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CHAPTER START---
Standing in the humble captain's quarters of Fairy Tail's ship, Laxus and Master Makarov study a map of Tenroujima's tunnel systems, marked with a few special icons spread across the larger areas.
"So, what do you think?"
Laxus taps his chin for a moment. "I don't know, Gramps, doesn't this seem too easy?"
Makarov laughs and ruffles Laxus's hair. "The island will compensate for that. Tenroujima is always the final leg of the S-Class Trials, it's just that nobody has gotten that far since Gildarts. The animals and Magic Beasts there are large and powerful thanks to all the Ethernano in the air.
Actually, the atmosphere makes it somewhat hazardous for regular humans to visit there. Excessive Ethernano acts as poison for those who can't process it into Magic Energy. But that also makes the animals that can process it much stronger."
"But what if the Magic Beasts enter the tunnels here?" Laxus points to areas where a few chambers connect and merge. "They'll have to fight the creatures and each other."
Makarov shrugs. "That's what it takes to be S-Class. After that, they'll also have to do the final trial, it's meant to be hard."
"What's the final trial?" Laxus asks. "Do they have to fight a big monster?"
"No. They simply have a find a special location that's sacred to Fairy Tail, but it won't be that easy, even if they spread out."
"Really? That's it?"
"Mhm, that's all."
Laxus looks down at the map for a while, considering the people competing this year. "So, Oberon is going to win, right?"
"Probably, he is a bit weird compared to the others."
"So…when can I get to compete in the trials?"
"It's not quite so simple," Makarov says, turning around and walking out of the room.
Laxus falls into step behind him, walking out onto the main deck of their humble ship, enjoying the afternoon breeze. "Why not?"
Makarov walks to the railing and hops up to sit on the edge, patting the spot beside him. Laxus joins his grandfather in watching all the large ships sail out of Port Hargeon.
"I'm plenty strong. Probably as strong as Macao by now."
"Without using Dragon Slayer Magic?"
"..."
"Exactly my point," Makarov says. "You must be powerful enough to defend yourself from the evil people and things in this world, not just strong enough to complete an S-Class Job. But for Oberon, it'd be different. He is someone who can't tolerate being stifled on his journey to the top.
He's already so far ahead of the others that he'd get bored, and boredom for Wizards like him can lead to temptation. There are other factors as well, but this is the best way to keep him on the good side. When you're Guildmaster, these are the things you'll have to consider."
"When I'm Guildmaster," Laxus mutters thoughtfully. "Is that why I'm here, as practice?"
"And I wanted to spend more time with my precious Grandson. After all, I consider all of Fairy Tail my family, but you're my special Grandson."
Laxus leans against Makarov, and the man pulls him in for a small hug. "Part of why you're here is because of Oberon."
"Oberon?"
"Yes. He's beginning the next part of his journey, and I can see the bond between both of you is strong. You understand the differences between both of you, so I don't have to worry about jealousy and fighting, but I believe it's best for you two to continue growing together.
Gildarts says within the decade that boy will probably surpass him as the Ace, and when that happens, he already has his sights set on a few Jobs far away from Ishgar. But that got me thinking about the future, and I realized something.
Back when I was the Ace of Fairy Tail, Master Precht and I were as close as could be. That man practically raised me and guided me until he left and I became Guildmaster. And I was the same for Gildarts.
The connection between Guildmaster and Ace must be absolute. That is the only way to secure the future of Fairy Tail, and the absolute safety of its members. So now that Oberon has begun his real journey to surpassing Gildarts, I believe it's time for you to start the real Guildmaster training."
"Wow…that sounds like a lot."
"It is, but I know you can handle it." Makarov pulls the boy in closer as they gaze out at the horizon. "Because you're a Dreyar, you're my grandson, you can handle anything."
"Yeah, I'll make Fairy Tail the number one Guild in Fiore. No, I'll make us the best Guild on the continent, then the entire world!"
Makarov laughs and ruffles the boy's hair. "That's the spirit."
"And when I get promoted to S-Class, I'll go join dad and help him out with that Job!"
Makarov's laughter immediately stops, causing Laxus to cast a concerned look at him. "Grandpa?"
Makarov clears his throat and lowers his voice, taking a somber tone with the boy. "About Ivan, your father, Laxus…"
Laxus looks up at him with a sad expression, already one step from crying, recognizing the tone of his grandfather's voice as that of bad news. And the sight breaks Makarov's heart all over again.
'I can't tell him, not yet,' Makarov thinks as he sighs. "Ivan didn't take on a simple S-Class Job."
"What do you mean?"
"He took on a super secret S-Class Job," Makarov lied.
"Really?!"
"Yes," Makarov looks around, then lowers his voice to a whisper. "Fairy Tail took on one of those 100-year quests I told you about, because Ivan's Magic was perfect for it."
"Wow, I thought even Gildarts doesn't go on those."
"Gildarts is still stronger, but sometimes there are Jobs that require specialized Magic, and your father happened to be perfect for this one."
"That's awesome!"
"Shhh!" Makarov looks around, as if truly protecting the secrecy of a 100-year quest.
"Sorry grandpa, I just got excited."
"I know, I know. But you do know that being S-Class doesn't clear you for this type of Job, right?"
"Oh…right. So even after becoming S-Class, I won't be able to go help dad for a while." Laxus thinks about it for a moment, then gets a great idea. "What if I go with Oberon. The two of us should be enough by then, right?"
"Unfortunately, it's not up to me. The client was very secretive, so it's really a matter of how many people they're willing to trust with their secrets. But Ivan knew the risks this Job came with, and that he'd be gone for a very long time. It's just that he believed this was something he had to do."
Laxus smiles. "I'm sure dad had his reasons. He wouldn't leave me for years if it wasn't to save a country from a giant monster or something."
Laxus looks out at the water and spots a pod of dolphins swimming through the bay, leaping out of the water as they go. He excitedly points to them, cheering them on. But Makarov can only look at his innocent and kind grandson, and the scar his father left on his face due to that heinous act.
'Ivan, this Laxus deserves a good father, but right now, you don't deserve to even be in the same city as him, so please, change your ways. Otherwise, you'll never see him again, and I don't know what I'd do if you tried to drag him into any more experiments like that. Then I won't stop Gildarts from doing what he initially wanted to do to you…'
"Did you take your medicine?" Makarov asks.
"Yeah, but it's not working. I already feel sick, and we haven't left the dock yet. How long is this ride anyway?"
"Considering the clear skies we have, shouldn't take us more than a day to reach Tenroujima. But around the island there are no winds or currents, so once we get there, it'll be a steadier ride."
"That really doesn't help me. I get sick no matter what."
"Such a weird trait for Dragon Slayers. Maybe I can learn something about it from God Serena, if I ever see him again."
As they're talking, Laxus hears footsteps behind them, and turns around to see Oberon landing on the deck. "I'm guessing nobody else is here yet."
"Well, considering how they can't fly, no," Makarov says. "There are bunks below deck if you want to rest. There won't be any more instructions until we're close to the island."
"Perfect," Oberon turns and walks over to the door, ready to explore the ship, then sleep. "Wake me up if the next test is starting…"
CHAPTER END---
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pat.reon: Keanu_Eugene [Read ahead & support me]
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