Mavis had been struggling to get things done properly over the last few days. First, she spent almost an entire day deciding whether to meet Karna or not. When she finally decided to go, she got lost on her way to the harbour.
Seems like all these decades have caused massive changes everywhere. How will I find the right way?
Thankfully, after three days of wandering, she managed to reach Magnolia by following a few Fairy Tail members.
Hmm, first, I should find out how the guild is viewed by the people here.
She entered the nearest bar she could find. Being in spiritual form made it easy for her to move around unnoticed. Luckily—or unluckily—she overheard a conversation.
"So," a drunkard began, "did you hear the news?"
"About what?" another asked.
"Fairy Tail has reduced the number of accidents caused during their missions."
"Yeah, I heard. It's surprising, but it seems they're improving, even if there are still plenty of mishaps."
Mavis felt a swell of pride and imagined puffing out her nonexistent chest. However, her joy was short-lived.
"But I heard they have an underage wizard working there," another voice chimed in.
"Yeah, I know. The kid's nice and doesn't cause trouble, but still—what kind of idiot would put a guild emblem on a child?"
Mavis felt like hiding, even though she was invisible.
"They must be the most irresponsible person ever."
Another verbal jab, and Mavis had heard enough.
Staying here will just cause more emotional damage; she thought as she hurriedly left the bar.
Deciding it was time to visit her guild, she headed straight to Fairy Tail.
Walking into the guild hall, she was immediately overwhelmed by nostalgia.
It almost feels like nothing has changed.
Right on cue, a fight broke out, and objects started getting smashed.
Yep, she sighed, just like always.
But suddenly, a middle-aged woman with deep brown hair emerged from behind the registration counter, broom in hand. She began whacking the main troublemakers on their heads.
Well, it seems like there's been some improvement.
She floated towards the back of the guild, where she found Karna practicing with his bow.
Nearby, a little girl was watching him with a few tarot cards in her hands. She seemed to be trying to predict something.
"All right, Karna, start!" the girl said.
Karna nodded and quickly shot five arrows at five targets. Two hit the center, one hit the border, and two landed close to the center.
"Did you get it?" he asked the girl.
"Yes!" she replied with a bright smile. "It's just as I predicted!"
Hmm, it seems like they're practicing their magic together. Good to see that kid has found a friend his age. It makes me miss my own old days, Mavis thought wistfully.
Well, no matter. Should I appear before him or not? She pondered her decision.
Council of Wizards' Headquarters
Makarov attended the regularly scheduled Guild Masters' meeting, as usual. This time, he was seated across from one of the Four Great Wizards of Fairy Tail and one of its founding members—Warrod Sequen.
"Hoho, hearing about this makes me want to go back to the island to find her, you know," Warrod said.
"That might cause problems, you know," Makarov replied with a sigh.
"Yeah, I know. Being in such an important position means I'm always being watched, even from a distance. If I travel to Tenrou Island, they might discover its location," Warrod sighed deeply.
"Thank you for your consideration, Founder."
"And you didn't even bring any young ones, Makarov. I would've loved to meet them and have a little fun," Warrod teased.
"Huhu." Makarov laughed nervously, remembering how flustered he used to get from Warrod's jokes.
"Well, make sure to bring a few next time, Makarov."
"I'll try, but most of them would cause property damage just by being here."
"Haha, but that's a signature quality of Fairy Tail, you know."
"It's still a headache for us Guild Masters, though."
"Well, jokes aside, let's get to the real reason I called you here."
Makarov straightened up, already having an idea of what was coming.
"The council has its eye on Karna. They won't openly spy or harm him out of respect for me but be cautious."
"Is it because of his unknown origins?"
"Yes. Along with his unusual magic, they've never seen such pure magic in a child. But most importantly, the Vermillion name is the real issue."
"Really? Is it that problematic?"
"You might not realize this, Makarov, but among all the Fairy Tail members, she was considered the most dangerous. Not just for her vast arsenal of magic but for her intellect.
She may have been known as the Fairy Tactician in our guild, but the council's old records refer to her as the Strategic Despair. The number of casualties she inflicted on the enemy side was massive.
Knowing this, those paranoid fools in the council will likely make idiotic decisions to take control of Karna because of his mature intellect, even as a child."
"Maybe," Makarov said, his magic flaring up, "but they'll have to go through my dead body first. If they try, I'll make sure they never breathe again."
"You're not alone in this, Makarov," Warrod said, releasing his own powerful magic. "If they ever unjustly hunt a guild member, especially one recognized by Mavis as her child, they'll remember why I was known as Nature's Calamity."
After a moment of tension, they both calmed down, their magic subsiding.
Warrod smiled. "That must have scared the idiots trying to spy on us."
"Yes," Makarov chuckled. "Yes, indeed."
"So, Makarov, how does it feel raising those kids?"
"There hasn't been a moment more fulfilling," Makarov said with a soft smile.
Karna's POV
I think the peaceful times I had were just a warning for the weird things to come. Right now, Cana was hiding behind me, shivering in fear, while the spirit of the First Master floated in front of me.
"Hello. Don't be afraid—I'm kind of like Karna's mother, you know."
Yep. Things are starting to spiral out of control.
A/N- hope you like the rewrite and every 100 powerstone get extra chapter of Jason.