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CHAPTER START---
On the rooftop deck of one of the many monastery buildings, Jura and Wizard Saint Aven are sitting at a wooden picnic table, enjoying their dinner and tea. The star's lights are dim all around the compound, allowing the clear night sky to be seen from anywhere within the walls.
A tapestry of stories and myths litters across the night sky that they've always appreciated. The cold mountaintop air is kept at bay by the Wind Barrier Enchantment made by Makarov Dreyar, allowing the men to enjoy their dinner without freezing in the cold.
And as always, there is a Majong board in front of them, continuing their constant pastime of playing against each other.
"Enca," Aven says. "That's supposedly where it is."
"More than half a continent away. We could take the cross continental sleeper train through Stella, Joya, and Desierto, then we'd just take a ship to Enca."
"We?"
Jura glances up at the man before taking his turn. "You don't want me with you?"
"I'd never refuse your company on a task such as this. But you're a Guild Wizard now, you can't just abandon Lamia Scale at the drop of a hat." They continue playing.
"I thought you sent me there because Master Ooba would be understanding of my responsibilities."
"And if I needed you here but she refused? What then?"
"I am a monk of this archive, first and foremost, always."
"No need to be dramatic, I already contacted her. You've been hired out for the Job, and any future task the archive will need."
"Hm, you had me worried for nothing. When do we leave? Those tablets are dangerous, we should get it immediately."
"In a few days, but first we'll be making a small detour."
"Can we afford to delay?"
"I can for a friend. Wizard Saint King Osian needs something, I can't ignore him. Besides, our people in Enca have it secured, we're merely going to assist in transporting it."
"So we're going to the Fex Kingdom, that's quite the detour. But I suppose it can't be helped."
"Osian has always been too kind hearted, I fear that may have gotten him into trouble yet again. But depending on that he needs, I may not be of any use. And I'm hesitant to send you into a situation his sword and flames can't resolve."
"His son is also quite powerful."
"Rixian is just like his father, if only he'd inherited that purehearted Magic of his."
They sit in silence for a few minutes as Jura contemplates his next move, making a simple mistake which Aven capitalizes on.
"You're distracted," he says to Jura.
"Wizard Saints," Jura mutters. "I feel as though those words have been around me now more than ever. And now I'm close to inheriting that title from you."
"This is nothing new to you."
"But now that it's so close, I'm unsure."
"Good. If you were sure I wouldn't have picked you."
Jura sighs. "I am no longer living in these stone walls. I've seen so many people in battle, much of them stronger than I. Stronger than you. Stronger than I thought any Wizard Saint could be."
"Makarov certainly is that kind of monster, yes. And I hear that Gildarts is on a similar path, as is Oberon. You've been working closely with Fairy Tail for some time now, I figured you would be past this already."
"I was, then I hit another wall in my training. And I feel as though everyone just keeps growing, and the distance between us widens."
"That's only natural. Every Mage has their own path. Besides, it no use comparing yourself to 'The boy beloved by Magic', just be you, that's enough." Aven says.
"I suppose that's true," Jura smiles and looks up at the stars. "I have missed this."
"I assumed, or hoped, you would have gotten a girlfriend and been hesitant to come back here. The women in Fiore are certainly eye-catching."
"They are, but soon I'll have the impossible task of filling your shoes, so I can't afford to slow down."
Aven frowns as Jura finishes his tea. "That may be my one real regret. I couldn't put up enough of a fight against this damn sickness to see you married and become a father. I know you'll do well at it, but I would have loved to see it…"
After a few more games of Majong, Oberon walks through the doorway to the rooftop and joins them. Wearing his S-Class Coat along with a pair of black pants and boots, and a white long-sleeve t-shirt, he floats over to watch the game.
"He's almost here," Oberon says, and neither man looks away from the game while responding.
"Change of plans," Jura says. "I'll be returning to Fiore in a few months, a new Job came up."
"Alright. I'll tell him when he gets here. Do you need any backup?"
"We'll be fine," Aven says. "But do give Makarov my regards."
"I will." As they're chatting, a shadow blocks a portion of the sky, and they look up to see the Magic Bomber Christina. Modified and fully decked out, boasting a new coat of white and blue paint with the Blue Pegasus Emblem on the side.
"They've modified it since dropping you two off," Aven says. "Well, you should be going. They are in a rush after all."
"Right, I'll see you back in Fiore, Jura. And Wizard Saint Etis, thank you for letting me stay here and study in the archive."
"It was my pleasure," the man says before Oberon flies into the sky, leaving the barrier protecting the monastery and reaching up to The Christina.
He lands on the deck to see a few people still poking and prodding the person-sized Lacrima Crystals littered across the deck. However, unlike when they first left Fiore, the drained Lacrima Crystals were now brimming with Magic Energy.
Ichiya steps away from his guildmates and walks over to Oberon. "Well, how was your stay?"
"Pretty good. How was your Ethernano sample collecting?"
"Boring as always. But we did find a strange same toward the north, near Seven. Look," Ichiya leads him to one of the many Lacrima Crystals, tapping it to show off the strange black and green Magic Energy among the sea of different colors within. "None of the others have this."
"Well I can't learn much from it in this state. Just tell the Magic Council and hopefully they'll handle it."
"Already did that. Now, where is Jura. Bosco to Fiore will still take us a few days."
"He's not coming, a Job came up."
"Ah, I see," Ichiya sends the mental command to the control crew, and the airship immediately begins moving. "So any big plans when you're back in Fiore?"
Ichiya walks over to the side of the ship, watching the monastery fade into the distance as they soar among the absurdly high mountaintops. Oberon is one step behind him, hopping up to sit on the railing. "Nope. My new house should be done. I hired Macao and Wakaba to oversee the construction while I was out. It's actually the first time I've posted a Job in any guild."
"That's nice. You really should take a break. We've all been fighting non-stop since the laws were change, you more than most since the Magic Council made you a important figure in that whole even. But now things are finally settled. Rest is needed for growth."
"Yeah I don't plan to take any Jobs for a week or two at least. I have a new Spell to try out, plus a few things I need to work on with my Magics." Oberon reaches out past the railing as they soar through the cloud.
The comfort enchantment on the airship prevents colds or hot natural hazards such as winds from affecting the passengers, allowing them to work on nights such as these. But Oberon extends his hand into and touches the wet cloud beyond the barrier stopping it.
Ichiya shivers at the sight while the boy brings his hand back, using Purple Flare to evaporate the water on his hand. "Only you would leave the enchanted deck's barrier and drop your personal barriers to touch a cloud."
Oberon shrugs. "You'd be surprise how little stuff I actually feel since my Cosmic Barrier is always on. That's why sometimes I have to take moments like these and let the uncomfortable things in."
"Yes, well, I need to get back to the control room since we're about to navigate the more crowded part of the range. Will you be staying up here or heading below deck?"
"I'm going to stay here and meditate for a while."
"In that case, I'll give you this," Ichiya reaches into his jacket pocket and withdraws a Silver Celestial Spirit Gate Key.
Oberon's eyes widen, instantly recognizing it from his book by the two wings on the head. "Pegasus!" he reaches for it, but Ichiya pulls it away.
"On second thought, I'll hand this over when we land."
"What? Why not now?"
"Because I just realized handing this to you now guarantees you summon it instantly. And we're on the ship."
"So what? It's just Pegasus."
"Yes, and Dorado is just a swordfish. You'll get this when we drop you off in Magnolia…"
CHAPTER END---
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