The sun filtered through the dense canopy of Tenrou Island, casting dappled shadows on the mossy ground.
The battle was over, but Raizel had one more objective here.
He knew Mavis's spirit resided on this island.
He had sensed her gaze during his fight with Gildarts—a gentle, curious presence that felt distinctly different from the island's natural magic.
"Grandpa," Raizel turned to Makarov as they walked back towards the camp. "Is the First Master's name Mavis?"
Makarov stopped in his tracks, turning to look at Raizel with a puzzled frown.
"Huh? Yes, the First Master is indeed named Mavis Vermillion. How do you know that name? I don't recall ever mentioning it to you."
"Grandpa, I want to visit the First Master's grave," Raizel said, ignoring the question for a moment.
Makarov raised an eyebrow, clearly confused by the sudden request.
"Follow me," he said eventually.
He trusted Raizel. Even if the boy had secrets, Makarov knew his heart was in the right place.
They walked through the forest until they reached a serene clearing where a simple stone grave stood.
"Alright, we're here," Makarov said, crossing his arms. "What do you want to do?"
"To verify some of my thoughts," Raizel replied mysteriously.
He tapped his temple. "One of the knights I use has the ability to see prophecies or fragments of the past. Ever since stepping onto Tenrou Island, a fragment appeared in my mind. She called herself Mavis and introduce herself as the first master of fairy tail."
"Prophecies?" Gildarts scratched his head. "Can you foresee my future girlfriend?"
"Ignore him," Makarov muttered. "So you think... the First Master is still here?"
"Exactly," Raizel nodded. "Maybe she's a spirit? A collection of consciousness formed because her magic power was too great to dissipate after death?."
As if on cue, a soft light gathered behind a nearby tree.
A young girl stepped out.
She had long, flowing wavy blonde hair, wing-like appendages near her ears, and wore a frilly pink layered robe.
She was barefoot too.
"First Master!" Makarov's jaw dropped. "But aren't you...?"
"I'm just a spirit now," Mavis smiled, her green eyes twinkling. "Only those bearing the Fairy Tail Crest can see me."
She looked at Raizel with keen interest. "You have a very strange magic, boy. It feels... distinct."
"First Master," Raizel bowed respectfully. "I'd like to consult you about magic."
Mavis tilted her head, her ahoge twitching excitedly.
"Tell me more! I love magic!"
"Do you know any time-related magic? Specifically, the Lost Magic: Arc of Time?"
Mavis blinked, tapping her chin with a finger.
"Hmm... Arc of Time..." She bit her lip in thought. "Ah! Do you want to learn it?"
She clapped her hands together, looking delighted.
To her, magic was knowledge mean to be shared.
"I do know it. But I don't have a book here. I can dictate the theory to you, and you can write it down. However, Lost Magic depends heavily on talent and affinity. You might not be able to learn it."
Her expression turned serious. "And you must strictly promise me one thing. You absolutely must never use the final spell within it—Last Ages. The cost of casting that spell is the caster's life. It steals your time to rewind the world's time."
"I understand," Raizel nodded solemnly. "I promise. I want this magic for... someone else, actually. Someone who needs to control their overflowing time."
"I see," Mavis smiled again.
"In exchange for your teaching, First Master," Raizel said, "why don't you come back to the guild, to Magnolia with us? The guild has changed a lot. There are many new members, and the town is bustling. You should go see it."
Mavis's eyes widened. "Go... back?"
"Yes. It must be lonely staying here on the island all alone," Raizel said gently.
Golden cross-shaped lights flashed in Mavis's eyes.
The wings on her head fluttered.
"I... I want to go! I'll go back with you!"
....
"Alright then, if there's nothing else, let's go back and have a feast!" Makarov looked at Raizel, who was completely absorbed in the book.
His old bones were eager to return.
"Ah~ I'm tired too, i want to go back and rest." Gildarts yawned nearby.
"WHAT EXACTLY HAVE YOU DONE TO BE SO TIRED?!" came the simultaneous retort from both Makarov and Raizel.
Afterward, Makarov, Raizel, and the other sailed away from Tenrou Island.
Mavis sat on the ship's railing, her small feet swinging back and forth as she gazed toward the direction of Fairy Tail.
Makarov instructed Raizel and Gildarts to keep the matter confidential.
"Gildarts," Raizel said, his voice low and serious. "I need to talk to you tonight."
"Can I skip it?" Gildarts groaned, leaning back. "I have plans to hit the bars and maybe pick up some girls."
"Absolutely not!" Raizel slammed his wooden mug onto the table.
"You idiot, stop damaging public property!" Makarov whacked Raizel on the head with his staff.
That night, under the moonlight, Raizel dragged Gildarts to the bridge leading to Gildarts' house.
The river flowed quietly beneath them.
"Gildarts, listen seriously," Raizel said, staring the man in the eyes. "This isn't a joke."
"Understood. Is it about me?" Gildarts dropped his playful demeanor, sensing the gravity.
"You have a daughter," Raizel said bluntly.
"Huh?" Gildarts froze.
He blinked rapidly. Then, a high-pitched shriek escaped his lips.
"HUHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH?!"
"Who? Where? When?!" He grabbed Raizel by the shoulders and shook him violently.
"Tell me!"
"Stop shaking me!" Raizel pushed him away. "It's Cana. The Cana who is currently in the guild. Cornelia's daughter."
Gildarts turned pale.
"Cana... Cornelia..."
Memories flooded back.
The woman he loved, whom he had left due to his obsession with work. And the little girl in the guild who always looked at him with sad eyes.
"She's in the girls' dorm right now," Raizel sighed. "I'll take you there."
"Let's go! Now!" Gildarts grabbed Raizel's arm and practically dragged him through the streets.
They arrived at the girls' dormitory.
Raizel spoke to Grandma Hilda, the matron, and asked her to fetch Cana.
When the small girl walked out, clutching her cards, Gildarts stood there while trembling.
"I'll take my leave now," Raizel whispered. "The rest is up to you, old man."
He walked away into the shadows, leaving the father and daughter to have the reunion they deserved.
He didn't need to see it; knowing it happened was enough.