"This voice…?!"
Upon hearing the sound, Ian's body trembled slightly.
For August, perhaps more than sixty years had passed since they last parted…
But for Ian, their farewell had only been a moment ago.
Therefore, he absolutely would not mistake it—this was the voice of his beloved son, whom Ian had painstakingly raised for fifteen years.
In an instant, any slight tipsiness Ian felt from the 96% Water of Life vanished into thin air at the sound of that seemingly ordinary voice that carried countless emotions. He turned around and saw a youth clad all in white, eyes reddened, staring at him.
"August…"
Looking at the newcomer, Ian's lips curved slightly. Without any hesitation, he spoke the boy's name. Yes, this unexpected guest who had burst into the first-floor hall of the Fairy Tail mage guild was none other than the "Magic King" August, who had come to find his father, separated from him for over sixty years.
"Father, I've missed you so much."
August gazed at Ian's face, gently wiping away tears at the corner of his eyes. In the most ordinary words, he expressed his most heartfelt feelings.
Though so many years had passed, August was no longer a weak child who would be in mortal danger if abandoned outdoors. He was now one of the two Regents of the strongest nation in Earthland—Alvarez of the Western Continent Alakitasia—standing in reality above billions of people, second only to one.
At the same time, he was the only one in the three worlds—Earthland, Elentear, and Edolas—who had fully mastered the three greatest "slayer" magics—God Slayer, Devil Slayer, and Dragon Slayer Magic—all to their peaks!
On top of that, he had also trained in both Black and White Magic, along with a myriad of normal and Lost Magics. The world revered him as the one who knew every magic that existed, the one who stood at the pinnacle of all magic—the "Wizard King."
At present, regardless of his identity or strength, August stood undeniably at the apex of Earthland, a grand master of all magic. Even Irene Belserion, the "Mother of Dragon Slayers," believed he alone could stand up to the invincible Black Dragon King, Acnologia.
But even so, before Ian, he was still that fifteen-year-old boy.
August had never forgotten that day, when Precht abandoned him and Ian took him in without hesitation, teaching him how to be a good person. Without Ian back then, there would be no August today.
Thus, when August saw Ian again, he could no longer hold back the emotions in his chest. Tears rolled down his cheeks continuously, and no matter how he tried to wipe them away, they wouldn't stop.
"Strange, it feels like some sand got into my eyes."
August's voice carried sobs as he tried desperately to control his emotions, but to no avail.
"August, you've worked hard all these years."
Seeing August crying nonstop, Ian smiled gently, and his own eyes seemed a bit red. Without much hesitation, he stood up and pulled August into a warm embrace, just like he had done when August was young. He gently stroked the boy's head and soothed him in a soft voice, "August, sixty years have passed, and you've grown up! You're no longer that little brat who needed his father's protection. Seeing you again makes me so proud. This world is vast—may the high sky and broad seas be yours to roam freely."
"Father, I'm very strong now…"
"Stronger than you could ever imagine."
"So from today on, let me be the one to protect you!"
With Ian's gentle comfort, the emotions stirred up in August's heart by seeing his father again after so many years gradually calmed down.
Yes, after all, August was now over eighty. His mindset was no longer that of a fifteen-year-old. Over the years, he had grown a great deal, matured a great deal, and understood the principle that one in a high position shouldn't easily show anger or joy.
And after so many years, August was no longer confused. He knew exactly what he wanted.
He just wanted his father and his beloved family to live in peace and happiness. Anyone in this world who tried to overturn his home, harm his family, or destroy his happiness would be his enemy, and he would eliminate them one by one.
"Protect me?"
"Hahaha! August, are you looking down on your father?"
"Since when have I needed your protection?"
"You're not the only one who's gotten stronger over the years!"
"Your father hasn't slacked off for even a single day. I've been diligently training! To be honest, I'm quite strong now…"
In Ian's eyes, August still seemed like that young boy. After gently patting August's shoulder, Ian smiled cheerfully.
"I know, Father"
August could only smile helplessly in response. His father was still so stubborn after all these years.
"Ian…"
Just as Ian and August, this father and son, were having this emotional moment of reunion after so many years.
Gildarts, who had been sitting beside Ian from the beginning, drinking and chatting with Ian at the Fairy Tail bar, seemed to have discovered something amazing...
He carefully leaned over to Ian's ear and whispered, "Who exactly is this kid?! I didn't mishear, did I? He called you 'Father'! Aside from Erza and Eresh, do you have other children?"
"Oh, right!"
"I almost forgot to introduce him. This is my son, August."
"He's no ordinary kid. He's a true magic genius…"
"A genius even more remarkable than Gildarts here."
"His strength is terrifyingly strong, and even I'm far from his match."
"As for the details, I'll let August explain himself!"
Reminded by Gildarts, Ian realized he hadn't introduced August to everyone present in the guild. So he put an arm around August's shoulder and loudly announced to everyone in Fairy Tail's first-floor hall that this extraordinary newcomer was indeed his son.
However, was it their imagination, or did Ian's introduction reek heavily of boasting? It sounded as if Ian was extremely proud and grateful to have August as his son.
"Hello everyone, I'm Ian's son, August…"
"I'm really sorry that I've only come to see all of you in the guild now, even though my father joined Fairy Tail so long ago. But it's partly because my workplace is really far away…"
"Oh right, I almost forgot to mention where I work! I'm currently employed in the Western Continent Alakitasia, at the Alvarez 'World Territory Reconstruction Company' (referring to a company that destroys other countries, incorporates their territories, and rebuilds them)."
"If anyone's interested in the Western Continent, you're welcome to visit anytime. I might not have much influence here in Ishgar, but in Alakitasia on the Western Continent, I have a certain social standing."
August had been well brought up by Ian and never had a habit of lying, since Ian taught him that good children never lie. But August also couldn't reveal that he was one of the two most brutal Regents of the Alvarez Empire. That would cause unnecessary trouble for his father Ian…
Especially since the Fairy Tail guild hall was full of all kinds of people—some of whom might be reporters invited by Makarov to publicize the guild, or paparazzi sneaking in for interesting stories. If they found out he was a Regent of the Alvarez Empire, it would be explosive news, potentially leading to diplomatic issues. Therefore, he used some very subtle terms to describe his position.
"Eh?! This boy is Ian's son?"
"World Territory Reconstruction Company? What's that? Some construction firm?!"
The entire Fairy Tail guild hall fell silent after Ian spoke. All the members of Fairy Tail had one question: "Ian actually has another son?!"
"How strange. Why are we using the word 'another' here?"
"Alright, that's not the main point…"
"The main point is: who is the mother of Ian's new son?! Does Irene and Selene know about this?"
"If they don't, this could escalate into a world-level disaster!"
Many Fairy Tail mages turned pale, imagining Irene and Selene joining forces to come and punish Ian the 'scoundrel,' eventually dragging them all down. They looked as if they had just tasted utter despair.
Yes, being a Fairy Tail mage was indeed difficult…
"Hey, Ian…"
"You and Gildarts are something else."
"How many women do you two have outside?"
"And how many illegitimate children?!"
After learning that August was Ian's son, Cana was numb and speechless as she looked at Ian and Gildarts.
It could be said that Fairy Tail had two great unsolved mysteries:
First: Exactly how many women has Gildarts had outside?
Second: Exactly how many children does Ian have out there?!
"These two are beyond help…"
"The reason Fairy Tail's public reputation within the Kingdom of Fiore never improves is precisely because of Ian and Gildarts!"
"Isn't that right?!"
"Guess why every year Ian and Gildarts are nominated for the 'Ten Wizard Saints,' yet fail to win the title year after year?"
"It's not because they lack strength, but because the Council believes Ian and Gildarts cannot serve as proper positive role models for the continent's mages."
For a moment, many mages in the guild internally grumbled.
At the same time, on the second floor of the guild:
"Wait…"
"This magic power, could it be…?!"
"Yes, this time I'm absolutely sure."
"This magic, which belongs neither to darkness nor light but to chaos…"
"It belongs to that child—Mavis's child—who was taken in by my predecessor after I abandoned him."
Precht, who had been bragging to Warrod and Yuri about his experiences, sensed August's magic and his face fell. He could never forget the unique magic that once belonged to Mavis's child.
But now, unlike back then, this magic had grown terrifyingly more powerful over the past eighty years. So powerful that Precht, who once prided himself as the second strongest black mage after Zeref in Ishgar, felt no urge to resist.
"Could Mavis's child have come to seek revenge on me?!"
Precht pondered in panic, sweat beading on his forehead as he thought of ways out.
However, as he observed, he noticed that Mavis's child hadn't come looking for him but had come to find his father—and that father was none other than Ian.
"What?!"
"How can this be?!"
Precht was dumbfounded.
No matter how he looked at it, Mavis's child and Ian shouldn't be connected. After all, Ian was younger; the timelines didn't match up.
Wait…
As Precht reminded himself that Ian's age didn't match, he suddenly thought of something and furrowed his brow tightly. He muttered to himself, "Something's off. Nobody in this guild knows Ian's true age. We all just assumed he's young. But what if he's actually an ageless, immortal monster like Zeref?! Could it be…"
In an instant, Precht seemed to have found his own "Watson."
Over the years, countless details that puzzled Precht flashed through his genius mind.
Finally, Precht arrived at a shocking conclusion: "Could that clown masked senior from back then actually have been Ian himself?!"
"But that can't be…"
"I still have many things I don't understand."
Precht didn't dare speak his bold guess out loud—it was too shocking. Even he was frightened by the idea. He kept furrowing his brows, lost in thought.
"How strange."
"Why does that boy give me such a familiar feeling?!"
"It's as if I've seen him somewhere before…"
"But I can't recall anything."
"Is it because I'm now a ghost?"
Just then, Mavis, who had been sleeping in the guild's basement, suddenly sensed something and awoke. Rubbing her sleepy eyes, she came up to the first-floor hall.
The moment the still-drowsy Mavis saw August, who was talking to Ian, her chest throbbed painfully for some unknown reason. It felt like countless emotions, long hidden, exploded within her body.
The phrase "blood is thicker than water" and the bond of "mother and child" manifested vividly at this moment. Even though Mavis had never met August, nor did she know of his existence, she clearly understood that this boy was extremely important to her—just as important as the family she held dear in Fairy Tail.
"…"
Sensing something, August—whom Ian was proudly showing off—turned his head and looked in the direction of Mavis's spirit. He smiled faintly and thought to himself, 'Seeing that Mother has fulfilled her wish of creating the world's greatest mage guild, I can be at ease. Although Mother never cared for me, I don't hate her. After all, she never knew of my existence. She need not know I exist. Treat me as just another friend within Fairy Tail, that's enough!'
Yes, over the course of time, August had let go of many things.
"How strange…"
Mavis murmured, touching her moist eyes. For some reason, she just felt like crying.
"Mavis…"
Meanwhile, on the second floor, Precht saw Mavis's tears and felt a sharp pain in his heart. How he wished he could tell Mavis the truth—that August was her child. But he couldn't, because then he'd have to explain why he abandoned her child back then.
"Damn it!"
"Why does my heart still hurt?"
"If, if…"
"If I had raised Mavis's child myself back then…"
"Would things be different now?!"
"If I hadn't abandoned Mavis's child, then today that child might be calling me Father. Would I have had the chance to stand closer to Mavis?!"
Precht didn't know why he felt so much pain. He had sealed the Devil's Heart in the guild's basement and placed the highest-level defensive spells over it, yet his chest still hurt, almost to the point of breathlessness.
It hurt so much!
At this moment, the world of only Old Precht getting hurt was born again.
Yes, even though Ian had completed Precht's requested simulation perfectly, after it all, only Precht ended up hurt again.
Poor Precht—forever on the verge of breaking down.
"Father…"
"May I ask? What is your relationship with Lord August?!"
Just as Ian, slightly tipsy, introduced his fine son August to everyone in the guild, Erza—who had been silently watching from beside the mission board—was stunned.
Wait, what was going on here?
The "Wizard King" August, who alongside her mother, Irene Belserion, was revered as the "Twin Pillars" of the distant Alvarez Empire in Alakitasia, Western Continent—her mother's strongest ally and most formidable rival—was also her father's child?!
Unbelievable.
"Oh, right!"
"I almost forgot to introduce you siblings to each other."
"Erza, Eresh, this is my youngest son August, your younger brother."
Ian first introduced August to Erza and Aile.
"August, these two before you are my eldest and second daughters, Erza and Eresh."
"You should call them sisters."
"Come, call them sister and let me hear."
Following that, Ian introduced Erza and Eresh's identities to August.
"Good morning, Sister Erza and Sister Eresh."
Hearing this, August politely addressed Erza and Eresh as his elder sisters, smiling cordially.
Honestly, August wasn't too surprised that Ian had other children besides himself. Given how outstanding his father was, he was bound to have equally outstanding partners.
However, when August clearly saw Erza's face, he was stunned still. He couldn't believe his eyes and secretly said in his heart: "Wait a minute! Let me think this through carefully, if I didn't see wrong, the young woman with crimson red hair who appeared before me, wouldn't she be Irene's daughter, Erza Belserion?!"
"Then, that means Erza calls Irene 'Mother' and Ian 'Father.' Does that mean Father and Irene are a married couple?"
"In other words, I should start calling Irene 'Mother' from now on? Unbelievable…"
For the first time, August truly understood what it meant for the world to be small—all acquaintances no matter where you go.
"Eh?"
"That 'Wizard King' August just called me 'Sister'?"
At the same time, Erza was shocked, her eyes wide with disbelief.
Meanwhile...
"In other words, August will have to call me mother from today onwards? That's really quite interesting."
In the Western Continent, in the Alvarez Empire, Irene, who was using a remote communication crystal ball to observe the actions of Ian, Erza, and Eresh, was shocked to discover the fact that she had become a mother all of a sudden! She had been eating popcorn when she found out that she was part of the show.