Bonus Chapters every 200 Power Stones
"Normal Dialogue"
'Inner thoughts'
[Year X791]
~ With Shisui ~
"So that's what happened," Makarov muttered, his normal-sized form settled behind his desk in the Guild Master's office.
Shisui had just finished explaining the S-rank mission that had taken him away for nearly two years. He'd described the ruins he'd discovered in the Mountain Zone, the barriers that prevented him from exploring further, and the unusual behaviour of the ambient Ethernano at specific thresholds all across the zone. The debrief was similar to the debrief he had given Warrod just a few hours earlier.
Makarov, Gildarts and Shisui were alone in the room, everyone else having been firmly but politely ejected when Makarov had decided this conversation needed privacy. The Guild Master's expression was thoughtful as he processed the information, while Gildarts leaned against the wall with his arms crossed.
"That place, huh…" Gildarts muttered, his tone carrying a weight that made both other men look at him with interest.
He pushed himself off the wall and moved to the window, staring out at the guild hall below. When he spoke again, his voice was distant, as if he were remembering something he'd rather forget.
"I entered those plains once. Back in my younger days, maybe twenty-seven years ago if you include the seven-year disappearance." He paused, his metal hand clenching slightly. "I didn't make it far before I turned around. Something about that place just didn't feel right..."
The admission hung in the air. Gildarts Clive, Fairy Tail's Ace, one of the most powerful mages in all of Fiore, had retreated from the Mountain Zone because something had felt off. The implications of that statement weren't lost on anyone present.
"I was probably around your current age then," Gildarts continued, turning back to face Shisui directly. "And I can say with absolute certainty that you're a lot stronger than I was at that point in my life."
He grinned, the expression transforming his weathered features. "Hell, you're probably stronger than I was even ten years ago. And you're only going to get stronger from here."
The praise was genuine, coming from someone who rarely handed out compliments lightly.
"Speaking of which," Gildarts added with a teasing note in his voice, "Do you want to be the new Ace of Fairy Tail? I could probably convince the old man here to make it official."
"Absolutely not." Shisui replied instantly, his reaction so quick and emphatic that both older mages chuckled. "I don't want the attention that comes with a title like that."
Gildarts laughed outright. "You think you're avoiding attention? Kid, you just returned from the dead and proceeded to give Laxus Dreyar, probably the third, maybe now fourth strongest Fairy Tail mage, the fight of his life. You're already getting a lot of attention, and now that everyone knows you're back, you're going to get a whole lot more."
Makarov nodded his agreement, though his expression had grown more serious. "Fairy Tail is about to be in the spotlight once again. Especially with the Grand Magic Games coming up."
As if to emphasize his point, he gestured to the stack of official documents on his desk. Each one bore the seal of various businesses and the Magic Council, and even from a distance, Shisui could see they were bills for property damage and collateral expenses.
"The guild's financial situation has become complicated again… Apparently, having our full strength back means we're also back to our old habits of expensive accidents." Makarov admitted with a sigh.
Shisui winced, remembering the careful balance he'd maintained during his original time with the guild. Almost two years of missions completed without a single jewel of additional debt, and now it seemed like that progress was already being undone.
Makarov turned his attention to Gildarts, his expression expectant. "Now then, what did you learn about our supposedly dead S-class mage during your investigation?"
Gildarts scratched the back of his head and chuckled, the sound carrying a note of embarrassment that was entirely at odds with his reputation. "Well, to be honest, I didn't learn much of anything. People had plenty of stories to tell, all of them impressive, but nothing that would help be of much help."
Shisui looked dumbfounded at the mere fact that the Guild Master would send his Ace to investigate him, while Makarov's expression suggested he'd expected exactly this outcome. The Guild Master simply shook his head with the patience of someone who'd grown accustomed to Gildarts' particular approach to information gathering.
"It's fine," Makarov said with a wave of his hand. "Shisui's back now, which is what really matters."
But Gildarts wasn't finished. His expression grew more thoughtful as he continued. "Though I did encounter something interesting during my investigation. I met a group of three strangers in the woods near the northern forest of the capital. Two women and one man, all wearing cloaks."
He paused, studying Shisui's face carefully. "The man and I exchanged nods, just acknowledging each other's presence. But what caught my attention was the symbol on the back of their cloaks. The same symbol that's on the back of your shirt."
Shisui felt a shiver run down his spine. He sat straighter in his chair, every muscle tensing as the implications of Gildarts' words sank in. Both Gildarts and Makarov noticed the reaction immediately.
"I don't know what the symbol means," Gildarts continued, his voice gentle but probing. "But considering you and that group share the same marking, I thought you ought to know about the encounter."
For a long moment, Shisui was silent. He stared at his hands, processing information that changed everything about his immediate plans. When he finally spoke, his voice was barely above a whisper.
"Where did you last see them?"
"Somewhere near the northern forest of the capital, like I said. Maybe two days' travel from here if you know the direct routes."
Makarov leaned forward slightly, his paternal instincts picking up on the emotional undercurrents in the conversation. "Shisui, do you know who these people are?"
A genuine smile found its way onto Shisui's lips, soft and warm in a way that transformed his entire expression. His eyes grew distant, filled with memories and emotions that spoke of bonds deeper than mere friendship or alliance.
"They're my family." He said simply.
~ End of Chapter 94 ~
You can read advanced chapter on p@treon.com/The_Editor982