The three of them walked along the rugged, snow-covered mountain path, leaving the shattered remains of the demon behind them.
The crisp northern air was biting, but after the heat of battle, it felt almost refreshing.
Normally, this path was fraught with danger.
Ice-type magical creatures roamed freely, preying on unwary travelers.
But today, the mountains were silent.
No beast dared to approach them.
The residual magical power radiating from Gildarts, Ur, and Raizel was so overwhelming that every creature with a survival instinct had fled into hiding.
"Should we inform the Council about Deliora's death?" Gildarts asked, breaking the silence as he trudged through the snow.
"This canyon is still dangerous with all the debris. Maybe have them take over to secure it?"
"Inform them, yes," Raizel nodded. "But have Ur do it. Consider it her pledge to join the Ten Wizard Saints."
Ur blinked, surprised. "Me?"
"Just say you single-handedly dealt with Deliora," Raizel continued. "Since we froze the remains into an eternal block of ice anyway, the evidence is there. You can claim you froze him after the kill."
"Is that really appropriate?" Ur frowned, looking uneasy. "Taking all the credit feels wrong. Gildarts did most of the physical damage, and your beam was the finishing blow. I just... held him down."
"Ur, don't sell yourself short," Raizel said seriously. "Your strength is more than sufficient to join the Wizard Saints. The selection criteria aren't solely based on raw power—it's about reputation and influence too."
"There's nothing inappropriate about it," Gildarts chimed in, waving his hand dismissively. "I have zero interest in the Wizard Saints title. Too many meetings, too many rules. And Raizel here is too young; they wouldn't take him seriously yet. Besides, you've been out of the public eye for a while. Having this achievement will smooth your path to the title instantly."
"I didn't expect Deliora to be that weak," Raizel admitted, looking back at the distant smoke rising from the valley.
"I thought it would be a tougher battle."
"That demon wasn't that strong—just physically tough," Gildarts scoffed. "Its size was large, sure, but its movements were clumsy. Honestly? I could have handled it alone if I had enough time."
He glanced at Raizel with a smirk. "Do you have some misunderstanding about your own strength, kid? Even if I hadn't come, you and Ur could have taken down Deliora. You're plenty strong. I felt it on Tenrou Island. I didn't hold back with that punch of mine, and you're still walking just fine."
'Seriously, you almost sent me flying into the ocean with that punch...' Raizel wanted to retort but held back.
'Wow, were you just slacking off the whole time during the fight?'
"I've been meaning to ask," Ur interjected, looking at Raizel curiously. "How old are you? To have such immense magic power... it's unnatural."
She had witnessed the terrifying power of One for all and the armor transformations were absurdly advanced.
"How about I say I'm thirteen, would you believe me?" Raizel clasped his hands behind his head, his tone casual.
"Thirteen?!" Ur stopped walking, staring at him. "I thought you were at least fifteen or sixteen! You're... exceptionally well developed for your age."
"Haha, guess I just look too mature for my age," Raizel laughed it off.
He knew there was still a long way to go.
The threats of the future—the Spriggan 12, Acnologia, Zeref—required power far beyond what he currently possessed.
After walking for an hour and recovering some of his magic power, Raizel transformed into Imperialdramon again to carry them to the outskirts of town.
Ur was eager to return to Ultear, and Raizel didn't want to keep a mother waiting.
When they arrived, Gray and Lyon were in the courtyard, showing off.
"Ice Make: Eagle!" Lyon shouted, creating a bird of ice that swooped around.
"Ice Make: Shield!" Gray countered, blocking a snowball from another kid.
They were surrounded by a crowd of children gasping in amazement.
The admiration was clearly fueling their egos.
Raizel, Ur and Gildarts walked in.
Ultear, who had been sitting quietly on a bench, jumped up and ran to her mother.
"Mom!"
"I'm back," Ur smiled, scooping her up.
Ur chatted briefly with her friend Miki, thanking her and explaining that they would be leaving the northern regions for good.
Miki was sad to see them go but wished them well.
For the return journey to Magnolia, they took a long-distance magic train.
It was a comfortable ride, though Gildarts spent most of it trying to teach Gray and Lyon how to play cards, much to Ur's amusement.
...
Magnolia
"Finally... Magnolia." Raizel yawned as he stepped off the train onto the platform, stretching his stiff limbs.
"Home sweet home."
As they approached the city gates, the guards stiffened.
They spotted the orange-haired man in the tattered cloak.
"It's Gildarts! Activate the shift!"
"Warning! Warning! Magnolia will now switch to Gildarts Shift! All citizens, please move to the designated safety areas immediately!"
The sirens blared, and the ground began to rumble.
"What's happening?" Ultear clung to Ur's leg, eyes wide with fear as the buildings around them began to slide and rotate on massive gears.
"SUGEEEEEE!!!" Gray and Lyon shouted, their eyes shining. "The whole city is moving!"
Raizel crouched down to explain to Ultear.
"This is Gildarts Shift. That uncle over there," he pointed at Gildarts, "has magic that tends to accidentally destroy everything he touches if he's not careful. So, the city splits apart to give him a straight path to the guild. It stops him from wrecking half of the town."
"Hahaha, no need to praise me!" Gildarts rubbed the back of his head, looking proud.
"I wasn't praising you!" Raizel snapped.
"Why go through all this trouble just for one man?" Ur looked around at the shifting architecture, baffled.
"Couldn't he just live outside town? Or couldn't the guild relocate?"
"Fairy Tail drives Magnolia's economy," Raizel explained. "If the First Master hadn't established the guild here over a century ago, this place wouldn't be the prosperous trade hub it is today. They tolerate Gildarts because the guild brings in so much business."
Once the shift was complete, a wide, straight road led directly from the gate to the guild hall.
They walked down the empty street.
At the end stood the grand building with the fairy emblem.
"FAIRY TAIL," Ultear read aloud from the signboard.
"Yes, this is our guild. Welcome." Raizel pushed open the doors—and simultaneously grabbed Gildarts by the collar, yanking him back just as he was about to walk through the wall next to the door.
"USE THE DAMN DOOR, OLD MAN!"
...
Inside the Guild
"Everyone, we're back!"
The guild was lively as always.
Makarov sat on the bar counter, drinking and Wakaba and Macao were arguing over a job.
"Hey! Welcome back!" the members cheered.
Wakaba, spotting Ur, immediately straightened his tie and rushed over.
"Well hello there! Would a beautiful lady like you care to go on a date with a handsome smoke mage?"
"Sorry," Ur smiled politely, placing a hand on Ultear's head. "I already have a daughter."
Wakaba froze.
He looked at Ur, then at Ultear. The resemblance was undeniable.
"A mother...?! my heart is broken!" Wakaba slumped into a corner, drawing circles on the floor in depression.
"Dad!"
Cana hopped off her stool and ran toward Gildarts.
"Cana!" Gildarts scooped her up, spinning her around. "Did you miss me? Daddy missed you so much!"
Raizel guided Ultear forward. "Cana, I want you to meet someone. This is Ultear. She's about your age."
He turned to the shy girl. "Ultear, this is Cana. Why don't you go say hi?"
Ultear looked up at Ur, who nodded encouragingly.
"Go on, sweetie."
"Hi," Cana beamed, grabbing Ultear's hand. "Do you like fortune telling? Come on, let me show you my tarot cards! I can predict your future!"
"Okay..." Ultear smiled shyly, allowing herself to be pulled away.
Lyon and Gray, meanwhile, were ignoring the girls completely, too busy staring in awe at the various mages showing off their powers in the hall.
Raizel brought Ur over to the bar.
"Master," Raizel said. "Let me introduce you. This is Ur Milkovic. The Ice Mage I told you about."
"Hello, Makarov-san" Ur bowed respectfully. "I've heard much about your reputation as one of the Wizard Saints."
"Hahaha, please, just call me Makarov," the old master laughed, hopping down. "I've heard of you too—the strongest Ice Mage of the North. It's an honor."
"Regarding living arrangements," Makarov said, stroking his mustache. "You and Ultear can stay in the girls' dormitory for now; there's plenty of space. As for the two boys, Gray and Lyon... they can temporarily stay at my place. There's still an empty room available."
"Those two can be quite... energetic," Ur warned with a smile. "I'm worried they might wreck your furniture."
"Hahaha! I live with Laxus and Raizel; I'm used to destruction!" Makarov waved it off.
Then, he looked at Ur with a twinkle in his eye.
"By the way, Ur... have you considered joining our guild?"
Raizel raised an eyebrow.
He hadn't pushed it, not wanting to pressure her.
"Join?" Ur looked surprised. "But... I haven't taken on jobs for a long time. I honestly just want to focus on raising my daughter and training my disciples."
"Don't worry about jobs!" Makarov said quickly. "You don't have to work if you don't want to. Just be a registered member. We won't charge you rent for the dorms, either. Consider it a perk of membership."
Ur looked at Ultear who was laughing with Cana at a table.
She looked at Raizel, who had saved her life and her daughter.
She looked at Gildarts, who was currently letting Cana braid his hair.
This place felt warm.
It felt like a home.
"In that case," Ur smiled, a genuine, bright smile. "I'll join. But I insist on paying rent when I can."
"It's a deal!" Makarov cheered, raising his tankard high. "Everyone! Listen up! We have a new member! Let's have a feast!"
"YEAAAAH!" the guild erupted.
Raizel watched the celebration, a satisfied smile on his face.
The timeline was changing, and for the better!