Time returns to 67 years later.
The year X780.
In the town of Magnolia, within the Fairy Tail Guild.
"So, the simulation is over."
"I should now be back in my original timeline…"
"I wonder what kind of impact this simulation had?! What has become of August, that child, after I left? How did he live? How did he eat and sleep? Did he grow taller?! How strong has he become?"
After awakening from his bed, Ian rubbed his temples, murmuring to himself.
Unlike previous simulations, this time the one Ian helped—August—possessed unimaginable strength and potential. Such formidable power introduced great unpredictability.
If August wished, he could have done countless things in the sixty-plus years Ian was gone, enough to influence or even alter major historical events.
Ian contemplated this as he returned to the Fairy Tail Guild.
Yes, first Ian needed to confirm whether the Fairy Tail guild—which August had once threatened to destroy before Ian left—still existed.
Ian believed that if August had truly set his mind on destroying Fairy Tail, he might actually have succeeded…
"Good morning, Father!"
"Eresh and I are looking for suitable jobs…"
"To be honest, because Laxus, Mira, and Ultear always snatch the missions from us, there are currently no suitable tasks left in all of Fiore!"
"If we want to do any jobs, we'll have to go abroad! But Ishgar is so vast, we don't know which country's missions are suitable!"
In the guild, the first to greet Ian were Erza and Eresh, who stood before the request board. They were hesitating about where to take their next job…
After all, both of them were at the pinnacle of Fiore's strength. The S-class magical beasts in Fiore had nearly been wiped out by them, along with Laxus, Gildarts, and others. Many magical beasts had even become state-protected species!
So, they thought of venturing further abroad…
But the continent of Ishgar was truly enormous. The Kingdom of Fiore was just a minuscule permanently neutral state on this continent.
Though to be fair, compared to Ian's previous life, Fiore's territory was about the size of Australia. In Ian's past world, that would be considered an entire continent.
"Morning."
"If you plan to go abroad for a mission, you can first take a look at the nearby countries, such as the Bosco Kingdom that borders Fiore to the east."
"Hehe, the mages there are quite interesting..."
"I went there once a few years ago, and experienced some very good customs."
Upon hearing this, Ian touched his chin and revealed a thoughtful expression.
At the same time, the most important reason why Ian recommended Erza and Eresh to visit the Bosco Kingdom more often was because...
In the original story, this country was destroyed by the Spriggan 12 during the war between the Alvarez Empire and the Ishgar continent.
So, if they could go there now, it would be one less regret later.
Although, in the current timeline, Ian would not stand idly by and let such a thing happen.
Mainly, Ian wanted Erza and Elle to make up for some of the regrets they couldn't make up for in the original timeline.
"Is that so?!"
"If Father recommends it, then we'll seriously consider it."
Erza and Eresh's eyes lit up upon hearing this! They, who had originally been hesitant, finally locked onto the country they were going to mess with next.
No, it was a country they were going to save.
Bosco: "Damn Fairy Tail, please don't come!"
Bosco: "We were originally quite grateful to Mr. Ian for saving us, who were supposed to be destroyed as cannon fodder! But now we are not grateful anymore."
Yes, when facing a world-ending crisis, Fairy Tail was the savior of the world!
When there was no crisis, Fairy Tail was the greatest threat to the continent—or even the entire world.
"Mm."
Ian nodded lightly. After his gaze lingered on Erza and the others, he looked upward at the guild's second floor, which only S-class and higher-level mages could enter.
Currently, Ur, Laxus, Yuri, Precht, and even Warrod—who had not yet returned to the Magic Council ERA—were gathered upstairs, seemingly discussing the guild's future direction.
"How strange, what in this world has changed?!"
Ian looked around with some confusion.
It seemed like nothing had changed at all. Theoretically, in the sixty-plus years Ian was gone, August could not have done nothing. Especially since, before Ian left, August had shown great interest in Fairy Tail.
But at this moment, Ian noticed no changes caused by August.
How intriguing.
"So, what exactly did that brat August change?!"
Confused, Ian sat down at the guild's bar and quietly pondered.
Until the bartender in the bar handed him a glass of Water of Life.
"Gulp, gulp…"
"Forget it. If I can't figure it out, I won't think about it!"
"Drinking is more important!"
Yes, Ian drank his wine heartily, no longer thinking about those things that he couldn't understand.
Yes, the invincible Master Ian had simply given up on thinking.
---
At the same time, in the Western Continent, Alakitasia.
The most powerful country in the Western Continent.
Of course, it wouldn't be wrong to call it the most powerful country in the world of Earthland.
At the same time, it was also the only country in the Western Continent...
In the Alvarez Empire.
A very important meeting was currently being held.
This was a high-level meeting called by Irene Belserion, the head of the Spriggan 12, also known as the "Scarlet Despair."
Every mage ranked in the Spriggan 12 was required to attend.
Inside the conference room.
"Lady Irene hasn't arrived yet?"
"I guess I'm pretty early…"
The newcomer had long purple hair, lightly made-up, wearing a tight-fitting green knight's armor—though a female version! Well, this was a sissy who favored a feminine posture and way of dressing! Yes, he was a man...
Although his strength was undoubtedly "Shield-Level," he showed no air of a strong warrior, only a sycophantic grin…
He seemed to lower himself especially in settings involving Lady Irene, as if she were a goddess.
This was Neinhart, a member of the Spriggan 12.
Unlike some Twelve members who formed various factions—neutral, emperor-loyalist, etc.—Neinhart was undoubtedly on Irene's side, a so-called bootlicker.
"Ever since Princess Erza left the Alvarez Empire for Ishgar to find her relatives, the whole empire feels empty. It's so boring…"
"I might just resign from the Twelve and become Princess Erza's bodyguard in Ishgar. No matter how you look at it, being a close guard to the princess of the Regent is more promising than this nominal position as a guard of an emperor I've never seen…"
Neinhart muttered to himself as he sat in a corner seat. He looked thoroughly bored.
To be honest, the Alvarez Empire was currently completely under the control of Irene, the Regent. Every matter required Irene's approval.
99.99% of the citizens had never seen the mysterious Emperor. Even Neinhart himself…
He graduated as a genius from the Imperial Academy at thirteen, became an Imperial Knight, spent fifteen years proving himself until he finally met the Regent King-level figure Irene, swore loyalty to her, and with her help reached "Shield-Level." Last year, he became a member of the Spriggan 12. During all this time, he never once saw the Emperor, not even once.
Isn't that ridiculous?
He was supposed to protect the Emperor, yet he'd never seen that Emperor. If not for Irene's assurance that the Emperor truly existed and wasn't just a fairy tale, even he would doubt the Emperor's existence!
"Neinhart, you're here?"
While Neinhart brooded, another person entered the conference room.
This newcomer's attire clashed completely with Neinhart's.
He had messy, unwashed hair, a hunched back, and wore an orange work jumpsuit with the Empire's emblem—like a mechanic who just finished repairing cars and rushed to the meeting without changing clothes.
"Tsk, tsk, Eresh."
Neinhart rolled his eyes. He hated people who didn't care about their appearance, especially those who didn't pay attention to personal hygiene.
"Relax, Neinhart! I'm a Machias (Machina species), different from you humans. My body is entirely mechanical parts, so even if I don't bathe for days, I won't emit any odor,"
Eresh's eyes flickered, seemingly reading Neinhart's mind.
"Smells like motor oil."
Neinhart didn't even bother to pay attention to Eresh.
He had given all of his loyalty to Irene and everyone connected to Irene. He was extremely arrogant in front of outsiders and proclaimed himself the 'Rose Knight', a knight as beautiful as a rose, he was quite disgusting.
By the way, Eresh belonged to the neutral faction within the empire's four main factions and was considered the weakest of them.
"Looks like you two gentlemen are early."
"In that case, I'm not late…"
"Punctuality is a virtue for assassins."
Entering after Eresh and Neinhart was a young man in a sharp suit, a skull motif on his forehead. He looked about the same age as the 28-year-old Neinhart, but the weariness on his face made him appear older, like an uncle.
"Yo, Jacob Lessio, huh~"
Neinhart rather liked Jacob.
Maybe it's because the assassin mage always stayed scent-free for success, wore neat suits, and maintained a classical style that never went out of fashion.
Jacob Lessio, like Neinhart, was part of Irene's faction.
Not long after Jacob took his seat, the door to the conference room was pushed open again, and two new members of the Spriggan 12 came in.
One of the two was a silent, burly man over two meters tall, wearing a black cloak and carrying two sharp scythes on his back.
The other of the two was pure white, a stark contrast to the black burly man. He carried a cross on his back and dressed like a monk.
"Larcade and Bloodman, huh?!"
Neinhart yawned involuntarily after seeing the newcomers.
"Remember, it's Larcade Dragneel."
"I have a surname, it's best to call me by my full name."
Larcade said, looking at Neinhart with a smile that was not a smile...
And he said his last name in a volume that was just right so that everyone could hear it clearly.
It was said that this surname had a rich history...
The legendary Emperor of the Empire had the surname Dragneel.
Larcade seemed to have a blood relationship with the Emperor, in other words, he was a prince.
Of course, these were all just rumors.
Well, Larcade and Bloodman, the two who were dressed in black and white, were undoubtedly members of the emperor faction.
"Aiya, everyone's here~"
"Sister Asuna, we have to hurry up a little, otherwise it will be impolite."
"Sister Tifa, you shouldn't rush me, it's mainly Emilia who is too slow."
"There's no choice! I had promised to teach the lonely old lady in the third district how to make bread, so I can't break my promise, can I?!"
"Master August said we must always keep our promises."
"Alright, alright, let's go in quickly!"
Entering now were three beautiful girls of varying temperaments. By appearance, the youngest looked about sixteen, just recently an adult (Western Continent and Ishgar share the same age of adulthood).
Yet no one in the room dared underestimate them. Neinhart recalled that back when he graduated from the academy, these three looked exactly the same…
More than a decade had passed since then—he rose from a trainee knight to a knight captain and then a member of the Twelve.
Yet these three hadn't aged a bit, as if time left no marks on them.
"Asuna, Tifa, and Amelia?!"
"If these three are here, it means that great person must be here as well…"
Neinhart muttered to himself.
These three lovely young women belonged to the last faction within the Spriggan 12—the only force that could match Irene's influence—those under the "Magic King" August.
Mentioning the "Magic King" August made Neinhart shudder. Within the empire, only two people left Neinhart feeling no desire to resist: Irene Belserion, the "Scarlet Despair," whom he served, and August, who ruled over all magic as the "Magic King."
"Boom!!"
As Neinhart muttered, a wave of overwhelming magical power swept through the room. A completely snow-white youth silently appeared at one end of the long conference table.
"Uh…"
The moment he appeared, everyone in the room stood up, bowing in greeting: "Greetings, Magic King August!"
The person who came was one of the two regents of the Empire, August, the King of All Magic, who stood at the top of the concept of 'Magic'.
"Sit."
August, dressed in snow-white, yawned casually. Sixty-seven years had passed, yet time seemed to have stood still for him. He remained youthful.
In fact, ever since the God Seed formed in his body due to his God Slayer magic, August's physical aging slowed. After perfecting his God Slayer magic, he basically stopped aging and even regained some youthfulness, forever appearing fifteen.
During the sixty-plus years since Ian's disappearance, not only did August master God Slayer magic to combat the god Anksheram, he also discovered from ancient tomes that his biological father Zeref had created the ultimate demon, E.N.D, capable of destroying the world. Thus, August learned Devil Slayer magic.
Later, from reading the "Apocalypse" tome, he learned of the existence of Acnologia, the Dragon of Destruction. Left with no choice, he learned Dragon Slayer magic as well…
It was on his journey to learn Dragon Slayer magic that he met Irene, the "Mother of Dragon Slayers," and joined the AlEmpire at her invitation to jointly oppose the invincible Black Dragon King, Acnologia.
However, August's reasons differed from the others. He never planned to protect Emperor Zeref. He joined as a Spriggan 12 member only because it brought him closer to Zeref, giving him chances to experiment with ways to kill the Emperor once and for all.
Oh right, you might be wondering why his current appearance is pure white.
Because he recently learned White Magic—the opposite of Black Magic—from a White Mage. After mastering it, he turned completely white. Of course, he also knew Black Magic and could turn himself black at will.
"Buzz!"
After August sat down, a crimson radiance signaled Irene's entrance into the meeting room.
"Greetings, Lady Irene!"
Those who had just sat down hurriedly stood again, bowing toward Irene, who seated herself at the opposite end of the table.
"Mm, sit."
Irene nodded.
"Let's start today's meeting!"
"First, about the membership of the Spriggan 12. We currently have two vacancies."
"The people I recommend are Invel Yura and Ajeel Raml(Dimaria and Brandish are still too young). Of course, as of now, they are still too young, and their strength is not enough. In another five or six years, they should be ready."
"Any objections?"
Irene looked around, her tone gentle. But truly, she only cared about August's opinion. The others' opinions mattered little.
"No problem,"
August said absentmindedly.
"Good…"
Irene nodded lightly.
To be honest, Irene felt some apprehension toward August.
Zeref created Acnologia, a dragon that could devour all magic.
As for Irene, she accidentally taught a mage who could replicate all Dragon Slayer attributes, possessing all elements—the Chaos Dragon August.
Who was stronger: the dragon that could devour everything, or the one that could wield all elements? Even Irene didn't know.
But Irene knew one thing: If anyone in this world could single-handedly defeat the invincible Acnologia, it would be August, who, like Acnologia, wielded all attributes.
"Irene, the reason I asked you to come out was actually because I have a request."
Just as Irene was about to continue to say something, August, who had been silent all this time, suddenly spoke, interrupting the meeting.
"What is it?!"
Irene asked, her eyes narrowed unconsciously.
Honestly, Irene was a little curious about what this 'Magic King' was going to say, who was always acting uninterested in the world, even though he was a regent. He was either studying magic or looking for magic!
As for the members of the Spriggan 12 besides Irene, they had already started trembling. Neinhart was even panicking and trembling, thinking to himself: "No way? Is it possible that August is planning to fight with Lady Irene for power?! This is terrible."
The other members of the Spriggan 12 had thoughts similar to Neinhart's.
For a moment, the atmosphere in the entire conference room became heavy.
"What I mean is that, now that you are finally back, it should be my turn to take a vacation."
August looked at Irene seriously.
"You want to take a vacation?!"
Irene was stunned. She looked at him with a puzzled expression.
"To be honest, it's only recently after more than sixty years that I found the whereabouts of my father, who has been traveling for a long time. I plan to go back and visit him."
August sighed, trying his best to suppress the excitement in his heart.
"Huh?! August's father is still alive?"
Everyone present was stunned upon hearing this. They had never thought that the reason August would speak up at the Spriggan 12 meeting was to ask Irene for permission to go home and visit relatives.
"Granted."
Irene's eyes twitched slightly. She hadn't expected August to do this at the highest level meeting in the empire, and ask for such a strange leave of absence.
Speaking of which, Irene had known August for almost fifty years, and she had never heard him mention that his father was still alive?!
However, August was being so strange, so if she were to not approve his leave, it would be inappropriate
Well, Irene just assumed that August had something he needed to do, and in order to save everyone's face and to respect the empire's rules, he had found the two words "visit relatives" in the empire's leave regulations.
"All right, then."
August sincerely thanked Irene. With a single teleportation, he disappeared from the meeting room.
"Wait a minute, buddy?"
"You're just leaving like that?!"
"The meeting hasn't finished yet?!"
Irene was dumbfounded, and everyone present was also dumbfounded.
Who would leave immediately after asking for a leave?!
Normally, after asking for a leave, they should pretend to act like they're staying a little longer, right?
"Buzz!"
Just when Irene didn't know what to say because of August's departure, August suddenly teleported back into the Spriggan 12 conference room.
Just when everyone mistakenly thought that August had returned to continue the meeting, August suddenly threw a magic crystal to Irene and instructed her, "Remember to notify me if you encounter danger! You don't seem to be fit for battle right now."
After saying that, August also looked at Irene's lower abdomen with a frown. What he had said seemed to be pointing at something.
After doing all of this, August disappeared again from the conference room.
"The meeting is over!"
At this, Irene, who was no longer in the mood to continue the meeting, grabbed the magic crystal from August in her hand, also used a spatial movement, and left the conference room.
"This..."
For a moment, in the huge conference room, only the remaining members of the Spriggan 12 were left, looking at each other, looking as if they had heard nothing and dared not say anything.
Well, they couldn't meddle in the affairs of the big shots.
Meanwhile,
Magnolia Town.
Inside the Fairy Tail Guild.
A faint voice came from behind Ian, who was drinking at the bar: "Father, have you been well these past years?!"
---
Super long chapter, also a lot of new terms and characters, tried my best to edit it as best as i can.