A few hours after Aurelius had left the Fairy Tail guild, he arrived at the Guild Masters' Conference, where the atmosphere was tense. The massive hall was filled with the leaders of the various guilds of Fiore, seated around a large round table, discussing the growing unrest in Fiore. The conference was meant to be a neutral space where guild leaders could come together to discuss matters of guilds, but today, there was an air of unease.
Master Makarov, seated at one of the chairs, looked every bit the seasoned leader of Fairy Tail, his eyes sharp beneath his brow. The other guild masters all sat at attention. The room was filled with a quiet murmur as the leaders debated recent events, when the door to the hall creaked open.
Aurelius entered. His presence, though unassuming, drew the attention of everyone in the room. His usual calm demeanor seemed at odds with the gravity of the situation, but Makarov wasn't surprised—Aurelius had always been one to handle even the most dangerous matters without breaking a sweat.
"Makarov, what's one of your brats doing here?" One of the guild master asked.
"Aurelius," Makarov said, raising an eyebrow as he took in the young mage's appearance. "I thought you were on a break. What brings you here?"
Aurelius stepped forward, unfazed by the attention he drew. His voice was steady, a slight edge of urgency cutting through his usual calm. "I have something to report."
A hush fell over the room, all eyes shifting to him.
He continued, his tone unshaken, "I ran into a member of the Eisenwald guild on my way to the guild earlier. They have the Lullaby."
The mention of the cursed flute immediately captured everyone's attention. The Lullaby was a dangerous weapon—whoever heard its music was said to die. Hearing this, several guild masters exchanged worried glances.
"The Lullaby?" a guild master's voice was heard. "If you've come to report that, you've certainly earned our attention." His eyes twinkled with a mix of curiosity and caution, his sharp gaze sizing up Aurelius.
"I switched it out," Aurelius added simply, cutting off any further conversation. His words seemed casual, but the gravity behind them made everyone pause.
The guild masters looked confused, unsure if they'd heard him right.
"You what?" Another guild master asked, her eyes narrowing.
Aurelius met her gaze evenly. "I switched the Lullaby with a simple stick."
The room went quiet as the implications sank in. The Lullaby was in the hands of Eisenwald, but Aurelius had managed to replace it with a mundane object, rendering it harmless.
"I used my illusions," Aurelius explained. "I made sure no one would notice until it's too late. The Lullaby is no longer a threat."
Then, Bob of Blue Pegasus, the "charming" and carefree guild master, leaned back in his chair and chuckled. "Well, I suppose that's one way to handle a dark guild." He grinned at Aurelius, clearly impressed. "I don't know about you, but I wouldn't mind having a guy like you around. You've got the brains and the power. How about it? You're welcome to join Blue Pegasus. We have a lot of women that likes you and we could use someone like you on our side."
Before, Aurelius could answer, it seemed like a war was just waged between the guild masters as all of them started speaking up, trying to poach the white-haired illusionist.
Goldmine, the eccentric and overly enthusiastic master of Quatro Cerberus, clapped his hands together, his grin spreading from ear to ear. "Ah! Makarov, you've got such a fine treasure in this one! He's quick, sharp, and from what I've heard, quite the tactician! What do you say, kid? How about joining Quatro Cerberus? We could use someone like you! A bit more fun, a bit more freedom... and plenty of gambling opportunities, of course!"
Ooba, the laid-back but shrewd master of Lamia Scale, chimed in next. "What about Lamia Scale, eh? A bit of a quieter life, but hey, you could train with Jura while you teach our mages a thing or two about discipline, control, and strategy. We could all learn from someone as talented as you."
"How about us, boy, join Thunderstrike Guild and I'll directly promote you to S-class!"
"Join our Obsidian Flame! We'll pay you-"
"How about Crimson Tempest brat, we'll-"
"Abyssal Wave is the guild! We'll be the strongest with you!"
"Join the Golden Ember, You'll experience heaven!"
And so, with the appearance of one boy, the guild master's conference that was supposed to be organized and professional turned into a poaching war!
This continued until the the guild master of the topic of poaching finally had enough. "Aurelius isn't looking to join any guilds," Makarov said firmly, slamming a hand on the table. "He's here for Fairy Tail, and he'll stay with us."
But that wasn't enough to stop the relentless poaching attempts. The guild masters, undeterred, pressed on with their efforts.
"We offer you more than just power, Aurelius," Goldmine added, his voice growing louder, as though he had just made the world's greatest offer. "What about Blue Pegasus's wealth and women? We have so much fun and glamour to share with you, I'm sure it'll be an experience unlike any other!"
"Is it always about that?" Aurelius asked, finally speaking after his report as he raised an eyebrow. "Respectfully, you really need to get a new pitch."
Before anyone could laugh or react, a new voice entered the fray—one that was smooth, calm, and carried an air of intimidation that made the room quiet.
"Well, well," came the voice of Jose Porla, leader of Phantom Lord. "Seems like you all have been wasting your time with your silly offers." His cold smile spread across the room. "I'm sure Aurelius could find far better opportunities... in Phantom Lord. We have the resources, the ambition, and the power to help him unlock his true potential. Your magic would be developed by leaps and bounds once you joined Phantom Lord"
Makarov's expression hardened immediately. His brows furrowed, and the lighthearted atmosphere quickly disappeared as the tension in the room shot up. He stood up, his voice commanding. "Enough, Jose. We won't entertain any further discussion of that."
Jose's smile didn't falter, but his eyes darkened. "It's a shame, Makarov. You've got such a fine talent here, and yet, you're content with holding him back." His gaze turned to Aurelius, his voice more pointed. "Consider my offer, young man. Phantom Lord offers you more than just glory; we offer power—true power. And I will personally watch over and train you."
Aurelius's expression turned steely, his voice low but firm. "I apologize, but I'm not interested in Phantom Lord or any other guild."
Makarov stepped forward, his usual jovial attitude replaced by a rare intensity. "I said enough, Jose. Aurelius belongs to Fairy Tail, and that's where he'll stay."
The guild masters looked between each other, sensing the growing hostility. Makarov's protective stance over Aurelius was clear, and his tone brooked no further discussion. The room fell into an awkward silence for a few moments, with the guild masters shifting in their seats.
Bob, always the cheerful one, tried to lighten the mood once more, but the tension was palpable. "Well, you've certainly made your choice, Aurelius," he said with a half-hearted chuckle. "But if you ever change your mind, the door's always open."
Goldmine nodded, though with a hint of disappointment. "Indeed. We're all here, ready to offer you what we can. But it's your choice."
Aurelius simply nodded in acknowledgment. His eyes then briefly flicked toward Makarov before he turned to leave. As he walked toward the door, Makarov gave him a small nod of approval.
When Aurelius left, Makarov turned back to the table, his usual jovial demeanor returning. "As you can see, he's firmly committed to Fairy Tail," he said, trying to restore the mood. "No need to worry about poaching him. He has his own path."
As the guild masters began to murmur among themselves, a heavy silence lingered in the room. Makarov knew there were still whispers of doubt, but he stood firm. Aurelius, for all his power and skill, was still very much part of Fairy Tail. And no matter how tempting the offers, he knew Aurelius would remain with his family.
As Aurelius left the room, the door clicked shut behind him. The room was momentarily silent, the atmosphere thick with unspoken thoughts. One by one, the guild masters turned their attention to Makarov, who sat back down at the table with a deep breath, his stern gaze flicking from face to face. He knew what was coming, and he wasn't in the mood to entertain it.
Goldmine, the master of Quatro Cerberus, was the first to break the quiet. "Well, that's a fascinating young man you have there, Makarov. He's certainly a standout. he didn't even bat an eye at our offers."
Bob from Blue Pegasus, ever the easygoing one, leaned back in his chair and nodded. "Definitely. I've seen a lot of mages in my time, but Aurelius is something else. My mages say that he's calculated, sharp, and his ability to stay level-headed in the face of danger... He's a gem even among S-Class mages. Are you sure he's not S-class yet?"
Ooba from Lamia Scale added, "He's not just about power, either. From my knowledge, It's the way he thinks. He's methodical. Most mages jump into a fight, but him? He plans, predicts. He'd be an asset to any guild. Fairy Tail's got a real treasure in him."
Makarov took a deep breath, crossing his arms over his chest. He knew exactly where this conversation was heading, and he wasn't in the mood to entertain it.
Goldmine gave a knowing smile. "What I'm wondering is... why hasn't anyone recognized his potential for what it is? From the things I dug up, I would say that he should be getting more recognition. With his calm demeanor and tactical mind, he might also be the perfect fit for Fairy Tail's next Guild Master."
"That's exactly it," Ooba agreed, her voice almost wistful. "You know, Makarov, when the time comes for you to step down, I wouldn't be surprised if Aurelius gets the job. He's certainly the most grounded and capable of all your mages."
Bob chuckled softly. "Could be the best move for Fairy Tail. I mean, he doesn't seem to care about titles or recognition, he's also not destructive. He's not the flashy type, but when you see him act, you realize—he's exactly the kind of person you want running the show. Calm, collected, and always thinking ahead."
Jose, the master of Phantom Lord, let out a loud, dramatic yawn. "Well, well. Looks like the Fairy Tail folks have already picked their next king. Gotta admit, though, I'm a little surprised. I didn't think you'd pass the torch so quickly, Makarov. Thought you'd hang on to that chair for a little longer."
Makarov's eyes narrowed, and a deep frown crossed his face. "I'm not handing anything over yet, Jose," he growled, not taking kindly to the insinuation.
"Oh, I'm sure you're not," Jose said with a smug grin, clearly enjoying the discomfort he was causing. "But you've got to admit—Aurelius has all the qualities of a leader. It's just a matter of time before someone snatches him up, don't you think?"
Makarov glared at Jose but didn't respond immediately. Goldmine cleared his throat and quickly turned the conversation back to the topic at hand.
"Jokes aside," Goldmine said, his tone now more serious, "I honestly think it's just a matter of time before the world takes notice of Aurelius's true potential. The way he's handled himself—he's a natural strategist. And with his ability to influence his surroundings... well, we should have an idea on how he works his magic."
"He's far too competent for his own good," Ooba added, shaking her head. "He could be running a whole guild right now. A guy like him? He's practically tailor-made for leadership."
Bob smiled and added with a wink, "That's the thing about Aurelius. I would say that he probably doesn't want the spotlight. But he's already earned it, whether he likes it or not."
Makarov remained quiet for a moment, his gaze shifting from each of the guild masters in turn. He knew exactly where they were coming from. Aurelius had grown into a fine mage, and there was no denying his potential. But Makarov wasn't ready to let that go just yet.
"I don't doubt his abilities," Makarov said firmly. "But Aurelius is the kind of person who's more interested in results than recognition. I've seen it firsthand. He won't go after a position just for the power, like some others."
Jose, still seated with his arms casually crossed, leaned forward with an exaggerated smile. "Ah, but here's the thing, Makarov. You can keep him under your wing, but you can't control him forever. Sooner or later, he's going to get restless. And when that day comes... he'll want to spread his wings. You've done a great job keeping him close, but trust me, he's not your pet."
Makarov's patience was wearing thin, and his eyes flared with a warning glint. "I've got no intention of losing him. And don't think for a second that I won't act if anyone tries to make a move on him."
At this, the room went silent, and the other guild masters exchanged uneasy glances. Makarov had never been one to make threats lightly, and when he spoke like that, it was clear he meant business. Jose seemed to sense the shift in the atmosphere and leaned back in his chair with an exaggerated shrug.
"Relax, Makarov," Jose said with a dismissive wave. "I'm just saying, you've got a real gem in that kid. It'd be a shame if someone else realized it first."
The guild masters shifted uncomfortably in their seats, the playful tone dissipating as the conversation turned more serious. Makarov's eyes were hard, his protective instincts flaring. He wasn't about to let anyone take Aurelius from him—not now, not ever.
"I think we've talked enough about this," Makarov said, his voice cold. "If any of you have something to say to Aurelius, you can do it yourself. But don't think you'll get anywhere. He's not someone who's swayed by shiny offers or empty promises. And he's not going anywhere."
The tension in the room was palpable as Makarov's words hung in the air, a clear statement of his resolve. For the guild masters, it was clear that Aurelius Nyx, no matter how humble or quiet, was a force to be reckoned with.
And Makarov, for all his years as Guild Master, wasn't about to let anyone steal what he had worked so hard to groom and protect.
AN: This will be all for today, of course, that's unless you guys complete our deal, 5 reviews for 3 chapters(mass released). There are 2 reviews so far, so, 3 more to go and everyone will be enjoying 3 chapters!
Titles for the next chapters:
Chapter 9: Shadows of Change
Chapter 10: Hidden
Chapter 11: Deal with the Devil