks, cursing at the wind, drinking juice like it's ale… aye, you'll fit right in with this guild's history."
Lucky almost smiled. "…Guess so."
But deep down, he knew this was only the beginning.
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AN: I tried to upload this like 3 days ago, but because of a draft issue, it was delayed.
Also, I just want to make it clear that I don't know when to upload or how regularly, but I will not drop it